***

My first fanfic. Probably the last! I find Tig fascinating, but I don't buy into the representations of him as either a big kitten under the surface, or as an abusive bastard. I'm not very fussed about authentic continuity, but I'm working in an AU that's after Donna's murder but before the season 2 mess with the Irish.

-B

***

Interesting Tidings

"There are interesting tidings from Lodi." Clay said, with a smirk on his face. He rested his forearms on the table and looked into the eyes of his brothers. "Darby fucked up, bad. Turns out the good man was drug trafficking. Who knew? He's serving 10 years, 5 before probation. His second in command and some of their goons went down too. Huge bust."

"How'd that happen? They're in good with law there." Jax asked.

"Agent Goddamn Stahl. She stuck out on us and the True IRA, but hit a homer when she swung for the Nords. We lose Darby, she gets a promotion and fucks off, we all win."

"You get this from Unser?"

"And Hale. They'll be almost as happy to see that bitch outta here as we are."

"Are the Nords totally out of commission in Lodi now?" Bobby asked, putting his cigarette out and leaning forward, elbows on the table. "Because that's a hell of a power vacuum to fill, brother. Someone's going to want a piece of that action, and meth is some risky action."

"Unfortunately, no." Clay frowned. "This is the part I'm not so sure about. Some supremacist piece of shit took the reins on that clusterfuck. His name is Matthew Connor. We know anything about him?"

Happy cleared his throat. "That man is psychotic."

All eyes turned to the Nomad. Tig raised an eyebrow, and Jax blinked. Clay asked, "What do you mean?"

"Rumour is he's into crazy, dangerous shit. He doesn't just shoot people—he cuts bits off first. The women he uses don't walk away when he's done." Happy said. "He could bring a world of hurt into our neck of the woods."

"And bring ATF right back on our heads, if he's careless." Tig said, disgusted.

"He ain't fond of the Sons, either." Happy added. "I think we might have more problems than we did before."

"Shit." Clay said. "That takes the fun out of it, don't it. Well, at least we're clear of Stahl. Now, other club business…"