Walk Away from the Son
Parker Sister Saga continues - Season 2 of SOA
Pain and Abel
By BG

The women of SAMCRO managed to stay away from the police station stakeout for a few hours. The initial plan had been to follow the guys straight there but they soon realized they wouldn't make it through the long day without some sort of sleep. So after several phone calls and assurances that everyone was ok, the ladies power napped. Well, all except Jaci, who wanted nothing to do with sleep since her recent suicidal Tig dream.

At 5am, a small caravan rolled into the Charming Police Station parking lot. Vix led the way in her Jeep with Tara close behind in her car with Jaci and Gemma. Next was Lyla and then Kozik, who brought up the rear on his bike. The Sons were in varying states and positions around the front entrance to the police station but all snapped to attention when they saw multiple headlights and the roar of a Harley.

Clay shook his head slowly and started toward his wife who had just stepped out of Tara's car. "What the hell are you doing here? I said I would call you." He asked but with a loving tone.

Gemma shrugged, "Can't sleep…can't sit at the clubhouse twiddling my thumbs any more either. Thought you guys might like some coffee…and some company." Clay gave her a nod and a smile and put his arm around her.

Thankfully the clubhouse was home to a few large coffee urns and they were able to make coffee in bulk and transport it easily in the backseat of Tara's car with Jaci holding the large containers steady. Koz helped her out of the car and grabbed a container in each hand. Jaci followed behind him with a large stack of Styrofoam cups. Clay spied the makeshift barista, "That better be leaded."

Jaci gave him a smile in return, "It's extra leaded." Koz sat the containers on a nearby concrete ledge and Clay and Bobby lead the charge for a jolt of caffeine as the others gathered around as well. She glanced around and tried to decide where to land for the foreseeable future as the other ladies all sidled up to their respective Sons.

"You should be resting." Juice chided Vix. "You've got a big day today."

Vix frowned. "I don't know…I'm thinking of skipping today. Screw the test…there's bigger stuff going on."

Before Juice himself could protest, Vix was assaulted by a barrage of admonishments. "Bullshit." Clay snapped.

"No way." Jax said.

"You're too close to quit now." Jaci added.

Happy shook his head, "Uh-uh."

Bobby chimed in as well, "You gotta do this."

Clay looked seriously at the youngest Parker sister. "All this shit is nearly handled. Been enough bad news…we need some happy." He leveled his finger at her. "You're going to class and you're gonna pass that test."

Vix gave the crew gathered around her an incredulous look as she took in their harassment which she knew to be loving support. She held her hands up in defense. "Jeeeezus. Ok ok! I'll go! Damn. Everybody chill."

"Besides, Chucky might cry if you don't take that test." Op gave the smallest of grins. "Can't disappoint your new tutor."

"Yeah, yeah." Vix replied with an eye roll and went to retrieve her backpack.

XXX

Everyone settled back in for what was shaping up to be a very long wait before they would know the legal fates of Zobelle and Weston. Hopefully the pair would be thrown under a jail for a very long time but if by some off chance they slipped through the legal cracks, they had to leave that station at some point and the Sons were going to be there. Then the remedy was simple: the club was going to follow them and then they were going to kill them…hopefully slowing and painfully.

Juice and Vix took seats on the concrete sidewalk nearest the door. Gemma came next, sitting on a bench leaning on Clay's shoulder. Tig had oddly remained silent through the whole ordeal of the women's arrival. He sat alone on the ledge directly in front of the others but finally stood up and got himself a cup of coffee. He walked off and shot the shit with Happy for a few minutes as he smoked a cigarette and drank the jolting hot liquid.

He looked over to steal a stare at Jaci, who was talking with Chibs, Bobby and the Prospect further down the sidewalk. She fit in more today, wearing jeans with a white tee shirt covered by a dark blue zip up hoodie. Her feet were clad in black flip flops and he stifled a smirk at her stupidity of wearing flip flops and obviously being cold at the same time. Dipshit. Maybe her short time with Kozik had drained her good sense, but then again it was supposed to warm up later in the day.

Kozik…damnit. Not only did he have to worry about his proximity to his ex- girlfriend but he wanted to steer clear of his ex- best friend as well, who was currently chatting with Jax. Out of respect for the current situation the club found itself in, Tig was doing his best to keep his mouth shut about Kozik being in town. Yes, they needed all the man power they could get right now but he didn't have to like the guy being around. He secretly hoped that when everything was over, Koz would push him too far with the snide comments and pet names and smirks and he could beat the shit out of him before telling him to get the hell back to Tacoma.

He finished his coffee and crushed his cigarette under his boot. The caffeine hadn't kicked in yet and the warm liquid actually had him feeling relaxed for the moment. He wished he had a handful of aspirin to take the edge off of his bruised face hurting but walked back to his former perch on the entryway's ledge empty handed. He laid down and gingerly stretched out atop of it. Maybe he'd get lucky and catch a few zzz's before the excitement began.

As day broke, Vix was busy doing some last minute studying. Jaci sat down next to her sister, ready to help her cram for her test if needed even though her brain was in no shape for understanding economic theory. Tig was right in front of them but he appeared to be dozing and she thought he'd just ignore her anyway so the situation seemed safe and neutral. She leaned her back against the brick of the police station and pulled her hood up over her head and then crossed her arms over her chest, getting comfortable. Her eyes stared straight ahead and soon she was lost in thought. Since she was staring at Tig sleeping with his knee pulled up, a few of the guys might have wondered if she was pining for him or plotting his death. In reality she was half thinking of him and half going over all the bullshit surrounding LOAN and the club.

Vix broke the silence bubble a few minutes later, quietly asking Juice, "So since I'm taking the stupid test…and that's out of town, who's coming with me?"

Before Juice could answer, Jaci rolled her head in her sister's direction, "I know a good babysitter."

Juice smirked and leaned forward to look at the girls. "You get along with Koz okay?"

Tig remained perfectly still but his ears perked to attention at the conversation starting across from him.

