Chapter VIII

{August 20, 1995, Private Airport, Charming}

The musty smell of Charming hit her nostrils as she stood in the doorway of the private leer jet that husband number five of six weeks had bestowed upon her. Her cold ice blue eyes surveyed the desolate airfield, as she cursed silently under her breath that the plane had brought her to this hell instead of the fabulous spa location that was the original flight plan. Times like this made Abigail Tate-Southward-Shaw-Cummings-Wentworth wish she had never borne a child, especially a self-centered one like Amelia. She peered over her $600.00 black Dior sunglasses at the stretch limo waiting. Abigail known as Abby by her influential jet set socialite group of fake friends, supposed conceiving and giving birth to Amelia hadn't been a total loss. In fact if one were looking at it from an investment or stock exchange point of view, Amelia had yielded a healthy bottom line for Abby. Being the mother to the only legitimate child of her obnoxiously rich first husband William Tate, who was 20 years her senior, had made her an insanely rich women at the tender young age of 19. She inhaled deeply feeling the arousal stirring in her as she recalled William; he had been one hell of a lay, actually the best she had encountered to date, the current husband not even a close contender. William's pockets had been deep and still were bottomless, but his business dealing were not all legit, one of the main reasons he had not stepped foot back on U.S. soil since his daughter's birth. That and he had no desire to be a father, a point he had made perfectly clear even before they had gotten married.

A sensual smile almost made Abby's plastic appearance look real as she recalled their time together before the news of her pregnancy had fucked everything up. They had, had 12 months of blissful, lust filled months of ecstasy. As the smile creased her stiff face she quickly caught her error in appearance and corrected it immediately; appearance was after all everything in her world. Clutching her black Dior handbag close to her perfectly round shaped breast, which had been augmented by the top plastic surgeon in the country, she began to slowly emerge down the steps that had been placed before the extravagant jet. The click of her Louis Vuitton black high heels, which matched her outrageously expensive black outfit, clicked in harmony with the sway of her perfectly rounded ass. The brisk annoying breeze blew her perfectly styled long blonde hair. Annoyance and inconvenience that was all Charming and Amelia had ever been, she thought bleakly as she lowered herself into the private stretch limo as the chauffeur stood by patiently.

{August 16, 1995, 5:30am, St. Thomas Hospital, Charming}

Dr. Martin lowered his tired aching body to the chair behind the ER desk to sign off on the new patient's orders; he had given verbally to the nurse that was assigned to assist him. Reaching to the side he picked up the paper cup full of piping hot coffee she had so graciously placed upon the desk as well. It had been an eventful night for each of them. The Trauma that had presented the previous afternoon, had kept them occupied well into the early morning hours.

His smiled broadened as he signed his scratchy illegible signature his thoughts on the young man that lay in a bed on the other side of the doubles doors of the Intensive Care Unit. The patient was already making great strides, well ahead of what they had anticipated. Dr. Martin now felt confident Aiden Janowitz would make a full recovery with record speed. He hoped the young man realized just how lucky he had been, having completed his residency in a busy trauma hospital located in New York City before arriving on the west coast, Dr. Martin had seen similar events result in fatalities.

"Dr. Martin, we have a self inflicted wrist laceration incoming," The nurse motioned to the glass ambulance bay doors that were opening as she spoke, a stretcher being rushed into the first available area.

Rising abruptly almost knocking over the coffee, he followed the nurse to the area where they were wasting no time in transferring the body of the young girl from one stretcher to another.

"What's the story here?" He asked the paramedic in charge without even making eye contact, his eyes fixated on the flowing blonde hair that was visible, the flowing hair that was stained with bright red blood.

"Seventeen year old, white female, found by the housekeeper in the tub, left wrist lacerated horizontally, object used appears to be a knife that was found on the scene, time that elapsed from last seen uninjured to injury 5 – 10 minutes. The cut is deep, honestly we haven't been able to release pressure long enough to determine the extent of the damage….."

Dr. Martin listened intently as the paramedic continued the report, now unable to divert his eyes away from the blood staining the pure white sheet from the dainty feminine wrist. Oozing continuously around the gloved hand that was holding firm pressure. A sense of dread stirred deep within him as he moved closer to the stretcher. Jesus Christ when it rains it pours, he thought.

