A/N: Thanks for the great reviews on the last chapter. I hope everyone enjoys this one.


Later that evening Tig got Lola settled into bed at her apartment. He was skeptical about having her at his place just in case the Nords made a move on his house. Tig got her tucked into bed knowing she was groggy from the pain medication that Tara had given her. But the pain medicine was needed. Tara had to remove a bullet that struck Lola's humerus bone. Tig had been there before. Bullet and bone always equaled unyielding pain. Although, Lola was in a great deal of pain she had been trying to put on a brave face all night. But Tig could see through her mask. That was especially true for when Sara had helped Lola change into pajamas for the night. Tig had been in the living room but he heard Lola's wail of pain when she took off her sling. It made him go from feeling bad to worse. Now he was laying in the bed with Lola. Tig gently wrapped his arms around her. He was careful not to hurt her but at the same time he wanted to hold her in his arms. Tig kissed the top of her. "Are you feeling any better?" asked Tig in a concerned voice as they laid together in the dark.

Lola buried her head against his chest. She was in a lot of pain despite the medication. "It's not so bad, Tig. I could have had it worse. I got off pretty lucky." said Lola trying to laugh it off. She could hear the concern in his voice and wanted to put his mind at ease. She glanced at the sling that was supporting her arm. "With the sling on it doesn't hurt so bad, because my arm doesn't move as much." said Lola.

"I know that you are in a lot of pain right now. You don't have to pretend to be okay for my sake. I am sure you are regretting staying around for the summer." said Tig jokingly. To be honest he had enjoyed having her around. He wasn't a relationship kind of guy and Lola knew that. But they had a connection that he normally didn't have with the whores he bagged. He lightly brushed her hair away from her face. "Did you call your uncle?" asked Tig.

"No, I didn't call him. I am not in the mood to hear a lecture about what I am doing wrong in my life. I like being with you and that is what I am going to do until that isn't an option any longer. And I am not pretending I am trying to be positive. Today could have been a lot worse for me. I could be dead. But instead I am laying here with your arms around me. Maybe it wasn't such a bad day after all. This...whatever this is...it is going to end eventually. I might as well enjoy the ride while I can." said Lola.

Tig ran his fingers through her hair and asked "Who said this ride has to end? You like the way we are...don't you? That doesn't really have to change in my opinion."

"I'm no fool, Tig. I've heard all about you. Eventually, you'll get tired and move on to something new." said Lola with a yawn as the medication started to take effect.

Tig didn't know how to respond to that. Of course that was his M.O. and he didn't want to be serious with anyone. But he also wasn't ready for what they had to end. "You need to get some rest. I've got to go handle some things, but I will be back later. In the meantime Sara is going to be here with you. Miles will be outside keeping an eye on things so that you and Sara feel safe here. If you need me call my cell phone." Tig lightly caressed her back seeing how tired she was now.

Lola didn't want Tig to go but she knew that he had to. She just laid there and tried to enjoy being close to him while she had the opportunity. Lola yawned again and buried her head against the nape of his neck. She breathed in smelling his cologne and a strange mix of whiskey and smoke. "You have to go right now?" murmured Lola sleepily. Lola groaned in pain as she shifted in the bed.

Tig glanced at his watch and said, "I can stay a little longer and lay with you until you fall asleep. Just try to close your eyes and relax. Let the medicine do its job. It will help make the pain go away." Tig gently stroked her hair. He watched her eyes flutter closed and her body relaxed in his arms. "That's right...just relax. I am right here with you." whispered Tig. This was out of Tig's particular wheelhouse. He was used to bagging whores and prostitutes. He didn't care about them. But Lola was different and his feelings for Lola were different.

Lola felt safe and started to drift off to sleep with Tig's arms securely around her.

Juice sat on the couch in the living room with Sara at his side. His arm was draped protectively around her shoulders as they watched a movie together.

Sara looked at the tattoo on his arm and smiled. "That tattoo is very sexy. I wonder who came up with the design." said Sara with a grin.

Juice smirked and said, "This very talented artist that I just happen to share my bed with. And now she will forever be a part of me. Especially since having a tattoo removed hurts like a bitch. This is forever, baby."

"Well, I feel incredibly special." said Sara with a small grin. "You'll try to be careful tonight...right?" asked Sara. That question had been lingering in her mind all evening. She had no idea what was going to happen. But she could feel the tension in the air at the club when the guys had finished 'church'. They all seemed resolved as if they had made a life changing decision. Maybe she was over thinking it but Sara had an ominous feeling about tonight.