"Yeah…he's fine. Seemed like a cool guy. Has the attention span of a gnat though" Jaci replied and then snorted a quiet laugh. "He's oddly a lot like you, Vix. Asks a lot of questions, annoyed the shit out of me at times…ya'll would probably get along great."

Vix smiled as Kozik appeared. "Speak of the devil." He strolled quietly to the end of the entranceway and sat down across from them.

"What'd I do?" Koz asked.

"I was just saying what a good babysitter you were." Jaci replied. "Wanna escort Vix to her big test today?"

Juice grinned. "You get to scope out hot college girls while you're waiting."

"Sounds good, I'm in." Koz replied with a shrug. A lesser man would have felt insulted that he was being pushed to babysitting duties, but when the subject and scenery were so damn fine, who was he to complain. Besides, he had gotten in a few ass kicking duties last night at the fight.

Tig couldn't control himself any longer. Annoyance and jealousy were fighting for top billing in his thoughts. There was a whole goddamn parking lot that asshole could be sitting in, why the hell was he right there? And why was he so freaking chummy with the Parkers and Juice. A part of Tig wanted to yell, MINE, MINE! like a pissed off toddler. He settled for slamming his boot down hard on the ledge and giving Koz a harsh look, "MOVE."

"Oops, interrupted Sleeping Beauty." Koz smirked then turned and looked up innocently at Tig.

"Oh did we bother you?"

"YOU bother me." Tig snapped. "Move your ass."

"Why?" Koz asked.

"You're crowding me."

Koz frowned and checked their proximity. "But I'm not touching you."

"Move it, faggot."

"But I'm not touching you."

"CHILDREN!" Gemma hissed playfully. Yes, they were grown men gathered here for a very adult and serious purpose but when you pulled back the layers you were bound to find the petulant boy still alive and well inside.

Tig laid his head back down with a huff, knowing not to take the argument any further. Koz let out a low laugh, happy to know he was still under Tig's skin.

XXX

Vix checked her watch and closed her notebook. "Well, it's now or never. I gotta go if I'm gonna make that test." Juice stood and helped to her feet, taking her backpack in his hand. She blew out a breath as her sister and babysitter stood as well. "Shit…I didn't realize I'd be so nervous about this."

Jaci stood in front of her sister and put her hands on Vix's shoulders. She had taken plenty of tests in her college days. "Relax…you're gonna do fine. Make sure you read everything twice and if you don't know the answer, skip it and come back to it. Don't waste your time beating your head against the wall."

"I know, I know and go with your first instinct for an answer..." Vix nodded along.

Juice cocked his head in thought. "Actually I think that one is bullshit... first instincts can be plenty wrong. Right?"

Vix frowned and looked from her lover to her sister for confirmation. Jaci shrugged, "I kinda agree with him."

"Well shit."

"And don't just pick C." Juice added. "I think that's ones crap too."

"Don't worry about it...you'll be fine." Jaci waved her hand in the air to stop the confusion.

Kozik stood listening to the ra-ra scramble and snarled his nose. "You guys suck with pep talks, man."

"No one asked you, Kozik." Tig growled, not bothering to even look up or open his eyes. "Good luck, Parker. Don't fuck up."

Jaci gave her sister a hug and whispered in her ear, "I love you…good luck. Go kick ass."

Koz slapped Tig's boot with his hand as he followed behind his charge for the day. "Bye, Tiggy!" He said brightly. He just couldn't help himself.

Juice took Vix's hand and started toward the parking lot. The others showered her with words of encouragement as the pair walked past. At the Jeep, Juice wrapped his arms around Vix and kissed her cheek. "I'm proud of you, ya know. You go take care of this test and I'll take care of these scumbags and then maybe shit can get back to normal."

"Uh, baby…our shit is never going to be normal again." Vix replied and glanced down quickly at her belly. They shared a conspiratory smile and a kiss. "I love you."

"Love you too." Juice replied and peeled himself off of her. "Good luck! I'll see ya later." He slapped his hands together as he spotted Koz, who was waiting impatiently at the back of the Jeep. "Ok man…you keep her safe, you hear me?"

Koz gave him a laid back salute. "No problem." He watched Juice give a last wave to Vix and then head back up the parking lot. With a raise of his eyebrows he asked, "Ok, Tinkerbell…you ready?"

Vix smirked but then sighed. "I can't cram any more shit in my head... if I don't get it by now, it ain't gettin' got." She pulled the keys from her pocked at started toward the driver side door.

"I drove your sister's car." Koz stated after clearing his throat. He waited and she considered his implication.

"It's called SHOTGUN for a reason." Vix countered and pointed to the passenger side. "Shit goes down, the person in THAT seat takes care of business. I'm comfy in either seat though, choice is yours."

Koz snorted an amused laugh and left the keys in her hand. Tinkerbell , independent woman and ball breaker. Nice.

XXX

Shortly after Vix pulled out of the lot, Unser finally appeared. Clay let out a sharp whistle to get the crew's attention and everyone gathered around quickly. "What?"

Unser waived his hands in frustration. "Stahl's been locked in a room with the FBI two hours now, no idea what's going on."

"What about Weston?" Jax asked.

"Still waitin to hear from the DA." Unser answered and shrugged, frustrated that he didn't have more info. "Sorry." He mumbled and then headed back inside.

Everyone knew that meant more waiting and could barely contain their groans. Tig stood up and rolled his shoulders. Concrete made for a bitch of a bed. He restrained himself from glancing at Jaci, who was now standing next to Gemma. He needed a smoke and headed off.

Clay sighed and took Gemma's face in his hands, "Go back to the clubhouse. They're gonna need ya there."

Away from him was the last place she wanted to be but Gemma nodded along. "Ok baby." They shared a long kiss and she gave him a serious look and whispered, "Come back to me." He smirked and nodded as they held hands.

Gemma started toward the parking lot and looked back at Jaci, who was waiting by her side. "We need to drop you at work?"

