Chapter 21

"Hey asshole, where have you been?" Gemma asked Tig outside of Chibs' room.

"I had to take a leak."

"Where's Ellie?"

"Went out to have a smoke. She's fine Gem."

Gemma's jaw jutted out and she tilted her head slightly. "I just saw Fiona in Chibs' room so she might not be fine." She jabbed a finger in Tig's chest. "You were supposed to keep an eye on him and her."

"Shit Gem, I didn't fucking think about his ex-showing up here. Why the fuck would she be here?"

Ellie turned her head to look up at the tall woman with olive skin, harsh features and frizzy black hair. Before the woman could introduce herself, Ellie did it for her. "Fiona Larkin."

"And I figure you're the girl that Fillip's been sweet on lately. I saw ya come out of his room." Everything about Fiona was cold and appraising which was magnified by her condescending tone.

"Elizabeth Morgan." Ellie returned to her cigarettes and lit another one.

"I already know your name. Got eyes in Charming."

"Good for you" Ellie said dismissively, taking a drag as Fiona took a seat next to her. "Why're you here?"

"To check in on my dear sweet Fillip, just came from his room. Ya left too soon, he woke up when he heard my voice."

She knew this woman was playing games with her. She had read a lot on Fiona Larkin and now having met her, Ellie definitely considered her a worthy opponent. This woman had caused blood to be shed and helped O'Phelan run the gun trade for the IRA. She clearly didn't love Telford but she still held him to her by the bonds of marriage, all the while keeping his daughter away from him.

"From what I can see he's no longer your Fillip, he's my dear sweet Chibs. A lot of years have passed since he was your Fillip, and I believe you now have a Jimmy." Ellie's tone remained calm but there was a steeliness to her voice.

"Ya silly little girl!" Fiona said scornfully. "Ya think just because he calls ya his old lady, maybe gave ya his ink that ya have any claim on him? I still hold his heart and his ring finger."

"And I hold his dick which means a lot more to most men than a silly little wedding band and a piece of paper." Ellie made a face of mock confusion. "I thought it was my name he's been screaming out in bed but maybe it was Fiona. I must have been mistaken."

"Daft woman, pussy doesn't mean shit - that comes and goes. The heart stays put."

"That may have worked when you had him when you were young and your pussy wasn't all dried up. With pussy comes the heart and I have both. You may think you have it, but all you have is his memories, faint and distant memories."

"We'll see lovely" Fiona said smugly. "Ya have yourself a nice day."

"Fucking bitch" Ellie mumbled to herself as the woman walked away.

It wasn't long before she heard the footsteps of Gemma behind her, her boots clicking on the concrete. She took the seat that had just been vacated by Fiona. "Hey baby, you doing alright?"

"Met Fiona" Ellie sighed, taking another drag of her cigarette.

Gemma pursed her lips. "How'd that go?"

"Told me he still belonged to her. You think that's true?"

"Fuck no baby, he loves you."

"Yeah now, but that first love is the one that holds on. She's his wife, and what am I? Nothing but a whore on the side."

"Don't let her get to you. You're not just some whore to him."

"I may not be but what if she comes back? You think he's going to give up the chance to be a father again and have his family back for me?"

"It's not going to come down to that, and if it did, I think he'd choose you."

"She said he was awake, that he'd woken up when he heard her voice. He wakes up and I'm not there but she is? He probably doesn't even remember seeing me last night. What am I supposed to do Gem?"

"You go back upstairs and you be his old lady."

"I'm not though."

"Sweetheart, the actual ink don't mean shit. It's how they feel about you. The ink is just for show."

Ellie sighed. "So what would an old lady do?"

"You keep your shit together. You be there for him, be strong for him." Gemma stood up. "But don't let him know that your jealous bone is itching because that Irish cunt stepped foot in this town."

