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Hit like a Semi

It's been over a month without Opie in town. Jax was unraveled at first but with Tara at his side she made the presence of his best friend being gone a bit bearable. Tara and Jax were spending an abundance amount of time together. Tara no longer felt right about sleeping at the Winston's so should would often occupy her new room at the Teller residence. At first Tara was there every night since Opie left. She would spend her day either in school or with Donna and Wendy and after Jax finished his shift at the garage she would head over to spend the night. This was her first week being home. Tara felt awful about leaving her dad alone for two weeks. As far as she was told, her father was maintaining his daily routine, work and then the bar.

Usually Brian would go home first to eat some dinner but with Tara being gone, Brian went straight to the bar. Gemma spoke to Brian about Tara's new room at her house and told him she will be staying there for a few days. His first thoughts were that Gemma was trying to take Tara away from him and almost had a shit fit. Gemma using her womanly ways got him to calm down and explained the situation that was going on and expressed that they all needed Tara right now. Brian just nodded. He didn't know what to say. As a father he should have said no, that he wants his own daughter home with him. But no, Brain nodded and agreed. Maybe because he knew you don't tell the Queen of Anarchy no.

Tara came home to a house that was actually clean. The living room wasn't trashed as it normally is, there wasn't any dishes piled up in the sink or in the drying rack. The hallway bathroom was relatively clean. It could use a bit of a wipe down due to dust piling up but overall, this house maintained clean over the last two weeks. There was laundry piled up in her father's room though.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Tara thought to herself as she smirked. She was a little bit relieved to find something that needed to be done besides a home cooked meal.

Tara decided to cook her father his favorite meal. She felt terrible with being away from him for so long, but what made her feel even worse was that for the first week with being gone she felt happy. Like a ton of bricks have been lifted off. She wasn't babysitting her dad anymore, she was being a normal teenager, going to school, hanging with her friends after school, going "home" to do some homework and the night ended with Jax Teller in her bed. Nothing was happening between them but they would always cuddle together throughout the night. This was easier to do with John Teller making runs for the club that required him to be gone for a couple of days. Tara heard the key turn in the lock and there was her father. He looked…sober?

"Hey hunny" Brain wore his biggest smile in a long time.

"Hey daddy" Tara walked up to her father and gave him a hug and a kiss.

"Ugh. I missed you kid" Brian took a tighter hold onto his daughter.

Brain sniffed in the scent that was making his stomach growl. "Is that what I think it is?"

Tara turned to take a look at the kitchen and she smiled. "Yes it is. I made your favorite. Baked potatoes fully loaded, meatloaf with a side of Greek salad."

"Wow. What..what uh is the special event for this meal?"

'Nothing. I just haven't been home and I missed you. You deserve a home cooked meal with me being gone for two weeks." Tara walked to the kitchen and began serving.

"Is there enough food for three?" Brian sounded a little nervous as the question came out.

"Uh yeah. We expecting anyone else?" Tara asked as she set the two served plates down on the table.

"Yeah. Your..your aunt Karen is in town."

"Karen? M-mom's sister?" Tara was stunned. She hasn't seen this woman in years. Not since the funeral for her mother.

Before Brian could answer there was a knock at the front door. Tara's eyes went to the door.

Karen was wonderful. Just like Lori, she worked herself up into the medical field. She specialized in trauma care. Karen was sweet, driven and caring. She used to always come to town when Lori was alive. Tara could rationalize her father's distance towards her, but why Karen? And why come back now?

Guess we're going to find out now. Tara thought as she continued to serve the third plate.

As Tara settled the plate down Karen was invited into their home. Brian and Karen embraced themselves in a hug.

"Good to see you again Karen. Thank you for coming." Brain greeted her.

Again? Tara was confused. How many times have they seen each other?

"Oh..Tara. Look at you. You've gotten so big. Oh my god, you're gorgeous!" Karen walked over to Tara and embraced her just as she did her father.

"Good to see you Karen" Tara put on a smile.

They took their seats at the dinner table and dug in.

"Tara you made all this by yourself?"

"Yes. Mom left some pretty good recipes. I've been following them ever since."

"Your mother was an excellent cook. I told her all the time she should have been a chef"

Tara smiled and nodded. What is there to talk about with this woman? The questions Tara had didn't involve food, at all.

