Clay Morrow gritted his teeth together as Gemma shoved the needle into his aching hand shooting it full of cortisone. It seemed that his arthritis was getting worst and worst every day.

If it kept on going at this rate the soon he'd no longer be able to handle riding his bike. And if he couldn't ride he couldn't act as the President of SAMCRO.

It was clear to Clay and Gemma that Jax wasn't ready to act as President. Both Gemma and Clay knew that Jax had to be the next president if they wanted to keep the clubs activities and earnings under their control.

Gemma liked being Queen of Samcro and she wasn't ready to let that go yet. And Clay liked the money the clubs dealings provided, and he wanted to keep it coming at the pace it had been coming in.

He didn't speak until Gemma pulled the needle back and stood up from their bed throwing it away in a trashcan. "So you're sure this girl won't be any trouble?"

Clay could only vaguely remember Clara Munson. She'd been sort of mixed in with the other children of Sons who'd wondered in and out of TM Auto and the clubhouse.

To be honest Clay had paid more attention to the male children than he did to the female children. After all boys grew up to be bikers and Sons, and girls did not.

He knew that Clara had been around when she was a child, but she'd been around only her Uncle Bobby more often than not.

Clara had kept to herself from what Clay could remember. She seemed to prefer to be an invisible face in the background.

She'd been polite and soft spoken. She didn't wander off and get into to trouble like some of the other children who hung around the garage; the Trager girls, and Jax and Opie.

Clara had been a good kid but good kids could grow up to be less than pleasant adults.

He could remember when Clara had come to visit a few years back with her fiancé. She'd grown up well and had been just as soft spoken.

Though the only reason Clay remembered this was because Mitch Daniels had been such a stuck-up jerk. The man had made it obvious that he thought he was better than the likes of Clara's family in Charming.

The only reason Clay hadn't put the smug prick in his place was for Bobby's sake. Clay knew he'd never hear the end of it from Bobby if he embarrassed Clara.

The girl defiantly had her uncle wrapped around her fingers.

Still though that disastrous visit had been years ago. And things and people could change drastically within a few years.

Gemma zipped the leather pouch Clay kept his cortisone and syringes in. She put it away closing it up in the dresser as she spoke. "Bobby said she wouldn't be any trouble. She knows what SAMCRO really is. She's a smart girl. She knows better than to go open her mouth to the wrong people."

"And that's why the law showed up at her front door. A girl with a record like that could really screw us over to save her own ass if she got in trouble again." Clay remarked knowing that Bobby had been very open about Clara's troubles.

Gemma let out a sigh repeating what Bobby had told her. "Her record is spotless. She didn't know what her ex was really doing. The police let her go free. Bobby insists that she's innocent."

"And you buy that?" Clay asked his eyes narrowing. He wasn't very pleased that his wife had just okayed this without coming to him first.

Gemma gave him an all too calm smile as she sat back down on their bed. "Not entirely. That's why I suggested that she work in the office with me."

He nodded his head understanding her plan. What better way to keep an eye on Clara Munson than to have her working right under their noses?

Gemma reached out taking his hand in hers as she began to massage it. "Trust me baby I've got this all handled."

"Last thing we need is another Oak on our hands." Clay pointed out dreading the possibility that Clara was no better than her father.

Oak was untrustworthy. He was a disaster waiting to happen and Clay knew it. A junkie could very easily turn into a junkie rat.

Clay knew that more often than not the apple didn't fall too far from the tree. After all just take a look at Dawn and Fawn Trager.

He wasn't going to just take Bobby's word for it about Clara being a good girl.

"If she stirs up any shit I'll get rid of her." Gemma replied knowing that there was no way in hell she was letting this girl wreck everything they'd worked for.

"Trust me baby I'm going to keep a close eye on her. She won't even sneeze without me knowing about it." Gemma assured him.

She cleared her throat as she spoke again. "Besides it'll be a relief having an extra set of hands at work. Wendy needs all the help she can get."

Clay frowned the mention of his stepson's pregnant estranged wife. Wendy Case was trouble there was no doubting that.

