Fighting Back

Chapter 34

Nicole was moving the rubbish from the trunk of her car to the back seat to make room. She was just placing the last of her junk in the back of her car when she heard a voice behind her.

"Here." Nicole turned around to see Happy standing in front her holding out a bulletproof vest. "You need to put this on."

"Thanks." She said as she grabbed the vest from him.

She pulled the vest over her head and started to strap it up when Happy stepped forward.

"You need to make sure it's on tight." He told her as he took over.

He placed one hand on her hip as he fastened the strap around her waist, she felt the familiar tingle run through her body from his touch. She cleared her throat before looking away as she tried to compose herself.

Happy looked up when he heard her clear her throat. She was looking over her shoulder, and he could tell that she was doing everything she could to avoid looking at him, not that he blamed her, he had been a little rough with her earlier. Which he hated himself for.

"All set." He said causing her to look back at him.

"Thanks." She watched him remove his cut and lean pass her to lay it on the top of her car. Her throat suddenly became very dry, and for some reason instead of stepping back to recreate the gap between them he remained standing close to her as he removed his jacket.

"Put this on over the vest."

"Okay." She took the jacket from him as he leaned even closer to her again to grab his cut. Nicole was thankful this time when he took a couple of steps away from her as he pulled his cut on over his white t-shirt and bulletproof vest. "So I guess I don't have to tell you to watch over my boys?" Nicole said hoping to ease some of the tension that had developed between.

"They can handle themselves I have something a little more important to watch over." Nicole felt a smile tug on her lips. But she had to admit she was a little confused by his sudden change in behaviour, not that she was complaining.

"Yeah well don't forget to watch out for yourself to." Happy shrugged.

"Nah, I'll be fine." She laughed at his cockiness.

"Right." She said rolling her eyes.

"We're not going to let anything happen to you out there."

"So I've heard." She looked over her shoulder in the direction of Jax where he and the rest of the guys were getting ready. "Well I better go." Happy nodded as he watched her slide behind the wheel of her Mustang. He watched her pull out of the parking lot before making his way over to the rest of the guys.

As he walked over Jax took a few steps towards him, this was something Happy didn't need nor want.

"She al'right?" Happy shook his head. "What?"

"Nothing, lets just get this done deal with the other shit later."

Right now Happy was more than pissed with his VP. This morning he had sat lecturing him about protecting Nicole, that she had been through enough, and Happy had actually respected him for that, that's why he followed through on Jax's order to end things with Nicole, because Jax was right she had been through enough. And even though Happy would protect that girl with his life he knew what Jax meant when he said she needed to be protected.

But less than 6 hours later here Jax was sending his beloved cousin out on club business, putting her at more risk. And that pissed Happy off. How could he lecture him about protecting her when he himself was now the one putting her in danger.

That's when Happy came to the conclusion that Jax just didn't want him fucking his cousin and it had nothing to do about protecting her he just obviously didn't think he was good enough, and maybe he wasn't but that decision was not up to Jax.

"Okay." Jax nodded at him as the two of them continued over to the others.

"Everyone ready?" Clay asked as Jax and Happy joined the group. Everybody nodded.

"Jackey boy." Chibs gave Jax a hug. This was followed by Opie, Piney and Kozik.

"Right lets go boys." Chibs shouted as he and the others headed to their bikes. Jax went over to Phil and Miles.

"When you get the text you let us know." Jax pulled out 3 envelopes. "Then deliver these letters."

"We'll handle it." Phil told him as he took the letters from Jax.

"I love you son." Clay told him as he got on his bike.

"I love you to."

As they started their engines they pulled out of the lot one by one as Tig followed behind them in the black van.

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"No Donny?" Putlova asked as Jimmy slammed his cell shut.

"Don't make sense." Donny was Jimmy's right hand man, Jimmy knew he would never bail on him. "He wouldn't just leave."

Putlova knew he was right Donny didn't just leave. When they made the deal with the Sons Putlova ordered his men to take out Jimmy's right hand man because they really didn't need him complicating anything.

"Where we going?" Jimmy asked as the SUV they were riding in pulled off the highway.

"We need to pick something up."

"What the hell is this?" Jimmy asked a few moments later when he saw Samcro waiting at the bottom of dirt track.

"Sorry Jimmy."

"Jesus Victor. After all I've done fer you. The money, the guns." Jimmy spat angrily. "Don't do this." Putlova remained silent.

