Leather & Lace: A Sons of Anarchy Fanfic

Chapter 97

Gemma didn't know what to expect when she made it to the recovery unit but it wasn't the sight of Jax hooked up to machines and completely out of it. The sight alone brought tears to Gemma's eyes. She wasn't a very emotional person -at least not in this type of way- but this was testing her limits.

Gemma walked further into the room and rested a hand on Jax's arm. The contact caused him to stir.

"Tins?" Said a very groggy Jax.

"No baby. It's mom" said Gemma.

"Where's Tins. She promised not to leave my side" said Jax. Gemma heard they tears in his voice and it broke her heart. In that moment, she realized that her little boy didn't need her anymore. He had a woman in his corner that he needed more.

"She's outside smoking. I wanted to check on you first. The doc said your heart stopped" said Gemma.

"Hmm" said Jax.

"Jax, your heart stopped. I thought I was going to be burying you beside your brother" said Gemma and tears streamed down her face.

"I'm good" said Jax.

"I see that now. I'm gonna go find Tinsley and send her to you. Are you going to be okay by yourself?" Asked Gemma.

Jax just gave her a thumbs up as way of answering.

"Ok. I'm gonna go get Tinsley. I'll see you when you get to your room. I love you Jackson" said Gemma as she leaned over the bed and placed a kiss on Jax's forehead.

"Love you" said Jax.

Gemma walked out of the unit and went in search of Tinsley. Gemma knew the inevitable breakdown was coming but she knew that the hospital wasn't the place for that to happen.

When she made it outside, she found Tinsley and Willow sitting on the bench just outside the hospital entrance.

"He's asking for you" said Gemma as she walked over and placed a hand on Tinsley's shoulder.

"Is he ok?" Asked Tinsley.

"I think so. He's a little loopy but he's ok I think" said Gemma.

"Ok. Catch you with you guys later?" Asked Tinsley.

"You know the way?" Asked Gemma.

"No. I'll ask one of the nurses in the lobby" said Tinsley.

"Ok. Call when he's in his room" said Gemma.

"Will do" said Tinsley.

Tinsley took off for the main entrance and in search of a nurse to lead her to Jax. After waiting for the nurse to get off the phone, /mage asked her to show her how to get to the recovery unit. The nurse was happy to have someone walk her down there.

When Tinsley walked into the room, the sight of Jax lying in bed hooked up to so many machines hit her like a Mack truck. He looked so weak and vulnerable.

"Jax? Are you awake?" Asked Tinsley.

"Hmm" moaned Jax.

Tinsley went to his bedside and placed a hand on his. She leaned over and place a kiss on his lips. The contact woke him.

"Hey baby" said Tinsley as she wiped his hair out of his face.

"Hey" said Jax.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Tinsley.

"Rough" said Jax.

"I know baby. Doc says that surgery went well" said Tinsley.

"I saw my dad" said Jax.

"Really?" Asked Tinsley.

"Mmmm hmmmm" grunted Jax.

"Tell me all about it later. Get some rest baby. I'm right here" said Tinsley.

"Don't leave" said Jax.

"I'm not going anywhere" said Tinsley.

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3 DAYS LATER:

Jax was itching to get out of the hospital. He hated being cooped up and he wanted a cigarette. He was starting to get grouchy with every one he came into contact with.

"I'm ready to get the hell out of here" said Jax.

"I know baby. The doctors are discussing what to do." Said Tinsley.

"They've run every god damn test under the fucking sun. My leg isn't gonna heal any faster here than it will at home" said Jax.

"Baby, calm down. I know you're ready to go. I am too. But getting yourself all worked up over it ain't gonna make things go any faster" said Tinsley.

"If I raise enough hell, they will kick me out. Problem solved" said Jax.

"You know that's not the answer Jax. They want to make sure your heart is fine to go home. As much as I want you to come home, I won't risk your health for my wants." Said Tinsley.

"I'm no good to anyone here. I need to help find out who did this" said Jax.

"And you will. But you need to take care of you right this minute. You won't be any good to anyone lying on a cold slab in the morgue Jax" said Tinsley.

"Whatever." Said Jax.

Tinsley walked over to his bed and sat down in the edge. She grabbed one hand in hers and looked him dead in the eye.

"Jax, I know you want to get out of here. I know you want to get home. I want those things too. Right now, you need to make sure that you are okay before you rush out of here. As much as I want you home, I want to know you are 100% fine. I won't risk losing you because you don't want to be here." Said Tinsley.

"It's not just being cooped up here baby. It's that you are carrying the burden of our kids all alone." Said Jax.

"I don't mind it baby because I know if the situation was reversed, you would do the same. You would take on all the kids alone and tend to me as well." Said Tinsley.

"Damn right. That's my job as your husband" said Jax.

"And it's mine as your wife to take care of you. It's my job to pick up the slack when you can't. It's my job to love you and support you even though you are being a pain in the ass" said Tinsley.

"I'm not being a pain in the ass. I just want to get out of here. This place brings back too many memories for me" said Jax.

"I get that and I can't imagine what you're feeling. But baby, I got this." Said Tinsley.

"I know. It's just makes me feel unnecessary and shit. What kind of man let's his wife carry the whole load?" Said Jax.

"Baby, you ain't letting me carry anything. I chose to do it. You stepped up with Abel when I was laid up in the hospital before having the babies." Said Tinsley.

"That's different" said Jax.

"How? Me being laid up in the hospital wasn't my fault. And guess what. You being in here isn't your fault either" said Tinsley.

"I know" said Jax.

"So tell me how it's different" said Tinsley.

"I guess it really isn't" said Jax.

"Exactly. Not lay back, get some rest, and try to wait patiently for the doctors to come back" said Tinsley

"Yes ma'am" said Jax