Dear Readers and Followers, I'm sorry it took me so long to update. This chapter is kind of the calm before the storm. Things will start to unravel soon and Lucy is finally going to figure everything out! JPlease be so kind and review.
Present: Fighter
Lucy was staring into a dark blue set of eyes, they were the only thing not covered by the black fabric stretching over the intruder's face. She realized in that moment that she knew them. She couldn't remember where she had seen them before, but she knew she definitely had. Her whole body was screaming for air as she tried to think of a way out. She thought about her perfect son, about Jax - her husband, the only man she had ever truly loved. She thought about her father and what her death would do to him. Oh god, what would it do to Jax? She had to fight. She had to. With the little strength she had left, she launched forward. Her attacker hadn't anticipated that. He tumbled backwards and loosened the grip on her throat. He hollered in pain as she pressed her fingers into his eye sockets. He let go off her and held his hands to his face. She heard him scream in pain as she sprinted down the hallway and out into the street.
"Someone's in the house," she yelled running towards Happy. His eyes widened when he saw the marks around her throat and he pulled his gun.
"Get in the car, lock the doors and call Jackson," he ordered.
Lucy climbed into the driver's seat and locked the door. Bella was staring at her in horror.
"What happened? Oh god. Lucy - you're hurt."
Lucy couldn't answer. She was crying hysterically. Her throat hurt badly and it was hard for her to breathe.
"I think we should call 911," Bella said and pulled her cell out of her purse.
"No," Lucy sobbed: "No cops. I need to call Jax."
She tried dialing but her body was shaking making it impossible for her to meet the right buttons.
"Let me," Bella took the phone and called Jax.
Lucy climbed into the back seat and took Abel out of his carrier. She pressed him to her chest and struggled to control her breathing. She closed her eyes and took in Abel's smell.
When someone tried to open the door she winced in fear.
"It's Happy," Bella said, unlocked the door and climbed out of the car. Lucy watched them talk to each other, but she couldn't move. She just rocked her baby and concentrated on her breathing. No one had ever come into their home. No one had ever dared to. Whoever had done this, Jax will rip him apart.
She swallowed carefully. Maybe Bella had been right and she had to go to the hospital. She had just come out of that place and she really didn't want to go back.
"Lucy?" Happy poked his head into the car: "I'm so sorry." He helped her out of the car and hugged her, careful not to constrain Abel.
"I'm fine," she assured him.
Just then she heard a set of motorbikes approach. Jax was in front, followed closely by Opie and Clay. Tig, Juice, Bobby, Chips and Half-Sack were trailing behind.
"What the hell happened?" Jax barked. Lucy ran into his arms and buried her face in his leather cut.
"He was in the house. He was in our home," Lucy sobbed. Jax took her face in his hands and his jaw clenched when he saw her throat. It had already started bruising and was slowly turning blue. His eyes wandered towards Abel.
"Is he okay?" The concern in his voice broke Lucy's heart.
"He's fine. We were waiting in the car," Bella cut in because Lucy still couldn't talk.
Jax pulled his family close again and tried to sooth his hysterical wife. The few minutes from the clubhouse to their home had been horrible. His eyes fell onto Happy and he could barely suppress his fury.
"Where the hell were you when this shit was going down?"
Jax had stepped around Lucy and was now facing his club brother.
"I'm so sorry, man. She was right behind me."
"You were supposed to look after my family. You were supposed to make sure nothing happens to them. How could you let this happen?" Jax was yelling, his worry had turned into full-blown anger.
"Where is he?"
"He got away…," Happy's voice trailed off.
"Not only were you unable to protect them, you also let that monster get away. Get the hell out of my face," Jax shouted.
Lucy felt bad for Happy. This wasn't his fault. Happy turned, got onto his bike and drove off.
"It's not his fault. I had forgotten to close the window. Jax!" She called, but Jax ignored her while he watched Happy leave.
"Sweetheart you need to go to the hospital," Clay said eying her bruised neck.
"No," she shook her head: "I don't want to."
"Baby he's right," Jax said.
"No," she started crying again and Jax shot Clay a concerned look.
"I'm calling Unser," Clay stated.
Jax nodded then pulled Lucy close again: "Please baby. Let me take you to the hospital."
"What about Abel?"
Jax pulled up an eyebrow: "I can take care of our son."
"I know. But they'll probably make me stay overnight and what about his feedings," she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Baby, if they keep you overnight I bet Abel can stay with you," he took her face into his hands: "Please let's go to St. Thomas."
Lucy slowly nodded. Jax smiled softly and pulled her and Abel towards the car.
"Can you come with us Bella?" Jax asked and she nodded.
"Sure."
Jax helped his wife into the car, buckled her up and strapped his son into his car seat. Before he got into the driver's seat, he talked to Clay, who had already called Unser.
"I think she's under shock. I'm pretty sure they'll keep her overnight. Where is mom?"
"She wouldn't let me bail her out," Clay shrugged.
"Great," Jax snorted angrily: "Couldn't've you found another day to go at each other's throats?"
"She's probably out of her mind with worry. I bet Wayne already talked to her."
"I'll take Lucy to St. Thomas, if Unser has any questions he'll have to wait 'till tomorrow. Tell him I don't wanna see him bother Lucy tonight."
Clay nodded.
Jax climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. Bella was sitting in the back with Abel looking extremely worried. She was eyeing Lucy like she was waiting for her to snap, but Lucy was crying silently holding on to Jax' hand tightly.
