Hey yall. I hope that you all enjoy this and remember that I don't own SoA only Iris.

Christmas lights were strung across the stage and a small dj station was centered on the stage. Opie escorted her in like a perfect gentleman, leading her to the center table already occupied by Tara's friends and dates. After taking her shawl off and placing it on the table she grabbed Opie's hand and yelled over the music, "Time to see if you can do anything other than ride a bike and work on cars!"

Once they were out on the dance floor Opie finally let go. They shimmied and swayed to the music, carefree and having the time of their lives. Once a slow song came on they awkwardly moved together and Opie held onto her hips. Breaking the tension Opie spoke up, "You havin a good time?"

Iris smiled happily up at the tall biker. As dramatically as she could she moved his beard out of the way before replying, "Why yes mountain man I AM having a good time. But I feel like something is on your mind… care to share?"

Before he could sensor his thought he blurted out, "I like you a lot but I like someone else and I am really confused cuz I know you like Jax and I like this girl I met a few days ago and…"

Feeling overwhelmed Iris spoke up,"Woah Op shut up for a sec…." Taking a deep breath before she replied she said, "Opie….. I like you too... just I dunno I like Jax a lot. I know he is with Tara and you're the best guy a girl could ask for so I am a dumbass for saying this but…. You should go after this mystery girl. To be honest you sound like a middle school girl with a crush so I think that's your path."

Opie looked down at her masking any emotion as he brought his hand up slowly and stroked her cheek, "Ris…. …I'm gonna go for her. Know this though. You are in my heart to stay kay? Any woman, any time will be pushed aside for whatever you need. And just so you know Teller's a dumbass. I think he is holdin off until I am outta the way but what fun is that? Just dancing next to you is prolly drivin his ass nuts."

Laughing freely she said, "Opie you're as delusional as Luanne and Gem. However, I hope your right. Now, enough with the violin inducing soap opera conversation. I love you; you love me we're in love with different peeps… yada yada yada. You're still my boy and if you haven't noticed that slow song ended two songs ago so shake that ass!"

Rolling his eyes Opie spun her around and plastered himself to her back resuming the bump and grind fest that had been taking place before the slow song had started. Iris couldn't help but think to herself. This is the best night of my life…..I feel so free.

Neither of them noticed an extremely jealous Jax staring from the other side of the dance floor brooding internally. Brother or not…. She is mine… she just doesn't know it yet.

/

Dale Carson was stumbling his way to the kitchen to resume his "I'm getting shitfaced Saturday" when he noticed a tall man standing in the shadows. Grabbing a knife from the table, he yelled, "Who the fuck are you and what are you doing in my house!"

The shadow man laughed and stepped into the light revealing his black eyes. The eyes of a dead man. He was tall, bald, and wore jeans and a black hoodie. Remembering him from the clubhouse of that biker club in town he cockily spoke up, "You the asshole bangin my kid? Thought she was at some dance with one of you shitheads….. Or is she waiting in your bed?"

Grinning the guy finally spoke in an eerie tone." Nah… she's at the dance….came to have a chat. Now….. I know she don't want you dead…. But I do. I've seen dicks like you tear down girls like her all my life and Lemmie tell you something…..Not. Her."

Anger paired with alcohol fueled what Dale said next, "Fuck you. Far as I'm concerned I can do whatever I want with that piece of shit. She ain't worth nothing anyway." Feeling satisfied with his remark he sat in the chair next to him and looked up expectantly.

The man took minuets before he replied, "I am gonna make this real easy for you….. Tomorrow I am going to bring her back here and you're gonna sign these papers in my hand setting her free from your drunken remains. If you so much as look at her in a way I feel is too hostile….. I will kill you. Got it?"

With that said he turned and started to walk away from Dale. Angered partly from the statement and the rest from pride Dale jumped up and went to follow the man tripping in the process. The corner of the counter caught him in the temple as he went down, and went down he did. A large thud followed by a rattled breath was all that ensued. The man whipped his head around in time to see the light fade out of Dale Carson's eyes. Taking a deep breath he muttered "shit" before wiping anything with his prints on it and walking out the door.

