A/N 10/31/2018: Happy Samhain! I'm sorry I didn't get this post up earlier. Found out the day before yesterday that a cornerstone of the witchy community on YouTube passed. I didn't really know her beyond the occasional name pop up, but she really did have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to the fledgling pagan. My thoughts have been with her family since I found out Monday evening. If anyone is interested in seeing her videos, just to see what a fun and vivacious woman she was, her YouTube channel is the TipToeChick. Anyway, I brought another Coven member in. Just because I've had request after request not to off Luann, and I feel this is the way to do it. Hope y'all enjoy, and have a fun and happy Halloween!
Two long days, and Chibs had yet to wake. Clay had called and told her about Zobelle and Jimmy O being in cahoots, but since then, she hadn't left her love's side, but to go home and sleep. She would then, wake up, run a brush through her hair, eat something so Callum didn't make her sick, and rush back to Chibs' side, holding his hand in hers the entire time.
Today, however, brought an unexpected visitor. Bella looked up when she heard a knock at the door, to see maybe the last person on the planet she wanted to see just then. Jasper Whitlock.
"What are you doing here," Bella snapped standing, her eyes blazing in anger.
"I- I wanted to-" he tried. But Jasper seemed unable to speak all of a sudden.
"Spit it out, Whitlock. My patience for you went past empty nearly a year ago. Considering I thought of you as a brother, that says something."
Jasper looked down, his face a contorted mask of pain. "I wanted to apologize. Beg, if need be," he said softly.
"Begging is a start Whitlock. But considering what you did, I'd need a lot more than begging," Bella said nastily. "I trusted you. Loved you as my brother. When everyone was running about me, telling me to do this, wear that, what to eat, who my friends should be… you were the one, the only one, who told me I was worth it. That I would find a way to stand up to them."
Bella let out a mirthless laugh. "And when I do. When I flat out tell Edward that I wouldn't stop being friends with the pack. When I screamed at him that I would no longer put up with him sticking his dick into every gash that walked the town, what did you do? Played the good little bitch, and did as he ordered. Holding me down and ignoring my pleas as he burned and cut his mark from me. Not only did I need a skin graft just to cover the surface scar, but the doctors said any deeper, and I would have been sterile. That bastard nearly took my ability to have children, did you know that?"
Jasper collapsed onto his knees as she rounded the bed to stand in front of him. His shoulders hunched and his head hung low as his shoulders shook with suppressed sobs. Bella sighed. All of the anger she had held inside her for the man now prostrating himself before her bleeding out of her faster than a lungful of air in space. Bella's hand reached out and tangled in his hair as she grabbed a fistful.
"I forgive you. But your life is mine. If you truly want my forgiveness, you will tell Carlisle you are going to stay with me. I'll find a use for you. You're my bitch until your monumental debt to me is cleared. Am I to expect Alice to follow you?" Jasper only shook his head, which was difficult given her grip on his hair.
"Small mercies. Now, go get me some food. My son is hungry," she ordered, stepping back. Jasper's head shot up, his gaze lingering on her hidden tummy, hidden behind a hoodie, before going to her eyes. Bella nodded.
"Aye. I'm pregnant. The man in the bed, Chibs, is the father," she said, gesturing to said man. Jasper stood.
"Anythin' you're particularly hankerin' for, darlin'?" he asked in his thick accent.
Bella nodded. "A peanut butter and onion sandwich with oj." Jasper screwed up his face in disgust.
"What my son wants, he gets. Right now, he wants a peanut butter and onion sandwich," Bella said with a shrug.
"One monstrosity, and one oj, comin' up," he said as he turned to leave, but at the last moment, he turned back and took Bella into a firm hug. "Thank you," he murmured. Bella froze at first, but then relaxed and awkwardly patted his back.
"When you get back, you can tell me how you came to be here," she said softly. He nodded into her shoulder before he left to get her food. Bella sighed at the emotional turmoil she had been through that day.
"Tha's the man that had Tig and Sac shakin' in their boots like misbehaving schoolboys?" she heard from behind her. Bella spun on her heel so quickly and gracefully, a dancer would have been green with envy.
"Filip!" she said in a sharp sigh as she raced back to his side. Her hand went to his cheek as he groggily opened his eyes to look at her. "Always the best sight to wake up to," he murmured through his drug induced haze.
