Clara pushed a cart through the grocery store the sounds of Judy Garland playing through her earbud headphones. Judy Garland was her biggest guilty pleasure. The soundtrack to the Wizard of Oz had long ago been added on to her ipod and it was the one playlist that she could count on to cheer her up.

The Wizard of Oz had been a childhood favorite and still to this day remained one of her all time favorite films.

She knew that she could use all the cheering up she could get especially after all that had happened last week.

Clara was doing all she could to push forward and move past the chaos of the past week. It was proving to be easier said than done.

Clara would never admit it out loud but not having Gemma's approval did bother her. She hated the fact that the woman hadn't even been willing to give her a real chance to prove herself.

She knew just how important Gemma was to Bobby. Clara had often heard her Uncle Bobby speak so fondly of Gemma. He would talk about how strong Gemma was and how she had such love and loyalty for all the men of the Sons. Gemma had been a long time friend of Bobby's.

To be honest deep down inside Clara had wanted to win the approval of someone her uncle had such profound admiration for.

Clara also knew just how dear Gemma was to Chibs. Chibs had told her once before how Gemma had taken such good care of him when he'd first come from Belfast to Charming. Gemma had made sure that he had everything he could possibly need; familiar foods, furniture for his dorm room, and anything else he might of asked for. The little show of hospitality had been enough to make Gemma near to Chibs' heart.

Gemma clearly was a maternal figure to most of the sons and the old ladies. Clara had said it once and she'd say it again Gemma was the Queen of SAMCRO. Everyone with an ounce of common sense in SAMCRO knew that if the queen didn't like you then you were in for a lot of heartache.

Clara knew her life in Charming would be so much easier if she could find a way to gain Gemma's acceptance. It didn't seem that it would happen anytime soon though.

That wasn't to say though that Clara wasn't still pissed at Gemma. Revealing Chibs' and Clara's relationship to Bobby like that had been a low blow even for someone with a reputation like Gemma.

For the most part Clara really wanted Gemma's approval not for her own sake but for the sake of everyone around them.

Clara knew that the rift between Gemma and she wasn't easy for Chibs.

The last thing in the world Clara had ever wanted was to create tension between Chibs and anyone in his life.

She loved Chibs too much to cause him any heartache. He had been so good to her for such a long time now.

Clara just didn't want Chibs to wake up one day and wonder if she really was worth so much trouble.

She tried as hard as she could to push her worries far from her head as she rounded the corner to the pet aisle.

Clara dropped a large bag of puppy chow onto the bottom rack of her cart knowing that Daisy had already ate most of the tiny bag Chibs had bought.

Clara wasted no time before moving on to the chew toys. It was clear that the wiener dog pup would need something to keep her sharp little teeth occupied.

Clara had thrown all her energy into keeping Daisy from chewing every single thing she could get her mouth on. Unfortunately most of Daisy's favorite chew toys were belongings of Chibs'. They'd already caught the puppy with her teeth around one of Chibs' new boots; they were just lucky that they'd caught her before she had the time to do any real damage.

Despite all the headaches the puppy had caused it was clear that Daisy had been just the thing Clara had needed to distract herself from her sorrows.

Clara truly adored the puppy. Daisy really did make the little apartment feel like a home. The little wiener dog pup clearly loved Clara. She literally followed Clara's every single step.

Clara moved on to the meat section her eyes scanning the selections. She wanted to make Chibs something special. She was hoping to make him a proper cottage pie.

She had looked up the recipe this morning on her laptop and it seemed simple enough.

Clara knew that a Shepard's pie might be a little bit more up to his tastes, but she hated the idea of cooking with lamb.

She'd only had lamb once in her life and honesty she had found it to be so dry. The only thing she'd been able to think of as she'd sliced into the braised lamb was a fluffy little sheep baaing at her.

She had already purchased a few things for him; a tin of English breakfast tea and a package of the cranberry scones she knew he adored.

It only seemed appropriate that he had things in her apartment that would make him feel at home.

