*I do not own anything you recognize*

Hey all, I really appreciated all the reviews on the last chapter. I hope you enjoy this next bit and you should see some more soon.


All the boys are gathered around the bar when Happy finally drifts out into the main room of the clubhouse. Jax looks much calmer in the morning light, the angry furrow gone from his brow as he munches on a muffin and jokes lightly with Chibs. The new president and his Scot had become much closer over the last few months and while Happy has never been one to try for political club power he'll admit he feels out of the loop recently. Jax plays favorites in a way Clay never did.

"Morning brother." Bobby tosses a muffin across the room and Happy catches the baked good with ease.

"Morning." Happy crosses to the bar and settles himself into a stool next to Tig. The killer looks a bit worse for wear after his night of debauchery.

"Is it?" Tig sounds generally interested in the time of day and Happy finds himself worried about the man.

"It is and we all need to talk about the bullshit that's been going on around here. What has your girl brought down on us?" Jax's tone has Hap immediately on edge and he takes a sip of coffee to avoid a response loaded with his rising temper.

"Ms. Connery."

"What?" Jax turns to Phil exclamation and Happy smiles into his mug. Tia was making friends last night.

"Her name is Ms. Connery. She did a really good job fixing my shoulder. She's a registered nurse." Phil finishes his little outburst with a smile and Happy almost growls, the last thing he needs is the large new brother getting a crush on his woman.

"Fine," Jax sounds more than annoyed at this point, "What has Ms. Connery brought down on us?" The president levels his gaze at Happy and the killer knows his moment of truth has finally come.

"It's more like what have her brother and I brought down on her." Might as well be honest at this point.

"And what's the answer then brother." Chibs has completely abandoned his breakfast in seriousness of the moment.

"Her brother's a druggie, got himself quite a debt with his local dealers he told them Tia could take care of his debt." Happy pauses here to take a bite of his own muffin.

"Was that his eye?" Bobby sounds genuinely concerned and Happy thanks whatever god there happens to be that such a man ended up VP.

"Yea, it's his eye. The dealers, some Aryan assholes, came looking for money from Tia. They found her at the home, roughed her up and emptied the safe. I showed up a few hours later to catch up with Ma and found the place a mess. When I got to Tia's her brother was there, also roughing her up." Happy can feel his temper rising all over again as he relates the events and he takes a slow sip of coffee before continuing.

"You kill em all?" The question comes from Tig and Happy remembers why they're so close in the first place.

"I didn't kill the brother but I did find the assholes from the home and put them down. No evidence left, promise." This last part is for Jax's benefit, the president looks like he's ready to have an aneurism.

"Were you wearing your kutte when you went to find them?" Chibs' voice is soft and there's understanding in his eyes but Happy feels realization slide through his body at the question.

"Yes." Happy stares straight ahead as he answers and he can practically hear Jax revving up into another rant.

"It's a mistake we've all made before brother, don't worry." Bobby is still calm.

"It's not a mistake we can afford to make anymore. You went down into the depths of Bakersfield's underbelly wearing club colors and murdered two aryan drug dealers for a piece of ass and now whatever group they belong to has our guns and our drugs." Jax is yelling by the end of his little speech and Happy is torn between embarrassment, anger, and shame.

"You murdered someone Luis?" Happy's not sure which emotion wins as Tia's soft voice rings out from behind him.

"Jesus Fucking Christ!" The sound of Jax's mug shattering on the far wall is deafening.

"Chapel now." Chibs doesn't leave any room for argument as he grabs for the young president dragging him off towards the private room, Bobby following at a slower pace. It's not the first time in the last few months Jax's self appointed keepers have had to calm him down and Happy wonders when the president is going to reveal what's really going on but for now there are more pressing matters.

"Morning Ms. Connery." Phil is already holding out a cup of coffee to Tia and Happy can't help his frustration at the way the large biker has taken to her like some giant duckling.

"Thank you Phillip. Happy, you killed those men?" Tia hasn't reached out to accept the coffee Phil is offering and Happy looks her over, she's in jeans. He doesn't think he's ever seen her in anything but suits or skin and the tight denim has him wanting to drag her back to his dorm to pretend the last ten minutes didn't happen.

"It's an expression baby doll. You know like I really killed that pizza." Tig's explanation is lame in Happy's ears and the bald killer watches Tia carefully as she processes this new information. She finally reaches out with a shaking hand to take the mug Phil is holding out before she sinks down into a bar chair.

"I wouldn't mind if you killed them." Tia's voice is so soft Happy almost doesn't hear her but she's looking up him now with big liquid eyes and he can't deny the sincerity on her face. Happy wants to tell her she's not allowed to mean that but surrounded by his brothers he feels like the words will come off too soft so instead he gets up and walks out.

