This is a bit of a filler chapter but its setting the stage for something big. Very big.

I always liked the character of David Hale. I felt that there was some unspoken history between he and Tara. :)

Good news!

I have written up to Chapter 10.

Will space out the postings because I am going on vacation in mid-February which will not give me time to write.

Please review and respond.

XOXO

Chapter 6

Thursday, May 8th, 1997

"Come on!" grunted Tara. She turned the keys one more time and the damn Cutlass did not start. Slamming her hands against the steering wheel, Tara exhaled before grabbing her messenger bag and exiting the car. She kicked one of the wheels of her old car for good measure.

She was going to be late to her class if she didn't find a ride ASAP to Stockton. Making her way to her house, she called Jax's house where Gemma gleefully informed her that her son was making an overnight run with the rest of the club. A run that Tara knew nothing about which pissed her off like no other. After slamming the phone, Tara contemplated giving Donna a call, but things were frosty between the two after the incident with Katie. That left one other person left.

Sighing deeply, Tara dialed the number of an old friend. Biting her lower lip, Tara waited and waited until she nearly hung up the phone. She heard the faint "hello" before quickly putting the phone back in her ear.

"Hello? David? It's Tara..."

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"Thanks so much for this."

"It's fine, Tara," David laughed as he maneuvered his Jeep into the highway. "So, how are thing going with you?" He asked, his eyes never leaving the road in front of him.

"Same old shit, different day," Tara looked out the window.

"So, you are getting a nursing diploma?"

"More like a nurse's assistant," she muttered. "There aren't any good colleges or med schools around here so..." Tara shrugged her shoulders.

There was an uncomfortable silence as David continued driving to Stockton.

David cleared his throat. "So, when will you get your certification?"

Tara looked at one of her few friends. "If I pass today's final exam, then in two weeks." She looked down at her hands. She knew that Jax would make it down to her graduation ceremony. Her father would be a no show. She highly doubted that Donna would make it down either due to them being pissed at one another.

"Would you like to come?" she asked out of the blue, surprising even herself. "I mean, if you have nothing to do, it would be nice, you know."

"Are you sure, your boyfriend will be okay with that?"

Tara sighed. "No he wouldn't but I don't have a lot of people in Charming. It will be nice to have some people there for once, you know?"

David continued driving in silence.

Tara swallowed and turned to look at the window. "So, I heard you are in the Police Academy..."

"Yea," she could tell he was happy with the change of subject. "It's fucking awesome, Tara. It was a bit tough at first, with all the training but it will be all worth it when I have that badge. How are things with the Old Man? He hasn't...?"

The unspoken question lingered in the air. Tara turned to look at David. "No, he hasn't touched me in years. Ever since Jax and I became serious. I think he is scared of SAMCRO and what would happen if he hits me. We barely even talk to one another anyways. It's like we are more of roommates than father and daughter He is always either working or drinking himself into oblivion in some bar in either Charming or Lodi."

"Why don't you leave?" he asked as he exited the highway.

"Jax and I are saving up to move in together."

David sighed. "I wasn't talking about leaving your Dad's house, Tara."

David pulled up into one of the small community colleges of Stockton.

"Thanks," she muttered as she opened the passenger door to the Jeep.

"Who is picking you up?"

"I'll manage," she responded before exiting the vehicle.

"I am going to stick around. At what time your class lets out?"

Tara shook her head, "I couldn't possibly..."

"Tara stop being a stubborn ass and tell me when your class lets out."

Tara gave him a small smirk, "I should be done with the test in two hours, asshole," she teased back.

"Ok, then. See you in two hours."

Tara gave him a small wave and made her way to the entrance.

"Tara!"

Tara turned to look at her old friend. She rose her eyebrow as she waited for him to say whatever he needed to say.

"Good luck, not that you'll need it."

Tara gave him one of her rare smiles and walked into the building.

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"So, how did you do?" David merged into incoming traffic.

"I got to come and pick up the cap and gown tomorrow afternoon for graduation."

David gave her a gapped tooth smile before returning his eyes to the road.

"I knew you could do it."

Tara smiled at the compliment. "Thanks Davey. You were always one of the few people who actually believed in me."

"You gave me no option there, Knowles. You kicked my ass in every class in high school. I still blame you for not being valedictorian."

Tara laughed. "Not my fault you couldn't handle all of this," Tara tapped the side of her head.

For nearly an hour, David and Tara teased one another enjoying each others company. Before long, David was parking in front of her house.

Tara unbuckled her seat belt and gave David a smile. "Thanks for today."

"Need a ride for tomorrow. The Cutlass probably won't be running for a couple of days."

"Are you sure its not too much of an inconvenience?"

"At what time you need to be there?"

"Twoish?"

"I'll be here at 12:30."

Tara smiled and jumped off the Jeep.

"Oh and Tara," David said, leaning over. "I'll be there when you graduate."

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Friday, May 9th, 1997

Tara sang along to The Cranberries as the Welcome to Charming sign came to view.

David drummed his fingers to the beat as they left behind the roads that took them out of Charming.

The sun was slowly setting and Tara rolled down the window to the Jeep to feel the cool air hit her face. She closed her eyes as she sang along to the lyrics, the wind making her hair flap around her face, a gentle smile crossing her face.

In two weeks, she would have another diploma under her belt. If things went as she planned, she would get a job at St. Thomas were she could dip her feet into the medical field. Her smile drew wider as she thought of the endless possibilities.

"What are you think about?"

Tara didn't bother opening her eyes. "The what could be's..." she answered with a smile. As the wind blew them closer to Charming, she let herself fall into a deep slumber where she dreamed of open heart surgeries and little blond babies.