"Nah." Jaci replied with a shake of her head. "I cleared my schedule the rest of the week."

Before she could take a step, Clay reached out and gave Jaci a nod and squeezed her shoulder. He hated to admit it but he was thankful for the Parkers being around. No longer a thorn in his side, they were a huge asset and had become fixtures at Gemma's side since they learned what happened to her. They seemed to have her back and he appreciated it immensely, especially from Jaci since she knew about the Donna stuff and had every reason to hate him. She was taking the high road for now and he was grateful.

Jax gave Tara a quick kiss goodbye and leaned over to the Half Sack. "Hey…watch over the girls for me."

"Absolutely." Sack replied and made a move to leave as Jaci gave a small round of silent good lucks to the guys; nods, fist pounds, waves. She gave Jax a tap on the chest and a small smile.

Clay hollered at him, "Good luck, Prospect! That's a lot of estrogen." He watched them pull out of the parking lot and wondered if his queen had sufficient bodyguards for the day. He turned to Bobby who was standing next to him. "Hell if Vix were here, I'd feel pretty good about just letting the Parkers be the bodyguards. But then again, that's at least three headstrong women who aren't afraid to throw down...could be trouble."

Bobby snorted. "Yeah cause Gemma would come up with an idea, Vix would second it and Jaci would go along for quality control."

The slightest of smirks twinged at the corner of Tig's lips, who was within earshot, but he killed it before it bloomed.

Clay shrugged as he turned back to the station. "Honestly, if the Parkers were men, I'd hang a Reaper on their backs in a heartbeat."

"And yet again they disappoint the world by not having dicks." Bobby mumbled, referring to the years of listening to their father, Jesse, complain about having daughters instead of sons.

Happy grinned at Bobby's comment and nudged Tig's shoulder. "You ever disappointed J didn't have a dick…you freak pervert."

"Fuck you." Tig spat.

"See? That's exactly what I'm talking about." Happy teased and grinned at Tig until he got an eye roll and a slight smile.

XXX

The day got much more exciting. The wheels of justice came to a screeching halt and spit out both Weston and Zobelle. It turned out that Chucky was a felon so his eyewitness statement concerning the Cara Cara fire was rejected which freed Weston. Zobelle earned his freedom by being a Fed snitch for the last three years. By giving up crooks in high places and AB shot callers, he was allowed to get away with pretty much anything.

The Mayans escorted Zobelle and his daughter back to Impeccable Smokes and stood guard outside. The Sons sat up shop across the street in a West Wild-esque stand-off. Extracting revenge for Gemma got a bit more complicated but the Clay had no worries all would be settled by the end of the day.

Unser looked back and forth between the two rival factions facing off on Main Street. "Weston's out…Hale's gonna give an escort out of town but he's got a visit with his kids first, San Jaq CFS."

Jax nodded and stated simply. "Catch him at Family Services." Both Opie and Chibs volunteered enthusiastically to assist. The trio roared down the street with one thing on their minds.

Clay, Tig and the rest of the crew stayed put on Main Street, waiting for their chance to handle Zobelle. After a little posturing with Clay, Alavrez went back to his side of the street. Tig frowned and spoke quietly to Clay, "Why didn't you tell him Zobelle was a rat?"

"Cause he'd kill him." Clay answered simply. "And that's mine."

XXX

The ride to the community college in Lodi was uneventful but oddly comfortable. Jaci had been right, Vix and Koz were very much alike and so the conversation flowed easily between them.

"Ok, first things first…name, rank and serial number." Vix said after she was comfortably on the open road.

Koz snorted. "Um, Tommy Kozik, Tacoma sergeant at arms, don't need a serial number cause I'm one of a kind." He gave her a smirk with the last bit of info. "You?"

She rolled her eyes. "Victoria Parker, aka Vix, rank: Juice's old lady, and you stole my answer for serial number, damnit." She eyed him momentarily. "I shall call you Tommy. Fine by you?"

"Fine by me." He grinned. "I shall call you Tink."

"I've always thought Tinkerbell was a closet badass." Vix retorted then mused, "I feel like we've just been knighted."

Koz pulled a small knife from his pocket and with a fick, the blade shot to full extension. "We can do it right if you want?" He made a waving gesture with his hand, shoulder, head, shoulder.

"Oh shit, not while I'm driving. You might cut my damn ear off." She retorted and turned her attention back to the road but not before cranking the volume on the radio a bit. "Oooh Queen! I love me some Queen."

Koz stared out the window as 'We are the Champions' filled the space. "So, you're a college girl? Thought you cut hair? You gotta have a degree for that?"

"Cut hair?" Vix repeated with mock disgust. "For your information, I OWN my salon and I don't just cut hair, I'm a beautician. Do not be fooled, beauty isn't a glamorous thing, man. Beauty equals pain. You should know that, Mr. I'm Covered in Tattoos."

"Sorrrryyy!" Koz shot back. "You didn't answer the question, why the college?"

"Oh…well while you do have to pass state boards to be a beautician, you're right, no college degree required. But I bought the salon and at some point I don't want to have to depend on my big sister to handle all the business junk. I wanna do my own books and shit. Make my own decisions, ya know?"

"Fair enough."

Comfortable silence swirled between them for a few miles. Vix found Koz's vibe to be very similar to spending time with Bobby or Chibs. She thought he would fit right in with the SAMCRO crew but had obviously ruffled Tig's feathers this morning. "So what'd you do to piss Tigger off?"

"I dunno…breathe?" Koz mulled over the nickname of Tigger in his head and smiled.

"Eh, ignore him. He never calls me by my name…I'm either Parker or Pain in the Ass. But in all fairness, I something refer to him as Fuckhead. Doesn't take a lot to set him off, he's cranky in general."

"Mmph." Koz snorted then randomly added, "I can't believe he slept with your sister." He watched as she snapped her head over to face him with her mouth dropped open. His eyes widened. "Oh shit! Did you not know that?"

