This chapter was written by the talented Skywasmadeofamethyst!

Chapter 2

October 12th 1998

Julie Hale sat in the SAMCRO clubhouse beside one of her best friends on the planet Tara Knowles. The two had been inseparable since meeting in high school their freshman year.

Most people wouldn't think looking at them that they would be friends. They came from two different worlds. Their childhoods were nothing alike.

Tara had grown up with a father who was drunk more often than not. Her mother had died when Tara was nine. Her dad worked long hours as a cook at a local diner. The only way the family had survived was by the money Tara's grandmother sent each month to help Tara and her father along.

Julie's father Jacob Hale was a well to do business man. The family was old money on both her mother's and her father's side. Her brothers Jacob Jr. and David were the all American boys. They lived in a nice home in a nice part of Charming. Julie played the piano and played sports growing up. She was by all means the all American counterpart to her older brothers.

The one thing that had connected to two very different women was their mothers. Julie's mother Marion had died suddenly when Julie was only nine, a car crash. The other driver was drunk and Marion Hale had died on impact.

The loss of both womens' mothers at such a young age had been the thing that had built a strong bond between the two.

Tonight wasn't about loss though. Tonight was a celebration.

Julie was back home in Charming after a rather uneventful run at a college in upstate Washington. Her father's idea not hers.

So it seemed that twenty one year old Julie and twenty one year old Tara were together again.

Tara had been the one to suggest to stop by SAMCRO's clubhouse for a few drinks.

Though Julie had only been in the clubhouse a few times before when she'd attended the notorious Friday night bashes with Tara and Donna Winston, she could admit she actually felt quite at home.

The place was surprisingly abandoned, there was only one scantily clad croweater hanging around and she'd disappeared at first sight of Tara.

Tara and Julie had taken full advantage of the clubhouse's massive bar.

Julie was up for a good time ready to blow off some steam from the argument she'd had with her dad earlier in the day over her choice to drop out of college and forget about med school.

She slammed down her shot the sour look on her face causing Tara to burst out laughing. "What's wrong Julie? This tequila too strong?"

Julie smirked shaking her head. "Oh you know me. My palate got accustomed to the champagne I have at the country club."

Tara snorted knowing that Julie was full of shit.

Julie always made fun of her upbringing, calling herself a poor little rich girl. She only did it because it made Tara laugh.

In a way it was Julie's little way of downplaying her childhood and the blessings she'd grown up with.

At times she felt a little selfish growing up with all the opportunities she'd had and not taking full advantage of them.

Med School was a dream for most people, but Julie's heart just hadn't been in it. She didn't want to be a doctor.

That was her father's dream not her own.

"I thought Jax was going to join us." Julie pointed out her eyes scanning the empty clubhouse as thought the man would pop up from behind a sofa and join Tara and she for drinks.

Tara shook her head pouring herself a tall shot. "No...Things have been...well they've been tough lately. I keep on asking him about Chicago, but I just feel like it's not getting through his head."

Julie frowned only feeling more guilty for dropping out of college and dropping her pre-med studies.

Being a doctor was Tara's lifelong dream.

There were times where Julie wished she could trade places with Tara; let Tara take the money Jacob Sr. had fronted up for Julie's education and go to whatever school she wanted.

Julie poured her own shot hoping that maybe she could drink away her guilt. "Do you think he's still wanting to leave Charming?"

"I don't know anymore...One day he says we're going, the next day he's changed his mind. His mom isn't making it any easier." Tara explained staring down at the bar studying the grains in the worn shiny wood.

Julie felt her heart sink at the conflict in Tara's eyes. She knew just how much Tara adored Jackson Teller.

The man had been stuck to Tara's side since they were sixteen years old.

Julie knew that Tara's dreams went far beyond Charming though. She wanted to be a doctor more than anything on the world. On one hand Tara wanted to stay here in her hometown by Jax's side, on the other hand she wanted to follow her dreams with Jax in tow.

