Clara sat on the back of Chibs' bike her arms wrapped tightly around his waist as they zoomed down an old dirt pathway up into the woods outside Charming's city limits.

Although Clara had no idea exactly where Chibs was taking her, she found herself having the time of her life riding on his bike the redwood trees and the thick forest racing by them.

It had been far too long since she'd been on the back of a motorcycle. Being on the back of Chibs' bike made Clara feel just like a little girl again; riding on the back of her Uncle Bobby's old Harley.

Clara's mother hadn't been too fond of the idea of her daughter riding on the back of that old piece of junk bike, but Bobby hadn't let his little sister's reservations dampen Clara's and his fun.

Bobby would take Clara just about anywhere she wanted on that bike. She always found herself feeling like the coolest girl in all of Charming when Bobby would pick her up from school on that old piece of junk.

When Clara was young she'd wondered why her mother seemed so opposed to motorcycles. It wasn't until Clara became a teenager that she'd realized that her mother wasn't anti motorcycle, she was simply anti SAMCRO.

Clara figured that Tammy had been anxious that Clara would have too much fun on that bike. She'd been afraid that Clara would become comfortable in her Uncle Bobby's world.

The last thing she wanted for her daughter was for Clara to become too at home within the world of SAMCRO.

Tammy didn't want Clara to become attracted to some biker and become comfortable with the idea of being someone's old lady. She didn't want Clara to become a mini Tammy Munson or worse a mini Gemma Teller Morrow.

Clara had the feeling that if her mother had any idea of what she had been up to since she'd arrived in Charming Tammy would have a heart attack.

Clara had come to the conclusion that she shouldn't allow herself to focus on her mother's opinions too much though.

It didn't seem as though it would do her any favors to worry about what her mother thought. Tammy Munson would never change how she felt about SAMCRO. There was no use worrying about someone whose opinions were stuck like a penny to concrete.

All thoughts of all that had happened in the past two days and the fight she'd had earlier with Gemma were far from Clara's mind as the wind flowed by her.

Chibs grinned as Clara buried her head against his back letting out a giggle as they made a sharp turn. He had to love looking down and seeing her arms wrapped around his waist, her bright candy apple red nails sticking out against the black of his kutte.

She was the first woman he'd had on the back of his bike since he'd left Ireland.

Once Chibs had arrived in Charming he'd preferred to ride all alone. He wasn't even comfortable with the thought of a croweater being on his motorcycle.

The first bike that he'd bought in Charming was only a one-seater. He had used this as an excuse as to why he couldn't have girl on the back of his bike. But even when he'd purchased his second Harley which just so happened to be a two-seater, he still refused to let a woman ride with him.

He knew it was simply because he hadn't been ready for what having a girl on the back of his bike meant. It would mean that he was letting go of his love for Fiona.

Despite all that had happened in Belfast it had felt so wrong to him to let another woman besides Fiona ride with him.

To him having another woman on his bike where his old lady should be meant that he was moving on from his marriage to Fiona.

He knew this weird belief didn't make any sense. After all he'd slept with several croweaters since he'd lost Fiona to Jimmy O'.

Sleeping with another woman was a far bigger deal and seemed like it would be a far more intimate act than just letting another woman on his bike.

It just wasn't the same though. He had no idea how to explain this to anyone who questioned it.

He guessed he could explain it by saying that sex with a croweater was just sex, it was meaningless. He didn't have any feelings for the women he slept with. The croweaters could just be used for sexual gratification. He'd never let it go past just getting himself off.

He didn't pursue a relationship with these women. He didn't even cuddle with the women he slept with.

He sure as hell didn't let them anywhere near his bike. They could admire his bike, but they could never get on it.

To Chibs having a woman on the back of his bike was his way of showing the world that she was his woman. It told everyone around him that she was his and he was hers.

So to Chibs having Clara on the backseat was a sign of Clara belonging to him.

Clara was sitting somewhere where no woman had sat in so long. It was a sign of just how much she meant to him.

Chibs knew that this was a sign that he was moving on with his life. He was letting go of all the things that had hurt him in the past.

While his feeling for Fiona and all that had happened in Belfast would always remain the same, he knew that he was allowing himself to move past it emotionally. He was allowing himself to feel joy again.

