Tara stood at the sink, washing dishes as dinner cooked on the stove and staring out the window in front of her that looked out on the backyard. Jax was running around with Abel and Tara smiled slightly as Jax grabbed Abel around the waist, lifting him up and tossing him over his shoulder, grinning as Abel squealed. He set him down on the grass and Abel took off running again.

Tara returned to the dishes as Jax took off after Abel, a million thoughts running through her head - most that she was too afraid to face. She thought she'd be happy to finally have her family back; she loved Abel like he was her own, but still she wasn't happy. When she and Jax weren't avoiding each other, they were arguing. Even the sex had become mundane and passionless. They were trying to recreate something they'd had ten years ago and it was proving to be impossible.

There was so much distance between them and Tara would love to be able to blame Jax for it, but she knew she couldn't. When they'd agree to try again they'd both put the effort into it, but the relationship was quickly crumbling.

She watched Jax continue to chase Abel around the yard, laughing. It was the first time in a while she'd seen him smile. There would probably always be a part of her that loved him, he was her first love after all, but she was slowly starting to admit to herself that maybe they just weren't in love anymore.

Jax and Abel finally came inside and Jax helped Abel take his shoes off before walking over to the kitchen, his smile noticeably faded.

"What's for dinner?" he asked.

"Chicken and pasta," Tara replied, gazing over at him. Jax nodded, patting his hand on the counter.

"Sounds good," he said. He paused, rubbing his hand over his face before looking back at her, "I was thinking of taking the day off tomorrow, thought maybe we could go do something." Tara looked back at him before slowly shaking her head.

"I have to work," she replied.

"I thought it was your day off," Jax said. Tara shrugged. It had been her day off, but she'd picked up an extra shift. She'd found herself lately avoiding home as much as possible and she hadn't really been sure why until now.

"They needed me to come in," she lied and Jax nodded, not looking too disappointed. She knew that he was trying to make their relationship work but Tara didn't fully understand why. She figured it was for the same reasons as her – because she didn't want to fail. Again.

"Okay, well let me know when dinner's ready," Jax said before turning and walking down the hall. Tara sighed as she watched him walk away, trying to figure out what she was doing.

SOASOASOASOASOASOASOA

"You havin' trouble?" Luann poked her head into the office at Cara Cara to see Jess furiously erasing something on a piece of paper, frowning heavily.

"I can't get this schedule right," Jess sighed, staring down at the sheet. So many of the dancers had school or kids to work around and Jess was finding it hard to get the right numbers at the right times, and then there were the waitresses and bartenders to schedule as well. Luann walked around the desk and bent over Jess's shoulder looking down at the schedule before she picked up the pencil and switched several names around. Jess stared up at her.

"What would I do without you?" she asked. Luann smiled.

"Luckily, you won't have to find out any time soon," she said, "But I gotta say, having you around has made my life a lot easier." Jess smiled.

"Good," she said, "I try."

"So you doing anything after work tonight?" Luann asked, taking a seat on the other side of the desk.

"Yeah, I think Craig and I are gonna rent a movie or something," Jess said.

"Oh yeah, so you're still seeing him?" Luann asked. Jess nodded, "So how's that going?"

"So far so good," Jess said. She glanced up as Lux rushed in.

"Hey, I just had a ton of people sit in my section. A couple big parties and another smaller table," Lux said, "Would you mind taking the smaller table for me? At least until things calm down a little?" Jess nodded.

"Yeah I can do that," she said. Lux beamed at her.

"You're a life saver," she said, rushing back out of the office, "They're table 24!" Jess looked up at Luann and shrugged.

"I'll share the tips to schedule making another time," Luann said smiling.

"Thanks," Jess said, walking out of the office and up to the table Lux had asked her to take. It was a smaller table, only four men. Most were dressed casually but the fourth looked like he'd just walked off Wall Street in his suit and tie.

"Hi there," Jess greeted, smiling at the men. They turned to look at her, smiling back.

"Hello, Jessica," the sharp dressed man said and Jess turned to him, startled.

"Do I… know you?" she asked, studying his face and trying to place it, but he looked completely unfamiliar. He smiled kindly at her, shaking his head.

"No, but I've seen you around," he replied, "My name is Ethan." Jess nodded.

"Alright, well nice to meet you, Ethan," Jess said, plastering on her usual smile once again, "What can I get you guys?"

After they'd ordered, Jess rushed to the bar to put the orders in and saw Lux waiting impatiently for her table's drinks. She turned to look at Jess and smiled.

"Thanks so much for taking that table," she said. Jess nodded, glancing back at Ethan and his friends.

"Do you know who that guy is?" she asked. Lux shrugged.

