New Characters

Conor McGregory ~ Face Character ~ Hayden Christensen

Marco ~Face Character ~ Joe Pesci

Samantha D' Angelis ~ Face Character ~ Paz Vega

Lorenzo Marchese ~ Face Character ~ TBA

Gustavo Marchese ~ Face Character ~ TBA

Chapter XIV

~ I barely see their faces...Because when I'm inside someone, there's only one face I see.~ Jax Teller

~ We don't know who we are until we're connected to someone else. We're just better human beings when with the person we're supposed to be with. ~ Tara Knowles

~True love never extinguishes it simply smolders waiting for the precious life-giving oxygen that will allow it to reignite~ Amelia Tate

~ Life and love is one intermingled fucked up mess and the more things change the more they stay the motherfuckin' same~ Aiden Janowitz

~May 26, 2001, Teller-Morrow~

The soft morning breeze picked it up the last of the white cloudy smoke carrying it up towards the clear blue sky. Jax sat on the rooftop his now trademark white canvas sneakers resting on the concrete edge. His blue eyes stared off in the parking at nothing in particular but yet at everything. The soft morning breeze worked its way through his long blonde hair. Tara's image filled his mind just as it did at many inopportune times, like the evening before when he was banging the fuck out of the croweater he had randomly selected to join him in bed. Real inopportune time Jax thought to himself realizing her vision when he was with other woman was haunting him more and more. Sure, his dick might be buried in them but it was her he saw and tasted and it was her he imagined he was making love to. Only he wasn't making love to the random women who graced his bed on an almost daily basis he was just fucking them, hell he wasn't even fucking them with emotion and there was a difference. While he could hardly look back on all his intimate times with Tara as always being heart and poet love making, after all they did have this burning urge and need to devour one another he smirked at the recollection still it wasn't meaningless. He was numb now and there was no other way to put it.

Shifting his eyes upward looking out on the horizon he watched as the dawn broke and as a new day presented. His mind to drift to the last carefree weekend they had, had at the cabin celebrating her graduation from high school. If someone had told him then that five years later Tara would be long gone attending medical school in Chicago and he would be alone. Jax knew his response would have been don't bet money on it. He had foreseen his future as Tara his Ol' lady, VP seat his, make his bank as an outlaw aka mechanic, dodge jail time, and maybe later when the time was right a kid or two. Yet Jax found himself sitting in some fucked up alternate reality. A long sigh escaped from between his lips as he flicked the cigarette in his hand off the rooftop knowing simple nicotine wasn't going to do it for him on this fine morning. Another day in paradise he thought smugly. Reaching inside his leather cut, he pulled out a freshly rolled joint, snapped his lighter open and waved the dancing flame underneath.

Taking in a cleansing breath, the THC filled smoke lined his lungs and he felt almost instant relief. He smirked thinking about people who protested that pot would make you hazy. For Jax Teller it silenced the craziness of the fucked up world and allowed him to think with a little more clarity. Although clarity about the fucked up reality he had created with his stubbornness and inability to look beyond the tree-cluttered forest wasn't exactly what he had hoped for as he released the smoke from his lungs. Jesus Christ he mumbled in a low voice only he could hear as he ran his fingers through his wind tangled strands of hair. Jax knew he had failed at the bus stop that day and had not been able to climb up on the mountain to get a clear view when Gemma arrived before their departure. He had still been reeling from the news about Hannah and the final boom lowered that day had sent him into the twilight zone. He fucked up in the moment of zone out and didn't back his girl and ultimately he had paid the price. Sure, she had hidden from him the use of a little nose candy but he knew that might have been his fault. Jax thought back to all the late hours they kept and unlike each of them Tara had school every day. He had acknowledged to himself on many occasions he had probably been the source of many issues they had faced. The other shit, her rolling Aiden for cash with Roxy's help well fuck he might as well lay that on his doorstep also. He knew in all actuality if one, were keeping track of sins his far exceeded Tara's not only had he not gone to her that fateful night but also he had ended up with Hannah. What a fucked up mess that had turned out to be and still was. Even though he had no knowledge of the relation prior to the being with Hannah, it still didn't make what had occurred any easier at times. He cursed his mother and even his father who was buried 10 feet under for that occurance. They should have been honest from the get go because Opie was right as much as he hated to admit the attraction to Hannah it had been apparent since they were children. Still she wasn't Tara.

