I was sitting in my living room playing back what Jax had said. Does he not care about me? I understand where his anger is coming from, but he needs to remember the people around him who care about him. I looked out my window, when I heard a bike, and saw Opie pulling up. I met him at the door and was shocked when he told me that he knew where Jax went. I rode with him to the cabin and was glad to know that Jax was safe and sound. I guess Jax heard us because he came out and met us halfway.

"Guess you told him." Opie said.

"Yeah." Jax said.

"Can't wrap my head around it either, brother." Opie added.

"You called me on it months ago, man. When it comes to Clay, I'm not sure anything I do is for the good of the club." Jax said.

"He's your father, Jax." Opie said.

"My father died on 580... 16 years ago." Jax said before pulling me with him.

Jax, Bobby, and I met Happy and Half-Sack at the hospital to bring Chibs home. Happy said something about a letter, but Jax told him not now. Half-Sack came in with Chibs and he hugged all of us. We were all laughing but Jax and I thanked Tara and she just nodded her head.

As we were heading back to the clubhouse, the van, which Half-Sack was driving, made a left turn. All of us were confused, but Jax told the others to head on and he would handle it. We ended up at this weird shop and I hope this doesn't go the way I think it's going to go. We headed inside only to have to draw our guns because Cameron turned his shotgun on us.

"Enough. Enough." this man said to Cameron.

When he lowered his shotgun, Jax and I lowered our guns.

"How are you, Jackson?" the man asked.

"Been better, Jimmy." Jax replied.

I knew right then that this was the Jimmy that Chibs was talking about when we visited him. I have a bad feeling about this guy.

"Chibs, come on. Let's get out of here." Jax said.

"You are not my VP anymore... Nomad." Chibs said as he got in Jax's face.

Chibs then hollered at Half-Sack and then all of us left. I understand that Chibs just found out about Jax, but he doesn't have to be so hostile about it. I'm Jax's Old Lady and you don't see me getting hostile over it.

"You tell her or I will." Clay told Jax.

Clay needs to back off. Jax is working on how to tell his mother that he's going Nomad. Both of us then get a vague text from Tara and I told Jax that something didn't seem right. Jax said we would go check it out, and boy were we in for a surprise.

"What's up? Text was vague." Jax asked as we walked in the door.

Tara led us into the living room and that's where we saw Stahl waiting for us.

"You got a warrant?" I asked.

"You see me searching?" Stahl asked back.

"We got nothing to say to you." Jax said.

We walked over to Tara and Abel, and I grabbed Abel when he reached for me.

"What's happening, little man?" Jax asked as he kissed Abel's head.

"Where's Neeta?" I asked once I realized that she wasn't here.

"I sent her out for groceries." Tara replied.

"Look at you two. Ozzy and Harriet." Stahl said.

"Oh shut up." Tara said.

I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing because Stahl's expression was priceless.

"Get out, now." Jax growled.

"I was just curious, Jax. I just wanted to know why you were leaving Sam Crow." Stahl said.

Tara gave us confused looks and I just pretended that I didn't know.

"Give us a minute?" Jax asked.

Tara and I left the room, but I started eavesdropping just to be safe. Tara got my attention for something with Abel, and then I tuned back in at the right moment.

"Is Tara or Kaleena legal guardians? Because I would really hate to see that perfect boy end up in the system." Stahl said.

"You're so full of shit." Jax said.

"Nobody will raise Abel except Jax, myself, or anybody else we see fit. And for your information, darlin' I am Abel's legal guardian." I growled as I came back into the room.

Stahl just laughed off what I said and then continued to talk.

"You know, I do want to thank you for confirming a suspicion of mine, though... Agent Kohn. ATF always assumed he went awol, but I never believed that, though. We all know that he's more than missing." Stahl said.

"He's wherever he's supposed to be." Jax said.

"When I'm done burying the Irish, I'll just go digging into Charming. Maybe find me a shallow grave, hmm? And I always thought that you were too pretty to be a killer." Stahl said before going to the door.

"Wish I could say the same." Jax said.

Stahl then left and now Jax and I have to explain everything to Tara.

"You okay?" I asked.

"What was she talking about?" Tara asked.

