HEY GUYS! I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED, FAVORITED, AND LIKED MY STORY. I READ ALL THE REVIEWS AND I MANAGED TO GET A BETA Reader(Baloo18) TO HELP WITH A FEW THINGS SO CREDIT SHOULD GO TO HER AS WELL. SHE HELPED ME FORMAT AND EDIT CHAPTER ONE THERE IS A FEW LITTLE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE, I POSTED IT TO CHAPTER ONE IF YOU WANT TO CHECK IT OUT. CHAPTERS WILL BE POSTED AS I GET THEM BACK FROM LAVONNE(Baloo18) I GOT THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS WRITTEN BUT WITH WORKING AND LIFE IN GENERAL FROM BOTH PARTIES POSTS WILL BE BETWEEN A WEEK OR TWO. HERE'S CHAPTER TWO ENJOY AND REMEBER I LOVE REVIEWS =)
Natalie woke up the next morning on the couch when she heard her name being called. She sits up and sees Gemma standing there, "There's coffee ready for you in the kitchen if you want it."
Natalie smiles and says "Thank you, so you wouldn't happen to know if my truck is done would you?" feeling hopeful it is done so she can drive it back to her condo to pack more clothes since she wasn't expecting to be staying in Charming.
"No I don't, but you can ask when we get there." Gemma says as she walks back towards her room. Natalie gets off the couch, folds the blanket neatly, and puts it on the couch arm. She looks at the wall clock and sees that it only 9 but they have to be at the shop by 10. She goes to the room she was shown yesterday gets dressed. She then goes to the bathroom to brush her teeth. When she finishes she brushes her hair and puts it in a messy bun. Once done she goes into the kitchen and makes herself a cup of coffee seeing Gemma come out from the hall looking ever so put together. Gemma takes in Natalie's appearance, she was wearing the same jeans as yesterday and a grey sweater, the look may have been too laid back and far from biker chick but on Natalie it looked good. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah," Natalie says finishing up her coffee and putting her cup in the sink
"Then let's go sweetheart, you going to be okay opening up the office?" Gemma asks as they walk to the door.
"Yeah it shouldn't be too hard just unlock the door, turn on the computer, and pull out the invoices that are getting paid or picked up today." Natalie says as she grabs her purse and slips on her white low-rise converse.
Gemma drops her off at T-M and then leaves. Natalie smiles at the guys who are setting up their stations while she unlocks the office door and sets her purse down. She turns on the light and computer goes into the garage looking around for either Tig or Clay. Finding neither she goes back into the office and opens up the program needed for today. Hearing the office phone she answers "Thanks for calling Teller-Morrow how can I help you"
"When do you guys open, I need to get my car serviced and have it done quickly" she hears the lady say on the other end.
"We open in about five minutes and to get your car fully serviced it should only take an hour. That is if you get here soon."
"It can't be done faster?" The lady asks.
"If you just need an oil change it should take 30 minutes" Natalie says trying to be patient.
"So if I come in now then it could be done by 10:30?" Natalie is growing frusterated doesn't know any other way to put it for the person to understand. "If you come in now then yes."
"Okay, thank you" The lady says happily.
After hanging up Natalie shakes her head thanking her dad and brother who taught her everything she knows about cars at a young age and mumbles "dumbass".
"Who you talking to?" Looking up she sees Happy leaning against the door frame with a toothpick in his mouth and his arms crossed. She's starting to think that must be a habit of his.
"No one, we got a customer coming in about five minutes to get an oil change."
He nods and says "Give it to Chibs."
"Since when did you become my boss?" Natalie says challenging him.
He chuckles lowly, "You want me to be?"
"In your dreams" she says chuckling, before he goes back to his station she quickly asks "Is my truck finished?"
He shakes his head "Naw got a few more touches that need to be made."
"Do you know how long?" She's hoping before lunch so she can leave and be back before it gets to being really late.
"No, why you in a hurry?" he asks wondering why she needs it done now when she is going to be in Charming for a few weeks.
Natalie looks at him, actually looks at him realizing that his eyes give him away. Even if he looks stoic and serious with a scowl on his face all the time, those dark eyes of his give him away. "Yeah actually I am, what's it to you?"
Happy shakes his head at her wondering how the hell Quinn put up with her. "Thought we made it clear you're stuck in charming."
