Walk Away from the Son

Parker Sister Saga continues – Season 2 of SoA

Chapter 6- The Ex-Factor

By BG and Reaper

~We just wanted to thank you all for your truly wonderful reviews. Being that BG posted the last chapter on a holiday we were pleasantly surprised and extremely overjoyed at your instant reading and in-depth reviews. And never fear The Parker girls are resilient – it's in their genes.

I can be so mean when I wanna be
I am capable of really anything
I can cut you into pieces
But my heart is broken

How did I become so obnoxious?
What is it with you that makes me act like this?
I've never been this nasty

Can't you tell that this is all just a contest?
The one that wins will be the one that hits the hardest
But baby I don't mean it
I mean it, I promise
- Please Don't Leave, Pink

XXX

At the sound of the doorbell, Jaci got up from where she was eating a quick lunch before heading back to the office. She pulled open the front door and found herself face to face with Rachel. Vix's friend was dressed in a t-shirt that read: Don't Be Jealous, Not Everyone Can Be Me, and skinny jeans. Her dark hair was HUGE today; she'd rival any Jersey Girl for the Big Hair award. "How's Vix?"

Jaci shrugged. "She's still breathing... this I know because I paused by her door a few minutes ago and heard sniffling." It was then that she noticed the picnic basket in Rachel's hand. "Not sure she's in the mood for a picnic. I couldn't even get her to eat breakfast."

Rachel nodded as she entered the house. "I've had my heart broke more than once, food don't help, trust me." She pulled open the lid to the basket to reveal two bottles of chilled Patron, four glasses, some lime wedges and a salt shaker. "I come bearing a basket of tequila and I got a few Zoloft in my purse. I'm so sorry I was right... I didn't want to be."

"Been there man, you don't know how many times I've wished I was wrong! And more than a few times I'd wished I'd never brought it up." Jaci muttered. "You're a good friend Rach…for letting her know and for bringing her tequila."

From behind them they heard Vix's voice, all raw from hours of sobbing, as she made her way up the hall. "Who's at the door?" She entered the living room wearing sweatpants, an old football jersey and Grinch slippers. The look of disappointment was as evident on her face as the streaks of mascara. Her cheek was puffy and the skin around the cut was tinged with violet. "Oh hey, Rach. I'm not really in the mood for company." She turned and walked back down the hall softly closing her bedroom door behind her, crushed by the fact that it wasn't Juice.

Rachel stared at Jaci. "What happened to her face?"

Jaci grimaced but told the truth. "Things got extremely heated, everybody was in everybody else's face, shoving ensued and Vix caught a backhand."

Rachel raised her eyebrows, "From whom?"

"Juice." Jaci replied with a wince. "And while I DO NOT, WILL NOT dismiss the behavior, I don't think the end result would have been so bad except for all those rings he wears. It was all a thousand percent accidental, I am pretty sure, but that still doesn't change .." Her explanation was cut short by the familiar low rumble of Vix's Charger pulling into the driveway.

Jaci headed for the front door again and stepped out on the porch as Bobby brought the car to a stop.

Bobby lumbered out from behind the wheel and nodded. "Hello ladies."

Rachel nodded a hello before glancing down at her buzzing phone and excusing herself to answer it. Jaci just stood rooted with hands on her hips, staring at him.

"Special Delivery…one totally awesome muscle car. Man, if there was 100 pounds LESS of ME and I were a bit more buff and way more vain…I'd get me one of those." He tossed the keys at Jaci, "As it is, I may have broken the damn driver's seat trying to squeeze behind the wheel. So, how are things?"

"How do you think they are?"

"I'm guessin' not so good?" Bobby replied.

"You're good at the guessing game. Can you guess what Vix is doing right now?"

Bobby looked skyward for a moment. "Um, partially cryin' ... partially plotting wickedly painful revenge and probably picking apart the last few days tryin' to pinpoint where shit went wrong. Am I close?"

She nodded. "I'd say within a block or two... but you forgot waitin' on an apology."

Bobby made a 'yikes' face. "Yeah… well that may be a long wait at the wrong gate I'm sorry to report. SAMCRO's resident retard is currently under the tutelage of Tig and YOU don't need ME to tell ya how that curriculum goes." Bobby waved a hand toward the driveway. "Anyway, sorry I didn't get the car back yesterday. The movie they were filming at Cara Cara wrapped."

Jaci frowned, "What's that got to do with you?"

"Well, apparently its cause for a party." He answered with a smile.

Jaci shook her head and tried not to groan…Jesus Christ, a party at a porn studio. "Hey, I know I'm playing stupid on the whole Luann thing, but….I just wanted to know if this is gonna come back and bite me in the ass. Just how stupid am I gonna have to play?"

"No worries. I got it handled. Nobody's gonna ask you shit." Bobby replied with a smile, thinking back to his new found arrangement with Luann. She'd stop skimming and start pleasing and any past grievances would be forgiven.

The alarm clock on her phone buzzed and Jaci groaned. "Is it wrong that I look forward to going back to work? Less stress and drama there than at home."

Rachel wandered back over and eyed Bobby but decided to ask Jaci her question anyway. "Hey you mind if I hang out here? I think I am being evicted today and I'd rather not be there when it happens."

Bobby and Jaci both stared at the chick, startled. She managed to answer though. "You're seriously being evicted? Holy shit!"

Rachel nodded. "And before you ask, I pay my rent but apparently being the drunk loser my building owner is, he drinks all his money and then ain't got any none left over to BUY what his personality won't let him get. So, he ain't all that pleased that the lid on my um, honeypot is firmly locked when it comes to the likes of him. Now, he's apparently found some bogus way that I am in violation of my lease."

"Sounds like somebody ought to VIOLATE him." Bobby shook his head.

"Amen to that." Rachel said. "My neighbor said the sheriff was there was in eviction decree. Well at least they'll do the packing for me." She added with a wry laugh.

Jaci and Bobby exchanged a glance and then she said, "Yeah I got no problem with you hanging out here. Hell stay a few days if you need to, might be good not to leave Vix to her own devices right now." She pointed toward her Mustang. "You need a lift, Bob?" The pair headed off and Rachel went back inside.

