Disclaimer: As always, I own no part of SOA. All characters and settings belong to Kurt Sutter / Sutter Ink. However, those characters that are a living breathing product of my imagination belong solely to me.
Ready, Willing, and Abel
Chapter 7
Turning to face the clubhouse, Abel saw Tig and Bobby watching the whole scene from the doorway. "Shit-storm" he mumbled to himself, walking back inside. Upon entering the clubhouse, the volume was a grating combination of voices. Everyone talking at once, Tig demanding "Alvarez's niece, really Abel? In what reality did that strike you as a good idea?" Then you had Chucky, who didn't know who Maria was, but felt bad for letting her past the front door none the less. Just then Opie and Gemma walked into the clubhouse. Both had witnessed the scene in the parking lot. Opie telling to Tig to back off and let Abel speak. Gemma demanding to know what her grand-son was doing with "that girl." Finally, after several moments of confusion Jax and Chibbs entered from the Chapel.
"What the hell!" Shouted Jax looking from Chibbs to the group and back again. Chibbs having no idea simply gave a careless shrug of his shoulders before cutting loose with a piercing whistle; that drew everybody to silence. Everyone turned to look at Jax and Chibbs. "Someone want to tell me what the hell is going on around here?" demanded Jax. Once again the voices rained, everyone talking at once. "ENOUGH!" shouted Jax, "Everyone Chapel NOW!"
Standing at the Chapel door, Jax watched as his brothers and his son entered the room one by one. Once the fellas were inside, Jax turned to Gemma. "I know he's your son Jax, but you have to nail Abel down hard for this. A relationship with that bitch, not only put's Abel at risk, but this club as well." When would ma ever realize she was just an ol' lady and not actually a member of SAMCRO? Probably never, Jax thought idly, "Look ma, this is a club matter now. I'll handle it. I don't want you harassing Abel or the others about this. Stay out of it, OK?" Gemma just smiled that serene smile of hers. Rolling his eyes, Jax turned and entered the Chapel, shutting the door behind him. Taking his seat at the head of the table, he looked around the room at his brothers, his son. "I'm waiting for some answers" he informed the group patiently.
"It's all on me dad," stated an angry Abel. Slightly confused, Jax questioned "What's all on you son?" Abel searched his dad's face for a moment and then began "That girl mom's been so worried about – well turns out she's Alvarez God-daughter." Disbelief showed bright on Jax's face "Son of a bitch! Abel. Your saying you've been banging Alvarez's God-daughter for months now?" Abel said nothing further just sat watching his dad's face.
Tig slapped his hand against the table, "Jax this relationship between the two of them is a bad idea man…I don't like where this could go." Usually a calm voice of reason, Bobby looked from Abel to Jax "Tig may be right man, if she's close to Alvarez in any way she could be a threat not only to Abel but to this club as well." Jax struggled to keep the line between family life and club life, today that line was all shot to hell. He didn't want to put his son's private business out there for all the brothers to see. But Abel's relationship with the girl could potentially be a huge threat to him and this club. As much as he didn't want to, he would have to speak to Abel about this Maria. "Why don't you fellas give Abel and me the room for a minute?" Declared Jax without looking around. The brothers stood and began to file out Bobby and Opie both slapping Abel on the shoulder before leaving.
Once the room was empty, Abel stood from the table. "I know what you're going to say Dad. I fucked up; in all honesty I didn't know she was tied to the Mayans until last night." Jax smiled, "You've been sleeping with Alvarez's niece for more than six months and didn't know who she was?" Abel turned away from his dad "Yeah like I said I fucked up."
Moving to stand beside his son, Jax leaned against the table. "Look son, you're a grown man. I don't want to step in your personal life. Who you sleep with is your business. But when it spills over to my clubhouse, it becomes club business. Our history with the Mayans is dirty shit at best. Are you ready to choose her over this club, because it could very well come to that?" Abel faced his dad head on "This is club is in my blood dad. I want this – and nothing is going to get in my way." Clapping Abel on the shoulder, Jax was reminded of himself at that age. Hearing his son choose the club was a prideful bittersweet moment for Jax as a father and as club president. "I'm proud of you son." Jax said as he clapped Abel's shoulder once more.
