Ballerina

The room spins

Pull you from me

my body burns

tell me all rainbows

the colors that the rain throws

ballerina dance softly

she knows when to come only

when she's called slowly coming to

I didn't think I wanted you

but I need you

was so foolish of me

feel you tumbling down

into that empty room

the lights went out

want to rescue

want to scream out loud

Haley had convinced Piney to take her back to her house to pack her own bags. She was worried about what Gemma would pack for her, almost as much as she worried that one of the guys would go through her underwear drawer. Once her bag was packed, Piney let her drive her car to the clubhouse. Haley climbed out of her car and glanced around.

Chibs came striding out of the garage and wrapped her in a hug. Juice was right behind him, a huge smile on his face. "Haley," Juice called excitedly.

"Juice," she said equally excited. "I'm so glad you are ok! You are ok right?"

"Fine! I'm fine, how are you doing?"

"I've been better, Clay said I have to stay here for a few days."

"We'll make sure to take good care of you baby girl," Chibs assured her.

Chibs took one of her bags and Juice took the other. They ushered her into the clubhouse, where the rest of the guys were waiting for her. Tig immediately brought her a beer as Juice took her bags to her room.

"You excited about spending some time with me baby," Tig asked.

"Stay away from her Tiggy," Gemma warned before giving Haley a warm hug. "I changed the sheets myself. They are having a party tomorrow night though, so prepare yourself for that."

"Oh goody," Haley said with a roll of her eyes. She took a sip of the beer, turning when she heard the door open behind her. Jax came strolling in with Opie. Opie immediately came over to her and pulled her into a hug. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before stepping back to look at her.

"How are you doing," Opie asked.

"I'll be better when he's dead," Haley said softly. She glanced past Opie to Jax. He was standing behind Opie, scratching the back of his neck. "Hey."

"Hey," Jax replied. He nodded at her before going over to the bar and getting a drink. He smacked Juice on the back before hugging him.

"So I hear you got your top rocker for taking a bullet for me," Haley called. "Let's see it!"

Juice turned around so she could see the back of his cut. Haley laughed at his excited face. "Congratulations Juice, or should I say Juan Carlos?"

"Juice," he replied with a nod.

...

A few hours later, Haley was upstairs in the room they had given her. She was unpacking her bag, she carried a few items into the bathroom. When she came back out, Jax was sitting on the foot of the bed.

"Hey," she said again. He hadn't spoken to her since she had gotten to the clubhouse. Haley had no idea why he was avoiding her, but she was starting to get a little concerned.

"How are you feeling," Jax asked.

"I'm fine." Jax held out his hand and she took it before sitting down next to him. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you since we got back."

"Yeah, I was taking care of some stuff for the club."

Haley nodded before glancing at him again. She bit her lower lip as she shook her head at him. "Is this how its going to be now?"

"What?"

"I get hurt and you disappear, you show up and you don't know what to say so we sit here awkwardly."

"I didn't disappear, I was looking for your step-father."

"Ryan, don't call him my step-father. Did you find him?"

"No, not yet. We're trying though," Jax assured her. "Listen, this party tomorrow night. Stick with one of us ok? Different MCs are going to be here, I don't want them to get the wrong idea."

"You're worried they'll think I'm a croweater."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about, I don't want to beat some guy's ass for calling you angel. Although, I heard you can handle yourself pretty well," Jax teased.

"I thought you didn't hear that," Haley said as she buried her face in her hands.

"We all heard it, we just didn't see it. Apparently you wiped the floor with him though."

"Well, I believe I said no one gets to call me angel except you."

"Why?"

Haley bit her lip as she glanced away from him. "Your mom told me about you coming to see the showcase. She said when you got back you told her you saw an angel. I guess if I wanted to be anyone's angel, I wanted... to be yours," Haley admitted softly. Her cheeks flushed bright pink as she avoided his gaze. "Its stupid, I know."

"Hey, you can be my angel if you want to be, I'm the one that said it after all," Jax replied as he tilted her chin up so she was looking at him. "Are you gonna start yelling at me if I kiss you right now?"

Haley shook her head at him before turning toward him. Jax gently cupped her face in his hand before pressing his lips to hers. Haley clutched at his cut, leaning into the kiss. She sighed softly, letting Jax deepen the kiss and pull her even closer.

"Ah, I knew you two'd work it out," Chibs called from the doorway. Haley pulled away from Jax and shook her head. "We've got church brother."

Haley rested her head on Jax's shoulder for a moment. "I'll be back in a little bit," Jax said before kissing her cheek. Haley simply nodded before shifting away from him. She spent the next little while unpacking the rest of her things. She wandered downstairs, a pair of cropped yoga pants hanging low on her hips and a loose t-shirt.

As she entered the main room, the doors to the chapel opened and the guy streamed out. Opie came right over to her and slung an arm around her shoulders. "You want to go somewhere with me," he asked lowly.

"Am I allowed to leave?"

"Clay, I'm taking Haley out, we'll be back later."

"Take someone else with you," Clay replied.

"Jax, let's go brother," Opie said as he started toward the door. Haley fell in with Jax as they trailed after Opie.

"Where are we going," Jax asked.

"No idea," Haley replied.

