Chapter 9

Sorry for the delay guys, so with the holidays I thought I would incorporate them into the story. When watching SOA, that's the one thing I longed for was a little more normalcy in Tara and Jax chaotic lives. We didn't get to see any birthdays, holidays or anything. So here goes, as always reviews, suggestions are wanted. Okay guys as I close out some stories I am thinking about adding new ones so. I kinda want Nero to leave and I kinda want him to stay and to bring in a love interest for him. With the normalcy look for bobby's ex-wife and kids to come in, along with Happy's mom as Jax and Tara find their own normalcy.

AT Lin's

Lin was growing increasingly impatient, he knew Jax had always been good to his word but as each hour went by all he could think about was his wife and daughter. Lin tried to ease his nerves by calling Jax, but got no answer. Lin told the guys to pay a trip to Samcro to see what was taking so long. As Lin's crew met with Bobby, Tig and the rest of the guys; Bobby and Tig assured them that Jax would deliver and was just out checking on somethings, but Jax would deliver. Lin's guys reported this back to Lin, which only made him more paranoid at the fact that Jax wasn't there. Lin felt Jax was trying to hide something. So, on Lin's orders this guys went to Diosa to deliver a message. They were instructed not to kill all the guys just the manager, something Lin felt would deliver a message, while not causing to much trouble. Lin's guys walked into Diosa

Collette:Good evening gentlemen, welcome to Diosa. Is this your first time here, what can I interest yo in, we have everyman's desire.

Lin's Guys: Jax sent us here for rest and fun.

Collette:Well if Jax sent you, we will make sure to care extra care of you. We aim to please, I am the manager here, so just tell me what you like and I will get it for you. We have all kinds black, white, Asian, latino, young, old, anything.

Once Collette said she was the manager, one of Lin's guys killed her on the spot and left their mark so Jax would know. Some of the other girls heard the shot and walked out to discover Collette dead on the floor, the panicked and called the guys.

AT Ice Cream Parlor:

Jax and Chibbs walked in as Bobby and Tig filled them in on Lin's guys little visit. Jax inturned filled them in on what happened with Tara.

Jax:Jesus Christ, well let's give him Juice now and get Gemma later. I need this to be done, so I can bring my family home. I just don't feel good about them being so far, Rogue River or not.

Tig:Yeah, I really don't want to have to find another restaurant to get my Chinese from, that would just be ackward. Beside Venus loves that place (all the guys turned around and looked at Tig)

Bobby:Venus probably gets a kick out of the chicken on a stick

Tig:Don't be disrespectful, we have fun, we like a lot of the same things

Rat:You have the same thing

Happy:Please stop

As the guys walked to the back to talk with Juice and get the full story, each of them was thankful for the comic relief, the past couple of years had been rough and each had their reason for wanting it to end and for the club to get to place of quiet, even if it was SAMCRO quiet it was better than all the pain and suffering the drugs, guns, Pope and Clay brought these last couple of years. The guys listen as Jury tearfully told them what happened the night with Gemma. Juice tearfully disclose all he had done sent that day Roosevelt brought him and told him he knew his dad was black to plead his case. As Juice continued to talk Jax and Tig got phone calls.

Jax's call was Jury telling him that Gemma has skipped out, while Tig's call was from DIosa about Collette. As the Jax and Tig filled the guys in, Jax sent Rat, Montez and Quinn to deal with Diosa and the death of Collette. While Jax, Tig, Bobby, Happy and Chibbs deliver Juice to Lin.

Jax: (rubbing his hands on his face) We will deal with Lin, you guys deal with Diosa and call Nero and Lyla is in charge for now fill her in. Have Venus help her with things she knows the money part. (Jax wanted to be mad at Lin, but he could bring himself after what happened with Tara he could only imagine how Lin felt.

Bobby:What are going to do about Gemma

Jax:We have to find her, Chibbs call rogue river alert them, I want Tara and my boys protected. Call Unser to and fill him in.

At Diosa:

Nero and Wendy walked in as the girls hung up the phone with Bobby. Nero was shocked and stunned to see Collette lifeless body on the floor. He ordered the girls to keep all the customers in their rooms until they could discreetly call the cops and have Collette body removed. Nero called the detectives that they had on pay roll and Skeeter to get the body. Nero knew Collette deserved more but his instinct was always to protect Jax, because of Gemma and now Wendy. As the detective and Rat, Montez and Quinn arrived the girls filled them on what they thought happened although no one really saw what happened.

