~Cemetery May 30, 2001~

"POP!" Opie yelled out as Piney plummeted to the ground bright red blood pouring out upon the green grass resembling a tipped over bucket of paint.

"Jesus Fucking Christ!" Jax screamed. "Get flat on the ground Hannah!" His eyes turned to his mother headed for the car. "Gem, Donna get on the ground now!" He pulled his Beretta 92FS from its holster running towards Opie and Piney.

"Motherfucker!" Tig pulled his matching Beretta in unison with Jax turning to make sure Gemma was safe before focusing his attention on the commotion. "Mike's down to."

Happy pulled his gun shifting his eyes quickly in Hannah's direction. "Stay down." He called to her before covering Jax as he ran towards the scene.

"Mickey ur ye awe rite." Chibs ran over Bobby in tow both with guns pulled. "Lit me hae a look."

"God fucking damn it!" Mike screamed out the pain and anger ripping through him. His eyes turning immediately in Amelia's direction but all he could see was Aiden covering her body. "Is she ok?" He yelled out.

"Are you hit anywhere?" Aiden held her protectively underneath him his gun drawn ready to kill anyone who came close not wearing the right leather cut. The smell of fresh blood filled his senses. God please don't let it be her blood.

"I'm ok." Amelia responded through her sobs.

"Thank fuck." Aiden breathed a sigh of relief. "She's ok."

Mike flinched from the pain as he attempted to stand his eyes taking in the scene before him. "Son of a bitch!"

"OPIE!" Donna screamed out making a beeline for her husband and father in law despite Gemma's attempt to grab her.

"Donna no!" Jax screamed running towards her. "Cover her." He screamed out to Happy and Tig.

"POP! POP!" Opie crotched down holding the limp body in his arms.

"Oh my God Opie is he?" Donna covered her mouth quickly as she began to heave. Happy reached out to steady her swaying body.

"Ope!" Jax rushed to his side crouching down their eyes locked for a brief second that felt like an eternity. "Jesus Christ." He mumbled as Piney's lifeless eyes stared back at him.

Opie looked up into the dark sky the rain beating against his beard matting it to his face his mouth opened to scream but no noise came.

Jax's blue eyes turned dark, as the rain fell upon them, and the thunder cracked above. "Are you out there MOTHERFUCKERS?" He screamed turning his head in every direction possible as he spoke. "Tell your leader I am coming I am fuckin' coming and I am bringing death with me you MOTHERFUCKERS!"

~Clubhouse~

Luann sat on the cracked vinyl couch watching Gemma circulate through the crowd no signs of the fact she had just buried her husband and lost JT's best friend just hours earlier. She lit up the joint in her hand the crackle of the paper igniting bringing her comfort. The life they lived was like a Mack truck it would run over you, then shifted in reverse, and ran back over you again. Everyone thought the men were the ones that suffered Luann new first hand this was not true. Many people thought her best friend Gemma was a cast iron bitch with no feelings. Lu knew that was not true either comforting her on several occasions privately people had no concept that the life ripped you apart if you didn't cast up a shield of armor. She crinkled her nose the noise of the clubhouse was sensory overload with not only the regular crew and their families but also crews from other areas that had come to pay their respects to Clay. The celebration wake had turned into another fucking funeral with Piney now dead and they were like a can of sardines packed in a confined space. Placing the joint to her lips, she inhaled deeply closing her eyes allowing the cool smoke to wash a sense of euphoria over her.

"You ok?" Aiden stopped brushing the back of his hand against Luann's cheek his eyes searching the room.

"She's in the Chapel." Lu responded to his searching eyes.

"What?" Aiden looked at her almost startled as if he were a young child with his hand in the cookie jar. "Shit that obvious?"

"Only to me baby because I have known you since you were a kid." She smiled passing the joint to him. "This fuckin' life is somethin' else at times. Your dad and Otto locked in jail for who knows how fuckin' long. Clay gone…now Piney …Shit. Your old man and Mc Gee are the only First Nine still standing." She ran her hands through her long dried out bleached hair. "I miss the old days sometimes. I remember the first time I met your dad and Otto your mom and I were working together."

"I know Lenny told me all about her." Aiden smirked inhaling deeply passing the joint back to her.

"Good pot the answer to the world's insanity huh?" Lu laughed softly reaching out. "You know Lenny can say what he wants Aiden but he was pretty enchanted by your mother."

"Lenny enchanted I doubt that." Aiden ran his fingers through his curly brown hair his eyes focusing on the chapel door.