"So, how's school going?"

"It's going great. I've taken up some biology courses and I'm doing a program with the school to do more studies in the medical field. It's twice a week and instead of going to my high school classes, I go to the school but do the medical studies there."

"Tara that's wonderful! In fact I was telling your dad last week when I bumped into him at the gas station that San Diego's high school has excellent courses in medical studies that I know you can excel in"

"San Diego?" Tara looked at her father who had his head bowed down to the food. "Don't you live in Chicago?"

Karen's face got stiff. "Yes I do, but right now I'm living in San Diego with your grandmother. She's sick, so I am temporary working in a community hospital there until further notice."

"Grandma? What's wrong? Is she going to be okay?"

"I hope so sweetheart. Your grandmother is battling breast cancer"

Tara's heart dropped. Just like her mother. Tara thought how selfish it was to not keep in contact with her grandmother. How long has she been battling this? Why hasn't she reached out when Lori died? Tara's head was scrambling.

"Your grandmother misses you deeply Tara." Karen reached out for her hand only for it to be snatched away.

"Really? Where was she or you after my mother died?"

Brain cleared his throat. "Sweetheart they did reach out." Brain's eyes were filled with guilt.

"No they didn't. What are you talking about?" Tara pushed her food further away from her.

"They reached out right after your mother died and year and year after that until you were twelve."

"Why? Why did they stop?"

"Because I made them"

"Why? Why would you do that me?" Tara stood up from her seat

"Tara please sit down" Karen asked

"How are you not mad about this?"

"Tara he just didn't want to be alone"

"Alone? 'He just didn't want to be alone'? Are you freaking kidding me? I WAS ALONE! FOR SEVEN YEARS!" Tara pushed her seat back knocking it down. Tara began to walk away when Karen stopped her.

"Please Tara just come sit with us and let's talk."

"Talk? Talk about what? How the past seven years I've been the parent? How I've been daddy's babysitter? Cleaning up his vomit, cleaning up the wreckage he creates, coming home to make a home cooked meal for him, washing the clothes, cleaning the house. Getting calls at three o'clock in the morning to have someone pick him up from the bar or the police station. You don't know any of the shit that's been going on here! And I get that he blocked you out but after two years of not trying anymore, why are you here now?" Tara was gasping for air like she has just finish a marathon run, but instead it was a marathon rant.

"Because he asked me to come here. We want you to stay with me and grandma in San Diego."

Tara pulled away in shock. She looked at her father who was sitting in defeat.

"Sweetheart, San Diego could be a new start for you. There are excellent school programs there that can help develop your knowledge intensely to better prepare your dream of becoming a doctor." Karen sighed. "Look. I know your father hasn't been much, but the moment we ran into each other he asked me to go to the diner with him and talk. And he spoke only of you. Of your dreams. What you need. He wants the best for you. "

Tara was mortified. Leave Charming? Sure she has had that thought, but after high school. She can't leave now. She can't leave her father as much as she is angry with him. She can't leave Donna, Wendy, Gemma. She can't leave Jax. Tara felt that it was humanly impossible.

"I can't."

That was all she could say. There is nothing to discuss. This is her home. The family she has is here, her friends. It was enough despite all the drama that comes tied to it.

"Tara, just think about it. I'm not expecting an answer right now. I mean hell we just railroaded you with all of this." Karen hugged Tara. Karen grabbed her things and said her goodbye to her niece. Karen headed over to Brain. One of her hands rested on his shoulder. 'I'm leaving in the morning. I have to get back to the hospital and to Sophie. I'll be in touch."

Brian stood up and walked Karen out. He kissed her on the cheek and said "Thank you" as he closed the door shut.

He turned his attention to Tara. "I can't begin to understand the anger you must fe-"

"Stop. You don't get an explanation. You pushed the only family I have left of my mother away. Because you didn't want to be alone. Always only thinking of yourself. You're selfish coward. You're right about one thing though. You have no god damn clue on how to understand how I feel. But I'll tell you what exactly I feel right now besides my anger. Betrayal." Tara's green eyes were filled with anger as they bore into her father's. Tara walked into her room and slammed it shut.


"I can't believe he did that. I'm sorry babe" Jax's hand brushed Tara's hair strands away from her face as he used his thumb to wipe away her tears.

