Hello my darling and patient readers!! I am still very much alive I promise you! Please forgive me for the late post as I am very sorry :(. Hopefully it won't happen again. School's just been...insane :p. But anyways here it is. I hope you enjoy it! It's a bit of a filler chapter but it's pretty exciting lol.

As for everyone who reviewed... THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! I love reading your responses but I'm sorry I'm not going to respond to all of them this time. I just want to get this out as soon as possible!!

Saying that however I do want to give a shout out to two of my readers. CanYouReachTheStars- I love your wonderful messages :) They encourage me. And I dedicate half of this chappie to you!!

And Linda-Hun, you have crossed no lines, so no worries! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I'm fine :) Your reviews ALWAYS make me smile. ALWAYS :). i dedicate the other half of this chappie to you!! 3

I love you all -iluvsnuffles


"Bella you have to come tonight! It's going to be epic!"

Bella sat down in the cafeteria and looked at Allison, her newest friend. She was prettier than the average girl. With her long red hair and her legs for miles, Allison stood out amongst the student body at Charming High. After establishing a common enemy with Bella (Juliana Morris) the two bonded quickly. "I don't know if Jax will let me."

Allison rolled her eyes. "What is he, your boyfriend or your dad?"

Bella sighed. "I know you don't understand, but Jax expects certain things. Like listening to him when he tells me to do something."

Allison glared at her. "I'd really like to give this boyfriend of yours an ass kicking." Bella smiled as she nibbled on her sandwich. "Can't you just ask then?"

Bella rolled her eyes. "What's the point if he's going to say no."

Allison sighed and popped a Cheeto into her mouth. After a moments silence, her eyes brightened up and the corners of her mouth lifted. "Don't tell him."

Bella looked at her, tilting her head. "What?" She asked, confused.

"Don't tell him you're going to the party. Say..say you're sleeping over at my house."

Bella shook her head. "No way am I lying to Jax."

Allison pouted. "Oh please, please, please Bella. You have to come! I won't go without you. Think of my high school reputation."

Bella laughed. "You're so over dramatic Allison." She sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll try asking him. But if he doesn't let, I can't come."

Allison squealed and jumped up and down. "Yes! This is going to be amazing!"

Bella smiled as she saw Jax waiting against his bike, being ogled by the whole female student body. "I've got to go Allison. I'll call you later tonight and tell you what he says."

Allison nodded her head. "Sure, sure. But if you're going to have to use sexual favors to seduce him into letting you, you better!"

Bella shook her head as she walked over to Jax. He grinned and pulled her in for a kiss. "Who's that?" He asked, nodding his head at Allison.

Bella smiled at him. "Just a friend."

Jax nodded his head and pulled her onto his bike, handing her, her helmet. "You should tell her to come by the shop. Tig would like her."

Bella shivered involuntarily at the mention of Tig. The man rubbed her the wrong way, and there was no way she was getting her only friend involved with him. "I don't think so." She said, before they rode off.

----------------------------------------------------

"Ay Shadow, do that thing again."

Bella rolled her eyes as she popped the top of her beer bottle off with her teeth. Chibs cheered as if she'd just pulled a rabbit out of her ass. "Love it when you do that doll face."

She smiled at him. "Great, so now where's Jax?" He thought she was stupid. Sending Chibs and Bobby to keep her busy while he was chatting it up with some blond who had just walked in demanding his attention. And right as she was asking him about the party tonight.

When no one answered she glared and crossed her arms. "You better answer or so help me Bobby I'm going to call your ex-wife and tell her how much you SHOULD be paying her in spousal support."

Bobby looked physically ill as he answered. "Clay's office."

Bella grinned and patted his head as she walked out of the bar. "Tough bitch." Billy said shaking his head.

Chibs smiled widely. "I like her!" He exclaimed.

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"What are you doing here Wendy?" Jax asked, leaning against Clay's desk. He looked at the blond in front of him, eyebrow raised. After she had barged in this morning demanding to talk to him, he didn't want to make any small talk with her. And the fact that she was high out of her mind didn't help her case either.