"Yeah well men aren't always honest about their feelings Aiden when things go shitty. You should go to her don't be like your old man." Lu responded.

Hannah sat in her car with the engine idling she frowned at the reflection staring back at her. "I look like a damned raccoon." The words mumbled into the void space she knew the dark circles under her eyes were due to smudged mascara and lack of sleep.

David parked his bronco a few spaces down from the black Porsche that belonged to Hannah. A slow smile crossed his face as his hand reached down opening the door of his vehicle. The smile growing even larger with each step that brought him closer to her. He stood for a moment before tapping on her window with his knuckle.

"Holy shit!" Hannah jumped from the noise turning her head quickly to see David's impersonal smile filling her window. Reluctantly she hit the button unrolling the glass that separated them.

"You ok?" David asked.

"Do you fuckin' care David?" Hannah responded realizing it was the first words she had uttered to him since he accused Jax, Opie and Aiden of attacking his high school football buddy. They had fought bitterly over his outlandish accusation and never spoken again. Deep in her heart, Hannah knew his accusations were true and she knew two wrongs didn't make a right. Jason however had always been such an arrogant asshole she had found herself almost glad the only thing that mattered to him most was taken.

"I see hanging around the Princely trio has expanded your vocabulary." He glowered at her.

"Just because you wear that badge David doesn't earn you any extra respect from me." Hannah returned his hateful expression and tone.

"Let's not do this." David paused for a moment relaxing his stance and features. "This is not how I wanted our first encounter to go. I have wanted to call you since returning to town."

Hannah softened her tone an almost innocent smile gracing her features. "Wanted to catch up on old times?"

"Yeah." David leaned into the car flashing her a flirty smile. This is going to be much easier than I thought.

"Well in that case let me call Suzanne so she can join us you two can sneak off and fuck in the bathroom. Just like old times baby." Hannah smiled innocently watching his face contort as her words stabbed like a knife.

"Fine have it your way Hannah." David shot back noticing her hand on the ignition key. "Don't bother turning the engine off and getting out. I got a few question down at the station for you."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Hannah raised her voice an octave. "I am not leaving Teller-Morrow Jackson wants us all close.

"Hannah I don't give a shit what Jax wants." David responded flatly. "I am the law in this town not your beloved brother."

Hannah glared at him her eyes growing wide. "Yeah that's right I know all about your lineage."

"You got a problem." Happy walked up his nares flaring in anger.

"No problem." David responded. "Hannah I expect you there within the hour." David turned walking in the opposite direction. "Oh and be advised cursing at an officer could be misinterpreted as being unwilling to comply. I would hate for you to end up with some sort of resisting arrest charge on your sparkling clean record."

~Chapel~

"Darlin' we need you to let go of him so Chibs can clean his arm." Bobby spoke calmly trying to coax the hysterical girl from the couch and man she was clinging to.

"No!" Amelia buried her head deeper against his chest. "Mike let's leave here and go back to Laguna tonight please!" She wailed loudly.

"Baby I am Ok. Its looks worse than it really is I promise." Mike lowered his head kissing the top of her head.

"Aye jist a flesh woond we will clean heem up an' he will be guid as new." Chibs held the gauze to the wound not wanting to mention part of cleaning his arm was going to include stitches.

"Baby this is nothing just going to leave a little scar at most. Trust me been injured far worse I am ok." Mike whispered the words into her hair his eyes making contact with Nicky the SAMREN president and his old friend Dean known as 'Clean' on the MC circuit now serving as the VP. Mike thought shortly about the fact that he would be sitting in the seat had he not had them vote him out and gone Nomad and for a moment, a feeling resembling regret filled him. Inhaling deeply the emotion washed away as the smell of her perfume swirled around him.

The words he spoke unlike Chibs rang of 100% truth he had been injured far worse than the bullet that had grazed his arm earlier. She was scared but he needed Amelia to leave not only for them to get him stitched up but so he could talk to Nicky privately. Nicky had connections and his fingers in endeavors that the mother charter wasn't aware of. Mike had not only been his Sgt. at Arms but his muscle man in the private endeavors as well. He wasn't going to tell Nicky, he stole the shipment of coke in Southern Cali just that he needed to find out the owner discreetly. The ownership of the cocaine haunted him and in his gut regardless of the Intel that had come from the computer geeks George and Jason used in Laguna that something off. He thought back to the night they stood in the warehouse a few weeks earlier his gut had told him then something was off. He had chosen to ignore his instincts and he couldn't shake the fact that everything happening was a result.

