"What do you mean, there's nothing you can do, Althea?" Jax's eyes were anguished as he stared at Charming's sheriff. It had been a couple of hours since Delylah's desperate call. In the time that had passed, Tara's ear had been glued to her phone. Between calming her daughters, relaying messages to Thomas and Will, and trying to get in touch with Hannah's parents, Tara maintained her cool. It was amazing to Jax how easily his wife stepped back into the chaos. Her old neonatal surgeon kind of calm proved more than valuable now, and her experience as a former old lady didn't hurt either.
"My hands are fucking tied, Jax," Althea replied through gritted teeth. "The soonest flight I can get you is at eleven. There's nothing sooner, not on this kind of notice, not to bumfuck North Carolina. You're gonna have to wait it out. It's less than six hours."
Jax bowed his head in frustration. He knew Althea had done everything she possibly could, pulled every favor she had left, but those favors were now hitting a breaking point, especially since she'd essentially moved mountains to get Chibs' body back to Charming. Althea watched Jax as he deeply inhaled, and her heart went out to him. She couldn't help but feel like Hannah's kidnapping was her fault. I told him I'd make sure they were protected. She sighed. I can't do anything right, it seems. Self-pity flooded her veins as she fought back tears.
"Abel isn't talking to anyone, Althea." The words tumbled from Jax's mouth. "He's like me when he's in shock. I have to get to him. His wife is pregnant with my grandchild. My first grandchild. If anything happens to them-" He stopped short, remembering her recent agonizing loss. Althea's brown eyes were full of unshed tears. She knew what was at stake. She knew better than anyone. "I guess we just hurry up and wait," Jax mumbled, unsure of what else to say. He stood upright and gazed in her direction, but it was if he looked right through her.
"I'll keep trying, Jax," Althea said quietly. Every time she thought she'd have time to mourn Chibs, something else stood in her way, but her heart ached for Jax and Tara. Hannah was innocent, as was her unborn baby. She didn't ask to be part of this life, not like Althea had. The sheriff knew exactly what SAMCRO was all about when she signed up to Chibs' old lady. As her eyes followed Jax walking towards the bar, a steely resolve settled in her veins. I'll make this right, she silently vowed. I promise you, on Filip's memory, that I'll get Hannah home safely. She inhaled deeply as she thought of the child Hannah carried. I hope I can save you, too. With an exhale, she grabbed her phone and left the room.
Jax still couldn't believe he was back at the Clubhouse. It but it seemed like the only option as Althea tried to use her leverage as sheriff to help Jax and Tara home. After eighteen years, nothing had really changed. Mug shots adorned the walls. The mahogany bar was the same one that had been built after that fateful IRA explosion. Jax's jaw tightened as he felt SAMCRO's ghosts stare into the back of his skull. His own photo was still prominently displayed, but Jax counted it as one of many apparitions—after all, that man no longer existed, not in Jax's mind.
"Here," Bobby pushed a shot of whiskey in Jax's direction. Jax pulled up an ancient barstool and took a seat. He grabbed the shot and downed it quickly. He tapped the bar, and Bobby poured another. Some things never change, Jax thought. He still knows when to sling shots my way. I don't even have to say it. Had their reunion been a better one, Jax might've made a joke in the old man's direction. As it stood, the only reason he'd even set foot onto Teller-Morrow property was due to Hannah's abduction. Althea didn't want Jax or Tara languishing in their hotel room. She was the one that talked them into to coming to TM. Bobby and Happy grumbled their disapproval, but in the end, they deferred to Chibs' old lady and allowed it.
Jax felt Tara's arms around his waist. He leaned into her. It was second nature.
"Who was on the phone?" he asked. Tara released her grip on Jax and pulled a stool up next to him. Bobby poured another shot of whiskey. Raising his bushy white eyebrows, he silently asked Tara if she wanted one. Tara declined, the shaking of her head was almost imperceptible. Taking the hint, Bobby pushed it in Jax's direction. Before Tara could object, the liquor was already making its way down Jax's throat. Tara closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Thomas," Tara answered. "He's on 321 now—he's about an hour out of town."
"Doing ninety down the highway, no doubt," Jax said with a worried, sad smile.
