Fighting Back

Chapter 15

Clay was reading the newspaper as he sat in the chair next to the bed Gemma was lying in. He hadn't left her side since he was aloud into her room. He was waiting for her to wake up but still she hadn't.

Bobby, Chibs, Opie, Piney, and Tig were outside in the hallway waiting for news. Jax had been in Gemma's room but had come out to get some much needed coffee.

"Where's Nic?" He asked Opie who was sitting next to the coffee machine. Opie tilted his head to the waiting room behind him. "She still out?" Jax asked looking through the window at his cousin, who was curled up in Juice's arms.

"Yeah. You think she's okay?"

Jax took a sip of his coffee. "Think so. Probably a bit weird for her being here."

"Ryan." Jax nodded. "She knows none of us will let him near her." Opie reminded him.

"She knows."Bobby came over to them. Jax acknowledged him with a tilt of his head.

"We need to talk." Bobby said.

"Okay. Guys come one." The rest of the guys got to their feet.

"We need Juice." Bobby informed him.

"Give me a sec." Jax walked into the waiting room, gaining Juice's attention. Jax smiled as he looked down at Nicole was curled up against him, her head resting on his chest while she slept. "Hey man."

"Hey."

"We need you, Bobby needs to talk."

"What about Nic?"

"I'll be fine." Juice looked down at Nicole who was slowly opening her eyes as she started to stir.

"Sorry didn't mean to wake you." Jax said from the doorway as he offered her an apologetic smile.

"It's okay." She pushed herself away Juice. Stretching her arms above her head.

"We won't be long." Jax said as Juice walked over to him.

Nicole looked around the small waiting room when her attention was brought back onto the door that Jax and Juice had just left. She smiled when she saw Jax popping his head back through.

"Don't go wondering off."

"Am I least aloud to go the bathroom?"

"I suppose, but I mean it Nic, stay close."

"Okay." Happy with her answer Jax backed out the door.

Nicole knew she had to take advantage of this moment of freedom. This was her only chance to go and see Ryan.

She opened the door looking up and down the hallway for any signs of a Son. Certain that it was all clear Nicole stepped outside and headed towards Ryan's room.

She walked as quickly as she could, she didn't want to risk anyone catching her. She was just a few steps away from his room when she froze with the sound of someone calling her name. Grimacing she knew she had been caught. Turning on her heels she saw Unser walking towards her.

"Please tell me your not going where I think you are?" Unser asked.

"It's not what you think."

"Oh..Nicole..." Unser couldn't help but feel sorry for her especially when he saw the sadness in her eyes.

"I need to see him before he finds out...wait you haven't told about the charges not being dropped have you?"

"I'm just about to." Unser continued to walk past her but Nicole stepped to his path as she held her hands up making him stop. "Nicole..."

"No please you can't, he can't if he finds out then..."

"Then what? What's he got on you?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing really that's why you're shaking like a leaf." He said as he took hold of her hand. Nicole looked at him before pulling her hand out of his.

"I just want to speak to him."

"Well that's not going to happen. From now on you are not aloud through them doors. I'm going to make sure every guard who stands outside that door knows it."

"Unser..."

"No Nicole it's final. Now if I were you I'd get back downstairs before Clay or any of the others realise your gone." Nicole watched as he walked away from her, terrified of what was going to happen now.

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

"So what's going on?" Jax asked taking a seat on top of the pew, resting his feet on the seat in front of him. The others spread themselves out in the small Chapel.

"I have to confirm the tracker with Serge today." Bobby told him.

"Then pull the trigger, send the ten grand. I'm making sure my Mom's okay then I'm heading up north."

"I'm going with." Jax nodded in appreciation to Opie.

"Me to Jackey boy." Jax and Chibs shook hands.

"Doesn't matter how many of us go were going to need cash to pull it off." Bobby reminded them.

"Okay these drugs we took from the red-necks what we looking at?" Tig asked Juice who was sitting next to him.

"Steroids and Adderall we can dump on the streets, but that HIV shit has to be pushed to the Clinics."

