:: fire in my lungs, can’t bite the devil on my tongue ::

As much as she wanted to say that she was surprised to see Dakota so freaked out, she wasn't. Only because of the wringer the town had gone through in the last year, it was almost weird for things to be normal for longer than a few weeks. It was such a sad thought. This was the town that she had called home for her entire life, and now she was almost terrified to go out the door. "Just tell me what happened. You look like you've seen a ghost." Sliding into the seat beside the brunette on her couch, she handed over the bottle of wine. Unsure of whether she should even bother with the glasses. "Wait, followed? Like followed to here?" Here being her home. The familiar tightness in her chest came full force at the thought of someone following Dakota, much less to her home. "What makes you think that someone is following you? Did something happen?" It was an attempt to calm herself down, while also trying to calm her friend down. "Just walk me through what happened."

And she did a ghost.. in her mind. All she could see was Luca - his face was everywhere. He didn't even have to be here to make her blood run cold. And he knew that. "It's probably nothing, Logan." But she couldn't say it convincingly.. the voice she made - it didn't sound like her own. It was the same as of that woman who learned years ago who her husband was.. and how hurtful his hands could be. "I mean.. I don't know. I'm sorry. I didn't.. oh, God." It wasn't supposed to be known. It was more than enough that Cole and Nate knew her secret.. but Logan.. she didn't deserve to know the painful truth behind Dakota's return. Logan deserved to be protected.. not burdened with such a secret. "A car has been parked in front of my apartment for days.. the same car has been following me and now I think the driver was walking behind me. I don't know, perhaps it was just someone who lives here." Dakota sighed as she thankfully took chugged down the bottle of wine - not all of it, but Logan understood the assignment - no glasses were needed. "I'm kind of married." Letting that out just like that.. as if it was the most ordinary thing in the world - which it was if one wasn't married to a crime boss.

"Touché.." he responds, playful hints to his tone because sure she got him there. He wasn't sure how he'd be considered a dear friend, yet maybe that was what all this was. A dawning realisation that he had somebody else to protect. It's not that he minds, it's just him briefly in the moment allowing himself to wonder how it kept happening. "Oh, always thankful." To the big guy. His cat. Nate's tone may have suggested he was being sarcastic, yet truth was he meant it. Something that just made him feel as old as he felt sometimes. Giving her a light smile as she placed the beer before him, he soon reaches for the bottle, taking a swig, overshadowing the taste of pizza in his mouth momentarily. He doesn't respond to Dakota straight away when she's questioning his overstepping comment and yet that seemed to be a saviour in some ways with her soon talking again. He wasn't hiding anything, he just didn't feel the need to share the things his drunken father had said towards his sister, he wasn't covering for anyone, he just didn't think Logan would appreciate it. Nate also didn't want to get irritated around Dakota, either. Knowing if he spoke about it, he'd only get mad. "Yeah he just had expectations no one seemed to follow." Which summed it up in the nicest way, something Harold didn't actually deserve. He nods his head slowly, agreeing in some ways but not actually wanting to verbally acknowledge it. "He deserves to rot, just because he's on the force doesn't mean shit." He thought that maybe that was the eye opener she needed, to settle the curiosity, at least. "People I care about, sure." Though it was more than that, more so with the gang he was in yet that was something that was clear as day.

Biting her bottom lips, she thought about Nate's words, not saying anything at all for a moment or two. Perhaps more. How did it go? "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.." she said as she took a sip of her beer. There was nothing more to say, but to say she's sorry, but what good would that bring? Or something he's never heard before? "I think we all have to break free.. escape whatever is choking us. Or whoever that is.. no matter of the bond." While she did have her parents' support in every way possible, she did know what she was talking about.. just as she knew how true Nate's words were. There were people who deserved the pain and death - in every excruciating way possible.. yet they were still walking and nothing could ever harm them. And life was just like that.. there was no such thing as karma - or at least she stopped believing in it a long time ago. "So how did you get into the club? Was it just in spite of your father and everything his badge represents or is there more to it? Because I want to believe there's more to it," she added with a soft smile to lighten up their mood. Dakota could tell Nate didn't like to talk about his father.. or to share much at all, so she was thankful he was actually telling her a thing or two.

WHERE: Tonopah Medical Center WITH: @dakotafitzgerald

It was as hectic as it could be in the ER today, but it was one of the reasons why she chose that kind of residency in the first place.. and now it even made more sense. With Dakota being back in town, she could help her father's club whenever they needed it.. just like he always did. And in a way, it was her way to say thank you to the club, just as it was a way to make her feel more connected to her roots.. and her father. And she loved it - no matter how stressful the days and nights could be.. and they always were. Yet there were days and nights when patients made everything better.. when she would find herself asking why the hell she went into the medical field, it would always be the patients who would remind her why she had chosen the career she did. Dakota loved people.. and all she ever wanted was to help them - just as her parents did.

