Daddy Issues

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I've been working at Teller Morrow for almost a year now and the people here treat me like family. I grew up in Tennessee but when my mom died, I moved out here to get away from what was left of my life and start new. I applied for a job here and Gemma gave it to me five minutes after meeting me. I love these guys. I would do anything for them and I know they would do anything for me. That's how a family works. Or at least that's what Gemma told me. I wouldn't know. My family wasn't close at all. I pretty much raised myself and I've never depended on anyone but myself. I basically adopted the motto that the only person you could trust is yourself. But that's changed a little since I've been here. I've not completely let my guard down but I have started letting them in a little at a time.

It's Friday and there's a party, like there is every Friday night and knowing that we all still have to work in the morning, they still party. "You hanging out tonight Lass?" Chibs asks as he comes in to clock out. "I don't know." I say. "Yes she is and I'm setting you up a dorm so you don't have to worry about driving." Gemm says and I nod. "Thanks Gemma." I tell her. Kissing my cheek she says "We got you baby. Now go in and relax a little. You've worked that cute little ass off all week. You deserve it." she says. I hug her before heading inside with Chibs.

Walking up to the bar, I get a beer and look around at the people that have slowly become the only semblance of family that I've ever had and smile. Seeing Juice and Happy shooting pool with a couple of croweaters. Seeing Jax and Tara sitting in a corner, snuggled up. Seeing Bobby and now Chibs laughing at the prospect. Opie and Piney sitting at the bar on the other end just spending time together. Seeing Gemma and Clay watching the family with smiles on their faces and then seeing Tig sitting on one of the couches with a croweater in his lap kissing her. I turn back to the bar and the croweater hands me another beer. "Thanks." I say. "You okay Penny?" she asks. "Yeah. Just taking it all in." I tell her. "They are a tight family aren't they?" she asks.

"Yeah. They are." I tell her. I sit there a little longer and Bobby walks over. "You hanging out tonight I see." he says. "Yeah. Gemma didn't leave me much of a choice." I tell him laughing. "Yeah. She's like that." he tells me laughing with me. "You know, we're glad you're here kid." he tells me and I smile. "Thanks Bobby. I love being around you guys. Shows me what a real family is." I tell him. "What do you mean?" he asks. "I pretty much raised myself. Mom was a junkie and dad was gone before I was born. I honestly didn't think that real families existed, as bad as that sounds." I tell him. "Well, we're really glad you're here." he tells me before kissing my cheek and heading back to find a girl for the night. It isn't long before I head to the dorm that Gemma set up for me...alone.

The next morning, I wake up and head out for coffee. Walking into the kitchen, Gemma is there at the table with her own cup. "Morning Gemma." I say. "Morning baby. How'd you sleep?" she asks. "Pretty good. You?" I ask. "Good baby." she says. I fill up my cup and say "I'm gonna open up the shop." I tell her before kissing her cheek and heading to the office. It's been slow today and Tig walks in. Sitting on the couch, he asks "You okay Doll?" I look at him and nod my head yes. "Yeah. Just getting things done." I tell him and he nods. A couple of minutes later, a cop car pulls up and we see Hale get out of his jeep. "Where's Tig?" he asks Clay. Tig walks out of the office and I stand at the door listening. "Right here." Tig says as he walks the short distance to where Hale was standing. "I'm looking into a missing person report. Jack Roberts was reported missing. Last seen two nights ago." Hale says. "You're point?" Tig asks. "Well, things happen in Charming, the SONS are usually behind it. Someone saw a man matching your description leaving his house two nights ago." Hale says. "Wasn't me." Tig says. "Where were you two nights ago?" Hale asks. Before he can answer, I step out and say "With me."