"You're riding with me baby girl," Opie said as he climbed on his bike. Haley took his helmet and snapped it on before sliding on behind him. Jax followed them out of the lot and toward the main part of town. It didn't take long for Haley to figure out where Opie was taking her.

She smiled brightly as she slipped off the bike and headed toward the front door. She didn't wait for the guys as she walked inside the building. It was the dance studio that she had taken lessons at as a kid. She gasped when she saw a picture of herself on one of the walls.

"You know I always celebrate my best students," a voice called as Haley moved toward the picture. She spun around to find her former teacher behind her. "How are you dear?"

Haley rushed forward and hugged Denver tightly. "God I've missed you," Haley whispered.

Denver laughed brightly as she hugged her back. "When you missed your interview last week I started to worry, but then your brother came by, told me a little about what is going on. I'm sorry about your mom. If you still want a job here, its yours."

"Are you serious," Haley replied.

"Of course I am, I watched your reel, several times actually. You'd be an amazing asset to this studio, plus you have a degree in dance and a minor in art education, your resume speaks for itself, I'd be stupid not to hire you before someone else snatches you up," Denver exclaimed.

"Thank you so much," Haley exclaimed brightly.

"We actually came by for a reason," Opie replied. "I was hoping she could use a studio for awhile."

"Of course, anything you need darling," Denver replied. "I've got some work to do in the office, let me know before you leave."

"Thank you Denver," Haley said before she moved toward one of the studios. She flipped the lights on before she moved over to the barre. Jax and Opie watched from outside as she warmed up.

"We goin to talk about what is going on with you two," Opie asked.

"Nothin going on," Jax said with a shrug.

"Chibs told me he saw you two."

"Jesus, can't keep his damn mouth shut."

"Come on brother, he's just lookin out for you guys," Opie replied.

"Yeah, yeah," Jax shot back with a wave of his hand. "Look man, you know I care about her. She's got a lot of shit going on right now. She asked me for some time to figure things out, I'm trying to give it to her. I have no clue what I'm doing here man."

"As her brother, I've got to tell you, you hurt her, I'll take you in the ring and kick your ass," Opie warned.

"I know you will."

Jax glanced through the window and watched Haley. She moved quickly, her body twisting and turning, spinning around the room as though gravity had no hold on her. He held his breath as he watched her. He had truly never seen anything more beautiful in his life. They watched her for awhile, all of them losing track of time. She just kept moving and Jax couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

Haley let one song finish and she laid down on the floor and drew in a deep breath. She laughed when someone nudged her with their foot. "You ready to go angel," Jax asked as he offered her a hand up.

A smile raced across her face and her eyes had a light in them he hadn't since she'd gotten back. "Yeah, I'm ready," Haley said as she grabbed his hand and let her pull her up. She stumbled into him, his hands landing on her hips to steady her. She continued to grin up at him before raising up on her toes and kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you, for giving me this time to figure things out."

"No problem angel," Jax said with a grin. "Let's get out of here."

They laced their fingers together before making their way out. Opie shook his head at them. "I already told her we were leaving. You're really good baby girl," he said as he pushed them out the door. Jax pulled Haley over to his bike and passed her a helmet.

Haley immediately climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his middle. Opie rolled his eyes at them. "We're going to take the long way back," Jax said. "You want to come?"

"Nah, be careful with her, I'll see you back at the clubhouse."

Haley waved a hand at Opie as Jax started the bike and pulled out. Haley leaned into Jax as he drove through town. He took her all over town, past the school, the stores, the grocery store, even the gardens. They drove around longer than they should have and it was almost dark before he took her back to the clubhouse.

Haley climbed off the bike first and started toward the building, but Jax grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. He sat on the bike as he pulled her closer, his hands landing on her hips. Haley let her hands land on his shoulders as she watched him curiously.

"You sure about this Haley? You and me?"

"Jax, I told you when we were in Chicago," Haley said with a shake of her head. "This is what I want, I just need some time. I'm not going to change my mind."

"Just makin sure. You excited about your new job?"

"Everything I ever wanted."

"You don't regret it? Not taking that offer from that... group?"

"Company, we call them dance companies, and no, I don't regret it."

Jax tugged her closer, she settled between his legs. She leaned in so her forehead was touching his. "We should get inside, before they send out a search party," Jax warned.

Haley stepped back so Jax could stand up, he took her hand and led the way back to the clubhouse. "So this party tomorrow night," Haley stated.

"What about it?"

"Look, I know that you are giving me some time and that we haven't made... any commitments yet, but... I know what these parties are like Jax. I couldn't handle it if you...," she trailed off and met his gaze.

"Hey, I won't fuck anyone else if you won't," Jax replied with a smirk.

"Fucking, what a romantic concept. I'm just saying, you don't owe me anything, but please... don't."

"Haley, I won't, unless you want to."

Haley flushed dark red and shook her head at him. "Not yet," she replied with a tiny smile.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Are you... have you... are you a virign," Jax asked quickly.

Haley burst out laughing and shook her head at him. "No, I'm not a virgin Jax. Trust me, my number is lower than yours, but I'm no virgin."

Jax slung his arm around her shoulders before pulling open the door to the clubhouse. He gave her a shoulder a squeeze as they headed to the bar.

"Jax, we got church! Get in here," Clay called through the open door to the chapel.