Pool stick in hand and a cigarette hanging limply from the corner of his mouth, Cole lined up his shot and struck the cue ball, sending it careening across the felt tabletop and into the rack of solid and striped balls. Blue eyes quickly scanned the chaos, taking note of where each ball landed before deciding on stripes. Puffing on his cigarette, Cole started to plot his next shot while he chatted with some of the others gathered around the table, though when Dakota approached, he turned his attention away from the game, instantly noting just how quickly her smile faded from view. “Hey– yeah, sure, sure,” he nodded, setting his stick aside and ushering her towards his office, “Follow me.”

As he closed the door behind them, Dakota took in their surroundings before she opted out to lean against the chest of drawers as if it would somehow make it easier for her to say what'd been bothering her. It wouldn't. And she hated the idea of putting another thing to what was Cole's pile of problems.. it was selfish. Yet the whole reason of coming back to Tonopah was precisely to be protected.. by him and the gang. And now she was having a second thought - perhaps she was wrong for coming here.. perhaps she should have just stayed in the golden cage quietly disappearing into the darkness. "There's a small chance I'm overreacting," Dakota started as she moved her eyes from the nightstand in the corner to the blond who had his focus on her. "But I think I'm being followed. I don't know if.." she looked aside for a moment not being sure if her doubt was even justified. "I don't know, it could be just a patient for all I know or just.. someone," she added as if it would make things better when her eyes traveled back to Cole. The thing was, she was aware of the way she looked - of her beauty - and how people sometimes wanted more of her.. but it felt different. It felt as the man she was running away from was here - in person or not, it didn't matter. "But I don't think that's the case. I want to believe it's different, but my gut says it's.. him. I think Luca," as in her husband, "is.. here. I just.. I see the same car parked in front of my place all the time, Cole, I see that car parked in front of the hospital. I went to Logan's place and he followed me.. and then," she took a deep breathe knowing she absolutely hated the truth she's about to say. "The guy who I think is the driver comes in as a patient. And I'm not sure, but.. I think he works for him. I mean, I have dealt with all kinds of patients, Cole, but.. it felt as if he knew me. As if everything he said to me was nothing but a threat.. and when I came home today.." pushing her hair away from her eyes, she sighed. "I think someone was in my apartment."

Coffee was life. It was the essence that fuelled her to start her day, and several throughout the day made her nice enough that she wouldn't snap on others; or at least she held her tongue - that was a hard feat all on its own.

Dakota thankfully smiled as she took a seat across the woman. "Thank you so much. You're a lifesaver, seriously." Everyone who knew Dakota knew she was a coffee addict.. just like most of people were, but when it came to Dakota, she really was on the Lorelai Gilmore level. "Oh God, no, I don't want to impose on you. I'll just have my coffee and I'll be on my way out.. leave you be," she added with another smile as she took a sip of her coffee yet her eyes were firmly settled on the woman across her and the file in front of her. Did she know her? Should she know her? Yet due to her absence it was no wonder she barely knew anyone anymore.. that was an exaggeration, true, but it also held a bit of a truth in it. "By the way, I'm Dakota.. and now I'll stop talking due to uhm.. all of this," she pointed at the spread file.

Moving the pizza box more central to where he was sitting he swiveled the stool beside him lightly, patting the top of the chair a few times as if to tell her to come sit down as he got up momentarily, finding a bottle opener he soon sits back down and passes it to her. "You mean you just love gossip." He quipped, he didn't care, not really. It didn't go amiss to him that people talked and he couldn't really blame Dakota for being interested. "So you don't just like me for Chip, huh?" He chuckled, not really reading too much into her compliment while he managed to keep the atmosphere light. "My dad's not a good guy," he starts while reaching for another piece of pizza, fully well knowing that other people could think the same about him and yet Nate really wasn't phased. "I hit him because he overstepped with my sister, probably shouldn't have done but it's happened, y'know, movin' on and all that..." he shrugged lightly, not really finding there was more to the reason why he assaulted Harold. Sure, there was, yet right this second he didn't see that as relevant for him to just start talking about. Truth was, it was long overdue. Nate had put up with his dad's torments for years and only snapped when that same aggression was directed at Logan.