Julie knew that Jax's mother Gemma Teller Morrow had never been a big fan of Tara. It had been that way from day one.

Gemma was the matriarch of SAMCRO. She had hopes of Jax following in his father's footsteps, carrying the next generation of Teller's into the Sons.

Julie wouldn't pay to be in Tara's shoes dealing with Gemma for all the money on the planet.

Tara looked up from the bar sighing as she changed the subject. "What was the fight with your dad about? You said he's mad at you."

"He thinks I'm squandering my education. I am just so sick of him controlling my life Tara. I told him that I don't want to be a doctor and all he can say is that he knows what is best for me...but it's my life not his...You know how he is though. He doesn't listen to me." Julie explained taking her shot the burn sliding down her throat.

She pushed the shot glass back shaking her head as she spoke. "I must sound like such a spoiled brat. Complaining about my dad wanting to give me a nice education...I mean...I know I sound ungrateful, but it's just not what I want in life."

She paused shaking her head. "My mother always told me that I should devote my life to something that makes my heart sing when I get up each morning to start my day...The idea of being a doctor doesn't get my heart singing at all...Dad was the one who wanted to be a doctor back when he was my age, but his dad wanted him to go into the family business. So granddad pushed him into his dream. And now Dad is doing the same damn thing to me."

"You aren't a brat. I know how your dad is Julie. He's...he can be a real jackass sometimes." Tara replied wanting so badly to comfort her dear friend.

She was telling the truth she didn't think Julie was ungrateful. She just wanted to follow her own dreams.

Tara related to that desire.

Julie gave her a tight smile shaking her head as she spoke up. "Remember how my dad use to get into fights with our softball couch? God that was so mortifying."

"Oh yeah. I remember." Tara replied pouring herself another shot.

"He pulled the same shit at my brothers' games...He thinks he knows so much more than everyone else." Julie pointed out rolling her eyes her mood souring again as she thought back to the argument.

Tara spoke sensing Julie's worsening mood. She had just managed to get Julie to smile and cheer up and she didn't want to lose progress. "What are you going to do now that you're back in town?"

"I have no idea. I'm going to need to get a job. Dad's told me I'm on my own if I ever want to go back to college again. I think I might try taking a waitress job for a while. I saw a help wanted sign down at Murphy's Diner. I've never had a time in my life that I've been allowed to just sit and relax. All my life I've been shoved into after school programs and sports teams because my dad thought it'd look good on college applications. I've never had a chance to just get to know me you know? I've always been too busy doing what my dad wants, I've never had me time." Julie explained overwhelmed with what she should do now that she no longer was living under her father's thumb.

She was so angry that her father just couldn't understand that this was her life. She had to make her own choices.

"I bet you'll figure something out." Tara tried to reassure her knowing that this was the first time Julie had really been free of her father's overbearing hold.

She knew that Julie had been under pressure pretty much from the day she was born. She was her father's only daughter. Jacob Sr. had put all his hopes and dreams onto Julie once he'd realized just how bright she was.

At times Jacob Sr. could be overbearing to say the least. He was constantly hounding Julie to do more and give more. Nothing ever seemed to please him; her best was never quite good enough.

Julie had hoped that going upstate for school would help ease some of the pressure she felt from her father, but even being in another zip code hadn't stopped Jacob Sr. from trying to micromanage Julie's life and future.

Julie shook her head joking as she spoke. "Yeah and if I don't I can just grow a beard and join the circus or something. I have options."

Tara snorted chuckling at this comment. She had almost forgotten how odd Julie's sense of humor could be at times.

The women both looked up from the bar as a man entered the otherwise abandoned clubhouse.

Chibs Telford spotted Tara Knowles and the unfamiliar woman sitting by her side.

He hadn't been expecting anyone to be in the clubhouse tonight. It was a Monday and Monday's were always quiet.

Julie stared at the man her eyes growing wide at the scars embedded into his cheeks. He was older than her, middle aged. His hair was dark and as he pushed his sunglasses up to rest on top of his head Julie could see that his eyes were just as dark; like milk chocolate.