She followed Gemma back upstairs to Chibs' room. Taking a deep breath, she went in expecting him to be asleep, but he turned his head when she came in, a slight smile crossing his lips. "Ellie?"

"You're awake." Ellie said, smiling through the tears that were threatening to fall. "Do you need anything? Water? Should I get the doctor?" she asked as she fluttered around his room. "Are you hot or do you need another blanket?"

"Hey, love, slow down."

"I'm sorry, I just didn't expect you to wake up." Her hand went to her mouth trying to catch the sob that was about to come out.

"Lass, what is it? What's happened? Are ya okay love?"

"Jesus Chibs, you're lying in a hospital bed, and you're worried about me." The tears started to pour down her face. "I'm horrible at this."

"At what?"

"Being an old lady, Gemma said to hold my shit together but I can't." Ellie was now crying openly.

"Come here love." Chibs reached out his hand, pulling her close once she placed her small hand in his. "Come here and tell me all about it."

She pulled slightly away although she desperately wanted to feel his arms around her. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Ya won't hurt me love, hard head remember." She gently climbed in the bed, straddling his legs and laying her upper body on top of him. As soon as his soothing arms wrapped around her, she let out the stream of tears she had been holding back and nuzzled her face into his neck. "Now what's this shite about Gemma and being a good old lady?"

"Gemma said I should keep my shit together and be strong for you."

"That's just shite love, I don't want ya to be anyone else. What else is troubling ya?"

"Everything! You getting hurt, shit going on with the club, Jax and Clay are fighting, and I met fucking Fiona" she sobbed.

"I'm fine love, gonna be just fine. The club shite is not your concern, ya don't have ta worry yourself about that. I'm sorry about Fi, I didn't know she was here until I saw her in my room. I would have warned ya." He ran his hands up and down her back. "She can be a nasty bitch, what she say ta ya?"

Ellie hiccuped slightly. "That you're hers, and I'm just a piece of ass."

"None of that's true, ya hear me Ellie? I love ya lass. What was between me and Fiona is long since dead. You're not just a piece of ass for me, ya know that." She continued to cry as he held her tight. "When was the last time ya got any sleep?"

"Last night, Tig made me leave. I didn't want to, I wanted to be here when you woke up. But I missed it and that bitch was here instead. I'm sorry."

"Shh, it's alright love I'm right here with ya. Just close your sweet beautiful eyes." His hands and his soothing words had her drifting off. However before she could drift all the way off, the door to his room opened and she heard Jax's voice then Chibs respond: "What the hell is going on Jackie boy? My girl's a mess!"

"Things are just a little crazy right now" Jax responded.

"Aye, I understand but Ellie shouldn't be worrying about the shite between you and Clay. Plus, Fiona was here, said some shite to her too." Chibs narrowed his eyes. "Her being here means that bastard O'Phelan isn't too far off. Was it Irish who hit us?"

"No, I talked to Edmond. It wasn't them, it was Zobelle. But since there's heat on us, Edmond won't sell to us - said it's Cameron who made the decision. They're selling to someone though, no way they'd let the product sit around. Clay is pushing for retaliation for you and Otto but I'm still pushing for us to wait. We don't know anything about Zobelle and if we hit him now, it could be a bad move. I came here to get your proxy."

"I want the bastards that did this. I don't want ta go against Clay but I think you're right, we hit them now and it could put us out worse. These shites are smart. I want a someone watching Ellie at all times, she's not be alone yeah?

"Absolutely brother, we won't let anything happen to her."

Ellie remained quiet, slowing her breathing down as she listened to the men's conversation. She waited until Jax had left with Chibs' nay vote for retaliation before she finally let herself drift off in Chibs' embrace. They had both fallen asleep by the time Tara came in to check on Chibs. When she saw the couple sleeping, she smiled to herself. She'd always liked the Scottish man. She remembered when Chibs had arrived and remembered the lonely expression on his face after putting one too many back. Tara was glad he'd found someone to take that away. She hoped Ellie had the staying power now that shit was really hitting the fan with the club, but from the looks of it she was comfortable right where she was.

