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Clubhouse - Charming.

"What the fuck is the little bitch up to?!….And you…YOU…just let him stay in Reno with HER," Gemma screamed at Clay.

"Gem. Enough! You wanted Jax to prospect early. He is ours now. It was a club vote. Move on…That girl….is so harmless…you need to calm down," Clay rebutted.

"I can't even believe you just said that to me. He is my only son that is here…..I need him Clay…can't you understand that?!…I can't have an outsider like Tara with bigger ideas of the world getting in his head. He is too much like his father. I want him close…in the club…here in Charming…always…and she is a direct threat to that..you have to see that she is more than pussy to him? Don't you? What if she takes him from me?!," Gemma screamed in a panic as tears trickled down her face.

Responding in a calm and quiet tone, while pulling Gemma close, Clay whispered…"Listen Gem…you are Gemma Teller-Morrow…you don't get intimidated by anyone…let alone a 16 year old piece of ass…yea Jax cares for her…maybe even loves her…whatever that is to a 16-year-old…but he loves this club. It makes him feel connected to his father. He ain't goin' nowhere….and Gem…if anyone becomes a problem…you and I have always figured out a way to handle it…".

"Okay Baby…let's go home. I have missed you," Gemma surrendered as she pulled Clay in for a long passionate kiss.

6 months later….

Jax woke up from his afternoon nap, wiped his face and reached for the drawer next to his bed and pulled out a cigarette. It was a beautiful February day in Charming.… But, Jax felt lonely and out of sorts. He thought back to the summer and the few days he spent with Tara in Reno, and the weeks that followed… how hopeful he felt with her.…how much he loved her… he missed her dearly.

His routine of runs for the club, smoking and napping had become his norm since dropping out of high school. Jax didn't feel that he had much to look forward to and he was heartbroken. Heartbroken that he did not have Tara….heartbroken that she was trying to date other people, and angry with himself for ruining it. But, he didn't blame her at all. In Jax's head, Tara was still his….I have to get her back…Jax thought to himself as he laid in bed, smoking a cigarette.

"Jackson Nathaniel Teller!," Gemma screamed as she barged into Jax's bedroom. "Get your sorry ass out of bed and to the clubhouse…it's 4pm…Clay needs a favor….a prospect is not supposed to be a depressed pussy!"

"Ma. Please don't go there. I know you are loving this…but I am not…," Jax responded as he pulled on jeans and a t-shirt, turning toward the door to leave.…, "Let Clay know I'm on my way…".

Gemma stopped Jackson, pulling on his arm…, "Jackson…I love you…what are we going to do about this. How can I help you move on with your life for Christ-sake?"

"I am moving on the best way I know how. You raised me. Think about how you would feel if you weren't with Clay anymore and you had to watch him move on…or how you felt after losing Dad….I doubt you would be acting much different than me. I remember how you were after Dad and Tommy died. You hit the bottle and weed hard…so pardon me while I figure it out…," Jax sassed.

"I can't believe you just compared Tara Knowles to your father and Thomas…what the fuck is wrong with you Jackson?," Gemma asked.

"Yes, I compared her to Dad and Tommy…she is beyond important to me….when are you going to accept that?!….even if we are never together again, she is up there with you, Op, Dad, Tommy….Ma…what I am just asking, is for you to remember what it felt like to lose something you love…knowing that it's your fault. You must know what I mean, Ma…" Jax said.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?! You think I had something to do with your father's death?! Who has been putting shit in your head?!," Gemma screamed irately.

"Wow. What the fuck Mom?!….I did not mean that at all….get a grip. I would never accuse you of that!…. I know you loved Dad and Tommy…that you still do….Have you ever felt regret Ma? Responsibility for someone else's pain? That's all I was trying to say. I am responsible for Tara's pain…I know she loves me…and god knows I lo—," Jax responded.

"She doesn't look like she is in pain…hanging with different football players every other week…," Gemma interrupted.

Jax snapped his head back, "She is just doing what I am…trying to distract herself…only difference is that she is really trying to form a connection with some new guy. I am just passing time with pussy…and I am sick of it. You want your son back, help me figure out a way to get Tara back…I love you Ma…tell Clay I am on my way…," Jax said as he kissed his mother on the cheek and walked out the door.

