Secrets - SoA: Chapter 13
Summary: Reader has lived in a life full of secrets. When her father dies unexpectedly and sends her on a trip all over the country, she finds out just how much like her father she really is. The end of her trip brings her to Charming, CA where she finally gets some big pieces of her family puzzle put back in place and form new relationships with the people there. Chapter 13: The hearing. Warnings: language A/N: If it wasn’t clear before, this takes place after the events of the final episode, SPOILERS! Italics are for Chibs and his inner thoughts. Bold is for the reader’s inner thoughts. Word Count: 2151 Tags: @telford-ortiz-teller @sam-samcro @tstieff @yourcroweater @kacilove26 @hiddlelove @evilsorceress @reallynigga21 @suz-123 @between-shades-of-winchester @caitcrook @i-was-made-of-nutella @charlottecl @gunsnrosesislife @yoonjigu @mkindoll2016 @confidencerush @jade770 (hope I didn’t miss anyone, if I did, please let me know!)
Chibs sat down at a desk in the corner that they used for the clubhouse. He hated that they even needed one, but more often than not, it seemed like it came in handy. They’d gotten a computer that “fell off a truck” a while back when the Sons were running protection for Montez. It was state of the art and loaded full of porn. Chibs shook his head as he closed all of the windows and cleared the cache and browser history the way Juice had taught him years ago. The guys looked at some weird shit. He made a mental note to talk to Tig and Happy about it.
Tig and Happy had left. Tig had to get Venus and Happy needed to get to his mom’s house for dinner or she would “string me up and let the animals get me.” He’d almost laughed at the idea, but he knew better. Happy didn’t get his… talent from a stranger. A few moments later, Chuckie came up with a plate with a cheeseburger and fries on it.
“Here ya go boss,” was all he said.
Chibs didn’t notice the look of concern on his friend’s face.
“Thanks, Chuck,” he muttered as he opened a search engine website.
Chuck left quietly and Chibs got about his business. He typed in the lass’s name and pressed enter. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but he hadn’t thought there would be so much. He added “1997” after her name and it brought up pictures and an article about the crash.
“…at one point having reached speeds over 120 mph. The chase eventually slowed and the driver lost control on the curve of North Union Street when the car hit a gravel patch. Local doctors say…” He clicked on the pictures of what used to be a car.
The next article was about how her ex-boyfriend stalked her and beat her to a pulp after she left him. She’d managed to call the MPs before passing out. Her ex-boyfriend had been caught as he was getting back to his place, eventually landing in prison for aggravated assault.
He was about to search for “engagement announcement” when Chuckie came back. Chibs just thought he was there to collect the dishes. He’d already gathered the ketchup cup and napkin for him.
“Thanks, Chuckie, delicious as always,” he handed the plate to him.
Chuckie took the plate but was fidgeting more than usual.
“Boss?” he asked tentatively.
“What is it, Chuck?”
“There’s an executive-type guy downstairs asking for you,” he sputtered.
“Shit,” he’d lost track of time. “Did you get him some food?”
Chuck shook his head, “Said he ate on the jet.”
“The jet?” he said to himself. “Was there a tiny hell-cat of a woman with him?” If Debbie was there, he needed to prepare himself for the verbal onslaught.
“Just a guy,” Chuckie said.
“Thanks, Chuck, be right down,” he told him.
The internet search would have to wait. He closed all of the windows and shut down the computer to follow Chuckie downstairs.
When you woke, you had no idea what the time was, but you figured it was early, the jailhouse was still quiet. You hadn’t slept very well, it was too quiet and too empty. You missed Chibs. You missed the way he wrapped himself around you and held you close.
He’d moved into your heart so quickly, it was hard to believe what you were feeling was real. When you were with him, you were home. Waking up without him next to you made you feel very lonely. You tried to reason with yourself.
“Stop it. It’s only been a few days, it’s just infatuation…or lust,” you told yourself. “Then why do I miss him and want to see him?” “Cuz you’re stupid and are acting like a teenager.” “I don’t think I am though, not really. He treats me better than anyone ever has, including Tom. I can be truly me when I am with him and he doesn’t care about all of the bullshit I’ve done.” You sighed, “Just try to enjoy it, however long it lasts.”
You quit berating yourself when the cellroom lights were flicked on and the sound of a commotion came from outside the room.
“You will NOT keep me from my client!” the voice said.
You knew Jack would have to call a lawyer. He could have done it, but he wasn’t licensed in California. The familiar staccato was getting closer. You shot up off the cot, almost standing at attention, waiting. It only took a few more moments for the clicking shoes and the person wearing them to be standing in front of you. Five feet, four inches of holy terror.
“This is a fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into,” she said.
“Hi Mom,” you said.
You listened as patiently as you could while your mother went on and on about how you were just like your father, always getting into trouble (“But at least HE grew out of it!”) and so on and so forth. Over the years, you’d gotten good at making it look like you were listening while your mind went to another place. You were wondering why your father worshiped the ground she walked on.
“Kiddo, your mom cares, a lot. Maybe too much. She’s hard on you because she cares. She’s been through a lot,” he’d told you. “Just try to remember that when she’s laying into you.”
He’d never told you to quit doing the things that drove her up the wall.
“What the hell are you smirking at?!” your mother demanded. “Were you even listening to me?”
“Yeah, I know. This is exactly what you warned me about. I’m more than old enough to make my own decisions. If I want to “ruin” my life, that’s up to me,” you told her.
