Hey guys, well don't panic I haven't forgotten about this story, RL is just absolute shit at the mo don't really want to bore you all with the details. So thankyou for all the adds and reviews for the last chapter.

Here's Chapter Twenty One. Just to let you know I can't promise when the next one will be up but I will not abandon this story. Things just might take a little longer than planned. Thank you all so much for your continued support. Enjoy...

Fractured

Chapter Twenty One

Jax inhaled the nicotine deeply. He had gotten the call early hours that Rita Roosevelt had become another victim of the house evasions. She'd come off worse than any of the others. She'd taken a bullet to the stomach. Turned out she was pregnant. It stirred something inside of him. Maybe it was because of Abel. He had almost died because of his junkie whore of a mother. It was unlikely Rita's kid would. A bullet to the stomach, no baby could survive that, especially one that was still the size of a peanut. He ran a hand over the back of his neck.

The shit just kept coming.

He was trying so hard to keep everything a float. But he knew it was going to be a bigger battle especially with someone plotting against him.

The house evasions were to undermine him. At first he thought it was back retaliating, but Pope had promised him that he was not involved in any way and neither were the Niners he had personally made sure of that. And right now Pope's word meant a hell of a dam sight more than others.

Pope had subtly suggested that maybe he should start looking within the ranks rather than the outside.

Never would Jax think that this could be a brother, someone on the inside, but shit had changed. The brotherhood had changed- was changing. Happy had aired that fear to him a couple of days ago.

It all started with Clay ordering Tig to take Opie out behind the Clubs back. That's when they took a turn up shit creek within the ranks and it seemed that it hadn't stopped. But it was all Clay.

Everything came back to Clay. All of it. He was poison.

Last night he'd even tried to gage Nicole on Clay. Asked her what she wanted to happen to him. He'd been surprised by her answer. His mother wanted him to kill Clay so did his wife. Opie had wanted to kill him and so would the club if he brought all the truths to the table about his step fathers dirty deeds. But Nicole didn't want him to kill him. She didn't want a relationship with him but she had basically screamed at him that she didn't want Jax to do anything about it either.

He inhaled the cigarette again, holding it in until the nicotine burned his lungs.

He didn't understand her.

"Morning." Jax stubbed out his cigarette as his wife's arms wrapped around his shoulders. Her lips coming to rest on his cheek in a soft kiss. He turned to face her, catching her lips. He pulled her onto his lap. She didn't fight him, even though there relationship had probably been a little strained of late.

"Morning." He mumbled looking deep into her eyes as he moved a damp piece of hair from her pretty face.

"You okay?" Tara knew the answer to that question was no. Her husband was not okay, but Tara wanted to know why.

There was a hole building between them. He was doing his best to fight it but she knew that he felt it to. This wasn't supposed be how this worked out. They were eachothers one true love-that she didn't doubt for a second-but this wasn't working. Them together in this life couldn't work. It killed her and she was sure when Jax realised it would kill him to.

Her plans for a life outside of all this were strong if not more so now that Wendy was back sniffing around Abel. All she had to do was wrap things up with Otto, get him to retract his statement against the Sons, make a plan, secure a job for herself-which Margaret was working on- and then go. Jax had stayed because of RICO, because he had been blackmailed by the Cartel. She knew Opie's death was pushing to a dark place and maybe deeper within the club but if she got them clear of Rico and had her plan the rest didn't matter. They would be free. Happy. She just needed her husband to hold on that bit longer. She couldn't lose him yet or at all if possible.

"You know you can talk me baby." Tara said soothingly as her fingers ran across his jaw.

"Lets go away for a couple of days. Tonight. We can go to the cabin." Tara's face must have shown the shock she was feeling because she was floored. But thrilled at the same time.

"Yeah..." She said practically bouncing in excitement. "I can clear my schedule." Again her excitement was clear. She knew that by the smile gracing Jax's lips. "What about the boys?"

"Mom can watch them." That was like a bucket of cold water. Tara accepted Gemma watching her kids for the afternoon but for a couple days that didn't sit well. "Neeta can help." Jax added as if sensing Tara's unwillingness.

Tara still didn't like it but the chance to be alone with the man she loved and a chance to hopefully close that hole between them she couldn't pass that up. She nodded her head and Jax pulled her in for kiss. It was hard and passionate. It made her heart ache.

"I love you Jax."

"I love you to."

