💘( Out For Blood! )✨

NINETEEN

[ Faix Cerebri ]

( 🏍️💀💘👪💒🔫 )

" Zobelle just reunited father and daughter. And together they're gonna start a goddamn war. "

~ JAX TELLER to DAVID HALE

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TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ : A detailed sex scene and mentions of rape appear in this chapter. 

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LETTY'S OUTFIT 

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THE REMNANTS OF THE CAR EXPLOSION OUTSIDE THE SONS OF ANARCHY CLUBHOUSE smouldered in the cool night air. The fire had been extinguished, leaving charred metal and scorched pavement in its wake. Sirens blared around them, the flashing blue and red lights almost blinding. 

Chibs Telford lay unconscious on a stretcher, a bandage wrapped around his head. His breathing was shallow, his skin pale under the harsh lights of the ambulance. The EMTs worked quickly, lifting Chibs into the ambulance and securing him inside. Letty didn't waste anytime following after them, attempting to climb into the back of the ambulance, but one of the paramedics stopped her.  

"You family?" he asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow - they looked nothing alike 

Letty looked at the man almost like saying, 'who do you think you are?', "Close enough," she muttered, her eyes narrowing at the hand he had placed on her chest. 

The ETM was immediately shaking his head, "Sorry, ma'am. But only family allowed on the ambulance." 

"What?!" Letty snapped as he had gently pushed her away. "That's fucking bullshit! Just 'cause I'm not blood, you skinny little--!" As Letty was about to lunge forward, Juice caught her by the waist. 

"Whoa! easy there, baby," he said, before turning to the paramedic with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about her. She's just a little emotional right now." 

"Emotional?!" Letty's anger was now aimed at her boyfriend. "Fuck you!" she hissed, shoving him hard in the chest. 

"Hey, Letty," Tara was quick to intervene, stopping the situation from escalating. "It'll just be a bunch of waiting around anyway. I'll head over to the hospital, see what's going on, all right?" she said, placing a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. 

"Whatever," Letty muttered, her anxiety, mixed with concern and anger was event all over her uneasy demeanour as her attention turn back to Chibs.  

The doors slammed shut, and the vehicle's sirens blared as it sped away.

Letty watched it disappear, her fists clenched at her sides. This attack was a direct hit against the club, and she was already planning her response. The Princess of Samcro would not let this go unanswered.

***

Letty stood beside her father behind the bar, her hands trembling slightly as she poured another round of tequila shots. Unser sat on the other side, Clay and Unser's expressions were grim as they watched Letty closely. The tension in the room was evident, the air heavy with the weight of their collective worry.

Letty's eyes were red-rimmed, her face a mask of controlled anger and fear. Chibs' condition weighed heavily on her, and she could barely focus on the mundane task of pouring drinks.

Unser tried to offer some comfort, "Boy's got a strong constitution. Anybody could take a blast, it's him."

Clay nodded in agreement, downing his shot in one smooth motion, "Yeah, he's gonna be fine, honey."

Letty's jaw tightened as she swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. The question is, what are we gonna do about it?"

Unser leaned forward, his tone serious, "I ran the registration and VIN on the minivan. Both bogus."

Letty's fingers tapped anxiously on the bar, her agitation evident. Without a word, she snatched the shot Unser was nursing and downed it immediately, the burn of the alcohol doing little to calm her nerves.

Clay wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, "It's okay, baby. We're gonna find out what happened. But first, we gotta do a little damage control. Lot of volatile liquid here at the garage."

Unser nodded, his expression tense, "Forensics finds anything else, feds will be all over this place. Bombs are Homeland Security shit."

Clay's eyes narrowed, his voice steady and authoritative, "You let 'em make the evidence point to what it was: an accident."

Letty scoffed, her anger boiling over, "You and I know exactly who it was, Dad. Zobelle has caused enough damage in this town. And now he's come after my family! I ain't just gonna sit back and let him get away with that." She slammed her hands down on the bar, the sound echoing through the room as her fury radiated off her in waves.

Clay's grip tightened on her shoulder, his eyes locking with hers, "I know, and we'll get him, I promise you, baby." He kissed her on the forehead, a gesture meant to soothe, but Letty's anger remained undiminished, "He won't get away with this," he vowed, his voice filled with a deadly determination that matched the fire in Letty's eyes.

Unser was immediately shaking his head in protest, knowing that Clay and Letty united was bad news waiting to happen, "What happened to Chibs cannot blow back in Charming!" 

Letty's eyes darkened as she leaned over the bar, grabbing hold of Unser's collar and pulling him closer, her face inches away from him, "You listen here, old man, you're gonna get us a home address on him and Weston. They both live out of town. So, your precious Charming is safe. Otherwise, I do it here. And then you'll be watching main street on the 10:00 news!" she sneered, pushing the cop back, causing him to stumble slightly, which made Clay smirk proudly. 

Unser was quick to steady himself, straightening his collar as he looked over at the girl bewildered, "Jesus Christ," he hissed, shaking his head in disapproval of Clay's parenting, before walking way. 

***

Jax stood amongst the chaos, a cigarette between his fingers as he took a puff, a cloud of smoke leaving his lips. Hale approached him, letting out a deep sigh. 

"This was Zobelle," he said in realisation. 

Jax scoffed, "Otto, now Chibs. This guy's trying to break us," he said, shaking his head, meeting Hale's gaze. "All of us." 

"There's gotta be something we can find on this guy," Hale said, the anger clear in his tone and face. 

"He doesn't make mistakes. I pushed us off retaliation for Otto, but after this..." Jax paused, shaking his head, knowing exactly what was coming. Letting out a sigh, he turned to Hale, meeting his gaze once again, "Do you have any idea what Chibs means to Letty?"

"I know they're pretty close." 

Jax shook his head, letting out a breathless chuckle, he had no idea, "He's like a father to her. More of a father to her than her own. She's gonna want blood for this. And Clay, he's gonna give it to her. Zobelle just reunited father and daughter. And together, they're gonna start a goddamn war. Are you ready for that, Chief?" he quipped, raising an eyebrow. 

"How do we stop them?" Hale asked, determination flashing in his eyes. 

Jax sighed, "If I can get to Zobelle first, I can protect my sister from herself." 

Hale's hands sat on his hips as his eyes narrowed accusingly, "What happens when you find him?"

A slight smirk tugged at the corner of Jax's lips, "You tell me," he retorted, tilting his head to the side. 

Hale hesitated for a moment, all the implications running wild inside his head, "You asking me to help Samcro?" 

"I'm asking you to help Letty." Jax's smirk widened as he continued, "'Cause we both know you've had a crush on her since she grew a pair of tits," he said, sending the deputy a knowing look. "She kills Zobelle, she'll fall deeper and deeper into the club, and they're ain't no coming back from that." 

Hale sighed, internally battling honouring his badge and helping out someone he cared about deeply, "I go off the grid and I help you find this guy, you've got to promise that you will hand him over to me alive." 

Jax's gutted his chin towards Hale, "What do you do? You can't arrest him." 

"Bring him in as a person of interest, question him up to 24 hours. At least it gives Letty a chance to calm down, maybe you get your crew thinking straight." 

Jax nodded along in agreement, "All right." It was a solid plan. "I get to him first, I give him to you. Do it by the book." 

"I'll dig into the cigar shop records, see if I can find a home address." 