Tara shrugged as she leaned her head on his shoulder. A couple hours after cleaning the kitchen and doing her homework, Tara took a shower and made her way to Jax's house. They were both sitting on her bed facing each other with their legs crossed.

"Are you gonna go?"

"Go where?"

"San Diego"

"No. This is where I belong" Tara looked up to Jax and could see his eyes were instantly filled with relief.

Jax grabbed Tara's hand as he laid back and pulled her down with him.

"Come on babe, just fall asleep and forget about today. Tomorrow I'll make sure is better." Jax kissed Tara's forehead as she places her head on his chest.

Tara brought Jax's hand to her lips and said "Goodnight."

Jax held Tara tighter, "Night babe"


BELL RINGS

"So your aunt just shows up on your door step?" Donna questioned in disbelief

"Yeah. Trying to convince me to leave here"

"Tara I think that's great!"

Donna saw Tara's eyes wide questioning her statement

"Not about you leaving! God no! I just mean..you know..she's your family. And I think it's great that she came back to be with you. Maybe you guys can work something out where you visit her and she can come here for a little"

"I don't know. She also works in a hospital in trauma care so they will always be in need of her and plus my grandmother is sick."

Donne rubbed Tara's shoulder knowing how hard it must be for her to relive her mother's sickness with her grandmother. "I'm sorry Tara. I know how hard this must be on you"

Tara nodded her head as they both continued their walk to Tara's locker. "So have you spoken to Opie?"

"Yeah. We speak to each other on the phone. It's just so hard"

"What do you mean?"

"Well he isn't here. I can't handle this long distance stuff. I want to see him so much. I miss him"

"Donna he should be back soon. I bet he misses you just as much as you're missing him"

"I just hope he isn't doing anything with anyone else while he's in Arizona"

As they rounded the corner to Tara's locker, there she saw him. And her. Again.

Jax and Ashley. Molded up into each other against her locker.

Donna was still speaking but after Tara seeing Jax and Ashley, Tara heard nothing but her blood boiling.

"Son of a bitch" Tara dropped her books to the floor and marched her way up to the two blondes.

Tara pushed Ashley off of Jax.

"What the fuck!?" Ashley exclaimed as she looked at Tara. "The hell is your problem"

Tara didn't have much of an answer. At least not with her words. She has had it. Tara clenched her hand into a tight fist and clocked Ashley right in her nose. As soon as Tara's fist was met with Ashley's nose, there was blood pooling out of Ashley's nose.

"Tara!" Donna was just as surprised as anyone in the school who just saw Tara hit someone else. It wasn't in Tara's nature to be violent. Everyone knew she was a smart mouth with a raging temper but no one has ever seen Tara use physical violence.

Ashley was about to make her way to fight Tara back but Jax meddled in. Good timing considering Tara had no plans on stopping her fist from pounding on Ashley.

One of Ashley's friends came and took her away to the nurses office. Jax turned around and looked at Tara. He was shocked as well. He took Tara and walked her out of the school doors.

"What the hell was all that about?"

"Are you kidding me?"

Jax just shook his head. He has never seen Tara this angry with him before. It was unsettling for him.

"I told you to stop sucking faces with those girls on my locker! And what do you do? You go and stick her tongue down her throat once again on my locker!"

'What's the big deal? It's not like I planned it. I was waiting for you and Donna and Ashley came up to me and you can solve the rest."

"The big deal is I don't want to see that shit! Matter of fact I don't want you to do that with anyone else!"

Those last words flew out her mouth before she even had time to think it through. She knew she couldn't ask that of him. They were not together. She had no claim over him. But she liked to believe that she does.

Jax's entire facial expression changed. Hearing Tara say that to him was not something he expected to hear from her. Many girls who try to go steady with him always make this request and he always laughs it off and tells them he doesn't believe in one girl at a time.

"What are you saying Tara?"

"YOU'RE MINE!" Tara's eyes were getting watery. And god was she so fucking tired of crying. Why couldn't she just have this? The one thing that makes her feel alive.

"Tara you never sai-"

Tara shut Jax up with a kiss.

It was instantly returned. One of Jax's hand was on Tara's face while to other hand was wrapped around her waist.