The pain of having Tara so far away was excruciating yet he didn't know which was worse as he watched Hannah's sports car roar into Teller Morrow lot faster than necessary. He closed his eyes and shook his head at the unnecessary careless behavior she seemed to enjoy over the last few years. Driving fast, sky diving, cliff jumping anything she could get a rush from or possibly break her neck at doing she was all for giving it a try, to top the ice cream sundae off now some eastern fuck head playboy had shown up in Charming a few months earlier. His sister Hannah had met him and before anyone could mutter the words who is this fuck wade, they were thick as thieves. Jax shook his head the jerk was just a careless as his sister and her little thrill seeking antics had gotten worse since his arrival. Jax really feared she would end up dead. He nodded his chin up at Hannah who waved as she peered at him briefly before disappearing out of view. He assumed to the office where Gemma was the two of them had become close over the last few years his mom practically treated the girl as if she had given birth to her.

"Brother need some coffee?" Opie's commanding voice filled the space between them on the rooftop.

The aroma permeated his senses as Opie approached with the cup. "Thanks Op," He responded reaching out taking a mug from him watching as his lifelong friend took a seat beside him. "Aiden cooled off any?"

Jax sat back rehashing the screwed up events of the last couple of weeks in his mind. Aiden who had been back to normal somewhat for the last few years well as normal as possible for Aiden Janowitz had suddenly gotten his apple cart tossed over when Amelia Tate returned to Charming. If it had simply been just a return to town don't know if I still love you sort of thing that might have been better for all concerned but instead Amelia came back to town with three things that were driving Aiden to the brink of insanity. One a huge diamond solitaire on her left hand, the second she was just a little pregnant and the third the causative factor of both one and two Mike 'The Savage' Calhoun former SAMREN Sgt. at Arms turned Nomad now somewhat retired from the club. Well, unless Clay had his way about it anyway Jax thought. Either way the situation was fucked up Aiden wanted to kill Mike; Mike was all for ridding the world of Aiden and well Amelia was caught in the middle of old love and new love. Jax and Opie found themselves sitting on the sidelines shocked to say the very least who would have thought that a guy like Mike could run into a girl like Amelia on the beaches of Laguna of all places. Story was he was passing through town some guys were trying to attack her on the beach and he interceded. The odds of that shit happening were like next to none but as Jax had grown to realize in his short time as an adult and VP of the club he and his fellow brothers seemed to be magnets for the impossible odd crap.

Personally, Jax didn't dislike the guy he respected him like most but frankly the bastard was dark and sorted. Still he respected him. What he didn't respect however was the fact he sat across from the mat the Reaper table never bothering to disclose he was with Aiden's exgirlfriend, because in his brothers eyes she wasn't his ex-anything. In Aiden's eyes, he and Amelia had been victims of circumstances and the closer they had received was not a chosen one but one enforced up them by others. Jax sighed heavily once again thinking in a way he and Tara has been to a few circumstances themselves.

"Don't know man." Opie took the joint from Jax hand inhaling deeply the last few weeks had been hell on a level they hadn't dealt with in a while. "Mike's downstairs talking to Clay now he's trying to get him to reconsider the lay down of his leather and stay Nomad a few more months at least. That damn coke hijack to the south of us has the Mayans acting fucked up and Clay says there some shit brewing in the East. Apparently, some crime family is tied to the missing nose candy in any event he says this shit ain't good. He wants you to come down and join him try to encourage Mike to stay."

"Jesus fucking Christ." Jax shook his head before rubbing his temples he could feel an immense headache ensuing. He didn't want to be in the middle of the mess that was brewing with the brothers but he knew that as VP he needed to follow Clay's request. Rising slowing he stood stretching before patting Opie firmly on the shoulder.

Opening the wood door Jax entered the Chapel strutting over to his seat to the left of his stepdad and President Clay Morrow their eyes locked intently on one another for a moment as he approached lowering his body to a sitting position. He could tell by Clays eyes the negotiations were not going well. Pulling out the crumpled pack of cigarettes, he popped the last one out placing it in his mouth and quickly lighting before tossing the empty pack on the table.

"Mike." Jax nodded at the set of intent green eyes staring into his blue ones from across the table.

"Jax." Mike responded his voice monotone as he fidgeted with a spring-loaded knife snapping it open and closing it slowly, his mind in was anywhere else but the very room in which he sat. His glanced up at the ashtray before him full of spent butts crushed under the thumb of a man about to make the biggest decision of his life. In truth, he felt somewhat guilty for the possible cluster fuck the club was faced with due to the unrest towards the south. He was after all the anonymous Kingpin that everyone was talking about including the two men sitting at the table but that no one could put a face too. A wry smile changed his blunt expression for a moment. The time with Nicky in Reno doing the dirty work under the table had paid off. He had learned a great many things about being the invisible man. Finally, he snapped open the blade open and responded to Clays question poised at least 30 minutes earlier. The question will you stay with us just a little while longer.

"I'll stay, but I need to talk to Amelia before I give you my last word on this. If the answer is yes, I expect you to keep that fucking pretty boy Janowitz on a God damned leash. Motherfucker best not show up causing shit at my girl's home again." He stood slowly, quietly staring at the leather cut laying before him before picking it up.