The opening of the Chapel door turned all heads but Amelia who remained fixed in place refusing to budge.

"She OK?" Aiden asked Bobby entering the room closing the door.

"In shock brother can you help us out a little here?" Bobby whispered the words. "We need to get him stitched up but every time we try to move her away she starts screaming. Maybe you could get her to go lay down in one of the back rooms."

Aiden walked over and crotched down next to Amelia only her snowy white hair visible. "Amelia." He reached out brushing his fingers through the soft ends.

Mike's body stiffened as Aiden touched her hair but he knew she needed something to calm her down. Even though the thought sickened him, Aiden was probably the only other person present with that ability.

"Amelia baby you need to lay down. Come with me you're safe I swear nothing is going to happen here." Aiden prayed he sounded reassuring.

Clean exhaled heavily. "Jesus Christ what the fuck is this daycare just make the bitch get the fuck out we don't have time for this shit."

His words and noisy exhalation halted instantly as one set of green eyes and one set of brown eyes glared in his direction. Well fuck me she has them both pussy whipped. He studied the girl his former running buddy held in his arms. Mike 'The Savage' pussy whipped he shook his head in unspoken disbelief.

"Baby go with Aiden please." Mike coaxed her to look into his eyes. "Go with him baby I'll be there soon I promise."

Amelia untangled her arms allowing Aiden to move her off the couch towards the Chapel door.

Mike watched as Aiden wrapped his arm around Amelia as she hung limply in his embrace the door closing behind them. His green eyes immediately catching his fellow SAMREN brothers. "Clean we go way back been through a lot of shit together but I swear to God you ever speak to or about my woman like that again I'll fucking kill you. We clear brother?"

"Yeah we're clear." Clean hissed back making every attempt to contain his fury at being called out for his remarks over a bitch. His eyes burned at the closed-door of the Chapel. Clean decided in that moment he would just have to find out a little more about Amelia Tate. Fucking cunt would pay for embarrassing him.

Jax pushed the doors of the clubhouse open forcibly with the palms of his hands. The sting coursed through him but he ignored it storming across the parking lot in what his fellow brothers called his gorilla walk. His face burned and he clenched his jaw together grinding his teeth together as they walked towards Wayne Unser. He was ready to unload his gun on the next motherfucker that crossed his path. Opie formed up beside his brother walking in unison.

"What the hell is deputy dip shit doing ordering people to the station? I want everyone here Wayne. We are on lock down until we get ourselves organized!" Jax looked Unser square in the eyes before peering over at Opie standing beside him his face devoid of emotion.

"I understand that Jax, but you are going to at least need to pretend to allowus to do our jobs. Fuck I gotta make this look somewhat official you already got a damned gunshot wound back there should be at the hospital." Unsers tired eyes narrowed in on the young man. "I ain't your enemy Jax."

"Wayne sweetheart Jax is doing what is best for this club." Gemma walked up beside her son still considering herself the queen since he had no Old Lady. She fully intended on keeping the croweaters lined up for the place pushed back.

"Gem I know that but if I don't at least question folks Hale is going to go all ape shit." Wayne implored.

"Unser you tell that motherfucker to back down or I'll tell him myself." Jax replied firmly. "Piney has just been gunned down like fucking dog with you both there. Where were his sharp skills than or was he over by his car jerking, off as usual. Shit!" Jax pointed his finger in Unser's face. "We just lost Clay a few days ago I have no fuckin' clue who has the hard on for us and until I do we are clenching are asses tight. Do you hear me? Back him the fuck off!"

Unser surveyed the scene around him. "Jax SAMCRO ain't above the law and the system we got a certain protocol to follow. I got Captain America watching my every move. If you want to keep things as is in Charming law wise, you need to humor him a little. Let him question a few people at the station feel like he's being a real cop."

"Yeah well here's a message for Captain fuckin' American he don't tread lightly I'll personally put my size 13 shoe up his ass." Opie hissed the words. "SAMCRO ain't rolling over like a bunch of bitches for him or anyone else."

Donna lay on the bed Kenny clinging to her the warm tears streaming down her face. She looked over at Amelia who lay curled in almost a fetal position finally sleeping. Aiden sat in the chair beside the bed holding her hand his eyes glued to her.

What's happening to us Aiden?" Donna spoke the choked words through her tears.

"I don't know Donna." Aiden responded flatly.

"Promise me Aiden no matter what you will look after Opie and Jax. Please I know Opie seems untouchable but Aiden I am so scared." The haunting dreams invaded her mind as she spoke the blood the river of blood.

