Just a reminder that this is my interpretation of what happens around the storyline….
Disclaimer: I don't own ANY of the SOA characters or any of the original scenes, I borrow them for the simple pleasure of my own amusement. Gia and Ronnie however are my OFC's and I will claim them.
"How's the baby?" Clay asked as I came into church late. Everyone was already seated and waiting for me. I was happy to see that Jax's seat was empty; it told me he was at the hospital with Gemma and the baby.
"Not out of the woods, if he pulls through the night he will have surgery again tomorrow to repair his heart." I reported back as I took my seat next to Bobby and Jax's empty chair.
"He's at the hospital; he will meet up with us later." Clay said filling in the details that I wasn't clear on. I nodded and hoped we moved on in topics.
"So what's our next move?" Trigger said aching to get some revenge.
"We have an order from the niners for a gun shipment; we need to get moving on that meeting with Jury as in tomorrow. Bobby called and set it up. I want Ronnie, Juice, Bobby and Chibs to head out there tomorrow afternoon, Jax and I will come out when we can or if we are needed." Clay explained. I knew I had no right to be excited but it had been YEARS since I seen "Uncle Jury" as we all called him back in the day. But it also mean Nevada, which meant I was gonna get to call Gia. I needed her more than ever now.
"Ronnie, you and I need to head back to the hospital, the rest of you I want prep for their trip done by tonight, I want everyone here tonight. Trigg set out the call for Crow eaters and make sure the bar is stocked for tonight." Clay said and adjourned the meeting with the gavel. We all left the room and I headed to the bar to talk to Bobby.
"Hey you got a sec?" I asked him as poured himself a shot.
"What's wrong sweetie?" He asked as he took off his glasses and gave me his full attention.
"I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed about all of this, I don't really have anyone to talk to…" I started, out of all of the guys for some reason aside from Clay and Opie Bobby was always easy to talk to.
"RONNIE! Let's ride!" Clay yelled from the door of the club house.
"Shit." I swore under my breath.
"Hey, we will talk, hang in there kiddo." Bobby said squeezing my arm for some support. I smiled and headed off to meet up with Clay before he came back in to get me. I knew that would be a bad idea.
I hated the smell of hospitals. They always smelled like cleaning supplies and rubber gloves. It made me sick to my stomach and the lights always hurt my eyes. Clay and I got off the elevator on the floor where the baby and Wendy were and as we approached I saw Gemma come out of Wendy's room with a look I had seen on her face from years ago when she taught some Crow eater why not to mess with a SAMCRO old lady, especially the Queen of them all. I hugged Gemma and then started walking to Wendy's room, wanted to make sure Gemma left her alive when Gemma called me back.
"Jax is waiting in the surgery waiting room, Let's go sit with him." She said guiding me away from Wendy's door and pointed in another direction.
We took a series of turns before the floor opened up into a waiting room, and Jax was chewing on his nails looking out the window.
"Any word?" Gemma asked as we all moved over to where he was. I was taken off guard by the question, but waited until they stopped hugging to ask my question.
"Not yet." Jax said and shook hands with Clay then turned to me. He reached out for me and I stepped in to give him a quick hug and as I pulled away he tightened his arms around me to keep me in place. "Where have you been?" He asked as we parted, I had the worst feeling in my stomach and started not to feel good.
"We had church with the club, Clay said you knew about it, why is Abel in surgery again?" I asked knowing that Tara has said that they would wait a full 24 hours before doing the heart surgery.
"I guess his vitals were strong and they decided to take him now." Jax said then taking a deep breath.
"As soon as it's done with and I know he is okay, I will make my way up to Jury's with Clay." He said as if to make sure I would be okay. I wasn't sure why he would need to, it wasn't like I was going there on my own. There were going to be five of us.
"Don't worry about Jury's we will handle that, you need to be here for Abel." I said not sure who I was trying to make feel better. I was starting to feel light headed along with my stomach twirling around and around. I hated hospitals.
