"Come here, you little boy!" Gemma was catching up Abel as he ran around the table outside the clubhouse. Teller jr. laughed loudly and shouted: "Won't catch me, granny!" as she stopped to recover her wind. She felt how her chest begins to burn but seeing grandson having fun was obviously more important than desire to sit down and rest. Gemma was about to continue her chase when boy stopped and turned around, but she caught some movement on the side by the corner of her eye.
Turning, she saw a girl hastily approaching her from the gate. She needed a couple of seconds to recognize her and feel sailed irritation. Taking weakly protesting Abel in her arms, she made a small step forward, intending to send an unexpected guest away from workshop in her usual tough style. But before she could say anything, she got a demanding question:

"They're out?" The girl was obviously nervous, her rapid breathing clearly hurt her to utter something more substantial. Unfortunatelly, this excitement did not touch Gemma at all.

"I told you not to show up here again, didn't I?" Annoyance in her voice was showed in hoarse notes. It was quite unexplainable why this girl kept coming here almost stupidly or more like having some suicidal tendencies. It was the day when ATF took the guys to jail when she first appeared, all in a brand-new business suit, with a case full of papers. At that exact moment Gemma didn't know about Jax's trick, she thought that she lost her son because of his stupid deal with that bitch Stahl, so when she saw the girl sneaking around Teller-Morrow with wide eyes and red cheeks, she was ready to kill her with her bare hands.

"Didn't you and your fucking friends damage this club enough?" Was all she said against her question. It was obvious that Gemma decided that she and ATF were connected somehow. So when the girl said that she was just looking for one of the Sons, she sent her straight to hell.

"You understood me wrong, I'm not with them. Jax can convince you, he knows me."

"Well that's bad for you because they just took him and everyone else. Now get out of here whoever you are and don't you dare to come here again or swear to God, I'll kill you."

The next morning when the truth about Jax's plan revealed, Gemma called Unser and asked him to find out who she might be. The only thing he obtained was her name and job: Thea Martinez, criminal lawyer. That was definitely not in her favor. But soon Gemma almost forgot about strange girl, because she didn't show up never again right until this moment. Considering her post, Gemma wasn't surprised not even for a bit.

"Why won't you just tell me for the God's sake if they're out?! All I need is just to speak with someone and that is goddamn important," the girl said, coming closer and looking even more nervous than a moment before. Her perseverance could be impressive, only if Gemma could deny her suspicions. After everything that happened in a last few years, her trust to strange people obviously didn't grow stronger, moreover it was hard for her to believe even some people she already knew. Like Tara, for example. Or like some Irish women. Anyway, conversation was about to continue in unpleasant way, so Gemma looked around to find Chucky. He was just going across the yard with some box with papers, so she called him and asked to look after Abel until she won't finish dealing with "some arrogant ladies". When they went away, she turned to the girl again.

"If that is so goddamn important," she raised her eyebrows, "Why won't you pass it through me, Thea Martinez?" She was trying to show this girl that she knows something, despite there wasn't much to know.

"That's personal, actually," Thea's voice sounded metal.

"What personal can be between a criminal lawyer and a biker? Come on, sweetheart, you're telling me who you are looking for again and why, or I will straighten your skinny ass out of here."

"Gosh, I've heard about the Charming charter's queen, but I never thought you will be really such a…" Her luck she didn't have a chance to finish her thought 'cause both women heard the sound of motorcycle engines approaching the garage.

Even before getting parked, Jax already felt that something is wrong. When Gemma was unpleasant you could always feel it barely catching her in sight. And that was it: getting off of his bike, Jax knew that some kind of new shit is about to happened. He turned around to his random companion before finding out what exactly was going on.

"Hey, can you wait here? That crazy lady over there obviously needs to be calmed down and, believe me, you're not ready to take a part in that," he smirked and shook his head a bit. "Sorry."

"That's okay," Ellie shrugged. "But you gotta be careful, the crazy ones can be dangerous."