XXX

Across town at Bryony Garden Apartments:

With a shaky hand, Ruby hung the phone in its cradle. She fiddled with its long coiled cord and gathered her thoughts before turning around. Behind her, Milly and Sadie were busy putting the finishing touches on the gift basket that the Ladies Auxiliary of St. Barnibus was contributing to the Tricky Tray raffle.

"So did Margie mention if she was still assisting with the bake sal..." Milly asked turning from the counter. The sight of her dear friend's slumped shoulders had caused her to stop mid word. "Ruby, what is it?"

Ruby shook her head. "You know how Margie Sinclair loves to run her gums."

Milly nodded. "If gossiping were an Olympic Sport that woman would have several gold medals. What is her latest topic?"

"Jean Carlos and Victoria." Ruby cleared her throat. "Apparently there was a bit of an altercation yesterday."

"Altercation? Now there's a word." Milly replied but when noticing how rattled her friend appeared she added, "You know how tales grow taller the further down the alley the whispers go. What exactly did she claim happened that has you all unsettled?"

"She said Jean struck Victoria across her face and that there was some blood spilt."

"Whose blood?" Milly tried to lighten the mood. "You know that girl isn't apt to take shit from…"

"Milly! Please!" Ruby admonished and sat down hard in her kitchen chair.

Milly eyed Sadie, the sweet little old lady of color who'd been best friends with Ruby Prevost since she'd emigrated from England all those years ago. Sadie nodded and Milly took the hint. She cleared her throat and announced. "I'm gonna get this basket over to the church." She grabbed the basket and left.

Sadie walked over and sat down at the kitchen table next to Ruby. "Mind where you let your thoughts and worries take you."

Ruby looked up at her dearest friend. "Oh Sadie, I thought extracting him from that environment... maybe I didn't get him out of there soon enough. Nine years living that nightmare and bearing witness to it was eight years and 364 days too much. I still recall the horror of the day I learned what a bastard my daughter had married. It pains me to think I had a hand in raising yet another." She waved her hand around. "God knows I begged Deirdre to leave and for her and Jean to come home. My pleas went ignored until it was too late." Ruby choked up as the memories of the day that shattered her world replayed in her head. She could hear the phone ring, taste the bile rise up her throat as she was officially informed of her daughter's homicide… Domestic Violence was not as publicized then as it is now. Tears brimmed Ruby's eyes.

"No you listen here, you and Ed takin' that boy in, even at nine and givin' him a good home and a solid upbringin', you done good by him. Did the best you could, you know it's quality not quantity. I also knows you know that HE is in control of what he does. He can't go and pin this on havin' a shitty childhood or a daddy who wasn't worth a spit. Life history and heredity are just excuses folk give when they can't control their actions."

Ruby wrung her hands as her eyes darted here and there around her kitchen. She was trying to find some touchstone. Sadie continued in a slow, steady, calming voice. "Jean Carlos is a good boy. You've raised a fine young man, look how he cares for you, and Milly, and Henry and me. You know I can't even get my kids to come visit or call me on the telephone. And well, even though his choice in friends may leave a bit to be desired you can't fault the boy for seeking out a connection. Now Vix... him and her are very much alike and sometimes that can cause bumping of heads. Both of 'em being as volatile as they are, but you know in all the years I've known Jean, I don't think I've ever seen him quite so taken by a girl. Never cared enough to be vested, so he's learning as he goes. And I don't believe for one second that he has suddenly stopped loving her, so whatever happened that Margie is talking about has to be a misunderstanding."

"She's right you know." Henry said from the kitchen door.

Both ladies startled and grabbed their hearts. "Henry Darling!" Ruby exclaimed. "You've given us both a fright. I should tie a damned cow bell around your throat to announce your presence. How much have you heard?"

"Quite enough. Milly filled me in on a bit and what I missed I can accurately guess. Sadie is correct though, you are not to blame for Jean Carlos' inability to control his temper. But we'd be remiss not to speak to him about it."

Ruby gasped "Speak to him on it? Henry have you gone mad? If I set sight on that boy right now I may well slap those tattoos straight off his bloody head. Victoria is the best thing ever happened to him and if he is too daft to realize it, well then ..." She threw up her hands with a sigh. Sadie and Henry exchanged a glance. "I need some tea." Ruby declared and walked to the stove.

XXX

4 blocks away:

Jax stalked into the SAMCRO club house and saw Juice coming up the hall leading from the dorms. He walked over and boxed Juice in the ears. Not giving the retard time to react, Jax grabbed hold of the front of Juice's cut and aggressively pushed him back down the hall and into the wall to the left of John Teller's bike all the while reading him the riot act on manhandling and hitting women.

Juice finally got a word in edgewise and said, "Dude, it was an accident!"

"Did you apologize?" Jax looked at him point blank.

From the top of the hall behind them came Tig's voice. "He ain't got shit to be sorry for."

Without turning around, Jax hollered over his shoulder, "Stay out of it Tig!"

Tig laughed. "What? Did the Parkers go scampering off to you..."

"NO! They didn't." Jax wheeled around. "Tara went over to talk to Jaci 'bout something, got the story."

Following Tig's example and feeding off the cockiness that the man exuded, Juice quipped, "Yeah the Parker version."

Jax turned back around to face Juice and shoved a finger in his face. "I have had ENOUGH of the he said. she said bullshit. Whatever you got going on in your head that caused you to dive head first into Crazytown...lock the brakes up on it. And as for HIM…" Jax pointed back over his shoulder at Tig, "HE is the last person on the planet you should be getting ANY kind of advice from."

Clay walked in and saw the exchange. He rolled his eyes and muttered, "Let me guess?" He shook his head and declared. "Alright then, these premises are officially a Parker Free Zone. I don't wanna hear their names!"

Tig nodded enthusiastically. "That's right; no one wants to hear no more 'bout those bitches. Fuckin' poison, man."

Half Sack frowned and poised the question, "So the Parkers are sorta like Voldemort?"

Juice nodded along to that sentiment, knowing what Sack was talking about.