Wendy had shown up at TM Auto with a fresh pregnancy test a week after Jax had walked out on her. Jax of course wasn't too pleased with this. He didn't really want children but Gemma was pushing for a grandbaby.

And not surprisingly Gemma was pleased with the promise of a grandchild even if it was coming from an ex junkie former croweater.

Jax sure as hell wasn't stepping up in the way Gemma would prefer. So his mother had stepped in to ensure that this baby had everything it could possibly need.

Allegedly Wendy was clean and sober, but she'd said that time and time again. Everyone knew it wasn't Wendy's nature to keep sober for long.

Gemma preferred to believe that old saying never trust a junkieshould be and never trust an ex junkie either.

Gemma knew that having Clara around would work in her favor. Even though Gemma didn't want to admit it she could use all the help she could get around the garage.

The sooner Gemma got the office at TM Auto under control the sooner she could turn all of her attentions to her grandchild.

Gemma knew that Clay had the right to be suspicious. Clara didn't come from the best genetic pool, Bobby not being included.

Clara's father had been a threat. Oak's actions and irresponsibility had threatened to bring down SAMCRO.

Who was to say that Clara wouldn't follow in her father's footsteps?

Gemma just hoped that Bobby was right about Clara. The last thing she needed to worry about was another junkie whore.

Bobby got started bright and early getting everything in order for his niece's arrival in Charming.

The first thing he did was go over to the new apartment complex Chibs had been living in for about a month now, and look at an apartment for Clara.

Bobby was pleased with what the landlord showed him.

The apartment complex was a big two-story building with several one too three-bedroom apartments. The pale brick building was shaped like a square with a nice patio and pool area right in the center of it all.

The apartment he'd chosen for Clara had one large bedroom, a tiny but acceptable bathroom with a shower and a tub, a living room slash dinning room with a kitchenette, and there was even a tiny cemented yard area in the back because the apartment was on the first floor.

Bobby knew that the apartment would be perfect for his niece. It would certainty be more roomy than the little apartment Clara and her mother had been sharing for two years now.

He knew that his niece would be thankful to have a real bedroom once again. He knew that Clara would love the apartment's huge three to eight foot swimming pool.

She'd always loved to swim ever since she was a child.

Bobby signed the lease putting down a security deposit. Clara would be able to move in first thing next week.

He stood in the middle of the empty apartment as he tried to estimate how much furniture Clara would need.

It was going to take a bit of work but Bobby knew that Clara would appreciate the apartment.

She had lost so much. The worst had come when she'd had to move her mother from the home she'd bought her.

Bobby could remember the shame on his niece's face the day he'd come to help Tammy move her things from her beloved home into that crappy little apartment.

Bobby let out a sigh as he watched his niece shift back and forth on her feet as she stood at the entrance of her mother's home.

He had taken Clara out to a quick lunch in hopes that it would lighten her mood. He could tell that she wasn't looking forward to this.

He didn't blame her. The loss of her mother's home had hit Clara hard. The girl had been so proud to move her mother into a nice home. It stung to know that the house was being repossessed like this.

He came up beside Clara giving her a soft pack on the back his throat tightening. He was at loss at what he could say to make any of this easier. He knew deep down inside that there was nothing he could really say to make it all okay."

"She loves this door. We painted it together. It was a hideous shade of brown when we first moved her in. She loves the yellow...said it reminds her of the sun." Clara blurted out as she reached out running her hand along the cheerful looking bright yellow front door.

Clara dropped her hand to her side her shoulders sagging as she spoke again. "This is supposed to be mom's paradise. She was supposed to grow old here. I gave her this...I wanted her to have something nice. And now it's just...its like it was a lie. I sold her a dream and it was all bullshit."

Bobby wrapped an arm around her his heart aching at the heartache in her voice. "It's all going to be okay kid. It's not the end of the world."

"I just feel like I've let her down." Clara admitted her eyes shifting to the ground locking down on her cheap white ked tennis shoes.

"Oh doe eyes you know that's not true. She understands that this was out of your control. Trust me your mom understands that you tried to do your best." Bobby insisted as he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Clara looked up at him her stomach rolling as she tried to give him a smile.

Despite his kind words she still felt horrid. She felt as though this was all her fault.

