Hi all. I hope you are all still enjoying this story. This is a bit of a longer chapter but keep with it I think you will all enjoy the next one. xx

Chapter 19

Jax sat in the passenger seat as Chibs drove the van into T/M. The morning had been a chaotic one and although he would never admit this to anyone he felt the pressure. He was juggling a lot of things right both club and personal.

When he and Nero had headed to Stockton both were unaware that they had a tail. None other Lieutenant Roosevelt. Barosky had spotted him and wasted no time in dismissing him from outside the house. But Barosky was pissed and it had him doubting his partnership with Diosa and Samcro. Jax couldn't let that happen. Samcro needed this partnership with Colette, he needed the legitimate earning because that was the end game here, that would be his out, his families way out.

After calming down with his usual Teller charm Jax left the rest of the meeting in Nero's capable hands because there was another issue that Jax needed to manage in order to support his cause. Getting out of guns. Finally after days of waiting Conor was stateside and they needed him.

After a bit of a chase and run and some dead bodies, they had got Connor and a couple of his men tied up in their warehouse.

He had taken Connors phone and reached out to the kings. He pleaded with them not start a war, trying to explain that it was Galen who was out for himself and creating a war that no one wanted. Jax was already down two brothers, he didn't want any more bloodshed. So he made the offer directly to the kings. August Marks to take over the gun trade. He knew it was a risk but they agreed to think about it. That was something.

Now if only his personal issues were as easy to manage. He was still struggling to connect with Tara, even though she was pregnant with his kid, since she got out there was a distance between them but he was trying. It would help if his mother and cousin would give her a break. Tara had confessed that they had both been off with her just that morning. Jax wasn't surprised but she was pregnant and right now she didn't need the hassle from either of them.

He would speak to Gemma. But Nicole he didn't know how to approach. He couldn't stop thinking about her and Happy. He had subtly asked Nicole if everything was ok, laid a veiled threat to Happy but was it enough?

As the van came to a stop. Jax jumped out of the passenger side. Tig and Juice waiting for him. Hap had stayed back to keep eye on the Irish.

"Hey." He spoke to to Tig who had approached him first.

"Rouge River is on their way down." Jax nodded. It was great having Tacoma here but they needed more bodies, not just because of the war, Samcro had never been this low on bodies around the table like they were now.

"ok. Hap's with the Irish, we should hear something from the Kings soon." Jax confirmed filling Tig in. He nodded. "How's things here?"

"Fine. Tara and Rat are at the Hospital. Unser, Gem and Nic went somewhere."

"They didn't say where?" Tig shook his head. Of course his Mother and Cousin would choose today to be mysterious. "All right. I need to get over to Diosa, tie things up from the meet this mornin' with Barosky and Colette."

"Ok." Tig clapped a hand on Jax's shoulder but before he could head for his bike Juice came over.

"I just got off with Clay's lawyer. He set up, uh...he set up a conjugal between Clay and Gemma." Jax frowned what the fuck was this.

"When?" He asked.

"Now. He's waiting." Jax ran a hand over his beard. "He said for Gemma to bring $500."

"Bought himself a cell." Chibs spoke from over Jax's shoulder.

"What the hell does that mean?" Juice asked.

"That means the state cannot wire a conjugal." Jax hadn't thought of it but he had to admit he was relieved. He had put pressure on his mother to regain the closeness between her and Clay but that was to get him inside but that was done, he didn't want Gemma putting herself to close to Clay especially after her last visit with him, but Clay clearly had something to tell them, something that he couldn't risk to be overheard. It had to be to do with the Irish and there was no one else who could do this but a wife.

"Ok."

"So uh, who's going to tell her?" All of them looked towards the sound of the approaching vechile. Gemmas SUV.

"Sounds like a job for a loving son to me." Tig spoke with a smirk.

"Yeah." Jax answered before looking to Chibs. "Chibs?"

"Aye I'll back you up." He started to walk away but not before looking back at Tig and Juice and flipping them the bird with a smirk.

Jax and chibs approached Gemma, Nicole and Unser as they existed the van. Gemma and Nicole both stopped but Unser looked back and nodded before heading to his trailer.

As the gap between the four of them closed it was Nicole who spoke first.

"Hap here?" Jax who the question was directed to shook his head.

"He's at the warehouse." Nicole nodded and Jax watched as she went to walk away but he found himself quickly following her. "You ok?" He asked grabbing her arm.