"Donna nothing is going to happen to Opie or Jax not as long as I am breathing." Aiden looked down at Amelia's hand in his.

The door creaked and Donna jumped at the sound.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Mike entered the room quietly his eyes narrowing in on the interlocked hands.

Aiden withdrew his hand slowly. "She was upset…sorry."

"Can I talk to you outside for a minute?" Mike asked.

"Sure." Aiden rose from the chair entering the hall closing the door behind him. "Listen man I wasn't…"

"Isn't about that." Mike replied his voice monotone. "Aiden the chances of us ever being able to like one another is slim or next to none but we share a common interest and I'm not talking about the leather. Do you understand what I am saying to you?"

"I get it." Aiden responded flatly.

"Do you?" Mike questioned.

"We both love her." Aiden leaned against the wall crossing his arms.

"If anything happens to me Aiden you take her and get off the grid. She knows what to do everything is set up. You take her and go never surface again. You got me?" Mikes green eyes narrowed in on Aiden's brown ones as he spoke the words.

"I will." Aiden responded without hesitation.

~Chicago, December 8, 2001, 730am~

"Marry me Tara right here, now. I want to know that regardless of what the future holds that you are my wife, and we are together in every way. All that time apart wasted…I was such a fool…such an asshole. You have always been my light at the end of the dark tunnel. I will love you always remember that no matter the future brings."

Tara bolted up from the bed her body drenched in perspiration as if she had just freshly showered. It had been the same dream for months now. Jax, her friends the old life beckoning her back to Charming. She shivered from the visions that had come to her as she slumbered in a dreamlike state. They all seemed so real. The ending though the most terrifying the blood there was so much blood and she felt as if she couldn't breathe.

Gathering the sheet around her naked body, she peered over at Josh who lay with his back turned to her. When they started dating, they had spent most nights at her apartment. It wasn't as nice as his downtown loft apartment where they now lived together but the location had suited her because of the campus. They had moved in together just over two months ago. Tara had felt the excitement bursting from her the first few weeks but after the first explosive excitement had been contained, living with Josh day in and day out wasn't as exciting as she had anticipated. He was somewhat controlling in a way she had not expected. Slipping from the bed the plush carpet felt warm against the pads of her feet. The mattress recoiled to its original shape as she stood walking quietly towards her robe. Peering back one last time she watched the gentle rise and fall of his shoulders.

In spite of his controlling behavior theirs was, the most stable relationship she had ever been in he had a great job, decent income and wonderful loft that he owned. He was capable of seeing not only the present but had a plan for his future as well. He wasn't the type to just wander around aimlessly waiting for opportunities to knock on his door or chance to decide. Tara not only respected that about him but she liked it. In a way she admitted to herself, she needed that type of structure for her day-to-day life. Granted they had only been seeing each other since early summer but with Josh, there was no drama. His job was dangerous and anything could happen, but it was legal. She sighed heavily as she walked towards the door frame of the bedroom entering the open floor plan that included the living room and spacious kitchen. The soft lighting from the streetlights below casting a glow on the surroundings, Tara could hear the faint hum of life a new dawn was upon them once again. She continued to pad over silently as if she were walking on egg shells or thin ice to retrieve her purse sitting on the bar stool. After several minutes of rummaging around, she finally found what she was looking for. The seriousness of her demeanor softened as she gazed upon the faces in the picture all young and full of promise.

Tara recalled the day it was taken in the TM parking lot it had been Jax's birthday. Piney had taken the photo before they had all headed off to one of their favorite camping hideaways towards Diamond Springs a place Aiden had once frequented with his father. Life had been easy then the boy's just prospects barely involved in club business. Piney had insisted that they would one day look back on photos like the one she held and cherish them more so than any amount of monumental wealth. He was a wise man Tara thought paying a silent homage to him. Now he was gone buried not far from his best friend in life John Teller.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she attempted to wrap her mind around all that Donna had told her when she last called a few months back. Donna had not been the only phone call she had received still finding herself surprised by the apologetic male voice that had been on the other end of the extension last week. The news from both callers had been surreal. She had of course felt remorseful that Clay was gone he had always been much kinder and supportive of her relationship with Jax then his hell on wheels mother Gemma. Tara knew she should feel some sort of remorse for the cold-hearted bitch she had after all been left a widow again. She couldn't though the horrifying truth was she hoped Gemma ached and cried from the loss. Serves her right for the suffering and loss she caused me.

