Thanks again for all the love. As promised, I'm going to try to keep this story up to date. Reviews are wonderful :) Thanks to everybody who gave me feedback last chapter. It's always great to know that there are people who enjoy my writing, and enjoy exploring Ima like I do!

**Rated M for future chapters and language

Chapter 3-

Ima stared through her windshield at the scene layed out in front of her. She sat frozen behind the wheel as she watched a few of the Sons in varied stages of surprise. The smoke snaked from the burnt remains of the CaraCara warehouse and disappeared into the sky.

She felt numb as the realization of her joblessness hit her. If she couldn't shoot, then there was no money. The only thing on her mind was what the fuck she was going to do now?

They had just received news a few days earlier that Grandma Lou's cancer was spreading. It was taking over quite the portion of her tiny body, and without proper care; the chances of her making it longer than a couple more months were slim to none.

The treatment was pricey even with alright insurance, and Ima was prepared to fork over whatever money she had to keep her 'Nana' around as long as possible. But when Grandma Lou had refused to even look into getting treated, Ima's heart had broken. And now, with the charred remains of CaraCara staring back at her, she had lost all hope in convincing her Grandma to just see what the Doctor's could do. Her nostrils itched instinctively.

She could always take up stripping again. Sure, it wasn't her number one choice, but she would do what she had to do. In porn it wasn't like she had to perform in an entire room of perverts licking their lips and yelling obscenities. She didn't have to face the creeps in a private room demanding lap dances by way of shoving singles practically up her ass.

She could try going more legit, too. But from past experiences she knew that no other job in Charming could make her enough money to take care of both her and her Grandmother. She had waitressed for a few months after she had gotten out of rehab, and the bills stacked so high that she couldn't see over them.

She sighed heavily and leaned forward to rest her head on her steering wheel. Her mind was racing a mile a minute, and she didn't even hear the rumble of the motorcycle sliding up next to her car; only looking up when she heard a soft rap on the window. Looking up she spotted Juice looking concerned.

"Hey," he said softly as she rolled the window down. "Hey," she responded, swallowing the lump in the back of her throat. Juice looked a little nervous as he responded, "you just missed Jax. He thinks he know who did this; said he can handle it. He just took off to the Club House."

She blinked hard to keep the tears at bay, and she refused to let him see her break down. Juice had always been one of the nicer, more compassionate Sons. He pursed his lips before continuing, "I know this shit is unexpected, but we'll figure it out." She shrugged and made a poor attempt at smiling, "yeah, I know."

Juice told her to go home and wait for a call, but Ima didn't know if she could. She didn't want her Grandma to worry about anything while she lived out the rest of her days. Ima felt her shoulders tremble lightly as she fought back more tears. She guessed she could probably go work for Georgie Caruso, too.

Granted that was the last thing she wanted to do, but he had tried for a while to get her to shoot for him. He had even offered her double what she was making at CaraCara. The only thing that had kept her at bay was her loyalty to SAMCRO, but faced with a decision to stay loyal or save Grandma Lou, Ima would have to do whatever she could to keep the house over their heads.

Ima watched as her Grandmother pattered around the kitchen. After a drive around town and a call from Jax, she had returned home. She tried to maintain face so she wouldn't alarm her Nana, but her conversation with Jax was still fresh in her mind.

"You alright darlin'?" his voice was a little hoarse, like he had been yelling. "I don't know, Jax...there's just so much shit going wrong." "I know. I thought I knew who did this...but when Caruso skipped town it looked real fucked up." Ima's eyes grew wide, "Georgie left town!? What am I supposed to do now?"

Jax sounded angry," what do you mean what are you gonna' do? Were you thinkin' of going and working for that prick!?" "What else can I do? What other option do I have? Nana's cancer is spreading, and her bills aren't going to pay themselves!" she had screamed right back.

Ima quickly wiped away the stray tear that had betrayed her and crept from the corner of her eye. She fought back the sob that threatened to escape her chest. His voice was calmer as he responded, "shit...I'm sorry. I just don't want you to get hurt. We'll figure this shit out."

Ima hadn't been able to believe Jax for the first time in seemingly ever. He had tried to assure her that he had some club business to take care of and then he would find a way to earn her and the other girls the money they needed to live. But, with nowhere to shoot and no director, things were looking pretty hopeless.

It wasn't often that she lost faith in the words that Jax spoke, but watching her frail Grandmother struggle to make herself a cup of coffee, Ima wasn't so sure that everything really would be ok this time. "Damnit!" Grandma Lou exclaimed as her ceramic mug filled with the hot liquid slid from her weak grasp and smashed to the tile floor below.

Ima was at her side in a moment, "Nana! Are you alright?" "Oh my, yes deary. I'm sorry I made a mess. I guess I'm just tired is all." Ima helped the shaking old woman to the little recliner just on the other side of the archway into the living room. Her heart broke a little more with every awkward step they took.

