I do not own SOA just my beautiful Iris. Hope you guys like it.

Making the most of her 90 minute lunch period Iris made her way across town to the small leather shop on the main drag. Yesterday she felt horrible at attending Happy's birthday party without a gift. When her mother was alive she made it a mission to know everyone in Charming's birthday and to give a small gift to anyone she knew. So now standing in the small dusty shop she was determined to make it up to Happy for coming with nothing. Seeing the bell on the counter she rang it twice to let whoever was in the back know that she was up front.

Hearing the bell she heard a "Yeah yeah I'm comin'… Oh hey Iris what can I do for ya today? How ya been?"

Embracing the older gentleman in a hug she said, "Hey Mr. Emhart it's great to see you. How is Tony? I trust his math has improved?"

Chuckling he replied, "He is at the top of his class. All of your hard work paid off."

Smacking him playfully she shot back, "I wouldn't take that credit... he is a smart boy and he just needed the right push."

He swelled with pride at the mention of his child being smart. "What did you come in here for…..? I know it wasn't just to shoot the breeze."

"I need to get a set of saddlebags and a tool bag that matches. I am thinking this right over here. I noticed that you can put a custom emblem on them and I would like this one here. I know it is late notice but…. Can you have them done today?"

Sighing almost too loud for Iris's liking he finally said, "Yeah kid I think I can…. Do you know how much these are worth? You got that kind of cash?"

Iris dug in her pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. "I have this much…. And I have these…do you think that would be enough…. Oh and one more thing…. Can you put these on the emblem as well?"

Thinking it over for a long while Emhart smirked and replied, "Keep your money kid. You helped my Tommy out so I'll help you out. I will have them done by the time you get out of school k? Now get outta here before my mind comes back to me."

Quickly hugging him she muttered a 'Thanks' and ran back to school sliding into her seat in science right before the bell rang.

Jax looked over and gave a nod of his head as Mr. Smith addressed the class, "Good afternoon ladies and gents. Today you will be working with your partners to get your presentation in order. Move now and get going!"

Jax strolled up and plopped down next to Iris, "Hey darlin' where were you at lunch? We waited around for a while to see if you wanted to go but you never came out?"

Not wanting to spoil the surprise she replied, "Just had some running to do."

"Oh. I see" Not knowing Jax that well Iris still noticed a bit of that glint in his eye was gone she asked, "Are you okay Jackson? You're not as quick to joke today."

Jax whipped his head up to look in her eyes before he hesitantly spoke up, "I'm just uh… I am just a bit nervous I guess. My dad was a son and now that I am prospecting… all I hear is that I am royalty and that means all of this pressure to live up to my father and his legacy. Not feeling up to it I guess"

Iris gave him a playful punch, "Jackson you're a great person and a born leader. Sure you're cocky and a bit arrogant but hey…. That's what it takes to lead right? You will be great and it is like second nature. I see the way you are with the club and it's like you're a patched member already. Don't worry about it."

Jax smiled and patted her on the shoulder, "You're a good friend you know that? I don't think Ope could have said that pep talk. It's good to know I have you at my back."

Friend zone… guess that's all I will ever get with him... "You're a good friend too….. Which is why I am asking this…. I know that you are probably busy an all but do you think you could come and support me at the science fair? My college scholarship depends on it and I would like someone to be there. You can say no…."

Holding his hand up to stop her from rambling he shot out, "Darlin' I'll be there. Ope will be too. He seems to have taken a shining to ya. If you mention it I bet he will volunteer. Watch. HEY OPE!"

Opie looked up from the notebook as did Tara, "Yeah brother?"

"Iris has a science fair coming up and….."

"Does she need a fan club? Lemmie know the date I'll be there."

Saying a quick thanks Iris looked back at Jax who mouthed 'see'. Laughing to herself she went back to setting up the project with Jax until the end of the day.