"Volde-what?" Clay asked but then pointed a finger at Prospect. "Shut up! You've reached your monthly shit-causing quota." He looked around. "Everyone to the table in 5 minutes." He walked over to where Bobby was sitting at the bar. "Women... they started their shit back in the Garden of Eden and it's only gotten worse."

Bobby nodded. "Mmm hmm, pin all this on Adam and Eve, man. Ruin and pain for a goddamn apple. It would have at least taken a Truffle filled turkey for me."

Clay downed a shot of whiskey. "You been to Parker Place?" Then grimaced as he recalled his own ban.

Bobby sharply inhaled and then chuckled. "Yeah, dropped off the Charger 'round lunch time. They-who-shall-not-be-named are still reeling but they are dealin'. The resident ra-tard needs to get his head outta his ass and fix this shit. He and um, the-funky-one, they had a good thing goin'." Bobby threw his thumb in Juice's direction. "But with him hanging on every word like Tig's some kinda MC Yoda... that ain't gonna help any which way."

Clay nodded. "Gemma ain't too happy. She heard the Luann version of events, which I am sure were colorful to say the least. I told her to keep outta it and let the chips fall where they may."

Bobby chuckled. "And how did that directive go over?"

"I believe the expression mentions something about a lead balloon. She's probably on her way over to check on the girls as we speak."

From across the room Chibs yelled, "All clear, Boss!"

Clay nodded and he and Bobby headed into Chapel

XXX

The following day…

Bobby and Chibs were riding back from handling some club business over in Lodi. They were stuck at a red light on their way out of town and with no other cars around and thus no women to ogle, Bobby let his eyes wander to the store fronts lining the street. His gaze stuck on a particular t-shirt hanging in the window of a printing shop. The stop light changed to green and Bobby didn't move. Chibs followed his gaze and let out a laugh. "HA! I am sooo buyin' that for him! Fookin' A!"

The Scot glanced around to make sure he was clear and then coasted his bike into a parking slot in front of the shop. He was off his bike and pulling off his helmet in an instant. Bobby pulled along of side him and shook his head. "I don't know man, nice laugh we had here about it but…"

"Oh come on." Chibs replied and started for the store. "Sit tight, be right back." A few moments later, Chibs returned from the store with the t-shirt in a plastic bag. He rolled it up and stuffed it in the compartment under his seat.

Bobby was still ambivalent. "I'm not sure Tig needs any more encouragement in the 'being an asshole' department."

Chibs laughed. "Come on, all in the name of bloody good fun!"

The guys started their bikes and backed into the street then roared off for home. They rolled into the Teller Morrow lot a bit later. Clay and Tig stood standing at the front of the garage, talking.

Bobby trailed behind as Chibs walked up, holding the rumbled bag in his left hand. "Oh, Tigger…I got something for ya." He tossed the bag to Tig, who frowned and caught it as hit him in the chest.

Tig dug into the bag and pulled the black t-shirt out. He held it up in front of him to get the full effect. A huge grin spread across his face and he started to laugh maniacally. He looked around the shirt at its buyer. "Chibsy...you're an asshole. This is fuckin great!"

Bobby winced. "You're actually going to wear that?"

"Hell yes I'm going to wear it." Tig replied as if Bobby was crazy.

"What's it say...Whore?" Clay frowned.

Tig flipped the shirt around so Clay could see that it said ROLE MODEL in big white letters.

The SAMCO President shook his head. "Jesus Christ." Tig and Chibs busted up laughing.

Chibs held up a finger in explanation. "Hey, this is Parker's fault…she said it, I just bought the shirt."

Bobby shakes his head and clarified. "Jaci's words were sarcastic...hate filled even."

Oblivious to the arguing, Tig grinned. He was as happy as a clam as he tossed the shirt in his tool box and pondered the right moment to wear it.

XXX

For three days after the Cara Cara showdown, Vix waited, breath baited, for Juice to come round and apologize. For all their crazy little spats and quarrels, it had never taken longer than a few hours for one or both of them to come to their senses and come crawling back begging forgiveness. This time had been a whole 'nother species of beast… so Vix had thought that perhaps a bit more time was necessary for Juice to realize the extent of her love and that she'd never strayed. Each hour that passed stung harder. Finally there was no denying the fact that Juice wouldn't be apologizing, not in person, not over the phone. Vix picked her heart up off the floor, cleaned herself up, dressed in faded jeans and a Crimson Tide t-shirt and slowly trudged her way into the kitchen.

XXX

Another mornin'-after a crazy night-before
I'm searching for my blue jeans on a stranger's bedroom floor
Shouldn't I feel guilty? Well, I don't feel a thing

I'd wake her up and say 'goodbye' but I can't recall her name
Anything goes…when everything's gone…
You ain't around to give a damn, whether I do right or wrong
So bring it on… cause anything goes when everything's gone

-Anything Goes, Randy Houser

Juice sat on the edge of the bed in the one dorm room at the clubhouse. A sharp knock on the door came followed by Chibs' voice, "Juice! Table in TEN."

"YEP!" Juice hollered back. He glanced behind him at the blonde snoring quietly on the bed. He nudged her awake.

She yawned and stretched, offering a greeting of "Morning."

"Afternoon." He corrected. "Better get outta here, you're gonna be late for work."

"I don't have any scenes today. I have nothing to do."

"Yeah well I do, so get a move on." He stood up and grabbed his jeans off the pile of their clothes lying nearby. He snatched up his shirt as he walked towards the door.

"Wanna get together tonight?"

He shrugged, never looking back at her as he exited the room.

XXX

Vix found Jaci sorting the mail in the kitchen. "He ain't gonna apologize. He's apparently as done with me as he said he was. It's been three days with not so much as a word."

"I'm sorry Vix". Jaci sighed. "But, are you sure you don't want to give it a little longer? Hell I took a week to drop Dean and I wasn't the least bit unsure about what he'd done."

Vix shook her head. "It usually takes us HOURS to make up. If he can't admit he's wrong in 3 DAYS, J…"

"Ok, good point."

"You know your crystal ball was pretty dam clear. Back when I brought up the idea of the salon buy...'bout what if Juice and I busted up?"

