She wanted to be different, her dreams were big. Living in a small town wasn't her choice. She was born there and ever since visiting her aunt in New York, when she was 10, she knew she had to get out.
After her mother passed and her father started drinking she knew her smarts would help her get out of this heck town.
Tara pushed herself into the books, minimal friends meant more time for study and excellent grades would get her the scholarship she needed.
Due to her dad's drinking she made herself scarce around the house, he didn't even notice she wasn't there but someone was cleaning and cooking whilst he has at the pub. The nights he came home earlier then she had expected were the worst.
He stank of booze and his fowl mouth wasn't helping her already non existent self esteem.
"Why wasn't it you ? " he would shout and throw things at her.
She watched as he did his routine, cuss at her, grab a beer and pass out on the couch.
Tara knew it was all the booze talking and not him. He loved her, right ?.
She woke up to a loud bang, without even thinking she raced to the noise, there he was. The man who was meant to protect her, laying out on the kitchen floor.
" dad, are you ok ?" She asked and cautiously walked up to him. He didn't make a sound. As she approached him, he grabbed her ankle and pulled her onto the ground. She tried to kick him to brake free but copped a punch to the right eye.
'Great, how will I hide this one ?' She thought to herself.
She got up and headed to her bathroom to get ready for school, it was gunna be a long day full of pitiful looks and unwanted concern.
At school she kept her head down and walked towards her locker, thankful that her one friend, Donna, had ditched with her boyfriend. She wasn't up for the French inquisition about her face. She had applied makeup to cover it but, Donna would know something was off.
Her day had gone by all too quickly and the thought of heading home made her stomach turn. She made her way to the library, she could hide out there untill it closed. as she approached the steps she saw three teens smoking, she paid no attention and headed towards the doors.
"Tara !"
(Shit, it was Donna) keeping calm she waved and kept walking.
"Hey Tara ! Come over here!"
( shit, it's too late to run)
She turned and walked over to them, thankful for wearing her mothers ray bans to school today.
"Hey Donna, missed you in biology today. I copied my notes for you." She said not even acknowledging the two guys standing with her.
"Thanks, umm Tara this is my boyfriend Opie and his mate Jax"
Tara looked over at them, wow opie was tall, really tall and Jax, shit he was hot.
" hello, nice to meet you both, Opie, I've heard heaps about you. "
She realised as she spoke they were all looking at her face.
" I have to be going, got an essay due next week, I need to do some research. "
She turned to bail, but jax grabbed her wrist.
"Hey darlin', what happened to your eye ?" He tilted his head and removed her glasses. For someone she had just met he sure looked worried.
" I'm really clumsy, fell over in gym class." She glared at Donna to back up her story, Donna just nodded.
" ok, well we are going to the diner if you wanted to join us ?" Opie asked
" thanks, but I'm busy. I need to get this done and get the last bus. Have a great time"
She walked off, shit that was close, she muttered to herself.
Before she knew it the library was closing, she packed her bag and headed out.
She saw him before he saw her, wow, he was leaning against his Harley, hands in pockets and his blonde hair was moving with the breeze.
" hey, Tara !" He yelled as he saw her trying to sneak by.
" hi, how was the diner ?"
" boring, those two are always all over each other."
She laughed, her green eyes glowed. He watched as she relaxed and had a good laugh.
" so you mentioned getting the bus, I thought I would save you the trip, wanna ride ?" He smirked at her.
Shit, on that ? No way her brain screamed but her heart skipped a beat. She had to get out of here before something embarrassing came out of her mouth.
" thanks, I'm good with the bus." She started walking, he followed.
" well, I'll get the bus with you"
" ha ha" she chuckled " is this how you get all those girls hanging off you ?"
He stopped and looked shocked, no one ever said no to Jackson Sex God Teller.
" what does that mean ?" Slightly hurt and taken back he growled at her.
She stiffened up, " nothing, just was curious is all".
The bus pulled up, she waved him away and get on. A group of seniors were giving her the eye as she sat down, one came up and sat next to her.
" your not his type honey, so back off and leave him for us !" She hissed.
" he's all yours" Tara snapped back.
( god, what was with this day ? ) she thought as she put on her head phones for the journey home.
Her weekend was the same old same old. Cleaning up after her father, hiding in her room with the door locked and dreaming of her escape.
She needed a job, money was tight and she had better start saving for college, she knew her dad wouldn't be of any help. Christ, he probably wouldn't notice she had moved out untill he tripped over the mess he had made.
Sunday afternoon she headed to the local diner to ask about work.
