The Best of Us

Chapter 2: Eight Years Later

"Come on, lassie, stop teasing the boy! Just put him away already!"

Annabelle couldn't help but smirk as she heard Chibs egging her on from her corner of the ring. Deciding to put poor Half-Sack out of his misery, she landed one last hit right across his face which sent him reeling to the ground. The room erupted in cheers at yet another victory for Annabelle. With the fight now over, Annabelle moved over Half- Sack and offered him her hand to help him back on his feet. 

"They tried to tell you, kid. I'm undefeated." 

"Yeah, yeah. I had to try. Maybe if I was good enough to beat you in the ring, your dad might let me take you out." 

"Come on Sack, you know the rules. No dating SAMCRO's princess. Clay and Jax would take your kutte before you even fully grow into it." 

"Yes, but that rule only applies to Sons. I'm just a Prospect." 

Annabelle laughed lightly at Half-Sack's logic. She had to give the kid props, he was persistent and didn't believe in giving up. No matter how many times Annabelle rejected him though, the kid kept on coming back for more. 

"Sorry Sack. You'll find yourself the right Old Lady one day. But it's not going to be me." 

"Yeah, we'll see about that." 

Giving one another a parting fist bump, Annabelle made her way out of the boxing ring and over to her belongings where Tig and Chibs sat waiting for her. 

"Kid just doesn't know when to quit, does he?" 

"Be nice, Tigger. I like Half Sack and I know you guys do too. He's the best prospect we've had in a while." 

"We? You joining the ranks or something?" 

"Shut up, Tig. I may not be allowed to officially be SAMCRO, but I'm family. You guys are as much my crew as Clay or Jax." 

"Don't listen to Tig, lassie. We know you are. You call the shots around here almost as much as Gemma. She's training you well." 

"Training me for what? I'll never be in mama's role. That'll go to whatever croweater Jax ends up marrying." 

"Anna. You know he's dating Tara again." 

At the sound of Tara's name, Annabelle let out an involuntary gag, quickly covering her mouth in an effort to contain her bile. Tig rolled his eyes at the girl's dramatics. 

"Anna, knock it off." 

"Oh, lay off Tig! I don't understand how you all can stand her as much as you do. Not after the way she left Jax the first time and the way she behaves even now. Just the thought of her makes me want to stab something." 

"Hey! It doesn't matter if we don't like her. She's Jax's Old Lady and we respect that. Liking her has nothing to do with it. So be a big girl and do your part. Play nice." 

Tig had gotten right in Annabelle's face as he spoke and the two were now engaged in an intense stare down. Annabelle would rather die than back down first. She had promised herself eight years ago that she would never cower to a man again, and so far, she never had. She sure as hell wasn't going to break her streak with Tig of all people. Chibs seemed to grow tired of the argument first as he harshly pulled Tig away and moved to stand between the two of them. 

"Alright, that's enough. You've both made your points and you're both allowed to feel the way you do. Tig, go inside and cool down before church." 

Tig continued to hold his stare with Annabelle for a moment longer before turning around and heading back into the clubhouse. Once Chibs could tell he was out of earshot, he turned his attention back to Annabelle who had finally allowed her posture to sag and resumed collecting her things from the bench.