Disclaimer: I do not own TVD or SOA.

Author's Note:

1. Hi! It's been a while, huh? I haven't given up on this fic yet. It just took me a very long time to force my way through this chapter. It's probably my least favorite one so far. I just find it hard to adapt the plot of this episode. I hope y'all like it anyway.

2. Elena's outfits are on tvdcrossovers on tumblr, like always.

3. I went back and edited pretty much all of the old chapters for mistakes and just to make them flow better. There's no drastic storyline changes. I just wanted to adjust characterizations a bit and take out some of the more ridiculous parts of the writing. It's not perfect but I like the old chapters a lot better now.

4. I feel like I should just make an announcement about an epiphany I recently had about this fic. I've been trying to force it into a certain genre that it doesn't fit in. If I'm being really, truly honest, it's very hard to make Jax/Elena into a perfectly healthy, 100% pure relationship. That's just not the characters. Jax is a morally grey antihero. He's not Prince Charming. SoA is a very dark show, theme-wise, and it's foolish to try and pretend otherwise. So there are going to be times when the main relationship isn't so healthy. They're going to have rough patches and they're going to be not so nice to each other sometimes. There's also going to be a hell of a lot of violence, because it's Sons of Anarchy and that's a given. If you want a Prince Charming story, maybe don't read this one. I'm going to try to keep them as realistic as I can while still keeping it a romance as well. So give me and the characters a little grace if you decide to keep reading. It won't always be a smooth ride. Hopefully it'll be worth it, though.

5. I hope you like this chapter!

Elena woke with a sharp intake of breath, recoiling at the bright sun that shone through the window as she tried to orient herself. She felt horribly aware of every rapid beat in her chest as she untangled her legs from the sheets and sat up, pushing her hair out of her face. It was just a dream, she knew that, but it seemed real enough that she could still feel Klaus' unforgiving touch on her skin. Reaching a trembling hand towards the nightstand, Elena checking the time on her phone and letting out a heavy sigh when she realized that it was late morning.

Judging the quiet stillness beyond the closed door of her bedroom, Elena assumed that no one else was in the house. She slid off the bed on weak legs, taking a moment to make sure she could stand before staggering her way into the hall and to the bathroom. Without bothering to turn on the light, she used what came from the small window over the toilet to peer at her pale reflection as she pulled her tangled hair over one shoulder and brushed her fingers over the scars on her throat.

They were small and unassuming enough to escape notice. Only visible if someone knew what they were looking for. A part of Elena was always aware of the scars, regarding them as a physical reminder of the worst night of her life. It was more than just a brush with death. Klaus took more than just blood. In a matter of hours, he dismantled her life. Killed two members of her already dwindling family. Made Mystic Falls nothing more than a haunting reminder of all that she'd lost. The mere idea of him chased her across the entire country and still he haunted her.

And I always will, love.

She heard his voice as clearly as if he whispered in her ear. Just over her shoulder, hidden in the shadows, Elena could have sworn that she saw the yellow glow of his eyes in the mirror's reflection. His monstrous teeth gleaming as his lips parted. His hand coming up to grasp her shoulder. A gasp wrenched its way from her throat as she spun around, shoving her hands out defensively only to meet nothing but air. The cool marble of the bathroom counter dug into her back as she sagged against it, pressing ice cold hands over her face while wondering if she was finally losing her mind.

"Hey."

Elena let out a startled cry as she jumped away from the voice, her hand pressing over her heart. Jax half-leaned through the doorway of the bathroom, stunned by her reaction. She blinked away the image of him from her dream, bloody and hopeless, cradling Abel's body. Her fault. Elena felt a surge of frustration and guilt, hating that he'd been able to sneak up on her so easily and how vulnerable all of this made her feel.

"You okay?" Jax asked as he leaned his shoulder against the door frame and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Fine," Elena said shortly, turning back around to face the mirror while still eyeing him warily. "What are you doing here?"

Jax's eyebrows rose at her curt tone but she ignored the look, reaching out to take hold of her toothbrush.

"Gemma sent me over to check in, said you'd need a ride to the garage if you're feeling up to it."

Elena gritted her teeth, squeezing out more toothpaste than necessary.

"She should've woken me up."

Jax didn't say anything and she felt her agitation growing as she brushed her teeth way more aggressively than she should have.

"You wanna tell me what this is about?" he asked once she was done rinsing her mouth.

Elena grew still, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly as she braced her hands on the counter. It had been a week since the Fun Town incident and ever since, nightmares came every time she closed her eyes. It was different every night but there was still one common theme. Klaus coming after the people that she cared about while she watched, helpless to stop him. She just wanted it to end but she couldn't tell him any of that because the more she talked about Klaus, the sooner Jax would start to wonder why one person could scare her so much.

"I'm just tired," she said, turning away without meeting his eyes. "And I need a shower."

She reached through the curtain to switch on the water, wondering if he'd stubborn it out or leave her alone. The quiet sound of the door closing gave her the answer she needed and Elena felt guilty for how grateful she was that he didn't push her to talk. But she knew that all she'd earned was a delayed conversation. Stepping beneath the near-scalding water, she tipped her head back and screwed her eyes shut as it drenched her hair and ran in quick rivulets over her skin.

The scent of her soap filled the steamy air as she scrubbed away the lingering memory of Klaus' touch. It was tempting to linger in the shower long after she was clean, there really was a pile of stuff to do at the garage and even though Gemma meant well, work was just about the only thing that could take her mind off of everything else. As she stepped out of the shower, Elena let out a quiet curse when she realized that she'd forgotten to bring clothes with her.

Knowing that Jax would be somewhere in the house, she dried off quickly before wrapping the towel tightly around her, aware of just how little of her thighs it covered as she opened the door and slipped out into the hallway. She wasn't all that surprised to see him sitting on her unmade bed waiting for her as she walked into the bedroom. Elena pressed her lips together to avoid going off about personal boundaries, telling herself that none of this was Jax's fault. She felt color rise to her cheeks as his eyes followed her across the room but kept her chin lifted high with every step.

"This isn't a spectator sport, you know," she tossed over her shoulder as she delved into the closet.

"That mean I get to participate?"

Elena waited until she walked back out to roll her eyes, making sure that he could see it.

"Nice try," she said, tilting her head to the door meaningfully as her hands clutched her clothes to her chest.

The bedsprings creaked as Jax rose to his feet in a fluid motion, moving towards her instead of the door. Elena stood her ground, watching him carefully as he closed the distance between them. His hand lifted and her breath caught as he curled a damp lock of her hair around his fingers.

"Something's got you spooked," Jax said, tilting his head to the side slightly.

She swallowed hard, wondering how he saw through her so easily.

"Weird dreams," Elena shrugged off, shivers breaking out over her skin when the motion had his hand brushing her bare shoulder.

She couldn't help but feel aware that nothing more than a towel kept him from getting an eyeful. Something about the way his eyes darkened ever so slightly told her that he was perfectly aware as well. The air grew thick with a different kind of tension as his thumb brushed over her lower lip. She exhaled softly, her lips parting as a different kind of heat unfurled within her. Jax leaned in just a little bit closer as he stroked his thumb over her jaw and she felt anticipation fill her stomach with that anxious, fluttery sensation.

"You want coffee?" he asked.

Elena gave a slow nod of her head without really processing his question, only blinking out of the haze that clouded her mind when he stepped away. She narrowed her eyes at his retreating back, wondering if he did all of that on purpose to distract her from the dark cloud that hovered over her. Shoving her door closed behind him, she leaned back against it and forced herself to breathe in and out, repeating some of the club's favorite curses in her head before tossing her clothes on the bed and dropping the towel.

Her skin felt overly sensitive to the drag of cloth, making her shudder as she dressed quickly. Raking her fingers through her hair, she slipped out into the hallway to the bathroom. Steam still lingered in the air and Elena had to swipe condensation from the mirror so that she could see her muddled reflection. She did her best to finish off her routine quickly, leaving her hair to dry in waves and applying the bare minimum makeup, enough to make her feel comfortable facing the world.

By the time she finished, Jax was waiting in the kitchen with a to-go cup full of steaming coffee. Elena took it from his hand with a quiet thanks, taking a careful sip and wrinkling her nose at the bitter taste of black coffee. Though that was Jax's preferred way of drinking it, she wasn't about to complain. After taking another drink, she stowed the cup away in her bag and glanced at Jax, wondering if he would try to get her to talk. Instead, he tilted his head towards the door and waited for her nod of assent before leading the way.

She knew that he was holding himself back, words trapped on his tongue as she took the helmet from him. Once she settled behind him on his motorcycle's seat, Elena hesitated for the first time in a while before wrapping her arms around his waist. It was all too easy to mold herself to him, breathing in that familiar scent as her eyes fluttered closed. Jax still didn't say anything and she felt bad for taking her horrible mood out on him.

He didn't deserve it. None of it was his fault. As they made their way towards the garage, she thought over how she could apologize without having to talk about it. There was so much on his plate. Elena didn't want to put more on his shoulders. But in spite of her determination to put distance between them, she didn't get far once they pulled into the parking lot of the garage. She barely managed to climb off of the bike after taking off the helmet, heading for the office only to come to a stop when his hand closed around her arm, pulling her back around to face him.

Elena huffed out a frustrated breath and tried to look away but his other hand lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. There was confusion and frustration in his eyes, not that she blamed him for any of it. She'd more than earned it with her behavior. Elena pressed her lips together, staring up at him warily as she anticipated what he would say. But whatever it was died on his lips when the roar of another motorcycle pulling in tore them out of the moment.

Their heads both turned in time to see Tig backing his bike into a spot, looking thunderous as he climbed off and pulled his helmet from his head. Elena took a slow step back and Jax's hands fell away from her as they watched Tig stalk towards them, anger resonating in every step that he took. Whatever had him in this mood couldn't be good.

"We got trouble," Tig said shortly.

"What is it?" Jax called after him as he strode towards the garage where Clay was working.

"ATF," he tossed over his shoulder.

Elena's eyes flitted to Jax as he cursed aloud, giving her a brief look before breaking away to follow Tig. She hung back, watching as they both approached Clay. It didn't take long for the Sam Crow president to scowl as Tig told him the same, looking angrier than both of them combined as he began striding towards the clubhouse with both Jax and Tig on his heels, loudly calling for a meeting. Once they all disappeared through the door she made her way towards the office, unsure of what awaited her when she saw Gemma.

"Jesus," the other woman said as Elena walked into the office, giving her a onceover. "You look like shit."

"Thanks," Elena said dryly, lacking the energy to bite back much more than that as she dropped in a chair. "Haven't been sleeping much."

"No kidding," Gemma said, looking unsurprised. "That shit you faced with the Oswald kid was deep. Anyone would need time to cope."

Elena shook her head, wishing that was the only thing keeping her up at night.

"It's Klaus."

Gemma didn't say anything, giving her a long, measuring look before Half-Sack appeared in the doorway, claiming that the coffee maker in the clubhouse broke again.

"Bobby," Elena said with a sigh, pushing herself to her feet wearily. "I swear, he doesn't know how to handle anything that was built after 1980."

Half-Sack snorted with laughter as Gemma's phone began ringing. Elena saw the wariness cross the other woman's face as she picked it up and wondered who could make her look that way just before she left the office to make the trek across the lot to the clubhouse. The door to the chapel was tightly shut but she could hear the low murmur of voices as she followed Half-Sack towards the small kitchen.

"This is the last time I'm fixing this stupid thing," she muttered in warning.

Half-Sack grinned at her, leaning against the wall as she bent over to see what was wrong.

"You're the best," he called out to her with a grin.

She gave him nothing more than a roll of her eyes in response.

"We've taken every precaution to stay out of ATF's crosshairs," Clay said, stabbing the end of his cigar in the ashtray to his left. "No busts, no investigations for five years. We don't know this guy's here for us."

Jax leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the table.

"Hale flagged Bluebird as our gun warehouse," he reminded them all, as if they needed it to remember that particular thorn in their side. "He's pissed off that we made Unser crush the case and he called in the feds. I think it's gotta be about us."

"Be my guess," Bobby agreed.

"And we've got a garage full of twenty-five to life," Juice reminded them all.

Clay heaved out a sigh, rubbing at his jaw as he leaned back in his chair.