"Get blood down here STAT," He turned calling the order out to the nurse, "Tell them there is no time to type cross, send at least 3 units of Type O, and to be on call and ready that's probably just going to get us started. We need to call the Surgeon back in also."

As the paramedics stepped back further Dr. Martin moved forward and the females face finally came into full view.

"NO!" He yelled out before he could stifle the response.

"Dr. Martin, are you ok?" The nurse remaining inquired.

He looked down in horror at the young female recognizing her immediately, in spite of her now pasty pale appearance. There was no mistaking she was the young girl from the waiting room earlier. The girl he had snuck back to see the young man, the one he had just been thinking about, the young man who was going to make a full recovery. Shaking his head, he watched the blood pouring from the young girl's wrist, unlike the young man that she obviously kept company with, he didn't know if the chips would be in her favor. For the first time since he had been an attending Physician at St. Thomas, he felt a profound wave of nausea sweep over him.

{Chapel, August 17, 1995, Noon}

"We talked to that housekeeper, Marie. Best we can make out of all this bullshit is a guy wearing one of our Prospect cuts showed up at the door telling them he was sent by you and Gemma. He told them Aiden was dead, gave a little warning for Amelia to stay the fuck away from the MC. Housekeeper said he told the girl we blamed her for Aiden's death." Bobby shook his head as he finished the last words.

Clay rolled his eyes before looking up at the Chapel ceiling a scowl upon his face, "FUCK!"

"Clay man, that's not all," Tig took a deep drag from his cigarette before looking his President in the eye.

"Well, don't keep me in mother fuckin' suspense, do tell me," Clay spit out not sure how the fucked up situation could get much worse.

The events of the last days had been a pretty fucked up as far as he was concerned. Aiden, had almost died from being run over by a truck in the God damned intersection, and now his damned girl friend had slit her wrist wide open. All because of some dumb ass Prospect showed up on her door step full of lies. The gossip was running around town like a spark in the middle of a burn ban. Clay sure in the fuck didn't need the good folks of Charming riled up flooding into Chief Unser's office demanding the outlaws be dealt with. He glared at his Sgt. of Arms with a look of exasperation upon his face. Fucking hell!

"The mother, Clay, the uppity bitch is headed for Charming, hear she's fuckin' pissed. Claiming she is personally holding the MC and Aiden responsible." Tig answered hating to be the bearer of more bad news that only added gasoline to the already blazing temper Clay was fighting hard to keep under control.

Clay snapped at the words his Sgt. at Arms spoke slamming his gigantic fist upon the Redwood table his joints screaming back at him in protest.

"Clay, man the girl ain't legal age for him to be tapping," Tig flicked the butt of his cigarette into the ashtray close by, immediately reaching out to retrieve another from the crumpled pack, "This could be some fucked up shit, I remember this one time …"

"No fuckin' shit," Clay responded sarcastically cutting him off, "Tig, don't open your Mother Fuckin' mouth again unless it's to tell me something I don't know, and spare us all the stroll down memory cock lane." Clay narrowed his eyes as he spoke the words.

"He hasnae bin forcin' th' girl fur Christ sake," Chibs growled looking at Tig irritated.

"Don't matter," Bobby spoke from across the table, "She ain't eighteen and he will be turning 19 in a just a week or so."

"Bobby's right, don't fuckin' matter whether she was willin' party or not," Clay reached up placing a hand over his face resting it for a moment before allowing it to crawl down his flesh.

Fuckin' pussy, he cursed silently knowing it would death of all of them, knowing it could take a man down faster than a bullet, or in Aiden's case a truck at the intersection. Clay Morrow couldn't really throw stones however; he knew Gemma's tight sweet pussy had drawn him in like a bee to honey.

Piney leaned back in his seat to the left of Clay, "How much of this are we gonna share with the boys," He looked around the table knowing they all understood that to be Jax, Opie and Aiden.

"Aiden doesn't need this bullshit while lying in the hospital bed," Clay interjected, "I don't want you asses leaking information to him about the girls situation."

