Wow I'm soooo sorry this took so long for me to do! I've been sick, then busy, then things just got in the way. I've also been working on some new things! Those'll come soon, and, don't worry, it won't take my focus away from this story! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything SOA related.

Chapter 26

Simple Troubles

Juice POV

I was in a cold, dark, empty building. There was nobody else around. I felt the need to walk down the long hallway, even though I had no idea where it led. The more I walked, the more scared I began to feel. There was a constant chill on my neck. My hands were shaking. My feet kept walking even if I wanted them to stop. Something was going on.

My body came to a halt when I heard a light cough from a few feet in front of me. I slowly went towards the source of the sound. The closer I got the clearer it was that the origin of the cough was a woman with her back facing me. She was sitting on the ground, hunched over like she was hiding from something. Cautiously, I placed my hand on the woman's shoulder.

I stepped back when I saw who's head had turned to look me in the eye. Adalyn. Blood was coming out of her mouth, and it was covering her hands that were pressed against her stomach. "Ada?! Baby?! What's going on?!" I yelled as I fell to the floor to try to help her. I lightly lifted her hands up to see she'd been shot in the abdomen, and she was losing a lot of blood. "Oh, no. No, no, no. You can't do this to me, Adalyn! You can't leave me. Stay with me, baby. C'mon. Keep your eyes open!" I pressed one hand on her wound and let the other stay on her face in an attempt to keep her awake. Her eyes kept fluttering, and it was scaring the shit out of me.

Adalyn looked up at me and smiled faintly. She put one of her hands on top of mine on her cheek and whispered, "It's gonna be okay. You can do this without me. I love you." A tear fell out of her eye, and that's when I broke. The sobs came out of me like crazy as I pushed hair out of her eyes.

I shifted my body to prop Adalyn up against me. "I can't do anything without you," I admitted quietly, still trying my best to save her. I sniffled and wiped my nose on my shoulder. "I'm sorry. This is happening because of me. Don't leave me. Please.. I can't live without you. I'm so sorry, baby." I held her close to me and squeezed tight. She couldn't die. I'd be a wreck without her. She was everything to me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I let myself look back down at the heartbreaking sight that was in my lap. I'd never seen Adalyn look so pale or weak. She was always full of so much life and happiness. I pulled her closer to me once more when she tried to speak. "Strong. Be... Strong," she mumbled softly. I shook my head at her as the tears kept coming out of my eyes. She nodded back, but the small smile she had was gone. Her face seemed angry now. "Your fault. It's okay, but your fault, yes. You did this." Ada's eyes flashed to something on the ground next to me. I'd never seen those big, bright, green orbs look so pissed off and hurt at the same time.

Slowly, I looked next to me to see what she glanced at. My stomach flipped. It was my gun. "What... I didn't... No." I shook my head fast and hard. I didn't shoot Ada. I couldn't have. I didn't... Or did I? All of a sudden, memories flooded back to me of me pointing my gun and shooting at the love of my life. I let my wide eyes fall back on Ada as she nodded, confirming my worst fear. "Baby, no! I'm sorry! I don't... How? No, oh my God. I... I love you, so much, I wouldn't..." I stopped myself when Adalyn's smile came back on her face. She turned her head slightly to kiss my hand before she faded out of consciousness. I shook her as hard as I could to try to wake her back up, but nothing was working. I screamed through my crying. "Adalyn, wake up. Don't do this to me, baby girl. I'm so sorry! You can't leave me. I love you. Adalyn! Please! Wake up!"

I jolted in my hospital bed and looked all around. Adalyn was right next to me, holding my hand as she stared at me in concern. My eyes inspected every aspect of the room to make sure I was where I was supposed to be this time. I sighed when I realized it was all a dream. Some sick twisted dream.

"You okay?" Adalyn asked with slight amusement in her voice. I stared into those emerald eyes of hers and felt the greatest joy that they still seemed so happy. Nodding, I cupped a hand behind Ada's neck and pulled her in close for a passionate kiss. She giggled and kept her eyes closed for a minute when we broke apart. "What was that for?" Her thumb rubbed on my knuckles like it always did.