Jaci nodded. She saw the t-shirt Vix was sporting and a pang of homesickness shot through her. "Ok, fair enough. But for the record, I NEVER wanted this to happen in a million years. And if we are being completely honest, you even said you'd thought of it too. So if I may be so blunt as to ask – what's you're thinking now? Cause if it involves selling the salon and splitting town, I'd be torn between wringing your neck and kissing you."

"I am thinking that moving ahead with my life here is gonna take all the strength I got and then some…. but I'm gonna do it." Vix moved an envelope around with her finger. "I'm damn proud of that salon and you know what. Don't think bad of me but I hope like hell it hurts him just a little bit every time he has to drive by it or hear it brought up in conversation."

"Sweetie that doesn't make me think less of you. Hell I would've thought something was wrong with ya if you didn't feel that way." Jaci smirked. "Might be able to strike a deal with Bobby and Gemma to mention Twisted every chance they get."

Vix smiled for her sister's benefit."I gotta make some calls then."

"Who you gonna call?" Jaci asked, Wait for it...

"I gotta call him; I got some shit at his place I'm needing back." Vix answered without so much as a nod to her sister's age-old joke.

Jaci nodded to herself and in her brain answered, GHOSTBUSTERS! "Yeah I guess you ought to." She said to Vix's back.

XXX

Juice headed out of the chapel with the others and grabbed his cell phone from the cigar box. He powered it up and was just grabbing a bottle of Bud when the message notification sounded. He flipped the phone open and his heart lurched as he read: TEXT MESSAGE: Vix Cell 49 mins ago.

His heart started pounding rapidly as he retrieved the text and read it. Got some stuff at your place I need - can you meet me there? He groaned before he could help himself.

Seeing the frown and furrowed brow Tig nodded. "What's up?"

Juice passed the phone to Tig, since he didn't trust his voice to relay the message. Suddenly, he wasn't even able to keep up the tough facade.

Tig read the message with a smirk and then glanced at Juice, who now wore a nervous, semi-hopeful look on his face. "Oh, goddamn it, the puppy dog eyes are back." Tig flipped the phone shut and smacked it down on the bar. "THREE DAYS, Juice! She hasn't made a move in THREE DAYS...cause she's GUILTY. Probably getting her story straight in her head. Well fuck that, man. She wants her shit back... go let her have it and get it over with." He pushed at Juice's shoulder and made the kid look at him. "You've been havin' a damn good time with Luann's chick, right? Right?" Tig smiled widely. "All the gravy... none of the grief, man."

Juice grinned slightly, recalling the last few nights then nodded. He grabbed his phone and typed a reply as he was headed out the door.

Tig hollered after him. "DO NOT LET HER FUCK WITH YOUR HEAD!"

"What's that about?" Bobby asked as he returned from using the facilities.

Tig shook his head in disgust. "Fuckin' Vix sent him a message, wants her shit back from his place."

Bobby grimaced, thinking the tides must have changed. Last he knew, Vix was still waiting on Juice to realize the error of his ways. "You advised him to play nice, right?"

"Why would I do that?" Tig asked with a roll of his eyes. Bobby didn't bother to argue and just walked away.

XXX

Rudy and Sadie were cutting back the roses on the far side of the apartment building when Juice roared into the lot on his bike. They watched as he removed his helmet and placed it on the handle bars and then rolled his shoulders in an obvious attempt to relieve tension. Ruby was just about to hand her shears to Sadie and head over to speak with her grandson when Vix's pulled into the lot in her Charger and parked next to the Harley. The two watched as Vix emerged from her car and without so much as a word, followed Juice into the building. Ruby and Sadie exchanged hopeful glances and went back to their pruning.

Juice pressed the button for the building's ancient elevator as Vix began taking the steps two-at-a-time. Juice glanced at her. "Havin' time on your hands got ya rested up… feelin' energetic?"

She stopped and looked back down at him. "Not particularly, just not sure I trust being in a 6x6 space with you." She started back up the stairs but slowed down to a walk after she was clear of seeing him. Her heart broke with each step… on the way over her fool heart had conspired to play a trick on her mind, making her think maybe if she could get him alone, away from the influence of his dumb-ass friends, she could talk some sense into him, make him see that she loved him and hadn't… wouldn't betray him. But it seemed Juice was still wanting to be an unreasonable asshole. Juice's studio apartment was located in the attic of the building, the floor that they had playfully dubbed HEAVEN with the prior two floors being Hell and Purgatory. The let down of Juice's attitude had zapped her energy and by the time she reached his apartment she was physically and emotionally exhausted.

He entered the apartment a minute or two later and found her standing in the middle of the living room, looking around the space as if she'd never set foot in it, let alone practically taken up residence there. The shattered look on her face was almost more than he could take but he suddenly heard Tig in his brain, DO NOT LET HER FUCK WITH YOUR HEAD! Luann's girls… it's all the gravy, none of the grief! Juice cleared his throat, "I gotta get back to work, so…"

Without a word she began walking around his place, grabbing her stuff from here and there, out of this drawer and that. He stood in the corner of the room biting at his thumb nail as he watched her. With her arms laden with her belongings, she disappeared into his bathroom and returned with her toothbrush clenched in her teeth, her makeup bag tucked under her arm. She caught him watching her and for a split second saw something in his eyes that didn't drip with distain. She reached up and yanked her toothbrush out of her mouth. "Is all of this necessary?" She asked and watched, her words no sooner hit the air and the look in his eyes changed.

His reply was cold, cocky and intended to hurt. He didn't sound like himself at all, he sounded like someone else, sounded like Tig. "Unless you want your shit tossed in the dumpster.. yeah it is."

"Juice, come on… please. Just talk to me. Ho-how did we get here?" She questioned as some part of her needed to make sense of the madness and was not willing to just ride the ruin train.

"You need me to draw a fuckin' map? How you think we got HERE?" He hissed.

"I'm NOT guilty as charged, Juice!" Vix pleaded.

He shook his head. "Whatever... so you say."

"SO is TRUE!" She stated with emphasis. "I.. I just don't get what would make you think... I mean, what Kipp told you was very incorrect."

