RANDI USED HAPPY'S SHOULDERS as support to get on the bike behind him, slowly lowering herself before wrapping her arms around him almost shyly, as if he hadn't been buried deep inside her last night and this morning.

"Okay, we're good to go", she told him, her cheek already pressed against his back, smiling as Happy relaxed under her firm grip.

But the engine didn't start as expected, instead his hands found their way to her thighs, rubbing over her dark jeans before pulling her closer to him, drawing a soft gasp from her. A soft chuckle rumbled through his chest, only then did he let his bike roar to life and took the same route he took every day to drop Randi off safely.

It took no more than fifteen minutes for Happy to park in front of the dance studio, a huge, grey building that stood among many others in the middle of Seattle. Two homeless people always sat outside the grocery store next to the studio and people in suits rushed past them frantically, their phones pressed tightly to their ears.

Happy turned as Randi slowly slipped off his bike and eyed the brunette. Her flawless face was slightly hidden behind her long brown hair that fell straight over her shoulders and shone in the cold morning sun, just like the few green spots in her brown eyes.

"Want me to come inside with you?", he asked in a croak, pulling her towards him by her wrist after taking off his sunglasses and helmet.

"Whatever you want. You don't have to come inside, but you know you don't have to wait in the cold for hours either", Randi replied softly, smiling down at him as she placed her hand against his cheek and rubbed her thumb over his stubble. "Last night and this morning. Iᅳ"

"I know, won't happen again", Happy grunted, not willing to start another argument with her. "I'm not stupid, woman."

"I never said that." A small smile graced her lips, confusing Happy for a moment as he looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. "What I was trying to say; I don't want this to stay a one-time thing, Hap."

"We talked about this", he said seriously, even though her confession triggered more in him than he wanted. "You know it won't work unless you come back or I come here."

The silence stretched between the two, his eyes never leaving hers. It was Randi who finally leaned down and claimed his lips, sighing softly into the kiss as Happy's hands found her hips, squeezing them roughly as she slipped her tongue in his mouth.

Deep down she knew he was right, but she didn't want to talk about that right now, didn't want to start another argument.

Her hands roamed over his chest as the kiss became sloppy but no less intense, the looks of the others unimportant in that moment. It was one of Happy's hands that now slipped to her ass to pull her flush against him that elicited a throaty groan from Randi.

"You wanna give me another boner?" Happy growled lowly against her glossy lips, a innocent smile forming on them while her hand slid discreetly over his crotch. He grabbed her wrist roughly, stopping her in her tracks with the most serious but sexiest look. "You better stop or I'll show you right here and now what greedy women get."

"Is that a threat or a promise?", she asked in a whisper, her grin only growing as she took a step back and eyed Happy. "Sounds more like something I'd quite enjoy", she added with a wink, half-turning on her heels.

"Don't push it, woman", Happy warned, a playful twinkle in his dark eyes that roamed over her body. "Might gonna give you what you want later if you stop being such a tease for the next few hours."

Randi chuckled before chirping her reply, her arms raised in defense. "I can't promise anything."

And with that, she crossed the street, her steps quick as barely a few seconds went by without a car coming, and after pushing the door open and sending him one of those perfect smiles, she disappeared inside the studio.

She wasn't greeted with a friendly 'good morning' from her dance students as usual, but by her boss, who snaked his way through the small group of women and stopped in front of Randi, his hands on his hips.

As always, he smelled of stale smoke, the outline of his cigarette pack clearly visible on his trouser pocket. The smell hit Randi immediately, but it didn't bother herᅳ after all, she had grown up in a clubhouse and was used to much worse smells like booze and cheap pussy.

"Why's that guy here again?" Shaking his head, Steven let his arms sink to his sides before ruffling his dark blonde hair. "He's scaring our students, Miranda", the man clarified. "Who is this guy anyway? Got a new boyfriend?"

