A/N Ok this is long so hope you enjoy. Character not so you don't have to go digging. Back a few chapter I had talked about Polly starting to date the high school coach, his name is Garrett Thompson. I will add him to the character list in chapter 18.

Thanks for the reviews. Hope you like this.

Angie

Chapter 20

Jax had felt his phone vibrate indicating he had a text. Opening it he read the message. 'Hap called, gave me the 411 from Taggert. Call when you can, Juice' Jax flipped the phone closed.

The Maroney women were starting to wind down their conversation. They hadn't come to any conclusions, but they did have a lot more information. Jax hadn't told them what Juice had told him, he was waiting to tell Angie in private. While it seemed she was beginning to get along more with these women, he wanted to keep things close to the vest for now.

"Ok, well for now, let's just operate as business as usual." Angie said to the ladies. "Polly, if he contacts you, keep talking to him. And let's all keep up our regular routines. Next Saturday is the Charity event. I know I didn't include you all in the planning, but let's change that. Let's put on a united front at the event. Perhaps we can unnerve who is responsible."

"Do you think the person will be there?" Sandy asked.

"I do." Angie said.

"I think that would be great," Carolyn said. "What do you need help with?"

"Well the event planners are handling most of the things, but let's make sure the guest list is complete." Angie said. "Polly, make sure Randall gets an invitation and comes. I assume however that Garrett will be your date. Carolyn, invite David. Sandy, do you have someone to escort you?"

"I do. Thanks, but MJ probably won't want me to have a date." Sandy said.

"You are wrong about that, I think." Jax chimed in, making the ladies look over at him. "I think he just wants you to settle on a single man who treats you well. He seems to be pretty protective of you."

"Well, then I will select better in the future," Sandy said. "Thanks for that information."

"Alright then. One other thing. Everyone in town thinks we don't get along. Including whoever is responsible for this. We should probably keep that rouse up in public till Saturday. No sense tipping our hat till the event."

"Agreed," Carolyn said. With that the ladies got up and headed toward the door. They all said their goodbyes, and while there was not any hugging the tension between the Maroney women was decidedly less. Opie left with the women to drive them back to town. Jax told Opie he would see him in the morning.

After the women left Angie stood there, trying to process everything she heard. She looked at Jax, and suddenly she realized, he had more to tell her. "What is it?" Suddenly she remembered Juice had stuck his head in earlier. "What did Juice have to tell you?"

Jax walked up to her and put his arms around her. "In a minute, Angel." Jax leaned in and gently kissed her. "I want to tell you I am impressed. When we left town I wasn't so sure you weren't going to put a bullet in one or more of them." He kissed her again, gently with love and tenderness. "You were great."

Angie had slid her arm around Jax's waist and stood there. She had been so strong facing her sisters-in-law, but now she just wanted Jax to hold her. She laid her head on Jax's shoulder after the kiss and he stroked her back. "It was hard not to at first," she whispered. "You were right. They have lost just as much as I have." Jax continued to rub her back as they stood there in silence for a few moments. Slowly Angie raised her head from his shoulder. She looked into Jax's eyes and then gently brushed his lips. Smiling as she pulled away she whispered, "Now what did Juice have to say?"

"Well, he found out some things about Randall Fahey's mom. Seems she was murdered about 2 ½ years ago. They haven't arrested her killer but they suspect it was Douglas Parker, David Parker's father." Jax said

"You have got to be kidding? This sounds like a god damn soap opera. What kind of fucked up relationship do they have?" Angie asked.

"Janice was married to Douglas Parker in the 90's. Juice didn't go into details, but it sounds like it was a violent relationship. RO till the day she died." Jax said.

"Nice." Angie said. "So Fahey and David Parker were step brothers. I wonder if Carolyn and Polly know this?"

"I wondered that too, but I wasn't ready to drop that tonight till I talked to you." Jax said.

"I agree with that thinking," Angie said. "So what was the text about?"

"Well, I sent Happy to find Taggert. I figured if anyone knew if there was an affair between your Dad and Janice it would be him." Jax said. "Text was from Juice. Happy called him and told him what Taggert said."