"We need you brother." Clay implored his steel-blue eyes narrowing in on the man-standing statuesque before him.

"Clay is right if this shit towards the south starts drifting any further up North we are going to need you." Jax offered before inhaling a deep drag of nicotine into his lungs. He knew they needed Mike's helps but fuck to keep his Aiden on even kilter was going to be a bitch.

"Jax is right Mike, and it's not just the south if the Eastern cocksuckers are wrapped up in this shit that's a whole other ball game. You have a little experience with them being with Nicky and dealing with the Reno casino business and such."

"Yeah, I know you need me, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this." Mike slipped an arm through the vest, turning and throwing it over his shoulders as he had done a thousand times before. He knew this time it was different. He had made a promise to Amelia he would leave the life and he had just broken it.

"Another thing we need you in Charming brother, not 5 – 6 hours away on a beach." Clay said, spoken with the tone of a club President the imploring tone over now that the leather was back on his shoulders.

"I know Clay; I'll stay here for the time being." Mike rolled his eyes at the thought of staying in the Charming Cathedral everywhere he looked all he could see was Aiden fucking his girl. It was maddening he had even found himself hovering inside the door frame of her old bedroom the night prior when sleep wouldn't come. All he could do was stand and stare at her old bed where he knew that fucker had been with her repeatedly. The rage that boiled in him was unlike anything he had felt in at least 2 years.

"And straighten out your shit with Aiden, we can't have you two killing each other over pussy even tender young pussy," Clay chuckled lightly fuck he loved pussy. He shifted in his seat at the thought of Gemma's wet pussy the thought making him rock hard. "I will do my part and talk to Aiden but you two need to work this shit out." He shifted again in the large chair ready to end the meeting and go bury his cock in his Ol' Lady.

Mike stared intently into the wall beyond Jax, slamming the knife deep into the redwood. "Consider the hatchet buried."

Hannah stood leaned up against the bar of the clubhouse between Opie and Aiden. The clock only said 10:00am and already Aiden had downed two beers, Hair of the dog, he had told her. Aiden had spent the night with Luann's girls trying to fuck away his frustration with the Amelia situation. She truly felt sorry for him knowing firsthand how a situation like the one he was experiencing could have ever-lasting effects on a person. Secretly she hoped the Nomad dude that Amelia was with had the sense to stay true to his original plan and get them both the hell out of Charming. Such a sweet name to a town that was truly nothing but a hell on earth. Hannah had wanted to escape Charming put the past and Jackson behind her. Thanks to Piney who had delivered a copy of some very profound words her biological father JT had written before his death it had been impossible for her to walk away. If what their father had written to her in the personal notes and letters enclosed in the manuscript proved true, she knew Jackson was going to look back on all the woes to date as if they had been a walk in the park. In addition, Piney had already told her that eventually Jackson would have a copy of the manuscript for his reading pleasure. Hannah knew when that happened it was going to shake his world up. Their futures was paved with the blood of sins past and Hannah truly felt in her heart each of them would pay the debt perhaps with their own lives. So rather, than run she had stayed, she had stayed and embraced the club and the life for the sake of her brother. She loved him and there was nothing that could be done about that feeling.

Despite the shit, they had dealt with a few years prior day-to-day life had rocked along with no friction until the last few weeks. A slow smile crossed her face as she thought that wasn't exactly true things had been shaken a few of months back when the mystery man bachelor Conor McGregory had arrived in town. No one really knew much about him except he was very young not even thirty years old and he was very successful. Stocks and bonds or something along that line. Hannah had met him by accident just a few days after his arrival. Her father Peter Marshall had involved her in the family business after completing her business degree the year earlier, and the area he had given her to focus on was the real estate holdings that they had in Charming.

~Late February 2001~

Hannah sped along the streets of Charming late for her appointment she knew the lead foot could cause further delay already pulled over by Unser's cronies twice since the first of the year. He had taken care of both tickets but not without a stern warning that if she did not slow down there would eventually be consequences. Hannah had heard through the grapevine that David Hale her old high school boyfriend was back in town and she didn't want their first meeting be him issuing a ticket. She had appreciated Unser's help but had huffed a few choice of words during the lecture. Really what in this world didn't come with consequences not a God Damned thing every action had consequences. Hannah knew her attitude was somewhat cynical at times compared to her once jovial youthfulness but since finding out that JT was her biological father really, nothing had been the same for her including her attitude. If the truth were known in a way, she was full of resentment and hatred for the JT and his precious MC. They had taken away the one thing she had always loved, Jackson. Having him in her life, as a brother figure was no way how she had envisioned their relationship ending the night he had shown up on her doorstep five years ago. Sure, she had expected him to go back to Tara and leave her broken-hearted that was a given Tara was after all his one true love that was clear despite their attraction. To find out though he was unattainable to her because of some mistake their parents had made that caused their relationship to be a major society taboo was more than she could deal with at times. It had changed her made her not really care in a way and in other ways made her care more.

