Carrie stared at the rows of clothes hanging in her closet, her mind unable to focus on anything but the night's events. It was the first time she'd ever been shot at, the first time she'd even ever heard a gun being fired, and the closest she'd ever come to dying. She'd always known Jax led a dangerous life but up until this point it had never affected her like this and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't scared. Her heart wouldn't stop thudding in her chest and she knew if she didn't start concentrating on something else soon, she'd be in for a panic attack.
"You packed yet?" Jax asked as he stepped into the bedroom, breaking her out of her cone of silence. Carrie jumped, startled, before reaching her hand into the closet, pulling down several of the closest shirts to her and a few pairs of jeans and stuffing them into a duffel bag laying on the bed.
"Almost," she replied.
"Hurry," Jax told her as he walked around her to their bathroom to gather everything they'd need from in there.
"How long are we going to be at the clubhouse?" Carrie asked him as he walked back into the bedroom. He threw the toiletries into the duffel and walked over to her, running his hands through her hair before holding her head tenderly.
"I'm not sure," Jax admitted. Carrie dug her hands into the back of his cut, gripping it firmly in her small fists.
"What is going on, Jax?" She asked him, her eyes pleading with him for an answer. Jax sighed, kissing her firmly on the forehead.
"I'm not sure," He repeated, looking into her eyes. She could see the worry behind them and knew that it was all for her, "This shit is out of left field, no one has any beef with us."
"That you know of," Carrie clarified.
"That we know of," He agreed. Carrie looked at her man, a whirlpool of emotions swirling in his eyes. She felt it best not to press him with questions he didn't know the answers to.
"You'll figure it out," She said softly, "I know you will." Jax kissed her softly, a smile playing on his lips.
"We need to go." He declared, standing up and ushering Carrie out to his bike.
SOASOASOA
Jax and Carrie arrived at the clubhouse, the atmosphere inside tense. It looked as though they were they last to arrive back and everyone else was already spread out around the clubhouse, chatting softly. Clay stood from his spot next to Gemma and cleared his throat. The murmur of the crowd quickly died out, and all attention turned to Clay.
"We've all had a long night. Everyone just try to get some sleep tonight. First thing in the morning I want anyone wearing a cut in the chapel," he announced. Jax took Carrie's hand in his, the duffel slung over his shoulder, as he lead her back to his old dorm room, both drained from the day's events. Carrie dug through the duffel bag, finally locating a t-shirt to sleep in while Jax pulled on a pair of boxer shorts. The two slipped under the covers and Jax pulled Carrie to his chest possessively.
"You okay?" He asked her, rubbing her upper arm with his thumb.
"I guess so." Carrie said hesitantly. She took a deep breath, wondering if this was the time to voice concerns or to be strong for her old man. She curled tighter into him, feeling the comfort of his arms wrapped around her.
"I'm scared," She finally admitted in a whisper.
"We're gonna figure this out, Carrie. We'll take care of it." He promised her, kissing her forehead, "I'd never let anything happen to you."
"I know," Carrie said honestly. She had no doubt in Jax's abilities to protect her, and she only wished there was something she could do for him. It was a frustrating position to be in, knowing the only thing within her power she could do at the moment was to keep calm. She lifted her head, glancing around the room, a slow smile spreading across her face at the memories held within these walls. She glanced back at him, running her fingernails lightly down his chest, now realizing that there was something else she could do for him.
"Is this the same room you had before you went to jail?" She asked flirtatiously.
"Yeah…" He replied, a cockeyed grin spreading across his face.
"The same one you deflowered me in?" She teased, flipping over and straddling him.
"Deflowered?" He said with a snort, running his hands up and down her arms that were bracing themselves on his shoulders, "Where'd you come up with that?"
"I'm expanding my vocabulary," She told him, leaning down and kissing his neck. He slipped a hand under her shirt, on the small of her back.
"Yeah, this is the same room." He told her.
Carrie kissed her way up to his ear and whispered seductively, "Wanna give me an encore performance?" He raised his eyebrows in momentary surprise before grabbing her and rolling over, resting himself on top of her.
"Always aim to please, darlin'," he said before firmly pressing his lips against hers.
SOASOASOA
The next morning the members of SAMCRO sat around the redwood table, SAMVAN members sitting along the wall. Every face in the room was stony and thoughtful as Clay, the last in the room, took his seat at the head of the table. He banged his gavel, signaling the start of the meeting, the anger apparent on his face.
"Alright let's get started with this shit," Clay said.
"Who around here has the balls to shoot up the pres' house?" Juice asked no one in particular, getting the conversation started.
"Darby wasn't too happy last time we saw him," Tig reminded Clay.
"What was Darby's problem?" Chibs asked.
"Said if we got into meth there would be problems with the Nords," Bobby said.
"A decision hadn't been made," Jax said in confusion.