"Pull Weston's info, too," Jax told him as he started to walk away. "If they're a dead end, we can always rattle Darby," he said with a hint of amusement on his face. 

***

Letty stepped out of the clubhouse, cigarette dangling between her lips as she pulled out her lighter, lighting the cancer stick, before taking a puff, a cloud of smoke leaving her lips the moment Mary approached her. 

"Letty! I'm glad I ran into you. I really could use your help," she informed the girl urgently. 

"What's the matter?" she asked the woman in concern, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly as she took in the look of distress etched on her face. 

"I don't know what to do. This thing with Chibs - It's gonna push Ope farther away." 

Letty furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "What are you talking about?" 

"Don't come home much anymore. If he does, he barely speaks to his kids. They have no idea what's happening." 

Letty nodded in understanding, her concern for her best friend tugging at her heart. 

"I didn't sign up for this. Kids need a mother, a father." 

"You tried talking to Ope?" Letty suggested. 

Mary shook her head, "I didn't raise him. We got no history. Not like you got."  

Letty sighed, "You talk to Piney about it?" 

"He's on his way to the cabin. This will be a four-day bender at least," she said with disdain laced in her voice. 

Letty sighed, running a hand down her face, "I'll talk to him." 

An appreciative smile graced Mary's face, "Thankyou," she said, giving the girl's arm a squeeze. "You're a good girl, Letty." 

An amused smirk crossed Letty's face, "I don't know about that," she said, taking another puff of her cigarette. 

***

Letty leaned back against the picnic table, taking a swigs from her flask when Tara approached her, "I'm gonna head over to St. Thomas now. I'll call you as soon as I hear anything," she told the girl, who nodded, sending her an appreciative smile. 

"Thanks, Tara." 

That was when a defeated looking Jax approached them, shaking his head in disbelief as he took a puff from his cigarette, "Hey, bro," she greeted him with a tight smile as he leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. "They're waiting for you inside," she informed him. 

"You coming in?" 

Letty nodded, "Yeah, in a minute," she said, meeting Tara's worried gaze. 

Jax nodded as he head over to Tara, placing a kiss on her cheek as well, "What?" he asked, noticing the look of disbelief on her face. 

"Someone blew up your friend with a car bomb!" she said, bewildered by the casualness of the interaction. 

Jax shook his head, "We don't know what happened." 

This elicited a scoff from Letty as she took another swig from her flask, earning her a glare from Jax. 

"Jesus Christ. We watched it happen. Who the hell would do that? Why would anyone do that--?" Tara cut herself off as she met Letty's eye, realisation hitting her hard. 

"Look, I'm not sure who did it and that's the truth," Jax spoked calmly, trying to ease his girlfriend's concerns. "Probably the same guys who had Otto jumped." 

"Are you in danger?" she asked in concern, fear radiating off her entire demeanour. "Am I?" Shaking her head, she let out a shaky breath, "God." 

Jax took hold of her shaky hands, meeting her gaze firmly, "Look, I'm sure nothing's gonna happen. Just gotta be smart, a little more cautious, all right? It's gonna be okay, babe." 

Tara shook here head, "No, it's not." 

"I have to go deal with this." 

Tara nodded in understanding, although she was still very much rattled by the incident. 

Reluctantly, Jax made his way over to the entrance of the clubhouse, stepping inside. 

As soon as the door closed behind him, Tara met Letty's gaze, "This explosion. Those the same people who attacked you?" 

"And if it was?" Letty raised an eyebrow at the accusation in her tone. 

"Maybe if you told somebody about what happened--" 

"This isn't on me!" Letty was immediately on her feet, grabbing Tara's jacket and pinning her against the picnic table, making Tara gasped, her eyes widening in fear as a fuming Letty hovered over her. "You listen here, sweetheart, you do not get to tell me who I tell and when I tell people. Because this happened to me, not you! You got that, Doc?!" 

"Is everything okay over here?" Gemma's voice sounded from behind them, her tone calm as she slowly approached the girls. 

"Everything's fine," Letty said, keeping her gaze locked on a shivering with fear Tara. "Just educating little Miss Tara on M.C. hierarchy," and with that, Letty released her grip on Tara's jacket, before turning around and heading into the clubhouse, shoving her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket as the door slammed behind her. 

Gemma shook her head in disbelief, coming to sit beside Tara on the picnic table, "Are you okay?" 

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just pushed the wrong button," Tara slightly groaned, rubbing the sore spot on her back that was definitely going to bruise from the sharp hit against the wooden panel of the table. 

"Yeah," Gemma chuckled, lighting up a cigarette. "Probably not a good idea to anger Letty right now," she said, passing her cigarette to Tara after she took a puff. 

Tara hesitated for a moment, before accepting the cigarette and taking a puff, coughing out a cloud of smoke which made Gemma chuckle once more. 

"You're telling me," Tara muttered. 

Gemma sighed, "I gotta tell ya, Tara, I'm scared." 

Tara turned her head to meet Gemma's eye, slight shock taking over her features at Gemma's confession. 

Gemma nodded her head as she said, "This is going to drive Letty off the edge." 

Tara furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "What are you talking about?" 

Gemma let out another deep sigh, "When you left she was ten. Sweet and innocent. You didn't know her before she left Charming when she was in deep with the club. This thing is gonna bring out a side of her that scares the shit out of me." 

Tara's interest piqued, although her concern for her friend was evident on her face, "What side?" 

"Her father." Fear flashed in the Morrow woman's eyes, sending a shiver down Tara's spine. 

***

Letty sat beside Juice at the table inside the Chapel, their fingers linked under the table, Juice's thumb drawing soothing circles on the back of Letty's hand, as Clay lit up a cigar that sat between his lips, preparing to discuss retaliation for Chibs. 

"Unser's getting us home addresses," he informed the Sons. 

"You really think Zobelle is sitting in his barcalounge waiting for us to swing by?" Bobby chimed in with furrowed eyebrows. 

"Why should he hide?" Clay asked as a cloud of smoke left his lips. "The asshole thinks he's protected on every level," he said, removing the cigar from his lips. 

"He is," Juice stated, his grip tightening on Letty's hand. 

"Probably riding four-deep," Opie added. "Weston, skinhead crew." 

"Then we ride five-deep," Tig declared oh-so-causally as he leaned back in his chair. 

"And what's the plan?" Jax chimed in now, trying to be the voice of reason amongst the chaos. "Roll up on him in broad daylight, cut off his head?" 

"Okay," Happy and Letty nodded their heads in unison, both of them sharing a sinister smirk. 

"Then we stick it on a pike and place it in the middle of main street for all to see," Letty declared. 

"Yeah!" Happy cheered, slamming his hands down on the table - finally someone on the same wavelength as him. 

Jax shook his head in disbelief at the reckless suggestions being handed out. 

Letty noticing leaned forward, both hands on the table as she pushed herself to her feet, her eyes narrowed at her brother, "Or are you content to just sitting there, idle, while you ponder 'what ifs'? This despicable rat tried to kill Chibs! Did that escape your notice? Stop twiddling your thumbs, and get your goddamn dick out of your pants and do something about it! Or I'll kill him myself, consequences be damned!" 

Everyone minus Jax nodded along in agreement to the Princess' words. 

Clay was smiling proudly at his little girl, "Couldn't have said it better myself, baby." 