Glancing down at the photo once again her eyes studied Jax. He looked so young and carefree. Now those days were over for him he was the President of the SAMCRO mother charter. A huge responsibility for man just turning twenty-four years old in a few days. The sight of him still made her heart pound against the wall of her chest. Looking into his blue eyes, she raised her head looking at her reflection in a large mirror that hung on the opposite wall. Tara knew what was vastly different with her it wasn't the change in hairstyle or clothes she wore it was in her hazel eyes. The girl in the photo was in love it radiated from her the person in the mirrored reflection was living a better life but she certainly wasn't in love. She only loved the idea of Josh Kohn Tara knew that. The real question for her was if she decided to stay with Josh would it be enough to just be in love with an idea after tasting burning passion.

Rummaging once again through her purse, she found the cell phone a gift from Josh so they could always be in touch. Glancing at the clock in the kitchen she knew it was early especially considering most of the staff was on break but the woman had been kind enough to give her a personal number.

"Mrs. Upshaw, this is Tara Knowles. I am so sorry to bother you this early…"

~Teller-Morrow, December 12, 2001, 7:00pm~

Jax sat alone at the head of the Redwood Reaper table studying every intricate line of the hand carved symbol of their club. Today marked his 24th year of life and already the responsibility mounded on his shoulders. He had just gotten off the phone with Mc Gee who other than Lenny was the only remaining First Nine. They had three gun shipments hit over the last few months all resulting in deaths of not only members of various charters but prospects as well. One prospect in particular had been left at the gate of the TM looking as if he were skinned alive. The only time he had seen anything like it was when Tig and Mike had fillet a few Mayans together. The last few hits pointed clearly towards the Mayans and he had already placed a call for a meet and greet. While it was obvious to him they were involved on some level, it still felt deeper than just the fucking Mexican MC. They did ok with drugs moneywise but someone was backing them with serious cash the weapons they were using in the attacks alone proved that. Jax was beginning to agree with his Nomad brother Mike that someone larger was chipping away at SAMCRO 's foundation and while it was true one of the two foundation blocks of the MC was incarcerated he was still important. Lenny held huge Russian Mafia connections that were beneficial to the club, and being behind the iron bars of the jail cell had not shortened 'The Pimps' reach to the outside world.

Even though he was across the pond they had also made sure Mc Gee was taking extra measures with his safety he was their connection to the IRA without him they would be sunk. Jax knew he couldn't keep that connection alive alone and they needed it or their cash flow would be abruptly halted. He ran his hand down his face stopping at his chin rubbing it for a few moments. It wasn't that the other Charter members hadn't always recognized him as the legacy of John Teller and ultimately the future of the club. Most considered him more cunning and forward thinking than Clay and had anticipated with seasoning he would far succeed him in the seat, but none had guessed that a twist of fate would bring it so soon. Jax knew that time hadn't earned him the reputation that he was able to stand on his own as man and leader. Members mumbled he hadn't killed enough or fought enough to lead them. The changing of the seating and removal of Trager had upset many. Jax needed the remaining First Nine members as well as the more seasoned players like Chibs and Bobby to help him prove the reputation needed. Their faith and confidence in him alone would speak to the others. Placing his hand on top of his head, he massaged his scalp for a moment before running his calloused fingers roughly through his hair. Heading an MC didn't exactly come with a 'How to Guide' and his ego wasn't so large he didn't know it was going to take them all. Reaching inside the already well-worn leather of his cut Jax withdrew a photo the six images bringing an immediate youthful appearance to his stern features. It was a reality break he desperately needed.

"Yo brotha'" Aiden popped his head inside the door. "Party is getting wound up it's your fuckin' birthday let's celebrate for God sake."

Jax looked up his eyes almost hazy the brief glance at the photo taken on his 17th birthday sending him back in time. "What?" He shook his head clearing his thoughts placing the picture on the redwood. "Yeah, I'll be out in a minute."

Aiden strolled into the room standing to the side of his brother the picture laying upon the table catching his attention. Picking it up he looked at it for a few moments before sitting it back down. He thought about the day at the bus station. Aiden had regrets about more than just Amelia his hot temper had not served anyone well that day.

"Jax …" He paused locking his eyes with his lifelong friend and President. He felt at a loss for words apologies didn't come easy to any of them and he had already doled out one recently. Laying the photo back down the silence enveloped them for what seemed an eternity.

