Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from "Sons of Anarchy." They are the property of Kurt Sutter and Fox Network. No money is changing hands in the writing, reading or distribution of this story.
Chapter 27
Five days, four nights, and now it was all finally coming to an end. Joss could hear the roar of the bikes as they turned the corner about a mile away, now heading towards the clubhouse, and Tig's bike was among them! She'd passed her days exploring the woods around their home, astounded by the number of squirrels who chattered at her and ran up the trees, dancing franticly on the roof of the house as they watched her; gray squirrels and fox squirrels, that Joss had started putting peanuts and hazelnuts outside in a little trough for. She watched them every morning, just like the raccoons that came to visit her on the patio outside the sliding glass door each evening, only the raccoons showed a partiality for animal crackers, which they washed in little dishes of water Joss had set out for them as well, having read once that raccoons liked to do that with their food. And the woods were alive with snakes! It was a good thing she wasn't afraid of them, because she generally stumbled across one per each walk, brown blotched and spotted Gopher Snakes with thick, cream colored bodies, California King Snakes with shining black scales, banded with white. She'd even seen a Western Rattlesnake, tightly coiled and hissing up at her. She'd thought it was a Gopher Snake at first, the pattern and colors on the scales had been similar, but its diamond shaped head quickly distinguished it from the harmless Gopher Snake, as did its aggressive attitude. From then on Joss was more aware of where she put her foot while walking through the woods. Tig had said he'd found several snakeskins in the basement when he'd been working on the house, and Joss was now acquainted with their owners.
She'd bought a book on backyard wildlife one day that she and Gemma went out to lunch, and though she missed Tig, and worried about the whole Opie thing…and then missed Tig some more, guiding her own nature tour of where she lived had become something she enjoyed, as well as being a welcomed distraction. She missed Tig so much, but when he was home, Joss had no time to notice any of the squirrels, or the raccoons, or the snakes. Tig was kind of like a cat, he was too cool to be loved on, and kind of aloof, but the moment something that wasn't him had her full attention, there he was, doing the Tig equivalent of climbing the drapes, or sneaking under the newspaper she was reading, his fuzzy face suddenly blocking what she read. Well, maybe he wasn't exactly like that…but his face was fuzzy, she had to admit. Tig…she could hear the engine of his bike; he was so close now compared to where he'd been, but until he was in front of her, semi-in her arms and reminding her about the "elbow zone," he was still too far away. Her world was Tig…and while she loved the flora and fauna around the house, she wanted that world back!
Her nights were spent usually at Gemma's house, ordering out for dinner and either playing cards or watching a movie with Gemma and Tara. Joss envied Gemma so much, she'd been through these runs with Clay for so long now that it didn't bother her, or make her feel so desperate when she was without him. Of course Gemma loved Clay, but that love had been tried, tested and tempered; Gemma missed Clay too, but they were like…like the compass in that Renaissance poet, John Donne's, poem…"And though it in the centre sit, yet, when the other far doth roam, it leans, and hearkens after it, and grows erect, as that comes home." It was the perfect description of Gemma and Clay…Gemma the spiked foot of the tool Joss had used when she was about seven years old, drawing perfect circles in those high school geometry courses homeschooled to her by the tutor her father hired. Gemma stayed central, pinned to Charming, while Clay, like the end of the compass with the pencil on it, was always moving around Gemma, who stayed in the center…but they were always part of the same tool, the same tool that was held straighter and straighter the smaller the circle being drawn was, and the closer the pencil was to the spiked foot. One day, Joss knew she'd have that kind of poise too; she and Tig, in their own way, would be exactly that, a compass, she knew they would, but even Gemma had agreed that getting there wasn't easy.
But now, Joss's end of the compass with the pencil was drawing nearer to her…and likely growing more erect, too! She smiled, even laughed a little, making Juice look strangely at her as he too waited for the arrival of his brothers. Clay was calling an emergency meeting to discuss the whole ATF thing as soon as he, Jax, Bobby, Opie and Tig had returned, and all members were expected to attend. Tig had managed to call or text her at least once every day he'd been gone, the conversations were generally brief, he was busy, but his final phone call this morning had promised he'd be with her tonight, and expected to be rolling into Charming by no later than five o'clock. But, he didn't know she'd be here at the clubhouse waiting for him; Joss hoped he wouldn't mind…but then, after that Journey text, the one that must have made Tig feel secure in saying what he meant, because he was using someone else's words, and was far enough away that Joss couldn't touch him...no, he wouldn't mind that she was here waiting for him.