"Where is Happy?" Angie said.

Jax just smiled. "Well, he took off this afternoon like a bat out of hell to meet someone when we were up at the cabin. I saw his bike parked next to Maggie's truck on the road on my way to town. I haven't heard his bike pull out tonight so I would guess.."

"Got it." Angie said. "Good for them. She might be good for him, from what I have seen so far."

"Well I know he certainly has it for her, he stares at her like a love sick puppy." Jax said.

"You saw that too," Angie said.

"Yeah I did." Jax said. "But enough about Happy, let's call Juice and find out what Happy told him."

"I agree," Angie said, kissing Jax on the cheek.

Angie walked over to the desk and dialed Juice's number on the phone on the desk. She hit the speaker phone button on the phone and she and Jax waited for Juice to pick up. "Hello," Juice said.

"Hey Juice," Jax said as he walked over to Angie at the desk and slid his arms around her from behind, pulling her to his chest. "What did Happy tell you?"

"Well he talked to Taggert. Taggert confirmed the affair. Said it was right at the end before Angie's Mom died and that Angie's Dad was feeling real guilty about it after her Mom died. Almost told Mark about it after he got engaged to Carolyn." Juice said.

"Really, did Taggert say if Dad knew about Fahey?" Angie asked.

"Oh hey Angie," Juice said, a little surprised she was on the conversation also, and a little relieved he had said the first part nicely, he could have worded it much more crudely. "No he didn't seem to know about the kid. Was surprised Happy said when he told him who Fahey said was his mother was."

"What about Carolyn and Polly?" Jax asked.

"Taggert said he only asked about Carolyn. Said if he had mentioned Polly that would have perked his ears up, what with how niave Polly is and such. Didn't tell Taggert what his business was except that it was important to Carolyn's future. Seemed pretty adamant about it."

"What did Taggert have to say about the Douglas connection?" Angie asked.

"Nothing, Happy didn't mention that." Juice said.

"He and I discussed that, decided to keep that from him for now, gauge what Taggert tells us before we reveal it all to him," Jax interjected. "

"Probably a good idea." Juice said. "Hey where is Happy?"

"Busy, we think." Jax said.

"Getting some," Juice said.

"Enough you two. You are worse than teenage girls. Happy say anything else?" Angie asked.

"Nope that was it." Juice said.

"Alright. Opie should be back up there in a while. We will talk in the morning. Thanks Juice." Angie said.

"Thanks Juice." Jax said.

"Night you two." Juice said, and hung up the phone.

Jax leaned against the desk, pulling Angie with him. She tipped her head back and rested it on his shoulder as her arms laid on top of Jax's arms which were around her waist. They just stayed there for a few moments. Jax knew Angie was processing what Juice had said, and he waited for her to speak.

"So, I have a little brother." Angie said.

"Looks like it," Jax said. "How do you feel about that Angel?"

"I guess that depends," Angie said.

"On what?" Jax asked.

"On if he is the son of a bitch who killed my family." Angie said. She leaned forward and left Jax's embrace.

Jax looked at her. He knew this emotion from her, she was angry. No she was more than angry. Angie walked around the room, looking at things, sliding her hand over items that lay on the desk, the tables, the shelves. He could tell she was thinking about her past, about how tonight's revelations had forever altered some of her childhood memories. It was changing how she looked at people in her past, about her perception of people. It was changing how she remembered things.

Suddenly Angie picked up the marble horse that was sitting on the sofa table and flung it across the room at the bookcase. "That son of a bitch," Angie screamed. Jax ducked at first not knowing where the item was headed, but when it wasn't headed toward him he reacted next by rushing to her and gathering her in his arms. She was shaking she was so angry. When Jax got to her she had her second item in hand and was getting ready to toss it across the room.

"Hey you don't really want to do that," Jax whispered in her ear, holding her arms down to her side. She struggled against him, her anger still raging. "Come on Angel, let it out," Jax whispered as Angie continued to fight against Jax holding her. Soon her struggle turned to tears and Angie fell limp into Jax's embrace. He lowered them to the floor and held her in his arms as she cried in his arms.

