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the hold he has on me

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this is character development

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vibes im tryna bring to the function

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Jax Teller + smiling

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Sons of Anarchy

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Ur Honor, he is the cutest

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Best Served Cold (Part 10/?)

Pairing: Jax Teller x OFC

Summary: Sophie gets some info on Stahl, which has an intense impact on the Club.

Word Count: ~2800

Warnings: angst, illegal activity, possessive behavior, sexual content, canon typical violence

Hands cupped around the mug in her hands, Sophie blew air across the coffee as she studied the man sitting across from her. He had young features, but something in his eyes told her that he’d seen a bit more than he ever wanted to. Finding information on Agent Stahl had been surprisingly easy. Tracking down her former partner had been even easier. 

“Agent Smith?”

His lips twitched up into a ghost of a smile. “I know. It sounds fake.” 

Sophie took a sip of her coffee, eyes closing as the caffeine hit her system. They made it just right. Enough sugar to cover the bitter flavor of coffee, and some cream to smooth the texture. Olivia used to tease her about her coffee, kept telling her one day she’d have to drink it like an adult. Yet, her sister had been the first to buy her the special, seasonal creamers - find new flavors to add to lattes. 

“Tell me about your former partner. It usually takes a bit more to get reassigned as quickly as you managed.” 

“No small talk?”

Sophie raised a brow. “Did you want to talk about the weather?” 

“Not particularly.” 

“Then, no. No small talk.” 

He sighed, and Sophie wanted to feel for him. She did, but when someone on your team was dirty, it made everyone stink. Plus, she just really didn’t like the bitch. 

“You’re going to tell me whatever it is you know about your former BFF Stahl.” 

Agent Smith met her gaze, jaw tight. “I’ve got nothing to say.” 

Sophie took another sip of the coffee before setting it down on the table. She flagged down a waitress, who came over to the booth with a bright smile on her face.

“Hi,” Sophie greeted. “I’d just love an order of pancakes with so much syrup my friend here and I could swim in it.” 

The waitress laughed and nodded her head. “And for you?”

Sophie looked at Agent Smith expectantly. He glowered at her. 

“Nothing for me.” 

“You sure?” Sophie asked. “Best diner in the city.” 

“I’m sure.” 

Sophie looked up at the waitress, and shrugged her shoulders. “I guess he’s not hungry. Thanks.” 

The girl nodded before heading to the kitchen to drop off their order. He wouldn’t have taken the meeting if he didn’t plan on telling her anything, but it seemed as though the good agent wanted to make her work for it.  

“You left Charming. Stahl stayed. Tell me why. The case is still open. She wants to take SAMCRO down for everything including the sinking of the Titanic. Case that size could be career-making - we both know that’s what Stahl is hoping for, so why bail?” 

“You seem to already know.” 

“Course I do, but that doesn’t make what I know evidence. And that, my friend, is what I need.” 

“They’re criminals.” 

“So is she. At least the Sons are honest about it.” 

Smith cursed under his breath as he broke eye contact with Sophie. She smiled. They both knew she was right, no matter how unsavory Mr. Smith found it. 

“I looked into you before agreeing to this meeting.” 

“I’d be surprised if you hadn’t.” 

Smith nodded but didn’t say anything. Before either could respond, the waitress brought Sophie’s pancakes. As promised, there was indeed enough syrup to create a small swimming pool. Licking her lips, she picked up her fork and tore into them as though she were starving. They melted on her tongue, the buttery flavor of the perfectly fluffy pancake mixing with the decadent sugary syrup collided on her tongue in delicious harmony. 

Pushing her plate towards Agent Smith she offered him a bite, which he refused. 

“They’re not good people,” he said as she bit down on another piece of her food. “The Sons. I heard the way the town spoke about them. A mix of Santa Claus and the Godfather, but they do bad things. All of them have been to jail.” 

“So have I,” Sophie added around a mouthful of pancake.

“They weren’t in for a misdemeanor.”

Sophie grinned and pointed at Agent Smith with her fork. “I see you did your research on me. Good for you.”  

“Sergeant Cooper,” Agent Smith said, leaning in closer to her, tone placating. 

Sophie wanted to shake him. Her contact had assured her that this idiot was a good agent, that he didn’t agree with Stahl’s approach to cases. Given his speedy departure from Charming, she’d been inclined to believe, but sitting across from him now, she just wondered if he had any balls. He had to know what she would do with the information, what fate awaited Stahl. If he for a single second believed she’d keep the boys from seeing bloody vengeance, well, he was dumber than he looked. Woman had it coming for the shit she pulled with Donna and Opie. 

“I’m retired, so don’t think leaning into my better nature or judgment or whatever it is you were about to do would help. That bitch put my family in danger. Nearly got an innocent woman killed because she couldn’t do her job with a shred of decency.”

For the longest time, Smith didn’t say anything. Sophie continued to eat her breakfast, resisting the urge to lick the plate clean. She could wait him out. Eventually, he pulled an envelope from the inside of his jacket. Placing it on the table between them, he held his hand over it, fingers tapping a bit restlessly. Sophie didn’t move. 

“This could make things worse, you know.” 

