DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sons of Anarchy or any of its characters or ideas, sadly they belong to the brilliant mind of Kurt Sutter, but I wouldn't mind sharing ;) I only own my original character Rayne and anything that seems out of place. Reviews are appreciated, but I will warn you that I don't take kindly to being attacked, I will be a bitch. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and I hope you like it.

Thank you to Walkergirl96 for choosing to follow and favorite this story!

Also thank you to beth626, DarylzDarlin and SarahDixon1215 (who's review just made my entire week!) for the reviews of chapter 54!

I do apologize for the long time in between chapters, I have been swamped at work and I have a little one that started school.

Please send me a review, it gives me the will to go on :)


The next morning Opie heads over to the house to see Gemma, when he sees her face he knows that Unser was telling the truth.

"Morning, sweetheart." She says kissing his cheek. "I'm sure you heard all about it. I'm okay. You want some coffee?"

"No, thanks."

"You looking for Clay?"

"Yeah, I am. He's staying at the clubhouse."

"Why did he hurt you?"

"I'm tired, Ope. It just happened." She said sitting back down at the table.

"I want to know why." Opie insists.

"Heat with the club. When that hits a boiling point same time as as family shit, it's just a bad combination."

"What family shit?" Opie asks.

"Do not take this on, Ope. What happened between me and Clay- that's historic shit. Been building a long time."

"So what happens now? You and Clay?"

"I do what I always do. I take care of my family."


Rayne wakes up the next morning with her head pounding like a jackhammer, more from the gash on it than from the alcohol. Stretching her body out she notices a heavy weight around her waist, looking down she finds Happy's tattooed arms wrapped around her. Glancing over her shoulder she finds him smiling at her, "Morning."

"Morning, Belle." He says kissing her forehead. "How you feeling?"

"A little headache. No worse for the wear."

Someone knocks on the door and Rayne hears Chibs' voice through the door, "Kings called, they're on their way. Leaving in ten."

"Thanks mo' angel." Rayne laughed in reply as Happy held onto her tighter refusing to get up.

"Tell Hap to stop ravaging you and get the fuck up."

Rayne laughed again even louder when Happy shouted back, "Fuck you, Chibs."

"You're not my type, now if it was Rayne saying it, I'd jump on that shit."

Rayne shook her head with a smile as she detached Happy's arms from her waist and got out of bed to get ready. She pulled on a pair of tight blue jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt, along with her boots. Going into the bathroom she reapplied her mascara and brushed her hair back into a low ponytail.

She exited the bathroom and shrugged on her cut and leather jacket, Happy stepping up behind her to secure the cuff around her ponytail. After placing a kiss on her neck that brought a smile to her face, she took his hand and followed him out to the bikes. She saw Juice give a glare to them when he saw their interlocked fingers, rolling her eyes she told him, "You made your choice, Juice, and it wasn't me."

Straddling her bike she strapped on her helmet and started it up, pulling out of the lot behind the others. Riding up through the hills she inhaled the fresh air, the peacefulness taking her headache away as she smiled over at Happy who rode beside her.

When they got to the warehouse and parked she took off her helmet, standing beside Happy as the Kings pulled up in their car.

"Here we go, the kings." Chibs said as they all stood and approached the car.

"Welcome, gentlemen." Clay greeted as they climbed out of the car. "Gaalan, good to see you."

"Good to see you, too, Clay. This is quaint, nice and private."

Clay nodded, "Owner's a friend. Dummy corps protects everybody."

"Even from the cartel?"

"My guys are here 24-7. Guns are safe."

Jax rode up quickly dismounting his bike and removing his helmet, walking over to greet the men. "Hey, sorry I'm late."

"Guess you had more pressing business." Gaalan said, an acusitory tone in his voice.

"Mother of my son in the hospital."

"Aye, we heard. Sorry about your girl." One of the others said.

"Unfortunate events such as yours- reason why this cartel deal worries us." Gaalan told him.

They all headed into the back room of the warehouse to where the guns were being stored. Rayne scoffed from her position leaning back against Happy, as the Kings proceeded to make a big deal about their use of the RPG's the previous day.

"We understood your need to shed the Russians, and funneling our small arms to the Mexicans was a reasonable risk, but everything that's happened since, not very reasonable at all."

"The bloodshed was an internal cartel beef. It's been handled." Jax assures them.

"Handled by the guns we specifically told you not to use." Gaalan stated.

"Those RPGs saved my life, brother. If Jax doesn't make that call, we're not standing here right now."

