CHAPTER 37

As darkness began to settle on the hills, Jax moved stealthily through the untamed grass, his brothers a few feet back, followed suit. The air was heavy, the tension was tangible. As they neared the undermanned fortress Jax felt his heart beat quicken. His mind whirring like an anxious spoke on a fragile wheel.

Hostages are valuable. Valuables are kept in areas that are the hardest to access. Places with small and easily hidden entrances, an attic maybe a cellar.

He took in the layout of the clubhouse. It was long, flat, no visible attics, or higher places. That left cellars and underground storage. He paused for a moment, eyes scanning the exterior frantically until they rested on what he was looking for.

Two double doors protruding from the ground. A cellar.

Jax looked back to Opie, pointing out his find. Opie nodded in acknowledgment

Moments later the sound of speeding cars and angry bright flashes upset the clearing, the men quickened their pace, hurrying downwards, guns drawn, and stances poised.

As they hit level ground, a shot rang out, Jax looked around wildly, Salazar must've had more than one on patrol. Before the guard could get out a shout he was knocked to the groud, groaning and clutching at his shoulder, where Opie's bullet had torn through.

As yells and shots continued to ring out from the other side, Opie, Half Sack and Chibbs, followed Jax who tore over to the wounded man. Wrenching him up.

"Where is she?"

"Who?" the man tried to shout, but was stopped by Chibb's fist closing around his neck.

"The girl." he said simply, loosening his fingers.

"What girl- I don't know no-"

Jax yanked the man towards him, fingers pressing deeply on his injured arm.

The man cried out in pain.

"My old lady" he said simply. "I know she's here, and if you tell me where, I'll let you live"

Above him Opie and Half Sack were eying their surroundings, guns raised.

"Down" the man gasped. "They put her there, there-there's something down there- has to do with her."

Jax released his arm, stood up, and dashed to the cellar doors only to find it was padlocked.

He swore in frustration, pulling desperately at the handles.

He stood up they would need something to cut the locks, a knife would be useless but an axe-

He whirled around to Half Sack who was holding their captive still.

'Sack, take him back up to Clay, they'll handle him. Take the axe from the back of the van. come back down here and cut the locks on the door. Once i'm down there, I won't be able to get out the same way, and be careful, i'm not sure how long Alvarez can hold those guys.

Half Sack nodded in agreement. "I can do it, just focus on getting Tara." With that he turned and began slowing marching his prisoner carefully back up the hill, Gun out and ready to fire should he try anything.

Jax turned to Opie and Chibbs.

"We need to get inside."

Downstairs, Tara was focussing on breathing. The minute he'd heard the shots Kohn had raced upstairs to investigate.

Jax.

She knew it was him, he'd come just like she knew he would. But now it felt as though she was being stabbed, each rush of pain following faster then the last. But she had to focus on getting above ground, thankfully, Kohn had only remembered to tie her feet,, as she struggled, grasping at her bonds, she was halted by her swollen stomach, the only thing separating her from freedom.

Just above her, Opie and Chibbs had kicked down the backdoor, guns blazing firing through the house, as they made their way through, luring Salazar's men out front. Meanwhile Jax had broken in through a bedroom window and was creeping through the hallway, peering into each room, as he neared the front room and peered through the bullet-ridden windows, he caught a glimpse of the chaos that was raging on outside. Cars were everywhere some were being used as armories constantly being unloaded, others as shelter, doors open, men crouching beside them. The deafening symphony was coming from all sides, even above him, where he supposed some were firing from true roof and into the battlefield.

Suddenly, a man dashed out in front of him. Crouched behind the small brick wall that adorned the front of the pouch where many of Salazar's men were crouched. The man was tall, skinny, and kept looking around him. Constantly vigilant.

As unbearable as the urge was to shoot Joshua Kohn through the head, Jax reigned in his self control. He couldn't call attention to himself. His eyes combed the front room, until they came to rest on a door, one that sported an unused padlock. On hands and knees Jax crept across the floor, screams and yells tearing through the air. He stood and wrenched it open.

Upon stepping inside, he knew he was in the right place. a stair case, winding downwards, this was greeted with what looked like a storage room, and to his right a door, hastily and lazily locked shut.

Jax kicked it in, the door nearly flying off it's hinges as he charged inside.

"JAX!"

From the corner of the room a cry rang out, one so relieved, it could only be.

"TARA!" he cried racing forward.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks, mingling with the kisses he pressed to every inch of her face.

"You found me!" She murmured, her hands cupping his face. "I knew that you would."

Jax, wiping away his eyes, misty from emotion, began examining her.

Her feet were crudely secured with a belt, pulled so tightly her ankles were numb.

Jax traced his finger over the imprints the belt had made as Tara began to wince, hands pressed to her belly.

"Babe?" Jax bent down, managing to pull her to her feet. Throwing her arm around his shoulders for support.

"It's the baby I-" her sentence was stopped sharply as a new sensation ripped though her body. "Jax-"

"What?"

Her voice rose just above a whisper. "My water, I think it just broke"

"Shit!" Jax looked at her in shock.

Her face contorted with pain. Her eyes wild with panic.

"Ok babe, I need you to breathe.

"It hurts-" her voice cracked.

"I know." Jax said in a voice he hoped was comforting, his eyes came to rest on the trap door, which Half Sack should've unlocked by now. Relief flooded through him.

'It's ok, we're all going to be fine-"

"Jax" her voice, so fragile he could barely here her.

He looked at Tara, who seemed paralyzed.

Jax turned, followed her gaze and felt the panic rise in his throat.

Standing in the doorway was Kohn, His face clouded in a sort of eerie calm, and his hand, clutching a gun pointed straight at them.

A/N

Well that was eventful. I am so glad to have it of the way. 37 was the one giving me so much trouble, and i finally got it worked out. 38 shouldn't be too difficult to complete. But I appreciate your support and patience all the same! Again, I apologize for making you wait.

Thanks and Happy Reading!