"Good morning to you too, Steve. And to calm you down, no one in my class minds if he's here or waiting outside, I've already asked themᅳ and I know they would tell me if they'd feel uncomfortable." Randi's right eyebrow shot up, amusement flashing in her eyes but also something challenging. "Even if it's none of your business, but that's my ex who's just visiting."

Nobody had to know why Happy was really here. Not that she wanted to hide her family, she didn't. But it was nobody's business that there was a war going on in Charming with her own family on the front line and that she needed a babysitter because someone could put a bullet in her head at any time just to hurt the club. She didn't have to give her boss a heart attack with such revelations about her life.

The brunette followed Steven's scrutinizing gaze as it slid to the floor-length windows that gave him a good view on the street and Happy. The SAA's eyes stared right back, his forearms resting loosely on the handlebars of his bike.

Something about him worried Steven, stirred him up inside. "Still, I don't want him hanging out here all the time. You can meet somewhere else in the future."

Slowly, Steven turned away again after escaping Happy's gaze, a look that sent a shiver down his spine, and studied Randi, whose dreamy gaze was still focused on the man outside, her pupils practically heart-shaped.

"Hey, Randi." With slight annoyance in his tone, Steven snapped two fingers in front of her face. "Did you hear me?"

"Jesus Steve. Yes, I heard you", she sighed deeply, her attention now back on her boss who was looking at her like she was a little child who needed to be scolded. "Is that all? Are you just here to complain about him?"

"Even though that was part of my reason for coming; no, I'm actually here for something else." He placed a hand on the lower part of Randi's back, ignoring the way she pulled back a little, and led her to the small bar. "You have to do me a favor."

Steven's hand slipped from her back before he took a few steps until he stood in front of Randi, a charming smile on his lips that never reached his eyes. "I know you want to focus on your dance class right now, but we've had ten more registrations from parents for their teenagersᅳ we can't put them in a class with the advanced ones."

"And now you want me to take over a second class?" Randi frowned before letting out a sigh, Steven's pleading expression answer enough. "I don't know. I'm here six days a week, four of which I have my class and the other days I take care of the bookkeeping and learning new dance choreosᅳ another class would mean I have no free time at all anymore."

The funny thing was that last week she wouldn't have cared at allᅳ she wouldn't have thought twice and would've agreed straight away. But now she glanced over her shoulder, looking outside at Happy, who was on the phone but still kept an eye on the studio.

Things had changed, her attitude, her dreams. She still wanted to dance, live out her dream, but now that she and Happy had become so close again, could she even be without him again?

"It has something to do with him, doesn't it?" Steve asked, a certain arrogance in his tone, leaving a bitter taste in Randi's mouth. "I gave you the job, Miranda. You know why? Because you were the only one who sounded genuinely excited, because you were the only one I saw that this was really your dream."

"And I'm grateful for that", Randi said firmly, taking a step closer. "The job was my absolute dream, Steve, but I'm just not sure I want a second class right now, okay? Stop guilt-tripping me into something."

"You better think about this again", the man snarled, his tone holding a warning. He had every right to be pissed, right? "The dance studio is my baby, Miranda, take your job seriously."

Without giving her a chance to answer, her lips already parted, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his gray trousers and quickly stormed out of the huge room to cool off, leaving Randi conflicted.

ᅳ

RANDI SANK ONTO THE COUCH, her heart aching as Happy's words sank in. He had barely said a word when they had gone grocery shopping after dance class earlier, instead he had trotted thoughtfully beside her, lost in his thoughts. And now she knew why.

"You really have to leave today?", she asked quietly, swallowing the lump that formed in her throat. "Youᅳ you could stay a while longer."

Full of hope, she looked up at him, her doe eyes holding something pleading. But Happy just shook his head, whereupon she slumped her shoulders and dropped her gaze, sighing. She hated it, even if it meant that her family was safe againᅳ after all, the lockdown was being lifted.

