{Charming, May 23, 1996}
"You say you want to be a Doctor, make more out of your life," He sighed picking up the hot beverage which sat in front of him, "Then you get arrested? Not once but twice since January, I don't understand, I really don't."
Tara looked into Dr. Martin's hazel colored eyes which searched her own for an answer that she simply didn't have. His eyes continued to glare as if he were a father casting his disapproval on her actions. She looked down at the table for a moment, a deep frown creasing her forehead.
"I don't know," She looked up, "I want that life, but then …"
"But then what?" Dr. Martin breathed a heavy sigh before continuing, "I know you think you love him, and perhaps you do. Still from where I am sitting it just looks like this relationship, and well his life style are dragging along down a path that doesn't suit you well. Tara, it may be a path you can't find your way back from."
He knew he was close to over stepping his bounds with the young girl. Not in an indecent way, but in a nurturing way. Since she had been doing volunteer work at the hospital, the fact that she didn't have a decent home life had not escaped him. Dr. Martin didn't normally become so attached to his patients, or make feeble attempts to steer them in the right direction. With Tara though he felt it needed to be done, he saw such potential in her. She was smart as hell and had a genuine talent with the younger patients at the hospital. He hated to see waste and the girl in front of him was about to be just that a waste product of her environment. Such potential spiraling down the damn sink drain, he thought in disgust.
"Doesn't suit me?" Tara looked back up into his stern gaze, "I am dirt poor living in this crappy town, and maybe all this really does suit me."
"If I thought it suited you young lady, I wouldn't have bailed you out of jail," Dr. Martin arched his brow looking at her sternly as he spoke the words, "I wouldn't be sitting her once again having this talk with you."
I wouldn't have made sure Suzanne Whites parents were aware of her little indiscretions, or paid your medical bills for that ER visit.He only thought he words silently seeing no point in speaking them to the young girl. His goal was not to make her feel indebted to him.
The bells that hung above the door gave off a soft jingle as the brunette entered, her long dark ponytail swaying from side to side gracefully.
"Dr. Martin, Tara," Hannah walked over, "I didn't realize you two knew each other."
"Hannah," Dr. Martin stood kissing the young girl on the cheek, a gesture that he had picked up during his time in France. Another time that had been, he glanced over at Tara briefly before finishing the thought, a time that had been full of recklessness. A time where his potential had almost spiraled down the drain. Returning his attention back to the young girl in front of him he smiled, the gesture lightening up his serious demeanor. He had been friends with the Marshall's since his arrival in Charming, her father's charitable contributions always flowing towards St. Thomas.
Tara looked up eyeing her; the thought friend entered her mind. A thought that quickly vanished as soon as it entered her mind. She realized she wasn't sure what to call Hannah Marshall. Even after everything they had experienced together over the last year, Tara still couldn't bring herself to call the girl a true friend. Looking at Hannah, barely returning the smile, a feeling of resentment flooded over. While it was true she didn't possess the animosity within her for the girl that she had the year prior. The fact that she always seemed to take away from everything that was hers still pissed Tara off. Not enough you have to have Jax's attention, but the good Doctors attention also,she spoke the word silently in her mind. The bitterness coursing through her.
Sighing deeply Tara knew part of her bad attitude had nothing to do with Hannah, but had everything to do with Dr. Martin. Deep down within the depths of her soul, Tara knew he was right. Her life was on a downward spiral that had all started with her arrest in January. No, honestly it started before that, the sensible, rational girl that was slowly fading away spoke up loudly in her subconscious. Her life was becoming a bad low budget B movie. The kind a person sat and watched all the way through despite how awful it was. Even her drunken father had crawled out from under his rock to voice an opinion on the circumstances.
Tara shifted in her seat uncomfortably, looking at the large clock on the wall; suddenly she realized it had been way to long. That was part of her problem also. She made a mental note to call her new found friend Roxy as soon as she left to get some more of the magic powder that helped her though the tiring days. The powder that made her feel she could accomplish everything that needed to be accomplished.
"Are you looking forward to graduation, Hannah?" Dr. Martin inquired.
"Very much so," Hannah beamed back, "Exciting isn't it, Tara?"
Hannah truly looked at Tara for the first time since arriving at the table. Her appearance was disheveled to say the very least, and the circles under her eyes dark. The news had already circulated that she and Jax had been arrested, again. The second time in less than 6 months, drunk and disorderly, as well as a possession charges once again. She knew from her mother's discussions with Gemma, that even Clays relaxed attitude where the law was concerned, was being pushed to the brink by Jackson.
