Chapter IX

{January 21, 1996, Teller-Morrow}

Tara sat at the large round table inside the clubhouse, the stack of books surrounding her. She was beginning to struggle there was no doubt about it, the candle that had been burning from both ends was becoming shorter and shorter, until soon it would be meeting in the middle. She knew it was only a matter of time before her hands got singed. Sighing deeply she opened her Chem II book cursing herself silently for taking the fast paced honors class, but she knew if her future was going to include a college scholarship the class was necessary. Her eyes grew heavy, her vision blurry, as she peered at the black ink print once again try to calculate the equation.

Since her talk with Dr. Martin after the unfortunate incident in the hallway some months prior, she found her focus gradually returning to her original goal. The goal that had been her light at the end of a dark tunnel, her goal before Jax Teller, that goal was becoming a Doctor. She hadn't shared her dream with him as Dr. Martin had suggested when they talked. With all the turmoil and heartbreak they had each endured or watched anothers go through, Tara like everyone else, was relishing the bit of peace that had finally come to roost on their doorstep. She wasn't foolish enough to believe the serenity would have any amount of permanency to it, but like the people she held dear to her heart, she wanted to bask in it as long as possible. No need to upset the apple cart right now, she told herself.

Reaching out for the piping hot black coffee in front of her, she hoped the dose of caffeine would rouse her at least enough to finish the last few problems. Glancing up as she blew on the warm liquid before taking a sip, Tara saw Aiden strolling out of the back rooms with his arm wrapped loosely around a female. She didn't really know the female vying for his attention in the dark corridor, but she did know it was one of Luann's girl's. Tara felt like a peeping Tom, a voyeur, as she watched him push the girl up against the wall grinding himself into her as he tangled his fingers through her long dark hair. As if he knew he was being watched Aiden looked in her direction, their eyes meeting, and Tara watched as he quickly stepped back. The action reminding her of a child who had gotten caught with their hand in the cookie jar, and for a brief moment, a look of shame revealed itself on his face. Feeling like an intruder, she diverted her eyes back to the papers scattered over the old brown wood. The gesture to pretend she didn't see the pair was too late, as the sound of Aiden's boots and the girl's high heels drew closer.

"Hey T," Aiden spoke the words casually, "School shit?" He glanced briefly at the mountain of books surrounding her.

Tara looked up, her cheeks with a crimson hue. She knew Amelia had been gone for several months and the likely hood of her returning was very slim, yet seeing him with someone else seemed wrong on so many levels to her. Tara could feel her face becoming even a deeper hue as she noticed his already wild untamable hair had a certain tussled look to it, just as the brunettes did standing next to him. Fucking croweating whore, the words raced shamelessly through her mind.

"Hey Aiden," Tara shifted her eyes back to the books.

"You mind if Rox here sits with you until we get ready to head out?" Aiden asked his manner nonchalant.

Aiden felt as if he could hear Tara's unspoken words and he the unspoken words made him feel like an incredible asshole. Glancing over at Roxy he recalled the romp that they had just enjoyed in the back room. She knew how to fuck, he would give her that, hell she should he thought to himself, she was a damned porn star after all. Sex for Aiden was a great distraction nothing more, a distraction that usually left him feeling like shit when the nights became silent and the darkness surrounded him. Those hours spent awake before sleep claimed him, those hours were the loneliest. Those were the times even the easy comforts he had once found, like bedding Roxy, left him feeling empty and devoid. Those were the times that Amelia had kept at bay as she slumbered beside him. Now in those sleepless hours, he could see her flawless porcelain skin glowing in the darkness, smell the sweet fragrance she emitted, and at times he could feel her touch on his flesh. It was torture, sweet and delicious torture, but still torture. He was taunted by her, every fiber of her being imprinted on him forever.

"Sure," Tara answered forcing a smile upon her face as the long haired brunette with sultry brown eyes and a voluptuous figure sat down beside her.

"You girls visit, I got some business out in the garage," Aiden strutted off grabbing a bottle of beer from the bar before heading out the door.

"My names Roxanne, just go by Roxy though," The girl chuckled nervously looking in the direction that Aiden had disappeared, "Well, I mean Aiden just calls me Rox, but you know how he is always shortening everyone's name."