Sophie nodded. Anything was possible. He slid the envelope closer to her, and Sophie took it in her hands. Meeting his gaze, she waited to see if he was going to say something or leave. He just sat there, meeting her eyes. 

She pulled the papers from the envelope, half expecting one to say say “fuck you” in crayon. But, Agent Smith seemed to be a straight shooter. It held the information she needed. Bank records showing federal money being deposited into Opie’s accounts - Stahl’s sign off on the transfer. Another sheet detailed the series of events that led to Donna being shot - the detail being pulled - everything she needed. 

“Thank you.” 

Agent Smith shook his head. “Not sure you should be thanking me for that. Still not sure I should have given you that. But, I think I’ll sleep better tonight.” 

“She’s bad news. I think you got out just in time, Agent Smith. Good luck.” 

He raised his mug in mock salute as Sophie slid from the booth, envelope in her hand. Sliding on her sunglasses, Sophie felt a bit lighter as she left the diner. Obviously, this packet of information wasn’t going to magically fix everything. Clay broke trust with his Club, and he’d be called to account for it - Tig, too. Plus, there was still no guarantee that this would all just smooth over with time and a demotion. Based on what Jax had told her, going after a patched member like Clay ordered Tig to do with Opie couldn’t be done without a full vote. 

Happy sat on his bike, arms crossed and resting on the handlebars. 

“You still babysitting me?” 

“You good?” 

Sophie smiled as she stopped in front of him. “Yeah, got what I needed and he didn’t put up a fight.” 

Happy nodded.

She knew if she stood in the lot, they’d never leave. Either by Jax’s order, or his own initiative, Happy had become her new shadow. Her backup. As much fun as it would be the dally just to see irritation flash in his eyes, she knew time wasn’t on their side. Even if Happy being here with her meant they hadn’t started Church yet, things were too volatile to screw around. 

“Let’s go. Can’t have you late.” 

Happy gave her another nod as she slid into the front seat of her Challenger. Happy followed her back to TM, and gave her another nod before parking his bike. Seeing the slight confusion on Jax’s face as he approached her car, Sophie answered her own question. Happy had sent himself. One day the boys would realize she could take care of herself, but she also not so secretly enjoying having backup. 

“Hey babe,” Jax greeted, arms resting along her window seal. 

Sophie leaned towards him, face upturned for a kiss. Jax obliged, smile on his lips as they met hers. When he stood back, he opened the door. She followed him into the clubhouse where most of the guys were milling around. Clay and Tig were noticeably absent from the group. At least that would give her and Jax a bit more time to come up with a plan. They all offered her a warm greeting, Chibs even giving her a kiss on the cheek. She wondered how the dynamic would change when they all learned the truth - when they learned about her involvement with it. After all, she was new. And it was always easier to shoot the messenger. 

“Stahl set the whole thing up. Donna getting hurt is on her,” Sophie said as soon as Jax locked the door behind them. 

“Shit.” 

“Any idea how you’re going to handle it?” 

Jax shook his head. He sat down heavily on the bed, raked his hands through his hair. “None of this is gonna be clean or easy. I’ve got Piney on my ass about it because he and I both know it was Clay, but I’ve been at Clay about other Club stuff, too so the boys are looking at us both. Now I’m gonna bring this to the table?

Sophie knelt down in front of Jax. She took his hands in hers, met his gaze when his eyes locked onto hers. 

“Those baby blues of yours are dangerous, Teller.” 

He huffed out a laugh. 

“Real talk though. Do you think Clay wanted to kill Opie? To hurt Donna?” 

Jax jerked as though he’d been shot. “What? Of course not.” 

“Then that’s how you approach this. It was a shitty situation caused by the bitch from ATF. Clay acted in what he thought was the best interest of the Club - he made a bad call. You’re bringing this to the guys because you care about what’s best for the Club. You and Clay can’t keep going at each other in these little passive-aggressive ways - that’ll kill you before ATF or Zobelle get the chance. So, man up and do what needs to be done to protect your Club.” 

“I have no idea how the vote would go. I can’t go in there like that.” 

Sophie nodded. “I don’t know the guys as well as you, so I don’t know exactly how you should navigate this, but you’ve been in this life forever. You know the guys better than you think you do. I can distract Clay if you need time to get your shit together, but Jax - this can’t go on. Zobelle will come at you, and if you’re too busy fighting each other, he won’t even have to work at it to destroy you all. Fix it.” 

Jax nodded. He brought their hands to his lips, kissed the back of her fingers. “I hate what brought you to Charming, but I’m glad you came.” 

Sophie smiled at him. “Me, too.” 

As he stood from the bed, he pulled Sophie to her feet and into his body. She wrapped her arms around him, and tucked her nose up against his neck, breathing in the scent of leather and cigarettes. Jax pressed kisses to her head before pulling back and meeting her gaze. For a moment, her heart stopped beating because she thought she recognized the look in his eyes, and she wasn't ready for it. Couldn’t admit to herself that it might be love, that it already probably was. Too much. Too fast. 

“Waiting won’t make it any easier.” 

Jax sighed. “I’d rather stay here and kiss you.” 

“Charmer.” 

