Thanks again to all of my story supporters! I appreciate every. single. one. of you! I did get some negative reform, like usual, but overall I was once again overwhelmed with positive vibes :)

This next chapter will focus primarily on Gemma, and her reaction to seeing Jax and Lana together. Of course she had to poke her nose around Jax's business, right? She wouldn't be Gemma if she didn't! Hope you all enjoy!

P.s. Language is a bt rough in places during this chapter. You've been warned! Xo. ~Harlow

Chapter 11-

Gemma slid quickly out of the SUV as soon as Lana's door closed and Jax was out of site. There was something going on, and she wanted to investigate a little bit to find out what. Jackson should have been well aware by now that his mother found out everything, and that keeping something from her wasn't a good idea. He didn't understand that she only wanted to help him. She wanted him to be a good man, a good father, but most of all a good President for the Sons. She had worked too damn hard to achieve her vision, and she wouldn't let something trivial keep them from the happy ending she had always dreamed about.

She had primped her son his whole life for the gravel. It was always known he'd take over one day, and Gemma had made damn sure that he was steered in the right direction from a very young age. Since he had started walking she had forced him onto a motorcycle. He had the taste for them, just like his father had, and Gemma had to work hard to make sure that Jax inherited her strength and that vision for the club. Gemma liked the power that came with the President's patch. Both of her late husbands had been President's, and now her son...she could feel the power wavering, though.

Ever since Jax had gotten his hands on John's manuscript things had been different. Jax's very existence had changed after reading it. John had wanted out. He had wanted his son out, and now Jax wanted the club out from the mound of shit that Clay had buried them all in. Between the readings and Tara threatening to leave him with their boys, the power had steadily been slipping from Jax's grasp as his mind was wound tighter and tighter. Gemma wouldn't let that happen, though. Jax wasn't weak, like his father. Jax was strong. He was a leader, not a follower. As long as she walked this earth, nobody and nothing would break his spirit. That is exactly why she felt the need to mettle in her sons affairs. At 34 years old, he needed her guidance more than ever as far as she was concerned. And so she snooped. 'It's for his own good' she thought.

Gemma made sure nobody was watching as she meandered across the street. It was late afternoon, but there was still plenty of light outside. She casually approached the little red car parked in the spot closest to the door. She started glancing through the windows, not exactly sure what she was looking for. Nothing out of the ordinary jumped out at her. She saw a stack of "paid notification" bills from what she was assuming was Lana's OBGYN, but nothing else in the car gave her any hint that the girl was even pregnant.

That's when she noticed it. The address on the mail, it belonged to the cabin up in the woods. "That little shit," Gemma spat, pursing her lips and shaking her head. She didn't need to ask him what was happening, her instincts kicked in and she just knew. That girl was pregnant and it was her sons baby! Why else would he have been carrying in baby things for her? Hugging her? Why else would her bills be going to their family cabin? That pregnant bitch was carrying her grand-baby! Gemma huffed. If Tara found out about this then there was no way she would stick around Charming. Hell, she was barely hanging on as it was. If she left, and Jax lost his family, he would most certainly break. Everything they had worked so hard to build would crumble. She didn't trust Tara as far as she could throw her. The mother in her despised her, actually, but she needed the ex-doctor around to keep Jax from mentally going insane. And she would be damned if she could never see Abel and Thomas again. Those boys, and Jax, were her world.

Maybe she could talk some sense into Lana's pretty little head. Maybe. Or maybe she would just lose her cool and threaten her. It was hard to gauge Gemma's reaction. She knocked on the door, still not sure what she would say or how she would react...

...Lana's first thought when she heard the door knock was to assume it was Jax. Maybe he had forgotten something, or they had forgotten something in the back of his truck? So when she opened it and saw Gemma standing there, dressed to the nines with a knowing look on her face, the surprise, followed by fear was enough to suffocate her. Why was she here, and how long had she been there? She didn't know what to say, so instead she just stood there awkwardly staring at the matriarch.

"You gonna invite me inside or do I have to win a staring contest first?"

Lana swallowed hard, "oh, sorry. I'm sorry. You just, you caught me by surprise. Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize, sweetie, with a baby on the way I'm sure you've got a lot on your mind." Gemma pushed inside the small apartment. Lana watched her glance around, her eyes lingering on the pile of baby things stacked in the corner. "Kind of small for a baby, huh?" This was the first time that Gemma had been inside of Lana's apartment. They had only exchanged a handful of words before, but Lana knew from Tara's experiences that she could be manipulative and cunning.

She puffed up just a little, trying to maintain face. "Yeah, I mean...I don't think I'll still be here when the baby comes. I'll need a bigger place and..."

"My son gonna help you with that, too?" Gemma was now staring at Lana, who froze in place.

