Last chapter for this book! Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and favorites. The second book is called "Hell Followed" and I'll be posting the Prologue very shortly.

Jax deals with the truth of Opie's murder. Meanwhile, Kennedy comes to terms about her feelings for Jax.

Jax doesn't know what he is upset about more. The fact Opie was killed by his own club or the fact he didn't even suspect it. He doesn't even have the doubt to question what Kennedy told him because he knows that she wouldn't ever say something like this unless she knew it was to be absolutely true. As he thinks back to these last 6 months from Opie's release to now, he just knows it's too be true.

When Opie and his family got taken by the Feds, Tig was the only one openly accusing – suggesting – the possibility that Opie turned rat. Jax was angry at the time and was willing to fight Tig for the accusation, but he knew that Tig was coming from a place because of his love for the club. However, Opie had come to the club as soon as he was released and told the club what Stahl was trying to do. And most likely as soon as Opie walked out the door Tig and Clay planned his death behind the club's back.

As the pieces fall together it makes sense as days before Opie's death the Niner's ambushed a drop off between them and the Mayans, one that Opie was involved in.

And as Kennedy said if a rival gang member were to target anyone it wouldn't be Opie. Jax also believes a rival gang wouldn't risk harming an innocent woman either.

There was also the fact that when he was bent on killing that Mayan to avenge Opie when Chibs had pulled him away from questioning the man as he was getting angry and they were in daylight, Tig had shot the man in the jaw claiming the man's guilt, but after that after tagging the man a Sons kill, Tig who volunteered to handle the body tagged it a Niner's kill.

He tries to think on how Tig has been acting, but Jax never was one to hang out with Tig for a long period of time. The man didn't seem any different outside of his constant companion of a beer bottle.

Jax also thinks about Clay. He can say the relationship between he and his stepfather hasn't changed since Opie's passing. There was a little more urging for him to be focused more on the gun business and Clay having him being in charge of runs and overseeing the assembly of the guns. But there was the fact his stepfather blackmailed Oswald without consulting him.

He can say Clay has been tenser lately.

And Jax can admit to the feeling of always being watched by him. But the glaringly obvious fact was his meddlesome mother. He didn't think anything of it as she was always nosy especially when it came to his relationships, but her constant stream of questions and worries about him and Kennedy made sense. She and Clay were worried about what Kennedy knew and most likely what Kennedy could tell him.

It all hits him that his mother knew what Clay and Tig had done. She sat there and probably comforted Clay after killing Opie. She comforted him as he mourned his best friend. Jax pulls over his bike and he empties his stomach.

It all hits him as he thinks about the manuscript that Piney gave him to change things.

Jax heaves as his stomach cleanses itself as it burns his throat. His eyes water from the acid in his stomach and the truth of his best friend's murder that is growing like a tumor in his brain.

He thinks about Kennedy and how she kept this truth from him. Since Opie's passing she kept this between her, Donna, and Piney. Every day, she lied to him. All those talks about Opie and how much they missed him and not once did she ever give the illusion that she knew who really murdered her brother even after he went to her house that night he killed that Mayan. God he wants to be angry at her for keeping this from him. He feels he has the right to be angry at her. But her words float through his mind at her reasoning for keeping it from him for almost 6 months.

Because I knew it would break your heart. She said with no hesitation, no quiver in her voice, as she spoke the recalls how the tears began slipping from her eyes as she said this. How he knew she wanted to reach out to him, but she kept her distance and stayed silent as she stared at him. But he couldn't find it in himself to look at her and he didn't as he went to his bike and drove away from her.

Jax's knees give out and he falls to the ground.

His body is wrecked with violent spasms as he just cries.

It seems the only thing he can do at the moment.

After a surprise visit from Mary to take the kids for the day, Kennedy finds herself in the passenger seat of Opie's, now Donna's, truck on their way to Elk Grove, where Donna's parents live and now the future residence of her brother's family. Abel is happily cooing in his car seat.

The ride was quiet and she believes it was mostly because Donna was too nervous to ask her what happened between her and Jax last night.

After telling Jax the truth, Kennedy watched as he tore out of their driveway and she hadn't heard from him since. She sat out there for another ten minutes as she furiously wiped away the tears that wouldn't stop falling from her face.

When she went inside, Donna was still watching TV, but didn't question her puffy face or how quickly Jax left when he just arrived. She didn't even question her as she was withdrawn at breakfast or how she was staring off into space while she folded some laundry before they were left in the house and Donna announce they should take the 50 minute drive to the new place.