"Bet Tig'll be glad to see you!" Juice said to her, still looking at the way she was smiling, as if he suspected she were sharing a joke with herself…but then, she was.
She looked back at Juice, smiling at him now, just not able to make that smile go away. "Thanks," she answered, because it was safe to talk to Juice, Tig wouldn't mind small talk between them, he was nothing like Opie…whatever was with Opie. She just had to keep it centered around her man, it showed that she was his. "I'll be really glad to see him too!"
"Yeah, I bet! It's really great about you two." Juice smiled, and Joss knew she could trust that what Juice said was what he also meant. It was so good to know that she and Tig, her as his property, had the support of the club as much as it did. It was like everyone had been waiting for the right someone to come along and mellow Tig out. But, Joss loved him the way he was, she had no plans to mellow him out. "Hey, are those the new Vada boots from Harley?" Juice asked, looking down at the black motorcycle boots with the silver studded faux spur straps and side zippers that Joss wore.
She nodded her head, pulling up the pants leg of her contour fitted, low rise jeans to show Juice the entire boot. "Yeah, and the jeans are Harley Davidson too!" She smiled proudly. She'd been saving this outfit for the next big party, but hell, Tig coming home was more than a special enough occasion. She'd thrown on a black camisole bra, her patch, and the jeans and boots to welcome him back, not forgetting her little black leather collar, the one with the silver heart on it that bore his name with an apostrophe "S."
"Oh, that is sweet!" Said Juice, checking out her clothes without making Joss feel like he was checking her out…or tapping his chest with his fist…"I gotta get my lady some of those!"
"You have a lady?" Joss smiled, Tig was right, it was like their union had inspired everyone around here to fall in love…it must have made it seem easier to do now, because if Tig could do it, why couldn't everyone else? "She wasn't standing on her head in a corner, was she?" She couldn't help but laugh.
"Aww man, not you too!" Juice smiled and sighed, shaking his head and laughing. "And no, she wasn't. I met her outside that new bookstore that opened; she was in there buying all this Shakespeare and had some dark, twisted romance story about a demon gettin' it on with an angel, said she really loves that one. She's not your typical girl." Juice paused and smiled, obviously tickled to death. "She's twenty-three, goes to school, has horses" he said, smiling more and more. "Her name's Lauren."
Joss smiled, happy for him and excited to know that there may soon be someone else who loved horse and equestrian sports as much as she did joining SAMCRO's little fold. Hmm…it was selfish of her, particularly at this point, but maybe Joss could finagle an invitation to ride! It would be so incredible in the saddle again, maybe taking a few fences, or just hacking out to have a good time. Wow, between Happy and Juice, her girlfriend prospects were ever increasing! Wouldn't it be great if everyone could come over for dinner sometime? Clay and Gemma, Jax and Tara, Happy and Lauren, Juice and…Oh God! "Her name's what?"
"Lauren," Juice answered, "Everyone keeps thinking I said 'Laurie' or something, but nope, Lauren's my lady!" He smiled.
Oh God! Poor Juice…he seemed so delighted …would it be wrong to just let him have that for a little bit longer? Yes…Juice sure as hell didn't want to be in it with Happy, that Joss knew for certain. She'd hitched her share of rides with Happy during Tig's absence, and Happy had been more than chivalrous in stopping by the house and making sure she didn't need anything. He'd even come in and stopped the washer from making that high pitched whining sound it made when it reached the spin cycle when Joss had casually mentioned it in conversation. She'd been eager to get to know Lauren, whom Joss had noticed was sitting on the back of Happy's bike during two of his visits, but she and Lauren hadn't spoken yet, just waved and smiled…Tig hadn't said if he wanted her to talk to Lauren yet, but Joss had lived in hope. Tig was taking this Lauren thing like he was mourning the loss of a buddy, but Joss hoped for double dates…well, maybe not really what Tig, or Happy, would refer to them as, but still, having another couple, that Tig liked, to hang out with would be awesome! Tig and Happy were buds, and Joss had no problems with Happy either, he'd been there for her just like Tig had said he'd be, and she'd come to like him quite a lot. But Happy would kill Juice if he found out about this Lauren thing! It was better for both of them if she spoke up now. "Okay," she sighed, turning to Juice, all business now. "Look, I don't know how SAMCRO does this, or if I should even be the one telling you this, but for the last few days, Happy's been with this girl…named Lauren." She frowned as she said it, knowing she was going to break Juice's heart, and he didn't deserve that pain, but it was better she broke his heart than Happy breaking his entire body.