"If we weren't in bed with those dirty wetbacks, we wouldn't be standing here either. I'd be at home resting comfortably. So would your girl."

"Look, you trust me, I trust Galindo. Talking about a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity here." Clay tells him.

"Romeo understands the need for discretion." Jax comments.

"Hard to be discreet with RPGs, 50 cals and sniper rifles."

"Look, all these big guns will be used south of the border. None of this shite will blow back on the cause." Chibs assures them.

"I need assurances."

"We're gonna meet with Romeo tomorrow. He's gonna answer all your questions, address all your concerns, I promise." Clay tells them which they agree too.

"Meet needs to be on neutral ground. Bring 'em a sample of the weapons. If it works out, bring 'em back here, do the exchange."

"There's an Indian reservation ten minutes from here. Very private."

"3:00."

"Good."


After the meet Rayne headed out of the warehouse with the other Sons, she noticed Juice hanging back a little as he came out of the bathroom. Something was off with him lately, and despite her anger towards him, he was still family and she was worried about him.

"Maybe we can get out of this in one piece." Bobby says as they leave.

"Shite's in the rearview now, boys." Chibs agrees happily.


Riding through this world All alone God takes your soul You're on your own The crow flies straight A perfect line On the devil's bed Until you die Gotta look this life In the eye


Gemma heads the hospital to see how Tara is doing, she smiles as she walks inside of the room, taking note of the look on Tara's face as she sees the damage to her own.

"What happened to you?"

"Fell down some stairs."

"Christ, Gemma." Tara sighs.

"How you feeling?"

"Like I want more morphine."

"Yeah, speaking of junkies—" Gemma started but Tara interrupted her, "Let's not."

"What'd she say?" Gemma asks as she lifts up her purse and sets down on the bed. "Required sedation, baby. Had to be bad. About Abel?"

"She wants to get to know her son."

"That's not gonna happen. I set her straight."

"It's not your business."

"Yes, it is. You got enough on your plate right now, sweetheart. I'm just trying to help."

"Yeah, of course you are. Look what it's done to you."

"Jax doesn't need another problem. You keep him clear of it."

"Why? You afraid it'll give us another reason to run from Charming?"

"I'm afraid it's another thing that will break his heart."

"I can take care of his heart."

Gemma nods knowing she won't get anywhere with Tara at this point, she leaves the room running into Jax in the hallway. "Hi, baby, hi. You connect with Ope? He came by the house this morning."

"Was Piney with him?"

Gemma shook her head, "No, why?"

"He went to the cabin last night to bring him home."

"Oh. No, he was alone."

"Okay. See you in a bit." Jax said before he went into Tara's room.

Gemma turned to Phil, "Find Opie for me."

"Yes, ma'am- Gemma."

Inside the room Jax sits down in the chair beside the bed, "Any word on when you're getting out?"

"I have an exit interview with the shrink. If he thinks I'm stable enough, they'll release me this afternoon."

"You wanna tell me what happened?"

"Wendy."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your ex-wife came by, pushing to get back to Abel."

Jax sighs, "Jesus Christ."

"I lost it."

"I didn't know she was here, I'm sorry."

"Those are my boys."

"I know. I promise, she will not get near Abel."

"Gemma didn't want me to tell you. She's afraid it'll push us further away."

Jax stands up beside the bed and takes her hand, "I will deal with my ex-wife and my mother, kay?" He leans over and kisses her forehead, he then leaves the room finding Phil in the hall. "Call Rat. Get him down here to watch Tara. I need you to track down my ex-wife."

"Gemma wanted me to find—"

"I don't give a shit what Gemma wanted! Her name is Wendy Case. I want a 20 on her by the end of the day."

"Yes, sir."


Jax gets back to the clubhouse, seeing Juice climbing on his bike, "Where you going?"

"Weed shop. You need anything?"

"No, I'm good. Don't carry."

"I know. I'll see ya later."

"See ya later." Jax says as he slips on his cut and heads over to the garage where Clay and Bobby are. "Let's talk. After this deal goes down tomorrow, we put a ticking clock on the blow. Tell Romeo we'll still run his guns, but he's gotta find someone else to mule. We'll blame it on the Irish. Tell Galindo they're gonna bail if we keep trucking powder."

"It's too soon to push for that." Clay says.

"No, it's too late. We're gonna make more in the next two shipments than we normally make in two years. I'm taking my piece and I'm out. You were right. Ope ain't ready to lead. When you step down, gavel should go to Bobby. Chibs is your VP. If Tig ain't gonna carry it, I think the Sergeant's patch should go to Happy."

