7.

It was a couple of days later and although Lisa was finally able to take the bandage off of her nose her eyes were still black, blue and yellow. She decided she owed Tara and Jax a meal and asked them over for dinner. They had become such dear friends to her. It was kind of hard for her to believe she only met Tara a few weeks ago. They had become such a part of her life it felt like she always knew them. She loved them as a couple and she could see the love they had between themselves. She went home early so she could start preparing the dinner. She was excited to have them over.

"So if it's okay babe, I'll just meet you over at Lisa's." Jax was saying into the phone.

"Okay, just don't be late. She seems really excited to have us over."

Jax chuckled. "I won't babe. I'll be leaving soon. Just have to get one more car out of the garage and then I'm leaving."

"I love you."

"Love you too Tara." he said and hung up the phone. He didn't see the person who was standing on the other side of the open door. He turned and went and finished the car and pulled it out of the garage. Then he got on his bike and left.

"Hey come on in." Lisa said.

"I thought Tara would be here by now."

"She's on her way. She decided to stop by and check on Abel before she left. I don't blame her he is such a cutie."

"Thank you. So is there anything I can help you with?" he asked feeling a little uncomfortable to be there without Tara.

"Your fine. Everything is done just waiting on Tara. Would you like a beer?"

"Sure." he said sitting down on the couch.

She came out and handed him a beer and sat down on the chair with her own. She watched him as she could see he was slightly uncomfortable.

"You know I don't bite. Especially someone who belongs to my friend." she said teasing him.

He smiled. "I just feel bad when I see your face and know that my mother was responsible for that. I'm sorry."
"It's no problem. You didn't do it. But like I told Tara, I think it gives me a badge of honor. I went against the "queen" and I'm still alive." she said laughing.

Jax laughed along with her. "Still I hate that my mother did that."

The doorbell rang and she stood up to answer it. "That must be Tara."

"Hey you."

"Is that Jax's bike I see?" Tara asked coming in.

"Yeah, he just got here. I told him you were checking on Abel. How is he?"

"Doing great. I think I may have some good news for Jax." she said smiling.

"Good news?" Jax said behind them.

"Yeah, I think you may be bringing Abel home soon."

"Like how soon?" he asked happily.

"Like maybe in two days soon."

He pulled her into his arms, "thank you baby."

"I love him too." she said in his ear.

"I know."

"So are you two ready for dinner?" Lisa said with a smile.

"Yeah, I'm hungry and I've been smelling that wonderful smell since I got here." Jax said.

"Well let's go eat." Lisa said as she led them into her dining room.

She fixed their plates and sat it in front of them. After giving Tara a beer and Jax another they sat down.

"This looks good what is it?" Tara said looking down at it.

"It is a special southern dinner. It's chicken fried steak with gravy and mashed potatoes, some sweet carrots and for dessert I have some homemade peach pie."

"Wow." Jax said smiling as he dug in. "Mmm, this is fantastic." he said.

"It really is. You will have to show me how to make this." Tara said as they all continued to eat.

"So I was wondering how Happy was." Lisa finally managed to ask. Tara and Jax looked at each other with a smile.

"He's fine. Been busy with club business and all. Would you like me to send your regards?" Jax asked.

"NO, I mean no. I was just wondering, I mean he took me to Tara as soon as this happened. I was just grateful."

"Okay." Jax said not believing her for one minute. He just kind of smiled inwardly.

Lisa was getting them a piece of her homemade peach pie while Tara cleared the dishes when they heard bullets hitting the windows. Jax managed to get them both down as he pulled out his own gun and went to figure out who it was.

"You okay?" Tara asked once the bullets stopped and heard Jax returning to the house.

"Yeah, just some broken glass." Lisa said.

They both stood up as they seen Jax walk into the room. "You two okay?" he asked.

"Yeah." Tara said and looked over at Lisa. When she did she was in horror at what she seen. When she went down for cover she must have landed on a large piece of glass. It was sticking out of her side. For some reason Lisa didn't know this.

"Lisa, stay still." she said.

Jax seen the same thing and went directly to Lisa in case she fainted.

"What?" she asked softly and then proceeded to pass out.

"We need to get her to the hospital Jax."

"Yeah, I'll follow you once I get her into the car."

They got Lisa into the car and Tara took off. Jax pulled out his cell.

"Yeah."
"Someone shot up Lisa's house. She's hurt. We are taking her to the hospital. I need someone that can stay there with her to keep her safe."

"I'm on it." he said scared of what he was going to find.

Jax went running into the hospital and to where Tara was standing. "How is she?"

"She's lost a lot of blood but she's going to be okay. She needed thirty stitches and she will need some bedrest. Why does this keep happening to her Jax? Should I have kept away from her?"

"Tara this isn't on you. I don't know who did this but I will find out."

"Who is going to protect her now?"

"Me." she heard behind her.

"Happy. Um.. what are you doing here?"

"I called him. I wanted someone I could absolutely trust to watch over her. I trust Happy."
"I do too." Tara said with a sad smile on her face.

"I won't let anything else happen to her." Happy said.

"I know." Tara said hugging him. This was something Happy wasn't use to but he let it happen and was grateful when she stopped.

"I'm going to go find out who did this." Jax said to Tara.

"Be careful."

"I will. Love you." he said giving her a kiss before he left.

"I love you too." she said watching him walk away.