Chapter 30 – Shelter
It was past five in the afternoon by the time Gemma's Caddie crossed the gates of SAMCRO compound. Nelly was in the back seat next to Tara, she had her hair tied and her face cleaned up, and was wearing one of Gemma's t-shirts. They pulled in by the clubhouse, next to two bikes, and glimpsed Jax and Harry working in the garage. Nelly's been to the compound on countless occasions, but has only been inside once. For John Teller's wake. The club was contained in a big building adjacent to their automotive business, a massive concrete brick with a big black door. The forefront of the club was a dark bar, rank with the stink of cigarette smoke and stale booze. As soon as Nel walked through the front door, she saw two Sons by the bar, a prospect and Chibs. He gave Nelly a small, reassuring smile, but she looked away, the sight of a man in kutte making her skin crawl.
Gemma quickly ushered Nel to one of the rooms in the back, then disappeared to talk to Clay, while Tara went to get the guys. Nelly looked around the worn-out, dim room, so lacking in comforts. It had a double bed and a small bathroom, a TV and a VCR. Still, it was her shelter for tonight.
As much as Nelly didn't want the truth to get out, she knew Jax and Harry couldn't be fooled. That much was obvious as soon as they walked in and saw her face. Harry's eyes creased with pain and anger. Without hesitation he came over to Nel and gently touched her face, "Oh, my sweet Nelly... what happened to you?"
She broke down crying, seeking comfort in his embrace. While Harry engulfed her in a hug, Tara explained quietly. Jax swore under his breath and said, "My dad would have never let it happen."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you." Harry whispered into Nelly's hair, still holding her close, "But that bastard won't get away with hurting you."
The boys exchanged a grim look as Jax added, "SAMCRO will make sure of it." And with heavy steps, and heavier hearts, they left the room.
+0+
"Clay, whatever you're planning, we want to be part of it." Said Jax as he entered the Rosewood chapel, passing Gemma in the door.
"Damn right." Harry seconded, half a step behind him.
"You boys stay out of this!" Jax's mother raised her voice as she turned around.
"I got this, Gemma." Clay told her, quietly.
"You better." She gave him a long look, and left slamming the chapel door.
"I don't see kuttes on you two young guns." Clay took a drag of his cigar and blew out a cloud of smoke. He was sitting alone at the table. "Leave it to the patched Sons."
"We are a year away from patching in, Clay, make an exception. She's our friend."
"More than a friend to me," said Harry.
"And I appreciate your need for revenge, but Simon Says is a tough son of a bitch. Trust me, we'll make sure he never comes near Nelly or her aunt again."
Jax was quick to ask, "How are you going to do that?"
"We are giving him one way transfer to the Washington chapter, effective immediately, but not before kicking his ass all the way to Seattle. We have to find him first."
Harry was satisfied to hear that, but it wasn't enough. "He needs to be punished, and I want to be there. Make sure it's done."
"What you need, son, is to be there for your girl." Clay said slowly, definitely. "It'll do her, and you, more good than going after Simon. Piney will do that in your place."
Harry gave Jax a long look, and they communicated wordlessly. It was a reasonable solution, and frankly, Harry didn't want to leave her side.
"We'll tell Nelly." Jax replied. "How long before she can go home?"
"If all goes well, it'll be safe tomorrow."
"Good," said boys in unison and turned to go.
"Thank you, Mr. Morrow," added Harry before he left.
"You bet, kid." Clay whispered as he blew out another cloud of smoke, but the boys were already gone. Simon Says Moriarty was a big asset to the club, but Clay knew well that some things were more important. Justice had to be done, Gemma told him, and he couldn't deny anything to Gemma.
+0+
Nel was glad Tara was still here. As soon as the boys left to see Clay, her friend asked concerned, "Do you want me to stay with you, Nelly?"
"No, it's OK." Nelly shook her head. There was only one person she wanted to be with right now. "I'll ask Harry to stay."
Tara smiled, part sad, part mischief. She hugged Nelly and said, "I'm going to St. Thomas. I'll check on your aunt and let you know how she's doing. Call me if you need anything."
"Thanks for saving my ass, Tara," Nelly whispered into the mass of dark hair. "For everything."
"Any time, Nel." And with that, was she gone.
Harry returned in a few minutes and sat down next to her on the bed, pulled her into his lap, and she didn't care that he was in greasy overalls and smelled of engine oil. She curled into him eagerly, her head resting under his chin.
"It'll be okay, sugar, I'll take care of you," he whispered, his lips moving against her hair. And what he said was true. Being in Harry's arms, hearing his low, soothing voice and feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart, made Nelly feel safe and sound. Like whatever happened today was only a bad dream. Nel's fear melted away and finally, she relaxed. Then she remembered her biggest worry.
"Harry, promise me you won't go after Simon."
"Trust me, I would if Clay had let me. He thinks Sons will find him tonight and he'll be gone by tomorrow."
"Thank you." She murmured against his neck.
"I'll stay with you, keep you safe."
"I know, big guy," She looked up into Harry's concerned eyes and wiped off an oily smear from the tip of his nose. "But I'm sure you've got jobs to finish first."
"I don't want to leave you alone." It was obvious Harry felt like he failed Nelly somehow and wanted to make it up to her.
