Tara sat on the couch, feeding Thomas while trying to calm her bouncing knee. She practically jumped out of her seat as she heard Phil's voice behind her. "Do you want me to call Jax?"
Shaking her head, she felt like she couldn't speak. Clearing her throat, she glanced up at him, "No need to call him." She stopped, taking the bottle out of Thomas's mouth, then lightly patting him on the back to get a burp out of him. She knew she needed to call someone, but she couldn't bring herself to call Jax just yet. Her mind was so confused, full of all sorts of varying thoughts that pulled her this way and that way; she wasn't sure what she'd say to Jax.
Looking up at Phil, she moved Thomas to her bouncing knee. "Can you take him and go to the kitchen?"
With a nod, Phil walked in front of her, lifting the boy from her arms. As soon as he disappeared into the kitchen, Tara jumped up and high tailed it to her bedroom. She grabbed the phone and flopped down on the bed, pulling her comforter up. Dialing the phone number, she shut her eyes and tried to find some calm.
"Hello."
"Abby," Tara greeted, trying to hide the panic in her voice. "Did I wake you?"
With a laugh, Abby answered, "No, I barely slept. I foresee a lot of coffee in my future." There was silence between the two ladies for a few seconds before Abby chimed, "Any word on Juice?"
"No, I haven't talked to Jax," Tara replied. Swallowing, she opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on a picture of her with the boys when they took a picnic a few months back. "Roosevelt was just here."
"For what?"
"Margaret Murphy contacted him about the death threat. He had the copy of it in an evidence bag. He said he's going to station a car to keep an eye on me." She stopped, thinking back to Roosevelt's visit. He tried to convince her that she should let the police help her. He even went as far as pointing out that it wasn't just her that she needed to think about, saying this all while looking at Thomas.
For a second, she had considered spilling to the Lieutenant how scared she was. She wanted to take him up on his offer to help her because that's what a normal person would do, but then she remembered she wasn't involved in a normal life. She chose to stay in Charming. She chose to stay with Jax and commit herself to this fucked up life. She couldn't turn her back on that. If she did, she would be shunned, or worse. Rubbing her temples, she felt sick in her stomach as her head began to pound.
"Have you told Jax?" Abby asked, concern in her voice.
"No," Tara choked out. "I did what I'm supposed to and gave Roosevelt nothing, but Abby…" Tara felt her stomach churn harder as her headache intensified. "I almost asked him for help." Swallowing hard, she waited for her friend to say something. After a brief moment of silence, Tara spoke again, "Are you still there?"
"Yes, I'm still here. Sorry, I'm trying to wrap my head around this," Abby responded. "Despite what you and I may think about how the death threat should be handled, you did what you were told, and right now it's best to keep doing what the club tells you to do." Abby paused before whispering, "no matter how fucked up the advice may be."
Tara felt herself relax and her stomach stop churning as Abby's words resonated in her mind. She knew she should have called Jax or maybe even Gemma, but even though the two would feign some sympathy, she knew they didn't understand it. Abby understood her conflict because she realized how abnormal all of this was. Abby could sympathize the pull she felt between the club life and a life free from the Sons. Jax kept insisting that he was sticking to the plan, that he was getting out. He kept telling her that they were going to take the boys and start a life of their own. She wanted to believe him, but the doubt was screaming louder and louder inside of her.
She heard Thomas start to cry in the distance, so she knew she needed to go relieve Phil. "Are you going to the garden fundraiser tonight?"
With a snort, Abby answered, "Gemma tried to rope me into it, but I told her that I had too much work to do on the house. Surprisingly, she didn't keep on me about it, but then again, she is convinced that the house is still a death trap, so she wants me to get it in order."
"I'm sure Roosevelt will be there since his wife is heading this up. I really don't want to deal with him. Gemma is hard enough. Will you be my date?"
"How could I refuse you, Ms. Knowles?" Abby quipped.
Sighing, Tara thanked her friend and hung up the phone. Sinking back into the pillows on the bed, she took a couple deep breaths. She needed to get herself together in preparation for heading into work. Margaret knew about the death threat which meant she would be up Tara's ass more than usual.
Tara just needed to come across confident, unshakeable, and like nothing was wrong. Putting on that front was becoming more and more exhausting though, and she didn't know if she could keep up the act for much longer.
Abby pulled into the Teller Morrow parking lot and couldn't help but notice that there were cop cars parked there. She couldn't be sure, but it also looked like there were holes in a few of the windows. "What the hell?" she muttered.
