The Heart of a Broken Soul

Of Dinner and Hours

A/N:As always, thank you to liiddee and Venetiangrl92! You guys are awesome!

WARNING: This story has (near the end) a little bit of... Smutty-ish content. I dunno. I always turn into a little girl at those scenes, and I don't even know if they're any good, so let me know what you think, kay?

Gemma had jumped at the thought of cooking in Filip's new kitchen. It was only a small event – the boys, Gemma and Gabby – but Gemma took it as seriously as one of her thousand head dinners that she held every other month at her house. And, while Filip's table wasn't nearly as large as Gemma's, she still managed to fit five dishes, another five sides, and still have room for the plates and drinks on it.

As they prepared the food, they talked about Gabby's new work, because what else could they discuss?

"I think I did a pretty good job," Gabby said as she sliced the carrots. "I mean, Charlie didn't yell at me, and Jocelyn seemed impressed."

"Did you drop any plates?" Gemma asked, juggling her cigarette with a mixing spoon.

Gabby smiled. "Almost. But I managed to keep all the food on it. Jocelyn told me Charlie was pretty impressed that I didn't even spill anything. She said next week he'll get me to do dinner as well. It'll be busy."

"You'll do fine, baby," Gemma assured her.

They chatted on as they cooked, trying to hear each other over the din; the kitchen and dining were open plan, along with the living room.

One of the boys would come in occasionally, to grab a beer or try and steal a taste. Gemma would set them straight with a rap to the knuckles, though, and they'd head back empty handed.

When they'd bought out all the dishes and taken their seats, Tig leaned over and sniffed. "Smells like mom's cooking," he told them.

"It smells lovely," Filip said, "thank you."

"Don't thank us. We're family," she told him.

They all dug in, starved, as they talked and laughed. Filip had finally come out of his shell, and was talking animatedly to the other guys. He glanced over at Gabby, who smiled at him. He smiled back.

Piney's voice carried across the table, his obnoxiously loud comment directed at Gabby. "Have you decided yet?"

Gabby stared at him dumbly. "Decided what?" she asked, aware that there were eight pairs of eyes trained on her.

"Your birthday," Piney said. "You'll be seventeen in a few days."

"Yeah, and then it's only one more year until you can legally decide whether or not you give a shit about who's President," Tig added.

"Are you having a dinner?" Gemma asked.

Gabby shrugged. "I don't know," she told them. To be honest, she didn't really want to do anything for her birthday, but she knew there was no getting out of it.

"You don't know?"

"It's in four days," Bobby said, as if she needed reminding of when her birthday was.

"I know that, Bobby," Gabby assured him.

"We'll have a dinner," Clay said.

Jax nodded. "Yeah; mom'll be happy to cook for you."

"It'll be a feast. Food, booze and pussy!" Tig enthused.

Bobby whacked him over the head as Gabby laughed. "No pussy," Bobby told him.

Tig groaned.

"Your friends can come," Gemma told her. "Just let me know how many are coming, okay?"

"We're all invited by default," Opie said. "Just so you know."

"Can I uninvite you by default?" Gabby joked. If the boys didn't come to her dinner, not only would it be a very sad event, but it wouldn't feel right. They were as close to family as she would ever get.

Tig scowled. "No."

Gabby smiled. "Figures," she said. "I'll let you know tomorrow," she told Gemma. The woman nodded and, the situation settled, the boys went back to their conversations.

Gabby glanced up to see Filip watching her with an unreadable expression. She ducked her head. She hadn't mentioned anything to him about her birthday. It wasn't because she thought he wouldn't care anyway, but because she figured he didn't need a reminder of how old she wasn't.

Filip hadn't bought up the matter of age again, but Gabby could tell it bothered him. In between the conversations and longing glances, the intimate hugs and soft kisses, she knew he was fighting an internal battle with himself.

Every now and then he would look at her, and his gaze would drop as he sighed, and he would run a hand through his hair. These were the times when Gabby wondered if he regretted his decision, and she would be tempted to go up to him and let him know that, if didn't want whatever it was they had, then he could just say so.

The only thing that stopped her was her fear of the answer.

Like every other year, the only person Gabby invited was Lucy. Gabby knew she'd say yes even before she asked, so she just handed her friend a piece of paper with Gemma's address on it. "It's for my birthday," she said. "Be there by-"

"Seven," Lucy finished. "I know, it's the same every year." She handed the piece of paper back without even glancing at it. "And so is Gemma's address."

The next couple of days passed without incident. Gabby wasn't too thrilled about her birthday. It was never an exciting event, and though she had fun, and everyone tried to be surprising, she could basically guess what they would get her; Gemma always took her clothes shopping; Bobby, hopeless as ever, flashed some cash at her, before shoving it in a jar and assuring her he'd buy a real nice car for her 18th; Opie and Jax pooled their present, giving her some cash and a porcelain doll, if only so they could laugh at the terror on Tig's face; Clay would tell Gemma to buy her something nice; and Tig had, at Gabby's insistence, stopped giving her presents after he'd gifted her a vicious hamster that almost tore her finger off.