"She's right, I already called ahead and Jury knows they are coming." Clay said as he sat down on one of the hospital waiting room chairs, it looked so small around him.
"Well I'm still coming up there; I just need to know my boy is gonna pull through…" And that was all I heard before I had no choice but to run for a bathroom, as he talked I felt the contents of my stomach coming up my throat. I ran and found the bathroom, and to the toilet in just enough time. Before I was done Gemma was behind me holding back my hair.
"Jesus, are you okay?" She said I stopped, and tried to breath.
"Yeah, it hit me out of nowhere." I said and Gemma backed off and came back with towels. "I'll be okay." I said using the towels to wipe my mouth. I had Gemma help me up and I went to the sink.
"You don't throw up randomly because you are fine, what's wrong with you? Are you sick? Good lord are you…" She started to panic and jump to conclusions and I had to stop her before she got started.
"Gemma, you are like my mother but if you finish that sentence so help me god…" I said and saw that she was backing off. I splashed cold water on my face and I felt a little bit better.
"You sure you are okay?" She asked as she took my face in her hands. A motherly touch, something I hadn't had in a long time I closed my eyes and the feel of her soft warm hands on my face and enjoyed the moment.
"Yeah, it's probably because I haven't eaten anything today and I have been taking the pain meds, probably not the smartest thing I have done but I'll be fine." I said as there was a banging on the bathroom door.
"Ma? Is she okay? Ronnie!" A muffled yell from Jax through the door.
"You know if we don't go back out there he will break down the door." Gemma said as she started to fuss with my hair.
"Yeah I know, let's go." I said as I unlocked the door and opened it and Jax fell forward a little.
"Are you okay?" He asked concerned and worried.
"Yeah I am fine, Look I better take off if I am gonna meet up with the boys before we head out." I said backing away from the bathroom and in the direction of where the elevators were.
"You have to leave now?" Jax asked he looked a little hurt.
"She's right, I gave them a schedule, they need to stick to it, you sure your okay?" Clay said coming over and putting a protective hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah I am good, I'll call when we get there." I said and heard Gemma clear her throat. "And I will make sure to stop and eat something. Call and let me know when the little guy is out and doing good?" I asked looking to Jax with a slight smile.
"Done." He said as he pulled me back into a hug, this one seemed to linger longer then the first one.
"You make sure those boys take care of you, I will drive out there if I have to young lady." Gemma warned as she hugged me as tightly as Jax did.
"Opie's down in the parking lot by your bike, ride safe and call when you guys get there…" He said with a quick hug and a kiss on the head. I didn't think I needed a escort but I knew better than to argue. I waved and headed off down stairs to meet up with Opie. I wanted to get on the road and get to Nevada, I needed to see Gia, and she was the only one that could help me sort out the mess that was in my head and heart.
"Is it over? Is he okay?" Jax asked frantically as Tara came out of the doubled doors marked 'staff only' it was only moments after Ronnie had left.
"Almost, we repaired his heart, Dr. Navid is closing him up but I wanted to come out and give you the good news." Tara said giving him a big smile, she leaned in for hug but was taken back when Jax turned and hugged Gemma instead.
"Thank god." Clay said as Jax hugged him next. Tara wrapped her arms around herself suddenly feeling alone.
"When can I see him?" Jax asked immediately. He couldn't leave until he saw his little boy and knew his mom would be there with him.
"Probably in five minutes, why don't you come with me and get suited up." Tara said holding out her hand, she was looking for anyway to reconnect with Jax. Jax took her hand kissed his mother and went with Tara.
She took him to room where he put on a gown, washed his hands, and put on a cap. They went inside the smaller room where Abel was lying in his incubator.
"Hey little man…" Jax said as tears started to pour from his eyes.
"Everything looks really good, by morning we will know just exactly how good, but everything points to 100 percent recovery." Tara said as she rubbed Jax's back.