Clay walked over to Frankie who was sat on his bike, his eyes scanning the area. He looked nervous and Clay had to admit this whole situation was setting him a little on edge. Bribing the Nomads to do his dirty work in undermining Jax was supposed to be fool proof, easy even but the shitheads had managed to screw it up and therefore left him vulnerable.

Clay Morrow did not like to be vulnerable.

"Where's Dougie, Gogo?" Frankie got to his feet and basically ran towards Clay. This guy was about to lose it. Another thing that set Clay on edge especially as two of them MIA.

"I don't know Clay. But we should be halfway to Mexico by now." Clay couldn't agree more with that statement. The walls were closing in. Gogo- before he had gone MIA- had called to tell him that Unser was closing in. He said the old man had spotted the scratches even making a sly comment.

Clay had seen Unser speaking to Roosevelt at the hospital. If the Sheriff had told Unser about the skin under his wife's finger nails Clay knew it wouldn't take Unser long to put two and two together especially with the hate between the two old friends at the moment. Unser would figure it was Gogo and figure what Clay was up to.

Clay needed all three nomads out of Charming fast. And if Dougie and Gogo weren't smart enough to just leave then he would make sure that they were silenced one way or another.

"Your right. You should get out of here. Leave the other two to me." Frankie nodded already edging towards his bike. "Frankie." Clay shouted making his brother turn back to him. Clay pointed a finger. "You go deep Frankie. I'll reach out when I can. You cross me though and the rest of Samcro will be the least of your problems."

Frankie nodded to the threat, swallowing the lump in his throat. Frankie knew that a threat from Clay Morrow was more like a promise. He was a man that always followed through.

Nodding in Frankie's direction Clay walked back over to the van where Juice was sat behind the drivers seat waiting for him.

"Okay let's go Juicey." The young Puerto Rican looked at him. Clay could tell there were questions that he was fighting with himself not to ask. He looked back at the windscreen but didn't turn over the engine.

"Clay..."

"Come on Juicey. This is ain't the time." Clay urged. He liked the kid, shit he didn't know where he would be without him but he still had a place and right now that place was to keep quiet. Clay smirked when the engine over turned. Juice real was a loyal SOB.

"Gogo." Dougie spoke through gritted teeth as he watched his brother pin Nicole against the wall. His had covering her mouth to stop her from screaming.

Dougie shouldn't have come here but everything was turning to shit quickly and he didn't know what to do. Their little scam was unraveling around all of them and when Gogo had come back to the house and told him about Unser Dougie knew that the shit was about to go down and something told Dougie that it would be himself, Gogo and Frankie that would be the ones hung out to dry. to face the firing squad. He'd panicked and ran to the one person he thought might be able to help him out of he hole he had dug for himself. He knew what the Sons were capable of and what they did to people who hurt their own. His best friend had died because he'd hurt Nicole. Dougie feared the same thing would happen to him. And now seeing Gogo pinning Nicole against the wall he knew he had just made matters worse, not just for himself but all of them.

"What?" Gogo snapped, his eyes not leaving Nicole who was trying to fight beneath him.

"We should just leave." Gogo said calmly as he looked back at him.

"Your right we should." Dougie eased.

"Good come on man let her go and lets get out of here."

"Oh were leaving al'right. But we ain't leaving her." He looked back at Nicole. "Can't have you running back to your Old man telling him shit that you know nothing about." He looked back at Dougie again. "She's coming with us."

"And how the hell we suppose to get her out of here. We cause a scene brother and there's gonna be Sons all over our asses, her Old man leading the charge."

"Who said anything bout a scene." He pressed himself closer against Nicole using his extra weight to make her stop fighting. He leaned in, his mouth pressing against her ear. Dougie couldn't hear what he was saying. He didn't like that.

"Now I know that your a smart bitch so this is how this is gonna work. Your gonna walk out of here with us. No screaming, no fighting us, no dramatics and you know why? Cos if you do i'll kill that little blonde bitch behind the bar and any other fucker you try and put in our way."

Gogo was right about something she was a smart bitch. Gogo wasn't making an empty threat they were in deep and a ma on the edge was a scary thing combine the man with fire arms and he could be deadly. Nicole wasn't going to risk anyone's life especially Hallie. So she nodded the best she could against Gogo's hand. He smirked throwing her a wink. It made her stomach turn.

"See no need to panic brother." Gogo remarked cockily at Dougie as he pushed himself away from Nicole. His hand moving from her mouth but his one hand staying wrapped around her upper arm as he peeled away from the wall he had had her pinned to. "Lets go." Gogo started walking dragging Nicole with him. He stopped when he realised that he couldn't hear footsteps behind him. He looked over his shoulders. "You comin'"

"Fine."

