The men followed one another to each-other's houses as they each packed a quick bag before heading over to Jax and Opie's. When they pulled up, Kristina was still standing her ground at the front door with her arms crossed, Rat and Jimmy were standing guard, trying their hardest to ignore her demands. Jax headed up the steps first, patting an overly drained Rat on the shoulder who looked like he'd been through hell and back- several times. "A muzzle?" she growled, looking at him with narrowed eyes through the screen door.
Jax pulled his mouth into a smile and shrugged his shoulders. "Should I stay out here?"
"No no." she said wryly, opening the door for him. He stepped in the house and she punched his arm as hard as she could, making him laugh as Slash jumped on his legs. "Fuck!" she hissed, shaking out the pain.
"Feel better?" he joked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
Hitting his arm again she grunted "A muzzle?! Tie me to the chair?!" she yelled, punching his arm over and over.
Jax reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He clicked through his contacts holding it up "I'll call him" he smiled, showing her the screen.
She laughed and hit his arm again "Go AHEAD! I've got this argument down solid. I can't believe you said that!" she shouted, pounding on his shoulder with her small fists, not even registering in his brain as even a nuisance, let alone the pain that she was hoping to inflict.
"We'll see" he smiled, putting the phone to his ear.
"Oh I gotta hear this" Happy laughed, tossing his bag onto the couch. "Speaker phone Prez"
Jax nodded and held the phone up, walking into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. "Hello?" Nico answered, slightly concerned
Kristina stood in front of him with her arms crossed and eyes flaming. Everyone crowded around in the kitchen silently, waiting for this to erupt. "Hey Nico, it's Jax" he said, trying not to laugh.
"This is a show" Tig chuckled, grabbing beers from the fridge and passing them around as he pulled them out.
"Is everything alright, son?" Nico asked
Jax nodded "Absolutely, sir. You have a few minutes?"
"Of course, more than a few. What's up?" he replied. Kristina swallowed the lump that formed at the back of her throat, knowing that this very well might not end in her favor after all.
"Everything's okay, just wanted your opinion. I'm here with everyone at the house. Long story short, just dealing with a few things- nothing to be concerned over and nothing that'll affect anything. But I gave your lovely and charming niece strict instructions not to leave the house when we were gone. Sent a few prospects over to make sure of that. She decided it was a fabulous idea to make their lives a living hell for the last few hours and nearly made one cry. She believes I am absolutely wrong in this, and when I said I'd call you, she said 'go ahead, i've got this argument down solid.'" he chuckled.
They could hear an exasperated Nico on the other end groan. Kristina could see her uncle rolling his eyes and running his hand through his hair "Of course she did." he sighed "Kristina" he growled
"Nicooo!" she whined, throwing her head back "He just told me to stay here when he left. And I did. But then the prospect got a call from Jax and he just stood outside and wouldn't tell me why or what Jax said!"
"Kristina!" He yelled "Ascolatami! Come ti permetti! Merda! Come infantile!"
Kristina frowned as the men tried to hold back their laughter. She threw up her hands in frustration "How dare I?! I am not childish! He told the prospect if I gave him a hard time to muzzle me or tie me to a chair to keep me from leaving!" She shouted, trying to defend herself.
"Good! Maybe it'll teach you a lesson. Did you hear what I JUST said?" She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Don't roll your eyes. I know exactly what you're doing. And get your hand off of your hip." he spat. Everyone had their hands over their mouths, holding back the laughter that was bubbling up inside- this man knew exactly what she was doing.
"Yes I heard what you said." she sighed
"So then what's the problem?"
"Because he's acting like a four year old and can't take a punch to the arm without calling big bad Nico!" she yelled, and slowly wish she could eat her words right up as they left her mouth.
"Kristina Nicolette DiPalo" he said in such a warning tone, Jax was laughing to the point no sound was escaping his lips "Non ha sollevato un marmocchia. Capice? Crescere e ascoltare il tu uomo" he began, seething his words as she looked at the floor listening to him. "Egli vi ama. Basta palle! Mi hai sentito?"
"Yes" she sighed, sounding like she did when she was thirteen "I understand you."