Turning onto the Cherry Street Hannah slowed the black Porsche as she approached the 4000 square foot elegant three bedroom two-story that the man had inquired about on the telephone 3 days ago. It wasn't large compared to some of the properties her true father for all intent and purposes Peter Marshall owned but the nonetheless did not lack in all the modern luxuries even including a small pool. Claire had originally been scheduled to show Mr. McGregory the property but had fallen sick with the flu since no other agents were available Hannah had agreed to go. Rolling up into the long driveway of the two-story brick house she couldn't help but notice, they drove the same Porsche coupé except his was red. Interesting, she thought killing the ignition and sitting a moment eyeing the profile of the man leaning against the car gazing at the dwelling. Everything about him including his attire screamed he was not from Charming.

Conor recognized the hum of the engine pulling towards him as being the same model as his own car. He looked up towards the sound his face showing neither happiness of unhappiness. Placing the filtered cigarette to his lips, he took one last pull before dropping the butt and extinguishing it with his expensive leather shoe. Smoking was a disgusting habit in his opinion but one he had been unable to break chalking it up to the fact that everyone including Conor McGregory needed at least one vice in life.

Stepping out of the car Hannah approached the stranger slowly who was still leaned up against the car with his hand now in the pockets of his dark pea coat. He looked extremely young to her younger than she had expected. The financial profile and references he had provided the office were quite impressive for a man so young.

"Mr. McGregory I presume." Hannah extended a hand to him a small forced smile curving the corners of her mouth.

Conor took her delicate hand in his a smirk breaking the lack of expression upon his face. "Why so formal please call me Conor, Ms. Marshall." He paused for a moment looking down at her ring finger before bringing his blue eyes to meet her curious brown ones. "Or is it Mrs. Marshall perhaps and you just forgot your ring today?" He eyed her finger closer. "Although I don't see any indention that would show you normally wear a wedding ring."

"Ms. Marshall will do fine, Mr. McGregory. Are you ready to see the house?" She replied pulling her had back and intentionally snubbing his invitation to call him by this first name. Hannah knew she had only just met the man and to judge one based on a first impression was not entirely fair but something about him irritated her.

He shrugged his shoulders at her stepping to the side to allow her to pass in front of him. "Very well then after you my dear girl."

Hannah narrowed her eyes at him every hair on the back of her neck raised in irritation. "My name is not dear girl its Hannah thank you very much."

"Ah! So you do have a first name Ms. Marshall. Hannah." He smirked at her coyly as her name rolled off his tongue and he made no attempt to hide his eyes scanning her features. "Very fitting name if you don't mind me saying so."

"As a matter of fact I do mind you saying so. Can we please just get this appointment started I believe you are here to see the interior of the house? Not allow your eyes to roam my exterior." Hannah spit back truly shocked that an individual she had just met could have her speaking in such a curt tone.

"A little spitfire I see." He pushed himself from against the red Porsche. "Tell me dear girl … I mean Hannah." He paused for a moment after putting great emphasizes on her name. "Is Charming heaven on earth?"

"Excuse me?" Hannah stared at him in confusion.

He stepped closer, "I said is Charming heaven on earth?"

"I am sorry Mr. McGregory I don't understand your question and frankly I don't see what it has to do with the viewing of this house." Hannah arched her brow in warning as she spoke the words.

He stepped even closer reaching down for her hand before looking into her eyes truly smiling for the first time. "It would seem Charming is heaven full of Angels and you my dear girl seem to be the most angelic of them all." He brushed her hand with a kiss after completing the words.

Hannah wanted to pull her hand back but she could only stand mesmerized by his charismatic smile it was as if her his face had taken on a completely new identity. She could only continue to stand dumbfounded and at a loss for words.

The door of the chapel opened abruptly and Hannah watched as the taller dark-haired biker that had returned to Charming with Amelia emerge from the door first. She didn't know him very well but his green eyes looked as if they were filled with rage as he glanced at Aiden. Hannah could feel Aiden's body stiffen and Opie shift as if he was going to needed to break up a fight.

"Well, well if it isn't Fucko already breaking his word to Amelia about the club only after a couple of weeks. I told her you weren't built to give her what she needed. Keep fuckin' up I'll make sure that kid of yours is raised by a real man." Aiden flashed a wry smile tipping the rim of the brown bottle towards Mike in a toast before taking a drink.

"You worthless motherfucker…" Mike rushed towards the bar his face red with anger and fists clenched tight.