"Yeah, Clays right." Happy spoke the words in his emotionless tone.

"Let's vote this shit," Clay barked out the irritation apparent in his voice, "We only inform the boys on a need to know basis, let some shit unroll first, see what happens. I'll get Gem involved see if we can simmer the mom down a notch. We need to find the damned Prospect, introduce him to Mr. Mayhem." Clay looked around the table see the nods of agreement.

"Yay or nay to the proposed solutions," Clay paused for a moment, "I say, yay," Looking immediately to his right for Tig to respond.

"Yay" Tig responded immediately.

"Aye" Chibs spoke quickly as well.

"Yeah," Happy spoke next.

"Yay" Bobby added before reaching out for a freshly rolled joint.

"Yay" Piney spoke last before looking over at Clay.

Clay picked up the gavel clenching his still protesting fingers around it tightly before slamming it down forcefully on the Redwood table.

Gemma pulled her black sporty car into the TM, not bothering to utilize a parking space but rather rolling up as close as possible to the clubhouse.

"Thank you coming over to help me out with all of this," Gemma looked over at Hannah's bright face, "When times are tough we women have to rise about it all and take care of the men." She winked at her.

Stepping out of the car Gemma heard the familiar rumble of Jax's Harley; followed closely by another familiar rumble that she knew was coming from Opie. She watched as her son and his lifelong friend parked their bikes, and began walking over to the car.

"Hey ma," Jax strutted over to this mother kissing her on the cheek.

"Hey Gem," Opie gave her a huge bear hug as Jax stepped back.

"Hey baby, how's Donna this morning?" Gemma knew they girls had all been through it first with Aiden and now with Amelia.

"She's pretty shaken up, Gem," Opie sighed lowering his head for a moment as if he was inspecting the black pavement, "So much shit hitting at one time."

"Well, you just make sure she gets her rest," Gemma reached out touching his cheek in a motherly fashion, "We got a baby that needs to be born healthy."

"Hey slugger," Jax walked over to the passenger side of the car a smile growing on his face as he spoke the words.

"Hi, Jackson," Hannah responded casually hoping her voice didn't sound as breathless as she felt from his close presence.

Gemma looked over at the pair a sly smirk on her face; she knew the time was close at hand that the cards needed to be laid out on the poker table. Perhaps once all the commotion settles down.

"Hannah was kind enough to come over and help me get lunch together for you boys," Gemma injected.

"Tara not able to help ma," Jax broke his eyes from Hannah to look over at his mother.

"No, sweetheart she had a shift at the diner and couldn't find anyone to cover for her," Gemma responded blandly.

"I don't mind helping," Hannah spoke up.

Gemma smiled at the young girl as she thought about the fact Tara could take a lesson or two from Hannah on priorities and loyalty. True she had taken a small detour from her real friends and family, but now she was back with them where she belonged. Tara, on the other hand didn't seem to have a concept about the meaning of family. It was no secret, to Gemma anyway, that Tara only cared about Jax and her small circle of friends. The MC was just something she tolerated to be with Jax. She knew in the long run that wouldn't be enough, a woman had to embrace the things her man loved. If you were going to love a man of SAMCRO you had to embrace the life, the club, it was your family. The one thing that stood strong regardless of the shit that was flung your way.

"Have you heard any news about Amelia?" Gemma inquired.

"We just came from checking on Aiden, couldn't find out much about Amelia, just that she's stable," Jax looked down at the ground the whole situation seeming surreal.

"Yeah, they got her on some bullshit suicide watch, only family members," Opie nervously reached into his cut for a smoke, just like Jax he felt as if the God damned rug had been yanked out from under them all.

"Does Aiden know?" Hannah spoke the words softly.

"No darlin' he doesn't, we figured he's been through enough shit in the last couple of days," Jax breathed in deeply catching a whiff of sweet perfume he assumed was being emitted from Hannah. He was surprised to find the fragrance drawing him to her. He stepped back a few paces as if to protect himself, from what he wasn't sure.

"He's been asking for her," Opie kicked a small rock with his black riding boot.