He wore plain blue jeans, a black shirt, grungy boots, and a black leather kutte; Sons of Anarchy. Though he had a bit of chunk around his stomach it was clear that he still had trim arms, he was broad chested it seemed. She eyed the shiny silver cross hanging proudly from his neck.

She pushed her need to gawk at his scars aside as she gave him a polite smile.

Chibs would be lying if he tried to say that his heart didn't skip a beat as the unfamiliar woman gave him a little smile.

She was cute to say the least; blonde with the palest set of baby blue eyes he had ever seen. She was wearing an old pair of cut-off jean shorts, a baseball top, and a pair of worn blue converse. Her long hair was pulled up on top of her head revealing a youthful face. She wore her makeup lightly; just foundation and a bit of clear lip gloss.

She was gorgeous, effortlessly so.

Tara smiled as she noticed Julie and Chibs catch one another's' gaze.

She didn't know much about Chibs, just that he was a new patch in that had come all the way from Belfast Ireland.

He wasn't Irish though. He was a Scotsman hailing from Glasgow.

He seemed sweet enough, a little charming actually.

As far as Tara knew Chibs didn't have an old lady. He seemed to spend most of his time alone actually.

She couldn't stop herself from speaking up the need to play matchmaker peeking up in her. "Chibs come here I want you to meet someone."

Chibs thought about turning away and throwing out some bullshit lie about how he had just stopped in to grab a change of clothes before heading out on club business. He found himself unable to speak as he walked right over to the women his eyes never leaving Julie.

Tara spoke again nodding from Julie to Chibs. "This is one of my dearest friends Julie. Julie this is Chibs."

Chibs reached out taking Julie's hand in his giving it a firm shake. He had to enjoy how smooth her hands were. They felt like silk.

Her hand was so delicate against his own.

Julie enjoyed the way Chibs' hand felt in hers. His hands were a little rough, different from any of the guys she usually found herself drawn too.

She was stunned by this thought; being drawn to Chibs.

She hadn't had a boyfriend in years, not even a date. It was just that her life was so damn hectic.

Her father had tried to shove guys at her; sons of his friends, but they had never been Julie's type.

Tara smiled noticing that the two were still staring at one another lost in each other's eyes.

She could tell that Chibs was more than smitten and Julie seemed to be just as awe stricken with the Scot.

She stood up from the bar giving Julie a kiss on the cheek as Chibs finally released her hand. "I'm going to go see if Jax is in a better mood. Maybe Chibs can show you around the clubhouse."

Julie raised an eyebrow seeing exactly what Tara was doing. Tara was always trying to set her up with Jax's friends, but it never worked out.

Chibs cleared his throat as Tara grabbed her purse and disappeared from sight leaving the clubhouse. "Are ya new in town?"

Julie gave him a small smile astonished by his thick Scottish accent. That wasn't an accent she heard around these parts. "No I was born and raised here. I just got home from college...I'm taking a break for a while. I thought I'd come back to Charming and think about things."

Chibs nodded his head feeling lost as what to say or do.

He was more used to talking to croweaters. And the blonde woman staring up at him with those baby blue eyes he was beginning to get a little lost in was certainly not a croweater.

He cleared his throat again his eyes catching the dart board on the other side of the clubhouse. "Are ya any good at darts lass?"

Juile gave him another smile her heart dancing a bit at his accent. She'd always had a thing for accents, and Chibs' accent was gorgeous in her opinion.

She stood up from the bar letting out a small laugh. "I guess we'll see."

October 12th 1999

Julie and Chibs had been seemingly attached at the hip from that first game of darts just the year before.

They had spent that night together in the clubhouse laughing and playing darts and billiards. Any awkwardness that had been first there had faded quickly. Soon they had been chatting like old friends.

Julie had turned out to be quite good at darts, though to this day Chibs would still insist that he had just been trying to be a gentleman and let her win.