Hannah had to admit she was rather surprised to see her sitting with Dr. Martin, and wondered how they knew each other so well. They don't exactly travel in the same social circles,Hannah chastised herself as the snobbish thought entered her mind. She had never held Tara's circumstances against her, and they didn't seem to be mortal enemies anymore. They weren't close friends though. Hannah had developed a renewed bond with Donna Winston the last many months. Tara though, no matter how hard she tried they had not been able to get past, well the past. She knew it was more like who they couldn't get past. He was the skeleton in the closet she and Tara shared. Hannah supposed many would call her jealous, but in her heart she knew Jackson and Tara weren't a good match for one another. She couldn't shake the fact that when she saw them together a sense of doom always filled her, and the color red filled her mind. Not from anger, but from the blood. Doom…..the word raced around in her mind.
{Early afternoon, outskirts of Charming}
Roxy leaned against her new Camaro watching as the dust began to rise in the distance. Her hardcore films with Luann seemed to be skyrocketing. The result was that for once in her life Roxy was enjoying the comforts that a steady income could afford. An income that didn't have to be split with a greedy pimp. She figured that her life was a close to decent as it would ever be. Only two things would vastly improve it at this point, one she was taking care of, the second wasn't coming along as well as she had hoped.
Looking off into the distance the older model black car became bigger as it approached. She knew it was Tara, Jax's girlfriend. Sighing to herself Roxy wondered if she ever should have introduced her to coke, her appetite in the last few weeks seemed almost insatiable. Instantly she felt like a hypocrite for judging her, knowing she consumed way more of the powdery substance than Tara did. Still she was more of a snorting pro, while her friend was still an amateur. Roxy was worried that if she was careless they would get caught. She knew Aiden didn't give a fuck what she did for recreation, but Roxy had a feeling that Jax Teller cared very much what type of recreational activities his girl was involved in.
Tara drove down the dirt road the dust flying in the air making it difficult to see. Pulling up behind Roxy's new white sports car she killed the ignition of her father's cutlass. She hesitated for a moment before opening the door, her eyes inspecting Roxy as she stood relaxed casually against the hood. Everything about her new friend screamed I swallow cum for a living and like it. Tara sighed deeply as she recalled her conversation with Dr. Martin just an hour earlier. What the fuck am I doing?She asked herself silently sitting in the idle car. Lowering her head, she closed her eyes for a moment trying to envision her life as Jax's Ol' lady a year, two years from now. There were so many visions that flashed through her mind, many that brought a smile to her face. But there were a few that brought a deep sadden expression to her face. Looking back up at Roxy she wondered where the path of the life was taking her, because she knew control over the steering wheel had been relinquished so very long ago. Slowly opening the door which gave a creak in protest, Tara made her way towards her new confidant.
"You ok?" Roxy eyed Tara curiously as she flicked her cigarette to the ground.
"Yeah, just tired," Tara responded flatly.
"Well, here's a little pick me up for you," Roxy smiled reaching in her purse removing what she hoped was enough coke to get Tara through a couple of weeks.
She had been allowing Tara to dip into her personal stash as a friendly gesture. Plus if anyone knew what being penniless meant, she certainly did. Her brow furrowed recalling the times when her pimp would leave her with little or no money. As she watched Tara remove the vials from her hand she knew if her appetite kept increasing, money was eventually going to have to be exchanged.
"Thanks," Tara replied clutching her delicate hand around the brown glass vials. She could feel her mouth begin to water in anticipation.
"No problem, that's what friends are for," Roxy stood quietly once more studying her, "You sure you're ok?"
Tara shifted her eyes from the brown objects in her hand to look Roxy in the eyes, "I have a problem."
"Problem?" She arched her eyebrows.
"Yes," Tara could feel the tears burning in her eyes, "Can I trust you Roxy, I feel like …. I feel like I have no one other than Jax, to talk too. I can't talk to him about this."
"Tara," Roxy let out a sigh of frustration, "I have been keeping the nose powder a secret for months now. Of course you can trust me. We are friends right? We are supposed to be helping each other out, remember?"
"I know," Tara shifted nervously, "This …. this is different and I am scared how Jax is going to react when he finds out."
"You know stuff I don't want Aiden to find out about," Roxy reached in her purse finding a tissue, "Here, dry your eyes and tell me what the hell is up, so we can fix whatever it is. Everything is fixable Tara."
