Okay so this chapter ties into the pliot. I hope you guys like it as its also a longer one then usual. Again I own notting, Sons of Anarchy is the work of Kurt Sutter and FX.
Tara was beginning to feel alright again after her jump start this morning with Op. She was happy to be at work, glad of the distraction and it was a light day. A page from the ER brought her away from her thoughts as she race down the halls to the Emergency Room. Man this place certainly busy she thought surprised. As she approached the nurse she spoke up 'this way Dr. Knowles', leading Tara into the room towards the back. As the nurse opened the door and she saw who the patient in the bed was she took a moment to take a deep breath before allowing herself to kick into doctor mode. Dr. Amed was also paged and was just preparing for the c-section and asked Tara to assist to which she agreed. Tara knew her history could complicate things but she wasn't about to leave these patients because of it. This girl had screwed up royally; Tara didn't understand how she could have done this to herself and her unborn child. Thanks to Donna she was all clued in on Jax and Wendy's current situation as her friend put it. Either way she put all that behind her as they went into the operating theatre for the c-section.
Tara along with another doctor was settling Wendy back into a recovery room and when she turned towards the door she saw them approaching. She thought it best for her to speak to them/ to him as it might make it a little easier on them/him, for it to be a familiar face. The moment she exited the room he was standing there right in front of her. This was the closest they'd been since she got back in town and it was tense and she didn't know why. They had spoken before and agreed not to interfere with each other. Jax knew Op and Dona were there for her so he wasn't worried and until now he was okay with that but right now this moment he was scared and he knew she could tell. 'What the hell happened?' he questioned. 'When was the last time you saw her?' Tara questioned him back trying to piece together what pieces she could. 'A couple of weeks' he answered her slightly defensively. Tara eyed Gemma as she began 'Her hands and feet are full of track marks' now eyeing Jax she finished 'Toxicology reports aren't back yet but most likely crank'. There she'd done it gave them the news on Wendy. Her mind wondered how they'd let it get this bad. This wasn't their style or least it wasn't before she left. Jax seemed to be in disbelief at her actions and looked to the bed in the recovery room to where she was laid out cold. 'The baby?' he asked in shock of seeing Wendy's flat stomach. Tara with all her strength locked eyes with him 'we had to do an emergency c-section' her eyes darted to Gemma knowing she needed to hear this too, 'he's ten weeks premature'.
'Holy Shit!' exclaimed Jax looking back towards his mum slightly panicked. Tara in full doctor mode noticing the worry and panic that surrounded her tried to clam things down ' come on lets sit down and I'll walk you through it' she said calmly. 'Just tell me' Jax said having raised his voice enough for Gemma to her and move closer to them. Jax looked to her and then back to Tara and so she went on 'He's got a congenital heart defect and gastro-stricices' she spoke softly and realising what she just said would mean nothing she broke eye contact momentarily nodding her head to snap her out of doctor mode slightly, 'a tear in his stomach. The gastro and early birth are from the drugs but the CHD is probably'
'The family flaw' Gemma finished for her. Tara shifted a little, as she wasn't entirely comfortable with Gemmas approach but she locked eyes with Jax once again 'Yes. Its genetic, either one would be serious not life treating however the two of them together' she paused as Jax titled his head backwards and shook it slightly when sifting weight from one leg to the other at the same time. Once he stood firmer like he was squaring up to one of the guys she continued knowing he was ready to take the hit 'Dr. Amed gives hin a 20% chance and I'm afraid that's being optimistic'. There she'd done it, given them the worst as she watched jax's reaction to it Gemma spoke up in shock 'Oh my God'. Jax was shifting around and responded to his mothers statement with a slight defensive tone as his eyes darted from her to Tara 'She never wanted to talk to me. I didn't know'. Tara knew Jax was speaking the truth, she could still tell from his tone and his eyes. Even after all this time she could still tell when he was telling the truth. He needed reassurance this wasn't his fault and so she spoke again 'her OB said she missed her last 3 appointments. No one knew' she told him shaking her head slightly wondering how on earth Wendy could do this to him, to them. But she locked eyes with Jax so he knew she was also telling the truth. It wasn't over by a long shot so she went on 'Dr. Amed wants to go in and repair the stomach and then if he stabilises he'll go in and repair the heart. I'm sorry Jax.' The last few words she spoke where the most sincere. She really felt for Jax, could tell this was hard on him and he didn't know what to do but that's what she was there for to help guide him through this, it was her job after all. There was silence between them all for a few moments as the news shank in. 'I can take you to see him' she said breaking the silence as she turned away from them in the direction of the special care unit. She figured that by moving they would follow her but they stood still. As she opened the door to the special care unit Jax quickly moves towards her calling her name. She stopped and turned around to face Jax moving right towards her. He's only inches away when he speaks again 'Tara, you don't have to do this I'm sure you've got other patients '. She interrupted him 'I asked Dr. Amed if I could assist. I want to help your son'. Jax looked her understanding that she still cared and wanted to help, hell he wanted her to. 'His names Abel' he told her. She looked at Jax unsure of how to react and before she knew it the words had come out 'It's a good name'. There was a moments struggle for her to take this in, their closeness. Jax turned away from her and started walking away. Tara sensed he was allowing his anger to take over and called after him 'Jax' she was worried what was about to happen. Gemma sensing the worry and the anger also called after her son 'Jackson'. She thought if he was going to listen to anybody it would be her. But he just kept walking only turning to point and say 'Go with Tara. I've got something to do'. Once Clay gave the others orders to go with Jax, Gemma obeyed her son and turned to Tara and nodded. Tara understood and to say Gemma wasn't a happy person right now was an understatement. She nodded in response and turned around as Gemma walked down the hall behind her in complete silence. There wasn't much time before the surgery and told Gemma she might want to ring someone while she was waiting. Tara then left with Abel and the team for his surgery.