"Thank you Tara, thank you so much." Jax said to hear as he pulled her into a hug. A huge weight was lifted off his shoulders knowing his little boy was gonna make it. He felt Tara snuggle her face into his neck like she used to it sent a an all too familiar shiver through his body. He pulled away from her a little, their faces were less than inches from one another and he found his body wanting to kiss her, but he pulled away from her with a smile and went back to his little boy.
"Say Jax, I get off in a couple minutes, can you give me a lift home, my car is acting up…" She said knowing he would help her.
"Yeah, I will send someone to pick it up tomorrow and fix it, I'll be in the waiting room when you are ready." Jax said smiling from ear to ear. He put his hands on the incubator and Tara left the room. Jax spent a few more minutes with Abel and then went out to the waiting room where his mother was anxiously awaiting his return.
"How is he? How does he look?" She asked desperate for an answer. Jax just smiled.
"He looks peaceful, I'm so glad that he is gonna be okay mom." Jax said as Gemma embraced him again, they both let out a huge sigh of relief.
"You wanna go home and shower? I will stay here with him for a while until you come back." Gemma said rubbing his back.
"Um, I'm actually gonna take Tara home, then shower and hit the road, if I leave soon Clay and I will be able to catch up with Ronnie and boys before they get to Jury's." Jax said as he watched his mother's expression change from joy to disbelief. "What?" He said not sure what her problem was now.
"What are you doing Jax? Why are you bringing Tara home?" Gemma said pulling him over to the seats in the waiting room and pushing him down in the chair and she sat next to him.
"I am giving her a ride home; her car isn't working right…what's wrong with that?" Jax said knowing exactly where his mother was going with this.
"I am not sure you have noticed because your focus was where it should have been…on your boy, but that girl is still in love with you and I can tell she wants her hooks back into you." Gemma said warning her son, she knew out of all the weaknesses her son had Tara Knowles was her son's weakest, and in all the time that they were together Jax was never able to say no to Tara let alone get over her.
"So what if she does Ma?" Jax said not realizing how it sounded.
"What about last night? Didn't you tell me you were in love with Ronnie? That she was what you have been looking for and what you needed now? Jackson, you cannot do this to Ronnie…" Gemma started to scolded her son and Jax just shook his head. He loved his mother but she often spent too much of her time on his love life.
"Mom, I do love Ronnie and yes I am in love with Ronnie. I want to be with her, me and Tara are never gonna me together again, Ronnie helped me get over her, there is no way I am going back to Tara…I'm just giving her a ride home that's it." Jax said annoyed that he had to explain himself to his mother; he knew he technically didn't have to but knew she would hound him until he did. It was safer and would save them all sometime if he told her what she needed to know.
"Well good, because Ronnie is perfect for you, and she loves you and if you screw her over with Tara, I know she will leave again…and we just got her back. I need both you." Gemma explained as he son sat back down and took her hand.
"I know mom, I just get her back too…and now that I know she loves me too, there's no way I am going to do anything to screw things up with her…she's…the one." He said hesitating to say it out loud. He confirmed it the other night when they kissed and almost made love, the moment their lips touched he knew she is who had been waiting for. Beside the fact that he felt whole when they were together and the passion he felt when they kissed sealed his heart as hers.
"Good. I'm proud of you, you know…" Gemma said as Jax smiled his charming smile at her. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and they started to talk about stuff that Abel would need when Tara came out with her bag and ready to go.
"Hi Gemma." Tara said carefully, the day Tara left two years ago Gemma told Tara if she ever came back she would make her life a living hell, and by the look she was receiving from her now she knew that wasn't a lie.
"You ready to go?" Jax asked as he got up from the chair.
"Yeah, Ah Gemma I put you on the list of family that is allowed to stay overnight in Abel's room if you want, there is a cot in there, it's nothing fancy but it's better than a chair." Tara said trying to sweeten up Gemma, she was going to need her if she was truly going to get Jax back.
"Thanks." Gemma said as she strode past Tara not even making eye contact with her.