"You made it clear as day, but I need clothes and I need to stop by my jobs to let them know I need some time off. You think I want to be wearing the same pair of clothes every day?" She says with a glare.
"Give me two hours," Happy says walking out of the office before she could give him a response.
Natalie is going through some more paperwork that needs to be filed when she sees a brunette who's barely legal walking into the office, "I called about getting my car serviced," the girl tells her.
Natalie stands up and says "Right, I wasn't too sure if you wanted a full service or just an oil change so I put you down for an oil change since you have a time limit."
"My dad called and told me to get a full service," the brunette says staring into the garage.
"Alright that shouldn't be a problem but it will be about an hour, you can either stay in here, right outside, or come back in about an hour."
"I'll stay, do you think the guy who is working in the corner could work on my car?" she says pointing into the garage towards Happy.
Natalie laughs to herself knowing that the young girl is in way over her head. "He won't be free until 12, he's working on that truck over there" She says and can see the brunette's face fall a little.
"Okay, well then at least I'll have something to look at," the girl says with a smile.
"Knock yourself out" Natalie says as the girl hands Natalie her keys. She walks to the garage door frame and calls out, "Jax think you can do a full service on the civic that pulled up not too long ago?"
"Sure thing darling," he calls back as she tosses him the keys and goes back in the office to continue filing. Meanwhile the girl goes outside the office and stands ogling Happy, and from where Natalie is standing she can see the girl is also ogling Jax. She figures every girl swoons over the guys because of the cut they wear, and the motorcycles they ride. Not to mention what girl doesn't love a bad boy?
Looking through the window she watches Happy as he is working and can't help but notice how fit he actually is. Even through the mechanic shirt he has on, she can't help but notice how his muscles flex while he is loosening and tightening parts under the hood. "You look any longer and you'll be drooling like a baby," Natalie turns her head and sees Tig smirking like a kid in a candy store.
"Nothing wrong with admiring the view," she says leaning against the wall and smirking "Why you jealous?"
He chuckles and just shakes his head "Who's the jail bait?"
Natalie snorts "Some teen who doesn't have a clue about cars surprised she even has her license."
He smirks "Now who's jealous?"
She snorts "Hardly, don't you got a car to work on or something?"
Shaking his head "Nope, decided to keep you company."
She goes to the desk and sees an invoice for a dodge charger that needs to be finished today, handing the invoice to him she says, "Here now you have something to do." Tig just shakes his head walking out with the invoice.
Not long after the brunette comes back into the office, "The hot guy working on my car told me to pay with you."
Natalie just nods at her as Jax comes in with the girl's invoice. He sends a wink to the young girl and says to Natalie, "Only charge her 30, wasn't much work needed"
She rolls her eyes knowing what Jax is doing and shakes her head as the brunette blushes. The brunette says, "Here's 50, give the rest as tip."
"Sure thing, have a nice day" Natalie tells her trying not to laugh.
The brunette smiles, takes another look at Jax then back to her and says "you too."
Another hour passes and it looks like it will be another slow day, as Happy walks into the office he sees Natalie buried deep in years old paperwork. He leans against the wall for a few minutes watching her before he makes his presence known. "Your truck is finished" he says causing her to jump.
"Geez, do you always sneak up on people?" she asks looking up at him with her big blue eyes.
He smirks "What do you think?"
"Don't really know what to think, I barely know you" she says honestly, but she wouldn't mind getting to know him better. "Thanks for working on my truck" she says smiling.
"No problem I did an oil change plus a smog and brake check, your truck is as good as new," he tells her rotating the tooth pick to the other side.
She stares at him shocked that he put in the extra work and effort when he really didn't need to. Wondering if he only did it all because she's Quinn's sister. Shaking the thoughts out of her head she says "Well Gemma should be here any minute, I gotta hit the road if I want to make it back before midnight." Getting up and grabbing her purse, she grabs her keys out of his hand and says "Let me know how much I owe you" patting his chest as she walks by heading to her car.
Happy stands there for a second before shaking it off and catching up to her. He quickly grabs her arm and spins her around, "Where the hell do you think your going?"
