Fighting Back
Chapter 16
It didn't come as a shock to Kozik that Nicole chose to ride with Happy. He knew she was still pissed with him after his stupid comments to Tig last night. He shook his head before placing on his helmet, sometimes he needed to learn when to keep his big mouth shut.
Happy could tell something was wrong, he could tell by the way she was holding onto him, she was tense. He could feel her whole body stiffen as he turned into the corners. She had ridden bitch with him many of times, but never had he felt her like this.
When they finally pulled up outside Jax's house, Nicole hopped off his bike before he even came to a proper stop. Happy watched as she stormed towards the house fishing for her keys in her bag. After finding them she unlocked the front door rushing inside leaving the door wide open.
Happy climbed off his bike looking at Koz who just shook her head. Happy made his way into the house Kozik slowly following behind him. When they got inside Happy came to a stand still in the hall, while Kozik walked straight passed him taking a seat on the couch as he pulled his cigarettes from his cut. Happy observed his brother, it obvious to him at least that he was more than frustrated. However his attention was brought from Kozik and onto Nicole who was now exiting her bedroom holding some clothes in her hands as she headed towards the bathroom.
Nicole couldn't help but let her eyes find his, his dark eyes full of questions. But the one thing that stood out to her was the concern. She took the final steps that were left between her and the bathroom door, she stretched her hand out resting it on the doorknob.
"I'm okay." She reassured him, her voice barley above a whisper. He responded with a nod of his head, before she disappeared inside locking the door behind her.
Happy took a seat on the other end of the couch. Kozik turned his head to look at him as he offered a cigarette, which Happy accepted. The two sat happily in silence as the waited for Nicole.
Kozik couldn't help but look up at the clock. Nicole had been out of the bathroom for over an hour but she had yet to come out of her room and it was really starting to piss him off. Their brothers were out there doing their bit for the club, but instead of being able to help he was stuck once again with babysitting duty.
"Seriously what the hell is taking so long?" He huffed as Happy returned from the kitchen holding two beers.
"Girl shit." Happy shrugged as Kozik took the beer from him.
"We shouldn't be here, we should be out there protecting our brothers, helping them."
"We will."
"Yeah..." He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.
"What's with you bro?"
"Nothing just think we could be doing something better with time than this shit."
"No one asked you to come." Both them turned to see Nicole standing in the hallway, her arms folded across her chest.
Happy placed his beer down on the small coffee table in front of him. He slapped his hand on Kozik's back. "This is all yours man." Kozik shook his head as Happy walked away.
Happy stopped when he got to Nicole. "I'll be outside."
Nicole turned her head to the side as she listened for the sound of the door closing behind him, as soon as she heard it she snapped her head back to Kozik who was now on his feet.
"I never meant that how it sounded."
"Just like you never meant what you said to Tig last night." She watched as he rolled his eyes at her, she knew he was annoyed that she was sticking up for Tig. "I know he can be an ass sometimes but you shouldn't have said that to him." She averted her eyes as he looked back her.
"I know, but he just has a way of getting to me. Getting under my skin."
"Your just as bad as one another." She remarked as he stepped closer to her.
"Yeah, guess your right. I suppose were all going to have to try and get past this..." Kozik knew he had to tell her about applying for a transfer back to Charming if he ever stood a chance of returning to Charming he was going to need her on side.
When she heard him take a breath Nicole looked up at him and she realised that he was holding something back. She could tell he wanted to say something.
"What is it?"
"I have to tell you something."
"Okay."
"I'm applying for a transfer." At first she didn't say anything, she just looked a little confused, but in a split second he saw her eyes widen with the realisation of what he meant.
"You're coming back to Charming." She stated.
"Nothings be confirmed yet, I only mentioned it to Clay I have to wait to be voted..."
"You've already spoke to Clay about this?" He just nodded. "So if you've already spoken to Clay why are you telling me, you obviously don't want my blessing or you would have spok..." She stopped mid sentence when it all became clear to her. She shook her head as she let out a little laugh. "Let me guess you want me to talk to Tig?"
"You know he ain't gonna vote me in if your not okay with it." He tried to plead taking another step towards her but she took a step backwards.
"Well it ain't going to happen, not matter what I say to Tig it won't change his mind, especially if you keep acting like a dick."
"What happens if I promise to lay off him, will you at least think about it?"
Nicole just looked at him before grabbing her bag off the side and heading outside to Happy who was leaning against his bike having a smoke. Kozik could tell she was thinking about it.