"I know man." Jax answered understanding exactly where his brother was coming from. "We all got our regrets and crosses to bear. Fuck who knew then…"

"Yeah who knew…?" Aiden's voice trailed off as he turned to exit the room.

"You sleeping with her brotha'?" Jax spoke the words casually picking up the pack of cigarettes along with his lighter. "Haven't seen you with your regulars in months."

"Does it matter if I am?" Aiden turned back to Jax already knowing the answer to his question.

"Matters a whole fuck of a lot to one fellow brother wearing a cut risking his ass for this club." Jax flashed the flame against the exposed tobacco inhaling deeply. "You may not like him but you two are bound together." He pointed to the leather cut Aiden was wearing. "That leather binds you two just as it binds us."

"Fuck him." Aiden spit the words out harshly. He knew a lot more bound them than a piece of leather and he truly hated it.

"If you are it needs to stop." Jax blew the smoke out. Fuck Me. He felt like a hypocrite bastard knowing he would move heaven and earth if it were Tara, but that didn't discount the fact she was essentially another members old lady. Jax had another worry as well he knew if Mike unleashed there would be no controlling him someone most likely Aiden would end up dead.

"Nothing's happening." Aiden rolled his eyes at the ceiling knowing that wasn't exactly true. He knew if she weren't 8 months pregnant, he would have already made his move. Instead, his fucking hand was fast becoming his best friend. "I can't fuck those other women with her around. Do you know what it's like to only see one face regardless of who you're inside?"

"Yeah brother actually I do."

~Charming, County Road, 7:30pm~

The black Porsche coupé zipped through the back roads she often traveled especially when running late. She glanced over at the black leather passenger seat where the neatly bound manuscript lay it would be a very unconventional birthday present, but he was struggling she could see it. Piney had told her she would know when the time was right and Hannah felt in her heart it was now. Jackson needed to know the truth about Clay, his mother and the Anarchy that JT had created to become the acceptance and family that the First Nine had not been able to get from society. Rounding the corner, she saw the familiar car blocking the road ahead.

"What the hell." She mumbled slowing to a halt reviving the engine Hannah looked out the window seeing no one.

Without warning, the passenger door flung open simultaneously with the driver's side door. "Get out of the car Hannah." She knew the voice coming from her door before even seeing his face.

Hannah looked down the short barrel of the glock 17 pointed at her head the real shock was not the gun but the culprit responsible for holding it there.

"I don't know who you really are but I am not moving! GO FUCK YOURSELF!" She screamed out the sound of a body settling in the passenger side next to her catching her attention.

"How rude dear girl." Hannah slowly turned her head the color draining from her face immediately. "Get the out of the car or you will die right here right now. I will kill you myself."

"You're a monster." She spit in his face.

Conor reached in the inner pocket of his pea coat pulling out a handkerchief wiping his face folding it neatly before removing the silenced Walther from its home. "Yes, I am."

~Stockton~

Otto sat at the round aged table in the prison library reading a book. Many would have never guessed it by looking at him but he was very intelligent and well spoken. The same was true for his fellow incarcerated brother Lenny. Books for Otto however were an escape it was one way he open his mind and projected himself to wherever he wanted. He wasn't made for the confines of the jail cell but he didn't see a future that held anything but the iron bars. Especially with the multiple favors, he was doing on the inside for his beloved SAMCRO his six-year sentence that should have ended a few years earlier kept extending. Otto figured that eventually the years would add up to where he would never see the light of day again as a free man. They were his family though he would die for them the only people important to him other than Luann. Leaving her alone was his only regret but he knew the club would keep their promise to watch over her and the bond with Gemma only strengthened that.

He looked down at left arm her name tattooed in black ink. Otto chuckled at the fact he had intentionally chosen his left arm since he was left-handed it was the one he used to jack off with. Seeing her name while his hand worked its way up and down his rigid cock brought him a sick perverted rush he had never been able to explain. That was one thing he had always loved about Lu she had just accepted him as is never expecting him to make changes to suit her. He had done the same for her the only requested he had ever made was to stay behind the camera and not in front. Otto was secure enough as a man to handle his wife filming porn but Lu deserved more than making her living taking it up the ass. She had been one of the best Old Ladies when he was a free man like Gemma she was the cream of the crop. They didn't build them like Lu anymore he shifted in his seat growing hard at the thought of her. He missed burying himself inside her sweet wet pussy. He knew she missed him even though she was getting hers with a few of the actors and he figured Lenny's kid. He wanted to be pissed off at Aiden but fuck the kid had been around all of them his entire life. Moreover, he and Lenny went way back and Otto figured if she was going to fuck, somebody ought to be someone who would treat her right. Closing his eyes for a moment Otto envisioned Lu on top of him her eyes drinking him as she rode him hard. The vision was so vivid that in his escape from reality, he never heard the men slipping up behind him with a shank in hand.

