#lost princessa

As the lead motorcycle killed its engine, Megan shifted to stand more on her own so that Hank could stand up straight. Bishop and Taza glanced at her approvingly before shifting so that they were obviously at the front of the Mayans group. Surprisingly, Happy stayed with the Mayans rather than joining his own club.

Chibs dismounted and came forward with Tig to greet Bishop. "Good mornin'. Thank ya for understandin' the change in meet up."

Bishop shook hands with both men. "Of course. We took the precautions we discussed at the last meeting as well."

"Little Bit get anything new?" Tig asked.

Taza answered. "Nah. Nothing this morning and she left the phone at the lodge."

"Good." Chibs smiled at Megan over Bishop's shoulder. "Alright today, Lass? Not too sore?" 

Megan grinned and stepped forward to greet Chibs with Rex faithfully heeled. "I'm alright. A warm shower and full night's sleep and I'm right as rain."

"Good Lass. Got some people here who are eager to meet ya'." Chibs winked. "Give 'em hell."

Six men in suits stepped out of the hummer and waited to be introduced.

Chibs sighed and nodded to Bishop and Taza. "Let's get this show on the road."

He turned and led the way back towards the car. Bishop and Taza followed with Megan and Hank right behind them.

Three of the Irish men stepped forward. Megan could clock the shoulder holsters on all three as well as the heavier obvious fire power on the three that stood back with their eyes roaming the bikers around them.

Chibs introduced each man as he stepped forward to shake hands with Bishop and Taza. First was Declan Brogan. He was very obviously going to be the point of contact for the club for future gun deals. Leo Ryan and Peter O 'Leary were also present, but after introductions they stood back and let Brogan take the lead.

"The infamous Obispo. Nice to finally meet the man that Marcus Alvarez trusts so highly." He smiled a charming smile at the group, but his eyes lingered on Megan. "And this must be the Armorer we've heard about. Glad you finally added a little beauty to your club's ranks."

Bishop nodded. "This is my god daughter, Megan."

Brogan stepped forward as if to shake Megan's hand only to be greeted by a deep, rumbling growl from Rex. "And what's this? A dog?"

Taza answered. "My daughter's service and protection dog. I'm afraid he doesn't like when strangers approach her. It'll take time before he'll allow you near her. A reasonable precaution. I'm sure you understand." 

Megan nodded politely but didn't offer to introduce the Irish man to Rex. It was very obvious to her that her Papa didn't want this man to have free access to approach her.

"Of course. I understand that there was an... altercation... recently that made her extra protection necessary,” Brogan replied, never taking his eyes from Megan. 

She was suddenly very glad that her Kutte was zipped up- giving her her full bulky Kevlar and not really showing much of her figure.

"Yes. There was," Bishop said flatly.

The Irish man finally looked away from Megan with another charming smile as he spread his hands wide in a gesture that was probably supposed to be disarming. "But I understand that Megan is also the reason that we are even meeting today." 

"Tha's right. Tha’ Lass has led the way to make this hand off happen," Chibs said.

"Then, please, let's talk business..." 

The men all began to discuss shipping schedules and details for a while while Megan stood listening. Occasionally, she would chime in with a small detail that the men were skipping over, but she basically stood back and watched. When it came time to discuss the kinds and numbers of guns that the Mayans would be selling is when Megan began to shine. She caught discrepancies twice in what the Irish were currently sending to the SOA shipments. She didn't allow them to try to raise the prices that they would have to pay the Irish either. She'd been very careful to go over all the current shipment details with the Sons before this meeting.

Only once did Brogan try to belittle her- when it came to the distinction between two different kinds of semi-automatic pistols. Megan's eyes narrowed as she corrected the man who was trying to sell the cheaper gun at a premium.

The Irish man chuckled and agreed with Megan's correction. "Ah- your Armorer knows this game well. Good. Maybe she can get the buyers to play nicer than the Sons’ current liaison, huh?" 

Bishop smirked. "I'm sure she'll manage. At least they'll mostly all survive a meeting with her- mostly."

Megan snorted as she realized that Happy was the Sons liaison currently.

The meeting stretched long enough for Megan's fingers and toes to start feeling the chill even through the thick socks and woolen gloves she was wearing. Most of the men had gone back to propping themselves on their bikes while the shot callers negotiated.

Finally, Bishop, Chibs and Brogan shook hands on a fair deal. The guns would ship in six weeks. Chibs would oversee the first shipment or so just to aid in the transition before it would all be Megan's responsibility. 

Before he got back into his fancy hummer, Brogan took another long look at Megan. When he spoke, it was to Bishop and Chibs though. "I'm so glad to see your clubs joining us in the twenty-first century. Competence is to be admired- no matter the gender of the one performing the task. Your club princess is impressive. I will relay that fact to our council. Perhaps we will seal our new alliance in the oldest way one day soon."

Bishop's face turned dark. "I believe you misunderstood my god daughter's position. She is an officer in her own right. Not a bargaining chip. Besides- la princessa already has a caballero. Unless she chooses another, that will not change." 

Megan stepped back to Hank's side and the protective arm that he offered her.

"Ah. Well, one never knows. The possibility is still there. She would make an impressive match for a few of our ranking members." The Irish man said with a smirk. "Besides, she may find what we offer more tempting than you think, my friend."

All of the men colored with temper and started to jump to Megan's defense at the same time, only to fall silent when Megan spoke on her own.

"Mr. Brogan, you are obviously very well acquainted with the public information about me. You may even know some of the actual truth. What you seem to misunderstand about our club though is simple- we are not an army and none of us are soldiers to take anyone's orders. Not anymore. We are very different even from our club allies because we are something they are not. We are Mayans. We are family. And as Mayans, every member has their own say in every decision." Megan paused to pet Rex and calm him from his alert posture at her tone. "You seem to think I am little more than a very competent doll to be ordered by my godfathers or my father. You are wrong." She paused again to make firm eye contact with Brogan. "I am Megan Morales, Armorer for the Santo Padre charter of the Mayans Motorcycle Club. God daughter to El Padrino and El Presidente. Daughter to el Vice presidente. And reina to my caballero who is also pacificador. I am not- and never will be- a bargaining chip. I am la Princessa de los Mayas and that means I will never be controlled. Not again."

Hank smiled down at Megan with pride as she straightened her shoulders. The rest of the club came to stand at their backs, making the Irish body guards a little nervous.

Megan held eye contact with Brogan until he broke it. He fussed briefly with the button on his expensive woolen over coat as he nodded. Bishop had the proudest smile on his face that turned into a shit eating smirk when Brogan awkwardly turned back to the presidents standing next to them. "Any more questions about la princessa's rank?"

Brogan cleared his throat. "I don't believe so. We'll be in touch with our chosen liaison from our side very soon." He nodded politely before turning on his heel to rejoin the other kings in the Hummer. Once they were all loaded, they left- without their SOA escort.

As soon as they were out of sight Megan wilted against Hank's side as all the men whooped and laughed around her.

Hank kissed her firmly before pulling back to look her in the eyes. "That's my girl."

"God damn, Little Bit. Didn't know you had a speech like that in you!" Tig said with a laugh.

Taza hugged Megan tightly before passing her to Bishop. Her godfather chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Well done, Poquito. I'm proud of you. I only wish your Tío Marcus could have heard that speech." 

Megan felt her face heating quickly. "I couldn't let him get away with that..." 

Chibs laughed. "No Lass. You couldna'. You did exactly right."

Happy nodded. "Time to get Little Girl outta the cold..." he rumbled. 

Hank gently chafed her cold fingers through the gloves and nodded as he tucked her cold hands inside his jacket. Chibs smirked at his SAA but quickly agreed. "Righ’! Back to the clubhouse, I think. We can celebrate there."

Megan loaded Rex into the van and pressed a kiss between his ears before joining Hank by the bike. He handed her her helmet and let her settle it before fastening her chin strap for her.

Back at the Sons clubhouse the mood was jubilant. Everyone was excited about the success of the meeting with the Kings. Drinks were flowing and it was quickly looking like another full blown party was going to break out. Megan found herself back on the couch nearest the heater with a cup of tea in her hand and Rex across her feet. Hank kept himself between her and the most rowdy celebrants.

Chibs had claimed his normal bar stool and bottle of Jamison. After a round of shots and a beer, Bishop joined him.

"Brotha' we finally did it. Jackie-boy would be proud," Chibs said as he poured Bishop two fingers of whiskey.

"Yes he would. El Padrino called to check-in and I relayed the news to him." Bishop accepted the drink with a small smile.

"Did ya tell him about the Little Lass?" Chibs asked with a chuckle.

"You know it. He was jealous as hell that he missed that speech from Poquito. He said he'd call her later to tell her himself."

Chibs chuckled. "So Marcus pausin' his patch won't affect much?"

Bishop sipped his drink before answering. "Not about family. He won't always be privy to club business, but this was different. This was personal for him. He respected Jax. He liked him. This was Teller's final wish and Marcus deserved to know that it was finally really fulfilled." 

Chibs nodded again. "I agree." He chuckled as he noticed that Happy was keeping an eye on Megan from across the room. He subtly pointed it out to Bishop. "Now tha’- tha’ I never woulda thought I'd see."

Bishop smiled. “Poquito has a way of surprising us all with where she makes her friends." He nodded at his own men. "They all change around her too. She makes our club better just by being herself."

"How's Chuckie like the Lass?" 

That made Bishop laugh out loud. "I think he would willingly let her cut off his remaining fingers if she asked." He turned to put his back against the bar and leaned his elbows back on it. "She's our bartender when we're home and she's whole. She changed everything about how the bar paperwork is done to take some of it off of Chuckie's plate. Said inventory should be a prospect or bartender job so that he could focus on the scrapyard more."

Chibs laughed out loud. "Fuck. When did she do that?"

"Less than two days after she started work."

Chibs offered his glass to Bishop in a toast. "Here's to the Little Lass and all her sass."

Bishop tapped Chib's glass with his own "Amen, Brother. Amen."

Hank smiled as he saw Megan beginning to relax at a party. Each of his brothers had made it a point to check in with their Armorer. They wanted to be sure that she had everything she needed, but also that they were there to back her up if she got anxious. He could feel Happy's gaze as well. That particular relationship surprised the hell out of him, but he didn't regret it. He caught the bald biker's eye and nodded at him to let him know that Megan was okay. He received a nod in return.

"Hey Ma, you good?" Coco asked as he approached.

Megan smiled and that made Hank grin.

"I'm good, Coco." Megan giggled and shifted to remove a few layers. She'd lost the leather jacket under her kutte right when they arrived, but now she was ready to remove her hoody too- leaving her to put her kutte on over her bandshirt.

"Good." The sniper sipped his beer. "I think the big wigs are gettin' ready to order food. Want me to tell them your order?"

"Where are they ordering from?" Hank asked curiously. 

"I think pizza- that was what Trager said anyways." 

Megan smiled, "I'm not picky as long as there's no pineapple."

Coco made an unamused face, but nodded. "I'll let 'em know." He turned and wandered off as Megan started scratching Rex's ears.

It wasn't long before the food arrived, and with it- the crow eaters and hang arounds. Megan moved to the bar near where Chibs, Bishop and Taza were deep in a rather boisterous conversation while Hank went to get them plates. She was intent on listening to her Tío's story about his first prospect when the stool she was sitting on vibrated from Rex's deep growl.

A man had approached from behind Megan that she didn't recognize. He wasn't wearing a kutte and he was just a little too clean cut to be a biker. Megan gripped Rex's collar in her good hand but didn't shush him.

"I mean ya' no harm," the man said in a rougher version of Brogan's accent. He raised both hands, palms out to prove it.

"Maybe not, but I don't do well with strangers," Megan said firmly.

Taza and Bishop had both taken notice of the newcomer and tensed- ready to come to her rescue. Hank had also noticed, but when Bishop caught his eye and shook his head, he remained the short distance away that was the other side of the U-shaped bar.

"Aye. We noticed. I'm just here to deliver a message and a gift for the princess. Ryan and O'Leary were impressed with how you handled Brogan today. They sent me to give you this…” He pulled a small package from his pocket and offered it to Megan.

Megan looked to Taza and Bishop for guidance. 

When her father tilted his head at her questioningly- she nodded without releasing Rex’s collar. He took the package from the IRA messenger and opened it. Inside was a medallion with a red cross surrounded by a circle on it.

Megan knew they couldn't afford to piss off the Irish, but she also wasn't going to declare herself for their cause by wearing their symbol. "What's the significance of it?" she asked the man who still hadn't given his name. 

"That trinket declares you anally to the cause. Show it to any of our members and they'll aid you in whatever way they can." He grinned a little. "Makes a nice keychain as well." 

Megan nodded. "Thank them for me. Hopefully- I'll never need it."

"Aye. Enjoy your night, Princess. You've earned it." The Irishman gave a friendly nod before he headed out of the bar. 

Megan released Rex and sighed. "Another marker?"

Bishop and Taza shook their heads but Bishop answered her. "Not one you'll carry, Poquito. Too dangerous. It links you to what is basically a terrorist organization." 

Taza agreed. "That symbol alone is contraband and you..." 

"Don't ever handle contraband," Megan finished with him. 

"Good girl," he said with a smile.

"So -what do we do with it?" Megan asked.

Chibs chuckled. "Like the lad said- it makes a good keychain." He indicated a set of keys that were obviously the ones to the clubhouse door on a hook on the wall near him. "If it's club property- no one can tie it to a single member." He pulled the keys down and showed them the matching medallion on them. 

Bishop nodded. "Good plan. Let's put it on the van keys for now. Club owns the van. They already know we have Irish friends. Can't hurt."

Hank arrived with their plates and Tig trailing behind him. "That looked tense. You okay, mi amore?" 

Megan stopped scratching Rex to take her plate and smile. "I'm fine. Just a gift from the Irish." 

Tig raised his eyebrows. "Already? For the club or for you, Little Bit?"

"The gift was addressed to Megan- but not something she's allowed to touch," Bishop said.

Tig whistled through his teeth softly. "Irish rarely mark a single person- it's usually an organization..." He looked at Chibs questioningly.

"It's an individual marker from two of the kings. Tha' lass was impressive," Chibs said, sipping his whiskey.

"Speaking of- we've got an Oakland Mayan outside with a box for Little Bit. Says it's from Alvarez- but I thought he'd paused his patch..." Tig said.

Bishop chuckled. "He did- but he'll always be El Padrino. It's probably one of his guys doing him a favor." He stood. "I'll go talk to him." He grinned. "Eat your dinner, Poquito." 

Megan smiled and obediently took a bite of pizza.

Just as the SAMCRO prospect put a bottle of coke down in front of Megan, Bishop returned with a large box. He put it on the barstool next to her and grinned. "Your Tío Marcus sends his love and asks that you call Tessa soon because she's nervous about the move. There's a note inside too."

Megan carefully wiped the pizza grease off her fingers and pulled one of the Irish fighting knives from her belt to cut the tape holding the box closed. She pulled back the flaps and burst into giggles. The box was full of other boxes of Doc Martens in her size. She counted 4 boxes on top and at least one more layer beneath that. She found the note and cracked it open. "Bebita-" she read out loud. "Told you you needed options. Your prima insisted you needed the glitter ones to match her. A gift for a true Princessa de los Mayas. You did us proud today."