As they came to a stop Putlova got out of the van as his men came round the other side and escorted Jimmy out.

Jax and Clay approached Putlova.

"Million per bag. 50 stacks 20k in each." Clay told him as Jax handed the two bags to one of Putlova's men.

"Thankyou."

All of Samcro waited nervously as they the Russians did a quick check of the money. When his men gave the money the okay Putlova ushered his other man to bring Jimmy over to them.

"Clay, Jackson lovely to see ya." Clay stepped forward and grabbed hold of him pushing him towards the van where Tig and the Prospects led him into the back of the van.

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Nicole leant against the trunk of her car as she waited for them to arrive. She hated waiting it was one thing she was never any good at, so when she heard the familiar sound of the Harley's she couldn't help but smile to herself.

She pushed herself away from the car as they approached her. Tig and the prospects pulled Jimmy from the back of the van as Happy took the keys from her and opened the trunk. Once Jimmy was safely tucked away in the trunk Happy threw her keys back to her before jumping back into the van.

Jax walked over to Miles placing his hand on his chest. "Take her straight back to the garage okay." Miles nodded.

As Jax headed back to his bike he threw Nicole a quick smile before she got back into her car with Miles and Phil.

They all watched as she drove away before they pulled their bikes into position and waited for Putlova.

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Putlova climbed into the back of the SUV and couldn't help but take a look at the bag of money next to him. But as he started flicking through the stacks of cash he realized something. It was fake.

"Where to?" The driver asked.

"It's fake. Go get them. GO."

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As soon as they saw Putlova's car pull around the corner the started their engines. Tig let the guys pass him before they he pulled behind them.

It wasn't long before Putlova and his men caught up to them and started firing shots. Tig did his best to use the van to block any stray bullets from hitting someone.

Happy slowed down his bike and dropped back behind the van as he started firing back at the Russian's.

Just as they were heading down the home straight Happy felt a hot searing pain graze along his arm, making him drop his arm. A quick glance and Happy knew he'd been hit. Ignoring the pain he raised his arm again and fired a few more rounds before pulling back in front of the van.

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

"Here they come." One agent said to Stahl as he saw the bikes approaching.

"Close it off." She ordered.

Two officers pulled a raid van and a car into the road, leaving just enough space for the bikes to get through.

As the rest of the guys slipped through the gap, Happy hung back and waited for Tig who was dumping the van.

Leaving the van Tig jumped on the back of Happy's bike as he took off following the rest of his brothers.

Noticing the cops who were pointing their guns at them, Putlova ordered his men to turn the car around.

Stahl started walking towards the van that Jimmy was supposed to be in.

"Put an APB on the Russian's I want my money back." She told one of her agents.

As they opened the van they realised it was completely empty. "SHIT." Stahl shouted as she stared inside an empty van.

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

Nicole parked her car in the garage just Clay had told her to. She made her way over to Gemma and Lyla who were gathered on the picnic bench outside the garage office. She removed Happy's jacket so she could finally get that damn vest off. It had been annoying her since Happy had put the bloody thing on.

"They should be on their way back." Nicole informed them. She knew they were all worried. "Where's Tara?"

"She's on her way she just wanted to check on Abel." Nicole nodded.

"I'm gonna get a drink."

"Okay baby." Gemma kissed her on the cheek. Nicole went to walk away but she felt Gemma grab her hand. "You sure your okay?"

"Yeah."

Nicole was halfway to the clubhouse when the guys pulled inside. Turning away she continued to walk towards the clubhouse when she heard her name being called.

Turning around she saw Clay and Happy walking towards her. She didn't miss the fact that Happy was holding onto his arm and as her eyes moved lower she saw the blood running down his arm. "Need you to patch him up." Clay told her as he jerked his head towards Happy.

"How bad?" She asked moving closer to them.

"It's nothing just a scratch." Happy shrugged.

"I don't give a shit what you say." Clay told him before looking at Nicole. "Just patch him up Princess."

"Sure."

The two of them walked inside, Nicole leading the way into the Chapel where the first aid kit was. She dumped the jacket and vest on the table as she grabbed the first aid box.

Happy closed the doors behind him as he walked inside. He took a seat on top of the Redwood table while he waited for her to get the first aid box. Normally silence didn't bother in fact he preferred it that way but right now he hated it. Nicole was completely silent even when she turned back to face him she never said anything, she just silently started unpacking the box grabbing the things she needed.