Since their relationship had become Chibs had spent just about every night in her little apartment, and Clara wouldn't have it any other way.

She almost dropped the package of minced beef she'd just picked up as she heard a voice beside her. "Miss. Munson. I heard you were back in town."

Clara felt her stomach drop as she turned her head only to see one of the last people in the world she wanted to deal with at the moment.

She yanked her earbuds off shoving them into the wide pockets of the sleeveless purple and pink tunic she was wearing before she shut off her ipod. She only prayed that Deputy Hale hadn't heard Judy singing the wonders of the wonderful wizard of oz through the little earbuds.

She spoke up doing her best to be polite even though she felt less than congenial at the moment. "Deputy Hale. Yes I've been back for a while now."

"I hate to interrupt your shopping, but I've noticed something pretty disturbing. It seems that Roman Becket was brutally attacked and beaten a few weeks back. I don't suppose you'd know anything about that?" Deputy Hale remarked wasting no time with pleasantries as he stared down at the young woman.

"Roman Becket? I haven't heard that name since high school." Clara replied her palms beginning to sweat as she gripped down on the grocery cart.

What the hell was Hale up to? Hadn't Chibs said that Juice and he had warned Becket to stay clear to the police?

Deputy Hale raised an eyebrow not tearing his gaze away from Clara as he spoke again. "Funny that you say that. I've heard that Roman Becket and you had a date two days before he was attacked."

Clara shifted her eye contact away from the deputy for a short moment panic shooting through her.

What if she said the wrong thing? What if her big mouth dug Chibs, Juice, and herself into a hole that they couldn't get out of?

She managed to give Hale a smile doing everything she could to hide the anxiety she was sure was flashing behind her eyes as she spoke. "I didn't take you to be the type to listen to ridiculous town gossip. Isn't that sort of the type of hobby that's more appropriate for an old maid?"

Hale narrowed his eyes at Clara her response obviously not what he'd been anticipating.

He clinched his jaw as he spoke up. "My mistake. You can't blame me for jumping to such a conclusion, considering the company you keep."

"Meaning?" Clara spat out resisting the overwhelming urge to roll her eyes.

Deputy do-good was really starting to become grating on the nerves.

Hale kept a judgmental gaze on her as he spoke up. "The Sons aren't a good crowd. You're a smart girl Clara. I always thought you'd get far away from Charming and your family. You seemed real different from a lot of folks around here. You took a home economics class with my little sister. Laurie always said you had real talent on the sewing machine. Said you were always talking about how you were going to get your designs on the runway in New York and Milan."

"They're just mechanics who happen to be Harley enthusiasts. There's nothing dangerous about them. As I remember your sister wasn't really in the crowd I hung out with." Clara replied repeating the lie her mother and her Uncle Bobby had taught her long ago.

She couldn't help but to cringe at the mention of Laurie Hale. Laurie Hale was always the kind of girl who didn't even try to show an ounce of kindness to Clara. Laurie was a mean girl to the core; the type of girl who reveled on making girls like Clara miserable.

She could remember Laurie had been on the cheer squad and Clara had been under the bleachers.

Hale shook his head already having heard this line from more than a few people tied to the club. It seemed to be the company line with SAMCRO. "Just be careful Clara. Like I said you're a nice girl. You have a lot of promise. I'd hate for all that promise to be wasted on someone like the Sons."

And with that final statement Deputy Hale turned leaving Clara before she had a chance to throw back some snide comment.

Clara glared at him silently cursing under her breath as she raised a middle finger to the man's back. "Stupid Deputy Do-gooder."

She let out a huff staring back down at her groceries her good mood long gone.

Clara barely managed to open her front door the plastic bags of groceries she was carrying weighing her down.

She was relieved as Chibs jumped up from the sofa taking a large portion of the bags from her and following her into the kitchen.

She didn't speak until she took her denim jacket off dropping it on the counter with her purse. "Could you grab the dog food? I only managed to drag it up to the door."

He did as she asked chuckling when Daisy bounced towards the bag of puppy chow. "I swear this dog has an neverendin stomach."