"How, c-could he d-do that t-to her J-Jax," she sobbed. Jax just held her stroking her dark red hair and holding her tight to his chest.

"Angel I don't know. I doubt he did it on purpose. Shh.." Jax rocked Angie and held her.

"Oh God Jax. Now every time I think of my Dad I wonder if the memory of him letting me do something was because of guilt." Angie spat out between tears.

"Do you really think that?" Jax said, almost with a smile. From the stories he had heard, Bill Maroney had been a great parent. Strict but fair, and he had raised great kids.

"No, but now I don't know. But what if because didn't acknowledge one of his kids he got killed, and so did his sons?" Angie started sobbing again.

"Shh, there, there Angel. It's going to be ok." Jax said. Angie sobbed for some time, the tears slowly subsiding. Jax just sat there on the floor holding his Angel. She seemed so fragile. This was probably the most vulnerable he had ever seen her in all the time they had known each other. Jax had known in the back his mind when they left Charming this moment might come. The moment when the all pulled together Angie Maroney couldn't keep her emotions bottled up anymore. Jax was just so glad he had been here for his Angel.

Jax noticed her breathing had finally become slow and steady. He had been stroking her hair this whole time and he looked down to find her asleep in his arms. Jax remembered briefly the fact that Angie and he hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. Smiling, Jax slowly slid Angie into his arms to pick her up. Angie curled to his chest, and Jax made his way to their bedroom. Jax laid Angie on the chaise. He went over to the bed and pulled back the covers. Coming back to Angie he took off her shoes and then scooped her up in his arms. He took her to the bed and gently laid her in bed. Pulling the covers over her he kissed her on the forehead. He wrote her a note and left it on the nightstand, just in case she woke up, but didn't figure she would.

Jax made his way out of the house through the kitchen. He looked down toward the birthing barn. He saw the lights on in the little cabin next door. God he hated doing this to Happy, but they needed to talk. Jax made his way down to the cabin. Stepping up on the porch Jax knocked on the door.

"Who the fuck could that be," Happy groaned. Happy was laying on his back and Maggie was tucked in tight to his side. He was drawing circles on her back, and there was a small towel laying on his chest with a plate of meat and cheese on the towel. Maggie was reaching up from her place at Happy's side and feeding him, and then he would put some food in her mouth. They were talking randomly about all kinds of things.

"It could be MJ, I better get it. Don't want him knowing you are here." Maggie said.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I stuck my head in there first. I didn't even say anything and he said. 'She already left.'" That kid is smart." Happy said.

"Well, I better see what he wants." Maggie said. Maggie rolled out of bed and grabbed her robe from the peg she kept it on. Before she left the room she leaned over and kissed Happy gently on the lips. "I will try to be quick." She smiled as she left.

Maggie was a little surprised when she opened the door and found Jax standing there. "Hey, what are you doing here?" she asked a little surprised.

"Well I am sorry to do this, but is Happy around?" Jax said.

"Yeah, just a minute. Come on in." Maggie jestured for Jax to come in. "Let me go get him." Maggie turned around and headed for the bedroom. She opened the bedroom door and stepped into the room.

"You got to go?" Happy asked as Maggie made her way over to the bed.

"No, you do. Jax is out in the other room. He is looking for you." Maggie said. Happy got out of the bed and grabbed his clothes off the floor pulling them on quickly. He started to head for the door when he turned around and looked at her.

"I had a great time sweetheart," Happy said. Maggie got up from the bed and made her way toward him.

"Me too," She said. Happy laced his fingers into her hair and tipped her head up. Taking her lips with his he gave her a deep long passionate kiss.

"I don't know what is next with this but," Happy said as he rested his head on hers. "But I hope there is more."

"Me too." Maggie said. With that Happy opened the door as he grabbed Maggie's hand and they walked out of the bedroom.

"Hey Jax, what is up?" Happy said.

