Fighting Back

Chapter 4

Nicole woke the next morning. She was lying on her side facing the window. She couldn't help but get lost in her thoughts as she stared outside at the clouds. She kept thinking about the fact that Jax and Gemma weren't here, especially Jax. They had always been each others rock through the hard times, at right now she needs her rock.

Her mind was brought back into the room when she heard a noise behind her. She smiled to herself, it was Jax, must be, it was too early to be anybody else. Turning slowly and carefully so she didn't hurt herself. She expected to see her cousin but was disappointed. The man staring back at her wasn't Jax.

"Expecting someone else?" He questioned as he watched the smile fade from her face.

"Sorry." She apologised pushing herself up, so she was now sitting up.

"I'm sure Juicy boy will be round soon." Happy remarked as he lent back in his chair.

"Doubt it." Juice was the last person she expected to see him any time soon.

"Lovers tiff?" He mocked with a grin on his face.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Fine by me." Nicole smiled to herself, she could see the relief in his face. Happy was never one for talking, especially conversations about feelings.

"So I spoke to Clay yesterday."

"Yeah."

"Yeah, told me you were the one who...who." Nicole didn't exactly know how to phrase what he had done for. He saved her from a horrifying experience, she couldn't put into words how grateful she was. "Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank me for, he's still breathing." Nicole noticed how he looked away from her and down at the floor.

"Hap if you hadn't of turned up he..he..."

"Well I did. You don't need to worry about the what ifs." He told her firmly. Nicole straightened up as he snapped at her. He sounded so angry, but she knew that his anger wasn't aimed towards her. She knew he was angry at the situation, angry with himself for messing up. But he shouldn't be, whether he wanted to believe it he saved her.

"Thanks for not telling Clay about what almost happened."

"Figured he didn't need to know. It didn't happen."

"Agreed. Hey pass me the chart thing." She asked pointing to the chart at the bottom of the bed. "I want to assess the damage."

"Two cracked ribs, fractured wrist, a few stitches from the glass and bruises. Sonvabitch gave you quite a beating."

"Wow that all?" She replied sarcastically. Happy let out a little laugh. "What's in the bag?" She pointed to the black holdall next to him.

"Clay packed you some things."

"Clay packed?"

That was it she'd had enough. Clay would never pack a bag that was Gemma's area. And Jax would be here, no matter what. Something was wrong.

Watching as her eyes narrowed in on him Happy knew he had said the wrong thing, knew he had made a mistake by telling her that Clay had been the one to make her a bag.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me Hap. Gemma and Jay, where are they?"

"Busy." Happy answered even though he knew she wasn't going buy it.

"Bullshit. You and I both know that they would be here no matter what. So this time just tell me the truth."

Happy didn't answer instead he decided to take part in a staring contest with her. Nicole felt herself growing more annoyed why did it have to be Happy, any of the other guys would have broke by now and told her everything she wanted to know, but now she was stuck in a battle of wills with Happy. She knew her chances of winning were very slim, but she was not about to give up without a fight.

"Tell me." She demanded.

"I already have."

"You're lying." Again he didn't answer her. "Hap...please."

Happy finally let his eyes fall from her. He couldn't look at her any more, he could feel himself starting to break. Staring at her bruised and battered face was getting too much for him. And although he may not agree with Clay's decision about keeping the truth from her as well as Jax, Clay was his president, her Uncle he had to respect his wishes.

Happy's attention however was back on Nicole when he heard her whimper. He looked up to see her halfway out of her bed. He was by her side in a second.

"What you doing?" He snapped taking her arm in his hand to try and steady her.

"Well if your not going to tell me I guess I'm going to find out for myself."

"Get back in bed now." He ordered, pushing her back gently.

"NO."

Happy could feel himself getting aggravated, she was a stubborn bitch when she wanted to be. He also knew he was running out of options. If he didn't tell she was going to just escape the first chance she got, and if he did tell her she would still escape the first chance she got either way he knew he was screwed.

"Hap tell me."

"Fine, but get back in bed. That's the deal."

She hesitated for a moment, before succumbing to his orders. She pulled the covers back over her as she waited for Happy to start explaining.

Happy told her everything. Gemma shooting Polly, and how Stahl set her up for killing Edmund meaning that Gemma was now on the Lam. He heard her gasp in shock but he didn't stop, she wanted to know everything so he was going to tell her. He continued telling her that Cameron heard about Gemma supposedly killing his son, which then sent Cameron on a revenge mission. He told her how he went looking for Jax but instead found Tara, Abel and Half sack. He explained that Cameron stabbed Half Sack when he went to protect Abel. He paused for a second just to let her digest some of the shit he had told her, when he thought she was ready he told her the last part, that the Irish prick had taken Abel.