"Go on, I'll be fine." Nel gave him a reassuring smile, "You'll be close enough."
"There is only Jax and me in the garage and we've got a last minute break job to finish, then clean-up." Harry's forehead creased while he reasoned it out.
"Jax will blow his top if you'll ditch him now."
"Gimme a couple of hours, okay?" He was clearly asking for her permission.
"Okay." She kissed him and reluctantly climbed out of his embrace.
Nelly watched Harry leave and close the door behind him. As soon as he was gone, she locked it and headed for the shower. The bathroom was small, but surprisingly clean, and Nelly got a feeling she had Gemma to thank for that. Once she felt sufficiently cleansed, she scoured the room for something to do. Finding only Jack Kerouac's On the Road and a few raunchy videos, Nel settled for the book. She didn't like it, but there was no other way to occupy her time, so she endured it until Harry knocked on the door two hours later, as promised.
"Everything okay?" He asked as he slipped in and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Fine. All quiet."
"I'm filthy, I need a shower."
"Do you think I could go find us something to eat?" Nelly asked, unsure.
"There's a kitchen behind the bar. The fridge is always full."
Nel still hesitated and Harry added, "Chibs is the only one there, but you can wait until I'm done and we'll go together."
"No," she was determined not to let the fear win, "I'll do it."
Nelly returned a quarter of an hour later, with a plate of grilled cheese sandwiches and two mugs of canned soup.
"I didn't find much..." Nel said, as she walked in the door, but what she saw took her breath away and the words died on her lips.
Harry was sitting at the foot of the bed. One large towel was wrapped around his hips and he was drying his hair with another. Drops of water were still glistening on his broad, curved back and muscles in his arms flexed as he rubbed his head dry. Nelly nearly dropped what she had in her hands, as hot feeling surged through her. It was an instant want, an undeniable hunger, like none she's ever felt. She put the dishes on the dresser, then closed the door of the room and turned the lock.
"Something wrong, Nelly?" Harry stopped and looked up, concerned.
"No, everything is fine." She smiled at him in a way which prompted Harry to stand up and come to her slowly. He must have sensed the heat rising in her belly, because as soon as he reached Nel, his lips hungrily covered hers.
All of Nelly's instincts, the ones that kept a wall between them, now whispered that she wanted him, deeply and desperately. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, Nel knew that the time was right.
"Stay with me tonight, Harry," she said against his lips.
He stopped and drew back a little, but there was hopeful expectation in his eyes as he asked,
"Do you mean..?"
"Yes..." She whispered breathlessly, determined and so in love.
Harry touched her bruised face tenderly with his hand, searching her eyes for answers. "After today? Are you sure?"
"That's why I don't want to wait anymore, Harry. I want this, with you."
He kissed her again and Nelly felt a spark ignite, their bodies respond. The swell of feelings within her was nearly overwhelming and her courage faltered. Harry interrupted the kiss and Nelly thought he must have sensed her hesitation, but what he said, surprised her.
"Listen Nel, I need to tell you something..." he whispered, his eyes looking away. She hasn't seen him so shy and flustered since the day they've met, and it sent a cold shiver of anxiety down her spine. "I've never done this before, I've never been with a girl."
"That makes two of us." She exhaled relieved, felt herself blush, then realised that what she said didn't make any sense, "Well, you know what I mean..."
Harry's lips turned up in a small smile, but then his eyes clouded again as he said, "I... I want to do right by you... I don't want to let you down."
Nel silenced him with another kiss. She felt just as insecure as he did, but then remembered all the times they've explored each other under blankets at drive-ins, and was certain as she told him, "You won't."
There were no more words, only soft caresses and bold strokes, honey-sweet glow and feverish heat. Guided by instinct, her fingers and lips glided over Harry's skin and stilled his breath, raked him with shivers. His every touch, slow and gentle, set her body on fire and made her want to weep out of love, out of lust. She was already falling to pieces when they melted into each other and then exploded together like a firework.
She returned fuzzy and boneless, only aware of Harry's hot, quick breath in her ear, the sweet weight of his body on top of her, his long arms surrounding her. He moved to the side, never letting go, cradling her like a treasure.
He kissed her forehead, his breath warming her face, "You okay?"
"More than okay..."
"I can't believe I'm here with you."
"Should I pinch you?" She smiled, nipped his neck gently with her teeth, and heard Harry take in a sharp, involuntary breath.
"Wow..." His chest rumbled with a low, delicious laugh, "I believe it now."
Nel nestled her head under Harry's chin and felt his lips rest on top of her head as he inhaled deeply. She felt full of liquid warmth, aglow like a firefly, "You know, I always expected my first time to be something awkward and painful, but this... You made it beautiful and so good."
Harry smiled as he tilted her head up and brushed wild waves of hair away from her face, "You are beautiful, Nelly. I'm just a tool."
"Never a tool, Harry." She said seriously as she touched his lips with her fingers."You are everything to me."
"I love you, Nelly, I always will." Harry said, his eyes intent and earnest on hers.
"I know." She'd have to be blind not to see that. Nelly leaned into him, her lips nearly on top of his. She whispered, "I love you too, Harry. Forever," and prayed with all her heart that it would last.