I grinned and kissed her forehead. "Just glad I have you," I told her happily. I'd had my fair share of nightmares, but nothing like the terror that was watching Ada die like that. "I think today's the day they're gonna put me on my back. You know what that means, right?" I smirked and raised an eyebrow at her.

She tapped her finger on her jaw as she pretended to think. She shrugged, and responded, "Nope, I give up. Whatever could it mean?!" Adalyn pulled my hand up to her mouth and kissed each one of my knuckles.

I placed the tip of my thumb on her bottom lip and smiled. "It means we're that much closer to me gettin' you on your back again," I whispered and winked, laughing when Adalyn blushed slightly.

She chuckled and bit my thumb gently. "Mm, can't wait," she beamed. "I've been having to turn down a few offers to take care of my sexual needs from Tig, and, let me tell ya, he was getting hard to resist!" Her grin broke out when I shook my head in disgust. Joke or not, that shit was weird.

Adalyn screamed and jumped out of her chair when I reached out and tickled her sides. "That's what you get for joking like that!" I scolded her teasingly. She was still dying of laughter when she sat back down. I grabbed her hand and smiled. "I love you, you pain in the ass."

Her smiled reached her eyes, and I never thought I'd see anything as beautiful as her in that moment. "Well, I love you, too, ya big idiot." She leaned in slowly and kissed me. I felt all the fireworks that I felt the first night we were together. I never thought I'd be in love like this, but, now that I was, I knew I never wanted to lose it.

Adalyn POV

I was nervous as hell to start my first day at Doc's. There was this fear of fucking up deep inside me, and I couldn't shake it. I couldn't stop thinking of all the different ways something could go wrong. My head was going haywire.

Taking a deep breath, I walked in and smiled at a few workers my boss had introduced me to. Everyone seemed fairly nice, and I was happy for that. Granted I'd probably never see them outside of work, it'd be nice to have a couple people to talk to while I was here.

I saw Rick, my boss, and went to say hello. He offered a huge smile, which I returned. "Hey, Addy!" He greeted cheerfully. "You look nice. Excited for your first day?!" His smile suddenly turned into a creepy grin as his eyes invaded my body, which was dress in the required 'uniform' for the bar: a black v-neck and dark jeans. Sure, my cleavage was showing, and my pants were a bit form-fitting, but, shit, this was nothing to look at like that.

Rick looked back up at my face when I didn't respond right away. After swallowing nervously, I replied, "Oh, yeah. I'm super excited to finally be making my own money again!" I let out an obviously fake laugh. An idea came in my mind that I was sure would stop the weird gawking. "Hopefully my Old Man won't have to be paying for all my shit anymore."

His grin faltered slightly, but it was still plastered on his face. "Old Man? Your boyfriend, you mean?" Rick's eyebrows were raised so high they almost hit his hairline. I nodded in response as I scratched my crow, making sure his gaze fell to it. I swore I saw him laugh a little to himself, but I couldn't be sure. "He from in town? I might know him." The grin turned back into the professional smile and I immediately felt comfortable again.

Sighing, I shook my head. "Charming, actually. He does come over this way every now and then, though, for... Business." I laughed awkwardly. I would never hide the fact that I was the Old Lady of a SAMCRO patch, but I could only hope it wouldn't affect my job. That was something I had to worry about now, and it was giving me a scary feeling in my stomach.

Rick smiled, and said, "Look, Adalyn, I don't mind you're with a member of the Sons." He nodded, and I let out a huge breath. I was more than relieved. "However, I don't want any trouble around here. This is a decent place. I don't need the problems those guys can bring 'round here. Got me?" His face finally got serious as he raised an eyebrow at me and watched me closely.

