Hope everyone had a very happy holidays!

Stahl had her feet up on the desk, relaxing after a long day.

The death of the port commissioner was a new opportunity, and she had very little doubt that it was connected to the Sons of Anarchy. Unfortunately, there was no realistic way of proving it, outside of a confession.

No witnesses, no cameras, nothing save the slug from a high powered rifle. It wasn't SAMCRO's style, Stahl knew, and she was tempted to think the job was too well done for the Sons. They were typically arrogant, more sloppy, less caring if anyone saw them. Whoever had killed the port commissioner had been extremely careful.

She flipped through her notes on the Sons, freshly updated with daily movements, connections, people, etc. Whatever might be important for her to know.

Stahl stopped on a new face.

There were two photos. One was military standard - serious, in uniform, no smile. The other was a candid, taken by the agent observing her. The woman was smiling, and far too pretty for Stahl's liking.

And her file was even more infuriating.

Everything, down to her birth record and even her middle name, was classified. In the name of national security. Mackenzie.

Stahl noted with interest that her file was labeled Possible OL. The smiling girl was not the Sons' usual flavor. It made her even more curious about what the national security background was hiding.

Then it clicked.

Stahl gasped, putting two and two together. The pretty girl, her national security background, and a death associated with the Sons that was far too clean to be anything but professional? She was suddenly certain that this Mackenzie was Hefner's killer.

And that made her Stahl's perfect next target.

—

Coffee.

That was the first and only thought in Mac's head when she awoke the next morning, head absolutely pounding. She staggered to the bathroom, drank about a gallon of water, and forced herself into the shower.

Slowly, her memory came back to her. Shots, pool games, crude jokes. Apparently, they'd had quite a night.

She stepped back into Chibs' room, wrapped in a towel. The whole place smelled like him - tobacco, gasoline, leather, and something intrinsically Chibs. The hot water had revived her enough to throw on some clothes and wander out in search of coffee.

Mac tried not to make too much noise as she moved about the clubhouse. If she felt this bad, god only knew what Tig and Happy felt like. She followed the scent of coffee to the bar, where Clay sat, a mug in one hand, and envelope in front of him.

He poured Mac her own as she sat down next to him.

"Bless you." she said, drinking deeply.

He chuckled.

"Sounds like you had a time and a half last night."

"Oh yeah. It was a night to remember… or not."

Clay grinned.

"Tig said it went fine yesterday." he said.

Mac nodded.

"Everything went fine. Very clean, though I'm sure it's on the radio now."

"The girlfriend called it in a few hours later." Clay confirmed. "Didn't figure it out until she went to leave. It really was well done."

He pushed the envelope towards her. Mac didn't have to open it to know it was filled with cash.

"Look, we - the club, that is - wanna show some appreciation. This deal with the Irish… it's big. You've helped tremendously with that."

"Clay, you guys don't have to - "

He cut her off.

"Yeah, but we are. I know Chibs hasn't told you everything, and I also know he isn't thrilled with what we've asked of you, but it means a lot to him, too. For different reasons."

Reasons that Mac was only beginning to put together, but that was a problem for another morning.

"Well, thanks, then." she said.

A moment later, Opie and Donna walked by, smiling. It changed Opie's countenance completely. Gone was the intimidating biker, and in his place was a man clearly in love with his wife. Something big had shifted.

Mac, remembering what she knew about Donna and Opie, glanced down at the envelope and back over at the couple, catching Clay's eye in the process.

He understood.

"If you can get her to accept it…" he said, sighing.

"Hey Ope, Donna." he called over, and Mac immediately noticed the lackluster tone of voice.

The couple walked over.

"Where are the kids?" Mac asked.

"With his mom." Donna said, smiling at Opie.

"Yeah." Opie agreed. "We needed a little free time."

He goosed Donna's waist, and she giggled. It was clear that they'd had a good night.

Clay motioned Opie away to talk, giving Mac chance to sit down next to Donna on one of the couches.

"So you had a good night, too?" Mac asked. Donna blushed.

"I… I owe you a ton of thanks. And an apology. To be completely honest, at first I didn't know whether to be afraid of you, or to look down at you. I think I tried to do both. But what you said the other day really helped. I am afriad. I love Opie more than anything, and I'm terrified that he'll end up back inside. But this is who he is, and if I'm being honest, it's who I am as well. The club is our family. It'll take some time, but we'll get through the fear."

Mac sighed.