The girl's perfume, mixed with the distinctive fragrance of sex filled Tara's senses as she attempted to keep the smile on her face as neutral and friendly as possible. Peering at the girl, she wondered how old she really was, clearly the heavy makeup Roxy wore added to her older appearance.

"How old are you?" Tara blurted out the words abruptly.

"Nineteen," Roxy answered without hesitation.

The shock was apparent on Tara's face when Roxy revealed her age. She could see the girls face almost flushing as if she were now the one embarrassed. Tara found the response almost amusing considering the fact she filmed porn for a living. Even though she hadn't been around Luann's studio she had heard the girls joke about the scenes they filmed.

"Do you mind if I ask how you got into the business…" Tara stopped mid-sentence, "I'm sorry, you don't have to answer that."

"It's ok," Roxy smiled at her, "My mom was an alcoholic, and I spent most of my young life cleaning puke out of her stringy hair. She was a dirty whore, not a working girl mind you, there is a difference ya know?" Not waiting for Tara to acknowledge she knew the difference Roxy continued with her story.

"When I was about fifteen she brought home a real winner, ended up marrying the son of a bitch, anyway he enjoyed coming in my bedroom at night drunk." She lowered her head for a moment before looking back up, "He was too drunk to be careful and I was well, inexperienced, and I ended up getting knocked up within just a few months. My mom she called me a no good whore and kicked me out on the streets. I hooked up with this guy, he agreed to help me with the growing problem my step-dad had created. I was with him for a few years turning tricks, he used to beat me up so bad I couldn't even work. Anyway, Luann saw me on the street corner one night and took me under her wing."

Tara eyes grew wide as the girl finished her horrific story without so much as even a tear of emotion in her brown eyes.

"I'm sorry," Tara lowered her eyes for a moment as a mixture of sorrow and shame washed over her for the quick judgment earlier.

"Hey, that's just how it is," Roxy shrugged her shoulders, "My old pimp showed up a few months ago, and Aiden was nice enough to beat the fuck out of him. He helps Lu out with shit like that from time to time, he and Otto were close before he went inside. Lu dotes on him like the son she never had kind of shit."

"I guess I didn't realize that," Tara mumbled the words for the first time realizing she wasn't as much a part of Jax's world as she thought.

"Yeah, he's a nice guy like that," Roxy reached into her purse pulling out a pack of cigarettes placing one between her red stained lips, "Life is good now though, I got a place of my own, decent car, and I make pretty good money. Lu is good to us girls, you know she was a working girl herself before Otto."

"I heard that," Tara spoke the words softly still stunned at the information the girl had shared with her so freely.

"Listen, I know you probably think I am whore," Roxy inhaled the cigarette smoke deeply, the smoke swirling around her as she exhaled, "I know you were friends with that girl, the blonde."

"I .. I… didn't say you were a whore," Tara hoped her face hadn't given away the fact the words had crossed her mind.

"It's ok really," she smiled at Tara, "Just for the record he was faithful to her, he told me our casual meetings were over the night after he met her. I respected that, few others tried he turned them down."

Tara was unsure of how to respond to the words the girl had just spoken, not even sure if there was a response needed.

"Can't help but notice you don't really have much of a support group anymore," Roxy looked around at the vacant chairs at the table, chairs that had once upon time been filled with Donna and Amelia.

"What do you mean," Tara's eyes narrowed, her tone becoming defensive, and she wondered if her momentary feeling of pity for the girl had been a mistake.

"Whoa sugar, I didn't mean to set you off," Roxy raised her hand a smile gracing her red lips, "Your friends list seems a little thin nowadays with Aiden's girl gone and well Donna being a wife and mother. That's all I meant, I mean maybe we could help one another out."

"Help one another out?" Tara's forehead creased as she spoke the words with caution.

"Yeah, you look like you could use a friend, can't help but notice the dark circles under your eyes," Roxy softened her voice, "Listen, I understand, these men, trying to keep up with them is hell. Old Lady, croweater, fucking porn star, shit regardless of your role, this life can take its toll after a while."

Tara knew the words she spoke were true, but still she had no intention of embracing someone like Roxy. She felt almost snobbish like the bitches at her high school for feeling that way. Still, the MC was full of croweating porn stars just like Roxy, willing to bounce around from biker to biker, their hopes simple to become an Ol' Lady. Even though she didn't know Luann well, Tara knew that her story was legendary, porn star, turned Ol' Lady, now business owner, which equaled being saved from a life of taking it up the ass. Girls like Roxy they all wanted that and they didn't care who they stepped on to achieve the goal.