Gemma fell to Jax's bed. Son of a bitch…is this what I really have to do to help my Son…Gemma pondered.

"Clay!…Jax is on his way. And I need Otto to do some digging on Ms. Knowles….send him to me when he is free…," Gemma said quickly over the phone.

"Anything for my queen," Clay responded...

…As Tara feared about three months ago, she walked in on Jax getting fooling-around with some crow eater at the club house. A huge scene ensued. Tara beat the shit out of the woman, who was at least 5 years older than her. Jax was so drunk that he stumbled and was unable to stop Tara right away. Once he got to his feet it was too late. The woman's face was bleeding and Tara was kicking her. Once Jax grabbed Tara she spun and slapped him. Then she ran out of the club house so quickly, Jax was unable keep up with her.

Jax finally caught up with Tara around the middle of town. Tara was screaming and yelling….Jax was pleading for her forgiveness. They both ended up being arrested for disorderly conduct. Gemma bailed them out. Tara ended things with Jax. Not only had he cheated on her, but he did it right in Charming….everyone knew…all the bitches at school, and then on top of it, she was arrested. It was a bad scene for both of them. Tara was beyond hurt and angry with Jax and she was angry with herself. She didn't like feeling so out of control. Tara was starting to dislike herself, which was a sad place to be. She couldn't give him a pass again. She made it clear cheating was not acceptable. She felt that she had to stand her ground….Felt she deserved better.

Tara tried moving on, briefly dating two football players from Charming High, but neither made her feel the way that Jax did. She and Jax would run into each other on occasion. Jax always looked at Tara with hurt in his eyes when he saw her…Tara would just turn away. Jax had an uncanny ability to make Tara feel like this was all her fault by the way he looked at her…that she betrayed him by ending things. Tara knew she couldn't be strong when she was around Jackson Teller, so she chose to avoid him. She kept herself busy with a part-time job and school work, and beginning to plan for her future. In the few months Tara and Jax had been apart, Tara officially decided that she would leave Charming for college and the she wanted to be pre-med…

Tara's part time job was at the local convenience store. Sometimes she had to work late. On one night in particular, she worked until midnight. Her father did not answer (shocking) when she called for a ride home. Tara thought about calling Jax, but decided against it. She thought about calling Donna, but where Donna was, Opie was, and Jax was not far behind. Tara missed her friendship with Donna. They were still friendly in school and got together from time-to-time but Tara has definitely put distance between her and Tara. Donna understood… It hurt too much for Tara…

So, Tara decided to walk home. She was walking down the dark sidewalks of downtown Charming. The streets were quiet and everything was closed up….

The next day, Tara woke up in the hospital. She was disoriented and did not understand why she was there. She looked around the room and located a sleeping Jackson Teller in the chair in the corner of the room. She was instantly annoyed. Why is he here? Why am I here?…Tara felt an instant headache.

Jax woke up as he heard Tara moving around in her bed.

"Babe…don't move…you, you can't get up on your own," Jax warned.

"Don't call me babe. Why are you here Jackson? Why am I here?," Tara asked.

"You were attacked Tara, and I am here because no matter what, I will always be here for you…," Jax responded.

"What do you mean I was attacked? By who?" Tara demanded. As Tara began to frantically look down at her body, and touch her face, she realized that she was beaten up, she suddenly felt the soreness and saw bruises all over her body… "Jax, you should leave. You should send my doctor in…," Tara asked, choking back tears.

"Tara, who is Rick Shrine?," Jax asked.

Tara turned away from him. "Jax…not your business," Tara snapped.

"Tara, WHO IS HE?," Jax demanded as he gently grabbed her face, moving it toward his.

Tara looked into Jax's eyes for a moment….then faced downward, purposely avoiding eye contact with him…"David Hale's cousin. We dated before you and I got together…He was….He lives in Stockton…" Tara trailed off, as tears rolled down her face…

Jax knew what she meant. He was the guy who was with HIS girl before HE was. The guy who felt the inside of Tara first…a jealous and angry rage came over Jax. This guy is dead. He beat the shit out of Tara. Jax was fuming…but wanted to stay calm in front of Tara. The only thing worse than his rage, was the emotionally and physically broken face he saw in front of him…

….Jax disliked most of the Hale family….it was in his DNA. He didn't mind David, but found him annoyingly wholesome. As for the rest of the Hale family, Jax was raised to believe they were useless and just as corrupt, if not more corrupt than SAMCRO. Both of their families went way back, and they never got along. Like in Romeo and Juliet… Capulet and Montague type hatred. The weird thing about Charming is that, even those who are on the 'right' side of the law, are usually corrupt individuals as well. Charming was just that kind of town. Corrupt cops, leaders, and people overall. So a family member of the Hale family near or far, was automatically red-flagged as a douche in Jax's mind….

