Things in Charming remained pretty tumultuous during my first few months there. After I was attacked, Lieutenant Roosevelt's wife, Rita, was shot during a home invasion. The relationship between the sheriff's department quickly shifted from cordial to down-right contentious. Roosevelt held the MC responsible for his wife's death and I honestly couldn't say that I blamed him for that at all.

My relationship with my dad was as solid as ever, but he was now regretting allowing me to move to Charming. He hadn't anticipated anyone trying to undermine Jax's leadership by recruiting the new members of the MC to do the home invasions. After Rita's murder, Unser killed Frankie and Go-Go when they tried to attack him again in his trailer. Dad finally eased up on some of his restrictions for me to do things on my own because the consensus was that the Nomads were to blame for the home invasions and with both of them dead, we were all pretty much safe. On top of that, it was becoming more and more apparent that my attack was definitely a case of mistaken identity, which helped with some of the tension that had been mounting between my dad and I.

He finally let me start to do more things without a chaperone. That happened with perfect timing because I needed to meet up with a supplier to get parts for Tino's car. He was someone with whom I had formed a business relationship when he and I had been based in the Pacific Northwest and I was excited to continue the partnership now that I had moved closer to him in Northern California. However, because of our previous relationship, I knew that I wouldn't be able to do that if I had a MC bodyguard with me. He had had a bad experience with a MC during his youth, so rockers made him nervous. That made doing business with him with a Son around pretty much impossible.

That's how I found myself driving down the highway at night by myself. I had been able to get a great deal on stereo parts and was celebrating by singing along with my music as I drove. One of the perks of driving by myself was that I could turn my music up loud enough that I couldn't hear myself singing. When I had someone from the MC chauffeuring me (because even in my own truck, I was always relegated to riding shotgun) there was always the expectation that there would be conversation. Most of the time I tried to work it so that JC was my chauffeur, but he was having to do the same thing for Clay, so alone time with him was getting harder and harder to schedule.

But I wasn't thinking about any of that right now. Right now, I was enjoying my freedom. "Edgar's up to bat... Bottom of the 11th inning... Got the whole town listening..." I sang along with Macklemore's 'My oh my'. I had made myself a mix of Seattle area artists because I had been feeling homesick lately, but I only listened to it when I was alone. Since my departure from there hadn't been on the best of terms, I didn't want it getting back to my dad that I was homesick. It felt like a betrayal. Silly, I know, but who ever said feelings were logical?

"Joey Cora rounds third! Here comes Griffey! The... What the fuck?"

I slammed on my breaks and pulled over to the shoulder. If I didn't know any better, I would say that was Nero's truck stopped on the shoulder just behind me. Why the hell would Nero be out here?

After I slipped my truck into park, I checked my rearview mirror again. The lights were still on his truck so I couldn't see if anyone was inside. It looked like he might have a flat tire, but he didn't have his hazards on to make it look like he was waiting for help.

I reached into my glovebox and pulled out the 9mm pistol I had started carrying in there. Dad had given it to me when I moved in with him. I resisted carrying it, but he had pushed the idea of me having it with me after I was assaulted. As much as I hated to admit it, I felt better knowing it was within reach whenever I was driving alone at night.

After I slipped the safety off, I opened my door and called out, "Nero? Nero, it's me!"

I received nothing but deafening silence in reply, so I slipped out of my truck to investigate. I kept the gun pressed against my right thigh as I walked around the nose of my truck with my right shoulder leaning against my truck as I moved. If it wasn't Nero's truck or Nero wasn't driving his truck, I didn't want them to see that I was armed. The element of surprise could be the defining factor between life and death.

"Nero?" Still no reply. When I got to the tail end of my truck, I noticed something on the ground in front of his truck. No, not someTHING, someONE was on the ground. "NERO!?"

I completely gave up on trying to be stealthy and sprinted over to the body. As I got closer to him, I saw the familiar looking reaper decal on his back and nearly started to panic. Whoever it was had hair, so I knew it wasn't Dad or JC. That was the only reason I wasn't having a full-blown panic attack right now.

