*****FLASHBACK******

The other mechanic showed back up to work then next day. Since all of the regular customers knew and trusted him, almost all of them insisted that he do the work on their cars. That meant that I was quickly designated all the shit jobs like detailing the cars after they were serviced and valeting them between jobs.

"Fuck!" I cursed out softly as I kicked the vacuum into a random corner.

"Ouch. Did the vacuum personally offend you?"

I didn't slow down as I slammed the doors to the cabinet closed and growled out, "Fuck off, Juice. I'm not in the fucking mood."

"Whoa! Hey now…" He replied as he moved out of my way. "What's…? Oh… That's right, Wade's back. I'm guessing he's not letting you work on any of the cars?"

"No, it's not him. HE'S just respecting the customers wishes," I replied with sarcasm dripping off every word. "He's just doing what he's been asked… and acting like I'm a fucking child who's going to put sugar in the gas tank by accident or something."

I kicked a nearly empty bucket on wheels and sent it careening in Juice's direction. He jumped out of its way while crying out another surprised, "HEY!"

The bucket hit the wall and started to make its way back towards me. That's when I finally realized how childish I was being and completely snapped out of my temper tantrum. "Shit! Sorry Juice."

"It's alright. You're frustrated, I get it. Did you want me to say…?"

"No!" I shouted over the rest of his question. "No. This is just him hazing me. I'm fine paying my dues. Let's just chalk that little outburst up to PMS or something."

"Whoa! TMI, Mia! TMI. No need to overshare this early in the friendship."

I stared at him while he covered his ears and looked like he was legitimately gagging. Well, not gagging. He looked like he might actually be getting sick to the stomach. As I watched him work through what appeared to be genuine distress, I suddenly burst out laughing. When he heard my boisterous laughter, Juice stopped what he was doing and stared at me with a bit of a worried eye.

I wiped away some tears that had fallen because I had been laughing so hard and said, "Thanks Man, I really needed that."

After a couple of days, Jax, Tig and Chibs were released from county. I knew Chibs for the same reason I had gotten to know Bobby. A few times when he visited Tacoma, he had had work done on his bike and while he was at the shop, I tasked myself with keeping him company, so he wouldn't get bored. Most of our time together was spent with him humoring me and my incessant questions about Scotland. He would probably remember me as the little girl with pigtails who was too shy to ask him about his scars while practicing the world's worst Scottish accent.

Tig and Jax seemed nice enough, but I didn't really get a chance to talk with them much the first day because of club business. Although I didn't hear any details, I could tell that they were dealing with something urgent and time sensitive. I just tried to stay out of their way as much as possible because I knew Dad would be annoyed if I tried to step in or if I got hurt because I inadvertently got in the way.

There weren't any cars for me to work on at the moment, so I found myself hanging out with Dad and the two prospects. They were relaxing, sharing a joint and I really wanted to join them, but I was on the clock. Since I was at work, I wanted to be professional, or as professional as possible. That meant that I lit a menthol cigarette while I watched them pass around the joint with a bit of a jealous eye.

"Miss Mia?" Chucky called out as he walked into the garage. "You have a phone call on the office line."

I stared at him for a second (yes, I was that surprised that someone would be calling me here at the office) before I asked, "Did they say who it was?"

"But of course! It's a Mr. Tino Herrera," he replied cheerfully. "He said that he knows you from your uncle's garage in Tacoma. But I…"

I was up and nearly sprinting out of the shop towards the office before he was finished his sentence. Since I wasn't working on a car, I was wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt instead of coveralls, so the guys got a completely unobstructed view of all my curves as I moved. Happy didn't pay attention to them for obvious reason, but V-Lin and Rat didn't have any reason not to let their appreciation be known while they watched me move.

Rat let out a low whistle as he passed the joint to V-Lin. "Wow. I vote we throw out all of the coveralls here right now."

V-Lin took a hit then passed it over to Happy. "New dress code… Tight fitting jeans and skin-tight t-shirts only. It should be illegal to hide that ass unless you're Wade."

"Think she likes to be spanked on that fine little bubble butt when she's naughty?"

"Nah, man… She's the one doing the spanking," V-Lin countered with a dreamy smile. "And she'll make sure you like it and call her Mommy or Mistress while she's at it."

