Author's Note: Still 5 years ago in Tacoma.

"Sorry I couldn't work that double for you today, Dolly," Kate apologized.

"Don't worry your pretty little head. I decided to pull you off the day shift, not you. Would have pulled you off tonight too but couldn't find anyone else to work. All things considered I'm surprised you're not hysterical like poor Rosie. Well, she was when she called me this morning."

"I'll be fine, so will Rosie. Dolly stop worrying," Kate smiled at the elderly woman, "Now go home yourself. You've been here since opening… twelve hours ago."

Dolly huffed but left anyway.

The rest of Kate's shift went by uneventfully. As she was saying goodnight to the others working, she noticed a Harley sitting next to her precious '66 Chevelle. The owner was perched on the seat sideways, leaning on the bike, watching her. Kate looked at him, a little leery, but walked up to him anyway. "Hey, how long you been waiting?"

Happy shrugged, "Half an hour… Have something for you."

He motioned for her to come closer, until she was standing directly in front of him. He twisted around and reached into his things, pulling out a small black towel. Unwrapping the towel, he brought out a new Gloc. Let her have a look, then wrapped it back up. "Serial numbers are missing. Same size and weight as your last piece. Shot it myself. It's good." He handed the package over to her so she could slip it into her purse.

She smiled a little awkward. "Not into anyone I hope… Thanks. You didn't have to do this." Happy got back on his bike, smirking at her. "Yeah, I did." Kate drove home, hearing the bike tailing her the whole way.

For nearly two weeks, every night that Kate worked, there was a Harley waiting when she got off. And every night it followed her home. Kate knew she should be afraid of her new shadow, but she actually felt a little comforted.

When the next Saturday rolled around, Kate decided she was going to talk to him. It was all getting a little ridiculous. Thirty minutes to closing, just like clockwork, there was the tell tale sound of a Harley pulling up. Kate filled a to go cup with coffee, grabbed her coat, and called out to Gaby, "I'm gonna take a ten. I'll be right back." And with that she was out the door.

Happy had just parked the bike in the back of the lot and was dismounting when Kate got to him. "Here," she handed the coffee to him. "Happy, right? Kate." She paused for a moment, "If you're here to like send a message or something, I'm not a pig, I don't squeal. You don't need to worry about that." Hap just nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.

Kate sighed. "Look, if you're going to do this every night you might as well come in, have a seat, get some coffee. It'll be on the house. You're scaring the rest of the staff, sitting out here in the dark." She started to walk away. When she reached the door, she turned around and looked at him. "No reason for you to freeze your nuts off," she called out to him loudly.

The next night, when she heard the Harley pull up she didn't really expect him to come in. He hadn't last night even with her invitation. She heard the door bell sound a few minutes later and was a little surprised to see Happy standing in the doorway. He walked over to the corner booth and sat down, scanning the other customers with his eyes. As soon as she had a moment she brought him a cup of coffee. Neither said a word to each other the entire night. When it was time to leave, he saw her grab her things, so he got up and waited by the door. Again following all the way until she got to her apartment.

Instead of just driving off when they got there, Happy parked his bike but stayed seated. Kate got out of the car, giving him a questioning look. He motioned for her to come to him. Hap just looked at her for a minute.

"Why?"

Kate was confused, "Why what?"

"Why'd you off that guy? Wasn't you he was gunnin' for."

She shook her head and sighed, "I saw him raise that gun at you… and I just…I don't know… followed my instincts, I guess..."

"Your instincts told you to kill the guy before he killed me?"

"Yeah."

"You feel bad about it?"

"No. I know I should, but I don't."

Happy, shook his head slowly and looked off into the distance, thinking. Coming to a conclusion, he got off his bike and came around to Kate until he was directly in front of her. She looked at him questioningly. Hap grabbed her hips and pulled her closer so they were flush. Then he slowly brought one of his hands up until it was tangled in her hair. He kissed her, slipping his tongue between her lips and then letting their tongues slide against each other. Kate brought her arms around his neck and was lightly running her nails over the back of his head and shoulders. Slowly, they made their way to her apartment.

Kate was trying to open the door without removing her lips from his but was failing miserably. Finally, she pulled away and huffed. Happy was kissing her shoulders and neck as she tried to remember which key fit the door. "Get the door open, or I'm gonna break it down." Finally the door swung open and they stumbled in. Happy kicked it closed and then stopped kissing her long enough to pull her shirt over her head, followed by his own. "Bedroom?" She pointed down the hallway, as he started kissing her again. Hap directed their movements in that general direction until Kate reached down and undid his belt buckle. Once she got his belt and zipper undone he lost it and just started moving towards the couch.

"Next time in a bed, promise." He undid her jeans and pushed them down her legs, until she was able to step out of them. Once they were off he stepped back to look at her. All flushed in her bra and panties, she was beautiful.

"These for me," he fingered the lace.

"No, I only wear lace and silk."

"Good." With that he reached around and undid her bra, pushing it down her arms and then started sliding her panties off. Once he had her naked, Kate pushed his jeans down his legs with one hand; and with the other, she grasped him firmly and started to stroke. After a moment, he wrapped his own hand around hers, stilling her. "Later." With that he grasped her hips and turned them around so he was sitting on the couch, then sat her down on top of him. She rode him hard until they both came.

Eventually, he stood. Then picked her up and tossed her into a fireman's carry, slapping her ass in the process. He carried her to the bedroom to continue where they left off.

A few hours later they lay in her bed, as the sun was coming up. Hap was stretched out, half asleep and she was checking out his ink, tracing the outlines as she went. "What's up with the happy faces?"

He just looked at her for a moment. "People who messed with the wrong family."

She was silent for a moment, "That why this one's still fresh?"

"Yeah"

"K," With that she curled into his side with her head against Happy's neck.

"You afraid?"

"No, I'm not planning on screwing you so I think we're good."

He smirked at her, "Too late for that sweetheart."

"You know what I meant." She buried her face into his shoulder.

His raspy voice broke the silence, "I'm gonna be in Cali for a few days so I won't be around. I'll meet you at the diner, Wednesday night." He stood up and moved into the living room.

Kate sat up and tried to look through the wall at him, "If you don't want to be around after this don't feel obligated."

He walked back in with both their clothes in hand, giving her a disbelieving look, "I'll see you Wednesday."

Happy searched his jean pockets, "Here," he handed her a cell phone, "If you have any problems you give me a call. Number's programmed in."

Now she looked at him like he was crazy, "I already have a cell."

"Prepaid."

"So is mine."

"I'll check it out when I get back."

They both got dressed before she asked, "Were you planning this whole thing?"

"No."

"And the phone?"

"Was for my mom," Kate tried to hand it back to him but he just shook his head no and kissed her. "I'll get another."

Happy's phone rang, he went into the other room to answer it. After a moment, he came back in.

"Gotta go. Be back Wednesday." Hap kissed her one more time than let himself out the front door.