The music blared loudly the smoke collecting like a thick fog in the room. Jax walked around the room hugging several of his brothers as they wished him happy birthday finally settling at a table where a pack of croweaters swooned in on him as if he were the only man in the room.

Gemma strolled over to the bar where Donna sat with Amelia. "You girls doing ok?" Gemma smiled slyly approaching the bar winking at the Tig standing towards the end. She could still feel the moisture between her legs as she leisurely swayed her hips from side to side. Clay had been a stallion in bed but Tig Trager well he was in a dimension all his own and he could eat pussy like it had been invented for his tongue.

Tig smirked as Gemma approached the bar intentionally grabbing the stiff outline of his jeans giving her a wink as he did. Gonna bury myself in that pussy later, he chided silently to himself as if he was singing a nursery rhythm.

"Hey Gemma doing good but going to head home soon." Donna replied smiling towards Amelia. "You want to head out with me?"

"No." Amelia replied abruptly. "I'll wait for Mike."

Gemma smiled looking over at the pool table were the Nomad Jax had come to rely on was playing with Juice the woman swooning around the table. Juice was grinning ear to ear at the attention while the other man simply ignored it.

"Good call sweetheart." Gemma smirked leaning her back and elbows against the bar. "He ain't interested but a woman can never be too careful about these things. Fucking croweaters never take your eye off of them for one second and always make sure they know whose boss." She winked at the girl.

Amelia smiled at the dark-haired matriarch before returning her blue eyes to Mike. She knew all about what the whores of the MC could do to a relationship as Aiden entered her line of vision approaching her his intent brown eyes drinking her in. Amelia stared back at him and thought about what whores at stop lights could do to a relationship as well.

"Dance with me beautiful." He extended his hand as a slow song filled the room. Smiling she slid off the bar stool taking his hand.

"I don't know about the beautiful part. Have you looked at me lately Aiden I look like the damned good year blimp?" She frowned she hated being pregnant and in truth spent as much time as possible deny it was true. Amelia knew her time for denial was growing short with the baby due in just 6 weeks or less. She wished she could be like Donna all happy and excited but she just couldn't be regardless of how hard she tried.

"Amelia what have you gained ten pounds." Aiden rested his forehead against hers looking into her blue eyes with his brown ones. "Honestly if I had known you would look this sexy would have knocked you up myself long ago."

Amelia found herself giggling and feeling carefree, something that it seemed Aiden was the cause of more and more these days.

Mike looked up from the pool table just in time to see Amelia laughing. The look on her face was carefree and happy he couldn't stop himself from smiling at how beautiful she was. He missed that Amelia the happy one, the girl whose smile could light up a room. Pregnancy for her had been a huge rollercoaster of emotions and while he was eager to hold his child. Mike found himself more eager to hold the girl he was admiring from a distance in his arms once again. He knew the club business had kept him away that was his own fault but it seemed when he was around he couldn't make her happy. He knew he should go cut in on her and Aiden but lately the only time she was happy was in his company. Mike knew he wouldn't cut in but stay right where he was and watch what he so desperately needed from a distance like a visitor. His mind filled with the thought briefly that perhaps that's all he had been a visitor he attempted to shake the unpleasant thoughts from his mind. They were in love. Amelia loved him what they had was real. He loved her would die for her. Marie was right there was no need to worry it was just pregnancy, hormones all that shit but as he continued to look at them together, he couldn't completely shake the fear it was something more.

Happy walked around the room looking for her but she was nowhere in sight. His already serious expression growing more somber as his brow furrowed. She should be here by now, he thought to himself as his eyes continued to circulate around the room. Happy could feel in his chest grow tight something wasn't right walking over to Jax he stopped at the foot of the table.

Jax peered past the brown-haired woman hovered in his face offering him some very interesting entertainment. "What's up Hap?"

"Hannah's not here." Happy continued searching the crowd.

"Probably just running late you know how she is never on damn time." He rolled his eyes turning his attention back to the brown-haired woman the truth was Hannah had been rather private about her comings and goings since the funeral. He had called around with Happy to discuss the treatment of his sister with the arrogant cocksucker Conor Mc Gregory. The conversation had not gone well. Jax was surprised to find the little preppy boy fucker could hold his own in a fight. Happy had sent him to the ground though after pulling them apart. The assholes fighting skills had only peaked his interest in the man more something about his squeaky clean young successful businessman image didn't add up. He didn't care what the files Juice had surfaced on him said everything else pointed to the contrary. He had questioned Hannah about it but she had turned a deaf ear refusing to even utter his name.