"We will get it all sorted," Gemma spoke the words reassuringly even thought she wasn't sure if they were going to be able to get the Amelia situation sorted, especially with her Abigail headed to Charming,

"Why don't you boys help us take this food inside, got it boxed up in the trunk, been cooking all morning," She quickly changed the subject hoping to lighten the gloomy mood, not wanting her boys upset anymore than they already were.

"Sure," Opie's face perked a bit at the mention of food.

"No, problem ma," Jax strutted in his gorilla type fashion to the trunk of the car.

Happy walked out from the clubhouse beside Tig. They had been ordered to go find the prospect and introduce him to Mr. Mayhem. A smirk crossed his serious face followed by a low grunt as he listened to Tig's plans for the foolish young man. Happy personally wanted an opportunity to slice his shit up slowly; fucking with a fellow brother was never excusable. He liked Aiden the boy had gone out of his way to make him welcome when he had joined the Redwood Charter a short while back. Happy didn't like it when people fucked with those that he liked, tended to piss him off in a real personal way, which for the individual doing the fucking was dangerous.

"Yeah," He responded to Tig's last comment as he walked up to his bike peering out into the parking lot at Gemma's car for the first time.

He cocked his head to the side awkwardly as he caught a glimpse of the brunette talking to Jax. Happy had never seen her before but to him she looked wholesome, innocent, and damned angelic. He found himself mesmerized unable to look away. Never one to smile much, he could feel his cheeks giving way to the smile forming on his face as he watched her talk in an animated fashion. He could hear her cheerful voice drifting to him and his heart almost felt as if it skipped a beat.

"Man, are you listening to me?" Tig glanced at his brother in curiosity. What the fuck? Tig could seriously count on one hand the times he had seen anything resembling a smile on Happys face. Looking out at the parking lot he saw what had him so distracted. Young Pussy, Tig grunted feeling his mouth water and his groin ache.

"Yeah," Happy responded not hearing a word Tig had spoken his eyes still fixed on the young girl.

"MAN," Tig spoke loudly, "Shit man ain't you been listening to what's happenin' to Aiden for tapping some illegal ass?" Tig looked at the young girl closer recognizing her as a friend of Jax, Opie and Aiden's, "That pussy right there brother, it's illegal, tasty I am fuckin' sure but illegal," Tig bellowed out a wicked laugh, he got it, shit pussy regardless of the age got him rock hard at moment's notice. He reached down rubbing his crotch.

Happy broke his eyes from the young girl looking over at Tig slightly embarrassed by what had just occurred. Attempting to cover his mishap he grabbed his helmet placing snapping the strap under his chin, and mounted his bike starting it immediately.

"Let's go carve some shit up," He spoke the words over the rumble of the engines.

Tig nodded his head and gave Happy a wry smile, taking the lead as they exited the TM parking lot.

{August 20, 1995}

Amelia's eyes fluttered opened, she blinked several times in an attempt to focus her blurry vision. Her heart sank as her vision became fully focused and she realized it wasn't a bad dream but indeed Mommy Dearest sitting in the chair at her bedside in the grand Cathedral. She had known the arrival was inevitable since her release from the hospital earlier that morning, but she had hoped it wouldn't be so soon. That she would at least be able to make her way back to the hospital to see Aiden before her arrival.

"Well, not even a greeting for me, Amelia?" Mommy Dearest chimed out sarcastically, "I mean my wonderful week at the spa did get cancelled due to you."

Sitting up in her bed Amelia eyes glanced over Mommy Dearest flawless appearance. Always flawless and I am anything but…..

"I…I'm sorry…" Amelia could feel her voice quiver as her mother's blue eyes remained cold showing not a glimmer of warmth, much less understanding.

"Problem solved than right my dear Amelia?" She tilted her head to the side her appearance frothy, "I mean, I am sorry, just fixes everything in your pathetic juvenile universe doesn't it, Amelia?"

"It's not like that, Mother," Amelia took a deep breath trying to contain the fury building.