"You really gonna do this?"

"I love this club, Bobby, but I love my family more. I gotta put some distance between the two. Look, we gotta close this deal before I tell the rest of the club. I don't want my exit pulling focus."

Chibs walks up and hands a cell phone to Clay, "Gaalan." Clay takes it and walks off while Chibs turns to Jax, "What's going on?"

"Just sorting out the day."

"Otto reached out. I'm gonna head up to Stockton." Booby says.

"Good." Chibs nods, "Let him know we cleaned up Georgie. Put Luann to rest."

"Yeah. I'm sure he'll be glad to know it's done."

"All right, we'll be there." Clay says as he hangs up the phone. "Gaalan needs some backup. I gotta connect with Romeo."

"All right, I got it. Take Chibs with me, translate the Catholic." Jax says with a smirk.

"Take Rayne, Tig and Happy with you, just in case." Clay tells them.


Rayne pulled her bike to a stop beside Happy's, backing it up to the curb and cutting the engine. Removing her helmet she pulled her cut on over her leather jacket and zipped it up. It was raining outside, the ground wet beneath her boots as she followed her beast up to Gaalan who was waiting for them.

"Anything we need to know here?" Jax asks as he leads the way up to a large house alongside Gaalan.

"Our American colleagues have put profit before protocol. We're just here to enforce decency."

"And we're the enforcement?"

"Stay close and look tough. Should be all we need. Understand?" They walk into the house and Gaalan tells them, "Wait here."

As he walks off with an older man and woman the rest of them look around. Nothing about this is settling right with them especially Chibs who questions Jax, "What the hell is this place?"

"Gonna look around." Jax says before he heads upstairs where he encounters an angry looking man and a young woman who's crying.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" The man questions Jax.

"I'm with Gaalan. Are you okay?" Jax asks the girl.

"Get downstairs now."

"I'm not talking to you."


The others are still sitting downstairs when a young woman hurries down the stairs and out the front door. Tig who is tapping the keys of the piano looks up as she slams the door behind her. "That ain't good."

The rush upstairs to find Jax who is standing in the open door of a room, inside are at least 10 babies crying out.

"Jesus Christ. What the hell is this, Jackie?" Chibs asks.

Jax looks over at Rayne, she already knows what this place is before Jax even answers. "It's another goddamn baby factory."

"Hey, who the hell are you?" A guy calls as he and two others come walking down the hallway.

Chibs holds up his gun at the men, but Jax grabs his hand and lowers it. "No. No guns, bro. Too many kids."

A brawl breaks out as Rayne and the Sons launch themselves at the men, pummeling them down the hallway. Gaalan hearing the racket comes up the stairs and takes in the scene before him. "Mother of Christ."


After beating the men unconscious Rayne, Tig, Chibs and Happy went out to stand by their bikes. Clay arrived to go in and deal with the mess they had started with Jax and Gaalan.

"Yeah, well, you didn't tell us we'd be strong-arming the U.S. half of your black market baby ring." Jax snapped as he stood in the open doorway with his cigarette.

"Catholic placement for unwanted children."

"Call it whatever the hell you want. You're selling babies for cash." Jax snapped back.

"Easy. This ain't our business." Clay tells him.

Tig walks up with his phone in hand, holding it out to Jax. "Jax, it's Phil. Says it's important."

Jax takes the phone and walks outside to talk, while Clay tries to explain the situation to Gaalan. "Sorry this went down. He almost lost his son to your Belfast house. Long story. Kellan, keeping some twisted promise to JT."

"I didn't know."

"You can understand why this pushes his buttons."

"Aye, but that boy's got too many buttons, Clay. Fistfights, RPGs. He's hotheaded and unstable. Throw him into the mix with Mexicans, I have no faith it doesn't turn bloody."

"I hear that. I'll keep him off this cartel thing. You'll only have to deal with me. I promise. Anything I can do for you here?"

Gaalan shakes his head, "American Irish, greedy bastards. Offering children to the highest bidder. Some of them to Protestant families. Brawl scared the piss out of them. We're on the same page now."

"You see what I did here? I made it all work, huh?" Clay chuckles.

"Don't push it, Clay. See you at the meet tomorrow." Gaalan says with a smile before he walks out the door taking his leave.

"They should have told us."" Jax says his arms crossed over his chest, his face a mask of anger.