Jax thought again about the fact that more and more Hannah had secluded herself only talking to Happy. They had been close for the last five years he knew that but lately they were inseparable. He looked at the towering man standing before him studying his stance and expression shocked at how it could have escaped him before.

"Happy are you and Hannah…" He paused a wry smile crossing his lips. "Are you two?"

"Yeah." Happy replied flatly. "You got a problem with that?" His intense eyes waited for an answer.

"Well I'll be God damned." Jax muttered under his breath picking up the bottle beer bottle bringing it to his mouth. For the first time he didn't find himself upset or pissed that she was with someone oddly he felt at peace. No jealousy no anger ensued. He felt right about who they were truly meant to be to one another, and for the first time he felt free from the lies that had smothered them. Nodding his head a crooked smile formed in the corner of his mouth, "Go get your woman brother."

"Yeah, I think I will." Happy cracked a smile across his serious mouth heading for the clubhouse door.

~10:00PM~

Pulling the black car into the parking place, she looked at her watch knowing she should have arrived hours before, but considering what she had been through to get there arriving a few hours late would be ok. Opening the drivers door she exited the vehicle her slow steps leading her to the doorway of the clubhouse the sound of the soulful music vibrated the exterior walls it was familiar and soothing. She found that she was glad to hear a sound she never thought she would again. Extending her hand, she turned the knob opening the door stepping into not only a room full of people but also her future.

The room fell silent and one by one, she could feel the penetrating glares cast her way and the hushed whispers of men and women. Standing erect and proud she placed her foot over the threshold of the doorway. Their eyes locked immediately sending a ripple of intensity through the air that could be felt by each person in the room. Reluctantly breaking the gaze, she searched the room until she found the second set of eyes she was looking for. The Queen bitch stared daggers in her direction as if daring her to step one more foot closer. She didn't allow her eyes to fall to the ground those humble days were over a new age had dawned and it was time the Matriarch realized just who the fuck was in control. He's mine.

"Bring it bitch." She mouthed the silent words in her direction relishing in the fact that Gemma's face was turning crimson in anger and shock.

"Oh my god!" Donna gasp.

"Thank fucking God." Aiden mumbled his warm breath falling on the nape of Amelia's neck as he tightened his arm around the small of her back.

"What is it?" Amelia asked an embarrassing shiver of excitement coursing through as he pulled her closer. She followed his blue eyes. "Oh, Aiden is it really…"

"I'll be a Motherfucker." Opie glanced up from the game of pool going on between Mike and Juice a hearty chuckle bellowing from him.

"Tara..." Jax spoke her name with the same primal lust, and want he had 7 years earlier when they had first met at her locker. For the second time in his life, it was the only word he could utter.

~County Road, 10:05PM~

Happy rolled his Harley up the road killing the engine abruptly and barely placing the kick stand in down before jumping off and running to the black Porsche still sitting with its headlights shining. He had been all over Charming including her house and no trace of Hannah the only person that had seen her was the neighbor who said she left her house around 7:05pm. After exhausting all possibilities Happy decided to check the back roads he knew she took often despite his protest she stay on the main streets. Now he found himself on a desolate county road with an eerie sense overtaking him as he cursed himself silently for not just picking her up to begin with. They had tried to keep the relationship quiet until they figured out where things were heading themselves. Shit had just happened after the funeral they both found themselves surrounded by death and well fell into each other. He didn't want to keep secrets from his brothers and especially Jax but she was concerned about what people would think of them. Happy also knew after her mistaken judgment with Conor she was fearful people would think she was making another hasty decision and gossip would start. People didn't know Hannah Marshall like he did many only casting their eyes down at her because of the situation with Jax that had been a result of secrets they had no control over. Happy didnt give a shit what others thought she made him feel good and well happy he realized he should have told her his true feelings long before now. He shielded his eyes from the light as he walked forward pulling out his gun his concern only increasing at the site of both the driver and passenger door flung open. Looking inside the small car the large amount of splattered blood all over, the driver's side seat sent a shudder through his entire body and for the first time his heart pounded from fear.

"FUCK!" He screamed into the heavens as the stars twinkled back at him as if they were winking mockingly.