Happy snapped his head towards the door, he saw Nicole walking towards him he could tell she still wasn't happy.
"You ready?" She asked. Happy flicked his cigarette to the floor as he grabbed the helmet from the handle bar of his bike. He handed her the helmet. As she went to take it off him, he kept hold of it pulling herself and the helmet towards him.
"You good?"
"Yeah."
"You gonna be less tense?"
"What?"
"You were fighting me on the corners. You know what will happen if you do that, we'll be face down in the road."
"Sorry didn't realise I was doing it." Happy let go of the helmet before he mounted his bike.
##########################
"How did you get on with Luke?" Clay asked as Jax, Opie and Chibs walked towards him.
"I don't know. They said they were going to talk to Jimmy again. But I don't know if I'm gonna believe any shit that spills from their lips." Jax answered.
"Their safe house is also gone. They were storing our AK's behind the bar." Opie added.
"Now that's interesting." Clay nodded to Opie before looking back to Jax. "You get hold of Maureen."
"No, but I've left word at her store." Jax told Clay.
"Good we'll get Gemma to reach out."
"Hey." Opie nudged Jax when he saw Tig and Bobby enter the corridor followed by a bloodied Juice.
"Jesus Christ what now." Clay grumbled.
"What happened?" Jax asked.
"Salazar and two CL's jumped me in the Chicken Man's van... They took my cut." He hug his head in embarrassment.
"Christ you let that puppet club strip his god damn patch." Chibs shouted at Tig and Bobby.
"No this was on me, I let it happen." Juice said firmly.
"Well the shits just about to hit the fan." Everybody looked at Opie in confusion. Opie pointed behind them. They all turned around to see Nicole, Happy and Kozik walking towards them.
Nicole knew something was going on as soon as she saw them all turn to face her. The fact that they rolled their eyes and exchange looks with one another just confirmed it.
"What is it?" She asked as everybody continued to exchange looks. "Guys wha..." Nicole's hand went to her mouth when Juice turned to face her.
"What happened?" Happy asked from behind.
"I got jumped by Salazar and a couple of CL's."
"Took his cut." Tig added as he let his eyes linger on Kozik for a split second, before looking to Nicole.
"Were you with him?" Tig nodded.
"And me." Bobby confessed.
"Well then where the hell were you? You let this happen."
"No Nic it's on me." Juice said as she raised her hand to his face.
"Princess why don't you take Juice to get cleaned up." Clay suggested knowing full well that his niece was getting angry with the situation. Nicole nodded taking Juice's hand in hers as she pulled him away from the crowd.
Clay watched as Nicole walked down the corridor with Juice before turning his attention back to his men. "I think I might know where we could find his cut. Had a phone call from T.O. He has Intel on where the Mayans are setting up their heroin business. Industrial park out on the Make Hill Bend. Ope Tig, Bobby, Chibs you go check it out."
"I'll go to, can't do shit here." Jax said.
"Okay." Clay agreed.
"Were gonna need someone else." Boby said gaining Clay's attention. "Salazar and his crew never saw Tig but we might need more than one unfamiliar face to scope out this place."
"Your right." Clay looked to Kozik. "Your in. Hap you stay here." Clay shook his head as he looked at Tig knowing he was going to say something. Tig just cursed under his breath.
##################
Nicole paced outside the room as Juice got patched up. Her hand was frantically playing with her necklace like she always did when she was stressed or nervous.
"Are you okay?" Nicole spun around when she heard the soft voice. She saw Lyla standing in front of her with a boutique of flowers.
"They for Gemma?"
"Yeah, you think she'll like them?"
"Yeah, there beautiful." Nicole said as she inhaled the sweet smell of the flowers.
Lyla eyed the girl in front of her. She could tell she was trying to put a brave face on, but that was far from the truth. She looked like she had the word weighing down on her shoulders.
"How come your here?" Lyla asked softly.
"Juice got jumped. Tara's just patching him up." Nicole answered looking towards the room Juice was inside.
Lyla suddenly realised that maybe the weight on her shoulders wasn't family or club business it was boys, and boys were a subject Lyla could help with.
"Will you sit with me?" She asked taking a seat on one of the available plastic chairs across the way from Juice's room. She watched Nicole hesitate, but smiled when Nicole took the seat next to her. "So?"
"So..." Nicole repeated looking at Lyla.
"You haven't had a lot of girlfriends have you?"
"What?" Nicole asked a little confused.