"Please don't be dead," I pleaded out loud as I fell to my knees. That's when I finally saw his face and the pool of blood by his head. "CHIBS! Chibs! Don't you dare be fucking dead!"

I dropped the gun so that I could work on finding a pulse. My hands were shaking so badly that I couldn't properly find one, but I could feel the shallow breaths he expelled against the back of my hand. I wanted so badly to flip him over and check for other injuries, but I didn't want to do any more damage to him then his attacker had already done.

After I had confirmation that he was alive, I ran back to my truck to retrieve my phone and a blanket. As I tried to stem the blood flowing, I started making calls alphabetically from my contacts list. Thankfully my first call to Bobby was answered during the second ring.

"Mia? Is everything okay?"

"Bobby, I need help I'm on Highway 99, just a few miles south of Charming and Chibs is here with a puddle of blood and Nero's truck is here. He's breathing but his head is still bleeding and I don't know if I should move him or..."

"Breathe, Mia. Breathe," Bobby calmly instructed when I finally trailed off. "Okay. Let's try that again... but slower this time. Where are you?"

"Sorry... sorry... I'm on Highway 99. I was on my way home from Stockton."

"Alright. I'm on my way. I'll bring someone to drive Nero's truck back."

"Actually," I started slowly as I continued to try to catch my breath. "It looks like his truck has a flat, so you'll be better off bringing the tow truck. If someone helps me get Chibs into my truck, I can drive him back to the clubhouse."

"Shit... okay... I'll see if Rat's available. It might take a while... Are you going to be okay out there alone?"

I couldn't help but smile at the genuine concern in his voice. "I'll be fine Bobby. I have a blanket to keep us warm. And... I have the piece Dad gave me in my lap, so I have protection."

"Okay... Good. You hold tight and I'll get out there as soon as I can."

"Alright, Bobby. See you soon."

After I hung up with him, I ran back to my truck and turned off the engine. I made sure to turn on my hazard lights as well as the ones on Nero's truck. He had a couple of blankets and towels in his truck, so I pulled them out and made a bit of a nest for us. I wanted to try to make Chibs as comfortable as possible, so I carefully rolled him over onto his back and placed his head in my lap with a towel pressed against his wound. Once I had him settled, I threw one of the blankets over his body the best that I could while sitting down. It was kind of silly because it wasn't like he would notice if he was cold or not while he was unconscious, but keeping him warm and comfortable was important to me.

Once I felt like we were all settled, I picked up my phone again and held down the number '2' to speed dial through to my contact. I didn't want to admit it, but I was starting to freak out a little bit. Even the weight of the gun in my left hand wasn't all that reassuring anymore.

"Where are you? Why aren't you home yet?" I sniffled back a grateful tear because hearing my Dad's voice eased some of the tightness in my chest. "MARIA? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"No, Daddy. I'm fine."

"Why are you crying if you're fine?"

"Because I love you." I took in a deep breath then explained much more calmly than I had with Bobby. "I found Chibs on the side of the highway on my way home from Stockton. Someone knocked him out and flattened one of Nero's tires."

"That cowardly piece of shit. He was dead because of what he did to you, but now..."

"Who? Who did what to me?"

I heard dad let out a long breath before he answered, "Frankie Diamonds. He held Nero hostage to get money and a car to get out of Charming. He admitted to Jax, Bobby and Chibs that he hired the goon that attacked you."

"Why? What did I ever do to him?"

"No, Baby, the beating wasn't meant for you. He was hoping to shake up Wade or a prospect. He actually apologized to them for you getting hurt."

"Oh. Wel... I guess if he's sorry then... bygones."

Dad let out a humorless laugh then said, "Don't you worry, Baby Girl. He signed his death warrant the second he sent anyone after the club. Now that he's admitted what he did to you, it just means I get to be creative. Now, back to what's happening with you... Where on the highway are you?"