"Someone's been feeding him shit," Clay reminded them, "Last time we saw him he was pretty convinced we'd already made a deal."
"Idiot probably thought he'd scare us off before we encroached on his business," Bobby said, thinking out loud.
"Darby knows he doesn't scare us." Opie said with a scoff.
"Maybe he just wants to make sure we think the new business venture is too much added bullshit to take on," Kyle offered. Jax raised his eyebrows. He usually didn't agree with anything Kyle said on principle, but he had made a valid point.
"If so it's looking like he's right," Jax said, looking pointedly at Clay.
"So what do we do about it?" Chibs asked.
"We wipe his ass off the map." Tig declared incredulously. Clay held a hand up to him before pointing at the sign hanging proudly on the wall: BRAINS BEFORE BULLETS.
"There's no reason to start a war… yet," Clay told his Sargent at arms, "We do need to let him know that his bullshit isn't going to fly."
"Darby set up a lab on the Lodi/Charming border. It's technically in Lodi but…" Juice announced, his voice trailing off.
"But maybe it's time to resurvey the borders." Clay finished rubbing his chin in thought. He looked at Bobby and Opie, "You two pyros wanna take care of that shit?" Opie and Bobby nodded, both formulating the best plan of attack in their heads.
"I should go too, Clay, you know, as backup," Tig offered.
"You just like watching shit blow up," Bobby told him.
"Yeah, so?" Tig asked him. "It's a normal hobby."
"Nothing about you is normal," Jax said with a sideways grin.
"I don't care who goes, I just want it done. Tonight," Clay told him, "The rest of you animals get out there and fix some cars, we've got a reputation to uphold."
"Average car repairs for inflated prices," Chibs said with a laugh.
"It's the American dream," Clay said, banging the gavel and dismissing the Sons. After the rest of the men filed out, Judge approached Clay.
"I just want you to know, anything you need from us… we're at your disposal," Judge told him sincerely. Clay clapped him on the back, giving him a grim smile.
"I appreciate that," Clay said, "If you guys could stick around a while longer…"Judge nodded.
"Of course, as long as you need us," he said.
"You're a good man." Clay told Judge, giving him a brotherly hug before walking away. Judge watched him walk off, hoping Clay was right about Darby and that he wasn't being played by someone else.
SOASOASOA
"This isn't up for debate Donna, I have to go!" Opie growled, grabbing a backpack off the floor of the dorm room they were sharing with the kids. Donna let out a cry of frustration, resisting the urge to tear her hair out.
"Go where Opie? Go do something stupid? Something that could get you killed or locked up?" Donna persisted, putting herself between the door and Opie.
"I'm not gonna get killed," Opie told her, doing his best not to roll his eyes when he saw Carrie and Jax walk past, pausing by the door to eavesdrop.
"That didn't answer the question!" Donna shrieked.
"You don't need to know," Opie told her firmly, hoping to end the conversation with that.
"I'm your wife! I have a right to know!" Donna insisted, on the verge of tears.
"I have to go," Opie grumbled, pushing past her and walking out of the clubhouse, leaving Donna to sit on the bed, dissolving into sobs.
"Give me a minute?" Carrie asked Jax, who nodded and walked away, leaving the two alone. Carrie sat next to Donna, hugging her tightly.
"It's gonna be okay," Carrie told her softly.
"Yeah, like you and Jax were okay when he went to prison," Donna snapped at her, before shaking her head and scoffing, "I'm sorry, I… I didn't mean that." Carrie gave her a small smile, rubbing her hand down her arm comfortingly.
"Yeah, you did," Carrie said, "But it's okay."
"It's just different now. Before Jax went to jail, it felt like they were untouchable. Nothing bad was going to happen to them," Donna confessed. She stared down at her hands, sighing heavily, "Now, that's all I can think about. Every time he walks out that door, I'm afraid he's going to leave me all alone, leave me with two kids and a mortgage we can barely pay as it is, and…" Donna began sobbing again, "And that I'm never going to see him again."
"Donna." Carrie said softly, hugging her friend again. "I know how you feel. I've been through the nightmare and it's as far from fun as it gets. But we have the unfortunate genetic flaw that makes us fall in love with SAMCRO boys. I had to make the decision and now it's your turn; you have to decide if your love for Opie is enough to overcome all that fear."
"And if it's not?" Donna asked her. Carrie looked at her thoughtfully.
"Then I'm here for you. But I think if you think about it, you'll realize it's enough," she responded. Donna sat in silence, before wiping her face.
"I need to go find the kids," she finally said.
"Bobby and Piney are playing with them." Carrie told her. Donna looked at her in mock horror and Carrie laughed, "Oh come on, I'm sure Piney hasn't tried to give them any tequila… yet."
Donna giggled and the two stood up before Donna hugged her tightly. "Thank you. For everything," Donna told her.
