[just imagine her with brown hair. There aren't any gifs of Nicola with her now dark hair.🦋]

The sound of the small bell over the diner door got Katelynn's attention as she watched her daughters new boyfriend walk in with a scowl on his face. He seemed to be mad but also so worried. The woman had always been good in reading people and she could tell something was torturing the blonde biker's mind.

"Hey Katelynn. Is Cleo around?", she heard him ask and nervously cleared her throat. "It's important."

Only a week ago she had found out about her daughters addiction and it broke her heart. A big part of her felt so much guilt for never noticing anything. Of course, she had noticed how tired Cleo sometimes looked and had asked her many times but the brunette always told her she was fine and just tired.

For a while Katelynn was afraid Cleo could be depressed or something else was going on with the constant tiredness but she had never assumed drugs; but thinking about it now it made sense and she knew it was her ex husbands bad influence on their daughter that put her in that situation she was now in.

"No, she's not feeling well, that's why she stayed at home for the day", the woman told him politely, a weak smile forming on her lips. It wasn't a lie, Cleo did in fact feel like shit, Katelynn just didn't tell him why. "You want me to tell her something? Or do you need someone to watch your boys? I can watch them."

When Jax shook his head, she had no idea what else he could want or what was so important. "Thanks, appreciate that but I need to talk to your daughter, you okay with it if I give her a visit?"

She was a little surprised by his question and how polite he was by asking her first if it was okay for her to go and give her daughter a visit. There were many rumors about Jax Teller she had heard but none of them seemed to be true. This man was a Gentleman and she started to feel comfortable knowing he was the one dating Cleo.

"Her brother is with her, Jax. I'm not sure if it's a good idea", the woman sighed and scratched her forehead. It wasn't too busy at the moment so she walked around the bar and took a seat, obvious that she was exhausted. "If you still go there, please don't start anything with Enrico. I have no idea about this club stuff but I know the Sons and the Mayans had their problems. That's the last thing Cleo needs right now."

Jax listened carefully and studied the mother of his girlfriend as she sat down, exhaustion written all over her face. He understood why she asked him that, why he shouldn't start anything with Enrico. Over the last months he had noticed how important Enrico was to Cleo and wouldn't risk her getting all mad at him for starting a fight.

"I don't have a reason to get in a fight with your son, darlin'", he told her honestly. "I just want to know what's going on with Cleo, wanna find out some truth. For how long will you handle the diner by yourself?", he wanted to know.

"Do I need to be worried here, Jax?", she asked directly as he told her something about finding out the truth. "And I don't know for sure, probably a few weeks until Cleo can come back. But I still have Peter. He's only in the kitchen but that already helps a lot."

"No, I just have a right to know who I'm dating", he answered just as directly. "I'll organize something, you'll have someone help you out. Can you handle the rest of the day on your own?"

Dazzled, she looked at the man wordlessly, not even sure what to say. It would help her a lot but she wouldn't be able to pay someone full time.

"That's really nice of you but I can't pay them. I'll figure it out, but thanks", she smiled briefly, putting a hand over his and patted it quickly. "You're a good man, Jax. You'll find out things about Cleo you might don't like but── don't give her up right away, she's really trying."

Jax tried to hide his growing concern about Cleo at her mother's words. Maybe it was true what Tara had found out and not something she had faked to get his attention. Sighing, he ran a hand over his face, stroking over his beard as he let out another sigh.

"I won't give her up, I just wanna talk, Katelynn", he promised the woman he grew to like over the past months. Jax knew she was an amazing mom and would do about anything for her daughter. She was so different from his own mom who, sadly, was pretty good in manipulating others to get what she wants. "And don't worry about money, I'll handle it."

"No, Jax, I can't accept that", she stated matter of fact, shaking her head eagerly. "I can do this here. But do me one favor── be there for my babygirl."

"I want to help", he demanded and wouldn't discuss this further. Katelynn needed help and Cleo meant something to him and her family was part of her. "See you around."

Jax heaved a sigh and got back on his feet, winking at the blonde woman before turning on his heel to leave.

Only a few minutes later he parked his bike in front of the Hernandez house and walked through the gate and to the door, knocking twice. The door was opened by a familiar face but not Cleo.

He had seen the man in front of him a few times when they had a meet with the Mayans, often in the back but Jax still remembered his face and it seemed it was the same the other way around. But the thing was, Enrico didn't know about his relationship with Cleo, that's why he put a hand over his gun immediately, glaring at the blonde.

"What the fuck are you doing at my mom's house?", Enrico inquired sternly, his eyes bore into Jax' blue ones. "Is your club planning something?"

"Relax", Jax held up his hands in defense, away from his gun and knife to show he wasn't here to cause any problems or drama. "I'm here to see Cleo. We're──", he paused for a second, hardly able to hide a smirk. "──maybe we should go inside for that talk."

Enrico's face dropped as he realized. He was smart enough to figure out what was going on on his own. "You can't be serious, man", he muttered under his breath.