As she took a seat by his side, she watched him grabbing a bottle opener. There was something so peaceful about that very moment.. it seemed that with everything the world had to offer, all Dakota needed were small moments like the one she was experiencing right now. Perhaps she really had spent most of her life running away from the place she actually needed to be at. "Gossiping would be asking Cole or Logan about you, but this I call.. a natural curiosity about the person I consider a very dear friend of mine," she offered a winning smile as if she conquered the Roman Empire itself yet her smile grew softer when Chip was brought back into the conversation. "I liked you for yourself, but, and there's always a but.. now I hang out with you primarily because of Chip. Be thankful to the big guy." She took out another bottle of beer from the pack, opened that one first and placed it before Nate before she opened her own bottle.. and so he started to tell him the story of his own. And of course, it would be a piece by piece.. truly, like solving a puzzle. "Overstepped.. how?" Yet it wasn't a question he actually needed to answer, nor the answer was the one she needed to know. "Not every person is meant to be a parent.. some are wise enough to know that, while some think they can do it.. and then they ruin lives." Taking a sip of her beer, Dakota shrugged. "I don't think you would do something to anyone if they didn't deserve it. Perhaps I am wrong, but you don't seem like that kind of a man." But what did she know? Dakota was obviously lost when it came to recognizing problematic men. "You seem like the one who protects." Or at least she saw him like that.

His words were echoing inside of her mind.. "cause it's home, y'know," and she knew it was nothing but truth. But even more so, home wasn't a place, it was where her loved ones were.. and they were all here - the only family she still had was in Tonopah. And perhaps they weren't blood related, but the ties here were so much stronger.. it was the feeling of belonging that had returned to her. And for it to be so long lost.. she thought she'd never be able to feel it again - or feel anything at all again. Yet the presence of the blond man across her or some of the other people to whom she had returned now.. made her believe that she wasn't lost. "I know, Cole.." she warmly smiled at his reassuring words, the ones that had lit up the path she was currently walking on. "You don't even have to say it. I know you have my back - you always had.. I just hope it will never come to that. And if it does, Cole.." she put her glass down and found his eyes. "You can't risk anything because of me. Not you, nor anyone from the club. I know, I know.." somehow she had a feeling he would say whatever she wanted to hear, but would never actually do as she wanted because it was Cole.. "but please, if it really comes to something serious, let it be as it needs to be. Okay?" So all she could was hope there was nothing serious that would happen to her.. nor anyone from her secret life would come back to haunt her here, but those were naive thoughts, weren't they? Nothing was so simple. "You think you and I will ever truly be happy?"

From the outside looking in, Cole knew what the MC probably looked like to other people– a bunch of rugged bikers up to no good. And he supposed that might have been partially true, but to him it had always represented something more. It was family. And while Dakota wasn’t a member, her father had been, and that was enough to make her mean something to the Sons. He was glad that Dakota seemed to realize that– it was important to him that she knew the Sons’ protection still extended to cover her and always would. But it was when she essentially asked him not to do just that that he lifted a brow at her. Raising his drink to his lips, he drew a quick sip and shook his head, “Well, see, here’s the thing,” he started, a small smile curving at the corner of his mouth, “I’m involved now– ain’t no way I can just turn a blind eye when I know there’s a chance someone could come lookin’ for ya. That ain’t how this works.” Let it be as it needs to be. Sighing softly, he shook his head again– a bit more slowly this time, “Ya know I can’t promise ya that.” Cole had never been the type to simply let the cards fall where they may, not if he had a shot at preventing a shitty outcome. So he wasn’t about to sit idly by and just let something happen to someone else. It wasn’t his nature. Chuckling softly at her question, he shrugged a shoulder. Would either one of them ever truly be happy? Cole didn’t know. It was a loaded question, one he didn’t have enough steam to ponder right now. But it wasn’t as though he was miserable– there was plenty in his life that gave him a sense of purpose and he tended to draw joy from that. Refilling his drink, he cracked a small grin, “Can I answer that later? Ain’t quite buzzed enough for that yet.”