When they walked back into the main clubhouse, Sophie saw Clay and Tig sitting at the bar. She tugged on Jax’s sleeve and nodded her head towards where they sat with their backs to her. Jax pressed a final kiss to the side of her head before walking over to where Chibs, Bobby, and Opie were playing pool. With a heavy heart, Sophie walked over to the bar, plastered a bright smile on her face, and slung her arms around their shoulders. 

“How are my two favorite bikers?” Sophie asked. 

“Aw,” Tig said, eyes full of mischief. “Finally decided to trade up, sweetheart?” 

Sophie laughed as she pressed a kiss to Tig’s cheek. “Never gonna happen, but that doesn't mean I don’t still love you.”

Clay looked at them both with an indulgent fondness, and Sophie felt her heart squeeze for him. Even the best case outcome would be hard for Clay. The man was proud, and she just knew that stepping down - or, more likely, being forced to step down would diminish him. Like any leader at the end of their term - some allowed the closing of a chapter to happen with better grace than others. Knowing he’d lost the trust of his Club would hit Clay hard - a single mistake, or as far as Sophie knew the mistake he got caught in, and he’d be forced out. 

“How’s Gemma?” Sophie asked. 

Clay shook his head. “Says she’s fine.” 

Sophie laughed. “So she lies to you, too?” 

“Yeah,” Clay said as he took a drink from the beer bottle in his hand. “I thought she’d be more honest with you.” 

“That woman isn’t going to admit that she’s in pain. Stubborn sort.” 

“She asked me about you. Said you hadn’t been by the house.” 

Sophie moved around the bar and poured herself a drink. “I’ll go over later. I know she wants to have a family dinner. I think she wants me to learn how to cook. I keep telling her that it’s a terrible idea, but maybe she just wants me to blow up the kitchen so you have to buy her a new one.” 

Clay laughed. “That would be an idea she’d come up with. That woman wants to see me broke.” 

“Don’t worry, Clay,” Sophie teased as she took another sip of her drink. “I’m not gonna let her domesticate me like that. Can’t have Jax getting the idea that I’m gonna be some Donna Reed homemaker for him.”

“That’ll make Gem happy. She’ll have you two to keep fussin’ after.” 

Sophie grinned. “I aim to please.” 

“Good, it’ll keep her - ”

The doors slamming open cut off whatever Clay was going to say next.      

“You son of a bitch!” 

Opie pulled Tig from the bar stool and landed a sucker punch to his face before Sophie could round the bar.  

“What the hell is going on?” Clay roared as he stood from the stool.

Sophie looked on as Tig just let Opie beat him. 

“What did you do?” Opie screamed. 

“Why was she driving the truck, Ope?”

Hearing the pain in Tigs voice, she wanted to stop it, wanted to intervene, but she knew they both needed this. Tig needed to feel as though he’d been sufficiently punished and Opie had his own demons to work out. 

What she didn’t expect was Piney to punch Clay square in the jaw, both men swearing as they cradled their respective wounds. 

Before things could completely devolve into chaos, Jax wrapped himself around Opie, hauling him off Tig, who just laid on the ground, blood and tears covering his face. Chibs and Bobby worked at separating Piney and Clay who both continued to glare at each other. 

“Enough!” Jax’s voice echoed through the room. “Everyone in the Chapel.”

Master List

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Best Served Cold (Part 9/?)

Pairing: Jax Teller x OFC

Summary: Jax and Sophie have a long overdue conversation, about everything.

Word Count: ~2800

Warnings: angst, illegal activity, possessive behavior, sexual content, canon typical violence

Pulling into the TM lot, Sophie saw Jax step out of the clubhouse. Happy rolled to a stop next to her. They didn’t say anything, but she read the look in his eyes. A familiar look she’d seen with the members of her teams over the years after something had gone sideways, when there was bad news to be conveyed. She nodded as he parked his bike with the others. Sophie slid from her car and walked past Jax who followed her into the clubhouse. She didn’t say anything as they walked down the hall to his dorm. 

Closing the door behind them, she paused, hand pressed against the wood. Gathering her thoughts she marveled at how she’d found herself here. If she believed in angels, she’d claim Olivia had taken over watching out for her - a certain knowing humor to her guidance. Behind her, Jax met her silence. His own filled with a banked frustration she could feel mounting. A sigh on her lips, Sophie reached for the hem of her shirt. Fisting the material in her hands, she tore the shirt over her head before she could rethink her choices. 

“Sophie.” 

Her name was an exhalation of breath from Jax. She could imagine his thoughts, could hear the way his desire for her warred with his irritation with her actions. 

“Count them.” 

“Sophie.”

“Count them, Teller.” 

Behind her, she heard the blanket shift against the sheets as Jax stood from the bed. His heat hit her back first, then his breath against her neck as he moved in close, crowding her against the door. His fingers against her skin shocked her nearly as much as Happy’s had. As he traced the outline of each petal, she shivered. 

“Twenty-nine,”Jax whispered. 

“That’s the number of confirmed kills I have. Zobelle is going to be number thirty.”

Gentle hands turned her to face him. She saw the confusion, the knowing look that united those who had shed blood. 

“The Marines made me a sniper. I’d killed people before I could legally order a beer. I’ve done a lot of things I’m not always proud of, but I figure a man like you would understand that better than most.” 

Sophie paused, felt the way Jax cradled her face in his hands.

