Before Elle could talk back, the door opened and Jax burst through.

"Elle" He huffed, "Are you ok?"

Elle looked up at Gemma and nodded, "Car accident" She said looking back at Jax. She held his gaze for only a minute then looked to the bed and started laughing softly, "My mom is gonna be pissed at me for wrecking her car" Pain surged through her body and she groaned a little.

Jax kissed her head and looked around at Darcy, "She good to go Doc?"

Darcy looked to Elle quickly, catching the nod, and looked back at Jax, "Yeah we're all done. Just remember to take it easy Elle, don't strain yourself"

"Thanks Darc" Elle nodded. She started sliding forward towards the end of the chair; pain evident on her face.

"Alright guys, let's give Elle some space to get dressed" Gemma, Wayne and Darcy headed to the door but Jax stayed planted.

"Jax?" Elle looked up at him, almost begging him not to be here.

"I'm not going anywhere" Jax crossed his arms over his chest and sat in the chair near the door. Elle sighed, not willing to put up a fight because she was in pain and knew that it would be a waste of breath trying to convince him. She slid off the chair but before she pulled away the blanket covering her legs, Jax leaned forward, "I'm going nomad"

"And the hits keep on coming" Elle sat back in the chair.

"I've been butting heads with Clay ever since Abel got out of hospital. Shit has been boiling up and I don't know what else I can do Elle. I got the papers back at the house" Jax rubbed his hand over his goatee. Elle didn't say anything; she just slid forward and gingerly climbed back off the chair. Placing the blanket on the ground she bent down and grabbed the black lace panties. As she lifted a leg to step into them; Jax stood up "What the fuck happened?"

"I..I told you Jax. It was a car accident" Elle was put the other leg through the leg holes and them up.

"Tell me the truth Elle. What happened?" He took a step towards her.

"I did. It was from the car accident" She muttered as she faced the floor.

"Tell me the goddamn truth Helena!" He yelled.

Elle screamed at him, "I was attacked" Her moment of anger was over as fast as it started. 'Why did he have to keep pushing?' She asked herself, "I was attacked" She mumbled softly.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me straight up?" His hands grabbed her face.

"Are you kidding me Jackson? You have your mind on a hundred different things right now. Your son has just come home, we've only just started, you're struggling to cope with your president who happens to be your step-father and now you tell me that you are going nomad" Elle huffed, "And besides your mother said…"

"My mother?" Jax was astonished and getting angrier at the secret that was being kept from him.

"Jax this wasn't her fault. I didn't want to tell you when it happened but then I got here and I did and your mother said not to because you have so much going on and I thought I could deal with it" She sat back down. The stress and emotions working her up and making her pain burn.

"Start from the beginning" He ordered.

"Get Gemma and Wayne?" Elle asked. Jax nodded and walked through the door; calling out for his mother and the chief.

"What's going on?" Gemma asked when she got back inside the room.

"He knows" She whispered to the older woman.

"Tell me" Jax looked at the three of them.

"I just got off the phone with you when this girl came up behind me. She told me her baby was choking on something. I leaned over to take a look" She looked up at Jax, "It was a damn doll. She hit me in the back of the head and when I woke up I was in a shed, tied up against a chain fence" Elle could feel the room getting smaller and everything getting tighter. She took a few deep breaths and calmed herself down, "There were four men. I recognised one; Weston. He gave me a message… Stop selling guns. If you didn't they would find me and do it again" She felt the hot angry tears prickling her eyes. She hated that these men had scared her, had hurt her. Elle prided herself on being a strong woman in an even stronger male orientated place but these men had crumbled her. It wouldn't last, she was going to make sure of that but for the time being she was as terrified as the day she watched her father being taken to prison. "They raped me; all four of them" Elle looked down, feeling ashamed and dirty.

Jax stormed out of the room and to the waiting room, "Church" He said angrily and continued out of the hospital.

…..…..Reaper…Reaper…..

"Elle wasn't in a car accident" Jax growled, "She was jumped out in the utility shed on 18. Weston and his men attacked her and gave her a message for us. Stop selling guns or else they would do it again" His voice broke as he spoke and tears were brimming his eyes, "They raped her" The boys' whispered shocked words over the table.