"I'll call when I get there." Jax said as he made his way down the hall towards the elevators.
"She still hates me." Tara said to Jax as the doors opened and they stepped in.
"Well, she's not your biggest fan but she doesn't hate you." Jax said with a smile, he wasn't completely lying but he didn't want Tara to hate his mom either. Even though he wasn't in love with her anymore, she was still very special to him and he didn't want her to hurt.
They got to his bike, and he gave her his helmet to wear, she wrapped her arms around him, and he noticed how she held on to him. He was definitely noticing what his mother was talking about, he felt her lay her head on his back the way she used to back in the day.
"How is it I am the only girl and I am the only one that doesn't have to stop for a potty break?" I asked as we had stopped at a gas station, Opie was the only one besides me who was still on our bikes.
"They may look like bad ass, but they all really are girls." Opie said and as I smiled his frowned. I noticed and knew something was wrong.
"What is it Op?" I asked a little quieter, not one was around us but I knew that Opie never really talked about his feelings and when he did he was very private about it.
"How did you know…never mind." He said almost forgetting who he was talking to. Out of everyone, even Jax and his dad Ronnie always knew when something was wrong, especially when he needed to talk about it but didn't know how.
"It's….Donna, we ain't getting along so well right now…she keeps threatening to leave…take the kids to her mom's…maybe it's for the best you know?" Opie said as he took off his gloves and put them back on again messing with the fingers of them like they didn't fit even though they did.
"Opie, I am the last one to tell anyone advice on Marriage or love…I kinda suck at it, always have…but you don't have to be an expert to know that you and Donna love each other. And you love your kids, I have seen you with them and they adore you. Whatever is going wrong in your marriage, just remember that you and Donna love each other…nothing is more important than that. If things don't work out let it be because you tried everything else, not because you don't love each other anymore. Don't push her out of your life." I said as the guys started to trickle out of the store, Opie and nodded and we ended the conversation there.
"You ladies finally ready?" I asked throwing my leg back over the bike so that I was again straddling Jax's bike.
"Funny, we better get moving, we got road to cover." Bobby said as he got back on his bike. According to protocol I was to be riding in front and then have the guys flank me. But I told Bobby it had been a long time I and I wasn't sure of my way, so I would lead us out of town and then have him and Opie and Trigger take the lead from there.
We were riding through the town on our way out when we all came to a stop sign. Opie was to my left and Juice to my right. I heard Trigger making some sort of Joke when I looked over to my right and Saw a SAMCRO cut and it drew my eyes there, and what I saw shouldn't have shook me but it did. Opie saw that my eyes had landed on something and it desperately had my full attention. Opie followed my eyes and saw what I did.
Jax and Tara. She was on the back of his bike holding him like I had. They got off the bike and went into her house, and I felt like my heart fell all the way into my stomach, it was suddenly hard to breathe, and I wanted to cry, and I never cried. I was so wrapped up in the reality of what I just saw that I didn't notice everyone else took off.
"VERONICA!" I finally heard Op yell my name; I looked at him with moist eyes and took a deep breath.
"OP?" I questioned, I wanted him to tell me I didn't see him with her, tell me I didn't see him just go into her house with her. Tell me that it was a dream and that Jax never told me he loved me we never kissed and I could go back to being alone and by myself but he didn't.
"Let's go." He told me sternly and I revved my engine and let go of the brake and hit the throttle then the gas and took off, he was right behind me, I didn't look back or anywhere but in front of me until we crossed the state line into Nevada.
We got to Jury's club house in the wee hours of the morning and the party was in full swing. There were guys and liquor everywhere and pretty much naked woman walking around. We were welcomed by Jury and his club warmly. I had very few memories of Jury from when we were little but what I did remember was he was always kind to me and always let me sit on his bar. Dad would always take me down and make me go play, but the moment dad would turn his back or leave the room 'Uncle Jury' as I used to call him would hike me back up there, he would even let me walk on it and hand out beers to the guys.