She spoke up her smile faltering. "I brought her into my mistakes though. I mean she was fine in her little apartment. I know she hated working at the casino, but...She was still doing okay. She was happy. And I took that. I tried to give her something better and I screwed up."

Bobby frowned not liking that she'd placed so much of the blame on herself. He spoke up his voice rising a little as he attempted to point out the obvious to her. "You didn't screw up though Clara. It was that bastard fiancée of yours. How were you supposed to know that he was lying to you? It wasn't your fault. He's the one that fucked up not you."

Clara bit her bottom lip her eyes widening. It wasn't often her uncle spoke to her in that tone of voice.

Maybe he was right though? Maybe she shouldn't blame herself for Mitch's sins.

They were his sins not hers.

Bobby gave her shoulder another squeeze as he spoke up his voice softer now. "It's going to work out Clara. You'll see. Now come on let's get back in there before your mom starts wondering where we disappeared to."

Clara gave him a smile so thankful that he'd come out to Vegas.

She couldn't have made it through this without him.

Bobby figured that his niece didn't have anything to really furnish this apartment. All she probably had on her were personal possessions; clothing, shoes, accessories, maybe a few CDs and photo albums.

That certainly wouldn't get her far.

The police had seized most of the things Clara had once owned when they'd come looking for Mitch.

All the expensive clothing and shoes in Clara's huge walk in closet at the condo had been taken, as well as all her jewelry, and every little piece of antique furniture and decor she'd bought for the condo.

She had been left with only the clothing on her back and a stack of photo albums she'd been able to prove hadn't been bought with dirty money.

It had taken these past two years for Clara to gather what little belongings she had.

Clara was fortunate to have such a good friend in Victoria. Victoria had been more than willing to buy Clara clothing and makeup as well as shoes. She'd given Clara a few pieces for her closet, and had even given Clara her old ipod when she'd bought a newer model.

It had been quite an ordeal for Victoria to get Clara to take all these things from her.

Clara had a difficult time accepting things if she presumed that it was charity. Her pride was often her worse enemy.

Victoria had managed to convince her friend though that these things were just payback for all the times Clara had bailed her out of bad situations; bad dates, bounced checks, and not to mention all the times Clara had covered for Victoria when it came to Victoria's strict parents.

Clara had spent most of the paycheck she made cage dancing on the rent for the apartment she and her mother shared. She'd also spent it on her crappy station wagon given that paying for cabs could get expensive after a while.

She did manage to spend what she had left on few more things as well though; a laptop that just needed some work and a few CDs.

Bobby knew that if he didn't intervene his niece would be living in an empty apartment until she managed to scrape up enough cash to furnish it.

Furnishing the apartment wouldn't be a problem for Bobby. He had a few storage lockers around town that he'd filled with his less than bikerish vice; antique shopping.

Bobby would have no problem using some of the nice pieces he kept in storage to furnish this apartment.

He knew of course that Clara would be a reluctant to allow him to spend more money on her.

The girl's pride would be a huge factor and Bobby knew this.

He knew he'd have to find a way to force her to allow him to spend this money on her.

Bobby knew he could always just pull the we're family card.

It wouldn't be the first time he'd done it.

Bobby had in a way been caring for Clara since she was a baby.

She had been so tiny and perfect when she was born.

He'd missed the birth because he'd been gone on a protection run for SAMCRO.

The second he'd got home though he'd gone straight to Oak's and his sister's place and held his niece for the first time.

Bobby let out a huff as he took in the crap little house his sister and brother in law were renting. The place was a dump; a shoddy roof, faded chipped paint, and a weed filled out of control lawn.

He shook his head wondering how his little niece would grow up in a disaster like this. It was no place for a kid.

He held his judgments in as he walked up to the front door knocking a few times. He was shocked as his sister Tammy answered the door looking as though she was a member of the walking dead; dark circles under her eyes, her bathrobe hanging on her body, her pajamas looking a little ragged, and her hair a mess.

She perked up a little bit as she spotted just who was here. "Thank god your here. I could use some help."

"Where's Oak? I didn't see his bike out front?" Bobby asked though he already had a feeling he knew the answer.

