HELL WEEK (our version of Better Half)

By BG and Reaper

PART 1: MANIC MONDAY

Vix woke up drenched in sweat, with a pounding headache and a pain in her lower back that she couldn't quite identify. She noticed that she was alone in bed, got up and stumbled her way around the wall of antique decretive screens that partitioned off the 'bedroom' from the rest of Juice's studio apartment. She found Juice in the 'living room' playing a video game. He looked up when he heard her approach and patted the cushion next to him. "Did I wake you up? I was trying to be real quiet."

She shook her head no, a bad idea because it caused instant dizziness. She lied down and curled up next to him, pulling the blanket off the back of the couch and covering up with it to ward off the chills she felt, which were causing her very bones to ache. "Did my restlessness keep you up?"

"Nah, got a re-match with Half-sack tomorrow night, I ain't losin'… I am gonna kick his ass." He glanced over at her and is stunned to see how pale and miserable she looks. He put the controller down on the coffee table and reached over to touch her forehead, "Jesus Christ, you're burin' up."

She coughed and nodded, "Do you got any Advil or Tylenol… anything? I took the last I had in my purse before I went to bed."

He nodded, "I am sure I got somethin'." He got up and disappeared into the kitchen, returning with some Tylenol and a bottle of water.

She downed the pills with a gulp of water and closed her eyes.

"Come on, let's get you back to bed." He said, reaching to help her up.

Her body ached in protest, but she let him lead her back to bed. She curled up next to him and fell into a fitful sleep for several more hours.

When Vix finally lifted her head, her stomach cramped and a wave of nausea crashed over her. She was barely able to make it to her feet and stumble into the bathroom before she began vomiting profusely. Her restlessness had kept Juice from falling asleep, so when he felt her get up and heard her stumble into the bathroom he got out of bed and followed her. Without a word he grabbed a washcloth from the closet, wet it and placed the cold compress on the back of her neck. He sat down on the edge of the bathtub and rubbed her back while she vomited. When she finally came up for air, she looked worse than she had earlier.

"Can I get you anything?"

"You got a bullet?" She asked as she eased herself to a sitting position on the floor.

Juice stood up and disappeared from the room, returning with another bottle of water. Unscrewing the cap he held it out to her, "Have a small sip."

"I can't" She said.

"He crouched down in front of her, "Just a tiny sip. You don't wanna get dehydrated." He held it to her lips and she drank. It felt good on her now burning throat. She took another small sip and then felt an angry grumble in her stomach. She pushed the bottle away and put her head in the toilet and heaved violently.

Juice grimaced. He felt guilty for insisting that she drink the water. He screwed the cap back on the bottle, sat it on the sink and he grabbed the washcloth and re-wet it.

"I may have to kill you now." Vix said, when the vomiting subsided and she sank back down to the floor. She took the wash cloth Juice offered her and wiped down her face.

Juice sat down on the floor with her, "I had the best of intentions, with the water… you know."

She smiled slightly and nodded a little. "Yeah I know, thank you."

They sat on the bathroom floor, Juice holding her between bouts of vomiting, until the sun was streaming in around the edges of the blinds.

***

Cherry's arm reached out from under the covers and groped on the nightstand for the ringing phone. She located it, pulled it under the covers and nudged Half-Sack. "Baby… phone." She thrust it at him.

Half-Sack answered the phone in a groggy voice. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end of the connection was so loud that Kip had to pull the phone away from his ear, "Rise and Shine strumpet!"

"Chibs? Strumpet… Did you just call me a whore?"

Chibs laughed. "In a very polite manner of speaking… yes! Now get your lazy arse over here. There is a particularly brutal wreck out on the highway. Tow calls are pourin' in."

Half-sack yawned "Ok, be there in a few."

"Good! By the way, drag Juice on your way out, gonna need him too."

"He's not here, is he?"

Chibs chuckles "How in bloody hell am I supposed to know?"

Kip nudged Cherry. "Vix and Juice stay here last night?"

"Nope." She replied from under her pillow. "Probably at his place."

"Cherry says they are probably at his place."