Chibs stirred first, looking at Tara. "Hello doc."

"Hi, sorry I didn't mean to disturb you guys" she said in a whisper although Ellie was already opening her eyes and stretching.

Chibs nudged her head up with his shoulder. "Ellie love, why don't ya go downstairs and get yourself something to eat yeah?"

"Okay" she said, getting up with a yawn. "But I'm coming right back."

"Didn't think that ya wouldn't love. If ya find me a good glass of whiskey, bring it back with ya? Wouldn't mind a smoke either." He winked at her and waited until she was out the door to struggle to sit up, wincing at the headache it created. He hadn't wanted her to see him in pain or let her hear the information Tara held in her hands if it was bad.

When she left his room, Tig stood up from his sentry position at the door, motioning to the prospect to stay while he followed her down the hall. They ran into Jax on the way to the elevator. "Prospect's outside while Tara's in talking to him" he said before Jax could ask.

"You doing alright now darlin?" Jax asked with genuine concern.

"Yeah, he sent me out to get some food."

"Tig'll go with you. You stay near him or someone with a patch."

"Jax, I'm sorry I lost it earlier. I'm just lost here."

"I know, I'm sorry about all the shit too. We should have been taking better care of you. You shouldn't have had to see Fiona and it won't happen again."

At the mention of that vile woman's name, the tears that had stopped, started again. "I'm sorry, I'm just a mess" she apologized wiping the tears away.

"It's okay doll face we got you" Tig said putting his arm around her shoulder as the three of them waited for the elevator. Suddenly they heard the sound of a familiar woman's voice.

"Mr. Teller, Mr. Trager, and Miss Morgan" Agent Stahl said, approaching them. "I was just on my way to see our patient, but was looking for you as well."

"What do you want? We already gave our statements."

"Not Miss Morgan. I'll need hers as well, she's listed as a witness."

"Not now" Tig responded.

"Well it can be here or we can go to the station. It's pretty backed up right now, I wouldn't be able to guarantee that we'd have her out of there in a timely manner."

"You fucking..." Tig stepping forward but Ellie put her hand on him.

"It's okay Tig. I'm fine and it's better to just get this over with."

"Right this way Miss Morgan, got an office already set up." Stahl smiled at the group as Ellie broke off and followed her to an empty admin office. Taking a seat at the desk, Stahl closed the door and sat across from her. "Look at you, playing the grieving old lady" Stahl sniped.

"Yeah I should have been an actress, probably a lot less stress." Ellie looked pointedly at Stahl. "Plus, the costars read from a script, none of this improv bullshit."

Clearly Stahl had had enough of this witty repartee and was ready to get down to business. "Out with it, who blew up the Scott? Did things go south with the Irish? They love a good car bomb."

Ellie shook her head. "Wasn't the Irish, ever heard of Ethan Zobelle?"

"Doesn't sound familiar, not on the ATF's radar."

"He heads the League of American Nationalists."

"The white hate group?"

"Yeah, they're currently taking up residence in Charming. They want the Sons to stop the gun trade with the blacks and Mexicans. That's who set the bomb, also had Gemma Teller-Morrow gang-raped to get at the club."

"I didn't see a report on that."

"She didn't report it. She's smart, knew that the Sons would want revenge for it and knew that was a bad decision. She didn't say anything so they had Delaney attacked in prison and planted the bomb."

Stahl looked genuinely taken aback. "Fuck, what else?"

"Edmond Hayes is in town with his dad but he's refusing to sell to the Sons, owing it to the heat the return of the ATF is bringing. The Sons think they're selling to someone though. Also bad blood is starting to flow between Morrow and Teller. It's causing stress between the rest of the guys - could be creating a weak link."

"Well aren't you the little information getter?" The snideness in Stahl's voice made Ellie want to reach out and choke her.