Natalie looks up at him suddenly feeling very short, "Like I said earlier I'm just going to stop by my work, put in for some time off, grab clothes from my place, then drive straight back here." As she looks into his eyes she sees that they aren't emotionless, most people would be probably be scared of him just by looking at the dude, she should be scared of him but she isn't. "Why you want to tag along Lowman?"
He stares at her a moment longer then growl, "I'll drive"
She scoffs "I'm not riding bitch in my own truck, you either ride bitch or don't come." Pulling her arm out of his grasp she turns to unlock her truck but the keys are taken out of her hand. He moves to unlock the door and settle himself behind the wheel before she could even comprehend what was happening. Natalie gets in slamming the door shut. Pissed off she turns on the radio as they drive off the lot. She hears him groan at the country station that is playing and starts changing the radio to some rock station which was not something she wanted to listen to so she changed it back causing him to complain "I don't listen to country," changing it back to the previous rock station he was on.
"Doesn't matter it's my truck so deal with it," she says changing it back.
"I'm driving," he says pointedly changing it back.
She looks over at him staring him down she changes it back to the country station, "No one asked you to come or to be my babysitter."
He shrugs "Have to make sure you comeback to charming. Wouldn't want your brother being more mad at you then he already is," he says changing it back to the rock station.
She stares at him wondering how he knows her brother is mad at her "What makes you think he's mad at me?"
He chuckles "I just know,"
"Since when do you care, you barely know me" she asks.
He glances at her and then back at the road, she had a valid point, he didn't even understand the reason why he cared. Natalie was waiting for an answer and when she didn't get one, she went through her purse hoping her headphones were still in her bag from the other night. She found them smiling to herself she plugged them into her phone and then hit shuffle, when she hears Any Man of Mine start playing through her headphones she lays her head back and prepares for a long ride.
After what seemed like a few hours she feels a tap on her shoulder, she rubs her eyes wondering how she even fell asleep. Pulling out the left headphone she says "Yeah."
"If your hungry you should probably get something from inside the gas station, we have two hours left before we are in Medford."
She looks at him and asks "How do you know where I live?"
He chuckles "For someone who seems smart you sure don't think. After you fell asleep you never gave me directions so I called your brother."
She shakes her head to herself and decides to be nice and asks, "Would you like me to get you something while I am in there?"
"A hotdog and a redbull" he says handing her a twenty.
She shakes her head handing it back saying "Don't worry about it, I'll pay for it"
"You're paying for gas, I'll pay for the food."
She rolls her eyes and just goes inside and grabs a bottle of diet Dr. Pepper, a big can of redbull for Happy, a bag of hot fries, and a Kit Kat. She goes over to the cashier who is smiling brightly "What can I help you with?"
"I would like to put 100 on number 10, and the rest of this" she says putting the food and drinks on the counter.
The cashier rings it all up and says, "That will be $140"
She pulls out her wallet and sets her card in the machine, after paying she puts her wallet back in her purse and grabs the bag holding her purchases. Smiling back at the cashier she says, "Have a great day"
"You too" The cashier says.
She goes back over to the car and gets in the passenger seat as Happy fills the gas tank. Once he is back in the car she says "Here's your hot dog and redbull." Handing him his food she tells him, "You didn't say how you like your hotdog so I guessed I hope it's right if not you can take mine."
He smirks "No need, you got it right"
She smiles to herself and digs into her hotdog, once done she opens her bag of hot fries and asks "Do you want some," holding the bag out to him.
"Naw im good"
"You sure, I doubt the hotdog filled you up," she says knowing that if she wasn't full then he more than likely wasn't. "That's why I grabbed such a big bag, figured you'd like some as well." When he doesn't say anything she sets it in between them and says "Well their right between us if you change your mind. I'm going to put my headphones back in and listen to my music."
He shakes his head turns off the radio and says "There no radio on, why not just talk."
She raises a brow "Since when are you a talker"
"I'm not but figured I could give it a shot."
"So what made you leave Nomad?" she asks already getting personal.
"None of your business" he says gruffly.
"Don't got to get all hostile it's just a question," she huffs.
"You friends with the Mayans?" he asks also getting personal.
She throws back his own words "None of your business Lowman"
"Now who's hostile?"
"Even if I was what's it to you," she asks turning in her seat to face him.
He shakes his head "Can't play both sides little Quinn, at some point you have to choose."