"W-w-what do you mean?" Lana tried to cover, but she wasn't dumb. She knew Gemma wasn't standing in her living room for nothing.

Gemma knew that she knew, too. "Don't play dumb, sweetie, we both know why I'm here."

Lana didn't want to say it first. What if by some miracle Gemma had no idea? And she just thought she knew, but had no proof? What if she was just fronting because she was crazy and just suspected things and was trying to get her to spill the beans? "I'm sorry, Gemma, I don't know what you're..."

"Bullshit." Gemma stuck out a hip and rested a hand on the curve of her waist. "I know that you know why I'm here, and what I know...so I suggest you fess up right now if you want my help."

Lana shook her head, refusing to give in. "I'm sorry, I just don't..."

It happened in a split second. Gemma had swooped in and grabbed Lana, with one hand, by her face, digging her fingers hard into either side of her jaw bone. The force of the grip had forced Lana back into a wall, and Gemma's tall frame (enhanced with patent leather stiletto boots) loomed over Lana's tiny, flat footed 5'4". Lana's eyes widened with fear, and her hands instinctively covered her bump protectively.

"Listen good, because I'm only gonna say this once." Gemma tightened her grip. "I know that's Jax's bun you got baking in that oven. I also know that no one else knows, because if they did then Tara would have already split. It's a dangerous little game you two are playing by playing house behind his wife's back..."

"we're not play..." Lana tried to spit out, but Gemma only tightened her grip even further, silencing her instantly.

"If Tara finds out that you've been with Jax, that you're pregnant by Jax, she'll leave him...and she'll take my grandsons with her. Do you know what it would do to Jackson if he lost his boys? Do you know the pain that would cause him, huh? He would lose his god damn mind. I will not let my son spiral into a black hole again. I won't let him throw his life away for some bitch that couldn't keep her panties on. I will do anything, and everything that it takes to make sure that he keeps his head together and saves this sinking ship that is our club...even if that means getting dirty. Got it?"

Gemma let go of Lana's face, which she immediately began to rub. There would definitely be bruises. Lana shrank against the wall as Gemma spoke once more, kneeling down and picking up a tiny pink onesie covered in black stars. "It kills me knowing that I'll never know my only granddaughter, little red, don't think for a second I don't give a shit about that baby in your belly. But I can't risk everything that we've built." She turned to face the cowering Lana once more, stuffing the little outfit into the pocket of her leather jacket before taking her wallet out and throwing a few bills onto the table. "Use that to get out of town. Take care of you and that little girl...and stay the fuck away from my son."

With that she was gone. In a whirl of leather, lace, and big hair Gemma had disappeared from Lana's living room. She stood there dumbstruck. The tears slowly filling her eyes. Frantically she moved to close the door that Gemma had left swinging open. She watched her climb into the SUV and wave before driving off. Tara had told her on countless occasions that she'd been threatened by the older woman, but this was the first time it had ever happened to her. This had been the most that Gemma had ever said to her, even!

Lana threw the door closed and flipped the dead lock before allowing herself to give into the fear and confusion that Gemma had stirred inside of her. Her face hurt. She had never been threatened like that. This must be what Jax had meant every time he warned her that things could be dangerous if people found out about their baby. The only thing that kept her from passing out completely was Gemma maintaining that Tara shouldn't find out, so she wasn't going to run right over and tell her. Lana rubbed her belly which suddenly felt sick. She wanted to call Jax. She wanted to tell him to turn around so she could tell him everything that had just happened, and have him tell her what to do about his Mom.

She wanted him to come back and tell her everything would be okay in that voice that he used that could soothe her nerves...but she couldn't. Gemma's words bounced around in her head. "Stay away from my son." Lana eyed the money scattered on the table. This could be her out. There was enough there for her to pack up her car with Ava's things and drive across the country. There might even be enough to get them a hotel room for awhile until she found another job and could rent an another apartment. She collapsed on her couch, head in her hands, she had no idea what to do. Lana held her hands over her mouth to stifle the wild cry that threatened to tear from her throat..

*One hour later...*

Jax ran a heavy hand over his face and dropped his head. Colette began gently brushing the hair back from his forehead, "It will all be ok, Jax," she crooned in his ear. He was awaiting Nero's arrival in the Diosa lobby. He had just left Lana less than an hour ago, and he had just gotten the call that two bodies had been found inside of Charming county line. Each one donned the signature "A" the Sons carved into the bellies of their victims to send a message. 'Shit' had been his first thought. The body count was so high anymore that he wasn't sure if they were actually people SAMCRO had killed, or if they were being set up to look guilty. Either way it didn't seem like a good situation to be in. He needed to deal with his Diosa business quick and get back to the ice cream shop to deal with yet another crisis. He was losing track of them all by now.

