Disclaimer: As always I own nothing except those OC's living and breathing within my own mind. All SOA rights belong to Kurt Sutter / Sutter Ink.
Chapter 20
The icy cold dread twisting Abel's stomach was evident on all his brother's faces. The dread bubbled in his gut; he just left Maria a couple of hours ago. Sure they had issues right – serious issues, but he would never believe that she would throw him under the bus like this. "This isn't about Maria," he stated with sincere calm conviction. "She may not understand the how and why of shit, but we understood each other today. She will not put this baby at risk."
Chiming in Opie agreed "I think the kid has a point Jax. If this were about Maria, Alvavez would sooner be here guns blazing not calling to – what "chat?"
Standing, Jax moved to follow "Philly" from the chapel "Dam, I hope your both right."
Sparing his brothers a quick glance, Abel turned to address his president "Prez, I know how this must look but it aint Maria – she wouldn't do this."
Moving into the barroom, Jax partially closed the chapel door behind him. Abel struggled to hear his dad's muffled tones from the other side of the door. He just couldn't allow himself to believe this was Maria. He knew she was pissed – sure, but he saw the love in her eyes today. If that look was any indication, that love ran deep. She would not hurt him or this baby intentionally ever.
Looking around the table, Abel studied the faces of his MC Brothers. These men were more than just members of the same MC. These men were his childhood heroes – his uncles. These men were family. They were the faces he turned to when he couldn't turn to mom and dad.
In his heart, Abel knew that he would follow each and every man at this table into hell and back no questions asked. So why did the thought of asking them to following him, this time, bother him so damned much.
Turning out his brother's chatter, Abel concentrated his listening to his dad's phone conversation. Only able to hear every second or fifth word was driving Abel insane. When his father finally came back into the chapel; Abel was about ready to jump from his own skin.
Resuming his seat at the head of the table, Jax took a deep breath before beginning. "Prez…" Abel began anxious for word on the situation. Turning to his son, Jax flashed him a quick, very brief comforting glance. "Alvarez wants to double his incoming shipment."
Relived Abel leaned back in his chair taking one…two slow deep breaths. While he knew Maria hadn't thrown him under the bus – it was nice to actually hear the words. "What's going on?" asked Abel in a rush, followed by similar questions and comments from the other men seated at the table.
"Seems that two of Alvarez's men were shot – one's dead; the other is in surgery at St. Thomas right now," replied a weary Jax.
"St. Thomas?" questioned Opie curiously. The question obviously written across all of the members faces.
"I asked the same thing," Jax agreed, "Seems both men were shot here in Charming less than a few hours ago."
"Where were they shot at?" asks a curious Bobby. Looking at Bobby as he speaks, Abel feels a cold chill slip down his spine as he turns to face his president awaiting the answer.
Rather causally Jax informs brothers that both men were shot over near McCarroll and Oak wood Avenue.
With an eerie calm Abel asks again "They were shot where?" Aware of the strange expression flitting across his son's face Jax repeats himself "Alvarez said McCarroll and Oak wood – why?"
Shooting up like a rocket, Abel practically knocks his chair over in his rush to stand.
Without going into any great detail, Abel heads for the chapel door. As he crosses into the barroom, he hears his father's voice calling after him "Abel where are you going? Abel Jackson Tellar dammit come back here." As Abel reaches the parking lot he turns to face his angry father. "Dad…Maria lives at the corner of McCarroll and Oak wood. I have to go check on her."
Understanding dawned bright on Jax's face. "You shouldn't go alone Abel, two men have already been shot…take Chibbs or Opie with you."
"I understand your concern dad, but I got to handle this on my own. I'll be careful – I promise to check in when I get there." He assured his dad mere seconds before racing to his bike across the lot.
The almost twenty minute to Maria's house was nearly the death of Abel. Abel feared the worst – his imagination working overtime thinking about the ugliness he could find at her place. Hurriedly parking his bike in the drive way, Abel raced to the porch. Unlike earlier, he did not bother to knock. We found the front door unlocked he raced into the house yelling her name "Maria…Maria are you here…Maria answer me dammit where are you?"
Entering the kitchen from the back door, Maria was shocked to see Abel in her house – visibly upset about something. "Abel what are you doing here?" asked Maria as she moved to the kitchen sink to wash the potting soil off her hands. Not realizing that there was anything seriously wrong Maria began to make idle conversation as she ran the faucet – placing under the warm water Maria begin to soap her hands and scrub the soil lose.
