The Rising Tide - ON HIATUS

Chapter 1

"Did you save that paper?" Juice asked as he and Amelia walked hand in hand up toward the clubhouse.

She looked at her, eyes scrunched in confusion, and frowned. "What paper?"

"The count," He said with exasperation. "Remember the bet? If I didn't get you off fifty times in fourteen days I owed you the remainder, not counting sex, when we got home. If I did, you owed me a steak and blowjob tonight."

"You were serious?" She asked, a shrill laugh filling the air. "Jesus, JC, I thought you were kidding. I didn't save the paper but I don't think you got to fifty anyway. Maybe like, two or three shy."

"No way." He shook his head. "No way, I think I was OVER fifty."

With her eyebrow raised high, Amelia shrugged. "Guess we'll never know, huh?"

"You cheated," he teased. "Shit, I really want to go back."

"Me too," she groaned, "Time to get back to reality though." Amelia smiled to herself knowing the paper was folded in her purse, she planned to surprise him with her end of the bargain but it would be so much better if he wasn't expecting it. "You know, work, therapy, and all of that shit."

They strutted into the clubhouse to find the main room devoid of any members or even prospects. Juice looked around, dropping Amelia's hand, and hurried to chapel as Chucky pointed to the large wooden doors.

"Guys," he pounded on the door knowing it would be locked.

From inside, Chibs swung open the door and yanked Juice into the room. Every member looked concerned, to say the least, as they sat at the table with long faces.

"Sit," Clay pointed to his seat beside Bobby. "You came back at a shitty time but we need you, Juice."

"What happened?" As soon as he sat, Juice lit up a cigarette.

Jax pursed his lips as Clay started. "Looks like we got some unwanted attention."

"I went by Clear Passages to grab the cash deposit for you," Chibs explained with a strange mix of sorrow and wrath in his voice. "And it turns out you have eyes on the place. FBI, we think."

"My shits legal, all of it," Juice practically shouted his objection. He slumped as he realized it wasn't just him they had eyes on. "We just added Meels as an owner on all the paperwork; she's at risk now too."

"That ain't all," Jax added. "Bobby and Hap got pulled over, bullshit stops just to rattle em'."

"I don't rattle," Happy grumbled. "State police with a black sedan following. Feds, I got no doubt."

"Unser doesn't know anything," Clay said with aggravation. "He's looking into it but whoever it is doesn't want Charming PD to know, they got another home base."

"You need me get into the local databases," Juice was already itching to get to work. "I'll do it now. Sorry guys." He felt awful to have been so far when the club needed him but Clay shook his head.

"You weren't on your game, if two weeks with the old lady doesn't do it, then you need to be sorry."

--

"Hello?"

Amelia was dreading the call from her boss but she answers before her phone even rang a second time. She knew right away it wasn't good, she knew before he even called it would be very bad. She called and simply told him she'd be out for two weeks, it was unprofessional and really just a terrible move, but she did it for Juice and because she wanted to.

"Amelia," he sighed. "I'm sorry to have to do this but I'm going to be forced to let you go."

She cursed herself quietly. "I completely understand. I'm sorry I put you in such a position. It was immature and unprofessional."

"I understand it's been a, trying time, in your life but there have been recent developments that make your attendance a nonissue." The way he spoke, mournful and almost nervous, made Amelia's skin crawl.

"Then what is the issue?"

"Your outside associations," he said quickly. "I'm sorry."

It was the most obvious answer but it hadn't even occurred to her until he said it. "Oh, I thought that was all settled."

"Things come up, people find out and then it's not just my opinion and your promises that matter."

As much as it hurt, and even angered her, Amelia didn't regret the relationships that got her fired. She watched as the guys filtered out of the clubhouse, sullen, and smiled a little. She loved her husband and her father and in some removed way the rest of the club, as they were all some kind of strange knit together family.

"Well, I'm sorry it's come to this but I appreciate your help with this entire situation. You gave me a chance and that means a lot. Thank you."

"If you need a reference or recommendation letter I'll be glad to do it."

Amelia waved to Juice as he trotted over to her. "I'll certainly take you up on that offer. Thanks." The call ended and the corner of Amelia's mouth turned up as she chewed the inside of her cheek. "Bad news, babe."

"You're telling me," he took her hand. "I gotta go home to get my laptop. We'll talk as soon as I have more information."

"Hey," she yanked him back as he tried to walk away. "Is everything okay?"

"No," he shook his head slowly, "But you are safe, it's nothing like that. I just want all the information before I talk to you about it."

"Okay." She didn't like that at all but Amelia let him get to work. As long as no one was being attacked she could wait a few hours. "I guess I'll go grab some groceries." Hurrying behind him, she jumped on his bike. "I'm assuming we're looking pretty sparse at home since I was gone?"

"Yeah we are," he said absentmindedly. "I really wish we didn't come home," turning his neck, he kissed her lips quickly.

"It's fine," she said supportively. Wrapping her arms around his waist Amelia gave him a squeeze. "It's what you do, it'll be all alright. It has to be."

--

Soooo what do you think?!