Take Me to Church

Things took a drastic turn after Jax took his seat at the head of the table.

Chibs had told me what Tig had done while we were waiting for Jax that night. Tig had gone out seeking revenge for Clay having been shot. More specifically, he went after the leader of the Niners. He didn't succeed in killing him, but he did kill a few others in the process. Not only that, but when Opie finally reappeared he informed us all that Piney was also passed.

That hurt me more than anything else that had been happening recently.

A few weeks had passed since Jax became President, we gained new Prospects, and even a few transfers from some other charters. Things were kind of hectic, but we were dealing with it just fine.

The boys were on their way back from Arizona, and last I heard from them everything had been just fine. Due to having pneumonia, I had sat this trip out; but thankfully today had been my last day of 'rest and medicine' that the doctor had ordered. Jax had taken pity on me, obviously noticing how horrid I felt, and said it was fine for me to sit this ride out- plus, no offense to him, but I refused to ride in the truck with Phil.

After hearing how well the run had went, it was safe to say I was more than surprised when my husband came bursting through the door with Phil, whose face looked like he'd taken a slide off his bike.

"What the hell happened?" I gasped, shooting up from my seat on the couch. "Niners retaliation, they attacked the truck a few miles outside of city limits." Chibs said with a sigh- the tired tone was obvious in his voice. "Alright, Phil, sit down and I'll have a look. Filip, you go take a shower- you stink." I ordered. The boys immediately did as I had told them, while I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a first aid kit from one of the cabinets under the sink. Walking back into the living room, I sat down on top of the coffee table in front of Phil, and opened the box.

Phil's injuries were mostly a few minor cuts and scrapes; but there were also a few burns on one side of his face. I cleaned the injuries out, before covering the burns with some ointment and gauze. "You can sleep in the guest room tonight, and I'll check your burns again in the morning." I said with a sigh, before walking away from him. I could faintly hear him say thank-you as I walked up the stairs and into the master bedroom.

Chibs had just gotten out of the shower when I walked into the room. He was only wearing a pair of boxers, and still had the used towel clutched in his hand.

"Probably be gone before you wake up in the morning, have to go check in on Clay." He told me, climbing into the bed. Having not been expecting Phil to be with Chibs- I was only wearing a tank top, my undies, and a cardigan. No bra. No socks. No pants.

Clay would be getting out of the hospital in the morning, just in time for the service. I think it might a little bit soon, but under the circumstances I see why he was in a rush to get out of there. Bobby would also be returning tomorrow, unfortunately not in time to go to the service.

"That's fine. I'll see you at Piney's service, right?" I asked as I crawled into the bed next to him. "Of course love, now get some sleep." He ordered me this time, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me closer to him. My body immediately relaxed against his touch as I shifted ever so slightly, making myself comfortable and closing my eyes.

The next morning, I dressed myself in black pants, a pale pink tank top with a see-through black over shirt, pink heels, and a necklace with a cherry blossom. Piney had actually given it to me on my wedding day, right before he walked me down the aisle and gave me away. He had been the closest thing I had to a father since I hadn't seen mine since I was a little girl. Now they're both gone.

The thought echoed in my head- Piney had been the closest I had to a real father.

When I got to the cemetery, Opie was already there. I wrapped my arms around him in a comforting way, and he did the same. We waited for everyone else to arrive, in silence. When Chibs got here, he immediately did the same, greeting Opie with a comforting hug, before pulling me into his arm. I clung to my husband tightly, trying to will myself no to cry. I just couldn't believe that Piney was actually gone- I could've sworn that bastard was going to out live us all.

My entire body was numb as Opie began to speak, sharing memories about his father. When I stepped up to speak, I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. The words and their meanings were there, but I couldn't bring myself to speak. "I'm sorry. I can't." I managed to choke out. Shaking my head, I walked away from the front of the crowd. Chibs followed after me. I watched the rest of the ceremony from a distance, with my husband standing by my side.