"You know I love you, bitch," Carrie told her matter of factly, smiling at Donna's retreating back before walking out into the hall and bumping into Jax. She grinned up at him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Were you spying?" she asked.
"Maybe," He said, curling an arm around her neck and pulling her closer to him, "I love you," he told her, kissing her deeply.
SOASOASOA
Two days after the Sons took care of Darby's lab, everyone was still in the clubhouse. Clay was keeping everyone on lockdown waiting for Darby's retaliation, but so far there'd been no sign of him. Gemma glanced around at the crowd; most of them were starting to lose it, getting snippy with each other, drinking like fish, and grumbling.
"Baby, it's been a while. If Darby was going to do something, don't you think he would've by now?" She asked her husband.
"I don't know what that squirrelly fucker would do," Clay said gruffly.
"You can't keep everyone here much longer. They're starting to lose it," She told him. "And with the run tomorrow, you're gonna be short guys."
"I'm not going to put my family in danger," Clay told her. Gemma racked her brain, trying to think of ways to get the clubhouse cleared out. She wanted to go back to her house and stop sleeping on a bed that smelled like pussy, no matter how many times she washed the sheets.
"I just thought it would be nice to go back to the house so I could cook dinner for my man, with a little dessert," She whispered the last part in Clay's ear, nibbling on his earlobe. Clay grinned, running his hands down her back.
"Maybe Darby thinks it blew up on its own," Clay rationalized.
"I hear those meth labs are very unstable," Gemma agreed, trying to contain her smirk.
"I guess everyone can go home, for now," Clay decided, before making an announcement to the rest of the clubhouse. The crowd erupted in cheers and everyone started gathering their things, getting ready to go back to their normal lives. After Carrie and Donna gathered their things Jax and Opie approached them, looking guilty.
"Ope and I should probably stay here tonight. We've got a run, we're leaving in a few hours," Jax told her. Carrie nodded, trying to keep her expression from betraying the gnawing apprehension she felt about spending the first night back at her house alone.
"Well how long are you gonna be gone?" she asked. Jax shrugged, glancing at Opie.
"Shouldn't be more than a day or two," he said. Donna glanced at Carrie. She'd known her long enough to be able to tell what she was thinking.
"Hey, why don't you sleep at my place tonight? I don't really want to be alone with the kids. We'll have some wine and watch a couple movies, eat junk food," Donna told her with a sly grin. Carrie smiled back at her gratefully.
"That sounds great," she said with relief. She put her arms around Jax and grinned up at him, "Looks like I don't need you, anyway, I've got a hot date tonight."
"Damn, haven't even left and I've already been replaced." Jax said playfully, "Make sure you record all your dirty little pillow fights." He whispered to her. Carrie giggled and smacked his chest lightly. He snickered before pulling her into a deep kiss, not wanting to let her go yet.
"Please be careful," she murmured in his ear.
"I will." He promised her, kissing her yet again.
SOASOASOA
After getting Ellie and Kenny settled into bed, Donna and Carrie opened a bottle of wine and settled on the couch, flipping through the channels before landing on a romantic comedy.
"We should do this every time the guys have to go on a run," Carrie declared, pouring herself a full glass of wine. Donna nodded in agreement.
"Definitely," Carrie agreed, "It's been way too long since we've had a girl's night."
"I can't even remember the last time," Donna commiserated.
"Well it was definitely before you had kids," Carrie responded, tilting her head in thought as she took a sip of wine, "Wasn't it was that night when I'd just moved into my apartment? Remember? With Becca and Katie? Right after we graduated high school." Donna laughed at the memory.
"Oh my God that's right. And Robin was there, too. God, do you remember what happened that night?" she asked with a giggle. Carrie nodded, the image from that night 6 years ago flooding her memory.
"Yeah, how could I forget?" she asked, smiling.
"Who needs another glass?" Carrie asked, waving her empty wine glass in the air as she rose from the couch and walked into the kitchen.
"I do!" Donna and their friends Becca, Katie, and Robin chorused. Carrie laughed as she grabbed the wine bottle and brought it into the living room, topping up everyone's glasses.
"That's the third one gone," Carrie announced as she poured the last of the bottle into her own glass.
"Uncork the next one!" Donna ordered with a giggle before hiccupping. She slapped a hand over her mouth before laughing as Becca grabbed the DVD Robin had brought over and read through the back of it.
"Who brings a movie like this to a girl's night?" she asked. Robin shrugged.
"What's wrong with it?" she asked.
"We should be watching Heath Ledger swoop in to seduce Julia Stiles," Becca insisted, "Not some crazy doll wacking off a bunch of people."
"10 Things I Hate About You?" Robin asked incredulously, shaking her head as Becca set the DVD back on the coffee table.
