Chapter 2

{Charming, October 31, 1994} The Halloween party at the TM was in full blast with music blaring, accompanied by drunk, and disorderly conduct in progress as Jax pulled his Black Harley into the parking lot, along with the other Prince's of the SAMCRO First Nine Opie, and Aiden. Not far behind them the red BMW convertible speed into the parking lot the sound of girl's laughter, and rock music drifting in the air. Tara had become fast friends with the girlfriends of the fellow bad boy pack. There was Amelia Tate who hated her mother's choice of name almost as much as the woman herself, and preferred her friends to call her A. She reminded Tara of a modern day version of a 60's flower child with her carefree love all, hate none bubbly attitude. Amelia had the typical California beauty looks with her long blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. She had both a look of innocence, and a girl that emitted she was comfortable with her sexuality. Donna had told Tara that the latter part had been a result of something Aiden brought out in her. Donna Lerner a small petite brunette who was truly the sweetest, kindest person Tara had ever met in her life headed towards Opie. She smiled as she thought the Angel costume she had chosen to wear was perfect for her, because out of all of them she was truly the most innocent. There was no other side of her to be brought to the surface. Tara smiled as rough and rugged Opie placed his large arm across her shoulder, kissing her gently on the forehead.

They had all passed each other in the halls on numerous occasions, but it was not until the Jackson Teller, Tara Knowles locker collision that their paths all became intermingled. Little did each couple know that they were acting out their own pages of Shakespeare, and to the next generation of Prince's theirs would be the legendary tales of love and loss they would feed upon. The comradery Tara shared with the girls combined with the connection she already felt with Jax gave her a sense of completeness that she had never known.

Amelia's laugher burst through the air interrupting Tara's thoughts, as she exited the convertible running over to Aiden jumping into his arms, they almost made the her blush as he carried her towards the MC, her legs wrapped around his waist, their lips joined together intimately, her hands tangled in his untamable curly brown hair. The French Maid costume Amelia had chosen almost revealing more than any of them needed to see.

"Jesus Christ lover boy don't you two ever give it a rest," Opie shook his head at the display of public affection that had been ongoing since the couple hooked up over the summer. They had also teasingly named them the A Team. Aiden not even bothering to glance his direction quickly flipped Opie off not taking his eyes off the girl in his arms.

Tara turned her eyes to the large sign above the garage that read Teller-Morrow as Jax stepped up behind her, inhaling deeply as he slowly slipped his arms around her waist, interlocking his hands with hers. "Babe, don't be nervous." Tara shivered slightly as she felt his warm breath on the nape of her neck from the words he whispered into her ear. How could she not be nervous this was the first time she would be meeting the Queen of SAMCRO, Gemma Teller-Morrow, the recent widow of Jax's father John Teller, and now the current wife of the reigning King his step-father Clay Morrow. Tara had heard of the almost unnatural bond that Gemma had with her son Jax, and she was well aware this meeting could determine many things about their future together. While it was true they were only 16, and barely dating 2 months she couldn't see a future without his face in it. She closed her eyes briefly before taking in a deep breath.

Jax could feel the nervousness radiating off of Tara as he held her in his arms, pressing the front of his body into the curvature of her back. They fit together perfectly like pieces of a puzzle, he was already intoxicated by her, and couldn't stand to be separated even the few hours they parted at night. The truth was though that many evenings since they had met he found himself knocking on Tara's window for entry just to lie in her bed, and hold her tightly. Tara was slightly hesitate to move their relationship to the next intimate step, so Jax found himself doing something he had never done before in his life, waiting to bed a girl.

Jax knew exactly where Aiden was coming from when he spoke about his feelings about Amelia to him, privately. He found himself in the same boat even though they did enjoy teasing the A team unmercifully. Christ at least Aiden was at least sharing his girls bed for fuck sake, he and Opie were like a couple guys looking in the puppy store window. Jax glanced over at Opie who walked with his arm protectively around Donna, he was in the same boat as well, the only difference he wouldn't admit it. They were a pathetic bunch, the future of SAMCRO pussy whipped, Jesus Christ he thought to himself.