"Oh, you have no idea," he smiled wider and then quickly walked to Gemma and her new victim for this day. "Hey, mom, what's up?" - "I can almost smell the scent of future fight", he would like to add, but wisely kept it to himself. Gemma was standing straight with crossed arms, smiling like a snake at her prey.

"This one says you know her. Sneaking around here for second time, looking for one of your brothers. Do you recognize her?"

"You know, i'm standing right in front of you so there's no fucking need to act like I can't hear you. Oh, sorry, I forgot that you don't give a shit, probably," she turned away from Gemma and looked at Jax. That is where the weird part started. Jax really had a strong feeling like he knew her, or at least like he saw her once. It was like a fading memory which he couldn't catch, no matter how hard he tried. Apparently, girl understood his confusion and said with a smile: "It's Thea, Jax. Queens, remember?"

"Jesus Christ!" he shouted cheerfully. "Martinez, you do look like a human, huh?"

"Ha-ha", she responded with a satisfied smile. 1:0, Gemma. Right away he remembered her clearly, a very punk-girl with tattooes, infinite number of piercings and a habit to curse all the time. That was Thea Martinez he knew, but this girl was like completely different person.

"What brought you here?" he asked, nodding to his mom that it's alright and she can finally stop being so protective. After his question Thea went distinctly sadder, but still tried to smile. Showing weaknesses wasn't in her style.

"I need to talk to him, Jax. And it's really goddamn important," she said, nervously tousling her hair.

"Is everything alright?" asked Jax, instantly becoming serious. The aforementioned complex of savior didn't allow him to remain indiffirent.

"Relatively," Thea obviously didn't want to go into details. She glanced at Gemma who was still standing beside and definitely looked, as before, not fully convinced that the situation doesn't require her tight control.

"Calm down, mom," said Teller, almost rolling his eyes. "I got this."

"Sure, sweetheart," she made a pause, looking in the direction of the bikes. "Just like you got another whore."

He followed her gaze and realized that the picture that was revealed to her sight wastn't impressive. Ellie still was standing near his Harley and she looked even more exhausted than before, if it was possible.

"No, she's not a… I'll explain it later," he grasped that it was totally rude to offer help and leave that girl alone, so he turned to Thea quickly. "Juice is soon to come, so you can just wait for him at the clubhouse, okay? And don't worry about her," he looked at Gemma. "She won't bite."

Old lady snorted, almost playfully threatening before heading to the office, where Chucky and Abel were, "I might."

After asking Opie to walk Thea to the club, Jax hurried back to his new acquaintance, "Sorry again." He suddenly felt really uncomfortable. "So, don't you want to tell what happened for real? Your injuries… Do I have to ask someone to look at them?"

"There is no need, truly. You already did a lot by giving me a ride, not everyone have been courteous on the road," She pursed her lips, looking down on her dusty shoes. It was clear that she wasn't one of those who imposed but everything in her was almost screaming that she's definitely far from okay.

"Right, I'm the hero of the day," Jax clicked his tongue. "But that's not all help on my to-do list today, so come on, I'll show you where you can take a shower. And, I hope, after all you will tell me a little bit more about youself. You know, as a token of gratitude." Jax smirked and took Ellie by the hand as she seemed to be okay with that. Passing by Thea, who was ordering a prospect to give her a drink, he brought her to his dorm and closed the door carefuly as she came in. While she was looking around, Jax took one of his t-shirts with reaper on the chest from closet and came to her closely, never stop smiling to this new girl.

"So the shower is over there. You can take one of my shirts and change, then come out, I'll grab you a drink and we can share some stories," It was kinda funny to speak with her in such easy way, like there were no barriers or embarrassment and they just knew each other for years, meeting now after long parting. Frankly speaking, he obviously missed that feeling by the time he was in Stockton. Moreover, he was afraid that after Tara it would never be that easy with someone else, but it seemed like Ellie could be a good if not replacement, than a distruction at least. Even if only for one night. After all, life continues.