Skeeter took the body and they guys filled Lyla in. As Nero and the guys took care of things, Wendy was left alone in the car. Wendy got out the car for some fresh air, when she saw a guy selling drugs to one of the girl's from Diosa on the corner. Wendy approached the girl about Nero's rules about drugs, the girl apologized and begged Wendy not to tell, she stated that what happened to Collette scared her. Wendy told her that Nero and Jax would take care of everything not to worry and to give her the drugs. As the girl walked back in Diosa, Wendy took crank and went around back to use.

At Tara's:

Tara and the boys was trying to find a sense of normalcy again after all that had happened, she fixed breakfast and she looked out the kitchen window to see rogue river standing guard. Abel and Thomas ran into the kitchen wanting to see Jax.

Thomas:Mommy where is daddy

Abel:Yeah mom, where did he go

Tara: Guys daddy had to leave but look outside he left those guys out there to protect us until he gets back.So, after breakfast what do you guys want to do today.

Thomas and Abel:Christmas tree mommy,

In all the confusion Tara forgot all about Christmas, holidays had always seemed to be a blur since her mother passed and with all that the club had been through Christmas was never on the top of the list. But the boys deserved more than that, they deserved to have a proper Christmas for the first time. Tara had always dreamed of a life where she could start holiday traditions and now was a good time as any. With all they had made it through, they deserved this, she wished Jax could be there, and at that moment Tara felt a flutter of her baby moving.

Tara:Oh my god, yes I'm sorry, I forgot about Christmas. Hey listen I know we really haven't been big on celebrating but that is going to change. We are going to eat breakfast and go get a tree and make ornaments, stockings the whole nine yards. (with that Dyna barked in joy) Christmas is in a couple weeks, mommy has her interview and daddy is making things better. You guys are good, dyna good, mommy is good so let's do this (as she kissed Abel and Thomas).

Thomas and Abel: Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Tara and the boys got dressed and headed went to the store where they brought a Christmas tree, lights, ornaments, stockings and stuff to make homemade ornaments, music and food, with the guys from Rogue river following them the whole time. While at the store Tara saw a couple of yellow and pale green blankets and t-shirts for the baby, she figured these colors were safe to buy. Tara found herself happy and hopeful for the future, she had let the incident fall to the back of her mind. She wanted to be happy to focus on the good things. They returned home, where the guys set up the tree, Tara put on a Christmas CD, they decorated the house and the Christmas tree while singing. They made a stocking for each one of them, Dyna, the new baby and even for Jax, Tara knew the chances of Jax being there on Christmas was slim to none but she was hopeful. As Tara watched the boys but popcorn on a string and dyna sneak and eat them, she settled on the floor and flip through a magazine and saw a old pic of Jennifer Aniston and her bobb and decided that was her next hairstyle. She something new, her hair grown back since she cut it. Tara and the boys finished decorating the house and the tree and the boys went down for a nap, while she called one of the nurse over to help with her hair. She wanted to show Jax all that she and the kids had done so she took pics and sent them.

On the Run:

Gemma knew it was a matter of time before Jax find out she was missing, so she needed a head start. She didn't know where she was going or what kind of life she would have without the club but she knew if Jax found her she would be dead. She managed to steal a car and this guy's wallet, she headed to Oregon, if she was going to disappear, she needed to see her dad and grandkids one last time. She knew Tara and the boys would be heavily protected, but it was worth it.

At Lin's:

Jax and the guys walked into Lin's with Juice.

Jax:I hear you got impatient and decided to send me a message?

Lin:Sorry, it just been a lot

Jax:I hear you brother, until recently I didn't understand but now I do. Because of this I won't retaliate about killing my manager at Diousa but now I need something from you. The women that Juice helped kill your family was my mother, now I understand what you must be feeling but she escaped and I need a chance to find her and talk to her before you do anything.

Lin: How do I know you haven't hidden her?

Jax: Because my mother tried to kill my wife, so as you can imagine I know how you feel

Lin:No, you don't because your wife survived. But I will give you a chance to find her but you must take two of my guys with you. I need assurance that after you have what your talk, you will hand her over. I watch my mother murdered in front of me by a rival gang. I still have dreams about that, so forgive me if I don't trust you.