“What did you do to get up this cop’s ass?” she asked you point blank, switching to lawyer mode.
You rolled your eyes, “She is a vindictive bitch that thinks she belongs with Filip.”
“Chibs? Are you shitting me? You can’t just get in with some dumb prospect, you gotta go for the fucking President of the club,” she was pacing now.
She either hadn’t talked to Filip yet, or she had and he hadn’t told her that you and he were together. Your mind was spinning, putting pieces together. When you were a kid, once a month, she’d be gone for a long weekend and you were always told it was for “girls’ weekends.”
“Alright,” she said with a huff, “tell me everything you know.”
“Did you already talk to Chibs?” you asked.
She looked very severe in her suit. It was tailored just for her. Her steel gray hair was pulled back in a tight bun, her pearl earrings hanging from her ears, her standard matching pearl necklace in place. Thankfully, she’d never worked for your dad’s business and you hadn’t had to deal with her on a daily basis. Jack and his associates usually took care of the business’ legal matters. Debra was a criminal prosecutor. Everything about her screamed, “I will fuck up your life,” and she usually did in one way or another. She was small but mighty and scary as all hell. Gemma had said once that she was one of the three people that scared her.
“I want to hear your side. I’ve made notes already and have a few ideas to get this bullshit dropped. Favors were called in to get this heard so quickly,” she said. “I want to make sure there are no… surprises and get this mess behind us.”
You told her what you knew, what you had speculated, and she took notes as you spoke. She asked you a few questions for clarification purposes and to elaborate, but you got the feeling like she already knew what you were going to say, Chibs had probably told her the same thing. You couldn’t imagine what she thought you might say, because you couldn’t remember when you had been so honest. The last 5 days had been lily-white for you, no speeding, no scoping out cars, and no looking at the sports pages.
“Mrs. (Y|L|N), you need to leave now. It’s time to transfer the prisoner,” a deputy said from the entry.
Your mother left with an irritated look on her face, but that was normal for her.
Soon, you were on your way to the courthouse. The deputy pulled the squad car into a secured garage and escorted you up to the courtroom your hearing was set for. As you rounded the corner to the courtroom, your mom was already there and she was pointing her finger up in Filip’s face, Tig and Happy were avoiding looking at the interaction. The deputy was holding the space between your cuffs, pulling you along.
It made you more than a little happy to see them all there. The deputy brought you to where your mother was standing and Chibs immediately pulled you into an embrace. He briefly let you go so you could lift your shackled hands above your head so he could slip under.
“Don’ worry, luv, everything is goin ta be jus’ fine,” he whispered in your ear.
You didn’t even have time to ask him what he meant. A bailiff had stuck her head out of the courtroom.
“The judge is ready to get going,” she said.
Next thing you know, you’re uncuffed and standing at a table in the courtroom, Jarry at the other table across the aisle. Chibs and the boys were behind you. Surprisingly, they weren’t being rowdy, yet. You were in a daze and couldn’t hardly think for yourself. A cold trickle of sweat ran down your spine and your vision was wobbly. You were in robot mode and your mom was the remote control. Of all of the things you’d stolen, you’d only been in a courtroom one time prior and you were terrified.
You vaguely registered your mother saying, “Motion to dismiss. Witnesses all say the plaintiff instigated the fight, was trespassing, stalking and numerous other offenses. My client won’t press charges if the plaintiff drops her charge.”
The judge sighed heavily and that was the first time that you really looked at him. He seemed familiar, for some reason, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on where it was you’d seen him before.
“Miss Jarry, get up here,” he ordered.
You couldn’t hear what the judge was saying to her, whatever it was, she didn’t like it one bit. You could see her skin turning red and moving up the back of her neck. She gave the judge a curt nod, he said one or two more comments to Jarry and you watched her with wide eyes as she walked back to her spot at the table. She looked like she could bite a nail in two.
“Plaintiff has agreed to drop charges and stay the hell away from the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club,” he said. “Charges dropped, case dismissed.” The judge banged the gavel. The boys were whoopin’ and hollering, clapping Chibs on the shoulder.
Though you didn’t have on your glasses, you could have sworn that the judge low-key winked at you. Turning around you were met with Chibs’ beaming face, his cute dimples showing.
“Did he just…”
“I’ll tell ye about it later, lass. For now, let’s get the hell out of here,” he suggested.
You were all for that. If you ever saw the inside of a courtroom again, it would be too soon.
Back at Scoops, your mother and Jack were sitting at a table, eating the burgers and fries that Chuckie had made them, and was working like crazy to produce for everyone that was coming back from the courthouse. The silent ride back was frigid, to say the least. Your mom was a good lawyer, you knew that much, but jesus, you never thought you’d need her to be yours.
Too riled up to eat, you were standing at the counter with Chibs. Looking over Chibs’ shoulder at her, you could tell by the set of her jaw that she was not happy about being there. Turning back to the counter, Chibs was watching you.
“Ye alrigh’, lass?” he looked concerned.
“I’m just worried what’s going to happen next. I know she’s not done with me today,” you confided.
“Yer tougher than ye think,” he pulled you close and kissed your forehead.
“Filip Telford!” your mother called, catching both of your attentions.
You both turned toward her.
“Debbie (Y|L|N),” he retorted.
“I need to speak with you,” she pointed her bony finger at the open space across from her.
Chibs put his hand on the small of your back and was going to lead you over to the table.
“Just you, Filip,” she glowered.
“Shit.”