"I hope so," Tara took the soft Kleenex from the girls extended hand.
{Early afternoon, Highway}
Jax, Opie and Aiden drove along at a moderate speed through the streets of Charming. They were following the unmarked black van that Piney occupied with a newer prospect Juan 'Juice' Ortiz. Since the two riders behind them were prospects as well, and each of them were now fully patched members, they led the posse. As there Harleys sang in harmonious unison as they passed through the streets, heads turned watching. Regardless of the pedestrian onlooker's opinion of the insignia they wore on their leather, there was no denying the scene the three created as their wheels rolled upon the dark pavement.
Each young man had their own look of majesty and beauty about them, and together they looked invincible. Jax in the center with his blonde Cali pretty boy looks, his clear blue eyes covered with his dark black sunglasses. Opie road along side of his brother to the left, his dark brown hair now long and his thick brown beard covering most of his face. His eyes hidden by the dark sunglasses he wore, his demeanor seemed almost gruff. His height and presence eluding that he would not be fucked with, or tolerated the fucking with of those he held dear.
Aiden sped along in sync with his brothers to the right of Jax, the line up oddly resembling how they might sit at the reaper table in the future. A devious smile graced his lips as the wind beat upon is face and against his mirrored aviator style sunglasses. The long curly hair not covered by the half helmet whipping in the wind. Blonde and brown haired pretty boy's Tig had teasingly called Jax and Aiden earlier that day as they mounted their Harley's. Jax had responded with "the look" that was becoming well known, and Aiden had responded with his favorite sign language. His middle finger. Opie's response had been a burst of laughter that echoed throughout the TM parking lot which earned him "the look" and some sign language as well.
They stopped momentarily at the last red light they would encounter before passing the wooden sign that would indicate they were leaving Charming. Once on the outskirts they would be stopping a few miles up the highway at a rest stop. The location, a rendezvous point to meet up with one of Unser's trucks that was bedded down with a shit load of illegal weapons. Chibs would be waiting for them to ride the rest of the way. Clay and the others were already following another of Unser's trucks loaded down with the largest most important shipment of illegal guns. Since the Mayan war had been silenced with the help of the SAMREN charter the prior spring, the mother charter was rolling in fucking green. The older members were getting rich fast, and even the younger Princes were enjoying plump wallets these days. Times were good once again for the club and the Trio. They were all basking in the glow of success. The events of the previous year fading away, and finally being laid to rest. Life was moving on, life was moving forward, life was fuckin' good.
The sound of the girls giggling in the car next to them drew Aiden's sight from the pavement in front of them as they sat waiting for the light to turn green.
"Hi, boys," Several feminine voices chimed together.
Peeling off his sunglasses slowly, Aiden looked at the girls sitting in the car. They looked like a smorgasbord of donuts and cookies to him. All good, all delicious, all fulfilling.
"Hey there ladies," He replied giving them a cheeky smirk.
"You boys interested in a party later? We are having one," The blonde in the driver's seat cooed out the window her eyes fixated on Jax as she spoke the words.
"We don't plan that far into the future ladies," Aiden replied his smirk deepening as the girl in the passenger seat leaned over her tits spilling out as she did. Tits spilling out at stop lights, he felt like a magnet for them. The thought of Suzanne's voluptuous tits filling his mind for a brief moment. The thought quickly replaced by the words he had, had with her about the fucked up shit she had done. Fucking whore.
"Well, just in case you decide to plan ahead for the future," The girl passed a slip of paper with an address scribbled down on it to her friend in the driver's seat.
"Sometimes it pays to be a future man." The blonde handed the slip of paper being passed to her out the window to Aiden, her eyes clearly fixed on Jax as she spoke the words.
Jax burst out in laughter at the girls comment, his flirty nature taking over as he flashed his own cheeky smirk her way. Jesus Christ,he mumbled to himself.
Aiden looked over at his brother chuckling slightly before turning his attention back to the smorgasbord of pussy in front of him. Icing covered donuts, chocolate chip cookies, creamy filled centers,the words played through his mind, along with other thoughts that he kept buried in the deep crevices of his mind.
"We are here and now type of men, babe." Aiden winked, "That's just how we roll."
"Never know, maybe you will roll our way later," The brunette licked her lips provocatively as she spoke the words.