Once he got to his bike two blocks over Happy put his hands on his head. What do I do now? Will she hate me? I gotta tell her…..not tonight though…. One things for sure… she's mine. Ain't nobody takin her away from me.

/

Iris collapsed on the flimsy white chair that Opie had ushered her to laughing loudly. Opie had just done his best attempt at the Macarena. "I wish the boys had been here to see that Ope!"

"I don't… I doubt they would patch me if they just saw that vagina growing shit I just did." Smiling he stood back up and greeted Jax who had walked up with Tara. "Sup brother"

Jax led Tara to the opposite side of the table before answering, "Not shit just been talking with some of Tara's friends." Just then a slow song came on and Jax immediately piped up, "Hey Rissy….. Do you maybe wanna dance with your favorite friend?"

Feeling bold she replied, "For the record, Opie is my best friend….. But I guess I could use a slow dance"

Leading her over to the middle of the dance floor Jax wasted no time in hugging her to his body. She felt warm….. And right against him. Due to the fact that she was quite a bit shorter than him, her head was level with his chin. Jax couldn't help but think that was how a woman was supposed to be, small and fragile… yet strong. Leaning down to whisper in her ear he said, "Are you having a good time?"

Feeling her smile against his chest before she looked up she replied, "Yes Jackson… Opie is a gentleman and I am having a wonderful time….. We ummmm…we defined our relationship and came to terms with each other and for that I am thankful. I just didn't think that we would have an open discussion on the dance floor."

Jax's throat went dry. She already defined the relationship with Ope and I didn't even get the chance to feel out MY feelings. Not wanting to make the moment awkward he spoke up, "Yeah? So uh... what did you decide?"

Hearing the strain in his voice Iris was confused….she wasn't sure why there would be strain to his voice. "Yup, we decided that we are just friends….. "

The tension left Jax quicker than he was comfortable to admit and before he could think he said, "Good… "

Iris whipped her head up and looked him in the eyes, "What did you just say?"

Jax panicked, not wanting her to take offense to anything he said tonight. If she was angry there would be no way to get to know her. Stammering while he held on tighter he said, "No I didn't mean good I mean..."

She cut him off as she tried to push away from him only making him grab her tighter, "Why is that good Jax? Am I not good enough for Ope? Oh yeah I forgot I am one of the guys…."

"Iris stop that's not what I meant. Let me explain."

Sighing Iris said, "There is nothing to explain Jackson…."

Knowing that she didn't want to be close to him he relented his grasp and as she turned to walk away he blurted out, "I think about you"

Stopping dead in her tracks she whispered, "oh no"

Hesitating for a second, Jax walked up to her and pretended to resume their slow dance while whispering, "Ever sense you made the comment about being my future Queen it got me thinkin. About what I am doing with my path. Your there Ris…I don't know what part you play yet and I guess that's what has me so confused but... you are there in every end game I see. Now, I know I am with Tara and that it isn't fair to string along two people along at once but I love Tara and I don't know what my feelings are for you."

To keep from crying Iris took a big breathe and thought about what she was going to say next, "Jackson you love Tara. I will always be here for you okay. But this stops here. Do I like you? Duh. Am I going to be the reason you cannot fully be committed to someone no. So as of now we are friends. I want my fairy tale prom night with no worries and fun. Not defining moment heart to hearts….. do you know what a NORMAL girl would be doing?"

Jax smiled warmly and replied, "seeing's how I lack the essential anatomy of a chick that would be a no darlin'"

"Don't call me darlin', "Iris snapped. Jax's eyebrows rose up as he took minuets before replying, "Umm okay?"

"It's just….. You call every girl darlin'….. "

Jax smirked and said, "Sorry Ris….. I forgot that you aren't just any girl"

Iris rolled her eyes and continued, "ANYWAYS Jackson... A normal girl would get picked up, wined and dined, dance till their feet kill, and make love for the first time with their first love."

Jax smirked and said, "Sounds like a great nice Rissa… but you're not normal"

Smacking his shoulder she bit back, "What the hell's so abnormal Teller?"