"Well, don't fall back to sleep just yet, Mr. Telford. I need to tell you the sex of your kid," she said in a teary laugh. His eyes blinked rapidly as he tried to fight off the effects, and looked at her.
"Aye?" he asked.
"Aye. A son. Just as I said. You have the first week of diaper duties."
"A son," he breathed as he was pulled once more into unconsciousness.
"A son," she repeated, kissing his lips softly.
~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~
Stahl entered the Teller Morrow lot, knowing that her arrival back in town was going to be less than welcome. However, she didn't expect to be looking down the barrel of so many guns. She did her level best to remain calm though. Not wanting them to know how nervous she was.
"How many of those have serial numbers?" she asked
"All legal, and above board, and all of us with the licenses to carry," Tig said.
"And what is stopping me from arresting you all for threatening a federal agent?"
"Lady, after the shit you pulled, every one of us will just testify that we felt threatened. Especially after what you did to Ope. What became of Izzy and Donna," Clay said.
Stahl nodded. "Suppose that'd work. Wouldn't stop me from hauling you guys in for it until I was ordered to let you go. And then where would your club be with the Irish?" she said, pulling out a recorder and hit play. A conversation between Zobelle and Jimmy O played out for all of them to hear.
She only let it play for a few moments, long enough for everyone to hear, but it was enough, she thought.
"I'm not looking into SAMCRO," she said. "You aren't even on my radar this time. I just want the IRA. They've already sold you out, cut ties. You're not losing anything. And no guns means Zobelle and his Aryan crew have no reason to be in Charming."
Clay smirked. "The only IRA I work with is the one my accountant feeds at tax time."
"Hmm… maybe the heir apparent would be more reasonable to work with," Stahl said, looking at Jax, who gave her a nasty smirk.
"Same answer. Now leave."
"Are you sure about that? Since you know, Clay had Donna and Izzy shot at," Stahl said. Only Clay, Tig, Jax, Opie, and Piney didn't react. Stahl saw this and her head tilted. "You already knew."
Jax took a moment to answer. "We did. The fact that we are still here. Still standing behind our president should tell you something."
"And what's that?" Stahl said. "Other than I gave you too much credit in the brain cell area."
It was Opie who answered her. "Clay and Tig aren't blameless. But they were acting just as predicted.
We're not going after the puppets," he said lowly as he approached her, getting up into her personal space. Opie looked right into her eyes. "The puppet master, however," here Opie smirked. "The puppet master is fair game. But that is a club decision." Opie straightened and backed away.
Clay was moved. They knew, and kept quiet for the good of the club. They didn't hold him and his actions solely accountable. It was more than he expected for him and Tig. "Last warning. Leave," he said to Stahl.
Stahl was surprised by the support in the group. They were as tight as many men who had served in the military together. "Whatever you say," she said with a shrug as she and the two other agents she brought with her got back into the car they came in.
As they left, Clay spoke up. "Guess we need to talk," he said.
"No, not really. This just means that when we do eventually beat the shit out of you, you won't be left wondering why. I already had my go at Tig," Jax said with a shrug. "But what Opie said was true. Charlie and Chibs and the girls, too. This is still your club. And you're learning. That's the important thing. We are growing."
Clay didn't answer. Only put his hand on his step-son's shoulder and squeezed. Thankful for the fact that Jax seemed to inherit one good thing from JT. His rational head.
~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~
"It's a little bit painful when I ride," Half-Sac said, taking one of his pain meds. "Sometimes I feel it when I walk. Other than that, back to normal."
"Is it gay that I want to see it?" Tig asked Bobby.
"Guy curious."
"Come on. Drop 'em," Tig ordered Half-Sac.
Bobby laughed as the prospect undid his pants and dropped them, to show his now symmetrical testicles.
"Is it supposed to be that swollen?" Happy asked.
"Think so."
"No boy. You need to go back and get that looked at. Make sure it's not infected," Charlie said. "Don't want that shit spreading to the other nut and making you sterile."
"You're too nice, Charlie," Bobby said. Charlie shook his head.
"Would you want your nuts infected?" Charlie asked him. "Shit makes me squirm just thinking about it.