Hank chuckled. "Guess she aced that science test, huh."

Megan laughed again. "Guess so." She found the glitter Docs in the first box she opened and smiled. They were a glittery black. In the other boxes she found other designs. Some with embroidered roses. Some with oil slick rainbows. They just went on and on making her laugh a little.

Taza grinned too. "He did warn you, Chica."

Chibs smiled and sipped his whiskey as he noticed how comfortable Megan was using his gift.

Happy slouched his way to the bar for another refill on his beer just in time for Megan to pull out a pair of Docs that were black with yellow smiley faces embroidered on the ankles. She immediately turned. "Look, Happy." She smiled at him. "Tío Marcus bought me happy face Docs."

The corner of the stoic man's mouth twitched. He nodded and leaned on the bar next to her scratching Rex's ears. "Looks good, Little Girl."

Megan smiled brightly at him again and turned back to pull out the last pair.

Chibs chuckled." Tha' lass is so easily pleased."

Happy nodded again. "She's happy."

Chibs agreed silently and refilled his glass. "Do ya think she's got the skills for this life, Hap?"

Happy shrugged. "She's good with guns. Knives too."

"But she's so innocent..."

Happy snorted. "Hardly. She was a bought and sold sex slave. Her ex-husband tried to kill her. Like a lot." He sipped his beer. "She's got good instincts. She's just comfortable here."

Chibs watched Megan carefully. "Still a hard life."

The Tacoma Killer shrugged again. "Easier with family."

"Aye. An tha' lass isn’a  short of that for sure." His scarred check lifted in a small smile. He watched Happy out of the corner of his eye. "Ya know- Packer's asked for someone from tha’ mother charter for a bit. Ya could do it. Put ya close enough to teach the lass a bit..."

Happy watched as Creeper carried Megan's haul out to the van while she went back to eating and joking with Hank, Taza, and Bishop. "SAMDINO. What's Packer need?"

"He didna' say. Just requested an officer of SAMCRO on loan."

Happy nodded. "I'm in."

"Good. You can ride back with the Mayans part way." Chibs smirked. "Keep an eye on that Lass."

The long day started to wear on Megan early and she retired to a couch in a corner with Hank and Rex where it was quieter. The party raged on, but no one got stupid drunk except a few Sons prospects. Megan cuddled against Hank's side and rested.

"Are you exhausted, mi reina? We can head back to the lodge." Hank stroked up and down the skin of her arm as her head rested on his chest.

Megan smiled and closed her eyes. "It's been a long day." 

"Yes it has. A successful one, but a long one." He kissed her braids softly. "We'll probably head out tomorrow after lunch. Drive halfway back."

Megan nodded. "Which puts me back in the van..."

"No, mi amore. We're borrowing the jeep. The Reaper will pick it up on their next run down."

"Really?" Megan asked, looking up at him from his chest.

"Yeah. And I can always load my bike in the van to ride with you too." He kissed her forehead with a smile. "Your Reaper friend doesn't really think you should be riding the bike long distance in this weather."

Megan giggled. "He was rather upset when we got here." 

Hank chuckled. "That's alright. He'll learn like everyone else that you're tougher than you look." He glanced at where the Tacoma Killer sat with his back against a wall. "Did Taza tell you he's coming with us for this drive? He's going to be on loan to SAMDINO for a bit."

Megan lifted her head to get a better look at where Happy sat. "No. Papa hasn't had the chance." She giggled. "He's been dodging that one persistent crow eater all night so we haven't gotten to talk." She glanced around to find her father playing a game of cards with herTío Bishop, Chibs, and Tig. Said crow eater was hovering nearby trying to catch her father's eye while he was desperately looking at nothing past his cards.

Hank chuckled again. "True. He only told me while you went to the bathroom." 

Megan snuggled back down with a yawn. "I like that Happy's going to be nearby for a bit. It will ease SAMCRO's minds to have a charter member within reach while we start this deal. Plus- Happy's been the contact for all the buyers recently. He can help us transition." She yawned again.

Hank smiled as he watched Megan fight to stay awake. "Alright, mi reina. I think we should head out before you get too tired to ride. We've only got the bike and van here. Let's see if Creep is ready to roll." Megan agreed and rubbed her eyes before standing up to find and put her layers back on. This late- the air would be even colder on the ride back.

After showers and changing into sweats, Megan curled close to Hank where he sat against the headboard sketching. She blinked heavy eyes and listened to the comforting scratch of his pencil. "Hank?"

"Yes, mi reina?"

"Do you have more tattoo ideas for me?"

He smiled and stroked her damp hair. "I always have tattoo ideas, mi amore. Is there something in particular you're thinking of?"

"Mmhm. Papa." She nuzzled close without opening her tired eyes. 

Hank smiled. "What about your papa?"

"Want a tattoo for Papa."

He could hear her drifting to sleep in her voice. "Si, mi amore. I have a design for your Papa. Rest now. You can look in the morning." He leaned down to softly kiss her goodnight, but never got a reply as she was fast asleep.

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It wasn't long before Hank and Happy returned with the promised stencil.  "Here, mi princessa. Let's try this size." 

Megan smiled and began to remove the layers she still wore until she was down to her band shirt. She laid her flannel and hoody across the bar and smiled as she offered her left arm.

Hank took her hand and kissed it before taking the offered transfer gel from Happy. He placed the stencil just below her elbow.

Megan's smile grew as she saw the purple ink on her skin.

Taza looked over her shoulder and smiled softly. "Your first club ink, Chica. Is it what you want?"

She looked up at him and he saw the absolute certainty in those brown eyes. She nodded. “Then it's perfect."

A few hours later, the tattoos were done and wrapped in plastic. Megan's left arm was marked with her very own symbol. On her right- a black feather to mark her as a club friend to SAMCRO. Halfway through the session, Happy had received a text message saying the Wahiwa Lodge was ready for its temporary inhabitants. 

“Alright, Lass? Hank wasna ' jokin’ bout you takin' ink like a champ," Chibs grinned." An now yer proper ready for tonight."

Megan smiled at the Scot and leaned back against Hank as he came up behind her after a final hand wash. "What's tonight?"

Bishop grinned a little. "What else, Poquito? A party to welcome us to Charming town." 

Taza laughed at the dismayed look on his daughter's face. "Let's get to the lodge and unpack a bit. Give la princessa some time to decompress- rest." He winked as he scratched Rex's ears. "A shower and change of clothes wouldn't hurt any of us."

The Wahiwa Reservation guest lodge was all theirs for the duration of their visit. That meant that, for once, everyone had their own rooms. Chibs and Happy had ridden along to make the introductions to the tribal elders as well as so Happy could see that the changes he'd required had been made.

Hank and Megan had a small suite next to the rooms designated for Bishop and Taza. A huge king sized bed- with a brand new mattress- as well as a large dog bed took up most of the room space.

Megan unpacked the three outfits she'd brought along on the run and stared at them in dismay. She'd packed as the Santo Padre Armorer. Sensible jeans, long sleeved shirts, and hoodies were all she had, along with her basic jewelry. She hadn't packed for a SAMCRO party. She groaned softly.

Hank paused in his own unpacking. "Everything good, mi princessa?" he asked from the other side of the bed.

She tried to smile for him. "Of course, Baby. Just... assessing my options for tonight." 

Hank chuckled and came around to cuddle her back against his chest. "Not liking what you see, mi amore?"

"I didn't exactly pack 'party' clothes. I packed warm and practical, but not pretty." 

He softly kissed the back of her hair. "I'm sorry Princessa. We could go see what we can find in town..."

She shook her head. "No time. Especially not if we're supposed to get there with Papa and Tío Bishop."

Hank looked over her clothes. "You know you don't have to dress up for this- right? You'll look beautiful in any of these." He squeezed her waist gently.

"You, sir, are biased." She smiled. "I know I can wear my normal clothes to the party. I just like to look my best when I'm dealing with new people." She turned in his hold with a giggle. "And I like when you can show me off a bit, too."

Hank pulled her into a kiss softly. "I can always show you off, mi reina. You could be in a paper sack and I'd think you shined brighter than the sun."

Megan took a deep breath and settled against his chest to relax for a moment.

A knock at the door broke them apart. Hank opened the door fully expecting it to be Taza standing there to see if Megan wanted her hair redone or Bishop letting them know about dinner plans before the party. Instead, Hank found the skinny SoA prospect standing nervously in the hallway with a large box and a bag.

"Excuse me- is Ms. Megan in this room?" he asked.

Hank grunted an affirmative and saw the relief flash across the kids face.

"Great. Ms. Venus sent me to deliver this to Ms. Megan since she says she knows she wasn't expecting a party." He offered Hank the items and looked ready to flee.

Megan stuck her head around Hank's broad form to smile at the prospect. "Thank you! I'll call her and tell her you delivered it, Prospect." He nodded hurriedly and squeaked out a "no problem" before he scurried away. 

Hank shook his head and kicked the door gently closed before putting the gifts on their bed. "Are they sure that one's old enough to prospect?" 

Megan laughed." Venus calls him Babyface all the time. He's their new one." She smiled softly as she shot off a text to Venus to thank her before even opening the box. Inside was a faux leather a-line dress with cap sleeves. The cut screamed innocent, but the black leather gave the piece some edge. The bag contained ballet flats and a new tube of mascara and an eyeliner pencil- both in black and waterproof.

Hank smiled as Megan laid it out on the bed. "That's going to look nice with your kutte, mi amore."

She smiled again and ran a finger down the bodice seam nearest her. "Yeah. I think so too."

They showered together with Hank gently cleaning her new tattoos for her while keeping her hair dry for the night. The plan was to put tegaderm on the bicep tattoo to keep it from rubbing too much. Her club ink would be kept uncovered. Hank preferred to keep it that way to aid healing. While Hank dressed himself, he kept an eye on Megan. He watched her slip into her bra and underwear. The soft cast allowed her much more independence than the sling had, but she still struggled with some things. Zippers were one of those things.

After doing her skincare, she slipped into the dress that the first Lady of SAMCRO had provided only to discover that the zipper was in the back and out of her reach.

Before she could ask, Hank paused in buttoning his red and black flannel to zip her dress for her- stroking the soft skin of her back. He pressed an open mouthed kiss to the side of her neck with a smile.

Megan smiled back over her shoulder at him. "How do you think I should wear my hair?" she asked.

Hank took her good hand and spun her dramatically to make her giggle and her skirt flare. Her loose hair spun with her. "You look perfect, mi reina. La Princessa de los Mayas."

"Will you help me with my jewelry when you get done getting ready?" she asked, wandering over to the mirror to line her top lids and put a coat of mascara on.

"Absolutely". He finished with his buttons and styled his hair as she slipped into the ballet flats.

Only once her crown necklace and pearl earrings were in place did Megan seem to breathe. 

Hank shrugged into his own kutte before holding hers out to help her into it.

Out in the common room, Taza and Bishop waited for them so they could head back to TM for the party. The other members had gone on ahead.

"Well aren't you pretty. Poquito." Bishop grinned as he offered a hand for a spin. Megan took it allowing them to see the full effect of her gift. "Where'd you get the dress?"

Hank chuckled. "One guess, Bish. La Princessa has friends everywhere." 

"Surely not Happy..." Taza said with a laugh. 

Megan giggled. "No. Not Happy- this time. Venus came to my rescue." 

"Well-don't count Happy out for the night just yet, Chica," her father laughed. "You're gonna want to thank him- again. He sent you a ride."

"A ride?" Megan asked. "I thought we were taking the bikes to TM."

"We are," said Bishop. "You- however- are riding in a jeep that T.O. just finished restoring- with or without your caballero." He grinned. "It's an automatic, so you can drive it yourself if you'd like." 

Hank laughed. "He really doesn't like you getting cold apparently, mi amore."

Megan laughed and looked at Hank. "So are you riding or are you coming in the jeep with me and Rex?"

"I think I'll join you in the jeep, Princessa. That way my bike is here and not stuck at

T. M. when you get too tired to drive home."

A short drive later and they arrived at T.M. Happy sat on the picnic table outside sipping a beer and ignoring the croweater currently trying her best to get his attention. Megan smiled at him softly. "Hey Happy. Thank you for finding another vehicle besides the van for us to use here."

He grunted and smirked. "How's the ink?"

"Not too bad. Hank put Tegaderm on my feather so it wouldn't rub on my clothes." She tilted her right arm to show where he'd tattooed her mark.

The quiet man nodded and checked the seal on the clear bandage himself. "It'll do."

Hank chuckled and shook the man's hand. "Told ya she takes ink like a champ."

Happy only nodded and scratched Rex's ears before waving them on inside.

Inside Megan was hit with a wall of sound as voices and music mingled. Smoke from joints and cigarettes made it all the more disorienting for her. She wrapped her injured arm around Hank's forearm and reached for Rex's collar with her left.

"Easy, mi amore. I know it's a lot at first..." Hank soothed.

"Why are our parties so much calmer than SAMCRO's?" she asked quietly.

Taza appeared at her left with a bottle of water for her and chuckled. "They aren't. You're just always there from the beginning so it doesn't seem as rowdy."

She winced and nodded.

"If it gets to be too much, mi princessa, just let me know. We'll find somewhere quieter." Hank pressed a kiss to her hair and drew her close to his side.

By the time they made it to the bar to greet Chibs and Tig, Megan had settled into the noise a bit. It wasn't any worse than working the bars on Broadway in Nashville. She was just so used to the quiet of Santo Padre now that it took some adjusting. 

"There's tha’ lass! Ya ' alright?" Chibs asked as he saluted her with his whiskey glass.

"I'm good, Chibs. Just a bit unaccustomed to the noise." She slid onto the bar stool Hank pulled out for her and leaned back against el pacificador.

"To be fair- these parties could raise the dead, Sugar," said Venus as she arrived at Tig's side. She grinned and offered Megan a hug. "I just knew that dress was perfect for you." 

Megan took the hug happily. "Thank you for sending your prospect over with it. I only brought work clothes for this run- nothing for a party."

"I figured. Especially since you came down on the bike. Was the ride alright?" the older southern woman asked.

"It was fine. A little chilly, but nothing too extreme," Bishop answered as he took his own glass of whiskey from Chibs. 

Venus raised one manicured eyebrow at Megan. "So, no issues?"

Megan winced. "You're as bad as Happy," she muttered. "I struggled a bit with the enclosed van. That's all. Nothing major."

The First Lady of SAMCRO gave an indelicate snort. "A little? Or a lot?"

Hank soothed Megan by running his hands down her biceps. "She found ways to cope. It wasn't fun, but we made it okay." He pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her head.

"Alright. I'll leave off. Show me your ink," Venus smiled as she sipped a cocktail out of a dainty glass that looked comically out of place in the rough bar.

Glad for the change of subject, Megan turned her arms to show off her new art work.

As the night got later, Hank guided Megan to a couch in the corner for a breather. He waved their prospect down to ask EZ to make Megan a cup of tea and was a little shocked when EZ didn't immediately remember how Megan preferred it. He resolved again to check on the kid sooner rather than later.

When he returned his attention to his princessa, he found her frowning at her personal phone as she scratched Rex's ears. "What's wrong, mi amore?"