After a while Tara came out to give Gemma an update and saw her sitting with Luanne. As she approached Gemma stood to greet her. 'Abel's stomach surgery went well but its putting a strain on his system. Dr. Amed doesn't want to wait, thinks we should do the heart surgery now' she informed her. Gemma in shock just nodded. 'Well that's good right that they're not waiting' Luanne questioned. 'It's the best choice yes' Tara responded professionally. 'Thanks' was all Gemma could muster to say to her. Tara hesitantly continued 'Can we talk?' As both women move away from the seating area Tara spoke up 'Wendy's in really bad shape, she's still detoxing, she can't stop crying'. 'And' Gemma interrupted her harshly. 'Was hoping maybe you could talk to her just let her know she's not all alone' Tara responded. She knew Gemma was angry but this was her daughter-in-law so there must be something there. 'Trust me. Nothing I'm gonna say to that crank whore is gonna make her loved' Gemma said as a matter of fact. Tara shook her head in slight disbelief at what she was hearing but decided to push it; she could do with an argument 'forgot how forthright you can be'. 'Forgot a lot of things sweetheart' Gemma said in response. Both of them itching for the argument, 'if you've got a problem with me assisting on Abel's case just say so' Tara piped up. 'You a good doctor?' 'Yes'. 'Then I don't have a problem' Gemma told her. Even-though it was her own doing she couldn't leave it alone, 'Good. You know people change. I'm not the same girl I was ten years ago.' Gemma glaring at Tara responded 'I am'. Tara deciding it was time to let it go turned to walk away and as she did Gemma held her hand out and lifted up her scrubs, revealing a crow tattoo on Tara's lower back, 'Guess there's some things you can't change' Gemma said. Tara turned clearly wound up 'I leave it there to remember all that shits behind me.' Gemma just shrugged 'forgot just how cleaver you can be'. At that both women went their separate ways. As Tara was going down the hall her cell rang. She picked it out of her pocket and checked the called id, it was Op. 'Hey everything alright?' she said as she answered. 'Look I need a favour' Op said sounding ominous. 'Go on' she said. 'Look I need to get Elie on record as being at ER' he said softly. Tara thinking quickly said 'how quick can you get here?' she questioned him. 'Actually outside' Op responded. 'Right give me a minute and meet me at the door when I come out'. Op approached her with Ellie by his side. It was just the two of them confirming Tara's suspicion that this was cover. Op just looked at her not knowing what to do. She looked at them both 'follow me' and she led them into the ER. No one asked any questions as they were with her. As they walked through Tara picked up the papers. She had Ellie sit up on the bed and got her to relax. She looked to Op 'I'm gonna take a blood test. Okay' she questioned raising her eyebrows at him. 'Yea. Thanks Tara.' 'Look Op just don't go making a habit of it alright. It's just this once. Right I've put on the form that it was a mysterious insect bite.' She explained as she took the blood from Ellie. Op just looked at them both. 'Right all done. No go home to Donna and Kenny' she told him. 'Tell Donna I'll call her soon Op. Its been a very odd day and its long from over'. Op looked at her as he listened 'Thanks Tara. I will do.' 'Oh and Op next time you pass on freak out stories to your pop I'm make sure Donna brings you in here for something serious' she said to him winking and smiling as she opened the curtain and let them out.
She ran back up stairs to pre-op and got ready in record speed. Man it had been a while and things were going alright but suddenly something dropped. Dr. Amed allowed me to massage the heart. It was so incredible to feel this tiny heart in my hands and begin to beat again it was amazing. It wasn't long after that when Dr. Amed closed up. Abel had stabilised and was in good condition. After checking in on him she came out of the room as Jax rounded the comer coming face to face with her. Jax saw her 'Is he going to be okay?' he questioned her. Tara smiled 'looks good' and let a little laugh of relief escape before Jax embraced her in his arms. It felt so good to be giving him good news, seeing and feeling his happiness. Jax reluctantly started to loosen his grip on her. He stayed close to her breathing in her scent. Tara could feel it too and didn't want to pull away but when she looked down as she settled her feet on the ground again she noticed the blood making her pull back quicker. Jax saw the look in her eye and didn't say a word he just stood there exposed to her for her to open this cut and find the blood on this shirt. She couldn't believe her eyes but she was thankful he wasn't hurt that much she could tell. 'Clean yourself up Jax' she whispered as she broke away from him standing to the side to let him pass. Tara stood there watching pass her wondering what shit went down but she was knackered, today had been a very long day and she just wanted to go home. On her way home she replayed the days events in her head and decided she wasn't going to get any sleep without a little help so she stopped by the off licence picking up a couple of bottles of wine. As she exited the shop she pulled out her cell 'hey, I know its late but you fancy a chat?' she questioned. 'Okay I'll see you at yours in say 5'. Then she made her way across to Donna and Opie's. She knocked on the door and no sooner had Donna opened the door she had her in a hug.
Okay thanks for reading guys. Can you someone let me know do I need to make direct quotes from the show stand out?