After it was over, he took my back to the club- not bothering to wait to hear from anyone else. Juice, Happy, and Tig were the only others to come back with us.

It didn't surprise either of us that when we got back to the club, Roosevelt was there wait for us. Of course, today of all days, was when he decided to show up and whip his dick out again.

"Where's Jax? Heard he's your new President." Roosevelt had a smirk on his face as he approached us. Chibs, Happy, Tig, and I were all sitting around the picnic table, while Juice was a few feet away. "He's not here, what do you want?" Chibs growled out, moving to light a cigarette. "Are you guys aware of the violence that's happening in Charming? Two home invasions in less than a week." Roosevelt spoke once again, dropping a news paper down onto the table.

"Of course we've heard, the whole fucking town knows." I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. Annoyed. "Contrary to popular belief, we can read." Hearing my husband's voice, I couldn't help but laugh a bit. "What, you think we have something to do with it?" Tig questioned, angrily.

Upon hearing Tig's accusations, we all turned to look at Roosevelt. The man didn't get uneasy or scared- in face, he actually seemed to get even more determined to find whatever answers he was looking for.

"Three weeks ago, an unidentified man ran down Veronica Pope in what we can assume was an attempted hit on LaRoy Wayne. No witnesses yet, but some folks are saying they saw the one-niners chasing after a group of guys on motorcycles. First home invasion was Lynette Brice, one of your Crow Eaters. Two-thirty this morning, Wade Steiner was attacked in his own kitchen- he's a mechanic here at TM. Do you see the pattern here?" He finally finished his little speech.

Chibs shook his head lightly, but none of us said a word. "If these home invasions are retaliation, by Pope or the Niners-" Roosevelt began to speak once more, when Tig cut him off.

"We ain't heard of any beefs, man." Tig shook his head, staring at Roosevelt with sunglass covered eyes. "No? Then who would attack your auto-parts truck outside of Modesto last night?" Roosevelt questioned, focusing his attention on the man who spoke. "Angry pirates." Happy suggested, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't give a shit if Pope blows up every damn truck of yours; but not in my quadrant. One innocent gets hurt, and I make Pope look like an alter boy, understand?" Roosevelt spoke, his eyes landing on Chibs and I as Happy rose to his feet.

"Ah! I see what you did there- I love Catholic jokes!" My husband began to laugh, making light of the situation. Tig was quick to follow suit, they continued to do so until Jax pulled into the lot with Bobby. The boys took off running towards the truck, while Chibs moved to stand on top of the picnic table. "Bobby!" Chibs shouted, before taking off running with the rest of the boys.

I stepped towards Roosevelt with my arms crossed over my chest, "Don't mind them, Sheriff. Boys will be boys." I mocked him before walking away.

The reunion with Bobby was rather short since we had business to take care of. We all gathered in the chapel. The orders of business, and both were matter of a vote.

First, Bobby was voted in as our Vice President, while everyone seemed to just be over joyed about doing so. I think the club needed a change, so hopefully this change is going to be good for the club. Next, we had to vote in the transfers from the other charters. They had been Nomads, but were quickly voted in to join the SAMCRO family.

Jax was about to dismiss us, when Clay decided to make a confession.

"With Opie stepping away, there's something I need to confess. It's complicated, so hear me out. Lobo cartel did not kill Piney. I did. Everybody knows there was no love lost between me and Piney, most of you were witnesses to him trying to blow my head off in this room. I went up to the cabin, I thought maybe we could work over this cartel business. He was a fifth of Patron deep when I arrived, I could hardly get out an argument when he drew on me. I managed to wrestle the sawed off out of his hand, then he pulled a nine and I had no choice. I figured if the cartel or the Irish heard that there was internal beef, they would pull the plug on the deal, so I put it on the Mexicans. I planned on telling everyone once the heat died down, but Opie found out before I could....he's the one who shot me."

"What?" Everyone exclaimed all at once. Angrily, I slammed my hand down onto the table. I couldn't believe this. Well, actually I could, I just didn't want to.