“Babe - ”

She silenced him with a shake of her head. “I met with the Niners because I needed Laroy to get me a rifle. I knew the club was on good terms with them, so it seemed the best solution. We hadn’t started whatever this thing between us is when I set up the order. Laroy came through; I paid him. No blow back. Even came to an understanding about Happy showing up today.”

“Is that right?”

She ignored the skepticism, the slight accusation in his tone. Knew she’d earned at least that much from him. 

“Yeah, said he understood wanting to keep his woman safe. Happy said the same thing, well, said something about me being your Old Lady.” 

“You went behind my back.”

Flinching at the accusation, she shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I took a calculated risk that would have still been a risk if all you were to me is a cute mechanic who fixed my car. I won’t let you or the Sons get in my way, Jax.”

Jax leaned back, scrubbed a hand down his face. He wore an expression of pain, of exhaustion. 

“Zobelle is club business now. He went after Gemma and that doesn’t go unanswered.”

Sophie nodded. “Of course not. They need to pay for what they’ve done. But it’s not just club business, and you need to understand that.”  

“Don’t make me choose between you and the Club. Neither of us is gonna like how that goes.” 

Picking her shirt up, Sophie stalled for time as she put it back on. It made piss poor armor, but it was the best she had at the moment. She wanted to laugh at the quickly hidden pout on Jax’s face, but now wasn’t the time for levity. But, it was good to know that he found her sexy even when he wanted to toss her ass all the way out of Charming. 

“I’d never ask you to to chose. Why do you think I worked so hard to keep things separate? Why do you think I keep pushing you away? Pretending that I can be in the same room as you and not want to be in your arms? I know how this goes, Jax. I might not understand all the complexities, but I damn well know what that VP patch on your chest means. I respect it - even though you don’t believe me. But, it’s my sister. My family. I couldn’t save her. What I can do is kill the fucker who murdered her. Your mother is alive and unharmed because of what I know - what I learned as a result of my sister being beaten and raped until she died in a hospital bed alone.”

The tears started sometime during her tirade, not that she noticed them until Jax’s thumbs gently wiped them from her face. He crushed her body to his chest. At first, she just let him hold her, her own arms hanging like limp noodles at her sides. As he whispered nonsense in her ear, she began to stitch herself back together. Feeling a bit like Sally in that Tim Burton film, sewing her limbs back to her own body. 

“I’m not trying to cut you out,” Sophie said, blinking up at him. “I know this affects you, too, but I know enough to know that you’ll take this to your stupid ass table and come up with some half-assed revenge plan that won’t work and before he’s even sold his first white hate cigar, Zobelle will have you all in the morgue or the state pen. I’ll bury you myself before I let that happen.” 

“Give us a little more credit than that.” 

Sophie forced herself to take a breath. They both wanted the same thing. She could work with them, but only if she made Jax understand. “You would have beaten the shit out of him, maybe even killed him that night at the hospital and we both know it. I don’t blame you for the impulse, but I won’t let you fuck this up because you can keep your shit together.” 

“Clay’s not just gonna back down from this.” 

“I’m not asking anyone to back down from anything. I’m begging you to be smart about this, to let me help you. If it was just as easy, as simple as killing him - well, he’d’ve been dead before my car needed your help.”

Her dry laugh felt more self-deprecating than it should. “I’m good at dropping bodies. But this guy? He’s too connected, and I wanna know the fucker who pulls the strings.”  

“You can’t just go off on your own, Soph. Club’s got a lot of shit going on, and I can’t be sending Happy to follow you every time you decide to go make a deal with someone.”

Sophie nodded. “Done. Laroy provided the last thing I needed anyway.”

Jax raised an eyebrow. “He provided, did he?”

“Don’t be gross. I needed a clean Barrett M82A1.” 

Jax whistled through his teeth. “That’s kinda hot. And a little terrifying.” 

Sophie smirked up at him. “Good. I want you describe me like that to people - hot, and a little terrifying.” 

Olivia used to mention “Club Business” when they spoke. Things that she couldn’t share, even with her own sister. As long as she was safe, Sophie had always respected Olivia’s privacy. She knew that Drifter told her everything. Like Jax had told her Old Ladies either knew everything or nothing. Figured it was her turn to either shit or get off the pot. 

“Everyone but you has called me your Old Lady.” 

Jax ran a hand through his hair as he took a step back. He sat heavily on the bed, holding his head in his hands for a few seconds before looking back up at her.

“You wanna do this now?”

“It gonna be any easier to do this tomorrow?” 

He shook his head. Sophie moved to stand in front of him. Taking his hands in hers, she knelt on the floor in front of him. 

“I know this is heavy. I told you before that I only had one secret, and now that doesn’t even matter because you know everything I would have wanted to hide. But, I can’t be one of those women who’s kept in the dark. It’s not me. I’d dig. And I’d resent you for keeping shit from me. It would feel like there was no trust - and if there’s no trust, then I’m gone. Simple as that.” 

“Nothing simple about trust.” 

“Jax, you either trust me or you don’t. Either way, tell me now.” 