"I will be very careful." said Juice. He didn't relish the idea of leaving Sara alone again, but he knew that he had to go find the Nords. What happened today couldn't happen again. And with Bobby and Opie's magic they might not have to fire a single gun. He kissed her cheek and asked, "Are you okay?"

Sara tilted her head up a little so that she was looking at Juice in the darkened living room. "That is like the twelfth time you have asked me that today. All things considered...I am doing great. I am alive and so is Lola. She's like a sister to me. If she would have died today..." Sara trailed off. "But she is going to be okay. And I escaped without a scratch on me this time. I am counting my blessings."

Juice bristled at the phrase 'this time'. But he knew that it was right. The last time she had been grazed by a bullet meant for him and today she could have lost her life in a gunfight. He couldn't help but feel like his life was dragging her down. But try as he might he couldn't bring himself to separate her from his life. He chuckled quietly. "I am sorry for bothering you with the same question. I just know that today would be a lot for anyone to take in. I just want to make sure that we are still solid." Juice didn't know how else to phrase it.

Sara looked at Juice with meaningful eyes. "I promise you that I am not going anywhere, Juice. You have my heart. I am right where I want to be. Today's events scared me, but they have not scared me off. And I believe you when you tell me that it isn't always like this. That there are times of safety and peace. I believe that." said Sara.

Juice leaned down and kissed her softly. He lightly caressed her cheek. "You know...I meant what I said earlier at the club. I love you. Man, I sound like a pussy." said Juice.

Sara laughed. "You don't sound like a pussy to me. And I meant what I said too. I love you, Juice. I've been struggling with that fact for awhile now. I couldn't wrap my brain around how I could be falling in love with a man that I've known for such a short amount of time. You are this amazing mix of so many things. There are so many pieces of you and I love all of those pieces. You don't want me to be anything but who I am. I'm complicated and you love me anyway."

He lightly ran his fingers through her hair and looked into her eyes. "Depending on how things go tonight...you might have to stay here the entire night with Lola. I don't know how long this is going to take."

Sara smiled a little feeling his fingers running through her hair. She snuggled up against him somewhat. She nodded and said, "I figured that might be the case. It will feel strange to fall asleep without you next to me. Since I have been in town I have spent every night with you. We have truly been inseparable."

Juice thought about it and chuckled. "I guess that is right. We haven't spent a night apart. It will only be for tonight. And that might not even happen." He kissed her softly. "I need to talk to you about something serious. Tig and I are going to have to leave soon. Miles is going to be here to watch out for you and Lola. But nothing is ever full proof." Juice took a gun out of his waistband and handed it to her. "I am going to leave this here with you. If anything goes down...I want you to use this." said Juice.

Sara held the glock in her hand and nodded slightly. "Okay..." She looked down at the gun feeling nervous that Juice was so apprehensive about her safety. Sara made sure the safety was on and set it on the side table next to the couch.

Juice kissed her softly and said, "It is just a precaution, Sara. I don't think the Nords know where Lola lives. And Miles will be outside, but I just want to be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you. This afternoon I was scared that I had lost you. I didn't know what to think when Tig told us about the call he got from Lola. And walking through the house looking for you...seeing the blood in the hallway."

"I understand, Juice. Better safe than sorry is the motto to live by. I will keep the gun with me. I was pretty scared too but I had faith that you'd come for me. I believed that...and you did." said Sara kissing him softly.

Juice smiled and said, "It is just a precaution. You know it is nice knowing that I have a girlfriend that knows how to handle a gun. Where did you learn to shoot?"

"My family was really big on hunting. I always considered myself to be one of the boys so I used to go out there with them. That is how I learned. Apparently, that knowledge came in handy today. Ohhhh! I am your girlfriend." said Sara teasingly.

"You are more than that. You are my old lady." said Juice with a smile.

Tig walked into the living room. "Juice, let's go. Clay called and he's ready to get started."

Juice nodded and said, "Alright." He leaned in and kissed Sara passionately. "I will see you later...or I will at least call you." said Juice. He stood up and kissed her one last time.

Sara stood up after the kiss and smiled at Juice. "Be safe...please." Sara turned her attention to Tig and asked "How is Lola doing?"