"I lied to Jax, told him it was black." Clay added. "Why'd you lie, man?" Tig gasped out. Based on the look on his face, he now regretted trying to get revenge on LaRoy. "You were protecting Ope." Jax said simply, almost as if he were instructing Clay what to say. "You needed an ambulance, EMS would've reported the gunshot wound." Chibs growled out, looking at Jax as he spoke.

"I don't blame Opie for trying to kill me. I only wish I could explain to him what happened." Clay spoke once more. I couldn't stop myself. Slamming my hands down on the table loudly before standing up and storming out of the chapel. I made my way over to the bar and poured myself a shot of Patron. Clay had killed Piney. Piney was dead because of Clay. The man who had adopted me as if I were one of his own, gone. Because of Clay.

When they were all dismissed, Chibs made his way over to me and allowed me to wrap my arms around him tightly. "He has to pay for what he's done, Filip." I whispered as I looked up at him. "He will love, I promise." He spoke in a soft voice, leaning down to press a small kiss on my forehead.

Abandoning the full shot glass on the bar, Chibs and I walked out of the club together. "Why don't you ride with me, love." He suggested, handing me my helmet.

I wasn't sure what to think or how to act as we pulled away from the club. My arms tightened around Chibs' midsection as tears once more began to threaten my eyes. I just couldn't believe that Piney was actually gone. First, my father turned out to have betrayed the club and is killed. Then, the man I looked up to is killed by another member, the man who gave me shelter and protection when I first arrived in Charming.

When we arrived at our destination, I said nothing as I climbed off of Chibs' bike, and pulled the helmet off of my head. My eyes followed Chibs' body as he did the same. I loved seeing the way he moved- the way the leather clung to his body with his every move.

"I thought this meeting was with Pope?" Jax questioned, pushing his growing hair out of his face. The area around us seemed basically abandoned, of course Pope would've picked somewhere secluded. Damon Pope, the father of Victoria Pope, the girl who was killed in Tig's now false act of retaliation. "No. Mr. Pope would like this discussion to happen first. I'm his associate, August Marks." The man, August, pointed to the hood of the car. It took me a moment to realize what exactly he was wanting us to do. We were all supposed to surrender our weapons to him.

There was a sudden feeling of unease in my stomach.

Before I could move to grab my gun, I felt the back of my shirt being pulled up. With a gasp, I turned around to look at my husband who was standing behind me with a smirk on his face. He pulled my gun out from the hem of my jeans and took it over to the hood of the car along with his own. I glared at my husband for a moment before turning my attention back to Jax. "Gotta settle things with the Niners." August told Jax as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Where the hell's LaRoy?" Jax questioned, not seeing the man anywhere. "Darnell's in charge now. So, work things out." August ordered.

Jax looked skeptical as he looked Darnell over. He was just a kid. Jax sighed, reaching out and offered Darnell his hand; but the kid just looked at him like he was crazy. "Listen man, we got a lot of history with your crew. We've beefed before, both made mistakes; but we get through it. So just tell me what you need." Jax tried reasoning with him, dropping his hand back down to his side.

Saying nothing, Darnell simply shook his head. Reaching behind his back, he pulled a gun and immediately pointed it at Jax. Jax jumped as Darnell pulled the trigger.

Only for the hammer to click. The clip was empty.

Realizing this, Jax became enraged. Swinging his fist at Darnell, he effectively knocked the young boy to the ground- but he didn't stop there. "Get him, Jackie boy, we'll get back at those bastards. Kill, Jackie!" Chibs was barking orders as if speaking to an attack dog. Maybe we should train Dyna to attack on command...that would come in handy. I couldn't help but smile as I saw Jax pin Darnell underneath him with multiple hits.

"That's enough!" August shouted suddenly. Upon hearing him, Bobby and Chibs stepped forward and pulled Jax off of the bloody boy. "I thought you pulled weapons?" Jax growled out, turning his attention to August now. "I did." Was all August said before pulling his own gun out, and shooting Darnell between the eyes. My body jumped.