He doesn't realize she's followed him out until the door doesn't close behind him but he ignores her presence and settles himself on top of one of picnic tables and lights a smoke. Leaning back on the old wood Happy stares up at the dirty ceiling of the overhand and tries to figure how things went to shit so quickly. He's managed to screw his club by being impulsive and he's destroyed the innocence of a woman he'd promised himself he would protect. There's very little that could happen to make him feel worse.

"I meant what I said." Except that. He pulls himself up and exhales his smoke directly into Tia's face ignoring her scrunched up nose. She looks so young in her jeans and tshirt and it's a stark reminder that he's getting close to forty, far too old to be fucking around with someone this pure. Her usually smooth face is marred by a crease between her eyebrows and she's watching him carefully. "This isn't a club for motorcycle enthusiasts. I know what you all probably do in your free time. I'm not that naive." Her defiant tone makes him want to laugh.

"What do we do in our free time zorra?" He smiles at her indulgently and he doesn't miss the way she cocks her hip in annoyance.

"You do illegal things." The way she says it with those big sweet eyes just continues the farce.

"What's it to you." He's never been annoyed with her before she showed up in Charming. Frustrated sure, incredulous absolutely, but never annoyed; until now.

"I… we… if we're a thing or, you know, whatever then I have a right to know." It's the first time he's ever heard her be less than eloquent and he throws himself back on the table.

"Come here." For a moment he thinks he's going to get another round with her new attitude but instead he hears the old wood creak as she crawls up next to him. He waits until she's settled herself next to him before tossing is his cigarette and taking a deep breath.

"Did you kill those men?" She speaks up before he has a chance to start the speech he's planning in his head and he lets out his breath with a noise of frustration.

"When did you start fucking talking so much?" He rubs a hand down his face before turning to look at her.

"Probably right around the time you started hanging around long enough to listen." She crosses her arms over her chest on the words but the effect is lost to their prone positions on the table.

"Don't get snippy with me zorra, you came to me for help not the other way around." Happy narrows his eyes and he feels like he's dealing with a frustrated child instead of 28 year old woman.

"The way I see it you technically broke into my apartment and forced your help on me. I'm just here so you can clean up the consequences." There's truth in that statement but Happy will never admit it.

"Don't lay your brother's shit at my feet. I'm trying to keep you and Ma clear of all this crap." He's more than frustrated now and any amusement he previously felt has faded into slowly building anger.

"Did you kill the men who came to the nursing home?" She sits up so she can look down at his face and he hates the lack of judgement in her eyes. If anyone deserves to judge him it's Tia.

"I sent a message about what's mine." He's never admitted to murder before and there's no reason to start now. She stares down at him for a long moment and Happy has an unreasonable urge to reach up and cup her cheek but before either of them can move they're interrupted.

"Ms. Connery?" Jax's voice is sarcastic from the doorway and Happy sits up as his president, VP and Sergeant at Arms come out onto the porch.

"You should call me Tia." Tia sits up straighter when addressing Jax and Happy is impressed at her ability to recognize authority no matter how unofficial in the real world.

"Tia," Jax offers her a smile and Happy doesn't miss the tight line of the younger man's jaw. He has no idea what's gotten into Jax recently but the man is only one problem away from a serious breakdown. "Would you be willing to explain the situation with your brother. Happy explained some of it earlier but I'd like to hear it from you."

"Go on darling." Bobby gives her an encouraging smile and Happy nods at the man in thanks.

"There's a lot to tell if you want the whole story but the short version is pretty simple…" Happy watches Tia's face as she relates the events of the last few days. There's nothing simple about the tale no matter how calm she's managing to sound and he takes the time as an excuse to give her a good once over. He hates how natural she looks in the casual clothes, sitting comfortably on the picnic table. She's not supposed to fit into this world. It's not for her. "And then I went to see Mrs. Lowman and she suggested I come here and tell Happy about the eye in person." Happy drifts back to attention just as Tia finishes.

"Jeysus." Chibs lets out a soft breath at the end of the little speech and Happy throws himself back on the table. He hates that his life has gotten here. He's always prided himself on being able to handle his own shit. He's a club man through and through and he works hard to make sure none of his personal problems land back on the rest of the boys. Now though, now he's brought a whole shit storm home with him and he has no idea how to look his brothers in the eye.

"Okay," Jax runs a hand down his face before lighting a smoke. "Okay, we can help you with this but we need to know as much as possible about the men."