"We had a fight...He's been out every night this week Bobby. And I know it's not club shit...He's been hanging out down at The Hairy Dog and he comes home at three shit drunk. He woke the baby last night and I haven't been able to get her to settle down all day. The house is a mess and I haven't had a real bath in days. I'm drowning here." Tammy exclaimed her eyes welling up with tears.

Bobby shook his head knowing that he shouldn't be too shocked.

Oak sure as hell wasn't trying out for father of the year.

"How about I watch the kid while you get a shower and a nap." Bobby offered knowing that it was the right thing to do.

Tammy did seem close to her breaking point.

He was shocked as Tammy embraced him her voice tired. "Thank you. I won't take too long. I just fed her so she should be fine."

Bobby let out a sigh as his sister finally released him from the hug before disappearing down the hall off towards her bedroom.

He felt a wave of guilt wash over him as he took in the state of the house. It was a mess; beer cans and cigarette butts and dirty dishes seemed to litter the place.

It seemed that Tammy was too exhausted and overwhelmed to keep her usually pristine home clean.

He felt that wave of guilt intensify as he realized that Oak probably hadn't lifted a finger for Tammy since the baby had come home.

Bobby had introduced his sister to the man and it had seemed that Oak had been nothing but a little shit to Tammy from the second they met. The two had broken up and gotten back together more times than Bobby could count.

He'd been tempted to have a word or two with Oak. He'd wanted to tell the man to shape up. Tammy wouldn't allow her brother to interfere though.

His eyes tore away from the dirty coffee mugs and plates as he heard the familiar sound of a baby's cry.

He made his way to the nursery his heart pounding. He had to wonder if perhaps he'd bitten off more than he could chew. What did he know about babies anyhow?

His anxiety lifted the second he entered the tiny nursery and peered over the white crib bars. In a bundle of pink sat the most beautiful sight on the planet; his niece.

The girl was only a few weeks old now. She was a tiny thing with a head full of wild dark hair that wouldn't lie down no matter how much Tammy worked with it. She stared up at her uncle her little fists tightened and her body wiggling, a frown on her face as she wailed.

He reached down gently scooping the squirming screaming child, his heart beating a little faster. What did she need? Could he give her what she needed?

He felt around her bottom letting out a sigh of relief when he realized that her diaper was dry as a bone.

He stared down at the baby her chubby face so pink a sour look on her face as she sobbed.

He did his best to support her neck and hold her properly as he sat down on an old rocking chair. He began to rock praying that it would be enough to sooth the screaming infant.

He rocked for what seemed like an eternity humming an old Bob Dylan song; Mr Tambourine Man. He knew it wasn't the best lullaby given it's alleged subject matter, but it did seem soft enough to soothe the child.

He was relieved to see that the nursery was in better shape than the rest of the house. He'd given Tammy money to decorate it to her hearts intent.

Bobby had figured it was the least he could do given the fact that Oak sure as hell wasn't going to part with his cash. The man was notoriously cheap.

The little nursery's walls had been painted a soft feminine pink. The wooden furniture was all white. Tammy had stuck with the lamb theme through stuffed animals and little ceramic figurines placed on the dresser. Even the mobile hanging over the crib had little fluffy lambs hanging from it.

Bobby felt a small smile develop on his face as the fussy infant's sobs finally began to quieten. The smile only grew wider as he stared down and spotted the baby's eyes clearly; dark brown just like Tammy and he.

He tore his eyes away from the child as Tammy entered the room freshly bathed and dressed in jeans and an old tshirt. She stood over him smiling down at the little bundle in her brother's arms. "She's perfect right?"

"Sure is." Bobby agreed as he stared back down at the infant. His niece was still staring up at him so much calmer now.

Tammy reached down smoothing out the girl's dark fine baby hair. "I named her Clara. Clara Joanne Munson."

"After mom?" Bobby replied a grin on his face.

Though his father had always been an angry volatile man, both Tammy and Bobby had always adored their mother Joanne Munson.

She had died just two years ago from lung cancer.

"Yeah. That and Clara Bow. She's got those eyes you know? Clara Bow had the same big doe eyes." Tammy replied smiling at the mention of her favorite actress on the planet.

