A/N: Not sure if this is going to remain a one shot or if I will add additional chapters. Just always wanted Tara to have a bit more depth, I felt for such an amazing woman her background was severely lacking! May create a few short pieces centered around her taking Gemma down. What was the true deal with Wendy? Did she really change her mind about her or was she actually setting up Wendy using Jax as her weapon? Has she now also created a scenario to turn Jax against Gemma and just playing innocent? Is she pregnant? Not sure if I will continue just yet; but if I do, these questions will be answered and a new character created: Miss Isabella Grace Teller, Jax & Tara's little girl. You will find a link to a picture of the little cutie in my profile.
Also in my profile is the link to a live performance for this amazing song, one of my favorites; and in my mind, fits Jax & Tara so well. It is Doro live with Lemmy Kilmister, can't get much better! They rocked it, enjoy!
Thank you for indulging me in my first fanfiction story!
Disclaimer: All of the Sons of Anarchy characters belong to Kurt Sutter.
Love me forever, or not at all,
End of our tether, backs to the wall,
Give me your hand, don't you ever ask why,
Promise me nothing, live 'til we die,
Everything changes, it all stays the same,
Everyone guilty, no one to blame,
Every way out, brings you back to the start,
Everyone dies to break somebody's heart,
We are the system, we are the law,
We are corruption, worm in the core,
One of another, laugh 'til you cry,
Faith unto death or a knife in the eye,
- Love Me Forever by Doro -
Tara, made the decision to stay with Jax, to become the Queen of SAMCRO. A choice she was happy she made, especially after the effect Opie's death had on Jax. The look she saw in his eyes at the wake. Who else would he have to stand by him and love him unconditionally. She knew both Chibs and Happy were with him and would defend him to the death, but there were too many snakes in the room for her comfort; including his Mother and Stepfather. Those two were the main reason she kept her true identity in the background, to be used when necessary as a secret weapon. Tara watched his enemies, their enemies, from a distance. They always misunderstood her, thought she felt she was better than them, a trained doctor who because of her love for her teenage sweetheart, Jax Teller, was a part of SAMCRO; if they only knew the truth.
Family History:
Tara Grace Knowles, born to Grace Jameson (née Isabella Grace Colombo) and Christopher Knowles (née James Patrick Noland). Tara's parents marriage was a deliberate collaboration of two crime families, Italian and Irish. The Colombo family is an international clan, mainly based in Sicily and Chicago. The Noland family, primarily based in Boston and secondly in San Diego, were well-known to those in the underground, but meticulously managed to remain publically quiet. The Noland family had deep familial and developing business relations with the RIRA in Ireland. The Colombo family in Chicago decided to put an end to the patriarch and sons of the Genovese family, their main adversary, and called upon the Noland's for their special talents. Mostly because death was their specialty and they were far removed from the obvious choices to keep the matter blinded. The heads of the two organizations, looking towards the future, decided this would be a perfect opportunity to join the two families.
The sons of the Noland patriarch were all married so he chose his most skilled nephew, James Patrick, to marry Colombo's youngest daughter, Isabella Grace. Aside from his eldest son, who had already begun to take over more of the family business deals, James Patrick was the most feared of the family enforcers. He was his Uncle's prized General, skilled in all methods of war. He had completed his first hit for the family at age 14 and over the next 15 years his eyes had grown very dark. Noland felt this would be a good opportunity to reward his nephew, who had given the most formidable years of his life in service to his family. It was time to let him retire and begin a family of his own away from the violence.
Isabella Grace was trained by her Mother and Grandmother to become a wife and companion in their world. She was not only beautiful, but deadly. She was taught to skillfully handle all political affairs within the family as well as in public. The primary language at home was Italian but she was also fluent in English and French. She was a very intelligent girl and although exceeded in science she preferred the arts. She studied fine arts in college, her oil paintings ended up in many of her families homes and offices. Isabella Grace was also taught to protect herself. She was taught to handle herself both through extensive training in combat and firearms. She was actually a skilled marksman. All loved and adored the youngest daughter of the family.
James Patrick, planned, organized and executed the demise of the Genovese family as well as the majority of its oldest members over the course of two days. The outcome was legendary. The executions were carried out over the same weekend James Patrick married Isabella Grace in Sicily. It was a very large public ceremony held in the Colombo's family town. It was easier to have the American family members fly over to attend. It allowed proper alibis for all soldiers involved since the families flew in and out of small local airports on private jets. Having the wedding overseas allowed both the Sicilian and Irish family, friends and business associates to attend without flagging any international, federal or local authorities. After the wedding the newly married couple returned to the US under assumed identities to live a normal life in Charming CA as Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Knowles.
The Colombo-Noland marriage was arranged, but they quickly fell in love. Due to the similarities they shared being raised in organized crime families they held the same moral and family values. Husbands both provided for and protected their wives. Wives loved and honored their husbands. Children were a blessing as they ensured the family legacy continued. Both were raised by a code into large 'extended' families. They both believed 'The Family' comes before the individual. The criminal history for both families went back generations so they really didn't know anything else. To die for your family was an honor. Death was always close and could come at anytime. They attended as many funerals as weddings and baptisms combined.