"Need to talk about what happened tonight." Jax said. Jax nodded to the front door of the cabin and Happy headed that way. He turned and looked at Maggie and gave her hand a squeeze before letting go of it. Jax and Happy made their way out of the cabin and stood out in the cool air. Each of them lit up a cigarette as they walked a bit, when they were off the porch of the cabin they stopped and turned to start their conversation.

"Sorry about interrupting that," Jax said, motioning toward Maggie's place.

"It's ok. I am pretty sure there is going to be another time," Happy said. "So how's Angie?"

"She's a mess. Cried herself to sleep. Man I have never seen her this fragile, it is a little scary." Jax said.

"You think she will be ok?" Happy asked.

"Yeah, she will. She is just having to reconcile some memories with some realities. Pedestals." Jax said.

"Yeah, sucks when people fall from them." Happy said.

"So, I need someone who is not emotionally involved in this to help me piece some of this together." Jax said to his friend.

"Ok, shoot," Happy said, leaning against a horse tying stand. He took a drag and waited for Jax to start.

"Well here is the theory I have come up with, see if you can shoot some holes in it." Jax started. "I think Fahey came here because of the Douglas's. They were after all responsible for his Mother's death. He was probably trying to find a way to find a way to approach Bill and the boys but was scared for some reason, probably still is." Jax paused.

Jax continued. "I think David Parker had worked his way into working with Maroney Mining. I think he and his Dad knew about Janice's relationship to Bill and they were planning to use that in some type of scam. Janice found out about it and that is why she is dead. Fahey found out about it after her death and came here, but before Fahey could tell Bill anything, the Parker's killed the boys."

"But why hasn't Fahey come forward since then?" Happy asked.

"I think he has. I think he is responsible for the new evidence." Jax stated. "In the file we saw at the sheriff it said the tip was anonymous. I think Fahey has gone to the cops with what he knows."

"So what about Carolyn and David Parker?" Happy asked.

"Well I want to hope he is using her, but I am remaining cautious about that. I think Douglas Parker is the mastermind here though." Jax said.

"So why do you think they haven't gone after Angie?" Happy asked.

"Remember that gut feeling we both had. I think the plan had been to avoid Angie since they hatched whatever their plan was back 2 years ago. Remember Angie wasn't working in the family business back then. She was at the law firm. I think they have been trying to figure out how to get around her all along." Jax said.

"Well I know I certainly would, if I were in business." Happy said.

"Exactly. Here is the thing. I don't think their little scam is done or David Parker would have dropped Carolyn. That is assuming she in not in on it. We need to get these people to show their hand." Jax commented.

"How do you plan to do that." Happy said.

"Well Angie will have to help with the specifics, but the best way to do that is to poke them, in the wallet." Jax said.

"This will make Angie front and center as a target, you know that. If our suspicions are right, these guys won't hesitate to go after her." Happy said. "You ok with that?"

"Well that was Angie's plan all along. That is what the charity shin dig is for." Jax said.

"Not what I asked," Happy said. "You ok with this?"

"I can't stop her, no matter how much I want to protect her. This is her fight. I can watch out for her all I want, and do everything I can to protect her, but she is in this all the way even if she is not in any condition to handle it right now. Just means I have to be on guard even more." Jax said.

"Just know you aren't the only one watching," Happy said as he put out his cigarette.

"I know, Thanks." Jax said. He put his hand on Happy's shoulder and continued, "So, you and the vet?"

"Yeah, me and the vet." Happy said.

"Well, I am going to get back to Angel, you have fun," Jax said as he gripped his friend's shoulder and then turned to head up to the house. Happy turned and headed back to Maggie's cabin. Suddenly he stopped, he thought he heard something. Looking toward the birthing barn he wondered to himself if the noise he had just heard was the door to the barn. 'That kid, shit.' Happy thought to himself. 'Jax and I are going to have to talk to him tomorrow." Happy opened the door to Maggie's and stepped back in. He took his boots off at the door and made his way to the bedroom.

Happy opened the door and saw Maggie asleep on the bed. Happy removed his clothes as he made his way to the bed and slipped in beside her. He pulled her to him and she curled up into his arm. Happy laid there a while, stroking her hair and thinking about what Jax had said. Finally he drifted off, content.