Roxy studied Tara's face after speaking the last words a burst of laughter leaving her as she completed her evaluation, "I won't steal your guy, sugar, that's not what I want."

"Then what is it you want?" Tara inquired, wondering what the fuck she had to offer a girl like her as a friend.

Turning her head in the direction that Aiden had disappeared she paused for a moment then turned her head back towards Tara staring into her hazel green eyes with her dark brown ones.

"I want Aiden," She extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray, "Maybe if you and I could be friends, you being Tellers girl and all, he might consider me more long term. More acceptable."

The need to defend Amelia rose within her, and she found it a bit surprising. Especially considering how hurt she had been to receive no word from her dear friend. Tara knew that Amelia left to protect Aiden from the stupid statutory rape charges her Mommy Dearest had threatened, but still the silence hurt. Tara and Donna both had felt she could have at least called or even written to them.

"He loves Amelia," She spoke the words harshly her eyes glaring with anger.

"I know that," Roxy spoke the words softly, "I'm not stupid, or blind for that matter, but you and I know that girl doesn't belong in this life. You though, you are one of us, got the same grit about you."

"You mean I look like poor white trash compared to Amelia?" Tara countered her temper beginning to flare.

"Fuck no," Roxy held her hands up once again motioning for her to stop, "What I mean is not everyone is cut out for the life, you don't look like trash, but Tara I can see the edge about you, you and I aren't so different ya know?"

She lowered her head knowing that Roxy wasn't entirely incorrect, her home was shambles, she was dirt poor, and honestly if it weren't for working the dead end job at the diner money would have been even scarcer than it already was. Living with Jax in his apartment had afforded her some breathing room from the heavy weight of her father, but still she wasn't completely free of her responsibilities to him. There were days she felt as if her father were a ball and chain around her neck that was sinking her. If anything being with Jax in his apartment just compounded the situation. Not only did she now have her responsibilities to Jax as his girl, but the endless trips to her house to play caregiver did not cease. Most days Tara was left feeling as if there were not enough hours in the day to fulfill all her obligations.

"We all need a little help sometimes," Roxy blinked slowly, "I know things, can help you keep the other croweaters at bay, and I can help you with that worn out feeling that's about to put you under. Come with me." Roxy rose slowly from the wooden chair motioning for Tara to follow her.

Tara eyes followed the girl curiously as she walked towards the hallways in which she had exited earlier with Aiden, turning she motioned with her hand once more. Reluctantly still not sure if she should trust her or not, Tara rose from the chair. She was exhausted, so exhausted she wasn't sure how she would make it through the next several hours at the party they were attending. A party she knew would last well into the morning hours. Jax hadn't insisted she go, he had actually told her it was fine to remain behind with Hannah and Donna, but there was no way in hell she was going to leave him alone with the flock of crows circling. Curiosity about Roxy's solution beckoned as she found herself inside one of the apartment rooms.

"Close that door ok?" Roxy reached in her purse as she spoke the words removing a brown circular glass vial with a miniature spoon attached to the lid, reaching out she handed it to Tara. Hoping it would help her obtain a new ally. "If you like it, I can get it for you, real cheap, that's what real friends do for one another."

"What is this?" Tara asked taking the glass object from Roxy, shaking it she noticed it was filled with a white powdery substance.

"Instant energy," Roxy gleamed brightly, "I'll show you, but you have to promise not a word to the guys about this. Aiden, Jax and Opie don't exactly participate in this recreational activity, they like that mellow pot high. Our little secret, ok?" She giggled as she finished the words.

"Is it safe," She asked almost embarrassed to seem so prudish but truly her extent of illegal drug endeavors consisted of smoking pot which both Jax and Amelia had introduced her too.

"Hell, yes, trust me this stuff has gotten me though many sleepless days and nights." Roxy motioned for her to open up the top, "Here let me show you."

The sound of bottles hitting the ground and shattering filled the room as Piney's hand fumbled around the nightstand. Making several unsuccessful attempts to seek out the device that was the source of the unwelcome sound that felt like a pitch fork was being taken to his head.