"Your husband was in jail, and you wanted someone to blame. No one thinks less of you for that. But I'm glad you're seeing the light. I get the feeling that the guys missed Opie majorly. That's your power, you know. Opie wouldn't be able to come fill that hole without you."

She handed Donna the envelope.

"I want you to have this."

Donna opened it, eyes going wide at the contents. Mac certainly didn't need it, and knew that it was much better going to where it would help the most.

"I know it couldn't've been easy financially these last few months. Hell, these past several years, even with the club."

When Donna looked hesitant, Mac took her head.

"Donna, I know what you're going to say. But it isn't charity. It's family looking after family."

Tears formed in Donna's eyes.

"You know, Gemma said that to me not too long ago, and I wanted to slap her." she said. "But I get it now. And as much as this will help, I think that your understanding is the greatest gift you could've given me."

Mac smiled.

"I've lived in this world my entire life, Donna."

"Well, this… this will absolutely help. You have no idea how much this will help."

She reached forward, wrapping Mac in a hug.

Mission accomplished, they made quiet small talk, waiting for Opie and Clay. Mac kept one eye on the pair of Sons, not appreciating the tension on Clay's face. Tension she wasn't entirely sure Opie had noticed.

Something was up.

She didn't get much of a chance to think on it, however, because the hangaround watching the security cameras stood up a moment later.

"We've got company!"

Mac, and everyone else who was awake, made their way outside. Several cop cars had pulled in, noses toward the door, and the first person out was a tall woman in a suit. She had long, reddish hair, and a look on her face like everyone was either confusing or stupid.

Mac disliked her immediately.

And so, of course, the woman walked right up to her.

"I'm Agent June Stahl." she announced. "Mackenzie Adrien?"

Mac didn't move a muscle.

"I thought so. I'm gonna need you to come with me."

She still didn't move.

"I will cuff you if I have to."

Mac turned her head to look at Clay.

"What is this about, Stahl?" Clay asked, stepping forward. Stahl didn't take her eyes off of Mac.

"She's a person of interest."

"In what?"

"In whatever I want, Clay. Now, let's go, girlie."

Mac was still looking at Clay, who nodded resignedly.

They never actually made it to the police station. Stahl had obviously had a different plan from the beginning, and so Mac wasn't surprised when they turned down a dirt road, drove a few miles, and parked.

"Now." said Stahl, looking at Mac in the rearview mirror.

"There's no recording device in here. You're not on the record, it's just you and me, having a chat."

Mac rolled her eyes.

"How'd you end up in Charming?"

Nothing.

"I have a photo of you, in some uniform. Did some work for our government, huh? No one will tell me what, either. Must've been serious."

Stahl paused.

"Well, it doesn't really matter what you did. You were certainly trained. You're a professional."

And just like that, Mac knew what Stahl was after.

Hefner.

She tried to mask the sudden way her shoulders relaxed. There was absolutely no way Stahl had any proof. Mac hadn't left anything to find.

"Now, what's interesting is in the death of Brenan Hefner." Stahl continued. "The port commissioner, though I'm sure you already know that. His death was professionally done - far, far too clean for the Sons. And yet I know the Sons had something to do with it."

"So, let's summarize. Professional death. SOA involvement. Your government contract. The smart bet is that you're involved."

Mac smirked.

"But here's the deal. It'll be okay. You help me with the Sons, and I'll help you with Hefner."

Mac laughed, derisively.

It was honestly as if Stahl thought Mac didn't know how the system worked. Did this woman really think Mac would kill a man, and leave one shred of evidence behind? Did she really think Mac would buy a word of the bullshit spilling from her mouth?

Mac had been underestimated before, but this was a new low.

"You don't have shit." she said to Stahl, still smirking. "But it has been fun to watch you pretend. And while I can't say I appreciate the offer, I definitely don't need your help."

"The fuck you don't." Stahl said, angry now. "The Sons might like you now, but you aren't from their world. They're gonna use you and then throw you away. Don't fool yourself otherwise. You're gonna wish you'd accepted my offer when you had the chance."

Mac rolled her eyes.

There it was, again. Stahl thought she was an outsider, desperate to get in. She had spectacularly misjudged Mac's history if she honestly though Mac didn't belong in the Sons world.

The truth was, Stahl was the one on the outside looking in. A link through a potential old lady? that would be a big step up. And Stahl was desperate to be in.

"Moron." Mac said. "You're gonna have to try harder than that. Salope."