"Jesus Christ." Jax breathed out. He was still out of breath from fighting with Darnell. "He didn't really want to be in charge. What's your name?" August had and obvious lack of interest in his voice as he turned to another one of the Niners.

"T-T-Tyler." The boy gasped out, obviously nervous as he stepped forward. "Well, T-T-Tyler, you need to go back to your crew, and tell them the beef with the Sons is done. IF it continues, so will the turnover in leadership. There ain't nothing to think over, go." August ordered loudly. It was then that the Niners left- quickly and without saying anything.

"What the fuck just happened?" I whispered, looking over my shoulder at my husband. Stepping away from my, Chibs stepped defensively towards August. "What the hell is this?" Chibs growled out, obviously not happy with the situation at hand. August simply ignored him, and instead turned his attention back to Jax. "Mr. Pope will reach out to you soon." With that, August got back into his car, and he left. So, we all looked to Jax for some kind of answers for what the hell had just happened. "This is Pope letting us know that he decides who lives, and who dies."

Jax was obviously angry as well as we climbed onto our bikes and we left the now totally abandoned lot. We had expected to meet with Pope and get some shit straightened out; but obviously, that wasn't about to happen.

Pope was out for retaliation for his daughter's death; and if he couldn't get Tig, then I don't doubt he was going to come after all of us. When that realization hit me, so did a sickening feeling down in my stomach. I don't think I would survive if any more of my family is taken away from me. I had lost so many of them already.

From the meet with August, we headed to Jax's house. After his time away, Bobby wanted to be able to see the boys before anything else blew up in our faces.

When we arrived, Tara greeted Jax and Bobby, and moved to hug Gemma, while Chibs and I simply stood by the door out of the way. Chibs had his arm loosely around my shoulders, while I had my arm wrapped around his waist. "Bobby wanted to see the boys." Jax spoke softly. "Oh, they just went down- go ahead." Tara smiled.

Bobby turned and headed down the hallway, just as Gemma's phone began ringing loudly in her pocket. Upon answering it and finding out that it was Unser, she handed the phone over to Jax.

I leaned further into Chibs' hold, worried about what could possibly go wrong now. What was Unser calling to warn us about now? Hearing Jax curse under his breath before shaking his head and hanging up the phone was basically like signing a death warrant. The tell tale sign that something had gone wrong once more.

"God, what now?" Tara was the one to ask. At least I wasn't the only one to have caught on. Everyone had eyes on Jax, trying to figure out what exactly he was about to tell us.

"There's warrants out for the arrest of myself, Tig, and Chibs." Jax informed us all simply. I could've sworn my heart stopped in my chest. My body was taken over by fear and panic, my stomach churned. "I think I'm going to be sick." I meant for it just to be a thought, but the words force their way out of my mouth. Suddenly, my body swayed as Chibs' hold around me tightened and kept me standing up right.

Tara moved quickly, grabbing me a glass of water, while Chibs all but carried me over to sit down on the couch.

"This guy bought these witnesses!" Jax hissed. "I'll call Lowen, if Pope got these people to lie, we can prove it." Tara was quick to say. At least she was being helpful- unlike me. Hearing another phone ringing, my gaze found my husband where he was sitting next to me. What else could possibly have happened this time? "You can't turn yourselves in." Gemma spoke up. "Pope did this to get you inside. Black nation offs us in county, kill never gets put on him." Bobby pointed out. I'd never noticed him come back into the room.

"Sheriff;s are at the club house looking for us. Their next stop will be here." Chibs informed us as he shoved his phone back down into his pocket. "You've gotta go, Jax." Gemma ordered quickly. "No, you can't run! That's insane!" Tara objected, fighting against Gemma's words.

"Come on. I know a place you can go that's safe." Gemma spoke, standing up. She wasn't taking no for an answer as she slung her purse over her shoulder. So once more, we climbed onto our bikes, and we road out of Charming in the dead of night.

The place Gemma had brought us- Diosa- was very obviously an escort service. I wasn't sure how to feel about it.