"If you're still here later you'll see 'em." He chuckled, he actually did have a parcel arriving and therefore his expressions were mildly smug as he hit back at her tease. Giving his cat a fuss when he nudged into his ankle he can't help but laugh listening to Dakota. "Sure, fair. He could also learn how to see from me and yet... ain't ever gonna happen." He was jokingly taking a dig at his one-eyed feline friend, never really being serious because in actuality, Nate loved in his cat with his entire heart and he wasn't ever afraid to admit it. "Hope ya not tryin' to get me drunk," not that he'd get drunk off of beers, he was just teasing as he pulled a slice of pizza from the box she opened up his way. "Oh really?" he quirks his brow, "Sorry to disappoint you..." at being in his own apartment. He winked at her; now taking a bite out of his pizza. Soon sitting himself down on one of the swivel stools around the island in the kitchen. He can't help the way his brow arched, having no memory of her apparent first question she had asked him - an expression quite clear on his features. So there's a silent acknowledgement the moment she followed on with her question, one he didn't actually remember being asked but then a lot of shit had happened since he first met her. Well, that was his excuse anyway. "Do ya think I shouldn't be?" He wasn't deflecting, he was just trying to understand why she (a feeling he got) thought it was weird. He got why and yet it was clear that Nate and Harold didn't get along.

Resting the palm of her hand on the top of the kitchen island, Dakota smiled at the sight of Nate eating pizza.. and as much as that sight was dear to her heart, her mind was more interested in finding out more about him. The thing was Dakota loved solving puzzles - not that Nate was one exactly, and she could find out more about his life decisions from probably every other or third person in this town, but it was far more interesting to hear it from him - it was the only way she wanted to hear it. "A question for question, huh?" A rather amused smile escaped her as she took a bottle of beer from the pack motioning to Nate to give her a bottle opener. "I don't think anything really. I just find it interesting. One thing doesn't exclude the other, but when a son ends up hitting his dad.. it's quite an interesting story. And I've always loved good stories." But she was telling the truth - Dakota was merely curious, never judgmental. It was one of the traits of hers she loved the most.. you could tell her anything and she would never ever judge you. Perhaps because she knew how it was to be judged.. and she had always been in one way or another. "I just find you interesting.. and that's a compliment, Nate."

Logan had reluctantly agreed to a night out with Dakota, only because it would be good to get out of the house and go somewhere other than the store. However, her anxiety had been in full swing and she thanked the last time she went out. The last thing anyone needs right now was another traumatizing town event, but the fair went off without a hitch and the air felt somewhat lighter. So, she spent the last hour getting ready and listening to music that her neighbors probably thought was way too loud.

Trying to wrap her head around Dakota barely heard Logan's first question.. the second one as well. The fact there was a huge possibility she was actually being followed was a hard pill to swallow, yet it seemed as the most obvious explanation.. "What? Wine? Yeah, that sounds great. Thanks." Her eyes followed Logan as she went into the kitchen, yet it seemed to Dakota that Logan could have gone to Japan at that very moment and she would not even notice. Her mind was too busy trying to grasp the fact that her freedom had come to an end. If she had it at all in the first place.. who was to say she had not been followed from the very first day? Yet her thoughts were broken upon Logan's return into the room.. and thank God for that, plus the bottle of wine in Logan's hands. "I'm sorry, I'm just.. I need a moment to calm myself down. It's.." and she couldn't tell anything to Logan because that would mean putting the woman into a risk, and yet she was already in her home. Not to mention that whoever was following her probably already knew everything about her life in Tonopah.. there was no going back. And she knew that.. she just thought she had more time. "I think someone's following me. I don't know, perhaps it's just.. it could be a coincidence, right? Just give me a second and I'll be fine. It's nothing."

He can't help the way he seemed to snort out a laugh at her comment, having him look down at his shorts momentarily before back to her, stumped and then his mouth just talks for him, "Leavin' it to the imagination, Dakota, c'mon.." His tone more obviously as well as jokingly stating she should know that. "Dunno what you're talkin' about.." her and her porn comment, that was. Choosing to act as innocent as he possibly could. "I like to give the Amazon guy somethin' to.. you know.. marvel at." His features were straight, attempting to come across as sincere yet he knew what he was doing. The slight smirk on his features soon giving him away, choosing to just run with the moment rather than make her think she had got him in a corner with the way he abruptly greeted her. Despite the way he was deterring her against fussing Chip, he clearly didn't mean it, he just knew exactly how much of an attention whore his cat was. Chip wasn't shy, by any stretch of the imagination. A light smile appears on his features when he sees her holding him, "Y'know if ya keep givin' him treats, my vet's gonna judge the fuck outta me." Not that his cat was overweight, he was just joking. Thinking it was cute that she had even bothered to bring his cat something. It was thoughtful in the way he paid attention to. His lips part as if he's going to answer and then he closes his mouth, listening to rest of what she had to say with a slight arch to his brow. "So... you've come here to talk about my drama? You thought pizza was a good openin'..." a pause and then, "what'd ya wanna know?" He laughs, tone as well as words implying he was joking, yet that didn't hide the fact that Nate loved pizza. Who didn't, actually. "No but thank you, I am actually starvin'."

