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Fallon: End of an Era

They made love that night. It hadn't been rough or animalistic like the other times had been where they were trying to dominate the other. This time Dru had submitted herself into Jax's safe keeping. He loved her like no other. He had wanted to show just how much she meant to him; how much he cherished her person.

It had broken something inside of him to hear her say the words, "If I choose a side, I will die." Then she offered to choose a side, his side, if he ever really needed her. Jax had no doubt that time would come. But he'd have to sacrifice her to save his club. It was such a decision that existed that literally made him sick to his stomach. He didn't sleep much at all.

"They've got Juice," Tig told them once he ended his phone call with Rat.

Dru was sitting at the table along with everyone else contemplating what was to happen next. She had been raking her brain since last night trying to figure out a way to free herself from the confines of her other duties. She had additional paths she could take, but she'd be risking everything to take them, including her own life.

"I know this is a big risk," Jax said.

"But the boy will do what he's told," Chibs reassured everyone. He slapped his hands on the Reaper carved out in the middle of the table. "This is all that he wants."

"Well, he did have a million chances to run," Bobby added.

"If he stays on plan, Tully will set him up to finally kill Lin," Jax told them.

"And if he chokes and we become his leverage?" Happy questioned.

"Then Tully will kill Juice." Jax sighed. "Did you find the right spot for the pastor?"

"Yeah, they're starting to break ground on Pope's commercial property. It's just outside of Montclair, middle of nowhere," Tig replied.

"There's only a project manager on site. He's gone by noon," Quinn added.

"We'll put him some place sacred," Bobby sarcastically remarked.

Jax chuckled a little. "Good." He looked over at Chibs. "Did you reach out to Tyler and Alvarez?"

"Aye," Chibs answered. "Tyler's all set. The Mayans are in all the way."

Jax began shaking his head. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't see this coming. I had hoped we could end Lin without severing our ties to August, but I knew the odds."

"We're gonna find out who ratted us out to Lin," Happy swore to him.

"And we should be getting something back from Collety about the guy that Jury knew," Bobby said. "Figuring out how he disappeared should shed some light."

"But I knew even without the rat we'd end up going head to head with Marks at some point. I mean, he's not Pope, but this is more than just another street beef. He's got money, bought protection, and intel. His political sway is growing. I'm not sure how deep that goes. That's why we need to handle him with leverage, not blood. That choice puts us all here at risk; our families too. I need you to know that," Jax explained.

"We know that, Jackie boy," Chibs told him.

"There is an upside," Bobby cut in. "The Niners and the Mayans are right there with us. Those are important relationships."

"Yeah," Jax exhaled. "Your loyalty and faith in me over the last few weeks…I can't express my gratitude. This vengeance was personal, and all of you have allowed me to bring it here. I know that I keep asking for way more than the patch requires, but never once did any of you hesitate or have a blink of doubt. I don't think I'm gonna be able to repay that debt. You're my family. I love all of you."

"And we love you, Jackie." Chibs patted his arm.

Jax grinned and hit the gavel upon the table. He stood up and reached over to find Dru's hand. He quickly entangled their fingers then brought their joined hands up to his mouth. He laid a kiss on top of hers and savored the feeling of the most magnificent intimacy he'd ever been a part of.

Jax knew the only reason he was still standing was because of Dru. Not only had she gotten him out of plenty of cluster fucks, but she'd also brought back the light in his life. His soul was still intact because of her. He knew it was the same for her. She'd said so multiple times that it was only because of him that her humanity had remained even after her days with the IRA. The darkness hadn't completely swallowed her whole.

He had already made it his mission to make sure she lived out the rest of her days in complete ecstasy. The only thing worrying Jax was how many days Dru had left. He would try his best to not use her abilities for the impending war that was slowly getting more violent. However, Jax knew he couldn't keep that promise to himself. There would come a time when Dru would be needed. He could only hope that Dru would find some way to protect herself, and then live to be an old lady by his side.

Dru had told him multiple times that she would never ride bitch on his motorcycle. She had her own to ride in peaceful solitude. But it seemed important to him that she did. Jax Teller had even begged. So, that's how she found herself riding over to Piedmont.

They needed to confront the pastor's wife about a favor that needed to be done. There was no other option for them as long as they wanted to stay alive. Then again, it would give the Sons the leverage they needed against August. No, Dru couldn't lift a finger to help, but she could certainly be a witness to what was occurring. And she could still protect Jackson with all her might.

Her son met them outside and quickly told them that his mother was in no condition to talk to anyone.

"She doesn't have a choice," Jax told him.

"We did what you said. She signed the deal for August Marks. Now, please, just leave us alone."

"Signing it bought you some time, but for Marks, that's just the beginning. He's gonna suck every dime out of this place and level it for condos. We can help you if you help us."

The son sighed. "She's starting to bend. I'm trying to take her down a little bit every day."

"Why don't you put her in detox?" Chibs asked.

"It's too public," the son told them.

"We can help with that too," Jax added.

"We haven't lied to you yet," Chibs told him.

The son thought it over and then nodded his head allowing permission for them to follow.

"We know for sure your husband was killed. It was August Marks," Jax secreted to the wife.

Dru supported Jax in what he was doing, but never would she agree with how he was doing it. She had tried to tell him to not go after August. She knew where this road ended. It would end in her death because eventually she would choose a side. Fuck the Secretary of Defense and his goddamn leash! She had played both sides so well for so long. Leave it to Jax and the Sons to fuck all that up. It was truly amazing what sweet love could do to a person. Even to her.