He stared at her. She felt him trying to peel back all of her layers; it made her want to squirm because she feared he’d find something he didn’t like. But, she couldn’t remain in limbo with him, not anymore. Either they did this thing all in, or she walked away. It would suck, but she’d heal. What she wouldn’t survive would be staying, half in - waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

Jax brought their clasped hands to his lips, pressed a kiss to the back of hers before tugging her to stand, then sit next to him on the bed. Releasing one of her hands, he traced her cheek, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. 

“I trust you. It was never about that for me. You always seemed half out the door, and I can’t go there again. I can’t be waiting around for you to decide you’ve had enough of club shit and leave. Tara did that, and I need you to choose to be here. All in.”

“I’m not gonna be one of those women who just gets told to sit quietly while the men handle business - ”

Sophie held a hand up when Jax opened his mouth. 

“That doesn’t mean I don’t understand that you have rules, that the Club has rules. The night Bobby came home, that fight. I could have handled that idiot on my own, but I know you needed to be the one to deal with it because of some chest pounding man rule you boys all have. Fine. I can deal with that, but I’m not damsel in distress, and I won’t have you disrespecting me by treating me like one.” 

“You’re sexy when your bossy.” 

“Good,” Sophie smirked. “I like being bossy.” 

“I’m gonna mess up your rule, just letting you know from the jump. Part of you being my Old Lady is letting me take care of you, keeping you safe from the dangerous part of this life. It’s in my blood, but I’ll try.” 

“I can work with that.” 

“Anything else before we start arguing about where you’re gonna wear my crow?” 

Sophie smirked. “Only one.” 

“What’s that?” 

Her eyes turned serious. “I know about the road rules, Jax. When Olivia had me come out and meet Michael, the guys made a point of telling me all about road rules, and how things were done. I pulled my .40 cal from my hip, pressed the barrel against his jewels and asked him if he had any questions about the consequences of stepping out on my sister - rules or no rules. Hear me now because I won’t say it twice. You step out on me here, there, or anywhere - I’m gone and you’ll never see me again. No second chances.”

“You worried about CaraCara?” 

Sophie shook her head. “No. Plus, porn is good business for the club. Legit, and brings in money.”

“You really held a gun to the Sargent at Arms of an MC on your first visit?”

Sophie laughed. “Yeah. I didn’t know anything about the MC life. Didn’t care because it was my baby sister.” 

They both stared at each other for a moment before grinning.

“You’re imagining me holding a gun to Tig’s dick, aren’t you.” 

Jax’s face went through a series of emotions from shocked amusement to disgust to something bordering on rage-filled jealousy.” 

“I wish I wasn’t, but yeah. And the sick fuck would be turned on by it. We can never tell him.” 

“So that’s it,” Jax finished. “Everything you didn’t want to know about the Sons.” 

Sophie blinked up at him. They’d laid down on the bed, each staring at the ceiling while Jax caught her up on the current shitshow the Club found itself in. Given Tara’s involvement and then abandonment, she hated the doctor a bit more now than she had before. No wonder Jax had been a bit hesitant to trust her. 

“Stahl’s the biggest problem. I mean, she set Opie up to take the fall. Clay fell for it, and we’re all lucky that Tig can’t hit the broadside of a barn. Donna’s lucky to be alive.” 

“He can’t be trusted.” 

Sophie rolled onto her side, pressed her hand against his chest. “He’s the man who raised you. I know this has gotta be eating you up inside.” 

“Clay doesn’t see the road he’s leading us down ends with all of us bloody or locked up again. All he sees is the money.” 

“What’s the plan for retaliation?” 

Jax raised an eyebrow at her, small smile tucked into the corner of his mouth.

“What?”

“Just hard to believe you’re real. Mom was right.” 

“Right about what?” 

“Not everyone is cut out for this life. I thought if I loved Tara enough that it would all work out, that our love would be enough. She helped save Abel’s life, so I’ll always be grateful to her, but it never would have worked between us.” 

“Nothing about what you do, who you are scares me. It’s kinda comforting because it’s oddly familiar. Different uniforms, different rules, but same underlying ideals.”

“Clay wants us to blame the Mayans. Trouble is, we got no beef with them.” 

“No one would believe Clay and Tig acted without a vote?” 

Jax sighed. “I don’t know. If they do believe it, then they have a prez they can’t trust. If they don’t, then they have a VP they don’t believe in. Either way could kill us, break us apart from the inside.” 

Sophie nodded. “I think that’s why you should make Clay and Tig confess. Donna didn’t die. She’s gonna heal up just fine, and while it doesn't make anything they did okay, it should at least buy them their lives. Just maybe not their specific seat at the table.” 

“What are you saying?” 

“Relax. I’m not saying anything. I’m still the new kid here, remember? But, I know how a chain of command works - and how it doesn’t. If you don’t trust Clay, which it’s clear you don’t - and how could you? That shit spills over because you start second guessing everything he does, makes the others start asking questions because I’m guessing before this you and Clay had a pretty solid relationship, right? I mean, I’m sure you fought because what father and son don’t, but still. Family means something.” 

“I’d need evidence that Stahl was responsible. It’s not like I don’t understand why Clay did what he did. I just don’t like his hair-trigger recently; it’s not good for the Club.” 

Sophie pressed a kiss to his chest. “Sounds like you already know what you need to tell the guys.” 