The scary feeling was back. I swallowed hard and nodded back at my boss. "Y-yes, sir," I muttered back frantically. Rick stared at me some more, until his creepy grin returned. My hands were slightly beginning to shake when I shot him a wary smile and scurried off to start getting ready to get things done.

My head was scattering again. I had no idea if Rick meant the boys could never come see me at work, or that if they happened to, they needed to be on their best, non-outlaw behavior. I knew one thing, though. If they did decide they wanted to come see me in action, I'd need to give them a long talk about the dos and don'ts when it came to helping me keep my job.

The first day of work went without a hitch. I felt silly for worrying so much beforehand. I honestly thought the job might be one of the few things that'd go good in my life from the start. I'd have Juice, my sister, and my job.

I couldn't shake the feeling that someone had been watching me, though. All night, I felt eyes on me. There was a table of two men in a dark corner, and I swore they kept whispering to each other as they stared at me. It was much too dark for me to make any faces. I was glad I had my gun with me, though, and I'd never go anywhere alone without it.

I was driving home when Juice called. Grinning, I answered, "Hey, you." He knew exactly what time I got off, and him calling me right then made me fall even more in love.

"Hey, Ada!" I could hear his big goofy smile already. I still couldn't believe how happy we made each other. "How was your first day?" I heard him groan and I grimaced. He was in pain again.

I sighed as I shook my head to myself. "It was good, baby, real good," I replied hastily. "You feel alright? You don't sound too good."

Juice chuckled at my motherly, caring tone, like he always did. "I'm fine. I promise," he assured while he continued to laugh. There was a long pause, until he was the one sighing. "I'm in a bit of pain, Ada. I can deal with it, as long as it means gettin' outta here and seeing you soon." His tone got lighter, making me smile. He was feeling better, I could tell. It was only a matter of time before he could come home to me.

"I gotta go," I told him sadly. It sucked not being able to talk and see each other as much. "I'll see you in the morning. I love you."

He yawned in response, and I had to giggle. Even over the phone he was adorable. "Me too, Ada," Juice replied quietly. "Goodnight." The line went dead and I felt that pang of sadness I always got whenever we got off of the phone. I missed being able to be close to him at night. I missed how warm he was.

The only thing getting me through the separation from Juice was the idea that we'd be in each other's beds again soon, and, God, I couldn't wait for that to happen.

I was about to leave for the hospital the next day when I got a call from Tara telling me to meet her at TM. From the sound of her voice, it was urgent, so I rushed and got there as fast as I could.

I smiled to the guys in the garage as I entered the office to find Gemma pacing and Tara looking more than a little nervous. "What's going on?" I wondered as I slid my sunglasses up my forehead and into my hair. Both women stared at me.

Gem strutted towards me fiercely. Her eyes were filled with fire when she asked, "You know anything about this?! What your little best friend is up to?!" The glare she was giving me gave me chills. The feeling I got brought me back to when I'd get in trouble with her as a kid.

My eyes flickered between Tara and Gemma. "Tara? What'd she do now?" I questioned with a hint of sarcasm. I thought Gemma was only overreacting, like she often did. Something Tara did couldn't be as bad as the reaction I was getting from Gemma.

The older of the two rolled her eyes and shook her head as her hands fell on her hips. "No, not little miss perfect," she assured me, her tone returning to normal. I knew she was glad she knew about whatever was going on before I did. "Her Old Man. He's up to some stupid shit, Addy. Sayin' he's going Nomad." Gemma sighed and walked back to the window.

I stood there in disbelief. "Nomad?!" I repeated incredulously. There was no way. "He wouldn't... He can't, Gem! The baby... Is he trying to get himself killed?!" My eyes were the ones filled with fire this time around when I stared Tara down.

She swallowed hard before she allowed her eyes to lock with mine. "He thinks it's what's best. Everything with Clay... He says it'll be good for him." She tried to explain his side to me, but all I could think about him going out there and getting killed. Whether it's the road that'd do it, or an enemy charter, I wasn't gonna have that shit happen. I saw what growing up without a dad around did to Jax. Hell, even me a little bit. I couldn't let Abel go through it, too.