I tried to keep myself distracted as Chibs and Jax left to go find Tig. Chibs refused to let me go with them just in case they got caught in the process. So, instead I was left at Diosa, and given a questionable room in case I wanted to get some sleep. Though, it's not like I could sleep right now even if I wanted to, how could I?

So instead, I sat on the edge of the bed all night, feeling sick with my head in my hands. I could hear the rumble of their bikes as the boys returned with Tig in tow. I found myself once more sitting at a table with a glass of in front of me. Everyone was standing around me.

Why is it everyone thinks a glass of water is going to magically fix everything and keep you calm? Maybe I should throw this glass of water at someone's head- show them how calm I really am.

Instead I sat in silence, screaming on the inside.

The day itself was uneventful really. I stayed away from everyone, I even avoided the small wedding ceremony that was held for Jax and Tara. The boys had decided between themselves that they were going to go willingly. Surrender themselves later tonight. Chibs said it was what is best for all of us; but I really don't think it is. We were going to lose one of them.

It was when we were heading back to the club for them to surrender when the realization finally hit me. I couldn't take my eyes off of Chibs from where I was straddling his bike behind him. My arms clung to him. What would I ever do if I lost him?

Arriving at the club house, I knew we had very little time left. Grabbing his hand, I pulled him through the bar and back to our apartment- slamming the door closed behind us. "I can't believe you're actually doing this!" My words were loud, but choked.

His eyes were soft as he stepped closer to me. I hadn't realized that I was crying until he was wiping the tears away from my cheeks with his calloused fingers. "This is something that has to be done. It's what's going to keep everyone safe." His words were a whisper. Angered by his response, I reached out, put my hands on his chest, and shoved him backwards. Though since he was much stronger than me, he only took about one step back.

"Keep everyone safe? What about you, huh? What about Jax, or Tig, hmm? You won't be safe! Pope wants revenge, and this is it, don't you see that? This is his retaliation for his daughter. By you turning yourselves in, you're giving him exactly what he wants!" Unable to stop myself, my hand came up and went flying across his face.

This stunned him and caused him to take another step back. He looked at me with wide eyes for only a few moments before his hand came up as well and struck my own cheek harshly, sending my head snapping to the side. I guess I should've seen that coming. His eyes went even more wide as they met my own, and he saw the mark he had left on my skin.

Stepping forward once more, he put his hands on my cheeks. I wanted to push him away, to hit him again only harder this time- but instead I grabbed him by the front of his cut and pulled him closer to me. Our lips collided as more tears poured their way out of my eyes, when I finally pulled away from the kiss, my eyes found his. "I've lost so much in my life- I cannot lose you too. Please, promise me you won't do anything to get yourself killed. Come home to me." I begged him.

"Don't worry, love, I'm right here. I will always come home to you no matter haw far away I go." He whispered. Using his cut, I pulled him down once more into another kiss.

Our lips moved in sync. His hands fell away from my cheeks and hesitantly began exploring the curves of my body, only briefly before his weight was pressed against me. I could feel his arousal growing against my leg as his fingers wrapped around the back of my thigh and pulled my leg up to hook around his waist.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the door, causing us to pull away from one another breathless. That was all we needed to know that our time together had come to an end. Stepping back, Chibs straightened out his clothes, and I did the same before walking out of the apartment together, hand in hand.

The only way to face whatever was going to happen next, was by facing it head on.

Outside, Jax and Tig were both already being patted down and cuffed. Shrugging off his cut, Chibs handed it over to me, and kissed me once more before making his way over to the officers. I felt overly emotional watching what was happening in front of me. Finally, Opie decided to make an appearance- but in doing this, he also attacked Roosevelt. Which of course, got him arrested along with Jax, Tig, and Chibs.

Feeling an arm go around my shoulders, I flinched. My fingers clutched to the leather fabric of Chibs' cut in my hand as I looked over and saw Tara standing there. "Come on, why don't you stay with me tonight?" She flashed me a pitiful smile.