Disclaimer: I own NOTHING from Sons of Anarchy… I only own my OC's. Thanks!


…Chapter 3…

Nicole pulled up to the motel and parked the Charger in front of her room, then got out of the car. The guys parked their bikes right next to her and followed her inside. "Uh." Crystal got startled. "Who are they, Nicky?"

"It's cool, Crys… they're friends of mine. This is." she pointed one by one. "Juice, Chibs, Opie, and Happy." she paused. "Guys, this is my cousin Crystal and the sleeping beauty over on the bed, is my daughter Taylor."

"Hello." Crystal waved. "So, what's going on?"

"We're leaving." Nicole said, grabbing her things. "To the clubhouse, we'll be safe over there." Crystal stared at her for a few seconds, then her jaw dropped. "What?"

"Nothing." Crystal shook her head. "It's nothing… I'll start packing."

After the girls got everything together and into the car, Nicole put one of her duffle bags down. "Can someone carry this bag, while I carry Taylor out of here?"

Happy scooped her up into his arms. "I got her."

"Thanks." she nodded, then followed him out to the car, where he carefully put Taylor in the back seat without waking her up.

He shut the door and smiled at Nicole. "It's no problem." then he walked away and got on his bike, while she got into her car and drove off.

"Nicky." Crystal started, breaking the silence. "What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"I saw that look you and Happy shared in the motel room… do you like him or something?"

"For Christ's sakes, Crys… I just lost Ben yesterday, I'm not looking to hook up with anyone, especially anyone from this club."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Look, I don't want a repeat of what happened ten years ago, I refuse to go through that again, with any guy. So you don't need to worry… I won't be getting with anyone."

"Okay, then." Crystal nodded, clearly not convinced. "Sure."

"Crys." Nicole sighed. "I haven't even buried my husband yet."

"I know that, but don't you think Ben would want you to go on and live your life?"

"Well, yeah… it's something we both talked about after Taylor was born."

"Well, then, there you go."

"But I'm not ready."

"Nicky, listen… would you want Ben to go and live his life, if your roles were reversed?"

"Yeah, but I'd want him to have some time to grieve for me."

"Life's too short, but I'm sure he'd have his time." Crystal nodded. "All I'm saying is… don't wait too long to be happy." Nicole groaned as she pulled into T - M and parked the car, then looked over at Crystal, who had a smile on her face. "What? Just saying."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah… I need some time to heal and Hailey needs to come back home." Nicole said, getting out of the car. She was about to get Taylor out of the backseat, Happy opened the door.

"I'll get her for you."

"Thanks." she nodded, then as he went in to grab her, Crystal was looking at her with a huge grin. Nicole rolled her eyes and went into the trunk.

"Okay, come on, Loves." Chibs said, then they all walked into the clubhouse.

Nicole looked around. "Some things never change." she thought to herself, seeing all the crow-eaters, then she turned to Juice. "Where are we staying?"

"Follow me." he said, then they walked into one of the rooms. "Nobody's using this one and there's a big bed."

"Okay." Nicole nodded. "Crys and Taylor will sleep in this one."

"You sure, you don't want her with you?"

"It's okay, Crys… she seems to sleep better when you're with her, I want her to be as comfortable as possible being in a strange place."

"Good point." Crystal nodded.

Nicole looked over at Happy. "You can lay her down on the bed, since she's still asleep." he nodded, then as he set her in the middle, Nicole went up to Juice. "Where am I staying?"

"Come with me." she followed him into another room. "This is Happy's room."

"You're kidding?"

"No, I'm not… why?" she just shrugged. "Well, he hardly uses it."

"I don't know, Juice… it's his room."

"It's either this room or you can get cozy in Jax's room, your choice, Missy."

Nicole frowned. "I hate you."

"No, you don't." he laughed. "You love me."

She nodded. "Fine, I'll stay in here."

"Good, I'll be back with your luggage and shit."

She nodded, then sat down on the bed, looking around. "Is my room okay for you?" she got startled. "Oh, sorry." Happy walked in. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"No, no… it's okay, I'm just on edge right now."

"Everyone is." he chuckled, then sat down next to her.

"So this is your room?" he nodded. "It's not what I expected."

"What do you mean?"

"It's clean… and from what I remember from the guys, they keep nothing clean but their bikes and cuts."

"Yeah." Happy nodded. "I don't really stay in here."

"Why not?"

"I'm either up in Tacoma or visiting my sick mom in Bakersfield."

"Oh, is she gonna be okay?"

"She's getting better, so that's good." he nodded. "I need to be here and focus on helping the club with Cameron." minutes later, again, they didn't notice Jax standing in the door frame, watching them stare at each other, he just stood there and listened. "We'll get this guy and get your daughter and Abel back."

"I hope so… I mean, I never thought I'd come back here, ever." she shrugged. "I kinda missed this place, the guys mostly and Gemma."

"What about Jax?"

"Nah." she shook her head. "I was too pissed off to miss him… did he think I was gonna sit back and stay, after he slept with my sister? No fucking way, that's unforgivable in my book."

"Do you wanna know why?" Jax spoke up, startling both of them.

"Actually, I don't." Nicole shook her head.

Jax stood in front of her with his arms crossed. "I'll tell you anyway." he paused. "Sandra told me that you were fucking around with her boyfriend."

Nicole stood to her feet, as did Happy. "What? And you believed her before asking me?"

"What was I supposed to think, Nicky? You were always gone all the time and you'd never answer your phone, then I saw you in his car earlier that day."

"You fucking asshole, him and I were planning her stupid surprise party." she shook her head. "Jax, I have never once cheated on you, especially with Sandra's dumb ass boyfriend." she made a face. "Eww, that's just fucking gross."

"I don't believe you… how do I even know that Hailey is my daughter?"

Nicole got into his face. "Look, either you believe me or you don't… I really don't give a fuck, she's your daughter, and if you are too fucking blind and stupid to see, then that's your damn problem." she paused and felt Happy's arm around her waist, pulling her back a little. "After I get Hailey back, I'm leaving this fucking place for the last time."

"You won't leave." he shook his head. "I know for a fact you won't."

"Watch me, Jax… I've done it before because of you."

Jax glared at Happy for a second, then looked back at Nicole. "What the fuck ever." he shook his head. "Do whatever the hell you want." then he walked out of the room, slamming the door.

Happy slowly let go of Nicole. "It looks like I'm gonna have to keep an eye on you."

"Why?"

"Because it looked like you were about to kill him."

Nicole chuckled and sat back down. "He's an asshole, I ain't scared of him… and to say all that shit, I didn't even do? I don't cheat, that's so… not me."

Happy sat down next to her and smiled. "Well, I believe you, if that means anything." she just looked at him and smiled, as her heart was beating out of her chest.