Sliding out of the car, she surveyed the area. It didn't look like any of the guys were there, but she saw Gemma's car. With a sigh, she headed toward the garage office.
She had some work she needed to get done, but her main reason for showing up this morning was to locate the still missing Juice. Lucas kept asking her questions about when his dad could come see his dinosaur bedroom and Abby had no answers for him. The night before she was more worried than anything else, but this morning she was pissed. She was no closer to figuring out what was going on with Juan Carlos Ortiz, but she was hell bent on finding out.
As she moved closer to the door, she saw Gemma emerge from the office. With a wave, Gemma pulled her sunglasses on and walked over to Abby. "Hey baby, everything okay?"
Motioning toward the cop cars, Abby questioned, "What's with the visitors?"
Gemma let out a chuckle, put her arm around Abby's waist, and began leading her back toward the office. "A little dispute this morning, nothing to worry about." Pointing to the clubhouse, she continued, "It's a little crowded in there with our new guests; why don't we head into the office?"
Abby nodded, continuing to scan the area. She wanted to ask more questions about what the little dispute consisted of, but she knew better. Any questions she asked would be given vague answers; either that or Gemma would turn the question into a question which would leave Abby more confused than she already was. Gemma had a knack for keeping people out of club business.
Stepping inside, Abby glanced out into the garage hoping to see Juice. With a sigh, she turned around and leaned against the glass. "Have you seen Mr. Ortiz today?"
"Briefly; he had to head out with Chibs on some club business." Raising an eyebrow, Gemma crossed her arms. "Why? Everything okay?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Abby let out a long sigh. She loved Gemma, but she wasn't sure how much she should share. Sure, Clay heard her concerns, but being a member of the Sons, Abby was fairly certain that Clay didn't share everything with his wife. Abby wasn't sure she could say the same for Gemma. The last thing she wanted was for word to get out that Abby was concerned about Juice's odd behavior and for that to cause more drama than was needed.
"I couldn't get a hold of him yesterday. Lucas has been asking when his dad can come over to see his new bedroom and I've been trying to set that up."
"How are things going with the two of you?" Gemma asked curiously.
Abby knew that Gemma was hoping for a reconciliation between her and Juice. She hadn't been blatant in expressing that desire, but with the little side comments here and there, Abby knew that's where Gemma stood. Abby tried to avoid any and all conversations with Gemma about Juice. Gemma had a way of getting information out of Abby that she desperately tried to hold close in order to protect herself from getting hurt again. Gemma never wanted Abby to leave Charming. Once Abby settled in Chicago, Gemma gave her an earful about leaving home while pregnant.
Abby snapped out of her daze when she heard Gemma clear her throat, patiently waiting for a response. "Things are fine," Abby answered, watching as Gemma shifted in place and raised an eyebrow. Gemma was signaling to her that the answer wasn't to her satisfaction. "We are working together to make sure Lucas is taken care of; and right now, that's the only thing that matters."
Letting a chuckle slip from her, Gemma leaned against the desk. "Baby, that was such a scripted answer. How 'bout you tell me how you're really feeling?"
Her heart started to beat rapidly inside her chest. It was only ten in the morning, too early for Abby to be discussing any of this. Then again, Abby didn't want to discuss any of this at any point of the day. She was desperately searching for a proper response when she heard a car door slam from outside. Thankfully, Gemma headed toward the window before Abby could offer a reply.
"It's Tara's car," Gemma muttered. Turning to face Abby again, she pointed to the window, "Have you talked to Tara?"
Nodding, Abby walked to the window and peered outside. "Just this morning. She should be at the hospital by now."
Sure enough there was Tara's car. Abby didn't want to say anything to Gemma about Tara's phone call this morning. It wasn't Abby's place to divulge that information. When Tara decided to tell Jax and whomever else was her business; Abby stood behind her friend in the decisions she made.
Gemma's heels echoed in the office as Abby heard the door to the TM office squeak open. With a sigh, Abby turned to follow along behind her. If she was going to check on Tara, Abby knew her friend could use a buffer for Gemma.
As she stepped outside, she saw Tara reclined back in a chair with her feet up on a picnic bench. She was staring blankly into the distance, looking distressed and deep in thought.
"Hey there," Gemma called, walking toward the doctor. "Shouldn't you be in surgery?"
"Apparently I'm a threat to the hospital so they've pulled me from surgery."
"A threat?!" Gemma practically screeched. "What do you mean a threat?"