"Jax, what does Rick have to do with anything?," Tara asked nervously.

"Tara, he attacked you. You got a few shots back at him, and the cops found him. Do you remember anything, Tara?" Jax asked quietly.

"No….," Tara broke down. Tears running down her face at a more rapid rate. She could feel the tears burning her bruises and cuts. "How do you know…..Rick wouldn't do this….it doesn't make sense…that…Jax, please leave," Tara pleaded, once again turning her back to Jax. He can't see me like this…

…Tara had no semblance of a family. Her mother died when she was young and she had a lackluster father figure, who did not show her consistent love or support. So not surprisingly, she turned to boys for attention at a young age. Tara became promiscuous, starting at around age 14, but she kept it quiet. When she met Rick at 15, he seemed like her knight in shining armor. He was David Hale's cousin, and David was a good guy. His parents had a nice house, he bought Tara gifts…all the things a 15-year-old who wasn't getting attention at home, would eat up. So Tara decided to sleep with Rick. After they slept together, Rick more or less wanted to be with Tara all of the time. Tara liked Rick, but not as much as Rick liked her. Tara was always thinking about Jackson Teller, the beautiful biker boy, she had been friends with since early childhood…When Tara decided to end things, it wasn't because she hated Rick, Rick was good to her, it was because she knew she cared for someone else more. Rick was pissed, but he seemed to accept it…When Tara and Jax finally got together, she had hoped that neither found out about each other, but that was likely wishful thinking. Tara knew there was bad-blood between their families. But Rick beating Tara…none of it made sense at all…

"Tara please do not shut me out. You need someone to be here for you," Jax pleaded.

"Jax, I don't need anyone to be here for me. Anytime I trust anyone, I just end up disappointed, hurt, or heartbroken…. and now we can add beaten to that list. So, thank you Jax, but I am done letting people in….it's not worth it," Tara sobbed. I can't believe Rick would do this…this doesn't make any sense…

Tara's words cut like a knife through Jax's heart. He felt an immense amount of guilt. Not that he hadn't before, but for some reason his guilt was really put into perspective in this moment. Knowing that he contributed to her hurt was heartbreaking. He decided that he would do anything to win Tara back, and that he was done with other women, no matter what pressure was put on him.

"Tara, I will give you a few minutes…but I am not going anywhere…," Jax calmly stated.

Tara looked at Jax, but did not say anything.

Tara lay in her hospital bed, trying to recall what landed her beaten and in the hospital.

How did I get here? I was walking home…but where was I? Rick…i haven't seen him in months…. Panic began to rush through Tara's entire body. Flashes of information were coming through to the forefront of her memory. Tara pushed the nurses button in a panic.

Back out in the waiting room, Jax was pacing back and forth frantically. Fuckin Hale's. Jax wanted to talk to David. Out of all of them he could deal with David, and he knew that David was fond of Tara. Jax decided to head over to the Hale's.

When he arrived, Jax pounded on the Hale's front door. Mrs. Hale came to the front. She was surprised to see the heir of SAMCRO standing before her.

"Can I help you young man?" She asked.

"Hello, I am Jackson Teller…I know David from school. Hoping I could speak with him…" Jax asked.

"Sure…let me see…" Mrs. Hale was responding, when suddenly David appeared in the doorway. The look on his face as Jax came into his range of vision was pure shock. David excused his mother.

"Teller…what the hell are you doing here?," David demanded.

"Listen…I want to talk to you about Tara. I know we aren't really friends and I know our families aren't friendly, but you have known Tara for a long time…so please help me David," Jax pleaded.

David closed his front door. Even though he tried to play dumb, David knew exactly why Jax was at his house, and he did not want his mother to hear their conversation. David nodded at Jax to speak.