She'd always adored any film with the silent film actress Clara Bow.

Bobby spoke up again nodding in agreement. "Yeah she does."

He smiled down at Clara as he spoke cooing at her. "Hey there doe eyes. I'm your Uncle Bobby."

From that moment on Bobby had done the right thing and had stepped in. He had spoiled little Clara Munson the way a father should.

He'd bought her school supplies and clothing every year. When she'd wanted to take ballet lessons as a child he'd fronted the bill. He'd paid for swim lessons. He'd paid for tutoring when she was failing Chemistry in high school.

He'd bought her a bicycle and taught her to ride it. He'd taught her how to tie her shoes. And when she'd reached her teens he taught her how to drive a car and how to ride a dirt bike.

When she'd joined the swim team in high school he'd paid for her entry fees. When her swim team had made state Bobby had roared in on his Harley just to watch her swim and even though her team had lost he'd been proud.

Bobby saw paying whatever it took to help her get back on her feet as just another thing he had to pay for when it came to raising Clara, never mind the fact that she was an adult now.

He was her uncle and the only father she'd ever known. This was his job.

Bobby shook hands with the landlord as he shoved his checkbook back in his jeans.

He was so elated with how well things were going that he wasn't exactly paying attention as he left the apartment and walked away rounding the corner only to run into a familiar face.

Chibs dropped his plastic bag of Chinese carryout as he slammed into to Bobby. He stared down at his food fully ready to curse out whomever he'd run into but quickly shut his mouth when he realized who it was.

Chibs cleared his throat as he managed to pick up his food happy to see that it hadn't spilled from the container. Given that he was a single man who lived on his own his diet often consisted of whatever was the easiest to prepare. Takeout was a big chunk of his diet.

"I didn't know ya were comin by. Did Clay call church or somethin. I didn't get a call." Chibs blurted out reaching in the pocket of his kutte and fishing out his flip phone.

Bobby shook his head still feeling good. "Nope I just came by to sign a lease on that apartment for Clara. Thanks for getting me the number."

Chibs cleared his throat trying hard to pretend that the mention of Clara's name didn't cause his heart to beat a little faster. "Oh...that's good."

He didn't know what had gotten into him. Sure Clara was an attractive woman from what he remembered, but still why did just the mention of her name cause his palms to sweat and his heart to slam in his chest?

He hadn't felt this way since he was just a teenage boy with massive crush on some girl who wouldn't notice him even if his damn head were on fire.

Chibs tried to tell himself that maybe he just needed to get laid. Deep down inside he knew though that wasn't the reasoning behind how he was feeling.

After all there was a clubhouse full of croweaters who would be more than willing to allow him to take out his sexual frustrations on them.

It seemed that whatever was bothering him couldn't be solved by getting his dick wet.

Chibs shook his head deciding that maybe his problem was the fact that he'd been here in Charming for almost a decade now. It had been almost ten years since he'd seen his sweet little Kerrianne.

She'd been just a little girl the last time he'd seen her. Now she was in her early teens.

He often wondered if she even remembered him now, or had Jimmy O' brainwashed her into believing the lies he'd spread about Chibs; a traitor to the cause, a street rat, and a coward.

Chibs missed his daughter more than he could even begin to explain. He'd spent these past years trying to bury himself in debauchery hoping that it could fill the void that had been left by the loss of his estranged wife and child.

As the years went on though the emptier he felt.

Maybe it was just that Clara was familiar, he quickly decided. She was someone who'd always been sweet to him and now he was transferring all the loneliness he felt over on to fixating over her.

He took a deep breath realizing that Bobby was staring at him as though he'd suddenly sprouted another head. He cleared his throat a small part of him fearing that Bobby knew just what he was thinking about Clara.

"That's great ta hear. I hope she likes it. Any way I'll see ya later. I better go eat this before my food gets colder." He blurted out as he walked away from Bobby too freaked out by his own train of thought lately, to bother looking back.

Bobby shook his head not helping but to wonder just how strong that pot Juice had been giving Chibs lately was.

He shook Chibs' odd behavior off towards the back of his mind as he headed out to the parking lot to his bike.