Jax was kissing her ferociously. They haven't kissed like this in a while. He missed feeling her tongue stroke his. The way she was passionate with her mouth.

Tara's hands were digging into Jax's side as she pulled him closer.

She took a step back. "Well, I'm telling you now."

Jax nodded his head as he leaned in and gave Tara another kiss.

Jax looked back up to see Tara but saw something else behind her that raised his concern.

"Bobby?" Jax took Tara's hand as they walked towards the men of mayhem. Tig and Kozik were with Bobby. "What are you guys doin here?"

The three men all looked at Jax. So much they need to tell him but just didn't know how. They were about to share news that changes Jax's life forever.

Kozik cleared his throat and took a step forward. "Your dad was in an accident. He was out for a ride. He didn't see it coming.."

"What they hell are you talkin bout?"

"Your dad was hit by a semi" Bobby answered Jax knowing Kozik wasn't going to finish.

"Oh my god!" Tara gasp behind Jax.

Jax said nothing. He didn't move the slightest inch for where he stood. His eyes expressed that he was shocked.

"He's at St. Thomas" Tig stated

Tara looked up at Jax to see that he was still standing there like a statue. And this only reminded her of one day.

The day Tommy fell over and was having a seizure. Jax was motionless then. Jax is motionless now.

"Jax we have to go see him" Tara pulled his hand as she followed Bobby, Tig and Kozik to the van.


St. Thomas Hospital

Tara and Jax walked in the waiting room outside of JT's room. He was in the ICU room. Glass windows and doors. You can see the condition JT was in. And by the looks of it, he looked absolutely terrible. It broke Tara's heart. She could only imagine how Jax must be feeling. Losing a parent isn't an idle feeling or experience for Tara. She knew it all too well.

Tara could see Gemma next to JT's bed, her head down as she sobbed into her husband's side.

"I'm going to see your mom okay?" Tara looked up to Jax

He didn't say anything. He didn't even look at her. His eyes were fixated on his father.

"Look at me"

Nothing.

"Jackson, look at me"

Jax's head turned and his eyes looked down to Tara.

"I know how much pain you feel. Everything that you feel in your body makes you want to run and scream. You feel like the world is swallowing you up entirely. But look at everyone who is here for you. They're here to support you. Go in and see your father. Don't say goodbye. Not yet. Just be with him."

Jax nodded his head. Both he and Tara made their way into the room.

Gemma's head shot up once she heard the door opening. She got up once she saw her son and ran into his arms.

"Oh Jackson!" Gemma held her son so tightly. Jax let go of Tara's hand as he went to comfort his mother.

After a few minutes of silence and light sniffles from Gemma, Jax asked to have some time alone with his father.

"Sure baby" Gemma grabbed her jacket and purse and exited the room.

Tara got up from her seat and felt Jax's hand tug onto hers. He pulled her close to him.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being here. For being you" Jax pulled Tara down for a kiss. "Are you going home?"

"No. I'll call my dad. Tell him what's going on. I'll stay here until visiting hours are over. I'll go home with you and Gemma."

"I was thinking of spending the night here"

"Okay. I'll still go home with Gemma. She shouldn't be alone in this."

Jax did a half smiled and kissed Tara one more time.


Teller's House

"Do you need anything Gem?"

"No baby. Just gonna make some coffee. Get the arrangements set up."

"Arrangements?"

"Yeah. For John."

"Did the doctor's say he isn't going to make it?"

"Doctors say there's too much damage. They only repaired what they could. The rest..well it's in "God's hands" as they say."

"But there can be a change Gem. There's hope" Tara didn't get it. When her mother was sick she never gave up. Not for one second.

Gemma reached out to Tara's hand. "Baby, I just want to make sure that if he does pass, he has everything he deserves as a farewell. I can't think of anything else besides that and Jackson."


Tara didn't go to school the next day. She stood by Jax's side at the hospital. Occasionally she would step out of the room and hang out in the waiting room with Donna and Wendy.

JT wasn't getting any better. The doctors were looking out for the kidneys. If the kidneys were sure to function the way it's supposed to then JT had a chance. But as it turned out JT's kidneys were failing and as a result to that, every organ in his body was soon to shut down.

By Saturday morning JT had passed away.