"She's just growing." Clara replied as she dug through the bags pulling out all that she'd bought and placing it on the counter and in the refrigerator.

Chibs grinned as he pressed a kiss to Clara's cheek unable to stop himself from teasing her. "How much more can she grow? She's jus a hotdog with legs."

Clara gave Chibs' arm a playful smack as she replied to this statement. "That's no way to talk about our fuzzy baby."

She nodded down to Daisy cooing at the excited pup. "Don't listen to daddy. He's just a grouch."

Chibs let out a huff shaking his head. He only prayed that Clara never referred to him as Daisy's daddy in front of any of the guys.

God knows he'd already gotten enough hell from his brothers once they'd found out that he'd bought Clara a little lap dog.

He had gotten the hotdog with legs comment from Tig and he had been unable to stop himself from using it to tease Clara.

She pulled one of the squeaky toys she'd bought for Daisy from a bag holding the donut shaped toy up at Chibs. "I got something for those teeth of hers to gnaw on."

Chibs grinned at the sight of the toy. It looked like a plastic little donut pink frosting and sprinkles included.

He reached into his jeans pocket pulling it out and showing it to Clara. "Jus in time. This is her latest felony. I think she hates me...she only destroys my things aliann."

So far the dachshund had destroyed one of his new Harley catalogs, she'd put some serious holes into an old pair of his boots, and she'd ripped a huge hole into one of his socks.

He was beginning to think that his fuzzy baby was out to get him.

Clara placed the toy on the counter as she took the wallet from him. She opened it up grateful that none of the tiny teeth marks had extended to Chibs' drivers license nor his one and only credit card that he reserved for emergencies. She was just as relieved to find that the cash was unharmed.

Clara couldn't help but to be entranced by a little photo in the wallet. The man in the picture was obviously Chibs though it was a much younger version of the man. His cheeks were free of the scars Jimmy O' had given him. His hair was darker and longer almost down to his chin. It wasn't just his appearance that captivated her though. It was the tiny bundle in his arms; a baby with wild dark curls wearing a little white dress.

The Chibs in this picture was smiling down at the little one in his arms a look of total adoration in his eyes.

"This is your daughter? Kerrianne?" She asked pointing down at the photo.

Chibs gave her a soft smile the picture always stirring up bittersweet memories for him. "Aye. Fiona took that the day we took Kerrianne home from the hospital. I bought the dress Kerrianne is wearin. I found it at a little shop the day we found out we were havin a girl. She wore it fer her christening too. It's one of the few photos I have of my wee love."

Clara ran her fingertips across the photo it giving her mixed feelings. On one had she loved seeing Chibs in such a joyful moment. On the other hand she hated knowing that this joy would be put to an abrupt end by the very man Chibs had assumed he could trust. His beloved wife and his beautiful little girl would be ripped from him.

It made her heart ache to know he'd experienced such pain in his life. He was so strong. She often wondered how someone could be as strong as him.

She couldn't even begin to imagine how anyone could live knowing that their child was an ocean away so far out of their grasp.

Clara spoke up feeling bad for bringing up the photograph. She knew that discussing his daughter was painful for him. "She's beautiful."

"Aye she is. She had my mouth and my nose too. I hope she looks more like her ma now though...I don't think I'd make a pretty lass." Chibs replied giving her a soft smile as he attempted to make a joke to ease any negative feelings the picture had stirred up within him.

Clara was the only person in the world who had ever seen this picture. He'd always guarded the little photograph fearing that something would happen to it.

He had to admit it felt good showing this side of himself to Clara. He liked knowing that he could discuss this part of his past. He loved that Clara just listened to him without any judgement at all.

She gave him an apologetic smile as she handed his wallet back to him. She leaned up pressing a kiss to his lips as she spoke up changing the subject. "Daisy loves you...she's just teething."

She gave him a mischievous grin as she spoke up her voice taking a more sultry tone. "I'll find a way to make it up to you."