"Any legit place we store those guns is a straight line back to us."

"Can't Rosen get us some storage short term?" Tig wondered aloud.

"He's killing Bluebird, man. He's setting up a dummy corp. It takes a few weeks," Juice told him.

Jax glanced around as everyone tried to think of an out, hoping that maybe his idea might hit home. Clay would be resistant but it was the best thing for two different clubs.

"We got that call from Jury last week," he said, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. "Mayans pressing the Devil's Tribe to pay a vig to keep running money and girls out of Nevada."

Clay leveled him with a wary look as he placed a cigarette between his lips. Jax didn't speak until he lit it, knowing that it'd take some work on his part to convince the older man.

"Look, maybe I do head to Indian Hills, offer Jury some advice. He offers our AKs a safe house," he suggested.

"That's a risky ride, brother," Juice said, sounding just as hesitant as the others looked. "Northern Nevada is Mayan territory. They're still looking to settle the score from our little raid."

"The Mayans know that the Tribe's a brother club. Part of asking for that vig is about shitting on us. They knew Jury would call. They're gonna be watching," Bobby threw in.

Jax nodded in agreement, looking around the table.

"That's what I'm saying," he said, gesturing to Bobby. "That's why just me and you go in under the radar. We'll bring the guns in the same way."

He looked to Clay, hoping that he'd convinced him enough.

"And you think you could bring Jury on board?" Clay asked.

"Shit, my dad saved his ass in Vietnam," he said, remembering the stories all too easily. "He owes the Tellers."

Clay took a deep breath and let it out slowly, glancing towards Tig before looking back at Jax.

"Look, man. We're not gonna go cowboy. I promise," Jax assured him.

"Promise," Bobby said with a grin, crossing over his heart with one hand.

Clay nodded his head slowly, finally coming around to it.

"Low profile," he said conditionally, holding up his hand. "I don't want the Mayans knowing we crossed into Nevada."

He looked to Tig once Jax nodded in agreement.

"They pull this off, I want you and Juice driving the barrels."

"Done."

"We'll need something big though," Jax told him.

Clay didn't disagree, picking up the gavel.

"I'll call Unser," he said before banging it, effectively ending the meeting.

Elena shielded her eyes from the bright sun as she crossed the lot yet again, feeling a headache forming and regretting leaving her sunglasses in the office. When she spotted Gemma hovering in the office's doorway with narrowed eyes, she followed her line of sight to an older black car sitting just outside of the garage. Once she saw the driver climb out, Elena realized it wasn't the car that pissed Gemma off. Tara looked different outside of scrubs in the hospital in a jarring way.

Elena didn't miss the way that her face brightened at the sight of Jax as he walked out the clubhouse but she didn't have the energy to deal with the hot spike of jealousy that followed. Gemma had no qualms about showing her displeasure, crossing her arms over her chest and doing her best to test whether or not a glare could actually set another person on fire. Elena opened her mouth to speak before she could stop herself, blaming her exhaustion for the blunt words that followed.

"Why do you hate her so much?"

Gemma tore her eyes away from Tara and Jax and fixed Elena with a look that might have made a weaker person shrink back. Elena stood her ground, tilting her head to the side questioningly.

"Guess that history hasn't found its way to your late night talks with my son," Gemma said, a hint of challenge to her voice.

Elena had been around Caroline enough to know when someone was trying to push back with something that might hit home. She didn't fall for the bait. It would be hypocritical for her to be annoyed that Jax didn't talk about Tara since she hadn't told him a single thing about Stefan or anything else really.

"Guess it hasn't," she said, refusing to let Gemma get a rise out of her.

The other woman didn't break her gaze, giving Elena a long, contemplative look that transitioned to determination just before she held up the phone in her hand.

"Got a call from that mutual friend of ours."

Elena's eyes grew wide. There was only one person that could be. Fear struck her chest like a blow, making her feel weak on her feet.

"Why?"

Why call Gemma and not her? Why call at all? What was going on? There were dozens of reasons that Elijah would initiate contact and none of them were good. If the threat was gone, surely he'd come in person to tell her.

"Klaus," Gemma said, confirming Elena's worst fears. "Got wind that he has some lackeys in the area looking into something unrelated to you. Thinks we ought to keep you out of sight until they're gone."

Elena's stomach gave a violent twist as she pressed her lips into a thin line, trying hard not to give into the choking panic that rose in her. Not wanting to have another attack in front of everyone again.

"What am I going to do?"

She hated how small her voice sounded. Hated how easily Klaus could make her feel this weak. This scared. A very small part of her, a part that she'd never admit to, almost wished that he'd succeeded in killing her. That John never gave his life for hers. Then at least she wouldn't have to live with this horrible waiting. The knowledge that he could come for her any time and that she couldn't do a damn thing to stop him. If Elijah didn't find a way to defeat him, she'd be haunted this way for the rest of her life.

"Get your things," Gemma said, that determination still lingering in her eyes. "Got an idea."

Elena slipped past her into the office and grabbed her purse, coming back out as Gemma strode towards Jax and Tara. Elena moved quickly to catch up with her while slipping on her sunglasses, not knowing if she was going to stand back and watch or stop her from getting into a confrontation with Tara in the middle of the lot. Just as they approached, Jax turned with a furrowed brow only to look weirdly relieved when he saw his mom approaching. Could he really be so oblivious to the tension between his ex and his mother?

"Just let my mom know if you need anything," he said, stepping to the side so that Tara and Gemma could face one another.

"Everything okay?" Gemma asked, her voice ringing with fake politeness as she looked at Tara.

"Yeah, fine. She's just here to get her car fixed," Jax said, gesturing to the car behind Tara. "Could you give Tara a ride home? She's gotta leave the Cutlass here."

Tara's eyes widened and she started to shake her head. Elena almost felt sorry for her. Jax was completely oblivious of the tension building in the air, looking satisfied to have solved whatever issue they had.

"No, that's okay. I'll just take a-"

"Love to give the good doctor a lift," Gemma cut Tara off all too happily, offering the doctor a disingenuous smile before looking at Jax critically. "Where are you going?"

"Visiting Uncle Jury," Jax said.

Gemma's eyebrows flew up at that, her mouth twisting into a sudden, very real frown.

"Nevada? By yourself?" she said, the slightest trace of nerves in her voice.

Jax smiled slightly, as if he expected it. Elena didn't say anything, tucking her hair behind her ear as she waited. She'd never heard of an Uncle Jury or anything to do with Nevada at all. She had a feeling that it was club business and though Jax had given her certain answers before, she was fully aware that she didn't and probably wouldn't ever know everything.

"With Bobby," Jax assured Gemma, a hint of exasperation in his eyes.

"Does Clay know?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Relax, Mom," Jax sighed, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek. "It's gonna be fine."

He started to turn towards a waiting Tara but Gemma spoke up again, bringing his attention back to her.

"You mind letting a straggler tag along?" she asked, that same faux brightness entering her voice as she nudged Elena forward.

Elena's eyes grew wide behind her sunglasses and she wondered why Gemma thought this was a good idea. He was clearly taking this trip on club business and Clay would probably be less than pleased for her to be in the middle of it. Elena expected the answer to be a resounding no but instead, Jax looked between them curiously, though his gaze lingered on Elena. She didn't know what he saw. A pale face? Stress tugging her lips into a frown? Wild fear in her eyes? Whatever it was, it brought him a few steps closer.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing she can't tell you on the road," Gemma said, her eyes darting towards Tara.

Jax didn't look convinced. Elena wished that she could take them all back a few minutes and avoid this entire conversation.

"Clay…" Jax said, trailing off.

"Let me deal with him," Gemma said, reaching up to pat his cheek. "Take care of our girl, yeah?"

Jax nodded before meeting Elena's eyes again, tilting his head towards his bike. She tried her best to smile, though she couldn't help but look back at Gemma before she turned away. There was something there, the satisfaction in her eyes telling Elena that Gemma was getting exactly what she wanted. Whatever it was, Elena had a feeling it had everything to do with Tara Knowles. She kept close to Jax as they walked to his bike, wondering exactly what she was going to do on a trip to Nevada that she knew nothing about.

"What's this about?" Jax asked as he handed her a helmet.

Elena hesitated, wondering what exactly she was supposed to tell him.

"The guy I told you about," she said, looking down at the ground as she searched for the right way to phrase it. "He has some friends that are in the area. There's a chance they may recognize me so it's either hide away in Clay and Gemma's house for a few days or go with you, I guess."

She shrugged, looking at him again. Unsurprisingly, that wariness still lingered in his eyes. Elena knew that her grace period was running out. He would inevitably stop keeping his questions to himself. She had no idea what she would say when the time came. Elena almost hoped that he would refuse, if just to delay his curiosity a little bit longer.

"You can just drop me off, it's okay."

Jax stared at her for a long moment before his face broke out in a small smile and he shook his head, reaching out to cup the back of her head. Elena inhaled slowly as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, a tingling warmth spreading through her and chasing away the bad, if just for a brief few seconds.

"They won't get anywhere near you," Jax said, the words sounding dangerously like a promise.

Elena let out a soft sigh, wanting so badly to tell him that it was a fight he'd never win.

"What'll it be, Teller?" she asked as he pulled away, looking up into his eyes.

Jax smirked at her, turning to climb onto his bike.

"Ride's gonna be a lot better with company," he said, patting the seat behind him.

Elena ducked her head to hide her smile before situating the helmet on her head, buckling the strap beneath her chin before climbing on behind him, careful to avoid the bag that he was carrying over his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing flush to his back. As he revved the bike to life, Elena let her eyes fall closed as she tried her best to forget everything else. Maybe this was exactly what she needed. A few days away from Charming and everything else to clear her head.

It certainly couldn't make her feel worse, right?

It didn't take them long to get to the town line where Bobby was waiting for them. He pulled out onto the road, effortlessly keeping up with Jax as they sped away from Charming. He cast a quizzical look Elena's way but Jax shook his head, silently letting him know that they would explain later. Elena found that the longer they drove, the more peaceful she found it. With wind whipping at her hair and rushing in her ears, blocking out the rest of the world, she felt almost like she was flying.

Even though her body ached from being in one position for so long, she found a sort of levity in watching the world pass in a blur, pressed close to the solid form of a man that she barely knew yet felt like she understood so deeply. A man who lived a violent life that she was only half aware of, but that would protect the people he cared about in a heartbeat. And Elena might just be one of those people.

It was all so much to consider that she didn't even notice something was wrong until she felt Jax tense up in front of her. They had just passed the border into Nevada. She couldn't hear anything over the rumble of his motorcycle and the wind rushing past her ears but when she peeked over his shoulder, Elena saw half a dozen motorcycles heading their way on the other side of the road. They didn't look familiar but she could tell even from where she sat that their cuts weren't anything like Sam Crow.

"What do we got?" Bobby yelled loud enough for both of them to hear.

"Mayans," Jax called back, no trace of surprise or hesitation in his voice.

"So much for low profile."

Neither of them sounded happy. It didn't take long for her to discover why. Elena watched as one of the oncoming bikers broke off from the others, swerving into the opposite lane and coming straight for them as the road curved. When the man's arm lifted, she squinted behind her sunglasses just as the sun glinted off of the gun in his hand. A gasp slipped out of her lips and she held onto Jax a little tighter, wanting to look away yet frozen in place, unable to do anything but watch.

She waited and waited for him to shoot, wondering if the world was moving in slow motion in those few brief moments. But then they got too close and the man swerved back in with his group, unable to react in time. Jax and Bobby accelerated, moving even quicker than before. As they sped along the road, Elena felt a faint pricking sensation on the back of her neck and turned around on sheer instinct. As soon as she saw them, she whirled back around and tightened her grip around Jax.

"They're following you," she said directly in his ear.

"How many?" he asked, sounding clinical and focused.

"Three."

Jax glanced over at Bobby, holding up three fingers and waiting for a nod before he looked forward again, his jaw clenched with determination. Elena loosened her grip on him when he patted her tightly clasped hands, knowing that he and Bobby had an unspoken plan. When they suddenly veered apart and slammed on their brakes, a gasp fell from her lips as their tires screeched over the asphalt and sent the other bikers zooming past them. Only then did he and Bobby pull out their own guns.