Standing just a few feet from her, Abel stood silently watching her do something as mundane as wash her hands. He watched every inch of her assuring himself that she really was standing here before him. 'How did my life get this fucked up,' he wondered idly to himself. Abel knew Maria was talking to him, but his mind just couldn't process the words. Moving before he could really stop himself, Abel rushed the sink turning Maria away from the faucet he wrapped her up in his arms and held her tight.
Realizing that there was more wrong than she initially thought, Maria returned his embrace "Abel, baby what is it? What's wrong?" He opened his mouth to answer her – once…twice – he finally accepted that no words would come forth. He was shocked at how fast the idea of fatherhood had taken root in his mind and heart. While this was not the idea situation, he knew Maria would be a devoted mother. Sure he regretted their circumstances, but he would never regret this pregnancy. Looking into her dark brown eyes, he was taken back to an earlier time. He was overwhelmed with the memory of the first night they had met. He was out on his bike, when he stopped for gas. She was parked in the corner of the small lot with her hood up. From across the lot he could hear her mumbling to herself, cursing her bad luck with cars. A few minutes later, not only did he have her car running, but he had her phone number and the promise of a date later that evening. Their relationship simply snowballed from there.
Pulling back, Maria looked into his beautiful bright clear blue eyes "Abel" she whispered stroking his cheek "what is it baby?" Abel knew that he would never be able to adequately express with words what he was feeling inside. Leaning into Maria he pressed a soft wet emotional kiss across her lips.
Maria could hardly believe what was happening. Was it possible that Abel had decided – that he was choosing her and the baby over Charming, the MC, and her? What if this was just physical or a knee-jerk reaction for him – could she survive only one more night in his arms. As his tongue pushed to explore her mouth, she wondered absently if this was the beginning of forever or the bittersweet good-bye they never had.
Backing her against the sink, Abel continued to plunder her mouth. His tongue raked in and out touching every corner of her sweet wet mouth. Pulling her tighter – closer he trailed soft nibbling kisses across her jaw to her neck. Abel bathed her neck with his open mouth kisses. He gently suckled her earlobe. He enjoyed the way she pressed her body against his. The slight kitten purr responses slipping from her lips; working overtime to shatter his control.
Sliding her hands restlessly up and down his back, Maria grew frustrated. She slid her hands under his cut; soon her hands were sliding under his hoodie stroking the strong bare skin of his back. Trailing her nails up and down his sensitive skin, Maria was unable to suppress her small purrs of delight at the way Abel was holding her – touching her. Abel's mere touch had goose bumps covering every inch of her flesh. She felt herself trembling with sweet pleasure in his bold tight embrace.
As Abel ran his fingers through her long dark curly hair he could feel his heart and mind warring for supremacy. 'What am I doing?' he wondered to himself; he told himself that this was wrong for so many reasons. However knowing that and being to stop the flood were two totally different things. Giving up the good fight, Abel pulled back just briefly before scooping Maria up into arms. Carrying her quickly down the short hall; he laid her gently down on the bed, quickly following her onto the bed.
Removing her t-shirt Maria lay still on the bed. She watched as Abel's eyes traveled over her chest. She loved the way he lingered on her black lace covered breasts. Mentally cursing himself seven kinds of bastard, Abel pleaded to Maria or himself he wasn't sure "Please let me have this one night…just one night." The soft gentle almost needy pleading was Maria's undoing. She knew this was most likely good-bye, but she couldn't deny him anything at this point.
As he removed his cut and hoodie, Abel knew he would surely regret this with the coming dawn, but it wasn't enough to stop him taking what was right in front of him.
All too soon their gentle foreplay turned becoming a living breathing need that would not be denied. Abel knew he needed to regain some sense of control. Smiling awkwardly at Maria he whispered "I don't want to hurt you or our baby."
Moved by his honest admission, Maria kissed him passionately. "I trust you Abel you would never do anything to hurt me or our child."
Those simple words were Abel's undoing. He allowed himself to be swept away in a tide of passion and emotion. Abel knew that he could be a dominant lover. Tonight was not the time for that; tonight was about gentleness, their lovemaking may have started out of fear – but it would end with a bitter-sweet good-bye.