There was a loud knock on the Chapel door, just a mere second or two before Chucky stuck his head inside. "Umm excuse me Jax, but Amanda called. She's been trying to reach you or Jax by cell for a while now."
Abel turned "It's all good Chucky, what did Amanda say?" Chucky's eyes darted from Abel to Jax back to Abel, rapidly Chucky came out with "she's over at Charming elementary with two flat tires." Waiting a beat, Chucky volunteered, "I can get the prospect to run over there if you like?" Abel looked at Chucky and then his dad, "We done here?" he asked with a tight smile. "Yeah were done, go help Amanda. Just think about what I said" replied a frustrated Jax. With that Abel shot from the room; grabbing his cut and sweat-shirt from a chair in the clubhouse, he headed into the garage. Positive that TM had a couple of tires in stock that would fit Amanda's car; he snatched up two and stowed them in the bed of his pick-up.
Charming Elementary School Parking Lot:
Abel found and empty parking space to the right of Amanda's older maroon Ford Explorer. Climbing out of his truck, Abel made his way around to the driver's side of the Explorer. Abel rapped on the window "Hey Manda!" Lost in her own thoughts and fears Amanda jumped with a frightened little shriek as she turned and saw Abel standing outside her door. With her heart about to literally pound right out her chest, Amanda slowly opened the truck door. "OH MY GOD! Abel you scared the shit out of me." Amanda cried. Happy to see her bruises improving slightly, Abel smiled "Sorry darlin' didn't mean to startle you." Moving around the truck, Abel examined the two flat front tires. Attempting to calm herself, Amanda followed along behind him. "I don't know how I manage to get two flat tires at the same time. I guess it's just going to be one of those days." Amanda laughed, trying to play off her fear. Kneeling down next to the driver side front tire; Abel examined it more closely. Moving to the other side of the truck, Abel examined the passenger tire as well. "Darlin' these tires aren't just flat, they've been cut."
Scanning the parking lot, Amanda folded her arms across her chest, drawing in on herself. "I'm sure it was just some kid – a stupid prank, you know?" Moving to stand next to her, Abel rubbed at her upper arms in a comforting gesture. "You ok, darlin? You look a little spooked." Forcing a smile that didn't reach her frightened eyes, "I'm fine, just not a good morning for me – you know?"
If this had been anyone but Amanda, Abel would have pushed; with her he had the patience of a saint. "Ok" he began…"I got a couple of tires in the truck that should fix you right up." With that Abel set about getting her tires changed. Roughly twenty minutes later, Abel had the new tires on her truck and the old ones dumped in his truck bed. "Thanks again Abel, appreciate the help. Let me know what I owe for the tires ok?" Amanda asked as she climbed into her Explorer.
Shutting her truck door, Abel leaned against the open window. Simply watching her face for a long moment Abel was a little surprised. Since that first night at his parents place, Amanda had done little since to hide her bruises. Ignoring the myriad colors fighting for control of her face, for the first time Abel noticed her eyes. "A man" he thought, "could get lost in that beautiful depth. How did I miss noticing this before now?" Pushing on he smiled, tapping a light finger against her nose, "Don't worry about the tires, consider it a welcome home present from SAMCRO."
She smiled at him, this one a little more genuine, reaching her eyes just a little. Abel pressed on "You know Amanda, your safe here, whatever happened in Tacoma, your safe here in Charming." Amanda sighed; leaning closer to his face she kissed his right cheek, "Always my biker in shining armor. Thanks again Abel."
"Anytime Darlin'" responded Abel as he stepped back from the truck. Amanda started the truck and slowly backed up. Waving to Abel one last time, Amanda drove away from the elementary school. As Abel went back to his truck, he looked around the lot and surrounding area one last time. He didn't see anyone out of the ordinary. Still he could not shake the feeling that someone was watching.
Standing across the street, realistically a very short distance away, Dean watched. Clenching his fists, Dean struggled to control the pure boiling acidic hate burning in his gut. "That little bitch," mumbled Dean "came back hear for white trash biker. Soon they will both see the error of their ways."
A/N: Seven chapters down, I can hardly believe it! Special thanks to all of you – who faithfully read and review – you have no idea how much its appreciated.