As she pulled on the latex gloves Happy saw her eyes look over his wound. Unable to stand the silence any more he spoke up.

"It's just a scratch."

"I'll be the judge of that." Nicole told him as she leant closer towards him so she could get a better look, but his bloodied shirt was stopping her. "This might hurt a little." She told him as she started to peel his t-shirt away from the bleeding wound.

As she started working on patching him up the silence once again engulfed the room. The cut looked a lot worse than it actually was, the bullet had grazed his arm meaning he only needed a couple of stitches and Nicole was only doing that to be on the safe side.

Happy watched her as she patched him up. Again he wanted to say something but judging by the way she biting her lower lip and the frown on her face Happy could tell she was in full concentration mode and considering he was the one she was patching up he really didn't want to disturb her.

"All done." She told him as she removed her latex gloves that were now covered in his blood. As she placed the gloves and the other rubbish in the bin behind her Happy took this opportunity to check out her handy work.

"Not bad." He mused as she turned back to face him.

"Yeah well when most girls were learning how to braid hair, I was learning how to stitch up knife wounds. But that's part of the MC life I guess." Nicole leant forward to grab the first aid box when Happy suddenly took hold of her arm. Looking down at her arm she watched as he traced his thumb over the finger marks he had left on her earlier this morning.

"Did I do this?" Nicole tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear as before pulling her arm away from him.

"Don't worry about it, I'm used to it." She told him simply as she replaced the first aid box in the cabinet.

Hearing those words leave her mouth hurt Happy more than any bullet wound or cut of a blade. Being hurt like that is something she should never be used to and the fact that just thought it was okay, just shrugged it off, angered him. He was done watching her get hurt.

Nicole felt his hand slide around her waist as he gently pulled her back against his solid body. She felt him move her hair over her shoulder before kissing her neck.

"Hap.." Nicole spoke breathlessly as she tried to pull away from him.

Happy ignored her and continued kissing his way down her neck, before spinning her round so they were now face to face.

"Hap..." He cut her off again, brushing a piece of hair out of her face as he took her in. She really was beautiful.

Pushing himself against her, he bent down to kiss her only for her move her head to the side making his lips almost collide with her cheek. He moved his hand to the side of her face as he turned her head gently back to face him.

"Look at me." He rasped as she turned her head away from him again. "Look at me." he said again, this time with a bit more force. He was glad when she finally turned to look at him her eyes instantly locking with his. He dropped his hand from her face and took hold of her arm.

"This will never happen again." He told her as he placed a kiss on each mark. As he reached the last one he felt her hand on the side of his face. Looking up at her through the corner of his eye he knew he had her.

As her hand moved to the back of his shaved head he leant into her allowing his lips to brush against hers. At first the kiss was gentle but as he felt her pull him close he lost control.

The kiss became deeper and more frantic, needed. As did his hands, he needed to feel her skin against his. He slid his hand down the front of her t-shirt, he grabbed the hem removing the clothing in one swift move. Nicole took her t-shirt and threw it across the room before lowering her arms and returning her hands to the back of his head as his fingers ran up her spine, making her arch back as a small moan escaped from her lips.

"Hap..." Hearing his name slip from hers lips yet again he just had to have her, he didn't give a shit about anyone or anything they had to say, he wanted her in fact right now he needed her as he was going to have her.

He let his hands move from her back to her ass, he gave it a quick squeeze before lifting her up, her legs instantly wrapping around his waist. Stepping back her sat her on top of the Redwood Original table, he leant forward pushing her so she was nearly flat on her back.

Nicole tried to focus but Happy was blurring her mind. Before being locked in this room with him her mind had been made up, she was leaving Charming because she was never going to find what she needed here, but now...now she didn't know any more.

The way he was being with the way he touched her, looked at her, she knew it was different knew that was happening between them right now was more than just hooking up, but at the same time she didn't know what this was, what it meant and as much as she wanted it, wanted him, was it what she needed?

"We can't..." She placed her hand on his chest where she could feel his heart beating faster and faster. "We can't." She repeated. "Everyone's outside waiting."

"Let them wait." He snapped as he tried to kiss her again, but Nicole cupped his face in her hands.

"You know we can't do that."

