The Scot was tall, with dark eyes and a silver mane of hair. The twin scars on each of his cheeks deepened as he smiled in welcome. The grin wasn't one of happiness, but one of quiet resignation.
Victor stood, awestruck, unable to move his eyes away from the ghost before him. He'd never known Chibs personally, but he would never forget the deceased biker's face. He was simply thankful that, in this dream at least, Chibs' brain was neatly tucked back into his skull. The memories from Abel and Hannah's wedding were more than fresh, and with Victor's current state of mind, he was more than grateful for the cleaned up version of the biker.
"Yer obviously dreamin, lad," Chibs murmured low. "Dinna be scared. I canna hurt ye—and even if I could, I would not lay a hand on ye—Yer too good for Lala. She loves ye. Even I can see that."
They were surrounded by nothing, a sea of blackness. Victor definitely had the sensation of floating, and as he looked beneath his feet, he knew it was more than sensation. Both he and Chibs were actually floating.
"I love her," Victor responded. It was still strange and foreign to him, this sheer adoration he had for Delylah Teller. The last two weeks she'd spent by his side made him realize that. The only time she ever left him was to relieve her mother's bedside vigil with Abel. He didn't know what made him so lucky, but he knew he was.
"You must be wondering why I am here," Chibs began. He still wore his SAMCRO kutte. Beneath it was a stark white, long sleeved shirt. Black jeans hung loosely over his hips. Victor noticed a couple of silver necklaces around the Scot's throat; one was a crucifix and the other was an oval shaped talisman. It looked almost like a locket, but Victor wouldn't ask him if it was.
"Obviously," Victor said. "I mean, I never even knew you. Shouldn't you be hanging around in Jax or Tara's psyche? They'd probably get more out of it."
Chibs chuckled low. "I dinna know about that, kid."
"What do you mean?" Victor tried not to be annoyed by Chibs' use of the word kid, as he struggled to remind himself that Chibs was old enough to be his father. Hell, in some places, the old man could have been his grandfather.
"Ye dinna know me," Chibs replied. "Ye dinna have the hang-ups or the guilt that they do where I am concerned. You'll be more concerned about paying attention than worryin' about what mighta been."
"So what do you want from me?" Victor carefully asked. There was no accusation or malice in his voice, just sheer curiosity.
"I want nothing from ye," Chibs answered. "I hae nothing to ask of ye. Yer asking so much of yerself. The guilt ye hae is swallowing ye whole, and yer losing sight of the big picture. The answer is right there in front of ye."
"The answer to what?" Victor countered. "To my missing sister? To Delylah's missing sister? Because both of them were taken because I wasn't vigilant. I let my guard down, and now they're gone."
"Ye realize they'd be gone, no matter what?" Chibs asked the younger man. "Ye realize this is bigger than you could possibly imagine? Hell, it fucks wi my mind now, and I'm fucking dead."
"What do you mean, bigger than I realize?" Victor questioned.
"This started long before Jax was even born. It's a destiny that Jon Teller didn't even understand. When he started SAMCRO all those years ago, he catapulted us to what we're supposed to be."
"It sounds way too philosophical," Victor stated. He didn't know SAMCRO's past; he didn't realize what had gone on before he was born. It didn't make sense. "You're talking in riddles."
"I'm not talking in riddles, kid," Chibs stated. "I'm telling ye the truth. Ye have no idea the evil that lurks within us all—in Jax, in Tara—in yer own family. It's all connected. Ye need to start questioning yer father. Ye need to look to yer own blood, and ye will be able to put everything together."
"Why don't you just tell me?" Victor asked. Chibs grinned toothily as a small peel of cold, brittle laughter left his throat. "I would give anything to find my sisters." Sisters. Victor couldn't believe how easily the word was to say. He was already thinking of Ophelia as his sister-in-law. It was an exhilarating and scary thought.
"Ah, the ole clichés are true there, kid," Chibs answered. "Dead men tell no tales."
"That's bullshit," Victor countered. "Just fucking tell me."
"What fun would that be?" Chibs turned the tables on Victor, but he wasn't smiling. "I canna gie ye any more. I've told ye where to look. I told ye where to go. Yer father holds more keys than even he realizes, and he has to be the one to tell ye."
"And if he says nothing?" Victor asked. Chibs shrugged his shoulders, but his sad brown eyes spoke volumes. I don't know.
Victor's eyes blinked open, and it took him a moment to realize he was no longer dreaming. As Delylah's long, disheveled hair came into view, his vision focused, and he was both relieved and frustrated to realize he was back at Jax and Tara's mountain cabin. It was the first morning he'd woke without a crippling headache; the dull pain at the base of his skull ran more towards a vague throb, and he was more than grateful for it.
Slowly, he rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. Thoughts of his sister slammed into his brain. Resigned to a tiny hospital bed for last two weeks, he'd had nothing but time to think of Hannah and of Ophelia. They both haunted his brain, which now constantly ached. He kept playing the events of the last couple of months over and over again; the memories were on a loop that tormented the young soldier. They troubled him more than Iraq or Afghanistan ever would.