As they found the rhythm as familiar to them as breathing – they shut out the rest of the world. Maria didn't think about tomorrow. She ignored the doubts swirling in her mind. She pretended the heartache wouldn't come. Abel buried thoughts of his club deep. He didn't allow himself to entertain the fantasy of leaving Charming with Maria. He shut down the voices that whispered 'what about Amanda?' All that mattered was this woman – right here right now.
They spent the next couple of hours taking and giving from each other. No words were necessary; they simply enjoyed the desperate pleasure of one last moment together. At nearly two, Maria snuggled in close to Abel's warm body. She could feel her eyes growing heavy, she knew sleep was coming. With that knowledge came the cold certainty that Abel would not be here come morning. Sensing her need for sleep, Abel stroked her hair whispering, "It's all good darlin' just rest now." As Maria drifted off to sleep, she prayed she could keep the heart ache at bay until morning. 'Maybe come morning, I'll be stronger,' she thought just before she nodded off to sleep.
Abel lay watching her sleep for nearly an hour, before climbing from bed. Silently he collected his clothing and moved to the small bath down the hall. Dressing quickly he made his way to the front door. Once outside, he sat on his bike and for the first time in hours thought about the cell-phone tucked away in the pocket of his cut. Looking at his phone, Abel cursed out loud – six missed calls. 'Might as get it over with' he thought irritably.
"Abel its dad, give me a call son – thought you were going to check in. Where are you son?"
"Hey Abel, you need to check in – don't make me come lookin'." In Opie's entirely all too familiar cadence.
"Abel dammit I'm calling as your dad, but your president you need to answer the damn phone."
Abel listened to and deleted the first three calls. He wondered idly just how pissed his ol' man really was. He almost laughed at the thought of Opie storming Maria's front door in search of his wayward 'nephew.' He expected the next calls to be from his dad as well. He was more than a little surprised when he heard the hesitant sound of Amanda's quiet voice. "Ummmm Hi Abel…..I know you're probably in the middle of it with the club. I don't want to interrupt. I couldn't sleep." Her voice trailed off, Abel smiled briefly sadly as he could hear her muttering more to herself than his voice mail. "Anyway," she continued "be careful out there I guess – good night."
"Dammit…Dammit…Dammit" he thought with an almost self-hatred. He honestly didn't know what he would do without Amanda in his life. Yet he just spent the last few hours in bed with the soon to be mother of his child "What the fuck is wrong with me?" he muttered out loud.
Returning his attention to the phone he played back his last two messages. The first from Bobby "Dammit Kid, call me!" As he deleted Bobby's message he moved to play the last call. As his phone chimed 'next message sent on…" he wasn't really paying attention. His thoughts focused on the latest pile of shit to fall into his lap. As the message began to play, he at first thought there was something wrong with his phone. All he heard was silence. He even checked to make sure that his phone had not shut off in need of charging. That's when he heard it, "We hope we didn't upset the crown prince of Charming with our little shooting match earlier today. We hear that St. Thomas is a fine hospital – surely they can save that second worthless beaner's life. It's a shame we didn't have time to stop by and visit your pretty little lady friend Maria – oh well you know what they say – Maybe next time. See ya soon race trader." Click the line went dead, Abel cursed vividly as he shoved the phone back into his pocket. Carefully he rolled his bike out of the drive. Once to the street, he started his bike and headed for his parents place.
Maria felt his loss the minute Abel left her bed. She a brief second, she told herself he was just going to the bathroom or something and that he would be right back. After a while, she heard the sound of the Harley as it pulled it away from her house. Quietly she reached for the pillow, which just moments ago his head rested against. Snuggled tight against his pillow, she allowed the silent tears to fall.
Pulling up in front of his parents place, Abel noted that the kitchen light was on. Parking in the driveway he made his way to the house. Reaching for his keys, he was caught a little off guard when Jax swung the door open. "Where the hell have you been? I've been trying to reach you all damn night," ranted Jax as he moved to allow his son into the house.
Following his dad into the kitchen, Abel dropped wearily into the nearest chair. "I should have checked in – I got tied up."