The next day as the sun was rising outside Chibs had found himself asking Julie to return the next evening for another game; pinball.

Soon it seemed as though they spent every second that Chibs wasn't tied up at the garage and the club and Julie wasn't tied up at the diner, together.

A week after they had met Chibs took a chance and kissed Julie and they hadn't looked back.

Tonight was their anniversary; their very first anniversary.

Julie collapsed against Chibs her body still shaking from the intensity of the orgasm she had just experienced.

Chibs held her against him as she remained straddled over his hips. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head his hand trailing her bare back. "Happy Anniversary my love."

She smiled up at him her hand reaching up to caress one of his scarred cheeks. She had long ago learned not to even notice them. They were just another piece of the man she adored. "I love you Filip. Happy Anniversary."

She reluctantly pulled up off of him rolling over on to his right side. She rested her head against his chest the sound of his calming heartbeat relaxing her automatically.

She placed her fingertips over the golden square locket Chibs had given her; an anniversary present. "Thank you for this Filip...it's beautiful."

"I'm happy ya like it Jewel." He replied giving her a tired smile, he had been thrilled with the delighted smile on her face as he'd placed the necklace around her neck.

He had been unsure if she would like it. It had been so long since he'd bought a gift for a woman.

Julie was the first woman he had even wanted anything more than sex with since Fiona.

She had melted a bit of the heartache he felt from losing his Fiona and Kerrianne to the man who had scarred him banning him from his home and the IRA.

Chibs had thought that his life was over after he'd lost his family. He had been laid up in that hospital in horrible pain from the gashes in his cheeks, he had wanted to just roll over and die.

The Belfast charter of the Sons had been his saving grace. They had given him a purpose to keep on going.

He'd patched over to the mother charter and tried to start anew, but one thing had still been missing. He had been alone, alone and longing for the family he'd lost.

He had thought that he would spend the rest of his days like that; alone, pining for what he could never have.

Julie Elizabeth Hale had changed everything. She had been his true saving grace.

Julie made him happy. She made him feel so ridiculously happy, and the last thing he'd thought he'd ever feel again; loved.

He continued to stroke her back enjoying the feel of her silken skin against his rough hands.

Chibs was still amazed that Julie wanted him; she was young, smart as hell, elegant, gorgeous, and funny.

He was still so overtaken by just how stunning she was. He still got lost in her baby blue eyes. He loved her big smile. It seemed as though her smile could lighten his mood no matter how sour it was.

Julie let out a sleepy laugh still adoring that nickname; Jewel. He was the only one who called her that.

She smiled pressing a kiss to his lips as she spoke. "Thank you for the today too...I know you've been busy with the club lately...I know it was hard to get away for today."

"It wasn't a problem love. Gem would'a killed Clay if he hadn't let me off today." Chibs replied his hand running through her blonde sex-tangled locks.

Julie grinned at this comment. Surprisingly Gemma and she had become somewhat close since Chibs and she had become an item.

Gemma liked Julie well enough seeing that the girl made Chibs so happy. She had learned to look past Julie's friendship with Tara.

The day had been perfect; They had woken up early at Julie's crappy little apartment. Julie had made Chibs his favorite breakfast on the planet; chocolate chip pancakes with orange juice and hot tea.

Chibs had taken her to the park; her favorite park where her mother had taken her when she was a little girl. Chibs and Julie had fed the ducks before eating a picnic Julie had packed. Then they'd gone to dinner to a little Italian restaurant, the same restaurant where they'd had their first date. Chibs had given Julie her necklace then.

It was a day Julie was sure she'd remember for a long time to come.

She reluctantly pulled out of Chibs' grasp leaning over the bed and grabbing ahold of one of Chibs' shirts. She knew better than to stay nude in Chibs' room in the clubhouse for too long.

His brothers had a tendency to burst into his room without knocking more often than not.

Chibs chuckled at the sight his shirt huge on her tiny frame. He spoke as she settled against him her head resting back over his heart. "I was enjoyin that view."