"I've waited on him a couple times," she said, "Always takes that same table in the back corner. He's like… I don't know… weirdly nice." Jess laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Being nice isn't weird," Jess reminded her. Lux shrugged as the bartender passed her the tray with her drinks and she lifted it up, scurrying away to her table.

SOASOASOASOASOASOA

Jess stepped wearily out of car and walked towards the stairs to her apartment, thankful that she didn't have anything else to do that night after a long day at work besides cuddle up with Craig while they watched a movie. At this rate, she wasn't even sure she'd stay awake through the whole thing. She checked the mail on her way up the stairs to the apartment, rifling through several bills and ads, before getting to a letter sized envelope with her name scrawled hastily across the front. She smiled as she recognized the hand writing and hurried inside to read it.

'Jess,

Thanks for my last letter. I love hearing about you and about your life. It makes my days go by a little easier. I'd tell you what I'd been up to, but it's the same thing every day.

I'm happy you like your new position at Cara Cara. I helped Luann build that club and I know how much she appreciates having you there to help. I want you to know that both of us love you and we're here for you if you ever need anything. I know I'm not a lot of help to you locked up and I hate that more than anything, but if I can do something believe me when I say it's done.

We know you've had to take care of yourself your whole life and you've done a great job at it so far, but we'd like to do what we can to take care of you now.

Looking forward to your next letter.

Love,

Otto'

Jess smiled as she read through the letter several times before grabbing a small box from her closet and placing it inside, along with all of the other letters he'd sent since they'd met. She wished they could have a normal relationship, but she thought as far as fathers went, she could do a lot worse. He'd done nothing but make her feel like a welcomed member of their family, and that gift alone was more than anything else he could possibly give her.

SOASOASOASOASOASOASOA

Lux sucked down another beer as she paced the entrance of the TM parking lot waiting for Jess and Craig to get home as the usual after church party raged behind her. It had been over a week since Craig had sent the roses and Jess had seen him almost every night since. Lux knew the longer she waited, the more hurt Jess would be when Craig finally showed his true colors and Lux didn't want that. She wanted to protect her friend, but to do that she had to show her the kind of guy he really was.

Lux had a basic plan. Wait here until Craig dropped her off and then bug the hell out of them both until they agreed to come to the party for a little bit. She wasn't worried about that part of the plan. Getting people to do what she wanted was one of her specialties, having grown up learning the skill from her mother. The second part of the plan was to piss Craig off and then wait and see where the chips landed.

This was the part she was worried about. She didn't know what she'd have to do or say to get Craig to his boiling point and she didn't want to lose Jess as a friend in the process. She just kept reminding herself that it was for Jess's own good. That the ends justified the means.

She tossed her empty bottle in a nearby trash can as she saw Craig's Audi pull up to the front of their building. Show time.

"Hey!" Lux called across the street as Jess and Craig stepped out of the car. Jess smiled and waved at her, "You should come to the party!" Jess eyed Craig warily before shaking her head.

"Um no, I think we'll pass," Jess said. Lux watched Craig, who was looking at her curiously.

"Come on!" Lux begged, "Just come have a drink. Bring fancy pants here with you."

"No, Lux," Jess said, and Lux could tell she was getting exasperated, "I don't really think Craig wants to do that." Jess looked at Craig for confirmation but he just looked back at her, eyebrows raised.

"There a reason you don't want me going over there?" Craig asked. Lux smiled to herself. It was happening.

"What? No, of course not," Jess said, "I just didn't really think it'd be your scene." Craig shrugged.

"It's your scene," he said, "I should see what it's all about, right?" Jess was starting to look nervous.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Jess said, but Lux knew it was over. A guy like Craig wouldn't let Jess tell him what to do. If he wanted to come, they were coming.

"One drink," Craig said, already walking across the street. Jess sighed resignedly and followed as Lux clapped her hands, beaming at them both.

"There's the spirit!" she said as they all walked inside.

"Why don't you go get Craig a drink?" Lux suggested, "I'll introduce him around." Jess stared at her.

"Um, no I think Craig should come with me," she said.

"Go get a drink, babe," Craig said, "I'll be fine. I think I can manage five minutes without you." Jess bit her lip nervously, glancing warily at Lux, before taking a deep breath and heading to the bar.

Tara was sitting at the bar and Jess smiled nervously as she walked up. Tara smiled back as she turned to face her.

"Hey, Jess," she said, "Haven't seen you around in a while."

"Yeah, I've just been really busy with work and I started dating this guy," she said, "Lux talked him into coming over here. I'm not really sure about that."

"What? This isn't a normal Friday night for him?" Tara asked jokingly. Jess grinned, shaking her head.

