Jax called Tara's cell phone three times since he was released. She didn't answer. She was probably still pissed. His mother did a good job of messing things up between them, as usual.
He looked at the sling on his bed. His shoulder still ached but it was better, thanks to Tara.
She saved him that night. And he had yet to return the favor.
His cell phone rang and he reached for it immediately. When he saw who it was disappointment crashed down on him. Opie.
"What's up man?" Jax answered.
"Donna's cooking tonight. The kids want to see their uncle. Come over and eat."
Jax smirked. He could just picture Donna cursing as she cooked and Opie kissing her fore head making her even more mad. She hated to cook. Opie thought she was cute when she got riled up and angry. Well, most of the time anyway.
"I can't. I have to go to the club, straighten some things out. Then I'm gonna head to the hospital."
"Hospital? Is everything alright Jax?"
He heard the concern in his friends voice.
"Yea. Just want to see if Tara is working today. She hasn't answered the phone."
Silence.
"You think she's still in Charming Jax?" Opie knew about Gemma's threat.
"I hope so Ope."
"Jax, come over. Get your mind off of things for a while."
"I've already wasted enough time. I have to find her."
"Then I'm coming with you."
"Donna would flip Ope. Stay home with the kids. She cooked."
"We can eat dinner early. And its not official club business so she won't care."
Jax doubted that.
"C'mon man, it's the least I can do to make up for what happened."
Opie was referring to Jax's shoulder.
Jax sighed.
"Alright. But if she's not at the hospital I might go on a little run."
"Good. We both need it."
Opie hung up. Leaving Jax to wonder just what would he do without him?
Jax stopped by the auto body shop to tell Clay he might need a few days to himself. Clay hesitated but agreed. Juan Guiterrez, the Mayan that threatened Jax with jail time, needed to be taken care of but that could wait.
He still hadn't talked to his mother. He didn't want to .
He stopped by the house for a few things. Typical items of clothing and a pack of cigarettes. Jax winced as he slipped his arm through his balck leather vest. The white t-shirt he had on underneath gave him the biker look he was going for. This might not be official SAMCRO business but it was still a job. After he searched for Tara, he would find Kohn, and kill him.
He slipped into his sleeping infant son's room.
Jax reached into the crib and Abel wrapped his whole hand around his one finger.
Jax smiled. And then frowned once he saw who was standing in the hall way.
"Going somewhere?" Wendy played innocent. She knew.
"Yea."
He walked past her and to the front door.
"Watch the kid, will ya." Normally he'd ask his mother….
"Of coarse Jax. You don't have to ask. He's our son."
Jax pitied her for a moment. She looked so lonely.
"Maybe, when I get back, we can talk. Find a more suitable living arrangement. Make things right."
"But, I like living here…" She had tears in her eyes.
He couldn't deal with this right now.
"Later Wendy. We'll talk later."
He got on his bike and headed for Opie's.
The pediatric floor was empty. Jax walked up to the front desk. The woman had recognized him for the last time he came in here, slamming the doors, in search for Tara.
"She's not here."
Jax felt his stomach drop. He was too late.
"When was the last time you saw her?"
"A few days ago. She left in a gown." The scrub nurse rolled her eyes.
"What?"
"Oh, you didn't know? She had been sleeping in a spare break room for weeks."
Jax's jaw tightened. There was more happening then he knew. His gut told him something was off. Opie waited silently behind him.
"Thank you." He managed a smile and the nurse smiled back immediately.
He headed to Tara's house. Maybe there he would find her. Hopefully.
Her house looked empty from the outside. But her car was still in the driveway.
He lifted the mat at the doorway and found her spare key. Letting himself in, he found her lamp smashed to pieces. The couch was moved and the back of the door knob was greased with something.
"Tara?" He said, even though instinct told him she wasn't here.
He made his way to the kitchen and found flowers in the garbage. Attached were two balloons. "I love you." and "Thinking of you."
"Son of a-" Jax picked up the vase and smashed it into the kitchen wall. Millions of pieces flew all over the room. In the sunlight, it glittered beautifully, which failed in comparison to the evil that had sent it.
"Jax…" Opie walked in to find Jax steadying himself on the kitchen counter.
"He took her." Jax fought the urge to scream.
"Who took Tara?"
"Kohn. That bastard. While I was sitting in a jail cell, he came here and took her."
Opie's face went white.
"Ope, I'm going to find her and when I do he will be there. Which means this is going to get ugly. I don't want to put you in that type of situation. I'm just being honest man."
"She's my friend too Jax. I know she's important to you, but you have to go into this with a clear head. We'll find her. Together."
"Opie.."
"Jax, let me do this ok? Should we call Uncer?"
"No. The less he knows, the better."
They made their way outside. Jax was straddling his bike and putting on his helmet when an old lady, one of Tara's neighbor's came outside. She held a cat in her arms.
"Excuse me young man." Jax looked at her and waited silently.
"Are you a friend of that young lady's? Because the man that she was with the other night… well, I don't care for the likes of him."
So, it was confirmed. Pure adrenaline made his hands shake. Hands that he would use to close around Kohn's throat and cut off his air supply. He was going to cause some damage and he needed to do it soon before he went crazy. If he hurt Tara in any way….
"Son, that man had such a foul mouth. He called her all sorts of names. It was terrible. And I'm not sure what's in Lodi but he kept saying they were going to stop there first before they went back home to Chicago."
Jax thanked the sweet old lady and gave one look to Opie. He shook his head in agreement. Guns were in Lodi. SOA charters were in Lodi. Crooked cops were in Lodi. In esscence, no one went to Lodi that wasn't looking for trouble. That pleased Jax. Because that's exactly what he was looking for.
They rode off as the sun set. Jax took in the beauty of the sight before him. It was nothing compared to when Tara smiled. He couldn't even think about her hurt, or worse.
Like he told her twenty years ago, he could not picture his life without her. And he would make sure that he kept his word. Even if it killed him.
Kinda lengthy… But I hope it was worth your time. Jax will find Kohn soon…And trust me, its something you don't want to miss!