"Thanks, Jax. I'm really… grateful," she said smiling lightly and then disappeared in shower. God knows how will it turns, they might just vanish from each other's life this evening, next morning or continue this acquaintance, he had no idea. And, honestly, he was tired of looking that far in the future. Here, at this very moment, he just liked the sound of his name slipping from her lips and that was enough for him.
He nodded silently and went back to the bar.

Thea already started another drink, when he entered. Sitting on the opposite side of a counter, he grabbed a bottle of beer.

"Guess your mom isn't quite happy with two strange wenches. Just let something go against her plans, and here we are, ready to meet an earthquake," Thea clinked glasses with him, making another sip. "Just like my bastard daddy." Jax smiled, making another drink of beer. "She's nice by the way. That girl, I mean."

"Happy to hear you're not trying to make a compliment to my mom." They laughed and joked for a couple of times, trying to conquer hanging tension. Everything was going to that serious conversation which was hard to avoid. But before Jax decided to ask her more specifically about the reason she came, they heard voices behind the door to the clubhouse and after a couple of seconds the rest of the SAMCRO entered, laughing loudly at some joke.

"Have you seen his fucking face?.." hardly uttered Chibs, clapping Happy's shoulder. All tired and covered with dust after their little road jurney, they still were in such a good mood, that at first didn't even notice Jax and Thea, yet she stood up immediately when she saw Juice. Of course, he was more recognizable than she was, but seeing him again after such a long, really long time was almost painful. Almost.

"I already began to think that you guys were really arrested. Fortunatelly, I'm sharing beer with a great lawyer who could help us with that," Jax saluted with his bottle. "Juicy-boy, you have a guest."

"Who, me?" Ortiz turned his head to see who was sitting with VP and froze when he finally did.

"Hi, Juice," Thea smiled a bit nervously, giving him a few moments to realize everything. If she was him in this situation, she would probably need some time to believe in his presence too.

"No way," finally said Juice. "Either it's Martinez, or my eyes are decieving me!"

"I've told you a thousand times that you should wear glasses," her smile became wider and softer as Ortiz quickly erased the distance between them and took her in his arms. Nearly forgotten warm feeling overwhelmed Thea, encouraging her to hug him back.

"What for God's sake happened with your piercings and other punk stuff?" Was the first thing he asked when they stepped back from each other and he could see her more clearly.

"Life, I guess," she grinned. "I would tell you more if we could talk in private somewhere. Can we?.."
"Sure! I'll show you the clubhouse at the same time and you will be convinced that we're not Tacoma, not even close…" As he friendly threw his arm over her shoulder and led her to the back rooms, they could already her the others becoming noisy about it.

"Fess up, Jackie, where did you find this pretty lass?" Chibs approached the bar.

"Wait, you haven't seen another one yet," Jax finally finished his beer with one sip. "I'd like you to look at her, she's got some bruises."

"Jesus, we've been away for few hours and he had already gathered a harem!" it was Tig. "My school!"

Catching the last words vaguely, Thea laughted too. Juice raised his eyebrows in surprise, "There is some other girl?" Martinez nodded, entering after him some room that he led her to.

"I'm not aware of the pre-story, actually. Didn't have much time to ask in case of being threatned by the Queen," her sight was saying something like 'you probably know what I'm talking about'. Yes, her sights have always been that eloquent. Juice smirked and fell on the side of his bed, hit it near himself inviting her to sit next to him.

"Oh, T, trust me, you haven't seen her in all her glory. But you may have a chance soon," it still was weird to be that close to Thea after all these years, speaking and joking like he never left her and his past life in Queens behind. To his shame he didn't contact with her more than five years or so and here she is, appeared from the corners of his oldest memories, being herself like a memory of someone he just used to know. But still he was happy to see her, realizing how much he actually missed this girl. He couldn't help himself but staring at her, trying to decide which one he liked more. This Thea Martinez totally looked like someone else and he was wondering if she changed in all ways that completely. "Gosh, i need to tell and show you so freaking much you absolutely will go crazy!" he blurted out with his usual goofy smile that Thea missed insanily. But this time she didn't smile back and Juice became anxious immediately. "T?" She sat down next to Juice, but didn't look at him.

