1/

"Hey big bro!" Opie turned at the sound of the familiar voice behind him.

"Hailey!" Exclaimed the big, bear of a man turning around and scooping his kid sister up into a giant hug.

"What ya doing here?" he asked placing her back down on her feet.

"My car's been playing up. I figured I'd bring it here for you to look at." The young woman answered pushing her sunglasses up into the mess of curls piled atop her head in a messy ponytail, the same mousy auburn brown as her older brothers.

"Long way to come for car troubles." He answered her spying the white canvas duffel bag that had dropped at her feet.

She laughed "So I wanted to see my big brother too!"

He smiled. "Good to see you Kiddo. Go on into the clubhouse and dump your stuff in my room. I'll get changed outta these work clothes and be right there."

"Okay," she smiled. "Still in the same room?"

"Yeah," he answered as she sauntered away. He watched her go.

Hailey Winston was his younger half sister by 9 years. She'd lived with her mother, a sweet butt that Piney had knocked up, until she passed away when Hailey was 12. She'd come to live with Piney after that and had more or less grown up on the Teller Morrow lot. Opie had always been very protective of his younger sister and had spent a lot of time over the years bailing her out of trouble and defending her when she did something stupid that upset one his brothers. He knew they would never hurt her and regarded her as one of their own. He also knew that each of them probably loved her like a sister also but she had certainly made life interesting for them all to say the least. She'd been a rebellious handful of a teenager and had caused a lot of drama in the clubhouse until she moved away when she was 18.

Ope hadn't wanted to let her go but she had insisted she wanted to be out on her own away from the ties of the club. Despite the drama she caused around the lot she had always been a good student with good grades and from an early age had aspired to follow a path in nursing. She'd had her heart set on a college in Seattle, so together with Donna he had convinced her to settle for Tacoma instead so she'd be close to the Tacoma charter should she ever need anything.

He'd felt better knowing that she would still be under the watchful eye of his fellow brothers, especially since he'd ended up inside not long after. She successfully completed her NCLEX-RN and had chosen to specialize in pediatrics. Donna and his brothers had kept him up to date on her progress while he was inside and he was proud of her achievements. She had quite a level head on her shoulders despite the sassy streak that had gotten her into so much trouble as a teenager. She was now a valued employee at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma and had been back to Charming only rarely, most recently being for Donna's memorial. Opie feared something was wrong for her to have shown up unannounced like this.

A shrill wolf whistle greeted Hailey as she entered the clubhouse. "Hi Tig," she yelled over her shoulder as she continued through to the dorm rooms without looking to find where he was.

"Well, look who grew up and got hot." The Sergeant at Arms said to her when she came back out. He was seated on the couch, smoking a cigarette, Happy across from him.

"Look who's still an unashamed pervert." She responded without hesitation as she moved past the bar towards them. He laughed "Still got that sassy wit too I see?"

"Always." She smiled taking a seat in the armchair next to him. "Got one of those for me?" She asked motioning towards the cigarette in his mouth. "Since when do you smoke?" He asked placing one between her lips and lighting it for her.

"Since I grew up and realized there's more to life than being a bratty teenager." She answered after taking a long draw of it.

"You sure as hell aren't a bratty teenager anymore." He said looking her up and down. "Get a load of you." He said approvingly.

"Geez tame that snake in your pants Tiggy" she laughed. "You act like you didn't realize I was legal!"

"Oh I know you're legal Baby. You just weren't parading those delicious legs around last time you were here Doll. So how 'bout my offer? Still waitin' for you to share my bed sometime."

"You know that's never gonna happen Tiggy, so you'd best keep dreaming about it." She laughed.

