Author's Note:
This chapter has been my favorite to write so far, just because we know what's going to go down. I hope that I have instilled the same anticipation that Kurt Sutter brings out of us when we watch Sons of Anarchy. Thank you for the kind words and being so patient with me! Enjoy and feel free to leave me feedback!
Time was deliberately standing still for Jax's retribution. She was shaking so much that Chibs stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders, desperately trying to keep her steady. The rest of the crew watched silently as Jax rained blows on the young Triad member.
Her body was in shock, and it was as if the events happening before her eyes were playing in slow motion. She winced at every blow that landed. She felt Jax's intensity, his anger and pain. He had been holding all this rage within, waiting for the perfect outlet. Her ears were ringing, but it seemed like sound had amplified. Every grunt and groan was like an orchestra of death. She couldn't escape even if she tried. Ari was tied to this twisted drama that had no end.
Bound and gagged, the kid was whimpering. Begging for mercy. Ari wanted to scream for Jax to get it over with already. But this was the man who murdered the love of his life and for that you get no quarter. The beating was brutal and ruthless...
It wasn't like she was a stranger to beat downs and violent deaths, but what did it for her was in the execution. Jax had a spread of tools and knives ready at his disposal. They were back in his house! This very kitchen was going to be the setting of Jax's interpretation of Tara's death. He would make sure her murderer felt every ounce of pain he inflicted on his wife, infinite times worse.
Someone lit a cigarette and the smell of smoke actually brought her some relief... Chibs noticed her tremors recede slightly, so he plucked the cig out of Bobby's mouth, who said "hey!", and placed it in hers. Ari reluctantly took a drag.
What she didn't notice was that Jax had stopped beating on the poor kid to check up on her. Jax's upper body was drenched in sweat, and he was covered in blood spatter. He was breathing hard, but he had a smirk on his face. A beautiful evil. The Reaper incarnate. Jax took the gloves off and made his way towards her.
He plucked the cig out of her mouth and placed it in his. She choked on her exhale and grew lightheaded. Ari wanted to throw up. The shaking had returned, and she realized it was because she was afraid of Jax. Her protector. Their king.
Jax returned the cig to Chibs and then turned his attention back on her. He squatted and placed his hands on her knees to steady himself. Up close, she could smell the kid's blood mixed in his sweat and it only made her more nauseous. Ari gagged. Jax had a piece of hair in his face and she saw him use the back of his hand to put it back in its place.
"Babe," he whispered. "I'm almost done." She nodded quietly.
The kid heard Jax and his whimpering grew louder. She could tell he was trying to say he didn't do it. Over and over again. Jax returned to his torture set up and donned a new pair of gloves. He ran his fingers through his tools but opened a drawer instead. Jax had taken out a carving fork.
Panic rose within her as she instinctively tried to stand and leave the room. Chibs wouldn't let her. The grip on her shoulders tightened and he pushed her back down. "Opie, please help me," she thought to herself. "How will I get through to him?! He's gone insane. You're supposed to be here, not me."
Jax circled the kid, a cold predator with eyes on nothing but the prize. "It's almost over..." He paused for a moment. "Just tell me one thing. Tell me you killed my wife," he growled.
The kid furiously shook his head and repeated his mantra through the gag. He was crying now, desperately pleading for this all to end. If she was afraid, Ari couldn't even fathom what this kid must be thinking. She felt for him. This didn't sit well in her conscience.
Jax stopped circling and stood right behind his prey. He stalled this madness for a second to meet her gaze. Ari raised her hands to meet with Chibs'. She squeezed and held onto him as if he was her lifeline.
His audience was ready for the finale. Jax raised both of his arms to drive the carving fork into the back of the other man's head. How Ari didn't vomit then and there was a miracle. Her body may have been in the moment, but her mind was far away, thinking about her brother and knowing that if he was still here, Jax would never have walked the path he was currently on.
She had finally gone numb. Drained and exhausted, she felt as if she had died along with the Triad kid. The floodgates released and Ari started sobbing uncontrollably.
She didn't want to look weak in front of Jax and the other men, but he had crossed a line that she couldn't follow. Ari thought she knew everything there was to know about Jax, but this was a side she wished she could un-see. There were things that you didn't have to share.
Jax went to the sink and turned the water on to wash the blood off his hands and face. He rushed to her afterwards, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. She let the tears blind her, a reminder that she could still feel.
He turned to his VP. "Chibs, take her to her old spot. Wait with her til I get there." Jax motioned to rest of the guys. "Let's get this cleaned up." The crew came alive and rose to fulfill his edict.
Chibs moved forward and leaned into Arianne. "Kid...I got you... Stay with me, alright?" It was the medic in him that was speaking. "We're going for a ride..."