"I'm not playing both sides Lowman. I never said I was friends with Mayans." She says defensively.
"Didn't have too, gave it away by your answer. Better to just not say anything before you dig yourself a bigger grave." He says glancing at her.
"Other than what you said earlier, why did you decide to come along?" she asks changing the subject.
"There ain't no other reason" Happy tells her focusing on the road.
"Keep telling yourself that" she says smirking.
"I can see why Quinn gets frustrated with your smart ass" Happy mumbles shaking his head.
"Why do you care so much?" she questions him.
"Don't flatter yourself," he laughs.
She rolls her eyes deciding to look out the window and sees that they are about half an hour from Medford, thinking that the almost two hours flew by fast probably due to their bickering. She is trying to figure him out because he obviously thinks he's got her figured out. Little does he know he doesn't have a clue, she's just going to let him think he does.
They pass the Medford sign and he asks "Where do I go from here?"
"Well if we are going to my condo then a right at the next light, but if we are going to the hospital then it's a few more miles on the right, or if we go to the nursing home then it's the next left and the same way for the handicapped home." She says attempting to sound polite and not like a smart ass.
"Smart ass," he says to himself making the right at the light.
She shakes her head and says "It's the condo on your left two houses down." Pulling into the drive way he sees that her condo seems well kept.
"I should be done in about five minutes" She says getting out of the truck.
"What you're not going to invite me in?" He asks her as she begins walking to her door.
She turns her head over her shoulder and says "I was taught manners. I didn't ask because I figured you were going to follow me whether I invited you or not."
Once inside he sees that her condo is neat organized and very clean "Before you go any farther take off your shoes. I don't need your boots dirtying my carpet."
"You got OCD or something," he asks leaning against a wall.
She shrugs "Or something, I just don't like clutter or messes. You can try making yourself at home, like I said I should be done in 5 minutes."
She goes into her room and grabs her zebra pint and leopard print large bags from her closet. She then grabs a few different shirts and tank tops, some jeans and some shorts. She figures if she is going to be in Charming for a few weeks she might as well enjoy the infamous Friday night parties her brother would always talk about. Guess she'll find out what makes the ones at the mother charter more fun than the other charters.
She walks into the living room and finds him sitting on the couch with some car channel on talking on his phone. After he hangs up he looks at her and says "We gotta stay here tonight."
"Okay, why?" she asks.
"Don't worry about why," he says giving her a look that says it's none of her business.
"Fine then can I at least stop by the hospital and talk to my boss about taking some time off?" she says knowing when to pick her battles.
"Yeah" he says.
She smiles innocently, "So I can go by myself?"
He shakes his head "What do you think? Your smart ass is stuck with me"
"Whatever, I'm driving this time," she says with a huff.
"Not happening," Happy says following her to the door.
"Well then stay here, I should be back in half hour" She says walking out the door. She turns her head and sees Happy is already moving to walk past her. She just sighs as she locks her door realizing that the jerk never took his shoes off. However she was shocked to see that he got in on the passenger side of the truck.
As she gets in he says "Don't get used to this."
"I wasn't planning to" she says with a smile, turning on the truck. She puts on her favorite country station, glances at Happy and says "Don't even think about changing it, you drove and got to listen to that rock station so now you deal with country."
"What is about this country music crap?" he ask wondering why people listen to this crap.
She chuckles and says "I can only answer for myself and say that when you listen to country music it relaxes you. It tells a story, and most of the time there is a meaning behind the song."
"Do you like only country?" he asks as if the music is offending his ears.
"No I like my hip hop, my rap, my R&B, my old school, and very little rock songs. How about you?" she asks finding herself wondering what type of music he likes not understanding why it matters.
"Rock and Metal," he says pointedly.
"How very typical biker of you, "she jibes at him.
"Haven't heard any complaints," he drawls.
"Who said I was complaining?" she asks as she pulls into the local hospital. "Do you have to go in with me too?"
"Why you want me to?" he asks as she hops out.
Before she closes the door she says "Don't get your hopes up, just asking a simple question."
"I'll wait outside." He says leaning against the front of her truck lighting up a cigarette.
"Okay" she says heading inside.
Once inside Natalie sees Carrie who's sitting at the information desk "Hey Natalie"
"Hey Carrie, is Dana in her office?"