"Nothing." She said smiling. "Just missed you is all."

Jax sighed as she stood up and rubbed his chest. "I can't be doing this shit again Wendy. Whatever we had is done with."

"Oh yeah?" She asked smirking. She leaned into his ear and whispered, "And whys that?"

"I got an old lady now." Jax said pushing her off.

Wendy frowned at him. "What are you serious?"

Jax nodded his head. "Fraid so." Speaking of the devil, Jax looked out the window of Clay's office and saw said old lady stomping across the garage, hands on her hips and a glare that would freeze up hell. "Shit! You gotta get out of here."

Wendy frowned. "Why? What's going-"

Too late, Jax realized as Bella slammed the door open and gave Wendy quite the stare down. Wendy looked at the smaller girl and smirked. "Sweetheart, mind waiting outside? Adults are speaking."

Jax cursed some more as Bella's mouth fell open. "Wendy, you have to leave."

"Shut up." Bella snarled at Jax.

Wendy rolled her eyes. "Why? And who the hell are you?" She asked Bella.

Bella raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "This ones," She said pointing to Jax behind her back. "old lady."

Wendy looked between the two of them mouth wide open. That was before she started laughing. "You've got to...you've got to be kidding me!" She laughed. "She's like what? Twelve?"

Jax had to practically carry Bella to keep her from jumping on Wendy. "Just leave, Wendy!" He said angrily pushing Bella back.

Wendy smiled at him and stumbled to the door. "Yeah, fine whatever." Looking at Bella with an evil glint in her eye she walked straight up to Jax and leaned into his ear. "I'll be at the Motel 6 when you're ready to see me."

Bella's eyes widened as she slammed the door shut behind Wendy. With an evil look in her eye, she turned to Jax. "Who was she?" She asked angrily.

Jax rubbed a hand over his face. He knew this was coming. "No one, babe."

"Didn't seem like no one." Bella said angrily.

Jax sighed. "Just drop it Bells."

But of course-she didn't. "Jax who the hell was that? What is she a girlfriend of yours? You cheating on me?" She asked angrily.

Jax scrunched his eyes and looked at her as if she'd grown two heads. "What? No-what? She's nothing. Why are we still talking about her?"

Bella glared at him some more. "Don't lie to me Teller."

"I'm not!" He snapped. He took a deep breath and walked toward her. "Bella," He said, taking her hand. "I swear I barely know her. She's nothing. I promise." He said convincingly.

Bella was amazed. Never had Jax so blatantly lied to her. She had to hide the disgust from her eyes as he kissed her cheek. She was so shocked, she just nodded her head.

"Now what had you wanted to ask me before?"

Bella's mind was blank as she tried to remember her question. It hit her with brute strength. The party. She was going to ask him about the party. She was going to be completely honest and if he'd say no, she wouldn't go.

That was before he'd lied to her.

"Um," She said, clearing her throat. "I wanted to know if I could stay over at Allison's tonight. We have a test to study for."

Jax thought about it for a minute. "Yeah, all right. But be sure you study." He said sternly. "What time should I take you?"

Bella turned away, walking to the door. "She drives. She'll pick me up." And with that, she shut the door.

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"I told you this was going to be one hell of a party!" Allison screamed over the blast of the music.

Bella smiled at her drunkenly. "I fucking love you!" She felt someone come up behind her and started grinding against him. The plastic cup full of vodka in her hand splashed all over her dress as the boy behind her grabbed her waist roughly. She giggled and bobbed her head to the music.

"You're so fucking fine." She heard grinding boy whisper in her ear.

Bella looked down at her skin tight yellow dress and smiled. "Thanks bay-be." She slurred. When she felt his hands go under her dress she laughed. "Stop that silly." He continued to inch his way higher. Her laugh faltered. "No seriously stop."

"You know you like that." He groaned against her ear.

Bella sobered as soon as she felt his hands at her panties. She tried to push him away. "Get off!" He ignored her protests and pushed her panties aside. Bella's eyes widened. "Get the fuck off!" She yelled, pushing him away.

He stumbled a bit and glared at her. "Come on baby," He said reaching for her again.