"You're right." Clay says with a nod. "Just stay clear of these guys."

"Not a problem."

"You going to see Tara?"

"Later. I got to bounce someone's head off 12 steps." He says before walking out to his bike, "Rayne, with me."

"You got it." She says putting her helmet on and starting her bike.

"Be careful, Belle." Happy tells her.

"Always." She smiles giving him her patented wink before she takes off following Jax.


They pull up to a building out in Lathrop and get off their bikes, Rayne raises an eyebrow as she lights up two cigarettes and hands one to Jax. "And what exactly are we doing here?" Jax points to a blonde woman coming out of the building and Rayne scoffs, "Wendy. Why do I need to be here?"

"Because she'd throw my ass in jail if I hit her."

Rayne smirks, "Oh, but if it's me… I got ya." She cracks her knuckles as Wendy sees them and walks up, she praying Wendy gets mouthy so that she can pummel her.

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"I don't want any trouble, Jax." Wendy says looking over his shoulder at Rayne who looks like she's ready to jump her. "I went to see Tara first out of respect for everything that she's done for Abel."

"You have no idea what she has done for Abel. What we've been through."

"No. I don't."

"You have no right to come back now, Wendy. Abel doesn't even know who you are. Telling him, it just confuses shit."

"It's not my fault that you didn't tell him the truth, Jax."

"What was I supposed to tell him? That his mom was a meth addict that bailed on him?"

"Well, yeah. It's the truth. He should know it. Secrets ruin kids, Jax."

"Stay away. Okay? From Tara. From my kid."

"Or what? What— what, are you going to break my arm, punch my face in?"

Jax knows that she's referring to Tara's arm and Gemma's face. "I had nothing to do with that."

"Oh, really? Nothing? You are a felon on release. And as frightening as this notion may be, I'm probably the most stable adult in Abel's life. Block me out, and I will pursue custody."

"And you really think they're going to hand him over to a junkie?"

"Ex-junkie, who turned her life around. Judges love a good comeback story. I ain't going anywhere."

Jax smirks at her as he turns to leave, "It's okay. I am."


Jax and Rayne head to the hospital to see Tara, to let her know that they had spoken to Wendy. "Hey. They release you?" Jax asked as he and Rayne walked into the room.

"Yeah."

"I'll let you get dressed." Gemma said as she turned for the door.

"You need to hear this." Jax told her stopping her exit. "I talked to Wendy. Did you really think I wasn't going to find out?"

"The last thing you need to worry about is what that ex-junkie wants. I don't give a shit what anybody wants. Including you. We're going. Tara has an offer from a hospital in Oregon. Day after tomorrow, we're packing up our boys. And we're getting out of Charming." Jax's phone rings and he takes it out of his pocket to look at the number. "I'll take you home. Okay? You can split." He tells his mom before he walks out of the room with Rayne to answer the call.

"I'm sorry." Tara tells Gemma.

"You have no idea what I've done to protect you and Jax."

"Protect us from what? I just wanted him to know the truth."

"Is that what you want, sweetheart? Truth? Cause I got buckets of it. I can drown you in truth."

Phil walks in after knocking on the door, "Hey. Sorry. Jax had to split. Told me to take Tara home."

"Where did he go?" Both Tara and Gemma ask together.

"Didn't say."


Clay returns to the clubhouse finding Tig sitting on the pool table with three croweaters giving him a massage. "Where is everybody?"

"Chibs and Hap went home. Haven't seen Bobby or Juice. I think Jax and Rayne finally tracked down Ope, and Miles and Kozik are dead."

"Thanks for the update. You hanging out?"

"Till I'm done with the massage. Why?"

"Ah I got a vibe from my meet with the Mexicans. Felt wrong."

"Wrong how?"

"Wrong like, uh, I may need another guy with a gun."

"Rat's in the garage. I'm sure Jax and Rayne'll be back soon."

"Yeah. He will." Clay sighs before he heads into the chapel.


At the cemetery Opie was standing inside Skeeter's cremation area, in his hands he held his father's cut as he watched Piney's body burn. He turned his head as he heard someone come in, seeing Unser standing by the door. The elder man had been the one to work out the cremation with Skeeter.

"Thanks for handling this."

"Sure. No problem. I need to talk to you about something."

"Not really in the mood to talk right now."

The door opened, Jax and Rayne walking inside, they took one look at the cut in Opie's hands and the box burning in the chamber instantly knowing who's body it was. Rayne's eyes teared up immediately as she realized that the fear she had days ago about one of them dying had been true, she just never believed it would've been Piney.