She turned back to look out the window, done with the conversation. Stahl continued to talk, getting louder and angrier, for another half-hour, but Mac didn't say anything else. Didn't even turn away from the window. She wasn't afraid of this bitch.

Eventually, Stahl ran out of juice, and she was blessedly silent as they drove back to the clubhouse. When they arrived, Mac could see a group of Sons and friends waiting for her.

"This isn't over." Stahl said, unlocking the doors.

Mac just flipped her off.

She turned around once Stahl had driven away, glad to find Chibs amongst the Sons. She went straight to him, and he enveloped her in a hug that warmed her from the inside out. Clay started in immediately.

"What'd the bitch want?" he growled.

"The same as with everyone else, I assume." Mac said, extricating herself from Chibs' arms. "She wants to use me to get to you. Honestly, she'd be better off going prospect."

The guys chuckled.

"She's going to try again." Mac said, dropping her voice. "But she's outclassed here. I don't leave shit behind."

Clay nodded, but said nothing else before walking back into the clubhouse. The rest of the guys followed him, leaving Chibs and Mac alone, leaning against her truck.

"Do you have anything anytime soon?" Mac asked him.

"No' really. What'd ya have in mind?"

"Let's get out of here. Grab some food, get on your bike, and just escape for a while."

Mac took his face in her hands.

"You remember all those promises I made about your bike?"

"Oh yeah, luv'." Chibs said, smirking. "How could I forge'?"

"Then let's go have some fun."

—

The place Chibs chose was a little gully, located at the top of one of the small mountains outside Charming.

There was a small campsite within, surrounded by tree-topped rocks on three sides. The fourth side was completely open, offering a gorgeous view of the surrounding desert. A large tree made a sort of doorway, through which Chibs wheeled his bike.

He parked it off to the side of a little bowl in the rock, which was cushioned with grass. She slid off the bike, stretching after the long ride. Chibs reached for her, walking her back into the rock wall, and kissing her soundly.

"'Tis always the same, Mackenzie." he said, moving to her neck. "Havin' ya pressed against me for tha whole ride was almos' too much ta handle."

He took it no further, though, and it was obvious that he had something on his mind. Mac let him pull away slowly before helping him to unload the saddle bags.

As Mac unpacked, Chibs built their fire. There was a ring of stones with coals on the inside, and a nice flat slab of rock that was clearly meant to serve as some sort of table. She set the blankets, food, and booze aside, and took a seat next to Chibs in front of the now snapping fire. Waiting for Chibs to speak, she slid off her boots to warm her feet by the fire.

"Look." he said eventually. "As it turns out, a little trip was a good idea. I go'a tell ya about some club stuff, and better tha' I do it out here."

Mac nodded.

"Ya met Stahl." he continued. "She's been after the club fo' a while, so it was only a matter of time. She's ATF. Now, we're guilty, but tha's the only time I'm gonnae say tha'. So we're tryin' ta protect ourselves."

He sighed.

"Of course, she's no' totally stupid. She's been pullin' in the old ladies one by one, and I'm sure tha's par' o' the reason she brought ya in. She's try'ne make a RICO case against us, but needs ta turn someone. Been usin' Otto, who's up in Stockton. Luann's is tryin' ta get to 'im firs'."

Mac nodded.

"I guessed as much." she said. "Honestly, it's not an issue, Chibs. She doesn't have anything on me, and even if she did, I know how to keep quiet. What's the club's exposure?"

Chibs sighed.

"We don't know. Cameron, for one."

"What's happening with him?"

"They're takin' him to Canada. Bloody mick is wanted on four continents. We've go'a get 'im outta the country. Takin' Cherry with 'im as well - apparently she's in trouble with the law, no' sure wha'."

"Bet Half-Sack's not too happy about that."

"Nah, the prospect's no' happy at all. But he'll ge' over it."

He smiled at her.

"The other angle is your job. Or, was, since you didn't bite."

Mac nodded.

"Ya never told me how the job went." Chibs pressed.

"It was easy." Mac said, shrugging. "No witnesses, clean shot. Tig, Happy, and I got drunk after, which you missed out on."

Chibs laughed, and Mac joined in.

"Tha gàire cho breagha agad." he said. (You have such a pretty laugh.)

Mac furrowed her eyebrows.

"Excuse me?" she said, still giggling.

"You have such a pretty laugh, luv'."

Mac's smile grew.

"It really is one of the only languages I've never tried." she said. "Irish is close, but not close enough."