That was the only way he could explain any of this to anyone who had any lingering questions about it.

Clara was his old lady and she was riding where an old lady belonged.

Chibs took another glance down at his waist smiling at the way Clara's right hand would rub his stomach on occasion. It seemed to be her way of showing him just how much she was enjoying this.

She wasn't the only one enjoying this so much. He loved the feel of her pressed so close to him, her grip on him tight, the smell of her perfume lingering against him.

He only hoped that she enjoyed what he'd planned for them as much as she seemed to be enjoying being on the back of his bike.

Chibs had thrown everything together for tonight rather quickly; stuffing everything they would need into the saddle bags on his bike. He just prayed that he didn't forget anything too necessary.

As they finally reached their destination Clara was overtaken by the sight in front of them. They had stopped at a high hill up in the woods. It just so happened to overlook most of Charming though the city was far away.

Clara could clearly see the city lights came to life as the sun began to set. The view was breathtaking.

She turned to Chibs to comment on this but she was struck silent as she took in just what he'd been doing while she admired the view.

He had set up a small picnic for them; setting out a large black blanket he'd snatched from his room at the dorms, two bottles of beer that he prayed hadn't gone hot, a container of juicy purple grapes, a bag of pretzels, and a container of crackers, and a container of little blocks of different types of cheese that he was sure were probably meant to be served a cocktail party.

To light their little picnic he'd taken a battery-powered lantern that he kept in his dorm at the clubhouse, and had sat it in the center of the blanket. It was just enough to give the area a dull pleasant golden glow.

Chibs felt his stomach ache as he found himself unable to read the look on Clara's face. He prayed that she didn't find what he'd done to be too cheesy or just plain hurried.

He spoke up doing all he could to explain himself. "I hope ya like it. I didn't have much time ta put this together. I stopped at the store on my way home and left Juice out in the parking lot while I shopped. I wanted to get some wine since I know ya like it. I wasn't sure what ta get though. I had to sorta rush ta get what I got since Juice got inpatient quick."

Clara took him by surprise as she made her way over to him pressing a soft kiss to his lips. She pulled away and spoke wanting to make it clear just how much she loved this. "It's perfect. You did a really fantastic job for not having much time."

He let out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding as Clara took her black denim jacket off and sat it aside as she sat down on the blanket.

She briefly considered asking about Roman Becket, but she kept her curiosity pushed far into the back of her brain.

To be honest knowing that Chibs and Juice had taken care of Roman was good enough for her. She preferred not to know exactly what they had done.

She refused to ruin this moment by mentioning the prick's name. Right now she wanted to forget Roman Becket and what he'd done to her. She wanted to enjoy sitting here at this picnic with the man she was falling fast and hard for.

Chibs sat down close beside her before managing to open both of their beers. They clinked bottles as Clara turned back to the view still finding it so breathtaking.

"How did you find this place? The view is incredible. You can see everything from up here. Why aren't there more people here...I mean are we the only ones who know about it?" Clara asked unable to hold the question or her admirations back any longer.

She knew that she was babbling, but she just couldn't believe that they had this view all to themselves.

"I found it a few years back when I was out jus takin a ride. It's nice fer when ya wanta get away from it all. I come up here when shite with tha club gets ta be too much, and partyin it away jus won't do. I don't know if anyone knows bout it. It's a way out from Charming. Most people probably jus go up to the old water tower if they want a good view." Chibs explained a smile on his face as he saw just how entranced she was with the view.

Clara smiled as she took in the sunset and the dusky pink sky around it. The stars were coming out so bright as the sky darkened. It was a gorgeous sight. "It's amazing. I can understand why you like it so much. I don't think I've seen anything more beautiful."

Chibs took advantage of her distraction to admire just how entranced he was with her.

Her lips still retained some of the crimson red lipstick she'd been wearing earlier. Her lips were fixed into a diminutive smile as she took in the sight.

He was taken by just how pale she looked in this lighting. She looked almost ethereal. Despite the ride her dark hair remained wavy and curled along her heart shaped face. Her dark hair and eyes made her skin all the more fair.

Clara made Chibs think of the fairy tale he'd always read to Kerrianne when she was a toddler; Snow White.

