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Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Storm pulled up outside of Unser's trailer seeing his truck and police cruiser, she got out of her truck and sat down on one of the chairs surrounding his fire pit seeing it was still early in the morning. Storm put her bag down beside her on the ground, and adjusted her oversized sunglasses that were pressing down on her badly bruised and swollen cheek, just as Unser came out.

"I thought I heard someone pull up." Wayne said as he closed the door behind him, moving to sit in the seat opposite Storm. Storm reached up and took off her sunglasses, showing Wayne her face as he gasped in shock. "What the hell happened?" Wayne asked clearly concerned. "It doesn't matter Wayne. I wanted to speak to you more about our conversation at the hospital away from prying ears though." Storm told him as Wayne nodded. "Anything you need from me, you've got it. Charming is changing and it won't be able to stay under the MC's control for much longer. The bad shit that used to stay outside of Charming isn't any longer...I don't know what happened to your face but I can almost guarantee it had something to do with the sons." Unser told Storm.

"I know Wayne, I really do. I just have to make it a few more months, get some money together and then I'm out. I'm going to get out of the poisonous cycle that I'm living in." Storm told Wayne strongly. "Do you need anything?" Storm asked Wayne, truly caring for him. "No sweetheart, just take care of yourself." Wayne told her as she slid her sunglasses back on, grabbed her bag and stood up. "Thanks Wayne." Storm said leaning down and kissing his cheek before walking back to the truck, getting in and driving away.

***

Storm pulled up her drive to see Bobby waiting against her bike. She got out of the truck, grabbing the bags of groceries that she'd picked up on the way home. Bobby quickly took one of the bags from her arms. "Hi Bobby." Storm said as he took the bag. "Hi Storm." Bobby answered following in behind her as she unlocked the door and walked through into the kitchen putting the bag down on the bench. "Should I ask what this visit is about?" Storm asked as Bobby sat down at the kitchen table, as she began to put away the groceries. "Just want to have a coffee and talk with you." Bobby answered as Storm put on the kettle. "How's the head feeling?" Bobby asked as she finished putting the groceries away. "Alright." Storm answered making him a cup of coffee and her a cup of tea.

Storm placed Bobby's coffee down in front of him on the table, before sitting opposite him. Bobby reached across the table and took one of Storm's hand in his. "You can't be half in, half out Storm. You know this life and it doesn't work that way. What happened yesterday with the Mayans wasn't right but you need to stay protected." Bobby told her. Storm pulled her hand away from his and stood up, moving backwards towards the counter. "When does it get better Bobby? Everyone preaches it, you were preaching it before I even went to jail, and it never seems to happen. It's always one nightmare after another...the shit that happened yesterday isn't the problem, it's all of it. You're a smart man Bobby, perceptive, even I can see that the brutality is only getting worse." Storm told Bobby, a viciousness in her voice.

"I never expected any of this to happen Storm but I believe it will get better, I have too. And whatever is going on between you and Juice means you have to make a decision where you stand." Bobby told her forcefully. "There's nothing going on with me and Juice. Now if you don't mind, I want you to leave as I have to get ready for work." Storm replied. Bobby stood up and walked out, leaving her fuming. Storm quickly cleaned up the two cups, before making her way into her bedroom and getting ready for work.

***

Storm sat behind the desk of the nurses station filling out some paperwork, glad that this night shift was seemingly quiet which she was grateful for as the less she had to explain about her face, the better. "Storm, why don't you take a break? It's almost midnight and you haven't had a break yet." Her supervisor Rachel said. "I'll just finish this up. Actually can I speak to you for a minute?" Storm asked. "Sure, lets step into my office." Rachel answered. Storm and Rachel walked into the office, Storm shutting the door behind her. "I was wondering if you would be able to sort out transfer papers for me over the next couple of weeks. It's a just in case sort of thing." Storm told Rachel straight. "Sure, I can get those sorted for you." Rachel answered. "Thank you." Storm answered as she slipped out of the office, and going back to her paperwork.

Storm had just finished the chart when she glanced up seeing Kozik standing at the desk, a hoodie over his cut, she groaned quietly before standing up and walking over to him. "Hey Koz." Storm said getting his attention. "Can we speak alone?" Kozik asked. "Yeah, I have a short break. " Storm answered moving from behind the desk and walking towards a private waiting room with Kozik following behind.

"If you're here to give me a lecture then I don't need it, I've already had one today." Storm said as she sat down as Kozik closed the door. "I'm not here to lecture you on anything Stormy." Kozik answered as he sat down looking over her face. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok as I have to head back to Tacoma with Hap in the morning." Kozik explained. "God I'm sorry. I'm alright though." Storm answered smiling. "Why are you at work and what did you tell them about your face?" Kozik asked. "Had to fill in for someone and just told them I was sparring with someone and didn't block properly. Doubt they bought it but I don't really care." Storm told him as Koz nodded.

"I couldn't help but notice the 'a' carved into your side, was that from prison?" Kozik asked coyly. "Yeah, when I got attacked the 'a' got carved into me." Storm answered. "I should go, let you get back to work." Kozik said standing up. "Kozik." Storm said quickly as she stood up, he turned around and she quickly hugged him, taking him by surprise but he quickly hugged her back. "Thank you." Storm said as she pulled away from him. Kozik pulled her back to him, kissing her forehead. "Stay safe." Kozik whispered. "I should be saying that to you." Storm smiled before he walked out of the room. Storm sat back down in the nearest chair, thinking...