Chapter 6

Juice pulled up outside the house shutting off the engine to his bike. Instead of dismounting his bike he found himself just staring at the house in front of him.

He was conflicted. He had betrayed the club, his brothers, but he had been scared, scared of Roosevelt revealing the truth about his family heritage. He had made mistakes some of which he wasn't sure he come back from so when Jax found out and offered him a way back a way to avoid being excommunicated or worse meeting Mr Mayhem Juice jumped at the chance.

But now the reality of that guilt and what Jax had and was asking him to it was all starting to become to much. Betraying Clay, seeing the look on his face once he knew what Juice was doing haunted him.

He and Clay had become close since his shooting. They had somehow bonded over their mistakes but Juice wanted back in, he needed his family back. Ever since Miles Juice had watched the gap grow between his brothers. Happy had been the worse, he hadn't said anything but the looks were there and Juice knew that he was watching him and then there was Chibs, his sponsor, Chibs would take his betrayal personally.

Juice tore his eyes away from the house in front of him that was when he heard the familiar rumble. He watched as Jax approached.

Pulling into the drive Jax parked his bike in his normal spot. Shutting off the Engine Jax swung his leg over his bike, removing his helmet placing it on the seat as he lent against his bike. He pulled out his smokes as his eyes finally met Juice's.

"Your back sooner than I thought."

"Bobby told me..."

"You takin' orders from Bobby now?" Jax spoke cutting Juice off.

"What...uh...no."

Jax could see that Juice was nervous and Jax was glad he had the sense to be nervous, scared even. Juice should be dead right now. He killed another brother to cover a lie, the lie of him being a rat. Jax knew what should be done with him but Jax also knew how broken his club was right now. The knowledge of what Juice had done would crush what was left of the club, so against his better judgement Jax decided to use Juice instead and keep his club whole.

Nero was trying his hardest to pleasure her, he was performing some of his best work, or so he thought, but something wasn't right. Giving up on his efforts, he pulled back the covers shifting up so that he was face to face with her. 'Whats wrong Gemma?"

"Sorry baby." Gemma sighed placing her hand on his arm.

"Talk to me Mumma."

Gemma shifted further up the bed so that she was resting against the headboard. She had been continuously going over her interaction with her niece yesterday. She was sure that she saw bruises on her throat, old bruises that were not from the accident. She had discarded Jax yesterday but maybe those were his marks, she had not been there for all of it but when she had entered the clubhouse she remebered her surprise at seeing Jax with his hands on Nicole. So maybe those marks were from her son, or maybe they were from Happy. Either way Gemma knew that those marks did not come from her accident. But she trusted Nero and so did her son so maybe he could shed a little light on the situation.

"It's Nicole. Something was off yesterday."

"Child has been through a lot." Nero tried to reason as he to moved into a more comfortable position.

"She has bruises."

"She was in a car accident." Nero replied a little confused by her response.

"No these were round her neck. They were old."

"You think someone hurt her...In Tacoma?" Nero asked intrigued.

Gemma remained silent. She hadn't thought about Tacoma, maybe it did happen there but that didn't sit right. Something would have been said. Jax, Happy, the club, if someone had laid hands on Nicole like that Gemma would have heard about it plus it was how she was acting yesterday. Despite her first initial feelings about her niece and the Tacoma killah Gemma had watched their love blossom, watched the Killah change around her almost become soft but yesterday he was different towards Nicole.

"No it wasn't Tacoma." Gemma muttered

Nero could see that Gemma was really concerned about this and he to didn't like the thought of Nicole being hurt by someone but he needed to understand who she was thinking did this.

"Gem..."

"She and Jax had a fight before she left for Tacoma..."

"You think Jax did that to her."

Nero watched the concern etch across her face. Nero had to admit that it to had noticed the change in Jax. He saw it yesterday with Barosky. He started planning the deal in his head about expansion back into Stockton without even a second thought about what Nero wanted for the business. And then there was Colette Nero sensed the sexual connection there but all Nero could think about was Tara. Nero respected Jax a lot but he could see the young man was changing and that he was struggling with that change. Nero couldn't fully blame him though as since dating Gemma Teller Morrow he understood that this was family was a complicated one. But Jax hurting Nicole was a stretch even for him.