"You can probably get rid of the steroids at Lumpy's." Jax told him.

"Okay. And I can call the Chicken Man, he'll take the Adderall." Juice replied.

Their meeting was interrupted when Tara entered the Chapel. "Gemma's awake. She wants to talk to you."

"Okay. I have to get Nic."

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

Jax made his way to the waiting room leaving the rest of them to discuss the details. Tara followed Jax into the waiting room but slammed into his back as he came to a sudden halt.

"What the..."

Jax backed out the room after scanning every corner for his cousin. Tara watched in confusion as he started looking up and down the corridor before making his way to the Ladies' bathroom across the hall. She followed as he barged inside. She tried to ask him what he was doing but she didn't get an answer. Jax pushed opened the three cubicle doors, all were empty.

"Fuck."

He marched towards the door slamming it into the wall as he re-entered the hall. He could feel the panic starting to set in. He knew he should never have left her alone, not even for 5 seconds.

Happy and Kozik made their way towards the waiting room where everybody had been hauled up in as they waited for news on Gemma. Both of them slowed when the saw Jax frantically looking around the corridors. Quickly glancing at one another the knew they were thinking the same thing, something was wrong.

"What's wrong?" Kozik asked as he approached Tara, who was still observing Jax. As she turned to face him, she opened her mouth to answer him but was cut off by Jax.

"She's gone... I left her, I shouldn't have fucking left." Jax shouted, as he ran his hand over his face. Happy looked to Tara.

"Nicole." She replied answering his silent question. As he looked back to Jax his eyes wondered over his brother shoulders and onto the petite brunette who was walking around the corner.

"Bro." Jax snapped his head towards Happy, who seemed to be pointing behind him. Turning around he noticed Nicole walking towards him, he was in front of her in seconds.

"Where the hell did you go?" Nicole could her the frustration in his voice but she knew that it didn't come from anger, he was truly scared for her. She looked over his shoulder, only to be met by three sets of eyes staring at her, but her eyes only locked with one set of baby blues. He was looking at her with an unreadable expression but she couldn't help but look at him with anger in her eyes. Hearing him say what he did to Tig last night just reminded her why they kept getting into arguments all these years, it was because he an immature dick. She diverted her eyes from his, but before she looked back at her cousin her eye briefly met Happy's, his stare caused a shiver through her entire body. She was thankful when Jax brought her attention back onto him.

"Nic..."

"The toilets were full so went to the ones down the hall, sorry." Jax laughed to himself seriously he had to chill out.

"Mom's awake she wants to see us."

"Does she know about..."

"I don't know, but looks like were just going to find out." Jax turned back to Happy and Kozik. "Guy's are in the Chapel." The both nodded as Jax, Tara and Nicole walked down the hall.

Tara led them towards Gemma's room. As they got outside they were stopped by the guard on the door.

"I'm going to have to search you." Jax nodded as he stepped forward. Once the guard was happy that Jax was clean he motioned to Nicole, letting her know that it was her turn.

Nicole nervously took a step forward. For some reason, she could feel herself starting to freak out on the inside. She tried to push her fears aside she raised her arms to the side of her body. He started patting down her arms but as soon as his hands made contact with her waist she stepped away from him. She looked at Jax who seemed just as confused by this as she was.

Tara on the other hand knew exactly what was happening. She knew that this was the first time since Ryan had attacked her that she had probably been touched physically in that way. Sure she had physical contact with some of the guys, but it had never been anything more than a hug, plus she knew them, trusted them with her life, this guard was different.

Jax and Nicole watched as Tara took the man aside. Neither of them could hear what she was saying, but as the man returned, he opened the door allowing Nicole and Jax to enter. Jax walked inside first, but before Nicole followed him she turned to Tara, giving her a thankful smile. Tara returned the gesture with an your welcome smile, before closing the door on them leaving them in peace.

"Hey Mom." Jax said with a massive smile on his face. He was glad to see her awake. But his smile was met with a scornful gaze from his mother, which caused his own smile to disappear.

