Tacoma, Washington….same day
"This is not happening" thought the blond now sitting on the bathroom floor of her small studio apartment. Looking down at the positive sign on the stick, Stacey closed her eyes leaning her head back against the bathroom door. Pregnant. Tossing the EPT stick in the trash can she picked herself up off the floor and walked into her bedroom.
"Not going to worry about this tonight. Need to be on my game at the clubhouse." the blond said out loud. Now was not the time to lose focus on the headway she had made at the Tacoma clubhouse. She had recently become a "favorite" with several of the guys and knew if she put in the "work" eventually she'd become someone's old lady. A pregnancy was not going to ruin what she had spent the last three years working toward. She had a goal….to become an old lady before she turned twenty eight. That gave her two more years but she prayed it wouldn't take that long. Stripping out of her clothes, she got in the shower to start preparing herself to be irresistible.
******* Charming ******
Having successfully made a dent in her to-do list, Olivia sat back in her office chair, closing her eyes and enjoying a moment of peace and quiet. Knock Knock
"Come in" she said turning her chair to the front of her desk. "Hi Mark."
"Hi. Off to show property to Mr. Weston and my key pad is no where to be found. Is there an extra one here?"
"Let me check. I'd let you use mine but it's at the loft." Finding an extra one at the front desk, she walks back into her office. "Here you go. How many properties is he wanting to see?"
"Four. Hopefully he'll be ready to write an offer after today. He did ask me if you would possibly change your mind about doing his decorating. I told him you weren't taking on any new clients."
"No, I'm not. Construction should be starting within the next week or two and I've got to be completely focused." she stated sitting back down. Hearing her phone she reached across her desk to check the text.
"Listen, thanks for the loaner." Mark said starting to walk out of the office.
"Anytime. Good luck, hope you write a contract." Looking down at her phone she frowned. "I knew it was too good to be true" thought the brunette.
"Found some stuff I know you'll want. Package should be to you Friday. Signature required. Miss you &…I love you"
"Ugh" was all she said as she dropped her phone back down on her desk. Not giving another thought to her latest text from the ex, she refocused on finding a caterer for upcoming community open house. Flipping through the six different proposals that had been emailed to her she heard her phone beep again.
"Can you come by the house at 5. Jax needs to talk to you." T
"Oh, what have I done now" Olivia said out load reading the text from Tara again. She had been in Charming for less than a month and was being summoned again by SAMCRO. "Sure, I'll stop by on my way home." Olivia typed sending a quick text back to her friend. Hearing someone walking down the hall, she was surprised to see Elliott walk in.
"Didn't expect you to be in today. Everything okay at the site?" Olivia asked curious as to why Elliott was in the office.
"Still on track. Promised Tristan we'd go for Chinese tonight. What's your plan for the evening?"
"Well, nothing until about three minutes ago. Jax needs to talk to me about something, so I'm stopping by their house on the way home." stated Olivia looking just as surprised as Elliott.
"Any idea what's it about?"
"Have no idea. Should I be worried this is the second time I'm being "summoned" to meet with SAMCRO?"
"Nah. Look, I know they can be somewhat intimidating, intrusive and overbearing on a good day, but I have no doubt they'll look out for you." Elliott said hoping to ease his associates mind. "See what Jax wants and if you're not comfortable or unsure about whatever it is, let me know and I'll talk to him."
"I will. By the way, I have to ask you something." Olivia said now grinning.
"What?"
"Tristan and Uncle Tig?"
Smiling and shaking his head "I know. It totally shocked me too."
"How did that two-some come about? I mean, Tig?"
"I know, but after her attack the guys came by the house to check on her and he all but freaked out over a doll in her room and it made her laugh. She hadn't uttered a sound since we found her and he got her to laugh. He confessed to her that dolls freaked him out and she told him about her fear of snakes. After that he brought her favorite lunch to her and that began their weekly lunch dates. As weird as it may seem, Tig calms her enough for her to have some normalcy and as strange as he can be, he's been nothing but great for her and I'm grateful to him for it.
"Wow, I was totally blown away at the two of them interacting with each other. She's completely at ease with him. It's really amazing to see."
"Yeah. Don't tell anyone though. He doesn't want the other guys to know that he has a true soft spot for Tristan. Wants his bad-ass reputation to remain intact."
"Wouldn't dare dream of outing his alter-ego. Secret is safe with me. Well, I better be going. Enjoy your dinner and tell Tristan hello for me." Olivia said grabbing her purse and walking out of her office with Elliott.