"Jax?" Nico asked, calling for his attention
"Yes sir?" Jax replied, trying not to laugh, but unfortunately letting a chuckle seep through his reply
"I don't think there will be any more issues. You call me if there are. I mean it."
"I will" he smiled, making a victorious funny face at her as she took a deep breath, trying not to kick him where it hurts.
"You all stay safe. And I would've done the same exact thing you did. Just as a sidetone."
Jax chuckled and nodded "Thank you, I'll call you back if there are any other issues."
"Have a good night" Nico laughed, hanging up the phone.
Jax raised an eyebrow as everyone waited for the green light to start laughing and teasing her. "What was the last thing he said?" he smiled
Kristina narrowed her eyes "Asshole" she seethed
Jax bit his lip and held up his phone "Nuh uh uhhhh" he chuckled
"I didn't raise a brat, grow up and listen to your man, he loves you. Enough bullshit, do you hear me?"
"Damn he's good" Gemma cackled from behind her. Kristina turned around and frowned, rolling her eyes. "Sorry baby. But I know I wasn't gonna get through to you on this one."
Hearing the knock of a heavy fist on the door around four am the following night, Happy and Juice sprung to their feet, grabbing their guns and pushing Kerrianne down the hall. "Go get Jax" Juice whispered, pushing her along, looking out the window. "Shit" he sighed in relief "It's fuckin' Luis" he said, nodding to Happy to open the door.
"Sorry guys" Luis sighed, stepping inside. "Teller wasn't answering."
"Whiskey coma" Happy laughed, locking the door behind him "What's up?"
Jax came half-running, half-stumbling down the hall with his gun in his hand, Kristina followed his drunken plead and grabbed Abel, bringing him into the twins' room with Kerrianne and locked the door. "Jesus fucking… Kris! It's alright! Go back to bed." he called out, putting his gun on the coffee table. "Dude, what the fuck?"
"Sorry, Jax" Luis sighed apologetically "But you didn't answer."
"Man" Jax chuckled, rubbing his face "Long night. What's up?"
"Knor is in custody, Gerber wasn't there though. Once he gives him up, or we catch Gerber doing something he shouldn't, then we'll move on him. But we got three other men that were with him, all high-ranked associates, still missing one."
They heard Abel's whines and cries from his room "No it's okay" Kristina said softly, trying to console him. Being startled awake for any four year old can be traumatic.
Jax sighed and leaned against the wall "So what's next?"
"Just keep doin' what you're doin. Keep everyone close. Should have him by Monday. We got Knor, it's all a matter of when for Gerber now. He's dangerous, but stupid."
"Please tell me you're gonna be the one to tell Ope this" Juice pleaded "Gerber's the one that said shit about Jess. Ope is gonna go find him."
"Romeo is doin' the talkin' right now. Just make sure you all stay out of it. Please?"
Jax nodded and turned his head at the sound of Kristina stomping down the hallway- bed head, in barely-there boxer shorts and a tank top. She looked up at him with her burning green eyes. "What. The. Fuck." she said slowly and quietly.
"It's alright" Jax sighed "We didn't know who it was."
She brought her hand up and ran her middle finger and thumb under her eyes "Look, I don't know you" she said, looking at Luis "And this is gonna come off as completely bitchy, so I apologize. But please don't come to my house at four am again, you scared the shit out of us. I hope you brought good news."
Luis nodded and was met by another glare coming from a still startled Kerrianne who walked back into the living room "Ass!" She growled, punching Juice's arm, making him flinch. "At least look who it is before grabbin' your gun and pushin' me down the hallway. You scared the shit outta Abel!"
"Luis, this is my lovely wife, Kristina" Jax chuckled as Luis smiled and extended his hand. Kristina smiled with a nod and shook back. "And this is Chibs' charming daughter Kerrianne, who is also Juice's girlfriend."
"Nice to meet you" Luis said, extending his hand to her. "He catch a beating when your dad found out?"
Everyone chuckled, despite the startling wake-up call "No, but he did scare the shit out of him." Kerrianne smiled "It's nice to meet you, too. Can we at least go home tomorrow? It's been two nights already."
Luis shrugged "That's your call" He said, looking up at Jax. "My advice? Not until Gerber is caught. We've been sitting on them since we left you. They've had no contact with Niners or Mayans, which is on the positive side. But until Gerber is caught, if it were me, I'd stay put."