Letty smiled over at her father lovingly, "Thanks, Daddy." 

Clay turned his attention back to his brothers, "Now, do I have to take a vote?" Everyone remained silent, giving him the answer he wanted.  

***

Letty dug through her dresser in her room inside the clubhouse, finding something to change into for the night when Jax appeared in the doorway. 

"You living here again?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe. 

"Crashing once in a while. Too late to go home now," Letty said as she turned around, pulling off her shirt and unbuckling her bra, dumping them both on the ground, before placing on a Samcro shirt that was too sizes too big, clearly belonging to Juice. 

"You and Juice okay?" Jax inquired as he fiddled with the lighter in his hand. 

"We're fine, Jax," she stated, taking a seat on her bed as she slid off her jeans, tossing them into the dirty clothes basket along with her shirt and bra.

"Are you?" he pressed, sending her a knowing look. 

"Perfect," she said, flashing him a sarcastic smile as she pulled on some black shorts. 

Jax sighed, pushing himself off the doorway as he walked further into the room, "Okay, look, sis, ever since Donna's death you've been getting deeper and deeper into the club, and you're obviously dealing with some shit, maybe it's a distraction for you...an escape--" 

"How do you know what I'm dealing with?!" Letty snapped, pushing herself to her feet as she come to stand face to face with Jax. "You got to figure out your own shit, bro," she sneered, putting emphasis on the word, 'bro'. "I know what I'm doing. This beef you got going on with Clay, it's not about Donna anymore. It stopped being about her a long time ago. It's about you gunning for king. This is my dad's club, get the fuck in line! Before somebody else I care about gets hurt, or worse killed, because you want to play who's got the biggest dick tug of war!" she roared with fury, before stomping out of her room, clearly shaken up, but as she rounded the corner, she ran straight into Juice. 

"Whoa! Hey, baby," he greeted with a smile, but then noticed the tears that were threatening to escape her eyes. "Hey," he said, grabbing hold of her shaky hands. "What's wrong? What happen?" he asked, cupping the side of her face as she instinctively leaned into his touch. 

"Nothing. Just, Jax, he pissed me off," she said, sighing, running a hand through her hair. 

"You want to go for a ride? Clear your head," he asked, moving a strand of her hair behind her ear. 

Letty smiled in awe at the beautiful, caring man in front of her. She reached out to caress his cheek, before pulling him into a sweet but passionate kiss, "Yeah, let's go," she murmured onto his lips, resting her head on his for a moment, before taking his hand and leading him towards the exit. 

Giggling as Juice wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, placing a kiss on her neck and shoulder, while they headed out the door. 

***

The roar of Juice's Harley cut through the cool night air as he and Letty cruised down the open road, leaving the chaos of the clubhouse far behind. The moonlight cast a silver glow over the landscape, guiding them to their favourite spot - a secluded cliff overlooking Charming.

As they reached the cliff, Juice killed the engine, and the sudden silence was filled with the sound of crickets and the distant hum of the town below. Letty slid off the bike, her hair tousled by the ride, and walked to the edge of the cliff, taking in the breath taking view.

Juice joined her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, "Needed this," he murmured, the tension of the day slowly easing from his body.

"Yeah," Letty agreed, leaning into him. "This place...You. Always helps."

They stood there for a moment, simply enjoying the peace. Then Letty broke the silence, her voice soft and wistful, "You ever think about leaving all this behind? Traveling the world, seeing new places?"

Juice glanced down at her, surprised by the sudden shift in conversation, "Sometimes," he admitted. "But it's hard to picture it, you know? This life...it's all I've ever known."

"I get that," Letty said, her eyes distant as if seeing something off in the distance. "But I've always wanted to go to Mexico. To see the beaches, the colours, the culture. It feels like a dream."

Juice's expression softened, "Mexico, huh? Sounds perfect."

Letty nodded, a small smile playing on her lips, "Yeah. I can almost taste the food, feel the sun on my skin."

Juice turned her around, taking her hands in his, "You will. I promise, Letty. One day, we'll get out of here, and I'll take you to Mexico. We'll see it all - the beaches, the cities, everything."

Her eyes shone with hope and affection as she looked at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, resting her forward on his, "You promise?"

"I promise, baby," Juice said, his voice firm. "We'll make it happen. Just you and me, traveling the world."

Letty smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that made Juice's heart swell. They stood there, hand in hand, imagining a future filled with adventure and freedom, the chaos of their world momentarily forgotten.

Juice gently cupped the side of her face, his voice low and earnest, "Letty, no matter what happens, it's you and me. Ride or die." 

Letty's eyes glistened with emotion as she leaned in closer, "Just you and me, baby. Always. Ride or die."

"I love you," he whispered, sealing their vow with a tender kiss.

As they pulled back, their foreheads resting against each other, the promise of love and loyalty hung in the air, stronger than any force that sought to tear them apart.

***

LETTY'S OUTFIT 

Letty was heading out of the clubhouse with most of the members of Samcro, her fingers linked with Juice's when they all spotted Edmond Hayes from across the lot. 

"What's this mick bastard doing here?" Clay sneered, earning a whack on the back of the head from his daughter. 

"Ow!" he hissed through gritted teeth, rubbing the back of his head as he glared at the girl. "What was that for?!" 

"I'm part Irish," she reminded. "I take offence to that word." 

"I'm sorry, princess," Clay offered her a smile, earning a playful glare in return. 

"You better be," she said, pouting out her bottom lip like a five year old. 

"The Irish love a good car bomb," Tig stated. 

"Yeah, we do!" Letty beamed. 

"You've never even been to Ireland," Tig deadpanned, eliciting chuckles from the guys. "I've got a better Irish accent than you." 

Letty gasped in offence, placing a hand over her heart, "I might go someday, you don't know." 

Tig shot the girl a playful glare as Edmond approached them, breaking up their banter. 

"You being here in broad daylight, it's not the smartest move," Clay said, shaking his head in disapproval. 

Letty clicked her tongue together, shaking her head alongside her father, earning narrowed eyes from the Irishman. 

"My dad thought it'd be wise to come find out what all the noise was last night," Edmond informed them. 

"Accident," Bobby chimed in. "Chibs rubbed some wrong wires together." 

Letty shook her head once more, "Silly little duck, our Chibs," she said, sending Cameron's son a tight smile.  

"I grew up in South Armagh, boys," Edmond told them, sending them a 'seriously?' look. 

"Where the hell is South Armagh," Letty asked, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. 

"It's in Ireland," Tig replied. 

"Oh," Letty deadpanned. 

Tig face palmed himself, shaking his head in disbelief, while the others chuckled in amusement. 

"Sodium nitrate was a fragrance of my youth," Edmond continued over the playful banter. "Know it anywhere." 

Jax appeared by Letty's side, "We're dealing with the problem," he informed their unwelcomed guest. 

"The problem is the feds," Edmond declared. "This blast will bring them around." 

"It ain't gonna get that far," Clay stated. 

Letty broke away from Juice, striding over to the Irishman, "You got that, handsome," she cooed almost tauntingly. "So, you just run along and tell daddy we got it contained," she said, fixing up his collar. 

A cheeky smirk tugged at the corners of Edmond's lips as he grabbed hold of Letty's hands that were rested on his chest, placing a kiss on the back of her hand, "Sure thing, darlin'. I'll let the folks know there's nothing to worry about." 

