SHAY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO WRAP HER HEAD around Tig killing Donna. Her best friend who was more like another sister to her had been gunned down by a member of SAMCRO. Nothing made sense and it had Shay worrying about her own life.

"I never wanted you to find out, Shay." Jax's voice broke Shay from her daze, her watery blue eyes staring into Jax's. She could see the guilt and sympathy in them — and something else too — worry or fear maybe.

"I wish I hadn't." The Miller woman scoffed softly. She truly would have been fine with thinking it was a rival gang that killed Donna. She could have spent her years angry at someone she didn't know but now, it was Tig — a friend — who would be receiving all her anger and hateful thoughts. "How and why did this happen, Jax? Donna deserves to be here with Ope and her children, but someone — a SAMCRO member took that all away? Why?"

Now that she knew the truth she needed to know all of it. Was SAMCRO now in the business of killing wives? Were she and Leela safe? Shay liked to believe SAMCRO could never hurt her, but now she knew that wasn't completely the truth. Had she been living with rose colored glasses on this whole time?

A deep sigh left Jax's lips as he ran a hand over his hair. He didn't want to hurt Shay anymore than she already was but, she deserved the truth and he knew that.

"It wasn't supposed to happen. Donna wasn't meant to get killed." Jax's voice was full of guilt and sorrow as he placed his hand on Shay's bouncing leg. He knew her anxiety was at all all time high right now and he could only hope his touch give her some comfort.

"Go on." Shay nodded as her lips formed into a thin line and her face turned into a frown as she waited to hear Jax continue.

"Stahl made Ope look like a rat. She had his car bugged and his phone. It didn't look good at all, Shay. Clay wanted Ope taken out but I wanted to confront him first. I knew Ope wouldn't rat." Jax swallowed hard — the lump in his throat becoming unbearable.

"The night Donna died those bullets were meant for Opie. No one knew that Donna and Ope switched cars." The bikers voice trailed off as his blue eyes grew watery and silence took over the whole house.

"I knew." Shay's voice was no louder than a whisper as her blue eyes stared into Jax's. "I knew that they switched cars. I offered to go with Donna but she told me she'd be right back and I should stay and be with you. I could have said something. I could have gone with her!" Shay shook her head as tears fell from her eyes, slamming her fist against Jax's chest.

Jax pulled Shay into his arms, allowing the brunette to hit his chest and spill her tears on his shirt. The idea of Shay being with Donna that night made him feel sick. He could have lost her forever.

"That bitch Stahl is dead if I ever see her face again. I promise you that, Jax." Shay promised through her tears.

June Stahl would get hers if she ever stepped foot in Charming again and it wouldn't be just a broken nose this time either.

Jax ran a hand through Shay's hair while placing soft kisses on the top of her head. Shay wasn't the only person who wanted Stahl dead and Jax silently promised that woman would meet her end someday.

"I know baby. I know."

SHAY AWOKE UP A FEW HOURS LATER STILL DRAINED FROM EARLIER. She hadn't remembered falling asleep in Jax's arms or that he had moved her to his bedroom, but she supposed that was normal when you just found out your best friend was murdered by someone you considered a friend—family even.

Shay knew for certain that she didn't want Tig around her of Leela anymore. She knew she could never look at that man again without feeling sick and having murderous thoughts.

The sudden sound of Leela's crying made Shay quickly jump up from Jax's bed and hurry towards the living room.

"What happened?" Shay demanded to know once she entered the living room with her blue eyes wide with fear.

"Nothing happened." Jax assured a nervous Shay as he held a crying Leela in his arms. "She's just upset that Abel can't eat Cheerios like her." The biker smiled as he placed a kiss on Leela's cheek.

A sigh of relief left Shay's chest as she stared at Leela and Jax standing in front of her — completely unharmed— with a small smile forming on her face.

There were so many things they still needed to talk about and figure out but seeing Jax right now soothe their daughter made Shay's mind relax —even for just a moment.

"Let me put her down for a nap and then we can talk some more." Jax could sense that Shay had more to say and they had more to discuss.

Shay nodded as she closed the gap between them to place a kiss on Leela's cheek — the one year old giggling at her mother's actions.

Jax and Shay's eyes stared at each other, unspoken words passing between them before Jax walked off towards the nursery he had made for his children.

Shay walked into the kitchen as she waited for Jax to come back, grabbing a coffee mug from the cabinet she quickly turn on the coffee pot, waiting for the dark liquid to brew.

"She always falls a sleep so quickly." Jax stated as he entered the kitchen, staring at the backside of Shay as she stood in front of the coffee pot.

A scoff left her lips. "Maybe she does for you. Where's Abel?" She turned around, leaning against the counter as she watched Jax sit down at the table.

"He fell asleep just a few minutes ago. I can see a bond forming with them already. They're gonna protect each other." Jax smiled as he remembered the short time he had with his own brother.

"Jax, I need you to tell me the truth. Am I or Leela in trouble?" She hated ruining this sweet moment but she needed to know. If she needed to leave Charming just to protect her daughter she would and no on could stop her.

Jax looked at Shay with confusion in his eyes for a moment before it dawned on him what she had meant.

"You don't need to worry, Shay. This fucked up situation would never happen to you and I'd never let it. Clay acted and thought without thinking and I'll never let that happen again." Jax promised as he pushed his chair back from the table and walked towards the brunette. "Mills, I swear I'm gonna take care of Clay and Tig." He promised once again as he wrapped his arms around her.

"You need to be truthful about everything from now on, Jax. I'm so fucking serious too. If I for even one minute think Leela is in danger I'll be out of Charming so fucking fast." The Miller woman promised as she relaxed into Jax's arms.

"I know. I promise darlin' that you have complete disclosure. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to my family."

Jax would never be able to forgive himself if something happened to Shay and his children. He would burn the world down trying to get to anyone who touched them.

"I love you, Mills."

"I love you too, Teller."

________

an —
Awkward ending as usual. It's just my style now.