"Come on, let's get some drinks!" Jury said swinging an arm around Opie and I and lead us to the bar. He gave all of us a couple of shots then and I took a beer. I wanted to numb what was going on inside me, I wanted to forget about everything, and the drinks were helping me.
"You okay?" Opie said grabbing my arm as I headed for the doors. I was a little wobbly but I could still hold my own for now.
"Yeah, I just need to be alone and get some air." I said a little glassy eyed when I saw he wasn't convinced I gave him an olive branch, "If I am not back in here in 10 minutes come out and get me okay?" He took a few minutes and then nodded in agreement. He let me go and I went out the doors, to Jax's bike and pulled my cell phone and lit a cigarette. I dialed the number I knew better than my own and waited for her to pick up when she did, I was able to say three little words…
"I need you G…" was all I got out before the tears started.
"Where are you?" She asked me and her voice was like a warm shower after a cold day, or new sheets after you shaved your legs, it was relief to hear her voice.
"Nevada." I told her and then gave her the exact location. I knew she would be here by the time the sun came up, and I couldn't wait. Don't get me wrong I loved my club and I loved my boys but Gia and I were sisters in all the ways that mattered. We had been there for each other through a lot of heavy shit and were always there no matter what. I needed her and I needed her now.
I walked back in the club and things were starting to wined down, guy were starting to pair off with Crow eaters and heading for rooms, some of them were just going to do it where they were. What I didn't expect was to see Opie being lead in the back by one. My heart broke a little because I knew the rule, that he wasn't cheating according to SAMCRO law and it just reminded me even more that being someone's 'old lady' wasn't something I was sure I could handle. Sure what I didn't know wouldn't hurt me but the fact that I had been around this life so long, I would always know and wonder when ever there was business on the road if I was gonna be Donna.
I walked over to the bar where Juice and Jury were drinking and talking, it looked like the safest place at the time.
"Where you been?" Jury asked as he handed me a beer.
"Outside, forgot how amazing the Nevada sky was at twilight, sun should be up in a few hours. You should probably get some rest." I said looking at Juice who was practically falling a sleep on his stool.
"Maybe your right, wake me up when they get here." He said nodding at me and headed back for the empty couch in the next room.
"Surprised your still up." I said then took a long drink from the beer. I wasn't as tipsy as before but I needed a drink and who was I to turn down a good beer.
"Can't sleep, you gonna tell me what this is really all about? Or do I have to be blindsided by Clay?" Jury caught me off guard, and I almost choked on my beer. I knew he was good reading people, but I wasn't expecting this.
"I thought you knew what this was about, the space we need for a while?" I said and honestly that is what I thought we were here for, if there was anything else, I wasn't told which angered me, I was one of the nine, why wasn't I told.
"I see, well kiddo, looks like we are both in for a surprise." He said and my head started spinning, I kept going over what the hell else this could be about, and if I was family wasn't I told? I looked around to see if I could find anyone to talk in a drunken stupor, but they were all 'occupied' in rooms.
Jury and I sat there at the bar, for I wasn't sure how long exactly and talked, caught up where life had taken us over the years, he told me some of the stories of my mom and dad, some good memories from when they would come up and they would all camp. There was laughter and smiling involved and the beer helped a lot too. Before I knew it several motorcycle engines roared outside of the front door and we both frowned.
"Guess they are here. I'm gonna go wake up the guys." I said putting my hand gentle to the side of the old man's face. I felt bad and unprepared. I walked over to the couch and woke up Juice first. They went from room to room and had mental images burned into my brain that I will unfortunately never be able to get out. I was coming back out to the main room when I stopped as heard voices.
"Uncle Jury!" Jax said loudly and practically ran into the older man's open arms. He was then embraced by Clay.
"How are you brother?" Clay asked him.
"Livin, you know." Jury said as he brought them back to the bar kicking his guys that were passed out on the floor to get up. It was time for them all to wake up and pull themselves together. Jury walked behind the bar and passed Jax and Clay both a beer.