Nicole tried to hide behind Jax, not wanting to show her face, she was scared of her Aunty's reaction. The bruises may have faded somewhat but the were still visible especially under the scrutinising gaze of Gemma Teller Morrow.

"She's knows." Clay said as he got to his feet. Nicole finally stepped from behind her armour.

"Jesus Christ." Gemma shook her head. She hated seeing her niece in that state, but she was safe in the clutches of Samcro, Abel however wasn't and that was her main priority. She would deal with Nicole later. "What happened?" She asked as her eyes narrowed in on her son. "And this time I want the truth all of it."

"When Cameron killed Sack, he took Abel. Feds weren't doing shit so we hired a bounty hunter. Got this a few days ago." Jax pulled out the picture of Cameron holding Abel, and handed it to Gemma. "He's some where in Vancouver." He paused letting her take in the photograph. "We were just trying to protect you Mom."

"Bullshit. You were trying to protect yourselves." Jax looked back at Nicole, who gave him an encouraging smile. They both knew this was never going to be easy. "He's not in Vancouver." Gemma stated as everybody turned to face her. "Call I got last night, that triggered all this. It was Maureen Ashby." She looked to Clay as she spoke her last words.

"Who's Maureen Ashby?" Nicole asked looking between her Aunt and Uncle, who she could tell had a silent understanding of who this woman was.

"McGee's Old Lady?" His eyes left Gemma's as they landed on Jax on Nicole who were standing next to one another. "Friend of the MC's." He informed them.

"She told me Abel's in Belfast."

"No can't be. Jimmy and O'Neil saw Cameron get scooped up as soon as he hit Belfast. He didn't have Abel with him." Jax told her.

"Well then, somebody's full of shit." She snapped as her monitors started to go haywire. Nicole moved forward.

"You need to take it easy Baby." Clay said.

"I'll take it easy as soon as know WHERE THE HELL MY GRANDSON IS." She shouted as she threw her head back against her pillow.

Before anybody could answer a nurse came inside to check on her. She walked over to the machine checking her vitals. "Right she needs rest, Everybody out." She ordered. As the three of them headed to the door Nicole stopped when Gemma called her back.

"Nicole we need to have a little chat."

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

Unser walked into Ryan's room and was met with sadistic smile from him. It was a smile that made his skin crawl.

"Chief. What a nice surprise. I take it your here for a reason." Ryan asked knowing that he was probably here to talk about the charges being dropped.

"Yes I am." Ryan was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Unser was really going to take pleasure in this. "It's good news. I've spoken with your Doctor and he said your fit for transfer." Unser watched as confusion took over Ryan facial expression. "So you'll be transferred to County sometime tomorrow."

"What...that can't..." Ryan could feel the anger rising inside of him, the bitch had doubled crossed him.

"Were you expecting me to say something else. Something like the charges have been dropped?" Ryan studied Unser before chuckling to himself.

"She came running to you, that little bitch."

"HEY...That's enough. I know what you asked her to do and trust me she did it but luckily the decision was out of her hands." Unser walked to the bottom of his bed. "I don't know what you have on her, what you're holding over her but it stops now. You'll have no more contact with her. You're going to rot in prison that I can promise you." Unser went to walk away but was stopped when Ryan called him back.

"Wait..." Unser turned to look back at him. "I'd like to make a statement about really happened." Unser stepped back towards him curious what he had to say. Ryan continued knowing he had Unser's full attention. "Hale didn't shoot me, it was..."

Unser waved his hand successfully cutting the young man off as everything finally started to make sense. Unser was privy to the fact that it was actually Happy who had shot Ryan and not Hale. Unser also knew that Nicole would do anything to protect her family. Unser had to hand it to Ryan he had played it well, but at the same time so wrong.

"You do know that if you rat your a dead man, right?"

"If I go inside I'm a dead man anyway." Ryan turned away from Unser with the thought. "After what I did to her, I won't last 5 seconds."