He knew he better get home and clean up a bit. Clara would be arriving at his place late tonight. He couldn't wait.

Chibs walked up to his apartment slamming the door behind him. He slammed the door just in time to miss the landlord leaving the apartment next door whistling to himself as he shoved Bobby Munson's check into his apartment.

The woman Chibs had been thinking about was about to be right next door.

Clara drove her old station wagon down the dark highway a content smile on her face.

Between Bobby and her mother Clara had managed to come up with enough cash to get her too Charming with the span of a few days. She'd had money for gas, food, and a motel whenever she became too tired to keep on driving.

It had seemed that her Uncle Bobby had known that a road trip would be just the thing she needed to clear her brain.

Clara had always loved being on the open road rather it was on the back of a motorcycle or in a car.

Road trips always made her feel so relaxed. She loved seeing the sights and exploring little towns most people had never heard of.

The open road always somehow managed to calm her overworked brain leaving her feeling refreshed.

As much as Clara was trying to enjoy this road trip though, she was worried.

Clara would be lying if she tried to pretend that she wasn't anxious about what awaited her in Charming.

She hadn't spoken to her uncle since she'd gotten the money order in the mail.

Clara had no idea where she'd be living or working. Her uncle kept on saying he was taking care of it, but Clara had no idea just how much he'd taken care of just yet.

She knew that her mother hadn't been very pleased about her choice to come back to Charming, even though it had been years since they'd left.

Clara knew that in most people's eyes her father Oak was a traitor, just a dirty junkie who would've backstabbed the club at his first opportunity.

Her mother had been unable to live with the shame left behind by her ex husband. She knew that her husband's former brothers judged her for Oak's mistakes, as did the Queen of Samcro Gemma Teller Morrow.

Bobby had tried to be supportive to his sister and his niece, but it just wasn't enough to soothe the tension Tammy felt.

People around town weren't any better. Her husband had been a thief. Tammy knew that people thought she wasn't any better.

She'd left Charming for the sake of Clara. Her brother hadn't been too happy about that, but Tammy knew Clara deserved a chance to live a life free of Samcro.

Now it seemed that Clara was undoing all her work by going right back to the place and situations Tammy had tried to save her from.

Her mother's words kept on playing over and over in Clara's head; Be careful.

It made Clara wonder just what her mother feared. Was it Charming itself or was it the people? Was it Samcro? Was it the life that went along with it?

Tammy Munson's warning disturbed Clara.

After all Clara was looking to start a new life here in the town she'd been born in and for so many years had called home.

She wasn't looking to add any more troubles to her life. It had gotten complicated enough as it was.

She wanted to live her life on her own terms. For so many years it seemed that she'd lived for everyone else but herself.

She knew it wasn't going to be easy to do any of this her own way.

Clara shook her head as she reached down to turn up her stereo hoping that the sound of the Beatles' Hey Jude could drown out her fears.

This would be alright, she told herself. Her mother was just being overprotective.

Her Uncle Bobby wouldn't have suggested she come home if this wasn't going to be a good idea, she reminded herself.

Clara was anxious about Samcro. There was no hiding that.

She didn't want to live with the club constantly hanging over her. She knew that she couldn't completely avoid it though, not in Charming.

She knew that her father's reputation still probably tainted her. Clara knew that Oak's shadow had loomed over her mother.

She had been young when Oak left Charming, only a child.

She felt her throat tighten as she remembered that day.

Oak paid no mind to the dark haired little girl sitting on the front porch of his rental housel as he walked around her.

He carelessly dumped a box of his belongings into an old pick up truck he'd bought.

His Harley was packed away in a trailer he'd hooked up to the truck and everything was just about packed.

Clara stood up from the porch as she made her way over to her father. "Daddy can I come visit you in New York?"

"It's far away." Oak replied not noticing the way the girl's shoulders sagged at hearing this.

Clara stared down at her purple corduroy overalls as she spoke. "What if mom says I can visit though? Could I come see you then?"

Oak shook his head glaring off towards the house where his ex wife stood watching their daughter from the kitchen window. "She isn't going to let that happen Clara."

"Why do you have to leave?" Clara asked finally daring to look up from her thrift store overalls.

