One Rule

Chapter 13

The next couple of days were rough. I tried to steer clear of the guys except for Ope. It seemed like everyone was really tense, and I wasn't interested in having my head bit off. Chibs was out of the hospital, so I thought I might go check on Juice since someone mentioned he got attacked in County, and I hadn't seen him since before they went in. He also seemed least likely to bite my head off.

I knocked on the door and he called for me to enter. Juice's face lit up when he saw it was me. "Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked, sitting up.

I shrugged and sat down in the chair next to his bed. "It's been a rough few days, and I think you're least likely to bite my head off for no reason," I replied.

"I heard about the explosion and Luann. How are you holding up?"

"I've had better weeks," I sighed. "Kozik came down for a bit though. That was a small bright spot. I was actually scared the other night when Jax and Clay were going at it. It was so hard to keep a straight face in front of those kids."

Juice squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," I said, giving him a sad smile.

"I hate to see you sad."

"I'm ready to see you out of here. How much longer?" I asked in an attempt to change the subject.

He shrugged, "Doctors say they won't discharge me while there's still blood in my stool."

"That's kind of important," I teased.

I was still sitting in his room when Jax came by that afternoon with Bobby. I'd gone and come back with lunch from the diner in town, and we'd spent the day shooting the breeze. I think Juice sensed that I needed a distraction, and he was more than willing to provide it in whatever way he could.

"You can stay," Jax said when he saw me start to get up. "I've already told Gemma, so I guess you should hear it too."

I didn't like the sound of that...

"I'm going Nomad," he announced. Juice and I looked at each other and back at my brother. "I think it's best for all involved. I can't work with Clay. You saw what happened in County," he said, addressing the last part to Juice. "I'm afraid it'll only get worse."

I ran a hand through my hair and thought about everything that meant. It wasn't good.

"You have to vote to release. I'll leave you so Bobby can get your vote," Jax nodded. He turned and left the room.

I got up out of my chair and followed Jax out into the hall. "Jax, can we talk?" I asked.

"Are you going to try to talk me out of it?" he asked, looking tired.

I shook my head.

"Okay," he replied, leading me into the vacant chapel. He let out a deep sigh as he sank down into a pew.

I sat down in the pew in front of him and turned so that I was facing Jax. "Look, I know everyone is trying to talk you out of this, but I get it. You have to do what you have to do," I told him.

"Who is this coming from?" he asked, looking up at me.

"What do you mean?"

"Did Clay tell you to come say all this?" he pressed.

"No. Believe it, or not, I do have my own thoughts running through my brain. I'm not Clay's puppet. I never have been, and I never will," I replied in a clipped tone. "I just wanted to tell you that I've got your back, no matter what. You're my brother, and I love you, and I'll do anything to help you if I can."

His features softened at my statement. "I'm sorry, I'm just so twisted up about everything," Jax replied with a sigh.

"I get it, just remember, it's still us against the world," I reminded him. "And Ope, when he comes around."

Jax shook his head, "Not sure he's with us."

"Can I ask you something? I think it's club related." I was cautious, not sure how my question would go over.

He shrugged, "You can ask. I might not give you an answer."

"The other night, you said something about you not being one killing women. What did you mean by that?" I asked.

Jax looked down at his lap, and was silent for a long time. He let out a long sigh and rubbed a hand down his face. I watched him play with his rings as he contemplated what it was that he was about to say. "I can't tell you," he said, finally looking me in the eye.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with whatever is going on with you and Clay?" I replied.

He nodded.

I nodded too, not knowing what to say. He stood up and I stood with him. We stepped out into the aisle and he pulled me into a hug. "Just promise you'll keep in touch and come see me when you can."

"I promise," he replied.

"Be careful out there," I sniffed as I pulled back.

"I will."

Opie was ultimately the one to inform me that SAMCRO voted to release. It was official. Jax was going Nomad, and I was scared for him.

I was in bed later that same night when my phone rang. It was Gemma. "I need you to come to my house, baby."

I looked at the clock, it was well after ten. "Why?" I asked. "Is everything okay?"

"I'll explain when you get here."

I held the phone out from my ear and let out a sigh before putting it back up to my ear. "Alright. Give me ten minutes."

I hung up and sent Kozik a text. I'm being summoned to my parents' house in the middle of the night. This can't be good.

He was quick to respond. Let me know what happens.

I got dressed quickly in the first clothes I could get my hands on. I drove over, and made it into the driveway as my dad was parking his bike. "What are you doin' here? It's late."

"I don't know. Gemma told me to come," I replied.

He shook his head, "Let's get this over with." Clay put a hand on my back to usher me into the house. We walked in through the kitchen to find Jax and Tara standing there as well.

Before anyone could say anything, "Everyone sit," Gemma told us, gesturing to the table.

"What's this about?" I asked. Clay took his seat at the head of the table, Gemma sat down at his right. Jax sat down on his left, and Tara next to him. I took a seat next to Tara.

Gemma sighed, "The night of Bobby's party, I didn't get into an accident. I was attacked. I stopped at a light, and this girl jumps out and runs to my window. She said her baby was choking. It was a doll. She hit me over the head. When I came to, they had me tied to a chain link fence." She looked down at her hands. "There were three of them. They raped me, multiple times."

I jumped when Jax slammed his fists down on the table. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to cry. Clay leaned over and kissed Gemma' hands. Jax got up and walked around the table to hug her. He looked down at Clay, "I'm not going anywhere."

"How do we handle this?" Clay asked.

"Kill 'em all."

I got up and hugged Gemma. "I'm sorry."

I drifted out of the house without saying anything else. I drove home and crawled into bed, numb with shock. I needed some sleep because I was due back at work the next afternoon. I'd sent Koz a message telling him that we'd talk about what happened at Clay and Gemma's in the morning. I couldn't do it just then.