A playful smirk was formed by her lips. "Judging by the towel, Nate.. not much is left to the imagination." Well aware that her comment could be understood in multiple ways, yet the fact was that Dakota was merely teasing the other. As if she cared about his body parts.. beside - Nate was a friend.. and even that was an understatement. The more time she was spending with him, the more she was looking at him as a brother she had never had. "Right.. something to marvel at.. that's why there's a lack of line of Amazon delivery boys and girls in front of your front doors.." she laughed as her eyes fell down onto Chip. The cat was way too big for her taste and a part of her was certain it had its own room in Nate's apartment, but then again, she had not seen such an adorable cat in ages.. was it even a cat? A part of her believed it was partially a mountain lion. "That's on you.. beside, it's not my fault Chip's so adorable. See, you could learn a thing or two from him. Right, Chip?" But as their conversation flew into the real reason behind her visit and that was visiting Nate in order to check on him.. Dakota found herself nodding to his question.. or rather a statement. "Pizza is always a good opening.. and if not, we've got beer," she effortlessly laughed when Nate did and found herself opening the box of pizza, yet she pushed it towards him. "Don't thank me for this.. come on, it's what friends do.. though a part of me was hoping that you wouldn't be at home so Chip and I could have it all for ourselves, but it is what it is.." still teasing Nate, which was quite obvious due to the fact that every conversation of theirs was a rather humorous one. "What do I want to know.. hmm.. well - there's still that first question of mine not answered," the one from the zoo that is. "How does a police chief's son end up being the other kind of a son?"

Having just jumped out of the shower he only just hears the second ring at his door, one that's delayed with his response due to the way he rushed to find shorts to put on before heading out of his room and towards the door, drying his hair with a towel he soon swings the door open. All actions paused briefly while his face read more of a what the fuck expression, not expecting Dakota to have been the one standing on the other side of it. Features soon softened from his surprise, blue eyes drifting to the box of pizza in her hand, brows creasing together, confusion again before he eases up, chuckling while she grinned. "Yeah keep gettin' told that," that orange wasn't his colour. Stepping back and aside as he opened the door wider, making way for her to come through considering that's what he thought she wanted. "Seen me in all my glory then?" He means while on community service, closing the door he puts his towel over his shoulder, hands out wanting to take the things she was carrying from her. "Here, I got them." An instinctive reaction more than anything. Taking the load he moves through his hallway and into the kitchen, placing the beer and pizza on the surface he turns to look at Dakota. "I'm gonna put more clothes on, just don't give him," him being his one-eyed cat that had just meowed, announcing his presence as he wandered into the room, rubbing at Dakota's ankles, "Too much attention because he's insufferable." He lightly laughs, joking as he left her alone for a moment to throw on more clothes, hanging his towel up in the process he's soon back with Dakota, not really wanting to leave her too long. "You okay then? What's with the..." pizza, beer.. "Visit?"

Raising her left brow up as she quickly gave him a once over, Dakota merely shrugged before her lips parted. "All your glory? Not with these shorts on, Nate," winking at him, the brunette laughed as he freed her hands of both the pizza box and pack of beer while she followed him into the kitchen. "Oh, now you're going to put more clothes on? Is this how you always open the door? That's too much porn you've been watching, Nate," once again she started laughing obviously quite enjoying in teasing him. Yet - she knew he would not take it to his heart - ever since she met, the two of them had always found a way to lighten up every conversation they had - no matter how powerful darkness around it could be. But her focus was quickly switched onto his pet that had its own way of greeting her.. the one-eyed cat Dakota quickly fell in love with. However, she did take her allergy medication this time unlike of the first time she came to Nate's place.. "What do you mean to not give it to him? Perhaps I brought it all to him.. well, I didn't, but-" she took a cat candy out of her purse and victoriously grinned as she lowered down to the cat's level. "This is for you," she unwrapped the candy and gave it to the most adorable - and the biggest - cat she had ever met. "See, I'm the good one here.. unlike of your owner," looking up to see Nate walking back into the kitchen this time with a bit more clothes on him, Dakota took the quite big cat into her arms not wanting to part away from him so quickly, yet was barely able to hold him in her arms. "Me? I am.. and uhm.." she smiled at the cat as she put him down before she found Nate's eyes. "I wanted to see the two of you. Well, more him than you Nate, but.." she teased, "is that a crime? Well, you do know now better than I do what falls into a crime category considering the latest turn of events.. hitting a chief of police.. who's also your dad. How does that not deserve a pizza and a beer?"