Aiden arched his brow at her as the words rolled from her plump lips, his mind clouded with the vision of his tongue licking the center of a Bavarian cream filled donut. Mother fucker,he shifted on his seat suddenly feeling a tight discomfort pressing against his faded jeans. His perverted, demented thoughts interrupted abruptly as the light turned green and the girls sped away.
"God damn, Janowitz," Opie shouted over the sound of the engine, "Maybe we should start calling you 'Pimp Jr.',"
Aiden shrugged his shoulders casually, "Hey, can I help it if Lenny 'The Pimp' is my dad, fuck, it's in my genes, and it's my destiny. There is no fighting your destiny, brother, remember that." Slowly he replaced the sunglasses back on his face, an unexplained sense of foreboding running through him as he spoke the last sentence.
Jax burst out laughing, "It's in your jeans alright," He looked quickly at his brother's crotch before hitting the throttle of his Harley and roaring through the intersection.
Jax's engine hummed as they swayed back and forth into the curves of the winding stretch of highway. He felt truly complete at moments like this in a way that was indescribable. The sound of the bike had been calling to him since he was a young boy. The leather which now adorned his back was his ultimate dream. His face brightened more as Tara's image filled his head. He was truly on top of the world, everything was lining up perfectly. In just a few days she would be done with school, he intended on making her officially his in the not so distant future. Looking ahead his life was as clear as the streets before him. Smooth sailing.
Opie hit the throttle of his bike. He looked ahead to the black unmarked club van he knew his father was sitting in the passenger's seat of. They had become closer over the last many months since the arrival of his son. Not that his relationship with Piney had not always been decent, but the period of drunkenness that had taken over most of his days since JT's death in the summer of 1993, had driven a wedge between them. The birth of Kenny though had somehow pulled them closer once more, reminding them how important the bond of father and son was. Other than the brotherhood, and Donna, it was the most important thing in the world as far as he was concerned. Nothing else in life mattered. Family that's was what made a man rich in his opinion. Op glanced ahead at Jax. The time was drawing close for him to take the seat, he knew that, and so did Piney. He personally looked forward to the future of the club. The future that included best friend sitting at the head of the table with him to his left. He loved Jax, not in a gay way, but he loved him. Donna was his soul mate and Jax was his soul brother. Opie knew he loved them both with such intensity he would die for either of them in an instant.
A crooked smile graced Aiden's lips. He didn't know if he was happy, but he knew he was once again in control of himself. The most important knowledge he possessed was the fact he now knew where he was supposed to be. The brotherhood was his life, the bike beneath him his release from it all. They were the constants that would always be there, that would never run from him. Never would they look at him with fear in their eyes. They would always accept him unconditionally. The MC and his Harley they were the loves of his life.
Over the last several months he had embraced and made peace with everything. That reconciliation had brought a certain balance back. Traveling along side his brothers, at 90mph, Aiden vowed never to allow anything to penetrate his soul again. The life and the path it led him down was his destiny. He was riding towards it with open arms.
Seeing the shipping truck pulled off at a rest stop ahead Jax motioned his hand in the air to the others as he slowed to pull off.
"Jackie boy," Chibs embraced Jax if he hadn't seen him in days, rather than just a matter of 24 hours.
Chibs had always held JT in high regards, and his love for his son was very apparent to all. Like Opie, Chibs to would lay down his life for the young man without thought. His love and loyalty for him was that great. Just as it had been for his father JT. Like many others in the club, he saw certain wisdom in the young lad. They had all placed their hopes in this wisdom to be the guiding light, the future for SAMCRO. Chibs had faith that Jax's energy and zealousness would eventually push them to the next level of greatness.
Piney exited the van with a sawed off shot gun in hand as he headed towards the transport truck to ride shot gun, literally. Stopping half way to his destination the coughing racked his body uncontrollably.
"You ok old man?" Opie asked his brow arched as he watched his father.
"I'm ok." Piney replied his eyes searching his sons, no words were exchanged.
The time is drawing near;his old eyes told his son. I know,his sons eyes replied back to him.
{Truck Stop, Miles from Charming}
Clay sat on top of his bike watching the men around him hustling about like busy worker ants. That was what they were all the soldiers, simple worker ants. He was the king, and Gemma was his queen. Bringing the fat Cuban Cigar to his lips, one of the many privileges that dealing in illegal imports and exports afforded him. He drew a puff of the smoke into his lungs savory the flavor that filled his mouth before exhaling. The large cloud of white becoming airborne around him. He watched as it ascended up towards the heavens as if it were an offering to the Gods.