"Great! Now you know where to stop on your way here. Your ONLY stop! No coffee calls or breakfast breaks. But if Ms. Ruby has some of her snack bars fresh made, grab me some of those fuckers. They are full of gooey goodness."

Kip nodded as he was pulling on his jeans. "Yeah, ok." He hung up with Chibs and dialed Juice's cell phone, getting voicemail. He thought that was odd, but left a message.

He nudged Cherry again. "Baby, wake up… I gotta go to work. You need a ride to Snips, since Vix isn't here?"

Cherry groaned and sat up. "Is it that time already? I was just in the middle of a dream…"

Half-Sack nodded, "Yeah, it's actually past that time… we are running late."

She grabbed her phone and sighed when she saw the time. "Shit. I'm gonna need like 10 minutes. Can you wait?"

Half-Sack nodded, "Absolutely."

Twenty minutes later he pulled his bike to a stop in front of the salon. Cherry climbed off the back "Are you gonna pick me up after work?"

Half-Sack smiled, "If I can."

***

Vix woke up to pounding, she thought it was in her head until she realized it was coming from across the apartment. In a very scratchy, weak voice she called "Juice" and nudged him.

His eyes fluttered opened, "Hmmmm?"

"Someone is at the door."

"What?" He listened and heard the pounding, too. "Shit." He got out of bed and grabbed his t-shirt off the top of the dresser as he passed on his way to answer the door. "Who is it?"

"It's Kip…open up."

Juice turned the locks and opened the door. "What's up?"

Kip grinned. "Apparently not you, here, drink this." He shoved a travel mug of coffee at Juice as he pushed past and walked into the apartment.

Juice closed the door and sniffed at the cup. "What is it?"

"Coffee." Kip replied as he took in Juice's rumpled jeans and t-shirt. "Unless you are wearing that to work, you'd better go change. We are both on the shit list, late again it seems. Chibs said there is a nasty one up on the Interstate and they need us out in the wrecker."

Juice shook his head. "I called out with Lowell. Vix is sick as shit, dude. Been throwing up all morning. Fever, weak … the whole nine yards. She is sleepin' now, well she was, but I don't think she should be alone."

The words were no sooner out of his mouth when they heard her stumble into the bathroom and begin retching.

Juice sighed. "Round 14. Excuse me." He set the coffee cup on the table and disappeared into the bedroom.

Half-Sack saw his way out.

***

When he saw Half-Sack arrive solo, Chibs shook his head and yelled over, "Hey Prospect, contrary to what you might believe, I AM speakin' English. So what part of 'bring Juice with you' didn't you get?"

Kip hurried into the garage bay. "I understood you. I stopped by his place."

Chibs nodded. "So where the fuck is he? And where the devil are my snack bars?"

"He's still at his place. Said he called off with Lowell."

Chibs glanced over at Tig, who shrugged and hollered for Lowell to come over. "Hey, did Juice talk to you this morning?"

Lowell nodded, "Oh shit, yeah… sorry. He said he needs to stay with Vix. She is having really bad morning sickness and…"

The entire garage got really quiet, which made the sound of the wrench dropping to the floor echo thunderously in the silence. All eyes shot in the direction of the noise and Clay found everyone staring at him. He looked at Lowell. "Juice said that Vix was having morning sickness?"

Lowell, looking increasingly uncomfortable, fidgeted. "Um, well he said she was throwin' up all morning."

Clay, Tig and Chibs exchanged a look. Tig then looked at the prospect. "Take the wrecker and head out to the accident. Take Lowell with you."

Kip nodded and he and Lowell disappeared.

Chibs sighed and looked over his sunglasses at Clay and Tig. "Morning sickness? Vix is knocked up?"

Tig looked at Clay. "This is fuckin' bad, man."

Clay rolled his eyes and looked at Tig. "Head over to Juice's, find out what the hell is going on. If she is still breathing on her own, I want his ass here. She can survive a couple of hours by herself."

Tig groaned. "Great, so I get to play truancy officer now?"

Clay's face twisted into a grin. "Yeah, we'll make you a patch and everything."

Chibs cracked up. "Don't forget my snack bars."

Tig shot them both the middle finger as he stomped out of the garage to his bike.