"You know girls that are friends. Girls who you can talk to about girly shit." Nicole laughed.
"Is it that obvious?"
"A little." Lyla smiled at her. "I know we don't eachother very well but if you ever want to talk I'm quite a good listener. And i'm pretty good on the subject of boys." Nicole nodded. Lyla could tell she didn't want to talk so she got up and started heading towards Gemma's room when she heard Nicole start to talk.
"I just don't know what to do." Lyla turned facing Nicole who was cradling her head in her hands. Lyla sat down next to her. "No matter what I do I just seem to keep messing up."
"Messing up what?"
"Everything...Me and Juice. He's been so great to me but I just can't seem to stop pushing him away."
"That's understandable. I mean I don't know the full story about what happened between you and that nomad Ryan, but I know he hurt you. You don't just get over something like that."
"Sounds like you know a little something about that." Nicole turned her head to the side so she could look at Lyla.
"Pipers Dad wasn't exactly the nicest of guys."
"He used to hit you?"
"Yeah. Took me a lot longer than it took you to leave."
"But you did."
"Yeah, it will be 2 years in November."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything." Nicole tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.
"How did you deal with...with.." Lyla could tell she was struggling. "How did you deal with being touched...I mean the guard outside Gemma's room tried to search me and I freaked. What the fuck was that about." Lyla placed the flowers down and leaned in closer to her.
"He didn't just hit you did he?" A tear fell as Nicole shook her head lightly. Lyla took hold of her hand. "Did he..."
"He tried." Nicole locked eyes with her again. "Please don't say anything, no one knows."
"I won't I swear." Lyla pulled her into a hug, she felt Nicole's arms wrap around her. After a few moments Nicole finally pulled away wiping her eyes as she did.
"God, I'm so sorry. Bet you wish you never asked if I was okay."
"Don't be silly, you were there for me when I needed it."
"Thanks."
"I know it may not seem like it now, but it will get easier. And although Juice may not be that guy, you will find someone who you can trust someone who you will feel safe with. I promise."
"I don't know about that, but thanks anyway."
"I found Op." Lyla stated with a smile on her face. Her smile grew as Nicole returned the gesture.
#################
Leaving Clay with Gemma Happy decided to take a walk, maybe check up on Juice. Walking down the corridor where Juice was being treated he caught a glance of Nicole talking to Lyla. Even standing as far away as he was he could tell she was upset. He stopped in his tracks studying the two women and realised that they seemed to be in the middle of a conversation. Coming to the conclusion that he didn't want to get in the middle of a girl shit he hung back.
Although he hung back it didn't mean that he stopped watching the two of them with the same intent. He wasn't going to take anything for granted, especially considering their current location.
Happy poured a coffee. As he waited for the black liquid to drain into the cup his eyes found their way back to Lyla and Nicole and that's when he saw her wipe away a tear. He had seen enough their little chat was over.
Taking the coffee he casually walked towards them. When he finally reached them he was surprised to see them both smiling. Happy shook his head how the hell did they go from tears to smiles in the matter of time it took him to reach them, god he really didn't understand women.
"Hey." Happy nodded to Nicole letting his eyes look over her before looking at Lyla, who smiled at him. Happy again nodded in response. "Is that coffee?" Nicole asked eyeing the cup in his hand. God she was dying for a nice cup of steaming black coffee.
Happy focused back onto Nicole handing her his cup. He watched as she wrapped her hands around it before taking a sip. He saw her eyes close as she obviously enjoyed the taste. He waited a second letting her enjoy the small comfort the coffee was obviously giving her before he spoke.
"Juice still inside?"
"Yeah should be done soon." She went to go and hand him back his coffee but Happy waved his hand, telling her that she could have it. She smiled sweetly at him.
Lyla sat quietly observing the two. Now Lyla had to admit she didn't really know Happy, barely spoken two words to the guy, but she had seen him around the Clubhouse. She'd seen how he interacted with his brothers, seen the respect he held for them and vice versa but one thing she had never seen was him treat a woman with that same standard, well until now.
Of course he had he showed respect to Gemma respect, but how he treated Nicole was completely different he was actually sweet to her, something she defiantly hadn't seen before, not with his brothers, Gemma and defiantly not with any sweetbutt.
As unthinkable as it was considering the kind of man he was, the kind of things he did Lyla couldn't help but wonder that maybe the man that was called Killah by his brothers could be the same man to save Nicole from falling into the darkness.