Under the newly assumed name, Knowles, the couple settled in quickly to their new life in Charming and were pregnant within the first year of their marriage. They loved their daughter, Tara Grace, and looked forward to raising her in the small town they called home. Isabella Grace and Jason Patrick decided to keep the most intricate family history hidden from their daughter until she was at least a preteen, able to understand and accept not only the truth but the responsibility of her family lineage. At that time they planned to begin sending her to the east coast and abroad to meet and spend time with her 'extended' family. She was able to get to know and spend time with her father's family in San Diego. The Knowles raised Tara just as they had been so the customs were engrained since birth. She was also multilingual and at home it was almost a game to speak in different languages within conversations. Between her mother and father she spoke Italian, Gaelic, English and French fluently as a child.
Unfortunately Isabella Grace grew ill by Tara's 7th birthday and succumbed to cancer by the time she was nine years old. After her mother's death her father quickly fell apart. He was so devastated with the loss and now feeling alone, his own past demons took him to a dark place of depression of which he was never able to overcome. Although he was financially stable, he became emotionally shut off from his daughter. She spent the next years feeling alone and abandoned by her father. Two of her school friends she trusted, Jax Teller and Opie Winston, were also raised into a sort of secretive family, the local motorcycle club. Her best girlfriend was Donna Lerner. Through the boys she became very close to the MC and became Jax's Old Lady.
After her mother's death, Tara decided she wanted to become a doctor. Both her father and her distant relatives supported that decision. She left Charming at 19 to pursue her education, first attending school in San Diego she lived with her father's cousin. While earning her undergrad she spent her free time under the tutelage of her cousins learning the ins and outs of the Irish Mob as well as the family businesses (firearms/gambling/prostitution/construction). During school breaks and holidays she was sent to Boston to spend time with her family there.
Once she earned her undergrad she moved to Chicago to begin medical school. There she lived with her mother's family and was shaped by both her Grandmother and Aunts. While studying medicine she also received an education in the family businesses, both legal and illegal (drugs/weapons/gambling/off-shore betting/prostitution/casinos/security/construction/real estate). She spoke fluent Italian so it was easy to 'overhear' and become privy to conversation most did not understand. Her Grandfather and Uncles loved her, she reminded them so much of her mother and they doted on her. They were also so proud of her wish to become a doctor and supported her educational goals. Chicago was a smorgasbord of events and she attended not only business and political events but got to enjoy the arts as well. Tara really enjoyed her time in Chicago.
When Tara had completed her residency she began attending more of the political functions for exposure. It was at one of these black tie affairs where Tara met Agent Joshua Kohn, who was on the family payroll. The family illegal activities included guns, drugs, and prostitution so Kohn was instrumental in tipping them off before any investigation of their organization. Kohn may have been an asset as an inside snitch, but personally he was an abusive man. She didn't know if he was mentally off balanced or extremely possessive, but knew she needed to get away from him. He was still an asset to the family so she did not want to tell them what had gone on, or kill him, so she decided it made more sense to just move. Unfortunately he was actually unbalanced and followed her to Charming. After causing trouble for SAMCRO and attacking her yet again, Tara & Jax shot and killed him. The ATF suspected his deceit and is one of the reasons a full investigation into his 'disappearance' was never initiated. His superiors assumed the crime family disposed of Kohn. Interesting enough it was Kohn who brought Tara and Jax, her childhood friend and high school sweetheart, back together. Tara managed to keep Kohn's true link to her past a secret because her true identity had never been revealed.
Upon her return to Charming Jax and Tara basically pick up their relationship where it left off. It happened so quickly due to Abel's premature birth as well as the threat and subsequent death of Kohn. Because of Jax, Tara was thrown back into the life of SAMCRO; all the while keeping who she is and what she knows a secret. This is actually much harder to pull off. To always stay in the background, act innocent and unknowing. Once she decided to wear only the doctor mask it became easier to shape and wear only that one hat. The fact she was not involved in any of the SAMCO activities also helped. They do not allow women into the inner circle, which was not much unlike her upbringing. She of course had learned how the women played a major role by advising their husbands within their homes.
Tara was fine stepping back; but once she learned the truth about John Teller's death, her feelings for the King and Queen of SAMCRO changed. She wanted to get her sons away from the influence of the poisonous Morrow grandparents. Unfortunately, a hit was placed on her life and a pending RICO case surfaced before she could cleanly move her family away. With Jax having to assume the presidency, Tara decided to remain with him in Charming and assume the role as Queen.
Now that the RICO case has been absolved, Tara realizes that the avenging ex-Marshall, Gemma and possibly Clay could become a big problem. She has no idea who is feeding the authorities information about her but she suspects it was Gemma. For the safety of her children, especially Thomas, she decides it's time to contact her 'extended' families for permission to tell her husband the truth about who she really is. Should something happen to her, the children will need a reliable guardian who can protect and raise them to her standards. Tara does not approve of Gemma and will not allow her to raise her boys. If this ends up ruining her relationship with Jax, so be it. The children are worth the loss.
In contacting her relatives she learns her Grandfather Colombo now sits at the head of five crime families on the east coast. And her Grandfather Noland's family has become a major Irish crime family that now has direct ties to the RIRA. Both families want Tara to bring Jax and their boys out for introductions. She was told she could tell him the basics but the details would be disclosed in person by the heads of each family. Quiet, secret meetings would be planned so no outsiders would know of her relationship to the families. Both she and the children would remain off the radar while the families, if a mutual agreement is met, would discuss joining with SOA on collaborative ventures. Primarily to ensure Thomas' birthright and legacy.
Review: Please let me know your thoughts? Would appreciate the feedback; Thank you!