"Just relax Nana, I'll clean up the mess. Okay?" Grandma Lou didn't respond with words, instead she opted to pat her granddaughter's hand lovingly as she reclined back and allowed Ima to cover her with the afghan from the sofa.

Ima felt tears welling up in her eyes once more as she made her way back to the kitchen and started searching for the mop. She had to figure something out soon. She knew she couldn't just sit back and wait for Jax to come up with a plan. He had his own business to handle, and Ima couldn't count on anybody but herself to make things right.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It had been over a week since CaraCara was destroyed, and the bills had already started to pile in. After no word from Mr. VP about what she was to do, and with her savings account dwindling, Ima had begged and pleaded with the elderly couple who owned the local diner for a job.

After a lot of reluctance they had finally given in to her cries for help, and allowed her to start with a few hours here and there to try to get on her feet. And now, standing with a tray on her hip in an empty dining area, Ima nibbled on her bottom lip in boredom and contemplation.

She would absolutely have to find work somewhere else. Working ten hours a week for less than minimum wage and a fistful of tips just wasn't going to cut it when she had herself and her sickly Grandmother to take care of.

The sound of the bell going off, indicating a patron, barely pierced through Ima's thought bubble as she robotically grabbed silverware and headed for the noise. Lately Grandma Lou had been getting tired fairly quickly, and Ima was concerned. With her refusing treatment; she had begun losing even more weight at a rapid speed. She looked almost skeletal.

"Hi, welcome to Mama's Home Cooking, can I offer you some coffee on the house?" Ima plastered on her fake smile. His grey eyes caught her off guard. The last time she had seen them had been when they were blood-shot with a hang over as she was leaving his apartment in Lodi.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," he replied, flashing a gorgeous smile her way. "Wow, yeah...how are you Brady?" Ima replied awkwardly. She hadn't called him a couple of weeks ago like she had promised. Honestly, she just had too much going on in her life to remember. He didn't seem too concerned as he replied, "good, actually. You might know that if you ever would have called."

Ima felt her cheeks flush as he laughed a little, "I'm kidding. You've probably been busy. No reason to feel bad...I didn't know you worked here, though. I come here sometimes on my way home from my parents."

Ima busied her hands and began pouring him a cup of coffee as she responded, "I'm actually new here. Been here about a week but when you need money...you know." He smiled brightly again, "I get it. So how are you? I didn't think I'd see you again."

"Um, I've been better," Ima didn't lie, "but I'm surviving. Sorry I haven't called...I just, I don't know. There's been a lot going on and I just haven't had the time." She grabbed the pad from her apron, "nothing against you or anything you know? We had fun...right? I just...you don't wanna get mixed up with a girl like me. Do you know what you want?"

His smile was genuine. Ima felt it tug at her heart-strings just a little as he answered her, "ooh, change of subject. That's harsh." He winked at her before ordering his "usual" coconut cream pie. They made small talk for a while and Ima found herself catching him looking at her a few times.

She had to admit, he really was a looker. His dark hair fell in curls across his forehead, and his grey eyes were bright and shiny. She could see the taut muscles rippling across his body with every move he made, and the tattoos peeked out from under his short sleeve shirt...almost begging her to touch them.

When he left and she went to his table to clean up; she found a twenty-dollar tip and a little note asking her to call him for a chance to have a night they would both actually remember. She was re-reading it for the tenth time when she heard the bell go off again. But this time when she looked up, she found Lyla smiling at her nervously.

It was kind of convenient that she was here, actually, because she had wondered how Lyla had been since CaraCara had burned to the ground. Ima had meant to call her, but with everything going on she hadn't had the chance to just yet. After a brisk hug and being seated, Lyla asked Ima if she could take a break and talk to her.

The only other person in the building was Hugo, the foreign cook who was probably in the back getting high as a kite, so she didn't see the harm. "Sure babe, what's up? How have you been?" Ima asked while sliding in across from Lyla. "I've been good. Me and Opie have gotten serious, you know? But that's not why I'm here..."

Lyla was cutting right to the chase, and that had Ima a little worried. "Look Ima, we both know that you aren't making shit for money at this diner." Ima raised an eyebrow as Lyla continued, "so hear me out...Abel was kidnapped a few days back." Ima felt her eyes widen into saucers.

It was no wonder Jax hadn't answered his calls. She felt awful for thinking that there was any other reason he had ignored her, and her heart went out to him.

"How? Why?" Ima asked, but Lyla held up a hand to shush her, "a lot of shit has gone down these past couple of weeks. I don't know...Opie told me things, but I can't really talk about them to somebody who isn't an Old Lady." Ima sat a little straighter. It wasn't that Lyla was trying to offend her, but something about that statement had struck a chord.

"Bottom line Ima, I know you're hurting for cash now. The Sons have a party they agreed to set up with the Chinese and they need some American pussy present." Ima stared at Lyla, waiting for her to continue. This was sounding a little like prostitution, and since she had been arrested a little while back, Ima had vowed not to do that again but..."what's the price?" She asked, everybody had a price and Ima was no different.