The fairest of them all Chibs thought to himself finding this line both amusing and somewhat fitting.

He still couldn't understand what a beautiful woman like Clara saw in a guy like him.

She was gorgeous and elegant and he was damaged and worn.

Clara turned to face him her cheeks flushing when she spotted the fact that he'd been watching her a grin on his face. "What? Do I have like a runny nose or something in my teeth?"

He chuckled shaking his head as he replied. "Yer fine...yer gorgeous."

He was surprised by the sharp almost bitter sounding laugh that left Clara's mouth upon hearing this.

She turned her eyes away from him as she took a sip from her bottle of beer. "I think you might need glasses Filip."

He furrowed his brow confused by the doubt in Clara's voice. He unconsciously scooted closer to her as he spoke up. "Why do ya say that lass?"

Clara twisted her lips as she shook her head. "Most men always go for my friend Victoria. She's the pretty one not me. I've always been resigned to being the Plain Jane while Victoria is the Marilyn."

Chibs reached up placing a hand on her cheek forcing her to turn and look at him as he spoke. "Yer better than the Marilyn. Yer breathtakin alainn."

"I'll just have to take your word for that." Clara replied still refusing to accept his compliments no matter how sweet they were.

Yes they were nice to hear, but Clara had long ago accepted that she wasn't a bombshell like Victoria.

She spoke again trying to hide how bitter she really felt. "I grew up the fat girl Filip. Once you're the fat girl you're always the fat girl. It's just how it works. No matter how much weight I lose I'll never feel like it's enough. I'm always going to be afraid of being fat again"

Chibs shook his head not buying her statement. He wanted to blurt out that she was wrong. He knew though that she wouldn't believe it.

He could see deep cracks in her self esteem. He wondered if these cracks and bits of damage had always been there or had her ex implanted them.

Chibs had a feeling that just a few kind words from him wouldn't smooth out the damage.

She let out a sigh as she spoke up. "I remember when I was about seven I had this shirt that I absolutely loved. It had this mermaid on it and it said in big letters save the ocean save the mermaids. I wore it to school and this older boy walked up to me at recess told me my shirt should say save the seacows."

Chibs felt his heart sink swearing that just for a moment Clara had turned into that little girl again.

She spoke up again as she let out a huff. "I went home to my mother and cried and cried. She couldn't get me to stop crying. I threw the shirt in the bottom of my closet and refused to ever wear it again. I swore at that moment that I would never be fat again. I never wanted to hear something like that again from someone. My mom got me into swimming and eating healthy and the weight came off. I still feel like that heartbroken chubby little girl sometimes though. I don't know if that'll ever go away."

"That kid was a prick lass. I've seen pictures of ya as a little girl Clara. Ya were a beautiful wee lass. Trust me if the seven year old me had known tha seven year old ya, I woulda kicked that kids arse fer ya."Chibs blurted out giving her a grin meaning every word he said.

He had no doubt the child him wouldn't have let the child her be bullied for even a second.

Clara felt her cheeks flush as he leaned in pressing a soft kiss to her lips as he spoke. "Yer perfect lass. That kid would trip over himself ta get yer attentions now."

She sighed wishing that she could believe him. Years of a horrid self esteem made it hard for her to accept his words though. She had told herself that she was plain and fat for years. Hearing something different didn't make the belief fade away.

She reached out taking his free hand as she ran it along her nose knowing that it was her least favorite feature. "You mean to tell me that you don't find this unattractive? It's so pointy...I mean it's straight and everything, but most guys like girls with little button noses."

Chibs shook his head running his fingers along her thin pointed nose. He pressed a soft kiss to the tip of it as he spoke. "It's perfect jus like tha rest of ya."

He felt his stomach drop as he took her hand in his running it along one of the scars on his cheeks. "I should be the one askin ya bout unattractive features lass. I don't know if ya noticed but I'm not that pretty."

She frowned automatically feeling guilty for asking him about something as trivial as her nose.

She knew that he was insecure about the scars. She didn't blame him for it. They were a reminder of just what he'd lost back in Belfast. Jimmy had given him those scars to make him remember what had been taken from him.