After laughing to myself, I shook my head and stood up straight. "I'll be in the clubhouse," I announced through gritted teeth. "Tell him he better get his ass in there as soon as he gets back from where ever the fuck he is." A hand grabbed my arm when I went for the door, and I spun around with more anger than needed.

Tara stepped back after seeing the look on my face. "Just... Take it easy on him, okay? Maybe this is the-"

I immediately cut her off, saying, "Don't you dare tell me this is the right decision for him. You wanna think that, go ahead. I'll tell you that shit is far from the truth, though." I shook my head once more before exiting the room. I caught Gemma smirking from the corner of my eye. She'd always be proud when her little prodigy did something she would do.

After bursting into the clubhouse, I sat down at the bar and got myself a beer. I ran my hand through my hair. I was still in disbelief that the Nomad shit was happening. Jax and Clay couldn't have gotten that bad. Or could they? I realized then I hadn't been around that much with Jax. I was all about Juice in the hospital. Maybe he needed me more than I thought.

Tig sat down next to me with a sigh. "What's troubling that pretty little Old Lady head of yours?" He raised his eyebrow at me and stared. I looked down to my beer. He was the last person I wanted to talk to. "Oh, c'mon, doll. You used to be able to talk to me about shit all the time." He shifted so his whole upper body was facing me.

I turned to him, as well. I put a bitchy smile on my face. "Exactly," I whispered coldly. "Used to." I turned back around and set my gaze straight ahead.

He groaned this time and put a hand on top of mine. I pulled away like I'd touched a hot pan. "Adalyn, look, I'm sorry, alright? You know I never meant that shit to happen," Tig pleaded with me and I realized I had to quit being so mean to him over this. It wasn't his fault, not really. I knew I was over it, too, but I just couldn't admit that to myself.

Sighing, I nodded. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch," I laughed. "Shit just has my mind all scrambled lately. Juice in the hospital, Opie turning into this person that wants nothing to do with me, Jax with this Nomad business... Fuck. What is happening to you guys?" Our gazes met as we chuckled at the craziness that SAMCRO had become, yet I could see in his eyes that we both knew how serious everything was.

"Who the hell knows, sweetheart? We're all just gettin' caught up in too much at once. In my opinion, we need a breather." Tig smiled sadly, an expression I was getting to know all to well on everyone's faces, even my own. He patted my back just as Jax walked in, resetting my mood to pissed as fuck. "I'll see you later. Play nice." He kissed my temple, and with a nod to Jax, he left.

The clubhouse was empty, with the exception of Jax and me. I'd never think it could be as quiet as it was. Jax broke the tension first when he asked, "Since when are you and the gun happy Sergeant BFFs?"

He had a smug smile on his face as he grabbed my beer to sip from. Good, nobody told him I knew yet. I wanted to be the one to rip into him myself. "Oh, I don't know," I laughed nonchalantly as I watched him closely. "Probably about the time you decided going Nomad was the right thing to do." Jax's head snapped to me quickly as he slightly choked on the beer. I kept my bitchy smile on my face and tilted my head in question.

Slowly, he placed the bottle on the top of the bar and faced me. "I was gonna tell you. It's right for me, Ads," he argued. His voice was calm, and that scared me. That always meant he had his mind set. "It'll only be a couple years. I'll come back to SAMCRO when Clay's gone." He let his eyes drift downward while he nodded, as if he was reassuring himself.

I sipped the beer and tried to keep my cool. It was a bust, though, because that's the last thing I was. I slammed the bottle down and yelled, "How the fuck is that right, Jackson?! Your club needs you. Everyone here needs you. Can't you see that?!" We stared each other down. I could tell he was on the verge of breaking his cool exterior.