Elena covered her ears as the shots rang all around her, echoing off the cliffs that surrounded them. Only when Jax lowered his arm did she let her hands fall away, watching as the men drove away as quickly as they could, knowing that they'd been beat even if they outnumbered Jax and Bobby. Elena peered over Jax's shoulder as he put away the black handgun in a holster he had hidden beneath his cut. She didn't even notice it when she wrapped her arms around him and felt stupid for not knowing it was there.

"You good?" he asked, tilting his head towards her.

She nodded without thinking, a knee jerk response even as her heart raced in her chest and her stomach churned as she tried to come to terms with what just happened.

"Yeah," Elena finally said, though her voice shook.

Jax didn't look convinced but he revved up his bike anyway, accelerating forward with Bobby right next to him. They didn't drive on for long. As soon as Jax spotted a gas station, they pulled off and parked to the side of the convenience store. Elena didn't have to be told to move, climbing off of the bike on unsteady legs before Jax could even cut the engine. She didn't have to be told that it was adrenaline making her tremble, her breaths coming in short bursts even now. Jax's eyes were fixed on her but she didn't return his gaze even when he spoke.

"I didn't know that was going to happen," he said, framing his words carefully. "If I knew this shit was gonna go down, I never would've let you come."

Elena didn't know how to answer him. She didn't even know how she felt about what happened. All that she could do was stare forward, silent and unsure.

"Sure you're okay?" Jax asked, sounding like he wasn't too sure how to deal with this.

Elena took a deep breath before glancing his way, nodding as she forced a smile onto her face and tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear.

"I'm still standing, right?"

It wasn't an answer and they both knew it. She couldn't deny that a part of her was still terrified about what happened. Elena couldn't imagine that she would ever see a day where getting a gun pointed in her direction wasn't a huge deal. Jax and Bobby seemed to take it in stride but she wasn't sure that she could. Violence became part of her life a long time ago. It was practically inescapable from the moment she walked out of that high school bathroom and almost collided with Stefan. But this was different. She wasn't sure that it was something that she could handle. But Elena thought that it said something that she wasn't running for the hills at the moment, in spite of all her fears.

Yes, she was still standing.

For now, that had to be enough.

Jax accepted it with a nod, much to her relief, turning towards Bobby and holding his hand out expectantly.

"Give me the prepay," he said, walking ahead of both of them towards the store.

Bobby handed him a flip phone that she'd never seen before. She kept her arms crossed protectively over her chest, hesitating just outside of the store as they stopped walking.

"So, Mayans spotted us."

Whatever Jax heard in response from who she assumed was Clay caused his brow to furrow ever so slightly.

"Well, I'll have the Vegas boys head up," Jax said.

This time, his mouth turned down into a frown and he stared forward with disbelief written across his face. Bobby tilted his head towards the store, passing a twenty to Elena. She understood the unspoken command. She wasn't supposed to hear whatever Jax was saying. She almost wanted to stubbornly stay put, not happy with being ordered around, but it wasn't worth the fight. She just didn't have the energy.

"You talking patch-over?" Jax said, his voice carrying to her even as she walked towards the door. "I don't know, Clay. Tribe might've started outlaw but now... I mean, shit, they're bookkeepers and bouncers."

That was the last she heard as the door swung shut behind her. Elena spared the cashier a small smile when he greeted her, moving through the aisles without really seeing what the shelves offered. When she reached the row of refrigerators along one wall, Elena stared at the rows of colorfully labeled bottles for a long few moments before pulling out her phone. She needed an outlet for the questions weighing on her mind. Elijah would just have to get over whatever had him avoiding her.

She didn't know why but she wasn't surprised when the phone didn't even ring before she heard an automated message telling her that the number she was trying to call had been deactivated. Elena let out a short, frustrated sigh even though she knew deep down that this would happen. Elijah wouldn't give her means to contact him, just in case she called at the wrong moment and blew everything. That didn't make it any less infuriating. She felt helpless in a way that made her want to scream.

"Hey."

Elena jumped when a hand brushed her shoulder, whirling around to face Jax as her heart rate spiked yet again.

"Sorry," he said, looking more and more suspicious.

Elena knew why. For her to be so on edge that he managed to startle her twice was definitely raising some red flags. She waved off his apology, swallowing hard before answering.

"I'm fine."

It felt almost robotic at this point, repeating the same words and hoping that no one would question it. But Jax seemed to notice all too easily, much to her chagrin.

"You know, you don't have to talk about it," he said, his eyes carving deep into hers. "I mean, shit, I'm not exactly known for sharing my feelings. But you don't have to lie and keep telling me you're okay when you're not."

Elena looked up at him guiltily, clutching her phone in both hands and wondering if she was really that transparent. She searched for something to say, coming up blank and hating that he could dig deep and touch a nerve like this so easily.

"You want anything before we go?" Jax said quietly.

Elena shook her head, the nauseated feeling in her stomach making it hard to want anything, food or drink. He didn't look satisfied but he nodded anyway, letting her make her own decision. Once he and Bobby downed a cup of coffee each, smoking a cigarette as they hovered just outside of the convenience store, they headed back around to where they parked their bikes only to see that they weren't as unoccupied as they should have been.

"Which one is it?" an unfamiliar voice reached her ears.

Elena caught her lower lip between her teeth at the sight of a woman who had to be just a few years older than her holding a phone, aiming it at the man who was posing on Jax's bike. She couldn't see how this could end well, judging by the sudden tension in Jax's shoulders and the way his jaw visibly clenched.

"Are you an idiot?" the man demanded, making the woman flinch at the anger in his voice. "Take the picture."

"Can't find the button. Sorry," the woman said quietly, looking down and away from him.

As she did, and as Jax and Bobby grew closer, Elena noticed the cut on the woman's lip and didn't have to guess where it came from.

"Here. Let me do it."

Jax reached out, deftly taking the phone from the woman.

"Holy shit," she said, her eyes lighting up with worry. "I-I told him not to sit on your bike."

Jax grinned at her, shaking his head to dismiss her concern. She wasn't the one he had an issue with. The guy looked slightly nervous now and Elena thought it served him right. Not for sitting on Jax's motorcycle, which was a stupid enough choice, but for hitting his girlfriend.

"That's all right," Jax said, focusing on the man. "You look like a guy who knows how to get his way. You do that to her lip?"

Elena stepped up beside the woman, sharing a glance with her and seeing the naked fear in her eyes. She wanted to do something. To get her far away from here. No one deserved to live like this. No one deserved that fear.

"Bitch has a mouth on her, you know?" the man said with a careless shrug.

Elena's head snapped to him, rage filling her at his words. She'd rarely been tempted by violence but she wanted nothing more than to hurt him. To make him feel that fear for once. How could he sit there and proudly take credit for abusing someone? How could anyone be so callous?

"Sure. I get it," Jax said with an easy smile that covered how tightly he was holding the phone in his hand. "So you like Harleys, huh?"

Elena watched them, her shoulder brushing the other woman's as they looked on, neither sure about what was going to happen.

"Yeah. They look good. But I'm way into the slant bikes for their speed, you know?" the man said with a smile that was getting more relaxed by the second.

He thought he was in the clear. Judging by how Bobby's hand formed a fist behind his back, the man couldn't have been more wrong.

"Right," Jax said with a nod as he lifted the phone.

"Say cheese," Bobby said almost mockingly.

"Cheese," the man echoed, looking ridiculous as he posed, completely unaware that he'd pissed off two dangerous men.

Elena felt a strange sort of anticipation as the tension grew thicker with each second that passed and found herself leaning forward ever so slightly, waiting with her breath caught in her throat for the inevitable conclusion.

"Nice," Jax commented, handing Bobby the phone.

"That's before," Bobby said with an approving nod.

The man's smile faded slightly as he glanced between the two of them with confusion in his eyes.

"Before?"

Jax stepped closer, his hand closing around his helmet where it was hanging off of his handlebars. As he swung it into the side of the guy's face, knocking him off the bike and onto the ground, Elena inhaled sharply and the woman next to her shrieked aloud, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. She knew that Jax sat squarely in a life of violence. Had seen the evidence with her own eyes. Mottled bruises and deep red blood. Scraped knuckles and split lips. Hands that held weapons with too ease. Familiarity. Expertise.

"Don't ever sit on another man's bike, asshole," Jax hissed, looming over the man as a predator would bear down on its prey.

Elena felt breathless. Fixated on the scene before her. Unable to look away even if she wanted to. Knowing that violence existed was one thing. Seeing it was another.

"Holy shit," the woman breathed out.

"Shut up, bitch!" the man yelled at her, blood running down his nose and into his mouth.

Bobby reared back, his foot connecting with the man's ribs as Elena reached out, brushing a hand over the woman's shoulder with concern.

"A little respect for the fairer sex," Bobby said, bending over to take another picture. "That's after."

He tossed the phone on the ground next to the man as Jax turned to face Elena, anger still stirring in his bright eyes. Tearing her eyes away from him, overwhelmed and unable to meet his stare, Elena looked at the woman next to her. She looked at Jax and Bobby with hesitant fear in her gaze.

"Are you okay?" Elena asked, shifting the woman's attention to her. "Is there anything you need? Anywhere we can take you?"

The woman stared back at her with wide eyes and just for a moment, Elena wondered if she might actually take her up on it. But then the man on the ground let out a groan and the woman seemed to snap back to reality with a shudder.

"No," she said with a soft voice as she shook her head. "That's okay."

Elena felt her heart sink as the woman stepped down from the curb, making her way over to the man. She felt rooted to the place, watching the scene unfold with all the horror of a car crash. The woman bent over to help the man up. He sent her reeling as he shoved her away, spitting something nasty her way that Elena couldn't quite hear Yet as he stormed off towards the slant bike parked by one of the gas pumps, the woman followed behind him, almost like she was tethered to him by an invisible cord.

"Elena."

Her eyes snapped to Jax and she let out a breath that she didn't even realize she'd been holding. Crossing over to him without really thinking about it, she took the helmet from him and stared down at it for a moment. Wondered if it was damaged from hitting that awful man. Her eyes lifted, catching sight of the couple once more as they peeled out of the parking lot. She felt her lip tremble ever so slightly. The telltale prick of angry tears gathering in her eyes.

Swallowing it all down, she buckled the helmet in place and climbed onto the bike behind Jax. Slipping her arms around his waist, she felt the tension in his muscles and somehow knew that his patience was wearing thin. Closing her eyes tightly, she laid her cheek against his back and didn't even stir when the bike rumbled to life. The noise was loud enough to drown out the rest of the world. Elena found comfort in that knowledge and didn't open her eyes even as Jax sped out of the parking lot.

If she did, she might have noticed the man staring straight at them from inside of the plain, unmarked car, his large camera angled in their direction.

The moment that Jax's bike halted in the parking lot, shadowed by a building with a black exterior, Elena took note of the difference between Nevada and California. She couldn't get her jacket off quickly enough, already feeling sticky in the inescapable dry heat. It was hard to remember ever being quite this hot. She grimaced as she gathered her hair, holding it up and off of her neck. Her eyes flitted up to the sign on the building as Jax and Bobby adjusted their bikes and took off their helmets.

"So bars are a thing for you guys, huh?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder at Jax.

The corner of his mouth lifted just slightly as he met her gaze.

"Legit businesses are a good cover," he said simply, stepping away from his bike to offer his hand to her. "Just, uh… just don't ask any questions, okay?"

Elena stared at him, slowly raising her eyebrows.

"Not exactly my forte.".

Jax smirked, knowing that better than most.

"It's different here," he said as she released her hair and hesitantly took his hand. "I know Jury and I trust him but the rest of them… I don't know them well enough and I don't really wanna give them any reason to look twice at you."

Elena glanced at Bobby where he was doing his best to give them the illusion of privacy before looking back at Jax. With a heavy sigh, she nodded and brushed her tangled hair out of her face. As tired as she was, she knew that she could do this.

"I'll let 'em know you're with me," Jax said, looking almost relieved as he took a step towards the bar.

"Wait," Elena said, giving him a frown. "With you?"

He hesitated, squeezing her hand lightly as if he knew she wouldn't like what he had to say.