"So you thought you'd try to blackmail her into saving your own skin." Unser shook his head in disgust. "You deserve what you get." Unser walked towards the door. As his stretched out to the door handle Unser stopped and looked over his shoulder at Ryan. "Oh and by the way Hale is dead. So if you do try to take this to anyone else it's just going to look like your trying to lie your way out of the hole your in." Seeing Ryan's eyes widen Unser left him to mull over everything that had been said.

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

Nicole watched as Clay and Jax left the room leaving her alone with Gemma, who by the look on her face was more than pissed off. Nicole couldn't blame her. She herself would be pissed if she'd just found out her Niece had been attacked by a man who they had welcomed into their fold and that herGgrandson had been kidnapped by an insane Irishman. No Nicole didn't blame her one bit, but it didn't mean that she was dreading this conversation any less.

"How are you feeling?" Nicole asked trying to ease her way into the conversation.

"You should have told someone. Stopped this shit before it got started." Nicole breathed out heavily, realising Gemma obviously didn't want to do small talk.

"I know." Nicole took a seat on the side of her bed. "I just though I could handle it." She shrugged as she felt the familiar sting in her eyes.

"Well that went well."

"Yeah." Nicole huffed. She turned her head to the towards Gemma when she felt her hand on top of hers.

"It's over now Baby." Nicole could help but let a tear escape as she felt Gemma's thumb, trace over her hand.

Noticing her niece's upset, she pulled her into a hug. Gemma had always been impressed by how Nicole had seemed to remain strong considering everything she'd had thrown at her, from such a young age. But the girl that was wrapped in her arms now was a far cry from that girl. The girl, her niece was nothing more than a broken shell and Gemma couldn't help but wonder if all this drama with Ryan had taken it's toll on the young girl and finally broke her.

Running her hands over Nicole's long dark locks she pulled her head from her chest so she could look at her properly. Staring into her eyes Gemma's fears were confirmed. The spark that once filled Nicole's big brown eyes had disappeared and was replaced with nothing but sadness.

"Baby..." Nicole could sense Gemma's worry.

"I should probably let you get some rest." Nicole leaned forward placing a kiss onto her forehead. "I'll come back later." As Nicole got to her feet she felt Gemma pull her back. Nicole's eyes locked with hers.

She expected her to say something but verbally she didn't, Gemma's eyes however said differently. Nicole knew the reassuringly look Gemma was giving her, she was silently telling her that everything was going to be, that she would be okay. Nicole nodded showing Gemma she understood what she was trying to say. Gemma squeezed her hand before finally letting her go.

"Tell that Uncle of yours I want to see him." Gemma shouted as Nicole disappeared through the door.

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

"What the hell? We've gotta call McGee." Jax said as himself and Clay walked down the corridor.

"No." Clay spoke flatly. He could tell that Jax was confused. "If O'Neil lied to you, it might mean Belfast is in bed with Jimmy O."

"No..McGee's first 9, you really think he'd lie to us?"

"I don't know." Jax could see that Clay was sick to the stomach with this. "We've gotta talk to his Old Lady again. She owns a grocery store a block away from the Belfast Clubhouse.

"Okay, I'll get onto it." Jax noticed Clay eyes leave him and focus over his shoulder. Turning around he watched as Nicole approached them.

"Princess." Clay pulled Nicole under his arm, kissing the top of her head.

"Hey." She enjoyed the comfort of his safe hold before she looked up at him. "She wants to see you."

"Guess I better go then. Don't want to piss her off by making her wait." Nicole smiled. Clay nodded to Jax before continuing towards Gemma's room.

"So are you on Gemma's shit list to?" Nicole smirked at her cousin.

"I was at the start but now I think your on that list by yourself."

"Great." Jax said rolling his eyes. They started walking back towards the waiting room.

"So is everyone busy or is there someone free to take me home?"

"Me, Chibs and Op are going to meet with Luke and I think Tig, Bobby and Juice have gone to off load the merchandise, so that just leaves..." Jax pointed through the window of the waiting room showing her who her options were.

"Kozik and Happy..." Nicole huffed finishing off his sentence.

"Yeap. Looks like you have two body guards."

"Great." Nicole thought to herself.