"Well I better get these to Gemma." Lyla said as she grabbed the flowers and got to her feet.
"Lyla." Nicole was now on her feet. "Thanks."
"Just remember what I said." Lyla subtly nodded her head towards Happy. She saw Nicole frown at her not quite understanding. But Lyla just winked at her before walking off.
"What was that about?" Happy asked.
"I have no idea." She answered honestly. Nicole took another sip of coffee. "This is good. But I thought you took sugar?" She asked noticing that the coffee didn't have any. Happy just shrugged, which made her raise her eyebrows at him, she knew full well that he took 3 sugars. "I better go and check on Juice."
Nicole handed him back the coffee as she went inside.
#################
"I should go in first." Kozik snapped as he edged towards the doors of the van.
"No I'm going first. You'll probably mess it up shithead." Tig pulled him back by grabbing his arm but Kozik flipped him off, Tig went to retaliate but was stopped when Jax shouted at them.
"ENOUGH." Jax shouted growing tired of his brothers immature behaviour. He really didn't need this on top of everything else right now. "Tig you go first. Koz you follow after."
Tig smiled smugly in his victory, Kozik on the other hand wanted to punch that stupid smile off his face but he didn't instead he nodded to Jax as he sat back down.
"Your not going the right way if you want Tig to vote ya in." Bobby said as Tig left the van.
"Aye, windin him ain't the best move lad." Chibs added.
"Don't worry about that boys might have that sorted."
"What does that mean?" Jax asked.
"Sorry boys gotta go." And with Koz jumped out of the van and ran over to Tig.
Suprisingly the two of the managed to get in get the information they needed and get out without a single crossed word.
##################
"So how's our patient doing?" Nicole asked placing her bag next to Tara's.
"All done. He should be fine." Tara said as she removed her gloves.
"See I told you it was nothing." Juice said as he got to his feet.
"Well better to be safe than sorry." She joked making Juice smile at her. "Hap's outside, do you mind giving us a sec."
"Sure." Nicole watched him leave only turning back to face Tara when she the door closed behind him. She could tell Tara was nervous.
"Don't worry I'm not here to fight. I just wanted to say thankyou."
"For what?"
"Jay told me what you did to Nate's caregiver."
"Oh..but why are you thanking me?"
"Well I know your not a cold blooded killer so something tells me that you probably saved Gemma's ass." Tara nodded. "Thought as much, so that's why I'm saying thankyou."
"Thought you would side with Jax, give me the cold shoulder like he has been."
"T me and Jay don't always see eye to eye on everything, this happens to be one of those things. I'm not saying what you did was the best thing to do but it happened you have to get on with it right?"
"I suppose."
"Speaking of Gemma, I better go and see her. I'll speak to you later okay." Nicole headed for the door. She opened the door slightly before stopping. "Oh by the way I'm glad you decided not to take that leave of absence." Tara smiled at her before she disappeared through the door.
Tara ran her finger through her dark hair, god that girl confused her one minute she hated her the next she seemed to be her best friend, it was one thing Tara could never get used to.
But she pushed that to the back of her mind, because she had something else to do, something she was about to do before she was interrupted by Juice and Nicole. She went over to the cupboard and pulled out a white box. She stared at the box for a moment before finally heading into the bathroom.
Less than a minute later she returned into the room, not being able to stand waiting in the tiny confines of the bathroom any longer. Her eyes kept darting to from the pregnancy test that was near her bag and the watch on her wrist. One more minute and her whole life could change.
###############
"Shit."
"What is it?" Juice asked.
"I left my bag."
"You want me to go get it."
"No it's fine I'll go you two wait here, I won't be a sec." Nicole turned on her heels and started to jog back towards the room she had just left.
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Tara couldn't believe it, maybe she didn't want to. Most people in a normal relationship would be happy finding out they were pregnant with the child of the love of their life but Tara was far from that and her and Jax's relationship was far from normal. No them two pink lines could ruin everything.
Tara jumped when she heard the door open, turning around she saw Nicole enter, keeping the test behind her back she quickly fumbled to hide it inside her bag.
"Did you forget something?"
"Yeah, forgot my bloody bag." She looked passed Tara. "There it is." Nicole walked over picking her bag up. "You okay?"
"Fine, you just scared me that's all, probably tired."
"You should try and get an early night."
"Yeah."