Jax let out a long sigh. “Clay won’t go down that easy.” 

“Then don’t start with Clay. Start with Tig.” 

“Tig?”

“Yeah. I know he’s six types of crazy, but he’s no mindless killer. He wouldn't just go around shooting Opie’s wife, even if Opie had been the rat. The guilt is probably eating him alive, but he’s rationalizing it because he was following orders. And, again, given what they knew at the time, it tracked. Stahl is a dirty bitch. Give me a day or two and I’ll have something on her that you can use.”

“Not sure I can stall them that long. We’re meeting for Church in a couple of hours.” 

Sophie shot from the bed. Jax lazily turned his body to follow her movements. She quickly found her shoes and put them back on her feet.

“What are you doing?” 

“Fixing your problem, Teller. You need info on Stahl, enough to stall the retaliation. If I can’t get the info to you fast enough, let me know where the hit is going to go down, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t.” 

“You can’t shoot anyone, Sophie.” 

“I have more skills than just shooting people, Jackson.”

Part 10

Master List

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— My prospect

[writingplotbunnies]

[writingplotbunnies]

Best Served Cold (Part 8/?)

Pairing: Jax Teller x OFC

Summary: Sophie gets her delivery, but someone follows her to the pickup.

Word Count: ~2900

Warnings: angst, illegal activity, possessive behavior, sexual content, canon typical violence

The California midday sun beamed down on the desolate spot of land in the middle of nowhere. Gleaming in the sunlight, it sat on a folded table. Two men stood behind it, arms crossed against their chest, dark shades covering their eyes. Sophie licked her lips, fingers twitching at her sides. An old Gunny she’d worked with once told her she’d never forget the feel of one in her hands, that she’d find herself reaching for one when her hands had been empty for too long. She’d been young then - green. Foolishly thought the actions she’d be forced to take wouldn’t change her, that she’d come out the other side the same person she’d been going into it all. Even now, she didn’t know if she should hate the Corps for the parts of her they stripped away, if she should demand a return - offer the parts they’d replaced her with for the parts they’d taken. Most days she figured it didn’t matter too much in the end. Even if she could get it back, her old skin wouldn’t fit right anymore. 

“As promised,” Laroy said, a smile on his face as he presented the weapon to her. 

“Damn,” Sophie smiled. “And it’s not even my birthday.” 

One of Laroy’s men moved in closer to her. She eyed him. Laroy shook his head, and he stopped. 

“You know I’m armed, Laroy,” Sophie said, voice tinged with exasperation. “If I’d wanted to cause you harm, I wouldn't have rolled up with a smile on my face and this bag of cash in my hands.” 

Laroy nodded. “Not used to dealing with your type. Boys are just a little itchy is all.” 

She nodded. It tracked since she doubted there were many women like her at all. 

“Said you wanted to try the product, and I’d be lyin’ if I didn’t say I was very interested in a demonstration. So,” Laroy grinned. “I took the liberty of settin’ up a bit of a challenge course for you.” 

A slow smile spread across Sophie’s face. Turning to face Laroy she inclined her head towards the table. 

“May I?” 

Laroy looked to the two guys behind the table and gestured to them. They moved around to the other side, came to flank Laroy. He held out his arm towards the weapon. 

“Be my guest.” 

Placing the duffle bag below the table, Sophie reached up towards the weapon. She ran her hands along the stock, down the barrel - a tingle of excitement raced up her spine. Lifting it into her arms, she did a quick run-through. Releasing the magazine, she cleared the weapon visually before sliding everything back into place. Part of her wanted to shout “locked and loaded” just to imagine her training officer’s face before having her do push-ups until her arms gave out, but she resisted. Instead, she dropped to her knees and set the Barrett M82A1 on the ground in front of her. Settling in, she opened the scope. 

She could see the targets Laroy had set up for her. A fair distance away, but nothing she hadn’t dealt with before. Behind her, she could hear shuffling, mumbled conversations, but she blocked them out, narrowed her focus to the air moving through her lungs. Sighting the first target, she took a breath and squeezed the trigger. Like riding a bike. She quickly moved through the rest of the twelve targets she’d spotted before clearing the weapon and standing to her feet. 

Laroy stared at her as though reassessing everything he thought he knew about the universe. His face didn’t give much away, but she could read it in his eyes. The guys who’d come with him kept stealing glances at her, dancing on their feet a bit. 

“Money’s all there, but I understand if you want to count it while I pack this baby back up.” 

Nodding slowly, Laroy stroked a hand down his chin. “You say it’s all there,” he shrugged. “It’s all there.” 

Sophie turned back to the table and began to disassemble the rifle before putting it into the case. 

“Seems you’ve settled into Charming nicely.” 

Sophie chuckled. She snapped the latches and hauled the case from the table to rest by her feet. Turning to face him, she settled her sunglasses back on her face. “That a question? Or we just making small talk?” 

“You know we do business with the Sons.” 

Sophie inclined her head. She might not have done all the pre-planning she should have, but she did enough to make sure her supply line wasn't going to blow up in her face. While she knew street alliances were held together with a spit and a prayer at most, she also knew it was the best option. 

“Told you I don’t shit where I eat.” 