"Ugh" Kerrianne groaned, running her hand through her mass of curls.
"Agreed" Happy, Jax and Juice replied simultaneously.
Kristina sighed "This has been thrilling, but I'm going back to bed."
"Don't even" Opie growled.
Jess rolled her eyes "Opie" she sighed, grabbing her school bag and heading out the door with Ellie and Kenny. "It's not that I don't appreciate it, but you can't just sit outside the school. You can't."
Opie scoffed "I sure as shit can. Jimmy and Tig are gonna be sitting outside of Ellie's school, Jax and I will be outside of your school, and Juice and Happy are gonna be outside of Keri's school. No arguments." he said, climbing onto his bike.
"Let's go little one" Tig said, looking over at Ellie as she ran to him.
"So fucking stupid" Kristina sighed, twirling her keys around her finger. Kenny and Jess walked across the grass towards Kris' car. Looking over at the two, she tilted her head to the side, seeing how he was practically Jess' height already. "Holy shit" She shockingly gasped, looking at Kenny. He looked at her confused, as did everyone else. "I see you every damn day and never noticed how tall you got."
"Five one" Jessica sighed, shaking her head "One more inch and we're even, and he's only nine."
Kenny smiled "I still wanna be taller than him" he said, pointing to Opie
"Not a chance in hell, kid" Opie laughed
"Ma, don't leave at all." Jax said, heading out of the house, "Rat, Bobby, Chibs- good luck" He chuckled, closing the door behind him.
"Daddyyyy" Abel growled with a smile- the same way Jax would growl 'monsterrrr!' whenever he saw him after school or a long run. "I wanna go on the bike!"
Jax looked over to Kristina "What the hell, let's all just do dumb shit today" she shrugged, climbing into her car with Jess. The men could see them talking, but couldn't make out what they were saying- clearly bitching about both Opie and Jax.
"Wanna ride?" Opie asked Kenny, holding out his helmet.
"Duh" Kenny laughed "I wanna know when I'm gonna do this by myself."
Opie smiled and nodded "When you're sixteen, legally." he nodded, but you'll start learning at fourteen. Deal? Dirt bike next year if the grades are good."
"Ugh" he groaned, securing the helmet and climbing on. "You really gonna be outside my school all day?"
"Yes. All day. Why, you afraid your old man is gonna embarrass you in front of your girlfriend?"
Opie could see his son roll his eyes without actually looking at him "She's not my girlfriend."
"Not what I hear." Opie laughed as he started his engine and pulled away.
Jax and Opie sat against their bikes, thanking God that it was already two pm. Seeing Abel's teacher walk outside with her class, Jax walked across the parking lot towards them and Abel sprinted off line, running into Jax. "Monsterrrr!" he growled, picking him up.
"I got a one hundred on my test!" Abel shouted
"Awesome! Two extra stars dude!" he smiled, messing up Abel's hair
Abel laughed as they walked back towards his bike "I'm beating you now" he said
Jax smiled and shook his head "No you're not"
"Yes I am!"
"Nooo, I have six hundred and two"
"And I have six hundred and ten!" Abel argued
Jax put him down next to his bike "You do not!" he laughed "You got homework?"
Abel rolled his eyes and sighed "Yes"
"Kid's got the same eye roll as you already" Opie laughed
Jax's cell rang and he reached into his pocket, putting the phone to his ear "Yeah?… What for?…." he took a deep breath and sighed, brushing back his hair "I dunno man, we can't just leave em…. We'll be back in twenty minutes. Just keep it calm till then, let him know we'll reach out to him before the night is over." Opie looked up as Jax put his phone back in his pocket "That was Bobby. Tacoma called. Knor's arrest ain't a secret, VP and SAA were taken out."
"Fuck" Opie sighed exasperatedly. Abel gasped and looked up at him "Sorry dude. My bad." he smiled "What do they want?"
"They need our help." Jax replied "Reno is coming in too."
Opie shook his head "We can't leave em. They gotta understand that."
"I dunno man. Put em on lockdown at the clubhouse? Leave Piney and the prospects?"