"Modern technology," He grumbled to himself as his fingers closed around the latest invention of modern man the mobile phone.

It was one piece of modern advancement he had not been thrilled to place in his pocket. Clay had been insistent when handing him the device some few weeks back. He supposed it was less irritating noise wise than the beepers they had been using, but at least with the beeper Piney could stay lost easier. Times in his opinion were changing rapidly, peace and quiet could hardly be found anymore, not even in the desolate cabin.

"Hello," He choked out the words between hacking coughs.

His mouth felt as if it were coated in a film of shit as he moved his tongue around in an attempt to moisten it. The taste of cigarettes, pot, booze and pussy never tasted as good after the fact.

"Old man, we need your help" The voice piped out without even the pleasantries of a hello.

Piney sighed deeply as his free hand stroked the stubble on his leathery face, "Where are you son?"

"All I am fuckin' saying here is slugging that cocksucker wasn't the brightest move I have ever seen you make." Aiden spoke the words gruffly as he sat down on the cold hard metal bench in the dingy prison cell. The stale aroma of piss and vomit from previous visitors circulating in the air around them.

"Sure, next time I'll just let him grope my girl," Jax shot back a look of angst on his face as he leaned up against the cool metal bars.

Both men quieted as they heard the sound of multiple footsteps on the concrete outside of the cell. Opie's large frame came into sight with his arms handcuffed behind his back.

"Step back from the door against the opposite wall, both of you place your hands where I can see them," The officer spoke the monotone words to the two men who had been left behind in the cell while the big guy made the phone call on their behalf.

Jax complied immediately walking towards the wall complying with the officers orders. Pleased with the immediate compliance from both the young men, the officer opened the door allowing Opie to walk in, before unlocking the handcuffs which bound his massive hands.

Opie immediately brought his hands forward rubbing his wrist, he hated the feeling of confinement the cuffs brought and prayed he wouldn't be wearing them again in the near future. Without a word the officer stepped from the cell the sound of the heavy door creaking as it closed, followed by the clank of the key as it entered the lock. Once again they confined behind the iron bars.

"Is he going to be able to help us out?" Jax shifted nervously hoping they wouldn't have to contact Clay who was out of state a bikers rally with Gemma.

"Yeah, he's on his way from the cabin," Opie plopped down on the bench beside Aiden, "Should be here about sunrise."

"Shit," Jax strolled back towards the iron bars looking out into the desolate hallway.

"Can't wait to see how much this shit sets my pocket book back, mother fucker," Aiden mumbled the words as he glared over at Jax.

"Like I said Aiden, it ain't my fuckin' fault that the man was groping my girl," Jax furrowed his brow, "It was just shit timing is all."

"Be grateful you ain't supporting a wife and baby, Janowitz," Opie lowered his head for a moment as if he were in deep thought, "Donna is going to have a shit fit over this crap."

"Damn brother, are you wearing pants in the house or a fuckin' skirt?" Jax arched his brow as he spoke the sarcastic words.

"Why don't you put a fuckin' lid on it, Jax?" Aiden raised his voice as his eyes narrowed on his brother leaning casually up against the iron bars, "Like I said earlier, this fight wasn't your brightest move ever."

Opie looked between his two brothers, he could feel the tension mounting in the room; he wasn't thrilled with what had occurred either. Not only was the expense going to be a setback, but the fucking drunken disorderly shit they were hitting them with was bullshit. Hell, he knew that brothers spent time in jail, it happened, Delaney and Aiden's old man Lenny Janowitz were proof of that. Too be sitting in the cell though charged with the bullshit that had occurred earlier was just ridiculous. Opie wasn't so much disgusted with Jax as he was the system, had they been clean cut football chumps this shit wouldn't be going down. They would have been handed a free pass. If the shit could have only gone down in Charming, Unser would have turned the other cheek.

"You two ease off each other," Opie interjected in an even tone despite his own displeasure.

"I hope Tara is ok," Jax sighed deeply as he rolled his eyes looking up at the ceiling, before running his fingers through his shoulder length sun kissed blonde hair.

Opie nodded having Tara in tow had been real shitty luck and the cause of the problem to begin with, "They weren't going to put her in a cell, were they?"