***

Luann Delaney stood off to the side watching a slew of federal agents disrupt the shoot and harass her cast. She glanced over at the agent in charge, sizing her up the way women do each other. Total bitch who gets off on being Alpha… seriously in need of a makeover, but then again you can dress a hog in a prom dress but you still couldn't dance with it. With disgust clearly etched on her face Luann said, "I have a permit for this shoot and all the HIV cards are up to date. What does my shit have to do with ATF?"

Agent Stahl turned and looked at the reputed Porn Queen of the SoA. "Why should VICE get to have all the fun?" She glanced in the direction of one of the field agents who was walking towards them carrying what appeared to be a cigar box of goodies. Sorting through the various baggies, she remarked, "Pills, Poppers, Blow." She looked over at Luann. "This is enough to get you Possession, maybe even Intent to Distribute." She glanced at the field agent. "Shut it down. That's a wrap for Cecil B. d'M.I.L.F.. You'll be coming with us, Mrs. Delaney."

***

The bell chimed indicating that someone had entered SNIPS. Eve, the owner, looked up to find Gemma standing there. "Hey, Gemma."

Gemma smiled as she slid her sunglasses off, "Hey Eve. I have a hair appointment with Vix."

Eve nodded. "I know. We tried calling your house but I guess you were out. Vix is sick today. If you want I can reschedule you for …"

Gemma just stared at the woman. "Do these roots look like they can stand to be re-scheduled?"

Eve sighed. "You look great as always, Gemma."

With a roll of her eyes, Gemma nodded. "Right. And maintaining that look is why I spend an ass load of time and money in this place. Now, what does your schedule for today look like?"

Eve flipped through the schedule book, "I am booked solid starting ten minutes from now. However, Cherry will be available as soon as she finishes Mrs. Steckel's nails."

Gemma glanced over to the nail station where Cherry was chatting away with the customer while she applied a coat of polish. "She does great nails. How is she with hair?"

"She did a great job with Mrs. Eatenton's hair."

Gemma looks at Eve incredulously, "Please, she could not fuck that woman's hair up if she tried. All you have to do is tease it and make it look like a brown football helmet."

Eve laughs, "I guess you are right. Relax, Gemma. Your tresses will be well cared for."

Gemma looked from Eve to Cherry. "You'd better be right… for both of your sakes. So what is that matter with Vix?"

Eve shrugged. "Cherry got a call from Kip. He said Vix is sick as can be, been throwin' up all morning, poor thing."

The bell chimed and Eve smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Lakatosh. Wander on back to the shampoo station, I will be right with you." She looked at Gemma. "Have a cup of coffee and I will tell Cherry you're waiting."

Gemma nodded and grabbed a cup of coffee while she waited.

***

Bryony Garden Apartments was the apartment building owned by Ruby Prevost, Juice's grandma. The place was a haven for the retired and was home to Ms. Ruby, Henry Darling and the rest of the gaggle of seniors, who were affectionately referred to as The Olds. Juice had made the attic area into a studio apartment for himself. He lived there and was the un-official fixer-upper of everything that went wrong in the place. Given the age of the building and of the inhabitants, he was kept pretty busy.

Tig pulled his bike into the parking lot. He quickly crossed the lot and headed up the flower lined path that led to the building, passing Sadie and Milly on his way in. Despite his still being pretty pissed off by his current assignment, he smiled nicely and held the door open for the two. "Morning ladies."

Sadie eyed Tig suspiciously, "Why Alex Trager, you sound almost charming. What happened? You run over a small child with your motorcycle?"

Tig chuckled, "Nah, a little doggie". Leaving the two ladies to ponder the truth of his statement, he took the stairs two at a time up to the top floor and pounded on Juice's door, hollering, "Hey Romeo! Open Up!!!!"

Juice, who had just helped Vix get settled onto the couch, sighed and started towards the door.

Out in the hall, Tig continued to knock aggressively on the door and bellowed, " I know you're in there… so open the door. Cause I won't HUFF or PUFF… I'll KICK this fucking door down."

The door opened and Juice stood there staring at Tig. Inviting himself into the apartment, Tig walked past Juice.