Opie walked in to see Half-Sac's sack, and looked away. "I shouldn't have to see that."
"The new ball," Bobby said.
"I gather. Congratulations."
"Thanks," Sac said as he tucked his junk away.
Jax then came in and walked up to them. "Welcome back, shithead," Jax said. Sac nodded and gave him a thumbs up.
"Chinese called. They want a sit down. I need to head up to Cara Cara. You guys know where Clay's at?" he asked.
~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~
"I'm going to need your help protecting Charming," Oswald said, as he and Clay walked throught the woods on Oswald's property.
"From what?" Clay asked.
"Jacob Hale. He's been using his clout on city council. In the last year, he's changed three city charters, giving more power to the mayor."
"Mayor gig's pretty much ceremonial," Clay said.
"Not anymore. The post has full veto authority over town policy, including eminent domain decisions. Guess who's running for Mayor?"
"Hale. Wants your timberland."
"I've got to run against him. It's the only way to protect this. I need your help. Sam Crow has sway over this town. You in my corner, I've got a shot."
"Well, there's something I need from you. Piece of land, access road, power. Something off the radar," Clay said.
"Guns."
"You don't ever need to know." Clay reached into his cut and brought out a bloody knife in a bag. "Show of good faith. It's a knife with your finger prints on it. We used to kill the scumbag raped your little girl."
"I know what it is," Oswald said lowly.
"I ain't got nothing on you now. From here on out we gotta trust each other. Just the good word of two honest men." Clay held out his hand of Oswald to shake, which the man took gladly. He knew this was the right decision. Because Clay was wrong. He did have something on Oswald. Elliott would always be indebted to the man who did the job he could not.
~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~
Jax arrived at Cara Cara the same time Bella did. She was not happy being pulled from Chibs' side, but she agreed to help Luann with her business monetarily, and now she had to make sure her investment held. Jasper was with her as they both approached Luann with Jax.
"Who's this?" Jax asked Bella.
"Jax, Jasper. Jasper, Jax. Luann, what happened?" she asked, as the elder woman comforted Lyla.
"Someone broke in. Stole our HD camera and our laptop. Had three rough cuts on it," Luann said.
"Shit. What happened to the guard dog I bought you?"
"See for your self."
Jax walked off to find the dog. Bella went to follow him but the turned to Jasper. "Jazz, stay here. Help out Lyla," she said before rushing after Jax.
Jasper stood there awkwardly for a moment before speaking. "Ain't got no reason to cry, darlin'," he said in his thick Texan accent. "Fuckers knew who they were dealin' with, they'd run faster than a rabbit from a fox hole."
Lyla managed a small smile as she looked at the very attractive biker. "Lyla," she said shyly, holding out her hand. She expected him to shake it, but instead, he turned it over and placed a small light kiss on her knuckles.
"Jasper Whitlock, ma'am."
"Oh, man," Jax sighed, catching sight of the dead German Shepard below a message that read, Dead Bitch.
"Tig is not going to like this. He loved her," Bella said, coming up behind him with Luann.
~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~
"Hungry? Dim Sum's better than good head," Lin said, putting down his chopsticks.
"What do you want, Lin?" Clay asked. "Last time we visited one of your restaurants, we were throwing shots at each other."
"Why I wanted to see you. We need guns. Our distributor is temporarily offline."
"If it was the feds that shut you guys down, we're not interested," Tig said.
"Wasn't ATF. INS. He's having a little trouble getting into the country. We know you deal AKs. We'll pay double. All you can get us. As a show of good faith," here Lin snapped his fingers. "A gift."
One of Lin's lacky's came out with Chuck, who's hands were bandaged.
"Oh, shit," Clay said.
"Hey, guys," Chucky said.
"What the hell happened to his hands?" Tig asked.
"My sexual proclivities- they took their toll on Mr. Lin."
"Can't grab it, can't pull it," Lin said, making a jerking off motion with his hand.
"I accept that," Chucky said.
"Jesus Christ, man," Tig said.
"Turns out, you only need two fingers to work a calculator."
"He paid off his debt, but, uh, my new son-in-law's an accountant. Told my daughter I'd give him the job. So, Chuck is all yours."