"Like I said, I don't want anyone asking questions about you or trying to get too close to you," Jax said, stepping close to brush her hair behind her ear. "They'll stay away if-"

"If they think I belong to you?" Elena cut him off, tilting her head to the side with a skeptical look. "These are really progressive friends you have."

Jax grinned, showing off his dimples as he clearly attempted to charm her. She stared back, refusing to let it work.

"It's the nature of the business, sweetheart," he said, tugging her towards the bar.

"Yeah well your business kinda sucks."

She may as well have stuck out her tongue. It would have been just as mature. Jax simply winked at her before turning around, fitting her close to his side as they walked in tandem until the door swung open. The man who walked out first, older with white hair and a mustache, beamed at Jax without restraint.

"Jackson Teller!" he called boisterously.

"Uncle Jury!"

Jax released her hand as he approached the older man, pulling him into an exuberant hug. Elena simply hung back and watched as they embraced. She could be as observant as she could inquisitive, and didn't always need to ask questions to get the information that she needed. A second man slipped out of the door, thin and wiry with red hair and a patchy beard.

"You guys remember Bobby," Jax said as he stepped away from Jury.

Bobby reached out to hug Jury as well before nodding at the other man.

"Needles, how you been?"

"Bobby," the second man said with a nod, shaking his hand.

Jury and Needles led them inside as Jax tossed an arm over Elena's shoulder, guiding her in beside him. The bar was organized and decorated differently but it still reminded her of the clubhouse back in Charming, minus the Grim Reaper and wall of mugshots.

"M.C. Royalty in the house, folks," Jury announced to the room at large. "Jax Teller and Bobby Elvis of the Sons. Let's make 'em feel at home."

A few people came forward to greet them both. Jax kept her close while he shook hands and exchanged hugs. Elena's eyes wandered until she saw Bobby approaching a scantily clad woman at the bar with Jury close by.

"I think I could be in love with that perfection," he said just loud enough that she could hear.

"Daytona, come on over and say hi to Bobby."

The woman did just as Jury said, tossing dark hair over her shoulder as she walked over with a sway in her hips.

"Daytona, as in five hundred?" Bobby said with a smirk, his eyes scanning her.

"As in twelve hundred... a night," Jury said, causing Bobby's mouth to drop open and Elena's eyes to grow wide. "My treat, brother."

He clapped Bobby on the shoulder and, after letting out a laugh, Bobby smacked a kiss to Jury's cheek before turning towards the woman.

"Show me the way," he said, reaching out to wrap an arm around her waist.

She let out a giggle, leading him through the bar and beyond a doorway. Elena looked away, feeling an itch beneath her skin. Though she knew that she was somewhat an outsider in Charming and Sam Crow, sometimes a part of her still felt like she belonged somehow. That feeling had almost completely disappeared by now. Jax led her towards the bar before stepping away as Jury turned his attention on him. Elena hung back a little as they moved to sit on two stools.

"That your old lady?" Jury asked in a quiet voice, probably not intending for her to hear.

Elena glanced around awkwardly, doing her best to pretend she couldn't hear him.

"It's a long story," she heard Jax mutter quietly. "She's got the club's protection. Tell you the rest later."

Elena looked back at them just long enough to see Jury nod before he glanced over Jax's shoulder.

"Cherry," he said, calling over one of the women hovering near the bar.

She was shorter than Elena with dark brown hair and confidence radiating off of her with every step that she took.

"This honey's with Jax," Jury said, tilting his head towards Elena.

A frown immediately formed on Elena's face and she opened her mouth to object only to snap it closed when she noticed Jax give her a placating look that told her to play along.

It's temporary, she told herself, gritting her teeth. Jax knows what he's doing.

"Show her the ropes, darlin'," Jury said as Elena took a deep breath and fought the urge to object.

Cherry nodded, giving Elena a once over before smiling at her.

"Come on, sweetheart."

Elena forced a smile onto her face and as she passed Jax, his hand brushed over hers.

"See you," he said quietly.

Elena jerked her head in a nod, wondering what the hell he'd gotten her into as Cherry led her behind the bar and handed her a glass.

"First rule?" Cherry said, picking up another glass. "Keep 'em hydrated."

She filled the glass with beer from the tap before nodding at Elena to do the same. Fighting the urge to mutter curses under her breath, since it wasn't her job to hand out beer if she wasn't being paid for it, Elena followed suit and filled the glass. Cherry sensed her annoyance anyway and gave her a look, one of her eyebrows quirking upwards. But she didn't say anything, nodding at Elena to hand it to Jax. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she slid it across the bar towards him and met his eyes, her own dark gaze screaming bloody murder.

Jax very poorly tried to hide his amusement as Cherry handed the beer that she held to Jury, giving him a flirty half-smile as he took it and nodded her way. Elena stuck close to the other woman as she stepped away, feeling a bitter resentment rising in her at being trapped in a place that made her so deeply uncomfortable. She took the bottle of beer that Cherry pressed into her hand without really thinking, only reacting when she felt the cool glass against her palm.

"Who gets this one?" Elena asked, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice.

"You, baby girl," Cherry said, grinning over at her. "The drinks come cheap around here for girls like us."

Elena had her doubts, remembering how easily Bobby walked away with a woman in his arms to do God knows what. She wasn't completely ignorant, eyeing the stripper pole set up in one corner of the bar. We're not in Kansas anymore, she thought to herself, turning her attention on Cherry as she guided them to sit close to Jax and Jury. Elena barely tasted the beer as she drank robotically. She sat right next to Jax, hearing the low murmur of his conversation beneath Cherry's friendly chatter even though his back was turned to her.

"Started the sports book with the escorts and the strip clubs. First stop over the border," she heard Jury say.

"Must be churning some serious cash," Jax said, lighting up a cigarette. "Got the Mayans circling for a percentage."

"They're jamming me up, Jax," Jury said with a heavy sigh. "If I don't pay the Mexicans, they turn my business inside out. If I kick a vig up to 'em, I disrespect you guys."

Jax didn't say anything for several long moments.

"Tribe attracts a good membership," he finally acknowledged.

"Eighteen. Real good boys."

"You still get along with local law?"

"Douglas County? Sheriff likes the girls," Jury confirmed. "So how are we gonna handle the Mayans?"

Jax exhaled before speaking, a wary hesitation in his voice.

"We're hoping actually maybe you could help us out with a problem," he said, almost sounding half-hearted. "Got a garage full of AK-47 s. Need a place to assemble and store 'em till we find a buyer. It's a temporary thing."

Jury stayed silent for a few moments before answering him.

"Got a strip club out on 95. Huge basement. Private."

"Sounds perfect, appreciate it."

"You'll talk to Clay, let me know how to handle this Mayan thing?" Jury asked.

"You can talk to him yourself," Jax said, stubbing out his cigarette in a nearby tray. "He's on his way."

That was as much news to Elena as it was to Jury, who spoke with shock in his voice.

"Clay's coming out?"

Elena couldn't decide if he sounded happy or upset about it.

"Yup," Jax said, tension in his voice once more. "It's about the future, Jury."

"Future of what?"

"The Tribe."

The older man let out a heavy sigh, the words clearly upsetting him now.

"Jesus, Jax," he said, weariness weighing down his words. "Patchover?"

"It's time, Jury. This whole area is blowing up. We don't patch you over, Mayans will run right through you. We get a foothold in Nevada. You get status to protect your business. Best move for both clubs."

Jax sounded passionate about his words, like he believed them through and through. But there was a part of it that almost sounded robotic, like he was reciting them from memory.

"A lot of my guys aren't Sam Crow," Jury said after thinking about it for a few moments.

"The ones that are cut out for it will make it. Others will fall off," Jax said simply.

"I'm not a young man anymore either, Jax. I don't know how much outlaw I got left in me."

With a huff of almost laughter, she heard Jax move behind her and clap a hand on the other man's shoulder.

"You'll do fine, Jury."

Elena shifted in her seat, setting her drink down and arching her back a little to fight the ache from sitting for so long both on Jax's motorcycle and on this stool.

"How you doing, babe?"

It took her a moment to realize that Jax was talking to her. She looked over her shoulder as Cherry trailed off.

"I'd like to wash up," she said quietly, unable to summon any exuberant cheer or flirty veneer.

She didn't look to Jax or Jury but rather to Cherry, whose eyes slid towards the older man and apparent President of the charter here. Jury must have given her a nod because she set her drink down and stood up.

"Follow me."

Elena did just that, keeping close behind her as they made their way down the back hallway. Cherry led her off into a room that was chaotic yet homely. Elena could see all of the personal touches that the other woman put on it and couldn't help but wonder how long she'd been there. This place was different from Charming or Sam Crow. She couldn't imagine the group letting women stay at the clubhouse. It made her feel a little uncomfortable, how it seemed to work around here.

"Bathroom's through there," Cherry said, pointing to a door as she plopped down on her bed.

"Thanks."

Elena closed the door behind her before leaning against it with a heavy sigh. Sliding down until she was sitting on the ground, she raked her fingers through tangled hair and let herself give into the overwhelmed panic that clawed at her all day. It didn't take long for tears to wet her cheeks as her chest began to ache from the restrained gasps that she wouldn't let get too loud. Not wanting Cherry to hear her, Elena pressed both hands over her mouth and hunched over her lap, letting it all course through her. The fear. The anger. The exhaustion.

She had no desire to walk back out of that room. Didn't want to face a bar full of strangers. Why had Gemma sent her here? The other woman had to have known that Elena would be a fish out of water in a place like this. Wishing that she'd chosen to go home instead, Elena was struck by the fact that she'd started considering that house, and Charming by extension, as her home. But how could it be, when there would always be something that had her on the verge of running? Knowing that she may have to leave Charming just as quickly as she left Mystic Falls.

It all came down to Klaus.

God, she really fucking hated him.

She finally climbed slowly to her feet as the panic gave way to tired apathy, moving to the sink to wash up. Her clothes were stained with dust from the ride but there was only so much she could do, running her fingers through her tangled hair and washing her hands before splashing water on her face. When she came out, hoping that the other woman wouldn't take note of her red-rimmed eyes, Cherry had moved from the bed and Elena could see her rummaging through the closet, glancing over her shoulder when she heard Elena and giving her a searching look before turning back to her task.

"So how long have you been that guy's old lady?" Cherry called over her shoulder.

Elena's eyes grew wide as she carefully sank onto the end of Cherry's bed.

"We just met a few months ago," she said, knowing full well what old lady meant and knowing full well that she wasn't it.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Cherry said cheekily, turning around with a sparkling shirt dangling from her fingers. "You better pay close attention to what I do, baby girl."

Elena stared at her, unsure of what she meant.

"It's a culture with these guys," the other woman said, walking over to the bed. "You gotta figure out what they want and give it to them."

Fighting the urge to scoff, Elena feigned understanding with a nod of her head.

"They like to think that they're in control but it's us girls who hold all the cards," Cherry said, a slight smirk on her face as she smoothed the shirt out over her lap.

"What do you mean?" Elena asked curiously.

With shining eyes, Cherry looked up at her and studied her face for a moment before holding the shirt out to her. It was nothing like the clothes that Elena would usually wear.

"I can't," she said, shaking her head.

"It'll fit," Cherry said, a grin taking over her face. "He'll be beyond fucked up when he sees you in this. Believe me, you'll have him wrapped around your little finger."

Elena didn't like the idea of changing just to get Jax's attention. It wasn't like she had a particularly hard time getting it anyway. She'd done just fine without dressing a certain way so far. Another very tiny part of her felt deeply curious to see what would happen if she wore the shirt.

"That's not me," Elena finally said with a shake of her head. "I'm sorry."

Cherry didn't look all that disappointed, tossing the shirt on the bed.

"It's there if you change your mind," she said with a shrug before tossing herself back on the bed as well.

Elena felt almost guilty for refusing and searched for something else to say to break the tension and change the subject.

"Whose old lady are you?" she asked, though she felt like she already knew the answer.

"No one's yet," Cherry said after a moment, a false cheeriness to her voice. "But soon, one of these guys will realize what a fine old lady I'm gonna make."

Elena heard the hope in her voice and felt a surge of annoyance towards the men who felt like they had the right to use someone like this. Didn't they see how valuable she was outside of what she could give them? Elena hardly knew the woman but she could see past Cherry's outward appearance and confidence to the woman inside. She deserved better.