"You remember that weird text that I got on the drive up?" she asked.

Hank settled himself on the couch for her to lean on and nodded.

"I got another one..."

That brought a frown to his own face and he glanced around for Taza as he asked, "What's this one say?"

"’A full house is a stacked deck. Know when to fold…’" she replied.

"Fuck. Someone knows the Kings are state side and we're here to meet them."

"That's certainly what it sounds like. But no one should have this number. It's my personal." She handed him the phone to show him the number.

Hank saw EZ returning with Megan's tea. He took it distractedly and sent him back after Taza and Bishop.

Less than an hour later, Megan found herself sitting in the SoA version of an officer's templo. Chibs, Tig, and Happy were the only ones present for the home club, while the entire group of Mayans officers were present.

"Jaysus Christ- who could be trackin 'tha lass?" Chips asked.

Creeper rubbed his head and growled as he examined Megan's phone. "It's not firmware. It's not been bugged. It doesn't make any sense."

Taza nodded. "I bought that phone with cash even though I was attaching it to my plan. Bought it straight at the store- no outside tech handled it."

Happy grunted and chewed his toothpick. "Who's got the number?"

Megan counted them off on her fingers. "The club, Mama, Tía Diana, Tessa, Venus, Letty, and Happy. That's it."

Tig leaned back in his chair. "Only one explanation then- feds."

Bishop sighed. "Gotta be. Probably the ones Galindo is tied up with. They're the only ones with the pull to subpoena phone records. It's nothing for them to try to use your new arrival on the scene to their advantage."

Angel smoked quietly. "So is the phone safe to use?"

Chibs nodded. "Safe enough for personal use. Tha 'lass ain't exactly makin 'deals on her personal phone."

Megan wrinkled her nose. "Absolutely not. I barely use it outside the family. That's why I kept my burner." 

"Right, Little Bit. Leave the fed hotline at the lodge while we're out handling business. They can't track it on Wahiwa land. Hell- we should probably all do that with the importance of this job," Tig said. 

"I'll let the LO know that the feds have moved on from putting tails to possible phone taps on personals. She'll need to know." Angel was already sending a text on the LO burner phone. 

"Of course she will. And, Sweet Chica, they can't connect you to a single thing. Just- ignore messages except for telling us about them, alright?" Taza said smiling gently at her. "We've got you covered." 

Tig frowned. "The Kings know they're constantly followed and monitored on U.S. soil. This shouldn't do more than maybe hurry things along at this point." 

Chibs nodded. "Alright then. Let's let Hank take the lass to bed for the night. We'll contact the Kings and let them know what's doin 'and keep everyone updated- on the burners." He smiled at Megan. "Go sleep. Yer done in."

Megan smiled back at the Scot before standing to kiss his cheek. Hank slid his arm around her waist and let her say her good nights to the other reapers as the party outside raged on. 

"I'm gonna hang back and make sure our guys remember we're here to work ," Creep said as the younger Mayans rejoined the party.

" 'Preciate it," Bishop said as he tossed his beer bottle on the way out the door. Taza joined him as they wrapped up for the ride home.

"Headed out?" Venus asked, as she appeared at Megan's side with her leather jacket for her. "Good. Get some rest and we'll see what plans are for tomorrow so we can plan lunch."

Megan hugged the older woman tightly. "OK. Night Venus. I may be slow to answer texts for the next few days, but I'll try to answer."

"That's alright, Sugar. You've got plenty goin 'on. We'll get some girl time before you leave." She straightened Megan's jacket collar and grinned up at Hank. "Take care of her, Tranq."

"Yes ma 'am," he answered as he guided Megan to the borrowed jeep and loaded Rex in the back.

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The next morning, Megan woke up to a text message from Taza. She reached for her phone from her warm spot snugged against Hank and giggled.

"Mm. What is it, mi amore? Hank asked without opening his eyes.

Megan put her phone down and cuddled back against him kissing his tattooed chest. "Seems like Happy followed the boys back here from the SOA clubhouse last night. Papa found him awake on the common room couch when he got up this morning."

Hank laughed. "Somehow, that doesn't surprise me in the least."

"Is it normal for him to stick this close to a visiting club?" she asked as he stroked up and down her spine through her pajama top. 

"No, actually. Happy is usually the last resort if they want someone to keep an eye on visitors. He hates it."

"Then why..." Megan asked as she frowned.

"Because Happy likes you, mi princessa. He likes you and has kind of adopted you- like Coco or Creep. He doesn't like many people. But he does seem to like you." Hank smiled and kissed her hair.

"Oh," Megan said quietly. " Is that what the feather means?"

"Well- yes. It marks you as a friend of SAMCRO. Someone respected and backed by the mother charter of SOA. They took it to their table just like we did the princessa crowns. It helps that Chibs is also a bit attached to you. So is Venus- and by association Tig." He continued to pet down her back as she relaxed back into his arms. "Chibs described you as a bridge between our clubs."

"That seems like a lot of responsibility. I don't want to fuck up."

"You won't, mi reina. They love you in your own right. Just like our club does. Familia- just a little removed." 

"Okay." He felt her smile against his skin before she pressed a kiss there. "I guess we should probably get up then. Breakfast needs made."

She began to wiggle her way to a position she could get up from only for Hank to tug her back deeper into the warm blankets- trapping her there beneath him. She laughed up at him and slid her hands up over his shoulders to play in his hair.

"Good morning, mi amore," he said before leaning down and kissing her deeply.

Megan enjoyed the kiss as she revelled in the safety of their little cocoon of warmth. When Hank finally pulled back, she smiled up at him. "Good morning, Hank."

He pecked a kiss to her nose. "We can take our time, mi reina. There's no groceries anyway. We'll either order breakfast in, or we'll go find a diner." He dropped down beside her again to snuggle. "Besides, it's not your job to feed the club."

Megan took the opportunity to run her fingers through his hair as they talked. "I know, but if someone doesn't- Coco will drink a beer and call it breakfast."

Hank snorted a laugh." I can't argue with that logic, mi princessa."

A knock at the door paused their conversation. Hank called out- "Yeah?"

Taza answered him through the door- "Prospect is going to pick up an order at the local diner in the van. I ordered for you. You've got about forty-five minutes before he gets back if la princessa wants to shower."

"Thank you, Papa. We'll be out in a bit," Megan called.

They heard him walk away.

Rex had been a very good boy, but he had to be ready to go out for the morning. He was stretching and looking towards the door.

"Alright, Princessa. Why don't you go get the shower started. I'll see if your Papa or Creeper will take the pooch out and then I'll come join you to help you wash your hair." Hank kissed her softly with a sigh of reluctance for facing the chill of the morning. 

"You're sure? I can take Rex out..." Megan said. 

"I'm sure, mi amore. I'd rather keep you out of the cold as much as possible." He smiled as he slid out of bed. "Go get the shower warmed up. You just had time to rinse the road dust off last night. I know your hair didn't get washed."

"Thank you." She smiled at him and slid out of the other side of the bed, grateful for the carpeted floors of their suite.

After their shower, they entered the common room with Megan's hair still wrapped in a towel to find Happy sitting in a chair in the corner nearest their room. He had a pistol disassembled and was cleaning it. Megan recognized it immediately as a Ruger LCR revolver.

She wandered over to get a closer look. "An LCR?" she asked. Happy grunted an affirmative before snapping the final pieces back into place. "Not exactly what I thought you'd carry." She smiled a little.

Happy moved his toothpick to the other side of his mouth before answering. "Back-up."

"Ahh. That makes more sense." She smiled at him as he slipped it into his ankle holster.

"You got one?" he asked as he pulled his pant leg down over his black boot.

Megan lifted her left pant leg to display her own ankle holster. "Since the crash..."

The bald biker nodded and adjusted his kutte as he sat back up.

Rex reappeared with Creeper and beelined to Megan. He promptly sat himself down on her left and nudged under her good hand for ear scratches. Megan giggled and obliged. 

"Does he help?" Happy asked as he reached to pull his toothpick from his mouth.

Megan nodded. "A lot. He's really good for when Papa or Hank have to be gone. EZ got him registered as a Service Dog in training before we left so that no one can make me leave him anywhere."

The grunt Happy let out was nearly cheerful. "Good. Keep him close today."

Hank slipped up next to Megan with a cup of coffee for her. "What's happening today?" 

Happy reached for his own black coffee on the table beside him. "Kings moved up the meeting since we've got Fed attention. They're coming here instead of meeting us at the pub like normal. Keeps the surveillance off." 

Hank nodded. "Makes sense. Feds can't track on reservation land."

Megan leaned back against Hank for comfort. "Are they coming to the lodge?"

Bishop overheard her question from the bar area of the common room. "No Poquito. We're meeting them further in." 

"How long?" she asked quietly.

"After breakfast, Chica,” Taza answered her. "We've got some time."

Megan glanced down at her dark wash jeans and t-shirt, noting that she'd want a hoody later. "Ok, Papa. Can you braid my hair before breakfast." 

"Of course, Sweet Chica."

She gave Rex another good scratch before heading to get her hair stuff- dog in tow.

Hank smiled and settled himself into another arm chair near the reaper.

"She's better," Happy stated.

Hank nodded. "She is. She'll probably insist on riding the bike to the meet though." He sipped his coffee. 

"Got Kevlar?" Happy grunted.

Bishop joined them with a chuckle. "Built into her kutte. Not just ride armor. Actual plates. Coco insisted after the VM." 

"Good."

Hank sat forward and spoke quietly as Megan returned with her jewelry case and hair brush to meet Taza at the table. "Are you expecting trouble? You've been on edge since we arrived. Do you know something we don't?"

The bald biker went back to chewing his toothpick and shook his head. "Just cautious." 

Bishop smiled a little. "Have you ever payed attention to Poquito when she's in the kitchen?"

Happy shook his head expressionlessly.

Bishop chuckled. "You might learn some knife skills if you did. She's more than a crack shot with a pistol."

Hank chuckled as well. "Ain't that the truth. La Princessa must have done most of the butchering of her own kills hunting."

Happy's eyebrows nearly met his head tattoos.

Hank nodded with a grin. "She may look fragile- and she is- but she's not fragile like a flower."

Coco overheard as he came out of the hallway leading to the bedrooms. "Nah. Ma ain't no flower. She's pure nitro." He chuckled and headed for the coffee pot.

Soon enough, Megan returned with her hair in twin braids. Taza had put her silver feather braid weights in, but he'd also threaded some of the feather charms from the reservation into the weaving of her hair. As she passed Coco at the coffee pot, he tugged gently on the braid nearest him to make her smile.

EZ returned with bags of takeout breakfast and began to hand them out. Megan accepted hers from him with a bit of of a tentative smile. EZ dropped his head and looked guilty as hell. "'m sorry about my attitude last night, Princessa. I shouldn't have taken my mood out on you. You didn't deserve it."

Megan's smile widened and she reached out to touch his wrist."It's alright, EZ."

He smiled that Reyes smile at her and nodded before going to eat his own meal.

After breakfast was eaten, Bishop indicated to everyone to hang around for a few minutes. They all settled on couches and chairs nearby with Happy on the outside edge. Once everyone was seated, Bishop caught their attention easily. "You all know why we're here. The Irish Kings want to meet the charter that will be the hub of the gun trade." He met all their eyes. "Don't do anything stupid. Three of the kings are here, but they brought their own people. Be careful who you're talking to- but don't let any Irish push us around either. They are True IRA- they respect strength and they respect competence." He sat forward in the armchair he was seated in. "This is also the first introduction of the position of armorer. They're likely to want to test Megan- to push a little." He glanced at where Megan was seated next to Hank on a couch before turning his eyes on the other members. "They may push to see what we'll allow to be said about her as well. Call out disrespect. Do it right, don't lose your head, and make sure they put some respect on her name and titles. They know we don't allow women to patch. They've pointed it out before as a club weakness. Megan just proves that we respect talent and competence no matter what."

The gathered bikers all nodded seriously.

Taza spoke out as well. "All the same, don't let them separate la princessa from the group. We protect our own and that doesn't change just because we're in business with them."

Bishop nodded in agreement. "Poquito-that falls on your shoulders as well. Stay with a patch- preferably one of your anchors- at all times." He looked to Hank. "I know traditionally you should be at my back at all times at a meet like this. Stay with Megan. Taza and I will watch each other's backs. Caballero before pacificador in this instance."

Hank nodded even as Megan protested. "Tío- no. Hank is pacificador. He should back you."

"He is- by backing you, Poquito. The IRA will expect you to have a handler- one with experience in the gun running."

Taza nodded. "Chibs says that they all go through mentorship in the army. It's how they advance."

Megan sighed. "Alright." 

Bishop nodded. "Stay with Hank-"

Taza interrupted the president quickly "-and never touch any contraband- EVER."

"Yes, sir."

Happy's burner phone dinged and he checked it. "Kings are on the move."

"Alright. Let's go." Bishop stood. "Leave all personal phones behind. We're taking no chances."

Everyone put their personal phones on the table in the common room and reached for their jackets. Megan put Rex's harness on him as Hank went to get her a hoody to layer beneath her leather jacket and kutte. He helped her to slip into it before taking her jacket and kutte from Taza to get it on her as well.

"Where's your gun, Little Girl?" Happy growled. "Too many layers..." 

Megan smiled at him and turned to lift her outer layers so that Happy could see the waist holster tucked into the back of her jeans. It also showed him her fixed blade knife on her belt. "I'm armed. Promise."

"Good girl," he grunted. 

Bishop smirked a little. "Let's ride."

Deeper onto the reservation, they finally stopped at what looked like an open spot of desert like what they used for a shooting range. Creeper released Rex from the front seat before Megan was even fully off of Hank's Road King. She handed Hank her helmet to hang with his and smiled as she hooked his leash to his studded collar and tied the other end off to her belt.

The men spread out to wait. Hank propped himself on the seat of his bike to allow Megan to lean against him for warmth. He unzipped his leather jacket to tuck her closer and out of the wind.

Bishop and Taza joined them. "Alright there, Poquito?" 

"Si, Tío. A little nervous, but I'll be alright."

"Good girl. Stick close. Be yourself."

"Yes, sir."

It wasn't very long before they could hear the roar of approaching motorcycles. All eyes turned to see the rest of the Sons of Anarchy escorting a blacked out hummer across the desert.

Happy joined the Mayans officers and spit a piece of toothpick out. "Here we go."

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After a meal of fast food chicken, Hank watched as Megan's eyes began to droop. "Sleepy, mi reina?"

She nodded and rubbed her eyes with her fist. "Mmhm. Feels like all my energy just whooshed out of me at once." She yawned.

He chuckled a little and patted the bed next to him. He had the t.v. on low with reruns of a motorcycle show, but was sketching in his most recent sketchbook instead of watching it. "Come cuddle up then. It's been a long day."

Megan pressed a kiss to Rex's head before crawling into bed. She pointed at her 9 mm on the bedside table and watched as he showed her where his own gun was for the night before slipping down to lay with her head pillowed on his thigh.

Hank leaned down and kissed her goodnight. "I love you. Sleep, Princessa."

"Love you too." She smiled softly.

Hank swapped the channel to the old cartoons they'd found earlier and stroked her hair with his off hand as he went back to sketching ideas for his next piece.