Even with her vow to go straight, she could use the cash and why not? Her body had never betrayed her before. "Four grand each," Lyla stated. Ima nodded. She knew she would do it even before she answered. With that much money she could pay off some of the stack of bills that had started to fill the filing cabinet.

"When?" "Tonight...I know, I know...it's short notice but if you can manage..." Ima nodded again, "where? I'll be there." She wasn't about to get started on why she needed money so bad, or seek any kind of comfort, but she knew she wasn't going to turn down an oppurtunity like this.

After getting the details and exchanging a hug; Ima laid down her apron and made her way home. She couldn't do the diner thing anymore, and this was a good time to walk out. She needed something that would bring her in more money. She felt bad because it had taken her a few days to even convince the owners of Mama's to give her a job, but when four thousand dollars comes knocking at your door, you answer it.

After a shower and a check in on her Nana, Ima picked out her smallest blue skirt and a skimpy white button down. If she knew anything about private parties; it was that the school girl look never missed a beat. After making sure she looked perfect and dabbing on some of her favorite perfume, Ima slid on her black pumps and took off in the direction on Wang Hung's Chinese restaurant on the out skirts of town.

She felt nervous. Not only was she under pressure about living up to the "porn star reputation" all men felt should be her whole life, but she would be seeing Jax for the first time in weeks. And, knowing what she knew about Able, she wasn't sure what kind of mood he would be in. She would have to fight back the urge to run to him.

After pulling into the parking lot and adjusting her skirt so that her ass was covered as much as possible in the five inches of clothe wrapped around her hips, Ima strutted inside. Jax was at the bar. He looked rough; like he hadn't had much sleep. He looked up as she walked in and raised his glass in her direction. That wasn't so hard.

Opie was sitting at a booth looking sullen. And the other Sons were scattered around talking to scantily clad women. The chinese were paired up with all the white women, and after given the run down from Lyla, Ima found herself a chubby oriental man who looked like he could use a little company.

Things were going off without a hitch. The room behind where Ima stood with her guest was for private use only. She knew that eventually she would have to take the guy she was talking to behind those doors and blow his mind...along with other things. She watched as Lyla led an older man back, and caught the look of hate that Opie was sending their way.

'He'll have to get over it' Ima thought as she imagined her bank account with $4,000 in it. Jax was looking in her direction, his eyes were lusty and he didn't look away from Ima when she caught his stare. She might have excused herself from her guest and went over to talk to him if Opie hadn't jumped up and bee-lined his way to Lyla and the man who now had his dick shoved in her mouth.

It all happened pretty fast. The doors were ripped open and the commotion was instantaneous. Jax ran after his best friend, yelling "get down" as he passed her. 'Shit' she thought as she dropped under one of the tables in the main room. She heard the shouting and sound of duns being cocked. Her heart raced...sometimes she really missed this life.

It was dangerous, and Ima found it thrilling. But with Grandma Lou so sick she had to make sure that she stayed focused. She couldn't risk anything as far as the elderly woman who had raised her went. And after a few minutes of hiding under a table while the Sons tried to reign in Opie and calm the Chinese; Ima came to the conclusion that MAYBE 4 grand wasn't worth this, after-all.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"I understand how frustrating it was for him, but damnit...maybe I should've listened to him you know?" Lyla ranted as her and Ima changed into comfortable clothing back at the club house. Ima understood, but the fact remained, Opie loved Lyla. "Yeah, he just cares a lot. Would you want to see him buried face first in some other chick?" She responded.

After the fight, the guys had made sure all was ok. Opie had stormed out with Lyla at his heels and she had hurried right behind them. She chose to abandon her car and ride with Lyla so that the frazzled blonde could vent a little. Now, back at the club house, things had seemingly calmed down...for now. "I guess not. I should have thought it through..."

Jax had showed up later, and upon seeing him, Ima decided she wanted to say something. Maybe if he took her home...she hadn't really talked to him much lately, and as much as she could use somebody to vent to, she was assuming that he probably could too. Besides, after the party blowing up in their faces, Ima needed to talk cash. Word was that the girls still had 2 grand coming to them for showing up.

"Hey" she said as she adjusted the cut he was wearing. "Hey darlin'" his response was flat. "You wanna give me a ride?" she asked, pulling the corner of her mouth up in a sexy smirk. He copied her, and gave her long body the once over.

"Ay! Jacki Boy! Ya gonna' wanna see this brutha!" Chibs interrupted. Ima trailed behind Jax as he made his way to the table. Ima peered over his shoulder. There was a picture of a man leaned against a brick wall, a cross drawn in blood marked his forehead.

"Fuck! When?" Jax exclaimed. "Four hours ago," Juice responded, "from Ireland." "If Cameron is in Ireland...where's Able?" Tig asked. Jax's eyes darted all over in thought. Without warning he turned around and looked at her. She was frozen. "Juice, take Ima to her car. I've gotta go see Gemma." And then he was gone.

Ima was back to square one...