Charlie was nice enough and gave her a start, even thou she had no experience as a waitress. Her shifts were ideal, straight after school and she would get home after her dad had passed out, finally things were looking up.
Her alarm was blaring in her ear, she leant over and smashed the snooze button. Nobody likes Mondays !. After two alarms she moaned, switched it off and got ready for school.
As she headed out the front door her dad yelled at her,
" where do you think your going ?"
"School daddy, I'll be home to cook dinner"
She ran out the door and hit something, somebody hard and fell back. The wind was knocked right out of her.
( who the hell is in my drive ?) she thought as a large warm hand pulled her up.
" sorry darlin', didn't realise you would come running at me."
It was jax, god he smelt good. A combination of grease, cigarettes and cologne.
" Jax, what are you doing here ?" She asked all flustered.
" thought I'd give you a ride to school ?" He smiled and she melted.
(Shit, dad. Did he hear us yelling !) she panicked.
" you shouldn't be here jax, I am quite capable I've getting myself to school. How did you know."
He cut her off mid sentence." Donna, I bugged her until she told me where you lived "
She froze, unsure of what to say, wait until she saw Donna.
" well, thanks but the bus is a safe ride"
" oh come darlin', let me take you ?" He was nervous, Jax Sex God Teller was nervously kicking his white sneakers in the dust, his hands were in his pockets and he was looking down.
" if I do this, you have to promise you won't come to my house anymore." She looked straight into his piercing blue eyes, he tilted his head and smirked.
" If you do this, I will not come to your house" his eyes were pleading her to get on his bike.
They were staring at each other for what felt like forever.
"Tara ! Get back here you bitch !" Her father had staggered his way to the porch and was screaming at her.
Jax puffed up and stepped forward, she placed her hand on his leather kutte,
" ok, let's go !" She readied herself and he passed her a helmet. She climbed on and lightly held his kutte. He grabbed her hands and wrapped them around his waist.
" hold on tight darlin'" and they were off.
He turned away from the school, she squeezed his hip, but he kept on going. Ten minutes later they pulled up to a large tree in the middle of a field. He turned off his Harley and helped her off.
" why are we here ?" She questioned him, looking really uneasy.
" because you are gunna tell me about that black eye you had last week and your old man yelling just now."
She closed up, " please just take me to school ?" She whispered trying to stop the tears welling up in her eyes from bursting down her porcelain face. He gently wrapped him self around her and she let go, small muffled sobs that graduated into loud breathless sighs.
" hey, Tara. Look at me. " he gently whispered into her ear. She looked up her green eyes puffy and red rimmed, he could see into her soul, she felt a comfort and a feeling of home.
" what's going on ? Did he hurt you ?"
She stayed silent then began to tear up again.
" I promise I will protect you but you need to tell me what's going on "
He slid down against the big tree,pulling her onto his lap.
With his arms wrapped around her, she had never felt safer then right now. Slowly see steadied her breathing and told him the story.
Jax sat holding her listening to her recount the ordeal that was her home life.
"I'll kill him" Jax grunted.
" no, you can't. It's not him, it's the booze. He really does love me. He doesn't remember all the hurt full things he does." She explained.
" Tara, he's your dad. He is meant to take care of you, not beat you cos he's drunk. That's not right. You can't stay there !" By now he was fuming, she could hear a change in his voice.
Why did he care so much ? Her life dramas were not his problem. They had just met. She had to go, she had told him too much.
" can you please take me to the diner, I don't wanna be late for my first shift ?"
" ok, I'll pick you up when you finish and we can sort this out."
She didn't have any strength left to argue she nodded her head and headed to the bike.
Her first shift was a success, well that's what Raquel had told her any way. Tara liked the older women, she was smart and well groomed. Raquel had helped Tara all shift, it was a comfort and she was thankful it had taken her mind off everything else.
As the two were finishing up the bell on the door rang,
" sorry, we are closed" Raquel called without either of them looking up.
" hey darlin' are you ready to go ?" A husky voice asked.
Shit ! She had completely forgotten Jax said he would pick her up.
They both looked up at him.
" hey, almost. I'll be out in five"
He just smiled and turned and sauntered out of the diner,
"Wow, your with Jax Teller ?. That's a surprise " Raquel giggled.
" we are not together " Tara sounded offended at her comment.
" sorry, I just assumed, he always gets his way you know " she gently poked Tara.
" his just giving me a lift, thanks for your help today. I really appreciate it."
" your welcome doll, better not keep the prince waiting" she giggled and Tara playfully slapped her arm.
He stood up and walked towards her as she came out the door.
" hey, how was your first day ?" He asked as he hugged her.
She hugged him back, taking in again his scent.