"Tara…she was….attacked last night. On main street. We think she was walking home from work. The cops picked up Rick Shrine for the attack…I was just at the hospital with Tara….her memory of last night is off… But she did tell me this morning that Rick is your cousin and that…she and him have some kind of history…anyway…what do you know?" Jax explained sincerely.

David could see the concern in Jax's eyes. David knew how Jax felt about Tara. Hell, the whole town did. And, anyone with half-a-brain could see how Tara felt about Jax. In that moment, David decided he was going to help Jax get to the bottom of what happened. David may be a Hale but he is an honest guy first and foremost and Tara has been a good friend to him.

"Hope I am not overstepping telling you about Tara and Rick…I know you and Tara…even if you are not together…I am sure this won't be pleasant for you to hear…," David explained nervously.

"Anything that can help…I don't care…I know he and Tara dated and were sleeping together or whatever…I can handle it," Jax responded as he clenched his jaw.

"Well yea they were. But way before you and Tara became a thing. They haven't spoken in over 6 months, maybe longer….from what I know. Rick was in town for a family thing. Some friends were over too. A big party here last night….drinks were flowing.. Some people were talking about you and Tara…he was made aware that you are SAMCRO, that your father was the founder…and well we know our families history and dislike for one another… So I think he kinda freaked out when he realized that she moved on from him to you…".

Why the fuck were people talking about Tara and I at David's family party…nosey assholes… Jax thought.

"…He must have gotten jealous and pissed off that she was with you. I told him you and Tara weren't together right now…but everyone knows how you two feel about each other…so it's like you are together even when you aren't…so he went looking for Tara…wanted to talk to her…he found her and from what I know, he asked her to get back together with him. She said no…that she was trying to figure things out with someone else and that she needed a clear head…so, they got into an argument. He was calling her some nasty names…"

Jax was seething….how does David know so much about what happened? "Were you there Hale?!"

"No!…I would not have let things go down the way they did! I would never let anyone hurt Tara or hit a girl in my presence…she doesn't deserve what happened to her…" David asserted.

"Lucky for you, because I was about to punch you…You do realize that I am going to find your cousin and beat the living shit out of him…I mean… what the fuck Hale?!" Jax yelled.

"Yea I know and I would like to be there with you…I would have never thought he could do this to Tara…he did really care about her once upon a time. Treated her nice from what I could see…this is out of character for Rick, Jax….he isn't the kind of guy you would think is capable of this…something is not adding up…", David responded.

"Why did they break up in the first place if he was so fucking good to her? And I don't know Hale…they were both found bruised and on the sidewalk. He had Tara's hair and skin under his nails…sounds guilty to me." Jax asked and said.

"Distance, broken them up…I think…and well….you Teller. Tara is a good girl. Not a whore. From what I know of Tara, I would imagine once she allowed her feelings to go there for you, that she didn't feel right being with him anymore…Probably even regretted some of it…," David shared. "Tara is one of the only decent human beings in this town. I know that and you know that, so I want to figure out what truly happened. I am not defending Rick…really…if he did it, I will be the first person to take a swing at him, but something isn't adding up here. If you and I work together, I think we can figure out some truth…", David proposed.

"So you are telling me this fucker hasn't seen her in over 6 months, came to town for a family party…heard that Tara was with me…he doesn't even know me….and beat the shit out of Tara in a jealous rage?" Jax responded.

"I am telling you that on paper….that is what seemed to have happened….but, I am also telling you that something doesn't seem right here…Rick hitting Tara…Jax…I think there is more to this…maybe even someone else involved…", David trailed off.

"Yea I get that…something doesn't add up….where can I find him Hale? How can we get to the bottom of this? Unser seems convinced Rick attacked her….I think charges are pending.," Jax yelled.

"You are going to have to give me sometime. The family sent him somewhere…like a bootcamp or rehab or something so he doesn't get the book thrown at him in court, if this turns out to be true…I will work on it Teller. Just keep it quiet that you and I are kinda on the same team here…," David replied.

"The damage that Rick did is truly disturbing, and for me to say that, you know that it must be…I will give this two weeks Hale. If we don't find evidence of anything else….Rick will wish he had the book thrown at him when Opie and I are done with him, " Jax responded.