Jax backed his bike into the formation. He spotted Bobby walking from the garages to meet him. The older VP didn't look happy. Jax couldn't suppress the roll of his eyes behind his dark glasses. What now? Was all that he could think. He cocked his head in Bobby's direction.

"What is it?" Jax asked as he unclipped his helmet. Might as well get straight to the point. He thought. He hung his helmet on the handlebars of his bike. His hand coming up to run of his greased back hair.

"Just had a phone call from Unser." Bobby answered coming to take a stand by Jax's bike. "Said he tried callin' you."Jax nodded.

"I was busy." Jax lied a little. He wasn't about to tell his VP that he was bedding his wife out guilt because of what he was doing, what he had and that he had betrayed her by seeking solace in his cousin who was the last person on earth Tara would want him to turn to. "What did he want?" Jax watched as Bobby eyes drifted to the T/M gates as the van pulled in-Juice behind the wheel.

"We take this somewhere a little more private." Jax nodded. He couldn't agree more with that. As he swung a leg over his bike and started following Bobby to the garage office he looked back over his shoulder as Juice dismounted from the van, Clay coming from round the passenger side to meet him. The three of them exchanged looks, Jax throwing in a nod in acknowledgement before continuing his was into the office.

That new relationship was just another worry.

"So." Jax encouraged making sure he closed the door behind him. He pulled out a pack of smokes from the inside of his cut. Lighting it as soon as it touched his lips. He took a seat on the couch as Bobby lent against the desk.

"He has ideas bout who's behind the house evasions. "

"Yeah." Jax's interest peaked. Any help he could get on figuring out all this shit was welcomed especially from a source like Unser. He trusted the old guy like he trusted he had trusted his step father a long time ago. "What?" Jax asked after taking a hit of his cigarette.

Bobby who was normally so calm and the voice of reason looked unnerved. His hand ran down his salt and peppered beard. His head shook lightly like the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat.

"What?" Jax repeated growing a little worried.

"He spotted some narley scratches on Gogo's chest."

"So?" Jax didn't get the connection.

"Rita managed to get a hit on one of the attackers. Scratched his chest."

"Shit..." Jax blew out a breath. He didn't know that part. He buried his head in his hands. His thumbs forcing the pressure from his brows. His life was one big headache. "Nomads."

"Yeah. Makes sense. Attacks started bout a week before they were voted in."

"Yeah and we all know who was backing them." Jax mumbled leaning back in against the sofa.

"Clay?" Jax knew it was a question. Bobby and Clay went way back, him trying to accept that Clay was behind this- because now Jax knew with absolute certainty he was- was hard. If only he knew the whole truth. Jax didn't hate Bobby for it though. How could he.

"Who else."

"Jax I know the hate between you, after what he did to Gem..."

"This has nothing to do with my mother." Jax stood in anger. He took another hit before turning to look at Bobby. "Look maybe your right maybe this isn't Clay maybe it isn't the nomads but we need to know. Get them in we'll apply pressure, let them think were getting close. If they are behind this they'll slip up right..."

"Yeah." Jax nodded glad that his VP was on board.

"Maybe get Unser involved. Where was he when he caught sight of the scratches on Gogo's chest?" Bobby dropped his head. That was not a good sign. "What now?"

"Unser ran into him a Hal's." Jax tensed. "He said the way Gogo and Nic were actin' it wasn't the first time he'd been there."

"Shit." Jax actually felt his heart pound a little faster. He was worried and even if he wanted to fight it he couldn't . "Al'right give her call...Bobby..."

"I tried she ain't answerin' her cell."

"Then call the god damn bar." Jax shouted. He didn't mean to but he couldn't stop himself the anger was growing inside.

"I did. Nothin'" Bobby admitted his eyes dropping from Jax's.

"Fuck." Jax shook his head and pried open the office door, flicking the dead butt to the ground as he strode over to his bike. Bobby was hot on his heels.

Jax didn't bother to argue that he could do this alone. All he was concerned about that was Nicole's safety.

"So what's the plan?" Nicole asked as she was practically dragged towards the parking lot by Gogo.

She was beyond pissed. Not that she was surprised. She was on here last warning with Mag's so walking out mid shift wasn't the best of ideas but Nicole had no choice she was doing it to save all their lives. Not that she could say that, nor could she change her mind when Mag's had given her the ultimatum You walk out that door now don't you dare walk back through it. You leave your done here. All she could do was keep walking. She hated Gogo right now for making her lose her one slice of independence.

