Author's Note: Okay so this idea has been stuck in my head for a while now so I just wanted to test the waters, see what people thought and see if I could even put what I wanted to put down in writing. So yes, let me know what you, reviews are fun (: PS: I don't actually watch SOA (don't shoot) but i'm infatuated with the show, although it scares me a little, so if there are any inconsistencies between what I've written and the show, let's just call this AU.

One.

The night was cold and dark and rain lashed against the car windows as a pair of headlights lit the Charming welcome sign. Tucking a strand of her shoulder length auburn hair behind her ear, Haley James drummed her fingernails against the steering wheel. Being cooped up in her car for so long was wearing on her, she was definitely feeling the cabin fever. It had been a long, long time since she'd even been in vicinity of her hometown and being here, well it wasn't exactly easy. Especially when her reasons for leaving got fuzzier in her head every time she thought about it. The reason for her return had remained a secret to those she'd left behind, because otherwise she would have her roommate insisting that she came, and Haley wasn't ready for that. Wasn't ready for her friends to see who she used to be, what she came from. Because Charming was a whole lifetime away from Los Angeles. And so was the girl who'd lived there all those years ago, with the crow tattooed on her foot. It was the last remnant of her former life, and although she'd considered having it taken off, she'd never quite got to that point. Something about it just felt too final.

Sliding her vehicle slowly into the driveway, she parked up and grabbed her brown leather tote from the passenger seat, pushed her feet into her shoes and climbed out of the car. Sheltering her head beneath her hands she hurtled across the lawn and thrust her key into the lock, cracking open the door and fastening it firmly behind her. The house was just as she remembered it, and as moonlight hung shadows across the lounge, Haley dumped her handbag on the couch and headed into the kitchen, raindrops dripping from the ends of hair down her back.

Tugging open the fridge, bathing her face in the artificial light, Haley inspected its contents. Long churned milk, a mouldy block of cheese and a half empty six pack. Shutting the door, Haley turned away and her brown eyes stung. Everything here screamed of her Father, and it only served to further drum one fact into her head. He died alone because you weren't here. Padding through into what used to be her bedroom, she paused. Nothing had changed in here either, it was like a time capsule of her life at eighteen. Was it her imagination or were the bed sheets still ruffled from- No that was impossible. Unzipping her jeans and pushing them down over her hips, she slid beneath the covers, screwed her eyelids tightly shut and prayed for sleep to come quickly.