"So you weren't at the restaurant with that dickhead of a professor?"

"I was but…"

He waved her off and pushed off the wall he'd been leaning up against. He turned his back on her.

"Jean Carlos!" Vix yelled. "I .. I am bleeding out here... please!"

He turned and looked as her, all cold featured and removed. "Bandages are in bathroom, don't stain the carpet."

She felt herself fill with seething anger. She sucked in her breath and dropped everything she'd been holding. "FUCK YOU!"

"Nah-ah… not no more." He said with a cold sneer and a shake of his head. "I'm done being fucked by you… literally and figuratively, every which fuckin' way."

Vix just shook her head rapidly, in disbelief and shocked anger and overwhelming sadness. She stepped over the pile of her things still laying in the middle of the floor and started to walk out of the apartment.

Juice hollered after her, "Hey! You wanted your shit, aren't you gonna take it?"

She stood out on the little hallway landing and turned to stare at him. "Nah, there ain't a DAMN thing HERE I want no more."

Her words were all a front, the entire scene was a lesson in futility and it was killing her. She was pretty sure she could feel her heart breaking inside her chest but she'd be damned if she'd let him know that. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the cool, blown-glass vase that she and he had made at the one fair she'd drug him to. It signified a good time in their history and she suddenly needed to possess it as proof that they'd been happy once-upon-a-time.

"Nothing I want…except this." She walked back in and snatched up the vase then spun on her heel. She grabbed the half-dead roses out of it and chucked them at Juice's head. He'd anticipated her move and deflected the stems with his hand. What he hadn't anticipated was her up-turning the vase and pouring the water all over his living room floor. He glared at her as she made an overly dramatic oops face and said sarcastically, "Woops, sorry 'bout the carpet."

He watched as she turned on her heel and hurried down the stairs. His bark of "BITCH!" was covered by his slamming of the door.

Ruby and Sadie turned at the sound of the front door jarring open with great force and watched Vix storm down the walk towards her car.

"Victoria!" Ruby called out after the girl.

Never slowing her stride, Vix glanced over at the two older women and failed miserably at trying to smile for their benefit. She felt herself about to cry and just waved and hollered "I cant .. I.. I gotta go!" She was in her car a second later and tearing out of the lot.

XXX

Hey little sister, what have you done… Billy Idol sang questioningly indicating an incoming call from Vix. Jaci sighed, thinking Good Damn Question. "Hey chick."

Vix didn't even wait for Jaci to finish her greeting before blurting out. "I'm sorry man, I had to bolt. I even all half my crap there. I just grabbed a vase of flowers, threw the stems at him and poured the water all over his floor and then left... I didnt even get your damn key. Sorry."

"It's ok man. Don't worry about it, just go home and chill." Jaci tried to soothe.

Vix sniffled, "No can do, Gemma just called and advised me that I got pulled for kid duty. Kenny and Ellie, and Moby, hell, Jax even asked me this morning if I could help out with Abel today. I'm headed over to his place after stopping by Op's." She sniffled again. "Got to pull my self together, man. Don't want to spook the kiddos. I need to run out to Stockton to pick up the shirts and magnets for the open house." Vix blew out a breath. "Gotta dig deep man cause it damn near took all my strength to go to that apartment today. Tthe world really needs to stop spinning for a bit when your heart gets stomped, it'd be easier. "

Jaci didn't like the way Vix sounded. "Let me call Tara or Gemma. You're in no shape to deal with .."

"Everyone has their own stuff going on... I'll suck it up. I called Rach, she ain't doin' nothing today, gonna ride along, help out."

"Ok, well I will take Moby off your hands." Jaci offered. "I got some serious copying to do, I'll will put him to work."

"Thanks... I'll grab Kenny and Ellie and then jet over to relieve Neeta."

"Call me later." Jaci said firmly, waiting to keep tabs on her sister.

"I will." Vix assured, knowing her big sis was a worry wart.

XXX

Jaci rolled into the TM parking lot promptly at 4:30pm with Moby riding shotgun. She had text Juice earlier and asked him to have Vix's stuff there and ready to go. He had text back a simple 'fine'. She wasn't crazy about having to see Juice and the rest of the idiots that had crucified her sister but it was a task that had to be done. The quicker Vix got her stuff back, the quicker she could start moving on.

Moby jumped out of the car with a little more enthusiasm than Jaci could muster. Juice came walking up with an annoyed look on his face, she could tell that even though he was wearing dark sunglasses that hid his eyes. He went straight for the Grand Torino parked a few cars down from the Mustang. Jaci stifled a smirk realizing that he had had to drive Ruby's car into work in order to carry Vix's stuff. He hauled a carburetor box from Ruby's trunk over to Jaci's opened trunk and put it inside.

"Hi, Juice!" Moby said brightly as he watched Juice.

Juice nodded toward him. "Hey, Mob." He headed back to Ruby's trunk and pulled out a black Hefty bags and plopped it in Jaci's trunk.

Jaci glared at him. "You put her clothes in a trash bag…classy." He just shrugged as he stood at the back of her car with her. She stared off across the parking lot in frustration for a moment and waited for him to say something but he seemed to be holding his tongue today. She hated to quote a cliché but the tension between them was so thick you could cut it with a knife…or a chainsaw, she felt a strong inclination towards a chainsaw.

She looked over at Moby. "Hey, kiddo...grab your backpack and go say hi to your dad. I'll see ya tomorrow."

He ducked back in the car and grabbed his stuff and then walked back to give Jaci a fist pound. "See ya!" He called out and took off running for the garage.

When Moby was out of earshot, she sighed and finally said, "I need your key."

"Key?" Juice asked with a frown.

"To my house…if you're not with my sister anymore, I really don't think I want you dropping by and hanging out." Jaci clarified bluntly.

Juice dug in his pocket and pulled out his key ring. He found the right key and worked it off the loop. His stomach clenched a bit as the finality of the gesture really hit him; things with Vix were really ending. He held the key out to Jaci limply. She took it and slid it into her pocket.