When Gogo didn't answer she realised that he didn't actually have a plan. Fucking great.

"You don't have a plan do you?"

"Oh I have a plan sweetheart." He bit back throwing her against the passenger door of her truck. "Keys?" Nicole shook her head. "Fine." He went to grab her bag off her but Nicole stopped him pulling her bag back against her chest. She buried her hand in and grabbed her keys.

"Here."

"Get in." Nicole started to get it but was forced the rest of the way Gogo. He was really pissing her off.

"What are we doin' man?" Dougie asked.

"We need money right?" Dougie nodded. "And we need a safe way out of here right?" Dougie nodded again. "That gnash in there..." He thumbed back to the cab where Nicole was sat. "... is the answer to all that. Now you can either grow a pair and get over your little crush or get killed options yours brother." The sarcasm when he said brother didn't go un-missed by Dougie.

Dougie thought about it. His eyes going to Nicole. He ran a hand across the back of his neck. When Gogo put his options in those terms he knew which one he'd rather.

"Kill or be killed right brother?" Gogo smiled slapping his hand against Dougies bicep that was crossed over his chest.

"I knew you'd make the right choice."

"So this money. She probably ain't got shit."

"No your right but her new step daddy does." Dougie was confused and clearly Gogo noticed. "Perks of a fucked up family. Just follow me you'll soon catch on." Gogo gave a wink and walked around the truck and slid into the drivers side.

Jax and Bobby pulled up outside Hal's they could see the place was busy through the windows. Jax was taking that as a good sign and it seemed so did Bobby.

"Probably explains why she didn't answer."

"Yeah."

Pushing open the doors, Jax looked around trying to locate his cousin he couldn't see her, his eyes did however meet Mag's the owner. She looked pissed- it eased a second as she placed two plates in front of a couple of patrons. She smiled, told them to enjoy their food but as soon as her her greying blue eyes returned to his she became pissed again.

"Not here." Mag's stated turning on her heels and heading for the back. Jax looked over his shoulder at Bobby. His brows raising. Jax had to admit, the plump woman in her late 50's was actually scaring him right now.

"Check the back." Bobby nodded as Jax followed the scary woman into the back. He threw a tight lipped smile at the blonde behind the bar, Hallie doing the same.

"Mag I w..." Jax got cut off.

"Jackson, now I play the game I kick your club the grand a month for protection hell I even gave your cousin a god damn job but I draw the line at you lot waltzing in here pulling my staff out mid shift. I mean you see the place it's packed..."

"What do you mean us lot. Where's Nicole."

"She walked out of here bout an hour ago with two of your lot. She's done here Jax. First the bruises now this...I like her, she's a good girl but she's done here. I didn't sign up for this bullshit. I have a business to run..."

"And so do I." Jax spat through gritted teeth. He'd listened to enough. He was almost beside himself when Mag's had told him that Nicole had walked out of here with two of his brothers- Gogo, Dougie or Frankie probably- then he had to listen to her try and lecture him. She showed no respect and Jax was sick of being used, walked all over. He'd had enough. "Your payment just went up 500." He registered the disbelief on her old but pretty face and turned to leave only to be stopped by a hand on his arm. He looked down at the hand and then at her.

"You can't do that. I don't..." Jax removed her hand, squeezing harder than he probably should have as he pulled her close. He was passed caring.

"Remember who your talking to." Jax whispered threatening. He was glad to see the fear register.

"I'm sorry Jax." He let go of her hand giving her a push.

He thought about delivering another threat but the door swung open and Bobby walked in. Jax could see him looking between the pair. He never said anything though and in Jaxs eyes that was the right move because he was not in the mood.

"Her trucks gone. There's a bike though, looks like Gogo's." Bobby said as the two of them reached their own bikes.

"Mag's said Nic walked out of here with two guy's bout an hour ago. My guess it wasn't willingly. Fuck." Jax ran a hand over his face.

"This is all backing up Unsers theory."

"I know." Bobby shook his head he never thought he'd see the day a brother would betray a brother, let alone bring women into it. Son's did not go after innocents and in this scenario Nicole, Rita they were innocents. And those innocents had a sheriff for a husband and a man who went by the name of Killah as an Old Man. These Nomads sure knew how to pick them.

"We're gonna have to take this the table."

"Yeah." Jax knew that they had no choice but to do that.

"And were gonna have to tell Hap." Jax looked up at Bobby. Fuck. Happy. This mess was about to get a whole lot messier.