"Oh, my God. What happened?" Jax asked as he tried to catch his breath.

"I found him at the cabin. Shotgun to the chest."

"Jesus Christ. Oh, I'm so sorry." He said instantly enveloping Opie in his arms.

"Yeah." Opie bit out angrily not returning his best friend's hug.

Jax let him go and backed up, "You think it was the Mexicans?"

"I'll fill you in. I just wanted to say good-bye. And I know that he'd want you both here." Opie said looking over to Rayne who was silently crying in the corner.

"Yeah, okay." Jax said, his eyes glistening as he stared into the fire.

Opie stepped up and tossed Piney's cut into the fire watching it burn with anger in his eyes. He turned to walk out but paused beside Rayne.

"I'm sorry, Ope. I'm— so— sorry." She said as she broke down into heavy sobs.

Despite his anger Opie couldn't stand to see her cry, she was one person he could never be mad at. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he stroked her hair. "It's okay, little one. It's okay."


After Piney's body had been cremated the three walked outside to their bikes, Opie already had his helmet on and was getting ready to start his bike.

"You want to tell me what happened to Piney?" Jax asked before he could leave.

Opie drew his gun and pointed it at Jax. "You should know. You're Clay's boy."

"Ope!" Rayne yelled, she couldn't believe he was pointing a gun at his best friend.

"What are you talking about?"

"Clay killed my old man!" Opie yelled drawing a gasp from Rayne, she'd had her suspicions about Clay, she knew he had Donna killed, but she never thought he'd murder one of their own in cold blood by his own hand.

"No. No, Ope."

"Yes! He killed my wife, now my father. Did you know? Did you know?!"

"No, Ope! Of course not!" Jax yelled out. "Bro, if Clay did this, it is a club issue. Let's take it to the table, let everyone know."

"What table? You're out. Remember?" Opie fires two shots flattening the rear tires on Jax and Rayne's bikes, then he tears out of the parking lot.

"Shit! Rayne snaps.

"Keys!" Jax yells to Unser as he jumps into his truck, but the fucking thing won't turn over.

"Starter's kind of shot." Unser tells him.

"Jesus Christ." Jax says getting out of the truck as Skeeter comes out of the house. "Whoa. Was that a gunshot?"

"Hey! Is that yours?" Jax yells to him pointing to the hearse.

"Yeah."

"I need it."

"For what?"

"Now!" Rayne snapped.

"Give him the goddamn keys before we both end up in the back of it!" Unser yelled.

Skeeter tossed the keys to Rayne, she in turn threw them to Jax as they both climbed into the car. Speeding down the road as they followed Opie, Jax pulled out his phone taking his eyes off of the wheel for a second.

"Jax!" Rayne screamed as they rear ended a car sitting at the red light, both of them jolting in the seat.

"Shit!" Jax yelled as he and Rayne got out of the car, luckily for them a guy on a street bike had pulled up to the light beside them. "Hey! I need your help, bro." Jax said pulling the guy off of the bike, flipping his hat backwards as he and Rayne climbed on then tore down the road towards the clubhouse.


Clay was sitting at the table when he heard a bike pulling up outside, having a feeling of who it was he set down his cigar and picked up his gun. Getting up he walked over to the window and looked out, not seeing anyone he moved for the door when it was violently shoved open by Opie. The big man grabbed Clay by the cut and backed him up against the table.

"Don't." Opie snapped as Clay reached for his gun that had been knocked out of his grasp onto the table just inches from his fingertips. Opie grabbed the gun and threw it to the floor, then he backed Clay up to his chair. "Sit. You're gonna die at the gavel."

"I get to say anything here?"

"My old man get to say anything before you blew a hole in his chest?! Sit down!" Opie snapped as he yelled at Clay from the opposite side of the table.

"Somebody's been lying to you, Ope."

"Having Donna killed- that a lie?!"

"Jesus Christ, that's history, man. Stahl bending the truth. That score is settled!"

"No, it's not! You sit down! Sit down."

Clay sits down and Opie squeezes the trigger to fire, just as Jax and Rayne enter the room, their guns pointed on him.

"Ope! Put it down." Jax says.

"Ope, please. Put the gun down." Rayne urges him as she points her gun at his heart.

"Please, Ope. Don't make us kill you." Jax pleads with him.

Opie laughs before he unloads two bullets into Clay's body, both Jax and Rayne too shocked to move.