Lucy knew she was in shock. Her mind was playing tricks on her making her go through the moments of her attack over and over again. All she could think about were the intruder's eyes that had been so familiar to her and his hands around her throat. Carefully she touched the bruised skin at her neck. She had never expected to be attacked in her own home. How could she have been so stupid?
Lucy had to stay in the hospital for two days because the doctor's wanted to make sure that there were no severe or internal injuries. Unser had come by and asked her many questions. She had tried to answer them all accurately but the sedatives had made the events kind of blurry.
Now she was finally back home. Gemma had picked her up from the hospital this morning and was now sitting opposite her in the little sitting area in the club house. Bella was sitting at the bar talking to the pretty brunette from Nevada.
"What is she doing here?" Lucy spit out.
"Who?" Gemma looked up from Abel who was fast asleep in her arms.
"The croweater from Nevada," Lucy's eyes narrowed.
"Oh. Cherry. Haven't I told you?"
"Told me what?"
"She came to the police station the morning I was released. Told me she was only here for the prospect," Gemma shrugged: "With you being attacked I had more urgent things on mind then some sweetbud from Nevada."
"Okay, as long as she stays clear of our men," Lucy mumbled eyeing the pretty brunette intently.
"The prospect and she are some kind of thing now. I don't think you have to worry," Gemma laughed and went back to watching Abel sleep.
"If you say so."
Lucy got up from the sofa and walked towards the two girls.
"I'm Lucy," she said and held out her hand to Cherry.
"Cherry," the girl took her hand and smiled politely: "You're Jackson's old lady, right?"
"Right," Lucy said gripping onto the girls hand a little firmer.
The girl continued smiling so Lucy smiled back and let go.
"If you need something just holler," Cherry said.
Lucy nodded. She knew that Cherry meant it. The hangarounds had to treat her with respect, she was Jackson Teller's old lady. She didn't find it that important but Gemma had insisted on her being treated special ever since she and Jax had gotten back together after their time apart following her mother's death. Gemma believed that the girls should respect you enough to stay away from your man and that's all that Lucy wanted from Cherry.
"Thanks," she replied and smiled at Bella who had listened in on their conversation.
"Does Gemma need relief?" Bella asked pointing at her mother-in-law and Abel.
Lucy shook her head: "Nah, she loves spending time with him. I'll tell her you asked though."
Just then Jax, Tig and Clay entered. They all greeted Lucy.
"How are you feeling?" Jax asked after Clay and Tig had continued into the meeting room.
"Good, a little sore maybe," Lucy smiled and hugged her man: "Meeting?"
"Emergency club meeting," Jax replied.
"Why?"
Jax pulled her a bit close and away from Cherry and Bella.
"Water and Power found some old bones working near Highway 44."
"Shit. Are we responsible?"
Jax nodded and pulled her a little further from the girls: "SAMCRO Mayan war in '91. Many bodies dropped that year."
"I remember."
Within the next twenty minutes all members arrived. Opie was last and closed the door behind him. Lucy and Gemma remained in the sitting area, talking about all things but her attack. Lucy had trouble sleeping at night but during the day she was strong enough to keep out the images and her fear. She still hadn't told Jax that she knew the eyes of the intruder. She wanted to have some indication for who it was until she talked to him about it. She had thought about the weeks and months before her mother's death but somehow she couldn't figure it out.
Lucy waited until the club meeting was over. She talked to Jax for a little but he had to leave and take care of some stuff so she decided to get some work done. She asked Bella to look after Abel since Gemma had to leave as well and headed towards the office on the other side of the court.
She had been away from work for only a couple of days but her workload seemed unmanageable. Gemma and she had split the work and Lucy took care of invoices, dunning and ordering. She was just talking to an extremely unreasonable customer when Bella entered with Abel. After she had hung up she fed Abel then continued working.
She hadn't even realized that it had gotten dark outside when Jax entered-
"You still working?" He asked sounding worried.
"I'm fine. I just had to get my mind of things."
"I talked to Unser. There are no leads."
Lucy buried her face in her hands. She knew she would have to tell Jax about the eyes but she had already waited three days and she knew he wouldn't be happy to hear that she had kept it from him.
"Baby, I have to tell you something."
Jax pulled the chair towards her and took a seat.
"What?"
"I'm sure I know him."
"How?"
"His eyes. When he choked me I saw his eyes and I'm sure I've seen them before."
Jax eyes narrowed: "And you're just telling me this now?"
"I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you when I knew more."
Jax shook his head and looked at her disapprovingly: "You shouldn't keep things from me."
"I know."
"And you have no clue where you've seen them before?"
"No. That's what's been driving me nuts the last couple of days. I just can't place them."
"I'm gonna call Clay. If you know him maybe he does have something to do with the club."
Lucy shrugged: "It's all so personal. I'm gonna head up to Stockton tomorrow and talk to my dad. Maybe he knows something."
"Yeah. I'm gonna ask Tig to accompany you."
Lucy nodded: "Okay."
Lucy watched Jax pull out his phone and step out of the office. She shut down the computer and followed Jax outside.
She went into the clubhouse and found Bella and Abel in the kitchen. Bella was eating some fries and motioned towards the oven when Lucy entered.
"There are still some left."
"Thanks, I'll wait for Jax"."
"I changed him and put his jammies on."
"Thanks," Lucy smiled and took Abel from her.
"I'll take him to bed."
She kissed Bella on the cheek and thanked her again for looking after Abel. Then she went into the apartment and fed Abel. The day had been exhausting and she fell asleep while nursing. When Jax joined them later that evening he put Abel into his travel crib before getting into bed next to his wife. He pulled her close and watched her sleep for a moment.
"How did I get so lucky?" He whispered softly into her ear before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.