Opie laughed and raised an eyebrow "Two prospects and Piney? Jax. Look, brother. I know you're torn right now, but if some shit goes down here, you'll never forgive yourself"
"What's with the sour faces?" Kris asked, walking over with Jess and Kenny
Jax shook his head "Just club-"
"Let me stop you right there." She growled "If you say club shit, I'm knocking that pretty smile right off of that face."
He rolled his eyes and smiled at her "The VP and SAA of Tacoma were killed. Aryan blowback, they know Knor was arrested on Saturday."
"I don't get it" Jess shrugged "Why Tacoma?"
"SOA is SOA." Opie sighed "They're all connected- the Aryan groups in some way. They all knew who Knor was and what his goal was here. And that he also had to get us to be okay with his drug trade. Wasn't too quick before two and two were put together and word drops that SAMCRO pushed them out."
Kris looked at the ground and shook her head "We gotta get back to New York" She said demandingly, taking her keys from her bag "I can't wait two weeks."
"What are you talking about?" Jax asked quietly
"We're not safe here. The boys aren't safe here. None of us are."
"You're fine, we're here." He said reassuringly
She shook her head again, unlocking the doors to the car "No. Tonight's the last night of classes. When I get back, I'm figuring out the quickest time for me to get to New York with my boys, with or without you. The next few days aren't safe, and I'll be damned if my boys end up in some crossfire."
"Kris" He sighed, "You're fine here. You know that you guys are safe." He kept his mannerisms and tone calm- he knew that getting upset would only lead to an argument, and also knew that she wasn't leaving she was trying to protect her boys until the blowback was over.
"We're safe? Jax, you've been following us for days. And that was only because of local nonsense. We're now talking blowback in Washington? This isn't little anymore, Jax. This is huge. This isn't going to end with Gerber getting arrested."
He pinched the bridge of his nose "We'll talk about it later. Let's bring the boys home to Gemma and then we'll follow you to class."
"I think we'll be okay. You take them. I'm tired of an escort." She groaned, rolling her eyes and climbing into the car.
"We're supposed to follow you to class. Please follow us back to the house first." Opie said looking down at Jess
Jess raised her eyebrow "We'll be fine. Take the boys home" she said with much annoyance to her tone before getting into Kris' car. "Maybe figure out how to stop this shit before one of us ends up dead."
"Get over to the college. And stay there." Jax said as he walked into the house, seeing Rat. "Jimmy, you stay with Gem and everyone else here. Church boys. Let's go"
Sitting around the table, the men sat quietly for a few moments before Jax spoke up. "Are we sure it's White Power?"
"Miller said they're pretty sure it was Aryan blowback. They don't have any enemies right now. They said they were run right off the road, beaten to death. That's looking like Aryan work to me." Bobby replied
"If they don't know, then why are we risking leaving our families to go up there? For what? We don't even know who we're looking for." Opie argued
"Out of respect, shithead" Piney sassed
Opie cut his eyes at Piney "And I'm not leaving your grandchildren and your daughter-in-law for a hunch" he growled.
"Alright, look" Jax interrupted, leaning forward. "I'm all for showing our brothers some love. But if we leave, and something happens here, none of us will be able to live with that. I've already got a girl who's scared and about to take off for New York asap if I don't figure this out. We need to know what we're dealing with."
"We don't know who did it" Happy added. "We don't. All we know is that our brothers are dead, we got a trip in two weeks and we need to keep SAMCRO safe."
"So what are you gonna tell Miller then?" Piney asked. "Just hang him to dry?"
"Piney, Reno is heading over there on Thursday. We still have our normal run on Wednesday, we leave in two weeks for New York and I'd like to NOT cancel it. We need to get in touch with Romeo and Luis. Because not for nothin' they've kept us in the loop." Jax said
Around seven during their professor's lecture, Kristina stood up and walked out of the room, Rat right behind her, following her outside. She sat on a bench right outside the building and sighed. "You have a light?" She asked, looking up at him. He smiled and nodded, pulling his lighter out of his pocket. "I'm gonna assume if I wanna make a phone call I can't ditch you, huh?" She chuckled, taking the lighter off his hand.
He shook his head and laughed "you leave the building, so do I. I'd be doing the same thing if it were Jess."
