Disclaimer- I don't own these Character's they belong to Kurt Sutter

A special thank you to NORTHWOMAN who is my extra set of eyes and a great Beta!

Authors note- Sorry it has taken so long to update I have been super busy and couldn't write. I will try to get this updated again soon. Thanks for the reviews and for sticking with me.

CHAPTER 21

Tara heard her name being called but couldn't answer; she was too scared.

"Tara, where are you, baby?"

"Jax, I'm in the kitchen."

Jax began making his way to the kitchen; he knew he had to see Tara with his own eyes. When he heard the shots being fired; his first thoughts were to check on Tara. When she wasn't in the bed, he started to panic and scream for her. The relief he felt when he heard her voice rivaled his relief when he got released from prison.

Tara knew Jax would be coming for her, and when she saw him come through the kitchen from the living room, she crawled over to him and got into his arms. There was a break in the gun fire and Jax started to go to the window to check if they were gone when more shots began firing. Jax jumped on Tara pushing her down and used his body to shield hers. It made Tara think about Half-Sack's wake and all she kept thinking about was her hope that no one else got hurt this time.

After about five minutes of silence, they both slowly got up and checked for the shooters, but no one was outside. Jax grabbed Tara and pulled her into a hug. He just had to hold her for a few minutes to get his emotions under control. He couldn't believe someone had just shot up his house.

"Jax, what is going on? I thought you guys had made peace with everyone."

"I don't know what's going on." He stopped to think "Fuck, we never made sure the Russians were dealt with."

"Jax, I want to go check on the boys." As she spoke, Jax's face paled. "Jax, what is the matter?"

"Go get dressed; we are going to Clay and Gemma's." He was on the phone as Tara threw on some clothes.

"Clay, someone just shot up my house." Tara heard a pause "No, we are on our way to your place, just please have mom get the boys somewhere safe, in case I'm not the only one they are going to visit."

Tara met him by the door with his clothes and cut. "Jax, do you really think the boys are in danger?"

"No, even if they go there, I have warned them. They will make sure they are somewhere safe." He hugged her "Let's go see them for ourselves."

They were silent on the ride there but as soon as they got close to the house they saw the holes in it. Jax and Tara both jumped off the bike and ran to the house. Jax ran in first, pulling Tara behind him.

"Mom, Clay…Where are you guys?"

"We are in the basement." They heard Gemma call out.

They ran down the stairs and saw Gemma and Clay holding Ryan and Abel. Tara stopped to release the breath, she hadn't even realized she was holding, before running over to grab her sons. She hugged them both before looking them over for injuries. Jax knelt down and hugged his family; when he had calmed down, he let them go.

"Mom, Clay…you both alright?"

"Yeah Hun, thanks to your call, we were all in the basement when they started shooting."

"Good. Clay, we better start calling everyone and I think we should get everyone to the clubhouse and lock it down."

"Yeah, I think you are right, son."

"Jax, Opie was trashed what if…" Tara stopped and began pulling out her phone as Jax did the same.

"Lyla, it's Tara. I need you to listen you need to get the kids somewhere safe. Both our's and Gemma and Clay's, houses have been shot up tonight. Get somewhere safe and then we will come get you."

"Jax, Lyla said Opie is passed out in the front room and she won't be able to move him."

"Shit! Tell her to get the kids and herself to safety. I am on my way."

As Tara relayed the message, she started to get worried about all of her family.

"Jax, why don't you and Clay take off and Gemma and I will start calling the guys to warn them. Be careful please!"

"We will, baby. I love you and thanks for the help. Get to the clubhouse ASAP, got me?"

She just nodded and gave him a kiss as he ran up the stairs. Tara couldn't help but feel like she had just watched Jax run off for the last time. She took a breath and turned to Gemma.

"Ok, I am going to run upstairs and get the boy's stuff together. You stay here with them and then we will trade off and you can pack a bag. Start calling the guys and I will be right back."

Tara had to pick her way through the house, Gemma was going to have a hell of a time cleaning up, finally getting the boy's overnight bags. As she made her back down the stairs, she called Juice and let him know about the shootings and plans. Gemma disappeared as soon as Tara had gotten back down to the boys. Once she made it back, they headed for Gemma's SUV but realized that it had taken a couple bullets to the tires and it wouldn't be taking them anywhere. They went back to the basement to wait until they could get a ride.

Jax and Clay got to Opie's and found it shot up, too. Lyla and the kids were fine but Opie had gotten hit on the couch. It was only a shoulder wound but Jax knew Tara would have to fix him up. They got everyone loaded up and headed for the clubhouse. As soon as they pulled in they knew Gemma and Tara had reached of all the guys.

"Anyone hurt?" Clay asked, looking around

Everyone seemed whole, but a little shaken. Jax couldn't see Tara or his mom so he stopped Juice.

"Where's Tara?"

"I don't know she called and said they were about to leave, but I haven't seen them."

Jax ran to his bike, followed by Juice.

"Jax, what's going on?" Clay called as Jax ran past him.

"Tara, the boys and Mom never made it here. Stay here and Juice and I will go."

"I'm coming too, Jackie boy." Chibbs called out.

The three took off; once again Jax felt like his whole life depended on what he found at his mom's house. They got there and Jax ran inside.

"Tara, where are you?"

"We are in the basement, Jax."

Once he made it down the stairs, he relaxed.

"Tara, what are you still doing here? You were supposed to get to the clubhouse where it is safe."

"Well, you brought me on the bike and your mom's SUV took some bullets and can't drive now."

"Juice, call Piney and send someone to get Mom and the boys. Tara, you need to come with me now; medical emergency."

"I don't want the boys left alone, Jax."

"Chibbs, Juice, you stay with Mom and the boys."

Tara and Jax went back to the clubhouse and Tara started patching people up. She started with Opie, who wouldn't even look at her.

"Ok, you're all set, Opie. Get with me in a week so I can remove these stitches."

"Thank you Tara. Um…I wanted to apologize for earlier tonight; the things I said were uncalled for."

"Opie, don't worry about it. I already forgot about it; I mean we have plenty more to worry about tonight, don't we?"

Tara went on to check on a few other people and by then the boys were there, so Tara went to check on them. She was feeding Ryan when Jax came over to her.

"Hey baby, how are you holding up?"

"We are fine, Jax. Was this the Russians like you thought?"

"We don't know. We are contacting the IRA and we are going to try and figure out what to do." He turned to look her in the eye "I will keep you and the boy's safe, no matter what I have to do."

Authors note- Sorry this is a short one. I had written this last night and planned on adding to it but I had a dog pass away this morning so I didn't feel like writing (but I did want to let you relax that I didn't hurt Tara again). If you read any of my other stories please know that this applies to all my stories; I will try to write again soon but right now I am sad and I don't have any desire to. Please stick with me, thanks and sorry for another delay everyone.