"Takes after his old man, I take it?" Bobby asked, unable to help himself. There was a part of him that wanted to know about John Teller's grandkids, and there was a part of him that didn't. The cemetery had been quite a shock, but the oldest SAMCRO biker couldn't quite wrap his head around his anger. He should have been happy to see Jax, alive and well, after all that time. He should have been ecstatic that Tara and the kids were alive too, but all he saw as they stood by Chibs' grave was a traitor. All the years they stood as brothers within the club were gone. To turn Witness Protection was the lowest of the low in the biker world, and that was why Happy stayed away. He was somewhere out in Charming, with Quinn and Rat tailing him. It was a precaution to ensure the old man didn't do anything stupid. Bobby sighed as he wrestled with his emotions. Jax and Tara Teller may not have sold out SAMCRO, but they still let the Feds that much closer to a life that should have been kept in shadows.
"Yeah," Jax replied with a light chuckle. "Thank God he's never touched a motorcycle."
"Will is driving," Tara interjected with a glare in Bobby's direction. She hadn't taken well to the reception she and Jax had received. While she didn't expect an open-armed party, she certainly hadn't expected the frigid reaction from Bobby.
"Will drives like an old woman," a slightly buzzed Jax stated. Tara grinned slightly. It was the first smile she'd had in the last couple of hours. It felt good.
"Who's Will?" Bobby again posed a question. Tara's expression dropped as she narrowed her eyes.
"None of your goddamned business, remember?" Tara was a study in resting bitch face as she stared Bobby down. "You sure as hell didn't give a fuck a couple of hours ago, so why bother now?"
"Tara, cut him a break," Jax wheedled. "Today has been a shock for all of us."
"I think arriving at a funeral after eighteen years away only to be called a rat, is pretty shocking; especially when you realize that the rats never once implicated the club in anything. To add insult to injury, having your pregnant daughter-in-law kidnapped-and quite possibly killed-pretty much trumps the walking dead, in my opinion." Jax whistled low. His old lady had completely resurfaced, and she wasn't backing down. Of all of the club, she'd expected Bobby to react differently. She expected Happy's anger. She never once thought Bobby would join in on it. It hurt more than she'd expected it to.
"I call that a tie," Bobby rumbled, annoyed. He poured a shot of Jack for himself and downed it quickly.
"Of course you would," Tara fired back with a brittle laugh. "Just like the old days: SAMCRO's problems are always first, and Jax's are second. I'm glad we left when we did. My husband finally got a little bit of perspective."
Bobby's lips formed a thin, angry line beneath his beard. There were so many things he wanted to say, but in the interest of keeping a fragile peace in the midst of all the pain Jax and Tara were experiencing, he remained silent. Tara stared at him for a moment, and disgusted by Bobby's lack of response, she stood and walked towards the double doors. With a grunt of aggravation, she slammed the heavy door open and walked into the blinding sunlight. Once outside, she sat on one of the picnic tables.
A slight breeze blew the long hem of her black dress. Tara welcomed it. Any moving air was a delightful treat in desert heat. She closed her eyes and allowed the warmth to settle in her bones. It was a dry, arid heat, so different than the thick humidity North Carolina offered. If she allowed herself, Tara knew she'd miss this place. That's why she kept a tight reign on those emotions. She couldn't bring herself to miss a place that caused so much pain.
The sound of a big diesel engine caused Tara's eyes to snap open. A massive, pearlescent white Suburban rumbled into the TM parking lot. The driver was more than familiar with the parking lot; it was obvious as it easily parked among the club's staggered Harleys. As the engine cut off, Tara stared, unsure of who she'd see. As the door opened, one long, slender leg appeared behind the open door. The second followed, and as the driver closed the door, Tara's breath caught.
Lyla. Still too thin but even more beautiful, she sauntered forward. Dressed in too short denim cutoffs and a loose, flowy blue chiffon top, her heels clacked on the concrete as she neared Tara. At first, she wondered who the hell was sitting on the tables, but as she neared, her curiosity turned to shock. She stopped about five feet in front of Tara and removed her massive sunglasses. Large, thickly lined blue eyes registered confusion and disbelief as Tara stared back, unsure of how to begin.
"Am I fucking crazy?" The skinny blonde's voice was strained. "I must have finally gone off the deep end."
"You're not crazy, Lyla," Tara carefully responded. "I am very much alive."