No, Nicole wanted to scream. She was not ok. She was angry with Gemma, angry at Jax for making a threat to Happy and to top it off she was itching. Itching for something to take the edge off everything. But Nicole couldn't lay all her truths bare. So she just nodded to her cousin and forced a fake smiled onto her lips but as she looked into her cousins eyes she could see the weight on him was clear. Her eyes drifted over his shoulders to Chibs and Gemma, both were looking towards her and Jax.

"What's going on?" Nicole sighed as her eyes went back to Jax.

"Clay's reached out." Jax admitted matching her sigh, there was no point lying to her. "Wants a conjugal." He watched as Nicole's eyes widened. "It's not like that. He needs to tell us something and they can't wire a conjugal."

As mad as she was with Gemma, Nicole remembered how shaken Gemma was from her last visit. Gemma didn't need another visit with Clay.

"She shouldn't have to do that Jay." He agreed but the club needed this.

"We need this and no one else can do it."

Nicole watched as Jax walked away from her back to Gemma. She watched the exchange as both Chibs and Jax delivered the news. She could see Gemma's discomfort. This wasn't fair but she watched Gemma nod and as the conversation ended she watched Jax give her a kiss before walking across the lot to his bike Nicole knew that Gemma had agreed.

Breathing out a heavy breath Nicole walked over to Gemma who was now stood with Chibs.

"You don't have to do this." Nicole spoke directly to Gemma and looking into her eyes Nicole could see that Gemma didn't want to do this.

"Club needs it." Both women looked at Chibs.

"I can come with you, be there after?"

"No it's ok sweetheart. You keep eye on everyone here. Keep them fed and in control." Gemma spoke with a smirk. To some it may sound like a fob off but whenever there was a lockdown it was normally Gemma's domain to be on top of everything so her passing that to Nicole didn't go unnoticed.

"Ok." Nicole looked to Chibs. "Look after her."

"With my life." Chibs responded before dropping a kiss on her temple.

"Lee Toric's murder hurts your case."

"How? This just proves that Otto was a psychopath." Tara asked Lowen confused by the revelation. She really thought that for once the actions of the club would have helped her but this wasn't the case, why was she even surprised.

"Just the opposite. I found out the Toric was on the DA's payroll. He was helping her look for leads in that school shooting"

"And you think that he was going after the MC for that?"

"I think the marshal is looking for anything, anyway to hurt the Sons."

"Christ. Otto killing Toric looks like an organised move." Tara buried her head in her hands.

"Yes, it argues against that Otto acted alone in the murder of his sister."

Tara just wanted to scream. How was this happening. She had tried to help the club, tried to support the man she loved and now it was looking like she really was going to pay the price for that love. This was why this needed to end, this was why she needed to protect her sons before they were swallowed whole.

And it was with that thought that the door to her office burst open.

"Wendy."

"She blew straight past me." Rat spat as he chased after Wendy who had just barged into the office.

"I need to talk to you. Alone." Wendy spat throwing a side eye to Rat.

"I got it." Tara spoke getting to her feet as she looked at Rat. She could see his reluctance to leave but he did but not before sparing on last look at Wendy.

"I'll grab a coffee." Lowen added also getting to her feet and following Rat out of the room.

Tara eyed Wendy as she closed the door behind Lowen and Rat.

"You can't come here without calling! That guy is gonna tell Jax you were here. This could ruin everything." Tara spat as her anger took over her.

"I can't do this anymore." Wendy admitted.

"What do you mean?" Tara asked in shock.

"The lying, I can't keep doing it." Tara took a deep breath and closed the gap that Wendy had created between them.

"I know it rubs against the way you're trying to live but you need to think big picture here."

"I am." Wendy pulled out the pictures that Gemma had given her today and shoved them at Tara.

"Where did you get these?" Tara asked her rage subsiding as she looked at the baby pictures of Abel.

"Gemma. Her and Nicole they both came to see me today."

Tara wasn't surprised that Wendy had received a visit, that is why she had said what she said to Jax that morning. Those two women were the only other women in Jax's life that had power over him. Tara hoped that his love for her outweighed his love for them but she couldn't risk her boys safety on that hope. She took a seat next to Wendy, who's tears were clear now. She wasn't mad she was upset and Tara didn't blame her it was clear that Gemma and Nicole had tried to manipulate Wendy today.

"I'm going to jail Wendy. And the only way I can go away is if I know my son, your son are safe, away from the clutches on Samcro." Wendy Looked at Tara wiping at her tears.

"My son?" Tara heard the silent question.

"Yes your Son. Wendy I can't do this without you. Please." If Wendy was going to do this, go against Jax, Gemma she needed something. Maybe it was seeing Nicole today, knowing that she was pregnant but that she had the urge to use. Wendy knew Nicole had come to see as a reminder of what damage giving into that need could do when pregnant and since seeing her that mistake was all she could think about.

