When a mysterious woman rescues Abel from a kidnapping and wants nothing in return, it gets Jax's attention. Then he starts finding out more and more things about the woman that just don't add up. Will his curiosity get the better of him or will he...
Riley and Chibs walked back into the main area of the clubhouse to find everyone yelling at each other. As they stopped by the bar, Elijah held up a hand for silence.
"Alright, I can see that my suggestion of the girls coming to New Orleans with us for a while isn't being taken well, but honestly... " He gestured toward Riley then Amdis. "Riley and Amdis have had a very hard day, to say the least. I think they could benefit from coming with us and recovering fully. Minerva, Ariel, and Luna could benefit from the same."
Jax shook his head as he wrapped an arm around Ariel's waist, pulling her closer. "They don't need to be somewhere else, especially New Orleans. We can't protect them if they aren't here."
Klaus shook his head and chuckled as he winked at Jax, making the other man glare at him. "Protect them? You can't protect them." He waved a hand around. "Look around you, gentlemen. You have a group of exceptional women here. Riley talks to dead people, Ariel could kill you with a glance, Amdis needs blood to survive, Luna feels everything you do, Minerva can make a spell that would render you dead or wishing that you were, and you haven't even met the others yet. They are more apt to protect you than the other way around, little boy."
Jax smirked and took a step in Klaus's direction. "That the best you got? My mother has better insults than that, man."
Happy cleared his throat from beside Amdis as Gemma and Clay started chuckling from their seats at the bar. "With this Sebastian dead, the threat is gone, right?"
Tig nodded as he swung an arm around Venus's shoulders. "Right, so we just invest in some silver bullets, sage, and get Minerva a bigger cauldron. It'll be fine." He grinned as the others chuckled. "I'm sure our peeps at the res can swing some silver bullets."
Minerva cleared her throat from beside Opie. "I don't know if any of you have thought about it, but you could ask what our opinion is." When the others looked at her, she grinned. "I, for one, can't leave. I have a house in the middle of a remodel."
Riley nodded. "Right, and I have to cleanse said house."
Luna nodded in agreement. "Riley will need my help with that."
Everyone looked at Ariel as she sighed and bit her lip, lost in thought. Jax leaned in and made eye contact with her. "Can I speak to you in private for a minute?"
Ariel nodded as he tugged her toward the chapel. When the door was shut behind them, he turned to her with a frown. "You aren't seriously thinking about leaving, right?"
Ariel sighed and shrugged. "It does make sense, Jackson."
Jax shook his head as he stepped closer. "No, it doesn't Ariel. Look, his delivery sucked, but Klaus was right. It's not about being able to protect you. It's about wanting you here with me." He put his hands on her arms, causing her to look up at him. "You belong here with me and Abel, not there with those two."
Ariel stared at him for a moment before smiling slightly. "You still want me? After everything you've learned?" She shook her head as he scoffed. "Jackson, you can clearly see that life with me won't be easy. Are you sure you want to take on extra problems?"
Jax shrugged as he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. When her hands landed on his chest, he grinned down at her. "Life isn't about easy, darlin'."
He leaned down, letting his lips touch hers as she sighed deeply and seemed to melt into him. As he pulled her even closer, he felt like some missing piece fell into place, and the thought made him light-headed. He loved this woman, with super-powers or without, and he wasn't letting her walk away from him when he knew she felt it too. When he ended the kiss, he leaned in and talked softly in her ear.
"Ari, what's the harm in trying? Give it some time, you may see what I see."
Ariel leaned back and looked into his eyes, smiling shyly. "Jackson, I already see what you do, but it's scary. I've never depended on someone else for my happiness."
Jax nodded. "I get that, but neither have I really. We can figure it out together. I just don't want to give up something that I think could be great."
She sighed and patted him on the chest. "Alright, Jackson. We'll see what happens."
He smirked before nodding and taking her hand again to lead her out to the others. When they reached the bar area, Ariel looked at Elijah and Klaus. "I'm staying with Jackson. I belong here."
Elijah smiled and nodded. "Ah, yes. True love always wins in the end, doesn't it?" He turned to Klaus. "I think it's time we headed back to our home. I don't think we're needed here anymore."
Amdis spoke up. "I'll drive you back to the airport."
They both nodded before hugging and kissing each of the girls goodbye. As the three walked to the door, Happy spoke up, his eyes on Amdis. "As soon as they're in the air, you come back here."
Amdis chuckled before winking and giving a mock salute. When the trio had disappeared through the door, Tig rubbed his stomach. "Man, I'm starving. Pizza good with everyone?" When Juice said that he'd order, Tig held up a hand, a frown on his face. "Wait. Garlic is still okay, right?"
Venus chuckled and shook her head. "Yes, Alexander."
Tig gave a mock sigh and nodded as he pointed at Juice. "Thank god. Breadsticks too, man."
Gemma leaned into Clay as he kissed her on the forehead and they watched the others laughing and carrying on. She looked at him and grinned. "Our family just got a lot bigger and more complicated."
Clay laughed and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but it won't be boring."
This is the end of Jax and Ariel. As soon as I get caught up on some other stories, I'll start work on book two. I've had so much fun with this and hope that you all have enjoyed it.