Jax stood watching his son, it didn't take Einstein to figure out what his son was tied up in – Mexican pussy. He started to open his mouth – share his thoughts – but quickly thought better of it. Who was he to judge? Sure he hated the idea that his first grandchild was going to cause his son so much pain and anguish. Yes he liked Amanda very much and in some respects had already come to think of her as family. 'Sins of the father' thought Jax tiredly, was Abel, Maria, and Amanda all that different from him, Tara, and Wendy back in the day. If Abel really had spent the night with Maria was that really any different than what he did with Wendy or Ima? isH Jax looked at his son, proud of the man he was becoming. Still there were moments like these when he wished he was still his little boy. Even more there were moments when he wished he was just dad and not dad/president. As he watched his son, Jax had the sense that there was more wrong than just however he spent his evening.
Sitting across from his son at the table, Jax waited almost patiently for his son to begin. After a few long moments Abel reached for his phone. Opening his phone Abel quickly found the saved voice message sliding the phone across the table "You need to hear this," was all he said. Taking the phone from his son Jax listened carefully to the message twice – before cursing loudly and tossing the phone back to his son. The words "race-trader" echoing loudly in his mind as he watched his son.
Acting as president Jax began, "We should call Alvarez; let him know St. Thomas might not be the safest place for his boy."
"I have to protect Maria dad, that call was a threat against her. Any threat to her is a threat to my child – I can't let this slide."
It hurt Jax in way's he couldn't describe to see his own flesh and blood worried for the life of is unborn child. He knew the hell Abel was facing. No one ever spoke of Belfast to Abel. No one ever told him what his father and the club went through to bring him home. For better or worse – Belfast had changed Jax. Would this oncoming war change Abel – Jax wondered. Of his three children, Abel was the most like him. He was stubborn to a fault. He hung strong to his beliefs and ideas. He was a deep thinker. He cared deeply and passionately about those closest to him. If his relationship with Amanda was any indication when he loved it was long lasting and far reaching. He deserved to be happy. He deserved the chance to raise his child. Jax wanted Abel to have the chance to be the father he never was. He fervently prayed that in his grandchild's life time outlawing was just an old memory shared around the table with a few beers between family. Looking his son in the eyes he vowed "We will protect your child Abel – I swear it."
Abel simply nodded – to many thoughts choking him to trust his voice. After a moment, Abel marshaled his thoughts "Do we know who the fuck this is?" he asked with all the venom of a cobra.
Jax shook his head "Not for certain no…but I have a few ideas!" Looking at the clock above the stove Jax cursed. It was nearly four a.m., tomorrow promised to be a very long day indeed. The father in him wanted his son to go rest. He needed Abel fresh and clear thinking. The president in him wanted to call the brothers together and put a stop to this bullshit NOW!"
Before either man could speak again, they were interrupted by the familiar ring of Abel's cell phone. Reaching across the table, Abel jerked it open with a gruff-weary "Yeah."
Before she ever spoke a word, Abel could hear her tears. "Maria is that you? What's the matter? Maria please baby talk to me."
He could hear her hiccup once maybe twice before she began to speak. "Abel I think there's someone sneaking around my backyard. I keep hearing some strange noises. I'm really starting to freak out here. Can you come over – please?"
Cursing viciously Abel looked to his dad before speaking "Make sure all the damn doors are locked – stay away from the windows. I'll be right there, just sit tight ok?"
Maria agreed before quickly hanging up the phone. Snatching his cut off the back of the chair, Abel grabbed his keys off the table and headed for the door. Taking his own cut, Jax followed his son outside. Moving to his own bike Jax looked to his son, "Whatever this is – you shouldn't ride alone tonight."
Grateful Abel gave his dad a quick father son hug before moving quickly to his own bike. Within about fifteen minutes they were both parking in Maria's driveway. Abel quickly called Maria and told her to stay put that he would let himself in after they checked out the yard and surrounding area.
A quick search of the yard and surrounding area didn't turn up much at all. All Jax and Abel could say for sure was that someone had definitely been in the yard – most likely watching Maria from through the small bedroom window. Making their way to small back stoop, Abel let himself and Jax into the small house. Moving silently towards the bedroom he called out to Maria; while Jax waited for them both in the kitchen.
Abel quickly returned with a beautiful dark haired woman in tow. Jax could only assume that the woman currently standing before him in an old faded pink t-shirt, well-worn grey sweats, and a pair of pink and grey flop eared bunny slippers was the infamous Maria Velez.
Abel made quick but brief introductions, before rationally stating "I don't think it's a good idea that you stay here for a while Maria."