The next morning dawned cold and clear. Hank could hear movement in both rooms on either side of them at about six in the morning. Megan, however, didn't hear a thing. The ride the day before had really taken a toll on her endurance.

At about six thirty, Hank's phone vibrated softly on the night stand. He reached to check it without disturbing the sleeping woman. It was Taza letting him know that he was about to use the spare key to their room to crack the door just enough to let Rex out. Hank texted back a warning to go slow because the hinges creaked.

A few minutes later the door inched open and Taza called Rex quietly. The big dog glanced at Hank who nodded at him before going out the door to do his business.

Another text came through saying that they were going for coffee and breakfast and would bring some back so Megan could sleep in. Hank smiled. Megan may be reluctant to give her body the break it needed, but the club was going to make sure she was alright.

Hank dozed back off and woke to a soft knock on the motel room door.

"Just me." Taza said." You decent?"

Hank chuckled at Megan's sleepy little whine. "Yeah. Come on in."

The door unlatched and Taza slid in with Rex on his heels. He carried a drink caddy with several coffee cups in it, a donut box, and a bag of styrofoam boxes from a diner. " Good morning."

Megan whined quietly and hid her face in Hank's tattooed chest.

"Morning, Taz. Did we miss an alarm?" Hank asked as he soothed Megan by petting her loose hair down her back.

Taza laughed. "No- but it is 8:45-"

Megan shot up in alarm "8:45?! But we're supposed to leave at 9:00!"

"Easy, sweet Chica. You were supposed to sleep in. We won't leave without you." Taza put his burden down on the tiny table and came to kiss Megan's forehead. "Now- how sore are you this morning?"

Megan groaned softly as she slumped over. "Sorry, Papa. I'm okay. I can make it."

Hank snorted and stretched before getting up. "You're right. You can. Because you're starting out the ride in the van. You're still exhausted."

Megan sighed. "I can ride-" 

Taza handed her two of her pain pills and her coffee. "Of course you can, but why should you?"

Hank stepped into the bathroom to start getting ready for the day once he knew Taza had Megan.

"But I wanna ride with Hank, Papa. I don't wanna give up."

"You aren't giving up, Chica. You're letting your body have what it needs. Besides- as good of a rider as Hank is- you being stiff and too sore or tired to react in time to one of his body cues could cause you to go down. Over extending yourself on a motorcycle is dangerous- and not just for you. For everyone around you as well." He sat beside her legs on the bed and patted her knee. "Ride in the van until the last stop before Charming. Then you can ride with Hank into Reaper territory, okay?" 

Megan sighed and nodded. "Fine."

"Good girl. Now, lemme braid your hair and then I'll leave you two to get ready and eat while I go finish last minute checks with your tío."

Hank returned to the room to find Taza finishing Megan's hair. He rummaged in her backpack for her jewelry case and handed it to the man. "Here, Taz. Her braid weights should be in there."

“Thanks." Taza found them and slipped them onto the ends of her braids before kissing the top of her head. "Beautiful, Chica. We should make Charming by mid-afternoon. We'll go to the clubhouse and see the crows- but the Irish probably won't be there when we arrive, so don't worry too much about first impressions just yet, alright."

"Alright, Papa. Love you."

"Love you too, sweet Chica." He slipped out the door to go be sure everyone else was getting ready too.

Megan smiled weakly at Hank. "Guess I don't have to layer as much today since I'm not riding the bike."

Hank snorted. "Bullshit. The van doesn't have climate control either, mi princessa. You'll want your layers." He leaned down to brace his hands on either side of her on the bed and kissed her softly. "I'm sorry this isn't going the way you hoped, but thank you for agreeing to rest some today."

Megan kissed him back before nodding and dressing for the day- warmly.

After breakfast, they packed up and headed down to the van with Rex leashed beside Megan.

"Mornin', Little Princess. Hank. Hear I've got a partner in crime today," Creeper greeted them with a grin.

"A slightly reluctant one, but yeah." Megan smiled at him.

Hank took her bag to the back to load.

"It's alright, Little Princess. It's not so bad. We get snacks all day." Creeper winked and showed her the bag he had stashed that morning in the front seat from the gas station. He'd made sure to grab all her favorite candies and chocolates as well as sodas for the two of them.

Megan giggled. "Thanks, Creep."

He winked. "I'll even let you change my music." 

"Now that's high honors, poquito," Bishop said as he approached from behind her.

"Morning, Tío."

"Good morning. Listen- I know you said you were mostly okay now, but we're going to change up the riding order with you in the van. Your Papa will stay up with me, but Hank will fall back to ride closest to the van- just in case." Bishop smiled at her. He nodded at Creeper- "And you know the signal to get us to pull over if we need to."

"Course, Jefe. Not a problem." Creeper put the bag between the front seats.

"Good." Bishop patted Megan's shoulder. "Don 't let him talk your ear off."

"I won't, Tío."

Creeper loaded Rex into the back seat while Hank came to help Megan into the passenger seat.

He handed her the pill bottle for her ibuprofen. "Here, mi amore. Use them, please?" He nodded as Megan dropped them into the cup holder. "Alright. Rest for me. We'll be back on the bike in a few hours."

"I'll try, Hank."

"Good girl." He cupped her face in his big hands and kissed her- deepening it when she tilted her head for him. Once he had her breathless and smiling, he pecked her nose with a kiss.  "Love you, Princessa."

"Love you, too."

With one last forehead kiss he shut the van door.

Creeper chuckled from the driver's seat. "It's only like two hours..."

Megan smiled tightly at him. "Yeah- but the last vehicle I was in that wasn't driven by him, Papa, or one of my tíos- I was being kidnapped to be sold as a sex slave. He's worried I'll panic." She put her seat belt on stiffly and tried to settle into the seat.

Creeper started the van with a thoughtful nod and pulled out behind Hank and EZ. "Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Paniking?" he asked.

Megan took a deep breath and reached to scratch Rex's ears as he propped his big head on her arm rest. She let it out slowly. "Little bit."

Creeper reached and squeezed the fingers of her good hand. "Alright. You let me know if it gets worse 'aight?" He pointed through the dirty windshield. "Hank's right there. We'll stop as much as we need to."

Megan gave him a watery smile. "Okay."

"Good. Now-" he rummaged in the plastic sack between them. "Let's get some Sour Patch Kids open to share."

Megan made it to the first fuel stop by sheer force of will and Rex's constant presence. As soon as the van stopped- she bailed out straight into EZ who was coming to grab some water from the cooler.

"Hank!" EZ called as he caught her shaking form. 

Hank rushed around the pump to pull her into his arms. "Shh, Princessa. I've got you. Shh." He rocked her in his arms and tucked her tightly against his chest as she shook.

Creeper came around from the driver's side with a cold bottle of water. "Sorry, Brother. She was determined to fight it, or I'd have pulled over sooner."

Taza rushed over with a sharp look at the Road Captain. “You should have anyway." He rubbed Megan's back gently as they waited for her to calm down.

"She didn't want me to. Said she needed to fight it." Creeper shrugged a bit uncomfortably. "I taught her some tricks to use- sour candy and shit. She really only got bad when we pulled in."

Megan's breathing was evening out as Hank and Taza soothed her. "'M okay. Not his fault."

Hank smiled a little. "Alright, mi reina. Your Papa will stop lecturing him."

Taza snorted." Not likely."

Bishop sidled over. "I take it the van idea didn't go well?"

"Not really. She's been in fight or flight for the entire two and a half hours," Taza growled.

Megan pulled back and wiped her teary face. "I'm okay, Papa. Really. I've gotta work on it."

Bishop frowned. "Would it be better if Coco took over from Creeper?" he asked.

Megan shook her head. "It's not Creep." She tried to smile at the bald man. "It's the van."

Creeper nodded. "She doesn't like the enclosed vehicle. Reminds her of the truck."

"Ah. Hadn't thought of that..." Bishop said. "You don't struggle in the car or the Bronco though."

"Convertible and generally she's packed in like sardines in the Bronco..." Hank groaned. "We should have brought the car."

Megan shook her head and leaned into Hank tiredly. "Wouldn't have made sense. I've got to be able to ride in the van."

Taza pulled her into his arms and cuddled her. "I guess you're back on the bike, Chica."

Megan laughed a little. "No. You were right this morning. The van is easier on my body. I can make it to the next stop."

Hank brushed her hair from her face. "Are you sure? We can figure something else out-"

"Like what?" She smiled. "You and Papa have to ride. You're El Pascificador and Vice Presidente. You ride with our Presidente. Creep is doing everything he can to help me through this. I've got Rex... I just have to push through it, Baby. It's the only way to move forward."

Coco slipped up next to Creeper smoking. "Yo Creep. Did you roll down the windows?"

Creeper looked at him like he was crazy. "You want her to freeze to death?"

Gilly shook his head. "It won't be as bad as being on the bike would."

"Yeah. Plus-wind noise. Don't feel so enclosed then," Coco pointed out.

"Worth a try-right Little Princess?"

Megan nodded. "Plus all those blankets we packed can be used."

Hank frowned but nodded. "Alright."

Bishop agreed. "Alright, Poquito. We'll let you try. We'll stop in an hour for food- see how you are then. If it's still bad- it's only about two and a half hours after the lunch stop to Charming. You can just ride a little earlier"

Megan smiled a little weakly, "Of course, Tio."

Taza frowned and turned Megan to look into her eyes. "Promise me you'll get Creep to stop if you need to. Promise."

“I promise, Papa." 

He nodded reluctantly.

Angel and EZ had filled everyone's tanks while the drama was happening by the van. They were ready to go.

This time, Hank tucked Megan into the back bench seat with blankets and Rex while Creeper rolled all the windows down. He tucked her helmet next to her. "Use your comms if you need to. Panic attacks are a lot worse than looking silly riding in a van with a motorcycle helmet on."

Megan giggled and tilted her head up for a kiss which the big man gladly gave her. "I'll be okay. Either way. It's only another hour- less with the way Tío Bishop speeds."

"Alright, Princessa. I love you."

"Love you too."

When they made the scheduled lunch stop in less than an hour, Megan got out of the van in better shape. She was still shaking and controlling her breathing, but she wasn't mid- meltdown.

Hank cradled her close and let her calm herself against his leather clad chest. "Better?"

Megan nodded, but didn't speak.

"Is she alright?" Taza asked, coming over, still unclipping his helmet.

Creeper slammed the driver's side door. "The wind noise helped but I think she'd do better riding from here. She stopped talking about 10 minutes ago."

"Stopped talking?" Taza asked, alarmed. "Why didn't you pull over when she went non-verbal?"

"I asked her if I needed to and she shook her head."

Taza growled and started towards the man, but stopped when Megan reached for him.

"Easy, Taz. She's not gone non-verbal. She lost her voice from yelling over the wind." Hank assured him. "Let's get her in out of this cold and order her something hot to drink."

Taza nodded hurriedly. "Sorry, Creeper." 

Creeper smiled a little. "You're good, Brother. She's your little princess. Gotta watch out for her."

Taza squeezed the Road Captain's shoulder in response and they all headed inside. 

It was a small place, and they basically took it over. An older Italian couple owned it and as soon as the wife heard Megan had lost her voice- she brought her a pot of tea with lemon and honey. "Poor dear. Maybe this'll help."

By the time they'd all finished their lunch of pasta and salad- with soup and a sandwich for Megan- she was feeling better. Riz produced a thermos of coffee that he promptly dumped out and asked if it could be filled with more tea for Megan. It was and they all headed back out to the bikes.

"Alright, Chica. You're with Hank- but we need to get more layers on you," Taza said.

Megan giggled hoarsely. "Any more layers and I'll look like the Stay Pufft Marshmallow man."

Hank chuckled. "She's as warm as we can make her with what she's got. It's less than a two hour ride and I'll let you know if we need to pull over."

Bishop grinned as he came over from calling the Sons clubhouse. "Less than that. We're closer than we think. The Scot wants us at the clubhouse first- says the lodge isn't quite ready yet."

"That's fine, Tío." Megan looked at Taza and smiled softly. "I'm really okay, Papa."

Taza sighed and drew her into his chest before kissing her hair. "We'll figure something else out for the ride home."

They mounted their bikes after settling Rex in the van and headed out.

Bishop was right. Only an hour and a half later, they pulled into TM. Chibs, Tig, and Happy were all waiting outside for them.

While Chibs and Bishop were greeting each other, Happy strode over to where Hank was helping Megan off the Road King. He growled. "Where's her car?"

"At home." Megan croaked. "Didn't make sense to bring it and the van and we needed the van."

"And why is she sick? And riding?" The bald man chewed his toothpick hard.

Hank smiled at the Son. "Easy, Hap. She just lost her voice. She's not sick. And because enclosed vehicles apparently trigger her." Hank accepted Rex's leash from Creeper with a soft thanks before passing the dog to Megan. "She's alright, man. She's stronger than you think."

Happy grunted crossly and looked Megan over.

Megan smiled at him again. "I'm okay. Just cold. Got any coffee?"

Chibs approached with a chuckle. "Hey, lass." He leaned down to place a whiskery kiss on Megan's cheek. "Prospect just made a fresh pot of tea. Your uncle said you'd struggled a bit on the way up." Chibs looked at his still obviously cranky SAA. "Easy, man. She's here safe. Let's get her thawed out, huh?"

Inside, Happy basically frog marched Megan to sit next to the heater much to an amused Hank's surprise. The prospect brought Hank a cup of black coffee and a cup of tea for Megan, but was sent scurrying back into the kitchen to find honey when Happy barked at him.

At the bar, Chibs sipped on a glass of Jameson while Bishop and Taza settled in with their own hot drinks. The Scot chuckled. "Happy's taken a liking to your little princess, Taza. He went out to check the lodge this morning and came back declaring that there wasn't a room set up right for her and Hank, so he made them redo it."

"Is that why you said the lodge isn't ready?" Taza asked with a grin.

"Apparently, he sent them for a new mattress..." Chibs sipped his drink.

Bishop chuckled. "He'd have shit over the motel we slept at last night, then. Not sure the locks even worked."

Tig snorted. "Don't tell him that. He's been checking security all day."

They watched as Happy finally settled down when Megan was tucked into Hank's side with her tea and Rex across her feet. He sat nearby and cleaned his gun.

"Is he always like this?" Creeper asked as he arrived with his own cup of coffee.

"Nah. He just likes Little Bit and isn't sure what to do with a feeling he can't shoot into submission," Tig snarked.

The men all chuckled.

"Guess it didn't help that she asked him to be her SAMCRO anchor if she has to separate from us, huh?" Taza asked.

"Jaysus Christ. That explains it." Chibs sank the rest of his whiskey. "He's adopted the lass."

"How'd she ask?" Tig asked. "Didn't come across the burner."

Bishop grinned. "Nah. Poquito has a Happy hotline. He gave her his personal."

Chibs laughed out loud and shook his head.

The Mayans and Sons spent time mingling. EZ hopped behind the bar along with the SOA prospect, but Megan noticed that he wasn't himself at all. He seemed jumpy. She patted Hank's knee. "I'm going to check on EZ. He doesn't look so good." She kissed him softly.

"Alright, mi reina. He's probably just tired." Hank grinned as she stood up and took Rex with her to check their prospect.