"Yeah she should be, I haven't seen her leave," Carrie says with a smile.
"Okay, thanks"
"Everything okay?" Carrie asks concerned.
"Yeah everything is fine Carrie, nothing to worry about," she says giving her a reassuring smile.
She gets to Dana Wrights office, knocking hears a loud "come in", Natalie steps in and Dana looks up from her desk to see her standing there closing the door. "Hi Natalie, wasn't expecting you back until tomorrow."
"Yeah about that, I have to take a leave of absence for a while," Natalie says sitting in the chair in front of Dana's desk.
"Everything okay?" Dana asks concern written on her face, hoping nothing is wrong with her star and the patient's favorite nurse.
"Yeah everything is fine, it's just something came up with my family," Natalie says keeping the details to a minimum.
"Okay well give them my regards and take all the time you need, just call and let me know when you will be returning."
Natalie smiles "Thank you Dana, should be no longer than two weeks."
"Your welcome, take care."
"You too," Natalie says standing to leave the office.
Once outside she sees Happy is by the entrance wall finishing up his cigarette "Ready?" she asks.
"Yeah you got the okay?"
"Yup was it easy since I never have asked for time off, taken a vacation, and have worked double shifts. Plus if they called on my day off I'd always go in."
"Workaholic too?" Happy says shaking his head.
She snorts "Not workaholic just independent, plus I like working rather than just sitting around being lazy."
He shakes his head thinking this girl is something else, something he isn't used too or ever met.
"What's got you thinking so hard there Happy?" Natalie asks getting in her truck.
"Nothing concerning you" he says gruffly.
"Do you ever smile? I mean like really smile?" She asks turning the truck on.
"Naw rarely ever," he tells her.
"So you have a permanent scowl on your face?" she says shaking her head sadly.
"Yeah, haven't heard any complaints so far," he tells her with a smirk.
She rolls her eyes and as they pull up to her other job the disabled house. Quickly she answers her now ringing phone, "Hello?"
"Hello, is this Natalie Quinn?"
"Who's asking?" she asks looking at the unfamiliar number on the screen.
"This is Officer Bryan, I'm calling because sometime this evening a Miss. Kristina Alvarez was involved in a bad car accident."
"You're calling me why?" Natalie asks confused.
"Well apparently you were on her list of emergency contacts, she is at Stockton Hospital" Natalie was too in shock to even answer but manages to say "I am currently in Oregon. I won't be back untill tomorrow would I be allowed to see her then?"
"Of course they have her under observation for 48 hours" The officer says sincerely.
"Thank you officer, have a great day." After hanging up she tells Happy, "I'll be right back" Ignoring the look he was giving her. She went inside and talked with Sara about taking a leave of absence which Sara allowed since Natalie was her best worker.
Once back in the car the car ride is silent and it's not long before they are inside Natalie's condo. Not one to beat around the bush Happy asks "What the hell was that phone call about?"
"None of your business Happy, just drop it," She tells him irritated.
"Do you always shut yourself down?"
"Your one to talk" she says raising her tone a little.
"You better watch your tone little Quinn. I'm not one to be messed with" he practically growls walking towards her.
"Please I'm not scared of you, like you would put your hands on a girl" she says crossing her arms.
He just stares at her emotionless "How do you know that?"
She lets out a soft chuckle "Thought you guys don't believe in putting your hands on women or is that just a flexible rule?" she asks challenging him.
She sees him shaking his head and coming closer to her almost like a predator stocking his prey. She starts to step back until she is backed into the wall and is cornered by him. He puts his arms on either side of her blocking her from escaping. His eyes are stone cold black and he leans his head down, only mere inches from her lips. She catches her breathe not knowing what to expect, anticipating for him to kiss her, but instead he smirks a little and says "Now you are going to answer me, what was the phone call about?"
She shakes her head trying to clear her mind, "Just drop it, wouldn't want you to be more pissed than you already are. Might as well just thank me."
He shakes his head and asks "What makes you think I'm pissed?"
She blinks and looks straight into his eyes with their lips still inches apart "You stalked over here backing me into the corner. You can't hide the emotion behind your eyes, you were pissed that I raised my voice at you."
"So you think you got me figured out?" he asks stepping closer to her.
"I never said that, just letting you know that when you look at your eyes they're not as stoic as your face. There is actually emotion behind them," she says softly.