Tig had been on the phone in the office arguing with a parts place for the last fifteen minutes. He finally had just got pissed and hung up on them. As he stepped out into the garage, he glanced down the parking lot and noticed that Jaci was there and the little possession 'exchange' was in progress. He watched as Juice handed over a key. Tig rushed to the back of the garage and started tearing through his workstation until he found the ROLE MODEL shirt. He unbuttoned a few buttons his TM work shirt and quickly pulled it over his head.

Chibs let out a wolf whistle when he saw Tig standing shirtless. "Sexy!"

Tig grinned as he yanked the black t-shirt over his head and pushed the front of it under his belt in a messy half tuck. He winked at Chibs. "Watch this." He strutted out onto the parking lot toward Jaci and Juice.

Juice looked at Jaci and cocked his head. "So…are you gonna say something? Call me an asshole, give me some big speech?"

Jaci shook her head. "Nope. The way I figure it, you either feel absolutely horrible about what happened and you're working on a plan to fix it OR you're gonna be a complete dick and nothing I say will make a dent in that goddamn foolish head of yours. But for the record, I hope you're in the first category."

Before Juice could answer, Tig called out, "Problem, Juice?"

"Naw…she was just leaving." Juice replied and started walking back toward the garage.

"Don't think you're supposed to be here." Tig announced. Jaci looked and him and noticed the dumb shirt he was wearing. She wanted to walk over, pull it up over his face, and punch him like they did in hockey fights but she instead just rolled her eyes at him and shoved off of her trunk.

Tig was disappointed by Jaci's lack of reaction about the shirt. He thought she'd be pissed and yell at him. "That slap from Juice knock you quiet too?" Tig asked with a smirk. "Cause I'm liking the silent Parkers, maybe someone shoulda done it sooner."

The words alone were enough to spark anger in Jaci but the fact that Tig had LAUGHED after he said they should be slapped made her livid. That was a bold statement, even from the likes of him. Jaci stepped back around to the back of her car to stand in front of him. Her face was scrunched up in confusion and she just let loose a tirade without thinking about it. "'HOW is that funny, Tig? How is HITTING someone you love funny? Would it be funny if some guy slapped one of your daughters?"

He didn't respond but his face hardened at the mention of his daughters. They were always a touchy subject with him and she knew it. It seemed he had to be in just the right mood to talk about them and she had blindsided him. Jaci just looked at him, sort of defeated. "Do you want to take a shot at me? Go right ahead. I swear to God that would hurt less than the venom you've been spewing out your mouth lately."

Jaci rubbed her head as it began to throb with pain. "She didn't fuck her teacher, Tig. She LOVES Juice...you KNOW that. I'm at a loss at how you could stand by and watch them implode like that. You even encouraged it! Not one of you took five seconds to find out the TRUTH, you just all rushed to these stupid goddamn macho conclusions that put a good man in the hospital and ruined a perfectly good relationship! How is that FUNNY? It's NOT funny, it's fuckin' HORRIBLE!"

All the smart ass remarks in his mind seemed to die before Tig could spit them out. He stood in front of Jaci and watched her start to tear up from being so mad. He was honestly a bit stunned by her strong reaction.

She was more than a bit riled up. All the stuff she had been holding inside for months chose now as the time to pour out. She didn't even care if Tig was listening at this point, she just had shit she needed to SAY. She waved her hand around. "And I don't know what your deal with me is...why you've decided to be so damn hostile to me. But if you wanted me to hate you...I'm getting damn close to it."

Jaci shook her head harshly and steeled her eyes on his. "'I've always given you SO much leeway on bad behavior because I KNOW you're an emotional cripple and dealing with anything other than hookers and bikes gives you serious trouble. I mean being with you was honestly like watching a monkey play with a fork or something...you had love but you didn't know what the hell to do with it." She let out a sad laugh. "But I was stupid to give you any slack because you know exactly what you're doing. You wearing that dumb shirt just proves it again. You're hurtful and spiteful and mean and inconsiderate not because you don't know any better but because YOU LIKE TO BE THAT WAY. You're a heartless, miserable prick, end of story."

Tig let out a slow laugh. "Did you just call me a monkey?"

Jaci waved him off. "You know what? It's fine...be an asshole; I really don't care anymore. But don't drag everyone else down with you...especially Juice."

"Oh don't blame that shit on me." Tig snapped back. "You ever think that maybe Juice WANTED a way out and now he has it?"

"No way- they were working on their problems before all this shit. I think you encouraged him. You know he looks up to you for whatever fucked up reason and misery loves company so you pulled him right down into your little hell hole of a life."

Jaci didn't give him any time to respond. She turned and headed to the driver side, but stopped suddenly as one last thought clicked in her head. A thought that had sprung to life the other day after his behavior at Cara Cara. She walked back up to him and hissed, "You may be nine kinds of wrong about Vix...but you WERE right about one thing. When we were together and you wanted to keep us on the down low? I should have listened...I should have kept you my dirty little secret. That way no one would have known and I wouldn't have to be so damn ashamed of having hooked up with you. Stupidest damn thing I EVER did." Her rant was finally over and she quickly walked and opened her car door.

It took a half second before the fighting side of Tig snapped into action and he plastered that trademark predatory grin of his on his face. He took a step forward and hollered after her, "That it? Anything else you wanna bitch about? Don't be pissed at me cause of your sister's bullshit! She brought it on herself!" He was putting on a good show but her words had sucker punched a hole in him and he had to get back at her. "You know, you should just calm down…let all the shit going on around here just fly by you cause I really think being the middle Parker's gonna work out for you. Wendy got your mom's junkie genes, Vix inherited her whore tendencies, all the bad shit fell to the other two. You got it made if you'll just stop bitching!"

She gave him one last dirty look and got into her car and tore out of the lot. He watched her leave and took a deep breath. Anyone watching would be wondering why he had to be so damn mean. But there was a reason for it…he NEEDED to be that way. Since the day he had dumped her, he had tried and failed to forget about her. So he had decided to make her forget about him. He was quickly burning the bridge between him and her, setting flame to any memory, any feeling, good or bad, with her. And he needed that bridge burned to a crisp…that way neither one of them would be tempted to walk across it again.

