Disclaimer: Kurt Sutter, king of all things SOA, owns any and all recognizable SOA characters and storylines.

"Anywhere you go, anyone you meet,

Remember that your eyes can be your enemies,

I said, hell is so close and heaven's out of reach

But I ain't giving up quite yet,

I've got too much to lose"

-Augustana "Sweet and Low"

Madie hadn't felt relief quite like that in a long time—maybe ever. As soon as she saw the "Welcome to Charming" sign, she felt a wave wash over her unlike any high she had ever known. If she had any inkling that coming home would feel this good, she would have done so a very long time ago.

She hadn't called to tell her mother that she was coming home—she told no one. So she was surprised to see Sons cranking their bikes outside of the gas station she had stopped at. She didn't look any of the in the eye, kept her shades on and took off out of the lot like she was on fire. This was not the place she wanted to reveal herself. And Gemma would be pissed if everyone knew her daughter was back before she did.

Jax, Juice, Chibs, and Happy were getting ready to head back to Teller-Morrow on their way back from a "meeting," when they encountered a really hot chick riding a Harley like she was born to do so. All eyes followed her out of the lot—she knew how to handle that fine piece of machinery. It wasn't until they were pulling into the lot after her that suspicion rose. Who was this woman? Each of them had different ideas ricocheting in their heads, but no one voiced concern.

Gemma had caught sight of the woman as well. She, however, was never one to remain confused for long. She sought answers. The guys, having parked their bikes, were facing Madeline's back. But the look on Gemma's face when the helmet and shades came off, had them briskly walking to see who this mystery person was.

Gemma had an overwhelming feeling of joy come over her as she laid eyes on her daughter's face. Never one to make a spectacle of emotion, Gemma couldn't keep the tears at bay, and let the feelings wash over her. She quickly ran to Madeline and pulled her into an intense embrace. She held her there for minutes, afraid that if she let go, her baby girl would disappear.

The guys waited patiently, being joined by the other club members who had been in the garage—Bobby, Tig, Piney, Opie, and Clay now stood with Jax, Juice, Chibs, and Happy. When Gemma finally let her go, Clay was the next to catch sight of her face. He quickly snatched her into his arms, "Shit, baby girl, at the rate you were going, I thought I'd never get to lay eyes on you again." Clay kissed her forehead.

Stepping back, all eyes were on her. Jax, her wonderful, handsome brother was next in the welcoming party. "Mad, what the fuck took you so long to visit?" She saw the smile in his eyes as he gave her a bear hug.

"Just thought it was time to come home." That was all they needed to hear.

One by one, she greeted the crew. Chibs pinched her cheeks. He did that when she was a kid. She had chubby cheeks for the longest time, so the Scot had taken to calling her chipmunk. She loved it though. The way he always said it sounded like his own personal way of saying love you, kid.

Bobby gripped her tight and lifted her off of her feet. "I made cranberry, blueberry muffins this morning—had you on my mind and knew they were your favorite. Guess my gut just knew you were coming back. There are still a few hidden in the microwave."

Madie smiled brightly. "I've missed your muffins. I'll probably gain a solid ten pounds by the end of the week." She laughed.

"You're too skinny kid, you could stand to gain a dime or two," Tig replied, pulling her into a hug. Always the family perv, his hands gripped her ass cheeks. "When did you get this?"

She giggled and smacked his hands away. "Oh Tigger, I'm not a kid anymore. You'd blush at what I have…developed." He just smirked.

Piney pulled her to his side in a one-armed hug, and Madeline wrapped her arms around the bear of a man—he was her Godfather after all. "Sweetheart, where the hell you been kid? The Sunday paper ain't the same without you laughing at the comic with me." It had been a tradition. Every Sunday, Piney would sit at the bar in the clubhouse. He would read the paper after dutifully handing over the comic section. Only on Sundays though because that was the only day they were printed in color. Piney once explained that a picture—drawn or taken—couldn't speak as loud without color. When she had later heard that Jamey Johnson song on the radio—In Color—she could have sworn it was written just for him.

Opie was smiling and shaking his head as he lifted her in a crushing hug. "Oh, I can't breathe, Ope." He let up and dropped her to her feet.

"Jax and I should kick your ass for taking off for 10 damn years. I'm cool with him and all, but he was so much more tolerable with you around." Madeline chuckled and Jax smacked his back.

Jax spoke next. "You can't be my sister. She's all awkward and scrawny. What the hell did you do with my sister?" He joked. "And when did you grown legs and tits. I'm gonna have to beat my brothers off of you. Shit's not cool, Mad. You weren't supposed to grow up." He was smiling when they hugged.

The next person in line was Juice. "Why Mr. Juan Carlos, when did you patch-in? And you never once mentioned this in your weekly email to me. And you got kinda hot. What the fuck, JC? You were all goofy and weird when I left." She chuckled and enveloped him in a warm brotherly-love kinda hug. He really was one of her best friends.

Juice laughed at her line of questioning. "I missed you, Mads. You pick-up and leave like that again, we will have no problem hunting you down and chaining you to an auto-lift to keep you here."

Madie quirked an eyebrow, "You and what army could take on the wrath of a Morrow?"

"Touché. It's good to have you here though. You're not leaving again are you?" Juice looked panicked at his last question.

"Not in the immediate future. Damn, I just got here. Let me breathe before you threaten me with permanent house arrest." They laughed.

Happy was the last to be greeted. She embraced him warmly. He did the same. There was nothing that could be said at that moment. Not with their last meeting before she left looming in the back of her mind. She wasn't sure what should be said—thought maybe it was better to say nothing at all.

AN: We are starting to get somewhere now!