" Raquel really helped me, it was harder then I thought. " she admitted.
What was it about him that made her so honest ?
" ready to go ." He asked as he passed her the helmet.
" yeah, I'm exhausted and ready for bed, can you please take me home ?" She asked in a soft plea.
" Tara, I don't want you to go back there. What if he hurts you again ?"
" he won't, I don't have anywhere else. Besides he will be passed out by now. " she looked down and climbed on the bike.
" ok, but promise you will ring me if anything happens ?"
She nodded, feeling very over whelmed at his sudden desire to protect her.
He dropped her off, she handed over her helmet and quickly walked inside.
" where the fuck have you been whore ?"
He was really drunk and he launched at her throat, they fell. She tried to get away but he hit her then spat in her face.
" your mother would be ashamed of you tramping around on a motorbike !" He hissed.
She regained control, slapped him hard across the face and ran to her room. Once inside she locked the door, changed and cried untill eventually sleep won out,
Throbbing and the taste of blood greeted her as she woke up. She grasped the sheets and pulled them tighter around her, not daring to get up and check over the damage. She laid there thinking about the harsh words that were spat at her in an alcohol fuelled rage. The tears were wetting her pillow before she could stop them. She laid there sobbing untill sleep took over again.
She had been dreaming of her escape when the banging on a door abruptly woke her, she curled up fearing he was awake and ready for round two.
" Tara ! Tara ! Let me in !"
She recognise the voice but couldn't bring herself to climb out from the safety of her bed.
He couldn't see her like this, she didn't even know what she looked like but from the throbbing in her face, the taste of blood and the all body aching she knew it wasn't good.
" Tara ! I'm serious, let me in or I will brake down this door !" He was getting angry.
Great, now he was pissed at her too !
He kept banging and yelling, she gave in when she realised her dad must not be home as he hadn't reacted to all the noise. She wrapped herself up in the covers and went and let jax in.
" Jesus Christ !. Babe"
He came to her at once, touching her face gently and wrapping himself around her.
" what the hell happened ?" He asked quietly but she could see the anger growing under the surface.
" he heard your bike and flipped out. I I I've never seen him like that " she stuttered her eyes were glassy and she was shaking.
" come on, get some clothes, we are getting out of here "
She nodded and he followed her to her room. They packed a Bag and headed outside.
Jax, rang someone then they climbed on his bike and took off. They headed to the wealthy side of charming. Tara was unsettled on where they were headed.
Who had he called ? Where were they going ?. There were a million thoughts running through her head, then they slowed and pulled up in a fancy drive.
Before she could get off the bike, a brunette woman came running down the stairs. She was tall and covered head to toe in leather.
Shit, his moms house ?
" Jesus Christ Jackson, what happened ? " she yelled and made way to Tara helping her carefully off the bike, Tara's legs gave out from under neath her. Jax ran to her side scoped her up and then took her in the house. He laid her down on the couch and his mother grabbed the first aid kit.
" at some point I want an explanation, but for now I'm Gemma, jax' mom." She stated rather abruptly.
" I'm Tara" she whispered, too scared to talk loudly, Gemma was very intimidating.
" Jackson, ring chibs, she is gunna need stitches, I'm guessing we aren't taking you to the hospital ?" She asked.
" I'd rather not, if that's ok ?" Tara softly replied.
" ok sweetheart."
Chibs, bobby and Tig were there fast. Tara panicked when she saw all the leather and guns.
" Jesus Christ Jackie Boy, what the hell happened ? " chibs asked looking very concerned. Bobby and Tig genuinely looked shocked.
" it was her dad, he's a drunk. Got pissed off she was on my bike last night" jax explained putting his head down, how could he have let this happen ?.
Chibs cleaned her face up, stitched her forehead up and pulled the throw up over her.
She was asleep in no time.
They all headed to the kitchen.
"Jax, what the hell is going on ?" Gemma stood over him from his chair.
" I met her the other day,she's Donnas best friend, she had a black eye. Wouldn't explain it. Yesterday she told me all about her mother dying and that her dad's a drunk he gets pissed and blames her for her mothers death. I dropped her home from work last night and when she didn't show up for school I knew something was wrong." He shuffled uncomfortably looking in where she was sleeping.
" what do we do here jax ?"Tig asked concerned.
" I don't know brother, she can't go back there. "
" well, she can stay here. I know her dad. He probably won't notice she is gone. I'll ring the school and let them know she isn't well."
" thanks ma" jax kissed her cheek and went back into Tara. He sat watching her sleep.
He woke to her grabbing his arm.
"Hey" she whispered.
