"Jeazous Chrrrissst, Jackie Boy." Chibs yells after Jax, who has barely averted getting hit by a car as he races into the hospital parking lot at full speed.

Jax stops his Dyna with the squeak of his tires in front of the hospital doors and dismounts the bike at record speed, leaving the key in his ignition.

He runs, yes, he runs into the door, pushing the automated doors open, when they won't part for him fast enough, dodging people in his path left and right, and continues running for the nearest elevator. Impatiently he's pushing the button at least twenty times and is just about to head for the stairs instead when Chibs catches up with him just as the elevator doors part with a ding.

"Let's go." He ushers his president inside before the doors have even parted all the way yet.

The elevator ride only lasts mere seconds, but those seconds feel like hours to Jax and he can feel the weight of the world lying heavily on his shoulders. Crushing and grinding every fiber of his being into the ground.

"Juice tried to kill Tara!"

Those were the words Rat had uttered into the phone and right now it is still unclear if Juice has succeeded, or simply hurt Tara's chance of a full recovery even more.

"Tara, she's a fighter. One tough lass." Chibs tries to reassure him with a strong pat on the back, but Jax can't help but feel that same kind of helplessness he's felt when he'd found her bloodied lifeless body on their kitchen floor.

This isn't supposed to happen. She isn't supposed to fall victim to one of his enemies, and damn sure not one of his brothers. A husband is supposed to protect his wife, but he's failed to do that once again.

Just then the elevator doors open and Jax rushes through the long corridors, with Chibs right on his heels, until he comes to a screeching halt in front of Tara's hospital room.

Cops and hospital staff are gathered right outside her room, yet without giving it another thought, Jax heads straight for her door, only to be stopped dead in his tracks by two deputies blocking his way.

An argument ensues that quickly escalates into a struggle, and Jax loses his cool. "That's my wife in there." He yells loud enough for the entire floor to hear before he punches one of the deputies square in the jaw.

Chibs and Rat grab a hold of him and try to get their angry young leader under control before he gets himself arrested since one of the cops has proceeded to pull out a pair of handcuffs already.

"Tara's awake!" Rat yells out in an attempt to get Jax's attention, which undoubtedly works because Jax stops at once.

Jax stops his struggle against his brothers and the deputies and turns toward the younger prospect, his eyes temporarily filling with hope. "She's awake?"

The deputies seize the opportunity and grab a hold of Jax, ready to put those cuffs on quick. At that moment the door to Tara's room opens, and the newly appointed female Sheriff of Charming appears before them, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"Is Tara alright?" Jax questions Sheriff Althea Jarry, who gives a nod to her deputies to release him. Neither of them seems pleased with her decision but comply nonetheless.

"Dr. Knowles ... she's okay, considering." Sheriff Jarry replies reluctantly, but with a hopeful expression on her face before her eyes wander toward the taller Scotsman next to Jax.

"I need to see her." He pleads before he takes a step toward Tara's door again, but Sheriff Jarry holds up her hand, signaling him to stop once more.

"I've been told by her doctors she needs to be evaluated right now, but she was able to communicate enough to already answer some questions about the night she was attacked, but she'll still need to give an official statement."

Jax again pleads with the woman in front of him, a look of desperation in his eyes. "I just need to see for myself that she's alright. Please, I've been waiting for her to come out of this for over three months now."

"I get that, Mr. Teller, and I'm sorry." She tries to reassure him. "I'm sure the doctor will let you know as soon as she's ready to receive visitors."

Jax sighs heavily and his frustration is visible on his face, but he knows that Jarry is right and that Tara's health is more important than his need to see her.

Chibs smiles broadly at Jax at the good news that Tara is awake and once again places a reassuring hand on Jax's shoulder to guide the younger man away from the door. "Told ya'!" He adds and meets Jax's eyes, which are filled with guilt all over again.

Jax, Chibs, and Rat watch as the Sheriff huddles with her deputies, and shortly after, one of them takes off down the hall.

Jax knows of the relationship that has developed between his Sergeant-at-Arms and the female hand of the law and gives him a pointed look which Chibs understands without any words needing to be exchanged.

Chibs approaches Althea and pulls her cautiously aside, and Jax watches them curiously from the other side of the hall. Based on the body language between the two, it becomes clear that in this instant, Jarry decides to uphold the law over any pull the Scotsman might have over her, because moments later a disgruntled Chibs returns back to Jax's side without any information as to what Tara has already revealed to the Sheriff and her deputies.

After Rat has quickly filled him in on what has happened, with Gemma being the one who called out Juice, Jax looks around rather confused. "So where the hell is she?"

"She was crying and all upset about Tara, couldn't believe that Juice would do that to her," Rat explains Gemma's absence the best he can, shrugging his shoulders when he adds, "And then she just took off."

Chibs notices the confused look on Jax's face before he adds his own two cents. "You told her to stay away, she's just listenin' to ya'."

"If she'd listened to me, she wouldn't've been here in the first place," Jax adds with a hint of resentment, once more finding his mother an acceptable outlet for the anger he's feeling.

But only a mere second passes before his mind is focused elsewhere and he turns to Chibs once more. "Call the guys, have them spread the word that Juice is back in town and that we want him. Then call Unser and ask him to dig into his old colleagues, find out if they've got any leads on Juice yet."

