An assortment of guns, two blocks of Red Road, and a couple dozen joints were neatly organized on the clubhouse bar, next to the Sergeant at Arms.

"So where u been hiding ?" Tigg was curious.

"Takin care of family.." was all he got. Happy was busy working on what was left of some Red Road.

"You got Carla settled ok ?" Juice was filling his back pack with supplies to go back to Bodega Bay.

Happy tossed back another shot of J D.

He'd spent an hour or more with his cousin and her daughter, as they related horror after horror of life at the Fawcett farm.

"Yea...she's gonna stay with an uncle of ours...that guy she worked for needs to disappear!" There was a dark glimmer in his eyes that wasn't lost on either of his brothers.

" I said so to Jax, but he says there's an investigation goin already...so, I guess I'll just let it go."

"That's ok, dude...when it's time, I'm there with you !" Tigg hoped that helped, but knew Happy already had other plans.

"Yea, well, you guys figure your shit out!" Juice hefted his heavy back pack over his shoulders. Gemma came up with another one, and two more glocks.

"What's all that for ? What's goin on?" Tigg felt very left out.

"Just taking care of some new customers, and Miss Meeks. She's crazy about my 'son ' !" Gemma tweaked Juice's cheeks. He turned bright red.

"Jezis, I'm not into her...!"

Tigg started to speak, but Gemma shushed him.

"Jax ? We're ready to go..." she called towards chapel. He emerged with Chibbs.

"Has anyone heard from Ope ?"

"You saw him with that Melanie Daniels bitch yesterday...he's probably still with her. I also think you need to know who her father is .."

"I already know, Mom. He owns the Tribune-Chronicle, and a few other newspapers. "

"That's all ?" She quizzed him, and Jax sensed it wasn't...

"Ok, what ?" He demanded.

She shrugged, and glanced at Tigg, who suddenly looked uncomfortable. Jax saw this and grew irritable. " Come on Mom, what ?"

"Daddy Daniels likes daddy types. And he loves our boys too." She looked directly at Tigg.

"Ok...and..." Jax glared at Tigg.

"Well...me n Kozik were hanging out at The Gold Mine Saloon, and this old guy took a...well...an Interest in him...and before I knew what was goin on, Blondie n him are all smiles...and I followed them outside to a limo...and they're gone for about half an hour. ...and then when he gets back, he's got a wad of cash...!"

"What, wait...He paid for Koziks ass ?"

Tigg was indignant. "Hell no, he wanted his dik ! And the old dude asked about a package deal with both of us."

Juices was trying desperately not to laugh. "You are a total freak whore! "

"Shut up and let him finish " Gemma chastised him. "Go on..." she told Tigg.

"He likes it rough, and in leather. ..I couldn't say no. .."

Jax kept calm. It wasn't unusual for either one of these brothers to dabble in sexual situations, especially if money was involved. That was less important than the facts. This information could prove useful in the future.

"Looks like you two have a new job. Keep the old man happy, he could help us later..." he slapped Tigg on the shoulder.

Miss Meeks watched as almost a dozen finches fluttered about the feeder as the sun began to break through the swirling feeders were filled the night before.

"That's unusual, my dear..." she observed.

Her longtime companion, Miss Thelma Tweeds , looked on.

"I quite agree! I don't believe I've seen such restless activities! " she nodded back. The two elderly spinsters had emigrated from England during WWII, and settled near the bay .

"Are you planning to see that adorable young man this afternoon? " Thelma enquired hopefully.

"Oh, gracious no, my dear, he won't return for at least another day or so.

He and his mother had some important family matters to attend to."

"Drat ! That IS disappointing. .." Thelma enjoyed tea along with Red Road.

"These Americans have superior cultivation skills, wouldn't you agree my dear ?"

Back at the clubhouse, Tigg had some different observations .

"So, when did you last hook up with Miss Meeks ? She sounds hot !" He slapped his arm around Juices shoulder, and hugged him closer. "Ratboy might even enjoy that. "

Juice cringed. Fond as he was of Miss Meeks, he could never find the strength to get it up for her.

"Shut up, you freak. I'm not into Meat Curtains. "

Rat laughed. " Right. ...I bet it was like opening a grilled cheese sandwich, huh ?"

"When were you fuking my grandmother? "

There's something about the salt air, and curves that Jax and Opie loved, as they cruised the roads along the Pacific. Hiway 12 was still empty in the early hours, as the sun began to glow in the east. Jax, along with Juice eased onto the turn that would take them towards Bodega bay, as Rat and Gemma followed in a blue Chevy.

Jax hadn't heard from his bro since the last meeting with Brenner, and was concerned his ...thing with Melanie would create problems. It probably wasn't a good idea to leave him behind, but Opie insisted things would be ok.

The diner was open, tho there were only a few customers, and a lot of them were fishermen.

"I want to get settled at the hotel first..." Gemma informed him. The old rooming house was decidedly too gray and depressing for her, and she promised herself she'd find something better...maybe a small house...a little get away...