Ch 26

A few days later Kerry walked into the clubhouse dropping off brownies and cookies she helped bake with Abel and Thomas.

"Lass, how are yeah?" Chibs asked as he and Bobby stopped talking.

"I'm ok. I wanted to drop these off and go see Tara. Jax said she's doing better."

"Kerry, I have to say you are the glue holding all this shit together. It's bad and just seeing you around keeping everyone fed and helping with the boys is great." Bobby said giving her shoulder a squeeze.

"Did Koz's brother get his cut?" Kerry said looking at her feet.

"Yes, we had Dan bring it. Since he and Koz got close we figured he or Hap would be the best. Hap didn't want to leave you with everything going on." Bobby said as Kerry nodded. "Dan's doing good in Tacoma. I know you were worried about him but he's a good fit. The Tacoma chapter say he's a good prospect." Bobby continued.

"Good, he needed something- a family."

"You've been a breath of fresh air around here, lass." Chibs said frowning a bit as Tig stumbled out of his room looking worse for wear.

"Tig, sit down and I'll get a coffee and something greasy." Kerry said noticing the dark circles around his eyes.

"Your too good." Tig said flopping on the couch as he put an arm over his eyes.

After making some eggs and bacon for Tig and BLT sandwiches for Bobby and Chibs Kerry made her way to the hospital. Tara still seemed to be in a funk but she listened to Kerry talk about the boys and looked at some cards that Abel had created.

"Kerry, has Wendy Case been around?" Tara asked.

"No, not that I have seen. I've been in and out to check in at the club house and a meet the teacher event."

"If you see her tell Jax. We don't want her around. The doctors say I should be going home in a day or two." Kerry nodded and after saying goodbye made her way to the school to pick up some more paperwork before going home.

The days following were spent the same way. Kerry and Gemma spent most of time with Abel and Thomas at Jax and Tara's house. Kerry brought Kasey who kept Abel busy while she helped with cooking for the club and caring for Thomas. Kerry was spending time with Abel reading books and drawing both of which were something he requested when she walked through the door. The following day Tara would be returning home. Kerry was going to spend the day putting together meals as Gemma and a few of the crow eaters cleaned. Kerry saw the bruises on Gemma's face and how skittish she had been at the mention of Clay. Abel was at the table making a large poster for Tara.

"You are quite the artist." Kerry said giving his hair a ruffle as she took a break from making pasta sauce.

"I miss mommy, Auntie Kerry."

"Me too but she will be home today. She is going to love the poster."

"Auntie Kerry, when can I go to your school? I want to go to school like Ellie and Kenny."

Kerry smiled.

"Soon, little man.I love to hear you want to go to school."

"I want to read books like you and mommy."

Kerry stayed around till Tara returned home and then stopped by the local Chinese restaurant on the way home to pick up dinner for her and Hap. Happy arrived home looking exhausted.

"I hate those Irish sons of bitches." He mumbled grabbing a beer.

"What happened?"

"They have a house of babies. Just like in Ireland." Kerry frowned as Happy continued, "We had to go there with Galen. Jax lost it after what happened with Abel. I wanted to go off too."

Kerry wrapped her arms around Happy, these moments that they had alone were the only time that things felt right in the world. Later that night there was a shooting at the clubhouse and Clay ended up in the hospital. Kerry and Happy arrived after a call from Chibs.

"Where is Bobby?" Tig asks as Chibs pointed out that Juice was missing as well. Kerry sat with Gemma who has been receiving updates from the doctors.

"So they were black? Niners?" Tig asked Unser who had been talking to sheriff.

"Had to be." Chibs said.

"I can't be sure. I didn't see colors." Unser walked off to check on Gemma.

"This is on me. Clay wanted me to stay. He has a feeling something was going on."

"We don't know nothing yet, Tiggy." Chibs said as he and Happy tried to talk to Tig.

"He asked for help and I turned my back." Tig said shaking his head as he stalked off. Gemma went to get an update as Kerry stood at Happy's side.

"I'm worried about Tig."