Tig said, "Lola is asleep in the bedroom. The pain meds knocked her out awhile ago. Tara said to give her another dose in four hours if she needs it. And make sure she takes that antibiotic too." Tig headed outside.

Sara walked Juice to the door. "I love you, Juice."

"I love you too, Sara." said Juice. He kissed her lips tenderly. Juice pulled back with a smile. "I will see talk to you later." Juice walked out of the front door closing it behind him.

Sara locked the deadbolt and put the chain on the door. She peered out of the window and saw that Miles smoking a cigarette and keeping a watch on things. Sara walked back to Lola's bedroom and saw that she was indeed sound asleep. She walked into the kitchen, grabbed a pint of ice cream from the freezer, and searched the small kitchen for a spoon. Afterward Sara walked into the living room and finished watching her movie and enjoyed the pint of ice cream. More than anything she wanted to keep her mind off of the danger that Juice was in. She had so many thoughts running through her head. Tonight Juice had called her his 'old lady'. That had just cemented in her mind how serious Juice was about her.

Five hours later Lola half walked and half staggered into the living room. "Have the guys been gone long?" asked Lola. She gingerly sat down on the couch trying not to jostle her injured arm.

"They've been gone since about 7:00. I was starting to think that you weren't going to wake back up tonight. Do you need anything? Are you hungry?" asked Sara.

Lola shook her head. "I feel nauseous more than anything right now. And I am still a little tired. Is Miles still here?" asked Lola leaning her head against the back of the couch tiredly.

Sara said "He was couple of hours ago. I will check." Sara walked over to the window and peered out but didn't see Miles. Sara saw some movement off to the side and became worried. She craned her neck to get a better look at the figure approaching the apartment a couple of doors down. When the man's face came into view Sara felt like she stopped breathing. She remembered that face from earlier. He was one of the men that kicked in the door at Juice's house. Sara felt panicked at the moment. She watched as the man knocked on an apartment door and then walked into that apartment. "Oh shit..." muttered Sara. She ran over to her purse and grabbed her cell phone. "Call Juan" said Sara.

Lola looked over at Sara. "What is wrong? Why are you freaking out?" asked Lola.

"I just saw one of the guys from earlier. He went into an apartment three doors down from us." said Sara listening to the phone ringing.

"Sara? Is everything okay over there?" asked Juice.

"I don't know where Miles is and I just saw one of the guys from earlier. I don't think he knows we are here. Looks like he is visiting some chick down the way. I am just kind of freaked out." said Sara.

Juice said, "Okay, I want you to go in Lola's room and keep that gun I gave you in hand. I am on my way."

"Okay...I will." said Sara. She hung up and looked at Lola. "Come on...we need to get you back to you room." said Sara grabbing the gun from the side table. She walked with Lola into her bedroom and closed the door. Sara helped her sit on the floor hoping to avoid any bullets. "The guys are on their way here." said Sara.

Meanwhile...

Jax, Tig, Juice, and Opie hopped into a dark colored van and headed over to the apartment complex. They had just destroyed three of Darby's biggest meth labs out in the rural portion of the county. It had taken Juice days to locate Darby's new parcels of property but he finally had and it paid off. Earlier that night Juice and Jax had gotten info that there was Nord that had been shot hanging around at the Hairy Dog. They waited until he came out and gave him the beating of his life. The guys parked down the street from the apartment complex leaving Filthy Phil in the van. They would need the engine to be running when they came back from this.

Tig almost growled as they approached the apartment not seeing Miles. "Where the fuck is he?" asked Tig.

As if on cue Miles walked out of an apartment furthering down the way buttoning his pants. He froze seeing the guys without their cuts creeping toward the other end of the apartment complex. He raced over to them ready to explain his behavior.

Tig grabbed him by the back of the neck. "My girlfriend gets shot and you think it is a good time to go get your dick sucked?" yelled Tig in a hushed voice.

Jax understood his anger but they were on a mission at the moment. "We'll handle him later." said Jax in a voice that sent a chill up Miles' spine.

Tig relented and let Miles go. He shoved the younger man. Tig motioned to Miles. "Tell him that someone hit his Camaro." said Tig.

Miles nodded. He took off his cut hoping the guy wouldn't recognize him on sight. He walked up to the door and knocked.

The other guys got into position waiting. Tig took a crow bar and bashed in the tail lights of the car.

A few moments later an irritated voice could be heard from behind the apartment door. "Who the fuck is it?"

