A/N - I thought it was time for something a bit fluffy, it's all been a bit heavy over here so here's something a little sweeter (before I crush all of your dreams... I'm kidding... maybe...)

A few weeks passed before Gemma felt the need to host a family dinner. Chibs was miserable and barely functioning without Nina around him, but it was clear that the club needed something to bring them together. Gemma was sure a big steak dinner would sort them all out, there was nothing like the rough and tumble of all of SAMCRO around one table to cheer everybody up when their energy was low.

Gemma's dinners always started with a couple of beers at the club. The others were in full swing by the time Chibs got back from his meeting with Alvarez, he was handed a cold bottle instantly and welcomed into the group.

"How was it?" Jax asked curiously. Chibs shrugged.

"He's happy with the changes," he said casually. Clay smiled, it hadn't taken much to persuade Marcus to let the transition go smoothly. Where there had at first been a little resistance, there was nothing an extra crate of guns couldn't sort out. "Respects the need for a shift."

"He's a smart man," Clay chipped in. He gave Chibs a pat on the back. "That's all the major players on side now, right?"

Chibs nodded. "Aye. All but Damien Pope."

There was an uncomfortable silence, most men in the place weren't exactly happy with the reliance on Pope for anything. Tig ground his back teeth together in annoyance, Jax had landed them in that relationship and Pope would ensure it ended when he didn't have a need for the club any more.

"We'll work that one out." Chibs drained his drink and glanced at his watch. "You guys get a move on, let me knock back another one and I'll join you."

Really, Chibs just wanted a little peace. Dinner would be a war, it always was, they'd all drink too much and swear and laugh. Gemma loved it, Chibs did too, usually, but he wasn't really feeling all that up for it that evening. He'd rather go home, ignore Fiona and drink himself to sleep instead, it sounded far more appealing.

He poured out a measure of Jack and downed it as he readied himself to put on a grim smile and make conversation. Gemma would put him next to her favourite crow eater of the moment, like she always did, he'd have to at least ask her name before she spent the rest of dinner fawning on him and hoping he might take her to bed.

When his phone rang, he almost hoped it was a problem just so he didn't have to go. Gemma's name flashed up and he groaned as he answered. "You alright, Gem? Boys are on their way."

"You haven't left yet?" He could hear the relief in her face. "Could you do me a favour, baby? Swing by the store, just pick me up some arugula?"

Chibs wasn't sure he even knew what that was but he sighed and nodded, anything that made it take longer to get there was fine by him. "Sure thing, Gem."

He took one more shot for the road before he took the Harley along to the general store. He patted down his pockets, checking to see if he needed another pack of cigarettes while he was here. He seemed to be getting through them way too quickly at the moment.

"Arugula, arugula." He frowned and walked through the store. Maybe it was a sauce, he wondered, it sounded kind of Spanish but Gemma never made foreign meals. He scowled as he mooched along but he didn't really mind taking his time. Maybe it was something you could get in a tin. He walked along the aisle of cans, frowning as he read the labels to try and find it.

As he rounded the corner, he froze as he saw Nina at the end of one aisle. He recognised her instantly, even from behind, she was wearing a low-backed tank top and the reaper smirked at him from her skin. He watched her for a few moments, his heart softening as he saw her basket full of vegetables and fresh food, a complete contrast to his usual set of microwave meals.

She stood up on her tiptoes to reach for a box of cereal from the top. Chibs couldn't take his eyes off her as he stared at her. He hadn't seen her for weeks, other guys from the club had, it was the only reason he knew she was still in town. Seeing her, though, made his heart beat in a complex, syncopated rhythm.

He moved forward quickly as he saw she was about to knock half a dozen boxes from the side off onto her head. Leaning over her, he steadied the one she was holding and took it down for. Nina smiled and started to talk without even looking at him.

"Oh, thank you," she said. "I'm never tall enough for this place."

"I know you're not."

His voice surprised her and Nina turned around with wide eyes. She couldn't hide her expression as she looked at him, but Chibs could hardly contain his own. Her slender body, still slim from the back, showed a gentle curve now. He couldn't help but stare curiously.

"How are you?" Her words came out on a tiny little sound, nervous and unsure if he would even speak to her. Chibs nodded, putting his hands in his pockets like a shy little boy.

"Aye, okay, I suppose." He nodded towards her. "You look good."

"I look fat," she corrected him, wrinkling her nose. "Really fat." She waved her basket at him. "Got myself on a diet to try and sort that out."

"You don't need a diet, sweetheart, you're having a baby." Chibs swallowed and awkwardly handed her the box of cereal. "You get to eat what you want, that's how it works, I think."

Nina looked at him for a moment. She wanted to tell him she missed him, she wanted to just drop everything and hug him for a long, long time. Instead, she shifted the basket to the other hand and gave him a sad smile.

"I suppose I should go," she said, motioning towards the checkout. "It was nice to see you, Filip."

Chibs didn't want her to leave. In a panic, he simply blurted out, "Do you know where I find arugula?"

Nina laughed. "Not back here. Right at the front." She took his hand gingerly and tugged on it for him to follow her. "I think they call it rocket where you come from." They wound through the aisles back to the fresh produce section. She picked up a bag and offered it to him. Chibs barely noticed, his hand was tingling from her touch. "You eat this stuff now?"

Chibs glanced at it. "Oh, no. It's for Gem. Dinner." He took it to the counter with her and watched as she unloaded her groceries onto the belt. She put his shopping through with her own and Chibs instantly took out his wallet. "I'll get this." Nina shook her head as she dug in her bag for her purse.

"Don't be silly, I've spent a fortune. Organic shit," she added, motioning to the food but Chibs insisted. He wanted to do anything for her just to talk to him for a moment longer. He gathered up the paper bags quickly to walk her to her car.

"Take it an apology for me being an arse last time I saw you," he said apologetically. She laughed. "You still at your Da's?" She nodded.

"Still trying to work some things out," she said, drumming her fingers on her curve. "Probably cutting it a bit fine, to be honest. I've always been a last minute type. Guess I was looking for a sign." She looked at him with a little smile, maybe meeting him like this was what she had been waiting for. "It was good to see you."

Chibs nodded. "You want to come and join us for dinner? At Gem's?"

She shook her head. "I don't think I'd be welcome, but thank you." She gave him a little smile. "I'd invite you to join me but sounds like you already have plans."

"I can cancel them." Chibs didn't mean to sound so eager but he almost didn't care. "Let me drop this green shite off and I can come over." He smiled shyly. "I'd really like that."

Nina nodded. "Me too," she said. "See you in half an hour?" She stopped and pressed a kiss on his cheek before she slipped into her car. Chibs felt his heart fluttering at her touch and nodded.

"Aye, half an hour," he said. "That'd be grand."