"Pssh! I knew that…Jaci and I are sisters, we know everything." Vix clarified then chided herself internally. Well, she knows everything except for this kiddo currently growing in my belly and the fact that I'm gonna marry Juice…but she'll learn about that later, no big whoop. "Question is how did YOU kniow? She doesn't advertise that shit and nobody should be either."

Koz shrugged and played cool. "They say I have a disarming nature."

"Really? Who?"

"THEY." Koz answered with a duh tone to his voice that made Vix smile.

A few more miles passed before Vix glanced over at him again. "I don't know about disarming nature, but you DO have great hair. I know you use product and the guys probably give you shit for it but don't be coy with me…what goop you usin'?"

XXX

Back at the clubhouse, Jaci waited until Tara left the room to go change Abel's diaper before she cleared her throat. They were finally alone in the small kitchen "Hey, Gemma…I've been wondering about something."

Gemma continued snapping the lid on some leftovers and called over her shoulder, "What's that, baby?"

"Well, you may not even want to talk about this…" Jaci thought for a moment and then took a step, shutting the door for some privacy.

That move got Gemma's full attention and she stood facing the beautiful serious girl before her. The grave look at Jaci's face gave her cause for concern. What's on her mind? What would I not want to discuss? Her mind spontaneously jumped to the whirlwind near fucking between her and Tig a few days before. Good God, surely he didn't say anything to her! But that thought made her link to something she knew he had told Jaci…the truth about Donna. Clay had told her as they were lying in bed last night. He didn't tell her club secrets as a rule but she had figured this one out easily so he felt obligated to let her know the knowledge circle had expanded by a few thanks to Tig's newfound guilty conscience.

Not one to cower away from anything or anyone, Gemma raised her chin a bit higher, "What's on your mind, Jaci?"

"What happens to her in all of this?"

"Her?"

"HER…Zobelle's daughter, Polly." Jaci clarified. "She's the one right? That set you up…for your attack?"

"How did you figure that out?" Gemma frowned; pretty sure she hadn't shared that info with the Parkers.

"VIx said there had been a woman involved. I know Polly's a devious shit…we just sort of pieced it together, the obvious choice." Jaci replied then sighed. "I figure the guys won't touch her, they at least try to adhere to some rules of engagement."

Gemma thought for a long moment and shrugged, "Might just have to leave that one up to Karma."

"Karma my ass." Jaci snorted back immediately. "Look… I know the hell you're going through; I've been wingman on that ride." She could see Gemma was confused so she clarified. "My roommate in college was raped. I spent a year holding her while she cried herself asleep and then screamed herself awake; had to have all our classes together because she couldn't be by herself. It's a horrible thing."

"Yes it is." Gemma replied quietly. "How is your friend?"

"She's alright but it took a very long time." Jaci stared at the table for a long moment then locked eyes with Gemma. "I hate that this happened to you. If you did want to help Karma a bit in this situation, Vix and I would be happy to assist. I don't think Vix would mind me volunteering her at all, given the fact that Polly helped torch her salon and damn near torched her in the process."

"That's quite an offer."

"I know but it's something I don't think a MAN can fully understand. They can't really fathom the impact of that act, how it can haunt you. Her letting that happen to another woman is unforgiveable." Jaci replied. "It bothers me that she might get off scot free in all of this."

She had even surprised herself earlier in the day when the violent idea bloomed in her head but it felt right. Even though she was essentially counting down the minutes until she could put this town and this club behind her and even though she knew Gemma was far from innocent in a lot of matters, she hadn't deserved that brutality.

"I just want you to have closure, Gemma…on all levels." Jaci conceded. "The guys will get you most of it but we can get you the rest…if you need it."

Before Gemma could respond, Tara came through the door with Abel on her hip. "Ok, that one was disgusting!"

They all shared a polite smile but as her smile faded, Gemma gave Jaci a nod and mouthed the words, Thank you. She had no intention of taking her up on the offer but the offer itself spoke volumes about the character and loyalty of Jaci Parker and Gemma couldn't help but be impressed.

XXX

"Ok, we are HERE!" Vix exclaimed as she pulled into the main parking lot of campus. "Ta-da."

Koz scanned the lot and frowned. "Where's all the hot chicks?"

Vix rolled her eyes as she opened her door. "They're around. They don't just lay around topless on cars in the parking lot, Tommy."

"That's too bad. I'd be up for some higher education if they did."

As she slung her backpack over her shoulder she eyed her bodyguard who was now stretching his back at the rear of the Jeep. "Um, I don't suppose I could get you to leave your Cut in the Jeep or maybe turn it inside out?"

"Fuck no." Koz spat. "Why?"

"Well, it's just that…I've had some issues here. Campus isn't really biker friendly anymore." Vix replied, thinking back to the horrible beat down that Juice had given one of her professors in a fit of jealous rage. The last thing she needed was to be stopped by campus security because they didn't like the looks of her newfound tagalong friend.

"Tough shit…that's their problem."

"Alrighty then." Vix mumbled, never really expecting him to concede anyway. She led the way across the parking lot and into a huge building. They climbed the stairs to the third floor and she pointed to a classroom. "That's me. Shouldn't be more than an hour and a half."

Koz up-nodded and followed her to the door. She heard his boots muffled on the carpet and turned around in disbelief. With her hands on his chest, she pushed him back slightly. "Whoa, whoa, whoa., Tommy Boy. You can't go inside with me."

"How am I supposed to guard your body if I can't even see it?"

"Trust me…if shit goes down inside that classroom, you'll hear me screaming. You just stay out here and keep anything from getting IN. Deal?"

Koz rolled his eyes. "Fine." He spotted a lobby like area off to the right of the classroom. As he was walking, he turned around and called to his charge, knowing she was still probably nervous about her test. "Hey, Tink! Just think, no matter how bad you do on this test, you'd still beat ME." He grinned and gave her a thumbs up.

"You also suck at pep talks!" She shook her head and gave him a sarcastic look along with a return thumbs up then shut the classroom door, disappearing inside.