A few minutes later, Jaci pulled into the parking lot at the food market. Shopping had somehow been neglected for so long she had been shocked to find about the only food in the house was white rice and peanut butter. She immediately laid her head against her steering wheel as she killed the engine. Her head was pounding worse than ever before and her vision was a bit dodgy. Ok, it's ok…just chill out, come on, calm down. It doesn't mean shit, he doesn't mean shit. It's all over. Come on…She rolled her forehead back and forth on the steering wheel and let out a low grunt, trying to will her head to stop hurting. It took fifteen minutes before she was calmed down enough to think about getting out of the car. Geez, I'm losing my fucking mind.

A tapping on her car window startled her she turned to see Gemma standing there with a concerned look on her face. Jaci hit the button and lowered the window. "Hey, Gemma."

"Interesting place for a cat nap."

Jaci laughed it off. "Yeah I am running on fumes. Wonder if I downed four or five of those 5-hour energy drinks if I could pull through the rest of my day? I gotta get some food for the house."

Gemma nodded towards the passenger seat. "Open it up." She walked around to the other side of the car as Jaci hit the unlock button and watched her slide inside. If Gemma was the Queen of the SAMCRO hive, then the Parkers and Tara were quickly becoming her highest ranking working bees, ones she could turn to and trust to get shit done and get it done right, quickly, quietly, whatever. The girls were proving their worth all the time. But the Queen bee knew you had to keep the workers at least semi-happy, otherwise they'd fly the hive and then where would she be? Left to do shit all by herself, that's where and she'd had enough of that. And right now the Parkers were NOT happy, they were hurting and Gemma looked to fix that as quick as possible.

For the next few minutes, secluded inside Jaci's Mustang, the two discussed the pros, cons and bullshit of being affiliated with an MC and the all-encompassing strangle hold it could have on your life. In the end, Gemma shook her head as she eyed Jaci, "You can only get deeper, you're as far IN as you'll EVER be OUT."

Jaci looked over at the older woman and asked, "Meaning what exactly?"

"Meaning that just because you girls aren't fuckin' a member...that doesn't make you any less affiliated. You've got blood ties...there's no cutting those. So unless you plan on giving up your family and start globe hopping the likes of Carmen Santiago, you're never gonna be UN-affiliated to some degree."

"You know we were directed to leave town." Jaci reminded.

Gemma smirked. "Consider the source, darlin'. Is it really in your blood to tuck tail and run? You two do that and I'll be the FIRST to admit you aren't the girls I thought you were."

Jaci snorted. "We're everything you thought and more... cause we ain't running, we're opening a damn business on fuckin' MAIN Street."

"Good girls." Gemma popped the door open. "So when is that grand opening? Cause I know a MC charter that will be present and accounted for."

"That's probably a really bad idea."

"I know." Gemma smirked "Don't you just love those?"

"Gemma, I'm serious. I don't think that…"

Gemma held up a finger and smiled to stop Jaci's objections. "SAMCRO is a family. Families support each other whether they are bickering or not. You girls are family and you're doing something good…you will be supported." Jaci just nodded as Gemma left her to her shopping, know it was a lost cause to argue at this point.

XXX

In a garage bay at Teller Morrow, Jax was trying to talk on his cell phone. He had one finger jammed in his ear over the noise around him. "What? Vix calm down I can't understand you…. well is everyone alright.. is anyone bleeding?" He rolled his eyes and looked skyward. "Trip to the ER is a bit mellow dramatic… ok yeah she would ... alright yeah,... we're on our way." He shook his head. "Just relax ok... no Gemma is not going to KILL you."

He flipped his phone shut. "Hey, Op! We gotta roll, man. Vix and the kids were in a fender bender. No one was hurt but Vix took Abel to St Thomas just to make sure and now Tara is running every test known to man and probably inventing a few."

Opie just nodded, put down the screwdriver he was using and started to wipe his hands on a shop rag. He was the picture of perfect calm which made Jax a bit worried. The VP didn't know if he just had that effect on his friend or if Op was just that DISTANT from his kids right now that he had forgot to get all amped up. One would think if a guy had just lost his wife a few months ago to a freak violent incident, he'd been a little more riled up about his kids being potentially hurt in a car accident…but then again everyone handled grief differently. Op seemed to be just burying his.

Vix and Rachel were in the ER waiting room with Ellie and Kenny. Tara had already taken Abel back to be checked out. The kids were busying themselves with a few Highlights magazines after the girls had assured them nine hundred times that Abel was completely fine.

Vix sat with her knee bouncing nervously. She was a train wreck and in serious need of a damn smoke. She had enough drama going on with the Juice breakup and now THIS had landed at her feet. She spotted Op and Jax as they came strolling down the hall. She jumped up and rushed over to them.

"Jax.. Opie I am so sorry! Tara's having Abel checked out. Um, the triage nurse said Kenny and Ellie are fine but I'm not sure." She looked back nervously toward the kids who were just now standing up to walk over to their dad. She wrung her hands. "Do you think maybe they need an MRI or CAT scan or something?"

Opie frowned. "Why? They look fine… not a scratch on 'em." He walked over and put an arm around each kid as they hugged his waist. "You kids ok?"

"We're fine." Kenny and Ellie replied in unison.

"Famous last words." Vix huffed.

Jax smiled and looked at his sister in law. "Dude, calm down. You're twitchin' like Lowell."

Op shook his head and smiled too. "Ok, litmus test… um, Ellie what is the square root of 100?"

"10." Ellie answered after a quick second. .

"See?" Op said with a smile.

Vix frowned. "Is that right?"

Opie laughed. "Do I look like I know the square root of 100?"

Jax shrugged. "She didn't answer PURPLE or Roadrunner or something, she's fine."

"What about Kenny?" Vix asked with concern in her voice.

"I dont know what square roots are." Kenny warned as he looked up at his dad.

Jax nodded. "Who'd win a fight… Batman or Spiderman?"

Kenny looks stumped; he eyed his dad who mouthed BATMAN. Kenny smiled and answered confidently. "Batman!"