Bella panicked as she realized everyone was too drunk to help her. She remembered what Jax had taught her, pulled her fist back, and punched the guy in the face. He touched his split lip in shock, before turning his burning eyes at her. "You fucking little bitch!" He screamed before slapping her.

The blow sent Bella sprawling to the floor. "Get off her you asshole!" Allison screamed, shoving him. She ran to Bella, who's head was spinning. "Come on Bella get up."

"She fucking asked for it." Mr. Unknown sneered.

Allison glared at him. "You don't who you just messed with." After getting Bella up, she turned back to the still nameless boy. "Ever heard of Jackson Teller? This is girlfriend!"

Mr. Unknown's friends began to crowd around Allison and Bella; everyone else at the party too drunk or high to care. Bella had to hold her head as they started speaking. Her feet felt numb. "Fuck him and his little girlfriend."

Allison glared at them and was about to respond when Bella pulled her away. "Let's just go Allison. I don't feel good."

Allison sneered at them. "You're fucking lucky douche bag." Ignoring the boys' laughs, she stumbled to the front door.

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"They still following us?" Allison said frightened, looking at her mirrors every two seconds.

"Yeah," Bella moaned. She checked the time, her head pounding as she lifted herself from the car seat. It was three in the morning and Charming was currently deserted, except for them and the car following very closely behind them.

"Oh my God!" Allison screamed as the car bumped them from the back. "God Bella what the fuck should I do? My parents think I'm at a sleepover."

Bella's hands shook as she opened her cellphone. She knew exactly what to do, though she didn't like it. "Drive to the body shop."

---------------------------------------------

Jax groaned as he was woken from his slumber. He felt his phone buzzing on the night stand and reached for it blindly. He cursed as he couldn't quite get it, and sat up. "Hello?" He mumbled, picking it up.

"Jax!" He yawned as he heard Bella's voice on the other end.

"Hey baby. What's up? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" He asked, looking at the time.

"Jax come open the garage gate please!" Bella said quickly over the phone.

Jax stiffened at the panic in her voice. "You're here? What's wrong Bella?"

He heard Allison over the line. "Oh God Bella, they followed us here too!"

"Someone followed you?" Jax said angrily, standing up. He grabbed his gun and put on his cut. "Hold on, I'm coming." He ran out of his room and slammed the bar door open. Looking ahead, he saw a small Toyota right behind the garage gate. He cocked his gun and quickly walked over. As he opened the garage door, he saw Bella run out of the car to him. Taking in her outfit, his eyes narrowed. "You usually study wearing that?"

Bella lowered her head and walked behind him. "They've been following us." She said, pointing to the black truck behind Allison's car. Jax glared at it, as he saw four guys get out of the car. Allison got out and ran behind him as well. "Stay where you are." He said to them both. He walked over to the guys, who all stood chests puffed out like fucking blowfish. Jax lit a cigarette. "You been following my girl?" He asked calmly.

One of the guys, a black haired jock type, stepped forward. Mr. Unknown. "And if we were?" He asked cockily.

Jax grinned. "Bella," He called. He waited until she was next to him, before speaking again. He noticed her eyes were red, and her cheek swollen slightly. "these guys following you?" Bella nodded her head silently. Jax nodded his head and turned back to the four guys. "Now see boys, we got a problem here. Because no one," He said twirling his gun. "And I mean no one, messes with my girl."

Mr. Unknown backed away slightly. "Hey man your girl came on to me."

Jax looked at Bella. She looked down. "We went to a party. He..he tried to touch me, but I said no."

Jax ignored the automatic urge to shoot the guy. He grabbed Bella's chin and lifted it up, until she was looking at him. "You drunk?" Bella nodded her head. Jax turned back to the boys with a grin. "Bitch lied to me. Said she was studying."

Bella's eyes widened. Mr. Unknown smirked. "Shoulda seen her at the party. Drunk out of her mind. Touching me and shit."

Jax laughed. "Someone aught-a teach her a lesson." The boys laughed nervously. "You give her that shiner too?" Jax asked, still grinning.