"Why'd you let her ride?" Happy asked quietly. 

Hank sighed and sat forward, propping his elbows on his knees. "Because it's what she wanted. Hell. She needed it." He rubbed his hair and glanced at the bald biker before letting his eyes drift back to Megan. "We tried the van- she made it two hours but she was in a panic attack the entire time."

Happy winced, "Dog?"

"Rex was with her and he helped, she said, but it triggered some major PTSD shit. We even tried it with all the windows down. She lost her voice 'cause she was yelling over the wind." He shrugged. "Riding was the lesser of the two evils."

A grunt was the only response from the quiet man.

Hank smiled softly. "She really is strong enough to ride, Hap. She was sore and cold last night so I made her try the van this morning, but she could have done it if she had to."

"Doesn't have to." Happy frowned. "I'll send the prospect to find T.O. He'll have something to take her home. Get it back next run."

Hank nodded. "Preciate it."

Megan returned with a frown. Hank offered her a hand to guide her into his lap. "Everything alright, mi amore?"

"I guess. EZ's not himself..."

"What d 'ya mean, Shorty?" Angel asked as he passed by on the way to the bathroom.

Megan looked up at him confused and a little hurt. "He kinda snapped at me when I just went to check on him."

Hank tensed and looked at Angel. "Get your prospect under control, Angel. Now. Before I have to do it for you."

Happy growled lowly. "We got a ring..."

Angel straightened up and turned to watch his brother for a moment. "I got him, Shorty. I'll handle it."

Megan nodded and tucked herself into Hank's chest where he soothed her by stroking up and down her spine.

When Angel turned to return to the bar immediately, Hank started asking Happy about a new tattoo ink he'd heard about. They discussed the merits of the idea behind it while Megan melted into Hank's heat. This wasn't a Mayan clubhouse, but she was getting more and more comfortable with the officers of SAMCRO. It wasn't long before she fell asleep, warm and safe against Hank's kutte. 

Happy grunted softly when he noticed Megan was asleep. "When will you finish her ink?"

Hank grinned. "When she's out of the cast. It's the watercolor wash left. That's a lot for her body to deal with already without throwing in broken bones."

Happy nodded and pulled a piece of paper from his kutte. He handed it to Hank without another word.

When Hank opened it up he found a detailed bit of linework sketched in the shape of a solid black feather. "What's this?" 

"A feather."

"A crow feather?" he asked.

Happy shrugged and rolled his toothpick around in his mouth.

"Megan is a Mayan Princessa,” Gilly said as he approached. "Why would she wear a crow feather?"

Chibs overheard the question and turned on his bar stool to lean back against the bar. "Because- the little lass is a friend of SAMCRO. She's not one of our women to wear a crow- but she can wear a feather." He sipped on a fresh whiskey. 

Bishop sat down his coffee cup and sat back. "Why?"

"Because she's the bridge. She'll connect Mayans and SAMCRO. Especially through this gun deal. It's important that the Kings know who they're dealing with." 

"That's why we're here. So they can meet us. They know they're dealing with the Mayans," Taza said. 

"Aye. They are. But they're dealing with your armorer."

Bishop lit a cigarette. "You're protecting her." He sat down his lighter on the bar. "You want them to know that Megan has SAMCRO behind her too."

Chibs and Happy both nodded, but the Sons President was the one who answered. "Aye. Voted it this afternoon."

Bishop nodded and looked at Hank. "Caballero. What do you think?"

Hank winced a little, but nodded. "More protection is always good... But I don't like her getting a SAMCRO marker before she gets a Mayan one."

Bishop chuckled. "Fair. Think she could take both at once?" He tapped the ash from his cigarette into the nearby ash tray.

"She takes ink like a champ." Hank said." But it's her body. She decides what marks it."

Bishop nodded at that answer before turning to Chibs. "Sounds fair to me."

Chibs grinned. "Aye." 

Conversations resumed around them as everyone settled in again. 

Hank turned back to Happy. "If she agrees, is your rig here?"

Happy nodded. "Got her ink already planned?"

"Got a few ideas..."

Megan slept for about an hour while the men mingled. Hank kept a careful eye on EZ. He noticed what Megan meant about the younger man acting off. He promised himself he'd check on the kid when he got some time.

Eventually, Megan began to stir in her comfy spot against Hank. Her little squeak gave away when she was fully awake. 

Hank kissed her forehead. "Feeling better, Princessa?" 

"Mmhm. Sorry."

Happy glanced at the paper pointedly before ambling off to get a fresh beer.

"It's okay, mi amore. Gave us time to catch up on Reaper business."

Megan rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Yeah? What'd I miss?"

Hank handed her the paper with the black feather on it. "They want you to wear a SAMCRO marker..."

"But I don't even have my Mayan ink yet- or my Princessa ink..." She touched the feather drawing carefully. "I want my club ink."

Hank grinned. "That's what we said, too. You could do both..."

"Both?"

"Happy has his rig here- we could do both tonight if you wanted."

"But- my Mayan ink hasn't been designed yet-" Megan sighed. "If it was- that'd be different."

Taza was near enough to overhear her and laughed. "Chica- Hank's had your club ink designed since the day you got your kutte. You just have to sit for it."

Hank smiled sheepishly. "And it's already been approved by both your tíos."

"Really?" she asked glancing at Bishop. 

He nodded. "Really, Poquito." 

"Can I see?" she asked curiously.

"Of course." Hank waved at EZ. "Prospect- grab my sketchbook from my bag."

Without a word, EZ went to the van and got the book Hank wanted. When he handed it to Hank, he wouldn't even look at Megan.

Hank growled a bit, but flipped to the page directly after the one where they'd designed her patch. "Here's the one that I sketched out, mi amore"

She looked and saw a crowned Mayan emblem like the one on her helmet nestled between rockers like on her patch. She smiled as she traced the crown. "It's perfect."

"Anything you'd change, Princessa?" Hank asked as he smoothed a hand down her jeans clad thigh. "Anything at all?"

She thought carefully. This was her first Mayan ink. It was important, and to more than just her. "Is there a way to indicate Santo Padre on it somehow? To show where I'm from?" 

Happy had wandered back over to examine the design. "Flash." he grunted and tapped just above the bottom rocker. He handed Hank a pencil.

Hank chuckled and leaned forward to add the Santo Padre charter flash where Happy indicated.

Megan smiled as she saw it take shape." Could we really do it tonight?"

"We could do both tonight, Princessa, if that's what you wanted to do," Hank assured her as he handed Happy back his pencil. "Where would you want it?"

"Visible," Bishop said, setting down his coffee cup to accept a beer from the SAMCRO prospect. "Your first club ink needs to be visible, especially with the meetings we have planned."

Megan smiled. "Would it work on my forearm?" she asked Hank.

He grinned and indicated Bishop's own ink on his right forearm." Like your tío’s?"

Megan nodded. "I know you'll have to shrink it..."

Happy grunted. "No problem." Hank smiled. "Let me go get a stencil printed, mi princessa. We'll see how it looks."

Megan nodded and kissed him softly before standing from her perch on his lap. She went to stand with her papa and godfather. "Why the SOA ink?" she asked.

Chibs smiled at her over his whiskey glass. "Because yer a club friend, Lass. Gives ye some more protection."

"Won't it show conflicting loyalties?" she asked.

"Nah. S 'why it's a feather an not a crow..." Chibs indicated the design.

Megan went and got it to look closer at it. The details made the feather pop even with the flat black coloring. "It's gorgeous. Where would it go?"

Bishop sipped his beer and thought, but it was Coco who suggested her inner bicep on the opposite side so the two markers would be distinctly different. "Then you can get both at once if Happy has two guns," he said. He smirked. "Two birds. One stone and all that.”

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Once he was certain that Megan was fully asleep, Hank stepped out of bed. He pulled the covers up high so she wouldn't feel the chill as he made his way to the en suite for a warm washcloth. After they were both cleaner, he went over to her dresser and pulled some pajamas out for her and some sweats for himself. He took care, dressing her warmly, before unlocking the bedroom door so that Rex could join them if he felt like it. When he cracked the door, the big dog lifted his head before padding in to his fuzzy dog bed.

Finally, Hank slipped into bed with his love and felt her automatically cuddle close to his body heat. He fell asleep to the comfortable feeling of her steady breathing against his tattoos.

Megan woke slowly to the feeling of her hair being stroked. "Mm... time to get up?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah, Creeper will be here in about 45 minutes. I wanted you to have time to shower before we ride," Hank murmered."We can tie your hair up so it's not wet."

"Mm Kay," she snuggled close to his chest and rubbed her eyes with her fist.

Hank chuckled and kissed her forehead. "You know that means you and I actually have to move, right?"

Megan whined softly and Hank fought not to react. It was a very similar sound to one she had made the night before. "But you're so warm..."

He laughed again and guided her face up to kiss her good morning properly. "I know, mi reina. Lemme go turn on the water for you so the bathroom's warm, too." He patted her hip gently and then slid out of bed, being sure to tuck the blankets close around her.

While he got the shower heating, Megan sat up in bed, drawing Rex's attention.

The big dog padded over for a morning greeting. She stretched and scratched his ears contentedly.

A knock on the door frame of the cracked door drew her attention.

"Morning, Chica- You alright?" Taza asked between yawns.

"Morning, Papa. Yeah, I'm okay. Not really awake."

Her father chuckled. "I figured. Did you get some sleep at least?"

Megan's face heated a bit. "Yeah. Hank got me to sleep."

"Good. Want me to braid your hair for you or are you riding with wet hair?"

"Would you go ahead and braid it, please? Just going to keep my hair dry in the shower."

"Alright, Sweetheart. Turn on the bed so I can reach and you can stay warm. We need to get a heater for in here. It's not normally this chilly in October." Taza gathered her extra hair brush and hair ties. "Warrior braids?"

"Yes, please."

By the time Taza had Megan's hair braided, Hank came out of the steaming bathroom. "Morning, Taza."

"Good morning. I've got coffee on and Creeper should be here soon." He tied off Megan's braids before going over to rummage through the heirloom jewelry box on her vanity. He came back with a set of silver hair sticks that he used to fasten her braids up out of the way of the shower water. "Just pull the sticks and your braids will come down." He kissed the top of her head. "Dress warm, Chica. We'll put on your braid wraps after your shower."

Megan yawned. "Thank you, Papa."

"You're welcome, Chica." She finally peeled herself out of bed and kissed Hank before stumbling into the bathroom for a quick shower.

Hank shook his head and smiled. "I loosened the lids on her skin stuff so she should be good."

Taza laughed. "She's still so groggy. Maybe, this once, you'd better pick out her clothes. Got a text from the Reaper. They say it's going to be chilly up there for the next few days. Might even rain."

Hank nodded and moved to the closet to grab a fuzzy pullover from Megan's wardrobe. He held it out to Taza. "Can you add that to the stuff for in the van? Gives her an extra layer option."

"Sure, Hermano." Taza took the shirt and smiled before leaving the room.

By the time he heard the water turn off, Hank was dressed in a Henley and jeans with his thick socks on. He had a hoody out as well as his rarely used leather jacket for under his kutte. He'd also laid out a layered outfit for Megan.

On the bed was a heavy pair of black jeans, her white sun shirt, a band tee to go over it and a heavy hoody. Her leather jacket was already under her kutte. Just as he pulled a pair of heavy wool socks from her drawer, Megan stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in her robe. She shivered in the cooler air of the bedroom. "C 'mere, Princessa. Let's get you dressed. I laid out some warm clothes you can layer. Your friends up north texted to be sure we knew to dress you warm enough for the ride," he said, opening his arms to pull her close. "That outfit, alright?"

Megan glanced at the bed and nodded before pressing close to take a steadying breath of Hank's scent. "Yeah. I'm nervous."

Hank tilted her face up to meet her eyes. "Why?" He didn't try to reassure her just yet. He knew she had every right to be nervy.

"My first run. And- what if the Kings find something wrong with the plan? It's my plan. If they don't take it- we're fucked."

Hank nodded. "I understand. The Kings know a good deal when they see one. I think they'll jump at this deal. As for your first run- yeah. I get that." He smiled down at her and kissed her lips softly as he rocked gently with her in his arms. "My first run, I was a prospect." He chuckled. "I'd partied the night before a big run and was so hungover I had to stop to hurl twice on the way to the clubhouse."

Megan giggled. "I can't imagine you as a prospect..."

Hank chuckled before helping her to ease out of her robe and begin dressing. "Your papa and tios have a ton of embarrassing stories about my year prospecting. They probably even have some old photos floating around."

"Who was your sponsor?" she asked as he helped ease the long sleeve over her soft cast.

"Your papa. Part of why we've always been so close."

Megan smiled and finished dressing. "I'd love to see those pictures-"

"What pictures?" Taza asked as he slipped into the room with a travel mug of coffee for Megan.

She sat on her vanity stool to pull on her socks as Hank gathered her holsters. He handed her the ankle holster to strap on, followed by her back up gun. "Pictures of Hank as a prospect. He was just telling me about his first run."

Taza laughed. "Oh, he was so hungover. He was practically green." He glanced mischievously at Hank. "Didn't you blow chunks at every stop before Vegas?"

Hank grinned sheepishly. "Yeah. And it wasn't any better when we got there and Bishop immediately made me take a shot of tequila." He threaded Megan's belt with the knife sheath at the small of her back and her small fighting knife tucked at her hip before helping her shrug into her holster. Taza grabbed her thigh bag and passed it to him, too, while Megan fastened her wallet chain and put her phone in the holster.

"He just wanted to celebrate your first run, brother."

"Bullshit. He wanted to drive home a point about parties before business and he did it well." Hank stood back to look Megan over. "I think you're good, mi amore."

"Almost." Taza held up the braid wraps they'd bought on the last trip. "What color?"

Megan looked them over and sipped her coffee. "Green, I think. To match my patch."

"Good choice," her father said as he quickly laced the leather wraps for her. "Creep got your bluetooth in your helmets this morning. And the new comms systems are ready to go on the bikes. The prospect is installing them during Templo."

"That'll make things a lot easier at the front of the pack," Hank noted as he came out of the bathroom after styling his own hair.

"Oh," Megan looked at Hank. "Is my dust scarf still in the saddle bags?"

"Yes, mi reina. And so are your back up sunglasses." He pressed a kiss to her nose making her giggle.

"Alright- Creep and I loaded the bags and blankets. He's got the crock pot and the condiments and tortillas in the van already. All that's left is to head to the clubhouse," Taza said.

In the Kitchen, Creeper was just packing up his micro-tool kit when they came out. "Mornin' Hank, Little Princess. You should be all set." He patted Megan's helmet.

"Thanks, Creep," Megan smiled and hugged him gently.

The road captain grinned. "Nah. Wasn't nothin."

"How's it work?" Hank asked curiously. "Well- you've got an earpiece since you wear a half-shell. It'll automatically be an open channel with the Princessa. If you wanna connect with the group speaker system, you'll press the button on your earbud." Creeper showed him the button. "It's got a clip to clip to your chin strap too so it don't fall out on you."

"And Megan's?" Hank asked.

"Same deal, just hers is wired into her helmet beneath the last padding layer. It doesn't look too different, but you can hear everything each of you says to each other on the bike." He tilted the helmet to show her a button on the hinge of her jaw piece of her helmet. "For connecting to the speakers."