"Just outside of Stockton. But don't worry, Bobby's on his way out to help get Chibs and Nero's truck home."

"He is?"

"Yeah. His name is at the top of my contact's list. I called you to keep me company while I sit and wait for him."

"Alright. I'm here for you, Baby Girl. So? How was your trip to Stockton?"

"Good. I got everything that Tino wanted for his sound system. It should only take me a day or two and then he'll be able to pick it up to take it to his painter."

"Really? You're almost finished everything already? I'm so proud of you, Mia."

"Thanks, Daddy. It's been a slow go, but I'm happy with how it's all turning out. Oh..."

"What's wrong?"

"Chibs. I think he's waking up. Two seconds..." I put my phone and the gun down on the ground and quietly called out. "Chibs? It's Mia."

He groaned loudly and moved his right hand to the back of his head. He couldn't reach his wound because it was pressed against my thigh and the towel. I quickly caught his hand and moved it back under the blanket.

"Hey... hey... Try not to move too much. You've got a really nasty cut on your head."

"Me... Mia?" He questioned as his eyes slowly drifted open. "Luv...?"

I stroked his forehead gently, answering, "Yeah, Chibs, it's me. Don't worry, help is on the way. Just try to stay still, okay?"

He made a soft noise of agreement and then closed his eyes again. Once it looked like he was resting comfortably, I picked up my phone again.

"Well, he's talking, so that's a good sign, right?"

"Yeah, it is. Are you sure you don't need me to come out there?"

"No, that's okay. But... could you call JC and let him know I'm okay? I told him I would at least call him when I got back to town, so he's probably worried."

"Of course, I can. What else can I do?"

"Just keep me company until the Calvary arrives."

After Rat, Bobby and I got Chibs loaded into my truck, Bobby got in behind the wheel. Normally I got annoyed when someone assumed, they could drive my truck without my permission, but tonight I didn't mind. My nerves were rattled from everything that had happened. Plus, Chibs' cut was still bleeding, so I was more than happy to crawl into the back seat to tend to his wound while Bobby drove us home.

"The Mariners win it..."

"Sorry Bobby, your ears aren't bleeding, are they?"

Bobby laughed loudly then answered, "It's fine, Beautiful. After everything you've done for the club, you can pretty much do whatever you want."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Hmmm... Where would I even start? I could use a vacation."

"Can't we all? Where do you want to go?"

Chibs let out a loud groan then, so I turned my attention towards him. He was trying to move on the bench, so I placed a firm hand on his chest to get him to stay where he was.

"Shh... Chibs, don't move too much."

He groaned again as he opened his eyes and hoarsely said, "Somewhere warm."

"What?" Bobby and I asked at the same time.

"You should vacation somewhere warm, Luv."

That made me laugh softly. His injury couldn't be that bad if he was able to keep up with our conversation.

"Well... I've always wanted to go to Graceland."

Bobby caught my eye in the reflection of the rearview mirror and smiled proudly. "You're a woman after my own heart. You sure you and Juicy are meant to be?"

"Bobby! First Tig, now you? We need to get more women into the clubhouse."

"Don't forget about me, Luv. You can be me highland rose any day."

I pet the side of his face and unconsciously traced the scar on one of his cheeks. "You probably have a concussion, so I'll let that one slide, Chibs."

He chuckled then caught my hand and brought it up to his lips. "Thank you for find me, Luv. You are my angel."

"I was just in the right place at the right time."

"Aye. Because you be me angel."

His accent started to thicken like it did when he was drunk or exhausted, so I just laughed softly in reply. There was no reasoning with him when he reached that point, so I didn't even try. His eyes drifted closed and his breathing soon evened out into a deep sleep.

I didn't move for a couple of minutes to make sure he was actually asleep again before I called out softly, "Bobby?"

"Yes, Beautiful?"

"Hit number three on the console."

He did so without hesitation. Once Elvis' voice filled the cab of my truck, Bobby laughed quietly. "You truly are amazing, Mia."

"Thanks Bobby. You guys are pretty awesome too."