She leaned in pressing a gentle kiss to both of his scars as she spoke up. "Those are just a sign of how strong you are Filip. You're the strongest man I know. You survived when most people would just give up."

He let out a heavy sigh her words and her actions hitting him hard. Her hand remained pressed to his cheek and she allowed her thumb to trace the deep scars.

She was shocked as he pressed his lips to hers the kiss deep and passionate. Chibs did all he could to put how he felt about her into this kiss.

He pulled away causing her to let out a soft gasp as he spoke. "Yer a crazy lass ta want me love. I don't think I'll ever understand how ya picked a man like me. Yer my alainn lass. I'll spend the rest of my life tryin ta convince ya of it."

She felt her cheeks darken his words making a surge of desire and joy wash through her. It had been a long time since anyone had called her beautiful. It felt incredible. It was a feeling she could grow accustomed to.

His statement overtook her. She knew that he wasn't a conventional choice for a boyfriend. He was hers though.

She knew she had to make it clear to him just how much she adored him and just how strong and incredible she found him.

Clara let out a sigh knowing that she had to come clean about what had happened earlier today. She hated to ruin the moment they were having but she knew it was best Chibs heard it from her instead of Gemma.

"I screwed up earlier." She blurted out her heart hammering in her chest.

She couldn't help but to fear that Chibs would be pissed about what she'd done. Gemma was the Queen and he was the loyal Son. What if he took Gemma's side?

"What do ya mean?" Chibs asked automatically assuming that this had something to do with what had happened with Roman Becket. Had Clara spoken to the police?

Clara took a deep breath as she stared down at her lap hoping that this wouldn't explode in her face. "I lost it with Gemma. She just...she knows how to push my damn buttons. I know it wasn't a smart move...pissing off the Queen of SAMCRO. I know it's your place to side with her. I know it was a mistake and I can..."

Chibs cut her off letting out a deep chuckle. She looked up at him her eyes narrowing. Had he lost his mind? She had just confessed that she had snapped with Gemma and he was laughing.

She spoke up not hiding her irritation. "So I freak out on Gemma and you're giggling like a school girl about it?"

Chibs bit the inside of his cheek putting a quick stop to his chuckling fit. He spoke up as he placed a hand on her arm soothing her rage. "I aint laughin bout that Clara. I'm laughin cause yer ridiculous. Ya think I'd side with anyone else over my old lady?"

"But she's the Queen of SAMCRO." Clara remarked putting emphasis on the appropriate words.

She had to widen her eyes bit at the old lady comment. She was Chibs' old lady wasn't she?

She felt her stomach churn knowing her mother would hate this new development. Tammy had made it clear she didn't want the life of an old lady for her daughter.

Her mother would freak even more if she knew about all this drama with Gemma. Clara was doing everything her mother had always told her to avoid.

Clara was shocked to realize that she felt no guilt having thrown all her mother's advice right out the window.

"Aye she is. But she can also be a handful. I know she's been givin ya a hard time alainn. She aint been fair with ya. I didn't expect ya to play nice with Gemma forever. I'm happy ya showed Gemma that ya can handle yerself." Chibs explained as he leaned in pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.

Clara let out a soft huff her stomach beginning to ache as she spoke up. "You don't think she'll be worse now do you? I mean is she going to fire me? I mean I'm sure she doesn't love me for having the nerve to talk back to her."

"Nah she ain goin ta fire ya. She might not love ya but she'll probably respect ya at least. Trus me lass. Gemma likes a girl with a spine. She'll respect that ya didn't jus lie down and let her walk all over ya. It's a good trait fer an old lady ta have." Chibs pointed out soothing her worried mind.

Clara let out a heavy sigh thankful that she wouldn't find herself in the unemployment line tomorrow.

She gave him a soft smile at the last part of his statement. "So I'm your old lady?"

"Aye. If that's alright with ya?" Chibs asked suddenly wondering if perhaps she wasn't comfortable with that title. Maybe she preferred girlfriend to old lady?

Clara leaned in pressing a deep kiss to his lips making it very clear to him just how alright it was with her.

He smiled into the kiss as he pulled her close to him. Clara Munson was his old lady. How he loved that sentence.

For the first time in so long all felt right in Chibs' world. He knew he'd do whatever it took to make sure this feeling remained.