"Thanks," Clay said with a smile. "We'll pass."
"Thought he was a friend of yours?" Lin asked.
"I am. Otto and I are best friends. Please," Chuck begged.
"We'll let you know about the guns," Clay tells Lin as he, Tig, and Opie went to leave.
"Please, Clay. If you don't take me, they're just gonna kill me."
"You're already dead in my book," Clay replied.
"Come on, Clay. Lin's a psycho." The man restraining Chuck socked him in the gut for that comment.
"Hey, hey, hey. We'll take him," Tig said, feeling pity for the small man.
"What?" Clay demanded.
"He can, uh, he can do the books at Cara Cara. It'll free Bobby up. Get up. Come on."
Opie's phone rang, and he answered it as Tig and Clay spoke. "Are we really going to the Irish for the AKs knowing that Stahl's onto them?" Tig asked.
"We don't know anything that Stahl says is true," Clay said.
"Bitch will tell you anything to get what she wants," Opie spat.
"We'll go to Edmonds. Feel it out. If he's got the guns, we'll figure out a safe way to make the transaction."
"If he doesn't, then we know he's selling to Zobelle," Tig said.
"I don't think Cam and Eddie are the problem. They've been straight with us. Chibs was right, they are way better to work with than McKeevy. But they are below Jimmy O on the food chain. We need to be careful about this," Clay said.
"I'll be right there," Opie said, before hanging up. "That was Jax. I gotta go to Cara Cara."
"I may need you guys. Stay available," Clay tells him.
"Hey, take Chucky," Tig said, pointing to the man. Opie looked at Tig like, You're seriously making me do this? Going to a porn studio with a convulsive masturbater who couldn't masturbate anymore….not good for the image, even if he was married.
~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~
Chibs awoke once more from his drug induced sleep to see the wrong woman waiting for him. "Fiona?" he asked.
"Mornin'," Fiona said with a smile.
"Jesus. What the hell are you doing here?" he asked her, looking around frantically for Izzy, hoping that she hadn't run into Fiona. He was terrified what his bitch of an estrange wife would do if she knew he was expecting a son.
"I heard about what happened. We were worried," she said, standing from her chair and going over to him, kissing him on his scared cheek. "That's from Kerrianne."
Chibs scoffed. "Doubt it. Lass was 5 when I was forced out. If she remembers me, it's nothing but vague memories. Jimmy is her father. You are her mother. And I have no tie to either of you."
Fiona looked down, taking his hand. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I was blown up. Doctor says I'm healing," Chibs said.
"Hmm. I'm glad."
"Bad idea to come here," he said, pulling his hand away from hers.
"My life's a series of bad ideas, Lovey," she said.
"But he is nonetheless right, Fiona Larkin," came a voice at the door. Fiona turned to see someone she hadn't seen since she was a child.
"Liam McCreery," she murmured.
"Aye. The one and the same. You've made your choice, young Fiona. You have no ties to Filip any longer," Liam said.
"What of Kerrianne?" Fiona asked.
Liam shrugged. "When she is of age, should she wish to know Filip, she'll have to opportunity. But I will not allow you to emotionally blackmail Filip into doing whatever Jimmy wants. He is already in enough trouble as it is with the kings for how he is handling our ties to the Sons."
"What are you doing here?" Fiona asked.
"I was asked here. The Sons have higher contacts in our organization than just Jimmy, Fiona. You may have made the IRA an enemy they can't afford to have."
"What do you mean? Who?" Fiona demanded.
"This is no longer any of your business. But before you leave," he said, pulling out a packet. "You will sign these."
Fiona took it. "Dissolution of Marriage?" she asked in surprise.
"I know full well him marrying you wasn't his choice. You had dangerous parents, young Fiona. He has paid for his youthful mistake for the past 18 years. It ends now," Liam said darkly. Fiona swallowed hard. Liam watched carefully as she signed the papers. Not letting her miss a single signature.
"I do believe it is time for you to leave," he said, taking the papers from her. Fiona nodded, her head down, and all but ran from the room. Liam looked at the sleeping Scot. "Don't you worry. Young Izzy has your back."
~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~~
"That dog cost me four grand," Jax lamented.
"And that was a $10,000 camera," Bobby said, making the distinction in price.