Piney and Lucy were perhaps the only two whose presents Gabby could never guess. Lucy always got her books, and Gabby loved books. And Piney's present was always something antique, possibly as old as him, and the things he gave her always fascinated her.

The previous year, he'd given her a typewriter. The year before she'd received a small chest full of old coins from all around the world. Gabby was truly excited to see what she'd get from him this year.

Because her father and Piney had been close friends, Piney doted on her, and Gabby enjoyed hearing stories from him in his youth, because they always contained her father. Bobby told stories, too, but they were always so mellow, and Gabby enjoyed the ones with action.

The morning of her birthday, she woke to the smell of eggs and bacon. Afraid to step into the kitchen, she crept out cautiously. Bobby was bent over the stove, his face a picture of concentration as he stared avidly at the pan. He mumbled quietly to himself. After a while, he turned the hotplate off, and dumped the contents of the pan on two plates.

Gabby glanced appreciatively at the food. "It smells nice."

If Bobby was startled that she was there, he didn't show it. "I finally mastered the art of bacon and eggs," he told her. "I'm going to make banana bread today." He placed the two plates on the table.

"Just don't burn the house down," Gabby joked, taking a seat.

"I'll try not to." He leaned over, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Happy birthday, darlin'."

"Thanks, Bobby." She dug into the eggs and bacon, as Bobby watched her for any signs of disgust. Bobby was not known for his cooking expertise. "It's delicious," she assured him.

Satisfied, Bobby started on his own. "I might make a career of it, yet," he told her. "What do you think? Think Charlie'll hire me?"

Gabby laughed. "Sorry, Bobby, but they've already got an egg 'n' bacon chef."

"Oh. That's a shame."

After Gabby finished her breakfast, she thanked Bobby again, said goodbye, and headed off to school, politely declining his offer to take her. Lucy was there when she arrived, throwing her arms around her and wishing her a happy birthday. "But you're not getting your present until dinner," she said.

The day went slow, and by the time school was finished, Gabby was ready to go home and sleep. That wasn't a possibility, though, because Lucy insisted they go to the diner, and even if she said no to that, she couldn't really avoid Filip, waiting out the front as he straddled his bike, causing ripples of whispers to surge through the crowd. It was the absolute last thing Gabby had expected.

"Did you know he'd be here?" Lucy asked as they made their way to him.

Gabby shook her head. "Nope."

"Well, at least you can formally introduce me to him," Lucy enthused.

"Hey," Gabby said when they were within earshot. "I didn't know you were picking me up," she told him. Of course she didn't. He'd only done so once, and she'd nearly had a heart attack because of it.

"That's the beauty of a surprise," he said. "Are ye busy?"

"No, she's not," Lucy told him. She held a hand out. "I'm Lucy."

Filip shook it. "Chibs."

"I didn't know Chibs was short for Filip." At the rise of a curious eyebrow, Lucy shamelessly added, "Gabby talks about you all the time."

Gabby flushed. "No, I don't."

"You do. She does. Anyway, I've gotta go to work," Lucy lied, "so I'll see you two tonight." And with that, she left.

Red-faced, Gabby ducked her head. "She's a compulsive liar."

Grinning, Filip held out a helmet. With nowhere to go and nothing to say, Gabby grabbed it, shoved it on, and mounted the bike, wrapping her arms around Filip. He kicked the bike to life and took off.

While Gabby wasn't too keen on the bike ride, she loved the feel of her arms around Filip's waist, and her head resting on his back. All too soon, however, the ride was over, as he pulled into his driveway.

Gabby hopped off, unclipping the helmet. She didn't dare to think what they were doing at his house. Thoughts ran through her mind, causing her to blush as she followed Filip inside. "Does Bobby know you were picking me up?" Gabby asked, because she couldn't think of anything else to say.

Filip shook his head. "You know, ye forgot to mention your birthday was coming up," he told her.

"I didn't think it would matter," Gabby told him, leaning her back against the wall.

Nodding, Filip dropped his head. "Come here," he said, waving his hand.

Gabby blinked. "Why?"

"Because I said so."

Confused, Gabby approached him, aware of his gaze. When she was within arm's reach, she stopped. Butterflies danced in her stomach, as she stared at him, and he stared back.

After what felt like an impossibly long time, Filip spoke again. "Turn around."

"I... what?"

Filip just raised an eyebrow in answer. Gabby slowly turned around, as confused as ever. She couldn't see what he was doing, and couldn't hear anything. The butterflies that were dancing inside her became a stampede.

A flash of silver passed Gabby's gaze, and she gasped as something cold touched her chest. She jumped. "Stop fidgeting," Filip scolded.

"I'm not," Gabby protested, craning her head to get a better look.

Filip thwacked her on the ear. "Ouch!"

"We'd if ye'd stop fidgeting, I wouldn't have to smack ye," he justified.

