Chapter 2

Fear

Same day

6:45 PM

Donna hears gunshots over the phone. Tara is screaming. Donna starts yelling Tara's name as Opie enters the house. He runs over to Donna as she tumbles to the floor looking terrified.

Opie quickly picks up the phone receiver and says, "Tara?" but there is no response.

As Opie is about to hang up the phone, he hears, "Hello, hello, is anyone there?" A male voice is at the other end of the line.

Opie responds, "Hello, who are you?" David sighs with relief, "My name is David Hale and Tara Knowles has been shot."

"David, this is Opie Winston and Tara had just called our house. What in the hell is going on and why are you with Tara?"

David states, "Opie, I have a lot to tell you. Right now I have to attend to immediate matters. You need to get Jax to the hospital now and don't talk to anyone else. I will explain more later."

Hale hangs up the phone and Opie tells Donna, "I have to go!" Donna shakes her head understanding that he must leave. Donna asks, "Please just call me, okay." Opie grabs her for a hug and a kiss, assuring Donna he will call soon.

Meanwhile, Jax rides into the lot at TM where his mother appears to be waiting for him. Gemma asks, "Jax, are you okay?"

"Yeah, mom what's up?" Gemma stares at Jax and says nothing. He dismisses his mother and walks into the clubhouse, heading straight to the bar. He quickly gets a bottle of Jameson and a glass to help him forget that Tara is gone.

Wendy sidles up to Jax to offer her body for his pleasure. He smirks at her, but her slimy odor and phony gestures are making Jax nauseated. He is really turning down pussy? This is crazy, he needs to numb the pain and get plastered. He looks around the room and sees many of his brothers playing around and having sex in front of everyone. He starts to question if this is really the life he has chosen. The idea that he may not want this gives him a massive headache. Right now all he feels is pain and confusion. He remembers this is his father's legacy, and he has no other choice in this life...but is this really what he wants?

Clay walks in and calls for church, now! They all follow in place to sit at the table. Clay talks about the next run and how everyone needs to be ready for trouble. The Mayans are on a rampage and they want to take over guns in Northern Cali. As the meeting concludes, Jax's cell phone is vibrating in his pocket. Opie runs into the room to grab Jax.

Jax ignores his phone as Opie whispers in Jax's ear, "We have trouble. Tara is at St. Thomas in surgery."

Jax is stunned. "What are you talking about, Op?"

Opie shakes his head and pushes Jax outside. Opie whispers again, "I can't tell you here, we need to get to St. Thomas."

Jax is getting ready to tell his mom where he is going, but Opie stops him, remembering what Hale had said...talk to no one.

Just then Unser pulls into TM with two other police vehicles. Unser nods to Jax and tells him,"Go to St. Thomas now." Jax doesn't need to be told twice. His fear takes over and he rides like a bat out of hell to the hospital. Opie follows closely behind him.

Officer Candy Eglee is standing at the entrance to the hospital as Jax and Opie arrive. "Please follow me," says Eglee. They all get into the elevator and Jax starts to speak, but Eglee shakes her head and puts her finger to her lips, signaling them to be silent. Jax is so upset he feels like he is going to explode. Finally, they get off the elevator and she leads them to a conference room where DA Tyne Patterson and other law enforcement personnel are seated.

Jax yells, " I want to know what is going on! Why is Tara in surgery?"

Patterson looks at Jax with complete understanding and sympathy as she assures him, "Jax, you will be told everything."

Jax and Opie join everyone at the table. Patterson begins to speak. "Jackson, I am sorry to tell you that Tara Knowles has been shot in the chest."

Jax just stares at her as if she has lost her mind. He starts to shake and his eyes roll back in his head as he falls to the floor, passing out. As emergency personnel take over, all Opie can think is thank G-d we're at the hospital.

Opie calls Donna and she brings Ellie to the hospital with her as fast as she can. Donna wonders if she should call Piney to baby sit. For some reason she feels compelled to say nothing to any one.

Donna finds Opie sitting in the lobby looking pale and bewildered. She sits down next to Opie and he turns toward her with tears in his eyes.

Donna asks, " Opie, tell me what is going on." He begins to tell her, "Tara was shot in the chest and is currently fighting for her life in surgery. Jax is in the emergency room because he passed out when he heard about Tara." Donna looks up at Opie with tears in her eyes and says, "Oh my G-d."

A doctor comes out asking for anyone associated with Mr. Teller. Opie and Donna both walk up to the doctor and ask,

"How is he?"