"How long have you been doing it?" she asked.

Cherry gave her a tight smile and shrugged her shoulders.

"About three years."

Elena tried not to show any pity in her eyes. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought that this was some conspiracy by everyone else to show her just how much she didn't understand this world. A sudden wave of determination washed over her and she glanced over her shoulder at the flimsy lace top that was splayed out over Cherry's bed.

"My bra won't look good."

"Hmm?" Cherry hummed, lifting her head to peer at Elena with a confused frown.

Elena slipped the strap of her soft pink bra out from beneath her shirt.

"Not sure this goes with glitter."

Cherry's eyes lit up with delight as she bounced to her feet, a grin pulling at her lips.

"You came to the right place, baby girl," she said, shooting Elena a wink before delving into her closet yet again.

"You and Jury get into it?"

Jax glanced up from where he sat on a low wall near their bikes, surprised to see Bobby there. He thought the other man would be busy for at least another hour. Nodding his head slowly, he took a slow drag of his cigarette.

"He didn't see it comin'," Jax said, staring out at the highway.

Bobby simply hummed in response, taking a seat next to him as he lit up a cigar. Something about his response made Jax feel on edge, but he couldn't quite manage to keep his mouth shut.

"I don't know if the old man's gonna be able to hang a reaper on his back," he said, shaking his head. "This shit don't feel good to me, Bobby. Clay's making a mistake. The Tribe ain't SoA Material."

A moment passed in silent tension before Bobby spoke up.

"You all right, brother?"

Jax turned to face the older man, narrowing his eyes at the question. For some reason, it had all his defenses snapping into place.

"Yeah. Why?" he said warily.

"Just checkin' in," Bobby shrugged, as if Jax was dumb enough to buy it. You've been through a lot of shit in the last couple of weeks. Baby, junkie. Maybe all that noise in your head has gotten you turned around a bit."

Letting out a scoff, Jax found that he had a better understanding of this trip. It wasn't like Clay to give into something like this so easily. It was putting the situation too far out of his control. But if it meant Bobby getting Jax away from Charming to get in his head, Clay'd throw all caution to the wind.

"Noise in my head?" Jax echoed, his anger getting the best of him as he stared at Bobby.

He didn't have it in him to dance around the issue. With the stress of the club and Abel in the hospital and Elena jumping at shadows, Jax had little energy left to push this to the side. If Bobby wanted to have it out, Jax was all too willing to oblige.

"You got something to say, man, just say it."

The older man straightened up, meeting Jax's irritated stare without flinching.

"You've been second-guessing Clay ever since your boy was born. Club's pickin' up on it," Bobby said bluntly, never one to beat around the bush if something had to be said. "You gotta get right with that."

Having said his piece, Bobby turned to go back into the bar, leaving Jax behind to contemplate his words. With fury and guilt stirring in his chest, Jax turned and sent another rock flying towards the highway, a blistering curse falling from his lips. It didn't take long after that for the distant rumble of oncoming motorcycles to reach his ears and Jax couldn't help but glare resentfully in their direction, knowing just what brand of chaos they were bringing with them. He knew now that he never should have talked about coming here. Not to Clay and not to Gemma.

Because everything was about to go to shit and there was nothing he could do about it.

Cherry held a finger to her lips as they crept down the hall, mischief stirring in the other woman's eyes. Elena only ever heard the muffled sounds of the club meetings through the chapel door but there wasn't anything between them and the gathering happening now but a short stretch of hall and an open doorway. They pressed themselves against the wall and listened as Clay's voice reached their ears.

"Next time this gavel slams down will be the last for the Devil's Tribe," he spoke gravely, commanding the attention of the room. "History between our clubs. Jury and John Teller were in the same platoon in Nam."

Elena perked up slightly at the name of Jax's father, realizing the connection between him and his so-called "Uncle Jury" now.

"Needle's brother's a twenty-year member of our Fresno charter," Clay went on. "We have a deep respect for each other. Now... it's time to become brothers."

Taking an undoubtedly dramatic pause, Clay let that settle in the air before speaking again. Elena couldn't see anyone else who was listening but the tension in the air was palpable. Whatever was going on was serious.

"I know some of you look forward to wearing the reaper. Others of you are afraid of it. That's a choice each man will have to make. From this point on, we're family. Indian Hills, Nevada charter, Sons of Anarchy."

Cherry stirred next to her, looking both surprised and intrigued. Elena understood most of what Clay was saying but something about the other woman's reaction led her to believe that this was a bigger deal than she thought.

"Congratulations," Clay said, the sound of him patting someone's shoulder following his felicitation. "It is my personal hope that every one of you wears this cut. I know you got a lot to talk about. I'll leave you to your business."

Elena fought the urge to peer around the corner as they heard the shuffle of feet leading to the outside door. Everyone from Charming was leaving the Nevada club to discuss this change privately. She felt like she should do the same but Cherry showed no sign of moving. When Elena nudged her shoulder and tilted her head back towards the other end of the hall, Cherry shook her head and gestured for Elena to stay just as a heated debate began.

Jax considered Clay warily, Bobby's words still stirring in his head. In truth, the last thing that he wanted to do was stir up some shit in his club. But he couldn't help the thought that they were in the wrong here. Jury still wasn't happy about the idea of a patchover and judging by the look on the rest of the Nevada club's faces, he wasn't alone in his reservations.

"How do you think this thing'll play out?" Jax asked, wondering if Clay was ignorant to the challenges here.

The older man considered his question before giving a slight shrug.

"Half, maybe more will stay," he said, making it clear that he knew exactly how this was going down. "And that pack'll thin out once the Mayans come a-knockin'. Which will be real soon."

Jax couldn't help the frown that formed on his face. It was bullshit and he suspected that Clay knew it, just like he suspected that Clay didn't care.

"We can't leave these guys with no backup," he said with a shake of his head. "Vegas can hang."

"Indian Hills is gonna have to learn how to protect their ground. Best way to thin out a herd," Clay said before taking a slow drag of his cigar.

Jax scoffed lightly, unable to help himself. He could practically feel Bobby's warning stare at his back but he paid no attention to it.

"Herd's already pretty thin," he said, leaning forward to make sure Clay heard every word. "I want to be here for Jury when the shit goes down."

By the way his eyes narrowed, Clay wasn't unaware of the challenge in Jax's tone.

"I ain't worried about Jury. He can handle himself," he said, his tone inviting no argument.

Jax opened his mouth to keep arguing his point anyway but cut off at the sound of the bar door opening. Several members of the Indian Hills charter stormed out with anger lining their weathered faces. Make that former members of the Indian Hills charter, Jax thought to himself, shaking his head as he watched them leave their club behind because of the bullshit Clay was leading to their door.

"Looks like the vote's in, huh?" Clay said, stubbing out his cigar and rising to his feet.

Jax followed him into the clubhouse reluctantly, knowing what they'd hear once they were inside. Jury stood at the table surrounded by his guys, all of them holding beers and looking both anxious and exhilarated. Jax knew the feeling. He'd lived it all the way up to earning his cut. Sam Crow was no small thing. For a bunch of guys who'd been living a small time outlaw life up until now, it was a big leap.

"We're in," Jury said, confirming what everyone already knew.

Jax helped Jury don his new leather cut, setting aside the old-fashioned Indian Hills one as Clay spray-painted SOA on the wall where their charter flag once hung. Embracing the man who had been a fixture in his life since he could remember, Jax bit down on the apology that rose to his lips. It wasn't the time or place for it. Pulling away from Jury, he couldn't bring himself to join the cheers as Clay pulled the old man into a hug next. He couldn't even muster a smile as Happy boisterously announced the commencement of the patch-over party.

Across the room, Elena watched the play of emotions on Jax's face. He was about as happy as the men who had stormed out with curses on their lips. As soon as the vote was in, Cherry led her out of the hall with a hand wrapped around her wrist and no one said a word when they came into view, making it all too clear that they'd been listening the whole time. She'd gone unnoticed by the Charming boys until now but Elena knew that her reprieve would end soon enough.

"What exactly is a patch-over?" she asked, hoping that someone might actually give a straight answer for once.

Cherry smiled slightly, crossing her arms over her chest as her eyes flitted from one man to the next as loud music began blaring through speakers all around the room.

"It means things are about to change."

Elena let out a heavy sigh.

So much for a straight answer.

The party was in full swing by the time Elena detached from Cherry and the rest of the exuberant girls who'd come flooding out of the rooms at the sound of ruckus and music. Approaching the bar on a hunt for a bottle of water, feeling overheated in the crowded-seeming bar, Elena couldn't help but laugh when Bobby feigned a swoon at the sight of her.

"Damn girl," Happy said in his raspy voice, smirking her way.

Her cheeks grew warm as she leaned against the bar just in time for Clay to slide a shot of tequila over to her.

"Heard about the trouble comin' up here," he said, meeting her eyes. "Sorry you had to be in the middle of it, sweetheart."

Elena blinked with surprise at him before glancing at the shot glass warily. She hadn't planned to drink during the party, knowing better than to let loose with a bunch of strange men surrounding her. But the shot felt suspiciously like a test in spite of Clay's shockingly kind words. A challenge, thrown down to see how she would react. Elena wasn't too good at walking away from those. Reaching out, she felt eyes on her from every direction as she pinched the tiny glass between her forefinger and thumb.

"Salt," Bobby said, holding up the shaker.

Elena's cheeks burned even hotter as she licked her wrist before holding it out, letting him cover it in salt. Closing her eyes, she licked the salt from her wrist and quickly pressed the rim of the shot glass to her lips, tossing back the tequila without hesitation. Her eyes burned with the effort it took not to cough at the strong flavor, her body giving a shudder as someone slapped a lime wedge into her hand. Elena sucked at it greedily as a cheer rose up around her, unable to quite believe she'd done that.

Opening her eyes as the alcohol began taking effect, she felt her skin prickle with awareness and tipped her head over her shoulder. It didn't take long to find him. Sitting on a couch on the opposite side of the room, his eyes focused directly on her in spite of the several scantily clad women in his vicinity. Elena didn't know if it was the tequila or the heat in his stare as his eyes took in every inch of her, but she found herself breathing just a little bit heavier.

The cool glass of a beer bottle pressed into her hand and Elena barely managed to notice Half-Sack popping off the top for her, distracted as she was. Jax's eyes lifted, meeting hers and somehow doubling in intensity as he lifted his bottle to his lips, hesitating for just a moment. Somehow, she knew what he was waiting for. Feeling lighter in her own body, Elena was barely aware of deciding to move before the bottle was pressed to her lips. Jax tipped his head back, mirroring her actions as she swallowed a mouthful of beer without even really tasting it.

Tearing her eyes away from him, knowing that she had to if she wanted the chance to breathe normally, Elena found herself under scrutiny from more than one Sam Crow member. Bobby's eyebrows were raised ever so slightly and Half-Sack was hyper focused on his beer bottle's label as Happy glanced between her and Jax with that smirk growing all the more prominent. Though Clay didn't seem to be paying any of them a bit of attention, Elena had no doubt that he was fully aware of that odd moment.

"I need some air," she said before she could fully think it through.

Leaving her beer behind, she spun away from the bar and made her way towards the door, starting to feel the after effects of the tequila shot. Warmth spread through her from her chest outward, all the way to her fingers and toes. A part of her regretted giving in so easily to the challenge in Clay's eyes. Elena wasn't one to back down and sometimes, it got her in trouble. Though she knew that she probably shouldn't go outside on her own, Elena pushed through the door anyway, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she sought relief in the warm evening air.

Raking her fingers through her hair, she took a deep breath and tilted her eyes up towards the sky. The moon was already out even though the sunset had barely begun. Elena admired the almost full shape of it, her eyes tracing over the multitude of colors lighting up the sky as her feet carried her across the parking lot. Before she knew it, she was standing beside the line-up of Sam Crow bikes. Spotting Jax's easily by the helmet hanging off of the handles, Elena approached it carefully and sat down on the black leather seat.

