The towel dropped to the floor after being used to wipe the remaining droplets of water, revealing the black ink that made up a back tattoo. A large dark angel with a scythe in her hand and a ball by her feet with a red A covering it and SAMCRO written across her shoulder blades over the angel's head.
Elle sighed. She was twenty five today and she had to finish getting ready and head over to her Aunt Gemma's for a family dinner before heading over to the lot for a traditional SAMCRO birthday bash. But before she could do any of that she was heading up to Stockton to visit her father. Big Otto Delaney had been in prison since she was 16.
Elle remembered that day as if it was yesterday. The SAMCRO bikers, who she mostly referred to as her uncles, were upset and angry when the police took Otto away. Gemma held her mother, Luann, to stop her from running after the patrol car while the other 'Old Ladies' stood behind the pair; weeping. A 16 year old Elle was being restrained by a 21 year old Opie. She was kicking and screaming as tears fell down her face.
"Daddy!" She screamed repeatedly. Otto looked over at her with a sad look on his face but he didn't fight the officers. He mouthed 'I love you' to both his girls and sat in the back of the car. Luann got free of Gemma and ran to Elle. Opie let her go and as the police car drove off the lot, everyone shifted their sights to the heartbroken pair in the middle of the lot driveway.
She came out of her thoughts and pulled on her heeled boots, grabbed her bag and walked out the door. Climbing in her cage she set her mind and sights on Stockton.
"Delaney. Visitor" The guard called. Otto wiped over his face and wondered which brother would be bothering him now. As he walked out to the visiting room his heart lifted when he saw his daughter.
"Hey baby girl"
"Hi daddy" Elle and Otto met in a tight embrace.
"Happy birthday Elle" He mumbled into her shoulder. They pulled away when the guards took a step towards them, "How you doing?" Otto asked as they sat down.
"I'm doing ok. Feel a little older" She smirked.
"I can't believe my baby is already 25. What happened to that sweet little 5 year old wanting to sit on my bike in a skirt and Luann's high heels?" He chuckled. Elle laughed at the memory. Her mother had almost shit bricks when her little girl ran out of the house towards the motorbike coming up the long drive; terrified that she would trip in front of Otto. "How is your mom?"
"She's good. Keeping busy with work and Gemma and anything else club related" Elle nodded.
"Gemma planning something big tonight?" He asked in his ever calm voice.
"She wouldn't be Gemma if she didn't" Otto just nodded.
"Big family dinner" They said together. Both smiling and laughing at the same time.
"Then there's a big SAMCRO party at TM" Elle stated. They made idle chit chat; catching up and remembering old times.
Elle looked up at the clock noticing she had been there almost an hour.
"Daddy, I should probably get going" She smiled sadly, not wanting to leave her father.
"Yeah Gemma might come out here herself if I don't let you go. I don't really feel like having an expensive pointy boot up my ass today" Otto joked. They said their goodbyes with Elle promising to drop by again soon and headed out the door.
Sitting in the cage her parents had given her for her 16th birthday she smiled. The cherry red 1970 Dodge Charger roared down the road. Elle remembered being up under the hood of her beloved car, tinkering away and listening to her father give instructions. The happy memory came to a sad head when she recalled that Otto went inside before the car was complete. She had refused to let that stop her and Elle had buried herself into learning how to fix that car.
...REAPER...REAPER...
"Hey baby" Gemma kissed her son's cheek as he walked into her home with Chibs in tow.
"Hey Ma" He kissed her face as well and continued on to the dining room and Chibs following suit. The Morrow household was alive and booming when Elle pulled up. She cut the engine and gathered her things before heading inside the house. Gemma met her at the door and walked her inside to the rest of the large family who had congregated.
"Happy birthday Angel girl" Elle hugged her favourite aunt tightly and whispered her thank you. With Gemma's arm over her shoulder Elle tackled the Morrow house. The first arms to wrap around her were that of her mother; Luann Delaney.
"Happy birthday Beautiful" Mother and daughter embraced tightly for a few moments. They had been each other's rocks after Otto was sent to the pen. Looking around at her family she hugged them all, accepting their happy birthdays that went along with it. The last person she reached was Jax Teller. The infamous prince of Charming.
"Happy birthday darlin'" Jax dipped down slightly to hug Elle.
"Thanks Jax. No Ope?"
"Nah Donna's got him by the short and curlys. Keeping him to his straight and narrow word" He gave Elle his classic panty dropping smirk. Elle just nodded and excused herself as she made the rounds before dinner.
The meal was nothing short of Elle's expectations. Seated at the middle of the table between Bobby and Juice and across from Jax and Chibs. Elle was trying hard to keep her eyes on her meal and many of the conversations at the table but often her gaze fell upon the blonde Vice President. It was no surprise that Elle, like most other women of Charming, had a crush on the playboy. But his sights were set on Tara Knowles.