Julie shook her head a soft laugh escaping her throat. "I know but we don't want a repeat performance of last week."

Chibs sighed knowing just what she was talking about. The week before Julie had he had snuck off for a little alone time only to have Tig drunkenly stumble into the bedroom mistaking it for the bathroom.

Chibs had barely managed to cover Julie up with his kutte before Tig had a chance to turn around.

"Aye bastard managed to pee on my floor. It took three cleanings fer the prospect to get the smell out." Chibs grumbled shaking his head.

Julie snorted shaking her head at this comment. She wasn't sure if she'd ever get used to life at the Sons' clubhouse.

It was hectic to say the least. It was a change from her strict structured upbringing.

It suited her though. For the first time in so long Julie could honestly say that she was happy.

Of course her family was none too pleased with her relationship with Chibs.

Jacob Sr. thought Chibs was a thug who was going to lead Julie into a life of ruin. Her brother Jacob Jr. thought that Julie was going through some rebellious phase. And David thought that his sister needed saving. David was always preaching to her about how the Sons were dangerous and how she should be careful.

He didn't like the idea of his baby sister falling in with what he saw as a bad crowd. It didn't look good David being a rising star in the Charming Police force.

Julie was surprised to realize that she didn't care what her father and her brothers thought though. For the first time in her life she didn't care if she wasn't pleasing them.

Chibs made her happy. He wasn't what her father and her brothers thought he was at all. Chibs was sweet, funny, charming, intelligent, and he listened to her.

He was the only person not counting Tara and Donna, who had ever truly listened to Julie.

Julie loved him. She loved Chibs Telford with all her heart and soul.

She wanted a life with him; a happy long life filled with children and grandchildren. He was the first man who she actually saw herself having a real future with.

She ran her fingers through his short hair always having loved the hints of silver in his otherwise dark hair.

"At least he didn't see my tits." She murmured her eyes growing heavy.

"Aye I woulda had to blind him if he had." He remarked tightening his hold on her.

Julie giggled her eyes growing heavier and heavier by the second.

She managed to speak as her eyes finally fluttered shut. "I love you Filip."


Present Day

Julie took a deep breath her eyes brimming with tears as she parked her rental car out in front of the cemetery.

The same thought that had run through her brain at least a million times danced through her head once again; This couldn't be happening.

She was so stunned. The last thing she'd expected was to get that phone call from Bobby Munson.

Julie had been sitting up at her home in San Bernardino with her daughter Gracie braiding her hair while the girl watched Tangled for the billionth time, when the reality had set in. Tara was dead. Her best friend was dead.

It had hit her like a ton of bricks sitting up braiding Gracie's hair; little Gracie had been named after the smartest woman Julie knew; Tara Grace Knowles.

The call Bobby had made when Julie was sitting up at her law office had made it all to clear. Tara was dead; it was a homicide. Her best friend in the entire world was dead and gone, and Jax Teller was in jail because the police had placed the blame on him.

Julie knew in her heart and soul that Jax didn't do it. She knew that Jax wouldn't hurt Tara; she was the love of his life. He would never hurt her.

Julie took a deep breath pushing back her tears as she finally exited her car.

She stood back during the burial refusing to move too close. Julie knew that seeing that casket would destroy her.

Julie began the trek through the cemetery back to her car as the casket was finally lowered. She didn't make it far as a hand was placed on her arm.

She turned her stomach rolling as she spotted the matriarch of the Sons Gemma. Gemma spoke her hand reaching out to press to Julie's cheek. "Julie is that you?"

Julie pushed her dark ray ban sunglasses up allowing them to rest on top of her fair locks as she spoke. "Yeah...I'm sorry I didn't come to the service, I had to get settled into my motel and get my daughter settled in...I wanted to come, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay sweetheart. You're here now, that's all that matters." Gemma replied pulling her hand back studying the woman.

Julie seemingly hadn't changed at all in the ten years she'd been gone.

