Another chapter! I have an insane week ahead of me, and I wanted to get this chapter up before it started! I am hoping to update next weekend, so until then, thanks for reading and enjoy! Also, please review! Thanks! :-)

The very first thing that Chibs did when he opened his eyes was check the clock on the side table. The hands reported that it was quarter after two, and he relaxed a moment, thanking his lucky stars that he had resisted the urge to keep his eyes closed and go back to sleep. The warm, naked body that was practically glued to his still slept soundly. He took the opportunity to bury his nose in Fiona's curls and inhale. Her hair was an absolute disaster, the curls atop her hand tangled by his own hands, but it smelled like heaven and he loved it. She smelled like apples, always like apples.

"Fi, wake up," he whispered, his mouth finding its way to just outside her ears as he tightened his arms around her.

She shifted slightly against him and told him, quite plainly, "No."

The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. Of course she was going to be obstinate. It was one of the many, many things he loved about her.

"We've been asleep for quite a while. It's already quarter past two. Our girl is going to be home from school soon," he informed her, his voice teasing just enough to ensure that she would argue.

"She'll just come in and not even notice us gone and just put her headphones on and start her homework. We're probably fine to sleep until dinner," she insisted, burying her face in his shoulder.

He actually laughed. "Are we talking about the same daughter here? Tall, curly hair, pretty girl? Comes in the door bellowing 'Ma!' and 'Da!' and demanding food each and every day? That daughter?"

She grumbled and rolled on her back, dislodging the sheet that covered her and stretching her tired muscles, allowing him a view that he would store in the memory backs for a long, long time. She rolled back over and propped herself on one elbow.

"This is entirely your fault, you know," she said with confidence, poking him directly in the chest.

"How do you figure?" he asked, gazing up at her, a smile on his face.

"Well, first you got the girl used to actual cooking and having delicious snacks when she gets home from school," Fiona explained. "And then there you were this morning, all sweet smiles and subtle glances and casual touches, charming me out of my clothes and into bed. You wore me out, and even a nap didn't help much. So now, Kerrianne will be home soon, wanting a snack, and I am exhausted, so really, the entire situation is your fault."

"Would you rather I keep my hands to myself next time?" he asked, already knowing what her answer would be.

"Not a chance," she said with a grin, bending to kiss him. He wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss, before pulling her to his chest and hugging her. She continued, "I can't believe you have to leave in a couple of days."

Chibs sighed. He had been actively avoiding thinking about the fact that he had to get on a plane and head back to Charming very soon. Over the past weeks, he had grown accustomed to being here, in their own little corner of the world where nobody existed except him and Fiona and Kerrianne. It would be a jarring adjustment to be back in the real world again.

"I know," he agreed softly, shifting in bed so that he faced her. "You will be okay here, when I go?"

She smiled, but without any real joy. There was no happiness she could conjure at the thought of her husband leaving, but it did warm her heart to see him concerned over her and their daughter.

"I don't know about okay, but I will manage until you can come back," she assured him, running her hands over his gruff face, remembering the smooth boyish skin that used to be there. At moments like these, she remembered just how long the two of them had been together, and it made her smile. If they had weathered this long, there was literally nothing that could get in their way, not even an ocean. "I'll miss you, though."

"Me too," he agreed in a hurry. This trip had been a blessed break from the day to day shit that was his life. He had spent every moment with his wife and his daughter and he really was going to miss it. He knew that the Club relied on him and needed him in Charming, but his heart really was in Ireland, right here, in this bed with this woman. "I will come back as soon as I can. We have some things to handle in Charming town, deals to be sorted and some actual work at the garage to do. But I'll be back."

"I know," she nodded. She knew that, while he loved being here, he felt such a strong responsibility to his brother back in California. He felt guilty being here, being happy, when they needed him. He had been burning the candle at both ends since the rest of the guys went inside, and sooner or later, she knew it would take a toll on him. "Maybe we can come visit you next time? Kerrianne had been asking a lot about Charming. Think that maybe it's time to let her see where her Da lives?"

"Yeah," he agreed, almost immediately. The thought of having his girls there, in Charming, was too good for him to resist. "You think she really wants to come?"

"Absolutely," Fiona lied. In truth, she had no idea how badly Kerrianne may or may not want to visit, but it didn't matter. The girl loved her Da, and Fiona knew that she wouldn't refuse a visit to see him, no matter how nervous she was about flying or leaving Ireland, even temporarily. "I will see when her school schedule would allow it. I want to come visit you; see where you have rested your head all these years. "

He smiled, "It's nothing spectacular, let me assure you. But I think it would be good if you both came. I'd like that."

"Hmmm," she returned his smile. "I'd like it if you kissed me."

"Who am I to deny you?" he asked, and immediately set upon the task at hand. Kissing her was definitely a luxury he would miss when he headed back to Charming, and so he planned to take full advantage of it while he could.

Just when he had managed to get to the good, hands in fun places part, they were interrupted by the door slamming open on the other end of the house. Chibs groaned and let his hands fall away from Fiona's irresistible body. She laughed as they both heard the chorus of, "Ma! Da! I'm home! I'm hungry!"

"I'll go head her off," Fiona said, climbing out of bed and gathering her clothing that had been thrown about the bedroom. "You….handle yourself and then get dressed. You're taking us out to dinner!"

Opie crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back in the little plastic chair and allowed his eyes to wander. Visiting hours at Stockton were never fun, but he had to wonder about some of the people gathered here to see those on the inside. They were easy to separate. There were older women, a worried and tired set to their faces. These were the mothers whose boys were on the inside; who fretted everyday over their health, their safety, and their souls. There were other women, younger in age, but the same facial expressions. Most of them had children with them, and looked anxious; almost as if they were waiting for somebody to judge them for bringing their children to a prison to see the men who had help create them. These were the wives. There were even younger women whose pants were tighter and whose shirts were smaller. These were the girlfriends, the ones who were quick to swear loyalty and throw around words like "forever" and "wait for you", but these were the same women who made eyes at him in the parking lot. Forever didn't really hold up in the face of words like "no parole".