Just then he saw his mother burst into the front doors carrying grocery bags. He felt Colette's touch vanish as she stood to greet Gemma. Instead of a warm welcome, Gemma passed her the bags in a huff. "Here, take these...I need to talk to my son." Gemma shot Jax a knowing look.

Colette seemed taken back, but she smiled in reply, "sure. Nero isn't back yet. You can use the office at the end of the hall."

Gemma nodded her head, "I know where it is," and then disappeared down the short hallway toward the large office in back.

"What now" Jax said rhetorically as he pushed himself off the couch. Colette stopped him by placing a hand on his flannel clad stomach. "Will I see you later? I know things are crazy..."

Jax saw the desire in her big green eyes. Colette had seemed to fill some void he had never known he had before. Having sex with her was something he did to feel whole. He didn't love her, he didn't have any kind of emotional attachment to her at all, but he did associate her with some feeling of completeness when she was around. She filled some void for him, somehow. Something stirred inside of him, and for a second he almost kissed her. If anything it would be so he could approach his own mother at full capacity...but he held back.

Instead he shook his head slowly and whispered honestly, "I don't know," before pressing past her and making his way toward the office that Gemma was waiting impatiently for him in. He didn't think he had any intention of seeing her, but he didn't want to tell her that. Colette was a sweet woman given her job description as head whore in charge at a legal brothel. He didn't harbor any ill will her way, but he wanted to really try and stay faithful. Tara deserved that at the very least. He knew it was a little to little, a little too late, but at least he was trying. So Jax pushed the thought of those doe like green eyes out of his mind, and locked them away somewhere he wouldn't think about. He was thinking about Tara as he pushed his way into the well lit office, unaware of what business his Mom wanted.

Gemma sat behind the big metal desk, peering at her son over the top of her glasses. "Sit" she commanded.

"What is this about?" he asked, curious as he lowered himself into the leather clad seat across from her.

Gemma pursed her lips before responding, "I guess it's no use beating around the bush. It's not like shit can get much worse at this point..." she made sure Jax was listening. He was. He had his brows drawn together in concern.

"You alright, Mom?" She brushed aside his comment with the wave of her hand, "I'm not here for me. Look...I know what's going on, and I want to help."

Jax loosened up a little and relaxed back into the seat. "You don't miss anything, huh?"

He asked her. She smirked a smirk that mirrored his own, "never have, never will." He nodded, "I've noticed. I just found out a few minutes ago myself, I didn't know that it was already getting around..."

"a few minutes ago?" Gemma interrupted. "

Yeah, Bobby called me. He's got Chibs and Tig on top of things for now. As soon as I talk to Nero I need to..."

"Wait," Gemma cut him off again, "what are you talking about?"

"The bodies?" he asked, confused, continuing when she didn't respond, "that's not why you're here?"

"What bodies?" His mother asked, whipping her glasses off her face in frustration.

"If you're not here for the bodies, then what..."

"God damnit Jackson, answer me! What bodies!?"

Jax studied his mothers face. "There were two bodies found inside of Charming...they have our A carved into them."

Gemma's face fell. "Mom, I can't remember if they're ours."

She sat back in her chair, pinching the bridge of her noise, another trait she shared with her son. "Son of a bitch..."

"I'm gonna take care of it, ok?"

"And then what?" she snapped back, "huh? You gonna go find those fuckers that set you guys up and kill them too? Hm? What if they are our bodies? What then?"

"I said I'll take care of it," Jax replied annoyingly.

"Yeah, you'll take care of it alright...just like you're taking care of that pregnant bitch across town."

"What?" Jax cocked his head to the side and leaned forward, "what did you say?"

"You heard me," Gemma responded, leaning forward to meet her son near the middle of the desk. "I saw you and little red sharing a moment. You wanna explain to me what you're doing with that girl when Tara isn't around? Or do I need to tell you all about what I know you're doing."

He had no words. He knew his mouth was hanging open, but he couldn't for the life of him shut it. Every nerve in his body began to tingle, and he was acutely aware of the blood pounding through his veins. Jax had been so careful. He had taken all the necessary steps to make sure that nobody found out about the baby, and now Gemma of all people was the one to see them together. He hadn't thought about her at all. His mind was completely wrapped around Tara finding out that somehow his Mother had slipped his brain.

"Mom," he started slowly, he still wasn't sure what to say. "Mom..." he repeated.

"Jackson," she said back, lighting a cigarette.

"I don't know what you want me to say," he tried.