Letty giggled, "Now, that's what I like to hear--" she was cut off mid-sentence when a jealous Juice relinked their fingers and pulled her back over to him, holding her close to his chest as he brought her into a hungry kiss, claiming his girl, which Letty found extremely hot.

"Ooh...Simmer down, baby, you know I'm yours," she murmured seductively on his lips, while her forehead rested on his, and Juice's hands gripped her hips tightly, a small growl escaping the back of his throat, missing the fact that Edmond had already left. 

The couple quickly pulled away from each other at the arrival of Unser, "Locations of our two white friends." 

"Thanks, Pops," Letty snatched the paper from Unser's hand, before Clay did, unfolding it and taking a sneak peak at their address. "Ooh..." 

"Give me that," Clay scolded, snatching the paper from his daughter's hand, only making her chuckle in amusement. 

"How long before Lodi forensics gets out here?" Clay questioned the sheriff. 

"It's flagged as a priority," Unser replied, fidgeting nervously from one foot to the other. "I'm surprised they're not here yet." 

"You may want to send your boys out for donuts," Clay suggested, just as Jax's phone rang. The blonde walking away to take the call privately, earning a suspicious look from Letty. "Let us tidy up a little bit." 

Letty's attention moved to the two police officers, "They do look famished," she said, smirking.

Unser sighed, walking over to do so.  

"I want you to power scrub the shit out of this place," Clay said to Juice in a demanding tone. "I want it clueless for CSU." 

"Sparkle and shine," Juice replied, grinning from ear to ear as he grabbed his girlfriend's hand, stopping her as she went to walk away. "Where do you think your going?"

"Letty furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "To find Zobelle," she said, motioning over her shoulder to her Harley, which was parked in the line up. A squeal left Letty's lips as he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up in the air. Letty giggled as he brought her back down to his lips, allowing her to collide hers with his in one passionate kiss. 

A yelp escaped Letty's lips when he slapped her ass, giving her cheeks a little bit of a squeeze, making Letty gasped, slapping him on the chest. 

"Sorry, your ass just looks real good in these jeans," Juice said as lust filled his eyes, while he bit into his bottom lip. 

Letty giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck as her eyes were filled with desire, "Well, maybe later you can take them off," she suggested, making her eyebrows jump. 

Juice growl as he playfully snapped his teeth together, before capturing her lips once more, eliciting a disgusted groan from his girlfriend's father, the two of them completely forgetting their were people around. 

"I'll hold you to that," Juice said, placing a kiss on her cheek, before rushing off to follow Clay's orders. 

"I'll miss you!" Letty called out after him, making him smile from ear to ear as his cheeks flushed, while he shook his head in amusement and slight embarrassment. 

Happy shook his head as he muttered, "You guys disgust me." 

"Awe, someone sounds jealous," Letty teased, pouting out her bottom lip mockingly as she squeezed Happy's cheek, making him whine and slap her hand away. 

"Nah, Lett, us real men like to be in charge of our women in the bedroom," Tig started. "We're not really into the whole dominatrix thing." 

Letty chuckled nervously, her cheeks flushed, "I have no idea what you're talking about?" 

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Princess," Tig shot back, sending her a knowing smirk. "Those bite marks, scratches and bruises all over Juicy boy, don't think that shit goes unnoticed," he said, making everyone burst with laughter. 

"Awe, Letty, our little freak," Opie taunted, wrapping an arm over her shoulders as she covered her face in embarrassment, her cheeks turning a bright red. 

"Jesus Christ," Clay shook his head in disbelief - he couldn't believe they were having this conversation right now. "Let's go find Zobelle." 

As they all made their way to their bikes, Jax had just finished his phone call, hanging up and pocketing the device, "You need me with you? I'm thinking one of us should be there for Chibs," he stated, earning suspicious looks from the father and daughter duo.  

"Yeah, you should go," Clay stated. "I'll keep you plugged in." 

Jax nodded, placing on his helmet, before mounting his bike, starting up the engine and taking off, making Letty and Clay share a knowing look. 

"Think he's on board?" Tig questioned his president. 

"I don't give a shit," Clay sneered as he mounted his bike. 

"He's not," Letty cut in. "He knows better than to try to stop the retaliation after this, but he's working something else." 

"Just keep an eye on him." 

Letty nodded, mounting her bike, bringing her engine to life and pulling out of the compound, determination set in her eyes. 

***

Letty rode her Harley through the streets of Charming, pulling up in front of Darby's, furrowing her eyebrows suspiciously as she watched Jax talking to Hale from afar. Dismounting her bike, she started to make her way over to her lying brother. 

"Thought you were at St. Thomas," Letty said as she flattened down her helmet hair. 

"No news on Chibs yet," he informed her. "Figured maybe Darby could point us to Zobelle." 

"Guess Hale had the same idea, huh?" she asked, her suspicion and anger clear in her voice - she really hated liars. 

"Guess so," Jax simply stated causally. "Thought you were running down the home addresses with the guys." 

"Clay pulled the over protective dad thing again," Letty lied hypocritically, but, hey, Jax started it. "So, annoying," she muttered, rolling her eyes. 

"Hmm..." Jax hummed suspiciously. "Oh, well, Daddy knows best, right?" he said, sending the girl a look, clearly annoyed by her comments last night. 

"Anything here?" Letty inquired, raising an eyebrow. 

Jax shook his head, "Dead end." 

"I'll wait for you. We can ride back together," Letty said, before heading back over to her bike. 

"Sure thing," Jax muttered in her wake. 

Hale then approached him, "What was that about?" he asked, motioning to Letty, who was mounting her bike and placing on her helmet. 

"It's about shit being upside down," Jax stated. "Call me with Weston's address," he said, before starting to head over to his bike. 

"Where you going?" Hale called after him. 

"Lose my little sister," he informed him, taking a puff of his cigarette. 

***

Engines roared as Letty drove up a steep road in the middle of Charming, Jax right behind her, her hair dancing in the wind. But as she stopped at a stop sign at a corner street, Jax road straight past it in full speed, making Letty shake her head. 

Pushing down on the throttle, she took off after him. But as the traffic lights ahead turned red, she watched as Jax rode right through them. But as Letty went to follow him, a horn blared from a car pulling up right in front of her, blocking her path.

"Shit," she cursed under her breath as the traffic flowed through the crossroad as Jax disappeared from view. 

***

The boys lined up off one of the side roads near Weston's house as Letty pulled up on her Harley, "I followed Jax to Darby's," she informed them, dismounting her bike and removing her helmet. "It was a dead end. But he knew I was tailing him. He lost me at the Corcoran pass." 

"Shit," Clay hissed under his breath. 

"There's no one at Zobelle's house," Tig informed her. 

"Phones off. Lose the cut," Clay ordered as he pushed off his bike. 

Letty immediately followed her dad's instructions and removed her leather jacket, placing it delicately down on her bike, "Weston's?" 

"Yeah," Tig nodded, pushing off his own bike. "Up here around the corner." 

As Letty and the boys started to make their way up the hill to Weston's house, they came face to face with Hale, who held up a hand stopping them with a hushed tone, "Wait, wait, stop, stop."

But at the sound of shots being fired from inside the house, fear took over Letty's whole expression as she grabbed her gun and bolted towards the house without a second thought, "Jax!" 