"I'm joining the Nomad charter of the SONS. Means I'm still a member of the MC, just not attached to any one town." Jax replied.

"Leave Charming?" Tara questioned.

Jax shook his head before replying.

"The rest of the Nomads are spread out North. I attend church at different places, put a few more miles on my bike." Jax replied.

"He's got to do this, Tara." I said.

"I need space between me and Clay." Jax added.

"How do you fix Sam Crow if you're not a part of it?" Tara asked.

"I can't do what I need to do with this guy in place. I ride independently for a few years and wait for him to step down." Jax replied.

Wait? What the hell did he say?

"A few years?" I asked as I went to stand next Tara.

I figured it would be for a few months or maybe a year, but not a few years.

"We've barely made it through the last few months. You made this decision without Kaleena." Tara added.

I was shocked, to say the least, but I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks that.

"It's the right thing." Jax said.

"Then why were both of you afraid to tell me?" Tara asked.

"You're going to be late for work. I'll wait for Neeta." Jax replied.

Nobody moved, so Jax just sighed before leaving to Abel's room.

Tara dragged me with her and I explained how I knew. We then pulled up to TM and I knew that this wasn't going to be good. We walked into Gemma's office and I knew that this conversation wasn't going to be good. If Tara wants to tell Gemma then she can be my guest.

"What?" Gemma asked as she looked from me to Tara.

"Jax says he's joining the Nomad charter. Needs to get away from Clay." Tara replied.

"Jesus Christ!" Gemma exclaimed while getting up.

"Shit that's been going on around here, maybe it's a good solution." Tara said.

I'm beginning to think the same thing because if Jax stays then this is only going to get worse, and I don't really want to have to tell Gemma that her husband is the reason why her son is dead.

"No, it's not. Nomad is MC purgatory. No family, no roots." Gemma said.

"He seems convinced it's the best thing." I said.

"He's so deep in his hate for Clay, he don't know what's best." Gemma said.

"But isn't that hatred a good reason to step away?" I asked.

"You don't want Jax in a charter scattered across four states. On the road alone. The list of enemies we have. You want that phone call telling you where to pick up the body?" Gemma asked.

I didn't have a response for her. Tara left for work and I stayed with Gemma. Gemma and I talked and I told her how I really felt. I also told her that now would be the perfect

time to tell the others what actually happened to her and Layla, even though I know neither of them want to say it. Gemma seemed to be thinking it over when Jax showed up.

"Hey." Jax said as he stood in the doorway.

"Were you gonna tell me?" Gemma asked.

"Of course, I was gonna tell you. I just didn't want to say anything till things were certain." Jax replied.

"Are things certain?" Gemma asked.

"Vote's tonight." Jax replied.

"Sit." Gemma told Jax.

Jax kisses the top of my head before sitting in the chair next to Gemma's desk.

"The other day, you asked me what was in that box. It wasn't just old t-shirts." Gemma said.

"I know." Jax said.

"Why'd you burn it?" Gemma asked.

"I didn't know what to do with it." Jax replied.

"And now?" Gemma asked.

Jax just shook his head, and that told us that he didn't really know why he did what he did.

"It was after Thomas died. Your dad was lost. Darkest part of his life. You want it back?" Gemma questioned.

"No. I think it's good you have it." Jax replied.

"If I know your father, there's more than one copy." Gemma said.

"Yeah." Jax said with a slight nod.

"I loved your dad. More than I've loved any man. Great lay (Jax and I chuckled). Smart, big heart... and very complicated. Sound familiar? His complications killed him." Gemma said.

"What do you mean?" Jax asked confused.

"I don't think your father's death was an accident. I think he hated his life, and he let the road take it. I don't want that same fate for you, Jackson. Things I do, I do to keep you safe. Less complicated." Gemma replied.

"I know, mom." Jax said.

"Nomad... is a bad idea." Gemma added.

Jax patted Gemma's knee before getting up. I got up with him and followed him to the door.

"Page 449." Gemma told Jax.

Jax looked at her and she nodded her head. Jax then kissed me before walking away. I hugged Gemma because I think I know what's running through her head. Crystal came in and asked if I would come with her to visit her brother. I glanced at Gemma, who gave me a nod, and joined Crystal. When we got to the hospital and Juice's room, we were met with Jax and Bobby. Both of us hugged Juice and I knew that he was happy to see us.