"Dude, is this red Camaro yours?" asked Miles.

The guy removed the chain from the door and looked out. "Yeah, what about it asshole?"

"A car went through the parking lot and clipped your car. I just thought you'd like to know, man." said Miles.

"Son of a bitch." said the guy. He unchained the door and walked out. He closed the door behind him as he stepped outside. He walked out to his Camaro.

Opie hit him over the head with his gun. "You work for Darby, prick?" asked Opie

"Fuck you." said Spider from the ground. He spit at Opie. "The Sons are living on borrowed time. You can't stop progress from happening."

"Where is Darby?" asked Jax. They still had not been able to locate Darby and that was who they really wanted.

"Why so you can kill him? I'm not telling you anything." said Spider. He pulled a pulled a knife from his waistband that no one had seen. He lunged towards Jax.

Juice shot him in the head without a second thought. The shot was nearly silent because of the silencer.

Spider's lifeless body thudded against the concrete parking lot.

Jax nodded to Miles and said "Wrap the bastard up in plastic and stuff his ass in his own trunk." Jax grabbed Spider's key from the ground next to his body and unlocked the trunk. He looked at Juice. "Drive the car out of Charming and ditch it in Oakland." said Jax.

Miles and Juice quickly wrapped Spider up in thick weatherization plastic and then tossed his lifeless body in the trunk. Juice slammed the trunk down and grabbed the keys from Jax. He ran around to the drivers' side of the car and hopped in. He waited for Miles to hop into the car before peeling out of the parking lot.

In Lola's apartment Sara stared out of the living room window with her hand clamped over her mouth fearing she would scream if she didn't stop herself. She had felt a chill run down her spine when she saw Juice shoot the man in the head. She felt sick to her stomach as the image replayed over and over in her mind. He had done so callously and easily. In her mind she knew this was what he did. But seeing it with her own two eyes...that was something different. She slid to the floor her knees feeling weak. She thought about running. She didn't know if she could live this life. She didn't know if she could live knowing that the man she loved was a cold blooded murderer.

The hours of the night ticked by slowly as Sara sat up by herself. Lola had long since gone back to sleep. The pain medication was too much for her to handle. So it was just Sara alone with her thoughts.

Around 5:00 in the morning Tig used his keys and walked into the apartment. Juice was right behind him.

Sara quickly pulled herself onto her feet.

Tig asked, "Is Lola asleep?"

Sara nodded at him. "Yeah."

Tig nodded and walked down the hall to Lola's bedroom.

Juice closed the front door and looked at Sara. He couldn't put his finger on it but he could tell that something was wrong. "Sara?" asked Juice. He watched the way she stayed away from him. He took a step toward her and watched Sara back away from him almost instinctively.

"I saw you tonight..." said Sara in a strangled voice. "I saw what you did..." said Sara.

Juice paused a moment before walking closer to her. "You didn't see anything." said Juice in a forceful voice.

Sara grabbed his arm and looked at his tattoo of her drawing. "I saw this tonight...I saw this arm...this hand...I saw the gun in this hand. I saw this hand attached this man...take a life. I need a couple of days. I should go." said Sara staring into his eyes.

"You are a smart girl, Sara. Who did you think that I was?" asked Juice hotly staring at her intently. "What did you think I did?" asked Juice backing her up against the wall. "What happened tonight doesn't change who I am." said Juice. He pressed her up against the wall more kissing her lips passionately. "You don't really want to go. You want to be here with me. You are just scared. Who else is going to make you feel the way I do?" asked Juice. A night of killing had his adrenaline on high.

"Juice I..." said Sara.

Juice kissed her. "Shh..." said Juice. "You don't have to make any decisions now. You can make them later..." Juice fiddled with his belt and pants until his pants dropped. He pressed Sara harder up against the wall. He pulled her skirt up before removing her underwear and pushing inside of her.

Sara let out a strangled moan and bit her lip hard trying to keep her moans of pleasure to a minimum considering Tig and Lola were just down the hall. Sara clung to him for dear life as pleasure rippled through her body. Sara wrapped her legs around his waist briefly afraid that she might slip.

Juice had a vise like grip on Sara's hips and he had her tightly pinned against the wall as he pounded into her with an animalistic fervor. There was no way he was going to let her slip from his grasp not now…not ever. Juice's lips were almost permanently attached to her neck as he gave her a hickey.