Tara had been the love of Jax' life when he was 16 but she left for Chicago, hoping that Jax would have enough sense to follow. He disappointed her when he stayed with the only life he ever knew. The heartache took its toll on Jax; he buried himself in pussy, booze and weed. Jax took pity on Reno pussy and bought it back to town with a ring on her finger and an extreme crank addiction coursing through her veins. Jax had finally come up for air sometime after the marriage and realised the mistake he had made. Although trying to get rid of the tag along was easier said than done. Sometime after the second separation she informed him that she was pregnant. But not being able to keep clean meant their son, Abel, was premature with a hole in his belly and the genetic flaw – his damaged heart.
Since then, the now returned Tara had taken it upon herself to assist in Abel's surgeries to fix his tiny body and try to fix herself back into Jax's heart.
All too soon the dinner was over and the bikers took off for the clubhouse. The old ladies and Elle stayed behind and cleaned up the table, refreshed up their makeup and changed their clothes before heading out to meet their men. Elle drove over and pulled up next to Gemma's car. Croweaters, sweetbutts and a few familiar and not so familiar faces from other charters filled the clubhouse and TM lot. The party was in full swing but Elle didn't feel much like partying. She was tired of trying to get Jax to notice her and constantly coming up short. She was sitting on the playground that a couple of the Sons had put up for when Abel came home when Tara and Jax burst out of the door.
"No Jax"
"Tara come on. It's a party, don't do this here"
"I thought I could handle this town I really did but Jax, nothing has changed. I don't belong here. Please come with me" She begged. Elle could see the pain cross his face but quickly he hardened before his head dropped; shaking.
"I can't Tara" She didn't press him anymore. Nothing had changed and nothing could make Jax leave with her this time.
"I'll be in town til I can get a transfer to a different hospital" She turned away without a goodbye and drove away in the cutlass.
"Jax?" Elle's voice spoke in the darkness.
"Elle what are you doing out here. You should be enjoying your party darlin'" He tried to give her his cocky smirk but she saw right through it.
"I can't really enjoy it Jax. Everyone else isn't enjoying it"
"Are you kidding me? Have you seen how many people are here tonight just for you?"
"And yet here you stand. Out in the cold, miserable"
He chuckled, "Ok darlin'. Let's go in. I promise to enjoy it, if you will"
Elle smiled back, "Ok Jax" 'Maybe I do stand a chance'
Elle stayed true to her word and enjoyed her party. After a less than classy dance on the bar, Elle awoke in one of the dorm's she recognised as Jax's. The door to the bathroom opened and a scruffy looking Jax stepped out.
"Mornin'" His smile looked as though he knew a secret that he could hold over Elle's head.
"Why do I feel like I've been a door on a truck that was T-boned by a freight train?"
"I reckon that might have something to do with the truckload of Jack and beer you drank last night. Piney was really surprised that you could keep up with him" Jax smirked.
Elle nodded, "And why are you in here?"
"I crashed on the floor. I thought you might like some leg room"
"Jax I'm sorry about last night with Tara"
"I should've seen it coming. She was never happy in this town and I was stupid enough to think things had changed" He said as he sat on the bed. Elle, unsure of what to do, didn't move from her position at the top of the bed.
"You're not stupid Jax. She was just never meant to fit into this town or this club. She loved the man but she couldn't love the life. Tara has never been Old Lady material Jax" Elle stated firmly. Tara really hadn't ever seemed like a biker's wife. She and Jax were two completely different cuts from two completely different types of cloth.
Jax just nodded and they both sat there in the silence. 'Maybe it's time I really gave up on Tara. Maybe I should find someone more suitable? Maybe... Elle? Yeah right, if I want Luann feeding me to Otto"
Elle was fighting the huge crush she had formed over the years but it felt like a losing battle. She desperately wanted Jax to notice her but unless she was a well worn croweater or sweetbutt; she wouldn't stand a chance.
"I should take a shower" Elle spoke. Jax looked up at her face and she cast her gaze down to the bed before hurriedly getting up and walking to the bathroom.
"Elle?" She stopped and turned around, "You ok?" Jax questioned, his eyes laced with confusion.
"Yeah I'm fine" She plastered a small smile to her face and continued into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Jax didn't move from his seat until he heard the water start running.
Elle emerged wearing the clothes from the previous day but with a towel wrapped around her head. The room was empty and although grateful, she felt a little down.
"When is he gonna notice me?" She whispered to herself. Sighing she dropped the towel on the bed and reached for the hair tie on the side table and threw the golden locks into a rough, messy bun and returned the towel to the bathroom.
….
"Alright where are we at with the warehouse clean up?"
Juice looked over at the grey haired president, "Sanwa sheriffs finished late last night. Site should be free of any eyes but I don't think we'll find anything whole"
"Tiggy? You dispose of your little latin party?" Clay asked wearily. He really should have known that his Sergeant at Arms would have gotten messed up with the women watching the tiny warehouse.
"All good and gone" The wild eyed man replied.
"When will our shipment be coming in?"
"We need more time. The meeting with Laroy is set for this afternoon. We need to find where the Mayans are keeping our guns but until then" Jax raised his hands in a loss for words gesture.
"Yeah alright" Clay sighed, "Nothing else?" The table remained quiet and Clay smacked down his gavel. The men pushed their chairs back and filed out of the room.
Clay took Tig and Juice with him to the meet with Laroy while Jax and Chibs took off to the hospital after a distress call from Gemma.
