The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most - An SOA Fan Fiction

Chapter 8

"Ahh shit." Juice idled on the side of a tree-lined road; the heavy foliage partially hiding the lake sitting below the steep incline. "There's never anyone here, ever." There were definitely people there now; it looked like some kind of a large picnic or family party. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Amelia was disappointed though. It was absolutely gorgeous and she would have loved to relax in the sun with him, maybe even take a dip, but it wasn't in the cards for them that day. "It's not your fault."

They moved along, both trying to think of a plan B but nothing seemed right. Neither of them minded as he sped around the winding mountain roads by the reservation just to kill time while he tried to think up with something that would really wow her. For that moment though, he was more than content to feel her holding him firmly but there was only so long he could stall. Finally, with a plan, Juice began to head back toward the highway. Their dilemma was understandable, Charming was generally a boring town and the surrounding areas weren't much better. Amelia hadn't been home in years, either, so when Juice asked her what she wanted to do there wasn't one idea in her mind that stuck out. He had put her on the spot, her cheeks turned red as he winked and nodded. If she didn't know, he thought he had the perfect spot to take her. Turning back to the road as the light turned green he raced away from Charming intent on doing as she requested. Juice knew she needed it.

Even with the speeds Juice drove, it was still a good drive to get to the small state protected beach he loved so much. They weren't dressed for it nor did he bring a blanket or anything but his wallet, gun and smokes but he was optimistic. They parked a short ways up and Juice held her hand as he led her down the path, surrounded by dune grass. "Be careful, the rocks can trip you up."

"Such a gentleman." Amelia smiled as they hit the sand, bending over and pulling off her shoes to wiggle her toes in the sand. "It's been too long." He followed suit, leaving his boots beside hers by the end of the trail and together they walked closer to the water's edge.

"Denver has a lot of shit, but it's got nothing like this." Juice nodded out toward the jetty. The sun was beaming down on the ocean, shining brilliantly; little flickers of light marked the ebb and flow of the water. "I don't know if people just don't care or this spot just isn't well know but it's always deserted."

This guy was not the goofy, shallow person he was made out to be. Amelia smiled and took a deep breath, she missed the ocean air more than she'd realized. "It's beautiful."

Looking at her he nodded, "Yeah, very beautiful." Juice turned back to the water and decided if he wanted her to open up, he'd have to. "It makes you feel small, but not in a bad way. Almost like, you can let go because you're not in control. There's a force a work, nature, god, whatever, but looking at this, how can anyone think we're the masters? Just let go, you're not alone," he repeated with force this time hoping to she'd hear some truth to take to heart. Juice shook his head, his eyes fell as she stared at him in awe.

"Wow," Amelia felt her eyes stinging; she was shocked and touched by his words. "I didn't think you had it in you." It was a joke but it had struck a nerve in Juice.

"I'm not an idiot, I'm sure Jax and Tig loved to play that up but I can't really take them to a beach and wax poetic, can I?"

"I hope not," she giggled. "I never thought you were an idiot and no one ever said you were, so calm down." When she intertwined her fingers with his Juice felt himself settle, just a simple touch could calm the usually frazzled and hyperactive man. It was the first time she took initiative and, without some dramatic stimulus, made physical contact just because she wanted to. The size of that moment was obvious to both of them. "Let's take a walk."

The strolled together in silence, enjoying the company without expectation and as an elderly couple passed them by Amelia smiled and glanced over to him. "So, how'd you end up here?"