Happy scowled across from her seemingly disapproving of their exchange of words. He had only recently been spending more time in Charming, providing more manpower to the Redwood charter while Chibs was recovering from a near fatal accident. He hadn't been around too much when she was younger. He'd heard stories of the mayhem she had caused though and had reluctantly agreed to keep an eye on her for Opie when she had moved up to Seattle. It was his frequent comings and goings between the two charters and his proven loyalty that had earned him the job. There had never been any love lost between them. She resented having him watch out for her and he disliked having to do it. He thought her a bratty little bitch that had grown up with all these grown men wrapped around her little finger. The few times he had visited Charming while she was there he'd been disgusted at the sort of things she got up to yet they still treated her like she was a frigging glorified Samcro little princess. When she had come back for Donna's memorial he'd ripped into her about it. She'd dished out as good as he gave her and they hadn't spoken since.

She raised her left eyebrow at him when she caught sight of his scowl. "Still hate me Hap?"

"You've never given me a reason not to." He answered in his deep gravelly voice.

"Awesome. Good to know." She said with no sincerity.

"Still a sarcastic little bitch too?" He asked, the unamused scowl on his face never wavering.

"Of course. Wouldn't want to disappoint you now would I?" She smirked.

"What you want this time?"

"Who says I want anything?"

"Only time you ever come back here is when you want something. Big bad world getting too much for you now that I'm not up in Tacoma babysitting you Princess?"

"Fuck off. It's not like you had to tail me everywhere. All you have to do is report back to Opie that I'm still alive occasionally."

"So you got no one up there doing that now? Had to come back and lap up some princess treatment?"

"Fuck you Happy."

"Knock it off you two!" Opie said entering through the clubhouse door. "Didn't you ever listen to your mothers growing up?"

"Guess the gash she called a mother never taught her to keep her trap shut before she died." Happy said just loud enough for her to hear.

"You did not just fucking say that." Hailey growled launching at him. Her nails scratched down his cheek before Tig pulled her off him.

"Cool it Hailz." He said pinning her arms to her sides.

"Get the crazy little bitch away from me." Happy growled putting his hand to the blood that trickled down his cheek.

"Come on Hailz. Let's go outside." Opie said heading towards the door. Tig loosened his grip on her arms. "Can I trust you not to give him a matching scar on the other cheek?" he asked.

"Yes" she scowled. "Bastard deserves one though!" she added shrugging Tig's hands off her and stalking towards the door Opie held open for her.

"Just lay off the dead mother shit okay. You know it's always been a sore point for her." She heard Tig say before he followed her out. She smirked at the way Happy looked like he'd just been cut down.

"Why can't you and Happy just be civil to each other Hailey?" Opie asked when they were outside.

"He's an asshole. That's why." She responded as she sat on one of the picnic table seats.

"Maybe if you didn't run your mouth off at him, he mightn't be?" Opie asked.

"He gives as good as he gets back from her." Tig defended her as he sat on the other table across from them.

Opie sighed. "Just stay away from him then."

"Done." Hailey sneered as Happy came out walking straight past them towards his bike.

"So I took a look at your car. It's only a minor fix. Why are you really here?" Opie asked his sister.

"Can't a girl come visit her brother without an ulterior motive? Geez." She snapped.

"Hey. Don't start in on me. You don't often come down unannounced if you know what I mean?"

"I'm fine Ope. It's just getting close to my Mom's anniversary and I guess I was a little homesick." She admitted.

"Is Dad about?" she asked steering the conversation away from herself.

"He's been up at the cabin the last few days." Opie answered.

"He on a bender? What's his excuse this time?" She asked.

"Does he need one?" Tig asked her.

"Not usually no," she sighed as two Harley's sped through the gate into the lot. Jax and Bobby got off them and didn't look ahead as they walked towards the clubhouse, deep in conversation.

"Ok, Jax." They heard Bobby say, as he slapped the younger man on the back before he looked towards the tables in front of them both.

"Hailey!" the big bear of a man bellowed when he saw her. "C'mere and give me some sugar sweet thing!" he said sweeping her off her feet in a friendly embrace.

"Hey Bobby!" She laughed as he put her down.

Hailey smiled as Jax placed an arm around her shoulders pulling her towards him. "Heya Hailz!" he greeted her, kissing the top of her head.

