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Fallon: End of an Era

Chapter Twenty-Six

Gemma couldn't run anymore. She would stand before her father who would be blissfully unaware of what a disappointment his daughter turned out to be. She recognized what a black plague she truly was to her family. Abel was fearful of her. It broke her heart to know that her grandson believed her to be the monster that she was. She never wanted him to discern her as one.

It had been her final wish to let him know just how much she loved him no matter what. She had already said her farewells to Nero whom she wasn't worthy of and her final phone call was to Unser. Wayne had been by her side through it all and loved her despite her misgivings. Her last goodbye was to her father. His title demanded the respect that he deserved and a goodbye was warranted. Gemma knew her time was up. She just didn't know who would be doing the deed. She hoped it'd be her son.

"So, I set this meeting with Conner, you grab him, lock down the guns for the Mayans. I guess I'm missing the part of the plan where you tell me what's in it for me," Tyler remarked.

"Setting up the guns for Alvarez helps everyone," Jax assured him.

"Come on, man. I've been nothing but a player for you guys. I've done everything that you've asked. You know what happens when you unplug? We get swallowed up, bro," Tyler told him. "The Mayans, they got us outmanned and outgunned."

"That's not going to happen, Tyler," Chibs cut in.

"But if it does, you won't be able to do shit about it."

"What do you want?" Jax asked.

"The same thing I wanted earlier," Tyler replied. "We got to take control on those Chinese streets before the Triads move in or before Alvarez changes his mind. And we got to do it in one move, or else them slants gonna go underground and regroup. I'm gonna need help pulling off that assault."

"Alright," Jax nodded. "I already told you we'd help clear them out. But it's gonna have to happen tonight. I need that meeting with Conner tomorrow."

"Yeah, I can do that."

After they shook hands to seal the agreement, Jax and Chibs walked back to their bikes before the others caught up. "We'll need everyone on this assault," Jax told him.

"Aye," Chibs nodded.

"Any word from Dru?" he asked.

"None at all, brother."

Jax sighed. "I just wonder where she went."

"Do you want me to call her?"

"I don't expect her to pick up. Whatever she's up to it seemed pretty important for her to run off as quickly as possible."

"Why didn't you put Happy on her earlier whenever he asked?" Chibs questioned him.

"Because Dru would've given him the slip anyways. There's no following her. On top of that she would've had my ass for even thinking of putting a tail on her," Jax replied.

Chibs chuckled. "Aye, and I would've loved to have seen it."

"Mrs. Teller."

Gemma awoke to the Director nudging her leg. "Hi," she mumbled.

"Hi," the woman smiled. "Your father's back. He's in his room."

"Oh, thank you."

"Sure. So, we need to establish a new conservator. Would that be you?"

Gemma paused. When she was gone there would be no one left to take care of her father. "No," she answered. "Drusilla Fallon. My goddaughter."

"Okay. Well, we can get that information before you leave. Nate is in room 11 to the left of reception."

"Thanks," Gemma nodded.

She would make her peace and then she would stop running.

There was only one place she wanted to go after she visited her daddy—home. And not the one in Charming. Her first home where the garden was that she played in when she was a little girl. Her father had remembered the Gemma who loved the flowers. Gemma wanted to reminisce which is why she had all the photo albums spread out before her.

There were pictures here that she didn't necessarily recall, but they had brought a smile to her face. She laughed quietly at some of them.

Gemma heard the front door open and knew her fate had been sealed. If Wayne had found her it was only a matter of time before Jax showed up.

"I didn't see the car. I wasn't sure if you were here or not."

"How'd you find me?" she asked.

"Nero came by and said you had disappeared. I knew there was only one place you would go," Unser answered.

Gemma nodded. "You know me so well."

He sat down in one of the chairs. "What are you doing, Gem?"

"You're a smart man, Wayne. I'm sure you know the answer to that."

"I need you to come with me back to Sanwa."

"I can't do that."

"I know about Tara," Unser told her.

Gemma nodded. "I assumed you did."

"Should I ask why?"

"Does it matter anymore?"

"No, it doesn't," he shook his head. "I have to arrest you, Gemma."

"Fifth grade. I wrote an essay on the important of the Second Amendment. Got a B-plus," Gemma told him holding up the notebook. "I knew even then where I was headed."