"Bad dreams, baby?" he heard Delylah whisper. He closed his eyes as that sweet girl rolled over and carefully coiled her body around his. It was out of pure reflex that he wrapped a weakened arm around her. It felt amazing to have her by his side, but it also filled him with a sense of trepidation. He now constantly wondered when the proverbial shoe would finally drop—there was now this real, almost tangible fear that Delylah was next, but he wasn't the only person that feared that—the whole family feared it. Even Delylah feared it, and Victor wasn't upset about that at all. He needed her a little scared. It kept her close; it kept her vigilant.
"What makes you ask that?" Victor whispered back. Chills rushed through his body her t-shirt clad body brushed against his. He wanted nothing more than to take her, to possess her, to tumble her soundly, but the ache in his head was quickly turning into a familiar agony. The ever-present nausea bubbled in his stomach, but he fought it. I just want to be normal. I just want to love this girl. I want to hold her. I don't want to take pills or think of who is trying to steal everything. I just want to love her.
"You kept talking to someone," Delylah explained. "You sounded strange, like a big ball of worry and anger and sadness."
"Did I wake you?" he asked as he slowly turned. Even in the haze of pain, he still easily recognized her stunning blue eyes
"No," Delylah lied. His low, tight voice had roused her from a restless slumber, but she didn't mind. Even with him tossing and turning all night, it was still a better sleep than she'd had since he was attacked. In the few weeks they'd been together, she'd grown accustomed to his big body lying beside her. Without him there, she barely slept. Catching naps in hospital recliners was far better than sleeping alone. Now, facing him, she was exhausted, but she was happy.
"Good," Victor said. A sharp pain cut through his skull and he winced.
"You're hurting," Delylah said. It was more of a statement than a question. "I hate this pain."
I can deal with the physical. Chibs' image flashed in his mind. He shuddered. The physical pain is a piece of cake. The mental, the emotional? He smiled as he brushed a dark curl from her gorgeous face. Well, that's another story altogether.
"I'm alright, love," he soothed. His throat was scratchy and sore. She smiled sweetly and caught him off guard with a careful, chaste kiss. Her hand gently stroked his stubbly face in slow, soft circles. It crept up to gingerly touch his temples. She stopped for a moment and opened her eyes. She was still astounded at the soft fuzzy hair that had grown during his hospitalization. It was jet black and downy soft. There was a look of marvel in her eyes, and he knew that she silently wished he'd never shave his head again.
With a coquettish smile, she stroked his cheek again and rolled away. As she stood, Victor caught a glimpse of endless legs pop out beneath the massive black t-shirt she wore. It was his, and he never made it look as good as she did. His eyes widened as he saw the silky crease where her ass met her thighs. He unconsciously licked his lips, unable to help himself, and he silently cursed his pain filled skull.
"Where are you going?" Victor asked. He watched as she scrambled for a pair of yoga pants. Finding a long discarded pair on in a clothes basket, she grabbed them and put them on.
"Getting you some coffee," she replied. "You look like you need it."
"I'm not gonna argue with that," he stated. Maybe the caffeine would curb the headache. He watched as she opened the door and left the room, careful not to slam the door behind her. He twisted and reached for the nightstand, his fingers trembling as he did so. He saw stars as he grabbed his phone and rolled onto his back. He blinked them away as he focused on the screen. I have to be quick, he thought as he carefully, he flipped through his contacts and quickly found his father's name.
Do you have patients today? Victor quickly typed. Hitting send, he immediately cursed himself. He's not gonna fucking answer, he thought. You're an idiot. There's no way—
Yes, I have patients. Victor's brow furrowed as he read his father's response. I'm here until three. Why?
Shock flooded Victor's being as he stared blankly at the screen. He couldn't believe James responded.
Do you think you could meet with me after? Victor fully expected his father to ignore the text, but he answered, much to Victor's chagrin.
Where? Are you able to drive?
Meet me at Jax and Tara's cabin. Do you know where it is?
I'll make sure we are alone. He knew Thomas and Will were out helping Jax. Venus would be gone all day, sitting with Tara and Athea. That only left Delylah. He didn't think he could talk her into leaving his side, and he wasn't sure he wanted her to. He didn't want her in any further danger. I need to talk to you.
About? Victor gritted his teeth in annoyance.
Hannah. There's new leads. It was much easier to lie in a text. No response.
The door swung open and Delylah walked in. The smell of coffee wafted in Victor's nose, and he closed his eyes, welcoming the scent.
"Black, just like you like it, baby," Delylah walked to Victor's side of the bed; he slowly sat upright, valiantly fighting the swimming sensation in his head. With a mumbled thank you, he took the cup and sipped it slowly, reveling in the bitterness. He watched as Delylah walked to the other side of the bed. Careful not to shake the bed, she lowered herself to the mattress, kicked her legs up. She was now lying at his side. He couldn't help but stare as she draped the sheet over her lithe body. He set his coffee on the bedside table, then he gingerly laid back and turned to stare at her.