Gemma was in high gear with florist, funeral homes, picking out his casket and tombstone after JT was time of death was called.

Clay had all the other charters called down. Even the charter from Belfast. This was a funeral that no one was to miss.

After, the club held church to declare Piney the new President of the Sons of Anarchy, but he declined. Said the he wasn't the man for the job. He wanted to remain VP as he appointed Clay as President. The club took a long and hard decision for the vote. Clay was in and another vote was in for sergeant at arms. Clay wanted Tig. Tig was now appointed as Clay's right hand man.


Tara sat between Jax and Gemma and held both of their hands as the ceremony took place at the cemetery. The ceremony was long. The entire town showed up to the ceremony as well as every charter from Charming to Belfast. There was enough people there that could bury JT alone from when people would grab some dirt and throw it over his casket.

While the citizens of Charming were picking up a handful of dirt Jax got up from his seat and walked away from the ceremony. For him it was over.

Tara got up, took a handful of dirt and whispered her goodbyes to JT. She promised to watch over his family as he watched over her when her mother passed away.

Tara knew exactly where Jax was. She headed for the tree her, Jax and Opie sat after the last ceremony for the other Teller. There he sat by the tree with his feet on the ground as he hunched over and buried his head between his knees.

"Hey" Tara greeted as she sat down next to him.

"Hey" A faint sound that left his lips.

Tara just sat there and held Jax. Occasionally she would see a fallen tear. She wouldn't wipe the tears away, she knew this is something he needed to let out.

"You should go" Jax picked his head up from her lap and leaned back against the tree.

"What?" Tara was confused. Did she do something wrong?

"Leave." Jax spat out.

"I'm not going anywhere." Tara shook her head.

Before Jax could say anything to her, they heard the crinkling of fallen leaves as someone walked over them in their direction. They both turned around to see the last person they'd ever expect to see.

"Opie" Tara whispered. Tara ran up and into his arms. "Oh my god Opie" Tara held him tight

"Guess someone missed me" Opie smiled

"Of course I did! Oh my god! I'm so glad you're here. Did you see Donna?"

"Yeah, told her I need a minute with Jax"

They both looked down at Jax who was frozen at sight. Jax's eyes were on Opie. He couldn't believe he came back.

Opie reached his hand out for Jax which he grabbed and pulled him into a hug.

"I'm so sorry bro"

They stood there for a minute in their bear hug.

"You just visiting or you-"

"I'm home for good man. Tired of being away from my family. Nothin my mom could say can keep me away. Not anymore"

Jax nodded his head.

The three of them made their way back to JT's open grave and said their goodbye's one more time. After, they headed back to TM.


A couple hours later, the clubhouse started to lighten down with members of the MC. Towns people didn't show up to the clubhouse. They knew it was time for the Sons of Anarchy to say their last goodbye to their fallen leader.

Only the SAMCRO members headed back to Gemma's. Donna and Opie were sitting together on the couch where they stood with the club members. All sharing memorable times with JT. Jax wasn't there to listen to stories. He has his own he wanted to keep to himself. Tara was in the kitchen with Gemma and Wendy cleaning up.

"Gem where's Jax?"

"I think he's in his room"

Tara made her way to Jax's room to see him sitting on the corner of his bed facing away the door. Again another moment where this reminded her of another time she saw him like this. He sat idle just like he is now when Thomas died. Tara made her way around the bed and kneeled in front of him.

"You haven't eaten anything" Tara brushed her hand across his face.

Jax looked down into her eyes. He grabbed her face and kissed her hard. His mouth kept moving barely giving her a chance to respond.

"Jax.." Tara mumbled as her lips were pressed against his.

Jax ignored her. He pulled her up and placed her on his bed underneath him. He kissed her neck. Sucking and biting. He made his way back up to her mouth. He sucked on her bottom lip.

She was lost in the moment. Although Jax was moving his lips so fast on her, his mouth felt so good. She was enjoying it. That was until she felt his hand go underneath her shirt and to her bra. He cupped her breast.

"Jax.."

Again he ignored her. He just kept his lips moving and tightened his hold around her breast.

"Jax..stop.."

"Mmm. Come on Tara" Jax went back to sucking on her neck.

"Jax no..please stop."

Nothing.