….Reaper…Reaper…
Elle had been with Gemma when she went around to Wendy's place. Wendy was the Reno pussy that Jax had taken pity on. But Jax being Jax doesn't half ass a job and went so far as to marry her and knock her up. The girls knocked on the door and waited for a response.
"Gem, this place is disgusting" Elle looked around at all the newspaper and rubbish surrounding the front yard.
"Yeah tell me about it. I warned him not to do this but he couldn't help himself" Giving up on the front door, the pair walked around to the back. Passing the kitchen window the two women saw Wendy on the floor; lying in a puddle of her own blood.
"Stupid junky whore" They both sighed simultaneously.
…
Now they sat at the hospital waiting for Jax to arrive.
"Where is she?" He asked as he blew through the door.
"She's in surgery. We did an emergency C-section" Tara answered for Gemma, "He is 10 week premature Jax"
"I have a son" He whispered.
"They were taking him to ICU if you want to see him" The doctor pushed open the door but Jax turned and headed back the way he came.
Elle had left the busy scene and was sitting out the front of the hospital having a cigarette when Jax pushed the glass door and walked into the sunlight.
"Everything ok?" She queried, smoke escaping through her nose.
"No. It's not. I got a kid, a junkie ex wife, my mother and a woman I love in there" He pulled out his own crushed deck of smokes and lit one up.
"Love?" Elle asked timidly, feeling much like his pack of smokes at that point.
"Yeah. I mean loved. I..." Jax stumbled over his words.
"Jax it's ok. You don't owe me an explanation"
"No I don't but I know you've been pining for a while" He smirked.
'Joking. Always joking' "I have not been pining" Lie, "I've been seeing other people" Lie, "Now I wouldn't have done that if I was pining"
"Darlin' I constantly get pussy when I'm pining. Besides I haven't seen you with anyone so I know for a fact you're lying" He blew a lungful of smoke into the air.
"Whatever Jax. I still haven't been pining over you"
"Ok darlin'" He said, looking away from her with the smirk still firmly on his face. He made eye contact with Chibs and Bobby before turning back to Elle. "Look I gotta go. I'll talk to you later"
Elle didn't even get out her goodbye before the boys had started up their bikes. She watched them leave before heading back in.
Walking through the halls of the hospital, the look in Jax's eyes when Tara left him at the clubhouse finally clicked and she had about had enough of Tara thinking she could come back to town and start the same drama that had been left in the dust for 14 years. Elle walked into the room just as Gemma lifted the back of Tara's scrubs, revealing Jax's crow.
"Why are you still here Tara?" Elle interrupted, "Wasn't Chicago good enough?"
"Not that it's any of your concern but my father died so I'm here to clean his stuff and leave"
"With Jax"
"He made it clear that he wouldn't be leaving Charming" Tara walked around Elle.
"And if I know you like I do Tara, it won't be the last time you ask him" The doctor didn't turn around and didn't stop walking away from the three SAMCRO women. Luann had arrived sometime when Elle was outside talking to Jax after receiving a phone call from Gemma saying that she couldn't make lunch. The three of them made quite the picture of fear as they stood with their arms over their chests.
...Reaper...Reaper...
The Sons of Anarchy had been through a fair bit in the passing months: Opie had come back to the club, ATF had taken up residence in the collective rectum of SAMCRO and Tara had been making one hell of a mess with Jax's heart. But there was something the prince was looking forward to; his son coming home.
"So Jackie boy, how's that boy of yours?"
"Actually I got some news" Jax stated and the chapel fell silent, "The kid gets out of the toaster today" A roar of cheering and applause sounded throughout church.
"I'm happy for you, son" Clay embraced Jax tightly.
"Thanks old man" Jax smiled, genuinely happy that he would be able to bring Abel home soon. The son that had fought hard, not just for his life but for his father's acceptance that he was in for the long haul and would be a constant inspiration not to give up when times got tough and life threw you a curve ball.
After church had ended Jax headed to the bar and took one of the shots that one of the prospects had set for the members. The men talked amongst themselves while Gemma and Elle sat on the couches. They were talking to each other when they looked up at the security TV and noticed a certain dark coloured car pull up.
Elle sighed, "Don't worry baby girl. He'll move on"
"I'm not so sure Gemma. First loves are like a bad habit and I don't see Jax pushing her away"
Gemma smirked, "Well then I guess the Old Ladies are just gonna have to scare her away"
"And how are we meant to do that?"
"One thing that will ruin an insecure relationship" Gemma raised an eyebrow and looked down at Elle.
Elle smirked back, "Pussy" Both women laughed, "But Gem, I don't wanna hurt him"
"It's not gonna hurt him, it's gonna open his eyes. Don't worry baby girl, I'll take care of it" Gemma patted Elle's knee and walked outside to the TM office. Tara took that moment to walk in and Elle rolled her eyes as she made her way over to the bar. Grabbing a shot from Tig's path, she threw it back without making a face and walked over to Clay.
"If Gemma asks, I've gone out to make plans. She'll know what I mean"
...Reaper...Reaper...