Grabbing the present from Mr. Emhart after school she made her way across town in record time. Walking up the now familiar drive of TM garage she noticed a familiar set of bikes parked outside. That's weird… what would he be doing HERE. Walking in she took note of a serious discussion taking place at the tables in the clubhouse. Feeling out of place she said, "Oh I'm sorry I will just wait outsi…"

"Iris? What are you doing here corazoncito?" A man emerged from behind a fleet of very confused looking sons. Smiling warmly she calmly walked over to the man and as she embraced him she said, "Mr. Alvarez! It is so good to see you again! How are Juan and Consuela? I trust he got his GED? He better have for the time I put in with him!"

Laughing he stood back up to full height as she continued to greet a few of the higher patch members of the Mayans, "He got it two days ago, said he couldn't wait until the stuff you went over with him to drain out so he had to do it fast ya know? What you doing here anyways?"

"I am here to see Jackson... he is my science partner and invited me over here. Why are you all the way in town Alvie? You always wait at the edge of town to escort me back with Juan."

Glancing back at Clay he stated, "Just needed to catch up with some old friends. It was good seeing you girl. Don't be a stranger Manie's 2nd birthday is coming up soon and you better be there…. Oh and while I am here I'll give you that bonus we talked about…. here" Alveraz handed her a stack of bills out of his pocket.

With a nod of her head Alvarez turned to his patches and motioned to leave while shaking Clay's hand one last time.

Once they were gone there was a lull of silence before Tig yelled out, "Is nobody gonna ask how snowflake here is on a first name with "Alvie!"

Clay motioned for Iris to sit down at the seat where Alvarez had recently sat before asking, "How do you know the Mayan MC?"

Nervously she shifted in her seat, "I tutor his son Juan on Tuesdays…. Well not anymore because he got his GED but yea….."

"Who else do you tutor around here?"

"I have tutored just about everyone at some point. I am only now tutoring Leo now though."

Clay sat arms crossed dissatisfied with the small amount of info. Given, "Leo who?"

"Leroy Wayne"

Tig burst out of his seat in hysterics, "Are you shitting me! You mean to tell me your o first name lovies with two MC's! This is just great!"

"THAT"S who you were talking about at the diner! You could have elaborated!" Jax yelled.

Clay yelled for Tig and Jax to sit and took a deep breath before he continued, "Are you involved with any of them?"

"No I just tutor... I make a good amount of money from doing this so it's good for me to have around."

"Good. Keep it that way. Do you think if we ever needed a favor from you to ask them things would you?"

"Yes. But I will not lie to them. I am not that kind of person. If you ask me to do something I am not doing it with a lie, I will tell them you asked me to ask."

"Fair enough." Clay got up and noticed the large box at the side of her feet. Pointing to it, "What's that?"

Her smile broadened and she said, "It's a surprise!"

Just then a loud crashing could be heard from the front door and an unhappy Happy came bursting through. All you heard him bark out was "Beer NOW!" as he grabbed the nearest croweater and slammed himself down at the bar.

Jumping up excitedly Iris grabbed her box and made her way across the room towards Happy. Realizing who the surprise was for Bobby and Chibs grabbed at her while Jax said, "Not a good day to be givin him anything darlin'"

Glaring back at them in silent warning she said, "I am fine." Twisting out of their grip she walked over and plopped down next to Happy and heaved the box onto the bar. Whipping his head in her direction Happy glared down at her for a minute before taking a deep breath and whispering "What"

"I felt horrible for coming to your party last night with empty hands so I got you this. Please open it." Iris looked up at the killer expectantly, as if he were some preppy investment banker or something.

Sighing loudly he whipped out his knife and went stab at the box when Iris whipped out her hand and grabbed his wrist. A collective gasp was heard around the clubhouse as Happy looked at her with murder in his eyes, "Why the hell is your hand on me kid?"

Iris stared back and steadily replied, "If you stab at it…. You will cut your present..."

Happy ripped his hand out of her grasp before rolling his eyes and carefully running the blade along the tape. As he opened the box a quick look of surprise crossed over his face as he lifted out his gifts.

Two midnight black saddle bags sat on the bar. They were covered in large spikes and studs littered haphazardly around the bags, in the middle of the faces of them stood the reaper carved into the leather. The buckles however, were what Happy was lightly tracing. Two matching chrome buckles stood proud looking back with red eyes that dared you to look away. Seeing what he was looking at Iris piped up, "They are blood diamonds, my mom left me a few of them when she passed away and I thought you could appreciate the death and pain that went into smuggling them here. My mother's mother had a maid that brought them here. See why I didn't want you to stab them? 3000 dollars is a lot to be cutting up before you see it. There is a matching "All-purpose bag in there" ya know…. For that bag of tricks you kept on about the other day. I hope you like them."

Tig piped up "Damn girl how did you get that kinda dough?"

"I tutored Mr. Emhart's son awhile back so they were a personal favor of mine."

Eyes bugged out all around the club before Tig shot back, "Damn! Do you tutor any bike part dealers"

"Actually I do I….." Her sentence was interrupted by a large hand yanking her in for an awkward, yet firm hug. Looking up she saw a weird look in Happy's eyes as he muttered a quick 'Thanks kid' looking back he yells, "Get lost bitch... your no longer needed!" The sweetbutt huffed and walked away to prowl or the next brother in need.

Ushering her back to the bar he asked, "Where did you get this idea?"

Looking up she giggled and said, "I pay attention. You told me you are a nomad and that you travel back and forth to Tacoma. I noticed when you drove away the other day that you don't have any saddlebags on your bike. I figured that you needed something for crap on the way there and back. The diamonds are obvious, previous conversations led me to believe you appreciate death for a cause and blood diamonds are just that. Plus I like you…. Your smarter than anyone gives you credit for and you have no problem being who you are weather people like you or not. That's admirable in my book."

Laughing he said, "You're alright kid….. Uh... you know my bag of tricks is shit to kill and tourture with right? I mean…just so ya don't go spouting that off to people…."

Looking at him with a small smirk on her face she said, "yes I know… that' why there is a hidden compartment for the creepier things you don't want people to see just yet." Hopping off the barstool she watched as he checked the bottom before laughing to himself, "Crazy kid."

Jax stood back and watched the interaction that was going on between the clubs most dangerous killer and his science partner. Jax had known Hap his whole life and never had gotten more than a grunt of acknowledgement for anything he said to him. How the hell does she do it? Every MC in the area is wrapped around her finger! She would be a great queen with those connections.

Later that night Iris had said her goodbyes and was walking out of the parking lot as she heard footsteps running up towards her, "Ris wait up!" Looking over her shoulder she saw Opie come jogging up.

"What's up Ope?"

"Just forgot to ask and need to know what you're going to wear for Prom so I can kinda ya know…. Match ya."

Panic set it, "I don't have anything to wear Opie…. I have to use my money this month for bills. I'm sorry."

Walking out to her car Gemma overheard the conversation that was going on between Ope and Iris. Gemma had learned the whole situation and Iris's whole life story from people around town and had come to respect the girl. She never took handouts and always handled her shit without playing the victim card. After she found out she had told Jax the whole story warning him to be nice to the girl. Walking over she decided she was going to take a handout weather she liked it or not. "Hey baby girl, I am going shopping tomorrow and need some company…how bout I get you a dress for as payment for listening to me bitch about my old man for an afternoon?"

Iris looked up in shock at the older woman. She saw the way she acted towards Tara and had expected the same cold exterior. Not wanting to make her angry she replied, "That would be lovely Gemma thank you."

Opie smiled and patted her no the back before turning to leave, "Guess I can wait a day or two longer to figure shit out. See ya Ris."

"Bye Ope… and I will see you tomorrow Gemma?"

Getting in her car Gemma looked back and smiled, "8:30 don't be late baby."

Wow I was on a roll today! I hope you like it guys and gals. Review and re-read! Enjoy!