He stuffed his wallet back into his pocket before he wrapped his arms around her. He allowed one hand to sneak down to her backside giving it a squeeze as he spoke up. "I fully intend on gettin ya to make it up ta me all night long."

She felt her cheeks flush as she giggled at his statement. "I don't doubt it ahuvi."

She leaned into his embrace feeling completely relaxed for the first time all day long.

The relaxed feeling evaporated as she remembered her conversation with Deputy Hale at the grocery store. She sighed as she blurted out the news to Chibs. "I ran into Deputy Hale at Charming Grocers."

She wasn't shocked to feel Chibs' body go tense at the words. "What'd he want?"

"He mentioned Roman Becket...mentioned the fact that we went out on a date before he got attacked. I shrugged it off... I accused Hale of being a gossip." Clara admitted giving Chibs a sheepish smile.

She was shocked as he pressed a kiss to her lips before speaking up a look of pride on his face. "That's my lass. Did he say anthin else?"

"Just some crap about how I need to be careful keeping the company I do. I told him the famous lie; the sons are just mechanics who are Harley enthusiasts." Clara replied rolling her eyes at the memory of Hale's little holier than though speech.

Chibs nodded his head grateful that Clara already knew how to handle the police. Her Uncle Bobby had taught her well. He shook his head irritated that Hale would try to sway Clara against her family. "That self righteous prick has been gunnin fer the Sons fer years now. He's jus gotten worse since he found out Unser is retirin. Hales in line ta be the new sheriff. He thinks Charmin is stuck in the sixties and SAMCRO's to blame. Clay's been tryin to figure out a way to buy Hale, but the man's not up fer workin with the Sons."

Clara nodded her head not surprised to hear about Hale's promotion. Sheriff Wayne Unser had been sheriff of Charming long before Clara was even a thought.

Unser had been on SAMCRO's payroll for over a decade now. His friendship with Gemma had made it easy for the Sons to win him over to overlooking their less than legal activities.

She had heard that Unser was ill; terminal cancer. It was no shock that the stress of illness and his age were pushing him into wanting to retire. She couldn't say that she blamed Unser for wanting to get out from under Clay's thumb.

Chibs pressed another kiss to Clara's lips as he spoke again. "I'm proud of ya lass. Ya handled him like a true old lady."

She smiled glad to know that she'd done her man proud. She felt her stomach plummet as she spoke up. "Should we be worried about Roman Becket? I mean what if he's already gone to the police?"

"We have nothin to worry bout Clara. Jus stick to the gossip story lass. IT'll work out." Chibs assured her knowing that as logn as they played it cool everything would be alright.

She let out a huff as she remembered the rest of Hale's little rant. "Hale just rubs me the wrong way. I can't stand people who walk around like they can walk on water. He even had the nerve to mention that his sister always spoke so fondly of me. That's the biggest crock of shit I've ever heard in my life. The last time I remember saying more than a sentence to Laurie Hale was when we were like seven and taking ballet together. She was just as big of bitch back then."

She paused for a moment her head bowing as she turned her eyes turning away from Chibs almost ashamed to admit this. "She was the one who first starting calling me gigantor and she-hulk. She was the reason I dropped out of ballet. I can remember we watched Fantasia in ballet class for this girl's birthday, and you remember that scene with the ballet dancing hippos...Laurie just blurts out 'hey look it's Clara'."

Chibs felt his heart sink at hearing this. He couldn't imagine how heartbreaking that must have been for a seven year old girl.

It was becoming more and more clear to him how truly sad Clara must have been as a little girl.

Chibs had never had any patience for bullies. Maybe it was because he'd been raised in poverty and had to endure more than enough cruel words as a child.

He ran his hand up and down Clara's back as he spoke. "I'm sorry that happened lass. I personally think ya were a beautiful wee lass. I've seen the photos to prove it. I hate that Hale made ya remember somethin like that."

She gave him a soft smile his words soothing her a bit. Most of the time when she shared those kinds of memories with people they'd always tell her the same things: oh kids are just cruel, grow up and move on it's the past.

She always wanted to scream when people would say those things to her. They didn't understand just how bad it had been.