Lyla stood, unable to move, unable to breathe. In the months leading up to Jax and Tara's departure, Lyla had been their backbone. Both she and Venus stepped in and helped care for the boys while Tara was pregnant with the twins and completely bedridden. She was there the night Izzy killed Nero and tried to kill her. Back then, Opie Winston's widow was Tara's best friend. Tara was devastated to leave her, and over all the years that had passed, there wasn't a day that Tara didn't think of her.
"How?" Lyla asked. "How is this possible?"
"It's a long story," Tara said with a faint, apologetic smile. "Probably too long for today."
"Were you at the funeral?" Lyla asked. Tara shook her head in the negative. Slowly, Lyla walked towards her, but she was careful to maintain some distance. A small part of Lyla honestly believed she was dreaming.
"We came after," Tara explained. "Althea arranged it."
Lyla nodded in understanding. She was now beneath the massive steel canopy that shaded the picnic tables. Tara wanted to hug her old friend, but the confusion in Lyla's pale blue eyes made her think twice. Instead, she gestured Lyla to sit beside her, and to Tara's relief, Lyla took her up on the invitation. They sat, side-by-side, staring out at the Charming horizon.
"How'd you know about Chibs?" Lyla asked. She was too amazed to cry. She couldn't believe she was sitting next to Tara, much less talking to her. I've missed you so much. Lyla fumbled through her purse and pulled out a pack of Marlboro Reds and a lighter. Out of habit, she offered Tara one, and the former doctor politely declined.
"He actually came to us after—after Trinity-"
"Was murdered?" Lyla finished. Tara nodded. "You know no one here believes she killed herself, right?" Again, Tara nodded.
"That's why Chibs found us," Tara began. She gave Lyla a quick overview over the last few weeks, ending the story with Hannah's kidnapping. Tara almost broke as she told Lyla of Hannah's pregnancy. Lyla pulled out another cigarette and lit it with the one she was finishing. This story deserves hot-boxing.
"Goddamn, Tara," Lyla murmured. "Goddamn."
"I know, right?" Tara replied with a rhetorical question. Of all the reunions of the last few days, the one with Lyla had been the easiest. It was as if a couple of hours, not eighteen years, had passed. Tara recalled a time when she detested the stunning pornstar. Those feelings were truly a lifetime ago.
Lyla took another long drag as the clubhouse door swung open. Seeing Lyla by Tara, Jax froze in the doorway for a moment. He hadn't expected that. Lyla turned, and when she saw him, the reality Tara had just given her clicked, and she dissolved into tears. Taken aback, Tara wrapped a comforting arm around Lyla's shoulders. Jax approached them, but he stayed at arm's length.
"You don't know how happy I am," Lyla sobbed in Tara's arms. "You have no idea how happy I am to know you're alive." Lyla's broken words made Tara cry as they rocked back and forth. It was hard for Jax to maintain his composure, but he moved forward and sat by Tara's side. His long arms held them both as Tara allowed her tears to flow.
They all heard the door swing open, but none of them turned to see who ventured towards them. The sound of boots on pavement moved closer. Jax turned in the direction of the sound.
"Althea wants you, Jax," Tig said quietly. Jax looked up at his old friend. Jax nodded and stood. With a whispered apology, he walked back into the clubhouse.
"You guys gonna be okay?" Tig asked. Breaking their embrace, both Tara and Lyla nodded. Satisfied with the answer, Tig turned and went back inside as well, leaving the women alone. He half-jogged to catch up with Jax. Before they got to the bar, Althea stopped them both.
"My connection at San Francisco International just called," Althea said. "I've made arrangements for a flight to Charlotte. You have no idea how many blowjobs it took to make that happen." Jax's jaw dropped at Althea's attempt at humor.
A sigh of true relief escaped Jax's mouth. "When?"
"Eight-thirty," Althea replied.
Jax whistled through his teeth. "Damn, you gotta give a lot of blowjobs."
"Who said I do?" Althea returned, almost playfully. The deadpan style was almost too much, and Jax didn't know what to say. Althea couldn't help it; she did enjoy Jax's discomfort, and she wanted nothing more than to continue it, but the confused look on his face made Althea think twice. "You have everything from the hotel, right?" she asked in all seriousness. Jax nodded. He and Tara had stopped by on the way to TM and grabbed it all.