XXX

Jax's stake out didn't take long. Fortunately for Jax, Weston was a very fucked up and misguided individual as well as being a shitty father. When granted a supervised visit with his son, instead of having some last moment quality time, Weston opted for a getting another tattoo. It just so happened, he picked a SAMCRO friendly establishment. In a bathroom stale and without a fight, Weston took his punishment in the form of six silenced bullets to his skull.

Jax, Op and Chibs strolled into the clubhouse a short while later. Clay had left a skeleton crew to watch over Zobelle and call when he started to move. He eyed his step son. Jax nodded, "It's done."

"I am so proud of you." Happy said in complete seriousness and Clay echoed the sentiment.

Tig watched as his President and VP shared a long embrace. There was a good vibe in the clubhouse and they were one step closer to having the whole situation behind them. Maybe shit could calm down then and there might even be a chance for some clean slates.

"So where are we?" Jax asked.

"Juice's watching Zobelle."

Jax nodded then frowned slightly. "Where's my mom?"

"She's with Tara and Jaci getting supplies." Piney chimed in. "Sack's with em."

Jax nodded again and blew out a breath. He shared a long look with Clay, who was staring at him with something close to admiration. It unsettled him for a moment after all of their differences.

Clay gave his VP a slight smile. "You're a good son." It was a statement he meant in all forms of the word.

"Sons!" A visiting member called out and raised his shot glass. Every member in the room echoed the call in a unified toast.

XXX

As she loaded a bag of groceries into the trunk of Tara's car, Gemma let her eyes wander up the street a little ways. Her heart jumped in her chest as she spotted a boxy car with a sign for Impeccable Smokes stamped across its back glass. Her curiosity peaked; Gemma began walking up the street. Polly Zobelle came into her vision, holding a bouquet of flowers and checking her appearance in a mirror several storefronts away.

Ducking out of view, Gemma snatched her sunglasses off her face as she tried to calm herself from the mix emotions that suddenly raged inside of her. She thought back to the revenge conversation with Jaci earlier in the day. Do I let it go or do I DO something? Take Karma's path or take control? She struggled for only a moment and then Jaci's words popped into her head and she muttered, "Karma my ass."

She made a beeline back to the car just as Jaci and Half Sack stepped outside from the store. Tara was a few steps behind them, lugging Abel on her hip. "Give me those." Gemma said and made a motion for the keys from Half Sack. "I'm driving." She explained to the girls who gave each other an odd look.

Jaci got into the backseat of the car and buckled Abel into his car seat next to her. Tara sat in the passenger seat, wondering why Gemma hadn't put the car into drive yet. Her eyes followed Gemma's stare and landed on a young blonde woman up the street. "That's the woman you chased."

"Zobelle's daughter." Gemma stated and Jaci snapped to attention, listening as Gemma explained Polly's role in her attack. She dropped the car into drive and pulled out into traffic.

"Where are we going?" Tara asked.

"Forward, baby." Gemma replied with a smirk.

They followed Polly for a while, finally to a neighborhood in Gault and watched as she exited her car and walked to a house. Gemma put the car in park and sat back in her seat.

"What are we doing, Gemma?" Tara questioned again, concern mounting in her voice.

Jaci leaned so she could see Gemma's face and the concentration she saw made her heart beat faster. "Gem…ARE we doing this?" She ignored the questioning look from her quasi sister in law.

Tara suddenly knew exactly what was brewing. Gemma was going after Polly and Jaci was all for helping her. "Gemma…wait. That rape…it would have destroyed most women. But it made you stronger, wiser, more compassionate. Whatever you think you need to do…you're past it."

Gemma shook her head. "My husband, my son, their brothers…they're out there risking their freedom for me. This is how I do my part. God's put her in my path…so I can fix that part of me they ripped open."

With that being said, Jaci unbuckled her seat belt, ready to bolt. Tara snapped her head toward the backseat. "What are you…"

"I'm going with her."

"Jesus! Do you two even hear what you're saying?"

"Tara…shut up." Jaci replied softly. "This is beyond you."

Gemma smiled at Tara, said she loved her and that she was happy that Jax was with her. With Tara sitting stunned, she opened the car door, got out and quickly slammed it shut behind her.

"Hey!" Jaci said as she was trying to push the driver seat forward to follow.

"I'm going solo, J." Gemma said sweetly.

"Nononono." Jaci spat and pushed against the seat. "Absolutely not, I told you I would help and I meant it! Let me out! Do NOT try to do this alone!"

Through the open window, Gemma kept her hand on the driver seat, effectively trapping Jaci in the car. She smiled but shook her head. "I love you, Jaci…your sister too. This club's better for you being here. A lot of people are better for it. And I love you for making that offer…but this is on me, something I have to do. You keept my grandson safe till I can get back to him. You want to help me…you do that."

Gemma walked away and both girls scrambled out of the car. Jaci took a few steps down the street which made Gemma turn around and assure her, "I'll be fine."

The finality in her voice stopped both girls. Jaci slapped the roof with her palm as Half Sack made his way to the car, "Where's she going?"

Tara sighed. "Stay here…she may need to get out fast."

"Shit." Half Sack mumbled, not liking the doctor's answer at all.

XXX

The girls had driven back to Charming in silence. They both felt like idiots. The charge for the day was to stay safe and they let Gemma march off into God knew what. But then again…there was really no stopping Gemma when she got off on a mission. They pulled into the driveway and worked like a familiar team. Tara unloaded a sack from the trunk and then headed to unlock the house. Jaci unzipped her hoodie from the heat of the day and tossed it in the seat and then hauled a sleeping Abel inside in his carrier.

"So what do we do now?" Jaci asked.

Tara sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter. "I guess just load up what we needed for Abel and then…wait?" She couldn't help but give Jaci a slight glare from her earlier hurtful comment. "I don't know…how long does revenge like this take…since it's BEYOND me?"

"Tara." Jaci warned. "I didn't mean to miff ya. It's just…I've got a little more experience with stuff like this."