Jax turned away from me as his head shook. "I can't think about everyone else this time, darlin'," he admitted in a small voice. My heart throbbed a bit at his mental dilemma. I knew he constantly did everything for the good of everyone else. Maybe he was right this time. "This is my decision. It goes to the table tonight. I doubt there'll be a 'no' vote. This is what I need to do, for me. It's my decision." His jaw was locked tight when he looked to me again.

Rolling my eyes, I smiled again. "Yeah, you've made it pretty clear you didn't need any advice this time," I accused. My head shook involuntarily and angrily. "Seems like you only ever need me around for stupid shit lately. I know things have been hectic for us both, but you don't even give a shit about my input on something this big? What the fuck have we turned into, Jax?"

"I do give a shit, that's not what this is." Jax's voice got louder when he defended himself. We were at the point where the conversation would end with one of us storming off, or us hugging it out. "Actually, I'm surprised you even care. You've hardly fuckin' talked to me lately, let alone give your amazing advice. Just get off my back! This is happening. Deal with it." He stood up, and I knew I wasn't gonna let him have the last word. He wasn't gonna be the one to storm out of here this time.

I jumped off of the stool and stepped in front of him. "Phones work both ways. So do cars. Words. Anything," I sarcastically informed him with a shrug. I grabbed my beer and chugged the rest of it before smiling at him one more time. "Sorry I've been a bit caught up with my Old Man in the fucking hospital. You're the one that brought me back here, babe. Deal with that, you ignorant asshole." After one last anger-filled glare, I headed for the door.

There'd never be a time Jax and I didn't argue over one of our stupid, fucked up decisions. It just showed how much we cared about each other. I knew we'd get over it, like we always did, but there was something eating away at me about this one. Something that made me feel like I had to change his mind somehow, or find some way to get him to stay with SAMCRO. I wasn't gonna give up on him that easy.

Later that day, I was with the only person who could make me sane after that bullshit argument: Juice. Our fingers were interlaced as we sat and watched the Discovery channel while telling each other all the shit that went on in our hours apart. He had one or two stories about an old nurse hitting on him, while I had work stories.

I didn't want to tell him about Jax. He deserved to hear it from the VP himself. I wasn't gonna spare Jax the pain of seeing another member's reaction over his fucked up choice.

Juice's thumb tapped my hand, causing me to glance at his grinning face. "Somethin' wrong?" He inquired with a ting of worry. "You seem out of it, Ada. Everything good with you?" Although his forehead wrinkled with concern, his same lovable, goofy expression was on.

Smiling back, I sighed. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me, baby. I'm just tired." I got out of my chair to lean over and kiss the love of my life. I ran my hands over his grown out hair. "I think I like this."

After chuckling very loudly, Juice pulled me closer to him for another kiss. "I'm sorry, but I ain't keepin' this," he chuckled again as he pointed to his head. "Need to show off my bad ass head tats, baby! How else am I gonna seem tough enough to scare off any douche bags who try to steal my girl?!" He yanked me forward so his hands could grab my ass. My whole upper body was on his hospital bed.

I laughed and put my hand on his cheek lovingly. "You're an idiot," I quietly teased.

"Your idiot," he retorted, just as quiet. We kissed once more when the door opened. Bobby and Jax came in as I shuffled to get myself off of Juice.

The men shared a look, and I rolled my eyes, while Juice, of course, was all smiles. "I'll... Be outside," I told the room, knowing what this was about. I didn't wanna be involved in what was about to happen at all.

I stood outside the door alone until Jax came out, too. I immediately turned away from him. "I'm sorry." I heard him whisper from a few feet away.

Looking to him, I nodded and moved closer. I gave him a nudge with a smile. "What'd he have to say?" I asked as I bobbed my head towards Juice's room. "He upset?"

Jax nodded in response. It was quiet for a minute, until he told me, "The first thing he asked was if you knew, and if you were okay with it." We both laughed lightly. "Then he told me what I told him when he started as a prospect. That as soon as your patched, the members are your family. Charter's your home." He fidgeted with his hands like I always did, so I grabbed them, forcing him to look me in the eye.