"Letty!" Clay called out to his reckless daughter, his own fear evident.  

But she didn't listen as she made a beeline for the front door. 

"Shit! Go! Move. Move!" Clay order, all the Sons pulled out their guns and ran towards the house. 

"Jax!" Letty yelled out as she entered the house, hearing another two shots being fired. 

"Letty?!" She heard Jax's voice call back, making her sigh in relief. "Stay down!" 

Letty was quick to move behind a book shelf, pressing her back against it as she clutched her gun close to her chest, preparing to fire at any given time. 

"I'm not going to hurt you!" Letty heard Jax yelled out, making her furrow her eyebrows in confusion - they were pacifically there to hurt him. "I'm just looking for your dad! I'm a friend of his!"

At those words, Letty rested her head back against the wooden frame, closing her eyes, "Jesus Christ," she muttered - it was a goddamn kid. 

"Let me see the ink!" She heard a young voice yell back. 

"What?!" Jax yelled back in confusion. 

"Your tats. Prove it!" 

"Yeah! Okay! Let's just put the guns down, okay?!" 

Letty could no longer hear any yelling, so she assumed Jax had it handled, but then all a sudden shots were being fired at the house and the sound of a terrified scream soon followed.   

"It's a kid!" Letty yelled out, running to the door. "It's a kid!" she yelled just as she ran into Bobby and Hale. 

Bobby eyes widened as he took in the scene, "Hold your fire!" he called out to the other sons.

Letty sighed in relief when the bullets stopped flying through the window. 

"Liar!" the boy hissed, aiming the gun at Jax's chest when he moved off him, having launched himself over the kid in order to protect him. 

"Jax!" Letty yelled, horrified at the sight, but when the kid shot twice and nothing happened, she sighed in relief, the safety was still on - thank God kids were stupid. 

Jax simply grabbed the kid and launched him onto the bed, "Where's your dad, shithead?!" 

"I ain't telling you shit, race traitor!" the boy sneered back, spitting in Jax's face. 

"Will someone please call child services. Have this little psychopath committed," Letty sneered, shooting daggers at the young boy - he was going to turn out just like his father. But she wasted no more time on the little delinquent as she stormed out of the house after her brother.  

"I guess you're running with Hale now," Letty sassed as she walked in toe with Jax. 

"Just working things from my end. Same goal," Jax stated with a smug smirk. 

"And what's that?" Letty shot back. 

"Keep Daddy happy," Jax said, his smirk widening as he made his way to his Harley. 

Letty scoffed, shaking her head as she made her way back over to the boys, just as Tig hung up his phone, "That was Unser. He couldn't stop the forensic team." 

"Now what?" Happy inquired. 

"Hey, Dad," Letty turned her attention to her father. "You remember when you used to take me to the park to play baseball?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. 

Clay furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "Yeah?" 

"You still got that bat?" 

"Yeah, why?" 

A large smirk stretched across Letty's face as her eyes lit up, "You want to take a few hits?" 

Clay matched his little girl's smirk as he finally caught on to what she was saying. 

Happy leaned over and whispered to Tig, "Something tells me, they're not talking about baseball." 

Tig matched the duo's smirk, "Nah, but something tells me, it's gonna be fun," he beamed, following after Letty and Clay. 

***

The afternoon sun beamed down over Charming as Clay and Letty approached Zobelle's cigar shop, their footsteps muffled against the pavement. Letty's grip tightened around the handle of her baseball bat, her knuckles white with the force of her anger.

Clay glanced at her, a grim smile tugging at the corners of his lips, "Ready to make a mess, baby?" 

"More than ready," Letty replied, her voice low and fierce.

With a nod, Clay picked up a large ornament that sat nearby and hurled it at the front door, shattering the glass with a satisfied crash. They slipped inside, moving with practiced stealth. The shop was filled with rows of expensive cigars, display cases gleaming in the dim light, and plush leather furniture that spoke of Zobelle's ill-gotten wealth.

Letty's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as she swung her bat, shattering a glass display case with a single, powerful blow. The sound of breaking glass was like music to her ears, the release of pent-up rage exhilarating.

Clay moved to a nearby shelf, his hands grabbing expensive cigar boxes and hurling them across the room, "Batter up!" he called out with a chuckle, tossing a box toward Letty.

With a swift, practiced motion, Letty swung her bat, sending the box flying across the room, "And it's out of the park!" she yelled, her voice filled with a wild joy as she placed a hand on her forehead, pretending to survey a large distance away. 

The sound of laughter echoed from the doorway as the rest of the boys watched on, their faces bright with amusement and approval. 

Tig leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest as he grinned at the destruction unfolding before him, "I love it when these two get along." 

Clay overturned a table, the heavy wood crashing to the floor with a satisfying thud, "Home run!" he called, tossing another small item to Letty.

She swung her bat again, connecting with a ceramic ashtray that shattered into a thousand pieces, "Hell yeah!" she shouted, her adrenaline pumping as she moved through the shop, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.

Clay joined her, the two of them working in tandem to dismantle Zobelle's precious shop piece by piece. He grabbed a leather chair and flung it across the room, the legs splintering as it collided with the wall. Letty followed suit, her bat smashing through cigar humidors and display stands with relentless fury. 

"That's for Chibs!" Letty yelled, her bat crashing through a particularly ornate display case.

Clay's eyes glinted with pride and determination as he watched his daughter unleash her wrath, "Damn right," he muttered, his own movements growing more frenzied as he fed off her energy.

The boys continued to watch from the doorway, their laughter and shouts of encouragement spurring Clay and Letty on. The shop was soon unrecognisable, a chaotic mess of broken glass, splintered wood, and scattered cigars.

As the last display case fell, Letty and Clay stood amidst the wreckage, their breaths coming in heavy pants, their faces flushed with exertion and satisfaction. Letty's bat hung loosely at her side, as she swung it upward, hitting the bell on the counter, peeping around the corner, but when nobody appear, she simply shrugged nonchalantly, "Ha. I guess they ain't open yet." 

"Ha. Guess not," Clay replied casually as he leaned down to pick up a cigar, lighting it up and taking a puff, before offering it to his daughter, "Cigar?"

"Don't mind if I do," she said, grabbing it from her father's hand, taking a long drag as she leaned back against the counter, the only thing left standing as she blew out a cloud of smoke. "Oh, it's good to be back," she mused. 

Clay wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, "Welcome back, little crow," he said, his voice filled with pride.

Letty nodded, her eyes still blazing with the remnants of her anger, "Well, I'm going to go check on Chibs," she said, letting out a sigh as she pushed herself off the counter. "But if you find Zobelle, cut his balls off, it's actually kind of fun." 

Clay chuckled, grinning from ear to ear, "Will do, Princess." 

As Letty made her way to the doorway, the boys parted to let her through, their expressions a mixture of admiration and respect. They had made their point, and the message was clear: no one messed with the Morrow family and got away with it.

***

Letty paced the sterile hospital corridor, her thoughts swirling with worry for Chibs, and every passing minute felt like an eternity. She clenched her fists, fighting the urge to scream, to unleash the pent-up frustration that threatened to consume her again. 

But as soon as she caught sight of Tara, she made her way over to her. Tara motioned for Letty to sit down as she took a seat beside her, taking a deep breath, she prepared to tell Letty the condition of Chibs, not wanting to trigger her friend again, "Chibs is stable, but critical," she explained carefully. "He landed on the back of his head, caused a subdural hematoma." 