"Cleo!" Enrico called out, nodding the man inside while his hand was still resting on his gun. Maybe Teller was telling the truth but there was a small chance that he didn't.

When the brunette entered the living room, where both men were now, her eyes grew wide. Her brother and her boyfriend together in one room, one with a Mayan kutte and the other with a reaper on his back; a weird picture seeing both of them standing next to each other.

"What's going on?", she asked suspiciously, eyeing the blonde man for a brief moment. What was she supposed to do? Greet him like she would when her brother wasn't around? Did he tell Enrico? Why was he here in the first place?

Before she could think about it any further, Jax took her hand and gently pulled her towards him, his eyes searching for her green orbs. Only then she knew Enrico might knew about them already. Still, the situation was petrifying, maybe even a little awkward.

"We need to talk about some things, darling, and I suggest you to be honest with me", he told her firmly yet his tone held some softness, earning a low growl from the other man in the room figuring he didn't like anyone else being this demanding when it came to his little sister and Jax understood; but he had a right to know.

"First I wanna hear how in the hell the two of you ended up together", Enrico spoke up, his arms crossed over his chest.

Cleo finally found her voice again, looking back and forth between the two men. "We met at the diner, Jax came by daily. Someday we started talking, the talks happened more often and we both enjoyed each others company. That's how it happened", she confidently explained to her brother, curiosity took over as she was waiting for his reaction.

"And how do we know he's serious about you? What if it's a stupid trap because they're planning something?", he asked bluntly as he was worried enough already about Cleo. Now that he knew she was with a son his worries became even stronger.

"I'm still in the room, man", Jax said as he let out a huff. "I'm not planning something here. The Sons and Mayans are good with each other, you know that. We aren't planning on destroying the peace we have at the moment . My brothers don't even know about you yet."

It was hard to miss that Enrico was still suspicious and had a hard time to believe the man. Even on good terms you could never know what the other club was planning. But; he did trust his sister and knew she could read people just as good as him and their mother.

"Why didn't you tell me in the first place then?", he asked, looking more at his little sister. It's not that he was disappointed, but he would've liked to know and not be surprised like this. "We always tell each other everything, Cleo."

The brunette ran a hand through her long brown hair, shrugging slightly. "I guess I was scared you wouldn't accept it. Believe me, I wanted to tell you the moment I fell for him── but I couldn't and I'm sorry about it."

"And I get your doubts, but I really like your sister, that's why I'm here", Jax added to Cleo's words, watching how Enrico's features slowly softened. "So, you got a problem with us being together?"

"Are you treating her good?", Enrico asked.

"I do", Jax retorted sincerely.

"Then I don't have a problem with it", the slightly younger man replied. "Just don't ever hurt her, man."

Cleo cleared her throat, her cheeks blushing in a light shade of red at her brother's words. She was twenty-three but her brother still felt like he needed to protect her. It was sweet, but she was old enough to take care of herself. Yet it didn't seem like Enrico's words bothered or provoked Jax, the opposite was the case.

The blonde nooded in full understanding, his expression serious as ever. "I won't. Can you give us a minute alone?"

Enrico nodded briefly and on his way out of the living room he squeezed Cleo's arm gently, giving the two a minute alone. If they were this serious about their relationship, it might be better if Cleo told Jax the whole truth.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?", she asked softly while offering him a seat at the couch.

Jax got the file out of his kutte and held it out to her after they sat down. "If you want this to continue I need to know the truth, Cleo."

He gave her a moment to look through it. The realization kicked in pretty fast as her jaw dropped, a soft gasp slipping past her lips. "You're looking into me?", she asked, a hint of disappoinment in her tone.

"No, I didn't", Jax stated quickly. "Tara did, I'll talk to her later about it because that wasn't okay. But come on, you should've told me about this. Did you ever plan to? How often were you high while we were together?"

"Never, I was never high while I was with you", she answered firmly as her head snapped in his direction. "I know I made a mistake, Jax. I wanted to tell you, I really did but I was afraid you wouldn't want me once you find out I'm a junkie."

Panic was slowly creeping up on her making it hard to think straight. The fear he would break up now and leave was making her feeling nauseous. Jax was the reason she was trying to get away from those substances that would one day destroy her whole life.

Jax inhaled deeply, resting his elbows on his knees while he put his face in his hands, letting the truth sink in.

"You didn't have anything in your system while you were watching my kids, right?", he asked. If she would willingly would get his kids in danger this was over, but he didn't believe she would do that; she was too sweet and caring for doing such a stupid thing.

"Are you fuckin' serious, Jax? Do you actually think I would put your kids in such a situation? Maybe I'm a junkie, but that doesn't make me a bad person", she spat at him, angry that he would even ask this. "You and those two boys are the damn reason I'm feeling like absolute shit since almost two weeks now! You think my brother is here because I need a babysitter? He's here because I can't afford a fuckin' rehab, he's the one getting me through this."

Jax looked over at the brunette, swallowing hard. She was right, how could he even ask such a question? He knew her since months, studied all her little quirks, her personality. She was nothing like Wendy, his ex wife. Cleo had been always responsible, never let her mother down in the diner while she was fighting her own demons. Wendy on the other hand stopped caring about everyone and everything everytime she was back on drugs.