Taza grinned." That's awesome, man."

Creeper smiled. "Wait until I finish with the princess' bike. She'll be the easiest run riding bike in the club."

After coffee refills in travel mugs, Megan loaded Rex into the passenger seat of the van. She pulled on her jacket and kutte and slid on her newly mic'd helmet for the trip to the clubhouse.

They spent the morning planning the route and trip back up to Charming. The suggestion to meet in Vegas had been shot down by the Irish Kings. They didn't want to be that far from their escape route. Instead, Santo Padre would come to them.

"Will we stay in Oakland again?" Megan asked.

"Not this time, Poquito. Your Tio Marcus has asked that Diana and Tessa focus on packing so that they can be ready to move down here as soon as possible," Bishop said as he sipped his coffee.

They'd ended up closing the bar completely so they could spread out to plan the trip while eating. With EZ on guard outside while he worked on the bikes, it was safe enough.The table in front of them had maps, coffee mugs, and dirty plates every where.

"No. We'll overnight in a motel on the way up, but once there, Charming has arranged accommodations on neutral ground," Riz explained. "They have a reservation near them as well and the tribe there have offered their lodge."

Taza nodded,"The Wahiwa are good people. They're allies to Charming, but no more than we are. Neutral enough to be safe."

Bishop nodded again. "We'll meet the Irish on Rez too. Safer for all involved."

"How many kings actually came?" Hank asked.

"Three. Brogan, Patterson, and O'Leary. Apparently they travel only in threes." Bishop chuckled.

Megan grinned a little too. "And what will my part be in this?" she asked. "Will I need to be silent or speak out if I see something?"

"Well, you'll probably have your skills challenged at some point. They'll want assurances you can do the job. And you can always speak out," her tio assured her.

"Will me being a woman cause issues? Should I act meek and mild or carry my rank?" Megan asked.

Hank snorted and drew her against his side. "The Army doesn't give a shit if you're male or female. Just that you can do the job. As for how to act- be you. If they've got a problem with it, they can get in the ring just like everyone else."

"Hank's right, Chica. Don't cow-tow to these Irish pricks. They'll walk all over you if you do," Taza nodded at the big man.

"So- like I was at the meeting with all the clubs before shit hit the fan?" she asked.

"Right. Keep your head high, but the Irish are an affectionate lot by nature. They won't bat an eye to the way we treat you. We'll introduce you by your title first before your rank. That'll make things a lot clearer to them," Riz assured her. Apparently, despite not holding office- these political games were Riz's specialty. He knew more about all the players than the others.

Bishop looked to Angel. "And Adelita? Did she reply to the message you left her?"

Angel nodded and sat forward. "She did." He cleared his throat. "She also agreed to keep the sat phone close for the entire run just in case the Kings want a conversation."

"Then it sounds like we're set. All that's left is to pack the van and check the bikes." Bishop looked around. "Brothers, this is an all hands on deck run, but it's also possibly the most important run of our lives. Don't fuck it up."

They quickly packed up all the maps and things and put the bar back together. Bishop went to give Chucky instructions about the scrapyard while Taza and Hank took Megan to get the back of the van set up as a rest area for her. She was nearly back to full strength, but she hadn't yet built the endurance for these long runs on a bike. They also weren't sure that the vibrations and leaning on the bike wouldn't irritate her healing bones over a long period of time.

They set up the back bench seat with the blankets and pillows they'd brought and stashed water bottles in a cooler for everyone as well as snacks for the ride. Megan also discovered that someone had found a dog bowl with a magnetic bottom and set it up on the steel floor of the van for Rex.

"All good, Little Princess?" Creep asked as he finished packing go bags in the cargo area.

"All good, Creep. Thanks for letting Rex ride along." Megan smiled and petted her dog.

"Course. Me and the pooch get along fine. Besides- where you go, he goes-right?"

"Right."

Hank pressed a kiss to her temple. "C'mon mi amore. Let's check the bike out. I'll show you how to do road checks for when you start riding."

Megan grinned. "Like you and Papa won't be going along right behind me checking and rechecking anyway..."

Creeper snorted a laugh and couldn't help but grin as Megan giggled.

Hank mock glared at his brother. "You stay outta this. She don't need the encouragement to sass me."

Creep threw his hands up in surrender. "Well she ain't wrong either."

Megan laughed again, "And like you won't be right behind them, Creeper."

"And half the club right behind HIM," Taza joked.

They spent the rest of the morning checking over all the bikes to be sure they were at peak performance levels. This was a long ride and the bikes had to be ready to take the wear and tear. They also tried out the new speaker systems on Hank, Taza, and Bishop's bikes. They could now communicate in more than hand signs and head nods while riding.

Bishop grinned and wiped his hands on a rag while he watched Hank guiding Megan through a basic fluids check on his Road King.

Taza joined him in watching with a smile of his own.

"He can't wait for that soft cast to come off so she can learn to ride, can he?" Bishop asked.

"No, he can't. I thought he'd be a wreck over the idea, but apparently he's not." Taza nudged Bishop with his shoulder. "You're waiting for it too. Want her back in the ring."

"You ain't wrong. Poquito and I have a blast during her lessons." Bish propped himself on his bike seat and crossed his arms across his chest. "We really do need to find someone to teach her to use those knives too."

Taza nodded. "Agreed, but have you ever seen her kitchen knife skills? Even left handed? I'm not sure la princessa was as innocent to knife work as we thought."

About then Coco walked past, snorting gleefully. "No shit. Didn't she say she hunted? Bet she could give Filipe a run for his money in a butcher shop."

That made them pause.

"Shit. Coco's right." Bishop smiled. "Another good skill to have..."

Once all the bikes were as perfect as they could make them, Bishop let out a high pitched whistle. "Let's go see Patty for lunch before we roll. We can leave from there."

Megan loaded Rex into the passenger seat of the van and kissed his head. "Be good for Creep."

Creeper ruffled the dogs ears. "We'll be fine, Little Princess. At least he won't complain about my music like Gilly does."

At the diner, Megan watched as those who didn't want to be associated with the club quickly got their food to go. In the meantime, the waitress dress code became much more risque.

The club settled at tables as usual and were swarmed by the wait staff. Megan found herself in a familiar position at the inside of a booth with Hank beside her. Across from her sat Taza and next to him was Bishop.

After ordering from the little blonde Hank put in her place before, Bishop sat back in his seat and looked at Megan. "So, Poquito, how's the panic attacks?"

Megan smiled. "Much better Tio. Haven't had one in a while. Well- an unprovoked one at least."

"Yeah. Galindo causing that one doesn't count. Not having the same trouble when you can't see Hank or Taza?"

She shook her head. "No. I think..." she paused and looked at Taza. "I think, knowing that Palo is dead and he was the last threat from my old life... I think that settled something inside me."

Hank slid an arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. "She still doesn't like crowds, but she's no worse than Coco."

"And Rex really helps," Megan said, petting him under the table. Patty had allowed him to come in once Taza explained his purpose to her. They were going to look into getting him the training to qualify him as a service dog. He already was task training himself.

"He definatly seems to keep her calmer," Taza agreed.

Bishop nodded again. "Good. Keep him close. Don't let this meeting interfere. The Reaper understands your situation. The Irish will as well."

"I'll just stay close to my anchors. I shouldn't need to be out of sight of all of you at once, surely."

Taza thought a second. "You shouldn't need to be, but is there a Son you'd feel comfortable with, just in case? Venus won't be there. Not for club business anyway."

Megan tilted her head as she considered. "Happy, I think. I might do okay with Chibs too, but Happy is the most likely one."

Hank chuckled. "Well, he did give you his number, mi Princessa. Why not shoot him a text and ask him if he'll be there?"

"No reason he wouldn't," Bishop said. "He's SAA. He'll stick close to the Scot while the Irish are in town."

Hank shrugged. "Still can't hurt for her to ask. I'll talk to him either way when we get there." He smiled down at her before kissing her forehead. "Go ahead, mi amore. Text him."

The blonde waitress returned with their drinks as Megan texted the Son. Talk turned to plans while they were in Charming. The elder bikers were planning to keep the younger ones out of the Sons of Anarchy's way as much as possible. That meant keeping them away from Diosa and Red Woody unless it was a club function.

Before their food came out, Megan's phone buzzed on the table. She turned it over to check it and laughed a little.

"What's up, Chica?" Taza asked with a grin.

"I said I was checking to be sure he'd be there in case I need an anchor in the Reapers. He replied with a picture of, what I assume, is his anchor tattoo." She showed it to Hank, who confirmed it was. "Guess that's a yes."

Hank chuckled. "I'd say so, Princessa."

"So la princessa de los Mayas is also becoming fast friends with the Sons Sargent at Arms." Bishop shook his head ruefully. "Who'd have thought that nervous little thing that we met at the casino would become one of our clubs greatest assets."

Megan blushed and sipped her soda.

The food arriving broke the mood. The men all had cheeseburgers and mountains of french fries. Megan had ordered a patty melt and fries as well. They all dug in cheerfully. Hank watched in satisfaction as Megan finished her sandwich while chatting with Bishop about his plans to continue to upgrade the boxing ring at the clubhouse. She almost finished her fries as well before she pushed the plate away. She'd eaten well at breakfast too. He was proud of her returning appetite.

Once everyone was done eating and Bishop had paid, it was finally time for the entire club to head North to Charming.

"Alright, mi amore. I know we're mic'd now, but the signal if you need to pull over is the same-" Hank said, fastening his helmet before zipping Megan's leather jacket and then her kutte. "Three taps at my waist and I'll pull over as soon as it's safe to do so."

Megan grinned." Okay-" She pulled her helmet on and automatically lifted her chin for Hank to snap her chin strap.

Taza chuckled at her motion as Hank did up her strap. He couldn't help but notice that she always fastened her own helmet when she rode with him.

Hank handed her a pair of stretchy wool gloves. "Here. Use these since you can't wear your leather with the cast."

She pulled them on and giggled as she realized everyone else was already on their bikes and they were just waiting on Hank to leave.

"Good girl." He kissed her knuckles and handed her her sunglasses before getting on his bike so she could mount behind him.

"Ready?" Bishop asked with a smirk. Megan lifted a hand to give him a thumbs up.

The bikes started with a roar that sent gooseflesh down Megan's spine. Bishop gave the signal and started out with Taza and Hank with Megan next. The others all fell into formation with Creeper and Rex in the van guarding their six.

Megan and Hank enjoyed the new bluetooth system immensely. They were able to hold a full conversation on the bike and that made it the best thing ever. In fact they were so involved in their conversation about the books they were currently reading that Megan jumped when the new speaker on the bike echoed in her ear.

"Alright lovebirds. Ready for a fuel stop?" Bishop asked.

Hank chuckled and touched the button on the side of his earpiece that opened the wider channel. "Sure. Give la princessa time to stretch too."

He closed the channel and signaled to Coco behind him. Taza passed the signal back to Angel at the same time.

Megan giggled softly in his ear. "Didn't realize we'd been riding that long."

"Me either," Hank replied. "How ya doing? Any pain?"

"Stiff, but no pain. My legs might cramp though. Won't know until I get off."

"How chilled are you?" he asked seriously. "The wind is kinda brutal today."

"My legs are pretty cold and so are my hands, but the layers and being behind you are keeping my core pretty warm."

"Alright." Hank reached to open the comm channel again. "Can we let Megan warm up when we stop? The cold's cutting straight through these gloves."

This time it was Taza that answered. "GPS says the gas station has a coffee place next to it. Let's stop in there."

"Yeah. Could use a cup myself," Bishop agreed.

A few minutes later, they pulled off the highway at a tiny fuel station. As Hank pulled up to a pump, he guided Megan off the back of the bike. To both their surprise, her legs didn't spasam as they had her first long ride. They'd been going for over two hours.

"You good, Ma?" Coco asked from behind her as she removed her helmet.

"Yeah. I'm good, Coco. A little surprised at how good to be honest." She gunned at the sniper.

He chuckled. "Nah. Told you you'd get used to it."

As Hank filled the tank, Megan checked her cell phone. There were a few texts from Letty checking in and one from her Tia asking her to call when they stopped for the night to talk to Tessa. She quickly replied to those. There was another text from an unknown number though that didn't make sense.

It simply read "We're watching".

Megan frowned. She saw Taza was finished fueling and went to show it to him. "Papa- look at this."

Taza took the phone and frowned. "What the fuck?"

"I don't know. I don't know the number either."

Bishop joined them. "What's up?"

Taza passed him the phone. "Any idea who?"

"Nah. But it could be a burner phone too." He shook his head. "But why would they be texting Poquito? And on her personal?"

"No clue. Who all has this number, Chica?" Taza asked, handing it back.

"The club, Mama, Venus, Tia Diana, Letty, and Happy," Megan said as she tucked it back in her phone holster. "Anyone else has my old number- my burner."

"Don't answer it. It could be a wrong number," Bishop said.

"Or it could be someone trying to track your cell phone movements," Taza said. "Either way- ignore it. Once we're on the Wahiwa land they won't be able to track it anyway. Not without tribal jurisdiction."

Megan nodded. "Alright. I'll let you know if I get anything else."

"Good girl." Taza tucked her into his side while they waited for Hank. "You doing alright?"

"Yeah. Kinda chilled, but I'm not struggling like last time." She leaned into his warmth.

Bishop gently chafed her good hand. "Your hands are like ice, Poquito."

"I know, but my leather gloves don't fit over my soft cast. These wool ones help but the wind cuts right through them."

Angel sidled up to them just in time to hear that last bit. "Shit, Shorty. Your man's got kutte pockets for a reason. Put them hand-sicles in them as you ride." He smirked.

Everyone stared at the tall Mayan.

"What?" Bishop asked.

"La princessa should ride with her hands in Hank's kutte pockets. It's what I make girls do when they say the wind bothers their hands." Angel shrugged.

Taza shook his head in wonder. “Why didn't we think of that?”

Once they were all refueled, they moved their bikes to the coffee shop next door. While they sat at tables, EZ went up to order for them.

Megan leaned into Hank's side in a booth and petted Rex contentedly while the cold seeped out of her bones.

"Excuse me," a voice broke into their conversation, "but there's no dogs allowed in here." It was a barista with a sour look on her face.

EZ came back with a tray with everyone's hot drinks on it. "He's a training service dog," he said matter of factly. "He's a PTSD dog. You can't deny him entry."

She wrinkled her nose. "Yes, I can."

"No. You can't. There's no licensing for a service dog, just training, which he's doing right now. He's not being disruptive or damaging property. He's training with his person. Legally, all you can do is ask two questions- is he a service animal trained to perform tasks and what tasks he's trained to perform." EZ said as he handed out drinks. He winked at Megan. "I did my research."

The barista huffed off.

"Nice going, Prospect," Taza grinned.

"Well… I also may have covered our ass and enrolled la princessa's pooch in an online training course for service dogs." He shrugged a bit. "His patches are in the mail."

Bishop frowned. "You did that without consulting anyone?"

EZ held the open edges of his kutte. "Yes sir. I did. But this way no one can stop Megan from keeping Rex with her all the time."

"And who's paying for it?" Taza asked.