"I wanna spend time with Abel. I don't care what you have to tell him.'"

"Ok." Tara agreed and for the first time really understanding Wendy.

"Soon."

"Ok." Tara repeated.

Chibs looked over at Gemma. She had divulged the information that Clay had told her but that was it. She had been silent and Chibs couldn't shake the feeling that something else had happened. Nicole had asked him to look after her and Chibs had agreed that he would with his life, but if he was honest he didn't think that there was anything to be concerned about but seeing Gemma walk from that room Chibs knew that he had missed something and he realised that maybe Nicole knew Clay better than any of them.

Gemma stared out of the window. She wiped the hair from her eyes and tried to hide the shake of her hand. She felt Chibs' eyes on her but she couldn't let on what had happened in that room. All Jax and the club needed to know was that the Irish had reached out Clay.

She had been surprised when hearing that Jax had offered the gun distribution to Marks, that he wanted the club out of guns. This move echoed John. And for Gemma she was sure for Clay thought that too, this brought back memories, memories of a time in both of their lives where they had made hard decision a decision that ended a life. But she wasn't going to let that happen to her Son and it seemed that Clay also didn't want to repeat history.

He told her exactly what the Irish were offering and that the move would be cutting Jax out leaving him high and dry, but by Clay telling them this it meant that Jax would have the advantage and Gemma was thankful to Clay for that. But being stuck in that room with him it had started to overwhelm her. She hated him but there was still love there and that was what was shaking her.

She needed to escape so she had banged on the door shouting for them to let her out. She went to leave the room but instead her feet moved backwards as the two officers pushed their way into the room.

The money she had given them apparently only covered the room. They wanted further payment. Gemma didn't want to do it but she also didn't want Clay ending up dead nor did she want those pigs hands on her because they made it clear if her and Clay did not 'preform' then Crane would do it.

Rage took over Clay as much as the fear built in Gemma. Weston flashed before her eyes. She imagined again that her and Clay were both reliving the same memory. So Gemma stopped it the men hitting Clay and gave into the blackmail. It was better the devil you knew but that didn't mean that she enjoyed it or that she didn't feel dirty.

"I know we bring some heat with us right now." Jax admitted.

He was at his second meeting with Baroksy and Colette of the day, this time at Diosa so they could look around. As much as Jax didn't mind seeing Colette's pretty face again Barosky was getting on his last nerve and it hadn't helped that when he and Nero arrived at the Stockton house they had been tailed, and worse they hadn't even notice but Barosky had.

"Some? I did some digging, kid. The San Joa DA's got a hard on for your MC." Baroksy turned from Jax to look at Nero. "And your little merry band of bangers. She's trying to tie you to that School shooting."

"Relax, there is nothing to tie." Jax tried to reassure.

Nero had paid a visit to their local sheriff and Roosevelt basically confessed to what Barosky had just accused. They wanted the MC for the school shooting and trying to put the pressure on by pursing Nero for the murder charge of one of his girls. But everything was bullshit. The law were grasping and they knew it.

"What does this have to do with my house?" Colette finally spoke.

Jax found it interesting the hold Baroksy had over the woman sat In front of him. Colette was a self assured woman, she was beautiful, sexy as hell but she turned into the opposite when she was around Baroksy, she did exactly what he said and it frustrated Jax, and it pissed him off when Baroksy just told her to shut up and let him finish

"Hey, she's not one of your street whores." Jax pushed himself from the wall he had been leaning against, standing to his full height as he stood tall in front of Baroksy.

"She's not one of yours either." The old man bit back.

Sensing that this was about to get out of control Nero advanced towards the two as Colette got to her feet. It was Nero who interjected though.

"No, stop it." Jax heard Nero so he smirked at Baroksy and took a step back but he didn't lose eye contact. "The DA is the one thats pushing our Sheriff at me." Nero tried to plead as Baroksy pushed past him. "I did some digging too. Roosevelt's following me. Looking for a bad move which means he aint got dick."

Barosky looked at the three of them. A cocky kid, an ex junkie and a banger and then Colette. His girl. He worked hard to keep his businesses in check but his interest was peaked and when Colette got wind that they could make her house legit she begged him for this deal but now it felt the heat was to high. And Jax was starting to get on his last nerve. He hated cocky kids. They were disrespectful

"I know Patterson. She's not the kind or broad that throws shit around unless she thinks it can stick." Barosky spoke.