"Look at me." Happy crouched down in front of her, grabbing her chin so she had to look at him. "You knew it would come to this. If I stay longer now, it'll only get harder to leave, little girl."

Randi nodded silently, her eyes shining with unshed tears, but she put on a brave smile, for him. "No, I know. Besides, the others need you back, right? I'll be fine here."

"You can always call me, Miranda, any time. Two in the afternoon or two in the morning, I'll pick up", he croaked, nothing but sincerity in his words. Gently, he pulled her closer by her chin, pulling her into a fleeting kiss. "But I can't do this back and forth shit. If you ever decide to come back, I'll be there."

"I don't deserve any of this, not after I just left you then", she whispered as she gently let her forehead fall against his. "I want you to be happy, Hap. You deserve it."

"Won't be happy without you", he stated with a shrug, seeing no point in lying.

Randi shook her head with her lips pressed together, swallowing softly. "I just want you to know how sorry I am for leaving you then."

He felt that tug in his chest again as a sad smile formed on Randi's pale red lips, the same color as her flushed cheeks. He looked at her for a moment longer before standing up and clearing his throat, trying to hide his own emotionsᅳ as always.

"I know", he assured her, his stoic expression back. With a heavy heart, he pressed another kiss to the top of her head before throwing his duffel bag, which was already packed again, over his shoulder. "Take care, little girl."

"Hap, wait." Randi shot up as Happy turned to leave, grabbing his arm. She pressed her lips to his one last time, a few tears rolling down her rosy cheeks. "Take care of yourself too, please."

"Always", he grunted, his hot breath hitting her skin. "See you around."

Randi couldn't answer, the lump in her throat too thick as she watched Happy sent her one last, barely noticeable smile and then head for the door, his swagger anything but enthusiasticᅳ but he had to leave before it hurt them both even more.

The moment the door slammed shut behind him, the first sob tore through Randi, her mouth covered with her trembling hand to stifle the sounds. This felt like a second breakup, a breakup she didn't wantᅳ but she couldn't just walk away and give up everything she'd worked for.

ᅳ

ABOUT TWENTY-FOUR HOURS LATER, Randi's phone rang, tearing her out of her trance. Since yesterday, she had only left her bed to use the bathroom, and had even called in sick, which never happened before. But the fact that she had to say goodbye to Happy again hit her hardᅳ harder than she expected.

The brunette squinted her eyes as she reached for her cell, the bright screen a stark contrast to the dark room. Randi hadn't even turned on the fairy lights, instead she wanted to hide under the covers and forget about the world.

Her heart sank and a sigh slipped over her lips when she saw her father's name flash on the screen. Secretly, she had hoped it was Happy to tell her that he had arrived safely. Clay probably just wanted to know if she was okay.

So, to calm him down too, she took a deep breath and answered the call, trying to sound as cheerful is possible. "Hey Dad, what's up?"

"You have to come home, Miranda", demanded the tired voice on the other end of the line, and she could practically see her father rubbing his face. "It's about Happy."

"What about him?" Randi shot up, her heart stopping at the thought that something might have happened to the love of her life. "Dad! What about Happy?", she pressed after a while, panic clearly audible in her cracking voice.

"Not on the phone", Clay replied with a deep sigh. "Just come home, sweetheart. We're waiting for you."

And the he line went dead. Randi panicked, especially because she had no idea what was going on. Clueless and worried to her core, she threw back the covers, stumbled out of bed and ripped a duffle bag out of her closet, which she filled with the most important things.

Adrenaline rushed through her veins, cold panic through her bones, so she only needed ten minutes to pack everything and get dressed and then stormed out of her apartment. She didn't care how late it was, that the drive would take about seventeen to eighteen hoursᅳ she had to know what happened to Happy and she prayed to God, probably for the first time in her life, that he was okay.

She would call Steven or one of her colleagues tomorrow, right now all that mattered to Randi was getting to Charming as quickly as possible.

word count; 2531