The regular Friday night get together at TM was in full swing by the time Elle rocked up. She noticed her mother had clearly sent some of her best girls around and there was some definite talent. Elle had watched more porn than she had children's shows as a kid and even as an adult she had been over to Cara Cara more times she could count. Gemma and Luann were clearly very against Tara being with Jax.
Elle walked into the clubhouse and grabbed a beer from the bar and was chatting with some of the other Old Ladies and Cara Cara girls when Tara walked in.
"Great. I thought that doc whore had left town. There goes my shot with Jax" One of the girls commented.
"I doubt it. She wouldn't leave without Jax by her side but if his mother has anything to say about it, which she will, it isn't going to happen" Elle smirked, "Go find Jax" The girl winked at Elle and walked away in her mile high gold stilettos to find the blonde god.
Over the course of the night, Tara had been seen with Jax a few times but for the last hour she had been searching for him.
"Another beer thanks Prospect" Elle smiled.
"You haven't seen Jax have you?" A voice from her left asked.
"Not recently but I'm sure you'll sniff him out" Elle never made eye contact with Tara as she spoke. She grabbed her beer and headed to the door.
"Hey I know we aren't great friends but I was at least hoping..."
"Well stop hoping Tara. I don't like you. I don't like the way you got so involved with Jax in the past and I don't wanna see a repeat of it when you take off again" Elle's eyes wide and furious, "You broke him and now you're gonna do it again. You don't fit in here so stop trying, you're embarrassing yourself"
"Just like you didn't fit in at college? Weren't smart enough or is it the biker whore image and background that stopped you being just like me?"
Elle turned around and was about ready to wipe the smug smile off Tara's face, "Listen here croweater. College had nothing to do with me trying to be like you. I genuinely wanted to do my studies but family called. SAMCRO protects their own, you'd know that if you bothered to stick around and put your old man first" Elle turned around, "Oh and another thing princess, compare me to you again and I'm gonna have to give you the ass whooping of your life"
"Oh please, croweater? In case you didn't notice I'm wearing Jax's crow and you really think you could take me? You and what army? You gonna call on one of the Sons to do your bidding for you?" Elle dropped her beer and turned around, smacking Tara with her balled up fist. The girl went to the ground hard and Elle followed her. The Sons, Old Ladies and Croweaters gathered around; yelling and cheering for the SAMCRO angel. Tara pulled Elle's hair and scratched, although she managed to get in a few good hits. Elle was punching from start til Tara put her arms around her head.
"I believe your boyfriend is getting his dick sucked by fresh pussy" Elle spat as she got up. The crowd surrounded her, continuing on with the cheering and whooping. One of the girls attempted to help Tara up but she pushed the hand away. Getting up on her own two feet she slinked into the back bathroom to tend to her wounds. Jax had caught the end of the fight and followed her.
"Are you ok?" He asked standing against the door.
"Do I look ok Jax?" Tara wailed, "That biker bitch got stuck into my face"
"Back off Tara you have no idea what you're talking about. Elle isn't a bitch"
"Well I certainly didn't ask her to hit me" She held a cold wet cloth to her face, trying to prevent the swelling that had already set in.
"I'll talk to her" He sighed and walked out of the room.
"Elle!" Jax called out. The smile from her face disappeared when the menacing looking biker reached her, "What was that all about?"
"Nothing that concerns you Jax" She replied calmly.
"It concerns Tara and Tara concerns me"
"Forget it Jax"
"No Elle tell me" He stood in front of her.
"She was talking about shit she didn't understand. She got in my face thinking she was tough and mighty. I soon won that pissing contest so don't start" Elle walked around him but Jax caught her arm, "What?"
"Keep away from her"
"No you keep her away from here Jackson. She doesn't fit in. She's not SAMCRO and nobody wants to make her... oh what did she call me? Yeah that right a biker whore. She a princess looking for a little rebellion" She stated angrily. She was infuriated that Jax couldn't see that Tara wasn't going to stick around, that she was only going to wind up hurting him again. Slamming her new beer to the table she walked inside.
The room erupted in a roar as she did. Everyone was proud that SAMCRO had managed to hold their own and show the outsider not to mess with the reaper.
...Reaper...Reaper...
Tara's face had swollen and she was using her saved up sick days to recover from her beat down. Jax dropped by occasionally but would soon be off doing club related activities.
By the end of the week Tara's face had gone down enough that she felt like she could go out in public and headed to the clubhouse to find Jax and spend a romantic evening with him.
"Bitch you got some balls coming back around here after last time" Gemma said with Luann by her right hand side.
"You better hope that my daughter doesn't take off the rest of your face" Luann snickered.
"I'm here for Jax. That's it" Tara continued inside the building and headed straight for Jax's dorm.
"Jax I..." She stopped; gobsmacked at the sight before her. One of the Cara Cara girls who had been riding Jax into the middle of next week was suddenly stopped by the unexpected interruption.
"Do you mind?" The porn star questioned. Jax stayed silent and Tara stared in disbelief. She backed away and slammed the door behind her.
"Tara!" Jax called out, "Tara stop!" He grabbed her arm.
"Why Jax? Why that porn slut?" She was furious, almost shaking as she struggled to hold herself together.