As he looked up into the clear sky above, he acknowledged that while there may very well be a God up in the heavens. On earth, in the radius of his universe, he was God. His mouth tilted upwards on one side in a crooked smile as he relished in the feeling of being the fucking God of his universe. Looking around he knew that he had succeeded where JT had not. He had brought the club to the doorway of wealth and stability that his departed comrade would have never been able to achieve.
Clays mind shifted to Gemma and her tight wet pussy that had been clenched around his firm cock just a few hours prior. He loved her, loved her almost as much or perhaps as much as the club itself. Thinking back to the days of yesteryear when he was merely a bystander looking in the window as JT lead the life of riley, a sense of pride rose in him. He had come a long way from just the faithful friend who had helped form the Anarchy.
The Anarchy he sighed to himself. They had been nothing but group of men who wanted to march to the beat of their own drum. Buck the society bullshit standards. The pride continued to well up in him, feeding his gigantic insatiable ego. Clay left no room for the dessert of humble pie. Clay Morrow had disregarded the most very important words his old man had ever shared with him. Never forget where you come from, Son, and always remember the higher you climb the harder the fall.Patting him on the back he had given him his last bit of fatherly advice before his departure for Vietnam, and son eventually we all fall, for what goes up must always come down.
{Charming}
Gemma pulled her sporty black model into the parking lot of Cara Cara, the porn business owned by her best friend Luann. Extending her long legs from the car she walked towards the building, her hips swaying in their usual sultry manner. Walking in the door she found her friend sitting lazily in the director chair of the large studio. A sly smirk crossed face as she approached remembering a time that it had been LuAnn's pussy in front of the camera. Otto had changed all that for her. Drawn to her from the beginning, he had financed the business she currently owned. Making her a promise that never again would she be a working girl.
"Cut!" LuAnn's voice echoed through the studio as she stood lazily sashaying over the girls, "Can you not eat pussy or what? Do I need to show you how it's done? Jesus Christ people don't pay to watch boring shit like this; you are putting me to sleep. If you can't put your heart and soul into eating her out, sweetheart you need leave now."
Gemma took the vacant seat next to her friends, watching as she walked back over.
"Can you believe this shit?" LuAnn gestured towards the bed where the scene was being shot, "Christ you want something done right you gotta fuckin' do it yourself."
Plopping down in the seat she placed her hand on her forehead as if she were trying to ward off a headache.
"Hard day, sweetheart?" Gemma arched her brow, "No pun intended of course."
LuAnn looked into Gemma's eyes, both women bursting out in laughter simultaneously.
"Christ, I love you Gem." Luann's laughter continued.
"You wanna eat my pussy, sweetheart?" Gemma reached into her purse for the neatly rolled joint she had prepared before leaving the house.
"Shit, Gem," Luann eyes shifted around as she lowered her voice, "Those were the days, huh?"
"Indeed they were, all that free love shit," Gemma inhaled deeply passing the joint over to her friend.
"I miss those easy days," Luann placed the joint to her mouth the paper moist from her friend's lips, "I miss fuckin' Otto." She sighed deeply.
Gemma looked over at her friend understanding her words. Both JT and Clay had done time inside, she knew all about that rodeo. A woman could certainly satisfy herself well with fingers and a vibrator, but nothing replaced a man's cock. She shifted in her seat as she thought of Clay earlier that morning. Sighing deeply a contented smile crossed her face. One thing her second husband could do well was fuck..
"Lu, maybe you should screen tests some of the actors," Gemma smirked reaching out for the joint her friend was passing back.
"I screen test on a regular basis, Gem," Luann looked over at the set across the studio at her latest screen test, "It's not the same, I miss Otto." She let out a deep sigh.
Roxy pulled into the parking lot of the studio looking at the clock in her car. Damn it,she grumbled into the void space. Her meet up with Tara had gone longer than she expected, and the result was being over an hour late. She closed her eyes hoping Luann was in a good mood. Roxy leaned her head back on the head rest of her seat. She had her own small situation going on, and now that was only compounded by Tara's confession to her. A situation she knew that if Jax ever discovered would combust for sure. Fuck me.
Stepping out of her car, her high fuck me heels clanked on the black pavement as she made her way to the door of the studio. Here goes nothing;she spoke the words silently in her head before opening the door. Immediately locating Luann sitting with her friend Gemma Morrow, the possibility of slipping by without being seen brought a smile to her face as she proceeded quietly.