"Miss me huh?" she said smiling. She'd forgotten how much she loved these men. They'd all put up with a lot of shit from her and yet they still treated her like a loved younger sister.

"Always good to see ya Kiddo!" Jax answered her.

"How's Chibby doing?" Tig asked from behind her.

"He's doing alright. Should be out in a couple of days." Jax answered.

"What brings you this far south Sweetheart?" Bobby asked as he removed his riding gloves and placed them in the pocket of his cut.

"Nothing really. Just felt like coming down and seeing how my big brother here is doing. He just happens to hang around with a bunch of badass bikers."

"Admit it you just can't stay away from us can ya Doll?" Tig teased. She smiled loving being back here amongst them all once again.

"Where's Happy at?" Jax asked.

"Took off when Miss Trouble here gave him a nasty scratch with her claws." Tig said nodding his head toward Hailey.

"You two lay into each other again Hailz?" Jax asked of the girl he considered just as much his sister as she was Opie's.

"He started it." She answered him scowling.

"Did ya seriously scratch 'im, Sweetheart?" Bobby asked.

"She sure did. Tig had to pull her off him." Opie answered when Hailey didn't respond. If there was one thing she hated these days, it was disappointing these guys and she was beginning to feel like a little kid being told off by them.

"Never been any love lost between the two of ya, has there?" Bobby stated rather than asked.

"What did he say this time that made you lose your shit?" Jax asked.

"It doesn't matter," Hailey sulked.

"C'mon Kiddo. Quit ya sulking. None of us blame you. Happy gives as good as he gets back from you. Difference is he'd never physically hurt you." Jax said placing his arm around Hailey's shoulder.

"I'm sure he wishes he could sometimes." She answered.

"Maybe." Jax responded before changing the subject. "How long ya stickin' round for?"

"Not sure. A few days, maybe a week." Hailey answered as she looked up and saw a young, not too bad looking Prospect approaching.

"Who's the prospect?" She asked.

"Half Sac." Tig answered. "He was around at Donna's funeral."

"Guess I wasn't really paying attention then." She said as she raised her eyebrows in a curious questioning look. "Do I wanna know about the name?" She asked the young man.

"Well you see in Iraq …" he began.

"Nah, Doll you don't." Tig interrupted.

Half Sac scowled somewhat before quickly recovering to ask. "So who's this lovely little piece of ass?"

"She'd be my sister." Opie answered.

"Oh Shit Sorry Ope. I didn't mean anything by it I just meant she's yeah well never mind."

"How 'bout you go clean the toilet Sac? Piney's been at it again." Tig ordered him.

"Ah shit? Really?" He said rolling his eyes as he went inside.

Hailey giggled. "Is he always like that? So bumbling and nervous around girls?"

"Yeah. He said Gemma gave him a Milf Chubby a few weeks back." Tig relayed to her. Hailey howled with laughter as he continued. "Numb nut didn't realize Clay was right behind him."

"What'd Clay do?" Hailey asked.

"Banged the sweet butt that he had his eye on when we were up in the Indian Hills." Tig said.

"Anyways it's Friday. Ya know what that's means round 'ere!" Bobby declared.

"Yay. I can hardly wait." She answered knowing he was referring to their regular end of week bash that consisted of them all getting completely wasted and having their dicks sucked and egos stroked by the crow eaters. She'd referred to them as Pussy Parties when she'd lived in Charming and had usually made a point of staying away from them whenever she was back in town.

"C'mon. You know you love 'em Doll. Maybe with a little booze in ya, you and Happy could make friends." Tig said.

"Ha. Don't hold your breath on that one." Came that gravelly voice from behind Tig's shoulder. No one had noticed him come back.

"Don't worry Hap I'm not holding out any high hopes on that one either." Hailey said with an actually genuine smile on her face. She saw the corner of his mouth lift ever so slightly as he almost smiled back.

"Well I'm heading inside for a drink." Tig announced. "Coming with me Doll?" He asked Hailey.