"I don't know if anyone else realizes where you are. If they find you…if Jax finds you here, I don't know what happens."

"I do," Gemma said.

"Don't make me call the local cops, please. Let's do this quietly."

"That's not really my style, sweetheart. You do what you need to do."

Unser groans softly as he stands up to take his phone out of his pocket. He went to dial the number and looked up when the door opened. He expected Jax, but was surprised to find Dru. Now he really didn't know where this was headed. Dru was a wild card—unpredictable and cunning.

"I'm arresting her, Dru. Taking her back to Charming."

"It won't work, Wayne. I need to be alone with Aunt Gemma. We have some…things…to talk about."

"I can't do that. I can't let that happen," Unser told her. "I already called it in to the Oregon State Police."

"No, he didn't," Gemma cut in. Unser sighed and walked back to the love of his life.

"Get out of here, Wayne."

"No," he quickly said and pulled a gun out of his pocket. "Come on, get up. Let's go. You're coming with me," Unser directed at Gemma as he aimed his gun at Dru.

Dru swiftly pulled her own weapon and pointed it at Unser. "Wayne…"

"What happens now?" he asked her.

"Don't make me do this," Dru begged.

"Haven't we had enough of this? Look at where we are, Dru. What we've all become. What you've become. This has to end here."

"I know it does, Wayne," she whispered, "that's why I'm here."

"I know what you got planned. It can't happen."

"It's the only way this goes down. It's the only way for all of this to go away."

"Is killing your only answer, Dru?" he asked.

Her lips quivered. "Yes," she confirmed shakily. She bit her lip to steady herself. "It's the only answer I've got and the only one that works. Just go home."

Unser kept his gun up and put his eyes on Gemma. "I can't do that." All the love he felt for this woman was in his eyes. "This is all I got left."

Dru nodded. She understood. "I'm sorry, Wayne."

Unser turned his head towards Dru again. As soon as his eyes were on her she let off a round. She made sure it was quick by going with a head shot. Remorse instantly filled her body. It was the first time she felt guilt over a kill in a long time. Dru almost welcomed the feeling with open arms until she realized that she wasn't yet finished with what she came here to do.

Gemma met Dru's eyes. It was no wonder she had been hoping it'd be Jax who ended her life. She saw the devil standing before her.

"Does Jax know you're here?" Gemma asked her.

"No," Dru sighed as she sat in the seat next to where Gemma was on the floor. "I came here alone. He has no idea where you are."

"Who all knows what happened?"

"Jax, the club. That's it."

"Has anyone talked to Nero?"

"I don't know," she shrugged.

"Make sure they know Nero had nothing to do with it," Gemma told her. "He's a good man. Jax needs to stay close to him.

Dru nodded. "I agree."

Gemma went through a few photos to get her thoughts straight. She couldn't believe that Dru had protected her until the end. However, Gemma also understood that Dru couldn't allow her to live any longer. Everyone knew about her involvement in Tara's murder. It was only a matter of time before they all came after her. Dru was doing Jax a favor. As much as she wished that Jax was the one to do the deed Gemma realized that Dru would've never allowed that. Dru never would've permitted Jax to kill his own mother. His soul wouldn't be able to handle the torment of such an act. Dru was taking it upon herself.

Gemma wanted to smile. Jax had given himself a gift in choosing Dru. And Dru faithfully loved her son.

"I think deep down I knew you would be the one to do this. Jax can't do it because his conscience would eat away at him."

"His soul would be shattered, Gemma. Mine's already been shattered. I can't let him feel that way too."

Gemma nodded. "I would've taken our secret to the grave. I never would've told anyone of your contribution to Tara's murder."

"All I did was cover it up, Gemma. I didn't know that you would take it this far."

"Neither did I," the Queen added. "I barely remember what happened, but it did. All of the other things that happened because of the lie…I never saw any of that coming. I know there's no apology that can touch what my son must be feeling, but he has you. You are his light whether you believe it or not. You are the one that eases his pain and his anger, his loneliness. Just remember that, Drusilla."

Dru swallowed the emotion that had built up and simply nodded her compliance.

Gemma stood up and sighed. "I'd like to go out to the garden, if that's okay."

Dru softly grinned. "Yeah," she mumbled. "I'd like to see the garden too."