When Jax pulled up to his house a few hours later, he shouldn't have been surprised that Beth's car was gone. He pulled out his phone thankful that she at least had the sense to answer it.

"Where are you?" He asked her when she picked up.

"Are you the only one allowed to have pissy storm out sessions? Because if that's the case I'll really need a set of rules to reference." Beth said sarcastically.

Jax took a breath, and asked her again. "Where are you?" He asked, hoping he sounded more calm.

"The clubhouse." Beth answered, nonchalantly.

"What?" Jax asked, hoping like hell he misheard her.

"Juice invited me." Beth offered in way of explanation.

Jax pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Don't leave, I'll be right there."

SOASOASOA

Beth hung up the phone, turning her attention to Gemma, who had situated herself on the stool next to Beth.

"My son?" Gemma asked her.

"Yep."

"I'm sure he's just thrilled you came to see his Mommy." Gemma said with a grin.

"He doesn't even know you're here, just that Juice invited me to come by."

"Even better." Gemma said, smirking. "How are you handling it?"

"Which it are we referring to? My house burning down, shooting someone, my boyfriend hiding as much about his life as humanly possible, or his Mother tracking me down at work to scope me out?" Beth glanced up at Gemma on the last words with a slight raise of her eyebrows.

Gemma smiled slightly before answering, "Take your pick."

"You know, I don't really want to. I just want to drink my beer, fight with Jax, and go to bed."

"The poor me act doesn't really play well around here." Gemma advised her.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't get the manual for this club Gemma. I'm kind of figuring it out as I go along, and while it might all be second nature to you, I'm having a few issues coping. If you could just cut me some slack…" Beth trailed off sighing. She hadn't meant to take it out on Gemma, even though she probably deserved it. Telling off Gemma was like poking a bear, it was never a great idea.

"I don't 'cut you slack' because this club, this life, won't cut you slack. If you're going to make it, you've got to be pushed."

"And you want me to make it?" Bethany asked, incredulously, before being interrupted by Jax.

"Jesus Beth, could you at least give me a heads up if you're going to storm off?" Jax asked her, putting himself between her and Gemma. "Hey Ma." He added, kissing Gemma's cheek. "You ready to go?" He asked Beth.

Beth stared at him angrily, and crossed her arms. He looked at her then to Gemma. "Did you teach her this?" He asked his Mother, who smiled slyly and watched the events unfold. Jax shook his head, and moved out of the line of fire. "Will you give us a minute?" He asked Gemma.

Gemma glanced at both of them, but got up and walked away, keeping an eye on them from a distance.

Jax took her place and sat beside Beth. "Why are you pissed?"

Beth snorted. "Are you… kidding me? Jax, you should has just asked what I'm not pissed about, it's a shorter list."

"I can't help…"

"I know exactly what you can and can't help, and keeping me in the dark constantly, Jax you can help that. If you want me to be around, then you have to let me in." Beth told him, her eyes inspecting his face carefully.

"I know." Jax admitted. "I don't want to lose you though, if I wanted a mini Gemma, I'd let her fix me up with one of the many wannabes around here. I don't want that. I want you."

"Jax, do you really think I could ever be your Mother?" Beth asked glancing at Gemma, who was giving a thorough tongue lashing to Half-Sack. "Seriously? That would take way more energy than I could ever hope to have. No more excuses Jax."

Jax smiled, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her towards him. "No more."

Beth wanted to be angry still, but Jax's smile was her kryptonite, and she raised her lips to reach his, when it felt like the room was exploding. Next thing she knew, Beth was on the ground, Jax lying on top of her. She glanced around in confusion, seeing all of the Sons and random party goers on the floor. The popping Beth had been hearing finally stopped, and people slowly and cautiously got up.

"Anyone hurt?" Clay bellowed while the other Sons ran out to the parking lot to see if they could catch a glimpse of the attackers.

No one came forward, and people began milling around, murmuring theories to one another. Beth however, began having flashbacks of the night in Clay and Gemma's house. She had enough gunshots to last her a lifetime.

Jax made a beeline for her when he came back inside, grabbing her hands in his and bringing them up to his lips. "You're OK." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes Jax. I'm ok." Beth said almost bitterly. She didn't want to be the fragile one. "I'm not made of glass you know."

Jax gave her a funny look. "I didn't say you were. Sorry I was happy that you don't have any bullets in you."

Bethany sighed; she had unintentionally hurt his feelings. "I'm sorry. I'm stressed." She offered in way of apology.

"I get that." Jackson told her. He glanced at the Sons filing into church. "I gotta go handle this. Stay here until I get out." He started by ordering her, before stopping himself and adding. "Please?"

Beth thought about pressing the issue, they'd just been in a drive by shooting, and he wanted her to stick around? She remembered Gemma's words, how this life didn't cut you any slack. "Yeah, do what you gotta do." She told him, kissing his cheek.