"I'm gonna go pack," Tig said to Althea. Not waiting for an answer, he rushed down the hallway. Jax's eyebrows raised. Venus followed him down the hallway.
"What are they packing for?" Jax queried. Althea's dark eyes were unfathomable as she returned Jax's annoyed gaze.
"He is going with you," Althea replied. The tone of her voice made it seem like Jax should have known better. Of course they'll go with you, Jax's head was filled with sarcasm. Why not? Jax could list a million reasons why they shouldn't go.
"No, he isn't," Jax vehemently denied. "I'm not gonna lose another brother because of this—this mess."
"I don't think you understand," Althea said, "I wasn't given a choice. Tig and Venus are insisting on coming with us."
"Us?" Again, Jax was surprised. Althea hadn't mentioned returning to North Carolina with them. "You're coming too?" Again, Althea nodded.
"I am," she said. "John is staying with Bobby."
"But why?" Jax asked. "Helping us won't bring Chibs back, Althea. "
Althea's throat tightened at the mention of her beloved.
"It may not bring him back, but it will lead me to the bastard that killed him. I have just as much vested in this as you do, Jax. You're not gonna change my mind." Jax's jaw clenched as he swallowed down a heady mix of frustration and anger, but deep down, he knew she was right. Instead of arguing the point, he stayed silent.
"I'm going to head home and put a bag together. I'll be back in twenty minutes." Not giving Jax time to talk her out of it, she turned on her heel, strode purposefully towards the doors, and left. Jax growled in frustration. He didn't want this. He was trying to divest himself of SAMCRO, but the club had a way of taking his life over. Tara's words from that morning echoed in his head as he watched his wife and Lyla dart back into the clubhouse.
We pretended to die. We schlepped across the country, to a middle-of-nowhere town in the South, and SAMCRO still found us. It still came knocking on our door. It's our fate. Our destiny. We can't fight it anymore. Whatever happens—we have to face it. End it.
"Where is Althea going?" Tara asked as she walked towards him. Lyla followed closely behind her.
"She got us an earlier flight," Jax responded. "She's going home to pack. She's coming with us."
Tara wasn't surprised. She would do the same, if the situation was reversed. Within seconds, Tig reappeared, with Venus hot on his heels. They carried a couple of bags between them. Now it was Tara's turn to be surprised.
"You guys are coming too?" Tig and Venus nodded in unison. Like her husband, Tara gritted her teeth. Of course we can't figure this out on our own. You just have to become involved, don't you? As much as she loved them and missed them, she knew that the secrets she'd fought so hard to keep private would rear their ugly heads. The town she and Jax now lived in wasn't Charming—they knew nothing of renegade biker gangs, of the danger that surrounded the kutte. They sure as hell didn't understand it, just like they would never understand Venus Trager. Tara eyed her uniquely stunning friend, and she knew that would be an issue to some of the more narrow-minded old biddies of Silver Spring.
"I don't think they know what they're getting into," Tara whispered, more to Jax than to them, but Venus' keen ears heard all. Her beautiful sepia eyes were sad as she smiled.
"You have to remember where I am from, Tara," Venus replied. "Before we ever anywhere near Charming, I was a little boy in Alabama. Alice moved me to California when I was eight. My issues with who I was—and who I am now-begin in a tiny Southern town. If you think I forget, walk down Main Street with me. I remember where I come from every single time a stranger scowls in my direction—or when they cross the street altogether to flee from me. If you think prejudice only exists in the South, Tara, I advise you to think again."
Immediately chastened, Tara looked at her feet. Embarrassment flooded her veins, and she was ashamed. Lifting her eyes to meet Venus, she wiped the tears that fell. Venus, empathetic soul she was, reached out to help her old friend.
"I know you didn't mean anything by it, darling," Venus whispered. "I know you're coming from a good place." She reached up and stroked Tara's tear-stained cheek. "Just know that it's an upward battle every day. I haven't grown complacent in my old age, nor have I extinguished the fire I have within me—the fire that demands I be accepted for who I am. Alex taught me to never accept anything less."
Venus' glorious eyes turned to her lover, and Tig glowed in her direction. The sight melted Tara's heart.
"Come," Venus whispered. "Let's wait for Althea outside." With a nod, Tara then gestured to Jax to grab Venus' bags. Doing his wife's bidding, with Tig by his side, Jax followed Venus and Tara as they walked out. Husband duties, Jax thought with a laugh as they moved out to the metal canopies.