"Camera's insured," Luann waved. "The rough cuts are worth 10 times as much."
"This had to be Georgie, right?" Opie asked.
"Of course it was," Luann said, as if she had any other major competition. Jax looked beyond to Jasper and Lyla.
"They look pretty cozy," he said, tilting his chin in their direction.
"Last I heard, Jasper was taken. Maybe that's changed," Bella said, frowning. Jasper was laying on all kinds of charm.
"Yeah, I think they're kind of cute. Reminds me of me and Otto," Luann said with a smile. "And a man who looks at a girl like that. He ain't attached."
"Hey, ma called this morning. Wants to do a potluck," Jax tells Luann, who nodded.
"I know. 8 sharp."
The boys turned to leave, and Bella went to Jasper. "You cool to hang out here. The way the porn business works, killing the dog was a warning. If Jax and the guys can't handle it, they'll be back for more than just the dog."
"Do I need back up?" Jasper asked seriously.
"With your training, no. But to be on the safe side, call Felix and Demetri. They and the twins are here as well," Bella informed him. He nodded.
"Training," murmured Lyla. The porn star knew better than to ask, but Bella decided it might make the young woman feel safer.
"Would you believe me if I told you Jasper Whitlock is the most feared sniper in the military?" Bella asked her with a smirk. Lyla looked up at her in surprise, before her eyes traveled to Jasper, who smirked. "He is. Though he's too much of a southern gentleman to boast, he won't deny it, will you, Jasper?"
"I worked hard at the jobs I was assigned," he said with a shrug. Bella scoffed.
"Modesty doesn't look good on you. Own it. If Georgie's men are stupid enough to come back, They'll be eating their own assholes," Bella promised her. Lyla smiled and nodded. "Keep an eye on Luann. She's the figure head. If they want to cripple us, they'll go after her."
Jasper nodded, and Bella left, happy that her investment was now very well guarded. She caught up to Jax, Opie, and Bobby outside talking to a man with almost no fingers.
"-losing turf to the Mexicans," the no fingered man said.
"Heroin?" Jax asked.
"Yeah. Mayans took over everything south of Water Street. That's why they need the guns."
"He's pushing in on Niners turf," Bobby said.
"What does that mean for us?" Opie asked.
"Georgie's studio is half way to Oaktown. Maybe we should check in on Laroy. Come with us, Chucky. We'll put you to use," Jax said.
"I accept that."
"I'm going back to the hospital," Bella said softly. "My contact should be there by now."
~~~~~~~~~)O(~~~~~~~~~
Eddie was walking past his living room to the kitchen when Clay's voice startled him. "Late night at the pub?" Clay asked.
"Jesus!" Edmond said as he jumped. "Give a man a warning before you drop in, aye?"
"Where are the Russian AKs, man," Tig asked from beside a book shelf.
"This location was considered compromised. Meaning Jimmy knows of it. That's not a bad thing, since he's our boss, so to speak, but Da and I figured somethin...off...was happening. We moved them back to the military surplus store."
"You're dad has good instincts. Jimmy O is looking to start up business with Ethan Zobelle," Clay said. Edmond's eyes widened.
"And risk cutting off the Sons completely?! That'd put a crippling hole in the cause's financial scheme. How did you know about this?"
"We know a guy who knows a guy. It ends with the name..." Here, Clay dug out his phone and opened the text Izzy sent him. "Liam McCreery." He heard Edmond suck in a breath.
"I know the name. Right hand to the kings, and can be a nasty piece of work, though he's not officially part of the IRA. He works with another MC out of Italy," Edmond says.
"The Coven," Clay nodded.
"Aye. How do you know?"
"Izzy. Chibs' girl. I swear she has more ties than we do. She's plugged in deep to the Coven and a small MC in Washington."
Edmond swore in Irish Gaelic. "Jimmy has no idea of the hornets nest he's kicked, does he?" Clay shook his head. "I can get you the AKs. It'll take time to get them here with the ATF back in town. But since this was a last minute call on our end, no extra cost to ship them. My word on it," Edmond said, holding out his hand to Clay.
"Much appreciated, kid. I'll have Izzy's contact phone you or Cameron. Let you know how things settle," Clay said.
"I'll look forward to it."