Jax's attention was pulled towards the door when he heard it open. He watched his mother and Chibs enter. This conversation needed to end. He moved closer to Barosky.

"Look if we stopped doing business every time the PD liked us for a crime we would never earn a dime. Let us move forward with Colette. If this DA's case heats up we'll pull out of Stockton."

Colette moved past Jax and Nero. "Look I need these guys Charlie." She placed her hand on arm.

"Yeah I see that." He responded bitterly. "Okay, but hear this. This better not blow back in my face." He looked back to Colette. "Lets go." He walked away but Colette gave one last look at Jax. They followed her further into the bar, Jax reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. Jax watched both of them leave before giving his attention to his mother and Chibs.

"You talk to Clay." Jax asked placing a gentle hand on Gemma's shoulder.

"Yeah." Gemma answered soberly.

"I'll fill you in." Chibs spoke before downing his shot of what Jax presumed was bourbon. "Kitchen." Jax watched as he pushed away from his chair and disappeared into the back.

"Everything ok?" Gemma just nodded. "Alright."

As Jax entered the kitchen he was completely caught off guard as Chibs grabbed him by his cut and slammed him against the wall.

"Are you out of your mind?" Chibs seethed before Jax pushed him off of him. Confusion running wild. "Offering kings black as a partner. Jesus Christ why don't you just ask if you can rape their mothers. Same level of offence." Chibs clarified.

Jax respected the man in front of him and he respected his history with the Irish even more. Maybe Jax had overstepped on this one but he needed to know.

"What did Clay say?"

"Told Gemma that the Kings reached out and they want him to run point on distribution."

"Shit."

"Aye." Chibs finally looked back at Jax." You cannot run this club on ya own."

"August made an offer, I didn't say yes or no." Jax spoke in his defence. "I floated it to the Irish."

"Behind my back." Chibs spat back. "Do you trust me Jackie? Do you trust any of us? Because it's not just your club."

"It might not be anyones club for much longer." Jax pulled out his cell. He did trust Chibs more than most and seeing him like had Jax worried as the realisation that he had screwed up washed over him.

"You mind if I stay for his one."

"Chibs."

"Just don't give up Clay he might be our only way in."

Nicole had done her job. She had kept everyones drinks topped up whether it was alcohol or coffee, she kept their bellies full with some delicious food and now she was onto her next job. Makeovers with Ellie.

They had painted each other nails, Nicole now sporting a a bright red and Ellie a baby blue. They had put on face masks done each others hair and then Nicole had done Ellie's makeup. It was subtle, Nicole explained that this was the type of makeup she could get away with at school, and then Nicole let Ellie lose on her letting her do whatever she wanted. There was winged eyeliner, contouring, her lips were lined and although this was way more make up than Nicole would ever wear and that was proved when Ellie had to use her own supplies as Nicole's makeup didnt consist of half the things she was currently wearing. But it was good.

"How did you learn how to do this?" Nicole asked looking back at Ellie.

"Youtube."

"You've got a talent. You ever thought about going into this professionally." And there it was Ellie was clamming up again. Nicole had noticed that she didn't really want to talk about her future and that worried Nicole. She took a seat next to Ellie on the bed. "Don't want to go to college?" Ellie shrugged.

"I don't think we could afford it." Hearing this made Nicole sad. Nicole moved Ellie's long brown hair from her pretty little face and over her shoulder.

"Im gonna make a promise to you now. Whatever you and Kenny want to do, what ever college you want to go I will ensure that happens, this club will ensure it. You're family sweetheart and we look after our own ok. Plus having my own personal makeup artist on call is a bit of an incentive." And finally there was that pretty smile again.

As the two laughed, Ellie joking she would have to charge their attention was drawn from one another when they heard someone clearing their throat.

Happy was standing in the doorway. Neither Nicole or Ellie had heard him which was no surprise to Nicole but she wondered how long he had been there. She had missed him, but he looked tired.

"Hey, do you mind..." Ellie shook her head. Although she was young Ellie wasn't stupid. Nicole was in love with Happy. Ellie wondered if she would ever feel that love. She got to her feet, Nicole doing the same.

"Thank you for today."

"Anytime." Nicole dropped a kiss on top of her head before Ellie left the room sparing a smile for Happy as she passed.

Happy closed the door behind him before heading further into the room over to Nicole. As he came to stand in front of her. He looked his finger under her chin. His girl looked hot and there was an urge to throw her on the bed and have his way with her but he knew a full table was needed at 8. What he wanted to do to her would take a lot longer than the time they had.

"So you like?" Nicole asked giving a little flutter of her eyelashes.