Aiden leaned his head back against the hard cell wall, "I told you she needed to stay the hell at home, shit man pussy, booze and a group of bikers racing for cash is a bad combination. Why don't you separate your MC bullshit from your love life? Keep your girl at home."

"Oh, yeah sure cause that worked so well for you, brother," A deep scowl crossed Jax's face as he spoke the last words, "Keeping your girl separated from the life. Fuck you brought Roxy on the back of your bike tonight."

Aiden rose from the bench his dark eyes penetrating as he walked towards his brother, "What the fuck man? Roxy films fuckin' porn for a living. This ain't the first time her ass has graced a goddamned jail cell. She's a fuckin' whore doesn't really matter where she is taken or who takes her there."

"Oh, that's real nice words there, brother," Jax rolled his eyes in disgust.

"Listen, mother fucker I wouldn't even be with her if your girl hadn't fuckin' wrecked my life with Amelia in the first place with her big damned mouth." Aiden knew he needed to stop the words flowing from his mouth, but as the rage built within him there was no stopping, "Never would have slipped about me taking that Mayan down if she had been home where she belonged, instead of hanging around the fuckin' MC all hours of the day and night! I can assure if Amelia were still mine she wouldn't have been in the middle of that shit tonight!"

"Don't take another step, Aiden" Opie warned slowly standing from the bench, "Both of you shut the fuck up, Dad said he would be here, take care of shit. Now, I vote everyone shut the hell up before this shit gets out of control."

"At least Hannah didn't get wrapped up in this, Jesus Christ," Jax mumbled the words with total disregard for the words just spoken by Opie.

Jax stood recalling how she had almost joined them, deciding at the last minute to stay with Donna and the baby. Tara on the other hand had been bent set on coming with them, not content to remain at home. He hadn't really seen the harm in her coming with them, shit his mother and plenty of the old ladies hung out at shit like this all the time. Hannah on the other hand was different, cut from a different cloth than they were, yet in some ways it was if she was a part of the same woven fabric.

"Heaven forbid Hannah get tainted," Aiden smirked, "Speaking of sheltering a girl, fuck me …." He broke off the sentence allowing his look to finish the unspoken words for him.

"What are you implying?" Jax pushed his body away from the prison bars his heavy footsteps echoing on the concrete as he began to make his way towards his brother and childhood friend with his fist clenched tight. It had always been like this for him where Hannah was concerned, a strange need to protect and defend her. He didn't even pretend to understand the impulse and frankly just pushed the "Why?" to the back of his mind, almost fearful of what the truth might be.

"Both of you ass hats shut the fuck up," Opie rose standing between the two men, "It's your final warning." He cast a piercing gaze in Aiden's direction.

Aiden looked at the two brothers, now standing side by side, he knew they were his family. They would kill another person if they dared to talk to the other in such a manner, but when it came to their Princely trio, the fact that Opie was always going to side with Jax was undeniable. Aiden felt his temples begin to throb as a headache threatened to ensue, the alcohol that had been so soothing to his senses a few hours prior, now reaping its savage revenge on his body. He walked back over to the bench sitting down, once more he leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. Aiden had dreaded closing his eyes even for a moment of solitude knowing the unwelcome image that would flood his subconscious.

He inhaled as a vision of her standing before him in one of her short sundresses with her long flowing blonde hair whipping in the breeze, brought him both comfort and agonizing pain. He wondered for a moment if Jax wasn't right, maybe demanding Amelia to stay away from the TM because of his inability to control his own jealousy had been the wrong move.

Shit she was bound to run eventually regardless of what you did, an inner voice interjected, the unwelcomed words had been screaming in him more often than not, since she had vanished from Charming for a second time. He didn't know if the words screaming from the deep part of his soul were true or not, but they did give him some sort of comfort even if it was only a fake temporary comfort, like fucking Roxy, still it was a moment of peace.

"Listen, Jax," Aiden opened his eyes making contact, "I didn't mean that about, Tara."

Jax nodded as he Aiden spoke the words. He knew he was still hurting more than he wanted them to know. Sure he had attempted to mask his heartbreak for Amelia with drowning himself with Luann's working girls once more, while others bought the old Aiden is back crock, Jax and Opie both saw the mask for what it was. If Jax were honest with himself he knew the whole chain of events that had occurred between his friends had shaken him a bit. Seeing Aiden have his heart ripped from his chest, placed a dread in him that Tara would one day leave, vanish into thin air just as Amelia had, and the thought terrified him.