"Let me know if tonight doesn't go well." said Elliott giving the brunette a reassuring hug.
Making her way over to Tara's, she climbed out of her SUV and made her way to the front door. Pushing the doorbell, she stood and waited.
"Hi." Tara said stepping aside for Olivia to walk in. "Jax and Clay should be here shortly."
"Jax and Clay? Tara, what's going on? Why is Jax and Clay needing to talk to me?" Olivia asked on edge as to why the President and VP of SAMCRO wanted to talk to her.
"Honestly, I don't know. Jax just said they needed to talk to you about something." Tara said picking Abel up. "Just breathe. Let me go put him down and I'll be right back."
Walking back into the living room, Tara saw Olivia staring at Abel's first official photo. "He was so little." Olivia commented looking at the tiny baby four weeks after his birth.
"Yeah, looking at him now you'd never know he ever had problems." beamed the proud mother. "Let's go in the kitchen. I made sweet tea for you."
"See, this is why I adore you." laughed Olivia at her best friends gesture.
The two women were in the middle of deciding whose fault it was that they both drank too much the previous night when Jax and Clay walked in.
"Hey babe." Jax said walking over kissing Tara on the lips. "Olivia how are ya?"
"Good. How about yourself?" asked the brunette. "Clay it's nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you too" said Clay pulling out the chair across from Olivia. "We appreciate you meeting us on short notice."
"It's fine. What do you need to talk to me about?" Olivia asked genuinely curious why Clay and Jax wanted to talk to her.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll be needing to use your loft for recon on Zobelle. I'll be sending over two prospects posing as painters so they can get some information we need." Clay bluntly stated to the brunette.
"Wait. You're doing what?" Olivia said truly thinking she was hearing things.
"Olivia, we need to find out who all Zobelle has working with him and your loft is the perfect location for us to see who comes and goes without being out in public." Jax calmly said hoping to not sound quite as demanding as Clay.
"I thought that's what you said. I'm not going to pry into your business but"
"Then don't." Clay said leaning his arm on the table. "The two prospects understand they need to stay out of your way and they will, so you want have to worry about anything."
"I'm sorry, but you're asking me to just open my home so SAMRCO can get information on Ethan Zobelle?" Olivia asked looking directly at Jax and Clay.
"Darlin, I'm not asking. Zobelle has to be dealt with and we need to know who all works for him. Like I said, you won't be displaced. If need be, I'll call Elliott and explain it to him. Remember, you're living in his property." Clay said smirking at the brunette.
Looking at Jax for some kind of explanation to which she got nothing she turns to Clay. "Why did you even ask me to meet you to "discuss" this when obviously I don't get a choice?" Standing up from her chair, she turns and starts to head for the front door. "Tara, I'll talk to you later." Walking out to her car, Olivia could have spit nails she was so pissed. Who the hell did Clay Morrow think he was telling her he was going to use her home for recon? Oh wait, Elliott's loft. And Jax, he just sat there. "What the hell" she thought as she backed out of the driveway and headed home.
Smiling his sinister smile, Clay got up from the table, kissing Tara on top of her head as he walked to front door. "Jax, call everyone. Need to be at the table at seven sharp."
Waiting until she knew Clay was outside she turned to face Jax.
"Don't start Tara." was all Jax said after seeing the look on her face.
"Don't start? Are you kidding me, Jax? I get that you need info on Zobelle but you just sat there while he ambushed her." a livid Tara said trying to keep her voice down so Abel didn't wake up.
"Look, we don't have any other options. Her loft has the best vantage point of getting info on who we're going up against. I'm sure you can help her understand." Jax said walking over to Tara.
"Help her understand? Jax, she was just told that two people who she doesn't know will be in her home starting tomorrow and for who knows how long. Don't ask me to try and smooth this over with her. You just let Clay treat her no better than some hang around at the club. You want this smoothed over, do it your damn self." Tara said walking past Jax toward the hall.
"Tara, babe, where are you goin'?"
"For a walk. Abel's asleep." Pulling her sunglasses over her eyes, she started down the sidewalk to clear her head. "Damn it Jax".
"Yeah, this went well." was his thought as he walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a beer. Pulling out his phone, he called Bobby to get everyone back at the club for church at seven.
Still reeling from how Clay simply told her that SAMCRO would be using her home at their leisure for Zobelle recon, she knew she had to let off some steam or she'd explode. Changing into a pair of short running shorts and tank top, she laced up her tennis shoes grabbed her keys and sunglasses and walked out the door. Walking out of her building she headed across the street to the park. In Chicago to relieve stress, walking did the trick. She only prayed it would do that now. She knew moving to a new town was going to have issues she'd have to overcome, but she never imagined within two weeks of moving here, she'd be told by the President of an outlaw biker club that her home would be under their use for the upcoming future, regardless if she approved or not. Making her way over to the walking trail, she pushed the last hour out of her head and started walking.