"Yeah." He reluctantly agreed. He walked over to where her shirt had landed, and picked it up before handing it back to her. "Do you really have to put it back on?" He asked with a smug smile.

"Do you really want me to walk out there like this for everyone to see?"

"Your right, put it on." Happy picked up the jacket he had given her earlier. Nicole smiled as she wrapped the jacket around herself and couldn't help wonder what if.

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Jax took a drag from his cigarette as he waited for Stahl. He knew she would have found the empty van by now and would track him down.

Hearing the car pull up behind him, he turned around to see Stahl and one her agents. Taking one last drag of his cigarette he threw it away as he made his way towards her.

"Where is he?" She demanded.

"Warm and cosy."

"What the hell you pulling huh?"

"Just making sure we both stay honest. You get Jimmy and my statement when my Club gets free of hard time." Stahl raised one folder that she was carrying.

"My recommendation that the Federal Automatic Weapon Charges be reduced from 15 to 3 years parole in 14 months." Jax took the folder from her and started looking through it. "All it needs is my signature."

"Based on me turning over Luke?"

"That's what's on the record yeah."

"And for that." She pulled the file from Jax and handed him the other folder. "You give me this. Your statement of co-operation. You share your full knowledge of the gun running operation and any illegal actives by the Irish council and Jimmy. All it needs is your signature."

"I sign this, what's to stop you getting the IRA, and letting us rot in prison for 15 years?"

"What's to stop you from delivering this to your lawyer then killing Jimmy? I guess were just going to have to trust one another." She handed him a pen. Jax took a deep breath before signing his name.

"I'm officially a rat. Your turn." He handed her back the pen. She took the pen and the folder from Jax.

"Where's Jimmy?"

"Don't do this."

"Nothing changes. I just need to seem him alive. And then I sign. There is no play here."

"Fine, follow me."

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

As Nicole and Happy walked out of the clubhouse they saw Jax pulling into the parking lot followed by two black cars and a raid van.

"What's going on?" She asked. Happy looked over his shoulder at her. He never said anything instead he just grabbed her hand pulling her close as he continued walking over to where Jax was parking his bike. Clay, Gemma and Tara, who had been talking with Ally Lowen who for some reason unbeknown to Nicole was here again, were also making their way over to him.

"We okay?" Clay asked Jax as he got off his bike.

"I don't know."

"Jay what's happening, what is she doing here?" Nicole asked as she reached the group.

"I don't kn..." Jax stopped when he turned around. He looked down at her hand that was entwined in Happy's. Noting the pissed off look on his face Nicole tried to pull her hand free but Happy didn't let her instead he continued to stare at Jax. Nicole was glad everyone else's attention was on Stahl "I don't know." Jax continued before he to turned his attention to Stahl.

As Stahl walked over to them she turned to look at Nicole throwing her a smug smile. Nicole went to step forward and wipe that smug smile of the bitches face but as she took a step Happy's stopped by moving his body in front of her.

"Don't." He warned in a low voice as he to stared back at Stahl. Stahl smirked before looking at Clay who had moved closer.

"Where's Jimmy?" Clay said nothing. "Okay look I can have a dozen agents here in 20 minutes and they'll shred this white trash shit hole." Clay took a moment contemplating what to do when he realised that he didn't have a choice.

"Get him." Clay ordered over his shoulder to Juice and Tig who were standing by the garage.

Two of her agents made their way over to the garage, Stahl following behind them as Jax moved closer to the garage as well, they both exchanged looks.

"Stay with Gemma." Happy said as he to moved towards the garage.

"Thank goodness for the Amercian justice system" Jimmy said as the agents removed him from the boot of the car.

"Jimmy O'Phelan you're being taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a terrorist criminal act." Stahl read him his rights as her officers took him to the police car. She walked over to Clay.

"How did you know he was here?" Clay asked. She turned to look at Jax who was standing behind her.

"Because your VP made a deal." She informed Clay as she kept her eyes on Jax.

Clay turned round in time to see Jax launch himself towards Stahl. "SON OF A BITCH." Her men grabbed Jax before he could reach Stahl.

"What is she talking about?"
"You made a deal for Jimmy?"

"You RATTED?"

"I did it for the club." Jax answered to the questions that his brothers were throwing at him.

"YOU RATTED." Bobby stated as he pushed Jax.