She was shocked to hear Juice laughing. Jesus, had he gone out of his mind that quickly? "I know," he said. "But that's another girl. Happy's Lauren has been hanging around for awhile, my Lauren hasn't hung around yet at all…but she will…she will." He grinned.
"Thank you, God!" Joss sighed, looking upwards, then over at Juice. "Don't scare me like that!" She laughed then heard the roar of dyna's engines getting louder and louder. Tig was now within eye shot, another quarter of a mile, and he was home!
Juice looked off at the same thing Joss did, giving his brothers a nod even though they were still too far out to see it, then looked back at Joss. "Thank you for being scared." He said, "I really like this girl, all she's gotta do is hold my hand and she's got me, you know?" Juice smiled again and shook his head like he couldn't believe how wonderful this feeling was. "I hope we'll be like you and Tig!" At that Joss couldn't help but gasp, and then laugh like Juice had no idea what he was saying; and he didn't! Hmm…if this Lauren only knew what Juice was hoping for! Joss laughed to herself again, but Juice was serious. "No, I mean that you and Tig, you know, you have this thing that just…I don't know how to describe it, you just fit into each other so well that it draws people to you. You're like the celeb couple of SAMCRO!" He laughed. "You're not Tig and Joss, you're Tijo!"
"Wow!" At that Joss smiled, she liked Juice because he was always so positive and genuine, and funny. She laughed, really psyched to see her man now. Tijo…Tig would hate that! But Joss could only laugh when she imagined his reaction, not that she planned to tell him of course. "Thank you, Juice! I hope you and Lauren get to be…Jula?" She smiled then laughed again…did this make Jax and Tara, Jara? And Happy and his Lauren; were they Hala? Ha! If Joss were Bobby's property, then they'd be JoBob! This was fun, she and Juice were still giggling as they thought of more combined names.
"No, my lady and me, we'll be AurenJuice!" He smirked, and then he and Joss both burst out laughing, Juice eventually shrugging then turning to her still smiling. "Hey, thanks for trying to warn me about Happy's Lauren." He said, then reached across and gave her shoulder a friendly shake, kind of like, but less annoying than, how Jax felt it necessary to tell her to "be good" and then rub the top of her head and muss up her straight hair. "You're a pretty cool girl, Joss."
Chapter 27; Part 2
It had been so fucking hard to remain the appropriate safe distance away from Clay's bike on the trip home; Tig finding several times that he'd surged way ahead of Jax, who was beside Tig, and off to Clay's left. He knew his bike could due around one hundred ten when he really pushed it, and the moment they'd torn out of Indio, Tig had wanted to push it.
He missed Joss…and he'd never thought he'd be admitting that to himself, no matter that he might have been feeling it. He'd have been kicking his ass for letting that all get settled inside him, but it hadn't gotten in the way of the task that had been ahead of him in Indio, and so he was able to cut himself some slack for having a weak moment or two…like that text message the first night he was gone; shit, the next morning had all the charm of waking up with a hangover…but did missing Joss, and feeling that he did, really make him weak?
It was strange, and definitely unexpected, but he felt like he was more focused on stealing those guns back, a lot sharper when it came to tailing the ATF, and a lot more ready to rip apart whoever he may need to for the good of the club…and why? Because it all effected Joss and what he had with her; there was no way he was going to go to jail for something now and have to be away from her, there was no way he was going to let anyone or anything threaten the club that housed everything he had with his beautiful, dark, perfect little angel. She and the club were the same things to him, and in defending one, he was defending the other, and no one would take either one from him! God damn…who would have ever thought that having Joss in his life would make him bigger and badder than he'd always been alone?