" how you feeling darlin'" he moved closer and hugged her.
" sore and hungry. Where are we ? " she looked so innocent and confused.
" at my moms. How about you have a shower and I'll bring you something to eat ?"
She nodded in response. He led her up to his room.
" use my shower, when your done climb in bed I'll get us some food."
He went to walk away, she grabbed his arm.
"Thankyou." She said and he held her close.
When he returned she was snuggled up in his bed wearing his sweat pants and samcro tshirt.
"That's a good look on you" he chuckled admiring her form in his clothes.
" sorry,I only packed jeans. These looked comfy."
" no worries darlin'. Hope your hungry. Gemma cooked us up a feast. "
She moved over and he took off his shoes and jeans then climbed in with ate then curled up and watched a movie.
A week had passed and they had not left the house. Jax had woken first and went for a ride to see opie and Donna. Tara woke to a knock on the bedroom door.
"Come in " it felt awkward as it wasn't her room.
" hey sweetheart, just came to check in with you. How do you feel ? Can I get you anything ? Call anyone for you ?"Gemma softly asked as she sat on the bed.
" no, Thankyou. You have already done so much for me. I'm feeling much better. I think I might head home today." Tara forced a smile.
" I'm glad your better but your not going home. I don't know what is going on with you and Jackson but I do know you can't go back there until your old man sobers up for good." She gently pulled Tara into an embrace.
Tara bag to cry," he doesn't mean it. It's just the drink talking. I know he loves me and would be ashamed if he could see what he does. I need to be there for him, make sure he's eating and cleanup around the house. There's nobody else to care for him."
" that's bullshit !. If he cares for you he wouldn't be getting drunk all the time or beating on you. He is the parent, he should be cleaning up after himself, cooking for you and making sure your safe. He gave up being your dad when your beautiful mother passed." Gemma kissed her forehead. " we will take care of you Tara, no matter what happens. We are your family now. " Gemma held her and comforted her as her tears fell.
" family" she whimpered.
" yes, family. I'm guessing you have forgotten what that is. Well sweetheart you have just walked in to the biggest family in charming. If anyone ever tries to hurt you again they will have to deal with me, let's get outta bed. Have a shower then We will go shopping and get you a few things. " Gemma got up to leave the room.
" Thankyou"
She nodded at Tara and left.
A month had passed. Tara had fit perfectly into the teller-morrow household. The guys at the club welcomed her with open arms, bobby had taught her to drive. Her and jax were getting really close. Clay and Gemma had noticed and decided to was time for Tara to move into the spare room. Gemma took her shopping to decorate it however she liked.
" Gemma, I really can't let you buy me all these things." She protested.
" you don't have a choice, don't you get it ?. I never had a daughter, now I get to spoil you and make up for it. Just hurry up and pick out a bed so we can meet the boys at the clubhouse already." Gemma was getting impatient with Tara, she was more then happy to buy her these things but really wanted to see clay and jax before they left for the run to Nevada.
As they pulled up to the clubhouse clay and jax came over.
" here's my girls, how was your spending spree ?" Clay asked all upbeat.
" hey baby, it was great. Someone got spoiled" Gemma laughed.
" good, how are you Tara ?" Clay smiled at her.
" I'm good thanks. You guys ready to go ?"
" yep, just been waiting on our girls to say goodbye, weren't we son ?"
" yeah, hey babe." Jax said as he wrapped around Tara, kissing her passionalty.
Wow, their first display of public affection.
" alright, get a room. " opie laughed as he walked over.
" hey gem" he kissed her cheek. " hey Tara" he picked her up and squeezed her.
" hey,you've got your own old lady" jax grumbled and pulled Tara closer to him.
They said their goodbyes and waved the boys off.
Tara grabbed her books outta the car and headed to the picnic tables outside the clubhouse. Gemma went to the office to get some work done.
They were both in their own little world, when a car sped into the compound and opened fire. Tara was Hit in the shoulder and dove under the table to hide. The cars sped off and Gemma came screaming towards her.
" Tara ! Tara ! Baby are you ok ?"
Her face went pale when she saw her under the table with blood everywhere. Lowell and piney came running from The garage.
" call an ambulance ! " Gemma screamed in horror.
Tara woke up in st. Thomas. Her shoulder hurt and so did her head. The hand that was holding her was her father, she freaked out and pulled away from him.
At that moment Gemma came through the door.
" what are you doing here ? " she screamed " get away from her you sick bastard !"
Jury and piney heard the commotion and came running in.
" you heard her Get Out !" Piney yelled moving towards Tara's dad.
He put his head down and moved to the door, he looked up at Tara but she looked away.