Gemma Teller was grateful to finally be off the phone. Between the steady flow of repair orders for the garage and convincing the "elite" singles of Charming to participate in the first ever charity date auction this town has ever had, she was more than ready to end this day. Hearing the roar of bikes her head automatically rose to look out the window, seeing Clay and Jax park their bikes. Standing up, she walked outside.
"Hey baby." Gemma said walking over to her husband. "Rough day?"
Briefly kissing his wife on her lips, "Nah, need to make some calls and we've got church at seven."
"Church? Something wrong?"
"Not at all. Goin to finally put Zobelle down before too much longer. Be home later." With nothing else said he walked away from her and toward the clubhouse. Turning she noticed Jax talking to Bobby so she walked over.
"Hey. I'll make dinner tonight. Tell Tara to come over about six and the four of us can eat after church." Gemma said noticing Jax looked pissed about something. "Jax, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, ma. Need to talk with Clay before church." he said just before kissing her on the cheek and walking to the clubhouse.
"Nothings wrong my ass." Gemma said her instinct telling her something was off. Now she just needed to find out what it was. Walking back to the office she grabbed her purse and headed towards the house.
Walking into the clubhouse, Jax noticed Opie sitting at the bar. "Where's everyone?" Jax asked reaching for the beer the prospect just placed in front of him.
"Bobby's in back, Tig and Chibs are on the way back from the second run, Juice is at the warehouse and Hap's in his dorm." You al'right?" Opie asked noticing Jax seem pissed about something.
"Yeah. Got a plan to take Zobelle down. Goin put it to vote shortly. Things good with you?"
"Guess so. Kids still trying to adjust to Lyla living with us. She's trying but I don't know if the kids will ever accept her. Not sure man."
"You thinking of backing out?" Jax asked seriously thinking his best friend was about to run from his own wedding.
"I honestly don't know."
"Op, the wedding is next Friday. If this isn't what you want you need to end it now. Lyla's been good to you and the kids. You owe her that."
"Fuck, Jax. I know that."
"Look, I'm not telling you what to do but you need to make up your mind soon. I don't need you distracted right now." Jax said gripping his brothers shoulder. "I know you've never gotten over losing Donna, but don't throw Lyla away over memories. You may not get her back." Hearing the door open Jax turned seeing Tig and Chibs walk through the door.
"Runs are all set for tomorrow. Where's Clay"? asked Tig nodding to the prospect to get him a beer.
"Church. Be at the table in ten." Jax said making his way to talk with Clay before church. While he understood the urgent need to get Zobelle handled as soon as possible, he felt Clay's approach with Olivia went way wrong. The brunette had agreed to help the club, actually didn't have a choice. Although he didn't know her that well, he could tell by her almost too calm reaction that she was not at all happy about it. He knew that scary calmness…Tara had the same reaction when she was forced into something. Sitting down in his VP chair, Jax just looked over at Clay.
"Don't start with me Jax." Clay said knowing his step-son was about to critique his talk with the tartlet. "Zobelle is going to be handled and I don't give a fuck who gets pissed off over how we handled it."
"I get we need Zobelle gone. Not questioning that, but handling Olivia the way you did won't go over well with Elliott and that's a connection the club can't afford to lose."
"Don't worry about Elliott. He want let some bitch come between us." Clay said looking over to the door seeing the guys walk in. Once everyone was seated he sat back in his chair.
"Before we get started, Bobby how we doin' on funds?"
"We're balanced. Should have the first installment from Laroy tomorrow and will be covered for at least the next three months. Hap's getting it on the first run." Bobby said sipping his coffee looking over to Happy who just nodded in agreement.
"Tomorrow's runs are all set and ready. Hap and I are doing the northern runs with Chibs and Juice doing the southern route. "
"Where's Koz?" Jax asked wondering why Tig was doing the morning run.
"Slade called. Needed him back. Be back next week." said Chibs.
"Good to know the runs are working. The club needs this deal with Laroy. Cash flow won't be a problem as long as things continue. Now to more pressing matters. Zobelle." Clay spoke getting everyone's immediate attention. "The racist fucker has been in Charming way too long now and it's time he's removed. We've arranged for a prime recon spot to get intel on who's working for him and get his routine."