Closing the door, Juice spun around. "Seriously Tig, what the hell? Are Zombies en route? 'cause I called and talked to Lowell and Half-Sack was just here like an hour ago. Vix is sick as shit and every time she about falls asleep…"

Tig held his hand up, "Not interested! I am here because Clay sent me. You're needed at TM." He glanced over at Vix and grimaced, "Christ, you do look like shit."

Vix rolled her eyes, "Such charm."

Tig smiled, "I know right? It must be really overflowing today, you're the second person to mention it." He looked over at Juice. "I'm serious. Grab your techno-gadget shit and let's roll. The sooner you get done whatever Clay needs doin', the sooner you can be back here playin' nurse maid."

Vix coughed. "Juice, just go."

"What if you need something or… or get worse? Let me call Clay."

"Baby, he sent Tig. Obviously it is very important. So, I'll manage for a coupla hours. Besides, I seriously doubt there is much left in me to throw up besides internal organs. And if you go maybe people will stop just showing up and I could try to sleep."

Juice looked from Vix to Tig and then back to Vix, "Good point. Ok, I'll be as quick as I can. I think I'll have Gram check in on you"

Vix nodded and shut her eyes, "Ok, fine… just leave the door unlocked, I am not moving from this couch unless I have to."

Juice nodded. He looked over at Tig, "I gotta grab my gear. I'll meet you outside in five."

Tig nodded at him and then looked over at Vix. "Feel better, Parker."

Vix mumbled something as she pulled the blanket over her head.

***

At the police station, a local deputy inquired. "So the plan is…"

Agent Stahl rolled her eyes, "The plan is… to enter the beauty parlor and execute the outstanding warrants on her. She held up a mug shot of Cherry. "And her." She held up a mug shot of Vix. "Are we clear?" A round of affirmatives could be heard. "Excellent. Ok people lets move."

Inside SNIPS, Cherry was just returning from the back room with an arm full of fresh clean towels when she spotted the three dark sedans stop in front of the building. Her stomach dropped to her feet and her heart leapt to her throat. Tossing the towels into an unoccupied chair, she beat a hasty retreat out the back door of the salon. She rouned the corner out of the back alley just before the two federal agents assigned to cover the back exit of the salon appeared. Cherry's heart raced with panic as she wondered how they found her in Charming. She knew she couldn't make it to TM without being spotted by the feds and suddenly recalled Gemma mentioning something about a quick stop at the grocery store and prayed that she was still around. She entered the store and was relieved to find Gemma pushing a cart down the one aisle. "Thank God you're still here." Cherry said a bit breathless.

Gemma eyed the girl, "What? Concerned about the size of the tip I left?"

Cherry looked at her, "What? Oh, no it was fine. I… I really need to talk to you." She glanced around nervously. "I haven't been completely honest with Half-Sack"

Gemma took notice. "I don't like where this is headed."

Cherry spewed forth details on her real-life problems and how she thought the feds found her and were trying to take her in. She got done with her confession about the same time as the feds entered the grocery store. Cherry's attempt to flee ended in her apprehension but not before she knocked one female federal field agent over the head with a bottle of wine.

Stahl saw Gemma watching the scene unfold with a sort of detached amusement and approached her. "You two seem chummy. If I recall correctly you almost killed that girl with a skateboard."

"We've mended fences."

"Really? So she was here to what…get advice from the queen on what lies to tell?"

Gemma nodded towards the front window of the store where Cherry was being put into one of the Fed cars. "That little tart… she don't know shit. All girls like her are good for is openin' beers and suckin' dick"

Stahl nodded, "speaking of, got the porn queen, too. What might she know?"

"Probably let you in on the secrets of giving a good hummer, but I am guessin' you got that covered."

Stahl nodded, "I get by. And what about Vix Parker?"

"I wouldn't know about Vix's oral aptitude… but Juice seems to be pretty happy."

Stahl laughed, "Not exactly where I was going with that question. Now, from what they say, her family has quite a history with The Sons of Anarchy."

Gemma grinned, "You gotta watch out for they… they lie a lot."

Stahl cocked her head. "Do they now? Well it'll be a good thing then, when I bring Ms. Parker in, that I can spot bullshit from a blimp in a fog storm."