Kennedy on any other day would be happy to see the new house, but now she thinks she should've decline and went when she was in a better mood.

She watches the passing scenery and admires the beauty of Elk Grove, Donna eventually drives down a cul-de-sac to the last house. Donna pulls into the driveway of a ranch style home similar to the house in Charming. The home has a terracotta roof with a cream color brick siding. It had a much bigger front yard. The home itself was four bedrooms and had an open space living room and kitchen.

Kennedy is taken back by how white everything is. It's so crisp, clean, and not Charming it's throwing her off. She would question how Donna was going to be able to afford this place. She knows the house in Charming is worth a lot, but this household is only going to have one source of income. Kennedy is looking at the large backyard that can fit a decent size pool, trampoline, and even a playset although with nice patio furniture and a grill.

"I don't want to sound negative, but the house is going to put a decent size dent for a down payment?" Kennedy questions Donna.

"Kennedy, you know you can have the house. I don't need to sell it. Opie would've wanted you to have it."

"I don't want the house, Donna." Kennedy tells her for the millionth time. She never wanted it. It was never hers to have as Opie and Donna got that house for their growing family. Plus, she wouldn't be able to bear living in a silent house. She was able to tolerate living with Opie's ghost in the house because there was Donna and the kids, but when they would leave she fears his ghost would consume her.

"Well I'm not going to sell it considering you haven't found your own place yet unless you're staying with Jax." Donna states cautiously.

Kennedy's grip tightens around Abel, who is still happy and content in her arms. Since it was becoming inevitable that Donna was moving and she had become so attached to Abel and the subtle hints from Jax, it would make sense for her to live with him. Now she wasn't so sure. Kennedy turns to her sister in law, "I told Jax about Opie."

"Did he not believe you?"

"No," Kennedy says with a shake of her head. "I think he does that's what makes it worse."

She hates the feeling that had festered in her as she knew what she told Jax broke his heart. She hated being the one to have to tell him that his club – his stepfather – betrayed him, Opie, and the club. However, she knows that her trying to protect him from the truth was worse than the actual truth.

"It's okay to cry Kennedy."

Kennedy can feel her lips trembling and at this point she doesn't realize that tears are steadily leaking from her eyes. "I just don't know what to do, Donna." She whispers hoarsely.

She's afraid of what the truth will do to both of them. She's scared he will do something stupid that will get him killed. She's terrified how this could ruin and fracture the club. She was already worried about her father, who seemed ready to die at any moment, but worrying about Jax and carrying his pain was something that she knew would cripple her and she didn't realize it until that moment when she seen the hurt, betrayal, and the pure unadulterated pain that she inflicted on him last night.

Donna steps forward and wipes away some of her tears. "You love him." Donna says more as a statement than a question.

"Yeah, I do." Kennedy admits as she openly sobs as Donna embraces her in a tight hug. Abel squeals in delight.

Jax wakes up with a stiff neck and back. He momentarily panics as he gathers his bearing as he is not in his bed at his house or the clubhouse and the fact he is sitting upright outside with the morning sun shining brightly down upon his face. But as he looks around the various tombstones and feels the engravings on his back at the tombstone that marks his best friend's final resting place, everything about last night comes flooding back to him. From burning Kyle's back for the club to Kennedy's tearful admission about what the club had done to Opie.

As he stands up, he knows there is one more person who can confirm the truth he already knows.

Considering the small size of Charming, it's not hard to know people's schedule especially for someone who is on the club's payroll. Jax knows that Sheriff Wayne Unser works every other weekend with him and his Deputy Chief rotating. This weekend luckily is the weekend David Hale is working and since Unser won't be lurking any corners, Jax knows this visit won't get back to Clay. Jax has respect for the Sheriff as he does help the club a lot, but Jax is under no illusion, Unser is Clay's boy. Unser is loyal to Clay.

So he knows asking David Hale questions would stay between them and Hale won't lie to him.

Entering the police station, eyebrows raise at his appearance and some shot to their hairline as he asks if Hale is available.

Already knowing the layout to the station, he declines the escort to Hale's office, where the future Sheriff is sitting at his desk on his laptop.

David doesn't show any surprise at his appearance just a mere disinterest, which is common when dealing with any Hales. Jax thinks it was just their upbringing that the two men seem to dislike each other. He knows he should hate the fact Hale isn't on their payroll, but he sort of admires the fact the man can't be bought and he is actually doing his job in trying to keep Charming safe. Besides he knows they could have someone who would bend the law to their whims that could hurt the club a lot, but Hale does things by the book.