"It's only 2pm." She responded.

"Never too early round here. Besides you look like you could do with one." He said grabbing her hand and pulling her up towards him. He wrapped his arm around her waist as he led her back into the clubhouse.

"Get your hand off my ass Tig." She heard the rest of them snigger behind her.

"Sorry. Couldn't help myself. It's such as sweet ass, Doll." He said letting the door swing shut behind them.

"Why thank you." She replied sarcastically. He walked across to the bar and poured them both a shot of whiskey.

"They both for you?" She asked turning her nose up at the amber liquid.

"I forgot you hate this stuff. Still a vodka girl?"

"Yep. Remember how I like it made?"

"How could I forget? You poured it over my head the first and only time I stuffed it up." He said reaching behind the bar for a bottle of vodka.

She chuckled. "Yeah, I did didn't I?"

"Aha." He smiled back at her his hands busy at work preparing her drink. "Despite being a little shit of a kid you've turned out okay Hailz." He said sliding her drink across to her.

"Thanks Tiggy." She took a sip from her glass. He held his hands up above his head in mock protection of his hair. She laughed. "It's okay Tiggy. I'm not that little shit anymore besides you make a pretty good vodka, lime and soda these days."

He took his hands down and smiled back at her before sitting on the barstool next to her.

"So why are you really here, Hailey?" he asked.

"I told you and Ope before. I was homesick."

"And you know I've always seen straight through the crap you spin to protect Opie."

She sighed. Growing up on the lot Tig had always seen right through her bullshit. "You know I really didn't miss that."

"Does it have something to do with that shithead boyfriend of yours?"

Hailey sighed, "I left him."

"Jesus Hailey. Remember the shit storm you caused last time you were running from him?"

"Yeah but this time I'm done. I'm not going back Tig." She blinked and turned away from him trying to hide the tears creeping into the corner of her steel blue eyes, but too late. He'd already seen them but let it go.

He sighed. "So you plan on sticking around here then? What about your job?"

"I've been planning this. I resigned two weeks ago and planned to leave earlier but he … he stopped me." She wiped away a tear that threatened to spill down her cheek.

"Shit Hailz. You love that job. What the hell did he do to you?" Tig asked her.

"Nothing you need to know about." She said wiping her eyes. "I left as soon he was passed out drunk last night, hid his keys too."

"Last night? Shit Hailey. You musta driven all night."

She just nodded.

"What the fuck did he do to you Hailz?" he pressed.

"I'm not gonna tell you Tig." She said stubbornly.

"Fine. Just know that if he turns up here again I'm not responsible for what might happen to him."

"You can kill him for all I care. I know you're good at that."

He sighed and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Anyone that hurts you is gonna have every one of us make him rethink it. Even Happy."

"Yeah right. Happy would be his cheer squad."

"He means well Doll. He just thinks you're a little spoiled by us all. Why don't you cut him some slack? Go easy on him?"

"Only if he does the same."

Tig frowned. He knew Hailey and Happy would never get along. He just wished they'd agree to disagree and stop tearing each other down.

"So you gonna make tracks to somewhere else or you plan on sticking around here?"

"I'm not sure yet, maybe here."

"We'd all love to have you stay," he said stroking a hand down her thigh. "Especially me …"

She slapped his hand away. "You're never gonna get into my pants Tig." She said casting a half amused smile at him.

"Can't blame a man for trying."

She laughed. She'd always liked Tig and had been left in his care quite a lot when she'd been growing up on the lot. He may have been a twisted and somewhat depraved individual but he had always had a soft spot for her as a young girl and had constantly hit on her once she was legal. Their friendship was purely platonic but not devoid of flirtatious banter and sexual innuendo.

"You know you should probably tell Ope that you're planning on sticking around."

"Yeah, I guess. But then I've gotta tell him why."

"He'll be as glad as I am that you've left that shithead. C'mon let's clear out of here. Dinner prep is here" He said as a couple of crow eaters came into the clubhouse.