She knew getting into one of their usual knock out drag out arguments was not going to help anything. Amelia knew she needed to get to Aiden; it had killed her knowing he was just a few rooms down, and not being allowed to visit. She frowned as she looked down at her bandaged wrist. It had been that way last time, no leaving the room, constant medical personnel surrounding her every few minutes, and of course no sharp objects. Leaning her head back on the elaborate headboard she closed her eyes for a moment praying it was all a bad dream. How could I have been so stupid to do this? She asked herself her subconscious answering immediately, because you thought your reason for living was dead….she closed her eyes as the events after she left the hospital came flooding back to her. She had been sitting in the kitchen waiting for Marie to finish preparing food she had no interest in consuming when the chimes of door bell rang through the room.

"Yes," Amelia whispered the words as she stood to the side so he could enter the front door of her cathedral home.

"Gemma and Clay sent me," The Prospect looked her square in the eyes, "Aiden's dead."

"NO!" She shook her head in disbelief, "NO! That's not true!" She screamed the words out that echoed off the walls of the elaborate foyer.

Amelia still couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that someone who was a member of the MC would have been as cruel as to show up on her door step claiming that Aiden was dead. She could still hear the horrid words that the Prospect had spoken to her; feel the pain in her chest as if someone had reached in her chest ripping her heart out. Her thoughts raced back to waiting at the hospital. It had seemed hopeless, his chances for survival not good. The hours of sitting in the waiting room chair for any thread of hope that Aiden would survive through the night had been gruesome. After being allowed back to see him for a brief moment Gemma had encouraged them all to head home. Promising to send word if there was any change. They never questioned the prospect that showed up on the door step, even though the news had been dire, because she had been promised they would send word immediately. He had told them Gemma and Clay had sent him.

Mommy Dearest arched her perfectly waxed brow, "I know exactly what it's like Amelia, one of your concerned friends has been kind enough to update me about your activities since my last visit at Christmas."

Leaning back in the oversized, lavish chair she continued to eye her daughter cruelly.

"A … A concerned friend?" Amelia stammered the words a look of confusion upon her face. She knew that her true friends, as well as the staff wouldn't have told her mother anything about her activities. Wouldn't have told her that Aiden had practically been living with her at the cathedral, they all liked him and were her family, and she knew they wouldn't betray her.

"Yes, one of your more socially acceptable friends was kind enough to phone me up, Suzanne White." Mommy Dearest crossed her arms before continuing, "Thank God, she did, really Amelia what were you thinking slumming with that boy? I thought I had made myself very clear at Christmas he was not to be on these grounds, and you were not to continue seeing him."

"Mother, please I don't know what you have been told but it's not like that," Amelia could feel the desperation building within her, "Please mother, I love him, and he loves me, please."

"He loves fucking you Amelia, please don't tell me you are naïve enough to think it's more than that for him." She inhaled deeply, "Now, you are going to do exactly what I tell you, or lover boy is going to be spending time behind iron bars, paying for his intimate time with you."

"Mother, please, no!" Amelia raised her voice in a plea for mercy.

"Then we are clear here Amelia?" Mommy Dearest looked at her daughter a please smirk crossing her face, "You understand you don't follow my directions explicitly I am calling the police right now."

Amelia looked at her mother's cruel condescending expression and knew she was serious. She knew she had screwed up, screwed up in so many ways starting with fleeing from the cabin. Closing her eyes for a moment she knew that Aiden had already paid a heavy enough price for her mistakes, and she simply couldn't allow him to be punished further for her errors. Amelia was determined now to do what she had to do to protect him.

She looked the women that had brought her into the world never despising her more than at that very moment. You just need to make to eighteen, just eighteen Amelia, just 8 months, and then you can come back for him.

"Yes, mother we are clear," She responded flatly.

{St. Thomas}

"No, I believe he will see me, you just run along and tell him Amelia Tate's mother is needing a word…"

The chilly feminine voice drifted into the partially cracked door of the hospital room that he had been transferred to for the remainder of his stay, which they were hoping would only be another week. Aiden's dark eyes looked over at Opie and Jax who were standing by his beside, having just stopped by for a visit. The mention of Amelia's name outside of the room perked his senses, he had been pissed at everyone was being so vague about why she hadn't been to the hospital yet. His gut told him something was very wrong.