"How can I help you, Jackson?" David asks as he closes his laptop.

Jax shuts the man's door, which seems to take the Deputy back. Jax doesn't bother taking a seat as he stands with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"What do you know about Opie's death?"

David seems taken back by the question. "Officially there are no leads outside of the stolen SUV. As for suspicions, Opie's ties to SAMCRO are deemed a factor, but nothing that can lead to a solid arrest."

"Are you sure about that?"

"I'm not sure what you're asking me, Jax."

"I want you to tell me the same thing you probably told Kennedy and Donna."

Jax watches as David's face is colored with guilt as he looks away from him. The man's broad muscular shoulders fall as he slumps slightly in his chair. "I knew Stahl was setting Opie up as a rat." David begins and Jax's gut tightens at the mention of that ATF bitch. "She wired his truck. I think Clay found that wire thought Opie was working with the feds and had him killed. I told Unser that night of your clubhouse party, but it was too late."

Jax flashes back to that night. It was just a typical Friday night party celebrating the recent success with the gun business and he recalls the Sheriff making an appearance, which was highly unusual, and pulling Clay aside for a minute.

"And you told Kennedy and Donna this?"

"They deserve the truth." David states. "I know how close you and Opie were and I'm sorry, Jax."

"This stays between us." Jax orders before he leaves the man's office.

"How can you sit across the table and not kill him?" Jax asks Piney as they sit in the man's cabin and pass a blunt between them. It's the first thing he has said since he arrived almost an hour ago.

It didn't need to be said that Piney knew why he was there especially as Piney greeted him with I take it Kennedy told you. Nothing had been said as Piney offered him a blunt and they just sat and smoked in silence letting the situation sink in.

"It would be too easy – too satisfying. Cause boy I want too, but if I'm going to avenge my son I'm going to do it right. Not like them behind my brothers' backs. Besides Clay is the way he is because of us."

Jax nods his head as he knows what he feels can't compare to Piney's pain. Here the man he sponsored and supported him as his Vice President, and loved him like family had killed his son. His son was killed by the club he helped start.

"How do I get right by this Piney?" Jax asks. "We got no proof and even then if this were to leak to another charter…the only thing we have is the fact his hands are going to give up on him." If Jax was being honest with himself he never imagined he would be the SAMCRO president without Opie at his side.

"We can start by turning this club legit. Clay will answer for this and I know you want to tap into that rage son, but you have to remember there are other people involved in this. Kennedy wouldn't want you to do anything stupid I think she likes you too much for that."

Jax's lips do turn upward at the mention of Kennedy and that is all the reminder he really needs to not do something stupid and he needs to be smart about this.

"You know the reason she didn't tell you –"

"I know, Piney, it was to protect me." He says somewhat bitterly.

Piney makes an intangible noise in his throat. "It was because she wouldn't be able to see you in pain, boy. She would rather suffer with the knowledge of the truth and any secret before allowing you to bear the pain of it yourself."

Jax's mouth goes numb and dry like cotton. He remembers all the times he wanted to shield Kennedy from the pain of life from when Mary took Opie for that year and finding her in that closet, when she only scrapped her knees when she was trying to skateboard, and to when Opie got his sentence in Chino. He would have gladly swallowed all that pain and bear it himself. "I'm not…mad, Piney."

"I know," Piney hums in agreement. "You can't stand the thought of her in the same pain your feeling yourself."

It is a relatively slow day at Teller Morrow and for once the business is able to catch up on a lot of paperwork and repairs. Since Teller Morrow is the only local automotive repair shop, being backed up once in a while is a usual road bump, but it doesn't mean she necessary likes it. And she is about to approach her husband about hiring some new workers or possibly expand some of their services to keep up with competition outside of Charming. However, her main concern is the fact her son's spot has been empty all day.

She had managed to pull from Clay that Jax was fine after handling Kyle last night. Gemma assumed her son went over to see Kennedy especially after the subtle, but public display of affection on his end and Kennedy taking Abel for the night. However, it was nearing 2 o'clock in the afternoon with no word or sign from her son. Despite her son's prowess in the bedroom, she knew it was nearly impossible for him and Kennedy to be going this long with a baby in the house. And at this point, if this was true, Kennedy was surely going to end up pregnant, and despite giving caution to her son about this, Gemma did want more grandbabies at some point.