He just stares at her seeing that what Clay had told him yesterday. He can tell whatever the phone call was about has her upset and sad but she is trying to hide it. She is trying hold it together and show no emotion in front. She's trying to distract him, but she aint fooling anyone.
The two hear a knock on the door and he pulls away allowing her to go answer. When she opens the door and is shocked to see Kristina's dad standing on the other side. "Hey Natalie, can I come in?"
"Hey Marcus, uhh yeah sure" She says unsure about what is going to happen between the two guys. She just can't tell him no, he is obviously there for a reason.
She can see Happy tense and stand stoically looking directly at Marcus, who nods in Happy's direction. He looks back at Natalie saying "Have you talked to Kristina lately?"
Natalie nods "Yeah I talked to her two weeks ago when she called."
He nods "She had called me about two days ago saying she was ready to come home and should have been at my house today. She hasn't called and I can't get ahold of her, thought maybe she was here, you two always went to each other when something was wrong."
She swallows and isn't sure if she should tell Marcus about his daughter being in the hospital. But at the same time if she called her dad to say she was coming home and if roles were reversed she can guarantee Kristina would have told Rane what was going on. She takes a breath and says "I don't know how to say this but I got a call not too long ago from some officer saying that I was her emergency contact. She was involved in a bad car accident and that they are closely monitoring her for the next 48 hours. He didn't give me more details."
She can see Marcus running a hand through his hair and says "Thank you Natalie, how have you been haven't seen you around?"
"I'm doing good, been busy with work. How's the family?" she asks.
"Good, good you know you are always welcome at my home, the family send their regards and Maria specifically wanted me to tell you she hopes you make her 50th birthday party this weekend."
Natalie smiles at Marcus, his wife Maria was always telling Natalie how much she was like her own "Tell Maria I wouldn't miss it for anything."
He nods and says "See you Saturday, take care Natalie."
She gives him a hug and says "You too, I was planning on going to visit the hospital tomorrow."
He returns the hug and says "You are more than welcome to."
Once he leaves Happy has her once again cornered this time her back is against the door and she can see the intensity in his eyes. Figuring she is slowly seeing why they call him killer. "You're walking a fine line little Quinn."
She shakes her head "No I'm not Lowman, I don't involve myself in my brothers outlaw life nor do I involve myself in my close friend's family's outlaw life."
"Does Quinn know?"
She shakes her head looking down "He knows Kristina just doesn't know her father is the Mayan's President, plus aren't you guys good right now? So why should it matter?"
She can see he is growing even more frustrated and more irritated causing her to want to keep her head down. This is short lived by his hand under her chin lifting it up so he can see her eyes, "You got a Perez who's going to come after you, who also happens to be doing business with the Mayans. You need to realize that you are in a lot of shit instead of pretending to be oblivious."
"I'm not fucking oblivious Happy Lowman, I am more than aware of how much shit I am in. I don't need your fucking ass reminding me" she snaps.
"Then start fucking acting like you're not then Natalie Quinn because sooner or later everyone will catch on to your little act and then you will have more than just a Perez after you," he says gruffly.
She knows he has a point but she hasn't being putting on an act, "You hungry?" she asks softly.
He backs away and says "Yeah."
"Okay, well I'll set the pizza I have in the freezer in the oven, should be done in about 45 minutes" She says going over to the kitchen. She takes out the pizza putting it on the sheet and turns on the oven. Once it's at the right degree she sets in the oven and grabs two beers from the fridge. Walking into the living room she hands him one and they sit in silence watching some car show.
Once the pizza eaten and then cleaned up, Natalie puts in one of her favorite movies, Iron Man while Happy is in the restroom. Just as she hits play, Happy comes back out and says "You like this movie?"
"I love it," She says enthusiastically. "Why do you have a problem watching it?"
"Naw I like it, just wouldn't peg you for someone who likes action movies," he says sitting down.
"There's a lot about me that would surprise you, now let's watch the movie instead of talking" she says getting comfortable.
After the movie she is tired and says "You can sleep in the extra room, there's clean sheets. Good night."
"Good night" She hears as she heads into her bedroom. She quickly changes into her leopard print pj shorts and black tank top. Not wasting any time falling onto her comfortable bed.