Being on deaths door had jarred some much need clarity into his head. He had so much to tell her, so much to say he was sorry for. Aiden knew he needed her to know she was his life, she was his reason for living, and he had to have her with him. He knew he needed to do what Opie had advised before he left the diner parking lot, tell her he loved her until she believed it. Club life was over for him, he had made that decision while laying on his back staring at the ceiling of the hospital room, and he planned on making it official when discharged. Not wanting to upset Jax and Opie he hadn't mentioned it to them yet.

A slow smile crossed his face as he lost himself in thoughts of the future he had decided to make reality. When she turned eighteen he was going to marry her, enough waiting and talk, she was his forever, and he had known that the day they met in the parking lot. Aiden knew Amelia might need some persuasion but he had eight months, and he knew he could be extremely persuasive when need be. There was no alternate ending as far as Aiden Janowitz was concerned.

"Yo, let her in man," Aiden called out to the Prospect guarding the door.

"Man, you sure you want to deal with her mother, you up for that?" Opie commented the words barely out of his mouth before Mrs. Wentworth, the grand bitch strolled into the room her scrutinizing glare passing over each of them.

"Aiden, let's just skip the pleasantries, I am going to get right to the point," She eyed him now ignoring the other two misfits in the room.

"What point would that be?" He looked her directly in the eye.

She didn't intimidate him, if anything she simply pissed him off. She had been a cold callous bitch to Amelia causing her nothing but grief. Frankly he hated her. It would be his pleasure to get her as far away from the ice cold bitch as possible.

"Remove yourself from my daughter's life permanently." She countered back at him.

"Not going to happen," He spit the words out at her feeling a protective rage for Amelia course through him.

"Then you leave me no choice," She reached into her purse of the day a large black Chanel.

She grimaced as she pulled out the envelope, the bag was inferior compared to her Louis Vuitton, and she knew she should have chosen it instead, accessories such as a purse, could simply make or break a woman of her stature. Looking up at the young men in front of her she realized they didn't know the fucking difference anyway. What airs did she have to put on for them, they were just pathetic white trash bikers, and the only leather they knew about was the cheap leather of their cuts. Abby inhaled deeply the smell of grease being emitted from the taller man, the scent made her almost nauseated.

Aiden reached out and took the envelope from the Ice Bitch and opened it slowly. His eyes grew wide in shock as the read the first few words, quickly looking up at her.

"I don't believe it!" He barked at her in a loud voice, "I want to talk to Amelia now!" He made a move to exit the bed the pain ripping through his body as Opie's large hand eased him back down.

Jax looked at the women in front of him who resembled Amelia in many ways, but over all her look was fake plastic, nothing like her daughter. Slowly he picked up the paper Aiden had let fall into his lap.

"What the f…" He caught himself before finishing the sentence.

"That's right it's a restraining order," She smirked at him an evil gleam twinkling in her blue eyes, the most warmth that had been radiated from them since her arrival, "As you can see it was made at Amelia's request."

"I…. I … don't believe it," Aiden sucked in a breath feeling as if the oxygen in the room had been vacuumed out.

"Believe it." Abigail Wentworth aka Mommy Dearest spoke the words firmly with a hint of triumphant victory in her voice, "Come near her, touch her, you will spend time in jail." She paused for a moment before driving the last point home, "I wanted to push for you to be charged with statutory rape, but I simply can't put my poor daughter through anymore embarrassment. She already feels so violated by you, the way you used her is despicable."

"Rape? Violated?" Aiden glared at her the hatred apparent, "You fucking bitch, is that what you did? Did you threaten to put me in jail to get this?" Aiden attempted to get out of the bed again unable to contain his rage any longer.

"Ease down there, man" Opie once again extended his hand halting Aiden.

"Yes, do ease down, young man," Abby smirked, "You are over 18, Amelia is not, or did that small detail escape that Neanderthal mind of yours?"

"Thinking it's time for you to leave Abby," Gemma spoke sternly.

Gemma Teller-Morrow stood in the doorway her eyes fixed on Abby whatever the fuck her current last name was, the fury coursing through every pore of her body. She knew that Amelia hadn't pursued or willingly signed the restraining order; she knew the bitch had given her an ultimatum. Gemma knew this, because she knew the game of manipulation well, and Abby was just a pathetic amateur compared to her.