"Whoa! Whoa! I am all for you two working this fuckin' shit out but not like this." Opie pressed a firm hand against Mike's chest halting him before arriving to his destination. "His comment was inappropriate but he's still a little drunk from last night and workin' on stayin' that way today brother. Think it might be best this conversation is continued another time."

Mike looked down at Opie's hand then back up into his eyes before shooting Aiden a furious glare. "You and me fucker we are going to have our day in the sun and when we do don't expect to walk away in one piece you got me?"

Aiden intentionally gave a mocking chuckle in response before tipping the bottle to his mouth. "Yeah whatever Savage boy now take a fuckin' hike why don't you."

"Aiden one more word and I'll kick your ass myself now stop pissing on the fire with fuel." Opie spit the words out not turning from the angry man in front of him.

"Get your hand off me and worry about controlling your pretty boy pansy over there." Mike responded flatly before stepping back and walking away the sound of the heavy strides echoing through the room.

~Chicago~

Tara walked from her apartment located not far from the Feinberg Medical School at Northwestern University where she had attended for the last year after graduating with honors from UC San Diego. She loved everything about Chicago the city was bursting with energy. The rejuvenating energy pumped through as if she it were begin transfused intravenously and it was especially welcomed on this day. Her mind drifted for a moment recalling that it was the fifth anniversary of her high school graduation. She knew it seemed silly to mark such events but she still did. What was special about the day she graduated from Charming High and that event marked the last few days of happiness spent with Jax Teller. They had gone with their group of friends to the cabin following the ceremony and for Tara the weekend with Jax had been perfect. She relished the memory despite how poorly it had ended, and despite the face some days she hated him. Her mind shifted from their last blissful encounter to their very last shitty encounter, which was had taken place on her cousin's doorstep in San Diego. The encounter had ended very badly.

~Fall 1996, San Diego~

"I can't believe you just show up here like this Jax." Tara yelled out at him in the darkness of the night. "I was willing to sacrifice everything for you! EVERYTHING! You weren't willing to stick by me after hearing what I had an issue with using coke, and took some money from your SAMCRO brother. Screw you!"

"Tara, babe I was shocked that's all. I know I should have gotten on the bus with you. If you will just let me inside we can talk." Jax looked at her with his deep blue eyes searching them for any ounce of redemption that might be present.

"Come in! Are you crazy Jax there is no way I am letting you into this house or my life again. Think you can fuck your way out of this one is that it Jax? Think you can come in we have sex and everything will be ok? Why don't you go back and fuck Hannah some more. You want to know why I was even dabbling with drugs to begin with. Do you?" Her voice raised an octave as she spoke harshly digging at him. "It was to trying to make myself fit in your world! Your world! Being with you exhausted me Jax. I loved you, I still care in a way but your world it exhausted me to the point that I didn't even who I was. There were so many times the words coming out of my mouth reminded me of Gemma." Tara could feel the warm tears threatening to form but she held them back refusing to let Jax see her shed another drop.

"I am so sorry baby." Jax reached out touching Tara's warm hand attempting to interlace his fingers with hers before she yanked back from his embrace. "Jesus Christ I love you so much."

"Go away Jax please, you made your choice and it was the MC not me please just go away." Tara stepped back protectively refusing to let his words penetrate her shield.

"Is that what you really want Tara?" Jax looked into her eyes the anguish and regret present tore his heart apart. She regretted them he could see it in her eyes and the concept was unimaginable for him.

"Yes, Jax it's what I want. Please go away and don't ever come back. You did this to us not me you with your poor choices. You did this to us. NOW GO!" She shouted her voice raised once again.

"I'll always love you Tara and I am so sorry baby so very sorry." Jax backed away from the front door only taking his eyes from her when he reached his bike. Reluctantly he placed the helmet on his head and mounted his Harley. It was the first time since receiving it as a teen he couldn't stand the feel of the leather seat between his legs. He sat upon the bike in hopes she would change her mind only starting the engine and pulling away after she disappeared into the wooden door of the modest house.

Tara leaned up against the closed-door reminding herself of all the reasons they wouldn't work yet she found the inner part of her wanted to fling open the door and run to him. She knew she couldn't though she had lied to him her love for him still ingrained in her heart. Tara knew if she went to him only bad things would come from it. Forcing herself to stay was the hardest thing she had done to date other than getting on the bus but she had accomplished it. As the roar of his engine became distant, fading into the abyss she finally broke down sobbing.