Nicole felt numb, she couldn't believe all that shit had gone down in one day. It was too much, all of it was too much. She used her good hand and rubbed her forehead as if that would help her, help make things clear but of course it did nothing.

"Nic..."

"Leave."

"What?"

"I need time to think. Go take a walk or something."

"I'm not gonna..."

"It wasn't a request."

"You ordering me?" Nicole looked up at him and was met with cold eyes.

"Yeah." Happy shook his head, clearly he wasn't impressed by this. "Leave." She snapped one final time.

Happy remained silent, he was fuming with her right now. Who did she think she is, ordering him to leave. Although he was going to leave he wasn't going because she had told him to, he was leaving because if he didn't he'd end up saying something he probably shouldn't.

He stormed out making sure to slam the door behind him, causing Nicole to flinch. She knew she was pushing the line with him, not many people could speak to Happy like she had and get away it. She knew she was being harsh, especially after everything he had done for her, but right now she could only think about Jax and how he needed her.

Throwing back the covers she attempted once again to get out of bed, and once again she was met with the sheering pain in her side, obviously from the cracked ribs. Mustering all the will power she could, she pushed past her pain and made her way over to the bag Clay had packed for her.

She pulled out a pair of loose fitting light wash jeans, a white Samcro t-shirt, and a fresh pair of underwear. She took the clothes and a small bag that she gathered held some toiletries, into the bathroom.

She pulled out a toothbrush and toothpaste from the small bag. Turning to face the mirror she froze. Using her good hand she moved her hair from out of her face, so that she could get a better look at herself.

Her left eye was covered with a hideous black and yellow bruise, and she had a cut above her right brow. Her wrists had purple finger marks around them and her hands and some of her arms had tiny cuts, from the smashed glass that had been littered on the floor.

Her knees weakened as her mind flashed back to her attack. She could feel him on her, smell him. She splashed her face with cold water, she couldn't let herself wallow in her own self pity, Jax needed her and that was more important than anything else right now.

Pulling the hospital robe off her she grabbed her knickers pulling them on one leg at a time. After that she repeated the action with her jeans. Knowing it was going to more trouble than what it was worth to get her bra on right now, she decided to just throw on the t-shirt which proved more difficult than she had anticipated, with having her ribs bandaged and one hand out of action. After brushing her teeth and running a brush through her hair she was ready.

She packed the small bag back inside the holdall. She got out her trainers, placing them on before grabbing the bag and heading to the door.

"Going somewhere?"

Nicole jumped out of her skin. She didn't need turn around to know that the raspy tones that had just spoke belonged to Happy. Keeping her eyes on the door in front of her she answered him.

"What do you think?"

"Cut the shitty attitude Nic."

She turned to face him. Taking in his body language she could tell he had calmed down a little bit, but his tone was telling her he was still pissed at her for the way she had spoken to him.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be bitchy. It's just...just..."

"That your a bitch."

"Well I'm a Teller what do you expect." When she saw a twitch at the corner of his mouth, she knew that they were good, all had been forgiven. "Hap I need to see him."

"Yeah I know." He walked over to her grabbing the bag out of her hand.

##########################

Happy pulled his Harley into Jax's driveway. He parked up next to the other bikes, it's looked like Jax already had company. He dismounted his bike first turning back to help Nicole. As her feet touched the ground she stumbled but Happy tightened his grip so she didn't fall.

Nicole looked up as her eyes met his. She could tell he was worried.

"You.."

"I'm fine Hap just got off a little fast. The doctor said I might feel like this for a bit." Happy nodded as Nicole composed herself. "Looks like Clay and the others are already here." She looked over at the row of Harley's before looking back at him. "This is going be interesting."

Happy raised his eyebrow, she was right this was going to be interesting. He knew Clay was not going to be pleased about this. Not only had he told Nicole about Jax and Gemma, but he'd also helped her discharge herself against medical advice, yeah things were defiantly going to be interesting.

Happy led the way inside Nicole closely behind him. As he opened the door he was met straight away by Clay.

"Hap what are you doin..." Clay stopped when he saw Nicole appear from behind the 6ft2 figure that had been blocking her from view.

"Hey."

"Nicole, what the hell you doing here?"