Gemma studied him. Her eyes were narrow and her lips were once more pursed, "so that really is your baby, huh?" Gemma was done with the games. She had seen her son embracing that woman, she had confronted little red, and now she wanted to hear why her son was keeping such a huge thing from her and where he stood on the topic. She had every damn right in the world to hear it from him as far as she was concerned. Jax took a long drag off his smoke and blew it toward the ceiling. He was weighing his options; Gemma didn't miss a beat. "I brought you into this world Jackson, and I can take you out..."

"Are you threatening me?" Jax snarled.

"I'm promising you, Jackson. Do you know what you've done by knocking up that Russian bitch?"

"Don't call her a bitch..."

"Jesus Christ." Gemma tossed her glassed on the desk. "Do you know how much trouble you'll be in if you go caring about that girl, baby? What do you think Tara is gonna do when she finds out you couldn't keep your dick out of her best friend? Huh? You think she's just gonna stick around to help you raise that constant reminder of your biggest mistake?"

Jax was annoyed. This was none of his mom's business, and she was currently walking on thing ice. "This is none of your business, Gemma."

She looked hurt, "of course it's my business. You're my son, Jax. You're the reason that I lwake up every morning...everything that you do is my business!"

"No!" Jax stood, the chair falling backward. Gemma flinched. "Everything I do is not your business! Lana doesn't concern you. What's going on with her doesn't concern you. My wife, and my family doesn't concern you."

Gemma stood slowly, not letting his anger get the best of her. "Jax, I only want what's best..."

"No." His nostrils flared. "Stay out of my business, and leave Lana alone. Period."

Gemma looked at the floor, her facing looking like she had been caught doing something bad. She gained her composure back quickly.

"Oh Christ, Mom. What now?" Jax couldn't take much more today.

Gemma traced an invisible word on the desk before meeting his eyes. "I may have already talked to little red..."

Jax's lip pulled into another snarl. "What did you say?"

"Doesn't matter..."

"What...in the fuck...did you say?" He was trying hard to keep his cool.

Gemma raised her head. She could see that she was treading water to stay a float right now. "It doesn't matt..."

Jax snapped when he heard her avoiding his question. Gemma flinched as he scooped the neatly stacked folders of clients off of Nero's desk and threw them into a filing cabinet, spilling them everywhere. "Tell me what you said!"

Gemma straightened out her hair before raising her chin again. She could see the fire burning in Jax's eyes. She could see all of the pain, the hurt he was suffering from and in that moment she could see him in a very rare form. He was raw. Torn open from the years of bloody war slicing away at him at every turn. She couldn't remember a time when they didn't have to wonder if they would die the next time they went somewhere alone. She saw it on his face. He knew he had screwed up, but he wasn't trying to hide anymore. He was taking the bull by the horns, so to speak, and taking responsibility for what he had done. Like any good old lady, she would stand tall and stay committed to her actions, even if she regretted the confrontation now. "I told her to leave you alone. I gave her money, and I told her to get out of town...I...I told her that the baby would ruin your life, and that...that Tara would never, ever stay around to raise that constant reminder of your biggest mistake."

It was like his heart was being ripped out of his chest. What his mother was saying was the truth. He had just been too stubborn to admit it. Lana had been so good at convincing him things would be ok, but they wouldn't. Lana...poor Lana...Gemma's words had surely cut her like a knife. Jax would be surprised if she wasn't packing up her car as he stood there, papers floating down all around him. Everything: the bodies found, Gemma finding out about Ava, the realization that he would lose his wife, his kids, his mind...the war the Sons were in and all the death they had been faced with. Everything felt like it was crushing him. Jax couldn't breath. He could barely see.

He pushed right past Nero who had caught the tail end of his temper tantrum, and who stood in the doorway confused. He didn't even spare a passing glance at Colette as she hung back, drying bar glasses with another girl. He didn't even care who had heard him yelling. The sunshine didn't touch his skin. Nothing seemed right anymore. Nothing seemed salvageable. How could he save his family when he wasn't even sure he could save himself?

Jax was still spinning when he parked his bike at the graveyard. It was the only place he could go anymore for some peace and quiet. He found himself here less lately, but being back was like a band-aid on his bruised soul. Jax fell in front of a stone, brushing away the snow and ice that covered the name. His jeans were soaking and cold, but he didn't care. He needed this. Jax placed his forehead against the freezing letters that spelled out Harry "Opie" Winston, wishing with all his might that he could have his best friends guidance one more time...

Woah! That was intense for me to write. I can't lie, this was one of my favorite chapters so far! Things are taking a dark turn. What could possibly go wrong next!?

Hope you all enjoyed, and please leave me a review! I absolutely LOVE hearing from you guys! I've said it a bunch, but I'll say it again...I love getting reviews AND PM's! You guys have been amazing, and a lot of you I've had conversations with about this story. I enjoy hearing your fan theories!

So once more, I hope you liked this chapter and I'll be back as soon as I can with the next one! Much Love!