Looking around, her once small cozy kitchen now served to make her feel slightly claustrophobic – all the coziness seemingly swallowed by the presence of these two large men. "Abel this is my home – where else would I stay?" She asked almost indignantly.
Jax nodded his agreement without consulting Maria. Both men spoke over her as if she weren't even in the room. "Why don't you take her back to the clubhouse for right now? She can crash in your dorm room. Looking at his watch, "Rest of what's left of the evening anyway."
Unable to stand it any longer, Maria cut loose with a sharp short whistle. "I'm right here! Now if you two will quit talking about me as if I'm not in the room maybe we can discuss this."
Turning to face her head on Abel informed her "There's nothing to discuss, it might not be safe for you here. You need to pack a bag and come with me right now."
"Nothing to discuss – are you insane? I called you because I heard a noise and was spooked. I didn't call you so you two could rush over and turn my life upside down. This is my home Abel Tellar, and without a damn good explanation I won't be leaving it."
Jax admired Maria's spunk. The girl had spirit, standing up to his son this way. In just a few short minutes he could understand what it was that drew the young couple together. At the same time he could see what would keep them apart. Looking around the small room, Jax knew they didn't have the time for this. He indicated that they needed to make this quick as he exited them to give them both a little privacy to work this out.
Ten minutes later Jax was standing on the front porch surveying the neighborhood with watchful intense eyes; as Abel and Maria came out. Abel was carrying Maria's large back pack as they headed for the bikes parked nearby.
It was just after five a.m. when the three pulled into the Tellar-Morrow lot. Abel could tell Maria was bone deep exhausted. Slinging her pack across his shoulder, he took her hand and silently led her into the clubhouse – not stopping until she was tucked safely away in his dorm room. Setting the pack on the floor beside the bed, he told her "You'll be safe here for now. Later today will figure out a more permanent arrangement to keep you safe.
Clinging desperately to the naiveté that she grew up with Maria asked once more "Abel is all this really necessary? I mean I'm just a pregnant over-reactive woman who heard a noise outside her window. Surely none of that means that someone is out to get me does it? I mean couldn't you be over-reacting just a little here."
Exhausted Abel reached the end of his rope quickly "Dammit Maria STOP! JUST STOP! I know you don't want to believe this, but your life could very well be in danger here. There are people out there who would hurt you simply because you carry my child. What do I have to do to make you understand how serious this could be?"
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Maria slipped off her shoes. She could see how visibly upset this was making Abel. Not wanting to fight any further she simply whispered "Ok for now you win!" and scooted back on the bed to lay down. Frustrated Abel ran his hands across his face 'this is not about winning or losing he thought its about staying alive dammit' just as he was about to try and get through to yet again – she reached for his hand.
"Sit with me till I fall asleep?" She asked innocently. The second he looked into her eyes he knew this was a bad idea and yet he sat down on the bed next to her. "Just until you fall asleep," he told her. Sitting with his back against the head board, Abel tried not to notice the way Maria moved scooted closer to him. "You're safe here there is nothing for you to worry about right now." Looking around the room he told her "Just make sure you lock the door behind you when you're here alone – just as a precaution – ok?"
She mumbled her agreement as she drifted off to sleep curled up against his right side. Abel knew the minute she was finally asleep. He was going to go in search of his dad. There were still a million things that needed to be settled about this whole damned situation. The exhaustion of the evening was taking its toll on him. He could feel his eyes growing heavy – itchy as if almost filled with a pound of sand. He needed to get up before he passed out.
Despite a million shitty things hitting the fan all at once Jax let the young couple get just a few hours' rest. Needing to hear Tara's voice, Jax called home hoping to catch her before she left for the early shift at work.
Tara stood in the shower, mentally preparing herself the day to come – when she heard the phone ring. Instinctually she knew it was Jax calling. Hurriedly shutting off the water, she grabbed a towel and raced for the bedroom. Grabbing up the phone, she flopped onto the bed "Hello" she began a little breathless.
Jax smiled at the sound of his beautiful wife's voice "Morning darlin'" he whispered. Tara smiled "Morning Baby…I missed you this morning. What time did you leave out?"
Jax reveled in the warmth of Tara's love. "Early," was his only reply. Tara sighed, she hated the toll MC life took on her husband. "Everything ok baby?" she asked with tender concern.