The two prospects started laughing at their jokes while Chucky and Happy just watched them. Happy tried his best not to get angry because he knew that what the guys were saying was just normal banter in the garage or clubhouse. He knew that he had to let the guys talk about Mia the same way they would about any pretty girl that hung out here or else he risked exposing their secret and undermining her place at the shop. Plus, Mia had been adamant that he let her defend her honor in her own way if she felt the situation warranted it. Of course, her definition of 'warranted' differed greatly from his own, but he was willing to give her that concession… for now.

As he sucked back another hit, a funny thought came to Happy. Normally he wouldn't joke or tease about Mia, but he could blame it on being high if anyone questioned his behavior being out of character. So, with a self-satisfied smile spreading across his lips, Happy took another long drag then said, "Either way, I don't mind when she calls me 'Daddy'."

Rat and V-Lin shared a shocked look that made Chucky laugh softly. All humor evaporated from their demeanor while they stared at the serious look on Happy's face. They knew there was something up with Happy and Mia, but no one really wanted to believe it. I mean, he was old enough to be her father. But then again, they hadn't gotten to know her that well yet, so may that was her kink.

"Hey Tee! Long time, no see."

"How was the move?"

"So far, so good. What's up with you?"

"Well… I'll be heading down to the California League to check up on some clients in the not too distant future and it turns out my dream car is in Modesto. Only problem is, it doesn't run and from the pictures I've seen, I think the asking price is too high. So… I was hoping…"

"What's his name and address?"

He recited the information so quickly that it almost sounded like he had it memorized. "Thanks Mia. You're a life saver."

"It's no problem, Tee. Plus, it's all billable hours." That was one of our running jokes, so I paused to let him laugh. "Once I've taken a look at her, I'll call you and let you know if she's worth the money."

"No, Mia. You don't understand. She completes the set. I NEED her. I just don't want to over pay. Even if you just make her look as good as the other ones to leave her to sit with them, I want her."

"Seriously? Okay. Well, I'll assess and let you know."

"Perfect. And… Mia? I… I called the office because…"

"My number hasn't changed, Tee. I just don't have it on me right now. Trying to make a good impression at the new job and all."

"Of course. Alright, I'll talk to you later. And I'll see you in a couple of weeks."

"Sounds like a plan. Later Tee."

I tore the paper from the pad and forced myself not to run out to find Gemma or Jax, so that I didn't look like an eager little girl. As soon as I got out the office door, I stopped short when I noticed that there as a gathering outside. Instinctively I found Dad first and as luck would have it, he was standing with Jax and Chibs.

When Dad saw me approaching them, I noticed some tension start to ease out of his expression. If it was just the two of us, I would have thrown my arms around him to give him a tight hug to reassure him that whatever he thought was wrong with me, that he was wrong and that I was okay. Granted, I hat absolutely no idea why he might be worried, he still looked like he needed that affirmation from me.

Since I couldn't treat him like my dad right now, I switched gears in my head and help the paper up saying to the three of them, "I have a job and I need a hand."

Jax turned and raised an eyebrow asking, "What kind of a job?"

"One of my regular customers in Tacoma found his dream car in Modesto. The only problem is that he thinks the asking price is way too high because it doesn't run."

"And what, pray tell, does he want us to do about it, Lass?"

I smile explaining to Chibs and Jax, "Back home I would go out and… assist with the sale. And if you're worried, Boss, he's willing to pay for the time I have to travel to Modesto on top of the work that needs to be done and any other expenses."

"Really? Your usual hourly wage?"

"Yep. Plus, any and all repairs will be done here at TM, so it's all money in the garage's pockets."

"Alright, I like the sound of that. What can we do to help you with this job?"

I point to the tow truck over my shoulder answering, "I was hoping you could spare someone to help with a tow in case I'm able to close the deal today."

"Alright. Why don't you take Rat?"

I looked over at the prospect who was chatting with Clay and Unser tried not to cringe to overtly. When I turned back to Jax, he had an amused look on his face. I swear he was reading my mind, but he wasn't going to offer any suggestions. "Ummm… I hate to admit this, but… Any chance I can borrow someone who looks a bit more intimidating? Back home… err… in the Tacoma area most of the yards know me, but it's taken a few years to cultivate my rep, so…"

"You want an enforcer," Chibs offered with an audible chuckle.

I shrugged then dipped my head so that I was looking up at him through my eyelashes to demurely say, "Well, I AM just a girl… you wouldn't want me to meet up with a big, bad man all by myself… I might get hurt."

Chibs and Jax gaped at me while Dad barked out a very boisterous laugh. "Mia…"

"What?" I questioned with wide-eyed innocence that would make a Disney princess blush.

