One Rule

Alternate Ending Part 3

A lot happened before we left Charming, and most of it was bad. It only solidified our desire to get out...

Jax couldn't kill Clay. He needed Clay alive in order to continue their deal with the Irish. Unfortunately, Clay ultimately survived his injuries, and was released from the hospital with a portable oxygen tank. 

"Are you going to go see your dad soon?" Kozik asked as I was getting ready for work one morning.

"I don't know," I replied honestly. "I don't know if I can look him in the eye after giving Jax my blessing to kill him."

"Fair," he nodded. "I think on some level, I'm relieved Jax didn't go through with it. It's one less secret that I have to keep."

"And we still get what we want," I told him. I looked at my stomach in the mirror, turning sideways. "Am I showing?"

Kozik looked at me, "If you are, it's not much," he said.

"I need you to be honest, can you see anything?" I countered, pulling my scrub top tighter against my body. "I'm not ready to be making any announcements."

Kozik walked over and kissed me. "It's fine, babe. You're gorgeous as always," he said, pushing my hair back from my face.

"You're a smooth talker, you know that right?" I smiled, and put my hair back into a ponytail.

"Only for you."

"Damn right," I laughed.

Later that afternoon, I got a call from Opie, letting me know when the memorial for Piney would be. I checked my schedule, and I was free that day.

"Are you headed home soon?" he asked just as I was about to hang up the phone.

"Yeah, why?" I replied.

"Is it okay if I stop by? I wanted to talk to you about something," he told me.

"Of course. You know you're always welcome to drop by whenever you want."

He let out a wry chuckle, "I can't say I get the same feeling off of Jax."

"It's funny you should mention my brother," I said, walking out to my car.

"I want to talk about your brother when I come over," he told me.

"Fair enough. I'll be there in ten minutes."

When I got home, Opie and Kozik were sitting in the living room, having a beer. The mood seemed a little tense. "Hey, how are you?" I asked as Opie got up to hug me.

"I've been better," he replied.

I leaned into the hug. Opie's hugs were the best. He was a giant teddy bear and his hugs always made me feel safe. I pulled back and looked up at him. "What did you want to talk about?" I asked.

He sat back down on the couch, and I sat on the arm of the chair Kozik was sitting in. "I shot Clay because he killed Piney, and Jax won't take it to the table." He paused and waited for the shocked reaction that wasn't coming. "You know," he replied after a few moments of silence.

I looked down at Kozik, only to find him staring back at me. "Jax is more likely to forgive you than me," Kozik said quietly.

I looked back at Opie and nodded. I couldn't lie to Opie. "Jax told us," I replied.

"And that doesn't fucking bother you?" Opie asked, visibly irritated with Kozik.

"Fuck yes it bothers me!" Kozik shot back. "More than I'm allowed to say."

"What does that mean?"

I broke in, "We agreed to keep what we know to ourselves so that Jax will call the vote to release Kozik, and get the rest of the table to vote to release him."