I shook my head slowly. "Don't do this," I begged. If anything, I wanted him here for me. I wanted my best friend. "Don't go. It's not what's best. Trust me. There's more shit at play than you even know." My voice faded towards the end of my plea as I remembered Gemma's rape, then how Jax didn't know about it.

He eyed me curiously, and was about to interrogate me when Bobby finally came out. "He's askin' for ya, darlin'," he said in a sad voice. I knew this transfer was gonna fuck up everything. Make everyone sad. Make them lose their shit. I had to stop it, and fast. I knew what I needed to do.

After another few hours with a pissed off Juice, I made my way to TM. The vote for Jax's transfer would happen soon, and I had to do as much as I could in the small time slot I had. Gemma was gonna tell Jax what really happened to her the night of her 'car crash.'

I flung the door to the office open and kept my face hard. "You need to tell them," I commanded with a nod. If Jax knew, he'd stay. He wouldn't go get himself killed on the road. He'd want to kill the son of a bitch who laid a hand on his mother.

Pursing her lips, Gemma took off her glasses and stood up. She looked as if she was going to challenge me, but in a split second her face softened and she bobbed her head in agreement. "I know," she breathed. "I've been debatin' it by myself all day. I know now it's right." The sad smile she had on her face broke my heart. Anytime I saw the mother-figure in my life break down like this, I wanted to cry.

I pulled her close and hugged her tight. "It's gonna be okay, Momma Gemma," I whispered in her ear as she began to cry. She let out one small, appreciative laugh through her tears. "C'mon. Let's go stop this vote." I released her, and after a moment of studying her face, I stepped towards the door. She stopped me, though, and the look on my face was inquisitive.

Gemma shook her head quickly while wiping her eyes. "Church is already in session, baby," she informed me sadly. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I was disappointed, and it must of showed. Gem quickly grabbed my hand. "Vote or no vote, I'm still tellin' and hoping for the same result. Meet me at the house." With a determined look on her face, she stomped out of the office and made a bee line to Jax and Tara.

The ride to her house was quick. I got there a few seconds earlier than Jax and Tara. The three of us sat inside in silence until Clay and Gemma arrived. I instantly felt my hands start to fidget and my palms get sweater. I was getting just as nervous as Gemma.

After a mini stand off between Clay and Jax, Gem ordered them both to sit down. I straightened up in my chair as Tara started to leave the room. "You, too, sweetheart," Gemma ordered. "Sit. You know what it is I have to tell them." Her eyes remained locked with Tara's when she lowered herself into her seat carefully.

Tara looked to me for confirmation, which I gave her with a nod and a wary smile. Both the men looked between us three women. "What is this?" Clay asked carefully. Tara and I nodded to Gemma to tell them, to finally get this off all of our chests.

She told them everything, even things I didn't know. I grabbed her hand midway through her story as I began to cry. Hearing this and seeing the reactions from Clay and Jax was too much for me to handle. I couldn't even imagine what they were feeling. I felt shitty for not being able to help her in any way, so they probably felt that but times a Goddamn million.

After Gemma told them that Weston and a few other of Zobelle's men raped her, Jax slammed his fist down on the table. He got up, took his mother's hands and kissed them. He walked around to Clay and put his hands on his shoulders. They weren't worried about their beef now, thankfully. All that mattered was Gemma, and making the people who did this to her pay.

I stood up from my seat at the table and hugged Jax, then Tara. Tara smiled to Gemma before she and Jax left. I took the opportunity to kiss both Gemma and Clay on their cheeks. "I'm sorry, Gem." I spoke quietly. "Thank you both for being so good to me all these years. Thank you for showing me what a strong woman is, Momma. I love you both." I nodded and smiled, then left them to talk.

As soon as I got into my car, I let out a deep breath. I still couldn't believe all the bullshit that was going on in Charming, in our home. All I could hope for was for shit to get better, like I'd been doing. When Jax took care of the sick fuck that hurt the Queen, things would start to normalize. They just had to.