"Somethin' for me ta teach ya, then."

The gutteral language suited him.

"Speak some more while I get the food." Mac said.

They'd brought simple sandwiches with them, and as she stood to retrieve the food and beer, Chibs clasped his hands behind his head and did as she asked.

"An sin tha thu, mo ghaol dorcha." he began, speaking slowly, letting the syllables roll around, and not bothering to translate. (There you are, my dark-haired love.)

"Tha thu cho fiadhaich agus cho breagha. Bhithinn gad leantainn gu oirean na talmhainn. Is e seo an fhìrinn as aithne dhomh nam chridhe, eadhon ged nach urrainn dhomh fhathast bruidhinn riut. Tha gaol agam ort mar is toil leam an rathad fo mo bhaidhc, a 'ghaoth nam fhalt, an rathad na mo chluasan. Aon latha bidh misneachd agam a ràdh gus am bi thu a 'tuigsinn.

(My fierce, beautiful love. I would follow you to the ends of this earth. Even if I can't tell you yet, I know it's true. I love you like I love the road under my bike, the wind in my hair, it's roar in my ears. One day, I might have the courage to say it so you understand.)

"Translate?" Mac asked, passing him a sandwich.

"Just rambling."

He brushed it off, sure of his feelings, but not yet ready to share them. Some part of him was afraid of scaring her away.

They ate in companionable silence, listening to the breeze and watching the stars rise. They cleaned up after themselves when they were finished, throwing the bag of food up a tree and out of the reach of animals. Mac grabbed the blankets and laid them out in front of the fire.

Chibs sat back down, just watching her move around, dark eyes completely focused. Like he'd never seen anything more fascinating in his life.

Mac shivered, and his gaze got darker.

When she moved back towards the bike, she heard him stand and follow her.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She leaned against the bike, facing away from Chibs, watching their shadows dance on the wall. It was like being stalked by a fucking predator, toying with it's prey before the kill.

He took his sweet time making his way towards her. It was a tease, and Chibs damn well knew it.

With every step closer, Mac felt the heat seep into her belly, just from the burn of his eyes on her back. The air shifted behind her, and Chibs' hands slid around her waist. The warmth from his palms felt like first, like he was branding his handprints into her skin.

"Mackenzie."

He whispered the word into the back of her neck. She whimpered, leaning back into him, feeling the fullness of his arousal against her ass. Mac pushed back a little, wriggling herself against him, and Chibs nipped her ear, growling softly.

"Tease." he whispered.

"Speak for yourself." Mac gasped.

His hands slid under her shirt, splaying themselves against her tummy. Chibs reached up, pushing aside her bra and feathering over her nipples.

Mac threw her head back and moaned.

Chibs muttered to himself, twisting her around to face him. His mouth was on hers very suddenly, battling for dominance. He moved his hands to her head, cupping it carefully and guiding her through the kiss. Mac let go of control, clinging to his waist, entirely swept away.

Whatever he was doing with his tongue was slowly driving all coherent thought from her mind. But before it could, she reached up, buried her hand in his hair, and yanked.

Chibs growled, gaze going intense, but he allowed his head to fall back, exposing his neck.

Mac grinned, and dove in.

What stubble there was tickled her lips as she left a mark he could cover with his scarf if he cared to, please to note that the longer she worked, the further he let his head fall.

When Mac pulled back to admire her work, Chibs boosted her up onto the bike and yanked her shirt over her head. When he reached around to unclasp her bra, Mac arched, bracing her hands on the other edge of the bike. The position put her below him, enough so that he had to lean down to kiss her, one hand on the back of her head.

His other was free to tease both breasts, and his mouth followed shortly after. With her precarious position on the bike, it was all Mac could to do hold on, each brush of his tongue sending sparks down her skin.

Chibs pulled away suddenly, a new goal in mind. He reached for her socks, yanking them off before helping Mac roll down her jeans and underwear and then reassume her position on the bike. He knelt before her, nudging her knees apart, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her forward as far as possible on the seat of the bike.

The position left Mac entirely bare to the world. Chibs' fantasy come to life, but far, far more potent than he'd ever could've imagined.

Mac took a moment to be self-conscious, but then his mouth was right there, and every thought eddied from her mind.

She keened when he tongued her clit, and Chibs smiled against the taste of her, the way he could see the muscles of her belly tighten against the pleasure, how her elbows locked to keep her body upright. He reached up, sliding one finger into her, then two, specifically avoiding the spot that he knew would make her scream.