~Chicago~

Picking up strides as she walked along the sidewalk, Tara dunked into her favorite coffee shop for her caffeine fix. Jax wasn't the only thing she had purged from her system when leaving Charming she had not touched weed or cocaine since. She recalled her words spoken to Jax the night he showed up on her doorstep, and while she knew they were hateful and meant to hurt him, they rang of the true in a a way. Tara ultimately had to look in the mirror and take responsibility for her actions but the circumstances had helped push her into the darkness of that time. Jax had been part of those circumstances. Taking care of her father and then trying to keep up with Jax had all been impossible. Then there was the life, in all truth, she was infatuated with the life of the MC and had it not been for Dr. Martin shaking sense into her. Tara knew she would have remained buried in it as Jax's Ol' Lady forever.

"Hey there Tara how's it going today?" The clerk behind the counter flashed a bright smile at her.

"Big test today so make it a double shot on the coffee ok?" Tara smiled back at the clerk who had taken her order every day for almost a year before paying and taking her coffee over to the area to add sweetener. She was not only a caffeine junky these days but also a sugar junky as well.

"Little sugar with your coffee." The masculine voice chuckled.

"Yes, well it helps keep me awake." Tara responded to the unfamiliar voice slowly raising her head finding a well-dressed man with a set of mature blue eyes gazing back at her.

"You look pretty alert to me." He responded back his tone humorous.

"It works. You should try it sometime …." Tara paused hoping the stranger would feel in the gap with his name as the corners of her mouth curved upwards.

"I may do just that, my name is Josh, Josh Kohn." He extended his hand out to her.

"Tara, Tara Knowles." She replied as his rugged hand squeezed hers.

~Teller-Morrow Parking lot~

"Where you going to so fast darlin'" Jax called out to Hannah walking across the parking lot to her car. She hated it when he called her "Darlin'" always disliking what she called pet names even before the pre-sibling crisis.

Hannah looked over at Jax leaned up against his Harley hesitating for a moment before slowly strolling towards him. "I have a date in a few hours." She felt guilty saying the words and she knew there was no logical reason she should.

"Date with that GQ lookin' dude?" Jax rolled his eyes as the sarcasm dripped from his tongue.

"His name is Conor, Jackson. C-O-N-O-R he is a lot of fun actually. Tonight for example he told dress in something elegant he is picking me up and we are flying somewhere for dinner in his a private plane, he has a pilot license. Did I mention that?" Hannah glowered at him as she spoke the next words knowing she had already disclosed all of Conor's many talents to him more than once. "Plus he wears a suit on occasion and you know what women like that shit. It's called R-O-M-A-N-T-I-C." She spelled the word out to him before speaking it.

"You know what H-A-N-N-A-H? I can fuckin' understand English and don't need you to spell it out for me. I don't like the guy he shows up here outta nowhere Juice can't even find any data on the cocksucker…" He stopped abruptly realizing his revelation that he had Juice looking into the guy.

Are you kidding me Jackson?" Hannah placed her hands on her hips glaring angrily. "You had Juice look into him!" Her voice raised in anger.

"Jesus Christ." Jax mumbled as Opie walked over.

"Problem?" Opie smirked having already overheard the discussion that was quickly escalating.

"Stay out of my business Jackson you have no right." Hannah turned swiftly stomping towards her car in anger.

"No right. I got every right D-A-R-L-I-N,'" He yelled after her his response only met with the slamming of her car door followed by her car speeding out of the parking lot.

Opie burst out laughing only halting the noise as Jax turned to him with a look that clearly said shut the hell up.

"Sorry." Opie struggled to keep his composure.

"Damn it she is such a bitch." Jax ran his fingers through his blonde hair letting out a deep sigh.

"You know the you two would have been an interesting duo if JT wasn't …" Opie dropped the comment as Jax turned to him with his already famous scowl.

~Charming Cathedral~

Mike idled his Harley in the long driveway. He looked around at the plush landscaping then at the monstrous structure that housed all the memories of the ghost from relationship past. He felt the weight of the heavy leather on his back, riding him, crushing him, crushing them. He flipped his bucket helmet off and placed it on the leather seat. He looked up quickly to the balcony that overlooked the front of the house from the master suite that they were currently living in, she would usually be there standing and waving but this time there was no one.

Walking towards the front door, it opened before him. Amelia leaped into his arms, her tiny frame clinging to him tightly. He walked into the entrance way with her in his arms. "Hi baby girl, I missed you so much." He kissed her face and lips ferociously. The essence of her causing the issues at the clubhouse to fade away. Her long spindly legs wrapped around him, as he pressed her gently against the wall of the entryway. His hands moving about her with a clear purpose. The soft material of her sundress was no defense for his advances.

"Got the leather cut back on I see?" Amelia said, looking beyond his kisses to the leather that strapped his back.

"Yeah, it's a temporary thing, you OK with that baby? I told Clay I needed to talk to you first." He looked intently into her blue eyes with his green ones.

"Temporary? Like a month?" Amelia eyed him curiously.

