"SON OF A-"

The alarm was loud and he hated it. He groaned and reached for Kris, only to find an empty bed. He shut off the alarm clock with force and looked around. Where had she gone this early? It wasn't even ten a.m. yet. Oh yeah, he friend was coming today. She had been so cute when she talked about how excited she was to see her.

Getting up, Jax took a long, hot shower, enjoying the water pressure. Afterwards, he toweled off and got dressed. He debated leaving Kris a note, but thought that might be a little weird. He knew he'd see her later anyway.

The sun was shining down on Charming as he climbed onto his bike. For the first time in a long time, he felt lighter, more at ease. He smiled to himself, deciding then that he was taking the day off from TM and spending some time with Abel.

SHE TAPPED HER foot impatiently. The board in front of her indicated that Natalia's flight had landed on time, but she hadn't seen her friend exit the plane yet. Kris's heart pounded and she felt excited. She couldn't wait to see her best friend.

As if on cue, she spotted the Russian beauty just then. As Kris had anticipated, she looked flawless, blonde hair flowing behind her, her favorite Gucci bag on her arm. Their eyes locked and they both squealed like teenage girls as they ran to each other and embraced in a bear hug.

"How much have I missed you?"

Kris laughed. "Not half as much as I've missed you!"

They hugged again. "Do you have luggage?" Natalia gave her a look, indicating that was a stupid question. Kris knew it had been a second after she had asked it. They headed toward the baggage claim.

As they stood, Natalia cocked her head to the side and then a grin spread across her face. "Girl, you've been gettin' some!"

Kris looked around, making sure that no one heard her. She was sure some people had. Kris shook her head.

"Don't try and deny it!"

Kris spotted Natalia's suitcase then – it was hard to miss, being bright orange. She grabbed it and hauled it onto the floor.

"Jesus H, Talia, did you pack the whole apartment?"

Not even a smile. She was like a pitbull.

"Tell me, Kristelle Ann. Right now."

Kris began walking, dragging the suitcase on wheels behind her. "Yes, Natalia, fine. I have been having sex, alright?"

Natalia grinned, loving when she was right.

"And good sex, by the looks of it. You look refreshed. Although, you don't have a tan, which means you've been holed up inside the hotel room. Tsk-tsk."

Kris smiled as they reached her rental car and she put the luggage in the trunk.

"So, are you gonna tell me about him?"

Kris shook her head. "Nope. We're going back to the motel, getting changed and going to Stockton."

Natalia rasied her eyebrows. "What's your plan?"

IT WAS SATURDAY. Jax hadn't heard from Kris since Wednesday night. He had heard, though, that she had spent some time at Stockton with Otto. He guessed she had spent the rest of the time with her best friend.

Lyla had informed Opie that she was going out tonight, with the girls. And that included Kris and her best friend from New York.

They were going to Valentine's again. Tonight was eighties night. Jax had never gone to anything eighties in his entire life. But tonight, he was going to attend the party at the club. Which led him to wonder just what the hell Kris had done to him.

"Hi baby."

Jax looked up from where he was sitting on the rocking chair with Abel. He was dozing, fighting sleep. But Jax knew it would only be a matter of time.

"Hey Mom. Thanks for watching him tonight."

Gemma smiled, standing the doorway and smiling at two of the men she loved the most in this world.

"My pleasure, honey."

A few moments later, Jax placed Abel safely and comfortably in his crib. After covering him up, he turned on the nightlight and walked out of the room, shutting the door softly. He followed his mother into the kitchen.

"You don't look like you're dressed for an eighties party."

Jax laughed, getting himself a beer from the refrigerator and joining his mother at the kitchen table. He took a swig.

"I may be going to this thing, but I'm sure as hell not going to participate."

Gemma smiled when her son smiled. It was nice to see him so good-natured, so happy. She was afraid that she might never see him like this again.

"Just be careful, honey."

Jax looked at her and then put his hand on top of hers. "Ma, I am always careful."

Gemma snorted, knowing how not true that was. But she had to take his word for it. She had to trust that this time, Jax knew how to take care of his own heart.

"Well, have fun."

Jax nodded, finishing his beer. "That's the plan. I'll see you in the morning." He gave his mother a quick kiss on the cheek and was out the door. Gemma smiled, standing up, knowing she would have to clean this kitchen before she did anything else.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: A night of debauchery ahead in the next chapter. I hope you guys are still liking this. So much fun to write and to read back! :-)