She glanced over at Aiden who sat stunned his expression now deflated. Amelia was protecting him she respected that, didn't like what it was doing to Aiden one fucking bit but she respected her for it. The girl has balls after all; she smirked as the words echoed through her mind. Gemma knew the best thing she could do in response to Amelia's protective move, was to make one of her own for the boys standing in the room were hers. They were the future of the MC and she would be damned if anyone was going to threaten or hurt them.

"I'll leave when I am finished," Abby starred at Gemma Teller-Morrow turning her nose up in disgust.

"Make no mistake BITCH, you are finished," Gemma walked over standing eye to eye with the women.

"I dare you….." Abby clutched her bag close to her bosom as if it would provide protection, "Are you threatening me?"

"Bitch, no threat is being made," Gemma leaned in close to the woman's ear whispering the words that followed in a low hiss, "Get the fuck out you silent whore or I will make Amelia legally an orphan, which honestly would be the most humane thing I could do for that girl. We all know crack whores on the street love their young more than you do your own daughter."

Abby's eyes grew in anger as Gemma spoke the words, she could feel her face becoming burning and flushed. She opened her mouth to speak once again and then quickly shut it as she looked deeply into Gemma's. What Abby saw scared her; the crazy bitch would really kill you. Turning on her heel she walked hastily from the room the click of her shoes growing fainter with each step.

Aiden sat still stunned, feeling as though the life had been sucked out of him. He knew she would never willing do this to him; she wouldn't he refused to believe it. They loved each other; he ran his hand through his curly brown hair, cursing himself under his breath for ever allowing shit to get so out of control. As the sound of mommy dearest footsteps grew fainter he knew that once discharged he was either going to be leaving town with Amelia or spending time in jail. Either way he was going to see her.

{January 3, 1999, Reno, SAMREN Clubhouse}

"Son, all I am sayin' is you haven't been yourself lately," Nicky the SAMREN club President leaned back in his chair located at the head of table so he could observe Mike, who was sitting to his right.

"Fill the seat," Mike spoke the words with no emotion as he placed the cigarette to his mouth.

"Man, let us hold it for a while," His brother from across the table spoke up, "Take a few months ride the road, clear your head whatever in the fuck you need to do."

"I appreciate what you are trying to do," Mike looked at his brother across from him who occupied the VP seat before his gaze rested at the head of the table, "This club, each of you are my family, you are the only family I have ever had, but the road is calling me."

"Mike, don't know what's going on with you," Nicky shook his head, "Are you getting' an itch for some sir if normal shit or something, thinkin' you want to find a woman, have a house full of kids? What the fucks goin' on?"

"Is that it brother," The VP looked at him quizzically, "Shit, you ain't built for that; I give you and normal a month."

"Fuck, that's not what I am saying or what I want," Mike spoke the words evenly, "I just need to be on the road, I need the freedom the road gives that's all."

Reaching out he snuffed out the cigarette butt into the ashtray with his thumb. Fuck me, he thought to himself. Mike knew he wasn't built for normal shit; he had no desire for a goddamn wife and a house full of kids. Never had, never would. He did however need to feel free. He had never felt completely free, spending most of his young life bouncing from foster home to foster home, and then spending years within the confinements of a juvenile lock up. Freedom of the road was calling him, nothing more.

"Well, I guess lets vote this shit," Nicky sighed deeply before speaking the next words, "Vote on the table, Mikes transfer to Nomad."

{May 1, 1999, Charming}

Aiden eased his Harley into the driveway of the Amelia's cathedral dwelling. He sat for a moment allowing the crisp morning to refill and renew him. He glanced down at his watch realizing he needed to hurry or he was going to miss it. Dismounting his bike he removed his helmet placing on the hand bar before strolling towards the steps.

Marie heard the sound of his bike from the foyer where she stood replacing the roses in the expensive vase that adorned an equally expensive decorative table that sat against the wall. Peering out the floor to ceiling window a smile crossed her face before making her way to the door.