I started batting my eyes causing Happy to snap out a stern, "MARIA!"

I jumped to attention and quickly apologized, "Sorry! I'll stop." I turned to Jax and Chibs and explained, "It's just… I like to be prepared because you never know what will work with a new customer. Plus… he's been smoking, and I'd rather not be with someone who's impaired when I meet a potential partner for the first time."

"Very true and valid points." Jax flung his right hand out and tapped Chibs on the chest with the back of his hand. "Go check if Juice is sober. If he is, tell him he's volunteered to be Mia's bodyguard for the day."

"Will do, Boss." Chibs then turned to me and bowed his head. "Mia-Luv, I would say good luck, but… Honestly, I pity anyone who is dumb enough to get in your way."

I laughed softly and said in an almost embarrassed tone, "Thanks."

Once it was just the three of us, Jax said, "If you two want to keep the nature of your relationship a secret, you might want to be more careful." Dad's jaw clenched tightly while I felt my cheeks start to turn and embarrassed shade of pink. "Sorry, it's just that last 'Maria' came out with the exasperation only a father could muster with minimal effort."

I gave him a tight smile and looked up at my dad through my lashes because he was right. It was hard for me to argue that even though I was a full-grown adult, I really was still my Daddy's little girl. I didn't feel any shame about that, but I could see how that could be an issue since it could turn out deadly if anyone found out who I really was to Happy.

"Speaking of," Jax continued when he saw that he had gotten his point across to me. "What is the official story about you two?"

"He's an old family friend of Uncle Terry's who's looking out for me since I moved away from home."

"Okay, that should be easy enough to hold up. And… here's your muscle. Good luck in Modesto."

"You call if you need anything," Dad stated in a firm, no nonsense tone before he turned on his heel to follow Jax.

"Sure will, Happy."

Juice looked towards the two men who were walking away and then back to me. "Chibs said something about you needing help on an out call?"

I cringed replying, "Please don't call it that. But, yes. If I can make this deal, I'll need the tow truck. Despite my many talents, working a wrecker isn't one of them."

"Well, Rat…" He stopped when he noticed me squirming in my spot. "What…? What is it?"

I ground the toe of my right boot as if I was crushing an invisible cigarette then admitted to the ground, "A full patch speaks louder than someone wearing a prospect rocker."

"Wow. So, you're just using me for my body?"

I turned my eye up to his face then playfully answered, "No, Baby. I'm just using you for your vest and tattoos."

His mouth gaped slightly as he whispered, "Fuck."

Although I wanted to continue to tease him since it looked like it was working so well, I forced myself to stop. "There's also the fact that… if the buyer assumes that I'm connected to the club or that we're… 'together'…" Yes, I did air quotes around the word together. "he won't be all gross and drooling on me. I hate admitting it, but this is one arena where I don't want to use my feminine wiles on him at all. That would just… just… lead me down a path where I'll get the rep of being just a piece of ass. I really need to be taken seriously since I'm new to the area and being connected to the MC really helps with that."

"Alright. I'm more than happy to help out with that. But I…"

"I know. I mean, I know all about tonight. I've already set up the meeting and we're just going down to Modesto. If it feels like we won't get back here in under two hours, then the deal can't be made. Please, Juice? I could really use your help. Please?"

"Well, when you ask so nicely, how can I refuse?"

I can't lie, I felt a little bit disappointed when Juice and I returned to TM in under an hour. Don't get me wrong, he was backing the 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo into the secure bay, so the trip was a success. But a quick trip meant less one on one time with Juice.

Then again that was probably a good thing. He was sweet, funny and gorgeous. That was a dangerous combination for me. I was feeling way too comfortable with him and that paved a road filled with nothing but disaster. I was trying to avoid any mess right now that didn't include engine grease.

I stepped back to watch Juice and Rat unload the car when I heard, "You were able to make the deal."

I jumped slightly at being startled out of my thoughts and then turned to look at Jax. "Y-y-yeah. And I got it for half the asking price."

"Really? Well done, Mia. So, really? He'll pay your hourly wage just to have you broker the deal on a Junker?"

"Absolutely. He pays it because he knows that I can get the job done… from all angles."

"Huh. And fixing up old cars? It pays good money?"

I shrugged answering, "IF you know what you're doing."

"And you do." He made it a statement, but I still nodded. "Why don't we have a sit down later, so I can find out more about this side of the business?"

"Sure," I replied feeling slightly uneasy. "You just tell me the time and the place, Sir, and I'll be there."