The Final Ride

Chapter 13

When Happy returned home later that night after hours of hauling and driving he found Tig on his front doorstep. It was dark and he was sure if anyone had seen the cops would have already arrived so, Happy opened he door and dragged Tig's unconscious ass into his home. Immediately he called Jax and checked for a pulse, which was thumping strong, before waking Rory.

"What happened?" She barely opened her eyes as he shook her gently. "Unless someone died I need to sleep."

"Tig got hurt," he said and she opened one eye. "I need to know what you know, Rory. You saw him earlier right? Gave him that money?"

"Yeah." Rolling over she sighed heavily and sat up. "I was going to talk to you when you got home. He okay?"

"He's alive but someone beat the shit outta him." Happy grumbled as she pushed her glasses on and up her nose and pulled her hair back.

"He didn't tell me much," she complained. "He owed someone money, when I wanted to go with him to pay it off he said it was dangerous." Rory hid how badly she wanted to check on Tig as she dressed slowly. "Where is he?"

"On the couch," he grumbled.

"What?" She hurried to the bedroom door but Happy grabbed her. "Let go."

"He almost killed Knox," Happy hissed. "He deserves this shit."

"I know what he did," she yanked her arm back. "But he's still Knox's dad, I can't hate him, I can't just not care, Hap."

He nodded, his fingers running gently over the red marks from his grip. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," she kissed his cheek. "We've left each other with worse after a good fuck."

There was a rigidness in the way she spoke and Happy knew she was working through something. "Yeah we have," he chuckled darkly.

Rory moved swiftly down the steps as Jax and Tara arrived. She let them in with a polite smile before sitting on the arm of the couch beside Tig's head.

"What the fuck happened?" Jax asked, wearing a grimace, as he looked over Tig's injuries. "And why was he left here?"

"Guess they know I'm the mother of his son," Rory said coolly. "And I don't know anything except he owed someone money."

"Someone nasty," Tara remarked. "He may need a hospital Jax, he's got some fractures and I'd bet internal injuries. I can't do this."

Jax nodded and pinched the bridge of his nose as a frustrated groan rumbled out of his throat. "Goddamn it."

--

After Tig was taken to Saint Thomas Rory and Happy got into bed; the former didn't sleep while the later snored deeply beside her. The next morning was the same as every other, the blood stains on the sofa covered with laundry baskets and throw pillows.

"Mom can I go to Abel's after school?" Emma asked as she scraped her breakfast around her plate.

"No," Rory said quickly. "Just come home, be with the family, okay?"

"The family? You and Dad are never even here," she complained.

"Emma," he growled. "We're all gonna be here tonight. Your brother is coming home this afternoon."

"Fine," she snapped.

Rory clenched her jaw and hid in the laundry room trying to choke down her anger. There was so much weighing down on her that Emma's attitude was intolerable even on a good day.

"Are you okay?" Mrs. Whittle asked quietly as she poked in her head.

"I'm fine." She whimpered. "I'm just so fucking tired."

"I'm sorry sweetheart." Mrs. Whittle hugged Rory as she cried softly, the motherly feel of the embrace only adding to the tears. "Things will settle down again. They always do."

"Yeah," Rory sniffled and pulled away. "I'm just being a baby."

"No you're not," Mrs. Whittle touched her cheek. "You're a tough cookie, cry a little, but get over it and pick your ass back up."

Rory laughed and nodded. "Thanks, you're right."

"Now, go bring home that baby boy. I miss him and those blue eyes."

--

Before starting the mountains of paperwork for Knox, Rory and Happy stopped down to get an update on Tig. Tara looked forlorn as she led them to his room.

"Hey Tiggy," Rory said sadly as she gently pet his arm. He was dazed and drugged but he looked at her with a mix of sorrow love and, worst of all, fear in his eyes.

"Jaw," Tara said darkly, "A few ribs and his right hand were all broken. Thirty stitches on his face and head, internal bruising and a very a serious concussion." She pursed her lips. "He did not get lucky with this. He's in and out from the concussion and meds."

Happy looked at Tig and shook his head. "What the fuck did you do, brother?"

"You won't be getting a real answer for about six weeks," Tara said with a click of her tongue. "I already spoke to Jax. He'll be in here for a while, two weeks at least."

Tig grabbed her hand to get Rory's attention and gestures to the pen in Tara's pocket. "Pictionary," Rory tried to joke but no one laughed.

"What happened?" Happy asked eagerly seeing Tig's eyelids fluttering a she began to lose consciousness.

"You're not safe." He scribbled messily before dropping the pen and closing his eyes.

"Lockdown," Happy grumbled. "Everyone. Now."

--

Just a little note! I started a request Jax story called Other Side of the Tracks! If you're interested you should check it out! Thanks for all the support you guys means a lot! Xo