Lyla trailed behind as Tara resumed sitting on the picnic tables. Tara wanly smiled as Lyla faced her. The blonde bombshell's face was swollen as her lips trembled.
"I just got you back," Lyla cried. Tara's chest heaved as she nodded in understanding.
"I know," Tara replied sadly. Her heart was torn. As much as she needed to get home to her son and her broken family, there was a part of her that wanted to stay and reminisce. There was a part of her that wanted to remember Opie and tell stories about the old times.
"You know what's funny?" Lyla asked through her tears. "Kenny and Ellie are grown. Kenny joined the Army and is loving it. Ellie's married with two boys, and Piper just moved to Seattle with friends—he wants to try his hand at the fishing business. I am alone for the first time in years, and I was okay with it—until now."
Tara's eyes slammed shut. Her gut felt like it'd been hit. "Until we brought back all the memories." Lyla nodded.
"I've spent all these years building Red Woody into something huge and amazing. When I was alone with three kids, I had to be on point, all the time. Now, I just have me—and it scares the hell outta me."
Tara grabbed Lyla's hand. "Come with us." Her hazel eyes were huge.
"I can't. Not now," Lyla said quietly. "I don't think I could leave the business with no warning—and the SAMCRO of today is not the SAMCRO you left behind. There hasn't been violence and death like this in very long time. I don't know if I want to go back to all that—and I think that's all you're gonna have once you're back."
Tara nodded in understanding as dust kicked up in the TM parking lot. Althea, true to her word, was back within twenty minutes. She parked the car and rushed out. Opening the trunk of the sleek, two door convertible, she pulled out a large rolling bag. The passenger door swung open, and John stepped out. The boy looked peaked and tired, but his eyes were dry. Althea left the bag standing for a moment and went to her son. Tara, Jax, Lyla, Venus, and Tig stood, transfixed, as they looked on. She reached up and brushed the boy's hair back. She said something to him as they embraced. When they broke, they walked towards the group.
"Uncle Bobby is inside," Althea said low as she took John into her arms once more. Tears fell down her cheeks as she let her son go. The boy didn't speak to anyone else as he passed. They just watched as he walked into TM, closing the door behind him. Althea didn't stop crying. In that moment, everything hit her hard: Chibs' death, her son's loss, her loss. The Tellers having all the turmoil they did—it came out in her sobs, in her aching throat, in her shaking body. The last couple of weeks had been a living hell. A pure nightmare. She kept it all inside. For John, for Jax and Tara, for every single member of SAMCRO, and now, as her son walked away, she could just let go.
Tara and Lyla didn't miss a beat—they encircled Althea and held her close. Venus walked to her.
"Let it out, Althea," she whispered. "It's the only way Filip will be truly free."
"I don't want to let him go," she sobbed. "I want him right here—right with me, with his son. It's where he belongs."
"Not anymore, baby," Venus murmured as she gathered the tiny woman in her arms. "He belongs with the angels, watching us all." Althea sobbed into Venus' ample bosom as Tara and Lyla stroked her back. Tig and Jax stood outside the fray, unsure of what to say or do. Within seconds, the crying stopped. Althea breathed deeply, settling herself, and she pulled away from Venus. Tig pulled a handkerchief from his kutte pocket and handed it to Althea. Tara smiled at the oddness of it all. Althea wiped her eyes.
"I'm ready," she said softly. She straightened her clothes and smoothed her dark hair back.
"Lemme drive you," Lyla volunteered. Tara's eyebrows went up. "The Suburban will hold you all."
Tara looked Jax, then Althea. Both nodded. Taking the cue, Jax and Tig began grabbing bags and loading them into the Suburban. Venus wrapped an arm around Althea as they walked towards the giant SUV. Tara and Lyla mirrored that as they walked behind. Within minutes, everyone was loaded within the Suburban. Tara sat in the passenger seat as Lyla fired the SUV to life. Unable to help herself, she rolled the window down and took the scenery in. Will I ever see Charming again?
In the distance, she heard a random motorcycle rev its engine. She had no idea if it was SAMCRO or just another guy on the back of a Harley, but as her heart raced, she knew she'd return. She knew now that, no matter what, Charming—and every single person in it—was just a part of her heart and of her soul.