"You look fuckin' sexy." Nicole leaned on her tip toes and kissed him.

The itch that Nicole had been feeling all day seemed to disappear as the kiss deepened. She needed this, needed him. Whether it was it was a temporary fix or not Nicole was going to take it. Her hands slid underneath his whit t-shirt he fingers trailing across his warm skin and his hands entangled in her dark wavy locks.

They were both getting lost in the moment but when Nicole's hand moved from under his shirt and she tried to shrug off his cut Happy was brought back to reality and he pulled his lips from her.

"Can't." He could see her frustration. "Need a full table in 10. Irish vote."

"Does that mean lockdown will be over." Nicole asked as she tried to compose herself. She was feeling a little hot right now.

"Depends on what's said." Happy pulled her back to him. "But after the vote we will finish this." His comment caused Nicole to smirk but that distance behind her eyes was still there. He had noticed it this morning and he was really starting to worry about his girl but before he could say anything she spoke.

"You look tired."

"Im good kid." He kissed her again but as he pulled away from his lips away he took her hand and pulled him with her.

She followed him easily as he led her down the hall but he came to a stop when he felt a pull on his hand he looked back to see Nicole had stopped outside Jax's dorm. He knew why he could hear the cries himself.

"I should check on them." Happy sighed moving closer to Nicole.

"Told you to stay out of it." Happy rasped reminding her of their earlier conversation.

"I am. I just want to check if she needs help." Happy shook his head.

"Fine."

She let go of his hand and gave a light knock on the door before disappearing inside. Happy headed into the bar.

"Hey."

Tara looked up at Nicole. She forced herself not to roll her eyes. Hearing Wendy had been visited today by not only Gemma but Nicole just reminded Tara that Nicole was the same threat as Gemma was, which meant she needed to keep her on side for now. So she forced a smile onto her face.

"Someone's not happy." Nicole continued stepping further into the room. "I can watch Abel if you want to try and calm him down."

The last thing Tara wanted was to leave her sons in the care of Nicole but she needed to show trust. So she smiled.

"If you don't mind."

"Of course."

Tara shifted the weight of Thomas on her hip as she got to her feet . Tara watched as Nicole passed her and settled down beside Abel who was sleeping under the covers. Reluctantly Tara left the room with Thomas.

The bar was busting at its seams and even though everyone in this room was here because of the threat to the club and the danger that put them in everyone seemed in high spirits and as Jax walked into the bar he felt the love and it reminded him that everything he was doing was the people who were here now, it was for family.

He walked over to his brothers at the bar taking a hit from his cigarette.

"What is Sheriff Remus doing here" Tig mumbled as they all look at the CCTV

"Shit." Jax breathed coming up behind behind Unser who was also sat at the bar. And just like that he was brought back to reality.

"I'll go." Unser spoke up knowing they all had an important call and vote to make.

"Thank you." Jax nodded. "What time is it?" He asked to no one in particular.

"Two minutes to 8." Juice spoke.

"All right everyone a the table." He spoke to his brothers.

Taking one last inhale of nicotine, Jax went to stub out his spent cigarette in the ashtray when a pen of all things caught his attention.

It was a pen he hadn't seen before. It was covered in Shamrocks and the last time he saw a pen like that was earlier in the day when he had forced one of Galen's men to right down the address. His gut went into over drive. He looked up at Emily who was behind the bar.

"Where did this pen come from?"

"Delivery guy left it a few hours ago. The keg." She point to the barrell next to her. "Guessing Gemma or Nicole ordered it."

Jax looked to Chibs. "Eight o'clock."

"Full table for the vote." Chibs added knowing exactly where Jax was going. This was a set up.

"EVERYONE OUT NOW." Jax shouted.

No one questioned him and all his brothers including those visting started rushing people out of the room.

Jax turned to see Tara who had Thomas on her hip. "Whats going on?" She asked in confusion.

"Get out." Jax spoke almost pushing her and Thomas into Tig's arms.

As Tara felt Tig start to push her out, she thought of Abel. "No, no, no. Abel he's in the back, Nicole..."

"I got him. Get her out." Jax barked at Tig.

Hearing Nicole's name Happy wasted no time in following Jax who was running down the hallway.

Bursting into the room both men could see the shock on Nicole's face but there was no room to explain. Jax grabbed Abel from the bed before Happy grabbed Nicole's hand pulling her to feet.

She didn't fight, didn't question instead she just followed behind him as he raced through the clubhouse/

They could all hear Chibs yelling for them to come on. They all ran as quick as the could out of the club house. They made it outside but barely across the lot before the clubhouse exploded and they all hit the ground.