It took some time but Tara had finally walked down the hallway. Leila caught the doctor’s glimpses into Abel’s room. With a plastered smile, that Leila had grown accustomed to from the ingenuine ex-girlfriend, she made her way into Abel’s room, only this time, Leila shut the door behind them, granting the two some much needed privacy. Tara’s face scrunched in confusion as the blonde made her way calmly to a chair, grabbing the large yellow envelope before pulling some sheets out of it and shoving them into her own hands. In the now hostel silence of the room, her eyes scanned the papers before they nearly popped out of her head.

With her arms crossed over her chest, Leila simply stood in front of her, gauging her reaction – hoping that her assumptions were wrong, that Tara was just here for her new job and to help with Abel – but the woman’s eyes told a different story. The brunette’s eyes met hers, guilt written all over them and Leila had had enough.

“I knew something was off about you the moment I saw you. To think – I actually wanted to believe you were just doing what was best for Abel. I wanted to believe that someone that once had so much love for Jax would help his son out of the goodness of their heart. You’re done here, Tara. I’ll talk to your supervisor. You’re off of Abel’s team.”
Leila spoke firmly. Her voice didn’t shake, it was cold, authoritative as she took the papers back from her. Tara’s face turned red, not from embarrassment of being caught, no – from anger.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but this is NONE of your business. Abel is Jax’s son, NOT yours. You get that? You think in the few months that you’ve been together, you can come in here and start making demands regarding my job? My life? Jax wants me here taking care of Abel!”

“Don’t you raise your fucking voice in this room, you understand? Tell me how much he’ll want you in here when he finds out that the one person stalking their club, causing all types of legal chaos for them, leads right back to you? You selfish bitch. This was never about Abel. This was about you snaking your way close to Jax again so when your psycho ex-boyfriend found you, Jax would be your knight and shining armour. You knew what could happen if Jax laid his hands on a Fed. You knew what could happen if that guy followed you right back to Jax and the club. Don’t give me shit about how you’re just here to take care of Abel when you’re trying to get his father ripped away from him!”

The door swung open and Jax walked in, followed by Gemma. By the looks on their faces, they’d clearly heard the whole thing based off of their grim expressions. Gemma’s eyes were dark, arms crossed over her chest but Jax’s seemed more hurt than anything. He just looked between the two confused before Tara tried speaking up.

“Jax – I…”

As Jax walked by Leila’s side, she handed him the papers. He scanned over Kohn’s information, the restraining order, the lease agreement, disputes he’d caused at her last hospital in Chicago. The hurt in his eyes only got more prominent, before being masked by anger. He looked between his mother, who’d been reading the sheets with him, and Tara who’d become frozen in fear. He was speechless but before he could even think of what to say, Leila stepped forward towards Tara again.

“You need to go. I don’t expect to run into you up here again. Understood?”

Tara glanced at Leila, then back at Jax who’s kind face was hard as rock as his eyes narrowed on hers. She could sense the animosity directed towards her from his glare. With a deep exhale, she walked out, shutting the door behind her.

Leila turned to Jax. His eyes had returned to the sheets but Gemma stepped forward.

“I didn’t trust that bitch then, don’t trust her now. How did you get all of this information?”

“Jax had asked me to follow up on this ATF agent, Joshua Kohn. Turns out, he’s supposed to be on vacation. Ended up following Tara here and got Hale to think he was sent to investigate the SONS and of course he’d jumped at the chance.”

Jax placed the paperwork down on the chair, clenching and unclenching his fists as he listened in.
“Jesus Christ.” Gemma sighed.

“Fuckin’ Hale.” He’d seethed.

Leila crossed her arms over her chest, looking up at the mother-son duo.

“I’ve already talked to Hale – he knows what’s going on with Kohn. Kohn’s boss has also been made aware. Gemma can you get the supervisor so I can talk to her about Tara?”
Gemma nodded, not hesitating to leave the room quickly. She wanted that bitch away from her family more than anyone.

Jax’s eyes met Leila’s. He’d never heard her yell at anyone before. This was the only time he’d seen her as disheveled as she was right now, and it was all to defend him and Abel. Stepping closer to her, he grabbed her by the waist, pulling her close to him. He’d leaned down to kiss her but she’d moved her face, her body stiffened a little but he’d assumed it was from how angry she’d been and wrapped her in for a hug. The warmth of her body against his was all he needed.