"Tara it's not working" He sighed.
"Jax come with me. Get out of this backwards town and come to Chicago with me. Please" Tara begged, "There's nothing for you here"
"There is everything for me here. Outlaw is all I know. I'm an ok mechanic at best Tara. I don't know anything else. Charming is me. I can't go" She wiped away a tear, nodding.
"Ok then" She turned away and climbed in the cutlass; driving from the TM lot for the last time.
...Reaper...Reaper...
Over the course of 6 months Jax dove into booze and pussy. Not as hard as he did when he was 16 but hard enough that he forgot which way was up.
"Alright, get up" Elle walked into his dorm and opened the curtains and windows, "It fucking stinks in here Jax. When was the last time you had a shower?" Jax mumbled into the pillow and threw the covers over his head. Elle huffed and pulled them off the bed completely.
"Get outta here Elle"
"No Jax. This has gone on for 6 months. Time to get your butt into gear. Besides when was the last time any of your brothers saw you at church? Or sober for that matter? You're the fucking Vice President for Christ sakes. Now get up, shower, shave and put on your big boy pants because I'm sick of this shit" She stomped off to the door.
"No one asked you to do this"
"No you're right Jackson. No one did. But I did it because even as a little girl I always admired you. You had your head on straight, knew where you wanted to be and knew what you wanted to do. Now I don't know what the hell I was thinkin'" Elle walked out of the room and out into the lot. Sitting at the picnic table she lit a cigarette and spun her lighter around, huffing as she exhaled the first drag.
"What's gon' on lass?" Chibs asked.
"Your boy inside"
"What's he done now?"
"Nothing and that's exactly my point. I think I got him in the shower but I'm not sure. I should have stayed but he just made me mad"
"So ye kicked his ass then?" Chibs laughed. A couple of other had walked over with Chibs also.
"And maybe a little bit of a guilt trip" They all roared out laughing.
"Atta girl lass"
"You'll make one hell of a spitfire Old lady" Tig commented.
"Yeah right" Elle mumbled.
"You'll be right sweets" Tig threw an arm over her shoulder and rubbed her far arm.
"Thanks Tiggy"
Elle's words rang through Jax's head as he showered. He had been a complete idiot drowning himself like that especially after he had a gnawing feeling in the back of his mind that his relationship will Tara would end like it did. Elle was right, Tara didn't belong in the club's way of life but that didn't mean he didn't want her any less. But pushing Tara from Jax's mind was Elle.
She had been there for Jax from the start; from Thomas' death, to his father's death, Tara leaving the first time, when he was made VP of the mother charter and now as he watched Tara walk out of his life for a second time. Elle gave him a hard time when his shit got too much and let him borrow her shoulder when he needed to talk or cry. He had failed her once before when she was 18 and his mind took him back to that day.
...Reaper...Reaper...
It had been a pretty hot day in charming and a few of the boys had been outside at the picnic table enjoying a few beers when Elle drove into the lot.
She had come from Gemma's place where the pair had spent the last hour talking erratically. Elle was tired of going unnoticed by Jax and had been completely set in her ways that she just had to make him understand. Gemma was trying to calm her down a little and get her to tell her just what exactly had made her want to do this now.
"Jax I need to talk to you" He looked up and nodded to the boys.
"I'll catch up with you" He turned attention back to Elle, "Are you ok?"
"No Jax I'm not. I have been keeping something to myself for way too long and I have to tell you"
"Ok just calm down take a breath" Elle's chest was rising and falling heavily.
"No I can't calm down. I need you to know that I love you Jax" Elle exasperated.
"Well I love you too Elle. You're a great..." He reached for her body, prepared to wrap his arms around her.
"No Jax" Elle pushed herself away, "I mean I'm in love with you. I put on my smile and act like it's all ok but I can't take it anymore. You go from girl to girl but you never even look at me like any more than a sister or friend. I can't do it anymore Jax" He was stunned and unsure of what to say, "Please say something Jax. Don't leave me standing here feeling like a complete fool" Elle added, suddenly more calm and very conscious of the stupid outburst she had made.
"I...I don't know what to say Elle"
"Don't you at least feel something for me?"
"I wish I could but you're not just some croweater or sweetbutt. You're special Elle and too good to be with just anyone"
She nodded, "And let me guess, you're just anyone"
"I'm not good enough for you Elle"
"God I'm so sick of everyone saying that; Mom, dad, Gemma and now you. Doesn't anyone get that I'm just like the rest of you? I am SAMCRO. I'll never be anything more. This club is me and I was born into The Life. Just like you Jax and it is all I've ever known and all I want to know"
"You say that now Elle but you're still young, you can still go out and find something more"
"I don't want anything more" Saying all she possibly could to make herself look like the idiot she already felt like she was, she started backing away, "I'm gonna take a trip. I'm gonna get out of here for a while, clear my head and give you time to forget my moment of insanity"
"You're just gonna take off?" Jax's eyes pleaded with worry and shock.
"I'll let mom know and Gemma as well. I'm gonna see dad and then I'm gone. You'll barely even know I've disappeared"
"Elle" He huffed.
"I'll see you later Jax" She kissed his cheek and headed back to her car.