Clara was thankful that she was the only one who was working in TM's office the next day.

The last thing she wanted was to have another showdown with Gemma.

Clara had to wonder if Chibs was right about Gemma. Had her standing up for herself to Gemma given her some respect?

Clara was perfectly aware that she had to find a way to get along with Gemma, if she was to be Chibs' old lady.

All that tension was toxic both here at TM Auto and for the sake of the club.

Clara had to admit she loved the idea of being Chibs' old lady. It was more than she'd ever dreamed of having when it came to Chibs and her.

Yes Clara knew that her mother would hate it. Clara knew there were still some things that needed to be discussed with Chibs and she; mainly his marital status and what it meant for them.

Despite all this Clara was on top of the world. She was overjoyed with her relationship with Chibs.

It had been so long since she had allowed herself to feel this way about anyone. Clara was a little frightened by how she felt about Chibs.

The walls around her heart had been knocked down last night when Clara had pressed her lips to his upon hearing that she was his old lady.

Clara just prayed that Chibs would never make her regret crumbling all those thick walls around her still fragile heart.

She had the feeling that if he hurt her heart she would never recover. Those walls had taken years to build up and they'd been knocked down with just a few sweet words and a little kiss.

Clara didn't think she'd ever be capable of rebuilding those walls again.

She was letting herself remain open and vunerable to Chibs. She hoped he understood just how fragile she felt.

She did her best to shove all these fears far from her mind and keep the blissful feeling she had felt during their date the night before.

Clara was disappointed that TM was so busy. She didn't have time to even say as much as a few words to Chibs all morning.

He had remained hard at work even when she'd left for her lunch break. It had taken every bit of self control Clara had to stop herself from going up to him and kissing Chibs right there in front of Half Sack, Juice, Tig, and anyone else in the garage.

Clara sat at the little diner she'd decided to go to for lunch, her cell phone held up to her ear. She knew that this was at least one conversation she needed to have.

Thankfully it was the least stressful of the talks she would have to have in the next week or so.

Victoria was understandably hesitant and irritable by Clara's good news and just how long it had taken for Clara to get back to her. "So you forgave this Filip guy just like that?"

Clara cleared her throat having decided to leave out the part about almost being date raped by Roman Becket. She knew Victoria would freak if she knew the truth.

"Yes just like that. He came to me before I had the chance to go out on that date and we talked. What I saw wasn't what it looked like. It turns out he only has eyes for me."

"And you believe that?" Victoria asked her voice tense. It was clear that she was still holding a grudge against Chibs for what had happened that day at the garage.

Clara rolled her eyes as she pushed her half eaten salad away. "Yes I do. He's a great guy."

Victoria let out a heavy sigh as she spoke. "I hope you're right. I...I just don't want you to get hurt again. You've been isolated and on your own for so long now. I'm relieved that you're moving on finally. I just don't want you to be letdown somehow."

Clara nodded her head knowing that Victoria had reasons to be cautious.

Clara knew that she had been a mess after Mitch and Victoria had been the one who had held her hand through it and put up with the crippling depression and the intense rage. She had seen her best friend at such an intense low.

Clara had hit rock bottom and Victoria feared it ever happening again.

Clara took a deep breath trying to make it clear to Victoria that she didn't have anything to worry about. "Filip is so amazing to me. I feel closer to him than I've felt to anyone in such a long time. He took me out for a picnic last night. We could see the entire city out below us. We laid down in each others arms after we ate and just looked at the stars. It was perfect."

She heard Victoria let out another sigh before she spoke up her voice a little lighter. "Did he try to get into your pants. Gil would have tried to get into my pants."

Clara laughed at the mention of Victoria's ex boyfriend. The two often made fun of Gil. The man had been so horrid that it had gone from being annoying to just being funny. Or at least it had after Victoria had dumped Gil and he was no longer just her freeloading no good boyfriend.

"Nope he was the perfect gentleman. We just kissed and he held me...I saw fireworks when his lips touched mine. I didn't think that it was possible. I really saw them though." Clara gushed her cheeks flushing as a waitress glanced at her apparently finding the conversation eavesdrop worthy.

