Morena was told she had drifted in and out of consciousness for three days. They had kept her sedated because she had lost a lot of blood. She didn't remember much about the accident initially, but as the days passed, she was able to piece it all together.

She remembered him being in her room at odd times in the beginning. She would wake up in the middle of the night, or early in the morning, or late in the afternoon. Just moments in time. His figure in the doorway, his presence at her bedside, his voice when he spoke to someone. His presence had offered comfort and made her feel unbelievably safe.

But then she woke up and he wasn't around. In fact, one week later, even after asking for him, he hadn't come. A big bear of a man called Bobby had come by, as well as a sweet faced, Mohawk wearing younger biker, Juice. Both had helped fill in some of the gaps. They were rough around the edges but kind, and both men had even come back subsequently, just to check in on her progress. Bobby reassured her, Juice tried – and succeeded – in making her laugh.

Morena realised they somehow felt responsible for her and had put themselves in charge of her wellbeing. She didn't mind. They had played a hand in saving her life. She could not quantify what she owed them. Or him.

Almost three weeks later, she was ready to be discharged. Tara had offered to take her home but an emergency with the kids meant she had arranged for Juice to be her chauffeur. Dressed simply in a black cotton T-shirt and loose fitting, casual black linen pants, she looked tiny, washed out and so much younger than her thirty three years. The swelling in her face had subsided, but the bruises were slowly going from purple to yellow. She had tried her best to get her hair into a loose bun, but wisps were already escaping and she was tired of trying to tame it. Her shoulder had started aching so she had put it back into its sling. The Doctor felt it was more of a precautionary measure, to take some of the pressure off her shoulder.

She was grateful to be alive, having escaped the accident with nothing worse than a few bruises and scars. Her heart was heavy though. Why hadn't he come? Perhaps she had dreamt his vigil at her bedside. She had been too embarrassed to ask Tara, fearing her feelings and motives would be transparent. Did her thanks mean so little to him?

Depressed, she looked up when there was a knock on the door. She couldn't help but feel better when she saw Juice's smile. His face was open and held an almost infantile innocence. While she knew he had to be anything but infantile, he was easy to be around and made her laugh.

"Rena. Ready to go?"

She nodded. "Thanks for taking me home."

"It's really no problem. You okay going on my bike right?" He grabbed the duffel bag on the bed before turning and looking at her, all innocence.

Morena swallowed. "Urm... I'm not sure... my arm..." She saw the crook in his smile. "You're pulling my leg aren't you?"

"Just a little."

She laughed at his playfulness and she felt lighter. It felt good to smile.

"Come on, I have Jax's truck."

On the road, Morena opened the window and let the warm breeze brush across her face. She closed her eyes. It felt nice to feel the sun again. They crossed the intersection where the accident had happened.

Juice looked over at her apologetically. "Sorry. I should have taken a different route."

She shook her head, waving away his concern. "No. I live here. I can't avoid this road. It runs right through town."

She had a thought. "What happened to my car?"

"It's at Teller-Morrow."

"Can it be salvaged? Tell me it can be salvaged. I need it to work for another year – at least."

Juice snorted. "That thing shouldn't be allowed on the road."

"Put your bias aside. Daisy isn't the most elegant vehicle, but she gets me where I'm going."

He snorted but changed direction.

"Where are we going?"

"To have a look at your baby. Daisy. I see the creativity that went into that name. Must be that huge, nasty flower on her ass."

"Don't mock."

He laughed. So did she.

A few minutes later the truck swung into the garage. For the first time it hit her that Tig might be around.

"Is everyone at work?" she asked tentatively, by way of conversation.

Juice shrugged noncommittally. "Most are off on club business."

Gingerly, she stepped out of the truck, her nerves a little frayed. A part of her didn't want to see him at all. Another part wanted to see him so badly it hurt. It's just to express my gratitude, she told herself.

She spotted Bobby across the lot and he immediately came over, wiping his hands on a stained cloth.

"Hey sugar."

"Bobby." She let out a little squeal of laughter as she was swept up in a very gentle bear hug. He deserved points for managing to embrace her while being mindful of her sling.

"You look great."

"Thanks. Juice brought me over to see, Daisy."

Bobby looked confused.

"Her car with the huge daisy on its ass."

She shot Juice a scowl.

"Come on over. She's banged up some but I think we can get her going again." Bobby led her over to the back of the garage. The damage wasn't actually that bad on closer inspection but because it was such an old model, it seemed to look worse than it was.

"The door will need some work, the window replaced, and of course your safety belts fitted to decent safety standards."

Morena beamed. "Seriously? You can get her going again?"

"We'll make it happen. I might even get Juicey to paint the daisy back on."

She laughed and flung her free arm over Bobby and then Juice, kissing the first and then the second soundly on the cheek.

"I appreciate it so much. Thank you." She looked at them with grateful eyes. "What's the cost?"

Their conversation was interrupted by a group of bikers entering the lot in formation. It was actually a striking sight, all those shiny, beautiful bikes gliding to a halt. She spotted him.

He hadn't seen her yet and for a little while, she was able to observe him in his element. His bike was big and black, the detail impossible to discern from where she stood. Dark sunglasses shaded his eyes as she watched him park his ride. When he removed his helmet, his hair was mussed and he tousled it even more my running his hands through it, shaking the curly mess.

He wore black jeans and a black shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows under his leather kutte which didn't seem any worse for wear after being drenched in the accident. On his wrists were leather bracelets and strapped to his left thigh was what looked like a knife.

It was the first time she saw and heard him laugh, the rich, hearty sound carrying across the lot. And she admitted to herself, it was glorious. She imagined the corners of his eyes crinkling, the laugh lines around his mouth creasing. He was kidding around with Jax, the two of them laughing. He looked dark and dangerous and very, very sexy.

"Hey Tig! Morena's checking out the Beetle. Wants to know what the repairs will total to."

She tensed immediately, cursing Bobby. This wasn't the plan. I was supposed to watch him undetected.

I'm not ready to face him, she immediately realised in a flat panic. But what she wanted didn't matter. The animation of a few minutes before disappeared when he turned and spotted her. He had removed his sunglasses and squinted in their direction. The smile he wore literally melted from his face and a grim expression replaced it. Her depression intensified.

Saying something to Jax, he left the other man and strode over. Every step he took seemed to reverberate in her chest. Juice turned them both around so that when Tig was walking towards their little group, her free arm was still around the young biker and his around her waist, gently holding her in place. Her palms started to sweat and she felt cold when Juice suddenly took a step back.

"I'll be back in a minute to take you home."

She nodded dumbly and watched Juice and Bobby walk away. It couldn't be helped. She was forced to look up. He had stopped in front of her, his jaw clenched.

The only defense she had was anger.