But Gemma knows her son wasn't at the Winston residence as she did some errands before coming into the office, she seen Mary Winston taking the kids out for the day and on a drive by past the Winston house and his house his bike was nowhere to be seen. She suspects that maybe he took Kennedy on a date, but he would have at least stopped by and told her of all people he would be gone most of the day.

As she eyes the activity around the lot, her eyes zone in on one patch member who she knows would most likely know if Jax had been around.

Pulling on her sunglasses, she walks over to where Bobby is eating some of his banana bread that he made earlier before punching some time in at the shop.

"Hey, Bobby," Gemma greets as she approaches him. "Have you seen Jax today?"

Bobby leans back against the picnic table as he eyes her through his glasses. "Uh, no, I haven't seen him since last night. You know Gem, he doesn't spend that much time on the lot these days or I should say at night." He adds knowingly.

"I know. I'm just worried –"

"Gem, I love you and I know you mean well when it comes to the boy. The shit with Opie I thought it would break him, but it didn't especially as he was going through a divorce and becoming a father on top of it. He's doing okay, Gem, and I think we both know the person partially responsible for it. But you have got to stop hovering it doesn't look good for him being the VP."

Gemma is almost taken back by Bobby's words as the last thing she would want to do was jeopardize her son's reputation among patches. Gemma knows she is meddlesome, but it's for the love of her family that she just wants to make sure her son is okay. She already had lost one son and a husband and she knows at times she puts so much pressure on Jax to make up for those losses it becomes overbearing, but it's never from a malicious place.

But now with her hovering it really is too protect Jax from the truth about Opie. It's the only reason she can't rejoice in her son potentially finding an old lady in Kennedy. Clay thought the two of them together would keep either of them from exposing the truth, but she thought it would be the exact opposite. Watching the two of them grow up around each other, she knew neither of them could lie to each other. Plus she knew her son was a man that needed full disclosure it was why his first relationship didn't work out because it came to a point that Tara didn't want to know the man she claimed to love. She knew in her gut that the two of them being too together it would lead to bad things for Clay, Tig, and her. She already suspects Piney knows the truth and if Kennedy and Jax are as serious as they seem to be Piney won't let the truth about Opie stay buried for long.

If this were any other patch member she would've told them to fuck off, but this is Bobby and the one that gives counsel to all the members of the club objectively despite his relationship. She knows he is only coming from a good place and looking out for Jax. She knows Bobby can't wait for the day for Jax to take the mantle as President.

Gemma only nods her head. "Well breaks time over. Get your ass back to work."

Bobby smiles. "Yes, ma'am."

The following day, still with no word from Jax and Abel seeming to be content hanging with her, Kennedy is happy her niece and nephew are back home to distract her from the emotional turmoil she was feeling and it was a nice distraction that she hasn't heard from Jax, but it wasn't as if she had reached out earlier.

But cooking a hearty breakfast was a sure way to keep her mind occupied as well. Besides her mornings with her niece and nephew were about to become limited now as they were officially moving. And she knows as well as Kenny and Ellie that she is about to spoil them rotten until they leave as that was the only reason she would be cooking French Toast, waffles, cheesy eggs, sausage, and bacon along with cutting up some fruit on the side.

She wonders if she is making a mistake not leaving with Donna. She thinks hard on what Opie would want her to do especially knowing the truth about his passing. Would he want her to avenge him or would he prefer for her to go and live her life away from the club and Charming. Knowing if the situations were refused she knew Opie wouldn't leave the club or Charming, he would stay and fix the wrong the club had done to his family.

A part of her thinks even if they are able to expose the truth about what Clay and Tig did it won't change the fact her brother would still be dead. Having them stripped of their patch and possibly meeting Mr. Mayhem won't change a damn thing about Opie, not a damn thing, and she would feel some sort of sick satisfaction, but Kenny and Ellie would still be without their father and Donna without her husband.

Maybe it's closure she wants. She wants something to balm the loss of Opie inside her.

After breakfast, Donna volunteers to wash all the dishes and mind Abel and the kids go to the backyard and play while Kennedy goes to take a shower before they head out to go to the park.

Donna, despite her worries about the blossoming relationship with Kennedy and Jax, wasn't surprised by Kennedy's admittance about her feelings for Jax. She believes it wasn't that hard after many years of just laughing one another as family and friends to romantic partners. Plus Jax and Kennedy always had a connection that Donna believes was stronger than what she and Opie had. Maybe Donna was somewhat jealous. She was jealous of the intimacy that Jax and Kennedy had. The comfort and pleasure of touch was what she missed the most especially at night.