Jax knew that even though there was some kind of unexplainable bond with Hannah, Tara was the love of his life. She was his soul mate. She completed him in a way that no one else ever would, he knew that. He didn't dare utter those words however, to Opie or even Aiden who he knew would more than understand. He just couldn't, he knew allowing a female to permeate his being so entirely, was weak, he knew that, still she was in his veins and he couldn't get her out.

He also knew Aiden was right, hitting the guy at the biker cluster fuck just outside of Stockton, where only the four of them were present from SAMCRO, had not been his brightest move. Still when he looked up seeing the stranger's hands roaming over her body, all he could see was red. The fact that he was both drunk and high had not helped the situation, Aiden and Opie seeing the scene too late to prevent it from unfolding. It was just fucked up that they cops had arrived shortly after the brawl had begun, and even fucked up that they had been caught with alcohol and the joints that had been stashed inside his cut. He looked over at both Aiden and Opie now sitting on the crappy bench in the even crappier jail cell, a twinge of guilt flooded over him, he knew neither would be in the cell if they hadn't had to enter the fight to ward off others who had come to the fondling dick heads rescue.

Opie let out a heave of relief as the tempers of his fellow brothers seemed to simmer down. He looked over at Aiden knowing he felt that his loyalty wasn't as strong for him. Deep down Opie knew it was true, while he did have a strong bond with both of his comrades, his loyalty and bond to Jax was first, always had been. He suppose it was breed into them since their fathers had been just as close, fighting alongside of one another in Vietnam and then eventually starting the Sons of Anarchy together.

Stroking his beard which had become even longer since the summer, Opie thought of Donna and their baby boy who had arrived a few days before Christmas. His mind drifted to his son and a contented smirk crossed his face. When Donna had announced that she was pregnant, Opie honestly didn't know if he was going to be cut out for the father gig, but as he watched his child growing inside the woman he loved followed by holding him in his arms for the first time. His heart was completely captivated by the tiny human being that they had created.

Leaning his large head against the hard brick wall he thought again about how this little inconvenience was going to impact his pocket book. Letting out a deep groan he thought about how the financial responsibilities, it was the one thing that was no fun about being a husband and father. Still he loved them more than just about anything, except perhaps the club and his brothers which ran an extremely close second. Opie knew though he would do whatever he could humanly possible to take care of them.

Tara sat in the blandly decorated office, shifting uncomfortably in the rickety old wood chair they had placed her in. She looked around the wall eyeing the pictures, diplomas and recognition the police officer, whoever he was, had received during his services. Fighting hard to keep her weary eyes open she looked at her cheap wrist watch that read 3:00am. She hoped Opie had been able to get ahold of Piney. Tara hadn't even bothered to call her own father knowing that he would be passed out drunk, and wouldn't hear the phone ring anyway.

Her mind felt fogging as she recounted the events that had landed each of them in the jail house. The cocaine she and Roxy snorted many hours prior was winding down in her system leaving her feeling even more exhausted than she had been earlier that day. She hadn't seen Roxy since they escorted her in the opposite direction towards what Tara figured was a jail cell. Tara had overheard the arresting officer telling one of the fellow officers that she reminded him of his own daughter, as he glanced over at her pity apparent in his eyes. Although she hated being pitied by him or anyone else the connection that had reminded him of his own child had kept her out of the cell block.

She looked around bewildered that they were all sitting under the roof of the police station to begin with. Everything had happened so suddenly, she had barely had, had time to comprehend the fight and the arrival of the cops.

{Hours earlier}

Tara looked around the grounds of the large abandoned warehouse grounds, numerous bikes, all makes and models, as well as types of leather filled the area. She picked up another shot of whiskey from the make shift bar that had been set up for the festivities. Her body already feeling numb from the white powder she had snorted earlier with Roxy, they had even snuck off and snorted another round after arriving the party. The magic white powder made her feel as if she could soar like bird, all her fatigue had vanished just as Roxy had promised.