"Hey Marie," Aiden peered over his sunglasses at her his smiling, "Getting more beautiful every day." He teased her.

"Aiden," Marie reached out hugging him to close to her, "Flattery will get you a fresh baked muffin." She nodded towards the kitchen.

Aiden inhaled deeply the aroma coffee filling his senses.

"It's a fresh pot," Marie smiled, "Why don't you go get a cup, and watch the sun come up by the pool."

"You read my mind, I was hoping to catch the sunrise today," Aiden strolled towards the kitchen, turning around for a moment, "You heard from her, Marie?"

"No, Aiden," Marie answered him praying her voice wouldn't give away the fact she was lying, "You know with the time difference we don't really hear from her much."

"So, she's still out of the country," A frown creased the corners of his mouth.

"You're going to miss the sunset," Marie gave a feeble smile before turning her attention back to the roses.

Her heart truly ached for him, so much so that she allowed him to come to the house whenever he needed. She was truly torn at times, wondering if she had handled the whole situation right, and shouldn't have talked Amelia out of the restraining order. It had been more than apparent not only to her but many others that she had been coerced into filing the order by her mother. Marie assumed that Abby had threatened Amelia with Aiden and she had done whatever she felt was necessary to protect him. Her calls had been frequent the first few months she had been away, always asking Marie if everyone was well. Marie knew she everyone meant Aiden. She had wanted to discuss the situation with her many times, let her know that Aiden still loved her, but Amelia had always shut her down. Over the last year her calls had become less frequent all together.

Aiden strolled into the kitchen retrieving a coffee mug and making his way to the coffee machine that looked like something you would find in one of those gourmet places that were becoming so popular. He stood staring out the kitchen window for a moment looking at the lavish landscaping of the grounds, before making his way towards the formal living room and out the double doors that lead to the pool. The pool had always been his favorite thing about the monstrosity that had once been filled with Amelia's laughter and radiant smile, those two factors being the only things that had brought life into the stone walls. He had spent many evenings with her watching the sun go down, and many mornings watching the sunrise on the lavish deck. Usually those mornings were due to them spending the entire night awake in one another's company.

Closing his eyes for a moment before approaching the large table and taking a seat, he could almost smell her perfume; feel her body leaned up against his on one of the oversized lounge chairs. Aiden had desperately tried to find out her location, but had been unsuccessful, even with Juices assistance. Once again it was as if Amelia Tate had disappeared off the face of the earth.

Aiden had demanded to be brought to the mausoleum the day of his dismissal from the hospital. His arrival too late, Amelia had already departed via private plane for a location abroad. Now only Marie lived on site. Amelia's mother, the bitch from hell, had not returned to Charming since her departure shortly after delivering Aiden the restraining order. The restraining that had expired over 6 months ago and still no sign of Amelia, a scowl crossed his face for an instant as he thought about that detail. Anytime after turning eighteen Amelia could have reversed the restraining order, at the very least she could have called him. He reached in his jeans pocket and pulled out a picture of her. Despite all the reasons he should hate her, he didn't, he just wanted her back. Please just come back to me.

{May 1, 1999, Los Angeles, Airport}

Amelia sat in the first class seat of the airplane peering out the small window watching the sun rise on the horizon. The rays of light bursting through the small window almost blinding her, closing her eyes for a moment she allowed the warmth to penetrate her tanned flesh. Letting out a leisurely sigh she opened her eyes looking once more as the runway of the Airport came into view. It was the first time she had been back to California since leaving almost four years prior.

When she had complied with Mommy Dearest request for a restraining order she had originally planned to only stay away until she was eighteen, but when her birthday rolled around she couldn't board the flight. She had stood at the gate until they finally closed it unable to walk down the ramp and board. Amelia was terrified of returning to Charming; terrified that he had moved on and forgotten her, terrified that he hated her for leaving in the first place. Staying away was a cowardly way to protect her heart from being broken anymore if he had indeed moved on, or worse yet refused to forgive her. Marie's words from her youth rang in her ears as the airplane began to descend, she had told her when you love someone at times it was necessary to set them free, and if it was meant to be they would return to you. Amelia had learned the hard way however, what you set free sure in the fuck didn't always return to you.