"A large blood clot," Letty recited. 

Tara nodded, "As you know, a brain bleed is severe, but if it subsides, it's not life threatening. All we can do now is monitor it." 

"But what if it gets worse? They'll have to go in and relieve the pressure and anything can happen during surgery. I mean, they are cutting open his goddamn head!" Letty started to panicked, clenching her hands together as her knee bounced nervously. 

Tara placed a comforting hand on top of Letty's, "Hopefully, it won't come to that." 

"Yeah, right," Letty huffed, leaning forward on her elbows as she ran her hands down her face. 

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I didn't mean--" 

Letty immediately shook her head in protest, "It's okay. It's a shitty day for all of us. I'm sorry I attacked you...Again," she said, trying for a smile, but this time Tara returned it, both of them sharing a light hearted chuckle. 

"You mind if I head home with you?" Tara asked as their laughter subsided. 

Letty nodded, "Sure," she said as she pushed herself to her feet. 

"I'll just finish up a few things." 

"I'll wait for you downstairs." 

"Thanks," Tara offered Letty a smile, earning one in return. 

But as Letty rounded the corner, her heart skipped a beat. Standing there with his familiar stance and piercing gaze was Deputy David Hale. They hadn't been alone together for a long time, and there was a reason for that - Letty always made sure to avoid it. She felt awkward and uncomfortable around him, worried he might bring up their little encounter from about a year ago. It had happened during one of her many breakups with Lewis, a relationship she kept returning to despite knowing better. Letty wanted to forget her night with Hale, but it was hard when she kept running into him all the goddamn time - the inevitable downside of living in a small town.

Los Angeles 

2007

The pulsating beat of the Los Angeles nightlife was a stark contrast to the quiet streets of Charming. Letty Morrow navigated the crowded sidewalk, the neon lights casting colourful shadows as she moved. It had been a two whole years since she left her hometown, seeking normalcy and a fresh start in the sprawling city. 

But that life she oh-so-desperately wanted was stripped away from her the moment she met and fell in love with Lewis Mckenna. Tonight, she declared she was leaving him after another fight that had turned violent. But Letty was not gonna let this man break her, so she covered up those bruises on her face with practise easy, put on her best high heels and skim tight dress, and headed to a trendy bar she had discovered, a place where she could blend in and forget all her troubles, even if it was only for a few hours.

As she entered the bar, the familiar scent of alcohol and sweat mingled with the throbbing bass of the music. Letty made her way to the bar, ordered a drink, and settled into a corner booth, her thoughts drifting to the life she had left behind. Her family. She took a sip of her whiskey, the burn of the liquid causing a wave of nostalgia to wash over her - she missed Chibs. 

"Letty Morrow?" a voice called out, cutting through the din of the bar.

Letty turned, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognised the man standing before her. David Hale, the straight-laced deputy she had known all her life, looked out of place in the bustling LA scene. His eyes were just as sharp, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"David? What are you doing here?" Letty asked, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

"I could ask you the same thing," he replied, sliding into the booth across from her. "I heard you left Charming, but I never expected to see you here in the big City."

Letty shrugged, her smile tinged with a hint of sadness, "Needed a change of scenery. What about you?"

Hale laughed, shaking his head, "Conference for work. Decided to stay an extra night and explore the city."

They went on to order a few rounds of drinks, the initial awkwardness melting away as they reminisced about old times; the people they both knew, and the paths their lives had taken. With each drink, the conversation flowed more freely, their laughter echoing above the music.

Hours passed, and they found themselves leaning closer, their inhibitions lowered by the alcohol. Letty's hand brushed against Hale's, a spark of something unspoken passing between them.

"You know," Hale said, his voice low and slightly slurred. "I've always admired your strength, Letty. You've been through a lot."

Letty smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the whiskey, "Thanks, Davey. You've always been a good guy. Too good for Charming, if you ask me."

They both laughed, the sexual tension between them building. And before she knew it, Letty found herself standing and pulling Hale towards the bathrooms. 

"Come on," she said, her voice playful. "Let's find somewhere we can be alone."

They stumbled through the crowded bar, finding their way to a dimly lit rest room. The moment they were alone, the sexual tension became almost unbearable. Letty pulled Hale into a bathroom stall, the door clicking shut behind them.

Their lips met in a heated kiss, the urgency of their movements fuelled by a mix of alcohol and pent-up desire. Hale's hands roamed over Letty's body, pulling her closer as their kisses grew more intense. Letty's fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, before ripping his shirt clean off, her breath hitching as his lips trailed down her neck.

"This is crazy," Hale murmured against her skin, but he didn't stop, his hands finding the hem of her dress as he pulled it up and over her head, leaving Letty's chest exposed, making him curse under his breath as his eyes were locked on the girl's perfect tits. "You sure about all this?"  

"Oh, shut up," Letty whispered back, capturing his lips again in a fierce kiss. "And just fuck me already!" 

Hale compiled, unbuckling his belt and dropping his jeans to the ground. At the sound of his pants hitting the floor, Letty broke their kiss momentarily to step out of her panties, Hale doing the same with his boxer briefs, before their lips once again collided together in one hunger filled kiss, their tongues playing the fiery dance of the tango. 

Hale's arms wrapped around Letty's waist, "Jump," he breathed out. Letty complied, her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, while he held her close to his chest. 

Letty's head snapped back and a moan slipped from her lips as Hale's found her neck. A gasped then escaped her open mouth as she felt the Deputy place himself inside her, his thrust increasing with every passing moment. Letty yelped as her back hit the wall, Hale's pleasurable grunts filled her ear, his hot breath hitting her smooth skin. On occasion, Hale would devour her lips with his, their tongues battled for dominance, while their bodies were entangled in an intimate embrace which was caused by too much alcohol and poor decisions in the heat of the moment. 

And as the night went on, they lost themselves in the moment, the world outside the small stall forgotten. It was a much needed release for Letty, a way to escape the weight of her pasts, her abusive relationship and the uncertainty of her future. The sound of the bar faded away, leaving only the sound of their ragged breaths and the pounding of their hearts.

"I'm gonna cum," Hale grunted as he pressed her hard against the back wall, his thrust becoming more urgent now. 

"M-Me t-too," Letty panted, feeling herself clench around the man's cock as her legs quivered, her whole body becoming weak. 

And moments later, their lips met in on last wet and messy kiss, devouring the flavour of each other's tongues as loud moans escaped their lips, finding that much needed release together. 

Hale might not of been working with much, but God, he gave a different definition to 'It's not what you have, but how you use it'. And Hale definitely knew how to use the equipment he was given. 

As Hale gently placed Letty back on the ground, they stood there for a moment, the reality of what had just happened sinking in. Letty placed her dress back on, a mix of satisfaction and guilt swirling in her mind.

Hale place his shirt back on and started to redo all the buttons as a sheepish smile crossed his face, "Well, that was...unexpected."

"Yeah," Letty replied, her own smile matching his. "But it was fun."

When they were both fully dressed, Hale linked his fingers with Letty's as they both left the bathroom, Letty rested her hand on his shoulder as he led her back into the bar and the crowd of people, staying close to him, for the first time in a long time, Letty felt safe, protected. Not that constant fear that overwhelmed her on a daily basis. 