"What?" Juice asked as he looked between Jax and Bobby.

Crystal and I were confused but weren't for long.

"You're going to need to proxy your vote." Jax replied.

"For...?" Juice questioned.

"I'm asking for transfer. Nomad." Jax replied.

Juice glanced over at me and Crystal, but I hid my eyes because I knew that they would give me away.

"Guess it's been coming." Juice said.

"Yeah. I'll let you give your vote to Bobby." Jax said as he headed towards the door.

I went to follow and told Crystal that she needed to spend time with her brother. She agreed and both of us knew that this was going to be hard on all of us if this vote goes the way we think it will.

"Hey. You remember what you said to me when I told you that I wanted to prospect? My blood family, my hometown, all that shit moves back a row. Once you're patched, the members are your family. This charter is your home." Juice said.

I gave Juice a sad smile as I followed Jax because he's right. These guys love Jax too much to lose him, but they'll do what's best. Jax and I got back to his house and I stretched out as Jax read from the page his mom told him to. We then went to the clubhouse and met up with Unser.

"Forensics say it was definitely arson. Suspicious burn pattern. Still running tests. They found multiple sets of footprints, Jax. Blaze that size, couldn't have been one guy. Had to be a crew. My money lands on Zobelle." Unser told us.

I have the same thought, but then again, I wouldn't put anything past Clay. Jax went to talk to Clay and I just waited by the table. I don't know what was said, but Jax walked past me pissed. I just sat there and Tara joined me not too long after the sun went down.

I couldn't stop pacing and Tara was trying her best to calm me down. Jax walked out and both of us noticed that he was missing some patches.

"You okay?" I asked.

Jax nodded his head but both Tara and I knew that he was lying.

"Why don't you and Kaleena get away for a few days. Big sur, the desert, wherever." Tara said.

"What about the kid?" Jax asked.

"I'll watch him. You guys just go. Tonight." Tara said.

I agreed with her and so did Jax until Gemma walked up.

"I need to talk to you." Gemma told Jax.

"It's done, ma." Jax said.

"Meet me at my house. All three of you." Gemma said before walking off.

Tara and I shared looks and both of us knew that she must be fixing to tell everyone the truth about what really happened to her. We got to Gemma's house and this conversation is bound to bring Clay and Jax together.

"Sit down, both of you." Gemma told Jax and Clay after they started having a stare down.

Tara and I went to leave the room because we wanted to give them privacy.

"You, too, sweetheart. Sit. Both of you know what it is I have to tell them." Gemma told both me and Tara.

Jax and Clay glanced at us and I could tell that they didn't like that we knew something that they didn't. Tara went and sat next to Gemma and I sat next to Jax.

"What is this?" Clay asked.

Gemma took a deep breath before she began telling the truth.

"The night of Bobby's party... Layla and I didn't get into an accident driving home. We were attacked. A minivan pulls up behind us. A girl jumps out in a panic. Says her baby's choking. The girl was very convincing. A goddamn doll in the car seat. She hit me over the head with a blackjack, or something, and I guess someone got a hold of Layla. I came to handcuffed to the chain-link of a utility house out by the access road, next to Layla. They wore masks. There were three of them. The one who spoke, I knew his voice, and I think Layla did too. The tat on his throat. Zobelle's right hand... Weston. Told me to deliver a message to you. Stop selling guns to color. Said if I... If I didn't tell you, that he'd find me and do it again. (Gemma then glanced at me and I nodded my head to tell her to go ahead and tell them the rest.) They raped us. All three of them. More than once." Gemma said as she told what happened.

Both Clay and Jax were shocked and I could tell that this was fixing to change everything between them. Jax then got up, kissed Gemma's hands, and then gave Clay's shoulder a squeeze. My heart melted when I watched as Clay grabbed Jax's hand, and that told me that they were going to band together to finish this.

Tara and I got up to leave and both of us glanced at Gemma, and I couldn't help but give her a small smile because I wanted her to know that I'm so fucking proud of her. Jax, Tara, and I then left and I knew that now, Jax isn't going anywhere because this just got personal.

Kaleena's outfit before the vote: pin/553731716694792020/