Sara had never felt this sort of intensity before in her life. "I love you..." said Sara breathlessly. It felt like an eternity until they both exploded into a euphoric state of satisfaction.

Juice gently let Sara down onto her feet. He pulled up his pants fastening them. "You can make decisions in the morning...let's go to bed," he picked up her discarded panties and then took her hand.

Sara nodded numbly feeling too satiated to argue. She followed him to the guest room for the night.

Early the next morning Sara was awakened by the sound of heavy pounding on the front door. She groaned tiredly as she heard Juice say "Wait a damn minute!" Hearing his voice awakened Sara completely. She pulled on a t-shirt and padded down the hall just in time to see the County Sheriffs walking into the apartment.

There were two deputies one male and one female. The female was Ellen that used to work for the Charming PD. She smiled at Juice. She had always been friendly with the Sons.

The other deputy was Mark Robinson. "I'm deputy Robin and this is deputy Parks. Juan Carlos Ortiz, we are here to interview you in connection with the assault of one Sean Cash. He was beaten to a pulp last night behind the Hairy Dog. Where were you last night around 12:00 a.m.?"

Sara draped an arm over Juice's shoulder. The University of Michigan t-shirt barely fell at mid-thigh. "That's impossible. Juice was...occupied here with me all night long..." said Sara with a ditzy giggle and an over-exaggerated southern accent.

The Deputy Robinson was looking at her thighs instead of looking at her face.

Juice glanced back at Sara trying to hide a smirk. He said, "I wasn't anywhere near the Hairy Dog last night. I was here with my old lady. If this person said they saw me I'm sure they are mistaken."

Deputy Robinson quirked an eyebrow at Juice and said, "He isn't saying much of anything because his broken jaw had to be wired shut. Strange thing...he had been shot sometime earlier yesterday. You don't know anything about that?"

Juice shook his head. "So if he isn't saying anything to you I am not sure why you are waking me up early this morning with bullshit. Are you arresting me?" asked Juice seriously.

Deputy Robinson sucked his teeth derisively. "We'll be back to talk to you when our victim feels up to talking to us."

Juice walked the deputies to the door. "He was shot and got his ass beat. Doesn't sound like much of a victim to me. Sounds like he deserved it. You have any more questions for me you call my lawyer." Juice closed and locked the door behind them. He turned around smirking at Sara. "You are a very bad girl for lying to the police." said Juice lightly slapping her on the ass.

"I didn't want them dragging my man out of here before I had the chance to say good morning." said Sara leaning up to kiss him on the lips. Her t-shirt slid up some when she did.

Tig was walking toward the kitchen and got an eyeful of her backside. "Good morning you two. You kept me up half of the morning I hope you know." said Tig jokingly. He walked into the kitchen to grab a donut.

Sara blushed deeply. "I will get some coffee going." said Sara. She walked into the kitchen and started the coffee.

Lola came down the hallway not long afterward and walked into the kitchen.

Sara looked over at Lola. "You look horrible. Do you need me to get you anything?" asked Sara.

Lola laughed and said "Thank you for the compliment. I came in here for something to eat. It is time for my pain medication and I can't take it on an empty stomach." Lola quirked an eyebrow at Sara's t-shirt. "Well…Go Blue." said Lola laughing. "Just what the hell happened after I dropped off last night?" asked Lola.

Sara laughed softly. "Have a seat I will fix everyone some breakfast. I am thinking biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and some grits for us southern girls." said Sara.

"Oh yeah someone is in a very good mood. Spill…did you sweat up the sheets in my guestroom?" asked Lola laughing. "I'll forgive you if you add cheese to the grits and tell me all about it."

Tig was standing at the kitchen door. "Women actually talk about sex?" He chuckled.

"All of the time." said Lola chuckling.

"And what do you say about me?" asked Tig walking over to kissed her.

Lola looked over at Sara and both women started laughing.

Lola said, "That you are hung like a horse."

Tig smirked and lifted her up playfully being careful not to hurt her arm. "That is what you had better be saying." He sat her on the counter and kissed her softly. He slipped his arms around her. and said, "I want you to come stay at my house until your arm is better."

"It could takes weeks for my arm to heal..." said Lola surprised by the request."I don't know if..."

Tig cut her off and shook his head. "You are going to stay with me until you are better." said Tig letting her know it wasn't a question. He was telling her.

Lola smiled a little. "Okay..."