...Reaper...Reaper...
Jax was bought out of the memory by the cold water now running down his back. Stepping out he grabbed the towel and roughly dried his air before wrapping it around his waist. As he stood at the sink he recalled the next meeting with Elle.
...Reaper...Reaper...
Two years had gone by and Elle rarely gave Charming or SAMCRO a thought anymore. During her years away from home she found an unlikely partner; a cowboy on the PBR circuit named Mitch. Following him around at many shows, he finally noticed her.
"Hey, I've seen you before haven't I?"
"I wouldn't know. Not really an eye-catching sort of girl"
"I wouldn't say that" Mitch replied calmly, "You've caught my eye a few times" Elle smiled and rolled her eyes.
"You're a little cocky aren't you?"
"Aww come on now. At least let me take you out for a drink before you officially decide I'm a cocky bull rider" Elle laughed.
"Ok then" She nodded.
"I have to go get changed but I'll meet you out the front of the silver ringer in an hour?" Mitch smiled at her.
"OK sure. I'll meet you there" They parted ways but not before smiling again at each other.
An hour later found Mitch rocking from foot to foot, clapping a fist into an open hand as he waited for Elle.
"Sorry I'm late" Elle came into his vision and he was stunned. Her dark wash, skin tight jeans clung to her legs and ass perfectly, her top was a short flowing tank and the look was completed by her black leather knee high boots.
"That is no problem at all" Elle laughed.
"Don't even think about it buddy" Mitch gave her a cocky smirk.
"What?"
"You're thinking that because I dressed like this, you're gonna get some. Well I'm sorry but I don't even know your name" She informed the stunned cowboy.
"Wow, you're very forward. I'm Mitch by the way" He held out his hand.
"I'm Elle" She took it and shook firmly.
"So what brings you to Vegas?" He asked as he ordered a beer, "Would you like a drink?"
"Jack please" She smiled, "And to answer your question I was on a holiday or trip or whatever you wanna call it. I ended up being gone for 2 years"
"You haven't been home once?" Mitch questioned, lifting the beer to this lips.
"Nope but I still keep in contact with my family" Elle turned around to grab her drink, revealing her dark angel to Mitch.
"Who's SAMCRO?" He asked, eyebrows raised.
"Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original. The mother charter is in Charming, California. That's my family"
"Motorcycles? And yet here you are with a cowboy?"
"Yeah believe me I never pictured my life like this. I was never going to leave home. It was my life but I got a wakeup call and took off" Elle took a swig of her drink, "Although I'm starting to enjoy life away from home" She smiled. Mitch matched her look and flashed his pearly whites back at her, "Surely you've seen the local bikers around here?"
"I've noticed a few" He nodded, "They have reapers? On their vests?" Elle laughed.
"Yeah and don't let the boys hear you call them vests. They're called kuttes and they wear their colours proudly" Elle informed. Mitch just nodded, unsure of what to add, "Anyway enough about my past. What made you decide to be a cowboy?"
"My father had been bought up around the lifestyle. A lot of the men on my dad's side had and I always thought it would be great to own great big buckles like dad had"
"So you really get enjoyment out of riding an angry 1000 pound animal?" Elle was a little stunned at the sport.
"Yeah it's great. It's such an adrenaline rush and there is nothing like a crowd cheering for you. I mean yeah it's dangerous but isn't anything that's worth making you happy?"
They spent the next few hours chatting and drinking. Elle was genuinely enjoying herself until Mitch excused himself.
"Listen I don't mean to be a party pooper but I have to be up early tomorrow. The championship round is tomorrow afternoon and I need a good night's sleep"
"No that's ok. You go. I'm only gonna finish this and leave as well so... I guess I'll catch up with you some other time" Elle smiled and downed the last of her jack.
Elle walked out the door after Mitch and they said their goodbyes. She was just about to climb in her car when a voice from behind her spoke.
"Hanging out with rednecks? Thought you were strictly a biker chick?"
"Jax?" She said as she turned around, "Oh my god, how are you?" They met in a tight embrace.
"I'm good. Been busy but I'm good" He left her go and took a step back.
"That's really good to hear. You checkin' up on me?"
"Nah" He smirked.
"Come on Jax, you don't think I know that if you really wanted to find me you would track me to the ends of the earth?"
"Lucky enough for me, you are only in Nevada" He lit a cigarette and offered one to Elle, which she gladly took, "I was up here on a run to Indian Hills but I decided to extend my trip. I heard you were up here"
"And to which Nevada man do I owe the pleasure of being ratted out to?"
"It doesn't matter darlin'. I just wanted to make sure you were ok. You were pretty upset when you took off"
"Jax, everything I said to you, two years ago, I meant" Elle exhaled the smoke before taking another long drag.
"Come home Elle"
"No Jax. I'm not ready to come back to Charming"
"And if you don't do it soon, you'll never come back. Luann and Gemma miss you. Shit I know that Chibs, Tig and Bobby do as well" He admitted.
"I'll come home when I'm good and ready. I'm not coming home just because they miss me, I'm busy seeing everything. Besides you told me that I could go out and find something more. Well now I'm looking for it since there isn't anything at home that is beckoning for me"
Jax sighed, "You know it hasn't been easy. SAMCRO needs you"
"SAMCRO?" Elle raised an eyebrow.