She had just been a little girl. Her wreck of a father had already fractured her sense of self worth, She hadn't needed someone poking at her weight and calling her names to top of her poor self esteem.

She reluctantly pulled away from Chibs as she continued to unpack her groceries. Chibs frowned spotting the last thing he'd expected; two boxes of cookies.

He knew that Clara didn't keep sweets around the house. She was so horrified of gaining any of the weight she'd lost back.

She didn't snack often. When she did allow herself to snack she worked out almost to the point of fainting. She ran every single morning and she was addicted to yoga and swimming laps in the apartments pool.

To be honest her obsession with her weight worried Chibs. At times the dieting and the exercise seemed to take over her life.

He just didn't want her overdoing it all and somehow harming herself. He had no idea how to even broach the subject with her without it blowing up in his face.

He could remember the second he'd realized just how splintered her self esteem really was. It had been during that first summer he'd spent in Charming.

A bubbly seventeen year old Clara led Chibs outside the movie theater the two of them tossing their 3D glasses in a trash bin along with the empty barrel of popcorn and their empty soda cups.

Clara giggled shaking her head at the look of amazement on Chibs' face. "I can't believe you've never seen Jaws before."

Chibs let out a huff as he spoke. "I've seen Jaws. I've jus never seen the second feature. Day of the Killer Lampreys...seriously lass? Talk bout too much blood."

Clara almost doubled over in laughter at this statement. She clutched her stomach as it began to ache from laughter. "The big scary biker is freaked out by blood?"

Chibs pursed his lips doing his best not to join her in laughter. He tilted his chin up as he spoke. "It was jus too much lass. That scene with the swimmin pool filling with blood and the fountain jetting out a torrent of blood. It was overkill. How the hell would a lamprey even get in either one of those things ta begin with?"

"I think it's best to just not over think it. I mean it's not Casablanca Filip." Clara replied chuckling at the last part of his statement.

She began to shake with laughter again as she spoke. "You jumped when the lampreys shot out of the bathtub drain and attacked the main character's girlfriend."

He let out an exasperated sigh as he spoke up. "I was enjoyin the lasses boobs like any man would and then next thing I know there's lampreys."

Clara threw her head back laughter spilling from her mouth at this statement. She shook her head not helping but to roll her eyes. "God such a typical male. Teaches you to get too invested in boobs in a horror movie."

Once she finished her giggling fit she managed to speak again. "So now that I've treated you to a cinematic masterpiece, what would you like to do next?...I mean unless you need to get back to TM."

Chibs spotted the way her shoulders slacked at the mention of him returning to TM. He knew that it was a Friday and Fridays meant a party.

He was surprised to find that although it was Friday he was in no rush to get back to TM. He hadn't had this much fun sober in years.

He bent his arm allowing her to link her arm with his as he spoke. "How bout ya tag along with me to look at that new motorcycle shop. I'll get ya a helmet of yer own. Ya should have one."

Clara smiled amazed that he was offering this. Helmets weren't always cheap. Her mother had never allowed her to buy one in fear that her daughter owning a helmet would mean that she was one step away from shacking up with a Son.

The smile dropped from her face as she spotted a familiar girl rounding the corner. The leggy brunette gave Clara an all too cheery smile as she spotted the Son by her side. "Clara Munson is that really you? God look at you!"

Chibs noticed the way Clara practically deflated as the scantily clad brunette approached them.

Clara spoke up her voice so soft. It was as though all the confidence she had disappeared at the sight of this girl. "Nicole."

Nicole Barrister was evil. Clara knew that most people would say that she was just being a overdramtic teenage girl saying this, but it was true.

Nicole had gone to school with Clara and though Nicole was a few years older than Clara they'd taken a few classes together.

They hadn't been friends, not even close. Nicole had been popular; on the prom committee, a lead in all the school plays, a homecoming queen. She'd had all the nicest things; expensive clothes a brand new sports car. Her daddy was a wealthy man who owned a nice horse ranch and her mother earned a shit load of alimony from him.

