Roots Run Deep

Chapter 29

Jax's panic was calmed as quickly as it spiked when Unser informed him that Katie was safe and uninjured. Lacking many details, Unser made little sense as he explained Katie had called the ambulance herself and was currently at Saint Thomas.

"Thanks," Jax said, rushing off the phone. "She's at the hospital."

"What happened?" Opie asked, putting his phone away now that the cavalry was no longer needed.

Shrugging, Jax grabbed her belongings and they both went back to their bikes. "She was okay enough to call 911 herself. Swear to God, Ope, this one is gonna kill me."

They went right to the emergency department and while Jax was escorted back, Opie was stuck in the tiny, overcrowded waiting room.

"Jax," Katie reached for him as soon as he swung the little curtain open. "I'm okay, just come here."

"What the hell happened?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I had a fucking panic attack," she said shamefully. "I realized something and it just came over me, I felt like I couldn't breathe, I was sweaty and sick and," she closed her eyes. "I thought I was having a fucking heart attack, I was so fucking scared."

"You're alright," he kissed her hair. "You're safe."

Katie shook her head. "Who came with you?"

"Ope," he told her.

"Who else knows I'm here?"

"No one," he shrugged. "Unser and shit but that's it."

Katie nodded and took a deep breath. "I saw Clay this morning."

"I know," he huffed. "I was heading to find you when I saw your car, gave me a goddamn heart attack, Kate."

"Oh my god," she pouted. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," he said, smoothing her hair down as he continued to hold her. "What did you realize?"

"Clay killed my mom," she said, her voice strong and sure. "And... and I think he may have killed your dad." She was less sure now but that was only out of fear, she didn't want to hurt him or have him run off half-cocked. "He threatened me. He told me he had no problem killing another Feldstein or Teller."

"He said Teller?" Jax asked in disbelief, disregarding any hint about her mother since he already knew, it wasn't a shock or unexpected.

She nodded. "It took me a second, I think my brain was trying to protect itself, but it hit me and I just, I freaked the fuck out. Do you think he could have done that? Killed our parents?"

"I do," he huffed. "I know he could but," his body tensed. Jax couldn't even ask why he already knew why Clay would kill John Teller. "I need to go," he said suddenly. "Are you okay? Physically?"

"Yeah," she huffed. "Now I'm more embarrassed than anything."

"Don't be," he said soothingly. "When they letting you out?"

"Soon," she sighed. "They just wanted my blood pressure and heart rate to get back into the normal range for some time."

"You want me to come home with you?" He offered. "I can stay over."

"I'd love that," she smiled sweetly.

Jax leaned over and kissed her. "I love you, I'll be back soon."

She returned the sentiment and he was gone quickly. Jax didn't leave the hospital right away though, he searched for Tara while making a call to Katie's brother Jake.

"I just need you to keep an eye on her," Jax said to Jake as he spotted Tara. "Thanks, brother." Not waiting for Jake to speak again, Jax ended the call and hurried down the hall after Tara. "Hey," he said loudly. "Tara?"

She turned, surprised to hear his voice, and smiled at him. "Hey, stranger."

"Hey," he smiled. "Katie's here again, she's in the ER. I need you to make sure they don't cut her loose for a few hours."

Tara's joyful expression soured. "Oh. Is she okay?"

"She's fine," Jax said confidently. "I just gotta do something and I don't want her getting out before I get back."

"Of course," she forced a smile. "Just call me when you're on your way back and I can get them to have her ready."

"Thanks, Doc," he sighed, kissing her cheek. "I'll be in touch."

--

Jake and Jax missed each other by about twenty minutes. The former hurried into the tiny curtained off area where Katie was looking deeply concerned.

"Hey sis," he winked.

"I haven't seen you in forever," she scowled. "Jax call you?"

"Yeah," he frowned. "Sorry, I been busy."

"Who is she?" Katie asked with a raised eyebrow.

He blushed and shook his head. "There's a few."

"You're a pig," she laughed. "Fucking scumbag."

"Learned from the best," he joked but seeing her face change he quickly corrected himself. "Not you, I meant Dad. He was bedding new women all the time when we were little."

"Guess he didn't give me all the gory details," she said with disgust. "You need to be careful, Jay."

"What do you mean?" Her sudden shift worried him.

She shook her head. "Not everyone you trust can be trusted."

"Bullshit, I'm not playing this game, Kate. What are you talking about?"

"Sit," she pointed to the chair beside her bed. He listened, sitting where she said and waited with bated breath. "Clay threatened me today."

His lip curled up into a snarl. "You tell Jax?"

"I did," she assured him. "He insinuated that he," she paused, "That he had something to do with Mom's death. He was probably bluffing," she added to keep him as calm as possible. "But it just makes me question everything and everyone."

"Bluffing my fucking ass," he spat. "I gotta go."

"Jake," she reached for his arm but he was up too quickly. "Please, you're gonna get yourself killed." He swung the curtain open swiftly and headed down the corridor. "Jacob!" Katie shouted but it was no use, he was gone.