Unable to control the urge, Victor leaned forward and kissed Delylah. A slight moan vibrated against his tongue as her hands rose to his bare chest. Goosebumps blossomed on his skin as the kiss deepened, and he traced his fingers up her thighs. His thumbs hooked into the waistband of her yoga pants, and she gasped.
"Baby, we can't—" she murmured. He silenced her with another kiss. Victor pulled her close as her nails dug lightly into his skin.
"We'll be careful," he promised with a devilish grin. She didn't want to argue. It had been far too long since he'd touched her skin, and she'd forgotten how much she missed it. She returned his smile, and a glimmer of lust sparked in her eyes as she rolled away and stood once more. He chuckled.
"More coffee?" he joked. He watched as she stalked over to the door. Turning the doorknob lock, she turned and faced him again. She bit her bottom lip as she gripped the hem of her too-large shirt and pulled it over her head. The black sports bra came off after. Victor's dark eyes narrowed as he watched her guileless strip down. The yoga pants and tiny black boy shorts were next. Now stark naked, she walked towards him.
Victor felt his desire mount as she neared. Her long chestnut hair fell in tangled curls over her shoulders as she climbed into bed. Victor pulled her towards him, ignoring his headache. She lowered her face to his and kissed him again. He grabbed her and held her close. The sensation of her skin touching his was too much to bear. He braced himself to roll and pin her beneath him, but she slightly pulled away.
"Let me," she whispered. "Just lay back and let me love you, baby."
He wasn't going to argue. With a silent, pleased grin, he nodded, allowing her to continue her passionate assault. With a sensuous stare, she lowered her mouth to his neck. He closed his eyes and growled appreciatively. Her lips traced his throat and his collarbone. Her tongue flicked across his desire-soaked body as she moved to his chest. A sharp intake of breath escaped him as she moved even lower. When he dared to open his eyes, he was shocked to see her staring up at him. The ravenous hunger in her eyes took his breath away.
Slowly, she began pulling down his loose pajama bottoms. Before he could kick them down and away, she'd already taken him into her mouth, furiously licking and sucking. The sensation took his breath away as he closed his eyes. He reached out and lightly stroked her hair and gently tugged at it. His jaw clenched as she continued her ministrations.
"Baby, please," he jaggedly begged. "Enough. I want you. Please." Her blue eyes glimmered with triumph. She pulled away from him and finished removing his pants. She crawled up his body, only stopping as her hips hovered above his. Slowly, she sat upright and lowered herself onto his stiffened shaft, closing her eyes as she did so. Victor's heart skipped within his chest as she rocked back and forth. His eyes freely roamed her body, and his hands explored every inch of skin.
"God, I love you," Victor breathlessly declared. Delylah's eyes flew open and locked with his.
"I love you," Delylah stated as she moved faster. Mere moments felt like a delicious eternity as he grabbed her hips. Low moans flew from her slightly parted lips as her movements became more urgent. He felt her thighs tighten around his waist. She's close. He clenched her hips tighter as her head turned toward the ceiling. Within moments, Delylah was crying out in pleasure, but even after her bliss abated, she kept moving. Victor stiffened beneath her as his back slightly arched. Delylah ran her hands down his chest as he neared his climax. His head exploded as he came, but the pleasure from Delylah's body far outweighed any pain.
For a moment, she remained straddled across him, but she bent and lay across his torso. She could feel his heart hammer against her chest. I'm so glad you're mine, she thought.
The sound of vibration broke the moment. Delylah sat up again and moved off of Victor. She lay next to him as he grabbed the phone. He grimaced as he read the message.
I'll be there no later than four.
"Who is that?" Delylah asked. Victor turned and looked at her. He wondered if asking his father for an impromptu meeting was the right thing to do. After all, the strange premonitions from his dream were still incredibly fresh. What do I say? I'm asking to meet my father because a Scot ghost said he was the link to all this craziness? Victor sighed. Yeah, that'll make sense. She'll probably take me right back to the hospital. He looked at Delylah. You deserve the truth.
"It's James," Victor said. "I asked him to meet me here today. I feel like I need to talk to him."
Delylah was shocked. She'd never imagined this day would come.
"What made you change your mind?" Delylah asked.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Victor replied. "You shouldn't worry about it anyway."
But I do worry, she thought. It's because I love you. Judging from the look of determination in his eyes, she knew he wouldn't speak about his motives until he was ready. While it drove Delylah crazy, she knew that questioning him further would only piss him off more.
Instead of talking, Delylah reached out stroked his face again. She got him, and she was one of a handful of people that did. As he leaned into her hand, Victor just how much he loved her touch. It wasn't just because he loved the physicality of it all, but because he knew she'd gotten his motives. How amazing it is to be understood, without even uttering a word. At that moment, a stunning epiphany filled his soul. Victor didn't want just sex or dating; he'd had that before, and it did nothing but leave him lonely. As he looked into her eyes, he realized that the young woman before him was more than just a girlfriend. His future played in front of his eyes, and she was in every scene, and that's when he knew that she wasn't just a girl—one day soon, she'd be his bride.