Humming quietly to herself and relishing in the peace that surrounded her, Elena didn't pay much attention to her surroundings until she heard the sound of footsteps over gravel. Glancing up, she felt little in the way of surprise when she saw that it was Jax, and that he was out here after what just happened. Elena watched his approach carefully, seeing that same anger-tinged conflict stirring in his eyes that she noticed as he placed the Sam Crow cut on Jury's shoulders.

"Am I allowed to sit on the great Jax Teller's bike or will I get in trouble too?" she asked, a teasing note to her voice as she spoke the first thing that came to mind.

He simply flashed a grin her way, choosing to sit on the low wall a few feet away from her.

"You can sit there anytime, babe."

Elena rolled her eyes good-naturedly but made no effort to move, watching as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

"You okay?" she finally asked, tilting her head to the side. "Noticed you aren't really into the whole spirit of the patch-over like everyone else."

Jax took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he looked at her.

"I'm not sure it's the right move," he admitted.

She blinked with surprise, not expecting him to come out and share club business like that. Knowing better than to make a big deal of it, since he might close off if she did, she turned her body to face him more fully.

"Why is it a big deal?"

He didn't answer right away and she prepared herself for yet another vague, unsatisfying answer.

"Becoming a Sam Crow charter means taking on a whole lot. Not just name and position but our problems and our beefs. I don't like the idea of putting that on this club's shoulders, even if they did vote yes."

Elena frowned a little, tucking her hair behind her ear as a brush of wind ruffled it out of place.

"But you defended Clay's decision earlier."

Jax shrugged, looking more resigned than anything.

"VP patch on my chest means I have to go along with things I don't agree with sometimes, for the sake of the club."

Elena worried at her lower lip with her teeth, half a dozen more questions springing to the forefront of her mind. Questions that she knew would probably go unanswered.

"I like the shirt," Jax said after a while, changing the subject abruptly.

Warmth bloomed in her chest as she remembered what she was wearing. His scorching stare in the bar a few minutes ago made sense now. Elena couldn't help but remember Cherry's prediction about the shirt and Jax's reaction.

"This old thing?" Elena scoffed dramatically, flicking at the shirt where it fell just at the level of her belly button. "It's just something Cherry had laying around and my shirt was dusty."

"Uh huh," Jax said, a knowing look in his eyes.

She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing, a temptation that disappeared quickly when she noticed a heavier look fall over Jax's face. A certain hesitation followed, as if he couldn't quite bring himself to speak the words that clearly weighed on his mind. A surge of frustration rose in her as she saw the same wary indecision in his eyes that seemed to linger there ever since Fun Town and Tristen Oswald. Feeling the warmth slipping away, Elena dropped her eyes to the ground with a heavy sigh.

"You know, for someone who talks a lot of shit you are a man of few words, Jackson Teller."

The words slipped from her mouth before she could help it, drawing a disbelieving laugh from Jax.

"I'm sorry?" he said, clearly trying to wrap his mind around what she said.

Elena brushed him off with a wave of her hand, shaking her head at the frustration he inspired in her so easily.

"I used to have more words," she said with a sigh, tracing her fingers over the handles of his bike. "I had all the words. I wanted to be a writer."

He gave her a slight smile, little more than an upward tug of his mouth..

"I didn't know that."

Elena rolled her eyes at him.

"Because I didn't tell you," she said, drawing the words out as if they were obvious. "Just like you don't tell me things."

He didn't say anything, staring at her for a few long, tense moments. Elena stared back at him, equally wordless until she rose to her feet. Jax simply watched as she closed the short distance between them, lifting her hands to brace on his shoulders.

"We're bad at words, Jax."

His hands rose, fitting over her hips.

"Yeah," he agreed after a moment.

Elena fought back a shiver as his thumb brushed over the smooth skin of her abdomen revealed by the cropped, glittery top. She pressed her lips together, looking on as he watched his own hands intently.

"I've been dreaming about Klaus," Elena suddenly confessed, unsure of where it came from. "And Tristen."

As soon as the words passed her lips, she felt a tension lift from her shoulders that she didn't even realize she'd been carrying. Her muscles ached as if she'd been carrying a physical weight around. Jax's head lifted, his brow furrowed and his lips twisted into a frown.

"It's never the same," Elena said, focusing on his shoulder so that she didn't have to meet his eyes. "Sometimes he's after me, sometimes it's the people I care about. Sometimes I'm in the woods. I can see that… that clown running through the trees. I'm trying to get to him before he can-"

Elena cut off, taking in a deep breath in hopes that she wouldn't have to finish the thought.

"It doesn't matter if it's Klaus or the clown, I'm always too late," she said, finally looking into Jax's eyes. "I can't save anyone."

Jax slowly rose to his feet, his hands lifting to cup her cheeks gently.

"They're just dreams."

She shook her head, tears springing to her eyes.

"I keep thinking about that girl at the gas station," she said, watching as surprise flared in his eyes. "I tried to help her but I… I couldn't save her either."

Jax let out a quiet sigh, his eyes falling closed for a moment.

"I forget sometimes."

"Forget what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes opened, flitting over her face with an indefinable glint in their depths.

"You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved."

The warmth of his embrace disappeared as she pulled away from him without fully realizing it. Whether he meant it or not, she could hear the traces of condescension in his voice. The pity. He thought that she didn't understand it. That she didn't know how the world was. That she was oblivious to its cruelties. How could she be? Didn't she know that it was hopeless to try to save anyone who didn't want it? Hadn't she tried before?

Isobel came to the forefront of her mind. Those cold eyes. That cruel smile. The sound of her screams as she burned. Damon, his breath reeking of liquor. His eyes flashing with rage. The sound of her brother's neck snapping, helpless to stop Damon in the wake of her rejection. Stefan, his love for Elena always battling with how much he hated himself. Always fighting. Always losing. John, sacrificing himself for Elena without giving her a choice. Jeremy, losing himself in drugs and alcohol and lashing out at every attempt to help him.

"You think I don't know that?" Elena demanded, feeling a wave of anger consume her.

Jax didn't say anything, his hands slipping into his pockets as he watched her from beneath a furrowed brow. Suddenly, she found herself seeing his concerned looks and gentle touches in a new light. She'd seen hints of the sharp edges of his temper. Aimed at the guy who sat on the bike and the clown that attacked Tristen Oswald and even at Clay over the course of this day. And she'd seen it flare in his eyes when he looked at her. When she avoided answering him. When she outright lied. But he always reeled it in. She realized that now.

"Who do you think I am, Jax?"

His frown only deepened and yet he still didn't say anything. It was enough to make her want to scream.

"You really think I'm that naive? That I don't know exactly how terrible this world can be?"

"I never said that," Jax finally said, taking a step towards her.

"No, you just treat me with kid gloves," Elena said, taking two more steps back to keep the distance between them.

He let out a scoff, shaking his head as he half-turned away from her. Elena felt a surge of frustration and uncertainty, only realizing where it was coming from when the words fell from her lips like poisoned rain.

"Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me that you treat me the same as Wendy or your precious Tara."

Jax's eyes widened a fraction just before his face twisted with anger.

"You think that's all me?" he demanded, his voice a seething hiss. "You asked for that, sweetheart. Taking it slow, remember?"

Elena inhaled a sharp breath, feeling flayed open by his unforgiving honesty.

"You're the one who started that."

"Cause I don't know what you're thinking," Jax nearly shouted, twisting to face her fully again. "You're not exactly an open fucking book, Elena. You'll dig and dig until you know the truth about us but God forbid you actually return the damn favor."

She couldn't answer to that. Couldn't deny it. It was hypocritical of him to say. They both knew it. But untrue? No, it wasn't that.

"So what the hell do you want?" Jax asked.

Elena felt frozen in place. Put on the spot by his question. A question she didn't know how to answer. Just a few short months ago, she was confident that she'd be dead by now. How could she know what she wanted? She never expected to have this future. Never anticipated meeting someone like Jax Teller. The silence stretched on much too long. Jax scoffed again, turning away from her. Ready to walk away. Ready to be done.

"Stop."

Her voice rang out, filling the tension-laden air. He stopped. Turned back to face her. A wary look on his face. She took a deep breath, gathered every ounce of courage she had.

"Stop," Elena said again, earning a confused frown. "No more kid gloves. No more taking it slow."

She took a step forward, then another. Too much distance between them to make much difference. Jax's eyes flashed with something. Want.

"Elena…" he said, holding himself back.

"You asked what I want. I want you to stop."

His eyes flitted over her face, down to her lips, lingered there. Elena remembered what it was like to die. How cold she felt. That ice seeping through her veins. She was so sure she'd never be warm again. The heat in his eyes made her forget that cold. Elena wanted more.

"I don't want to be scared anymore," she said, taking another step forward. "Show me, Jax."

The words barely passed her lips before he was moving. Stalking towards her with that predator's grace. His gaze dark and intense and pinning her in place in an unbreakable stare. Elena gasped as his hands found her, one delving into her hair, the other slipping beneath her shirt to splay over the smooth, bare skin of her back. Then his lips claimed hers. Deeply. Wildly. Passionately.

With a single kiss, Jax crushed every bit of hesitation that lingered. Pried open the walls she built as easily as he parted her lips, his tongue sweeping into her mouth and making her lose sight of all fear. Elena lost herself in his arms, and yet she somehow found herself all at once. Realized how lost she'd been for so long. Ever since that fateful night, when her father's car drove over the side of Wickery Bridge, plunging them into the depths of the river.

Elena gripped desperately at Jax's cut, her fingers digging into the leather. Her back arching as she pressed up on her toes, seeking more with a hunger she didn't even know that she possessed. Jax cupped the back of her head, keeping her still as he kissed and kissed her until everything else faded away. Why should anything else matter but this? Jax's teeth nipping at her lower lip. His tongue soothing the sting. His calloused fingers stroking over her skin.

Even as she broke away to breathe, their lips did not fully part, brushing again and again, lingering kisses that calmed the storm raging in her. The desire to do more, battling with the uncertainty. The voice that told her she wasn't ready for more yet. Elena dropped from her toes, her forehead resting on Jax's chest as she worked desperately to catch a full breath. To remember what it was like to breathe at all. His thumb rubbed soothing circles over her spine, his own chest rising and falling as quickly as her own.

"I'm sorry," she whispered quietly, and felt him tense beneath her. "I haven't been fair. I… I know that you've been more honest with me than I have with you."

"You don't owe me shit," Jax said, his voice rumbling in his chest beneath her. "I shouldn't have said that."

Elena lifted her hand, pressing her palm over his racing heart.

"I'm adopted," she said, speaking the first truth that came to mind. "My biological mother never wanted me and I… I don't even know who my father is."

Jax inhaled deeply, shifting to press a kiss to the top of her head.

"Shit, I'm sorry."

Drawing away, she looked up into his eyes.

"You've got so much that you're dealing with," she said, reaching up to press her hand over his cheek. "I don't want to make it worse for you."

"You don't."

Two simple words shouldn't hold that much meaning, yet these did. Elena pushed up on her toes, brushing a gentle kiss over his lips.

"We should get back inside."

Jax let out a heavy sigh at her words, though he nodded in agreement.

"Yeah."

He pulled her into his side, his arm dropping over her shoulders. This time, Elena didn't mind walking into the bar. She didn't care about what the others might think of her because she felt more balanced and at peace than she had in weeks. Maybe even months. The party was still in full swing, with women dancing on tables and laps. Once they reached the corner where other Sam Crow members were gathered on couches, Elena couldn't help the surprised giggle that fell from her lips as Jax tugged her to sit sideways on his lap. Her hand landed on his chest as he shot her a cheeky grin.

"Asshole," she muttered, her cheeks growing hot as his arm wrapped around her back, his hand finding a place on her hip.

Jax hummed in agreement, brushing his lips over her jaw before turning his head to listen to something Happy was saying. Elena didn't bother trying to move, relaxing into his arms as she let her eyes roam the room. A pleased feeling rose in her chest at the sight of Cherry and Half-Sack swaying in tandem with one another. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her head laying on his chest. A smile pulled at Elena's lips that quickly fell when she saw Clay approach them, stealing Cherry away with a hand on her lower back. His eyes flashed victoriously at Half-Sack, who watched with a poorly-hidden crushed look on his face. Jax noted her sudden tension, his eyes following hers to the dance floor.

"What is he doing?" Elena said quietly.