"I did." The prospect shrugged a bit uncomfortably. "I didn't want her denied access somewhere because of him."

Hank frowned. "You should have come to us, Prospect."

Ez nodded. "I'm sorry if I overstepped. I just knew that everyone else was tied up with this run and club business. I didn't want anyone to worry about it if I could just fix it for her."

Megan squeezed Hank's hand and looked up at him "He was only trying to help."

Bishop sighed. "Initiative is a wonderful thing- but don't do it again. Put it to at least one patched member first next time, Prospect."

EZ nodded again. "Yes Sir."

"And let me know how much it was for the course." Taza said "I'll reimburse you."

"Of course, Taza." EZ smiled at Megan. "l'll go over what to say to people like that with you this evening when we have downtime."

"Thanks, EZ."

They finished their drinks and loaded up to ride again. They stopped once more for fuel, but the third time they stopped they pulled into the parking lot of a motel. Megan stretched her back tiredly as Bishop took Angel inside to arrange for rooms for them all. As the new Secretary, this would be part of Angel's duties on long rides like this. The sun was setting and Megan shivered as she unzipped her kutte and jacket.

"You alright, mi reina?" Hank asked as he locked the bike down.

Megan yawned a little and grinned as Creeper released Rex so he could run across the parking lot to her. "Yeah. Tired and stiff, but I'm okay." She squatted down so Rex could sniff her ears.

"We'll be inside soon. We'll probably have to double up from the looks of this parking lot." Hank rubbed the back of her neck gently. The new Kevlar kept her from feeling more than pressure through her kutte.

"It's just for one night. We'll manage." She leaned against him when she got back to her feet.

Bishop returned triumphantly with Angel trailing behind as the lighted vacancy sign went out. "We got the last five rooms they had, but one room is a king and not two queens." He smirked at Megan and Hank. "Think you'll survive sharing a bed?"

Gilly snorted a laugh. "I think they'll live."

"Just keep it down. You're right in the middle of the block," Angel said laughing.

Megan and Hank got their backpacks and the one packed for Rex from the van before accepting their key from Bishop. They were between Bishop and Taza and Creeper and Riz. Coco and Gilly roomed together leaving the brothers to share as well.

Megan immediately put out and filled both of Rex's bowls when they got inside. Only after he was eating did she remove her kutte and leather jacket.

Hank chuckled and put their backpacks on the dresser. "Now, how sore are you, really?"

She smiled at him as she tried to work the buckles of her thigh bag to remove it. "Not too bad..." Hank gave her a long look and her facade crumbled a bit as she grimaced. "I feel like I've been worked over in the ring. Like I'm one big bruise."

He nodded. "About what I thought. You really should have taken a break in the van."

"But I was enjoying myself riding with you."

He drew her into his arms and stroked down her back soothingly. "I know, mi amore. I was too. But you shouldn't push yourself. Tomorrow, why don't you ride in the van for the first leg at least? You can try to nap with Rex and then ride with me later."

She grimaced again as his rubbing hit a particularly sore spot. "I don't want to give up."

"You aren't." Hank kissed her softly and cupped her chin. "Do you know why Creeper drives the van on long runs, Princessa?"

"He's Road Captain. Road Captain drives the van."

He moved to sit in the chair in the room and guided her to sit with him across his lap. "That's true here, but not everywhere. Creep drives the van because he has an old shoulder injury from a gunshot. It doesn't effect him on the day to day, but on long runs- the vibrations of the bikes put him in a lot of pain. Your Papa and tio noticed and made that rule." He cuddled her against his chest and nuzzled her hair. "There's nothing wrong with allowing your body the time it needs. The guys will agree with me."

She huffed a sigh. "My shoulder really hurts. My wrist too."

"Then you should rest them." He lifted her chin to kiss her. "Let's pin your braids up so you can take a hot shower. I'll ask your papa to bring us back dinner when they go out."

They did just that. After she got in the shower, Hank stepped out to knock on Taza and Bishop's door- leaving Rex on guard.

Taza opened the door, straightening the collar of the fresh shirt he was wearing after his own shower. "All good, hermano?"

Hank nodded. “All good. Megan overdid it a little bit today. I've got her showering now, but I'm going to try to get her to take some pain meds and rest. Can you bring us back some dinner when you guys go?"

Bishop appeared behind Taza worriedly. "Of course we will. Is Poquito alright?"

"She's very sore. Nothing some rest won't help."

"Why didn't she ride with Creeper part of the way?" Taza asked.

"She said she was enjoying the ride too much. She's going to start tomorrow in the van, though. Give her body a break before the ride into Charming." Hank rubbed his hair and sighed. "She said she didn't want to give up. I told her about Creep."

Taza blew out an exasperated breath. "Good. We'll bring back food. You go sit on her and make her rest tonight."

"We won't start too early tomorrow either. Not before nine. Try to get her to sleep in if you can," Bishop added.

"I'll try."

Back in the room, Hank found Megan on the floor using Rex as a pillow to read her book. He couldn't help but smile at the massive dog curled around her like a puppy. His head had shot up when the door unlocked, but he relaxed at the sight of Hank. "Comfy, mi Princessa?"

Megan smiled up at him from her cozy spot as she put down her book. She'd put on the sleep shorts and tank top with Harley Davidson logos all over them and topped it with his hoody. "Yeah. Didn't want to lay down on the bed and fall asleep in case we need to go anywhere else."

He settled himself near enough to her to touch without disturbing her. "Nah. Bish and Taza are going to bring us some dinner from wherever they end up eating."

Her shoulders relaxed a little. "Good. When are we leaving tomorrow?"

"Bish said he wasn't rolling his ass out of bed until at least nine, so we should sleep in." He leaned over to kiss her softly. "I think you should take some of the ibuprofen tonight, Princessa. Help with the pain some."

She wrinkled her nose at him.

"I know- but it's better to be ahead of it than to chase it. And we need you sharp tomorrow when we get to Charming. You can't be at your best if you're hurting and tired. It won't make you floaty either."

"I know. I just hate taking damn pills."

Hank retrieved the pills from inside his kutte and handed her two. "I know, but not as much as I hate seeing you in pain." He opened a bottle of water and watched her swallow the meds. "Good girl. Let me shower and then we'll see what's on this crappy t.v. until your papa gets back with food."

Megan giggled and picked her book back up. "Okay."

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"We're all set. Meeting Galindo at the range in an hour," Creeper said as he snapped the burner phone closed.

"Good," Marcus said with a nod. He looked to Happy. "I'll have my conversation while you do your thing, Reaper."

Happy smirked.

Hank patted Megan's hip. "C 'mon, mi reina. Let's go get you armed." She stood obediently.

"Just a second, Tranq," Bishop said. "Lemme get her new Kevlar off my bike." He grinned at Marcus. “Your boy came through." He returned a few moments later with a different kind of Kevlar. "Here. Swap the riding armor out of her kutte for this. Then when she zips her kutte closed- instant Kevlar."

Taza laughed." Thanks, ‘Mano. That'll make Coco happy." He took it from his president to go place it.

Creep nodded as well. "I'll let the others know about the meet. I'll let Coco know about the addition to Little Princess’ gear. Maybe it'll keep him from getting too trigger happy."

Bishop snorted. "Alright. Angel and the Prospect are most likely already gone South. Have Gilly, Riz, and Coco meet us there."

Hank and Megan armed her with her knives and guns quickly and met everyone outside at the porch.

"Sorry, Chica. Probably best if we leave the pooch here and you ride the bike with Hank," Taza said. “The car won't favor the terrain out there."

Megan nodded and scratched Rex's ears. She pressed a kiss to the top of his furry head and gave him the command to stay. Then, she took Hank's helping hand and mounted the Road King behind her caballero.

They arrived at the meeting spot about fifteen minutes before the appointed time. Once off the bike, Hank carefully zipped Megan's kutte for her.

"Move her holster to the outside," Happy grunted. "She'll need it."

Hank froze, but Megan shrugged out of the kutte and handed it to him before swapping it for her holster. Once both were back on, Hank helped her adjust the buckles on her shoulder rig to accommodate the bulk of the leather. "Too tight, mi amore?" he asked quietly.

Megan rolled her shoulders carefully. "Nope. All good."

Happy nodded and tilted his head towards the targets. "C'mon, Little Girl. Let's see that aim."

Megan moved with Happy to the range area and began target practice as the rest of the club barreled up the dirt road. It wasn't long before Coco came to join her with more ammo from the armory. The rest of the bikers settled in to wait.

A dark Range Rover came into view 15 minutes after the designated meet time. It parked and the passengers waited for the dust to settle before Nestor climbed out of the driver's seat to open the back seat door. Out stepped Miguel Galindo in his perfectly pressed three piece suit. When the car first arrived, Megan made as if to stop the shooting she was doing, but Happy shook his head. He guided her to keep going. "Ignore the flash, Little Girl. Don't give him the satisfaction."

Coco caught on quickly. "Keep shootin 'Ma. He thinks he can intimidate la princessa de los Mayas. Show him you don't give a shit."

Megan nodded after glancing to be sure Hank and Taza were both between her and the approaching cartel leader. She continued to shoot- putting bullet after bullet in a tight pattern on the target in front of her. Coco kept himself distracted with her shooting as well, while Happy made sure that the Reaper on his kutte was very visible to the suited men.

Marcus met Miguel with Bishop and Taza in tow. "Appreciate the meeting, Mr. Galindo. I believe we have some important things to discuss," he said as he offered his hand to shake.

Miguel took the handshake with a too white smile. "Of course, Marcus.. I'm hoping you have news I want to hear." He glanced at the other two men. "I assume you've discussed things with them?"

"You didn't really give him a choice with that comment yesterday," Bish pointed out. "Not that it mattered. We'd already discussed things as a club." He lit a cigarette with his zippo.

Miguel buttoned his suit jacket. "Just a business tactic, gentlemen."

Marcus frowned. "So- harassing my goddaughter? Is that a business tactic as well? Because I don't appreciate you bringing her into our business."

Miguel paused. "I wasn't aware that expressing polite concern for the welfare of a vulnerable young lady was considered harassment." He cut his eyes to the range where Megan continued picking off farther and farther targets with her handgun as the others looked on.

Hank stood halfway between the two groups with his arms crossed so that he could see what was happening with his president as well as the love of his life.

Taza crossed his own arms and chuckled a bit evilly. “Vulnerable is not how I would describe la princessa." He pointedly looked between her and the cartel boss. "Especially with her training."

Miguel scoffed slightly, but paused as Nestor leaned over to murmur something only he could hear. Miguel nodded and straightened his shoulders before putting his hands in his suit pants pockets. "You let a well known hitman that close to your family and then question my motives. You do know who you have her associating with?"

Now it was Marcus' turn to chuckle a bit. "Of course. Megan has grown quite close with several Sons- including the Tacoma Killer. He gifted her a protection dog for her birthday. The Scot as well. She's... very well liked in our world." He shrugged casually. "In any case- she is none of your business. Ever. You came to me with an offer at the casino. Now, I'm ready to answer you."

"And that answer is?"

"I require certain... conditions... that will not be violated if you want me in your organization." Marcus reached for his own cigarillo and lighter. "I will never act against my club or my family. I also require guarantees that Megan, my wife, and my daughter are kept out of any cartel business. Any cartel business. They are innocent and are to remain outside your world."

Miguel turned to watch Megan shoot again. "How do you plan to do that with your precious princess as part of your club? Especially with the Feds involved."

Bishop tapped the ash from his cigarette. "Let us worry about that. You just worry about leaving Megan alone. No more early morning spa day offers. No more date interruptions. Nothing."

Taza nodded. "The buisness doesn't touch her and neither do you."

Miguel pursed his lips as if in thought. "I will agree not to instigate anything more than a casual greeting between acquaintances- but if she comes to me of her own accord, I will not turn her away. Fair enough?"

"And the assurance of no action against my club or its members?" Marcus asked.

"I've no reason to act against an ally- as long as they don't act against me. Your club is safe," Miguel said. "So- will you be joining me, Marcus?"

"Pending a table vote by the club- yes. We'll vote it tonight. You'll have my final answer by lunch tomorrow."

Miguel offered another handshake. "Excellent. Glad you made the right decision. I'll have the contract drawn up- with your conditions- and ready for you to sign."

Marcus shook Miguel's hand, and they both turned to look back at Megan only to find Happy watching them closely. The bald Son blatantly stared down the cartel leader and his security with a slightly manic smirk as he loaded a magazine for Megan.

"You really should be more careful about the friends your goddaughter makes, Marcus. You never know when a mercenary like that will turn on her," Miguel pointed out with a nod. "I happen to know, Devante worked with Mr. Lowman several times under my father."

Marcus smirked a bit. "Poquito makes her own choices about her friendships. And we think the training he offers is likely to be beneficial. I thought her caballero made that perfectly clear. Megan isn't fragile like glass, Mr. Galindo. She's fragile like a bomb."

Bishop chuckled. “And twice as deadly."

After a few more pleasantries, Miguel and Nestor loaded up in their slightly less shiny SUV and drove off back to civilization.

Once they were out of sight, Coco patted Megan's good shoulder. "You're good, Ma. Let's get some water, huh?"

Megan relaxed from her shooter's stance and safetied her weapon. "Thank goodness. My ears are ringing and the kickback was starting to bother my wrist."

Happy also patted her slightly awkwardly. "You did good, Little Girl. I think we made our point."

Creeper brought them some water bottles as Megan unzipped her kutte. He cracked Megan's open before handing it to her with a grin.

"And what point, exactly, did we make?" she asked as she sipped from the cool bottle.

Hank walked over with a smile. "That you are a very well connected woman, mi reina. That the Sons of Anarchy as well as the Mayans support and protect you."

Gilly snorted- "And that you're a fucking badass with a gun. Damn, Princessa. Did you miss?"

Coco chuckled. "Not on anything in range she didn't."

Megan shrugged nonchalantly. " Told you I could shoot."

All the men around her laughed as Hank pulled her close enough to kiss her forehead. "That you can, mi amore."

Taza, Marcus, and Bishop came over to join them as they started picking up Megan's brass. "Tio Marcus- how'd it go?" she asked handing Creeper the spent cartriges in her hand.

Marcus smiled reassuringly at her. "All good, Bebita. We'll vote tonight in Templo. Your Tia and Prima will be much closer soon." Megan hugged him tightly, but didn't say anything else.

Back at the clubhouse, they parted ways with Happy. The quiet Son ruffed Megan's hair affectionately before handing her a small piece of paper with a phone number on it and a simple smilely face. “Take care, Little Girl."

Megan smiled and tucked the paper in her kutte pocket. "Ride safe, Happy."

With a nod for the other Mayans, Happy buckled his helmet and was gone.

Taza slipped a gentle arm around her sholaders and smiled down at her. "What'd he give you, Chica?"

Megan pulled it out and showed him. "I assume his cell phone number." She shrugged. "I'll get it in my phone..."

Bishop overheard her and choked on air. Once he'd cleared his throat, he asked. "Really?"

Megan looked at her godfather in confusion. "I mean-it's a phone number with a happy face beside it... Why?"

Hank smiled as he stowed her helmet on his bike. "Because, Princessa, not even I have any number for Happy except his club burner."

