NOTE: I couldn't bear the ending to Sons Of Anarchy, so this is what I came up with. Jax didn't die. He instead does prison time. And there's a few other tweaks I came up with. Hope this doesn't bother anyone, and hope that this story is enjoyed!

Chapter 2

A New Beginning

"This is killin' me inside, brother," Chibs Telford said, his Scottish accent thickening even more with the emotion in his tone. He and Jackson Teller stood outside the chapel of their newly renovated club house. He looked Jax in the eye, and whispered, "Are ya sure this is what ya want, Jackie boy? You can do your prison time and come back, ya know that, right? The club won't be the same without a Teller—without you."

"This is exactly what I want, Chibs," Jax said softly, a bittersweet smile crossing his face. "I want to pay my debt to society. Then I want to come home to my wife and take our boys, and go somewhere nobody knows us. We need a fresh start." He grinned at his comrade, true peace on his face for the first time in ages. "You'll do great as Prez, I know you will. I'm depending on you to keep the club clean, brother," he said, grasping the older man's shoulder. "It's time we changed our ways and did some good for society. At the very least—not do any more bad than we've already done."

"I get it, Jax. I get it," Chibs replied, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I guess inside, I'm just an 'ol softie. I hate to see ya go. But, I do promise to keep the club legit. We're done with the outlaw life—even though that's all we'll ever be seen as."

Jax nodded, "Yeah, I know. But you'll know the truth—you all will." He patted Chibs on the back hard, and nudged him to through the chapel door. "Now, go get the votes done, Prez," he said, trying to sound light-hearted. "Patterson and her lap dogs will be here soon to cart me off."

Chibs puffed out a sigh as he closed the chapel's doors behind him. He sat in the VP's chair at the reaper table and scooted the chair nearer the table. Giving a nod to the other club members, he finally managed to speak over the lump in his throat.

"Okay, fellas. We're having this meeting because Jax wishes to step down as president—due to his serving prison time. And he also wants to be excommunicated from the club upon his release."

One could have heard a pin drop on the floor.

It was no surprise because Jax had spoken to each member and voiced his wishes, but it was still difficult for the men to imagine not only the Sons of Anarchy being minus Jax Teller, but to imagine the club excommunicating him. Excommunication from the club was the equivalent to the military issuing a soldier a dishonorable discharge.

But that's what they were asked to do, and that's what they planned to do. Difficult as it may be for them. The club life was seldom an easy one.

"We'll vote them both at the same time because we're short on time. All those…All those in favor," Chibs stammered out. He swallowed hard to gain his composure and began again. "All those in favor of Jackson Teller stepping down as President from the Sons of Anarchy, and all those in favor of excommunicating him." He turned his gaze to his left and wordlessly indicated that it was time for Quinn to begin the vote.

"Yea, and yea," Quinn said a dead look in his eyes. Ignoring his emotions was the only way for him to say the words without choking up.

"Yes, and yes," Bobby stated with little hesitation. The older man knew what it meant to Jax to leave the club and start a new life. As much as Jax loved the club, it'd almost cost him his family.

"Y-yea, and yea," Juice stuttered out, and then breathed out a loud sigh.

"Yes, and yes," voted Montez, looking down at the table as he spoke.

Rat glanced around the table and then down at his hands, obviously conflicted. He felt Tig place his hand comfortingly on his shoulder. Glancing up into the older man's vivid blue eyes, he knew what he had to do.

"Yea, and yea," he finally spoke.

Tig nodded in appreciation of the younger man's devotion to their club then turned his gaze on Chibs. "Yea, and yea," he said, after taking a deep breath.

Chibs nodded in solidarity to his fellow club brother and then shifted his dark eyes to Happy.

Happy uttered a soft curse before speaking louder, "Yea, and yea."

Wishing the voting would've taken a little longer, Chibs battled for the strength to do what he knew he had to. Wiping at a tear, and clearing his throat he managed to say softly, "Yes, and yes." He picked up the gavel and then cleared his throat once more, "Jackson Teller steps down as President and will hereby be excommunicated from the Sons Of Anarchy." He tapped the gavel on the table and then slid it over to Jax's empty place—the seat that would very soon be his.

But he couldn't be happy about it.

0000000

Jax stood at the MC's bar before his family and friends with a beer in his hand. Tara stood at his side with Thomas in her arms and Abel standing beside her.

"I wish it hadn't come to this," Tara whispered, jostling Thomas on her hip. "I hate you have to do more time just to ensure we get to leave Charming."

"I hate it too, babe, but nothing's for free," Jax replied, ruffling Abel's blond hair as he spoke. "Besides, I'd be kidding myself if I thought I was gonna get out of this with no prison time. If I'm lucky, I'll get out in seven years on good behavior. After that, we can get out of here and go anywhere you want to go."