Tara turned her eyes to Abby and held her gaze. Abby knew immediately what she meant. This had to do with the death threat and Margaret Murphy somehow finding out about it. Nodding at Tara, Abby knew her friend would have to come clean about her early morning visit from Roosevelt.
"Roosevelt showed up at the house this morning…"
"He what?" Gemma yelled, placing her hands on her hips. As she began to open her mouth to clearly launch into a rant, Abby placed her hand on Gemma's forearm and gave it a squeeze. Thankfully, Gemma shut her mouth and glued her eyes back on Tara, waving her hand to indicate that it was okay for her to continue her story.
"Margaret Murphy came into the possession of the death threat that was left in my car. I have no clue how, but she contacted Roosevelt." Tara stopped and put her hands up just as Gemma was getting ready to say something. "Don't worry, I didn't tell him anything." She paused, then quietly mumbled, "I'm not that stupid."
Abby glanced over at Gemma to see if she heard that last little statement, but the matriarch of the Teller family was pacing in circles. "I'm going to come to the Garden Fundraiser with Tara tonight in case Roosevelt is there and tries to ask more questions. Hopefully if he sees me there, he won't pry for any more information."
Gemma nodded her head. "With you and me there, he would be an idiot to try to corner Tara."
Abby slid onto the picnic bench beside Tara as she watched Gemma walk away, leaving the two ladies alone. With a chuckle, Abby spoke, "Well, that wasn't so bad."
Tara glanced over and within seconds began laughing, causing Abby's chuckle to turn into full on laughter. "Only the two of us could turn a death threat into something to laugh at."
Taking Tara's hand, Abby gave it a squeeze. "I know you're scared. Even though I didn't get the death threat, I'm scared too, but I will have your back. You know you can count on me."
"And I will have your back too." Tara leaned over and put her head on Abby's shoulder as Abby stared out onto the parking lot. She wasn't sure what was around the corner, but she sure as hell hoped that what everybody kept feeding her and Tara about things being alright was the truth. As Abby's stomach churned inside of her, she had a sinking feeling that there was more drama right around the corner.
The garden fundraiser was in full swing and the turn out was decent. Abby walked in beside Tara and was promptly greeted by Gemma. She swiftly took Abby and Tara by the arm, making their way through the crowd of people where Clay, Tig, and Chuckie were sitting at a table. Abby couldn't help but notice the stares of some of her fellow Charming residents. They ranged from looks of curiosity to disgust to a few that looked downright terrified. It was clear to Abby that the Sons had mixed reviews among the people of Charming.
Tig greeted each of them with a huge bear hug and his gigantic, charismatic smile. He wrapped his arm around Abby's shoulder as she glanced up at a smiling Clay looking back at her.
"Glad you could make it. Looks good having our lawyer here with us."
Abby nodded, mumbling a 'sure thing' as she watched him turn to Tara to greet her. Raising an eyebrow, Abby couldn't help but notice Tara tense up as Clay gave her a hug.
Growing up, Abby didn't come into too much contact with Clay. When she first moved to Charming, Gemma was married to Jax's dad, JT. Abby loved JT. He wasn't around too much, but when he was, he was always welcoming, funny, and kind. After Jax's younger brother, Thomas, died, things between Gemma and JT went south. JT practically became a ghost in the Teller household, but Abby remembered how Gemma kept it together to give not only Jax, but Abby, the family life they were used to. Gemma was home for them, and no matter what life threw at the older woman, she kept trudging along, even after JT died in a tragic bike accident when Jax and Abby were both sixteen.
Clay had been a member of the Sons since day one. JT, Piney, and him had started the club; they were part of the First Nine. After JT passed away, Clay became a bigger part of the Teller household, being a shoulder for Gemma to lean on, so it wasn't much of a surprise when the two married. Abby and Jax were starting their senior year in high school when Gemma became Gemma Teller Morrow.
But Clay didn't have the same presence as JT. He was always nice to Abby, but often it felt forced which left her feeling uncomfortable when he was around. Her uncle and Clay had always been tight, and she couldn't understand what it was about Clay Morrow that had her uncle glued to his side. Sure, they were brothers in the motorcycle club, but she knew that not all the guys vibed with each other. Abby knew that Tara felt similar about Clay, but there was something about her body language that made Abby wonder if those negative feelings had grown even more.
Scanning the area, Abby's eyes locked with none other than Roosevelt. He gave her a nod, not taking his stare off her. "Damn, I wish I had a drink," she mumbled. Feeling a nudge, she glanced over at Tig who was shoving a flask in her hand. Turning her back to Roosevelt, she took a swig and passed it back. "You came prepared."