Ellie shrugged. "I've been confined to the hospital and the clubhouse. That's not all, ran into Fiona Larkin this morning. There's no way O'Phelan would let her travel stateside alone so he's somewhere in town. Don't know for sure but Clay might have called him on the Hayes situation because I doubt he came here to make sure Telford was okay."

"Jesus Christ, did you get any idea on who Hayes is selling to?"

"No that wasn't discussed, but I don't think they'd go to the Mayans or Niners themselves. The IRA only deals with white, they don't care whose hands their guns end up with but they care who they do business with. The Irish Kings go way back with Teller and Morrow so they might have sent O'Phelan to clear things up."

"Okay, work on getting Hayes' location - the father or the son. When's Telford out of here?"

"Don't know yet, he's meeting with Dr. Knowles right now."

"Keep an eye on him. I doubt that O'Phelan would go without saying hello to Telford."

She followed Stahl out of the office, watching her wave to both Tig and Jax as they passed her on their way to stand by Ellie's side. "What'd she want?"

"Just to get my side of things. I didn't tell her anything Jax, just my back was turned, that I don't know what happened or who caused it."

"Good Ellie, just stay away from her. She doesn't need to talk to you again."

"I plan on staying right here with Chibs."

Jax stayed on the floor waiting for Tara as Tig took Ellie down to the cafeteria. Once seated with a plate in front of her, she suddenly wasn't hungry but forced the food down her throat as Tig watched her eat. When she stood up to throw her plate away, her stomach lurched and she was suddenly sprinting to the nearest bathroom. Pushing the first stall door open, she emptied her entire lunch out before she could even get the stall door closed. After she was sure she was done, she slumped down on the tile floor, taking deep breaths as the sweat poured off her face. She wasn't sure how long she sat there before Tig knocked on the door, peeking his head in. "Doll face you alright?"

"Yeah" she said weakly as her stomach gave it one more go. By the time she was done retching, Tig was beside her with a wet paper towel, wiping her face.

"You don't look so good. Maybe we should have Tara take a look at you."

"No, I'm fine. It's just the stress of today, well the last few days, catching up with me."

"You think you're done?"

"I think so but I just want to sit a minute."

"Sure" he said as he came into the stall with her. He sat across from her with his knees pulled up and his booted feet next to her sandals.

"Thanks Tig."

"Not the first time I cleaned up vomit off a girl" he laughed, lighting a smoke and passing it to her.

"I don't think you're supposed to smoke in here" she said, taking the cigarette anyway.

"There's a lot of stuff you're not supposed to do in a bathroom and smoking is the farthest on my list."

"Tig, what the hell is going on?"

"A lot, what specific thing are you asking about?"

"Jax and Clay, why are they fighting?"

"Father and son shit."

"Is it about whatever you two were fighting about?"

"Me and Jax?" he asked, continuing when she nodded. "Kinda, Jax doesn't like how Clay's running things. Jax is a thinker, doesn't want to do rash things but Clay's the opposite. He goes in head first without thinking."

"And you?"

"I back my Prez, always have. That's the SAA's job, protect and follow."

"So even if you don't agree with him?"

"I don't think too much about his decisions, that's what the VP is for."

"So even if he makes a call you know is wrong, you won't say anything?"

"I will but on a friend basis. We go way back and sometimes he makes shit calls and we all pay the price, but you can't have a divided club. You gonna puke again?"

"No I think I'm good, but now I'm starving."

"Well let's get you something to eat again and then take you back up to Chibs. You'll have a prospect on you tonight, the club's got business."

She spent the rest of the night sitting mostly by Chibs' bedside although she dozed off for a couple of hours. Kip following her whenever she went for a smoke and to get some food.

I hope Ellie is redeeming herself somewhat as her walls start to crack. Thank you all for the reviews and follows it keeps me going and I enjoy reading your thoughts as well.