Mr. Unknown nodded his head. "Bitch hit me."

Jax nodded his head, and handed Bella his gun. That was before he punched Mr. Unknown in the face. When he went down, he kicked him in the ribs before grabbing his gun back and aiming it at the remaining boys. "Back off." He said warningly. He pointed his gun at Mr. Unknown. "You little son of a bitch, if you ever, EVER go near my girl again, I'll fucking gut you. Got it?" He asked, before kicking him three more times in the ribs. Mr. Unknown sputtered and cried as he spat out blood. "Get him the fuck out of here." Jax said to his friends before he grabbed Bella by the arm and dragged her and Allison inside to the body shop. "Prospect!" Jax yelled to the approaching man. "Make sure those fuckers leave."

Juice nodded. "Sure thing." He said, running off.

After practically throwing Bella and Allison inside the bar, he pulled up a chair and glared at the pair. "Explain."

Allison nervously looked at Bella. "It was my fault. I convinced her to go." She said quickly.

Bella grabbed her head and glared at Jax. "No she didn't. I wanted to go."

Allison elbowed her. "What are you doing?" She whispered.

Bella stayed defiant. "I lied. So what?" She stumbled a bit, unable to keep her balance.

"So what?" Jax asked angrily. "You could have gotten yourself killed! You're fucking drunk enough as it is. Who knows what that idiot could have done." He yelled at her. "Did you even think about what you were doing? This is the stupidest thing you could have done."

"Shut-up!" Bella yelled. "Shut the fuck up! You're not my fucking dad! You're my boyfriend! Stop lecturing me. Stop yelling at me! Ow!" She moaned as her head felt like hell. Allison reached for her, but Bella pulled away. She took a deep breath and glared up at Jax. "You lied to me, so I lied to you. We're even."

Jax looked at her with a sneer. "When the fuck did I lie to you?"

Bella laughed mirthlessly. "All the time. About the club, girls, Wendy."

Jax groaned. "Wendy? That's what this is about?"

"Yes, Wendy!" Bella glared.

"Who's Wendy?" Allison asked, but the couple ignored her.

"You leave me out of the dark while I tell you everything. I'm sick of it! I'm not a child. I can take whatever you have to tell me." She took a breath as the room got really quiet.

Allison started walking to the door. "O.K. I'm just gonna go see what's happening outside." When no one responded she shrugged. "Alright then, bye."

Bella waited until Allison left before unleashing on Jax. "You think I don't know about the other girls? Coming in here every other Friday while you send me off to your mother's!" She put her hands on her hips. "And don't even get me started on Wendy! That whore." She mumbled the last part.

Jax had to keep himself from laughing. She looked hilarious, her face red and puffy with a look to kill. "What's wrong with Wendy?" Jax asked with a grin.

Bella's eyes narrowed. "I KNOW you two have history. I want to know what it is! And wipe that stupid grin off your face!"

Jax sighed. "Wendy's just an old friend."

"An old friend you fucked?" She asked with a raised brow.

Jax rolled his eyes. "You have a mouth on you when you're drunk." At Bella's murderous look he continued. "Yeah, so we dated. So what? Am I with her? Come on Bella you know I wanted to get rid of her."

Bella threw her hands in the air. "I don't know Jax. I don't know if I can believe you anymore."

Jax got off his seat and walked over to her. He grabbed her hands. "Bells come on. I love you. What can I do to make this better."

Bella looked at him long and hard. "I want the truth." She mumbled. "All of it. Even if I won't like it."

Jax sighed. "You know I can't tell you everything Bells."

"Fine then, at least most of it." She pointed her finger in his face. "Especially about the girls."

Jax laughed and raised two fingers. "Scout's honor."

Bella rolled her eyes. "You were never a fucking scout."

Jax smiled and kissed her forehead. "You know, you could have just told me about the party."

Bella grabbed her aching head. "You wouldn't have let me go anyway."

Jax grinned. "You're right, but I'd try to be reasonable." Her eyes suddenly got wide and he grabbed her as she staggered. "Hey, you alright?"

