Jax and Avery collided like two runaway trains, the force of their desire throwing them together. Their mouths crashed, a desperate, hungry meeting of lips and teeth. No gentle exploration here, but a fierce claiming, a silent acknowledgment of the yearning that had simmered between them for far too long. Avery gasped softly as Jax's hands found the small of her back, pulling her in so tightly she could feel every hard line of his body against hers. Her own hands, trembling slightly, tangled in the thick strands of his hair, her fingers digging into his scalp as she deepened the kiss. Tongues dueled, a frantic dance of taste and texture, each movement igniting a fresh wave of sensation that coursed through their veins. Breaths hitched and mingled, hot and ragged, the only sound in the suddenly small space around them besides the frantic rhythm of their hearts.

Jax's breath hitched as his lips trailed down Avery's neck, each kiss a feather-light touch that sent shivers dancing across her skin. "I missed this," he murmured, the words thick with longing, the sentiment echoing the chasm of time that had separated them.

Avery sighed softly, her fingers tangling in his hair. The familiar feel ignited a rush of shared memories. "No more than I have," she whispered, her voice thick with unspoken longing. She gently pulled him closer, a silent plea to close the gap that remained between them, a mutual desire for reconnection. "But as much as I want this, the timing isn't right. Not here, in my makeshift office with its stained floor and no proper desk."

"You're right." said Jax, nipping at the spot on her neck that he remembered was an erogenous zone for her. "Guess we'll just have to do the same thing we used to do when we were kids and didn't know how to deal with the feelings we were experiencing at the time.

"Lumpy's Diner it is then." she smiled, feeling so light that she wondered if she might actually float away.

*****

Nestled in their familiar corner booth at the diner, a wave of comfortable nostalgia washed over Avery as laughter and stories filled the air. It truly felt like stepping back into their younger days. She remembered how, in a shared teenage struggle against the confusing tide of hormones and a fear of solitude, she and Jax had made it a ritual to call Opie, their steadfast friend, to join them for dinner. That simple act of connection had been their anchor. Today, the scene felt strikingly similar yet subtly altered. The easy banter and shared history were present, but a key element was missing. Back then, Opie's shadow was almost always Donna, his girlfriend, a vibrant presence who completed their quartet. Today, however, the space beside Opie remained empty. Avery couldn't help but notice the quiet absence, a silent testament to the passage of time and the inevitable shifts in their lives. The reasons for Donna's absence hung unspoken in the air, adding a layer of unspoken complexity to their otherwise lighthearted reunion.

"Hey, Ope, how's Donna doing these days? I haven't seen her since I've been back?" Asked Avery as she crammed a French fry dipped in ketchup into her mouth.

"She's doing really well. She's working at the elementary school as a third-grade teacher and raising our kids," Said Opie.

"That's awesome. I remember she always wanted to be a teacher. How many kids do you two have now?" Asked Avery.

"Just two, though she hasn't been subtle about wanting more. Especially since this one here went and knocked up his ex." Said Opie laughing and punching Jax in the shoulder. "But yeah, we have two kids... Kenny and Ellie. Kenny's 6 and Ellie is 8." Said Opie.

At the mention of Jax fathering a son, Avery felt a pang of jealousy course through her system. She knew the situation with Jax and his ex but that still didn't mean she wasn't jealous that he had tried to move on.

"How great is that?" Said Avery, hoping she didn't sound like a jealous ex.

"It's been the greatest adventure of my life. Kenny loves bikes just as much as Jax and I did at his age. Ellie is more like Donna. She's more into reading and making good grades." Said Opie as he dipped one of his fries in mustard. "I can't complain. They're good kids."

"Sounds like it." Said Avery.

The three of them ate their meals, joking and trash talking each other just like they always did. A few times, Avery caught Jax eyeing her. There was no doubt in her mind that he was thinking just how familiar this felt just like she was.

*****

Having finished eating, the three exited onto the sidewalk. Jax and Opie immediately began a coded conversation that Avery suspected concerned club matters, so she used the opportunity to observe her surroundings, something she hadn't done since coming back. Despite a decade passing, Charming seemed largely unchanged, as if ten years was an insignificant amount of time.