After a few hours Jax arrived and he briefly spoke to Chibs and Happy before leaving.

"Kerry, you should go home. You've spent the day taking care of the boys and you should rest." Gemma said.

"I'm going to stay."

Gemma nodded.

"I'm going home. I'll be back tomorrow."

Kerry stayed with Happy and Chibs for several hours until V. Lin and Rat arrived.

"Go get some sleep." Happy said in the early hours of the morning.

"I can stay-"

"You need to rest. Rat, drive Kerry home and stay around until I come back."

Rat nodded as Kerry sighed.

"Ok, if you're not back by 10 I'm coming by with coffee and breakfast for you all." She said.

When she got back to the house she gave Rat a blanket as he settled in on the couch and Kerry brought Kasey upstairs. She tossed and turned before falling into a light sleep for a few hours. At 10 she walked through the doors of the hospital with coffee and muffins for the club members who were gathered around.

"I'm going to go check in on Gemma." Kerry said as Happy nodded. "I don't need an escort. Mary is going to stop by the house for lunch."

"Lass if you stop by the clubhouse can you check in on Tiggy? He's not answering his phone." Chibs said as Kerry nodded.

"Bobby, Juice, and Opie?" The two men shrugged. "I'll check with Lyla about Opie and let you know." Kerry stopped by Gemma and Clay's house to see Gemma finishing a coffee. "Do you need anything?"

Gemma shook her head.

"The hospital called and Clay is going in for another surgery. I''m going over to spend some time with Tara and the boys. No sense in me being at the hospital when there is nothing I can do."

Kerry nodded and sat at the table.

"If you need to talk or vent I'm here." Gemma nodded and sighed. "It's dark times here and you have been one of the people holding it together. Have you seen Tig, Bobby, Juice, or Opie?"

Gemma frowned.

"Bobby would never take off. The other three like to run or in Tig's case drown himself in crow eaters."

"I'm going to check with Lyla. I doubt Opie would go to her but you never know."

"Kerry, be careful. Op is not in a good place. What I am going to say can't leave this room. Piney is dead- I can't say any more then that." Kerry's eyes widened as Gemma frowned. "Op has been through a lot. Loosing Donna and all that shit with Lyla. She was never cut out to be an old lady. She's not strong and meant for this life. It's just you and me." Gemma said giving Kerry's hand a squeeze before she stood. "Just check the clubhouse for Tiggy. I'll call him too and make sure he's ok."

"Ok, I'm going to go by the clubhouse and then I'm going to the diner to meet Mary for lunch. If you and Tara would like to join us."

"I'll think about it and let you know."

Kerry headed for the clubhouse as Gemma went to Jax and Tara's house. Much to Kerry's annoyance the clubhouse was empty and the two crow eaters she found hadn't seen or heard from Tig. Kerry sat at the picnic table to call Lyla.

"Hello?"

"Lyla, it's me. Have you seen or heard from Opie?"

"I picked him up last night and he's crashing on my couch while I'm at work."

"Thank god. Clay was shot last night and everyone was worried about the guys who were missing. Did he mention seeing Tig, Bobby, or Juice?"

"No, he said that he had talked to Jax and he knew where he was."

"Ok, well… that's good. How have you been?"

"I'm ok. I know I've been a real shitty friend but I can't really be around the club with how things are with Op and I."

"I understand. I miss you and Piper though. Sometime soon we will have to plan either lunch or shopping."

"Sure, I know with school starting you'll be busy but we can work something out." Kerry and Lyla ended the call and she called Happy.

"Hello?"

"Hap, I checked the clubhouse and no sign of Tig, Juice, and Bobby. Opie is with Lyla. Gemma is going to try to call Tig."

"Jax is going to check in Stockton to see if Bobby made it together yesterday. Be safe."

"You too. I love you."

"You too."

Kerry arrived at the diner a few minutes before Mary and she assumed that Gemma and Tara would not be joining them. Kerry enjoyed the lunch with Mary who spent the time chatting about her classroom designs and upcoming trip to Vegas.