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The table vote went exactly the way they expected it to go. Marcus would pause his patch at the end of the meeting. Angel revealed that they now had all the shipping details ready to pass on to the Irish Kings whenever the Scot was ready for them. 

"Sounds like we're all set. This gun deal is going to change a lot of lives." Bishop leaned back in his chair and smiled as he rested his cigarette on the ashtray. "Our alliances are stronger than ever. Our club is stronger than ever. All thanks to one person." He looked at Megan. "Poquito. You've earned that kutte a thousand times over. Don't ever forget that." 

There were whoops of agreement as the men banged on the table with their fists as Megan ducked her head a little. 

Marcus smiled. "It's true, Bebita. And we're all so proud of you for it." 

“Just doing my best to help the family," she said leaning into Hank's side. 

They wrapped up the meeting, but no one stood before Marcus. He finished his cigarillo quietly after the gavel fell. Then he stood and slowly removed his kutte. He folded it in half and walked around the table to Megan's seat. "Here, Poquito. Hold on to this for me until I need it again." He laid it on the table in front of her. "Keep it safe." 

Megan stroked the worn leather with her good hand. "Of course, Tío." She smiled up at him. 

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Good girl." All the men stood up to give him hugs as he walked out of Templo without his kutte for the first time since he founded the Mayans M.C. 

Back in the bar, Hank, Megan and Taza said their good nights and headed back to the ranch for the night. When they got home, Rex was waiting for them on the front porch. As soon as Megan was off the bike, the huge dog was there sniffing Megan all over. She scratched his ears and kissed his head. "Good boy. Sorry we left you so long, buddy." 

Hank smiled. "Next time, we'll just send the prospect for him." 

"Or Chucky," Taza agreed. 

Megan unpacked Marcus ' Kutte from the saddlebag gently. "I'll hang this in our closet." 

 "Good idea, mi princessa," Hank kissed her softly and then led the way inside. 

While Hank and Megan showered, Taza ordered pizza. None of them had the energy for much after a long day. They didn't even turn on the television while they ate. 

"Mi amore, are you sure you got enough pizza? You only ate one slice," Hank asked Megan when she put down her plate. 

Megan smiled at him. "Yes, Hank. I'm sure. We had a big lunch and breakfast. I'm just too tired to eat anymore." 

He nodded and shifted on the couch so that she could curl into his side while he finished eating. “Alright, mi reina. We'll go to bed soon." 

Taza grinned. "And the Prospect picked up my order at the record store today- noise canceling headphones that connect to my stereo in my room." He chuckled." Apparently I should be able to walk all the way to the barn and them not disconnect." 

Hank laughed as Megan's face heated and she hid it in Hank's shirt. "Papa!" 

"What, Chica?" Taza laughed as his burner phone buzzed on the coffee table. He picked it up and checked the number before answering it on speaker. " Bish, you're on speaker. What's up?" 

"Hey. Sorry to disturb your night, but we're gonna have to call a Breakfast Templo again in the morning. Just got off the phone with Charming. Last shipment came in earlier than planned and accompanied by a full house. Gotta plan a major Reaper run and probably leave tomorrow afternoon." Bishop sounded exhausted himself. "Can you make sure Paquito has a go-bag for her and Rex ready? We're gonna need all hands on deck- especially our Armorer." 

"Course, Bish. We'll take care of it. What time do you need us?" Hank asked, squeezing Megan reassuringly.

"Full Templo at seven? Officers by six thirty?" Bishop suggested. 

"We'll be ready, Tío. See you then," Megan said with a nod. 

"Good Girl, Paquito. Your Papa and Hank know the drill. See you tomorrow." He hung up. 

" Well-this should be interesting" Taza sighed, sitting back in his chair. 

"Papa? What did Tío Bishop mean the shipment was accompanied by a full house '?" Megan asked as she began tidying up the pizza boxes. 

"It means, Chica, that the leaders of the True IRA are stateside with this shipment. They call them the Kings." 

Hank nodded. "They're probably here to meet the people they'll be working with. IRA never work with people they don't know." 

"Shit," Megan cursed. "Adelita can't go that far north and she won't let that many people to the camp with the Feds on our tails. How're we gonna play that out?" 

Hank smiled softly at her. "Calm, Princessa. They don't care about that. They want to meet us- not our shipping partners. They want to meet the people doing the selling- not the assembly line." 

Her shoulders sagged in relief. 

"Alright, Chica. Let's get you ready for your first official run," Taza guided her gently towards the hallway. 

They used Megan's battered leather backpack for her go bag. Luckily- she had plenty of travel sized toiletries left. They packed three days worth of clothes- rolled tightly- a small jewelry box for storing her jewelry at night, and her basic hair supplies. She was very good at getting everything down to the bare minimum. Taza did have to remind her several times that it was okay to take things with her. Eventually, the men were more than satisfied with the way she packed for herself. 

Then it was time to pack for Rex. Megan swapped out his collar for the one with longer spikes so she wouldn't forget and packed the temporary bowls from their last trip. She hung his harness and leash on the hook with her kutte. Taza filled Ziploc bags with his food and put them in another old backpack along with one of his rope toys. 

"Papa, how will Rex come along if we're taking the bikes?" Megan asked. 

"Creeper drives the van on long runs like this, sweet Chica. Rex will ride along with him. For that matter- when you get tired- you can too. We'll set you up a spot in there to rest. It's a long ride." Taya smiled gently at her. "We can even fit a bike in the back of the van when we need to." 

Hank came out to settle all three of their backpacks on the bench by the mudroom. "I already texted Creep. He's gonna meet us here with the van at six to load up." He pressed a kiss to the side of Megan's neck. "We can pile some pillows and blankets on the bench seat. Maybe make it a regular thing." 

Taya nodded. "Can't hurt. How many times has one of us had to sleep in the van as guard?" 

Megan grabbed some of the woven Apache blankets and put them by the door too. "Should I put something in the crockpot for breakfast? I could do crockpot French Toast so the officers have something hot when they get there..." 

Hank and Taza looked at her in amazement. "You can do that, Chica?" Taya asked. 

Megan giggled. "Sí Papa. I can even do a breakfast casserole instead if you'd rather. That would actually use up the groceries that would spoil better." 

Hank chuckled. "Let's do that. If we all chop- it will be quick." 

They moved to the kitchen and Megan put Hank to frying sausage and bacon while she and Taza chopped onions, peppers and tomatoes. Once everything was done, Megan threw it all in the crock pot with a bag of frozen hash browns and cheese. She whisked the last of the eggs and milk together with spices and poured it in the crockpot before setting the timer and smiling. "There. Now we have a hot breakfast." She looked very satisfied with herself. 

Taya finished loading the dishwasher and turned it on. "Sweet Chica, I think we need another crock pot for next time." 

Megan giggled. "Okay, Papa." 

Hank pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Bedtime?"

Taza watched Megan as she started putting the salsa and other condiments in a bag in the fridge. "Chica... Are you wired again?" 

She froze before looking over her shoulder sheepishly at him. "Kinda..." 

He chuckled. "Alright, Sweet Chica, I'm going to head to bed- with my new headphones- and let Hank settle you enough to sleep." He pulled her in for a quick hug and kissed her forehead. "Love you, Megan. Sweet dreams." 

Megan hugged him tight around the waist. "Love you, too, Papa." 

Once Tazya was behind his firmly closed bedroom door, Hank grinned. "Rex can sleep out here, mi reina. Let's get you some sleep." 

She giggled and told Rex to stay in his living room dog bed. She knew once he got her to sleep, Hank would crack the bedroom door to let the big dog roam freely just like he did most nights. 

In the bedroom, Hank drew Megan in for a deep kiss. She went willingly enough. When they both ran out of breath, he reached to pull her leggings and tank-top off. "On the bed, mi princessa. Your back is in knots. You can't ride like that." 

Megan crawled up onto the bed and sat- slightly confused. 

Hank chuckled and stripped his own shirt before twirling his forefinger at her. "On your tummy." He couldn't help but lean down to kiss her pout. "You heard me..." 

"What's going on?" Megan asked puzzled. 

"You are going to lay on your tummy on the bed and let me start unraveling the knots your muscles are in, mi amore." He grabbed her lotion. 

"But... I thought..." 

Hank smiled gently at her and pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of her mouth. "And I'm not saying no. I'm just saying this first, Princessa. Your body has had a hard day between the horses, the shooting, and the tension of Templo. Let me soothe it first- then we'll see what happens." 

Megan found herself nodding as she realized he was right. She hadn't ridden a horse in a long time. She was saddle sore. Add in the snake and the shooting- her muscles were probably going to cramp if she didn't let Hank help, and those cramps would hurt like hell on her already healing body. "Alright, Hank." She turned and laid herself face down across their bed.

"Good girl," Hank purred before he joined her. "Let me know if I press too hard, mi amore." He pressed soft kisses to the back of her neck and shoulders as he settled himself on his knees straddling her thighs. Gooseflesh dappled her skin and he opened the tub of lotion to warm some in his hands before gliding them carefully over her skin. He started gently working the knots from her neck and shoulders. He was careful not to apply pressure on the newly healed collar bone or her ribs. Instead he used his massive hands to gently coax each knot to loosen. 

Megan couldn't help it. She moaned softly as her shoulders went limp for what felt like the first time in weeks. 

Hank smiled softly and kissed her skin. “That 'a girl, mi reina.” He ran his knuckles down each side of her spine forcing the tension to release and Megan to moan again. "Does that feel good?" 

"God yes..." she groaned out as he used his thumbs to work the knot at the base of her spine. 

"Good. Wanna try one more thing, okay. Gonna release the tension in your head." Hank ran soothing hands up and down her back. He slipped one giant hand into the hair at the base of her skull and gripped gently. "Take a deep breath for me, princessa. I'm gonna pull, but not hard. Deep breath and hold it." 

Megan nodded softly and then did as Hank asked. She took a deep breath in through her nose and held it. 

Hank carefully exerted pressure on her hair pulling it gently. "And out, mi amore." 

As Megan slowly released the breath, he slowly released the tension on her hair and rubbed her scalp. "You alright?" he asked quietly. 

"Mmm hmm..." 

"Good girl. You stay as relaxed as you can. I'm gonna turn you over, okay?" 

"Kay." Megan sounded kind of spaced out but she was completely relaxed beneath him. 

He gently turned her over so she was on her back before turning the lamps on and the overhead light off. He put her lotion back on her vanity and then joined her back in bed, cuddling her close to his bare chest. They were both only in their underwear and he felt what seemed like miles of her soft skin against him. "How're you feeling now, Princessa? Sleepy?" 

Megan's small fingers began tracing his tattoos across his warm skin. "A little, but not ready for sleep yet." 

Hank nuzzled her hair gently as he held her close. “That's alright, mi amore." He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and spoke against her skin. "Still want more or would you rather try to rest?" 

Megan smiled against his skin and kissed his chest. "You should probably sleep soon. You're the one driving tomorrow. I'm just the passenger." 

He chuckled a little. "I'll be alright. Besides- we won't ride straight through this time. We'll probably sleep at a motel overnight so we’re sharp when we meet the Irish." His hands wandered a bit more on her skin and he stroked her ribs and the side of her breast with his thumb. "Use your words, Princessa. Do you want more? Your body- your choice." 

Megan pressed her face against his shoulder as her skin heated. Hank cradled her close with the arm she was laying on and teased his fingers along the waistband of her panties. "Are you wet, Princessa?" He tugged gently at her only piece of clothing and his voice dropped to a slight growl. "Do you want to cum for me?" 

Megan whined and squirmed. "Please, Hank..." 

"Please what, Princessa? Want my fingers? My mouth? My cook? Use your words, baby, and I'll give you whatever you want..." 

She tilted her hot face up until she met his dark eyes with hers. "Yes. Want you. All of you." 

He chuckled. "Nice try, Gonna tell me what you want one way or another." He cupped her jaw and tilted her face up to his and planted a kiss on her lips. 

Megan whined. "Please Hank. Don't tease." 

He smiled. "Only a tease if I don't follow through... eventually." He tugged her panties down. planting wet kisses down her skin as he went. He took his time running his calloused hands over her skin as she squirmed. When her good hand started clenching the covers beneath her, he gently pried it off and interlocked his fingers with hers. "Ready to choose, mi amore?" 

Megan nodded as she tried to catch her breath. 

Hank smiled and pressed a kiss to her hip bone before moving up to face her. He kept hold of her left hand and met her lips for a kiss. When he finally pulled back to breathe, Megan squeezed his hand. "Empty. Wan' your fingers." 

Hank sucked in a breath sharply before he covered her face in kisses. "Good girl. I knew you could do it," he murmured. He guided her fingers to his hair with a smile before sliding his hand down her side. He gently parted her folds and stroked her. She was dripping. He teased her entrance with his middle finger and found her clit with his thumb before he slipped it inside of her. When he started to move, he caught Megan's breathy moan with a deep kiss. He kept his movements purposefully slow. Her hand in his hair tightened and she threw her head back with a cry when he added another finger. "There ya go, Princessa.” He could feel her tensing as her internal muscles tried to drag his fingers deeper. She was so close. He crooked his fingers to rub along her front wall and was rewarded with another cry. "Right there? Does that feel good, mi reina?" At her nearly frantic nod, he grinned. "You are so close, baby. Gonna cum so hard on my fingers." He kissed down her throat to suck a mark at the top of her breast, before capturing one of her nipples to suckle. The next time he crooked his fingers, he pressed hard on the spot that she liked and Megan detonated. 

Her back arched sharply and she choked on her scream. 

Hank worked her through it, coaxing as much pleasure from her body as he possibly could before gentling her through the come down. "There we go. Good girl." He used his other hand to pull her close to his chest and soothe her tremors while keeping his fingers still inside her. Once Megan could breathe again and the shaking had eased, he felt small hands tugging at his underwear. He chuckled. "Want something, mi reina?" 

"You. Inside me." 

Hank wiggled his fingers inside her gently to make her breath catch. "I am inside you," he teased. 

Megan growled and yanked insistently at the cotton covering his cock. She managed to yank them down far enough to wrap her hand around him and coaxed a moan from his amused lips. 

"Alright, mi reina," he kissed her deeply and eased his fingers out of her as she whined. He shucked his underwear quickly before guiding her leg over his hip so he could press inside her slowly while keeping her snuggled to his chest. He couldn't suppress the growl of satisfaction once he paused to let her body adjust. "You are so wet, mi amore. So perfect." He tilted her face up to kiss her as he waited for her body to tell him he could move. 

She whined a bit at the oversensitivity, but rocked her hips against him. 

He picked up her rhythm and met her with gentle thrusts as he watched her eyelids flutter with exhaustion and pleasure. "Think you can cum again for me?" he whispered against her lips. "I'm not gonna last long." He hitched her top leg higher on his hip and pressed deeper inside her with a grinding motion. 

Megan gasped softly and nodded, wrapping her arm around him to pull him closer. 

Hank kept his thrusts slow and deep. He watched her face until he had to bury his own in her hair. He slipped a hand between them to thumb circles over her puffy clit. "Cum for me, Princessa," he whispered and felt her shudder through a climax as he let go. 

Once his breathing evened out, Hank gently pulled out. Megan gave a sleepy whine and buried her face in his chest. He glanced down at her, only to realize she was fast asleep.

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