Herman Kozik never saw himself as a family man. He's always been a team-player, first as a Marine, then as a Son. He has to re-evaluate some things when he finds out that he has a teenage son of his own. When he meets his son's caseworker, he starts...
Koz strode into St. Thomas for the second time that morning, Kylie by his side and all of his brothers following en masse, which was an impressive sight. The only Son missing was Piney, who was already on the second floor of the hospital with Connie's mother, who had miraculously only suffered a mild concussion. The group walked into the Emergency department like they were on a mission, stopping when they reached the group of battle-weary old ladies waiting on them.
Rocky was the first to speak, after receiving a hug from her old man. "Darby?"
Koz smirked as Jax shook his head. "In the wind, which is just as well, because unfortunately, he's worth more to us alive than dead." He looked around, frowning. "Tara in back with Connie?"
Rocky nodded as Jessie wrapped her arms around Kylie. "Yes. It's been... difficult." Jessie smiled as she saw Kenny bringing up the rear behind his dad. "Kenny, why don't you take Kylie down to the cafeteria, get her something to eat?"
The young man nodded as he gently took Kylie's hand and led her away from the group. When they were out of earshot, Koz turned to the women with a serious face. "Okay, what's going on? All Rocky would say on the phone was to meet you all here."
The women all turned and looked at Gemma, who nodded and stepped forward, taking Kozik's arm and pointing to a chair. "You're gonna want to sit down, baby." When Koz and the others were sitting, she took his hand and squeezed it. "Charles... the guy who grabbed Connie, he shot her in the back when the girls confronted him." She held up a hand when the men started to curse. "Last we heard, she's alive." She made sure she had Koz's attention before continuing. "Tara lost her at the house, but the EMTs were able to bring her back en route to the hospital. She's lost a lot of blood but she's fighting, and that's the important thing, baby. You're gonna need to help her fight."
Happy spoke up from beside Koz. "The asshole still alive?"
Rocky snorted and nodded. "Yeah, but barely. He and the wife are presently being watched by Prudence and Lucinda until we can figure out what to do with them. I didn't shoot to kill, only to wound. I thought a quick death was too good for them."
Kozik nodded as he pinched the bridge of his nose and cleared his throat. He stood up and shook his head. "I need some air."
They all watched him walk out before Clay turned to Tig and Happy. "You two go with him and don't let him out of your sight. He's gonna want to be close when Tara comes out." When the two stood up and followed Kozik out of Emergency, Clay looked at Jax. "You and Ope take Juice with you and pick up the van. We can stow our two guests until we all have clear heads."
Jax nodded and stood up, patting Clay on the shoulder. "The cabin?" When Clay nodded, so did Jax, tilting his head to Juice. Clay sighed and rubbed his hand over his hair as he turned to give his wife a small smile. "Well, this has certainly been a shit day so far."
Gemma nodded in agreement. "It can only get better from here." She sighed. "Someone will have to deal with Unser. We didn't have time to cover completely."
Clay threw his arm around her and drew her close. "Don't worry about Wayne. That will all be taken care of."
Tig and Happy found Kozik pacing back and forth in the loading zone. Tig walked past him and leaned on the wall beside the door, lighting a cigarette. "You okay, brother?"
Kozik scoffed and shook his head. "No, I'm far from okay." He walked over and slouched against the wall next to Tig as Happy joined them. "I could have lost her." He sighed and let his head fall back against the brick. "I just found her, ya know?"
Tig nodded his understanding as he smoked his cigarette. "Yeah, I get that, man, but ya know... these old ladies don't go down without a fight. They're tough because they have to be. This life ain't for the meek, Koz."
Kozik shook his head. "We haven't even gotten that far."
Happy scoffed and shook his head. "Nah, I saw your face in there. It was the same for me when Rocky got hurt, or for Chibs with Jessie. They're our old ladies." He leaned in and tapped Kozik on his chest. "Now is when you show her that you're her old man."
Kozik took a deep breath and let it out before cracking a grin and nodding. "Yeah."
Later, as Koz stood beside Connie's bed and held her hand, he took a moment to thank God that he had seen fit to keep her here. When Tara had come out to tell them that she was going to make it, he'd almost broke down and wept, but then he'd looked at Kylie and knew that he had to be strong for both of them.
He was so intent on Connie that he didn't hear the door open or the footsteps until Kylie cleared her throat from beside him. He looked at her and grinned. "How's grandma?"
Kylie sighed and chuckled. "She's good. Upset that they won't release her until tomorrow, but good. Piney is sitting with her." She looked at him. "Mom's gonna be okay."
Koz grinned and nodded as he put an arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, she is. It's a good day."
Kylie snorted and gave him a look of disbelief. "Today was not a good day. We almost died, a bunch of times."
Koz chuckled. "Yeah, but you didn't. Anytime you can walk away breathing, that's a good day."
Kylie nodded in agreement. "Jessie and Chibs want me to stay with them tonight."
Koz nodded. "Okay, sounds good. I'm gonna be here with mom all night, so don't worry about anything." He leaned in and kissed her on the head. "Go relax and have a good evening."
Kylie nodded before turning to him for a full hug before she said goodnight. Koz sighed as he leaned down and kissed Connie on the forehead before pulling the chair over to the bedside. He grasped her hand and let his head fall back against the chair, turning to look at Connie who was still sleeping peacefully. "Rest, baby."
