He tried to be a decent man. Jax Teller was a conflicted soul, torn between the things he was supposed to do and the things he had to do. Being in the club left you with very limited choices. They were a family for life but one that would kill you. A family that wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet in your head to silence you forever.

Jax closed his eyes briefly as he drove this road alone. He preferred to be by himself. The wind pushed his shaggy blond hair back. From the looks of him, with his unshaven jaw, black leather jacket displaying the SAMCRO's logo, and motorcycle built for speed some would say Jax Teller was a man looking for trouble. Maybe, they were right.

"You're late." Gemma's frown turned into a scowl once she saw how her son was dressed. "Dammit Jackson, you're not even ready."

She stormed into the house and slammed the door on his face. He smirked at his mother's antics. Truly, he enjoyed them. Most of the time.

In the distance he heard an infant cry. His smile was automatic. That was the only real good thing that came from his pitiful excuse for a marriage. Today was Jax's birthday. A six pack and a cigarette was all the celebration he needed but his mother insisted on more. The gang would be here soon. He ran a rough, calloused hand over his face. He was tired. He did things last night that he didn't even want to remember in his dreams.

It takes a toll on your humanity. Running guns. Killing for hire. Not even when he was drunk to the point where he couldn't speak could he get the images of all of those people he murdered out of his mind. He felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. But this was the life he chose. And the price he had to pay.

"Jackson," Gemma came out holding a fifty dollar bill. "Can you run to the supermarket and get me some chips and dip. And those streamer thangs. Thanks baby."

She kissed his forehead. No matter how easily she got mad at him, she forgave him just as quick.

The ride was quick. Jackson couldn't help but smile as a few of the locals strutted by him and waved provocatively. It was no secret that women liked him, and that he liked women. "Hey there stranger. Coming down to see me dance anytime soon?" A busty blond winked at him as she drawled out her invitation.

"Nah. Got the kid now. My nights are busy."He smiled. She pouted. But he didn't care. Besides, his type was brunettes.

The isles were packed with people. He made his way through to the snack isle. Browsing around he didn't notice a certain brunette staring at him. One that broke his heart. And still had the power too. He heard a sharp intake of breath and glanced up casually. Tara Knowles. He froze. The chips he had been holding fell.

Feeling like an idiot, he rushed to pick them up. "Tara?" All the nights that he longed for her. Every dream that he still had about her. Nothing could compare to seeing her in person. She hadn't changed on bit. Correction, she became more beautiful. Enticing. She was a woman now. When she left she was just a girl. Just a girl who crushed him. He had flashbacks of the nights he spent with other women trying to burying himself in them, to forget her. It hadn't worked but she didn't need to know that.

He caught himself twice staring at her pouty lips and big innocent eyes. This was bad. Real bad.

She cleared her throat snapping him out of the trance he was in. "When did you come home?" He used the word home knowing it would affect her. From the look in her eyes, it did. She never considered this place home. She was bigger then this place. Bigger then him. That thought never left his mind the entire time she was away. And now here she stands, in nurses scrubs, reminding him even more how different they have become.

"I just got here. I don't know how long I'll be here. How are you?" She eyed his guarded stance. He knew there were scratches on his arms from the night before and if he wasn't mistaken, when she looked at them he thought he saw concern in her eyes. That gave him hope. Stupid. Really stupid, he thought for the third time since they started this conversation.

"I'm good. Its my birthday." He blurted out feeling out of place all of a sudden. Not like the confident biker he was when he walked in. "I remember." She smiled sadly.

"Happy birthday Jax."She began to walk away. He couldn't bring himself to say good bye so soon.

"You should stop by tonight. My mom is having a party." She looked down at the mention of his mom. They never got along. "Please Tara..." He gently reached out for her hand. She looked down at it and sighed.

"Ok. I'll see you tonight, looking forward to it." She smiled and it took his breath away.

"Me too." She whispered as she turned the corner out of his line of sight.