"I don't know about that Gem..."

"If it wasn't Jax then that just leaves Happy." Nero wiped his hand over his face. If Gemma was thinking this and if this was the truth this could light another fire under the club.

Gemma sensed his hesitation and she understood it, this could be massive. Her niece being abused by another son, by Jax's SAA, this outcome wouldn't end well for anyone. "I need to be sure."

"Are you going to ask her?"

"No, not yet she would just lie to me."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do." She watched Nero frown. "Reason Nicole returned to Charming was because she was running away from another son who had beat the shit out of her. She lied to us all even when he turned up in Charming she protected him."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, the girl doesn't have the best taste in men."

"How do you want to play this?"

"Don't say anything to Jax. I'll sort this. We bring Jax in at the right time."

"Okay baby." And with that Nero lent over and kissed her. Given where he had started and where it had ended he was glad when she kissed him back as her nails trailed down his bare chest.

Her hand was about to go further south when they were disrupted by a banging on the door.

"Ignore it." Nero spoke as his lips went to her neck

"It could be Nicole." Nero moved knowing that their fun was over for a second time that morning.

As the knocking continued Gemma rushed to the door. She pulled back the curtain just to check who was there but sighed and looked back at Nero who had followed her.

"Well it's not my gardener, it must be for you." She snapped annoyed that it was one of his crew. Gemma had loved Nero for the fact that he wasn't club but recently those lines were getting blurred. And as much as she loved that Nero was close to Jax his slide back into his old crew did worry her. But as a true Old Lady she said nothing.

Sensing Gemma's frustration Nero stepped around her opening the door. Before Nero had even fully opened the door Arcadio came rushing in. "Woah, easy ese."

"Sorry. Hey Gemma." He spared a glance towards her before looking back to Nero. "I really need to talk to you." Both men looked at Gemma.

"I'll go and make some coffee." Gemma huffed before making the coffee

"What is it?" Nero asked.

"That school shooting yesterday. It was Matthew, the one who shot everybody."

"Who?" Although Gemma had gone to make the coffee she didn't detach herself from the conversation happening in her kitchen. So when she heard him mention about the shooting it caught her full attention because when she had heard the news it had made her feel sick because her mind went instantly to Abel and what if he was at that school.

"My Ol'Ladies kid."

"Jesus Christ." Gemma spoke almost dropping the coffee pot. Nero wiped his hand over his face as he spared a look at Gemma. But as his attention returned to Arcadio Nero knew there was something else.

"What is it?" Nero asked.

"It was my KG9 mano."

Nero felt his heart sink. He had begged Jax to give his old crew guns as he was reluctant but because Nero had vouched for them and Jax had relented. And now there was this. Something that could land the club in a whole lot of shit.

"We need to take this to Jax." Gemma spoke gaining both of their attention.

Happy woke to an empty bed and that surprised him. Rolling onto his back and rubbing the sleep from his eyes wondering where his girl was at when he smelt the familiar smell coming from the kitchen.

Getting out of his bed, grabbing a pair of sweats he pulled them on before walking down the hall to the kitchen. He observed her for a second as she shifted from one pan to another. She was wearing one of his t-shirts and a pair of lace knickers. If he didn't want to make sure she ate today he would happily let the breakfast spoil as he took her over her the kitchen table. But she needed to eat, he didn't know much about pregnancy but if she didn't eat then it meant the kid didn't.

"Morning." His words caused Nicole to spin round and face him a smile spreading across her face.

"Sit, breakfast is almost ready." Happy nodded and took a seat on the table. She was quickly by his side pouring him a coffee. Happy couldn't stop is hand from wondering up the back of her bare thigh, his touch almost making her spill the coffee. She playfully slapped his hand away.

Turning her back on him she placed the coffee pot back on the side before grabbing the plate which contained French Toast and bacon. As she placed two plates on the table Happy was glad to a full plate in front of her.

As they tucked into the breakfast Nicole started to shift through the post that she had grabbed from the mail box this morning. As she moved her fork back to mouth she suddenly froze. The sudden change in her not going unnoticed by Happy.

