She was trying to scrub the paint off the front of the house, she was feeling frustrated. She had a pretty good idea who was responsible for vandalism of her home. Since she had no proof, the police couldn't do anything. She went back to scrubbing the front of house, taking out her anger. She didn't hear the motorcycle pulling into her drive. She was started when Opie touched her shoulder.

"Damn it! Would you please stop doing that!"

"Sorry."

"It's okay. I'm just jumpy."

He wrapped his arms around her waist, she laid her head on his chest. She felt so safe in his arms, she lifted her head back to look at him. He leaned down, gentlely kissing her.

"I brought you dinner."

She tried to hold back the tears but the stress of the afternoon got to her, then the fact that this wonderful man brought her dinner was too much for her to take. She couldn't even speak because she was crying so hard, Opie was looking uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry...it's been one hell of an afternoon."

He wiped away her tears, he picked her up and carried her into the house. He sat her on the couch, he walked out to his bike to get their dinner. She followed him into the kitchen, watching him pull the food out of the bag.

She jumped up on the opposite counter watching him. He walked towards her, she grabbed hold of his arm, pulling him to her. She wrapped her arms around him kissing him, he picked her up. Holding her in his arms, she felt safe. She slid her tongue in his mouth teasing him, she felt his hold on her tighten. He pulled away from her, he sat her back down on the counter. He walked back over to the counter to plate their food.

She was confused as to what happened, did he not find her attractive, what the hell? She slid off the counter and sat down at the bar to eat the dinner he brought. She ate her dinner in silence, trying to get her thoughts in order. She was lost in her own head, trying to figure out if there was something between them.

He turned to her, he cupped her face. "Hailey, I really like and care for you. I want to take things slow. Get to know you."

She kissed the palm of his hand. "I really like and care for you too. I'd like that."

He leaned in kissing her gentlely on the lips. She smiled up at him, when he broke off the kiss. They finished eating their dinner, he went out to clean off the front of her house. She cleaned up from dinner, she was sitting down on the couch when he walked in.

"Tell me about the roses."

"They were waiting for me when I got home. I don't know who sent them, probably the same person that vandalized the house."

"My mom is watching the kids. I'm staying here tonight, I want to make sure you're safe."

"I'll be fine. You don't need to worry."

He pulled her up off the couch, holding her in his arms. "This isn't up for debate, darlin." He kissed her.

She figured there was no arguing with him, he had his mind set. He sat down on the couch with her on his lap. She was wrapped in his arms, feeling safe and secure. She leaned in to kiss him, caressing his face. She broke off the kiss and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Where are you from Hailey?"

"Missouri. I got tired of Midwest winters, I wanted a change."

"What about your family?"

"I don't have any. I'm totally alone in this world!"

"You're not alone, you have me."

She sat up, looking him in the eye. "Opie..."

He pulled her face down to his kissing her. "I mean it Hailey, I'm here for you. I want to protect you, and keep you safe."

She laid her head back on his shoulder, relaxing in his arms. She fell asleep in his arms, he lifted her up, carrying her to her bedroom. He pulled back the blankets, and laid her gentlely down. He covered her up and left the room, he laid down on the couch.

She was laying on the floor, Grant was on top of her ripping her clothes off her. She was crying and begging for him to stop. He laughed and slapped her hard across the face. He was taking off his clothes, she saw the Nords tattoo on his chest. She started to fight him again, he balled up his fist and punched her.

She screamed in the middle of the night, sitting up in bed she was gasping for air. Her bedroom door flew open Opie was standing in the door, wearing nothing but his boxers, and holding a gun. He went to her, putting his gun down on the night stand. He pulled her into his arms.

"Hailey?"

She was shaking in his arms. "I'm sorry! I had a nightmare."

"Tell me about it."

"Please, don't make me." He held her tighter. "Just hold me."

He laid down with her, pulling her into his arms. She was still shaking in his arms, he was rubbing her back. He kissed the top of her head, she relaxed in his arms falling asleep.

XXX

She woke up the next morning in his arms, her hair spilled out over his chest. She raised her head, looking at him, watching him sleep. She slowly eased herself out of his arms, crawling out of bed. She walked to the kitchen, fixing a pot of coffee, and starting breakfast. It was five am, she had to get ready for work.