She was quiet for a moment before breaking away from him. "Oh God, I'm gonna throw up." Jax's laughter followed her as she ran to the bathroom. She had to admit; she loved that man.

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"You're such a douche." Juice laughed as he swatted Half-Sack over the head. "A plastic ball?" Jax started laughing when he heard that.

Half-Sack frowned. "It's gonna feel real." He mumbled, taking a bite out of his cotton candy.

Chibs started cracking up. "Come now Prospect, don't be shy. You've already felt it haven't you, ya bastard."

The boys laughed as they walked around the small stands in the middle of the town.

The Fundraiser was a hit. Under the facade that it was to raise money for some random underprivileged kid, people were donating like crazy. The Sons and Tankers had set the whole thing up. All except for Bella who hadn't shown up yet. Jax had taken notice.

"You lookin' for someone?" Jax turned around and saw Samuel standing there with a grimace.

"What's it to you?" He asked the younger man. His patience was wearing thin today and he didn't need this little pricks attitude.

Samuel glared at him. "Listen, I know what you're doing."

Jax smirked and crossed his arms. "Oh really? And what the fuck's that?"

Samuel ignored the Sons' automatic defensive stance and got in Jax's face. "Stay away from Bella. You aint good for her. I know that, and so do you."

Jax glared at him. "Listen, little man. I'll do whatever the fuck I want. You got that?"

"We got a problem here boys?" Clay asked, getting in the middle of the two men.

"Nah," Jax said, grabbing his pack of cigarettes and lighting one. "Every thing's just fucking fine."

Samuel glared at him some more, before stalking off to the rest of the Tankers. "Nice pissin' contest." Chibs snickered.

Clay looked at Jax. "Something I should know?"

Jax inhaled. "I said every thing's fine." He walked away, seeing Wendy. He frowned as he walked up to her.

She smiled at him. "Not the reaction I was expecting, but ok."

"Sober living know you're here?" He asked her.

Wendy nodded. "I wanted to see Abel. They said it was fine. How tempting is a carnival?" She said, trying to be lighthearted.

Jax smiled and hugged her. "How you been?"

Wendy shrugged. "It's a struggle, but I'm doing fine. There's my little man." She said as Tara walked up to the pair, Abel in her arms. Wendy had to ignore the stab of jealousy at seeing another woman with her child. And with Jax.

"Hi Wendy." Tara said, handing over Abel.

"Hey," She replied coldly. She cooed to the baby and all Jax could think was how shit his luck was. Two ex-girlfriend's and an ex-wife, all within a few feet from each other. Someone was bound to get slapped.

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"Bella, you can't keep doing this." Samuel pleaded.

Bella ignored him as she grimaced from the needle puncturing her skin. She closed her eyes as she felt her high taking over. This was what she had been seeking for weeks now. What she had been unable to do in little old Charming, California. She reasoned that if she had to see Jax with Tara today looking like a happy fucking family, she couldn't do it sober. "Last time Sam, promise." She mumbled.

Samuel shook his head. "You've said that before."

Bella took out the needle and tossed it into a trash bin as she stood from the alley they were currently occupying. She could hear the sounds of screaming children in the distance, where the carnival was. She could also hear the rumble of bikes. "Give me a break Sam." She said, glaring at him.

Samuel narrowed his eyes at her. "If Jimmy finds out you're touching that stuff again, you know you're out."

"Which is exactly why he won't. Got it?" She said angrily.

Samuel shook his head sadly. "I mean the best for you."

"Yeah well I don't fucking need you looking out for me!" She spat. Ignoring the hurt look on Sam's face, she walked out of the alley and started heading to the carnival. One year. She had been clean one year, and barely a month in this fucking town, she was already sticking that damn needle in her skin again. After Big Bill had died, Jimmy wasn't taking any more of her shit and threatened her with a knife if she ever touched it again. She unconsciously touched the scar on her neck as she remembered exactly how he had persuaded her to quit.

"Where you been Shadow?" She greeted Brady with a pat on the back.

"Around." She said grinning.

She noticed Jimmy looking at her suspiciously, but he didn't say anything about it. "Everything seems to be according to plan." He noted smugly.