"I know everything." She watched as Clay's eye left her to land on Happy who was now standing behind her

"Don't blame him Clay, I forced him to tell me...Clay." Finally his eyes returned to hers. "I'm not mad that you kept this from, I of all people understand what you were trying to do, but now I know I'm here to help."

Both of them look to the hallway when they heard movement coming towards them. Nicole smiled at Chibs and Opie.

"Beautiful what are you doing here?" Chibs asked placing a kiss on her cheek.

"She's here to sort at Jax." Piney answered for her.

"Good." Opie added as he to gave Nicole a kiss.

"Okay I've cleaned up the shit in the nur..." Juice stopped mid sentence when he saw Nicole standing amongst his brothers.

Nicole averted her eyes from his when she felt everybody looking at her and Juice. Thankfully Tara entered the hallway taking the attention away from Nicole and Juice and onto herself.

"Nic what are you doing here you should still be in hospital." Tara stated.

"I'm here to help my cousin." She snapped. Nicole couldn't help herself, couldn't help but blame her. Abel was under her watch and she let him get taken, let Half Sack get killed in the very kitchen she had just come from.

Looking at her Nicole knew Tara could sense that she was pissed of with her, but she didn't look like she was going to say anything. 'Smart Bitch' Nicole thought to herself.

"Where is he?" Nicole asks placing her attention back onto Opie.

"Shower."

"Right, I want everyone out."

"Princess we have a lead we need to talk..."

"Look I'm not going to stand in the way of anything that might help us find Abel, but I need to speak to Jay."

"I don't know." Clay wasn't sure they had the time for this.

"Might help get his head straight." Piney suggested.

Clay looked around at his brothers, by the looks on their faces they all seemed to agree with this idea, but he was unsure. But when Bobby came over with the pre-pay, telling him that Gemma was on the line, he knew he couldn't argue any longer.

"Fine you have half hour." He pointed his finger at her.

"I'll call you when I'm done."

Everyone started to leave, everyone that was apart from Tara. Obviously when Nicole said 'everyone out' Tara didn't think she was included in that.

"That means you to T. Out."

"But I want to help."

"I think you've done enough."

"I knew it." She shook her head. "I knew you would blame me. I did everything..."

"I really don't want to hear it."

"You weren't here, you don't know..."

"I know what Hap told me." Nicole's patience was wearing thin.

"There's no point even trying to talk to you, is there?"

"Nope."

"Fine." Tara grabbed her jacket and bag before storming out of the door, making sure to slam it on her way out.

#######################

Nicole sat on the floor leaning against the wall opposite the bathroom door. She hated waiting always had done, but this time it was killing her. After what felt like a life time the bathroom door opened. Nicole looked up at a fully clothed Jax, She couldn't help but notice how terrible he looked. He was pale and had dark circles underneath his eyes. He was staring back at her, she could tell he was thinking the same thing about her.

They continued to stare at one another until Nicole attempted to try and get up. As she did this once again her stupid ribs sent a shooting pain throughout her body.

Jax saw her struggle as though she was in some sort of pain. His hand instinctively went out to help her. Helping her to her feet, Nicole wrapped her arms around his waist pulling herself close against him. Instead of questioning it Jax embraced her. He needed this as much as she seemed to.

Jax was the first to pull away. He looked down at her, but her head was still pressed against his chest.

"Nic look at me." Nicole looked up at him. She saw his eyes widen as he took in her appearance. "What the hell happened?"

"Ryan. But it doesn't matter, it's not important."

"Yes it is."

"He's in hospital, guarded by armed police. We can't do anything. But we can do something about Abel." Nicole saw sadness overtake him. "Jay." Jax pulled away from her running his hands through his long blonde hair. "Jay, talk to me please. Tell me what's going on in that head of yours."

"I don't know." He answered barely above a whisper.

"You can talk to me."

"What am I gonna do Nic? My son is gone." He almost shouted as tears formed in his eyes.

"YOU." She grabbed hold of his arm. "Are going to do everything you can to get him back."

"I don't know if I can..."

"Yes you can. You have to."

"I'm sorry." He blurted out closing the gap between them, cupping her cheek in his one hand.

"What for."

"This." He lightly ran his thumb over the bruise on her left eye. "I should have been there for you." Nicole stepped closer to him placing her hand on top of his. "I should have stopped this, should have stopped Cameron. But I didn't I failed. Failed everyone." Tears ran down his face.

"Jay you are not doing this. I am not going to let you wallow in self pity not while Abel is out there." Jax hugged her tightly. "You've always been there for me, now it's my turn. I'm going to get you throw this Jay I promise."