Both her parents spoiled Nicole rotten and it showed. Her personality was just as putrid. She was the type that expected everyone to bow down to her.

She had treated Clara like utter and complete shit.

Nicole had always had a thing for the bad boys. It was no secret. She'd slept around all through out high school; always with older biker wannabes.

Clara imagined that Nicole had been trying to find her way into a SAMCRO party for years now.

Nicole was dressed to impress; tall wedge shoes, a bright blue mini dress that showed off her trim figure and her large breasts. Her brown hair was curled perfectly, her red highlights and her fake-bake tan were fresh, and her lips were frosted with pink gloss.

Clara felt so plain next to her. She'd worn a daisy printed sundress that she'd made herself along with her favorite pair of red converse. Her frizzy hair had been loosely braided into a long side braid. She had barely put on any makeup choosing to only wear lip chap.

Clara felt like a child compared to Nicole. She could imagine that Chibs was drooling over Nicole. After all the girl did look like every other croweater that wandered around the clubhouse.

"Clara you look so good. Oh my god, talk about a real transformation! How much weight have you lost?" Nicole exclaimed giving Clara a smug smile probably loving the look of mortification on the younger girl's face.

"A lot." Clara remarked her cheeks bright pink. She hated the way Nicole was peering over at Chibs giving him her best come hither look.

Nicole wasted no time to lean forward being sure to show off her cleavage as she spoke. "So whose your handsome friend? I knew your uncle was a Son, but I didn't know you knew any others."

Clara sighed fully expecting Chibs to turn into putty in front of Nicole just like every other guy did.

She was shocked as Chibs failed to do so. He raised an eyebrow at Nicole as he spoke sounding thoroughly unimpressed with her flirty behavior. "Yer friends with Clara?"

"Oh yes. She's such a cutie isn't she? We go way back her and me. We were like besties in high school. I was so bummed when she moved." Nicole replied lying through her teeth as she twirled a long strand of her hair around a manicured finger.

"She moved in high school?" Chibs asked causing Clara to raise an eyebrow. Chibs was already aware of this.

After all Clara was only in Charming for her summer vacation.

Nicole nodded her head all to eager to talk to Chibs. She stared down at his kutte mesmerized by all the patches as she spoke. "Yeah to Arizona or something like that. I missed her so much. So do you have a bike? Where is it? I've always loved the feel of a Harley between my legs."

Clara cringed at the last part of this statement. Nicole practically had sex oozing from her.

Any man with sense would ditch Clara for a girl like Nicole in a heartbeat.

Chibs shook his head as he spoke up. "She moved to Nevada. Aye I do have a bike. I'm bout to take my lass here to go buy a helmet so she can ride it."

And with that he walked away from a stunned Nicole.

Clara was just as stunned as Chibs spoke up once they were far away from Nicole. "That gash aint yer friend is she?"

"No. She made my life miserable in high school. She spread a rumor that I didn't shower after swim meets. She told everyone my father was in prison. She called me a land whale and it caught on...pretty soon someone wrote it on my locker in a permanent marker." Clara admitted her jaw dropping at Chibs' dissing Nicole.

She cleared her throat unable to stop herself from asking. "You think she's pretty don't you?...I mean most guys think she's hot...She's different from me...I'm not pretty like her."

Chibs stopped midstep shocked by this little comment. He turned to face Clara placing his hands on Clara's shoulders as he got her to turn to face him. He spoke up his voice firm. "Aye ya are different. Yer far more than pretty lass."

"Then why don't guys hit on me?" Clara asked her voice tiny.

Chibs sighed realizing just how vulnerable Clara Munson truly was. Underneath the bubbly unique girl there was so much pain. She was far more insecure than she ever let on to anyone.

He hated seeing her so self conscious. Didn't she realize just how stunning she really was?

He gave her a smile as he spoke up. "Cause lads can be fuckin idiots Clara. Yer gorgeous on the outside and on the inside. Trus me that's one thing a person like Nicole will never have. Trus me lass one day yer goin to find a guy that sees jus how extraordinary ya are. Ya deserve a special guy lass. Don't ever date anyone who doesn treat ya like a queen."