The familiar red and white stripes of Floyd's Barber Shop's spinning pole cast nostalgic shadows onto the sun-drenched sidewalk. A small crowd of seasoned patrons occupied the worn wooden bench just inside the entrance, their quiet chatter a comfortable hum against the backdrop of the street. Each patiently awaited their turn for Floyd's skilled hands and familiar conversation. Through the steamed-up window, the interior was a classic tableau: the gleaming chrome of the barber chair, the array of combs and brushes laid out on the counter, and the unmistakable figure of Floyd himself, leaning intently over a customer, his razor moving with practiced precision. The scent of talcum powder and aftershave wafted faintly through the closed door, a comforting aroma that had permeated the town for decades.

Further down the block, nestled between a bustling hardware store and the comforting aroma of Mrs. Henderson's bakery, Maxine's "Shear Perfection" beauty shop was a veritable hive of activity. The steady hum of hairdryers provided a low-level drone to the animated chatter echoing through the pink-painted walls. Every station was occupied, a testament to Maxine's reputation not only for delivering impeccable cuts and styles but also for curating the most up-to-date information circulating in town. For many of the women, their weekly appointment was less about follicular maintenance and more about acquiring the latest scoop to share during their fiercely competitive bridge game held every Wednesday night at the rotary building. The air inside was thick with a fragrant cocktail of Aqua Net hair spray, the sharp tang of perm solution, and the sweet floral notes of various conditioning treatments. Stepping past the window, Avery was instantly enveloped by this familiar sensory blend, a wave of profound nostalgia washing over her, carrying with it echoes of past Saturdays spent waiting for her own mother amidst the same comforting chaos.

Next up was Sherman's Clothing Store which was no longer open but it looked like someone was turning it into some sort of boutique for women's clothing and jewelry. Glancing through the window as they passed, she saw lots of Lilly Pulitzer items that were extremely popular in the Carolina's. She couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Californians wearing the bold pattern but then again, fashion wasn't regional; there were no rules for what part of the country can wear what styles.

When the three of them reached her office, Opie climbed on his bike and headed off towards the club leaving Jax and Avery standing on the curb.

"What are you doing tonight?" Ask Jax as he leaned against his bike and crossed his legs at his ankles.

"Probably gonna be here finishing up what I can. Why?"

"I was gonna go see the kid after church tonight. Didn't know if maybe you would want to come with me. It would give you a chance to be there when Wendy gets served those papers..."

"Jax, you need to use this time you bond with your son," argued Avery. "You don't need me there for that."

"Can I see you afterwards then?" asked Jax.

"If I'm still here at the office, swing by and keep me company. But don't rush your visit with Abel just to come hang out with me." Said Avery.

"Okay. It'll probably be close to 10:00pm or so. You think you'll still be here?" Asked Jax.

"Pretty sure of it. Dad's swinging by the hardware store to pick up the floor sander and dropping it off here any minute. I really need to get all the floors sanded tonight. So yeah, it'll be a late one." Said Avery.

"Okay. See you then I guess?" Asked Jax as he stood and walked closer to Avery before placing his hands on her hips and pulling her against him.

"It's a date." Avery whispered looking up at Jax.

*****

Dust motes danced in the late afternoon sunbeams that slanted through the tall windows of the deserted office building's main entrance. Avery layed on her back against the smooth, newly sanded surface of the hardwood floor, a sheen of perspiration dampening the hair at her temples. A satisfying ache resonated in her muscles, a testament to the hours of relentless work she had poured into the space. The air still carried a faint, gritty scent of sawdust, a ghost of the labor now completed. Every exposed plank of the once-scratched and scuffed flooring had been meticulously sanded, the dull, aged varnish replaced by the raw, pale beauty of the wood beneath. She ran a calloused hand over a section near the doorway, pleased with the even, smooth texture. Tomorrow, the transformation would continue with the application of the stain, promising to bring warmth and richness back to the forgotten grandeur of the building. For today, however, a quiet sense of accomplishment settled over her as she surveyed the expanse of clean, swept floors, ready to receive their next layer of renewal.

Her muscles protested when she climbed from the floor and stood in order to go check her phone. She grabbed it off the stack of boxes that she had placed it on in order to keep it safe, she noticed that it was nearly midnight and that she hadn't heard anything from Jax since he left the office earlier. Worry bloomed in her chest as to why he hadn't called. He told her it would be around 10:00 or so before he could get over to the office to keep her company but that was nearly two hours ago.

Rather than idly wait, Avery decided to go home and arrange to meet Jax the next day. Feeling grimy, she also looked forward to a shower. She switched off the building lights, locked up, got into her father's truck, started it, and drove off.

