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.

Chapter 13

Staring down at the body, Abel felt bitter numbness spreading through his entire being. Raising his hands, the gun felt like a foreign object, an object suddenly too heavy to hold onto. Dropping the gun beside the body, Abel turned and faced Amanda.

She stood just inside the living room, the look of pure horror spreading across her face. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came forth. Trying again, she opened her mouth only to have small whimpers of shock come forth. Moving to her, Abel grabbed her and held on tight. Turning away from the scene, he led them down the hall to the bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Abel felt it the moment fear and shock took over her.

" Manda?" Abel asked with fear and concern. With no response, he tried again "Amanda?" With still no reply, Abel slid from the bed; dropping to his knees he crouched before her. Framing her face in his hands, he began again. "Manda baby you have to stay with me here."

Trembling, Amanda felt the dampness of tears on her face. Absently she wondered "what am I crying for?" She could hear Abel talking to her, but her brain was so clouded with thick fog. Looking at Abel with glazed over eyes, she felt as if she were fighting her way through back from a great distance. After several long moment, she was able to take a couple of deep cleansing breaths, "Abel…Abel…what have we done?"

Wiping the tears from her face, stoically he answered "You've done nothing – absolutely nothing. Do you hear me Amanda Lynn; this is 'NOT' on you. I will not let this blow back on you. I will take care of this. I promise you darlin', I will not let this hurt you."

Sliding off the edge of the bed, Amanda collapsed into his arms. Wrapping his arms around her, he understood her shock. Stretching out his legs, Abel pulled her into his lap, rocking her gently back and forth like a small child. He told himself, that he would do anything to comfort her – ease her shock; the simple truth was rocking her was easing his shock.

After a time her tears eased, her breathing evened out, Abel almost wondered if she had fallen asleep. He knew what he had to do, but he could not force himself to move just yet. Nearly a half hour later his cell phone began to ring. Slowly so as not to disturb her, Abel reached for his phone. Without looking he simply answered, "Yeah" he barked.

Jax responded "Abel, where are you? Chibbs and Juice are headed up to the warehouse – need you to go with them." Abel felt the familiar tension flood back in an instant. "Can't Dad – I'm in the middle of it!

Frustrated Jax cursed under his breath, "Abel, your back in this clubhouse less than five minutes before you tear out of here like your ass is on fire. Is there something you want to share?" Not in the mood to share, Abel paused for just a moment "Not really – get Opie or Tig to handle it. I'll get out there as soon as I can." Abel knew he would probably catch hell for it later, it couldn't be helped; with a last glance at the phone he simply hung up.

Touching Amanda's face, he whispered "you still with me darlin'?" Shivering slightly in his arms she looked up into his beautiful blue eyes. Abel was relieved to see the clarity and strength shining in her eyes. "I need you to call my Mom, ask her to come by and pick you up. You need to get out of this house for a while. I'll take care of things here – ok?"

Amanda shuddered, "Abel I shouldn't leave you alone to deal with this. You're in this position because of me. I can't bail on you now." Smiling at her, Abel wasn't shocked his Manda Lynn could be loyal to a fault. "No," he whispered "you're going to get out of here. I'll take care of this and then I will come and get you when it's done." Recognizing the stubborn tilt of his jaw, she was too tired to fight – she simply nodded. Standing up, Abel helped her to her feet and gave her his cellphone.

A few minutes later, Amanda informed him that she had reached his mom and that she and Rachael were on their way. "Good, why don't you quickly pack a bag just in case I'm going to call Opie and see if he can't 'suggest' to Katie that she stay over at his place tonight. Amanda rushed around the room and grabbed up a few things shoving them into a bag. Slinging her pack over her shoulder, she moved once again into the safety of Abel's arms. "Hurry Abel, do this and then come get me, please!" Pulling her nice and tight, Abel rubbed his hands up and down her back reassuringly "I promise" he vowed.

Stepping back from her, "You better get outside, Mom and Rachael should be here any minute." Kissing his cheek, Amanda turned to head to the living room. Moving quickly, Amanda rushed out the door and never looked back. As she was shutting the door behind, she saw Tara and Rachael pulling into the lot. Racing over to the truck, she climbed inside where she knew to some degree she would feel safe.