"Alright. Well, I'm gonna call my dad. Just, anything you hear, stays between us. Capice?" Rat nodded as she pulled her phone out, and pressing her dads contact before bringing the phone to her ear. As it rang, she lit her cigarette and stretched her legs, looking up at the sun-setting sky. "Hi daddy" she said softly.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah" she sighed "I just wanted to talk to you."
"Talk away Stellina. What's wrong?"
"You sure?" She asked wearily, just incase his phone wasn't secure.
Gino chuckled "yes baby, what's wrong?"
"I dunno" she sighed
"Well something's wrong. Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
Kristina smiled "yeah, I'm taking a break. It's the last day. I'm outside with one of the prospects"
"Alright. So tell me what's goin' on then"
She took a deep breath and sighed "The Aryans moved in a few weeks ago, trying to build this whole heroin and meth conglomerate in town. Jax and his men are really adamant about keeping it out of here. So the lead guy asked Jax to let it slide, that they'd pay him and the guys, but they said no. The Feds arrested the main guy on Saturday. Which is good. But they didn't get two- one of whom is Jess' student's father. And Jax just found out that two men from another charter in Tacoma were murdered. And they think it was Aryans." She took another deep breath and then pulled on the cigarette. Just getting that off her chest to someone other than Jessica felt amazing. "I'm sorry daddy, I, I know you can't control it. I just had to tell someone. I don't know what to do. Jax might need to go to Tacoma. He says I'm safe and that he'll keep me and the boys safe. But I'm just so nervous."
Gino was never one to get overly emotional, he was very level headed- very much like Happy in that way. "What is it that you want to do?"
"I want to be safe"
"Do you think he's doing everything he can to do that?"
"Yes. But I'm just scared."
"Although I haven't met him, you know I trust Nico and Joe's opinion on people. If they say he's a good man, and trust him, so do I."
"It's not that, I just don't want anything bad to happen."
"Kristina, I really don't think anything will. But you can't fight him on it, that will get someone hurt. If he tells you to stay home, or go somewhere, it's because he knows better."
"But what if he has to go to Tacoma, he won't be here."
"So call Joey, have him come stay with you until you all come out here."
Kristina raised her eyebrows and nodded as she exhaled smoke, bringing the cigarette back to her lips "Okay, I'll do that then."
"You still smoking?" He chuckled
She let out a laugh and rolled her eyes "Yes daddy"
"Look, I'll talk to Nico, I'm headed to the club now. Maybe we can send out Paulie and Mikey too. They'll stay with you until you come out."
"I don't want Jax to think he couldn't do this on his own though."
"No no" he argued, "it's not about that. If he's the way I think he is, it won't be about that. He's worried now because he has so much to try and handle. If you and the boys are safe, he'll be able to focus on everything else. I promise."
"I guess."
"I'm gonna talk to Nico now. I'll give Jax a call in a little while. Don't worry about anything. Alright?"
"I won't. Thank you."
"No problem baby, now go learn something"
"I will. Bye daddy." she smiled hanging up the phone. Rat was looking over at her with a raised eyebrow as she tossed her cigarette away from her. "You think he'll be pissed?"
Rat shrugged "I dunno. The only concern i'd have is club shit is club shit. But, we work for your family. I'm sure he'll be fine."
"Thanks a lot assholes" Jess growled, walking out of the building with her bags and Kristina's. "Couldn't wait ten more minutes?"
"I had to call my dad" she sighed, grabbing her bag from Jess' hand. "I needed reassurance."
Jess pulled her hair into a tight bun and began to walk towards the parking lot with them "And?"
"He said he's gonna send Joey out here until we leave, and he's on his way to talk to Nico. He's gonna see if we can get Paulie and Mikey out here too."
"Well let's hope it doesn't even need to come to that, and this shit gets settled" she sighed
Pulling up to the house, they heard loud cheers and applause. "They're fucking wasted already?" Jess laughed "I don't know why I'm surprised."
"Took the words right out of my mouth" Kris smiled. She pulled her school bag over her shoulder and the house was suddenly quiet as they walked up the driveway. "Helloooo?" she called out, holding the door open for Jess. "What's all the shouting for?"