"Come on babe," He released her reluctantly, placing her delicate hand in his larger hand roughened from the mechanic work he did in the shop part-time, a smile breaking across his lips as he felt her warmth penetrating him.

Tara smiled weakly as she allowed Jax to lead her towards the door of the club house, Amelia and Aiden already bursting through the door, Opie and Donna walking just a few paces behind them. As she entered the SAMCRO clubhouse for the first time with Jax many eyes began to turn their way, all eyeing the woman who held the arm of the Prince of JT and Gemma. Tara felt as if she were on display, and was glad she had opted not to wear a costume. The heavy smell of cigarettes, booze, and pot hit her dead on in the face, and she coughed lightly. Smoke already so thick in the room you could barely see a few feet ahead for the haze.

"Son," Clay Morrow's loud voice broke through the crowd his arms extended to give him the traditional masculine hug. Tara noticed his blue eyes looked slightly glazed, as a big hearty smirk crossed his serious face.

A cheeky smirk broke across Jax's face as he nodded his head towards his step dad leading Tara through the crowd tightening his grip on her hand for reassurance. Only breaking away momentarily to reach out to his step dad's for a hug, the sound of his hands clapped loudly against the back of his leather cut.

"This is Tara Knowles," Jax turned to Tara with his smile growing bigger, and full of pride, "Tara, this is my step-dad Clay Morrow, the President of the club."

Tara stared up at Clay feeling like a small ant on a log, he was a tall man with huge broad shoulders, very intimidating even with the welcoming smile upon his face.

"Nice to meet you, Tara, been hearing a lot about you these days." Clay winked at her before continuing, "Hey Gem get on over here, Honey."

Gemma turned around at the sound of Clays voice a sexy grin upon her face, Gemma was one of the hottest women in Charming. It wasn't that she was stunningly beautiful although with her long dark brown hair, slender body, and curves in all the right places she wasn't hard for a man to look at for a while. Still that wasn't what made Gemma sexy; it was the presence, and confidence that reflected off of her that tangled men, and women alike in her web. She was the Queen Bee, and carried herself as one in every way. Slowly she walked over to Clay a slight sway to her hips, her magnificent cleavage bulging out of the black tank top she wore. Her jeans fit her hips and legs as if they were a second skin.

"Hey Baby," Gemma reached up claiming Clays mouth their tongues teasing one another, a slight moan escaping her lips, before she turned and came face to face with Tara for the first time. She paused for a moment starring into the young girls eyes before allowing her own to take her in from top to bottom. Gemma looked over at her son, and then back once again to Tara.

"Tara, this is my Queen Gemma, Babe this is Tara Knowles," Clay wrapped his massive arm around Gemma's shoulder as he spoke the words.

Tara stared blankly into the eyes of the legendary Queen of the MC barely able to swallow, much less breath. Her mouth felt dry, and she could barely squeak out the words for a polite hello, "It's nice …to meet you …Mrs. Morrow…" Tara cursed herself for sounding so very stupid, as she stammered the words out.

"Shit, I ain't a Mrs." Gemma burst out laughing as she eyed the girl curiously, "The name is Gemma sweetheart," Tara couldn't help but notice the way the word sweetheart rolled from her tongue with a hint of sarcasm.

"Hey, Gem." Donnas sweet voice rang out behind them, and Tara breathed a sigh of relief that a friend was close, she felt as if she was going to shrivel up, and die any moment as Gemma continued to eye her curiously, her gaze looking over at her son every few seconds.

"Well, hey there sweetheart," Gemma kissed Donna on the cheek, "Don't you look sweet." She winked at the young brunette who had to be the sweetest girl she had ever met. Gemma thought she was a perfect match for Opie who needed someone with that touch of innocence to ground him.

"Hey Gem," Opie chimed in.

"Hey there sweetheart, come give momma Gem a huge hug, honey," Gemma gave him a hug followed by a kiss on the cheek; she loved all her boys young and old. Opie Winston though was special to her, the son of her decreased husband's best friend Piney Winston. "I haven't seen you as much lately, Opie."