Normally by the time the clubhouse was insight after a run like this one, all Tig felt was hot, tired, and dusty; all he'd want was a beer, some pussy and then to be left the fuck alone. It was odd to not feel that this time. He was hot, and tired, and dusty, the beer still sounded fantastic, but the pussy…well, that had sort of been qualified to a particular piece of pussy now…pussy that wanted him back! And as for being left the fuck alone…yeah, but alone with Joss! But there was that emergency call to "church" to deal with first…and it was likely to take an hour or two, there was a lot of news to share and a lot plans to be made, but the bottom line was, they were about to set the ATF and the Mayans up together, and get two monkeys off their backs at the same time. But after that, he was homeward bound, and Clay had promised him tomorrow off from work…perfect…he and Joss could get back to what they'd been exploring the night before he left!
Oh hell…he was just too far gone to even try kicking his own ass back to himself again…it was because he was tired, Indio was a long fucking ways away, and he hadn't exactly been laying on the beach with a book while he was there either. Tomorrow, after he was well rested and his strength returned, he'd beat the shit out of himself then for everything he was thinking and feeling now…he promised himself that.
All his charter brothers were waiting at the clubhouse, per Clay's instruction, and as they walked from their bikes towards the clubhouse, Clay was already giving instructions to him, Jax, Bobby and Opie…who had been deathly quiet the whole time they'd been in Indio…go figure.
"Alright, " Clay was saying, turning to look back at the returning entourage. "We've got time to shit, shower and shave, but 'church' is in session in ten minutes."
Tig and the rest nodded, the only thing any of them really interested in being a beer, and they all began to walk passed Clay into the clubhouse, and that's when Tig saw a familiar silhouette leaning against one of the support poles beneath the large overhang. He smiled, that tiredness he was feeling, that he was clinging to feeling, was suddenly gone, and his heart was pounding. He knew immediately it was her, even as he told himself it couldn't have been. He felt himself start to run towards her, in front of everyone, but he'd missed her so God damn much, it didn't matter anymore who saw it. "Joss!" Jesus fucking Christ, she couldn't have looked better, and it had nothing to do with what she had on!
She looked up and smiled, standing straight now and taking a step towards him, but Tig was already there, wrapping her up in his arms and hugging her so tightly that her feet came off the ground as he spun around once with a happy groan. Her body felt so good against his, he buried his face in the smoothness of her long raven hair and breathed in the lilac scent of it, Joss's hands flat against his chest, not a touch he'd have allowed previously, but it was okay now, she liked his chest. Damn, she felt everything he'd been dreaming up for the last four days, but it took until this moment to realize it. "Welcome home!" She murmured as he set her back down, not able complete what she said before Tig kissed her, leaning her back up against the support beam and interlocking his fingers with hers and then grasping at her hips with his fingertips, ensuring that they each felt close to the other, but that there was no way for Joss to forget herself and throw her arms around him in her exuberance.
"How'd you get here?" He asked, nearly out of breath, but closed his eyes and kissed her again, the taste of her mouth like pure honey on his tongue, and she was absolutely straining against him, her mouth and tongue active against his own as she fought the urge to touch him more than he'd allow her to.
"You called," she began to explain as she drew in a sudden breath of air, Tig not having enough yet and leaning more into her form, lowering his head to kiss her neck. "You told me what time you'd be here, and you…" her voice trailed off for a moment as she shuddered at the way he sucked at her white skin and scraped at it with his teeth. "You said to call Happy if I needed anything," her fingers, spliced with his, tightened their grip and then pulled his hands more around her hips to the firmness of her ass. "And I needed you!"
God damn, but she was perfect! Everything he wanted to see, she was. Everything he'd been dreaming of, she was. And everything he could have wanted to hear, she'd said! The drive home was only seven minutes, but there were also the dorms…Fuck! 'Church' in ten minutes! Tig abruptly straightened up, still holding onto Joss, but looking over his shoulder, scouting for Clay, finally picking him out among all the other cuts. "Clay!" he called over to him, getting his attention immediately. This was stupid, and the mark of a man who was helplessly and hopelessly lost to the spell of a woman…but Tig was doing it. "Ten more minutes? She needs me, man!"