Now she can't imagine ever being with another man, but she is only 30 and still young, but she doesn't believe she will ever get that experience again. She knows Opie would want her to move on and be happy, but she would feel like she was betraying him by sharing flesh with another man and having him take his place in raising their kids. She knows that Opie would never be replaced as a father, but just for another man to be there in any capacity tore her apart.

She is so lost in her thoughts that she nearly jumps out of her skin when a hand touches her shoulder and water is splashed down the front of her shirt.

"Shit, I'm sorry. I thought you heard my bike." Jax apologizes.

Donna glowers at him, mostly because of his poor contained laughter, as she looks at her soaked shirt. Luckily she is wearing black. "Apparently I didn't."

"Kennedy here?" Jax questions despite knowing that she is.

"Yeah, she's in her room." Donna says as she eyes him and the binder that is in his hands. She looks back up at him and concludes he doesn't look any worse for wear besides a little tired. "Promise you'll take care of her, Jax. You'll take care of both of them." She says as she nods towards Abel who is sleeping in his chair.

"I will," Jax promises. She is surprised when Jax brings her into a hug. "I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner."

"You see it now that's all that matters." She tells him before she detangles herself from him and pushes him softly. "Now go see her."

Kennedy fresh out of the shower, hair dripping wet as it curls, and a teal large towel wrapped around her body, walks out of the bathroom and her wet feet almost trip over each other as she catches sight of the blonde biker lounging in her bed smoking a cigarette.

Kennedy's heart spikes at his presence and she is unsure of what to say and she can't find her voice to even say hi and neither does he.

She moves across her room instead and grabs her blow dryer. She can feel his eyes on her as she begins drying her hair as well as applying her lotion over her body. He doesn't say anything until it's time for her to actually remove her towel and she can hear him move off her bed as she drops it to the floor.

She goes to put her underwear on, but his voice stops her. "Don't."

She can feel his heat behind her as his ring covered hands prompt her to turn around. She turns around and finds his cool blue eyes regarding her intently. Kennedy was not one to feel modest especially considering the things she has already done with Jax, but the way he is looking at her is so raw she wishes to cover up.

His hands move up from her arms to her face, which he cups tenderly. He presses a soft kiss to her lips and she can feel him trembling. He pulls back and doesn't say anything else as he goes and sits back down on her bed and grabs a binder that she didn't realize he even had before.

Kennedy turns back around and slips on the underwear she was initially putting on and throws on the summer dress she had set out initially.

Once she is done dressing, Jax motions for her to seat down next to him.

"If we're going to do this, you need to know everything."

"Okay," Kennedy says and nods her head.

He places the binder in her hands which has the SAMCRO emblem on it. Opening it to the cover page she is taken back by what it reads.

The Life and Death of Sam Crow: How the Sons of Anarchy Lost Their Way

by John Teller.

"Your dad wrote this?"

Jax nods his head. "It's about his original vision for the club. It was never outlaw. Just social rebellion – hippie stuff."

"Is this what you want?"

"I want to turn the club legit. Away from the guns and the shit that's killing us. I need to know you are going to be there."

"Jax, do you even have to ask that?"

Jax hand cups her cheek as his blue eyes connect to her brown ones. "I'm serious, Kennedy. Shit may get rough."

"Jax, what can get worse than this?" She questions seriously.

"Kennedy, this life –"

"I know, Jackson. I know."

"I love you, Kennedy."

Just like that the air is expelled from her lungs at his admission. "I love you, Kennedy." He repeats. "I promise you I won't leave. I'll always comes back especially if I have you to come home too. You and Abel."

"You better always fucking come home to us every night, Jax." She whispers through her misty eyes. Jax smiles as he brings her into a kiss before a tight embrace. Kennedy inhales his scent of sandalwood, nicotine, and leather and she buries her head in the crook of his neck.

He pulls back and turns his attention back to the binder. "But I want you to read this first before committing to anything. Please, this road won't be easy for us."

Kennedy grabs his hand and places a kiss on his knuckles.

"I'll read it later, but right now, your son and I missed you and you're going to spend the whole day with us."

Jax smiles as he pulls her up from the bed. "I'll let you finish then." He tells her before walking to the door.

"Hey," she calls out which causes him to pause and turn back to look at her. "I love you, Jackson."

Jax's face softens. "You know what this means right?"

"I'm your old lady."