"I'm afraid you might won't like to speak with me after what I've done," her voice was unsteady. She started to play with her rings trying to calm herself. "I fucked up, Juan, like, gravely, and this may probably affect on you too and I'm so sorry. You wanted this life so badly and I've just ruined everything in a moment… Jesus!" She couldn't control herself anymore and started to cry, quickly closing her face with hands. At first everything she said made no sense, after agonizingly long moments of trying to understand, he started to realize what was Thea talking about. He thought that it would scare him, or at least made him more concerned about his future destiny considering what was this about, but surprisingly all he felt now was just unrest because of Thea and how all of this shit is relate to her. "I've done my best trying to run away from them and destroy everything that might lead them to Charming, but Meredith, goddamn, she just sent that papers with my signature and now they definetely know where I am and soon they will know about you too. Fuck, I hate myself for that, Juan. I put you in danger with me, I'm so sorry" it wasn't that reunion with his old bestie which he imagined, but he got used to the fact that life don't give a shit about his wishes. About anyone's wishes, as well. He shook his head and then took her hands off, making Thea look at him.

"Hey, Martinez. We're a team, remember? Nothing bad will happen to none of us, I promise. You have no idea what shit I had to deal with here in last years! We'll figure that out just like we always did, yeah? C'mon, babe, stop crying. Do you really want them to see you that way?" he said with gentle smile and hugged her tightly.

As Ellie went out of Jax's dorm, she could hear a quiet sobbing behind one of the doors, wondering if that was the girl she saw before. When she appeared at the bar, it was already full of people. She felt a light panic, which in good faith she tried to strangle, looking for Jax. Finding him at the bar, she went on almost padded feet, lightly touching his shoulder so that he could notice her.

"Oh, here you are. Reaper suits you, I must say" he smirked. "Wanna beer? Smoke?" she sat next to him.

"Smoke would be good," she replied a little uncertainly.

"I assume this is another lass you've told us about, aye, Jackie-boy?" said the man with the scars along his cheeks and wild scottish accent. Ellie raised her eyebrows while taking a cigarette from Jax.

"Ellie, this is Chibs," he said, lighting a cigarette. She nodded, for some reason immediately feeling sympathy for him.

"I like your accent," she smiled. "My mom was Scottish, good to hear it again."

"Then your mother must've been an amazing woman," Chibs grinned and then clapped his pockets as if he was looking for something in them. "So, Jax wanted me to look at you. Not a doctor, but I know something about bruises, huh. What happened to you, lass?"

"I've asked her twice, but she is too polite to answer straight," Teller was almost rolling his eyes. Good-natured, of course.

"Is she?" old biker finally found what he was looking for. He put the glasses on, making a step towards Ellie.

"There is not much to tell, actually. I just…" She broke off. It was easy to notice that cigarette was shaking in her fingers. After a highly tense pause she continued quickly, as if she wasn't sure if she'll be able to speak to the end, "My father lost me in a card game."

The silence that reigned between the three of them was practically pressing on the eardrums. Finally, Jakcson decided to ask again in case he misread it, "What do you mean?.."

"I mean exactly what I said, unfortunatelly," she smiled sadly. "My dad is a finished gambler. He owed a fortune to, I guess, everyone in Elk Grove and beyond. Being a bankrupt, he didn't come up with anything better than to bet me in a game against the local… boss."

"Strong family ties, huh?" Even Chibs looked a bit shocked, though it was hard to discourage him.

"Yeah, stronger than steel."