"I had NO CHOICE." Jax shouted as he pushed Bobby back. "LOOK AT EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN FACING."

"All the time we've been tracking Jimmy you knew you were always going to turn him over to this bitch." Clay asked as he pointed to Stahl, who seemed to be enjoying the show.

"Jimmy blew up five of our men." Juice reminded him.

"I KNOW." Jax shouted.

"This wasn't his fault she made him." Gemma tried to reason as she pushed her way between the men.

"YOUR DEAD." Clay shouted "You hear me, DEAD." Two officers dragged Clay away from Jax as he continued shouting at him.

"You just signed my death warrant." He told Stahl as passed by her.

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Nicole stood there unable to believe what was unfolding in front of her eyes. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, as she tried to process what was going on. It wasn't until she heard Clay scream 'YOUR DEAD' that she finally came back to reality. See saw Jax holding Tara in his arms as an officer tried to move him along. Looking to her side she saw Lyla holding onto a sobbing Gemma. She looked away and her eyes locked with Clay's and she realised that this was actually happening, Jax had ratted on the club which meant only one thing in the MC world, death.

Nicole couldn't let that happen she couldn't lose him Jax was everything to her. She took off towards Clay who was still being held by two officers.

"Please don't do this." She begged as she grabbed hold of his cut. "Please don't I..."

"He ratted Princess you know what that means." Nicole dropped her head as the officer pulled Clay away from her.

She ran her hands through her hair as she turned around to look for Gemma, instead she was met by dark eyes. Eyes that were probably going to belong to the man that killed her cousin.

Happy shrugged the officer off him, and quickly closed the gap between himself and Nicole. He knew exactly what was going through her head as she looked at him and it wasn't good he had to give her some kind of reassurance.

"Don't." She warned as he moved closer. He didn't make it any closer to her before the man he had shrugged of moments before had grabbed him again and this time successfully moved him towards the raid van.

Nicole watched through blurry eyes as they were lead into the back of the riot van one by one. Each step they took broke her heart her family as she knew it was gone.

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Stahl looked around and smiled to herself, this had turned out better than she hoped. Signing her name on the folder she handed it to Ally Lowen.

"Clients will be out in 3 years, if they don't kill anyone parole in 14 months." She started to walk away but was stopped when Nicole grabbed hold of her arm.

"You fucking bitch..." Nicole screamed in Stahl's face as Ally pulled her away.

"Touch me again and..."

"And what?" Nicole pulled herself free from Ally grasp getting up into Stahl's face. "What will you do. You've just ruined my family, got my cousin killed do you really think I have anything left to lose?"

Stahl had to admit she really didn't like what Nicole was saying. She was right what did she have to lose, a woman on the edge and who's family was in ruins was possible of anything. Stahl had to admit that was a scary thought.

"Nicole don't she can have you thrown in prison, what about Gemma?" Ally asked hoping to try and reason with Nicole.

"If I were you I'd listen to your lawyer Ms. Teller."

"One day you will get what's coming to you that I promise." Nicole watched the van drive away with her family inside.

Nicole looked over her shoulder at Gemma who was still crying but this time she was wrapped up in Tara's arm. Nicole knew she should want to be with them, comfort them and vice versa but Nicole couldn't, she needed to get away.

Striding towards the clubhouse she slammed the door against the wall as she entered. She went straight behind the bar and grabbed a bottle of Vodka. As soon as it was open she downed about a quarter of the liquid, the burn at the back of her throat not even making her flinch. Taking the bottle with her she went straight to Jax's room. Closing the door she grabbed the bag she had already packed, before taking once last look around the room and that's when the picture on the dresser caught her eye. It was a picture of her and Jax taken when she was about 13 and Jax was 18. It was taken at one of Gemma famous family dinners. Jax had his arm draped over her shoulder as she leant in to him. They both looked so happy. She slid the picture into her bag.

As she entered the clubhouse she saw Gemma sitting in on the couch, Lyla next to her. Again Nicole felt the need to run away from them. As she headed towards the door she heard someone call her name. She turned around to see Tara looking at her before her eyes moved to her bag and the bottle of vodka in her hand.

"Nic are you..."

"I'm just heading to your house I need to be alone right now." Tara nodded.

Nicole continued outside towards her car. She placed her bag and the bottle of vodka on the passenger seat before pulling out of the parking lot, but instead of turning right towards Jax's house she turned left.