"The kids are fine, Vix. You on the other hand need to relax." Jax smirked. "I seriously need a smoke, man." He glanced at Vix's friend. "Rachel right? You were there too…you ok?" She nodded. "You mind keepin' an eye on the kids for a few?" She said no problem and Jax looked to Vix. "Come on, walk with me and Op and you can fill us in on what happened."

Outside Vix spilled the fender bender details to the guys. "It was some blonde chick that plowed into us. Said her dad is opening a cigar shop in town over on main? Zoebel or something like that - I have it written down in my bag." A thought hit her and she stood up straighter. "Oh my Christ! I coulda seriously wiped out the whole next generation of SAMCRO! Those three should be like Prince Charles and Will and Harry... NO traveling together!"

Jax and Opie both chuckled at the distraught Parker. "Bit drastic don't cha think?" Jax asked. "So you think this was really an accident?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Vix asked with a frown. "That intersection has seen some doosies over the years, right? If you don't know the area or see the sign that opposing traffic don't got to stop…KAPOW! Accident waiting to happen, man. I am just glad no one was hurt."

Op cocked an eyebrow to Jax. Vix was obviously forgetting that Zoebel was the guy that had crashed Bobby's party and demanded that the Sons stop running guns. He had heard all about the showdown, it had sounded intense. But Vix was freaked out enough, neither man was about to add fuel to her paranoia fire.

"You call J and tell her what happened?" Jax asked.

"No fuckin' way." Vix answered with a wince. "She tried to talk me out of being out and about today. I'm not callin' and droppin' this shit on her."

Jax laughed but warned. "She's gonna be pissed if you wait and tell her later."

Vix shrugged. "J's real testy lately…probably be pissed either way." The trio finished their cigarettes and headed back inside to see about Abel.

XXX

The next morning...

"Checked three salvage lists man. Only thing I found was highly overpriced. Short of stealing one I'm not sure Vix is gonna get authentic." Opie advised as Jax walked over to check the progress on finding the new fender for the Charger.

"What the shit will she care what it costs? She ain't payin' for it." Jax settled in to work on the bike in front of him. "Get 'em to fax over a quote on the part, tack on some ridiculous labor costs and write up the estimate."

Opie nodded and headed to the office to make the call just as Clay and Tig were entering the garage.

"How's Abel?" Clay asked. "Bobby told me about the fender bender."

"Little dude is fine, like I told Gemma." Jax replied with a sigh but then looked more serious. "So Bobby also tell ya who it was bumped into Vix?"

Clay shook his head. "Just said something about it happening out at Hobson and Vulcante. Vix had the right of way but the other asshole didn't yield."

Jax nodded. "Yeah…the other asshole…Zoebel's daughter." Jax studied Clay's reaction and watched a frown cross Tig's face. "Before you go turnin' this shit into a damn conspiracy theory… by all accounts it sounds completely accidental."

"Yeah and a whole lot convenient timing wise." Clay spat. "We torch a meth lab a few days ago and now one of my guy's old ladies is getting bumped?'

Jax again played it off. "I hardly think the two things are equal. It's nothing."

"EX… EX ol' lady." Tig interjected at random.

Jax tossed a glare at him. "What?"

"Ex- Ol' Lady. Juice ain't with Vix no more." Tig noticed the cold stares from Jax and the impatient one from Clay and added, "What? Just settin' the record straight."

"Yeah cause you're just known for your commitment to truth and honesty and straight records." Jax said as he rolled his eyes.

Tig was about to fire back some comment but when he saw Gemma enter the garage he stopped himself. He nodded towards her,"Hey Gemma."

Clay turned around and smiled at his wife. He then noted the look on her face and presses his lips into a thin line, "What are you up to?" Jax greeted his mom with a hug and walked off to start work.

"About 5 foot 9 but the heels make me look taller." She replied with a smirk. "I was over at the Parker's …"

At the mention of those girls that weren't supposed to be goddamn named because Clay had fuckin' said so, Tig cocked his head at Gemma and shoved his fingers in his ears. Gemma glared at him and slapped his chest with the back of her hand. "Oh grow up!"'

Clay emitted a groan. "Is a day without mention of those girls too much ask? Just one day?"

"You can have your day baby, just not today." Gemma shrugged.

"Well if I gotta hear about 'em, better make it good."

Clay listened to his wife for all of two minutes before cutting her off with a laugh. "No fuckin' way. No way am I making the guys show up for that shit. Experience tells me your plan has less to do with SAMCRO being supportive of small business and more to do with pushing Juice and Vix Parker to a reconciliation and trying to get Dickweed here back with her sister."

"I don't want him back with Jaci." Gemma said matter-of-factly. Tig didn't know if he should be offended by that sentiment.

"Whatever." Clay waved his hand. "I'm telling you to mind your business… you and your fuckin' match making. Take a break. If those two work it out or don't… it's up to them."

Gemma rolled her eyes. "Well somebody needs to needs to arrange the matches; goddamn young people can't decide these things."

Clay laughed, amused. "Goin' musical are we? Well let me paint a scene for you that you ain't gonna see at the theater, I will knock that fiddler off the goddamn roof and shove his bow so far up your ass you'll be able to whistle and strum Dixie… now leave this shit alone."

"It's just a salon opening, baby, not a shotgun wedding." Gemma smiled as she essentially ignored her husband demands. "Oh and I'm gonna need a list of the guy's t-shirt sizes." She walked away singing, Match maker, match maker, make me a match... find me a find... catch me a catch." She stopped at the entrance to the shop office and turned, winked at her husband and then walked thru the door and slammed it shut behind her.

Tig frowned at his boss and friend. "Are you seriously gonna make all us go to that fuckin' salon opening?"

"If I don't… I'll have to deal with a pissed off Gemma and I make it a point to keep that shit to a minimum." Clay replied with defeat. He looked at Tig and sneered. "Cheer up though, looks like you'll be getting another t-shirt; add to your little collection."

"Shit." Tig replied with a groan. "Hey, how the fuck do you know about Fiddler on the Roof?"

Clay smirked. "How do YOU?"

Tig shrugged. "I helped a college chick practice for an audition once."

"Did she get the part?"

"Not a chance." Tig laughed.