"Never leave home without it," he answered with a laugh.
"Smart man, I knew there was a reason I liked you." She squeezed his elbow and walked over to Tara who looked like she needed rescued.
Bumping Tara, Abby watched as her friend peered over her shoulder with a smile that screamed of relief. Leaning in, Abby whispered, "Tig has a flask. In case you need something to take the edge off."
"I'll keep that in mind," Tara remarked with a smile. Pointing in the direction of Roosevelt who was talking to his wife, she spoke again. "I was hoping he wouldn't be here. I don't need him trying to strike up a conversation about the death threat again."
Abby's gaze drifted over to the Lieutenant who had been eyeing her up just a bit ago. Her stomach flip flopped as the odd look that was on his face flashed in her mind. There was something in the way he studied her that made all sorts of red flags go flying up inside of her. It was like he knew something that she didn't, which was maddening. She had the distinct feeling that whatever he might know had nothing to do with Tara and the death threat, but something more that involved Abby. She needed to steer clear of the good Lieutenant because she wasn't sure she had it in her to have some witty interaction.
A voice came over the speakers, causing the two ladies to turn their attention to the stage. Raising her eyebrow, Abby was surprised to see Clay asking for everyone's attention. As he began talking, Abby tuned him out slightly as her thoughts turned to Juice. She knew he was fine, but she had yet to talk to him. He hadn't returned any of her phone calls and once she heard from Gemma that he was alive she didn't try to contact him. She wasn't sure what she would say to him right now. She was pissed that he just fell off the radar, but at the same time she was worried. That worry was pulling at her emotions which was overwhelming to her. The thought of something happening to him made her want to puke. It was all too much to handle.
Somewhere in the distance she heard a number being said by the Sons President, and then people gasping, followed by applause. She glanced over at Tara. "Did he just say that him and Oswald made a combined donation of seventy five thousand dollars?" Slowly, Tara nodded looking as surprised as she was. Abby wondered what Clay's angle was. She felt that everything that Clay did had an angle that benefited him in some way. Glancing at Gemma, she looked like the happiest wife on the planet. A part of Abby envied the love Gemma and Clay shared. Deep down, she ached for someone to love and be a partner to.
After what seemed like an eternity, things seemed to be winding down. Clay and Tig had rushed out to do who knows what while Gemma and Chuckie were offering their assistance to help clean up. Tara hooked her arm in Abby's as they said their goodbyes and hightailed it to the car. Abby was glad to be heading out. The night hadn't been bad, but she just kept feeling like Roosevelt's watchful eye was on both ladies all evening.
As she approached the driver's side of her car, she dropped her keys. "Shit," she grumbled as she heard Tara get into the car.
"Here let me help you with that."
Abby felt herself tense up as the familiar voice of Lieutenant Roosevelt came over her. Taking a deep breath, she put on an emotionless face as he stood up, handing her the keys. With a nod, she thanked him and began to turn to her door.
Pointing to the car where Tara was seated, he spoke up, "How's Ms. Knowles doing?"
"She's fine," Abby answered coldly.
Sliding his hands into his pockets, Roosevelt nodded. "That's good to hear, what with a death threat hanging over her. I'm glad to know she's carrying on like normal."
"Are we done here?"
"Of course, of course." He began to turn as Abby began to pull her door open. "Oh, Ms. Munson, how is Mr. Ortiz doing?" Abby froze as the question washed over causing her stomach to churn, pushing acid up her throat.
Shutting the door, turning on her heel, Abby cleared her throat and looked at the Lieutenant who had an odd smirk on his face. "Why would you be asking me that question? Just because I'm affiliated to the Sons both personally and professionally doesn't mean I know about all of the members."
Rolling back on his heels, Roosevelt raised and eyebrow. "Come on Ms. Munson, give me more credit than that. Did you really think I wouldn't find out about your close affiliation to Juan Carlos and the child you share?"
"What do you want?" Abby hissed, trying to keep herself in check. She didn't want to lose her shit on the Lieutenant. That wouldn't do anybody any good.
"Look Ms. Munson, I'm not as evil as your clients make me out to be. All I want is to keep Charming safe and sound. And despite what the Sons might think, I don't think they're all low life shitheads." He stopped and offered her a smile. "Juan Carlos Ortiz seems like one of the good ones; hopefully my take on him isn't wrong." Turning, Roosevelt called over his shoulder, "Have a nice evening, Abigail."