And as the night drew to a close, Letty found herself tangled in the sheets of the bed inside the Hotel room Hale had been staying, the two childhood friends had a newfound understanding between them. They had shared moments of vulnerability, a brief but peaceful escape from their complicated lives. 

And as morning came and Hale walked Letty to her car, they both couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them, and if their paths would ever cross again.

Pressing one last kiss to her lips, he leaned over her to open the door for her, "It was good seeing you, Letty," he whispered.

A blush crossed Letty's cheek, loving this whole gentleman thing as she smiled, lifting up her hand to caress his cheek, "Good night, deputy," she murmured, placing a sweet kiss to his lips, before climbing into his car and watching him walk away. 

Letty's head snapped back against the head rest as she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in, but at the sound of her phone blaring from its spot on the passenger seat and Lewis' name lighting up her screen, her moment of tranquillity burst just like that. 

"Hello?" she said, answering the call and placing the phone against her ear. 

"Where the hell have you been?!" 

And so, the cycle started all over again. 

"How's Chibs?" Hale asked with genuine concern. 

"Critical," Letty said, swallowing hard, feeling the anxiety creep over her again. 

Hale nodded along, "I'm sorry," he said, sounding genuinely sympathetic. But the awkward energy between them hung over them like a lead blanket. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke once more, "You got a minute?" 

Letty grew very nervous at his words, fiddling with the hem over her leather jacket, "F-For wh-what?" she stammered. 

Hale simply motioned for her to follow him down the hall towards the Chapel, Letty sighed as she hesitantly complied. 

"I've..." he started nervously, not knowing if he should be even asking her this, but he was desperate. "...Kind of hit a wall trying to find Zobelle. I was hoping you could help." 

Letty furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as they stopped by the entrance of the Chapel. Casually leaning against the wall, she spoke, "Me? I don't know anything more than the guys do." 

As a group of nurses walked by, Hale looked nervously over his shoulder, before gently grabbing Letty's arm and motioning with his head into the Chapel, before leading her inside and closing the door behind them, confusing the hell out of Letty. Last time they were in a confined space like this something happened that probably shouldn't have. 

"Unser told me some things," Hale confessed, firmly meeting the girl's nervous gaze as she started to gnaw at her finger nails, knowing what was coming. "About you. And what happened. At least what he knows." 

"Piece of shit," Letty hissed through gritted teeth, her anger evident as she clenched her fists at her side. "I'm going to kill him--" 

"He had to," Hale defended his boss. "And I'm gonna ignore that you just threatened the Sheriff," he said, trying for a smile. 

"Shut up," Letty sneered, narrowing her eyes at the Deputy, but she couldn't help the amused smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. 

"We both know this thing with Chibs was Zobelle," he said, his tone filled with empathy. "Give me something. Any detail, anything you can remember," he pleaded as he searched the girl's face for any type of answer, tears welling in his eyes, taking hold of her hand. 

Letty swallowed hard, her own eyes filling with tears. 

"It never goes on record. I promise you. The secret keeps. Just...point me somewhere." 

Letty frowned in confusion as she examined Hale's face, looking deep into his piercing blue eyes that just made her want to melt. It was no secret Letty was attracted to Hale, he was probably the first boy she ever had a crush on, but she knew back then that it was never going to work, they were from two different worlds, "Why are you so desperate to catch this guy?" 

"Because he hurt you. And believe it or not, I care about you, Letty. That night in LA..." he paused, shaking his head in disbelief. "...I've never felt a connection like that before with anyone. Spending that night with you...it meant something to me. Even though you didn't call," he said as a sad expression crossed his face. 

Letty sighed, sending him an apologetic smile, "It was a complicated time for me back then, Davey. I had a lot of shit going on." 

"I get that," Hale nodded in understanding. "But the least you could of done is give me a heads up that you were back in town. Seeing you out of the blue like that, was like a punch in the face." 

The first time David Hale laid eyes on Letty Morrow again after the intimate night they shared, was when he came around the clubhouse to question the Sons about the rape at Fun Town, and yeah, it kind of angered him that she didn't even pop in to say hi, or tell him she was even back in town. That night they had shared a lot of intimate details about themselves; their fears, their dreams, their hopes for the future. They connected on a whole other level, but apparently it meant more to him than it did to Letty. Or so he thought. 

Letty sighed, reaching up to caress his cheek as she offered him a soft smile, "I can't tell you how many times I've thought about that night. How many times I wanted to pick up the phone and call you. But, we were from two different worlds, David, it was never going to work. And now--" 

"Now, you're with Juice," he said, a sad expression taking over his features as he gently removed her hand from his cheek. 

Letty nodded, offering him a tight smile, "Now, I'm with Juice." 

"He make you happy? Take care of you?" 

"Yeah, he's amazing," Letty said, a wide, wistful smile stretching across her face. "I've never met anyone like him before." Her cheeks flushed bright red, and her smile somehow grew even wider as she felt a warmth spread through her heart at the mere mention of his name. She truly had never experienced a feeling like this before. A simple touch or the sound of his voice sent sparks of electricity through her whole body. Whenever she was around Juice Ortiz, it was like floating on a cloud or riding her Harley down the highway with the wind in her hair. The best feeling in the world was being in his arms, wrapped in a peaceful silence - Juice really was her safe haven.

Hale couldn't help the smile that graced his own face, "You love him, don't you?" 

"I do," Letty chuckled as realisation lit up her entire face. "Shit," she breathed out, placing a hand over her mouth, shaking her head. "I'm in love with that stupid idiot," she said to no one in particular, running a hand through her hair as she was smiling like a teenage girl when their crush says hello to them for the first time. 

Hale chuckled in amusement, "Just realising that now, huh?" 

Letty chuckled, covering the blush that spread across her cheeks, "I don't know what he's done to me. He's turning me into a goddamn love sick fool." 

Hale shook his head in amusement, before his tone turned a bit more serious, "You should tell him." 

Letty's face completely dropped as she met Hale's gaze, "What?" 

Hale sighed, knowing how stubborn Letty could be, "If you can't trust the person you love, then who can you trust? I'm so sorry this happened to you, Letty," he said, reaching out to caress her cheek as anger and determination flashed in his eyes. 

Which didn't go unnoticed by Letty, "You want to hurt this guy?" 

Hale firmly nodded his head, "Yeah, I do." 

A breath escaped Letty's lips, and after a moment's hesitation, she spoke up, "Girl around the same age as me, cute, blonde...Good rack. She's the only one I saw." 

"Thank you. I'm going to get this guy, Lett--" 

Letty smiled at the man in awe, "I don't doubt that for a second. But..." Suddenly, Letty's expression turned stern, "If you or your cancerous boss tell anyone else what happened to me, and I will cut both of your big, soft hearts out," she warned, fixing up his collar. "Do we understand each other?" she asked, patting his chest. 

Hale chuckled, "Copy that," he said as they both shared a smile. "See you around, Letty," he said, placing a soft kiss to her cheek, his hand lingering on her hip for a moment too long, before turning around, and heading out of the Chapel. 

Letty stood there for a moment, before she reached into her back pocket, pulling out her phone, and dialling one number in particular, pressing the device to her ear. 

"Hey, baby," her eyes instinctively closed at the peaceful sound of Juice's voice filling her ears. 