"Ok I need you Elle"
"No you don't Jax. You're surrounded by all the pussy you could possibly want. You don't need me" She dropped her cigarette to the ground, "Listen, I gotta go but I'll see you around Mr. Teller" Jax nodded and watched Elle drive away.
...Reaper...Reaper...
Once again Jax was bought out of his memory and focused on getting dried and dressed in fresh clothes.
Jax had reached the middle of the main room when a scream came from the lot. He took off running and saw Elle running into someone else.
"Oh my god!" She laughed. The man she ran to spun her around in a circle before setting her on her feet, "You suddenly forget how a phone works?" She was playfully serious as she slapped his arm.
"Thought a surprise might have been better and I was right" He smirked. The stranger looked around the lot; the line of bikes not going unnoticed. Jax recognised the stranger and instantly the curiosity he initially had; disappeared. He had heard Elle call the other man; Mitch.
"What are you doing here?" Elle asked.
"Well I finished another year in Vegas and I thought on my way home, I'd drop in and see how the other half lives" Mitch replied.
"This is it" Elle smiled widely, "And I wouldn't trade it for the world"
"Your rodeo" Mitch said.
"My rodeo" Elle nodded and turned around, "Come on cowboy, I'll show you around the ring" Elle and Mitch walked around the lot and through the clubhouse.
"Well I'm honoured to be inside the house" He smiled.
"You should be. Not just anyone can come in here"
Jax and a few other members were outside at the picnic table.
"Who's the hat?" Opie asked his brother.
"His name is Mitch. I saw him with Elle five years ago when she took off. She was in Vegas with him at a bar" Jax exhaled the smoke from his lungs.
"She's hanging out with rodeo clowns?" Opie chuckled. Tig, Chibs, Bobby and Juice joined in.
Crushing out his cigarette he turned away from the door, "I guess so" Jax continued over to the TM garage.
"Just when do you think he'll finally stop dancing around and man up with Ellie?"
"Your guess is as good as mine brother. Elle wants him just as much but she seems to have a handle on it better than he does" Opie slapped Bobby's back and walked into the clubhouse. Elle and Mitch were at the bar, laughing over a beer when Elle caught sight of the large man.
"There is someone I want you to meet" She motioned for Opie to walk over, "Mitch this is Harry Winston"
"Opie" He interrupted.
"Opie, this is Mitch. The cowboy I met a few years ago" The men shook hands firmly. Opie asked a few questions but mostly left the talking to Elle. He managed to slip out unnoticed and walked back over to his brothers.
The sound of more bikes roaring into the lot distracted the two inside the clubhouse.
"What's going on out there?" Mitch asked.
"Probably just the rest of the boys. Nothing to worry about" Elle replied casually.
Clay walked through the door, followed by the rest of the charter.
"Hey Uncle Clay" She said, jumping off the stool and into his arms.
"Hey Angel. What are you up to?" He asked gruffly.
"Just having a beer with my friend, Mitch. Mitch this is Clay Morrow the owner of the garage outside and one of my many uncles" The men shook hands and then Clay turned around.
"Church!" He bellowed. The rest of the MC members reached into their pockets, pulling out their phones and dropping them into the box before heading into the chapel and taking their seats.
"Come on, let's get out of here" Elle jumped down once again and headed outside with Mitch in tow.
"So what does one do in this town?"
"Well I'm usually hanging around here and fixing cars or running around town for whatever the boys need" Elle shrugged.
"Wow exciting" Mitch laughed and Elle smacked his shoulder.
Changing the subject Elle looked at him, "Where are you staying?"
"At the motel on the other side of town" They both nodded, "Do you wanna grab some dinner tonight?"
"I would love to but its family dinner night and Aunt Gemma would kick my ass if I didn't show up"
"You have family dinners?" Mitch scoffed.
"Yes. This is my family" Elle held out her arms, "Attendance is mandatory and I like going"
Silence passed for a few minutes before Mitch spoke up,
"You ever miss being on the road?"
...Reaper...Reaper...
She pulled up at the motel and parked her car. Sighing, she climbed out and walked up to her room door.
Elle dumped her bag by the door and fell onto the hard bed. Staring at the ceiling she thought about Jax and his random stop by. Two years had gone by since she left Charming and although she missed it every day she refused to return the moment Jax Teller showed up.
The next morning Elle was awoken by the constant drone of knocking on her door.
"What?" She mumbled.
"Get up Elle!" The voice called from the other side of the door.
"Five more minutes" Elle turned her face away from the door and buried under the covers more. But before she knew it the blankets were being ripped away from her and the chill of the room hit her, "HEY!" She quickly spun around and saw Mitch at the foot of the bed.
"Get up. We gotta go"
"No you gotta go. I'll meet you there like always"
"I'm sick of always. Get up now and get your butt in that shower" Mitch ordered.
Sighing and giving up Elle rolled out of bed, "Yes mom" She rolled her eyes and stumbled to the bathroom; slamming the door behind her.