"Not even close," she said. Tara nodded.

"So I wanted to ask you," she said and Jess suddenly got nervous. It was never good when Tara wanted to ask her questions, "You're from Santa Barbara, right?" Jess breathed a sigh of relief as she nodded.

"Yup, born and raised," she said. Tara nodded.

"What'd you think about it? Is it nice down there?" she asked, "I lived in San Diego for a few years while I was getting my undergrad but never made it up to Santa Barbara. I hear it's nice." Jess nodded.

"It's gorgeous," she said, "In another life I might have been happy there, but as it was…" Jess's voice trailed off and she shrugged.

"It's a pretty small town, though, isn't it?" Tara asked. Jess shrugged.

"Not small like Charming," she said, grinning, "A little bigger than Lodi. It's big enough that you can get lost in the crowd a little, but it's pretty laid back." Tara nodded, obviously thinking.

"Why, you thinking of visiting?" she asked. Tara shook her head.

"No, I was just curious," she said. Jess nodded as Tara stood and she turned to Miles, who was behind the bar, and asked him for a couple of beers.

SOASOASOASOASOASOA

"So what do you think?" Lux asked Craig cheerfully as she motioned around the room in front of them. It was the usual general debauchery that was expected at a usual SAMCRO party. Stripper pole utilized, crow eaters' mouths utilized, and alcohol fully utilized all around.

"It's pretty crazy in here," Craig responded, obviously disapproving. His tone of voice made it seem like this was exactly what he expected to find behind the door.

"Yeah, you should see it on a special occasion," Lux said, nodding in agreement, "It gets rowdy." She watched as Craig visibly attempted to refrain from sneering and she choked back a laugh as she saw Jax walk by. She grinned at the opportunity and grabbed Jax's arm and he stopped, turning to look at her.

"What?" he asked, annoyed as he removed his arm from her grasp.

"I just wanted you to meet Craig," Lux said, "Jess's new boyfriend." Jax raised his eyebrows, eyeing Craig, in his khaki Dockers and button down shirt, with something halfway between disgust and amusement.

"Oh yeah?" he asked, turning back to Lux and completely ignoring Craig, "What the fuck is he doing here?" Lux rolled her eyes playfully, trying not to smile too broadly as she noticed Craig getting angry at the snub.

"Oh Jax, be nice," she said, "I invited them." Jax looked back at Craig.

"Well enjoy your stay," he said sarcastically before walking off towards a table that Opie and Chibs were sitting at. She vaguely noticed Tara leaving Jess's side at the bar and walk up to Jax. Lux turned back to Craig, trying her best to look apologetic.

"Sorry about him," she said, "He's my brother. And the new president. He's probably just pissed because him and Jess used to hook up, like, all the time." Lux faked a look of shock and embarrassment as she covered her mouth, mostly to hide her grin at the rage that had suddenly appeared behind Craig's eyes as they darted over to glare at Jax, "Oh, I shouldn't have said that! Damn me and my big mouth. But don't even worry about it. It's totally over. I mean, except for the time when he flipped out after Jess brought some hang around home. But that was like… I mean… at least a week before you guys got together."

It had been easier than Lux thought. She felt bad about throwing Jess under the bus like that, but she knew that was the only thing that would get Craig angry enough to punch something. Lux's eyes widened as he stormed off towards Jess, screaming obscenities at her as Jess stared at him in shock, cowering by the bar, and it suddenly occurred to Lux that the final act of her plan could involve Craig punching Jess. She really hadn't thought this through properly. She looked wildly around, hoping someone would stop him, but breathed a sigh of relief when she realized Happy was standing by the bar, in between Craig and Jess.

She didn't have long to feel relieved however, before Craig shoved Happy out of the way and grabbed Jess's arm forcefully. Now Lux had to worry about Happy killing Craig. That had also not been part of the plan.

Craig, with a firm grip on Jess's arm, raised his fist back as Jess tried to get away from him, but before his fist could connect with her, Happy turned around and threw a right hook directly into the side of Craig's cheek. He howled, stumbling backwards and wasting the precious seconds he had to defend himself as Happy moved in on him, punching him several times in the face and gut while Jess stood by pleading with him to stop. They had the attention of most of the people in the clubhouse now, all watching Happy kick the shit out of this yuppie stranger.

"Happy! Happy, please stop!" Jess begged, but there was no stopping Happy when he was like this. Lux scurried over to Opie, who was standing nearby looking worried, and nudged him towards them.