The air surrounding them was thick with the aroma of pot and cigarettes both of which she had consumed as well. Jax stood beside her with his arm loosely hanging over her shoulder as he spoke with a large man who was clad in leather with some sort of eagle insignia as best she could tell. Her pin point pupils continued to roam the room catching sight of Opie who was engaged in conversation with fellow bikers like Jax currently was. She couldn't see Aiden exactly since he was surrounded by a group of girls whose overzealous laughter was a dead giveaway they were willing to please. Roxy hung close by looking unconcerned by the extra female attention he was attracting.

It was women like that, the ones that were wrapped around Aiden like he was a prize, that was the reason Tara had decided not to stay back with Donna and Hannah. She knew she was just a rookie at the girl friend, Old Lady, whatever the fuck she was scene, but she knew enough to know her presence needed to be constant if she was going to survive. She thought of Roxy's offer to become an ally earlier, and wondered if maybe she should take her up on it. The coke she had provided her had helped immensely. Perhaps there other tricks to the trade she could teach her. While Roxy wasn't Donna or Amelia, she did know the MC way and Tara knew she desperately needed to learn the ways of the life her man lived in. She knew Gemma wasn't ever going to be the mentor she needed. Tara knew keeping Jax, meant doing whatever it took, and she was going to do just that, whatever it took. Even if it meant finding herself in the middle of crowds and situations she had never guessed would be a part of her life.

She knew she had changed drastically from the girl in the hallway Jax had meet what seemed an eternity ago. Her appearance the manner she dressed made her look as if she were almost a Gemma Clone. The parties, drinking, drugs, while she wasn't going to say she detested those things, it wasn't exactly how she had envisioned her future. The violent side of her that was emerging, she had no idea where that came from, she had found herself standing in front of the mirror for hours after the attack on Suzanne. For the first time in her life Tara was unsure she recognized her own image staring back at her. Tara knew she loved him though, loved Jax with everything that was in her. She was losing her soul not to the devil but to him, and that mean embracing the life.

A familiar tune floated through the air distracting her from the thoughts she didn't want to ponder for any longer. Her body responded to the rhythm as if it were on autopilot, breaking from Jax she began to allow the harmonious sound to consume her, carry her away. Carry her away from the day to day troubles of her life. As the music continued she began to drift further and further away from Jax as he continued his conversation. She could feel his eyes peering at her, a sensual smile curved her lips as she danced to entertain him. Her body hummed as his glances shifted her way more frequently, his blue eyes roaming her body, even as his conversation with the men continued. Closing her eyes for a moment she felt strong hands cupping the cheeks of her ass, even with her eyes closed Tara knew they weren't her loves.

"What the hell," Tara shot out the words as her eyes opened wide.

"Just relax baby," The larger man spoke the words as he continued to massage her ass, as he navigated her towards a wall.

"Mother fucker!" Jax slammed down his beer bottle on the wooden bar his body moving swiftly towards Tara.

Opie looked up just as Jax was pounding his tight fist into the man's face, without thought he headed towards his brother.

Aiden heard a commotion as he was speaking with two very willing to please women, one of them he was planning on bedding along with Roxy before the night was over. Why the hell not he thought to himself, haven't participated in that kind of craziness since, his mind instantly cutting off the since part. The since part of the equation was sure to quench the growing rigidness in his pants. Looking past the brunette and her blonde friend he saw Jax throw a punch.

"Sorry ladies," He apologized as he parted them to head towards Jax, "We are going to have to finish this another time."

The women let out spontaneous sighs of disappointment as he walked toward the fight already in progress just paces up from the bar area. Reaching out Aiden pulled Tara towards him gently pushing her towards the area where he had just come from. Motioning for Roxy to get her over out of the way. She was no sooner out of sight when two large hands pushed him from behind and the games began.

"Ms. Knowles," The serious voice jolted her from the sleepy state that was taking over.

"Yes," She sat wringing her hands unsure of what was going to happen, it was after all her first arrest.

She had been fearful some sort of charges would be filed against her after the incident at the school several months prior. The stunt with Suzanne had ended up resulting in just after school detention for a month. Suzanne's parents had been made anonymously aware of some unappreciated activities their daughter had possibly participated in. It had been her saving grace. The end result had been the Whites deciding not to take any legal actions against Tara or hold her responsible for Suzanne's medical expenses, which they could more than afford anyway. As she sat watched the officer's lips, unable to comprehend the words he was saying, she didn't know if there was going to be a saving grace this time around.