His arms snaked around her waist, he pulled her back against him. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his touch. She turned around in his arms kissing him. She finished fixing their breakfast, she sat his plate in front of him, she walked off to get her cup of coffee. He grabbed her arm, pulling her down on his lap.

"Where's your breakfast?"

"I'm not hungry. Just coffee for me."

"You need to eat! Take care of yourself!"

"I'll be fine."

She got up, fixing herself a cup of coffee she sat next to him. He shared his breakfast with her, not taking no for an answer. She got up to get ready for a shower and ready for work. Opie was sitting on the couch waiting for her.

"I'm talking you to work!"

"Why?"

"So, I know you get there safe."

"That's what the phone is for!"

"Please don't fight me on this."

She looked at him and frowned, she was feeling smothered. She was going to fight him on this one, she loved that he wanted to keep her safe and protected but he had to let her have some freedom.

"You can follow me to work, but I'm driving myself."

"Hailey..." He closed his eyes.

"Opie, cut me some slack. I'm a big girl, I'll be okay. No worries!"

He pulled her into his arms holding her close. "Promise me you'll be carefully."

She smiled up at him. "Always."

She grabbed her purse and bag, walking towards the door she waited for him to follow. She climbed into her car, pulling out of her drive she waited for him to follow her on his bike . She pulled into the school's parking lot into her parking space. Getting out of her car, she walked towards his bike, he leaned over and kissed her.

"I'll see you tonight." He said.

"Maybe." She smiled at him, and started to walk off. He grabbed her arm, pulling her to him.

"Maybe?"

"If you play your cards right, I may let you come over." She patted his face and walked off.

XXX

She was leaving for the day, she saw Kenny and Ellie sitting in front of the school. It had been twenty minutes since school let out, she walked over to them, and sat down beside them on the bench.

"Hi, guys. What's going on?"

"Nobody picked us up!" Ellie was near tears. Kenny was crying.

"Why don't you come home with me? I'll call your dad."

"Ok." Ellie sniffed

She walked the kids to her car, unlocking the doors she let them in and drove to her house. Pulling out her phone she called Opie, it went straight to voice mail. She left him a message and ended the call. She pulled into the drive and the three of them went into the house.

"Let's get your homework done!"

They sat down at the kitchen table and started on their homework. She was grading papers, she had her phone out, expecting a call from Opie. She was worried and mad at him for not calling her. Worried because what if something had happened to him, that he couldn't pick up his kids, but then mad if he was okay and hadn't checked in.

She fixed dinner for the three of them, still no phone call. It was getting late, she was losing her mind. They ran over to the Winston home, and got the kids some clothes. Ellie told Hailey about the spare key. They went back to her house, she ran baths for Ellie and Kenny, then got them to bed. She was laying on the couch watching TV when she heard his motorcycle ride in, she didn't know if she wanted to kiss him or slug him, or maybe both.

He knocked on her door quietly, she got up and answered it. "Where in the hell have you been?"

"I'm sorry, club business. Took longer then I expected."

She walked away from him, she was afraid she'd loose control and knock him on his ass. She spun around and glared at him.

"Did you even think about Ellie and Kenny? Wonder who would pick them up? They are sleeping in my guest room, might as well leave them until the morning."

"Hailey..." He touched her shoulder. "Thank you for taking care of my kids tonight."

She closed her eyes, he pulled her into his arms. "I really am sorry." He leaned down, kissing her.

She lost all control, she opened her mouth to him, teasing him with her tongue. She wrapped her arms around his neck, he lifted her up, holding her against him. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

He pulled away from her. "Hailey...please..."

"What Opie? Tell me!"

"I want you. If I don't walk away from you right now, I'm going to take you into your bedroom..."

"I want you too...so take me."

"No. I want to take my time with you, I don't want to rush it!"

She under the impression that Opie was going to make her crazy before he decided to take her to bed. She was going to make it her mission to get him to give in and take her to bed soon rather then later. She started to smile and look at him. He was in for some serious trouble.