A loud banging noise wakes Jax as he slowly opens an eye glancing around trying to get his bearings then he opens the other. His mind's still in a fog, his body branded with Tara's love as he tries to come out of his haze into the present. What is that fucking banging? Jax smirks down at Tara's sated body still entangled with his lying knocked out beneath him. Jax has accomplished what he set out to do, he fucked the shit out of his old lady.
Thinking back Jax chuckles, I got the shit fucked out of me too. Jax knows without a doubt he loves this beautiful woman beneath him more than anything in the world and he'll get her out of this mess no matter what he has to do. Jax's still burrowed deep inside Tara slowly and carefully pulls out of her damn, he's super sensitive. Jax mutters. "Damn woman what have you done to me?"
The banging continues and then Jax realizes it's the door how long have they been asleep? "Shit," Jax gets up and wraps the sheet around him and heads to the front door, closing the bedroom door on his way out after looking back at this wife's sleeping form. Jax opens the front door and it's Ally Lowen, she's here to take Tara to the police station. Jax tells her. "Sorry about that we must have fallen asleep."
Ally smiles a knowing smile. Ally grew up alongside Jax and Tara, they didn't hang around in the same crowd but everybody knew they were the Prince and Princess of Charming even back in high school. They all witnessed the passion and love Jax and Tara share wishing someday someone will love them like that. "Don't worry Jax. I called the sheriff's department and there has been a delay in Tara's paperwork. There is a measles outbreak in the county and they're having trouble with it spreading through the prison and county jail. For the time being they aren't letting new prisoners in and no one can be transferred out. Because of this Tara's going to be held here in Charming until the outbreak is contained. Right now they're not sure how long it will be. We still have a couple of hours before the paperwork is completed because of the quarantine there isn't anyone there to issue a warrant. That's why this whole thing doesn't make any sense. Tara can't be arrested when there isn't a warrant for her arrest. I talked to Eli and he thinks this is strange too, I can't take her in until there's paperwork. Whoever their witness is must be pushing this hard and someone's listening. I thought I'd come on over and let you know what's going on and it gives us some time to talk and prepare Tara for what's about to happen."
Jax scrubs his face with his hands then runs his hands through his hair trying to wake up and decides some coffee would be nice as he gets up to start a pot.
"Shit. I'm afraid to ask her, afraid it will upset her more but I have to ask Tara who the boys' doctor is and what to do." For Tara's sake as well as his own, Jax needs to get his emotions in check or else Tara will be able to see the turmoil brewing inside him just by looking into his eyes. Jax needs remain calm so Tara doesn't break down, hell, so he doesn't break down.
Wrapped in the comforter from their bed Tara saunters into the kitchen looking for Jax. "Jax?" She sees Ally sitting at the table with Jax. "Oh... Hi, Ally." Tara throws her hand up waving her fingers. She turns toward Jax, "Why didn't you wake me up?" Tara starts to panic. "I need a shower before I leave."
Jax can't help but smile his girl can't stand to be late for anything and it looks like that includes jail. Jax gets up and walks over to Tara and wraps his arms around her. "Babe it will be a couple of hours there's still a hold up on your paper work. Ally came to tell us in person and to talk with us. You have plenty of time Tara." Tara leans into Jax laying her head on his chest. Jax takes a deep breath letting it out slowly. "There's a measles outbreak in San Joaquin County and you'll be held in Charming until your bail hearing. They've quarantined the prison and county jail."
"I need to know if there's anything I need to do about the boys? Do I take them to the doctor? I don't know who their doctor is. Should I call them? What do I do?" Jax is trying to keep his own anxiety down so he doesn't add to Tara's.
Tara looks up at Jax with big watery green eyes. "Jax you can't take them to the doctor. Thomas has just had his first vaccination he needs his last one but it won't be for years and Abel has had his first and he has to wait at least a year to have his last one. Don't take them to the doctor's office that's the last place they need to be that's where all the sick kids go." That doesn't make any sense to Jax but he nods anyway. "Don't take them to public places either. Keep them home Jax you have to keep them home, this is serious." Tara's pleading with Jax. Jax knows this is killing Tara he can see the panic in her eyes.
Tara has worked hard through therapy - emotional and physical to get her back to the place she was before her hand injury. Tara won't be able to take care of her babies and their boys mean the world to her. Tara looks up at Jax looking lost it breaks Jax's heart to see Tara like this. Jax's eyes start to water as the guilt sets in he knows she wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for him.