"Experience? You're an accountant for God's sake."

Jaci eyed her cooly, giving her an oh come on look. They knew there was more to both of them than what met the eyes. Tara finally waved her off. "Ok, whatever." She tore through cabinets, ramming items into grocery bags and then disappeared down the hall, returning a few minutes later with yet another diaper bag full of things.

"Think he has enough stuff?" Jaci asked with a good natured smile. "Getting to be a high maintenance little guy."

"Better to have it than not with him." Tara replied, trying as well to smooth the tension out of the air. "You want to load up these diapers and things?"

"Yeah, sure." Jaci replied and grabbed the large soft pack of diapers along with a bag of formula, threw the extra diaper bag over her shoulder and walked out the side door.

Outside, she stood in front of the trunk and snorted a laugh at the large metal rod used to hold the trunk open. The perks to owning a classic car. She dropped her load of items and stood in the driveway to Jax's house. She scanned the street and sighed. What a crazy fucking day. She prayed the day would end better than it was currently sitting and soon. A minute later it sounded as if her prayer was being answered as she heard a motorcycle quickly approaching. She watched as Half Sack pulled in the drive and got off his bike. He was alone. "Where's Gemma?"

"Don't know…the cops swarmed the place. I had to leave."

"Shit." Jaci muttered. "I told her not to try that shit alone."

"I know…I'm gonna have Tara call Jax." He replied and jogged toward the house.

Jaci rolled her eyes and blew out a breath. Damnit, shit was almost ok but now, who knew? She hit her forehead with her fist softly a few times. Nothing was ever easy in this town. Her mind started to race with all the implications of Gemma's absence. She went back to her task of loading the car and getting ready to head back to the clubhouse.

Three minutes later, the crunch of boots on the pavement gravel alerted Jaci to the possible trouble that waited behind her. She had been lost in thought and focused on the task at hand or else she would have heard the noise sooner. A sense of dread immediately twisted in her belly,

A friend would have said something, hell, Gemma would have announced herself from a mile off, so the stealthy silence only meant a foe given the circumstances brewing in Charming. As her heart beat faster, she remained facing the open trunk of Tara's car, trying to pretend she hadn't heard the presence behind her. She moved a bag of Abel's things, which was what she had been loading in the first place. Scanning the trunk for a weapon, she found nothing easily assessable. The metal rod would be nice but would take too long to pull free. She began mapping out her options.

Screaming might alert Tara and Half Sack to the intruder, IF they heard her but it would also seal her fate and probably earn her bullet to the face. Maybe she could talk her way out of an attack or at least buy some time. Hell, maybe she'd get lucky and it would just be a dog behind her. She would gladly laugh at her paranoia. Please be a dog, please be a dog. But in the off chance she really was screwed she said a small prayer, Lord…please protect the ones I love. She flexed her hands and turned to confront whoever waited behind her.

Her confrontation lasted all of three seconds. That's how long it took for a lanky man that looked as if he had been crying to swing a downed tree branch against the right side of her face. The impact felt like he had used a fully formed baseball bat and knocked her backwards into a sitting position on the lip of the trunk. The metal rod skitted free and fell to the gravel below, allowing the trunk to smack Jaci on the top of the head. He lunged at her next, trying to shove her inside the trunk. They struggled, pushing back and forth with only grunts passing between them until he finally took a step back and sent a powerful front kick to the center of her chest. Air rushed from her lungs with an audible ooof and this time she fell solidly into the Oldsmobile's cavernous trunk.

Cameron put a hand on the top of the trunk lid and started to push down. Jaci laid inside with her head thumping and her vision blurred, trying to catch her breath. There was no use trying to make any sense out of what was happening. The main goal was just to get the hell out of the trunk. She saw the black lid coming down and knew it would be as good as a coffin lid. She grunted and launched herself forward, throwing her left hand out in front of her to grab the rim of the trunk just as the lid slammed down on her. An automatic scream escaped her lips as she felt bones crunch in her hand. The initial pain was blinding enough that she didn't even feel the lid slamming down for a second time. Her body went to auto pilot and moved backwards, away from the pain and away from any easy escape from a now locked trunk.

Lying on her side, cradling her smashed hand, she zoned out in the darkness, moaning in pain and throwing a few halfhearted kicks at the trunk latch. Thirty seconds passed before she roared to life again. Abel. She inhaled deeply and screamed, "Tara! Kipp! RUUUUN!" Shit, ok…phone...phone! Jaci reached around and patted her back pocket where her phone usually was…except this time she could vividly remember leaving it on the kitchen counter inside Jax's house. "Shit!" Time for Plan B.

She leaned forward and began picking at the latch with her good hand, trying to fumble in the dark and somehow find a way to flip the safety latch. Her fingertips were assaulted by sharp metal and still no progress was made. "Come on…come on!" She banged with the meaty part of her fist a few times. "Please….TARA! KIPP!"

As another fingernail was ripped to shreds, a sobering realization hit her, there was no safety latch. The car had been produced in the 70s, back before anyone gave a shit about safety…seatbelts, child seats, who cared? all optional. "FUCK!" She screamed and began to think of ways to break the latch. "LET ME OUT OF HERE!" She felt around the space with her good hand, hoping to find a tool of some sort but came up sort. Diapers and formula were worthless. There was probably a tire iron with the spare but that was underneath her and there was no way of getting all of that out with the amount of baby crap in the trunk. Baby crap…Abel…sitting in the house with a crazy person. "Hang on baby…I'm coming, I'm coming." She whispered.

If she didn't have a tool, she'd use sheer physical power. She wiggled and managed to flip onto her back and began slamming her left heel into the latch as hard as she could over and over. Her ankle twisted somewhere after the tenth kick but she kept going. "AAAHHH! FUCK!" Pain shot up her leg and frustration ripped through her mind. "LET ME THE FUCK OUT!" She screamed an endless barrage of words, trying to make noise along with slamming both of her hands at the lid of the trunk above her head. That outburst quickly reminded her that one of those hands might be broken. "JESUS …FUCK!"

