"Third Time Lucky"

So this is an idea I've been kicking around for awhile. Haven't written fan fiction in a really long time. But I miss it and I'm gonna give it another whirl. It's a long one, though, so I think I'll break it up into chapters. It takes place one month post – "J'ai Obtenu Cette" (the season 5 finale). I'll fill in all the details, with very little about the drugs and guns, etc. Thanks for reading.

"I THINK IT'S for the best."

Jackson Teller just kept hearing her say that phrase over and over in his head. Even as one of the guards at the jail in Charming, California made him raise his arms to check for weapons, these were the only words going through his head. The guard looked at the papers he retrieved from Jax's cut and gave him a knowing look. One of understanding, of pity. Jax sighed to himself, having been resigned to the fact that a lot of people looked at him that way lately.

How could they not? With everything that had happened, he didn't blame them one bit. First, his step-father was arrested for murder after his gun was found at the crim scene where Damon Pope was murdered. Then, in an ironic twist, Clay Morrow had given the local cops information about Jax's wife, Tara Knowles, about her involvment with a nurse's murder at Stockton State Correctional. Information that was given to him by his wife, Jax's mother, Gemma Teller Morrow. She had mentioned it in passing to him when she was following Jax's orders to get closer to Clay, so that she could get her family back.

Before he could get to a hearing, however, Clay Morrow had been stabbed to death in jail. They had had the funeral a few days after. Ever since then, things between certain brothers of SAMCRO were strained. Bobby Munson had stepped down as Jax's Vice-President and had taken off for parts unknown. Juan-Carlos "Juice" Ortiz had done the same. He hadn't removed his patch, but had taken off, Clay's death hitting him hard. Jax didn't blame either of them. He knew they would be back – the brotherhood meant too much to both of them, just as it did to him. So much so that his marriage was over.

He had visited his wife, Tara, in the jail as often as he possibly could. Only a few days ago she had handed him these papers and told him it would be for the best. Apparently, it had been Ally Lowen, their lawyer's, idea. Now that Clay was dead and Otto Delaney had bitten his tongue off so that he couldn't talk to anyone, the story that Tara was a willing participant in the nurse's murder couldn't be corroborated. Therefore, she would be getting released. But this time in jail was enough to make her snap.

"I've had enough, Jax. This is what needs to be done. And if you give me any trouble about Thomas… Well, I don't think you want more trouble from law enforcement right now, do you?"

That was how they had left three days ago. Since then, Jax had taken the papers home and stared at them. He hadn't been sure what to think. Even his mother was remaining tight-lipped about this, which wasn't like her. Probably because she saw how much her son was hurting. The only thing she had said was that she knew Tara had never forgiven any of them for what had happened to her hand, thereby derailing her medical career. Jax was inclined to agree.

But the biggest form of support had come from Nero Padilla, his mother's current boyfriend and SAMCRO's business partner. Jax didn't know how he would have gotten through this past month without him.

"Alright Teller, go ahead."

Gee thanks, Jax said, as he walked into the visiting room he knew so well. He waited for Tara to come out. It only took a moment for her to do so, wearing the official orange jumpsuit, her dark hair up in a ponytail. He had to admit she looked better today than he had seen her look this entire time. She sat down across from him.

"Hey."

All Jax could do was nod as he produced the papers and set them down in front of her. She glanced at them, knowing that he had in fact signed them. But Ally said this was the best way to distance herself from the charges and from the club. An annulment of their marriage.

Jax swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, not saying anything.

"Thanks for this.", She said, avoiding his eyes. He knew why. If he had done what she was doing right now, he wouldn't be able to meet her eyes either.

"I'm getting out a week from today."

That got his attention. So this whole thing was really going to work. Getting the annulment, having the charges dropped… She was going to take their son to Portland, Oregon and start her now residency at the hospital there.

Gemma had already given her son a rash of shit about letting Tara take their child. But Jax told her it would be in everyone's best interest right now. He would fight to get custody of Thomas as soon as things cooled down a little more. Mainly, Tara's temper. Even though she claimed she was over it.

When they had talked a few days ago, she assured him she was over it all. That she had forgiven him for everything. Jax didn't believe a word of it. Deep down, she harbored terrible feelings for him, for the club, for everything. That's why she was doing what she was doing. And right now, Jax just didn't have the strength to stop her.

"Aren't you gonna say anything?"

He looked at her then and she was looking back at him, finally. "What do you want me to say, Tara? Good luck? Happy trails?"

Tara sighed. "No. I just want you to say something. Anything."

Jax sat back, wishing like hell that he could have a cigarette. "I've got nothing to say. It's already been said. You're getting what you want. For now."

She narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?" He didn't answer. She knew what it meant and he wasn't about to tell her here, of all places.

So he stood, preparing to leave.

"I still love you, Jax.", She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He scoffed and shook his head. "But that was never enough for you, was it?" And then he was gone.

TEN DAYS LATER, Jax found himself awake at six a.m. It was just himself and his five-year-old son Abel in the house now and it was strange. He missed Thomas, more than words could possibly say. And he would figure out a way to get him back. But at least he was young enough now that when he was older, he wouldn't remember any of this bullshit.

At seven-thirty, his mother arrived.

"Hey baby.", She greeted him, with a kiss on the cheek. Jax nodded, finishing his cup of coffee.

"I'm going for a ride and then to Nero's to check on things. I'll be back later." Gemma nodded knowingly, setting her purse down and going into the living room to play with Abel.

Jax got onto his motorcycle and strapped on his helmet. This was the only time he didn't feel the weight of the world on his shoulders, when he was riding.

On his way out of town, he had to stop for a school bus picking up passangers on their way to school. His head snapped up when he saw Ellie and Harry Winston getting onto the bus in front of a house he didn't recognize.

Ever since his best friend, Harry "Opie" Winston had been brutally beaten to death in prison, his wife had been taking care of his two children from his first marriage. But this was nowhere near Lyla Winston's house. Besides, she worked for Nero, which meant that was probably where she was. What the hell is going on here, he thought.

When the school bus was gone, he pulled his bike over and turned it off, removing his helmet.

The house was cute, a one-story ranch style, white with black shudders. A nice backyard, a few trees, a driveway with a beat-up minivan parked there. His curiosity was definitely piqued now. So he glanced around to make sure that he wouldn't look suspicious to anyone and then tried the front door. It was unlocked.

The front door opened to a living room with rather old carpeting. There was a television on the left and two love seats for seating. A desk sat against the front window, with a computer and a lamp. The kitchen was to the right, it looked to be galley-style. It led out to the backyard. There was a small hallway to the left, where Jax assumed the bedrooms were. And the bathroom, since that's where he heard the running water. He took slow and steady steps toward the sound, easing the door open, his gun at the ready just in case. Then he exhaled a breath and left the gun in its place.

Behind the shower curtain, he saw a woman, showering. And for some reason unknown to him, he was frozen in his spot. Who the hell was this woman? What was she doing with his god children? The water turned off right at that moment and she pulled the curtain back.

"Jax Teller. It's been a long time. Think you could hand me a towel?" ~~~~~