"Jesus" Tig muttered, closing his eyes.

"Oh god" Chibs looked over at Jax.

"I'm so sorry son" Clay rested a hand on his shoulder. Sympathy and remorse flooded the SAMCRO president.

"I'm not going nomad" Jax stated firmly as he took a long drag of his cigarette.

"That's good to hear Jackie boy. But what do we do about his asshole?" Chibs asked.

Anger filled the Son's chapel, all the men were hollering and yelling, all of them wanting to take a piece out of Weston's arse.

"As much as I would love to cut off their dicks and rip out their hearts, the Feds would be all over us and we'd be straight back in jail. We gotta go smart; find a chink in the armour, a weakness"

"Jax is right, we haven't seen something like this and we need to go under the radar. So when you see one of those fukin' pricks, you swallow the urge to shove your fist down their throats and you keep on going" Clay spoke up. Jax got up and stormed out, unable to sit still any longer. No-one needed to ask where he was going; they already knew it was to his unofficial old lady.

"We're gonna need guns" Jax heard Bobby speak up before he closed the door.

…..XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX…..

Elle was sitting at home at the kitchen table when there was a knock at the door.

"Yeah" She called out as she tapped ash off her cigarette.

"Hey, how you doin'?" Darcy asked.

"I've definitely been better" Elle's tone was flat and she looked at her friend with the unspoken fear swimming in her eyes.

"Hey" Darcy gently put her hands on each side of the redhead's face, "It's gonna be ok. You did the right thing"

"I guess it had to be done. It would have come out sooner or later and it pulled Jax and Clay out of their shit"

"It had to be done for you too Elle" Darcy dipped her head, trying to make eye contact. "Have you seen him?"

"Not since he took off from the hospital. He was at the clubho…." The front door opened once again and Jax appeared in the kitchen.

"I just wanted to check on you. I'll leave you to it" Darcy patted Elle's hand and left the house.

"Hey. I was starting to get worried about you" she crushed her cigarette out and exhaled a cloud of smoke before closing the window. "Abel is fed and asleep, I sent Neeta home"

Jax sighed, moved a chair closer to Elle and sat down. He put his hands on hers, "I know you grew up SAMCRO like I did and I know you know at least some of what we do but Helena I want full disclosure" Elle knew when he used her full name he was being completely serious and for the time being her attack was forgotten; or at least that's what she hoped.

"I want that too Jackson. I mean shit; I've wanted you since I was like 6 years old. I fully understand the seriousness of being with you. I'm not taking this for granted; I want to know everything too"

"For that to happen, you can't be lying to your old man" He stated firmly.

Elle nodded, "I know and I'm sorry I just didn't want to burden you anymore. I'm not sure how to do this old lady shit that's why I was listening to your mother. But I'll get better I promise" Jax didn't say anything else. He just grabbed her hand and walked them off to the bedroom.

….

Two months had flown by and even though Elle understood that Jax was busy with the club, a little help with his son might have been nice. She trudged up to the TM office and gently sat Abel's carrier on the ground before plonking herself on the couch.

"Hey Angel" Gemma said absent-mindedly as she searched through the over-flowing stack of papers in the 'In' tray.

"Hey Gem" She replied, trying to hold back a yawn unsuccessfully.

"Holy shit, have you gotten any sleep lately?"

"Well it' not a full 8 hours every night but I get what I can. I'm taking him to the doc's today. Something isn't right" Elle answered, looking down at the little boy; who also didn't catch as much sleep as he would like.

"Where is Jax with all of this?"

"He's busy Gemma, with the club and I don't want to distract him from that. I'm getting by, I've got Neeta helping me too" Elle's usually bright blue eyes were dull and the dark shadows that had appeared were showing under her roughly applied make-up.

Gemma threw the papers back on the desk, "I love my son dearly but goddammit he needs to pull his head out of his arse and help out with his son"

"Yeah it would be nice but shit will calm down and then I'm sure he'll be around more. I mean he's dealing with this asshole that's harassing mom and the IRA and everything with Zobelle and his cunt of a right hand man. A newborn baby on top of all of that… It's just stressful, I understand"

"Baby, as much as I love that you are taking this old lady stuff seriously; he is not the only one in the club"

"But he is VP and Clay relies on him" Elle cut in.