Tara looked sad for a moment and seemed to have trouble with her words.

"What is it? You can tell me," Jax prodded her with a soft kiss to her mouth.

She smiled softly up at him, "I've just been thinking… Gemma and I had a long talk yesterday. We started out kind of heated—like we usually do," she chuckled slightly, "But I think we really got through to each other. She agrees that she's been way too possessive of the boys, and I realize that I was wrong to keep her from seeing them as much."

"So…" Jax said slowly, "What exactly does this mean?"

Tara smiled happily, "We are working on our differences. And I think… While you're in prison, I think I want to stay in Charming."

Jax grinned happily, "Really? That's what you want?"

She laughed, "Yes. Charming is our home. I used to have trouble accepting that, but it is. You have the club on the right track, and Chibs will keep it that way. The club is our family too. And I've been selfish to try and keep you from it. The guys have always been good to all of us. I can't make you turn your back on them and leave them behind."

Jax chuckled and slung his arm around her shoulders, "Well, they already held a vote—I'm stepping down as President, and I'll be excommunicated upon my prison release."

"Oh, no," Tara exclaimed, "I'm so sorry! I should've-"

"Don't sweat it, babe," Jax told her. "I was ready to leave the club, and the excommunication was my idea. These guys will always be my family. I can still hang with them."

"Are you sure that's okay with you?"

"It's totally okay," Jax promised her. "This is our happy ending, Tara. Let's be thankful because this all could've ended so much worse."

"I know," Tara agreed, touching her forehead to Jax's. "I hate that you are going to prison, but I'm just so glad the worst part is over."

"Me too," Jax agreed. "Now, I'd better make my parting speech. Patterson will be here soon."

Giving him an encouraging smile, Tara moved herself and the boys aside so Jax could speak to their large group of family and friends.

"Well, everyone," he started, "I just want to start by saying, I love you all. You've all been there for me, in one way or another, and I can't thank you enough." He paused then, and swallowed hard. "You guys are as much my family as my mother, wife and sons. I wanted to make the Sons Of Anarchy legitimate, and fulfill my father's legacy, and with these men's help," he gestured to the rest of the club members, "Well, I think we've achieved that. And I couldn't be happier. I just wish I could be here for the next seven years instead of prison so I could enjoy it. Which reminds me, my wife just made me even happier when she informed me that she'll be staying here with my sons and we'll continue to live here instead of moving off somewhere."

The large crowd roared and hooted their approval. Jax laughed and let them carry on for a moment before he raised his hand and indicated he had more to say.

"Also, I'm stepping down as President of the Sons of Anarchy, and I will be excommunicated upon my return—by my own wishes," he clarified when he heard several gasps. "This is what's easiest for the club, and what's best for the club."

"Actually, Jackie boy, we took another vote a little while ago."

Jax turned toward Chibs' voice, and found the Scotsman to be wearing the grin of a Cheshire cat.

"As the new president, I proposed we vote to veto the last vote—the one that excommunicates you, brother. We can't have that. The vote passed. When you get out of prison, you are welcome to have a vote, and a seat at the reaper table if you want it, or you're free to leave the club without being excommunicated. Either way, you're family. We can't punish you—not when you've done so much good for this club."

Jax was clearly moved as he walked over to Chibs and grabbed him in a rough bear hug.

"Thank you, brother," he whispered in his ear. He pecked him on the cheek and then proceeded to hug the rest of his brothers. "I can't thank you guys enough. I couldn't ask for better brothers."

"Likewise," Tig said, returning his hug.

The sound of a car pulling up outside shifted the light-hearted atmosphere into a sadder one.

"That's my ride," Jax quipped with a chuckle. Immediately, Tara and Gemma shot forward to have a last hug and kiss from the man they both loved.

"I love you," Tara said, kissing him softly on the mouth. "And I'll be here when you get back."

"I know, darlin'," he smiled. "I know you will. And I love you too."

"You be careful," Gemma said, reaching out to hug him, "I love you, baby."

"Love you too, Mom," Jax returned, kissing her cheek. "You two get along and take care of my boys."

"We will," Gemma said, "You just worry about you. Everything will be fine here."

Tara nodded her agreement and kissed him one last time before he knelt down to Abel to say goodbye.

"You take care of your brother and Mommy while Daddy's gone, okay, big guy?"

Abel nodded and smiled up at his dad, "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, son," he replied. Then he held Thomas for a moment as D.A. Tyne Patterson walked in with an officer to make Jax's arrest official.

Within minutes, Jax was cuffed, read his rights and unceremoniously escorted out the doors of the club's front door.

His family and friends watched in heartbroken silence as he was driven away, and Tara began her long wait for a new beginning with her husband.