“They know you doin’ business with us?”

Sophie sighed. “Not sure it’s any of their concern.” 

Laroy tilted his head, stroked his thumb along his jaw. “And if the Sons were to make it their concern?” 

“Seems like I’d have a situation to deal with. Not sure what it would have to do with you.” 

“Just so we’re clear, sweetheart, I like business with you. It’s straightforward, but this thing with the Sons, well, those lines aren’t always straight. Not looking for anyone to be caught where they ain’t supposed to be.” 

“I told you my bullets weren't for you. I typically only shoot at people who are shooting at me first.”

“Typically?”

Sophie smirked. “Man in your line of work understands the importance of both clarity and avoiding the use of absolutes. It’s been my experience that not much is guaranteed in this life, no matter how you play it.” 

“I can respect that.” 

“Good. Good.” Sophie nodded to herself. “We both know how this goes, Mr. Wayne. I expect you to protect yours same as I’d protect mine, but before you start thinking about making things less straight, ask yourself who is gonna be better at protecting their own. I’ve no need for more enemies in my life. They’re a nuisance and a waste of my time. Bad blood isn’t good for anyone’s bottom line. And dead bodies don’t make anyone any money.” 

Laroy chuckled. “Damn. Seems you know how this world works. I like your style, girl.” 

“Pleasure doing business with you.” 

Sophie held out her hand. Laroy took it and gave it a shake. “Likewise.”

One of Laroy’s men came up, whispered in his ear. Sophie felt their eyes on her as they continued to exchange hushed words. Face drawn into a frown, Laroy gave his guy a friendly clap on the shoulder before sending him off. 

“Seems you have a tail.”

Sophie felt her eyes widen. She’d been so careful about leaving town, about having a solid story for being out of Charming in case anyone were to ask about her. Maybe Zobelle had one of his men following her now? 

“My guys tell me a couple of Sons came through Oakland. Seems they were looking for you. One of them saw your car. They know we met.” 

“Damn,” Sophie swore. “I’ll take care of it. Seems I’ve got a situation to deal with.” 

As though on cue, her phone rang. Glancing down, she saw Jax’s name flash. Offering Laroy a wry grin, she brought the phone to her ear. 

“Hey Jax.”

Laroy returned her grin.  

“Wanna tell me why I got a call from Happy tellin’ me you’re in Oakland?”

“No. Wanna tell me why you’ve got people following me?” 

“You know why. Happy’s gonna follow you back into Charming. Don’t argue with me.” 

“I don’t need an escort, Jax. I can take care of myself.” 

“This isn’t a discussion, babe. You can tell me what the fuck you’re doing with the Niners when you get to TM.”  

“Screw you, Jax.”

Sophie hung up the phone. It immediately started ringing again. Glazing down, seeing that it was Jax, Sophie sighed before turning off the ringer and shoving it into her pocket. 

“Looks like I’ve got some domestic challenges to go deal with. The Sons have someone tailing me, and I didn’t know about it, or I would have told you. We square?” 

Laroy had an amused look on his face. “Can’t blame a man for wanting to keep his woman safe.” 

“Never said I was his woman.” 

Laroy inclined his head. “He seems to think you are.” 

“Either way, I can take care of myself. Now, I’ve got a trigger-happy babysitter to go take care of, so if we’re good, I’ll go move my issues out of your hair.” 

“We good,” Laroy said with a slow nod of his head. “Lemme know if you need to do any more shopping. I like what ends up on your list.” 

Sophie chuckled under her breath. Loading the case into the trunk of her car Sophie sighed. Driving away from the middle of nowhere, she realized it felt a little nice to know someone cared about her enough to send a tail. Of course, this same someone was of the chest-pounding grunting instead of speaking words variety, but he had a nice ass so she could forgive a lot. She’d told Jax nearly everything about Olivia, about Michael. Of course, she’d left out the details about her job with the Corps, mostly out of habit because just about every mission had been deemed classified. As saw the bike pull up behind her Charger as she drove through the less gentrified parts of Oakland, she also realized she’d neglected to tell Jax anything about her plans to shoot Zobelle between the eyes with the weapon she just picked up from the Niners. Those small details of her plan that might bite her in the ass kept piling up. 

When the bike started flashing her, she slowed and pulled to the side of the road. Rolling her window down she waited for whoever Jax sent to come up to her car. A frown creased her face as she recognized Happy approaching her door. While she didn’t know the ins and outs of SAMCRO, she knew the look in the man’s eye, recognized the way he held himself. Quiet, tightly coiled aggression just waiting for a reason to spring free. 

“You following me all day?” Sophie asked as Happy leaned against her door. 

“Until your ass is back at TM.” 

Sophie nodded. “Got a stop to make first. Rough terrain might fuck up the suspension.”

Happy didn’t say anything, but he did nod. It was enough for Sophie. She rolled the window up and took off down the highway, smiling as she watched Happy rush back to his bike in an effort to keep her in sight. He caught up easily enough, and she hadn’t been trying to lose him - just make him work for it. The closer she got to her nest, the more her skin crawled. Knowing someone else knew unsettled her in ways that she didn’t think she was still capable of. Even when she’d been deployed there’d been a tacit understanding about how things worked. She grit her teeth at the idea of finding a new location. 