"You have to stop Happy before he kills him!" Lux said desperately. Opie nodded resignedly, setting his beer on the table as he hurried over to Happy, grabbing him in a bear hug and tearing him off of Craig. Happy tried to elbow Opie to get him to let go, but Opie didn't until Happy finally calmed down. He shook his arms out before walking calmly back up to where Craig lay on the floor, giving him another kick in the ribs for good measure.

"You never touch me again," Happy growled, bending over in his face before walking away. Jess rushed to Craig's side, bending over to check on him.

"Oh my God, Craig, are you okay?" she asked, looking at his face that was already beginning to swell. He winced, but Lux could tell from where she stood that having his beating take place in front of the entire clubhouse had hurt more than Happy's fists and only fueled his rage. He stood, grabbing Jess's arm again and leaning in so his face was inches from hers, his face twisted with rage.

"Let's go," he snarled, "Now!" Jess stared at him, her eyes wide and fearful and she shook her head, trying to get him to release his grasp on her but his grip only tightened. He turned, pulling her with him and she dug her heels into the floor, trying to stop Craig from pulling her. He turned angrily back to her.

"LET'S GO!" he bellowed. Jess shook her head.

"I'm not going anywhere with you until you calm down," she said, her voice full of fear.

"I didn't ask you what you wanted!" he yelled at her, "I'm telling you we're leaving!"

"You're scaring me Craig," Jess said and Lux watched as Jax walked up behind Jess, looking menacing. She saw the other Sons in the room stand, ready to have his back if they needed to jump in.

"Get the fuck out of my clubhouse," Jax said angrily, and even Lux was scared of him when he was like this, "Jess isn't going anywhere with you." Craig stared at Jax, his eyes moving between him and all the other Sons standing and watching around the room, their arms crossed. They were an intimidating group even on the best of days. He finally released Jess's arm and she shook it, wincing in pain at how hard he had been clutching her.

"I knew you were nothing more than a biker whore," Craig sneered in Jess's face, "I tried to turn you into something better but that's all you'll ever be to anyone. Nothing more than fucking WHORE."

"Out!" Jax barked at him and Craig finally turned to walk towards the door. Jax paused for a second before making like he was going to follow him, but Opie put a hand on Jax's shoulder.

"Don't, brother," Opie said, "He already got his from Happy. Nothing else you can do." Jax pursed his lips in anger before turning back to Jess, but she'd already walked back to the bar, head in her hands and a fresh beer in front of her.

Lux finally walked up to Jess, sitting in the stool next to her. Jess turned to look at her, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Are you happy now?" Jess asked. Lux shook her head.

"No, I'm not happy," she said honestly, "I really wanted Craig to be a good guy for you, I really did. But you deserve to be treated like a fucking princess and I knew you weren't gonna get that from that asshole. I'm sorry about the way it turned out, but I am glad you know who he really is now." Jess sniffled, wiping the tears from her eyes and shaking her head.

"I should've seen it earlier," she grumbled, "He was always controlling like that. Even on our first date. I just…"

"Didn't want to see," Lux finished for her, "I know. I've been there. It's easy to only see what you want to see in people." Jess nodded, turning back to her beer.

"I just wish…" she began, "I mean, of all places for him to blow up like that… and in front of Jax…." She sighed. She was mortified that Jax had been privy to that scene; that he'd had to step up and help her from the guy she'd finally managed to move on from Jax to. That went beyond ironic.

"I'm just gonna go home," she mumbled and Lux nodded, watching her worriedly as she stood from her stool and walked towards the door.

SOASOASOASOASOASOASOASOA

Tara sat in her car in the TM lot, the car running but unable to put it in drive. The thought of going back to their house, well, Jax's house, was not pleasant, but she also couldn't stand the thought of leaving Jax and being separated from Abel. She had no parental rights over him. On paper, she was nothing to him except his dad's old lady. She sighed, but she was jerked from her thoughts by Jess storming angrily out of the front door of the clubhouse, Jax quick on her heels. Neither of them noticed Tara sitting in her car. She rolled the window down slightly to hear what was being said.

"This guy knows where you live. At least let me walk you home," Jax said. Jess shook her head, trying to keep several paces ahead of him.

"I can take care of myself," Jess replied.

"Obviously not!" Jax yelled and Jess spun around to look at him.

"Let me rephrase," she said, "I don't want you to take care of me." Tara watched as Jess turned back around and Jax watched her leave. He didn't leave his spot until he'd watched Jess walk across the street, up the stairs to her apartment and flip on the light in the living room. Tara sighed, watching Jax watching Jess until he finally turned around and walked back into the clubhouse.

Author's Note - wow! We want to thank all of you that reviewed the last chapter soooo much! Words can't explain how much we love you guys! I hope you liked this last chapter. Please let us know what you thought and we just might post an extra chapter on Wednesday!