Clara returned his smile his words meaning the world to her. She couldn't help but to hope that he was right.

A tiny part of her wished that maybe Chibs could be that special guy. She knew though that it was pointless to wish.

Chibs would never notice her, not in the way she wanted him to.

She hated to think that the only girls who'd ever get his attention were girls like Nicole. She could imagine that if Chibs was drunk enough and didn't know a thing about Nicole then he'd let her into his pants no questions asked.

Clara never knew though that very next Friday night when Nicole showed up at the clubhouse Chibs cornered her and let her know just how much he despised her. That night he told Nicole to never show her face at the Sons clubhouse ever again.

In Chibs' eyes no girl would ever really compare to the beauty of Clara Munson.

Chibs shook that memory from his mind as Clara nodded down at the cookies explaining this unusual purchase. "I thought I might go visit Donna Winston tomorrow...Piney said that Donna would probably like to see me. He said she's having a rough time with Opie and everything. I bought her some groceries...just little things; coffee, bread, orange juice, some cereal. I thought her kids would like some cookies."

Chibs grinned at this statement. He knew that Clara could use a friend, and Donna really was the perfect friend for her. "That's sweet of ya alainn. Donna will appreciate it."

Clara nodded her head her as she began to twist her ring around her finger. "I'm a little afraid to just show up...I've been gone for so long. I know I hurt a lot of feelings being away for so long."

"Donna aint goin to be upset with ya Clara. She'll be glad to have someone to help her out durin all this. She's been shovin a lot of us away...Opie bein locked up hasn't been easy on her. She needs a good friend." Chibs reassured her as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

Clara gave him a tight smile hoping that he was right. She really didn't want there to be any hard feelings between Donna and she.

Clara could use a good friend too.

Gemma rolled her eyes as she stepped over several newspapers stacked up in front of Bobby's house.

Gemma knew that she was in hot water with Chibs at the moment. She had seriously miscalculated just how Chibs would react to her intruding on Clara's and his relationship.

As much as Gemma didn't like Clara she was willing to find a way to fix the girl's relationship with her uncle, as long as it meant that Gemma didn't lose Chibs' trust.

Gemma needed adoration from all the members of SAMCRO. It kept everyone in line. And when everyone was in line she was able to stay on the throne.

She had been thinking long and hard about how to fix her mistake.

Bobby had handled this exactly how Gemma had imagined. He'd avoided Clara and Chibs. And he'd avoided the garage. He had been working repo jobs just so he could avoid working in the garage with Chibs.

Clara of course hadn't shown up to work since that dinner Saturday night, but Gemma was sure if she had Bobby would be avoiding her as well.

When it came to the club most of the Sons had made a point to keep Chibs and Bobby away from one another in fear that any contact would lead to a major blowout.

Gemma knew that there couldn't be any disputes within the club. Bad blood between brothers equaled disaster.

Clay's way of fixing this had been to suggest a cage fight between Bobby and Chibs. After all when brothers disagreed it was customary for them to just fight it out.

Gemma was just thankful that it hadn't come to that yet.

She knew that she had to find a way to make Bobby snap out of it and cut the bullshit. She had to do it soon.

She knocked on the door letting out a huff as Bobby answered the door looking horrible. He was wearing a robe over his pajama pants. It was clear that the man was hungover.

He wordlessly let Gemma into his house allowing her to follow him to the living room.

Gemma spoke up nodding her head at the freshly poured glass of bourbon. "Drinking for dinner? You been taking lessons from Piney?"

Bobby let out a huff not responding to Gemma's snide comment. Gemma reached into her purse retrieving a cigarette and lighting it as she spoke up again deciding to try a different approach. "Talk to me honey."

"Did you know about Chibs and my niece?" Bobby blurted out a glare on his face as he took a liberal swig from his glass of bourbon.

Gemma sighed not shocked that he'd caught on to just why he'd sent him back to the guest room that night. "I knew."