Jax: Agreed, and I will be needing a replacement for my manager.

Lin: will do

As Jax left, Lin and his men begin to torture Juice and demanded he tell exactly what happened.

At Diosa:

Jax and the guys pulled up to access the damage. As they pulled up the Jax, Bobby, Chibbs and Tig walked in while Happy walked around back. Jax talked with Nero, as Chibbs spoke with the detectives. Tig was excited to see Venus, who was helping with the damage control. As Happy walked around back, he saw someone hanging out Nero's car, he walked over and discovered it was Wendy with a needle in her arm and an empty crack pack on her lap. Happy picked Wendy up and rushed her in, where Jax, Nero and Lyla was talking. Nero ran over and tried to revive Wendy, while Jax called the ambulance. Jax and Nero rushed Wendy to the hospital while the guys stayed behind to finish the clean-up. Nero anxiously walked the hospital floor, while doctors worked on Wendy. Jax trying to be there for his friend sat in the waiting room with Nero. As Jax waited he looked down at his phone for the first time that day to see messages from Tara. Jax looked at the pics and smiled, he had forgotten all about Christmas with everything going on. Jax took a minute to mule over his life while he waited with his friend for news about his junkie ex-wife. Jax was saddened about all that he was missing with his boys and Tara; for the second time, he was missing her pregnancy and she felt distant. He thought about all his life choices and what he would say to Gemma or Wendy overdosing again. Jax had wanted her out his life, out of Abel's life, but now he realized he didn't wish death on her, just for her to leave their lives and move on.

The doctors came out and asked if Nero and Jax were family and they both stood and said yes. The doctor explained that Wendy had taken a fatal dose of drugs and though they tried they were not able to resuscitate her. Nero stood in disbelief while Jax thanked the doctors for all they had done. As Nero and Jax left, Nero begin to cry.

Nero:Maino, no offense but everyone your family touches ends up in a body bag. I need to leave before the same happens to me. I just want a chance to be with my boy before it's too late.

Jax:Yeah, I know. I can't wait for all this to be over so I can bring my family home.

Nero:You think that is possible, for you to have both

Jax: I realized that an outlaw and father can't settle in the same man Nero. I also realized that when my old man started this club, it wasn't about outlaw life, at least not one with killing, gun running and drugs. It was about having something for his friends to have after the war, it was about a brotherhood, a place to call their own, to have their own rules; but family was always a big part of that. Somewhere we got lost and JT died before he could fix it. I am going to fix what he couldn't. Looking back, I wish I had told the club a lot more and maybe Opie and Piney could be here to see. But I also wish Opie could Ellie and Kenny grow up. I going to watch my family grow up and my club make a change for the better Nero. I'm not saying I'm going to get my college degree but I can give my family a life without chaos in a town that I have loved since birth. Gemma's and Clay's plan don't get to dictate my life anymore. I am forging a new path, maybe a path that you and your boy could be a part of.

Nero: maybe maino maybe. With that Nero got in his car and left. (Jax stayed behind and sat on his bike, he wanted and needed to talk to Tara).

Jax called Tara and told her what happened.

Jax:Hey babe, sorry to wake you I just wanted to fill you in on what's happening her.(Jax told Tara about Lin, Gemma running away and the deaths of collette and Wendy)

Tara:Wow, that's a lot, how are you? We should tell Abel when he is older.

Jax:Yeah, I'm okay, I didn't call about that. I called because I want you and the boys home, whatever it takes. This business with Lin will be over, the club is getting rebuilt, the ground is breaking on charming heights and we will have steady work. Tara I don't want to come home with you not being there another night, I want to be there with you the boys and watch my baby grow inside you. I want to change our story. I just need to hear you want that, we can get contractor to add on to the house, the club is nearly rebuilt. Please babe.

Tara:Jax, I love you, you know I do, up here I had a chance to breathe and I have learned that if need be I can do this without you. But I choose not to, I just need you to understand that normal if very different from what we have ever had and I want you to be sure that you can do this.

Jax:Just come home and we can do Christmas here, I don't care about anything else.

Tara:what about Gemma?

Jax:we are going to find her and give over to Lin

Tara:can you live with that.

Jax:yeah I can

As Jax and Tara talked on the phone, Gemma stood outside looking at Rogue river guard Nate's home….