"But how you ended up on a road?" Jax seemed to become a bit concerned now. It wasn't actually too hard to understand that Ellie survived some real shit, but somehow it all didn't seem to be so crappy before she said it. He felt sorry for this girl, although she, probably, didn't need pity.

"The winner no longer needed his prize," she replied with a shrug. "So when I'm saying that you were very nice when you offered me a ride, I mean it. When you are stranded on the side of the road, you don't hope much for someone's help."

"Jesus, lass," Telford adjusted glasses on his nose. "Now I'm sure that I should examine you. No arguing, come on."

Put out the cigarette, Ellie obediently stood up. Jax frowned, watching as she go with Chibs. It was one of those moments when you realize that outside your door there are a lot worse things and men than you thought. For the past few years Jax thought about the way he lives more often. It was a mess, though for the better or worse he didn't know any other life. It was who he was: guns, fights, blood, danger, losses and other shit. He got used to that. And then there was Tara, who decided to remind him about how actually bad this way of living is. He listened to her, tried to change himself without realizing that attempts to cut himself off of the club will only make these ties stronger. He didn't need changes, he just needed someone behind his back, someone who will accept him for who he is. But Ellie's story practically cut the ground from under his feet. In one moment he realized one simple truth: he might be a criminal, an outlaw, he might be even a killer, but he had never done anything that terrible. Those who suffered from his hand always deserved that and that was like his personal code of honor. He just couldn't and didn't want to imagine that he's selling his own son, whatever the reason. There cannot be any
justification for such an immorality. Thanks God Piney distracted him from that thoughts with another club shit.

Meanwhile, Chibs carefully treated Ellie's bruises, asking about her mom with true scottish interest. He didn't ask anything else about her other past 'cause he understood that she, probably, didn't want to go back to that shit again.

"May I ask you something?.." Chibs smiled and answered immediately as he knew what this question would be very well.

"These scars are from one Irish bastard, but don't worry, doll, I've returned that little debt," he smirked as Ellie nodded smiling. "Aye, lass, I've done here. Fortunately, nothing dangerous, so now you will heal quickly," said Chibs, taking off his glasses. Than he took a cigarette and began to search for lighter, cursing about this piece of shit he couldn't find. "Anyway, Ellie, go back to Jax before he began to worry," she raised her eyebrows and grinned.

"Thanks, scotty."

"Anytime, darlin." She walked out of the dorm and got back to the bar. Right after Juice and his girl, who she saw before, came too.

"I just don't get it! Okay, VP got the girl, this is not a surprise. But you, Juice, how the hell did you got the girl? Where's the justice in this world?" yelled man with fleecy hair as he noticed Thea. Juice blushed and offered him to fuck himself. Everyone started to laugh.

"Don't worry, Juicy-boy, he just missed pussys in that prison," said Chibs, who had also got back soon after guys.

"Yo, Fil, bring us beer!" shouted Jax, pulling Ellie closer to him. She pursed her lips, but didn't resist . "Hey, Op, how about we invite these two lovely ladies to your wedding?"

"Why not?" friendly said tall man near Jax. Juice smiled and said something to his girl quietly, but Ellie immediately refused:

"Don't think this is a good idea. You guys already done enought for me, that would be out of place".

"Nah, bullshit. Like you've got more important things to do," said Jax and the expression of his face like he won't give her any chance to refuse.

"I can't go at someone's wedding looking this way, you know", she tried to grab the last straw. Thea made another sip of beer and came closer with Juice by her hand.

"Guess, I can help you with that. We seem to be about the same height, so I can just take you with me and we'll pick you something," she smiled friendly. After couple of seconds Ellie surrendered and said yes. Soon Thea looked at her watch and said that she has to go. She quickly took one napkin and wrote her adress on it and then gave it to Juice.

"Catch me up tonight, Ortiz. And, you know, just come anytime," she hugged him tight and kissed his cheek, making Tig howl again.

"I hate both of ya," he said, when girls left.