However, instead of going directly home, Avery drove past the clubhouse and noticed a lively party. She recalled these gatherings from years past, knowing without needing to be there that drinks would be plentiful, marijuana would be openly smoked, and some scantily clad women would be seeking the attention of the men, hoping for a relationship.

A visceral wave of possessive anger crashed over Avery, the mental image of a leggy blonde woman, her substantial breasts undoubtedly pressed intimately against Jax, burning behind her eyelids. Logic warred with emotion; Avery knew, intellectually, that she held no current claim on Jax, their shared history relegated to the annals of the past. Yet, the vivid picture of him inside whatever establishment he currently occupied – she imagined it dimly lit, smoky, filled with the boisterous shouts of men – and the likely scenario of him engaging in crude, testosterone-fueled bets, sent a tremor through her. A deep, unsettling churn in her stomach resurrected feelings she believed long dead, emotions she had carefully buried beneath layers of time and conscious effort. The resurgence of these unwanted affections caught her off guard, a stark reminder of a connection she thought severed, now stubbornly, achingly alive.

The beat of music pulsed through the air, vibrating the very ground beneath the tires of the aging pickup truck as Avery eased it forward. Headlights swept across a chaotic tableau: a sprawling expanse teeming with motorcycles glinting under the harsh glow of makeshift bonfires. The air hung thick with the mingled scents of gasoline, woodsmoke, and something vaguely metallic. Clusters of figures, their faces illuminated in flickering orange light, moved with a restless energy. Laughter and shouted conversations mingled with the amplified music, creating a wall of sound that washed over the truck. Avery squinted, her gaze darting from one group to another, a subtle tension tightening her grip on the steering wheel. She was searching, scanning the crowd with an almost imperceptible eagerness, hoping to catch a glimpse of a specific head of sun-kissed hair, a particular swagger in the set of broad shoulders. He wasn't supposed to be here, a small voice whispered in the back of her mind, a voice quickly drowned out by the louder, more insistent thrum of anticipation. Each passing face was scrutinized, each silhouette briefly considered before being dismissed. A knot of unease began to twist in her stomach. Jax hadn't mentioned any gathering tonight. The clubhouse was usually quiet on Sunday evenings. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over her – confusion, a flicker of annoyance at being seemingly out of the loop, and a sharp, unwelcome pang of jealousy at the thought of him with someone else in this very moment. Despite the internal turmoil, a stronger impulse tugged at her – a yearning to reconnect, to simply see familiar faces, to lose herself for a little while in the easy camaraderie of the group. It had been too long.

Driven by a longing to revisit the club scene, Avery arrived at T.M. in her dad's truck, parking it away from the main area. Her disheveled appearance and potential odor were insignificant compared to her determination. Tonight, she intended to demonstrate to the club's female patrons that the attractive blonde man they likely desired was still hers. After his earlier declaration of love, she refused to allow him to spend the night with someone whose name he might forget by morning.

*****

Because of Church, and the unexpected visit of The SONs Belfast charter that resulted in an impromptu party, Jax had barely had enough time to go visit his son at the hospital, much less make time to visit Avery as he'd promised. In fact, it had completely slipped his mind until he saw her strutting across the lot as if she was dressed for the party.

"Is that– oh she looked pissed?" said Bobby as he strolled over to where Jax was sitting on the picnic table smoking a cigarette. "You better go handle that before she ends up breaking noses. We know she is good for it."

Jax chuckled, recalling Bobby's story about a girl from another club charter who had set her sights on him for the evening. Unbeknownst to her, Jax already had a fiercely loyal woman who was prepared to defend their relationship against any rivals.

"I'm going to assume since she's here, you two picking back up where you left off?" Asked Bobby.

"I sure hope so." Said Jax. "

"She's setting down roots Jax. Why else would she have bought an office here when she could have gone anywhere else and made more money? It's a pretty safe bet to say that girl's not going anywhere. So don't even go thinking that she's going to leave again." Said Bobby as he took a hit from the bowl he always carried in his pocket.

Before Jax could respond, Avery's eyes found him in the sea of people, and her stride lengthened. She made her ways, with purpose, towards Jax, tossing a hand up in greeting to anyone that recognized her.

"I'll let you handle that," said Bobby. "Just remember this... That boy of yours is gonna need a mother figure in his life. Something better than the bitch that gave birth to him. I couldn't think of anyone better suited for that position than Vee, if she's up to it and you're willing to risk getting your heart broken."