Gabby sighed, rolling her eyes. "There," Filip finally said.

Glancing down, Gabby's eyes fell upon a simple silver cross. Whatever she'd been expecting, it wasn't this. "Oh, wow. It's beautiful." She turned to face Filip. "Did you buy this?" she asked, because she couldn't believe someone would buy her something so beautiful.

"No."

She looked at him.

"I didn't steal it, if that's what ye think."

"Where did you get it?"

As an answer, Filip leaned forward, placing a hand on either side of her face, and a soft kiss on her lips. "Happy birthday," he whispered.

Gabby reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck as she pulled him in for another kiss. Their lips moved in time as Filip's hands left her face and fell down to hold her hips. Throwing caution in the wind, Gabby tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him impossibly close.

Filip ran his tongue across Gabby's lips, fighting for entrance. He slipped a hand under her shirt, running it up her back. His light touch set Gabby's skin on fire, as she felt a heated sensation pooling between her legs, throbbing.

In that moment, Gabby forgot everything, except the feel of Filip's lips against hers, and his soft, burning touch against her skin. She forgot that she was seventeen, and he was twenty-seven. She forgot that they'd made an unspoken pact what seemed to be years ago, and she forgot the serious amount of trouble that the both of them could get into.

Filip, it seemed, had also forgotten, as he stepped forward, pushing her back until she slammed into the wall with a gasp. His hand went down to caress her buttocks, squeezing it lightly as he rolled his groin against hers.

Gabby moaned, dropping her hands to tug at the hem of his shirt. She pushed at the sides of his cut, and he shrugged out of it, before Gabby grabbed his shirt again. She pulled it up, and they broke apart for a second, as she ripped his it off, dropping it on the ground.

He had a tattoo on his chest, but Gabby didn't get to see what it was. He ripped her top off, depositing it with his, and his lips crashed against hers again. His skin gave off an impossible heat as it pressed against hers.

Filip's hands ran down the backs of her thighs, tugging on them. Gabby lifted them as he did, wrapping her legs around his waist, pulling him even closer. The bulge in his pant pressed into her groin as he ground his hips against her.

Gabby moaned into his lips, hooking her arms under his, securing a firm grip on his shoulders. Filip wrapped a hand around her middle, the other under her ass as he carried her to the bedroom.

Filip fell onto the bed with her under him, his weight against her as he undid her pants. He sat up, straddling her, and Gabby raised her hips off the bed so he could tug them off, leaving her in nothing but her bra and panties. He looked her up and down.

Feeling suddenly exposed, Gabby raised herself into a sitting position to kiss him, catching his bottom lip in hers. Her hands fell to his pants and the realisation of what she was about to do struck her as she struggled to undo his jeans. Filip grabbed her face to deepen the kiss.

Gabby finally managed to get his jeans undone, and he leaned back over, forcing her down with him. She ran her hands up his back, feeling the ripples of his muscles, the raised skin of scars, and the heat that was emitting from him. In return, his hand travelled down her body, cupping her breast, massaging it, before travelling down, between her legs, lightly rubbing the sensitive skin. His touch burned and tickled at the same time, but Gabby needed more. Another moan escaped from her lips. His hand kept wandering, however, around her leg to stroke her ass.

Filip abruptly broke the kiss, as though waking from a dream. His eyes searched hers. Then he swore. "Shite."

"What?" Gabby began to panic. Had she done something wrong? Was she not supposed to have undone his pants? Did he not like the look of her body? Or the feel of it? Were her breasts too small?

Filip closed his eyes with a sigh, shaking his head. "We can't do this," he said. He went to get up, but Gabby wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. "Gabby..."

"We can," Gabby told him. Her groin was throbbing, aching for him.

"No, we can't."

Gabby wasn't hearing him. "I want this, Filip."

Filip reached up to pull Gabby's hands away. "We can't." He placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Go and get dressed." He rolled off her, and moved to sit at the foot of the bed, head in his hands.

Silently, Gabby slid off the bed. She shimmied into her jeans, the throbbing in her groin ebbing away. She wandered into the lounge to find her top, and pulled it over her head. Grabbing Filip's shirt and cut, she went back into the bedroom. He hadn't moved.

Gabby sat next to him, holding his shirt out. Filip glanced at it. "Thanks," he said, taking it. He put it on, and they fell silent again.

"I'm sorry," Gabby told him, because she couldn't think of anything else to say, and she couldn't stand to see him like this.

Filip blinked, looking up at her. He chuckled, reaching a hand up to ruffle her hair. "Ye did nothing wrong," he told her, kissing her on the forehead. "Come on; I'll take ye home before Bobby comes looking."

Wordlessly, Gabby stood and headed to the garage. Filip caught her by the arm, forcing her to stop. "Don't beat yourself up," he said. "It's just a year."

"That's three hundred and sixty-five days," Gabby told him. "Which is only eight thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six hours."

"Why do you even know that?" Filip asked.

Gabby shrugged. "I'll be counting."