To hear that she was doing a withdrawal on her own for him and his sons, which was dangerous as hell and seriously worried him, he knew he couldn't give her up and needed to support her in this.

"Hey, I'm sorry", he said sincerely, reaching out to her so he could put a hand on her thigh. "I shouldn't have asked you that, I know they were safe with you. I was just scared my past would repeat itself."

Cleo was still hurt that he would even ask such a thing but when he mentioned his past, she got curios. They had talked about a lot of things since they were together but apparently he also had a few things left to tell her.

"What happened in the past?", she asked, her voice a bit softer than before.

"Can I?", he asked as he got a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket earning a nod from her. After he lit himself one, he held the pack out to her but the brunette just shook her head and thanked him. Then, he started to tell her about Wendy. How they met, who she was, that his mother practically forced them to get married, how Wendy ended up pregnant and how things went from there.

He was also honest about his own feelings when he found out about the pregnancy, that he didn't even want the kid at first but was filled with pure excitement and pride once the little boy was born, now there was nothing he loved more than his boys.

"That's why I asked, babe. I didn't mean to hurt you, or accuse you of something. But when it comes to drugs I'm getting nervous. I know you're different than my ex wife but I guess I was──", Cleo interrupted him after she was able to look at him again.

She felt so shady while he was talking about the drug use of his ex wife, how his son had to suffer because of it. The anger she had felt towards him only a few minutes ago was gone and she understood why he was so sceptical.

Quickly, she blinked away the tears that had formed in her eyes. "It's okay, I understand why you asked. I'm so sorry this happened to Abel but I promise you that I would never put any child in danger. I know every junkie would say this and it's up to you if you believe me or not but I want to stay a part of your and your kids' life, Jax. Please give me the chance to get fully sober before you think about breaking up", she almost begged, something she wouldn't do for someone she hadn't real feelings for. But her feelings for Jax were as real as they could get.

"I don't want to lose you or the boys", she said through a heart-wrenching sob. The last week was exhausting enough and a heartbreak would only make things worse.

Now it was Jax who had to fight his emotions. Seeing her this vulnerable and broken didn't leave him untouched, not at all. He quickly put his cigarette out and pulled a now crying Cleo into his arms and placed a few kisses all over her face, wiping the tears away with his thumb.

"I'm not going anywhere, babe", he stated, forcing her to look at him. "Is that the reason why you were so off yesterday?"

Cleo wiped away the new tears that ran down her cheeks, nodding. "The day before, as you can see in the files, I was at the hospital because my circulation was causing problems from the withdrawal. When I almost passed out Enrico was too worried and drove me to St. Thomas. I knew Tara was working there but I was feeling so tired I wasn't able to explain everything to Enrico. That's how she probably found out about my addiction and started digging into it", she finished her sentence, sniffing. "I'm sorry, Jax. For all of this."

"How are you feeling now, Cleo? Jesus, you should've told me earlier so I could've been there for you." Now he was actually worried sick about the woman in his arms, a tight feeling in his chest as if anyone was sitting on it, slowly taking away the air. "Means you haven't taken anything in over a week? What were you addicted to and where did you get all the money for it?"

"I needed to do this on my own, Jax, it's fine. Enrico and my mom helped me go through the worst and didn't leave my side, my brother's best friend also stopped by a few times to check in, his sister is a nurse at a different hospital and had some helpful tips for us", she said softly, not wanting him to feel guilty now because he had no reason to feel this way. The brunette also told him about the street races, how she earned money everytime she won and how this money helped her to fill the void inside her with pills and cocaine sometimes. She even told him about her father and that he was her last straw when she needed some cocaine but didn't have any money left.

No matter how short she was on pills or cocaine, she always made sure to put half of the money she won in the family fund for the diner.

It was a lot for Jax to take in and apparently the girl he fell in love with knew even more about the outlaw life than he had thought due to her father who was a real criminal. The street races were also something he didn't like but wouldn't talk about today.

"I have one request, babe", he spoke up after a while just holding her in his arms, trying his best to give her some comfort. "You're not going to see your Old Man anymore."

She slowly distanced herself from him so she could look at the man, a somehow sad but understanding look in her eyes as she nodded. Cleo knew how bad of a influence her father was and sooner or later he would drag her down again.

"That's fair", she mumbled, fiddling with her fingers. "I should've stayed away a long time ago already."

Jax furrowed his brows, taking a hand of hers in his and intertwined their fingers. "You can't change the past. What happened can't be undone but you have the chance now to decide what you want."

"I want you, I don't even need to think about it", she said quickly, green eyes looking into blue ones. "Please?"

Jax smiled weakly as he bend forward and cupped her face in his hands, the cold material of his rings somehow had a weird calming effect on her.

"You have me, babe", he whispered before he kissed her in such a gentle and loving way that she returned without hesitation, relieved about the fact he wouldn't end things with her now after he found out the truth.