The line was silent for a long beat before Jax replied "I love you darlin'"
Accepting that was the only answer she would get for now, "I love you too baby," She continued to hold the phone in her hand long after Jax had hung up. As much as she regretted it, Tara knew her first grandchild was front page club business. In all their years together, she and Jax seldom spoke of Belfast. Once Abel came home, everyone was just so relieved to have him back; no one wanted to speak of it again. Although he would never admit it, Tara knew in her heart that Belfast had changed Jax. She worried about her family. Like Jax, Abel was a big hearted man trapped in an all too often cruel world. Would racing to save his child change Abel? Was her son up for this challenge? Could he be the man his father had to be and survive? Placing the phone back on the end table, Tara began to dress quickly for work.
Katie & Amanda's Place:
Amanda sat on her bed; she hadn't slept much at all last night. She hadn't realized how much she had come to depend on Abel being there at night. She had seriously hoped to hear from him last night. 'Abel's going to be a father,' she thought in wonder. Smiling to herself, she daydreamed about the kind of father Abel would be.
Suddenly she thought of Maria, she was the mother of Abel's child. She and Abel obviously have a relationship of some kind. Amanda had become so wrapped up in her own world. Had she mistook Abel's friendship for something more? Abel was and always would be her very best friend. He sheltered and protected her when she needed it most. Yes they had shared a handful of passionate kisses, but were the beginning of something more or were they just a result of the forced closeness over the last few weeks?
Thinking out loud, Amanda wondered "If he chooses Maria, could I face being in the same town seeing them together all the time?" With a pained sigh, she stood from the bed and faced herself in the mirror "Grow-up Amanda, it's time to quit running. You need to make a life for yourself, stand on your own two feet." Grabbing her jacket, purse, and keys Amanda headed for the door.
Tara had been so gracious first offering her the job to help with Rachael. Following the accident, Abel's family had been wonderful. Tara told her to not worry about anything except getting better. Feeling better than she had since the accident, Amanda decided today was a good day to get back to work. She needed to check in with Tara – see if she was still needed. Tara had not said if and when Neeta would be back to work. Amanda loved spending time with Rachael. She smirked kids and tattoos the only two things she seemed to be good at. Looking at her watch she knew it was probably too late to catch Tara at home. Climbing into Abel's old black work truck, she decided she would drop by TM and see if Abel had a minute or two and then she would head over to St. Thomas and talk with Tara.
It was almost nine when Amanda reached the TM lot. Parking the truck, Amanda sat with the windows down enjoying the cool breeze as she watched Tellar-Morrow come to life for another round of life. The guys were opening the garage doors. She could see the office door propped open. She imagined Gemma in there enjoying the cool breeze as well. As she searched the men's faces, she was a little worried that Abel wasn't among them. She was certain that was his bike parked in the compound. Climbing from the truck she made her way to the clubhouse door.
Slipping inside the clubhouse, Amanda saw Chucky wiping down the bar. "Morning Chucky," she greeted with more happiness than she felt. Chucky only smiled and waved as she made her way past him. As she started for the hall, Amanda shook her head; Chucky was quasi member of SAMCRO she doubted she would ever understand. Quickly making her way down the hall she stopped in front of Abel's dorm room. Raising her hand she knocked gently on the door once…twice then reached for the knob and entered. She expected to find Abel – she didn't expect to find Maria.
Looking at the bed she watched as Maria slept warmly wrapped up in Abel's old quilt. As she turned to leave she saw Abel coming out of the small attached bathroom. Surprise and guilt flooded Abel with equal measure. 'Ah shit' he thought. Motioning towards the door he followed Amanda out and back down the long hall. Amanda walked right out of the clubhouse and into the morning sunshine. Taking a seat on top of the old battered picnic table, Amanda turned to face Abel. "You don't need to explain anything to me Abel. It's not like were a couple or anything." She started to speak again but came up short – finding herself at a loss of actual words.
Moving to stand in front of her Abel placed both hands on her shoulders, waiting until she looked him in the eye. "You understand that I have to protect my child right?"
Author's Note: Not as telling as last chapter – more filler to help move things along. Hoping to show that this may become a game of somewhat cat and mouse between Abel and those taunting him about Maria. Plus there is the small matter of the guilt that Abel feels about sleeping with Maria yet again. Hope you enjoy please review I love it