" Gem, where's Jax ?" She asked.
Her father knew he wasn't welcome, he also knew he deserved that and left.
" he is on his way baby, bobby and tig are here. Clay and jax will be back tonight. How you feeling ?" She sat next to her on the bed, tears welling up. " I thought we were gunna lose you " she wept.
"Gem, I'm fine. Really. I'm tougher then I look." She laughed and pain coursed through her body.
" I know baby, just relax. I'm trying to get you outta here so we can go home." She kissed her head." Now get some sleep" Gemma sat back in the chair and Tara dozed off.
Jax arrived in the middle of the night, he climbed in next to her and went to sleep. Tara woke up in the morning hot and uncomfortable, when she turned and saw jax she didn't care, she just snuggled closer and tried to go back to sleep.
Three days after the shooting they released Tara. Donna and opie were at Gemma's waiting for them. Donna hugged like she wasn't gunna let go.
" alright, my turn" opie laughed, he leaned down and gave her a bear hugg. " glad your alright, don't know what he would do without you" he kissed her cheek and nodded towards jax. Clay walked in door.
" welcome home princess." He gave her a hugg and kiss then passed her a gift bag.
" thanks clay, what is this ?" She questioned staring at the bag.
They all smiled and watched as she opened it,there was a set of keys. " no you didn't ?"
" yes we did !. Come on take your old man for a spin !" He chuckled.
Tara walked outside,in the drive was a black camero.
" she's a beauty, I can't accept this !"
" why not ?, it was my first car. The boy has a bike no need for a cage and you are like the daughter we never had, so it's only fitting that we give her to you. She's fully restored and ready to go," clay and Gemma were beaming. Tara looked over at jax who's smile couldn't get any bigger if it tried.
" thank you thank you thank you !" She said as she hugged clay, Gemma then jax. She burst into tears " no one has been as kind to me as you guys, I really love all of you"
"Hey, come here. It's a good thing. We are all happy" jax held her.
" I know, it's just so overwhelming," she explained.
" oh, one more thing sweetheart" Gemma said as she walked over to her " happy 16th birthday !" Gemma hugged like Tara imagined her own mother would have.
" happy birthday." Clay hugged her. " now weve got an hour till the party, if I know you and gem that means we have 10 minutes to take her for a spin" he chuckled. Tara and Gemma both tilted their head and gave clay the same look.
" wow, you two are spending way too much time together." Jax chuckled. Then everyone joined him.
They all piled in the car and Tara took them for a lap of town,then they all headed upstairs to get ready for the party.
Jax quietly snuck into the bathroom while Tara was in the shower.
"Hey, jax, I'm naked in here !"
" I know"he replied and she giggled as he undressed and joined her in the shower. His eyes looked her up and down. His hands drawn to her curves, she melted under his touch, they had fooled around but never this intimate. He was admiring her body, she was taking in all of his muscles and how they moved when he touched her. They kissed, gently at first but then desire overtook them, hands were moving all over discovering the secret folds of each other, that until now had been hidden. Jax stopped and pulled back.
" jax ?"
" not like this,I want our first time to be special." He whispered in her ear. She melted even more.
" jax, I want you now" she nibbled on his ear.
"No, don't get me wrong I want to ravish you but not like this. It's special to you and I want to do it properly, plus Gemma might walk in"
She giggled, even more turned on. He saw her green eyes glimmer.
" I'm getting out, I'm losing control" he moaned, kissed her cheek and disappeared.
Tara was flustered, she stayed in there until Gemma came to hurry her up.
"Knock, knock. Sweetheart, we need to leave soon." She yelled through the door.
"Ok" Tara replied and giggled.
The whole drive to the clubhouse, Tara and jax were glued to each other. Clay and Gemma exchanged a knowing glance and both smiled.
The clubhouse was pumping, there were kids from her classes, sons, cro eaters and the Teller-morrows.
Everyone came up and wished her a happy birthday, she hugged and thanked them. Then snuck off outside to be alone.
Clay noticed and followed her.
" Tara, are you ok ?" He asked concerned.
" yeah, everything is great, I love my car, this party and all of you but I wish he was here. I really wanted him to see my family and feel guilty for his actions. Please don't get me wrong, I know he is a bad person but I wanted him to see how much love I have for you, Gemma, jax even samcro."
Clay laughed " I don't blame you, don't let him ruin your night. Me and gem knew your mother, she would be so proud of the strong young women that you are becoming, now get your arse back to your party." They both laughed. She kissed his forehead and headed inside to jax.
Somewhere around midnight jax and Tara snuck out. They walked hand in hand to the house.