"I always liked Joseph Gordon Levitt in that movie better," Katie said, "He was so sweet. I'm not really a bad-boy type of girl." Robin looked between Donna and Carrie and snorted before burying her face in her wine glass.
"What?" Donna asked. Robin grinned, shaking her head.
"Just that I think we know who among us are the bad-boy type of girls," she responded. Katie and Becca laughed, nodding in agreement while Carrie and Donna grinned, shaking their heads.
"I can't believe you and Jax have already been together over 2 years," Becca said.
"Hey, Donna and Opie have been together for a million," Carrie replied. Katie leaned closer to Carrie, a slight gleam in her eye.
"So what's it like?" she asked, "Dating a guy like that?" Carrie grinned, shrugging.
"I thought you weren't into the bad boy type," Carrie responded teasingly. Katie shook her head, grinning.
"Come on," she prompted, "Details." Carrie shrugged, glancing at Donna for help who held her hands up, shaking her head.
"It's… great," Carrie said simply, "Jax is great." Katie beamed at her while Robin got up to refill her wine glass.
"Well we don't all want to be reminded we're not living in a fairy tale like those two," she said teasingly as she walked back into the living room and Donna and Carrie shook their heads, "So can we watch this movie or what?" Carrie stood to take the DVD from her and put it in the player before reclaiming her spot on the couch.
The movie had gotten especially tense when Carrie finally tore her eyes away from the screen and got up to pour herself another drink. As she walked past one of the windows, there was a rap on the pane of glass and Carrie shrieked, nearly dropping her empty glass. She looked out the window and shook her head in exasperation as she saw Jax's grinning face peering in at her from the fire escape.
Carrie opened the window, her friends gathering behind her to see what made the commotion, and Jax climbed in, followed by Opie, Kyle and Tig.
"Jesus Christ Jax, you scared the shit out of me," Carrie told him, slapping him lightly on the shoulder as her heart rate returned to normal, "What are you doing here?"
"Came to see you," He told her with a grin, planting a kiss on her forehead. She rolled her eyes, trying to contain the grin threatening to betray her.
"I have a front door," she reminded him. He shrugged.
"I like an adventure," he said, wrapping his arm around her as he led the group back into the living room.
"We're having a girl's night," Carrie told him as he took a seat in her recliner, pulling her down onto his lap. Jax glanced at the rest of the group; Opie and Donna were already snuggled together on the couch while the others had congregated in the kitchen. Tig and Kyle had whipped out a bottle of whiskey they had brought while Robin, Becca and Katie stood to the side, eyeing the boys and whispering and giggling to each other.
"They don't seem to mind." He told her with a cocky grin, wrapping his arms around her back.
"What if I mind?" She asked him matter of factly, still doing her best not to giggle.
"Do you?" He asked her with a raised eyebrow. She looked at him, the smile finally breaking out across her face.
"…No." She admitted.
"Hey Carrie where are your shot glasses!" Tig called from the kitchen as she heard him banging cabinets all over the place.
"They're sitting out on the counter by the stove," she replied, rolling her eyes. There was a pause before Tig finally responded.
"Oh," he said, causing Robin, Becca, and Katie to burst out into giggles. Tig emerged from the kitchen looking much too pleased with himself as he set out shots for everyone standing around him.
"So what are we watching?" Tig asked as he walked back into the living room holding his whiskey in his hand and looking at the screen.
"Child's Play," Robin told him with a giggle. Tig's face went white and he looked around the room.
"What kind of sickos are you?" he asked, his voice raspy. Carrie laughed as Robin looked at him confused.
"What? You don't like scary movies?" she asked him in surprise.
"Not one about a crazy doll," he replied with a slight shudder. Carrie cocked an eyebrow as she watched Robin run her fingers up his cut, resting them around Tig's shoulder.
"Maybe I can find a way to distract you," she said, taking a sip from the wine glass held in her other hand. Tig raised his eyebrows, eyeing her.
"You even old enough to drink that?" he asked, nodding towards the wine. Robin shrugged.
"No," she replied, "But I am legal."
"That's all I need to know," Tig replied, a grin spreading across his face.
"Hey! Not in my bedroom!" Carrie shouted as Tig headed down the hall with Robin, but they both ignored her. Jax pulled Carrie closer to him and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Don't worry Tig hates fucking on a bed. He probably pulled her into the bathroom," Jax said, clearly thinking this would be comforting to her.
"Ugh, now I'm gonna have to spend my whole day tomorrow disinfecting the damn bathroom," she bemoaned. She looked around the room where Opie and Donna were now in a full on make out session on the couch and Becca and Katie were each vying for Kyle's attention.
"So much for our girl's night," Carrie muttered, settling herself back against Jax. But she couldn't say she was all that disappointed with how the night had turned out.
A/N- Thanks so much for reading! We hope you liked this latest chapter - it was a lot of fun for us to write! Please review and let us know what you thought! Thanks!