Jax cradles Tara in his arms calming her. After a few minutes Jax looks down at Tara. "Tara look at me." When Tara looks up at Jax he continues. "It will be alright babe. We'll get through this just like we do everything else." Jax kisses Tara's forehead. He looks at Ally, "We'll be back in just a minute I am going to help get Tara ready. Help yourself to the coffee."
"No problem. We have a long wait. Take your time. I will be right here looking over some paper work," Ally says as she fixes her a cup of coffee before she sits back down.
Jax walks Tara back to their bedroom so she can get ready and they can talk privately.
Tara turns and looks at Jax. "Jax you can't possibly want more."
Being contrite Jax smiles. "Baby I always want more of you but you have literally worn the fuck out of me, I hurt in places I never thought was possible. You do have a glow about you," Jax smiles proudly.
"Yeah, you've worn the fuck out of me too. Smiling Tara lets Jax know. "I'm not complaining."
"I'm all about the service, babe," Jax smiles and kisses Tara's forehead lightly. Jax slips on some jeans as he listens to Tara.
"Yeah, I know you are," Tara smiles at him, then her smile drops. Jax, I need to talk to you about something and please let me finish before you say anything and I need you to really listen to me. Promise you will let me talk."
Jax looks at Tara pensively. "Okay."
"One day at the hospital your mother came to see me after the accident and we had cut her off from the boys. She threatened me Jax." Jax looks at Tara wondering what in the hell has his meddlesome mother has done now. "She found out about the job offer from Providence. She told me if I tried to take 'her boys' away from her then she was going to go to the police and tell them I had planned on killing the nurse because I called her to bring me the cross."
Jax doesn't know what to say. He's afraid to say anything, afraid it could be the wrong thing and Jax doesn't want to set her off before she leaves for the station. "When was this?" Jax figures he's safe with that.
"The day I told Providence I was going to take the job and then I stopped by the clubhouse and you showed me the new businesses the club had bought. How you were adding on to the garage and you would be the sole owner, the day our lives turned around."
Holding his breath Jax knows his mother is a touchy subject with Tara. "Do you really think she would do this to you?"
"You've met your mother haven't you? The woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Yes Jax, I believe she would! We already know how she gets when she feels like SHE is entitled to something especially our children and you! We had cut her out of our lives. If I go to prison then she thinks you will need her to take care of you and the boys. Jax if you tell me I am imagining this I swear to god I will leave your ass AS SOON AS I GET OUT OF PRISON!"
That went well. "Tara, I didn't say I didn't believe you I know my mother has gone off of the deep end. I'm just asking you if that's what you really believe? We're not going to have to worry about Gemma because I'm going to do any and everything to get the charge against you dropped. You aren't going to prison."
I knew Jax wouldn't believe me he never does when it comes to his mother. Why do I even bother anymore? "Yeah, whatever... I need to take a shower and get dressed then kiss my boys goodbye before I have to turn myself in. So if you don't mind I would like to be alone."
"Yes I do mind. Hey." Wanting Tara to look into his eyes and see the truth and believe him. "I know you're scared. Hell I am scared too. I love you babe and I don't want to fight before you have to go. I promise I will keep an eye on my mother where the boys are concerned."
"I don't want her near my children Jax. I mean it. I don't care how long I'm in, she's not to be around them. If you don't believe me about her trying to set me up then believe me she's going to be trying to get close to you and the boys. Keep her away she has proved time and time again she can't be trusted. She's drunk and stoned all the time. She is a wreck and could have killed our boys. Can you promise me that Jax? Can you promise me you will keep her away? I don't care if I never get out of prison, I don't want her around the boys trying to take my place after she's the one who sent me there in the first place."
"Yes, babe I promise I won't let Gemma back around the boys and no one's going to take your place." Jax is serious. No one will ever take Tara's place. Jax agrees the boys shouldn't be around his mother, she's unstable, but to think Gemma's responsible for Tara going to jail, possibly prison, Jax doesn't want to believe it.
Jax walks to the door. "I'm going to go talk to Ally and let you get ready. You have plenty of time take a long hot shower if you want. Just come out whenever you're ready."
"Okay, I'm going to take a shower and get dressed. I'll be out in a little bit." Tara solemnly looks back over her shoulder at Jax.