"Yes, a month, maybe more but I promise before the baby is born we will be free and clear of this place and the MC." He paused for a moment. "Baby I need to stay in Charming though until this MC business gets cleared up." Suddenly Amelia's grasp on him loosened and she slowly slipped to the floor and Mike could feel her retreating into a shell.

"I know. I don't expect you to be there with me. I want you to go back to Laguna get the house ready for the baby and stuff. I'll drive down as often as I can." He hated the words that came from his mouth but after he left, the clubhouse Mike realized if she stayed in Charming Aiden wouldn't give them a moment of peace. One of them would end up dead sooner rather than later. "It's not good for you or the baby to be in Charming". He kissed her softly on the forehead, brushing the hair from her cheek. He adored her plain and simple.

"Yeah Mike, about the baby... we need to talk about that." Amelia replied nervously.

~ New York, Marchese Brothers Tower~

Lorenzo Marchese, known as Enzo to those in his inner circle entered the corporate boardroom with his assistant taking the seat at the head of the table alone. Since his brother's indictment, the entire corporate dealings both legal and illegal had fallen at his feet. Enzo and his brother Gustavo were known as the East coast mob 'Legends' their vast legal empire simply a mask for the immeasurable illegal empire built over the years. Their family once in low standing in the mob world now reigned supreme. The incalculable empire that the corporation shadowed encompassed a wide variety of business dealings ranging from drugs, human trafficking, illegal weapons, casinos, strip clubs, hookers, counterfeiting, money laundering. If it banked green, their fingers were in the cookie jar.

The indictment of Gustavo took the brothers off guard, and was almost unheard of with the amount of political power they controlled. Still there was always some asshole looking to make a name for himself that couldn't be bought. It had been an error in judgment not to kill the source of the woes they were now experiencing.

The connections they possessed didn't just stop with political figures, law enforcement, and corporate mongrels, but also expanded into the illegal worlds. The Marchese Brothers held solid connections with gangs, pimps, drug dealers, and many of the well-known MC's. The larger West Coast MC SAMCRO however, had always been a hinder. Despite the fact they were smaller than many of the other MC's that stretched from the East Coast to Central areas they had dealings with, the Sons of Anarchy had managed to keep drugs out of their areas. They had also managed to keep the East coast at bay. Enzo knew the time for change was drawing near especially with the recent hijack of the cocaine shipment. Someone had to pay for the loss and the fingers were pointing to a particular member of that frequented the mother charter in Charming. Enzo didn't expect too many hindrances with the advancement of territory they had already been slowly inkling in over the years as it was. The Sons had done one thing right in their opposition they had kept their areas competition free, thus creating the perfect environment for the Marchese Brothers to expand.

Samantha D' Angelis smoothed out her black skirt as she sat down in the seat to the right of Enzo. She could feel many of the male eyes on her, but she was accustom to the corporate pigs salivating over her. Sitting with her legs crossed in a feminine way, she gave each man staring at her a professional smile that conveyed they could fuck off and die. Her eyes glanced over at her boss, the CEO of the company, and now sole leader of one of the largest crime families. A status she had watched him build over the years. She had been with Enzo for over most of her life. He and his brother had opened up a world to her that she never knew existed. A world that certainly was more opulent than the one she was almost fated too.

Marco stood outside the corporate doors waiting for his boss to complete his business meetings. The brother's father had originally employed him as head of security matters when he was just a young man. His services had continued when the young men had taken over the corporation completely, when their father had met with a most unfortunate accident just a few short weeks ago. One that Marco had personally arranged. Unfortunately, the old man hadn't been smart enough to stay in semiretirement attempting to come back and gain control when he found out his sons were dipping into areas of profit he didn't agree wasn't that he hadn't loved the old man, but his sons were much more equipped for the job. Marco was very intelligent and knew in order to remain in the game you had to roll with the times. The decision had been a good one; the brothers had already pushed the Marchese name back up to the top after taking over when their father went into semi-retirement. Now with his death the sky was the limit.

In spite of his compact stature of 5'4", he was known as one of the meanest motherfuckers in the circles he traveled. No one fucked with Marco, no one that wanted to live to see his or her next birthday anyway. His attention was drawn to the opening of the impressive doors of the corporate room. Several suits exiting abruptly as if they were escaping a burning building. Marco smirked knowing that Enzo had probably handed their asses to them for lunch. Truth be known Enzo really didn't need him for security; he was more than capable of taking care of any issues that arose. Still it was best for him to keep his hands as clean as possible and let someone else get the stains. The corporation, all parts of it, had been chaotic since his brother's swift departure from the U.S. They were about to reel shit in though, starting with the west coast.

"Marco, he is ready for you both." Samantha peered from Marco to the large dark-haired man she had spoken to on the phone some weeks earlier about their issues in Southern Cali.