Tara pushed Jax back. And as he stood up she saw his pants were undone as they hung down below his knees. She can tell through his underwear that he has an erection.

When the hell did he do that?

"What the hell Jax?" Tara stood up from the bed and fixed her shirt.

"What's the problem?" Jax slurred

He's been drinking. Great.

"I told you to stop like four times"

"You were enjoying yourself. You want what every girl wants from me" Jax cupped his cock and moved his hand up and down as he took a step closer to her.

Tara slapped him. "Cut it out!"

"Get out" Jax snapped out of whatever world he was in when she slapped him.

"What? No. I'm not going anywhere."

"Get out Tara!"

"No!"

"You're no good for nothin." Jax bite out as he waved his hand in the air and picked up his pants.

Tara had no response.

"What are you still doing here? Jesus Christ Tara, get the fuck out!"

She was shaking her head. "I'm not going anywhere Jax."

Jax stared at her in disbelief. His anger was rising.

"Just let me be here for you."

"I don't need you"

"I just want to be with my family"

"WE'RE NOT YOUR FAMILY!"

Tara's heart fell so low. Her stomach was in knots. She wasn't crying. Her eyes weren't watery. She was shocked.

"YOU'RE JUST AN ORPHAN!" Jax was yelling at the top of his lungs. "Looking for someone else's family to coddle you"

"That's enough Jackson!" Gemma yelled at the doorway.

Behind her stood Wendy, Opie, Donna, Clay. The rest of the club members.

Tara was embarrassed. Not only was she told she isn't family, she was reminded that she's an orphan, told she was good for nothing and to top that off. Everyone she loved and wasn't her family by blood heard his hurtful words.

Tara turned around and made her way out the front door. She was running.

She ran through the bushes of the neighbor's house so no one could see her. She could hear the bikes rumbling after her. At one point she hid in the bushes until she heard them pass by. After a while, it had gotten dark out. She headed to the bus stop still keeping the club off of her tracks.


The next morning Gemma heard a knock at her kitchen door.

Gemma had little to no sleep after Tara ran off. She spent a long time yelling Jax's ear off. Gemma opened the door and saw Tara standing at the door way. She wasn't in her clothes from yesterday.

"Oh sweetheart!" Gemma hugged Tara. "Where the hell were you?"

"I just took a ride out to Lodi."

"Lodi? The hell were you doing out in Lodi?"

"Went to clear my head."

"Did you see your father. He was worried sick about you"

"Yeah. I went home like an hour ago."

Gemma sat Tara down at the coffee table. She placed a plate of eggs and bacon down for her.

"Eat." Gemma brushed her fingers through Tara's hair and kissed the top of her head.

"Listen Gemma. Last night, I called my aunt Karen."

Gemma took her seat down at the table. "Karen? What for? Didn't she come by this week to take you to San Diego?"

"Well not take me. Just give me an option."

"Okay. And?"

"Well I spoke to her and I'm heading down there after I leave here."

"You're moving to San Diego? Over my dead body!" Gemma was pissed.

"It's not to move Gem. Just take a few days to clear my head. My grandma is sick with breast cancer. I haven't seen her since my mother died. I need to see her Gem"

Gemma couldn't object now. She brought up her mother for god sakes. Gemma nodded after a few minutes. "Okay darlin" Gemma rubbed Tara's hand. "What about Jax?"

"I wrote him a letter."

"A letter? Are you shitin me?" Gemma scoffed and pulled her hand away. "He needs you. And if you're leaving, you should at least say goodbye."

"Please Gemma. I can't face him after what he sai-"

"Sweetheart, he wasn't himself. You have to know he doesn't think that way about you"

"I know. But as of right now I need some space. Please just give him this letter. I'll call you and keep you updated about what's going on." Tara got up from her seat and pulled the letter out of her cross body bag. She held it out for Gemma to take.

Gemma took noticed that Tara sealed it knowing she would be tempted to open in. Gemma smirked up at Tara. "You're smart darlin." Gemma got up and hugged Tara.

Tara made her way back home to pack. She was nervous about leaving Charming. She doesn't know anything outside of here. She had already said her goodbyes to her dad, Opie and Piney, Donna and Wendy.

As she sat in her dad's cutlass waiting for him to take her, all she had to do now was say goodbye to Charming.