It was almost funny to Opie that, every time he came here to visit, he was one of the only men. It would never occur to him to NOT go see one of the guys whenever he could, but for most of the men imprisoned here in Stockton, friendship probably stopped at the prison gate. That, at least, was an upside to being a part of SAMCRO. They were bound to one another, and loyalty ensured that, at the very least, they had somebody to come visit them in prison.

The loud buzzing sound indicated that prisoners were being lead in, and Opie looked up to see Jax being lead over. The guard uncuffed him and left to resume his post, and Op stood up, hugging his brother. Opie was surprised to see a completely new man standing in front of him. The long blonde hair, Jax's hallmark since middle school, was gone. In its place was a closely shaved new look, almost making Jax look younger. His eyes, however, showed his age and then some. The deep blue of the prison jumpsuit brought out Jax's eyes and stood in sharp contrast to the gray that surrounded them. Prison was beginning to take a toll on his friend.

"I like the new look," Opie said, reseating himself in the plastic chair. "Kind of an outlaw meets Wall Street vibe."

The sarcasm brought a smile to Jax's face. "If I knew you would like it so much, I would have done it years ago, big guy."

Opie rolled his eyes. "I left my porn star girlfriend home to come hear gay jokes from you?"

"I think that proves my point more than yours," Jax grinned. "Okay, I'm done now. I promise. How's it going?"

"Same, I guess," Opie sighed, glad to leave the topic of his sexuality behind. "Garage is the same. Guys are the same. Not much has changed."

"The same is good, I guess," Jax said. "And how's the…side business?"

Opie kind of hated not being able to come out and speak about Club shit in the open, but there was no way to know whether somebody might be listening to them.

"Things are settled on that front," Opie reported. "Chibs is back from vacation tomorrow. He's liking it over there. He spent three weeks with the girls and even went to visit some rich uncles over there. He told me…that he went souvenir shopping."

"Nice," Jax smiled at Opie's wording. "I miss him. I'm glad he got to spend time with his family."

Jax stopped talking, but Opie knew that he had more to say. He didn't have to wait long. "I wonder how he did it."

"How he did what?" Opie asked, confused. Jax wasn't making a ton of sense right now, and Op was worried.

"Chibs went ten or so years without seeing his kid and his wife," Jax explained. "I haven't even been inside for a month, and I am going nuts. I miss Tara and Abel."

"Ah," Opie immediately understood. He had been where Jax was before, and he knew that there wasn't much he could say right now to make it better. "I am guessing Tara hasn't been to see you yet?"

"No," Jax replied shortly. "I talk to her on the phone but….she hasn't come out."

Opie knew that Tara was having some trouble adjusting to the reality of Jax being in prison. She was nervous and scared and she missed him like crazy. He was going to have to talk to her, though. Jax was his best friend, and seeing his old lady and his kid would be good for him. It would give him some hope in here, and from the looks of him, he really needed it.

"Listen man," Opie spoke up. "When I went inside, Donna didn't come see me for weeks and weeks. She was pissed. At me and the Club and life and everything. She pulled away and it took a while for her to get to where she could come see me without losing it."

"I remember," Jax nodded.

"Tara is not Donna," Opie told him. "She isn't mad, at least not at you. She just doesn't think she is strong enough to see you here without breaking down. Plus, she is pregnant and puking constantly, and Abel is kind of exhausting. Just give her some time, brother."

"Yeah, I know," Jax agreed quickly. "It just sucks being in here when I know I have responsibility out there."

"We're handling all of the responsibilities," Opie told him, leaving zero room for argument. "You are doing what you have to do. We are keeping things going and checking on your kid and your girl. She'll come see you soon. Try not to worry, brother."

"Yeah," Jax sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. "I appreciate you looking out for me and taking care of things. We all do."

"It's not a problem," Opie dismissed his thanks. "It's what we do."

"The guys wanted me to tell you thanks for sending some of the Crow Eaters," Jax spoke up, a smile on his face. "Some don't get a lot of visitors. Juice and Tig and Hap are thrilled."

"We had to send most of them to other charters," Opie admitted, glad to finally be talking about something easier. "There are slim picking around TM these days."

Jax raised an eyebrow. "Wow. Were the guys pissed?"

"Not really," Opie shook his head. "Kozik is keeping in touch with a few locals, and Dad is just…Dad."

"And you and Chibs have tapped out," Jax shot him a shit eating grin.

"You're one to talk," Opie glared at him. "Weren't you just missing your girl and your kid like, five seconds ago?"

"Yeah, shut up," Jax argued. Around them, people were moving. Visitation was almost up. "Thanks for coming all the way out here like this, man."

"No problem," Opie told him seriously, before adding, "It's not like I have a business of a Club or a family to run. I have tons of free time."

Jax laughed, and Opie continued. "Seriously though. I wouldn't miss it. Tell the other guys to stay safe, okay?"

"I will, man," Jax said, standing and moving to hug Op. "Being Chibs with you next time. It'll be good to see him."

Opie nodded and he wrapped his arms around Jax. For the ten seconds of the hug, they could talk more freely. "I met with Mr. Black and they will be looking out for you guys in here. Mr. Brown and I have something set for tomorrow. Hang in there until then, Jax."

"Thank you," Jax whispered back. "For everything."

Opie nodded and watched as his best friend was led away in cuffs. He turned to go collect his belongings and make his way out of the prison, making a note to stop and talk to Tara on his way home. He owed his friend that much.