Leila closed her eyes as Jax wrapped his arms around her. She could hear his heartbeat begin to steady but all she could picture was him with that other woman. Yes, a majority of her anger had been let out on Tara and it was well deserved, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have doubt in Jax as well. With a sigh, she pulled away from him. She could tell that he was confused by her detachment but she just couldn’t hide it.

“Everything alright?”

No. No things weren’t okay. As much as she knew she had to talk to him about all of this, she also knew she couldn’t just yet. With her temper flaring all of today, she’d say something she’d regret. It was best to wait this one out. With a simple nod, she ended the discussion. He clearly wasn’t satisfied with her answer but before he could speak up again, the door opened and Margaret Murphy walked in with Gemma.She had an obvious distaste for Jax and his mother so Leila put on a smile and walked back out of the room with her, explaining how she didn’t feel comfortable with Tara being on Abel’s staff anymore.

Gemma just sighed, disappointed at her son for trusting in that woman again. With all the effort Leila was putting, he had to cut all ties with Tara. Jax just stared at his son. Everything he was from now on would affect Abel. Leila had become fiercely protective, even taking matters into her own hands with Tara. So why couldn’t he hate her as much as everyone else did?

---

Jax had no idea how to bring this up to the club. He didn’t want to bring this up to the club knowing they’d have someone go after Tara. He just couldn’t bring himself to hate her. He was angry, yeah, but something in him kept all that hatred at bay when it came to her.

Leila had left the hospital shortly after talking to Murphy. There was no loving kiss, gentle touch, or even a hug goodbye. She had just looked between him and Gemma before giving an awkward wave and heading out. Something more had to have happened. Even Gemma had noticed before automatically blaming him for doing something he had no idea he’d done.

He’d taken the opportunity to ride around for a while. The club was still making their way down from Nevada, Leila needed time to cool off from whatever was going on, so he was just left to his own for a while, finally getting the chance to wrap his head around what had happened.

As the sun set, he found himself in the driveway of a familiar house. It wasn’t the lavish brick mansion that he’d grown accustomed to calling home with his new family, no – it was a small, middle class house that he’d spent most of his high school nights sneaking into just to spend time with the then love of his life. He’d been such an idiot back then. Thinking that Tara would ever have left her dream of going to medical school for him. She had no future with him or his club, so why was he here?

Soon after, a pair of headlights shined in his face as a car pulled into the driveway.

“Jax?”

As Tara stepped out of the car, walking closer to him, he stood, suddenly unsure of what he came here to say. Her soft brown hair was pulled up in a ponytail, leaving her green eyes bare as they searched his.

“What… what’re you doing here?”

With a deep breath, Jax lowered his eyes. His shoulders shrugged lazily as he shook his head.

”I just need to know if any of it is true.”

He could see the glimmer of hope behind her eyes change to guilt and disappointment. She sighed and folded her arms over her chest, defensively, but her silence wasn’t going to cut it.

“It is true?” He pressed on firmly.

“No!” She raised her voice slightly. “I didn’t lead him here intentionally, Jax. He followed me. Just like he followed me everywhere I went in Chicago. I can’t escape him.”

Jax felt the anger building in his chest. Based on the documents, he’d gotten physical with Tara a number of times and that shit wasn’t going to pass around here, but at what cost? Taking a moment to regain his cool composure, he looked at her again.

“Why Charming?”

“What do you mean? Charming’s my home Jax.”

“Bullshit!” He spat at her obvious lie. “It wasn’t your home then and it sure as hell ain’t your home now, so why? Is it because you expected me to find out? To keep you safe? To drop everything and make my life revolve around you again?”
“No!”

She yelled again but this time her tone was different. It was the same tone she’d used when they’d fought about her leaving for Chicago. No! She’d screamed at him. He’d just found out about her plans to leave. She’d told him the brochures were from the counselor. That she hadn’t even glanced at them but she lied. Just like she was lying now.

“You lead him straight to the club Tara. What if I got locked away? What about Abel and Leila?”