Jax turns to leave- he freezes... his hand hovers over the door knob, he looks back over his shoulder at Tara standing with her back to him. Jax comes up behind Tara and wraps his arms around her laying his face in the crook of her neck savoring the smell of sweet peas knowing he won't smell this again until Tara's back home with him where she belongs. Placing light kisses up the side of Tara's neck, Jax whispers in her ear, his hot breath causes Tara to shiver. "You know I love you right?" Tara nods. Turning Tara in his arms Jax takes her by the nape of her neck pulling her closer to him. With his thumbs on her jaw Jax slightly tilts Tara's head back. Jax lavishes Tara's mouth with his. Jax's mouth begs Tara to open so his tongue can meet with hers. Tara opens her mouth as Jax's tongue slips through her parted lips, he groans. Jax can feel himself getting hard again. Jax doesn't know how she does it but Tara stirs things up inside of him that no one else ever has. There's so much Jax wants to say to her but he can't tear away from her mouth it feels soft and warm, just too damn good. As much as he doesn't want to Jax gradually breaks away from Tara then kisses her forehead and slowly leaves the room shutting the door behind him.
Before Jax goes back in the kitchen to talk to Ally he stops in the hallway and looks back at his bedroom door. Does Tara really think my mother would set her up for murder...? Sure, Gemma has done a lot of things to Tara in the past, but set her up to go to prison? Gemma's capable of doing it but would she do it? Would she really do that to Tara... to our family? Gemma wouldn't hurt Tara. Gemma loves family too much and Tara's family. No, Gemma wouldn't do that. Tara's emotions are like a roller coaster she's hurt and scared, she's just not thinking clearly. Right now I have to stand by my wife. Tara's already starting to crumble. I can't let her leave here thinking I don't believe in her when it's my fault she's going to prison in the first place.
Jax walks into the kitchen and sits down at the table. "Is she alright?" Ally asks him.
Jax shakes his head. "No... she's getting ready and then she's gonna kiss the boys goodbye. I hope they stay asleep if they wake up I'll never be able to get them quieted down and her out of here."
"I'll do everything to get her out on bail and get back home and then get these charges dropped. I found out earlier from a friend who works in the DA's office they have a statement from someone that clearly states Tara purposely went into the prison with the cross to give to Otto to kill the nurse. The statement is sealed I don't know who it is and we won't find out until we go to trial. I'm letting you know up front Jax things don't look good for Tara. I'm going to do everything I can to get the charge against her dropped. I've called in an old law school buddy of mine he has more experience in this type of charge to help me. The first thing we have to do is get Tara out on bail then find out who has given this statement and what it says."
Jax nods. Fuck. Is the statement from Gemma? The only thing I can do right now is what I promised Tara- I'll look after the boys and keep them away from anyone who has a chance of having the measles and I won't let Gemma anywhere near the boys while Tara's locked up. I'll have to let the club look into this statement and see what they can find out. I am sure the guys don't mind getting their hands a little dirty if need be-especially for Tara.
Jax and Ally sit in the eerie quiet house neither say a word- there's nothing more to say. Tara appears in the doorway of the motionless kitchen watching Jax and Ally quietly sit at the table. The deafening silence sends chills through Tara's body. Jax and Ally look up at Tara she has changed into jeans and a tank top with a hoodie draped over her arm. Tara walks over to the table not making eye contact with either one. The silence is killing Tara "Well... I guess I'm ready to go." Jax looks up and Tara stammers. "I... I... forgot something. I'll be back in a couple of minutes." Tara turns around and quickly disappears back down the hall.
Ally looks at Jax and Jax shakes his head. He knows Tara's anxious to leave and get away from him. Jax can see it in her eyes, flight, she's ready to run. Tara doesn't trust Jax to stand by her and believe in her. Just because Tara's ready to bolt, doesn't mean he's ready for her to leave yet. Jax doesn't want Tara to leave now he wants to hold on to her every minute he can before she has to leave.
Jax and Ally remain sitting quietly at the table waiting for Tara to return, each lost in their own thoughts when there's a knock at the door. Jax and Ally quickly look at each other Jax gets an uneasy feeling in his stomach. Who can this be? Jax looks at the clock on the wall. It's 11 p.m., a little late for visitors if it was the club they would have called first besides we didn't hear any bikes. Jax looks at Ally again this time she shakes her head. Jax haltingly gets up to answer the door. Jax takes a dreaded breath and turns the handle and slowly cracks open the door. Jax is shocked to see Gemma standing there with a big smile on her face. What in the hell is she doing here? "Ma what are you doing out so late?"
Gemma's almost giddy. "I knew you would want me to come over and help you with the boys."
"Why would I need help with the boys, their asleep?" Jax asked her suspiciously.
"Well with Tara gone you need me to stay with the boys while you're at the club," Gemma says as she tries to walk around Jax.
Jax stops her from opening the door. "Where has Tara gone Ma?"
"To prison of course," Gemma smiles with glee and chuckles.
"Why would you think Tara's in prison? Who told you that?" Tara might be right after all. Jax blocks Gemma from coming all the way in the house.
"I have a friend who works in county and they said Tara was arrested today." Jax knows that's bullshit Gemma doesn't have friends.
Jax looks over his shoulder at Ally shaking her head. Jax turns back to Gemma. "Ma you need to go home. It's getting late. You don't need to be out driving this late at night you might have another accident. I know you don't want that to happen." Jax is serious he doesn't want his mother to have another accident and get hurt.
"You're right it is late. I should just stay here tonight. That way I'll already be here in the morning when you need to leave." Gemma tries to push and get around Jax but only manages to get her head in.
"No Mom... you need to leave now and go home and stay away from here. I'll come by to see you sometime tomorrow when I get free."
"Have you got one of the club whores in there with you? Is that why you won't let me in? You know it isn't anything I haven't seen before."
"No, I don't need or have any whores with me. Go home and I'll stop by tomorrow."
Gemma will settle for that. "Okay I'll fix dinner and you can bring the boys over and we can eat and visit like old times."
Jax looks over his shoulder to see Tara walking in. Tara hears Gemma and she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion. Jax can see rage in Tara's eyes. Before Tara can say anything Jax tries to push Gemma away from the door so he can shut it. "Goodnight mom."
"Can I kiss see my grandsons before I leave?" Again Gemma tries to get past Jax in the house but Jax grabs Gemma's arm before she can get all the way in the house. One thing's for sure, Gemma's persistent.
It's too late Gemma sees Tara. "Aw shit." Jax hangs his head. "No mom. You need to leave, and leave now before I have to throw you out.
"Tara, what are you doing here? I thought you were arrested today?" Gemma says looking at Tara with an all assuring gleam in Gemma's eyes.
Tara's hurt and furious. "What the hell is she doing here Jax? You couldn't wait until I left?"
Gemma laughs. "Tara you should know by now I'm going to take care of MY boys while you are in prison."
Jax steps in before fists start flying. "Mom you're not going to be taking care of anyone except yourself. You need to leave, now." Jax means every word he said. Jax has been worried about his mother but Gemma's going to have to start taking care of herself. Jax has two small boys to look after and he doesn't have time to look after a fifty-five year old baby starving for attention. And NO ONE is taking care of his boys but him. He isn't going to let them out of his sight. Jax's going to keep his family together like his wife did for him when he was in prison. Besides he knows how to take care of his own boys he doesn't need anyone's help.
"We'll see. Don't be late for dinner I am fixing a roast and don't forget to bring MY boys." Gemma laughs. "Why don't you just spend the night, there won't be any reason for you to come back here? Or there won't be ANYONE to come back to." Gemma looks at Tara and sneers. "Do you need me to do anything at the club?"
"No mom. I just need for you to leave."
Jax pushes Gemma out the door before Tara can get her hands on Gemma and kill Gemma. Tara would definitely be spending time in prison then. No. No she wouldn't. It would just be another body that will never be found.
Jax is exhausted both physically and mentally. He doesn't want to look at Tara's heartbroken face but he also doesn't want her leaving here feeling like she does. "Tara, don't say it. The boys aren't going over there. I'm not going to have dinner with her, I'm going to talk to her and get some things straight about her boundaries. She will not be anywhere around the boys I promise."
Tara doesn't believe him, she feels defeated. What does it matter? I'll never see them again anyway. Gemma's gotten what wants, 'her boys' I should've never thought I could escape this hellhole. My life has been doomed since the day Jax Teller smiled at me. "Okay Jax whatever you say. It doesn't matter what I say or want anymore. Ally, are you ready to go?"
Ally is torn. She sees a brilliant young doctor whose surgical career has been ruined by the hands of this family. Tara may lose her medical license and never be able to practice medicine again, but Tara may also lose the one thing that means more to her than her career; her family. All in the name of love⦠sometimes love isn't that great after all.
Ally tries to smile. "I'm ready whenever you are. How about we stop at the diner and get a bite before we go to the station. They still haven't called about the warrant and we can talk over a few things that are going to happen? They can call us when the warrant is issued. Ally turns to Jax. "I'll talk to you later Jax call me if you need me." Ally nods her head and Jax nods back understanding its best to get Tara out of here for her own sake before she breaks down.
Tara nods. "Then let's go." Tara walks up to Jax but can't look at him she turns and walks out the door. When she gets through the door tears start flowing down her cheeks she knows she has lost her family forever.
Jax watches Tara walk out Jax's hurt Tar wouldn't kiss him or tell him goodbye. Jax sees how defeated Tara looks and he knows Tara's crying her eyes out. He can tell by the slump of her shoulders and the way her head is bowed. Jax also knows his girl is tough she'll stop crying once she gets away from the house. Tara has looked a madman in the eye who had a knife to her throat and she never blinked. Tara will have time to compose herself on the way to the diner and get her shit together before she turns herself in. She'll walk in the station with her head held high she'll not let them see her weak.
The only people she's not afraid to show her vulnerability is Jax and the boys. They're the only ones that'll ever see a tear or any self-doubt. That has always been the case with Jax and Tara they're the only ones they can be themselves with. All the years they were apart they never found anyone who could take the other's place but just as soon as Jax saw Tara at the hospital it all changed. Jax has someone who knows the real Jax Teller, someone he can be himself with again. Eli told Jax earlier Jax can come to see Tara tomorrow. Eli also told Jax he and Unser are working on Tara's case on their own time. Jax has promised Tara a beautiful life and he's still going to give it to her.
Jax figures now it's time to call his VP and fill him in on tonight's events. First thing in the morning Jax needs to find out who has been vaccinated for measles.
Jax decides to call Unser to see if he has any thoughts on this witness and to verify he and Eli are working on this together. Unser has always been a smart man who knows how to cut through the bullshit and see what's right in front of him. But Unser is also a Gemma ally, Jax will have to keep an eye on that and make sure Tara is Unser's first priority. This is too important for Unser to be running around with his nose stuck up Gemma's ass and not doing what he has promised to do.
Jax feels a little more at ease after he talks to Unser and Unser tells Jax he is talking to Eli now. Jax lets him go so they can get back to what they're doing knowing Eli will have to get back to the station when the warrant finally comes through for Tara's arrest. Eli has already said he will be the one to arrest and read Tara her rights trying to keep it less stressful and embarrassing for her.
After taking a moment to contact Chibs he finds that Kerrianne and Fiona are fine; they were required to update their vaccinations before moving from Ireland. Lyla and the kids have had their vaccinations too. Jax breaths easier knowing he has some help but he doesn't want to have to leave the boys tomorrow they're going to ask questions and want to know where Mommy is and why she's not home. Jax wants to keep his boys close to him they help keep him calm and Jax needs them now and they need him. Neeta won't be back for another week he could call her and ask her to come home but he's a capable father he can do it.
Jax calls it a night he turns out the lights and heads to his bedroom looking in on the boys along the way. When Jax walks into his and Tara's bedroom he can't help but smile and shake his head this afternoon's 'love session' playing in his head as he strips down and crawls into their bed surrounding his self with Tara's scent. Tara had told him when he was in prison she would wrap her arms around Jax's pillow using it as a substitute for him. Grabbing Tara's pillow and holding it to his left side with his arm wrapped around it, Jax lowers his head smelling Tara's fragrance mixed in with the scent of love still lingering in the air from earlier this evening.
Jax laughs and wonders what in the hell happened to him this afternoon? Jax doesn't like not being in control of his body. At one time he wanted to bang his head against the headboard his orgasm was so strong. He didn't think it was possible to feel something like that, of course Tara is the only one able to do that to him. It must have been some kind of a sign. Jax isn't sure what kind of sign but it definitely was a sign of some sort. Shaking his head Jax shuts his eyes and squeezes Tara's pillow tightly to his side with tears in his eyes Jax thinks, yeah it's a sign alright, a sign Tara's the only woman for me, and I love my wife immensely.