She thought she might have been seeing things, but no amount of blinking made the image in front of her change. Clay really was leading Cherry towards the hallway with a smirk.

"That's how it works," Jax said, a wary edge to his voice. "What happens on a run stays on a run."

Elena twisted to look at him, one eyebrow raised in question as she felt that anger and uncertainty stir in her chest once more.

"Really?"

"Not this," he said, shaking his head.

A part of her felt better. The other was disgusted.

"He's married to your mom," Elena said, as if he needed the reminder.

"And he's my president," Jax said quietly, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. "Not my place to say he can't."

Before she could say another word, a woman stepped up with a bottle of beer in either hand. Elena watched as she handed one off to Jax and expected her to step over to one of the other guys, blinking in surprise when she realized that it was being offered to her.

"Oh, thanks," she said, taking it with uncertainty.

The woman offered her a smile and a nod before turning away. As Elena took a sip, she realized that Jax was looking at her. Turning to meet his eyes, she saw a curious look on his face.

"What?" she asked, shifting a little and feeling his hand slip up to brush over her bare skin.

Goosebumps broke out over her skin as he searched her eyes without saying a word.

"Nothing," Jax finally said, shaking his head as if ridding himself of a thought. "Just thinking about how you downed that shot like a fucking pro."

Elena knew somehow that it wasn't the truth but they'd emotionally stripped down enough for one night, so she was willing to let it go.

"One of my many talents," she said, grinning at him before taking another drink.

Jax snorted, taking a healthy swig of his beer. Clay and Cherry still lingered at the back of her mind but Elena knew she couldn't do anything about it. Letting it bother her the rest of the night would only take her back to a stressed out state and she didn't want to be there right now. Resting against Jax's chest, she focused on what was happening here and now. After all, she had plenty of time to worry about the rest.

Elena woke slowly, awareness seeping in bit by bit. She knew it was an unfamiliar bed, opening her eyes to the golden glow that settled over the room in the morning sun. Stretched out beneath the covers, she felt a heaviness in her limbs that came from drinking the night before. Everything came back in chunks. Talking with Cherry. Fighting with Jax. Kissing Jax. Hanging out with the Sam Crow boys. Stumbling to the bedroom on tired legs and laughing sleepily as Jax attempted to wrestle the sheets from the neatly made up bed. Crawling beneath the covers with him. Resting her head on his chest as she slipped away into unconsciousness.

Elena suddenly realized why everything felt so different.

She hadn't had a single nightmare.

Sitting up slowly, she raked her fingers through her hair and peeked over at the other side of the bed. Jax wasn't there but there was a defined indent where he'd been laying. Elena couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips, realizing that it had to be him. He was the difference. The presence that chased away the dreams. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she resisted the urge to laugh aloud, pressing her fingers over her lips. They felt odd. Slightly tender and swollen. Color rose in her cheeks as she remembered why.

Kicking away the sheets, Elena rolled out of bed and stretched her fingers towards the ceiling with a contented hum before crossing to the bathroom. She felt slightly gross after sleeping in these clothes but shrugged it off, knowing that the others wouldn't be in much better shape. Elena contented herself with splashing water on her face and rinsing out her mouth, hearing a knock on the door just as she heard a knock on the door. Stepping out of the bathroom, she crossed to the door and opened it only to see Cherry standing there with a smile and a pile of clothes in her hands.

"Morning, baby girl."

Elena stepped aside to let her in, feeling relieved that she might actually have a reprieve from the day-old clothes. Then she felt guilty, looking down at Cherry's shirt that she still wore and how wrinkled it was now.

"Good morning," she said, her voice slightly hoarse from sleep. "Sorry about your shirt."

"It's yours now," Cherry waved her off, tossing the clothes and a small makeup bag on the bed. "Looks better on you anyway."

Elena doubted that but she was quickly learning not to argue with Cherry. As the other woman turned to face her, another memory from the night before came to the forefront of her mind.

"Can I ask you something?"

Cherry nodded, though there was a wary look in her eyes as if she knew what was coming. Elena sat on the bed, curling one leg beneath her.

"I saw you with Half-Sack and it looked like you liked him."

A faint smile formed on Cherry's lips as she sat down too.

"I do."

"Well, then why'd you sleep with Clay?" Elena asked, tilting her head to the side.

Cherry looked down at her lap, picking at a thread on her jean skirt.

"Cause that's what we do," she said with a shrug.

Elena frowned at that, feeling even more disgusted than she had the night before.

"Hang on," she said, shaking her head. "You just sleep with whoever they tell you to?"

Cherry looked up, a more guarded look on her face.

"I take care of them, and they take care of me," she said, a touch of defensiveness in her voice. "It's a family. And when I finally hook up, I'll belong to that guy and that guy only."

Elena couldn't help but hear the pride in her words and knew that she might never understand it. But she certainly didn't have a right to judge it. Well, not when it came to Cherry and the other women. She didn't know if she'd ever not judge the married men who cheated on their wives so easily.

"You know, good old ladies, they can make or break a club," Cherry said.

Looking up, Elena saw a knowing look in the other woman's eyes as Cherry glanced at the bed that had so obviously been slept in by two people.

"It isn't like that," Elena said quickly.

Cherry looked back at her with one eyebrow arched doubtfully.

"Yeah?" she said, grinning at Elena. "Get back to me in a year and we'll see where you stand."

Elena's eyes grew wide and Cherry let out a laugh before tossing the pile of clothes into her lap, directing her towards the bathroom for a shower.

As she walked out in the main area of the bar, Elena's eyes immediately found the two Sam Crow members that hadn't been there the night before. She didn't know why Tig and Juice suddenly made an appearance but knew better than to ask, especially since Jax was nowhere to be seen. Bypassing a grumpy-looking Tig, she headed for where Juice sat with Bobby.

"Good morning," she said happily, feeling rejuvenated after her shower.

Juice looked up with surprise at the sound over her voice and grinned at her. She didn't really think twice before laying a hand on his shoulder and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. Bobby's eyebrows rose but she paid him no mind, pecking his cheek too and watching with rising amusement as his cheeks turned a faint pink.

"The hell are you doing here?" Juice said.

"Oh you know," Elena said with a shrug, looking around the room to see if she'd missed Jax sitting somewhere with Jury or Clay. "Breaking the rules, making trouble."

Bobby hummed his agreement and she smacked the back of her hand lightly against his shoulder, earning a smirk.

"Jax still back there?" he asked, tipping his head towards the hallway.

Elena shook her head with a blush rising to her own cheeks. Apparently she wasn't the only one trying to find him and apparently, their behavior hadn't been overlooked the night before. Bobby looked at her with a keen gaze, as if he knew that things had changed.

"Clay's been looking," Juice said, tearing her attention away from Bobby.

"Anyone called him?" Elena wondered.

"No answer," Bobby told her.

She felt a pang of worry but refused to let it overwhelm her. The newfound peace that she felt after last night wasn't going to last if she let herself get worked up over every possible worst case scenario. It was more than likely that Jax was fine. Elena forced herself to believe it, stepping away as she spotted Half-Sack leaning against the bar, his head ducked as he seemed to be trying his very best not to look towards Cherry, who had no qualms about tossing interested glances his way.

"Hey," she said, leaning against the bar next to him.

He looked up, a strangely morose look in his eyes. Elena sympathized with him and realized that she'd never seen him show interest in a woman until last night. And Clay, for whatever reason, had taken that away from him.

"Cherry really does like you, you know," Elena said, nudging his shoulder with her own. "She just feels, I don't know… an obligation, I guess. I don't really get it but it seems like it didn't go down like she wanted either."

Half-Sack shrugged, looking down at the bar again.

"Doesn't matter," he mumbled.

"Of course it does."

"Just drop it," Half-Sack said, his voice harder than she'd ever heard it, and yet somehow pleading at the same time. "Please."

Elena gave him a long look before nodding her head.

"Okay," she agreed, unable to keep from frowning. "But I'm gonna hug you and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

Half-Sack only had time to make a questioning sound before she wrapped her arms around him. It took a moment for him to relax but he slumped into her once he did, his arms wrapping around her tightly. Over his shoulder, Elena saw Cherry looking at them with wide eyes. She gave a minute shake of her head and a sad smile, letting the other woman know that he would be okay. They broke apart after a handful of seconds but neither of them got the chance to say a word before Clay's voice rang out loud enough to catch almost everyone's attention.

"What are you talking about?" he demanded, pushing off of his stool as he held his cell phone to his ear.

Whoever was on the other end said something that caused rage to fill Clay's eyes.

"Shit," he hissed before hanging with a scowl before shouting, "Mayans!"

Chaos broke out in the wake of his announcement. Men leapt from chair and stools and women scrambled out of the way as they began pulling out weapons and shoving tables towards the walls.

"Where?" Tig said, looking more focused and less angry.

"Pack of 'em trailing Jax."

A chill ran down Elena's spine, freezing her in place as Half-Sack nudged past her to help.

"Get rid of the goddamn truck," Clay commanded Juice, who nodded his head and darted away.

"Mayans?" Jury asked with disbelief, approaching Clay with a furrowed brow.

Nodding in return, Clay gave the other man a once over before speaking.

"What do you want to do?"

"Weapons behind the bar," Jury said after a moment.

Elena shuffled out of the way, realizing that Cherry had a hand on her arm and was pulling her out from behind the bar so that the others could access those weapons. Half-Sack turned to face her and his face hardened slightly when he realized that Cherry was with her.

"You two should get out of here."

Cherry watched him walk away before turning to face Elena.

"C'mon, help me get the other girls out of here."

Nodding her head, she followed Cherry to the back hallway and began corralling the women out of bedrooms and bathrooms. Anyone who grumbled about being bothered shut up quickly when they got a peek at the activity in the main area of the bar. By the time they managed to get them all out and across the street to a safe, hidden area, the guys were planning out what they were going to do.

"Don't we stay out here?" Elena asked, looking back at where the other women were huddled, wide-eyed and fearful.

She didn't feel the same. If anything, she almost felt numb to the situation.

"They might still need help," Cherry said, nudging at Elena to follow her back inside.

They pushed through the men loading weapons and passing them out to the bar, where Jury was sorting through ammunition. Elena didn't let herself think too much about it, knowing that if she took even a moment to consider the situation that she was in the middle of, that panic might return.

"What can we do?" Cherry asked.

"Girls all gone?" Jury answered.

They both nodded their heads, leaning over the bar to hear him over the noise.

"Open up the garage," he instructed, turning to holler at a few guys who had nothing to do. "Move the bikes inside!"

Cherry rushed off to open the garage as Elena broke off, following the guys to the bikes that were parked out in the lot. No one blinked an eye as she jumped in to help roll them off to the garage. As the low rumble of distant motorcycles reached her ears, she spun away from the Devil's Tribe man she was helping and shielded her eyes against the sun, watching as distant dark figures drew closer and closer until she recognized the blonde hair sticking out from beneath a black helmet.

"Elena!"

She turned at the sound of Cherry calling her name, crossing quickly to the front door and slipping through. The approaching motorcycles drew closer as Cherry seized her hand and the last thing that Elena saw before she was yanked behind the bar to crouch down was Jax flying through the open doors on his bike. Then the gunfire began. Later, she would realize that it happened quickly. In the moment, however, the sound of bullets seemed to last forever. The Mayans shot first, straight through the thin walls of the bar.

Elena and Cherry huddled as close to the floor as they could, hands thrown over their heads protectively and eyes screwed shut. Hundreds of bullets must have been fired by the time it quieted down, the distant screech of tires marking the Mayans' retreat. Elena let out a slow, shaking breath as she reached out without even looking, finding Cherry's hand and holding it tightly. They didn't dare move until someone told them it was alright, crouching amidst broken glass and spilled liquor. It took a few minutes for someone to peer over the bar and Elena glanced up to see that it was Juice.

"She's back here!"

The scuffling sound of someone running reached her ears and then Jax was there, kneeling in front of her with a frown creasing his brow.

"You good?" he asked.

She started to nod, ready to give the same answer as always. But something stopped her. The memory of the night before. Stop, she had told him. But she had to stop too, if she really wanted this. Stop lying. Stop pretending.

"I don't know how to answer that right now," Elena said truthfully.