He could tell his words stung. Her face physically contorted with the mention of Leila’s name but again she stayed silent. His eyes met hers once more. All the answers to his questions were there. Obviously she hadn’t expected Leila Heaton to be by his side. The thought clearly hadn’t occurred to her. She’d just expected to swoop in and expect him to follow her like a love sick puppy just like in high school.

With a heavy breath, he looked at her – then looked away. “You’re no longer Abel’s doctor Tara. I’ll see you around.”

Before she could speak again, he’d made his way to his bike and drove off. One issue was solved. He wasn’t going to let himself fall down that trap again. Tara leaving him 11 years ago was hard. It been one of the hardest things he’d ever had to endure but to know that she came back with all this baggage – all this shit that could get the club in so much trouble – and she didn’t care. She was selfish then and she was selfish now.

He soon pulled into Leila’s driveway. This weekend he was set to move his stuff in, they were ready to work on a nursery. Christ, she’d even started working with an interior designer for the room. Her commitment brought a smile to his face but he still had to wonder what he could’ve done to deserve the cold shoulder. It was clear she was upset with him at the hospital. She’d ignored his calls all day and then she’d left in a hurry right after she’d spoken to Margaret.

Out of habit, he used the kitchen door in the back to go inside. He could hear the shower running upstairs so he knew she was home. Taking off his cut and his hoodie, he laid them down on the kitchen counter and grabbed a beer from the fridge when a large yellow envelope on the island caught his eye, this one had her name scribbled across it. He knew it was wrong to go through her things but this just looked suspicious.

Placing his beer on the counter top, he grabbed the envelope, and opened the already broken seal to pull out large pictures. These were pictures of him yesterday. All the way from TM to the Devil’s tribe clubhouse. What the fuck was this? He felt a rush of anger boil inside of him again as he heard footsteps upstairs. Grabbing the pictures tightly in fist, he headed up the stairs.

Jax stepped into Leila’s enormous closet, she’d just slipped on a pair of shorts and a loose fitting tank top over her head. Her long hair, wet and semi-wavy. She hadn’t heard him come in but as she picked her towel up off of the floor, she let out a small scream as she jumped back.

“Jesus Christ, Jax! You can’t scare people like that!”

She placed her hand on her chest to catch her breath but Jax didn’t budge. She was acting more jumpy than usual but maybe he’d just caught her off guard. He lifted the photographs up for her to see and an unfamiliar expression of sadness anger and disgust all crept across her face.

“Did you have me followed?”

He asked angrily and just as the words left his mouth, her jaw dropped. He could practically see the steam coming off of her as her face turned red.

“Excuse me?!”

“Leila, what the fuck are all these pictures?”

“You think I would have you followed? Is that really what you think of me?!”

“I’m holding a fucking envelope full of pictures of me from yesterday, what else would I think?”

“You’re seriously such an asshole. Those were on the windshield of my car this morning! Someone was following you and clearly wanted me to see what you do when I’m not around.”

His heart sank when he saw how hurt she was but the anger didn’t subside. Someone else was following him. Not only following, but sending pictures to Leila to sabotage their relationship. They’d followed Leila too. They knew where she lived, what her car looked like, everything. The thought alone had him in a murderous rage.

“Lei, you gotta believe me that nothing happened with that girl. I was in my room alone and went to sleep right after I talked to you. Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?”

She sighed heavily and shrugged her shoulders. “I wanted to believe that you wouldn’t do that to me. It’s just that every time I see you, I think of that girl with her hands all over you.”

“Well don’t.” He shook his head, stepping closer to her. He gently grabbed her arm, pulling her up against him before kissing the top of her head. “I love you, Lei. I wouldn’t do that.”

“Yeah” She muttered lightly, leaning her head against his chest.

Jax pulled away slightly, sitting on the couch in the large room. “Who the fuck would want to follow me? And you for that matter.”

“I think it was Kohn, Jax. I think he’s been snooping around trying to make your life hell. All this shit with the club, all of this with photos. He thinks Tara’s going to run back to you and he just wants to make everyone around you hate you. I think he’ll go after Abel too.”

“You think he’ll go after my son for something so stupid?”

“I’m not risking it. I’ve already called his supervisor. They’re looking for him right now.”

“He better hope they find him before I do.” He grunted running his hands through his hair.