"What is it?"

Nicole's eyes left the envelope and met Happy's concerned gaze. She handed him the letter which he accepted.

"It's Clay." She spoke as Happy eyed the Stockton post mark. He opened the letter and neither were shocked to see the visit request. "I can't see him Hap."

"I'll handle this." Happy stated folding the letter in half and placing it back on the table as he returned to his breakfast. "Eat." He ordered seeing that she had stopped. He smiled to himself when she picked up her fork again.

Jax stepped out of the shower. He'd needed that. He need to clear his mind and wash off last night. After leaving a sleeping Colette Jax knew what he had to do and he didn't care if Tara didn't want him at that hearing, she was being released this morning and he knew he had to be there whether she wanted him to be or not. He had also had to have the difficult conversation with Chibs. He knew that Juice would head to the clubhouse and he needed his VP to be informed of what he decided. Chibs was not happy and Jax understood that but right now the club couldn't take another hit. Chibs had relented and Jax was thankful, he just hoped that his SAA took it the same.

Wrapping the towel around his waist he walked down the hall to his room where he grabbed some clothes. He only just managed to get his trousers on when there was a knock on the door. He sighed grabbing his tshirt before heading for the door. He checked the peephole just in case and although he was surprised by the visitor given that he had just been on his mind his body relaxed when he saw Happy.

"Mornin'" Jax spoke opening the door.

"Know it's early but need to speak to you Prez."

"Sure." Jax nodded stepping aside and letting him in. Jax could feel the tension radiating from Happy and Jax was surprised, did he know about Juice already, had Chibs really put a call in?

"You get your mail?" Jax frowned at the question but shook his head. Grabbing the mail had be the least of his worries today. Before Jax could verbally answer though Happy shoved a letter into his hand. Taking a second to open it Jax only had to read the first line to know what it was, and he suddenly understood why his brother was in his kitchen looking pissed and it wasn't to do with Juice. "She aint seeing him brother."

Jax ran his hand over his face. Although he would love to know what it is that Clay had to say he knew there would be no way that Happy would accept her going. But something told Jax that Nicole hadn't been the only one to receive the request.

"I'll check the mail."

Jax went outside to grab the post and there it was a request from Clay to visit. He went to head back inside when he heard the car pulling into the road. He recognised the car as Nero and could see his mother sat in the passenger side. All Jax could think was what now. He didn't need this not this morning. He looked back at the house and he saw Happy standing in the doorway. With a nod back to Nero Jax headed back inside.

"I've got one, my guess is Gemma will have one too." Jax spoke as they made their way back inside the house.

Happy nodded and presumed that there was no other reason for Gemma and Nero to be making the early call like him. They both watched Nero and Gemma walk into the kitchen.

"This about Clay?" Jax asked, but his mothers expression about his question told him that she wasn't here for Clay.

"What about Clay?" Gemma asked gaining everyone's attention onto her.

"He sent Nicole a visiting order." Happy spoke

"I got one too. Have you had anything?" Jax asked gaining his mothers attention from Happy back to him.

"Didn't have time to check." Gemma answered honestly before looking back at Nero.

"You need to check." Gemma nodded. When he saw them pulling into his road Jax presumed that Gemma was maybe coming here like Happy to tell him about the visiting order but her answer had confirmed that was not the case. "So what's this about?" Jax watched Nero look over his shoulder at Happy, Jax just gave a nod as a silent instruction that Happy was fine.

"The school shooting yesterday." Happy's interested peaked at this point, his conversation with Nicole coming straight into his head. He had tried to ease her worry about their kid but something told Happy what Nero was about to tell them was not good "The boy, it was my cousins Old Ladies kid. "

"Shit im sorry." Jax spoke but Nero shook his head because that was not why he was here.

"Gun he used was a KG9." Nero continued

"Ours?" Happy rasped over Jax's shoulder.

"Yeah." Nero confirmed.

"Fuck!" Jax hit his fist against the counter, taking a deep breath. "What's the mother saying?"