Jax exhaled sharply, his hand coming up to cup the back of her head.

"But you're not hurt?"

She shook her head, glancing down just in case she might have missed something. Her eyes caught on crimson-stained clothing but it wasn't her own.

"Are you?" she said, reaching out for Jax's bloody sleeve.

"Nah, Jury got hit," he said, waving off her concern as her eyes grew wide. "He'll be fine, just grazed his arm."

Elena swallowed hard and glanced over at Cherry as she stood up, looking just as pale as she felt.

"I'm ready to go back to Charming, Jax," she said, looking at him again.

He huffed out a laugh, leaning forward to press a hard kiss to her forehead.

"You and me both, babe," Jax said, holding her gaze. "I'll call Gemma and see if we're clear."

Elena let out a relieved sigh and slowly pushed to her feet, grasping his hand to keep her balance.

"You mind gettin' our stuff together?" Jax asked, nodding towards the hall. "Probably shouldn't be out here if the cops come."

She didn't bother arguing, almost relieved to get away from the mess. No one stopped her as she made her way back to the room that they slept in the night before and Elena managed to get the door shut before lurching for the bathroom. Dropping to her knees in front of the toilet, she expelled the meager contents of her stomach after a few miserable dry heaves before collapsing back to sit against the cabinets. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Elena breathed in and out slowly as the lingering nausea faded.

"Holy shit," she breathed out, realizing that was the second shoot-out she'd been in the middle of in less than twenty-four hours.

Elena knew that no one from Mystic Falls could ever find out, or else she'd have an even harder time of convincing them why she was staying. Once she managed to find her feet, Elena washed her mouth out and took a few swigs from a bottle of water to rid her mouth of the sour taste. Only then did she begin gathering their stuff. Partway through making up the bed, the door opened and Cherry stepped through.

"You're leaving, huh?" she asked, her eyes lingering on Jax's pack and Elena's purse where they laid by the door.

"Yeah," Elena said, tossing the pillows on the bed. "Jax's son is in the hospital and if I know him at all, that's exactly where he wants to be right now."

Cherry's surprise faded behind a sad look.

"Dunno why I'm gonna miss you," she said with a forced smile. "You just got here."

Elena found that she was going to miss Cherry too. A part of her wished that the other woman lived in Charming while another part knew it was better for literally everyone if Cherry kept a very, very far distance from Gemma after what happened with Clay. Cherry huffed and crossed over to Elena, gathering her in for a hug that was happily returned. They squeezed each other for a few moments before stepping away.

"Look me up if you head back here," Cherry instructed her, slapping a piece of paper into her hand. "And text me sometime. No excuses."

Elena nodded with a smile, slipping the paper into her jacket pocket.

"Be careful," she said, unable to keep from worrying about her.

Cherry simply winked at her just as the door opened again and Jax stepped through. He didn't pay Cherry much attention past a cursory glance before looking at Elena.

"We're good to go."

Elena gave a sigh of relief and bent down, tossing his bag over to him and casting one last smile Cherry's way before following him out. As they walked through the main area, Elena couldn't help but notice the troubled look on Clay's face as he talked to Bobby quietly. Jax seemed more tense than before, casting a glance towards the two men before reaching out to wrap his arm around her shoulders.

"You okay?" she asked, looking up at him as they walked.

Jax nodded, though his jaw was visibly clenched.

"None of this should have happened," he said quietly, so that only she could hear.

Elena didn't say anything because there was nothing to say. Happy and a few others that she didn't recognize were waiting for them, Jax's bike parked close by so that they could get right on. Elena stood back as he swung a leg over the seat, settling in first as she snapped her helmet into place. Only when he patted the seat behind him with the slightest smile playing on his lips did she climb on behind him and press a kiss to his cheek.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded, slipping her arms around his waist.

"I'm pretty used to it now," Elena said, holding on tight. "You don't have to go slow anymore."

As soon as they landed back in Charming, Jax broke away from the others to drive straight for the hospital. Elena didn't argue, wanting to see Abel just as much as him. They walked into the hospital side-by-side, hands brushing and her cheeks flushed at the thought of who they'd most likely cross paths with when they reached the neonatal unit. Neither of them had mentioned Jax's ex since the argument, even after she brought Tara up, and Elena was praying that it would stay that way.

"Can I ask you something?" she said as they climbed into the elevator, wanting to distract herself.

"Sure," Jax said with a shrug, looking her way.

"Where were you this morning?" Elena asked.

A slight smile pulled at his lips and he leaned against the wall facing her. Elena found herself doing the same, taking up the wall opposite him with her hands braced on the railing behind her.

"I got a bunch of my dad's old writing from the storage unit and one of 'em led me to this place he mentioned that was nearby," he answered.

"Oh," Elena said, realizing that the truth was much less dramatic than she expected.

Jax tilted his head to the side, a teasing look in his eyes that she quickly became wary of.

"What? Did you think you chased me off with your snoring?"

Elena's mouth dropped open as indignation rose to the surface quickly.

"I don't snore," she scoffed.

"You sure about that?" Jax asked, arching one eyebrow challengingly.

She hesitated for a moment, just long enough for him to break down and let out a laugh. Cursing his name, Elena aimed a kick at his legs that he dodged easily, shooting her an easy grin as the doors opened on their floor. She walked out first, flipping Jax off behind her back and earning another laugh as he grabbed her hand and laced their fingers. They wouldn't be able to avoid passing the nurse's station to get to Abel's room and sure enough, Dr. Knowles was standing there scribbling in a chart.

"Hey," Jax said, pausing next to her and forcing Elena to do the same with a tug on her hand.

Tara turned to face them both, her eyes darting from Jax to Elena and back as she smiled slightly.

"Hi," she said, leaning back against the counter behind her. "How was Nevada?"

"Uneventful," Jax said with a casual shrug.

"Miserably hot," Elena added.

She didn't contradict him, aware of just how easy it became to lie after learning Stefan's secret.

Tara nodded, her smile becoming slightly tighter.

"Your mother's in there," she said, tilting her head towards Abel's room.

"Where else would she be?" Jax sighed.

Elena pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at the exasperation in his voice and they made their way towards the door as Tara turned away, accepting a yellow envelope from a nurse. Gemma looked up as they walked in, her expression a cross between relief and annoyance. Elena felt a surge of guilt at the sight of her, remembering how Clay had led Cherry back into the hallway with that smirk on his face. She knew that she wasn't supposed to tell her. It wasn't how things were done. But it still felt awful to look her in the eyes, knowing what she knew, and knowing that she'd probably never tell her.

"You okay?" Gemma said, eyeing them both.

"We're fine," Jax said in a hushed voice as Elena moved to the incubator, peering down at Abel with a smile.

Gemma let out a frustrated huff, closing the book that she was reading and taking off her glasses. Jax bent to press a kiss to her cheek, grinning at her as she rolled her eyes. Elena shook her head as he crossed over to her side, gazing down at Abel.

"Hey, little guy," he whispered, his hand pressing to the thick plastic.

Elena leaned into his side and she watched the gentle rise and fall of Abel's chest, fascinated as every by his tiny strength, fighting every day to stay alive. Movement caught her eye and she glanced up through the window in time to see Tara staring in at her and Jax. There was something in her eyes. A wide-eyed look of shock. Before Elena could do or say anything, the doctor turned away and headed off in another direction with what looked like a picture clutched in her hands.

"And how was your trip, sweetheart?" Gemma said.

Elena looked over at her, forgetting about Tara for the moment.

"Educational," she said after taking a moment to consider her answer.

Jax let out a too-loud snort next to her and she didn't hesitate to drive an elbow into his ribs. The nurse adjusting Abel's IV bag looked torn between amusement and disapproval as he caught her wrist and poked her side in return, drawing a laugh out of her.

"Something happen to turn you two into toddlers?" Gemma asked with raised eyebrows.

"In my defense, I think your son has always been this way," Elena said, trying to wiggle out of his grip without knocking something over.

"And you?"

She grew still, narrowing her eyes at Jax.

"He's a bad influence," Elena decided.

He grinned at her, relaxing his grip just enough for her to yank her wrist loose and shoot him a triumphant grin.

"Jesus Christ," Gemma said with a roll of her eyes.

They both let out quiet snickers, going back to watching Abel without saying another word. Minutes passed in almost complete silence until Jax's phone buzzed in his pocket.

"Damn," he said as he peered at the message. "Piney needs something at the garage."

He looked up at Elena and she nodded at him to go.

"I'll ride home with Gemma," she said.

"A'ight," Jax said, leaning in to press a quick kiss to her lips.

He dropped another to Gemma's head before crossing to the door, waving goodbye as he passed the window. Elena watched him go with a small smile only to realize that she was being watched. Dropping her eyes back to Abel as she sat back in a chair, she prepared herself for whatever Gemma would say.

"Before you went to Nevada, you asked me a question."

Why do you hate her so much?

"I remember," Elena said with a slight frown, wondering why it was coming up now.

Gemma let out a sigh before leaning forward in her chair.

"Tara and Jax dated all through high school. Thought they were gonna be together forever, didn't realize just how shortsighted they were. She always planned to go beyond the city limits, see the world and all it had to offer. Jax knew years before that his future was in the club," Gemma said, holding Elena's gaze as she spoke. "Before Tara left, she tried to convince Jax to go with her. Might've had a chance if she didn't shit on the club and everyone in it. We were Jax's family and he was protective of that even then."

Elena listened closely, realizing that she already understood where Gemma's resentment stemmed from. As protective as Jax was of Sam Crow, she was every bit as fierce. Someone coming after her family would make an enemy of Gemma, no matter who they were.

"Tara upped and left, broke Jax's heart on the way out."

"Plenty of teenagers break each other's hearts," Elena said, thinking of her and Matt and how much she regretted hurting him as much as she did. "Doesn't mean you hate your kid's ex forever."

Gemma shrugged one shoulder, looking apologetic.

"I am who I am. Someone shatters my boy the way she did and there's no fixing that rift."

Elena understood, even if she may not have wholly agreed with the sentiment.

"Why didn't you tell me this when I asked before?" she wondered.

Gemma looked satisfied as she sat back in her chair, as if Elena asked the exact question that she wanted to hear.

"Your trip was quite the event," she said, a knowing look in her eyes. "Most people would be hauling ass in the other direction after being in the middle of all that."

Elena didn't bother asking how Gemma knew what happened in Nevada.

"I guess I'm not most people," she said.

Gemma nodded her head slowly, her eyes flitting over Elena from head to toe.

"Tara is," she said, driving the point home.

Elena opened her mouth to answer but snapped it shut when something occurred to her. The way that Gemma said that, and the way that her eyes glimmered with satisfaction. How determined she'd looked before Elena went off with Jax.

"You were testing me," she realized, her eyes growing wide. "To see if I'd run."

Gemma didn't say anything at first, giving Elena a long, measuring look.

"I learn from the past," she said after nearly a minute of silence. "And you needed to know what you were getting into before this went any further with my son."

It was Elena's turn to fall silent, considering her next words carefully as she glanced towards Abel.

"If Klaus finds out that I'm alive, you know what has to happen," she said quietly. "You know that I'll have to leave."

"Yes, I do."

Elena took a deep breath, summoning the courage to look her in the eyes again.

"Thought you'd try harder to stop this," she admitted.

"It wouldn't be your choice, Elena," Gemma said, meeting her gaze. "If that day ever comes, you take care of yourself. I'll take care of my son."

Swallowing hard, Elena nodded slowly and felt relieved that Gemma didn't try to get her to stop whatever was going on between her and Jax. Because if she was being completely honest, she wasn't entirely sure that she could.

"Gemma," she said, meeting the older woman's eyes once more. "Next time, just talk to me about it. I'm not out to hurt anyone and I never will be."

I'm not Katherine, Elena thought, trying to convince herself. And I'm sure as hell not Isobel. But I am a Petrova, and we do not cower.

"But don't ever test me like that again."

Gemma held her gaze and Elena was certain that she heard the challenge in her words. The lack of fear. The utter and complete truth. The seconds passed in thick tension before Gemma gave a slow nod of her head.

"You got it, sweetheart."

I'd love to hear your thoughts! I'm super excited about the next chapter. It's gonna be so good!