Clara stared down at the booth table pretending to be entranced by her can of diet coke. "I think I'm falling for him...I may already be there. It's been so long since I've felt this way...and it's different than my past relationships. I mean Filip is my friend...he was a friend to me long before we were a couple."

"Are you scared of it ruining your friendship?" Victoria asked a little shocked by Clara's admission.

Victoria knew Clara had always been smitten with this Filip man, but she hadn't expected Clara to fall for him so quickly.

Clara let out a soft sigh as she spoke up. "Maybe...I'm kind of scared of just letting my walls down for him. It's really complicated."

She wasn't about to tell Victoria about Chibs' estranged wife and child in Ireland. She knew Victoria would tell her to drop Chibs or to force him to divorce his wife.

Victoria wouldn't understand just how complicated this all was.

"It shouldn't be that complicated hun. You love him or you don't. I know this is scary for you. I mean you avoided men for years and now your dream guy swept you off your feet." Victoria exclaimed still a little shocked by this all.

The last time she'd spoken to Clara she was crying her eyes out over this guy and now she was exclaiming that she was falling hard for him.

Victoria took a deep breath as she spoke again. "Just make it clear to him that I've got my eyes on him. If he fucks up and makes you cry again I'll make him regret the day he was born."

Clara struggled not to burst out laughing at the thought of Chibs being threatened by someone as tiny as Victoria.

Victoria had no idea she was threatening an intimidating biker who most people shrunk away from.

Clara had the feeling that Victoria wouldn't back off even if she knew this though. She was protective over Clara. She had become almost maternally protective since Mitch had betrayed Clara.

"I'll let him know." Clara remarked struggling to sound serious.

"Does your uncle know that your dating Filip?" Victoria asked knowing for a fact that Clara had always mentioned how protective her uncle was.

Victoria had only met Bobby Munson once and though he had been friendly she had been a little intimidated. The Kutte was enough to make Victoria not want to get on Bobby's bad side.

Though Clara never said much about her uncle's motorcycle club Victoria had a feeling that they weren't just simple Harley enthusiasts.

"We're going to tell him once he gets back from Lake Tahoe. He's doing his Elvis thing. It's going to be fine." Clara insisted her stomach aching and rolling.

Victoria let out a huff having the feeling that it wasn't going to be fine at all. She decided to keep this opinion to herself though.

"So what are you doing on your next date? He gave himself a lot to top with that picnic." Victoria asked changing the subject.

Victoria decided it would be best to just put her reservations about Chibs aside in favor of Clara's obvious happiness.

Clara cleared her throat her anxieties creeping up on her as she confessed her plans. "I was thinking of doing what you suggested I do on that date before everything went to shit...You know a nice dinner."

"And some seduction. Go for it. You need to end your dry spell." Victoria exclaimed causing Clara's cheeks to darken.

She kept her eyes locked on her can of soda praying that no one could hear Victoria end of the conversation on her cell.

Clara felt her stomach roll wondering if Victoria had a point. A little seduction wouldn't hurt right?

And it had been such a long time. It was almost embarrassing how long it had been for Clara.

She wasn't the type to have a one night stand. She felt that if she wanted to have sex then it had to be with someone she cared for.

She felt her cheeks flush as she remembered how good Chibs' lips had felt on hers. Those lips would feel mind-blowing elsewhere.

All thoughts of Gemma, her mother, and Bobby disappeared from Clara's mind as she pictured herself wrapped around Chibs the both of them feeling nothing but pure pleasure.

She shook her head knowing that when it happened it would happen. She wasn't going to just throw herself at him.

They needed to take their time, Clara told herself.

She was already feeling unnerved about this all. She had fallen for him and it scared her to death.

"I want to take our time. There's no rush. So if I make him dinner should I make Tuscan Chicken or lasagna?" Clara asked drifting the conversation away from sex.

Victoria let out a huff wondering how Clara could think about food at a time like this. "The chicken."

Clara smiled as she began to plan a nice dinner for Chibs and she.

She was on top of the world right now. She just hoped that her Uncle Bobby's return didn't knock her off the top.

Reviews? Constructive Criticism?

alainn = (Scottish Gaelic) Beautiful (pronounced yAW-lun(y)

Chapter Title Song - The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra