A/N ((Thanks for all the wonderful feedback, glad to hear everyone's enjoying it so far. I plan to introduce Abel and Thomas in a few chapters. Chapter is rated for swearing.))

Looking at each of his Brothers, Jax stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray in front of him. Comfortable in his leadership he felt confident they would have a unanimous reaction to the meeting, and see that his judgment was sound.

"The recent attacks, and the arson at Collette's are all connected, sloppy retaliation for what happened with Darby's old contacts last year. The two responsible had loose, if not nearly severed ties with the Stockton crew. Rumor is they acted alone."

Hand's steeped beneath his chin Tig raised a valid question.

"What's to stop them from lashing out against us burnin they're shit down around them. We're two for two here Jax, their not exactly known for keeping their word, they live for that eye for an eye bullshit."

Shaking his head, Jax spoke confidently.

"The past aside, what was happening on the farm doesn't fall in to their pursuit of a pure untainted society. They aren't interested in this particular brand of torture and murder, especially when its white women. We keep to our territories and they'll keep to theirs...No retaliation this time."

Resting his hands on the arms of the chair, Tig sat back.

"They might not be interested in blood, but I'm betting that goddamn Giant is...That shit hole wasn't put together overnight, their little shop of horrors was a long-term investment. That's been going on for a long fucking time, they had no plans of shutting it down. We need to find him and put him down." He said, stabbing his finger in to the carved wood.

Across the room, Happy shut his phone against the front of his shirt, his grim expression deepening.

"Contacts in Stockton just got back to me...The pair from the farm, their brothers. Saul and Samson Michael's. Excommunicated from at least four other chapters, no one's talking about details just that they want nothing to do with them."

Dragging his fingers through his hair, Jax looked to Juice who sat silently at the opposite end of the it rained, it poured.

"Find out whatever else you can, now."

Looking to the others, Jax cut to the point.

"I'll understand if some of you are hesitant to get involved, SAMCRO has suffered in the past years, we've had to fight battles we didn't anticipate...lose loved ones to senseless acts of violence. What happened on that Farm...to those women, never should have happened in the first place. I want to take it to a vote, we see it through, make sure it never happens again, not in our town. All in favor?"

Meeting the eyes of each man, Jax awaited their answers and he needn't wait long.

Bobby: "Don't even have to ask Brother. I vote Yes."

and that was how it continued, each one of his comrades in agreement. Picking up the gavel, Jax slammed it on the table with loud crack. Sealing the vote.

As the most of the guys pushed away from their chairs, Chib's remained rooted in his.

"You know we'll have tae ask the lass about what was happening...sooner or later."

He'd known that from the beginning and until now, he'd been content to keep that reality on hold.

"I know, but I want to wait...give her some time."

Sighing loudly, Chib's crossed his arms over his chest. He was all for being chivalrous but stalling wouldn't aid their mission.

"I support your decision 100% but you can't let sympathy blind you to what could be a swifter end to this madness."

Jax could see his point, he saw it with crystal clear vision and yet a larger part of him held back. Told him to wait.

"You didn't see her in the hospital...See the fear in her eyes, she'd known that eventually he would kill her...that, that was the only fucking way she was ever going to leave. Every time I think I've seen the worst, I find myself confronted with something more monstrous than the last."

Rising from his seat, Jax tossed the gavel on to the middle of the table.

"I'll ask her Chib's, but not today...not today."

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Arms folded a top the table, forehead resting against her forearms Lily struggled to stay awake. The medication taking effect after twenty minutes or so, dulling her pain and wrapping her senses in a detached sense of calm. A voice, distant at first, penetrated through the darkness, speaking louder as it fought to gain her attention. Opening her eyes slowly, Lily lifted her head, an older man was standing beside the booth, his fingers balanced on the edge of the table as he leaned down.

Blinking through the haze of sleep she rubbed her eyes with one hand, the sound of his voice coming in clearer this time.

"Hey Doll, feelin okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Lily had to think for a moment as she assessed how she felt, before answering him with a silent nod.

"Jax'll be back down in a minute, he wants me to help you to the truck. This all you got with you?" He asked, pointing to the small plastic bag beside her.

Thankfully Lily realized he was only making small talk, of course that was all she had.

Placing the bag in his outstretched hand, she exited the booth with cautious slow movements. Stepping back, he gave her a comfortable amount of personal space, coming to stand in front of the door of a dark silver Ford pickup she found the cab of the truck would be difficult at best to climb up in to. Especially for someone who was only 5' 3" it was clearly not a vehicle made for such a petit person. Weighing her options, Lily realized with great dismay she would have to accept help.

Turning carefully, Lily gave Tig a pleading look. Her embarrassment obvious. Setting the bag in the doors compartment, Tig pointed to the running board.

"Put your foot on that, and I'll hoist you up. Three seconds, tops." He said, giving her a second to ponder the offer.

When her hands remained on the inside of the door and she turned back away from him, he assumed this meant she'd accepted. Placing his hands chastely on her hips he did exactly as promised and counted to three while gently hoisting her up and in to leather seat. By the relieved expression her face he reasoned he'd done a good job of making it as painless as possible. Watching him close the door, she made sure to put the seatbelt on and it wasn't long before Jax walked around the front of the truck and climbed in to the cab. Starting the vehicle he spared the young woman a brief glance, her face turned she was staring out the window hands clasped, knee faintly bouncing.

When they turned in to a partially developed gated community, Lily couldn't help but feel confused. Wherever she imagined they were headed, this wasn't it. The only houses completed along the potentially tranquil curving cul-de-sac were eight model homes. Only one had lights on inside its interior, pulling in to the driveway Jax put the truck in park and turned off the ignition.

"The Mayor of Charming's attempt at suburban expansion. Funding is on hold due to one or two issues. I got it for my best friends wife who needed help but she declined the opportunity. Can't say I blame her."

Turning on the entry way light as they walked inside, Lily followed just behind her eyes following Jax as he moved from the living room to the kitchen, illuminating each room as he did. The first thing Lily noticed was the house was exceptionally built, modern touches in every corner. With its thick beige carpet and cream-colored walls, custom kitchen cabinets and granite. It was a dream home for a family. The only furniture in the living room was a dark brown chocolate love seat and glass coffee table, a flat screen television mounted on the wall above the gas fireplace.

Making her way to the kitchen, she could see there was only the bare minimum here as well. A simple four chair dining set, the tags still on the backs.

Setting the truck keys on the granite island in the kitchen, he could see the wheels turning in her head.

"Things have been a little upside down, haven't decided what I want to take from my old house...It's in escrow so I don't have long to decide."

Waiting for her to follow, he continued the impromptu tour down the hallway to where the bedrooms were located. Stopping in front of a pair of wooden, white French doors he turned the nickel brushed doorknob the bedroom light having been left on. It was a spacious room with an on suite bathroom, tray ceilings and walk-in closet. A queen sized bed was pressed against the wall, dressed in a basic white goose-down comforter and pillows.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Jax could only imagine what she was thinking now.

"Like I said, I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow...so it's just the bare minimum. There's towels and soap in the bathroom."

For the first time since they left the Ice cream parlor, Lily spoke.

"I can stay here?" She asked, her voice laced with doubt.

Leaning against the wall, slipping his hands inside his jean pockets. Jax nodded a few times unable to hide his smile, amused by her reaction. He'd known it would be difficult to show her that he could be trusted, that he meant what he said about helping her. This was just the first step in a long journey ahead of them.

"I don't see myself taking bubble baths in the tub so yeah, you can stay in here...The doors lock from the inside, I'll be on the couch if you need anything."

Biting her lower lip, Lily looked around the room again overwhelmed by the kindness being bestowed on her. After so long of assuming the universe was punishing her she was having a difficult time believing this wasn't some cruel joke, that any moment the other shoe would drop but thus far Jax Teller had kept his word. Walking up to the bed, she touched the soft comforter almost afraid she would wrinkle it.

Pulling his hands from his pockets Jax took a few steps towards the hall, standing just inside the doorway he turned to look back at her .

"Goodnight Lily."

Already out of earshot, Jax failed to hear the soft whisper of her voice as she watched him retreat towards the living room.

"Goodnight."

Alone in the master bedroom, Lily took another glance around the room before venturing in to the bathroom. It was larger than than most people's bedrooms, with a large shower and garden soaking tub, a double vanity with makeup counter. It had certainly been marketed to appeal to a woman's tastes, while the masculine shower with bench balanced it out enough to work for either gender. She could understand his hesitance to spend much time here, this wasn't exactly a place she had pictured herself either. Though secretly there was a part of Lily that still dared to feel the tiniest emotion of joy at the idea of it being hers, even if only for a short time.

Setting her hospital bag on the bathroom vanity, she laid out each item in a straight line, taking in to account her meager belongings. Shaking two tablets from the orange bottle she turned on the tap, using the plastic cup beside the sink she swallowed them after a few tries. Moving to the double French doors she quietly closed them, turning the lock on the doorknob before she dared to undress.

Wearing only the white lace pair of panties, she climbed beneath the covers listening to the faint hum of the ceiling fan above her.

Alone, with the muted glow of the television light. Jax sat on the couch, his Beretta disassembled on the coffee table, taking a small rag he cleaned the weapon with diligent care. Eyes flickering towards the closed doors of the master bedroom, a seldom felt sense of relief falling over him.

One step forward, to where, he didn't know.