"Which is exactly why I suggested this." They all turned to see Jax behind them. He turned to Bella. "Can I talk to you?"

Bella shrugged and followed him a few feet away from her crew. "What's up?" She hoped he didn't notice she slurred slightly.

Jax noticed her red eyes. "You alright?"

"Yeah," She said nonchalantly waving her hand.

Jax frowned, but continued. "I got a call today."

"Oh yeah? From who?"

"Allison." Bella froze at the mention of her former best friend. "She knows you're in town. She wants to see you."

Bella rubbed a hand over her face. "Why, so she can see what a fuck up I've become?"

Jax shook his head. "You're not a fuck up Bells."

She stared at him, feeling her anger rise. The drugs in her system already taking affect. "Don't do that, alright?"

Jax looked confused. "Do what?"

Bella glared. "Your whole you fucking care act. And don't call me Bells."

Jax tried to grab her hand. "I do care Bell-Shadow." He said correcting himself. He looked at their hands and something caught his eye. What looked like a puncture wound on her arm was staring straight at him.

Bella pulled her hand away. "Go fuck yourself. You never fucking cared about me. All you did was feed me bullshit to make yourself happy. Do yourself a favor and go back to Tara, Jax."

"What does Tara have to do with this?"

"Oh fuck off, you know she has everything to do with this." She didn't even know why she was arguing with him. It just..felt right. "It's bad enough I have to see you twenty four seven. Then you two have to parade your bullshit relationship in front of me!"

Jax grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away as she was starting to attract on-lookers with her screaming. "Hey! Calm down!" He said angrily. "Let's not forget who left who, alright?"

Bella looked at him wide eyed, before slapping him in the face. "Don't you dare," She said slowly. "put that on me."

Jax took a breath before responding. "Let me see your arm."

"What?" She mumbled.

"You heard me. You're acting like a lunatic and your eyes are bloodshot. Either you've swallowed some pills or you've been shooting up."

"Up yours." Bella responded, attempting to walk off, before Jax pulled her back to him, lifting the sleeve of her long shirt.

"You've got to be kidding." He spat, looking at her bruised arm.

"It was one time." She said, pulling her arm away.

Jax had to control his rage. "Do you realize what you're doing? Wendy's here. You remember her? The RECOVERING drug addict?"

"I don't give a fuck." Bella mumbled angrily. "I can't wait till this shit is done with. Then I'm gone for good."

Jax shook his head. "You'd be doing all of us a favor." As he started walking away, what she said next made him freeze where he was.

"I still love you."

He turned slowly. "What?" He whispered. He probably hadn't heard right.

Bella shook her head. "Why do you think I did this?" She said pointing to her arm. "You think it's easy watching you and Tara? You were my first love Jax. My first everything. God!" She screamed, angry at herself. How could she admit all that shit to him? She was mortified.

Jax walked slowly to her. "You think this shit's any easier for me? When you left.." He didn't continue. When she left it almost killed him. "Despite what you may think, I still care about you. How do you think I felt when the girl I'd loved was supposed to be the one to kill me?"

Bella stayed quiet. "All these years, and I.." She took a breath. "My feeling's haven't changed." She said bravely, looking up at him.

Jax had to resist the urge to kiss her. She looked fragile and sad. And he wanted to make her happy. "I love Tara." Bella's heart stopped. "But you coming back-I don't know. I'm not sure who I want now."

Bella looked at him, hope in her eyes. She felt herself inch closer to Jax, as he did the same. Almost near his lips and-

"Jacky boy, your mum's lookin' for you-woops sorry." Chibs said, clearly not sorry. He was grinning from ear to ear.

Jax closed his eyes and sighed. "Yeah I'll be there in a minute."

"She's gonna rip ya a new one if you don't show up soon. Somethin' about a kissing booth."

Jax rolled his eyes. "In a minute Chibs." When the older man walked away, he turned back to Bella. "We'll talk about this later. I promise."

Bella nodded, feeling as if she was soaring. Feeling better than any high she could get from a needle. There was hope.