"Where's our members?" Jax asked as he looked around and only saw devils and woman scattered around the front room.
"Ronnie went to go wake them all up. She turned out pretty damn gorgeous, huh?" Jury said as the three toasted their drinks in the air, I knew I couldn't stay here much longer but she wasn't ready to face Jax, not yet.
"She looks like her mother." Clay said in a tone that was loving, it made me stop and think what that was all about.
"Looks like you showed our guys a good time, appreciate that brother." Jax said as he took another drink. Jury smiled and took another drink, they three of them started to make small talk and the noise level grew as the men started to wake up and pull themselves together. I leaned my back and head against the wall and tried to find that place where I hid all my strength.
"You okay?" I heard from Opie as he was coming down the hall putting his cut back on. I wasn't happy with him, but before I could retort I heard the fain sound of a engine I had been waiting all night to hear.
"Ronnie…" He said as he saw my face contort trying to listen to make sure. I shh'd him and closed my eyes. When I heard the familiar rumble get a little louder, there was no mistaking who it was. I couldn't contain my excitement anymore, I bolted from where I was and ran into the main room, I would have kept going if Jax hadn't put out his arm and caught me.
"Whoa, where you going?" He asked with a smile. I smiled and pulled myself from his grasp, had to pull a little but I got free and ran out the front door.
"How much pain meds is she on?" Clay asked to Juice who was rubbing his eyes.
"She has only had one since we have been here." Juice said interested in what had me acting differently.
I ran out to the front of the club, the morning Nevada sun feeling warm on my skin, and I shielded my eyes as I ran down the steps and ran out to the road, I looked both ways, and then as I looked back to the right there she was. I smiled so big the corners of my mouth felt like they were going to split. As she got closer I went back up the porch platform and waited, my eyes never leaving her image. The guys came out of the front doors just as she pulled in.
I missed seeing her bike. It was a beautiful midnight blue with gold flakes in it, and on her gas take she had Indian skulls, it was one of the most beautiful choppers she had ever seen.
"Took you long enough." I said trying containing my excitement. I was trying to down play my excitement but it wasn't easy.
"I had a meeting on the way, sorry." She said as she took off her helmet and let her beautiful dark hair cascade down her back.
"Wow." I heard from behind me, it was Juice all I could do was chuckle.
"Come inside." I said as I waved her off the bike and held the door open for her. The rest of them watched as she strode up the stairs and passed them. She was absolutely break taking, black leather pants, vintage def leopard shirt, and leather jacket I think they all fell in love a little bit.
"Um, Ronnie?" I heard as I turned around and my club stood there waiting for answers. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Gia," I said pointing to her then pointed at the club, "Clay, Jax, Juice, Opie, Bobby, Trigger, and Chibbs. SAMCRO" I said pointing to each one of them, I stood there as they all waved in their own way as I said their name, but I noticed that Gia stopped at Juice and her eyes hadn't left his.
"Nice to meet you Gia, Ronnie, you've got about an hour before church." Clay said as even he was still checking her out. I turned back to Gia and had to hide my laughter. She looked at me and winked before she pulled me into her for a hug, I tried to stop her, I hadn't told her about my wounds and they were still really sensitive to the touch and I knew her hugs. But she was too fast for me and I screamed in pain. She instantly pulled me away from her body and anger flashed in her face.
She pulled back my cut and shirt and saw the gauze in the front and then spun me around and saw the one in the back.
"G…it's okay I'm almost healed." I said trying to calm her down. But I could tell she was beyond that now. She grabbed my hand tightly. And looked over to Jury.
"You're place?" She asked and he nodded. "Ladies room?" She said ready to attack. Jury pointed in the back and I whisked away in that direction.
Jax started to come after us, but Clay stopped him. "Give them a minute." He instructed as he turned around and saw Juice's face.
"Juice, pull yourself together man." Clay said and walked over to Jury to talk.