Nearly three hours later – Tellar household:

Mindful of the late hour, Abel quietly let himself in the front door of his parent's home. Entering slowly, guided by the light of nearly muted television he peeked into the living room. There on the couch laid his sister sound asleep, his best friend curled up next to her holding her as if she were a life line; laying very still Amanda stared at the television with cold vacant eyes. Without disturbing them he moved into the kitchen, where his mom sat at the table. Removing his cut, he kissed his mom's cheek. As he went to move away Tara, pulled him in close touching the side of his face "Baby Boy," she whispered. Sitting down next to her, Abel smiled when his mom reached for his hand. "I don't want to pry, sweetheart, really but 'you' can't send Amanda to me looking as if she just survived world war III and expect me to ask nothing."

"How do you do it Mom?" he asked with complete sincerity. Tara smiled lovingly at her son "Do what baby?" she asked in return.

Mulling it over, he chose his words carefully, "Stay with dad, day in and day out, but up with all the B.S. that comes with the club, with all the grief Tommy and me put you through; Rachael's a freakin' damn miracle." He laughed sarcastically.

"Abel" Tara admonished only half serious. "I've never pretended it was easy. There have been days when I just wanted to pack you guys up and run as fast as I could. I wanted to get as far away from Charming as I possibly could. But, at the end of the day though I love your father and I know my home is with him. I know that he loves us more than anything else in this world, in the end that's what matters most."

With disbelief lacing his lowered voice he pressed "more than the club – you think?" A simple question, asked with complete honesty, so why did it disturb Tara so much. "In the beginning maybe the club came first. Now, though I believe this family comes first in your dad's heart always." Waiting a mere beat, "Why do you ask?"

Standing Abel moved to stand in the door way so he could look in on Manda and Rachael. "How long have they been like that?" Sensing that for her son at least; this conversation had come to an end. Tara moved to stand in slightly in front of him, "Hours I guess, almost since the minute we walked into the house I guess. I think even Rachael knew that something wasn't quite right with Amanda tonight."

Rubbing a frustrated tired hand over his and through his hair, Abel started toward the couch. Placing a stilling hand on his arm Tara looked at him questioningly. Silently answering the unspoken question, Abel gestured that he was going to carry Rachael to bed. Tugging at his arm gently, Tara motioned towards the kitchen. "Don't wake them Abel," she whispered, "she's perfectly safe here. Besides maybe this time with Rachael – with family is just what she needs."

Weary to the bone, Abel smiled, he wondered exactly when Tara had become to see Amanda as family. The news didn't surprise him. In all actuality it would make his life easier. Stepping back into the living room doorway, he watched his Manda Lynn and his rug-rat sister. Manda Lynn may not be ready yet, but if Abel had his say she would be 'HIS' ol' lady someday.

The ringing phone drug him away from his thoughts – moving him back towards the kitchen table. He listened patiently as his mom answered the home phone. Within seconds, he knew it was dad on the other end of the line. Ever since he was a little boy, he remembered dad always checking in with mom. He may not always be able to explain everything, but he never let mom worry intentionally. He respected that about his dad and he wanted to do the same with Amanda.

Hearing his mom hang up the phone, Abel turned to face her, "Dad?" he asked casually. His mother smiled "Yeah, everything's fine but, he needs you at the clubhouse." Reaching for her son's hand, squeezing tight, "Abel, Amanda's fine. Leave her here with your sister and me. Go on, see your dad – handle things with the club. I promise to call if we need anything. It's already late – just come back when you're finished at the club house – ok?"

Grateful for an amazing and understanding mom Abel pulled her into a tight hug "Sometimes" he whispered into her hair "I think we forget how lucky we are to have you around mom – I love you mom."

Taken a little by surprise Tara could feel the emotion welling inside over her son's heartfelt words, "I love you too son – always." With those words, Abel grabbed his cut, with a final glance at Amanda – he was off and running again.

A/N: Short chapter, I know and I'm sorry about that I have a bigger chapter planned and hope to update soon – please as always read and review I love to hear what you all have to say. As always

Xxoo Rainie xxoo