Ignoring Happy’s presence, or at least pretending to, Sophie parked next to the door and pulled the case from the trunk. Setting it by her feet, she unlocked the door and pulled it open. Happy let out a low whistle from somewhere behind her. The place was stocked with hardware and supplies that had been easier and more legal to acquire. Some were items she’d retrofit and modify to create new custom items for her mission. Lifting the case onto a shelf near the back, she slid her hands across the front, a smile crossing her lips. Things might not have gone exactly to plan, but she had nearly everything she needed to get rid of Zobelle. 

“How many?”

Spinning on her heel, Sophie turned to face Happy. She wanted to feign ignorance, act like she didn’t understand what he was asking her, but she couldn’t. Not when he had that look on his face. Her shoulders slumped as she pressed her eyes closed, memories flashing behind her lids. 

“Celebrated my first kill with a virgin Piña Colada because the bar near the base had nearly been shut down a few months earlier due to serving minors. They checked each of us, and my fake ID didn’t make the cut. Not old enough to drink, but old enough to get paid legal money to kill someone whose name I never even knew.”

She didn’t see any pity in Happy’s eyes as he studied her, and no matter what else happened, she’d always appreciate that. He stood stone still, only his eyes moving as they took her in, searching for something. 

“How many?”

“Sixteen confirmed kills.” 

Happy’s eyes narrowed. “How many?” 

Sophie shook her head gently before turning her back to him. She lifted the bottom of her shirt just enough for him to get a glimpse of her tattoos. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw his jaw tick as he seemed to count the petals. Smart boy. 

“One petal for each,” Sophie said, voice soft. “There are 29 petals.” 

His fingers on her skin startled her. Goosebumps erupted as he traced the petals with a whisper-soft touch. 

“Jax know?” 

“He knows I was a Marine. Knows what brought me here. Didn’t think he needed to know everything.”  

“You don’t trust him,” Happy said as he tugged her shirt down.

It wasn’t a question, and he wasn’t exactly wrong, but it made her feel defensive nonetheless. She did trust him more than most, probably more than she should. Still, even she knew it wasn’t enough, not when Happy said it so matter of factly. The MC brotherhood worked on trust, on absolute trust - she hadn’t had that sort of thing in years. 

“I don’t trust him to let me deal with my demons in my own way. I didn’t come to Charming to get help from the likes of Jax Teller and his outlaw biker gang.”

“You’re his Old Lady.” 

Sophie barked out a bitter laugh. “That’s what I’ve heard, but I never agreed to that. We barely know each other, and like you said, I don’t trust him. Not with this. He’ll make it his business, his job to protect me, and I can’t have that. Not this time. I won’t let him risk the MC for me.” 

“You meeting with the Niners could have put the MC at risk.” 

“A calculated risk. You’re on good terms with them. I don’t shit where I eat.”

“You meeting with the Niners could have put your relationship with Jax at risk.” 

She froze as his words registered in her brain. The full weight of Happy being here of seeing everything hit her with the force of a tank. Honestly, she liked Charming, liked her silly office job at the station - she’d spent so many months thinking she’d lost everything, that she’d gained new things to lose without taking the time to recognize it. Olivia would have a knowing look on her face, the “I told you so” unspoken between them, but Sophie would be able to read it in her eyes. Even Michael had told her to leave it be, but she couldn’t. Something in her chest pinched at the thought of just walking away.

“I can’t allow him to live.” 

“Who?”

Sophie looked at Happy, searched his eyes for something. She envied his poker face because he gave nothing away. However she answered his question would change everything, she knew it in her gut. She’d never once stopped to think about after. A time after Zobelle was dead hadn’t existed until this moment. Her career was over. Going home would be complicated at best. Which left Charming. Jax. SAMCRO. If she allowed herself, she could see it. See a future where she was Jax’s Old Lady, well, maybe not the silent, ask-no-questions type he expected, but she’d stand at his shoulder through whatever came at them. Lying would ensure her revenge, but at what cost? Lies killed as easily as bullets. If she lied now, that future would be forever tainted. 

“Zobelle.” 

Sophie pushed the name past her lips on a rush of air as her knees gave out. Happy caught her just before she crashed to the floor. 

“Zobelle went after Gemma, threatened the Club. He’s going down.” 

Sophie shook her head. “That’s exactly what he wants, and if you do it the way I know you want to - the way I see it in your eyes, he’ll take you down before you know what hit you. I’ve seen it before, and I won’t let it happen again. I’ll shoot you myself before I let that happen.” 

“Jax needs to know.” 

Sophie nodded. “He knows everything except my deal with the Niners and my little nest here. Oh and the number of bodies I’ve dropped - he doesn’t know that either, but he’s seen the tattoo.” 

Happy’s phone rang. He glanced up at her before turning to answer it. Sophie glanced around her nest, wondered at the sharp turn her life had taken today. She’d been to war before - real ones with politics and lines drawn on maps and stakes she understood but wasn’t overly concerned by because she was part of a larger machine. As she heard Happy tell who she assumed was Jax that he’d found her and was bringing her home, she realized SAMCRO would go to war with or without her - and she’d be damned if she allowed them to leave her behind.

Part 9

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