The tears came involuntarily, both from pain and an impending sense of helplessness that was quickly starting to overwhelm her. She let herself cry for a few seconds. "COME ON!" She slapped at the latch again and started chanting: "Don't this…please don't do this!" Her mind played out a million horrible scenarios for her nephew and friends inside the house. She wasn't sure if she was begging the stranger that had put her in the trunk or God himself for mercy.

When only silence answered her pleas, she stopped worrying about making herself heard or trying to bully her way out of the trunk. She switched to trying to outthink the situation. Ok, ok…think. THINK! You're a fuckin thinker so figure this shit out. Ok. No safety latch, can't break the lock. Gotta be another way…come on. She laid on her back, panting from the adrenaline.

An idea bloomed in her head. If she couldn't go out the back or dig her way out the bottom through the spare, maybe she could go out the front of the car…through the backseat. She'd been around enough car remodels to know that seats were easily removed, hell back home in Bama, people had backseats on their porches serving as couches. Seats were sturdy but maybe they were pliable too. She crunched into a ball, managed to move onto her stomach then turned toward the front of the car. Quickly, she pushed the trunk litter to the side and made her way to the lining of the backseat.

The plan was to find a weak spot, push the seat forward just enough to gain a handhold, then to keep pushing and hopefully be able to drag herself through the opening. It turned out to be a slow and painful process. Pushing against the seat required leverage and the only way she gained any was by bowing her back against the metal frame of the trunk. She pushed and pulled and kicked and in turn was scratched and battered but finally she made a sliver of progress.

The backseat frame gave a tiny bit…then an inch, then two inches. By then she was halfway hunched up on her knees, her hurt ankle screaming beneath her, her back bleeding from being ripped in places and the elbow of her left arm holding the frame at bay. Ok, now we're talking. Hope began to bloom inside of her, maybe there was light at the end of the tunnel. If she could just get out maybe she could stop whatever the crazy stranger had come to do. She pushed with her good hand but the angle was wrong. The best bet for more progress meant using both hands. She took several deep breaths, amping herself up for the pain. She pictured Abel's smiling face for motivation and pushed as hard against the frame as hard as she could while screaming. The frame moved another half inch in the right direction before slamming back towards her…and trapping both her hands.

The pain flashed and grew for a second before her body decided it had had enough and tried to shut down. Her vision filled with black spots and she went deaf as she fell forward. She managed to free her good hand with a violent rip and pushed one more time to retrieve her other mangled hand. She collapsed onto her stomach and closed her eyes. It was over…there was no getting out. With her face pressed against the trunk carpet, she breathed in the heavy odors of must, oil and time. Sweat that had poured from her due to fast paced exertion and the stuffiness of the trunk now trickled along her body and seemed to find its way to every open cut, stinging like fire.

She groaned and curled into a ball and listened to the sound of Abel crying in her head, his little face red from screaming. A second later the sound got louder, closer even and Jaci realized it wasn't in her head at all. Her imagination wasn't playing tricks on her…Abel was outside. His cries reached a fever pitch and she heard the gravel crunching again. Someone was running with him. "ABEL! ABEL!" She sprung to life and lunged to the trunk latch again, kicking at this time with her right foot. "HEY! Let me out! STOP!" His screams were fading quickly as the distance grew between them and suddenly there was only silence again.

"NO! Nonononono!" Jaci screamed, knowing that if Abel was taken Tara and Kipp must have met dire circumstances.

XXX

Jaci wasn't sure how much time had passed since hearing Abel. She laid on her back, exhausted, hurt, and defeated. She hoped that someone would eventually find her before she suffocated in the trunk, unable to describe the man that had taken her nephew. Thirst became a new enemy, her throat raw from screaming so much. She wanted to give up and fade away, to just settle into the darkness that surrounded her. But her descent was eventually interrupted by a beautiful sound…the roar of Harleys.

Jax, Chibs and Opie roared into the driveway, shut down their bikes and made a beeline for the house. Tara's earlier call that ended in a scream had them all fearing the worst. Jaci began screaming and banging in the trunk like a madwoman and managed to gain the attention of Opie. He hung back and walked to the car while the others went inside the house.

With his gun drew cautiously, he listened to the sounds coming from the trunk. It took only a moment to realize who was inside. "Jaci? Is that you?" An affirmative was screamed in response. "It's Op…I'm gonna get you out, just hang on!" He looked around for something to pry open the trunk and found nothing. He kicked a small tree branch out of his way and headed to the open carport and then into the house.

He nearly stumbled over the harsh reality of Half Sack's fate and followed the voices to Abel's room, fearing worse. There he learned the quick version of what had happened and chimed in with what he had discovered, "Jaci's not gone…she's locked in the goddamn trunk." Tara told him where to find the keys on the kitchen counter and he and Chibs raced outside while Jax made a solemn call to Clay.

Jaci was gingerly pulled from the trunk and exchanged desperate hugs with her rescuers but that was where the sensitivity ended. Hearing Jax rushing outside and immediately reving up his bike, Opie followed suit as Chibs took Jaci's face in his hands and leveled with her, "J, listen to me! Look at me! Tara's ok, Sack's dead. He's right inside the door. We know who took Abel…we're goin' to get him back. You go inside and lock down until Hale gets here. You understand me?" Jaci nodded frantically with tears in her eyes. He pressed his lips to hers without hesitation and then pushed her towards the house before scrambling to his own bike. He pointed at her again, "Go!" and watched her limp to the car port as he circled his bike and rushed off to catch up with his brothers.

Jaci limped inside and immediately saw Kipp sprawled on his back lying on the kitchen floor, a pool of blood surrounding him. Tara stood at the edge of the kitchen, arms crossed tightly over her chest. She watched as Jaci sank to the floor and sat by Kipp's head. "You shouldn't touch him."

