The shades were drawn, doing their best to block out the sunlight. For the most part, Tara's bedroom was dark. A faint yellowish glow still managed to snake it's way through the cracks, casting shadows on the wooden floors. The smell of pancakes and eggs wafted up the stairs, along with the sounds of bacon sizzling and pots banging together. It was a typical Sunday morning in the Teller household.

Tara woke up to the smell of breakfast tickling her nose. Her back was pressed against Jax's side. The spots of bare skin that he was touching was on fire, electric charges pumping through her body. She rolled over in his arms until her chest was flush against his side. She propped herself up on an elbow and so she could look at him.

The sunlight seeping through the blinds danced across his face. She smiled and reached up to trace his familiar features with her pointer finger. Jax stirred under her touch, his eyes opened slowly. Once they adjusted to the room, he remembered where he was and smiled up at Tara. "Morning," He whispered, his warm breath blew over her face.

She smiled back and ran her finger over his lips. "Good morning," She replied, then reached up to press a kiss to his mouth. It was sweet and simply, like they had done it for fifty years and would continue to do it for another fifty years.

Sensations took over his body that he wasn't used to. Kissing Tara was different than kissing any other girl. It made the pit of his stomach flutter and his pulse speed through his veins. He dragged his hand up her back, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin tank top she was wearing. Then he anchored his hand at the back of her neck, twisting his fingers in her long hair.

Tara smiled against Jax's mouth, when she felt his reaction to their kiss. Her own body was reacting as well. Heat swelled in her belly and between her thighs. She rolled on top of Jax, their chests flush against each other and wrapped her arms around his neck. She dragged her tongue along his bottom lip, then captrued it between her teeth and nipped lightly. "Tara," A soft groan escaped his lips. His hands moved down to circle her waist. He tried to pull away, but Tara pulled herself closer and opened her mouth, allowing his tongue access. Their tongues worked together in a perfect harmony and Tara moaned against his lips.

"Tara! Jax!" Gemma called from downstairs. "Breakfast!" Jax groaned again, but this time there was no pleasure in the sound. He pulled away and flopped his head back against the pillows. Tara rested her forehead against his chin and giggled.

"We better go," Tara said, rolling off of Jax and pulling the sheets off of their bodies. "Cause you know she'll come up here."

Jax groaned again and grabbed at Tara, his fingers registering her waist gently, then slipping off. "Come back," He said with a chuckle.

Tara padded across the floor. She threw a smile at Jax, who was still laying on the bed. It was a mischievous grin. "Keep your pants on, Teller," She shot with a wink.

It was early November. The temperature in Northern California was dropping. The thermometer on the side of the clubhouse read sixty three degrees. The sun was beating down on the compound. It was pretty quiet around the clubhouse. Not one of the motorcycles was missing from the line that was parked in the lot. The sun reflected off their shiny chrome and helmets swung freely from their handlebars.

It was definitely a lazy day around the clubhouse. Gemma and Clay were posted up at the picnic tables outside. Their heads were bent close together and they were whispering and giggling like teenagers. Chibs and Bobby were sitting at the bar, nursing beers, despite the early hour. Tig was lounged across the couch with a hand thrown over his face to block out the light. Piney and Opie were in an intense game of pool. The sound of the balls clinking together filled the air. Jax and Tara were sitting at the small table in the center of the clubhouse. She was perched on his lap and they were whispering to each other.

"We need to tell them," Tara said, nodding toward the guys in the room. Jax turned his head to survey the space, taking in the different lax positions of each guy. He mashed his lips together as if he was thinking of a reason not to tell them, but came up empty. he met Tara's eye again and nodded, helping her off of his lap before standing up.

Jax pounded a fist into the table twice, capturing the room's attention. Chibs and Bobby swiveled on their bar stools to face them. Tig sat up and looked at the two of them over the back of the couch. Opie and Piney paused the game they were playing, diverting their attention to the young couple. "We have something we want to say..." Jax started slowly, wrapping his arms around Tara's waist from behind. He rested his chin on her shoulder as he waited for her to continue his sentence.

Tara sucked in a deep breath. She looked at the familiar faces staring back at her, waiting for her announcement. "We're dating."

There was a small pause in the room as everyone registered her words. Then there were woops and cheers. Chibs and Opie stepped forward to clap Jax on the back. Tig wrapped Tara in a hug and kissed the side of her head. Piney looked at them, words of wisdom on the tip of his tongue. He hugged them both, telling them that although this was destined to happen, he hoped they would be careful.

The school bell rang, echoing throughout the hallways. Feet shuffled along the floor and lockers slammed as students made their way to class. Tara, Jax and Opie filed along with the crowd. Jax's hand was threaded through Tara's. When they reached the door of her first period class, English with Mr. Connors, Jax leaned in and pecked her quickly on the lips. "Go to the bathroom in ten minutes," He whispered in her ear with a smile.

Tara nodded and promised she would be there before shuffling inside and taking her seat. Mr. Connors was standing at his podium. He was holding a stack of papers and explaining their next writing assignment. Tara's eyes darted over to look at the clock every couple of minutes, counting down the seconds until she could leave class.

Finally, it was nine ten. Tara raised her hand and quietly asked for the hall pass. She trudged past the watchful eyes of her classmates and made her way out into the hall. That's when she saw him...As she rounded the corner to the bathroom, her eyes landed on his burly frame. He was bent over the water fountain. His big, football player's body seemed awkward hunched over the tiny appliance. Her heart raced in her chest. She tried to back away, but it felt like her feet were cemented to the ground. She forced herself to breath, sucking in each breath and letting it out slowly.