"What could you possibly want with Vix Parker? She's a second rate fuck up and a first rate hairstylist but unless the SONS are needing hair cuts, dye jobs or manicures... what the hell use is she to them? Or to you with this little witch hunt of yours?"

Stahl nodded, "I'll keep that in mind. And what about you, Gemma Teller Morrow? I bet you've got a lot of secrets in that pretty little head of yours, enough to bring down an empire."

Gemma laughed, "I'm just a wife and a mother, darling." She leaned in really close to the Fed's ear and breathed, "But if you want me… you know where I live."

Stahl rounded up her cronies and exited the store. Gemma stood there watching the departure and then pulled out her pre-pay cell phone and dialed.

***

Clay sat perched on a bar stool in the SAMCRO clubhouse. He had just gotten done listening to what he highly doubted was the short version of Juice's morning. He didn't say anything to Juice and had instructed Tig, Bobby and Chibs not to mention a word about the crazy pregnancy theory. With every fiber of his being, he sincerely hoped that it remained a crazy theory – because from an evolutionary standpoint, Clay was not sure Juice and Vix should reproduce… EVER! When the cell phone in the pocket of his work shirt rang, he almost welcomed the distraction. He flipped the phone open, "Yeah."

In response he heard Gemma say, "Vix Parker needs to get the fuck outta Charming."

"From your lips to God's ears, baby!" He replied in all seriousness.

"I am serious, Clay. I just had a run in with that ATF bitch. She has Luann in custody, Cherry too. And speaking of that one, wait 'til you hear the story there… you will break something. But I am certain that Stahl is headed over to the Parker place as we speak to haul Vix in. You need to do something now, Clay!"

"Calm down! I'll handle it."

"What are you gonna do?"

"I said I'll handle it. You just do what we discussed, see to our Irish friend."

"Fine. Just be careful, that woman is a complete thunder-cunt."

Clay choked back a chuckle, "Yes, dear."

He hung up the phone as he walked out of the clubhouse and found Chibs and Juice. "Vix is in the ATF cross-hairs."

"For what?" Chibs and Juice ask in unison.

Clay shrugged. "Don't know and right now, don't care. Get over to his place..." He pointed towards Juice. "And get her the hell outta Charming. DO NOT take her anywhere near the cabin."

Chibs asked, "Where do you want us to stash her?"

Clay shrugged. "I am sure you two geniuses will think of something."

Juice and Chibs took off on their bikes towards Juice's apartment.

As he drove the sedan away, the agent looked over at Stahl. "One out of the two is now in custody, not bad."

She looked over at him incredulously, "It isn't good either. I want Vix Parker."

The agent looked questioningly at her, "I would think that the Grand Theft Auto, Arson, possible attempted murder would be the bigger score than what you have on Parker; the Public Drunkenness, Drunk and Disorderly, and Failure to Appear."

Thinking of the wealth of information on Vix Parker that fell into her lap this morning, Stahl would have begged to disagree. She shot her underling a smug look, "THAT is WHY you are NOT being paid to THINK... you are being paid to DRIVE. Now get me over to the Parker place."

The agent nodded and hung a left. They were halfway to their destination when Stahl spotted Vix's vintage Charger parked in the lot of an apartment building. "Stop the car!" She barked to the agent behind the wheel. "Pull in the lot, block the red Charger."

The agent did as he was told. Stahl called in their location and requested backup for the execution of a warrant.

Henry Darling was sitting on the patio of his apartment when he spotted the slew of federal agents with a couple of locals thrown in for good measure, converging on the building. He stood up and made his way quickly outside to the common hall. He saw Milly and asked, "Have you seen Ruby?"

Milly replied. "Not since this morning, why?"

Henry shook his head. "Go back to your apartment and stay there."

She looked alarmed. "Why? What is going on?"

"The Feds are here. And they are armed."

"Armed? What do you mean armed? Armed with what?" Milly asked, aghast.

"Err, bad breath, colorful language, feather duster... what do you think they're going to be armed with?"

"Guns?" Milly offered.

"There you go." Henry nodded. He saw her into her apartment and thought to himself,

What started out as a good morning is now turning into a bad day in Bosnia.