"I got that prick you know the one that whistles while he works in place out in Cali now ready to activate on a moment's notice. He's just out there sightseeing bidding his time until we call." Marco sat calmly chewing on a toothpick as he spoke the words.

"Yes but while he will be more than willing to accommodate use on this matter. "Enzo laid the color photograph down on the table before Marco, "Will he be willing to accommodate us on these matters." Enzo pushed four more colored photographs in his direction.

Marco picked eyed them he knew the answer to the question immediately. "He is one of our best assassins sly, clean and very efficient but he has a few codes about him women, children he don't like to cross those lines unless there is clear cause to do so."

The big man focused in on one of the photos extending his large calloused hand to pick it up. He shifted in his seat the suit they required for the meeting was not what he was accustom to and was itching the shit out of him. As he glared at the picture, his mouth opened to a wide goofy grin that showed his oversized white teeth. "I'll take care of this one." He tossed the picture of the blonde back on the table. "It will be my pleasure."

All eyes turned to the large figure who had not muttered more than five words since the meeting began. In truth, he was trying to keep his mouth shut and his head down having been the main person responsible for guarding the coke that had mysteriously disappeared into the night. It had taken him more time than he had anticipated to even find the person responsible for the heist but when he had he recognized him immediately from the beach even though his appearance had changed somewhat.

"This is not amateur hour that we are running here nor is it a wham bam thank you ma'am situation. Our plan..." Samantha paused briefly looking at Enzo who nodded for her to continue. "Our plan is to start here." She tapped her French manicured nail on the first photo presented to Marco. "And eventually end up here."

"Listen, you just tell me when my service is needed and it will be my pleasure to do it." The big man chuckled heartily. "Consider it my payback for the loss of your shipment."

Samantha looked over at Enzo before eyeing the big man curiously. "If I didn't know any better I would be certain your eagerness to help us was you really needing to extend your warmest regards to the person in the photo."

Conor McGregory was a man of perfection everything had to be in its perfect placement or he would go completely insane. A professional therapist would call it OCD aka obsessive-compulsive disorder, but Conor simply called it a way of life. Being a professional hit man had not been on his bucket list of things to carry out in his life right the opposite was true. His boyhood dream had been to be an actor. He looked at his reflection in the mirror adjusting his tie his trademark charismatic smile illuminating the room. Yes, Conor McGregory knew he would have made a damn fine actor had life's unfortunate circumstances not interrupted him. In a way, he was an actor shifting in and out of character to carry out the task he was hired for. Pretending they were merely acts in some Shakespearian production somehow made it all easier for him to live the way he received his immense wealth.

He shrugged his shoulders walking over to the nightstand picking up the colt 45 strapping it securely to his ankle. The trusty colt was his favorite hideaway weapon if you will but his very favorite weapon the only gun a gentleman should carry was a Walther PPK with a Carswell silencer when necessary. Normally he never left home without it in his shoulder holster but unfortunately, since slow dancing might be involved with the lovely Ms. Hannah Marshall he didn't want to take the chance of her feeling anything bulging other than the admiration he might show between his legs. So tonight regardless of his feelings to the contrary, Conor McGregory would be utilizing a hideaway weapon. Picking up the keys to his Porsche coupé next, he pivoted to exit the room just as the vibration from his special phone could be felt against his chest.

"Bloody hell." He mumbled the words before reaching in his suit coat retrieving the new state of the art device and answering it. "Yes." He responded in a monotone voice.

"You ready to do a little whistling?" The voice on the other end responded.

"When?" His facial features immediately growing serious.

"1 hour no changes to the original plan." The voice responded nonchalantly.

"Done." Conor ended the phone call looking down at his Rolex Submariner noting the time. He would have to move quickly but he knew based on his research over the last several weeks exactly where the target would be and at what time. Walking over to the bed, he knelt pulling the hard case from underneath and placing it gently on the mattress. Opening it, he eyed the M24 sniper not really his first choice but with the silencer it would be a much more appropriate than the AK-47 he preferred.

He glanced at his watch once again pondering for a moment if he should call Hannah and tell her he was going to be a little late. Conor McGregory hated being late even what was considered fashionably late in the social circles, irritated him to no end. Calculating the numbers in his head, he decided against calling he could down the target and make his dinner date no problem. Snapping the case shut once more he lifted it from the bed heading for the door the eerie sound of his whistling drifting in the air.

~Teller-Morrow~

"JAX!" Tig called out to the Jax who was seated with Opie on the picnic table while several other brothers walked around.

"What?" Jax turned his attention to Tig who looked like the world had just ended.

"Man its Clay he's just been shot they took him to St. Thomas and it don't look good."

"Jesus Christ!" Jax screamed out the two words the look of shock evident on his face.