"Well, ya know been a little busy," He winked mischievously at Gemma, "Is Piney here, Gem?"

Gemma smirked before answering, Piney certainly was here, and she hoped Opie and Donna didn't catch him with a croweater's mouth around his cock. Not that she was worried about Opie seeing such a sight, but Donna was still a little too innocent for such a scene.

"Hey Gem," Aiden's stepped up next as Gemma hugged him close just as she had Opie.

"Hey Gemma," Amelia smiled brightly at her. Gemma liked Amelia as well, but unlike Donna her appearance did not elude 100% innocence, but a touch of that free love 60's shit they had all enjoyed.

"Luann here Gem?" Aiden asked.

"Over towards one of the back rooms with some of her girls when I last saw her," Gemma arched her brow at Aiden.

He shook his head knowingly thinking the smoke she had requested he pick up for her would have to wait until she was done in the backroom. There would have been a day like his father Lenny 'The Pimp' he would have gone on in, hell even joined the party, shit his father had coined the word croweater, but with Amelia now by his side he wasn't as interested in playing around.

Luann had walked in hours earlier with a costume on that made Amelia's look like something a nun would wear. Luann and Gemma went way back, and were best friends. Still there was no denying it Luann liked the men, and well occasionally a woman as well. Currently she was running a very profitable porn business, no longer a working girl thanks to her husband Otto who she adored. Unfortunately Otto, like other members of the crew, was currently incarcerated, serving the club loyally even from the inside. They all missed having him around and hoped to have his release worked out in the near future.

"Let's go get a drink, baby." Aiden winked at Amelia before turning towards the crowd of people.

"Hey we will head that way with you brother," Opie turned with Donna in tow following the couple.

"Hey Aiden," Clay called after him.

"Yeah," Aiden stopped as the crowd engulfed Amelia and his hand slipped from hers.

"You need any help with that girl you just let me know, son. Sweet piece of ass you got there." Clay winked at him a loud chuckle bellowing from him as Aiden rolled his eyes a smile upon his face before turning to find Amelia in the crowd.

"Damn, Clay you got your fucking hands full with me, and still you chasing some young pussy," Gemma's eyes narrowed at him a mildly serious undertone to her words. She knew Clay got his rocks off when on a run, but there would be no making an ass of her in Charming, ever. What happened on those runs better fucking stay on those runs as far as Gemma was concerned.

"Now, baby…." Clay gave her his winning smile that was his way of asking for forgiveness.

Tara listened to the conversation feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Gemma's eyes still giving her scrutinizing glares as the conversation continued.

"Shit you two are fuckin' crazy just meeting my girl, and talking like this. Fuck me." Jax smiled at his mother, he was insane about Gemma and until Tara had appeared in his life he thought no woman would ever compare, "Come on babe let's get a drink." He motioned over at the bar which was surrounded by women, some barely dressed. Many performing lewd acts she had never seen before.

"Sure." Tara spoke softly her eyes large and wide taking in the surroundings. "It was very nice to meet you, Mrs.….. I mean Gemma."

"Likewise, sweetheart," Gemma chimed the words out in a sickeningly sweet tone.

Gemma and Clay stood watching as the young couple disappeared into the crowd towards the bar.

"Seems like a decent girl," Clay spoke the words as he reached into his leather cut for a Cigar.

"She's trouble Clay," Gemma eyes followed her son protectively.

"Now, Gem…." Clay took in a deep breath before placing the cigar in his mouth, and giving his lighter a flick.

"Trust me Clay that girl is going to be nothing but trouble, I can see it in her eyes," Gemma looked at him dead on.

"I was thinking she reminded me a little of you at that age," Clay arched his brow, he knew no girl was ever going to be good enough for Jax in Gemma's opinion, her love for him was something all together different.

"Exactly my point, Clay, you mark my words, Tara Knowles is going to be nothing but fuckin' trouble," Gemma folded her hands across her chest as she continued to eye her son from afar who was completely mesmerized for the first time by a female that was not her.