A Happy Coincidence

Chapter 7

"Jesus! Prospect go follow em'!" Bobby shouted and pushed Half-Sack away. He looked at Happy, angry and disappointed. "Hope the sex was worth it."

"We'll get him back."

"And what are you going to do with her? You're the one who has to call Clay. I'm not telling him that little pixie nabbed Tig." Bobby turned away and began lumbering back toward his bike.

With every intention of telling Clay, Happy pulled out his phone and looked at the text again. The time between when she'd sent it and when she arrived at the hospital was about an hour. Quick. Maybe she hadn't been trying to find Tig but in fact warn them. Happy wondered if he had read her actions wrong.

It didn't matter, Happy switched focus to getting Tig back, that was the priority. "Shit." He barked and called Clay. "Prez, we got a problem."

--

"They're going to follow us, you know that don't you?" Rory's entire left side was on fire, her body sore, face scraped open and seeping blood down to her shirt. "That was fucking stupid."

"They're the ones who slammed that fucking truck into us. Who does that?" Eric snapped as he weaved through traffic. "We got eyes everywhere after that shit."

"Thank fuck we're the ones operating within the law." Jeffery added with a smirk for Tig. "Creepy bastard."

Johnny was predictably quiet from the passenger seat, sneaking glances back at Rory every so often. "You alright?"

"No, I'm not."

"What was that? You hesitated, Ror. What the hell were you thinking? What if they grabbed you?" His words gave her a glimmer of an idea but she hid her smile and looked up at him. "Well?"

"Nothing and they didn't grab me, you guys did. I told you I'm rusty. It's been a while." She hissed, her hand hovering inches from her cheek. If she wasn't paying attention she'd accidentally press her palm to stop the stinging. It would work, momentarily, but she'd surely get some infection from her grimy hands and the pain would only be worse once she let go.

"That's going to get infected." Eric chided as he peeked at he through the rear view mirror.

"Maybe you should have left me there then. I just hope it doesn't scar."

Tig watched and listened, his stare bore holes in Rory as she tried to think up a suitable plan. His eager eyes and her burning flesh were too much of a distraction. He began to click his tongue as they bickered, each little noise made her twitch. She shot him a harsh look which only caused him to smile.

"No, come on. I was just getting into the family drama." He bumped his shoulder in the back of the driver's seat. "I think I got you all pegged. This one is big brother, meat head type, then you got the droopy eyed puppy dog and the old bastard. What's your story?" He asked Rory with a wicked grin while tapping his foot against her shin. "I can't seem you figure you out. Which ones stickin' it to you, Blondie?"

With one hand still on the wheel Eric reached back and began clawing at Tig, the van swerving between lanes. "Stupid son of a bitch."

Cackling Tig shied away. "So it's you. Good to know."

"Eric," Jeffrey growled. "He's goading you. Stop it. Drive."

"Thanks, Dad." Tig joked and tried to make himself comfortable, as much as he could in the cramped van. "Did you dump him? Is that why he's so bitter?" Putting on a high, feminine voice Tig batted his eyelashes. "It's not you, it's me. I need to find myself." He liked the mind games. "Did you find yourself? Did you find someone else?"

Pursing her lips Rory ignored him knowing he was just looking to mix it up. "Guys can we at least stop somewhere so I can get cleaned up?"

Johnny looked her over from the passenger seat and nodded to Eric. Her cheek was torn up, already looking angry and close to infection. Her pants were ripped, leg skinned but with less severity than her face and Rory's ankle was most certainly severely sprained if not actually fractured. She'd only been thrown a few feet but it was enough for her to milk and get some time.

"I'm bored." Tig announced. "What are you getting me on? I don't have any outstanding shit."

"Oregon." Rory said quietly, hoping to keep the animosity at minimum.

"Stop." Eric snapped. "Don't talk to the pervert."

"I don't have shit in Oregon." When he said it Rory looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"You don't have a thing for farm animals?"

"Oh, that? Damn it."

"Yeah," she smiled to herself. "Pervert."

--

"I want her DEAD!" Clay shouted at the top of his voice. "What the hell is wrong with him? He was the one, out of all you assholes, I never thought would be so damn pussy whipped."

They gathered around a bankrupt gas station a few miles up from where Rory and her team had Tig. No one was exactly shocked by what had happened but most believed Happy when he implied Rory was not a threat.

"What's the news?' Bobby asked, stepping closer into the circle, his eyes on Jax.

"Hap and Sack are at the motel, room nine. They're trying to get a look in but it's not looking good."

Opie rolled his jaw. "Why the hotel?"

"She took a spill, got all cut up. Maybe they stopped for her?" Bobby suggested remembering the pained expression on her face as they yanked her away.

Clay stepped threateningly close to Jax and jabbed his finger in the young man's chest. "You tell Hap I want a plan and I want Tig back. Then he can be the one to deal with the gash bounty hunter." 

--

"Stop squirming."

Eric held her chin between his thumb and index finger to keep Rory from moving as he dabbed her face with alcohol swabs. Now that she'd gotten them to a stop she just had to contact Happy. She and Tig kept making eyes at one another but he didn't buy her little act. The only reason he didn't out her yet was that he hadn't found the best possible moment to use to his advantage.

"I think I'm growing a dick." She said petulantly. "All this damn testosterone. Can I get some air?"

Tossing the gauze and wrappings into the bin Eric shrugged. They were all so twisted up with each other, working in close quarters for years with too many repressed, dark resentments and emotions. None of them were exactly balanced individuals but Rory's sudden shift caused a bigger issue within the group than they could handle. Stunted emotionally and close minded they didn't know how to 'fix' what they felt was 'wrong' with their Rory.

She hobbled out into the parking lot, her ankle throbbing, and called Happy. She didn't expect him to answer but as she turned to the far alley Rory rambled off the address, who was there and how well armed they were.

"Please, when you come get him just don't hurt any of us. I'm sorry, I'm trying to make it right for everyone."

"This is the second time I had a gun to your head and you never even knew it."

Spinning on her good foot she stumbled back and slammed against the dumpster. "Jesus Christ, and you think I'm sneaky? You scared me! How'd you know I was here? I just left you a message."

"Prospect." He answered simply. "Guys are a few miles up."

"You ghosting around? Getting the lay out?" He didn't speak, his aim directly between her eyes, Rory felt her skin grow clammy. "I didn't plan this." Their previous conversation about his penchant for murder and always finding just cause was ringing in her ears.

"Okay."

"Let me guess," Rory whispered, now fearing for her life. "You just found your reason, huh?"