When Nicole left Tara breathed a sigh of relief a second earlier and Nicole would have caught her, then there would be no chance in keeping this from Jax. Grabbing her bag she searched inside for the test she had just put in there, but couldn't find. Starting to panic she emptied the contents of her bag onto the counter. She frantically searched but came up with nothing the test was gone and suddenly she realised that she must have dropped it into Nicole's bag instead of hers.
"Shit"
####################
Juice and Happy waited outside as Nicole went into Gemma's room. As soon as she walked in she knew something had happened she could feel it.
"What's going on?" She asked looking to Jax who looked like he'd seen a ghost. "Jay..."
"Abel's in Belfast."
"What. Are you serious?" She asked in complete shock. Thinking the Irish were double crossing them was one thing but finding out it was true was another.
"Just got off the phone to McGee's Old Lady she's confirmed it." Gemma said flatly.
"We need..." Jax got cut off as Agent Stahl walked into Gemma's room. All eyes were now on her.
"Sorry am I interrupting something?"
"Like you'd care if you were." Nicole remarked throwing her a dirty look.
"Your right I wouldn't and I don't."
"What do you want?" Gemma asked growing tired of her already.
"I've just had a chat with the district attorney and it's not good. I don't think you'll be seeing the inside of your beloved Clubhouse for a long long time. And between us I think he's going to push you real hard for Intel on the Club. So you either give up your boys or they give up you."
"That's enough get out now." Nicole went to lunge at her but Jax stopped her by grabbing her around her waist and pulling her back.
"Touch me sweetheart and you'll end up in the cell next to her."
"LEAVE." Clay stated as he stared her down.
"Okay I'm going." She looked back at Gemma. "Have a nice life." Nicole again went to lunge at her but Jax stopped her again.
"I'll deal with this."
####################
Later that evening Jax lived up to his words. He turned up outside Agent Stahl's house. He knocked on the door and waited for her to answer. June slowly opened the door to her house her gun raised. When she saw Jax standing in front of her she let her eyes dart around to see if she could see any other sons.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jax raised his hands in a surrendering movement before showing her that he wasn't carrying.
"Put the gun away." He told her in a hushed tone.
"How did you get my address?"
"ATF took away your shiny black Sedan making you drive your own car."
"Juice is hacking DNV now." She watched as he smirked at her. Curiosity getting the better of her she stepped outside closing the door behind her. "So what do you want?"
"A deal."
"You have 5 minutes."
"Your careers taken a huge hit. Booted off the Irish stripped of your team. We both know your looking at a transfer for some left for dead field office."
"Is this what you came here to tell me?"
"Not only can I give you your career back, I can make you an ATF legend. The Agent who single handedly broke the real IRA North Cal terrorist threat. I'll hand deliver Jimmy O'Phelan. Give you the names of his real IRA contacts and my sworn statement. Everything you need to know about the gun running."
"And what do you want?"
"My son, my Mother, and my club."
"And how am I supposed to deliver those things?"
"No witness from Zobelle's church party is going to testify. That just leaves the Federal Automatic weapon charges."
"With all the prior's you guys have the US Attorney will never drop them."
"We just what them reduced, short time." She nodded "Mc's got a bail hearing tomorrow we need to slow that down, we need a couple of weeks."
"So you can get to Belfast? To get Jimmy?" Jax didn't answer. "And i'm guessing that's where Abel is." Again he didn't answer. "Even if I could push back the bail hearing you guy's still can't leave the country."
"That's my problem. We just can't have the fugitive heat."
"And your Mother?"
"Your lie set this whole nightmare in motion, I don't give a shit what you have to do. You just set that shit straight."
"Immunity is..."
"That's bullshit. I want a statement signed by you clearing her of both kills."
"And i'm just suppose to trust you huh. Just take your word for this deal of a life time. A guy who wants me dead."
"If the clubs finds out i'm dead. My risk is just as great."
"And what makes you think that i'd actually believe the prince turned rat."
Jax smiled smugly as he walked her over to the clubs van. He opened the back doors to reveal Luke, Jimmy's right hand tied and gagged in the back of the van, along with the AK's. Jax had paid him a visit before he went to Stahl's house. Jax asked him some questions about Abel but once again he lied, so this time Jax reacted.
"Luke Moran. Jimmy's number two. Enough Illegal weapons to trip home lan security?"
"More than enough."
"This asshole has to disappear. He can't reach out, no lawyers. Or this all goes away for both of us."
"Terrorists don't get phone calls."
"We have a deal?"
"I'm going to need to draw something up..."
"No. This is a simple trade, just me and you."
"Okayl."