Mitch moved from the foot of the bed, to the small kitchenette, to the table, the window and back to the bed. He was on his way back to the small kitchen when the bathroom door opened.
"Finally! What were you doing in there?"
"You got me up before the sun Mitch. I was getting ready. Now that I am, we can go" Elle was clearly not amused at the early hour and walked ahead of Mitch into the car park.
"Oh come on, it's not that bad" He offered a smile; "I'm pretty much guaranteed the championship today" Mitch looked away from the road to Elle for a second before looking back at the road. But Elle didn't face him; "You know if I win I'll take you anywhere you want" Elle sighed again, nodded and climbed into the car.
They ate breakfast in silence. Mitch would look up occasionally and if he caught Elle's glance she would smile but otherwise she was looking around at everything going on. Even during the day Las Vegas was buzzing.
The day passed quickly and while Mitch was at the centre, Elle kept herself busy at the motel. She packed up her things and loaded them into the car. Mitch had packed his duffle before Elle had dropped him off. Soon enough Elle was sitting in her prime seat closest to the ground and the shoots. The music, the lights, the atmosphere; all were loud, alive and buzzing.
Elle watched with excitement and enthusiasm, even after being to so many events during her three years away from Charming, as cowboy after cowboy rode, roped and wrestled. She was impressed by the cowgirls that also gave it their all. The one person she had been waiting for though had finally made an appearance on a large black and white Brahman cross. She whooped and cheered while Mitch held on to the angry animal for dear life. What felt like a lifetime had passed before she heard the sound of the buzzer fill the arena. Mitch was flung around on top of the bull as he struggled to get his hand free. Roughly he fell to the ground, landing hard on his arm before getting back to his feet in a hurry. Trying to keep his eyes on where he was going and the bull at the same time but the toe of his boot stuck in the dirt and he stumbled; luckily not falling to the ground. The bull took his opportunity and dipped his head and threw it back with Mitch on top of his skull.
Elle's hands flew over her face as she stood up. Mitch landed on his arm again and was a little slower to get up. The large beast had been distracted by the rodeo clowns and once he had been pushed through the gate, they raced over to help Mitch as the MC announced that he was ok and had been declared world champion once again. Elle wasn't in the front of the arena long enough to hear clearly the announcements made, she was racing through the back to find Mitch.
"Are you ok?" She almost yelled.
"My arm is fractured but I'm ok" Mitch replied casually.
"Are you kidding? Your hurt and you have a broken arm"
"Elle, calm down, I've done it so many times it barely even hurts" He stood up and put his good arm over her shoulder, "Come on, don't tell me you'd miss the excitement of all of this if you weren't on the road"
"Yeah, the excitement of the road" She scoffed, bewildered that he was making jokes.
...Reaper...Reaper...
"I guess I do sometimes, but since I've been back here I guess I don't really think about it" Elle spoke calmly.
Mitch nodded, "Well I guess I should let you go to the dinner. Wouldn't want you to get into trouble with Gemma"
"Yeah that could be bad" They both chuckled and said their goodbyes just as the club walked out of the clubhouse and into the lot.
"Hey, can I get a lift?" Elle asked Bobby.
"I'd love to Angel" Bobby threw an arm over her shoulder and they headed towards his bike. Mitch watched as the older biker and the younger girl climbed on the back of the powerful Harley.
The pair pulled up at Gemma's. Only a few other cars were parked in the driveway considering they were early but as per Gemma's instructions Elle was to help set up and cook. They walked in and Bobby headed straight to the fridge and pulled out two beers, popped the caps and handed one to Elle.
"Thanks Uncle Bobby" She purred as the first mouthful of beer slipped down her throat.
"No problem sweetheart" His beer coming back to his lips for another drink.
The chatter in the kitchen was loud and vibrant as the girls laughed and gossiped about everything that Charming has to offer. No other resident of charming knew more than the SAMCRO gossip mill standing in Gemma's kitchen.
Dinner was served just like every other Sunday: elaborate and full of life. Once the meal was over the men took off to the clubhouse and the women stayed behind to clean up before following their partners.
…Reaper….….Three years later…Reaper…..
SAMCRO was almost unrecognisable from the club they once were. Not even Charming was the same small town is used to be. Jax and the boys had come from county to discover that the Sanwa Sheriffs had taken over Charming P.D and none were too happy about having the big boys watching over the reaper's shoulder.
Expensive black boots came through the club door with a flushed Elle fitted neatly inside them.
"Where is he?" She puffed; her face a little red from the Indian summer sitting over Charming.
"Church" One of the prospects replied. Elle nodded and lowered her and her six month bump onto the couch with the aid of a prospect.
Before the doors to the church opened, Gemma walked through the clubhouse door with a strong yet slightly worried look on her face. Elle followed her movements as she headed to the black doors as they opened; a yellow envelope in her hands and a determined stance in her walk. Elle stayed seated; sensing whatever was about to go down needed to be resolved between the queen and the prince. Gemma sat in Tig's chair and pushed the envelope over to her son, revealing to him for the first time the letters that Maureen Ashby had stashed in his bag in Ireland.
"Clay. He took that chair from this family. He killed your father. Something needs to be done"