"I didn't come here for your help." Tia's voice is firm and it has Happy snapping back up to a seated position.

"What do you mean you didn't come here for our help? Baby girl you showed up on our front door with a sob story like that, a loaded gun and an eyeball in your purse. What did you come for?" Bobby sounds genuinely interested.

"I came for Happy's help. His mother said he could find Ernie, that's all I want. I just want to find my brother and go back to my life." Jax snorts and takes a deep drag off his cig.

"That's not how it works now darlin' the men who attacked you at work are dead and their friends stole my property, club property. This is bigger than finding your brother." Happy hates how bluntly Jax states the situation.

"If that's the case I'd rather just go to the police." Tia sounds serious and while Happy knows she doesn't mean it as a threat he doesn't miss the dangerous light in Jax's eyes.

"I'm afraid we can't let yeh do that." Happy is surprised that Chibs is the one to speak up.

"Why not? I thought you were just a group of Harley enthusiast. Certainly you'd want the proper authorities involved in recovering your stolen property." This time there is a threat in Tia's voice and Happy reaches out to grip her arm on instinct.

"Zorra, stop it." His voice cuts through the silence like a knife and Tia sinks forward her head falling into her hands.

"I never wanted this." Her voice is suddenly weak and Happy wants to pull her against his side but he fights off the impulse.

"Of course you didn't sweetheart." Bobby is already reaching for her and Happy has to fight off a new urge to stop the portly biker from touching her. "Come on, let's get you a muffin." She moves like a zombie, standing stiffly and following Bobby into the clubhouse. Happy watches her go until the door closes before turning back to Jax.

"She's not a croweater or an old lady just let her go home. We can handle the mess." It's the closest Happy's ever come to insubordination and the moment isn't lost on the president.

"What's gotten into you Hap? How can you possibly… after she talked about going to the cops… I mean fuck who is she anyways?" Jax looks close to having another meltdown, his hands tearing at his hair even as he spins on the spot. Happy feels like he's dealing with a cornered animal.

"What's gotten into you pres? She'll do as she's told as long as we promise to find her brother." Happy hopes he's not lying.

"Will she? I get that you've been fucking her but how much do you really know about her?" Jax is talking softly and he looks a bit calmer.

"I know enough." He doesn't know near enough but Happy's not going to let her get pulled deeper into this shit because he's been an ass for the last year. "The men from the home were white, aryan tats, well dressed and well paid. That's enough for us to go on."

"It sounds disturbingly familiar as well." Chibs is serious as he joins the conversation.

"It's not him. It can't be." Jax sounds desperate to believe his own words.

"You're not thinking Zobelle?" The idea hits Happy suddenly and he's immediately suspicious.

"It can't be." Jax runs his hand through his hair again his eyes wild. "I'll apologize to her Hap, I don't want her to think she's a prisoner but we can't let her leave if she thinks the cops are a good idea."

"She'll be safer here anyways." Chibs throws out the only compelling argument Happy's heard yet. She would be safer here.

"She'll stay, I want Tig on her though." Hap surprises even himself with the request but if he's honest with himself he'll admit that Tigger is the only brother he'd trust her with. Besides, the killer had been looking for a new place to put all the devotion he used to give to Clay, why not Tia.

"Fine. I want you with us when we go after these fuckers though." Jax looks calmer now that a decision has been made and Happy takes the opportunity to get something off his chest.

"Listen pres, you know I'm not one for club politics and I'd follow you into anything you needed me for but these last few months"

"What about them?" Jax cuts him off and Happy shakes his head before continuing.

"These last few months things have been different. I know you're keeping secrets," Jax opens his mouth and Happy raises his voice. "I know you're keeping secrets and I'm sure you have good reason to. I'm not asking you to tell me anything I just want to say I'm sorry I added this shit to your plate and I hope you figure out how to tell the rest of us what's going on sooner rather than later."

"Right." Jax looks like he's ready to explode but he nods and when he continues speaking his voice is steady. "I appreciate that brother. This shit, it's just one more thing isn't it. Probably just some Nord assholes, we'll clean it up in a minute."

"Fuckin right." Chibs practically shouts the words and Happy wishes he could share the Scot's conviction.

"So church in ten, we'll come up with a game plan and Tig can stay here with your girl. He's been off his game anyways." Happy decides not to mention how poorly that will go down with the SAMCRO killer, settling instead for a stiff nod. Chibs lights a cigarette and it's obvious the Scot wants to have a word with Jax alone so Hap pulls himself up and heads for the clubhouse. He's got a few things to explain to Tia before he leaves her alone with Tig. He trusts the ex-sergeant at arms, but not that much.


Reviews are always welcome!