Before she could make her escape, Matt looked up at her. His eyes boring holes into her. She tried to turn, but her feet still wouldn't budge. She became lightheaded like she might faint and reached out to grip the wall for support. He smiled at her, pulling his lips tight across his teeth. His eyes became dark like he was stalking his prey.

"Tara," He nearly growled. "How are you?"

Tara began backing away, finally finding the ability to use her feet. She could hardly hear Matt's voice over the sound of her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes were wide with fear and her brain was telling her to run, but right now, she didn't know how.

Matt stalked closer to her. He was slightly hunched and his eyes were narrow, he resembled a lion stalking it's prey. Right now, she felt like a defenseless little mouse. One step and she'd be squished. He reached up and dragged the back of his hand across his mouth, wiping the excess water from his mouth. There was no light in his eyes, they were dull and vengeful. An angry red scar ran across the top of his right eye. Probably damage from Chibs' and Bobby's hands. The idea made her shiver.

Memories from that night came crawling back into her mind. The rough way he handled her, the bricks pressed into her back and how his skin on hers made her feel dirty. She shook again, making Matt crack a smile. It wasn't a happy smile. It was dirty. More of a sneer. Tara backed up again, her back pressed up against the cool wall of lockers behind her.

"Matt, I think you should just go. I won't even tell anyone I saw you." Tara said, she hated how weak her voice sounded. She cleared her throat, hoping she'd sound braver next time she spoke.

He cracked another smile, making Tara feel dirty. She wanted to look down, to tear her eyes from his, but she was afraid. In the one second she looked away he could attack her. "Oh, you won't tell?" He purred, stalking forward again. "You won't tell your new boyfriend?" He snickered and came to a stop only inches from Tara. He reached up and dragged his hand down the back of her face. She winced and immediately turned away. "I knew you two would end up together. He's a lucky guy..." His words were slow and he drew each one out. "All that tight...tight pussy. Hopefully, the two pieces of biker trash won't beat the shit out of him after you two fuck...like they did to me." Matt stared Tara dead in the eye, holding her glare. "I'm sure he's already hit it though. You are a slut..."

Tara tried to slip away, scaling along the lockers. His words hit her like a slap to the face and she wanted to get as far from his as possible. Matt pounded his fist into the locker, right next to Tara's head. She jumped, a scream escaped her mouth. Then his hand clamped down on her mouth. "Shut your damn mouth," He growled between clenched teeth. "Tell your little biker buddies that if they touch me again. You're dead..."

Tara's eyes widened and she nodded up at him. "Christ, I can't believe I can have you again.." He murmured under his breath. His eyes slipped closed and he started trailing his hands up Tara's thin cotton shirt. His hands on her flesh again, made her shiver.

Tara wanted to shut down. She wanted to close her mind and hide away in it's darkest corner. But then she would be the same scared little girl that she was when he took her virginity. So, she fought. She rammed her knee up into his groin, causing him to double over in pain. He looked up at her, pure rage bubbled in his features.

It was her only chance. She didn't wait another moment before running down the hallway. Her rubber soled sneakers squeaked against the floor, but she kept going. Then she ran into something hard and strong arms wrapped around her body to steady her.

"Easy there, Darlin'," A familiar voice said. Tara looked up and met Jax's blue eyes, they were full of concern. He rubbed the tops of her arms and waited for her to catch her breath. "What's wrong?" He asked after several minutes passed.

Tara looked up at him, her eyes were misty with unshed tears. Everything that just happened replayed in her mind. The image of Matt's deadpan stare was frozen into her brain. She shivered involuntarily and Jax wrapped his arms around her, pulling him against his chest. "It's okay, I'm here," He whispered, his lips brushing her ear.

"I saw him," Tara finally managed, once her breathing returned to normal. She pulled away and looked up at Jax. Rage instantly turned his vision red.

Without asking Tara what happened, Jax kissed her forehead and slipped passed her. He headed in the direction that Tara came. She reached out and grabbed at his arm, but he shook her off, determined to find Matt. "Jax," Tara called out. "Don't do this. He's not worth it."

Jax was already halfway down the hall. He didn't even turn to acknowledge that she spoke, he just continued walking. His whole body was rigid with anger. Tara trailed behind him, occasionally calling out, begging him to stop. Nothing could stop Jax once his temper flared up.

"What makes you think it's okay to touch Tara again?" Jax growled. Tara heard his voice before she rounded the corner and saw the two guys face each other, they were nearly crouched down ready to attack.

"Ah, I was wondering when you were going to show up. The Prince had to come defend his Princess, right? Her little knight in shining armor?" Matt answered in his cocky tone.

"Watch your mouth," Jax warned. He clenched his jaw and the angry little vein in the side of his mouth popped out.

"Or what? You're gonna have your biker buddies hurt me again?" Matt responded. He rubbed his hands against his eyes in a crying gesture and pretended to shake. "I'm so scared.."

Jax let out a humorless chuckle and cocked his head to the side. "No, I'll kill you. Myself. It's what should've happened the moment you laid a hand on Tara."

"Is that a threat, big guy?" Matt retorted, clearly not taking Jax's words seriously.

"No, it's a promise," He replied. "I. Will. Kill. You."

Jax didn't wait for Matt to reply and he didn't say anything else. He simply walked away, slinging his arm over Tara's shoulder in the process and leading her down the hall, away from Matt. Tara realized then that it had always been like this and it would always be like this. Jax would come to her rescue always. He was there to protect and love her. He always had been.

SORRY FOR THE DELAY! HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CHAPTER!