"She hasn't said a lot, cops are treading lightly giving the situation but..." Nero ran his had over his hair letting out a sigh. "Im not sure how long she will hold out." He watched Jax frown. "She's an ex-Junkie." Both Happy and Jax stiffened at that revelation as it hit a little to close to home. "We've got to get her lost." Jax nodded and couldn't agree more with Nero's request

Jax spared a glance to Happy who nodded in answer to the silent question. "We have a cabin we can take her to."

Nero nodded. He was grateful for the support. He looked to Gemma who gave him a reassuring smile.

Jax walked over to Happy, both of them moving away from earshot of Nero and Gemma. "I'm gonna need you on this brutha."

"I'm there Prez." Happy wouldn't normally offer up his cabin, in fact the only person who he had let in was Nicole. But the club needed this and Happy would always be there for the club. "And Clay?"

Happy could tell there was a part of Jax that wanted Nicole to accept the visiting order. The intrigue of what Clay wanted almost taking over but for Happy he knew that Nicole couldn't go and see him. She was heading to a good place and all Clay ever seemed to do now was spread the poison. So he needed to make sure that Jax understood what he was asking wasn't a request.

"She aint seeing him." Happy spoke firmly to reinforce his earlier message. Plus he knew when she got wind of it the gun used in the school shooting was one of theirs she would freak out.

"Ok brutha." Jax embraced Hap. "I need to pick up Tara but then we bring this to the table. I need to speak to you later it's about Juice." Happy was intrigued but just nodded knowing that they weren't going to be having that conversation now. Jax looked back at Nero. "Gonna need your help on this too. We need an in to the Old Lady, you think her Old Man will help?"

"Yeah. Whatever you need." Jax nodded in appreciation.

Happy took the opportunity to leave leaving the three alone and it was in that time that Gemma saw her opportunity.

"Everything ok with Happy?" Gemma asked ignoring the look that Nero was giving her.

"He doesnt want Nicole to see Clay. Why?" Jax asked nothing the exchanges of looks between Nero and Gemma.

"No reason just maybe she should." Jax shook his head.

"No. Im not going to go against Hap on this." He moved closer to his mother. "But I do need someone to go in. I need you." Although Gemma didn't want to go she nodded as they both knew that if Clay was going to be truthful to anyone it was Gemma. "I need to go pick up Tara."

"How she doing baby?" Jax shrugged because he didn't really have an answer for her. But today he was going to change that, he wasn't going to let Tara push him out. "I'll go home check the mail." Gemma spoke breaking the silence, she placed a kiss onto his cheek before coming to stand at Nero's side.

Today was going to be long day.

Tara looked at herself in the mirror. She was leaving this hell hole and it couldn't come soon enough. She didn't belong in prison, she shouldn't have even been apart of the brutal murder. But she was because she was trying to help the club, trying to crush RICO , trying to save her husband. But it had all gone wrong and instead of being there for her sons she had been arrested and only this morning threatened by none other than Lee Toric, the brother of the nurse that Otto killed. It just gave Tara more fight to protect her family.

"Hi."

Tara looked up to see Lowen and managed a smile. She needed her on her side. "Hi. I wrote down everything I could remember." Tara handed Lowen a book in a plastic bag.

"Ok. I'll read through it see if there is anything we can use." Tara nodded but she watched the smile disappear from her face as her eyes drifted over her shoulder. Tara followed her gaze. It was Jax. She looked back at Lowen. "Do you want me to tell him to leave?"

"No it's fine." Tara pulled on her grey leather jacket. She knew she needed to face Jax so know was a good as time as any but before she went to leave she turned back to Lowen. "Have you filed that other paperwork I asked for?"

"Yes."

"Thank you." And with that Tara walked outside to face her husband.

Jax stepped away from his bike when he saw Tara exit. She never said a word so Jax followed suit. He handed her a helmet and glasses before straddling his bike quickly followed by Tara.

The distance was clear and Jax hated it. He loved Tara but they need to work together but their conversation before she went away and was arrested Jax realised that his wife was making plans against him, and that didn't sit well with him. He knew that he had broken promises to Tara but he knew what he had to do, and how to do it he just hoped that he wasn't to late.