Chibs listens to every word, then turns down the hallway for some privacy before he begins making the necessary phone calls.

X

Gemma throws her keys on her kitchen table, practically running into her house. Without missing a beat, she rushes to her bedroom and begins packing a suitcase. Clothes, jewelry, photographs ... anything she can think of, and of course all the cash that she's started stashing away in her safe months ago, should this dreadful day ever become reality.

In the midst of it all, she tries to keep the tears at bay, but they stream mercilessly down her face and she wipes them away as quickly as they appear. She knows now is not the time to start feeling sorry for herself.

But that's when she breaks down, physically breaks down. Slumped down onto her bed and cries out loud with both her hands covering her grief-stricken face. She is already grieving for the family she is leaving behind. For leaving her son, her grandsons, and the only life that has ever had any meaning for her. Another sob escapes her when her thoughts wander to Nero.

Nero, that sweet, sweet man who has stood by her through all of this, but not knowing of the terrible things she has done.

She allows herself that brief moment to wallow in her self-inflicted misery, before she stands up, straightens out her clothing and hair, wipes away the remaining tears, grabs her purse and suitcase, and heads for the door without a glance back because she knows it would hurt too much.

Gemma pushes the key into the ignition and starts the car, but before she takes off she dares a quick glance at her phone. Countless missed calls. She can only imagine Jax desperately trying to make sense of it all, trying to make sense of what she's done, and it breaks her heart all over again. So she turns the phone off, puts the car in gear, and begins her way out of Charming.

X

After a neuro consultation and getting cleared by the speech therapist, with the help of a nurse, Tara is finally allowed to take her first sip of water. Her throat feels scratchy and raw, her arms feel heavy and are still somewhat uncoordinated, her head is throbbing in pain, and her legs tingle almost painfully as she stretches and flexes them repeatedly.

Doctors have examined her, therapists have evaluated her to get an idea of where she's at in terms of her recovery, the police have talked to her, and Jax has made his presence known outside her hospital room, but all she's been wanting since the moment she woke up is to finally see her babies. To her relief, she's been reassured that they are on the way and they'll be here shortly.

She can't wait to wrap her arms around them to hold them close. Kiss their little foreheads and take in their sweet little faces. It warms her heart just to think of it.

Despite the euphoria she feels at the thought of being reunited with her sons soon, she still feels sick to her stomach thinking about everyone who is surely accompanying her babies.

Tara knows she should feel some gratitude toward Gemma for taking care of her boys while she's been in the hospital recovering, but even in her still somewhat muddled mind, her hatred toward her mother-in-law still runs too deep and hasn't waned. Yet even Tara has to admit, no matter how badly she wants Gemma out of their life, she is still a better choice as a caregiver than the whores, junkies, and porn stars that hang around the Club on a daily basis.

Given the extent of her injuries, and the fact that she'd been in a coma for over three months, Tara knows all too well that she won't be released today, or tomorrow either. She has days of more testing and required physical therapy ahead of her, which means her children will most likely remain in the care of their psychotic grandmother even longer.

The more she thinks about it, the more her head throbs painfully and a tear streams down her cheek, because she hates being this helpless, and at the mercy of the Club and Gemma once again.

Tara closes her eyes and tries to relax back into the pillow that is propped up behind her. Why did all of this have to happen? She was so close to getting away with her boys. So close!

If she could only remember what happened. If she only knew who's done this to her!

Just then the Sheriff enters her room again and approaches her bed, and despite the pain Tara opens her eyes, already anticipating the Sheriff's next words. "He's still asking to see you."

Tara sighs audibly, the reluctance to see Jax written all over her face.

"You know we can protect you, Dr. Knowles." Sheriff Jarry steps closer and places a reassuring hand atop Tara's. "If you remember something, ... if you do remember who did this to you but you are afraid to tell us ... don't be."

With sad eyes, Tara shakes her head, her voice brittle and quiet as she strains to speak as clearly as possible. "I already told you ... I wish I knew. All I remember is leaving the motel. Everything after ... it's just gone."

The Sheriff pulls a chair close and sits down next to Tara's bed as if she is anticipating this conversation to last a while longer. "Then why don't you want to see him? He made a deal with the DA, to turn himself in to get your charges dropped. Sounds to me like you were on good terms before this happened."

Tara nods her head but immediately regrets moving it. "I'm just ... I'm just confused." A tear rolls down her cheek and Tara struggles to even lift her hand to wipe it away, which in turn makes her cry even more.

Sheriff Jarry grabs a tissue and leans forward. "Let me help you." She says as she wipes the tears from Tara's face.

"Thank you," Tara says embarrassed, willing herself to stop crying. "I guess ... I guess I'm just scared of what I don't remember."

Jarry furrows her brows looking back at the younger woman questioningly. "You think there's a possibility Jax did this to you?"

Tara swallows the lump in her throat. "You said Juice's your main suspect."

"Yes." The Sheriff nods her agreement.

Another tear rolls down Tara's cheek before she blatantly states. "Juice follows my husband's orders. He's always been loyal to Jax."

X

Author's Note: Thank you for reading. Please review! Your reviews keep me motivated!