Abby felt her heart pounding inside her chest as she swallowed hard. She had no idea what the point of that was, but her insides were screaming at her that something was going on.
Sliding into the driver's side, Abby gripped the wheel tight and took a few deep breaths. Snapping out of her daze as she felt Tara's hand on her shoulder and the soft whisper of "Abby" pulling her back to the present, she started the car.
As she drove out of the fundraiser, Tara pointed out the window at Roosevelt who was sitting in his cruiser. "What was that about?"
"I have no idea," Abby choked out. Her mind was racing, and she knew that she would definitely need to track down the Sons Intelligence Officer pronto to find out if she needed to know something.
Sitting in Tara and Jax's kitchen, Abby drummed her fingers rapidly on the table thinking about Roosevelt acknowledging he knew about her and Juice's relationship. Why did he feel the need to let her know that? Who cared about the past relationship they had? How did that affect anything with Roosevelt and the Charming PD?"
"Here," Tara remarked, sliding a mug of tea in front of Abby. "I know it's not coffee, but you already looked wired enough and I don't believe in having decaf coffee in this house."
Abby laughed loudly. "I remember how much shit you gave the dude in our Lit study group for drinking decaf."
Sitting down across from Abby, Tara shrugged her shoulders. "What's the point of drinking coffee if it's not caffeinated?" Taking a sip out of her mug, she stared down at Abby's fingers still drumming the table. "Alright, what gives? Did you receive a death threat too?"
Shaking her head no, Abby stared off into the distance remembering the night she had come over to find Juice laying face down on a table, getting stitched up by Tara. The sickening feeling in her stomach as she watched him, looking completely helpless, still crept back in anytime she thought about that night.
Slowly, her eyes made their way back to Tara. "Roosevelt knows about Juice and me being the parents of Lucas. He mentioned it and proceeded to say he thought Juice was a good guy. It just seemed like an odd thing to throw out there, and the way he said it made me feel as though there was something that he knew that I didn't. It just didn't sit well with me." She ran a hand over her head, one of her fingers settling on a curl as she began to twirl it. "Why does it feel like there's always something more to the story when it comes to the Sons?"
Tara chuckled softly, placing her mug down on the table. "Because there always is." Keeping her eyes fixed on Abby, she continued. "Providence Hospital has expressed interest in my surgical skills. They're having a conference in a couple days. I want to take the boys and check it out. With all that has been going on and with this death threat that is still unsolved, I don't feel safe here anymore."
"Have you told Jax?" Abby asked, sipping her tea. She raised an eyebrow as she saw Tara shake her head no. "Tara, you have to tell him. If he's serious about you guys breaking free of the Sons in the future, then he will understand, especially given the death threat you received. The last thing he wants is something to happen to you and the boys."
"You seem sure of that."
Abby let out a loud laugh, causing her to spit out her tea. "Tara, I don't know if you remember, but I pretty much grew up in the Teller household with Jax. All I ever heard him talk about in high school was Tara this and Tara that. If I hadn't been so fond of you, it would have annoyed the shit out of me." She reached across the table and took Tara's hand. "The love Jax has for you is undeniable. It's the kind of love that stories are made of." She felt Tara squeeze her hand as she let go and sat back. "Besides, if he gives you grief about it, you can send him my way. I'll give him so much shit, he'll agree to anything just to get me to shut up."
With a nod, Tara let out a sigh and rubbed her temples. She began to open her mouth as she heard the front door open and Jax call, "Babe?"
"In here," she yelled.
Abby stood up and grabbed her purse. "You can do this," she whispered as she walked around the table, squeezing Tara's shoulder just as Jax walked in.
"Oh good, you did your job as Tara's bodyguard for the evening," Jax remarked with a smirk.
"Did you have any doubt?" Abby quipped.
"Well…" Jax began, shrugging his shoulders with that sheepish grin of his plastered across his face. He yelled "Ouch" as Abby punched him in the forearm.
"Goodnight," Abby called as she walked out of the kitchen and out the front door.
Leaning against the door, she sighed. She knew that as much as Jax wouldn't want Tara to go, he would agree to it because all he cared about was her, the boys, and their safety. Part of Abby felt slightly jealous of the prospect of Tara leaving Charming. With the events that had been happening over the course of the last couple weeks, she kept thinking more and more about high tailing it out of town as quickly as she returned. The problem was, she didn't want to go; at least not yet, because she had some unfinished business with the popular Juan Carlos Ortiz.