Laughing he said, "Well for starters you're on a first name basis with most of the motorcycle clubs as well as prominent members of the community, you are on the protect with your life list with SAMCRO, and you're pure…. Like untouched by the black cloud that surrounds the rest of us."

Smiling wider than before she replied, "Well I guess me and the reaper have a friendly understanding."

"I guess you do Riss….." Jax said as he started to look uncomfortable. Iris wondered if he had grown tired of conversation, "Something wrong Jackson?"

Following his gaze she noticed Tara with her friends showing a letter in her clutch to her friends. "Tara got accepted to a college in Chicago and is going to take it. She told me that she would try to get an internship here as soon as she can but that she cannot hold back. I am pissed that I am here covering up who I am with this stupid ass suit, trying to change who I was taught to be just to keep her. I dunno what to do cuz I love her and shit ya know."

Fury erupted from within Iris and she replied, "If you need to change for her then you don't need her Jackson, as a matter of fact I have your cut in my bag and I think you should wear it."

Hugging her tight he ignored her comment and said, "You know you're the only person that calls me Jackson? I love it"

Before she could reply Tara appeared with a heated expression on her face, "You guys have danced through the last three slow songs of the night. If you have had enough people are leaving."

Jax took a deep breath before he said, "Sorry Tar, hey Ris I will see you at the clubhouse."

With a nod Iris turned to Opie and jumped in his arms yelling, "Take me to the party my good man!"

Opie laughed and replied, "Whatever the princess requires."

/

The clubhouse was booming when they arrived, Iris was ushered through the crowd and shown to her room so she could change. Thinking she would just put on some regular clothes when she got their she noticed a little black tube top dress covered in sequins with a note from Luanne that read "Knock em dead baby". Iris face palmed herself before deciding to go for broke. If Jax has the nerve to mix up my head I will turn the tables. Once she got herself into her new outfit she walked out to the clubhouse.

There were a lot more members than usual so she had to snake her way through the sea of men. When she came in sight of Opie she smiled as he handed her a beer. As she took her first swig she heard someone make a catcall and no sooner than she heard it a bottle smashed on the floor and two pissed off bikers were charging towards her.

Happy grabbed her arm and Tig was trying to pull her dress down to cover her thighs only to look horrified and pull it back up to cover her boobs. Tig was freaking out, "I dunno what to do hear man, and usually I am not trying to cover up a woman… I am rippin it off ya know"

"Tig why the hell do you care?"

Tig looked at her like she as stupid, "You're the clubs bouncing baby girl… which means nothing on you should be bouncing!" To that Iris rolled her eyes but was interrupted mid roll by Happy.

Happy snarled, "What the hell are you wearing? Who gave this to you?"

"It's mine Happy you bought it actually….."

"Off. Go change NOW" Happy pointed to her dorm and she got a little mad.

"No"

Stopping dead in his tracks he whipped around he said "What did you just say to me little girl"

"I said no Happy; I am going to wear this. It is my night to feel pretty and I feel beautiful. "

Happy was still pissed and shouted, "Fine! Stay here lookin like a sweet butt see if I give a shit" With that he turned on his heel and started to stomp off. Glancing at Opie for a split second she said, "Put on a slow song now"

Running up before he could get to the door she grabbed his arm and he swung around with a raised hand. By now the clubhouse was watching and she grabbed his raised hand and whispered, "Dance with me Dad"

The slow song came floating through the air. Happy took a few deep breaths and chuckled before saying, "One damn dance kid." He grabbed her tighter before spinning her around. The club was a little stunned.

As the song ended Tig tapped her on the shoulder and said, "How come killa has all the fun." Rolling her eyes she grabbed his hand and began to dance to the music that was currently playing.

Tig surprised her by being light and gentlemanly on his feet, "Wow Alex, I didn't know you had it in you. But you know I gotta ask, what's with the nice Tig all of a sudden?"