"I can smell your perfume, Roxy," Luann didn't even bother to turn around as she spoke the words, "You're fucking late, and as a result I am having to film amateur pussy eating."
Roxy walked over to Luann her eyes diverted to the ground.
"Sorry, Lu," Roxy spoke the words meekly, "I was with …." She paused looking at Gemma before finishing her words, "a friend."
"Excuses, excuses that's all I am hearing from you lately, Roxy," Luann eyed the girl curiously, "What gives you are normally reliable."
"Nothing," Roxy shifted her eyes once again to the ground.
Gemma glared at the girl for a moment.
"Aiden keeping you busy sweetheart?" Gemma asked as she sat back in her chair taking a long drag.
"God damn, Aiden," Luann rolled her eyes, "You tell him not to hold up my production getting his dick sucked," She paused for moment, "Never mind I will tell him myself."
"I bet you will…." Gemma voice trailed off as she watched the puff of smoke rise in the air.
Luann cast her friend a fuck you glare.
What did I say, Gemma mouthed at her friend.
"I … I wasn't with Aiden," Roxy spoke the words nervously; "I was with a girlfriend."
"Just go get ready would you, and teach that girl how to eat fuckin' pussy," Luann motioned her hand towards the dressing room, "Oh and Roxy…. Wipe the powder from under your nose, honey."
Roxy brought her hands towards her nose quickly turning and walking towards the dressing room.
"Bet she was with Tara," Luann rubbed her temples.
"Tara?" Gemma asked quizzically.
{May 30, 1996, High School Graduation}
Tara voiced quivered as she finished the valedictorian speech for the 1996 graduating class of Charming High. The sounds of the cheers filled the auditorium as the blue graduation caps flew up towards the ceiling. Searching the crowd she frowned for just a moment at the absence of her father. The frown being taken over by a burst of happiness, and a broad smile as she found his blue eyes in the crowd. He's all I need.
Quickly exciting the stage as rehearsed the day prior, she ran towards him jumping into his open arms. A feeling of belonging washed over her, all the other worries that had consumed her for the last few days vanished momentarily.
"Babe, I am so proud of you." He kissed her passionately on the lips fitting the curve of her body into his own.
"I love you." She breathed the words against his lips as they continued to ravage hers with no regard for the audience around them.
"Jesus, get a damn room you two," Aiden walked up behind them with Opie, Donna and the baby she held in her arms.
"I cannot believe you just said that to them, lover boy." Opie slapped Aiden across his back as he spoke the words teasingly.
Aiden rolled his eyes at him, "Congrats T," He reached out giving Tara a friendly hug.
"Your speech was amazing." Donna exclaimed passing the baby to Opie so she could reach out and hug her friend.
Donna found herself wishing for a moment she hadn't chosen to drop from school and obtain her GED. Smiling at Tara she realized that other than Hannah she was the only one of their group to actually graduate. Even though it had only been a couple of years ago since they had all met, the time that they had spent being young and carefree seemed an eternity ago. Her mind drifted to Amelia for a moment wondering where she was at, and what she was doing.
"Thank you, Donna." Tara pulled her friend close to her; she had missed her so much since the baby had been born.
"Hey everyone!" Hannah exclaimed cheerfully as she bounced over to join the group.
"Hannah, congratulations." Donna broke away from Tara to hug her other friend that she had grown extremely close to since the birth of Kenny. In a way she knew her friendship with Hannah was closer than with Tara. While she was happy to have Hannah as a close friend the thought made her melancholy for a moment.
"Babe you ok?" Opie eyed Donna curiously as his son wiggled in his arms.
"I am fine, honey." She looked at each of the people she held so close to her heart, "Just can't believe how the time is passing by."
"Time passing isn't such a bad thing," Aiden interjected before giving Hannah a hug, "Congrats babe."
Jax watched as Aiden hugged Hannah a tug of something that almost felt like jealousy pulling at him. He knew she was just friends with Aiden, nothing more. Still seeing his arms around her pissed him off. Quickly he filed the emotion away, not wanting to give it too much thought. He knew giving it too much thought would require him to ask the question, why do you feel that way?It was one question he didn't want to explore.
"Proud of you, Hannah." Jax winked at her as he pulled Tara closer into his arms kissing her forehead.