"This is a partnership Elle" Gemma interrupted before Elle could keep going, "And this shit won't work unless he pulls some weight with Abel. You gotta talk to him or it's gonna fall apart" Abel started fussing for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning. He was playing with his ear while his other hand was being chewed and drooled on. "I better get going. I'll talk to you later Gemma"

"Ok Angel" The matriarch replied warily. She kissed Elle's cheek and watched the younger girl walk over to Opie.

"Hey Ope, can I borrow the caddy?" Elle smiled sweetly.

"Where ya going?"

"Hospital" His eyes widened, "It's just a check- up"

The giant threw her the keys, "Hey Elle, while you're there. See if you can't grab a few minutes in the chair" He smirked.

"Thanks asshole but I think if I fall asleep now, I'll be out cold for a few hours. Besides I still need to come back here and put in a few hours or Mama Gemma is gonna fire my ass" She turned and headed to the old car. Making sure Abel was secure; she climbed behind the wheel and headed out to St. Thomas.

"Hey Darc" Elle greeted, setting the baby carrier on the floor and pulling out the irritable baby.

"What's going on with him?" The doctor questioned.

"I think he's teething. He's fussy, playing with his ears, drooling over everything etcetera" Elle bounced her knee gently.

"Alright well let's take a look shall we?" Elle held Abel while Darcy checked the infant over. Once she started prodding at his gums, Abel let out a shrill cry and became even more uncooperative. The red head looked up just as a familiar face walked past the window.

"I thought she left?" Elle growled.

"Who?" Darcy turned just catching sight of Tara before she disappeared past the glass then turned back to focus on the unhappy baby, "Tara?" Elle nodded, "She is still waiting for a transfer as far as I know. I haven't really heard much" She looked up and caught Elle's angry glare, "I can keep an ear out if you like?"

"It would be appreciated thanks" She sighed, "Gemma is gonna have a shit fit when she finds out"

"Does she have to know?"

"Know that my old man's ex is still in town even though she said she was leaving? Yes she has to know. Tara is the one person who could distract Jax from the club; something he doesn't need right now"

"Oh you mean you can't distract him?"

Elle smirked, "I can bitch but I don't. I know he has a lot of shit going on right now and he needs his head focused. He can't be half in half out, it will get him killed" Darcy stood up and pulled the rubber gloves from her hands.

"You were right, he is teething. Infant Tylenol should help to make him a little more comfortable; should let the both of you get some more sleep" Darcy gave a small sympathetic smile, "You could also try some teething rings. Give him something other than his hands to chew on" Elle put Abel back in his carrier.

"Thanks Darcy. I appreciate it"

"Also I recommend taking a night off. Let his father handle him. It might not seem like much but letting Jax give him the medicine and helping him settle could be a bonding thing; help him connect more with Abel and make him feel like he could do it if ever you weren't there"

Elle just smiled, "I can't promise anything. But thanks again" The women said their goodbyes and headed off. The young, tired pair reached Opie's car and Elle buckled Abel in before she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stick up.

"Playing house?"

"Not now Tara, I'm not in the mood" Elle closed the back door and opened the driver's side when the brunette laid her hand on the frame.

"It won't last, you should know that"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You taking care of him. It will only last til Jax can get a carer for him and then its bye bye for the biker slut" Tara narrowed her eyes.

"Look I get it; you're bitter that Jax finally opened his eyes and noticed me. I took my rightful place at Jax's side and you're a little angry over that. I get it; I was like that when he had you there. The only difference between you and me is that I'm accepted by everyone with no hesitations. I'm wanted by Gemma and that was something you never managed to get"

"Please! As if I care about what she wants or likes" Tara crossed her arms over her chest.

"And that's exactly where you went wrong" Elle closed the door; "Gemma is respected and admired by old ladies and club members, especially her son. You can't have him without having her and you tried to change that. Jax is nothing without family and you tried to take that from him"

"I tried to get him out of this backwards shit hole alive. The only family he has is his mother and that baby"

"The club is his family. His brothers. He would lay his life down for each and every one of those men; just as they would do the same for him. He wouldn't have survived in Chicago. No family. He would have been unprotected. If shit went down and another club found out he was alone, they would have had him on the slab so fast it would make your head spin" Elle sighed, opened the door once again and climbed in, "I've said it before and I'll say it again Tara. You love the man, you love the club. You couldn't do that and I strongly recommend you don't try again" She put the car in reverse, pulled out of the car park and drove off into the street; heading for the pharmacy.