J looked up at her like the doctor had just uttered the most stupid words in the history of the English language and offered the most obvious explanation for her actions, "He's all alone." J caressed the young man's cheek with the side of her less mangled hand. Without taking her eyes off of him, she asked, "What happened?" She listened to Tara's rundown of events and shook her head solemnly. She bent down and kissed her friend on his now cooling forehead. The loveable goofball that sometimes drove everyone crazy had died a fearless hero. "I'm so sorry." Jaci whispered as her lips ghosted his damp strawberry blonde curls that were plastered on his forehead.

"What happened to you?" Tara asked, still not willing to walk fully back into the room where the trauma had occurred. "What did he do to you?'

Jaci stared at Tara, who didn't seem to have a scratch on her precious body. How could you be involved in a murder/kidnapping and still look perfectly fine? Jaci frowned, awkwardly got to her feet and limped into the living room to wait for the police suddenly not wanting to rehash the situation any longer. She wanted to call her baby sister desperately but didn't want to cause a panic and decided to let Vix enjoy a little bit more oblivion. Hell her battered hands couldn't use a phone at the moment anyway.

XXX

Vix's time in the college bubble was about to be popped. Jaci hadn't been able to call, but Juice had sent a frantic text to Kozik after Jax had alerted Clay about Abel's kidnapping.

Shit's going down, get her back to clubhouse now! Kozik looked at the text for the second time and gritted his teeth. He shoved off the lobby couch he had been sitting on and headed for Vix's classroom. He opened the door without knocking and scanned the room. The professor sitting at the front of the room frowned, "Can I help you?"

"VIX!" Koz hissed and watched as her blonde head shot up like a prairie dog. He would have rather not made a scene but wasn't sure if seconds counted. Juice had said NOW so he aimed to move as fast as possible. He locked eyes with Vix. "We gotta go, NOW."

Vix frowned, her heart beginning to beat frantically in her chest. She started down at her test and back up at her babysitter. "But I'm not done." He gave her exasperated look and she realized how dumb of a response she had blurted. If he was busting into her class like this, shit was be hitting the fan in a bad way and grades be damned. She grabbed her stuff and rushed to the front of the class, shoving her test at the professor. "I had four to go...sorry! Family emergerncy!" She breathed as she ran out of the door after Koz.

As they rushed down the hallway, she grabbed his arm. "What's going on? What happened?"

"Dunno." Koz's head was on a swivel as he led them outside. He was sure the threat was in Charming but it wasn't going to hurt to be extra vigilant on their current turf. "Juice text me, said shit was going down and to get you back to the clubhouse."

"Shit." Vix muttered and picked up her pace. They reached her Jeep in record time and she tossed the keys to him. "You drive…I'll call."

As Koz fired up the Jeep and tore out of the parking lot, Vix pulled out her phone and started a string of disappointing calls. She called Juice, Jaci then Tara and didn't get an answer from anyone. "Damnit. No one's answering."

Koz kept his focus on the road and pushed the gas pedal harder. Two minutes later, Vix's phone chirped to life. Vix frowned not recognizing the number but the voice was clear as day. Gemma,. "Hey! What's going on?!" Koz listened as Vix muttered a few choice cuss words and then seemed to be agreeing to several things. "Oh, shit. Yeah, ok. No we can definitely do that. Ok…ok. Bye."

Silence hung in the air for a long moment. Koz looked wildly to his passenger, "What's the word, Tink?"

"Change of plans... the Queen needs us." Vix retorted. "And I agreed to aid and abet. How do you feel about being an accessory?"

He considered her words then shrugged as a crazy grin spread across his face. "I love accessories."

She smirked. "Good…but turn around, we gotta head North. We'll check in with everybody else later, this shit takes precedence!"

XXX

Jax led a fast and furious charge along the highway, weaving himself and his crew around and in front of traffic until they reached the docks, the logical place for Cameron to be. He came to a quick hault, dismounted and threw his helmet to the ground, his brothers doing the same as they parked. He took off at a jog, scanning the area. A moment later his eyes locked on the image of Cameron with a bundle in his arms running along one of the docks. He blinked his eyes hard to make sure it wasn't just wishful thinking on his part. The image held steady.

"THERE!" Jax yelled as he pointed then took off at a sprint. He ran along one ramp and quickly jumped the rail to get to the level below, never missing a stride. He pumped his legs and arms as fast as possible trying to get to his son. The sun was beginning to set and cool evening air burned his lungs but he kept pushing.

Juice trailed only seconds behind Jax. His mind was a swirl with worry for Abel. He hadn't had the privilege of holding his child in his arms yet but the weight of becoming a father grew inside of him every day and that protectiveness extended to his quasi-nephew automatically. Get him back, get him back! Juice chanted in his head as raced down the dock. Images of Vix and Jaci playing with Abel danced in his head and there was no way he was going to let their hearts be broken.

The pounding of running boots on the docks roared like thunder in the waning daylight but in the end it was too late. Cameron had made his way onto a boat and onto the open water. Jax skidded to a halt at the dock's edge as he watched the boat fade in the distance. He whipped his head around to face his brothers who were now gathering around him

"He took my son!" Jax breathed as his lungs fought for air. He shook his head, not wanted to listen to his own words. "He took my SON!" As he stood gasping for air, a wave of grief suddenly overtook him and threatened to rip a whole in his sanity. His knees buckled but he was eased to the ground by Clay.

Clay held Jax as sobs shook the young man's body. His own eyes teared up and he scanned the water, blinking hard. The other guys stood in shocked silence, trying to catch their breath. Juice and Tig locked eyes, the two of them knowing the devastating repercussions Abel's kidnapping would have on the Parkers and thus their lives as well. Juice put his hands on his head and closed eyes, holding back tears of frustration.

Tig felt Chibs' hand squeeze on his shoulder and he passed a blank stare to the Scotsman. What the hell had happened? What had went so wrong to cause THIS?

To be continued….

This was supposed to be the last chapter but figured I'd break it into 2 for maximum impact and to prevent long times between updates!
~BG