Tig smirked and replied, "Used to have balls in the Marines….. Learned how to dance so we didn't look like asses….. Ya know kid, ya look good tonight. "

"Thanks Alex, you look dashing yourself. "

Tig instantly got uncomfortable (compliments were a phobia of his) "Alright this Trager has had enough for the night. Now go out and find yourself an old man." As she turned away she could hear him warn off a few of the brothers. "That's the killas kid man I wouldn't try it"

Grabbing a shot from the nearest croweater she yelled to Opie, "Let's party!"

/

As the night progressed Opie had gotten so drunk that he had passed out in a corner with one of the older sweet butts. Iris was left to her own vices and decided to go outside for some fresh air. The night was warm and a slight breeze tickled her neck as strands of hair blew around her face. She looked up at the stars and reflected on her night. It had been everything that she had wanted but never knew. If you had told her that she would be doing this on her prom night a year ago, she would have laughed at them.

Hearing the clubhouse door open and close Iris turned in time to see Jax settle himself next to her. They sat in comfortable silence and mutual drunkenness. The night was a long one for them, but the party still was raging on in the clubhouse. Iris had moved to laying down on the picnic table and was staring at the stars. Jax did the same and asked, "What is love Ris?"

Iris thought for a while before saying, "I think it is being able to depend on each other, being the voice in each others head when shit goes down, and the person that you think of in a situation that might be your last."

"Wow… that was deep."

"Why are you with Tara?" Jax glanced over before sighing loudly, "I dunno….. I guess because she is the first girl that held her own with my ma. "

"Hmm…..sounds like a good reason" With that Iris got up and walked in between the clubhouse and the garage. She got a few steps in before being slammed into the side of the garage. Jax was staring into her eyes with a heated expression before he crushed his lips to hers. Before Iris knew what was happening she was kissing back and hands were roaming everywhere. In a moment of clarity she managed to ask "Where's Tar…." Only to be interrupted by another assault by Jax's lips and a hurried, "passed out".

Grabbing her hips Jax lifted her up and wrapped Iris's legs around his waist.

/

Oh my god what did I just DO! Iris had panicked after her and Jax were finished and she ran. Once she slammed herself through her dorm door she locked it behind her and cried. Her first time had been filled with passion and fire that any girl would dream of. On the flip side her stomach turned at the thought of it. She had slept with someone's boyfriend OUTSIDE! Jax had called after her but Iris couldn't stand to look at him. Instead she had ran into her dorm and cried.

Not wanting to be awake any longer she layed down and cried herself to sleep not even escaping him in her dreams.

Jax cursed as he lit another cigarette. He had to be the biggest asshole on the planet. He got caught up in the moment and hadn't realized that Iris was a virgin until she wasn't one any longer. Once they were done she had run from him, and he couldn't blame her. He was dating Tara and he had treated her like some sweet butt. He had to resist the urge to go find her to apologize for what he had done, but he knew he wasn't sorry. He had wanted that and still did. Figuring he was too drunk to think this through he headed back to his dorm pausing at Iris's door briefly before going to bed for the night.

/

The next morning Iris awoke with a fire under her heels. Needing to distance herself from the club and especially Jax she packed her stuff up as quickly as possible before sneaking out the back door. The walk to her house was a long one and she had time to think. She knew that Jax wasn't going to leave Tara, and waiting around for him to figure out his feelings was something she couldn't do. She would still hang out with them but there is nothing that can happen between her and Jax. Hell, maybe she would find another son.

When she got to her house all was quiet and the house was unlocked. Her father's truck was in the driveway which was odd because he usually went up to the pub on Sunday mornings for Irish coffees with the other drunks of Charming. When she got into the house she called out for him but received no answer. She walked into the kitchen and stopped dead in her tracks at the scene in front of her.

Her father was lying on the white dingy tile with blood pooled around him with a wondrous expression. Wide eyed and gaping mouth stared back at Iris. Panicking she grabbed the prepay that she had and dialed. One ring and the other line picked up, "Yeah?"

Unable to hold her tears any longer she whispered, "I need you"

With a sigh they replied, "On my way"

/

Wow guys! This took so long to tweak and write. I had such a hard time but I hope it was worth it. I hope you like it and I am looking forward to your opinions. Much Love