Bobby reached up massaging his temples as he spoke. "Christ did everyone know?"

"They didn't hide it sweetheart." Gemma replied taking a drag from her cigarette.

She let out a sigh as she spoke again. "Have you talked to either one of them since last week?"

"I can't deal with it. He's not right for her. Clara deserves someone safe." Bobby replied his eyes narrowing as he stared down into his glass.

Gemma twisted her mouth wanting so badly to agree with him. She kept this opinion to herself as she spoke again. "Why do you say that?"

Bobby pulled a cigarette from his own pack lighting it as he responded to her. "She's young...and she's too soft for the shit that comes along with being an old lady. He's just going to hurt her. I mean he's still married. She's his damn mistress. What happens when this all falls apart Gem? How am I going to look Chibs in the eye knowing that he broke my niece's heart."

"You know that and I know that, but they aren't going to listen to reason. Trust me I tried to talk some sense into the both of them. The best thing you can do is tell her how you feel about this." Gemma remarked as she reached out patting Bobby's hand.

"It's not like she'll listen." Bobby pointed out knowing that if anything Clara had inherited his hard head.

Gemma nodded her head knowing that he had a point. She took another drag from her cigarette as she gave his hand another pat. "No she won't but you need to get it all out in the open with her."

Bobby shook his head his stomach aching though he wasn't sure rather it was from guilt or all the booze he'd ingested. "I...I just wanted more for her. I love that kid more than anything in the world. She's like a daughter to me more than a niece, and she's the only daughter I'll ever have."

"I know you do sweetheart, but Clara isn't a kid anymore. You didn't think she was going to stay your little angel forever did you?" Gemma pointed out not missing the flash of regret in Bobby's eyes.

He let out a heavy sigh knowing that Gemma was right. He guessed that in his mind Clara would always be that sweet little curly haired girl who loved pink dresses and tea parties. "I'm just not ready to let her go yet...Not unless I know I'm putting her in good hands."

"Then make sure that Chibs understands. Let him know what Clara means to you. You can't shun that girl forever. If you love her then let her in." Gemma said knowing that Bobby's love for his niece was something she could use to convince him.

She paused dropping her cigarette in the ashtray in front of her as she spoke again. "I agree with you that Clara might not be right for this lifestyle. We have to give her a chance though. We might not like this relationship, but there's no way of stopping it."

She hated to admit that maybe she was right with that statement. Gemma knew that she'd never exactly approve of Clara, but there seemed to be no way of ditching her.

Bobby nodded his head knowing that Gemma might have a point.

Clara would always be his little doe eyes, but he'd have to let her go eventually. "I just wanted a safer life for her. I wanted a life away from the club for her...Don't get me wrong Gemma. I love my brothers and I love SAMCRO, but I saw what Oak did to my sister. If I could go back I would have kept Tammy far away from the Sons. I just don't want Clara to wind up with the same regrets as her mom."

"I'd hate to break it to you Bobby, but you being her uncle kind of killed her chances of staying away from the Sons. Life is dangerous sweetheart. I don't know about you but if I had a daughter I'd rather have her in a relationship with a man who could protect her than with some regular joe. Chibs can keep that girl safe. That's the one good thing I can say about their relationship." Gemma pointed out hating to admit the last part of her statement.

It was true though. Chibs obviously cared for Clara. The woman would be safe by his side.

Bobby nodded his head as he took another swig from his bourbon. He knew Gemma was right. Chibs protected those around him. He was a tough bastard.

Life was never safe. As long as Clara was safe though Bobby knew that he would sleep well at night.

Thanks for giving your opinions to my authors note. I just wanted to be sure that I was really putting my everything into my writing. After all at the end of the day I'm writing for both my amusement and your entertainment. I want my stories to be as entertaining and well written as possible.

I'm going to follow your advice and find a way to make improvements through my chapters. Thanks so much.

Aliann= Scottish Gaelic (Beautiful)

Ahuvi= Hebrew (my beloved)

Chapter Song Title is Extraordinary Girl by Green Day