Everyone looked up at her and quickly looked away "Nothin" Jax smiled, sitting on the floor with JT and Jax, handing them toys.
"Mommy!" Abel shouted excitedly. Before she could look over at him sitting at the dining room table, Gemma handed him a cookie and practically shoved it into his mouth.
"What's going on?" she asked confused, sitting next to Jax. "You all drunk?"
"No, but I'm about to get started" Opie laughed, walking into the kitchen.
"Mommy!" Abel shouted again, running towards Kristina "He said 'dada'!" he grinned, pointing towards the seven month old resting in Jax's lap as he played with his toy
Kris looked up at Jax, her mouth half gaped and her eyes wide with shock "Did he really?" she asked sadly, rubbing her son's cheek with her pointer finger
Jax nodded, knowing these were the specific moments she didn't want to miss "It's okay baby, he'll say it again" Gemma smiled softly "You've still got another one to look forward to."
She pulled her mouth to the side and nodded. Picking up JT she kissed his cheek as he grabbed at her hair "This one always was more like me anyway"
"So he's figuring out how to say fuck you instead?" Happy flatly asked.
Everyone laughed as she flipped him off and rolled her eyes. "You sure you're okay?" Jax asked.
Kris nodded and stood up with JT "It's bedtime for them." she replied, still disappointed. Jax looked up at Gemma as Kris walked down the hall.
"She'll be okay" Gemma said reassuringly
He took a deep breath and followed her into the boys' room "You don't look okay" he said sweetly
She put JT down into his crib pulling a blanket up over him "I'm fine." She took her son from Jax and laid him down, kissing his forehead and turning on her heels, quickly leaving the room. Jax turned off the lights and closed the door, following her into the bedroom.
"Kris, c'mon" he smiled, shutting the door behind him and walking over to her as she laid on the bed.
Kicking her shoes off, she pulled the blanket up over her "I'm tired"
"You're not tired" he chuckled
"I'm not laughing Jax. I'm gonna go to sleep"
He sat down next to her and pulled his feet up onto the bed "You didn't eat yet" he argued. She took a deep breath and he could feel her breathing stagger before she started to sob. "Aw, Kris" he softly chuckled, rubbing her back "Babe, it's okay"
"No it's not" she cried, burying her face into the pillow "I missed it!"
"Baby, it's not even a real word. It was like a babble."
Trying to control her breathing and sniffling, she clutched onto the pillow harder "I'm never home with them! They're gonna end up calling your mom mommy"
Jax let out a loud bellowing laugh "No they won't. Believe me. Babe" he whispered "It's okay. I promise."
"No. I'm gonna end up missing their first steps, I'll end up missing JT's first words too."
"C'mon." he smiled, pulling her to sit up "It's okay. You're not gonna miss anything else." he said optimistically as his phone started to ring. She leaned her head against his shoulder and he put his phone to his ear "Yeah?" he answered. "It's good. What's up?…." He was listening to the voice on the other end and furrowed his brow, trying to piece together how this phone call happened, and looked down at Kris. "We're not so sure yet. It's a hunch right now…. It would help, but also we don't need any more beef, you know?… That would be great."
"My dad?" she mouthed looking up at him.
Jax nodded and continued to listen "I don't need to explain that to you, sir" he laughed "More like zero to a million." she narrowed her eyes and finally smiled- she knew her father was talking about her temper. "Alright, yeah… I don't doubt that. Yes she is… No, sir…. If you can swing that… Absolutely. I won't." Jax laughed again and was nodding along "It absolutely is. Ah they're good. Actually Jax did just before…. Yeah… I know, not too well, she'll be okay" he said, rubbing her head "Phone will be on all night, give me a call whenever you know. Thank you. Alright." He closed his phone and put it back into his pocket.
"How come you two always talk shit about me?" she laughed
"We weren't talking shit."
"Yeah, okay. What was that zero to one million then?"
"He said you have a tendency to go from zero to one hundred, when it comes to situations. I added in my own opinion."
She rolled her eyes and chuckled "What did he say?"
"Nothin, gonna actually try and find out what happened up in Tacoma for us. Try and get some intel. If he can, it might benefit everyone, so he's gonna make some calls. Joey is gonna come up on Thursday or Friday."