….

"Thanks Jenny" Elle said as she walked through the automatic door. Setting Abel in his seat, she made sure he was buckled in properly and then got herself settled and headed back to the Teller house to meet Neeta.

"Neeta? You here?"

"Don't need to be hollering girl, I'm right here" Neeta, although not a club member was a well-loved outsider. She had only come along when Abel came out of the hospital but already she had made an impression and even managed to wriggle past Gemma's 'will protect my family with everything I have' attitude.

"Sorry" Elle set the carrier down and pulled Abel out; laying him on the floor. "I went and saw Darcy and she confirmed it; he's teething. I stopped at the pharmacy and got Tylenol and teething rings" She was still carrying on as she walked up the hall to change her dark wash jeans and leather boots for a pair of ripped Levi's and a pair of steel-capped work boots. She was pulling down a fitted white beater over her plain black bra when she walked into the kitchen. "If you need anything, call me and if I can't help then I'm sorry but you'll have to deal with Gemma"

Neeta chuckled, "You know I'm on good, even friendly, terms with Gemma" Elle's eyebrows shot up in an 'oh really?' way. "We have an understanding"

"We'll sure; you've both been to prison. Nothing says understanding like serving time" She said with a broad smile.

"Alright you little brat, get outta here. Besides, Gemma only knows what local cells feel like!" Neeta laughed. Elle waved goodbye after giving Abel a kiss on the head and walked out the door. She climbed in the Shelby and roared down to the garage. When she got there, most the boys were on lunch but she went straight into the office and picked out paperwork for one of the cars. Settling for a 2003 beamer, she went to work; putting the car on the hoist and starting on changing the filters.

Jax came casually strolling up to her just as she closed the door on her third car and sent the hoist up once again. "Hey darlin'" He kissed her cheek, "Where's the kid?"

"At home with Neeta" Elle dropped the wrench back in the toolbox before picking up a smaller size.

"You ok?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

"I'm fine. Tired but I'm fine" She said not meeting his eyes. Reaching up to continue her work, a hand on her wrist stopped her and she finally had to face the blonde man.

"Jesus" He whispered as he ran his thumbs over the dark shadows, "When was the last time you got sleep?"

Elle threw the wrench a little harder than she meant, "Well let's see, it's been a while. I mean while you're running around on your little bike dealing with god knows what and helping out at Cara Cara. I'm at home trying to look after YOUR little boy, who by the way is teething; so he is up most the night, screaming his lungs out and when he isn't sleeping I'm not sleeping. I don't really remember the last time you spent the night at the house. You're always coming in late and sleeping on the couch or you're at the clubhouse. I need help baby. I know you have a lot going on right now and I'm trying real hard to be supportive and help you in any way I can but I darlin' I need your help with Abel. I need you to get up and tend to him so I can get some sleep. I have been running around doing errands for your mom and everyone else here, I had to take Abel to see Darcy today just to make sure that he is teething, I'm struggling to keep myself awake and I've got at least another 3 hours here before I can go home, take a shower, relieve Neeta and try to catch a few hours of sleep before I do this all over again and…and…" Jax took Elle's hand and sat her on the couch in the office. "What are you doing I have to work. I have to get shit done"

"Sit your ass down. I'll talk to my mother and sort something out but you are going to go to the dorm and grab some sleep cuz I ain't dealing with a zombie old lady" Elle opened her mouth to complain but Jax cut her off, "Yeah ok I haven't helped much, I've had a lot on my mind. I'm gonna fix it though ok?" She decided not to open her mouth to speak, unsure if she could trust herself to be civil; instead settling for a nod, "Most of the boys are out on a run so it's pretty quiet in there. Go lay down for a few hours and I'll come get you when I'm heading home" She stood up and followed his instructions.

Walking through the main room of the clubhouse Elle barely acknowledged the small group of her uncles that were there as she continued on and headed to Jax's dorm.