She stood there beside Happy observing what was happening. Dru had to admit that what Jax was doing was smart. She only hoped that August was not as smart.

"How do you know?" the wife asked.

"We've been watching Marks," Jax began. "We saw a couple of his thugs burying a body at a Pope Construction site."

"And you dug it up?" the son exclaimed. Jax nodded.

"We can show you a picture," Happy piped in.

"No," the wife quickly replied.

Dru backhanded Happy across his chest. The only thing he was capable of doing was shrugging his shoulders as if his offer wasn't any big deal.

"What do you want from us?" the wife asked.

"I need your help to stop Marks. If we don't act now, he's going to destroy what's left of both our families," Jax explained. He could see the questions pop up in her eyes. "My wife was murdered a few weeks ago."

"Oh my God…"

"What do you want her to do?" the son interrogated.

"Just tell the truth," Chibs replied.

"Just having proof that there is a body on one of his properties is not going to be enough of a threat. But if you sign a statement saying that he threatened you and your husband into signing that housing deal, that's motive for murder. That'll ruin him. That's a threat with teeth," Jax explained.

"Then why not just have him arrested?" the son asked.

"Cause then he has nothing to lose and he'll have you both killed," Dru cut in.

"Look, the leverage of him losing an empire he can almost touch…that's going to be enough to back Marks off. You keep the death photos of your husband and your statement with an informed third party, that's what keeps your safe, protects your church, and your husband's legacy," Jax clarified.

The wife looked over at her son. "You need to tell him."

"Tell me what?" Jax questioned.

"One of my stepfather's suppliers has been blackmailing us. He has cell phone footage of Jonathan with very young men at the lake house. You can see pictures of my mother and me in the background," the son enlightened him.

"I don't have any more money to pay him. When that comes out the church's reputation and my credibility will be ruined. I mean, I'm afraid my statement against Mr. Marks won't provide much leverage. I'm sorry," the wife apologized.

Jax nodded. "You're talking about a pimp?"

"He goes by the name 'Greensleeves'. He has an Oakland P.O. box," the son told them.

"We can handle your blackmail problem, but I need to know you're with us on Marks." Jax could tell she was still perplexed as to whether or not this was the right thing to do. "We have a cabin a few hours from here. My guys could take you up there. I'll have my mom come out. She can help take you off the junk. She's done it with a few of my guys. We can get you well."

The wife broke down in tears. She turned to her son and began apologizing for everything. The son reassured her that it was all okay. She looked back at Jax and said, "I'll give you your statement."

Dru followed Jax and Chibs back outside. Happy had stayed behind to get the statement signed. Jax quickly told Montez about the plans to take the wife and son up to the cabin.

Jax turned to look at Dru and asked her if she was okay. "Oh, I'm fine," she told him. "It's just weird because I can't do anything to help out where August is concerned. I'm not use to having to control my impulses. It's in my nature to do what I want, take what I want."

"Why can't you just tell the Secretary of Defense that you don't wanna do it anymore?" Jax questioned her.

"I did two years ago. Technically I'm not even on their payroll anymore. I'm an independent contractor, if you will. But since him and the U.S. Attorney General got my ass out of prison whenever I needed them to, I owe them a favor. There will come a day when I receive a phone call and I'll have to do whatever they tell me. It was the price for getting out," Dru explained.

About that time, Happy was walking out with the signed statement. He handed it to Jax right away. Jax looked it over and nodded his head. "Alright, call Gemma," he told Rat putting the paper inside his cut. "Tell her I need her at the cabin."

"What do we tell her?" Rat asked.

"That I need her at the cabin."

"Mm-hmm," Rat mumbled rubbing at goatee. "What if she says no? Your mom can, you know, be a little difficult."

Jax smirked. "Are you afraid of my mother?"

"We all are," Happy answered for him.

Jax smiled. "She doesn't need details. Just tell her I've got a mother/son issue; a family problem that needs some help. I'll call when I get there."

He put his helmet on while he watched Dru do the same. She was so sexy with a helmet on. He had appreciated the fact that she had swallowed her womanly pride and rode on the back with him. It had been a first, but also it had made Jax extremely territorial over her. Nothing that primal had ever come over him before, except for whenever he fucked her against the wall their first time together.

"Nero is going to meet us," Chibs told him.

"Alright, let's do it," Jax said starting up his bike. He made sure that Dru was secure behind him and then he took off in lead.

"What do you want with Greensleeves?" Nero asked him. "Or shouldn't I ask?"

"They just wanna talk to him, Nero," Dru told him.

"Yeah, semi-automatic discussion," he sarcastically remarked.

"He's trying to blackmail a friend of ours. Innocent people are gonna get hurt, and that's the truth," Jax cut in.

"Adam Green Blathe. He's been in the game for a while," Nero revealed.

"Do you know where he hustles?"

"Out on Mission, near the Blade."

"Do you think you could ID him?" Jax questioned him.

"Oh, yeah," Nero smirked.

It didn't take Nero long to find him. He pulled over and parked near the curb. Jax, Dru, and Chibs came up on him and stopped near his car.

"Out by the Hummer," Nero told them. Dru whipped her head around to find said man beside of the atrocious vehicle. "You need me?" Nero asked.

"No, I think we got it," Dru answered.

"Then I'm gonna head back," Nero said.

"Alright, cool," Jax nodded. He looked behind him at Dru. "Do you want in on this?"

"Hell yes!" Dru exclaimed. "I can certainly put a pimp out of his misery. I doubt he's tied to anyone political."

Jax just chuckled.