"What's the plan?" Opie asked.
"Sending the prospects in as painters." Jax said.
"How the hell are the prospects going to get intel on Zobelle?" Juice asked earning glares from Chibs, Tig and Happy.
"Dickhead, we're getting to that." Clay said sternly not at all liking being questioned. "We've worked out an arrangement to have access to a unit in Elliott's loft building. The prospects will go in as painters and be able to film everyone coming and going from Zobelle's during the day and evenings."
"Elliott okay with us using his building?" Chibs asked knowing that although Elliott was a great friend of the club, he was firm in not wanting his business to have any connection to SAMCRO.
"Didn't ask him." Clay smirked puffing on his cigar. "Going to be using the lovely Olivia's loft."
As soon as he said Olivia's name, Tig noticed that Happy shifted in his chair. Not that it was all that noticeable, but Happy always sat completely still and unreadable during church. Turning his attention back toward Clay "She know what we're doing?"
"Told her we needed intel on Zobelle. Elliott's informed her all about the bastard and that he's involved somehow in Tristan's attack." Jax said looking around the table at everyone.
"And she's okay with us using her place all day long?" Chibs asked looking over to Juice and Jax.
"Didn't give the bitch an option." Clay said looking directly at Jax.
Everyone at the table was completely silent. Clay was always a hard ass man, always doing what had to be done to protect the club. The moment the words "didn't give the bitch an option" left Clay's mouth, Tig again noticed Happy shifted in his seat and clinched his fists that were resting on his thighs. "Okay that's not normal" Tig thought as he continued to look down twisting the ring on his finger. He'd known Happy for a long time, had been beside him in numerous shoot outs and been his partner in crime in some utterly gruesome "jobs" but never had he witnessed with his own eyes Happy move an inch during church. Something was definitely off.
"How's this goin' work?" asked Chibs wanting the details, still not sold on the prospects gathering intel on Zobelle.
"Johnny and Reed are low profile with the club, no outsiders know their connection to SAMCRO, have no visible tats and can blend in as painters. It shouldn't take more than a few weeks to learn who all he has working for him. As far as anyone else in the building, they're on a painting job. All the exterior windows have a privacy tent so that you can't see into any of the units even at night with the lights on. It's the perfect location." Jax said explaining to everyone how it was going to work. "This is the best option we have."
"Once we get what we need, we move on Zobelle immediately. Hap, I need you to remain out of sight. Don't want Zobelle to know what's about to hit him. Anyone object?" Looking around the table, everyone was in agreement. "Let's call it a night, boys" slamming his gavel, Clay stood up walking out of church heading for the bar. Everyone filed out of the room with Tig and Happy being the last two.
"Brother, you alright?" Tig asked, knowing it was a stupid question. And like he expected, he didn't get a response, just Happy's standard nod.
Grabbing a beer, Clay made his way over to Juice. "Need you to pull some intel on Ms. Parker. No one needs to know this either. Got it?" Clay asked making sure his Juice understood that he needed to keep his mouth shut. "I want to know everything about her." he said quietly before walking away. Grabbing his laptop off the bar, the SAMCRO intel officer made his way back to his dorm for some privacy.
Starting to feel her legs were going to give out, she made her way back across the street and into her loft. Walking at helped rid her of some of her angry having been told earlier that her home, regardless of her feelings, was to be used to gather information on Ethan Zobelle. Feeling her anger start to rise again, she turned on the water to start a very long, hot bath. Walking to the kitchen, she made sure the door was securely locked, poured a large glass of wine and made her way back to her room. Putting her clothes in the hamper she washed and moisturized her face. Turning toward the tub, she checked her phone, replying to Tara's text saying she'd speak with her sometime tomorrow then turned her phone onto vibrate. Stepping into the steaming hot bath, she settled in resting her head against the soft pillow. Taking an extra long sip of her merlot, she closed her eyes determined to not allow Clay Morrow to piss her off anymore than he already had. Tara had warned her that Clay did whatever he had to for the club regardless of who he had to step over to do it. Had his approach been more tactful, she wouldn't have been angry about her loft being used. But he had to throw his weight at her, not giving a damn whether she cared or not. She did care though. In the weeks leading up to her move to Charming, Olivia and Elliott had several detailed conversations of his belief that Ethan Zobelle was involved in someway with Tristan's rape. That was reason enough for her to allow SAMCRO to keep tabs on the racist bastard. Clay Morrow didn't have to be a bastard to get her to agree to it. Olivia would do anything to help find the monster who had hurt Tristan.