Seconds later the front door opened and agents filled the hall.

Vix was just laying back down after another trip to the bathroom, when she heard loud pounding on the door. She sighed as she struggled to her feet. Her voice was hoarse, her throat was dry; she had the chills and stomach cramps and pains in her side and back. She heard the loud banging again followed by a muffled voice stating, "Federal agents, open the door!"

Vix tried to holler "I'm coming" but given her physical state, the words barely squeaked past her lips. She knew they didn't hear her and she continued to hobble across the room, each step causing excruciating pain. She was half-way across the apartment in her attempt to answer the door when the feds kick the door in. The sudden entry scared the crap out of Vix and she stumbled. The fed agent pinned her to the ground and cuffed her. She moaned and puked all over the floor.

The arresting agent side stepped the flow of vomit and cursed aloud, "Jesus Christ!"

Stahl looked over, "Poor little party girl."

Ms. Ruby rushed into the apartment and was shocked to see the manner in which they are practically dragging the half-lethargic Vix out of the apartment. "What business do you have with that girl? She is very ill." She looked around to see that other agents are tearing the place apart. "And what right do you have to be breaking down doors and searching through private property?"

Stahl addressed her. "And you may be?"

Ruby had been exchanging a worried look with a terrified Vix being led out of the apartment, cringing and wincing with each step. "I beg your pardon?"

"Who are you?" Stahl asked.

"Ruby Prevost, I own this building."

Stahl nodded, "Ah, yes… Mrs. Prevost, you also have the delightful honor of being grandma to one Jean Carlos "Juice" Oritz."

Ruby nodded, "Yes, but really what is all this about? That poor girl has been extremely ill all night."

Stahl wasn't buying it. She shook her head and smirked, "Good try Grandma, but being that drug abuse and alcoholism practically GALLOPS through her family, I think she is more likely hung over and/or possibly strung out. And as for the bit of re-decorating that my agents are doing…I am calling this a Bonus!! We apprehend a fugitive and you never can tell what may be hiding In Plain Sight."

"Fugitive? Fugitive from what?"

"Justice, Ms. Parker has outstanding warrants from Mississippi."

From the corner of her eye she saw an agent enter the kitchen, internally she groaned not approving but having knowledge of what Juice kept in the cupboard above the sink. Outwardly she glared at Stahl, "Well I don't trust you as far as I can throw you. I am not leaving until you do."

Stahl shrugged, "Suit yourself, Gramma. Just stay out of our way and do not impede the investigation."

Ruby nodded, "Very well, but it is Tea Time and being the Brit that I am, missing it would be sacrilegious. Would you care for a spot of tea?"

Stahl shook her head. "We really don't want to be here any more than you want us to be here. So you just go enjoy your tea, Mary Poppins, and we'll try to wrap this up as quickly as we can."

Ruby headed towards the kitchen and shot dagger glances at the back of the bitchy federal agent. She put on water to brew and wiped the perspiration off her brow as she waited for the kettle to whistle. The agent currently poking through the kitchen glanced at her. Ruby rolled her eyes, "I am just making a spot of tea, your boss lady granted me permission. You may go inquire with her if you'd like."

The agent shook his head and exited the kitchen in a huff. Ruby used this opportunity to grab the tea bag box out of the cupboard. She peered inside and her heart skipped a beat or three. She heard footsteps approaching and glanced up to see Henry Darling and Sadie standing there. "What on earth are you two doing here?"

Sadie eyed her, "We should ask you the same question; quite a time for tea."

Ruby thrust the tea box at her. She opened it and her face paled. In barely above a whisper she asks, "That isn't…?"

Henry peered inside and then stared at Ruby. In hushed tones he asked, "Juice's?"

Ruby nodded.

"And you knew of it?"

Ruby nodded.

Sadie stared at her. "What do you plan to do with it?"

Ruby in her normal voice advised, "Would either of you care for some tea?" She took the box back from them and dumped the contents into the now boiling water.

Sadie's mouth dropped open. Henry just sighed, "Give me a cup."

Sadie gasped. "Henry Darling! Are you out of your mind?"

