Sorry in advance if this chapter is disappointing. It's a more of a fill in chapter and I needed a way to incorporate a thing or two. Anyway, you know what to do. And thanks to those who read and reviewed the last chapter.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX: Back Home

After another three days in hospital, having tests after tests done to make sure her brain was functioning normally and making sure the baby's vitals were getting stronger, Lacey was allowed to go home. She couldn't be happier about getting back to the real world even if it consisted of a psychopath FBI reject. She had enough faith in the guys she'd grown up with to get the job done, whatever that job would be. They didn't seem to have much right now.
She stood out of bed winching slightly. She was still a little tender and stiff from the accident, staying in bed ninety percent of the day since she'd woken up and the days she was unconscious.

"You okay?" She heard Jax's voice ask. She looked up to see him walking over to her placing her bag that had a clean outfit in it on the bed. She was surprised to see him. He'd told her that Gemma would pick her up and bring her back to the clubhouse because he had something to do with the club.

She nodded as he wrapped his arms around his waist. She loved the feeling of his arms around her even more than she use to. "Yeah, just a little achy in the legs. Where's Gem?"

"Something came up at the office."

"What about your secret plans with the guys."

Jax rolled his eyes, letting out a small sigh. "Clay's postponed them until he thinks we're seems you coming home today has been a distraction for some of us."

It was Lacey's turn to roll her eyes. She knew Clay sometimes had a flair for the dramatics but she knew her homecoming wasn't that big of a deal. The guys heads were a hundred per cent in whatever they had planned. Jax even looked happy that they were going to do something. He never told Lacey what Clay planned but she could see it in his eyes. That same little spark had disappeared now.

"Do you think he's stalling?"

"I don't know what to think. I just want something to fuckin' happen, better yet the pyscho Fed six feet under."

"Let's go bust me out of here," she said giving him a small smile, "then we can go get real food."

"Sounds good to me." He smiled letting her go. He picked up the bag and handed it to her. "Do you need help?"

She shook her head and gave him a quick kiss before walking into the small bathroom joined to her room. She got dressed as quick as she could not wanting to spend any more time than she had to in the hospital. She walked back out of the bathroom to see Jax walking back into the room.

"I just signed your release papers," he told her taking the bag from her. "You're a free woman again."

She smiled taking his hand and held it as they walked out of the hospital. She was hoping it would be the last time she'd be in hospital for more than an hour until the baby was born. Jax was hoping the same thing also.

"What are you thinking about?" Lacey asked as her and Jax sat in the local family diner after ordering their meals and drinks. They came straight here after leaving the hospital in Lacey's brand new car - a brand new black 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier four door sedan. The accident had completely totaled her other car. It was no longer road worthy or fixable in Jax's eyes. The car even had black leather interior.

It took a while for Jax to choose the Cavalier but he wanted it to be safe not only for Lacey but their baby too when he or she arrived. It also had all the space they'd need. Lacey already loved the car even though Jax wouldn't let her drive it just yet.

"We should get our own place before the baby's born. We can't exactly raise the kid living at the clubhouse." he said.

"Together?" She looked at him surprised. She wasn't expecting that answer. He never seemed to fail at surprising her.

"Of course. When you lived in that house I was either there or you were at the clubhouse. The only time we didn't stay with each other was when I was on a run." he pointed out. She nodded her head. He was right. He was at her house most nights and she spent the occasional night with him at the clubhouse unless he was on a run to where ever they had to deliver. "We'll just need a house since you have all the furniture."

"Why don't we just sell all my furniture and buy new stuff, start over?"

"Are you saying you want to?"

She nodded her head as their meals and drinks were placed in front of them. She picked up a couple french fries and ate them. "We do need a house to raise the baby in and we do need to get out of the clubhouse."

Jax smiled and leaned over, giving her a brief kiss before he started eating his meal. They continued to make small talk about the baby and what area they should move to as they ate their meals.

Finally making it back to the lot after lunch, Lacey walked into the garage greeting everyone. Gemma and Tig were the first ones to hug her. Clay stayed back but gave her a small smile and asked how she was. Chibs waited until Gemma stopped making a fuss over Lacey before walking over and embracing the young woman. He hugged her longer than the others did, happy his girl was home. "You can't ever scare me like that again, you hear me?"

Lacey nodded as they pulled apart.

"How are you and the kid?" he asked. Lacey raised her hand and placed it on the bump that was slowly starting to form.

"Still alive and healthy." she said referring to the baby. "But I still have a little healing to do."

He pulled her into another hug, whispering into her ear. "You know where to find me if you need anything."

When he let her go she walked out of the garage and into the clubhouse. She didn't know where Jax had disappeared to. She could feel her excitement about being back with everyone start to drain as she started feeling tired. She wanted to go lay down. She walked into the dorm room she shared with Jax and smiled seeing him in there changing his shirt which he'd managed to spill his drink over.

She walked over to the bed and laid down, getting his attention. "You okay?"

She nodded. "Just a little tired. Doctor said it might take a few days for my energy to fully restore it's self."

"You should get some sleep before tonight."

She looked at him confused then remembered it was Friday, SAMCRO's party night. Tonight was also the night they were keeping an eye out for new prospects. Now she was remembering the prospect that was with her in the accident. She couldn't remember exactly what happened to cause the crash but she remembered the prospect she was with. Guilt started to set in as she thought about him. She never bothered to remember his name or get to know him. She felt like a bitch. She'd been with him when he died and all she could remember was that he idolized Jax. The prospect looked up to Jax and would do anything for him, including protecting her. She got him killed.

Being wrapped up in her thoughts she hadn't seen or felt Jax lay down next to her until he pulled her against him so they were face to face. She didn't even realize she was crying until she felt his thumb wipe away the few stray tears leaving stains down her cheeks.

"You can't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault."

His words offered little comfort to her. It wasn't the way he said it and it wasn't what he said. In her mind it was her fault. "I made him drive me around."

"You didn't know he'd be shot or you'd be in an accident. What happened is not your fault in anyway. You couldn't have known what would happen." He placed a soft kiss to her forehead. She closed her eyes as his hand moved around her waist and started rubbing her lower back.

"I didn't even remember his name. I never got to know him properly, like I have with Juice." She cried leaning forward resting her head on his chest. "He looked up to you and would do anything for you even if it meant looking after your stupid old lady and I just treated him like another prospect."

"His name was Tracey but we called him Ace. He was starting to prove himself loyal and trustworthy. He was smart, he had a sarcastic sense of humor, very persistent and wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. He was a good kid and a real asset..." Jax trailed off knowing it's what Lacey wanted to hear. "He had his flaws just like everyone else. He looked up to me because I was the only one willing to give him a chance. I had to convince Clay. I gave him the opportunity he wanted -"

"And I ripped it away." she mumbled.

"Daryl ripped it away and he's going to pay for that as well almost killing you and our baby." He kissed the top of her head. "He won't get away with it."

"I still want him to answer a few things."

"I'll make sure you get them."

She moved her head to look at him, their blue eyes connecting. "Make sure he feels the pain he's put everyone through, especially Ace and his family."

He nodded his head. "You know we will."