Her father had once been a handsome man, but drug use had made Oak gaunt. He'd shaved his dark hair down to a military buzz which resulted in making him look all the more skeletal. \

Any of the tattoos he'd had relating to SAMCRO had been inked from his body just a few days ago erasing any ties he'd had to the motorcycle club he'd spent the past ten years devoting himself too.

Oak tightened his jaw still so angry at the way his brothers had turned on him. "It's complicated Clara. You'll understand one day."

Clara opened her mouth wanting to ask more, but was distracted as a familiar Harley roared into the driveway.

"Uncle Bobby!" Clara exclaimed her sorrows lifting for a moment as she spotted the person she adored the most in the world.

Bobby scooped the girl up pressing a kiss to her cheek causing her to giggle as his wild beard rubbing against her.

Oak narrowed his eyes at the sight of his former brother. He spoke his voice tight as Bobby made his way towards him. "You here to make sure I leave town?"

Bobby returned Oak's scowl his voice just as tight as he responded. "I'm here to see my neice."

Clara tilted her head to the side confused as to why her father and her uncle seemed so angry.

It was something she wouldn't understand until she was much older.

Oak was a thief and a traitor, and traitors had no place in Charming.

Clara tightened her grip on the steering wheel as she tried to push those memories from her mind.

She had tried often as a child to win her father's affections but had always failed. Remembering it didn't change the past, she told herself. It only made it hurt more.

She only hoped that everyone would be willing to see that she wasn't her father.

She wanted to make it clear that she wasn't anything like Oak. She feared that no one would be willing to believe it though.

Despite her fears Clara was looking forward to seeing everyone again, well almost everyone.

Clara was looking forward to seeing one man in particular; Chibs Telford.

Clara had once had the biggest crush on Chibs. It was silly really when she thought of it.

He had made her feel so welcome that first summer she'd come to spend with her Uncle Bobby.

He'd just been so kind to her. He'd never allowed her father's bad reputation to taint the way he looked at her.

Chibs' kindness had made her develop a little school girl crush on him.

It was pointless of course. she'd been under-aged and her uncle would have never allowed it. Not to mention she knew that Chibs had an estranged wife somewhere in Ireland and a child as well.

They weren't compatible, she'd always told herself.

He had plenty of croweaters always vying for his attentions. The croweaters loved his accent and some of them even loved how dangerous he looked because of the scars on his cheeks.

Clara had always felt that compared to the croweaters she wasn't the most enticing option.

She'd always use to joke that she got about as much attention as a white crayon.After all nobody wanted to use the white crayon when they were coloring.

She shook her head ignoring the butterflies that swarmed around in her stomach when she thought of Chibs.

It was pointless. He'd never see her as anything other than Bobby's niece.

And besides she didn't need a man in her life, not when she was such a gigantic mess.

After Mitch Clara felt that she could never trust a man again. She'd been lied to and betrayed by a man who she'd been sure she loved.

It would just be best to stay single for a long while, at least until she got her shit together.

She knew that she needed to rid herself of the failures of her past and focus on the future.

She knew that it might take a lot of work to prove to a few people ,mainly Gemma and Clay, that she was trustworthy.

She could remember the president and the queen of samcro clearly from her last visit. Clay and Gemma made Clara anxious.

She knew they didn't trust outsiders. And given how long Clara had been gone she might as well be an outsider.

Clara was aware that her father wasn't the only thing that tainted her reputation.

Clara knew her past in Vegas didn't exactly shine well on her. She prayed that no one would dare to bring up Mitch Daniels or the mess he'd left her with.

She hoped that she'd be able to escape her past in Charming. She had no idea where she'd run to if her past somehow tainted her there as well.

Clara pulled into town a familiar sign catching the corner of her eye. A sign shaped like a tree stump that stated: Welcome To Charming, Our Name says it All.

Clara didn't miss what had been added to the bottom edge of the sign carved deep into the wood; SAMCRO

She took a deep breath her hands becoming clammy as she gripped down on the steering wheel.

She was reading too much into her mother's warning, she told herself.

She was home. This was going to be just the fresh start she needed.

Clara just wished that she really believed it.

Chapter Title; Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkel.

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