He smirked, "Sadie, that should be quite apparent by now."

He took the mug Ruby handed him and quickly downed the contents. Ruby drank hers and poured them each another, eyeing Sadie all the while.

Sadie finally sighed, "Oh, Hell's Bells. You are only 76 once, right?"

Ruby poured her a cup and the three of them clanked the rims together in a shared conspiracy.

The three had just polished off the kettle of tea when a commotion was heard from the front room. The three quickly hurried out of the kitchen to find that Juice and Chibs had arrived.

"Are you off work?" Juice asked as Jaci answered the phone.

"Yeah, I'm leaving right now. But I'm in Oakland this week. Wait a second, why are YOU calling me?" Jaci replied as she began loading her laptop bag into her car.

"We've got serious fucking problems. Vix is in jail." Juice blurted.

"What?! What happened?"

"That motherfucking ATF bitch Stahl just picked her up. Fucking tossed my apartment too, looks like a damn bomb went off. They fucking broke that cool picture frame you got me, the one with the skulls? Goddamnit!" Juice let out a frustrated grunt and then continued. "They arrested Cherry and Luann too. Got Vix on something to do with an outstanding warrant? Do you know what the hell that's about?!"

Jaci frowned and tried to rack her brain. Warrant?? Juice continued to rant and cuss while she was thinking. She had never heard him so upset before, hell she didn't even know he could get that mad. She thought she heard Chibs in the background telling him to calm down. "Hold up, Juice. Do you where the warrant is from, like jurisdiction wise?"

"It's from Mississippi. You guys lived in 'Bama, what's fucking Mississippi got to do with anything?!"

Jaci's heart sank as she immediately knew why Vix would have been in any trouble in the neighboring state. Shit. Shit. Shit. "Uh, Juice? I think I know what's going on. Let me make a call, ok?"

"Who you calling?"

"My uncle; just let me work on this for a bit. I'll drop by when I get back in town, ok?"

"Fine. Come by the clubhouse though, I can't stand to be in this apartment right now." Juice replied as he kicked an overturned trashcan across the room.

Jaci immediately called her Uncle BB. She took a deep breath as the phone rang. When her uncle answered she got right to the point. "I've got a little situation."

"And hello to you too, sunshine." BB replied. "What's going on?"

She grimaced and explained about Vix's arrest and her theory about the Mississippi warrant. Her uncle listened quietly and then muttered a few choice curse words.

"Well, if we want that warrant to go away, you know who I'm going to have to talk to. You ok with opening that door?"

She groaned. "Can't you go through Trace?"

"Hell no, you know Baylor don't even talk to Trace. Dean's gonna have to be the one to ask. We're just damn lucky Baylor thinks YOU hung the moon."

"Well, if Dean tries to weasel on this, just tell him it's HIS damn fault any of this even happened. I'm headed to the police department now to try and get the scoop and then I'm going to the clubhouse to calm down Juice."

"I'll holler back. Sit tight." BB replied.

Jaci opened the clubhouse door and was immediately greeted by Chibs. He pushed away from the bar and spread his arms wide in the air.

"PARKER!! What the fuck did your sister do?" He yelled.

Tig echoed Chib's concern from his seat at the end of the bar. "You better have a brilliant plan to fix this shit. We are up to our eyeballs in bitches getting arrested."

Juice paced nervously behind the bar. "What did you find out?"

She threw up her hands in a 'slow down' gesture. "I ran by the police station to get the scoop but I got cock blocked by some Fed, wouldn't let me inside. I tried to get in to talk to Unser, but the guy he had taken 'leave'?" The guys frowned in confusion. "Tried to talk to Hale next but got told he was busy. I think the Feds have taken over down there. But…I have a theory AND a plan." She bit her lip; she wasn't looking forward to explaining things. She took a deep breath, "You guys ever heard a song called Down in Mississippi and Up to No Good?"

The guys stared blankly at her. Jaci smiled nervously. "Didn't think so. Ok, if I'm right, the warrant is for a failure to appear for an assault charge with a possible drunk and disorderly charge tagged on."

"What?!" Juice exclaimed. "Assault? Shit!!"