"Congratulations, Tara, your speech was incredible." Hannah reached out to hug her, the contact strangely awkward.
"Thanks, same to you." Tara gave her a small hug before returning to Jax's warm embrace.
"Hey, enough of this hearts and poet shit; let's get this fuckin' weekend celebration started." Aiden proposed to the group.
"Sounds good brother," Opie looked at Donna a hearty smile on his lips. It had been a while since they had been out alone and he was looking forward to the carefree time. Piney had given him the keys to the cabin and that's where they were all headed for the weekend.
"We are going to drop the baby off to Gemma, and then be on our way." Donna responded the excitement apparent in her voice.
"I am so excited!" Hannah's voice rang out, "I haven't been to the cabin since we were little kids."
"Shit, that was a long time ago." Aiden laughed.
"Fuck, that was a long time ago," Opie joined Aiden laughing as he recalled the event, "You remember how pissed Gemma and Clay got when you chased Hannah…."
Jax smirked reminiscing about the trip that Opie was talking about. Not even hearing him complete the sentence. He had chased Hannah around the property relentlessly trying to kiss her. Shifting uncomfortably at the feeling the memory was rousing within him. She had fallen and cut her knee. The injury had resulted in numerous stitches, and a small scar that was still apparent.
Tara felt Jax shift as his arm hung loosely over her shoulder. The history they all shared, including Donna, made her feel like an outsider at times. Even though she had lived her entire life in Charming, she wasn't a part of the wonder years they had all shared. Smiling weakly she could feel her body begin to tingle, not with a want like it often did when Jax was close. She felt almost frightened at the fact her body was protesting that it had not had its daily fix.
{Paris, France}
Amelia stood looking out the airport window watching the plane bus back from the gate. The plane that was bound for California, the plane that she held a ticket for in her hand. The plane that was supposed to take her back to Aiden. The plane that she had not had the guts to board.
Sighing deeply the hot tears streamed down her face as she watched the plane pulling further away from her. She stood by watching intently with her blues eyes as it taxied down the runway lifting off into the clear sky. Finally becoming a microscopic speck in sky until it could be seen at all.
Turning she retraced the steps that had brought her to the airport gate in the first place. Amelia was never sure why she wasn't able to board the plane that day. She only knew a mixture of embarrassment, shame and even fear had gotten the best of her. As her steps took her further and further away she realized that Aiden Janowitz would never be hers again. The thought flooded through her mind that perhaps he never had been. That perhaps it had all just been a dream, a beautiful dream.
{Cabin}
Aiden sat on the bank of the river watching the water ripple over the rocks, the sound soothing to his soul. Looking up at the sky the full moon illuminated the surroundings. Flicking his lighter he watch the flame dance around for a moment before passing it under the rolled paper. Inhaling deeply he held the smoke in his lungs for a moment, letting the high wash over him before exhaling. The smell began to permeate the air.
Reaching in his pocket with his free hand he pulled out the picture of Amelia that he kept inside his leather cut. He glanced at it for a long moment, recalling the events that had taken place the year prior. Aiden was shocked to find the usual depression and remorse did not wash over him. Strangely enough he felt fine. Holding the picture over the crisp clear water he almost released it to let the current carry the only thing that made the time they had spent together seem real. Just as his fingers loosened he stopped, quickly putting the picture back in its resting spot.
Hannah walked up behind Aiden as quietly as possible, stepping unexpectedly on a small branch the sound of it breaking echoed loudly.
Aiden turned startled for a moment until he saw Hannah's face glowing in the light of the moon.
"Hey," Aiden nodded at her to join him.
Hannah sat down beside him without uttering a word. Aiden couldn't help but notice peculiar expression on her face as she looked into his eyes.
"What?" He questioned her curiously.
"Aiden, we are friends right?" Hannah tilted her head peering into his eyes.
"Sure," Aiden continued to eye her curiously, "What's up Han?"
"Can I ask a favor?" Hannah's spoke gently the tone making the words almost sound like a lullaby.
"Of course you can." Aiden place rolled paper to his mouth inhaling deeply, before offering it to Hannah who shook her head. Reaching down he extinguished it before sitting it down on the rock next to him, still eyeing Hannah waiting on her next words. Unsure what she needed from him.
For one of the first times in her life Hannah, who prided herself on being a good verbal communicator, decided words were going to be nothing but a waste of time. Leaning her head close to him she brushed her lips against his, hoping that was all the communication Aiden Janowitz would need.