The only thing that seemed to have changed was her attire. Julie's clothing was defiantly more expensive. She wore designer heels and a plain black dress, her hair was pulled back into a tight bun.

Gemma spoke again as soon as she finished studying the woman's more refined appearance. "You have a daughter?"

"Yeah...she just turned six...Gracie, her name is Gracie. I tried to name her after Tara...I wanted to name her Tara but my ex-husband didn't like the name, so Gracie won out." Julie explained twisting the strap of her purse in her hands.

She couldn't help but to still feel a little intimidated under the gaze of Gemma Teller Morrow.

She was stunned as another familiar face approached her. She allowed Bobby Munson to give her a gentle hug a fond smile on his face. "Julie. I'm happy you came...I wasn't sure if you would."

"I'm here to help in any way I can." She replied doing her best to keep her tone business like.

She had taken Bobby's request to represent Jax and get him out of this mess, without even having to think about it.

Julie knew that Tara would want her to help Jax. Even if Julie would rather not be coming back to Charming, she knew that this was the right thing to do.

Chibs frowned as Bobby pulled away from Quinn and he without a word.

Chibs followed Bobby's trail puzzled as he approached Gemma and an unfamiliar woman.

He felt his stomach drop as it hit him that the unfamiliar woman wasn't unfamiliar at all; Julie, his Julie.

She wasn't his Julie any longer, Chibs reminded himself bitterly. He had fucked that one up a long time ago.

He knew that he shouldn't be shocked. Of course she would be here. Julie was Tara's best friend.

Back in the day Tara, Donna, and Julie had all run around together. The three were never apart it seemed.

Despite the voice in the back of his head that was telling him not to do it, he walked over to Julie, Bobby, and Gemma.

Julie felt her stomach drop as the last man she'd ever wanted to see again approached her.

She eyed him studying how much he'd changed in the past decade; his hair was tinted with more silver, his form was trimmer, his eyes seemed tired and more jaded with the life.

She spoke her throat tight as she did her best to be civil. The past had to stay in the past, things had changed. Sure he had broken her heart, but that was in the past. "Chibs."

Julie." He blurted out trying to ignore the look Bobby was giving him.

The man had never forgiven Chibs for breaking Julie's heart. Chibs was sure that none of the guys had, not really. And Gemma certainly hadn't.

He spoke his brain shutting off for a moment. "Ya look great."

He mentally kicked himself for this comment.

That was probably the last thing he should be saying to her. He had long ago lost the right to admire her.

He felt his heart do a leap as he spotted the locket around her neck. The same locket he'd given her for their first anniversary.

He could still remember how he'd searched and searched for the perfect gift for Julie. The gold locket had caught his eyes at an old pawn shop not far from Floyd's Barber Shop. He had bought the locket the second he'd seen it. Tara had helped him find a picture of Julie and her mother and he'd placed it in the locket.

Chibs could still remember the way Julie had smiled her eyes filled with happy tears as he placed the necklace around her neck. She had loved it.

"How have you been?" Julie blurted out just as frazzled.

Of course she had known that it would impossible to avoid Chibs during her stay in Charming, but she hadn't expected to be faced with this reunion so quickly.

Chibs opened his mouth to answer her as Julie's cell phone began to chime.

Julie stared down into her purse barely managing to fish out her smart phone before the final ring. She smiled the sound of her daughter's voice filling her ears. "Mommy are you done yet? Daddy took me to get pancakes and we watched Disney, but he's not very good at coloring. You're better at it."

"Yeah I know Daddy kind of sucks at coloring. I'm about to leave and come home baby." Julie replied the sound of her child's voice automatically making her day less grim.

Chibs felt his stomach drop realizing that Julie was talking to a child; her child. Daddy, Julie had moved on.

He sighed his stomach churning at the realization. He once again mentally kicked himself for being such an idiot and ruining things with Julie.

He could have had everything with Julie and he had only ruined it.

And now it was too late, Chibs realized. Julie would never be his again.