Tig just shook his head. "And people say I have anger management issues. You bitches get in more fights…"

Jaci waved them both off. "This thing is old. Over a year ago, me and Vix and a few friends spent the weekend at a casino; lots of partying, lots of drinking. Vix got in an 'altercation' with a chick, cops were called, I don't really know the rest because I went back to the room. But she wasn't arrested so I thought end of story. She probably got a ticket or something and just forgot about it. I think I can get the warrant dropped though. That's why I called BB."

"How's he going to fix it??" Juice asked.

Jaci hesitated. She didn't want to talk about it in front of Tig, but didn't really have a choice. Here goes nothing. "Well, he's going to call my ex, whose father happens to be a judge."

She dropped her eyes after Tig's eyebrows shot up.

"Dean's dad is a judge?" Juice frowned. "But isn't his uncle the Bama VP?"

"So his dad's dirty too?" Chibs asked.

"Nooo, his dad is 1000% legit. They have an interesting family. His dad and uncle were raised under the same roof but turned out totally different; Baylor played with books, Trace played with guns. They don't talk anymore, Dean is the go-between. Baylor always liked me though; I'm counting on that affection extending to Vix."

"And what if your ex doesn't come through?" Tig asked with annoyance.

Jaci smiled smugly. "Oh, he'll come through. That wild weekend was celebration for me dumping his cheatin' ass. This favor will be a total guilt trip."

Chibs raised his beer in her direction. "So what about you? Any warrants we need to know about?"

She scoffed and smiled. "Come on Chibsy…I'm the good sister." She squeezed Juice's hand. "Don't worry about this. Vix might have to chill in jail for a couple of days but it'll be ok. I'm halfway at fault for this…I'll make it right."

"Well the sooner the better. Vix has been sick as shit all night long, fever and chills and throwing up." Juice added.

She frowned. "Why didn't she call me? She is 25 years old and you are what? 28? Ya'll need to start using the damn brains God was generous enough to give you. You should have taken her to the damn doctor. What if she's got food poisoning?"

Tig and Chibs choked back smiles and resisted the urge to ask what if she's got a baby?!

Jaci's phone began playing 'hey pretty baby are you ready for me, its your good rockin' daddy down from Tennesse', the opening line from Guitar Town by Steve Earle. "And there's BB."

She answered and the guys listened to her side of the conversation which seemed to go well, until the very end. "Yes…ok, no problem…yes, I went by the station. Mmm, Fed said the only thing I could do to help her would be to get a lawyer…me neither, don't know why she needs a lawyer for a failure to appear…really?...well, I don't think that is really necessary, but I guess…ok…ok, let me know."

Jaci ended the call. "Ok, Dean's going to work on the warrant. Just one little hiccup..." She grimaced at Juice. "Hope you're ready to meet the family, Lover boy, cause BB is flying out here. He's not happy about Vix being in the slammer…guess he wants to see how things are out here in Charming with his own eyes."

"Ooooh, BB is going to shit a chicken when he sees you, brotha!" Chibs said to Juice with a big laugh. Tig just shook his head but he silently hoped he didn't have to be around BB much, for fear the guy might be able to just sense that he was fucking Jaci.

Jaci slapped the bar with both her hands. "Ok, boys, I'm out of here; gotta get the house in order before BB gets here whenever tomorrow." She smiled at Juice. "I'll call when I know all the flight details." She headed for the door. "See ya'll boys later."

After she left, Juice ran his hands over his head for seemed like the hundredth time that day. "How can she be so calm? Her sister is in JAIL! And now BB is coming in…shit!"

"Ever heard the expression 'grace under pressure'?" Chibs asked. "That's Jaci, man. Don't think she's one to panic until it's time to panic, ya know? She's smart, she'll have this all worked out. Sounds like her ex is coming to the rescue; all this'll blow over in a few days."

Tig snorted as he trashed his beer bottle. "Hell, she's probably glad Vix and Cherry got picked up. Now she can get some damn peace and quiet in her house." He was planning on taking full advantage of the newly created situation tonight if at all possible; thought he would call her, see if she needed any consoling. Try to get another roll in the hay before her uncle came crashing into town.

Stay tuned for the rest of HELL WEEK…