"Bastard." she gasped.

Chibs chuckled, but did not vary, holding her just on the edge. He reveled in the way she switched between moaning and cursing, waiting to her her beg.

"God, Filip, please."

There it was.

Chibs sucked her clit into his mouth, simultaneously brushing over her g-spot, and Mac exploded. It fired down her spine, and she yelled loudly enough to scare the birds from the trees, shaking uncontrollably. Stars burst in her vision as the pleasure overwhelmed her entirely.

She became aware that Chibs had slid an arm around her, taking her weight lest she fall. Smart man. Mac opened her eyes to meet his grin.

Far too self-satisfied for her liking.

She boosted herself into a standing position, still shaky, but ready to remedy the obvious clothing inequality between them.

"My turn." she said.

His grin went sharp.

Mac slipped off his kutte, hanging it on the handles of the bike. Chibs caught on, and began to help, kicking his boots off as Mac relieved him of his shirt. When he was in only jeans and socks, Mac took a moment to trace over his chest and arms, letting her fingers weave through the grooves of his muscles, tickling him slightly.

She knew that sex on a bike was logistically difficult, but she had a plan.

"Take off your jeans, Filip."

Chibs complied eagerly, and when he was naked, Mac had him straddle his bike, facing backwards.

Before she joined him, Mac reached out to palm his cock, running her thumb over the tip. Chibs' hips jerked up so hard he almost fell off the bike.

"Impatient, are we?" Mac teased.

"For you? Always."

"Plant your feet then."

He did as she asked. Chibs was tall enough that he could comfortable brace his legs against the ground. Mac was not, so she used the bike's holds to steady herself. As she swung over, facing him, she made sure to brush against his dick once again.

"I've been thinking about this since I first saw you on this bike." Mac murmured, lining them up.

"The way you ride - so proud and strong and controlled - "

She sank down, and they moaned together.

"I wanted to shatter that control, and then I wanted to take you here, just like this."

Mac moved slowly as she spoke, savoring the way his hands tightened around her waist, until she was sure she'd have bruises.

Chibs' eyes were locked on hers. There was some dark satisfaction in her face that he hadn't yet seen. The same avidity she'd brought when she'd fought Tig was now entirely focused on him, as she rode him raw on his bike.

It snapped something in him, something that had him planting his feet, shifting his hips forwards, and driving up into her. Mac let him, somehow aware that his patience was spent, his discipline gone. He set a vicious pace, and Mac struggled to breathe against it, bracing her arms against his shoulders.

She leaned forward to kiss him as release lit her stomach for the second time. Mac knew he was there with her, could feel the way he swelled within her, spasming. They flew over the edge together, breaking their kiss only to breathe and moan through it. When she could no longer hold herself up, Mac collapsed against him, hoping that the bike wouldn't fall over.

It didn't.

"Fuck, luv'."

Chibs helped her sit up and then lift herself off of him. Once she was on her feet, he stood. Mac leaned against the rock behind them, ignoring the way it dug into her skin.

"Tha' was amazin'. Ya really - ya jus'…"

Mac snickered.

"Yes, Filip."

"Ya know, I've never fucked on ma bike before."

He wrapped his arms around her.

"Now, it's the only thing I'm gonnae be able to think of whenever I ride."

Mac grinned, and realization flashed in Chibs' eyes.

"I see. Tha' was your plan." he growled, and kissed her hard.

His cock twitched with renewed interest, and Mac reached down to help it along. Her other hand stayed buried in his hair as his own moved everywhere they could reach.

"Filip, can we - "

He didn't let her finish, lifting her up to wrap her legs around his waist.

"Ah, the things ya do ta me, Mackenzie."

He lined himself up and pushed inside. There was no teasing this time, just pure, fiery need. Mac's head fell back, Chibs mouthing at her chest again. The roughness of the rock behind her somehow added to the pleasure, pushing her higher and higher.

Chibs picked up his pace suddenly, and Mac knew he was close. She slid a hand down between them, finding her own clit.

"Tha's righ', luv'." he murmured, "Take it."

God, she couldn't breathe, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but gasp his name into the night air. Chibs roared into her chest when he came, the sound almost painful in it's intensity, and Mac followed right behind him.

His weight kept her pinned against the wall, even when his hands fell. Slowly, he helped her unwrap her legs and find her footing again. But he didn't move otherwise, and they stayed there, whispering and laughing as the night crept in around them.