"Hey, Ju," she smiled into the phone. "You busy tonight?" she asked as started to pace the small Chapel, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. 

"No. Why?" 

"Can you come over? There's something I need to tell you." 

Juice fell silent for a moment as he could ear the seriousness mixed with nerves in her tone, "Yeah, of course. I'll be there. You want me to bring anything?" 

"No, just yourself," she said, placing herself down on one of the pews as she started to fiddle with the loose threads on her ripped jeans. "And maybe chocolate!" she blurted out. "A whole lot of chocolate."

Juice's sweet chuckle sent that warm feeling through her chest; she could listen to his laugh all day. She could easily picture that adorable smile spreading across his face, a smile so contagious it brightened her day just by seeing it, "Consider it done. I love you." 

"I--" The line went dead, before Letty could even get the words out, the words she knew she needed to tell him. But that was what tonight was for. She was already planning it out in her head; the dinner, the movie afterwards on the couch. But before all that there was something else she needed to tell him, something far more important. Hale was right, if you can't trust the person you love, then who can you trust? 

***

Letty stepped into her small kitchen, her arms laden with grocery bags. Tara trailed behind her, her gaze flickering around the room as she took in her surroundings.

Letty placed the bags of shopping down on the kitchen bench, before walking over and removing her gun from the back of her jeans, placing it on the buffet by the door, along with her keys and wallet.

While Letty started to place away the groceries she bought for her romantic dinner with Juice later tonight, Tara wondered over to the buffet, drawn to the weapon, her eyes lingered over it's small but powerful frame. 

"Do you carry?" Letty asked, noticing the girl's interest.  

Tara shook her head, "No, I wouldn't know how to use it." 

Letty nodded in understanding, "Wait here," she said, before leaving the room briefly, returning with a pristine leather case which she placed on the kitchen table. With one swift motion, Letty unclicked the lock, opening the lid, revealing an impressive collection of firearms nestled inside. 

"Jesus Christ!" Tara exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Do you really need this many guns?" 

"Yeah," Letty chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "I'm a bit of a collector. But this..." she walked back over to the buffet, picking up the gun her dad gifted her, holding it up as she admired the arts manshift. "...Is my baby," she said, stuffing it back into the back of her jeans, before running her finger over each weapon in the leather case, humming thoughtfully, until landing on her 38 and passing it to Tara with a knowing look. "Here. See how this feels."

Tara hesitated for a moment, before taking the gun in her hand, testing its weight, "It's okay. It's not too heavy."

"38," she said, as a mischievous grin tugged at the corners of her lips. "That'll blow a good hole."

Tara shot Letty a bewildered look, unsure how to respond to the girl's casual remark.

Letty reached for her handbag, placing a few guns in the bag, then handing Tara a couple boxes of bullets. 

Tara furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, looking down at the bullets in her hand, "What's this for?"

The smirk widened on Letty's face as she grabbed her keys and motioned for Tara to follow her out the door, "Let's go have some fun." 

***

Letty stood in the carpark outside of Cara Cara, her gun aimed at a poster of Cleo taped to the wall. With a single glance at Tara, a mischievous glint lit up her eyes, "Watch this," she said, before firing two shots, the sound of gunfire echoing through the empty space. As the paper Cleo fluttered with the impact of the bullets, a satisfied smirk crossing the Morrow girl's lips, before turning back to Tara, motioning for her to step forward. 

Tara stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly as she got into position.

"Squeeze slowly. It'll have some kick," Letty advised, her voice steady and reassuring.

Tara took a deep breath and pulled the trigger, the recoil causing her aim to falter as she missed the target completely twice.

"No," Letty exclaimed, shaking her head as she placed her gun back in her jeans. "You're gripping too hard." She moved to stand beside Tara, guiding her actions, "You want to hold it firm, but let it breathe," she then burst with laughter, confusing Tara. "Sorry," she said, shaking her head. "That just sounded so dirty." Composing herself, Letty offered Tara some further guidance, "Now, put the sight on what you want dead, then take a breath." 

Tara followed her instructions, and this time, when she took the shot, she hit paper Cleo right between the eyes. 

"Good," Letty praised, patting Tara on the back. 

"This is your idea of fun?" Tara inquired amused. 

"Yep," Letty smirked proudly, before going over to tap another poster of Cleo on the wall. "While other girls were out with friends or on dates, twelve-year-old me was shooting targets with my old man," she mused, a wide grin crossing her face as a memory flooded her mind. 

Charming 

1999

It was a bright, sunny afternoon at a secluded glade on the outskirts of Charming. The air was warm, and the scent of pine trees mixed with the faint smell of gunpowder travelled in the soft breeze. Clay stood behind Letty, his large frame casting a protective shadow over her small form.

"Alright, princess," Clay said, his voice gruff but kind. "First thing you gotta know about shooting is respect the weapon. Treat it like it's always loaded, and never point it at something you don't intend to shoot."

Letty nodded, her wide eyes focused on the target Clay had taped to a tree a few metres away. She was a mix of nerves and excitement, eager to prove herself but also acutely aware of the power of the gun in her hands.

Clay handed her a 22 caliber pistol, a good starter gun for a beginner, "Here, this one's light. Good for learning," he explained. He adjusted her stance, placing her feet shoulder-width apart and guiding her hands to hold the gun correctly. "Firm grip, but don't strangle it. And remember to breathe."

Letty took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Clay's hands were steady as they adjusted her aim, "Focus on the front sight, line it up with the target. Squeeze the trigger, don't pull."

Letty swallowed hard, her finger slowly squeezing the trigger as she tried to remember everything her dad had told her. The gun kicked back slightly, and the shot rang out, echoing through the trees.

"Nice!" Clay exclaimed, a proud smile spreading across his face as he looked at the target. "You hit it, baby! First shot, too."

Letty beamed up at him, a mix of pride and relief flooding over her, "Really?! I did it?!"

"Really," Clay confirmed, ruffling her hair. "You've got a good eye, kiddo. Keep practicing, and you'll be a crack shot in no time."

Over the next hour, Clay patiently guided her through the basics, correcting her form, offering encouragement, and sharing stories of his own experiences. It was a rare glimpse of the softer side of the tough, grizzled man, and Letty cherished every moment of it.

As the afternoon drew to a close, Clay handed his daughter a small box of ammunition, "Keep practicing, Letty. And remember, always respect the weapon."

"I will, Dad. Thanks for teaching me," Letty said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

Clay gave her a nod, a rare look of affection in his eyes, "Anytime, princess."

"Is it always like this?" Tara's voice broke Letty out of her trance, coming to lean on the wall beside her. 

Letty shook her head, a wistful smile playing on her lips, "No. You came back to him at a bad time. It settles down. It gets downright boring, I promise."

Just then, Ima pulled up to Cara Cara, and Tara instinctively aimed her gun at her, causing Ima to freak out and run into the studio. Letty burst into laughter at the sight, her amusement contagious.

"You're right this is fun," Tara remarked, a grin spreading across her face.

"Then you're gonna love this," Letty declared, picking up her own gun and firing several shots at Ima's car, busting the windows and tires as Tara soon joined in, their laughter mingled with the car alarm that blared through the small compound. 

***

The air in the clubhouse was thick with the scent of beer. Laughter mingled with the sound of rock music blaring from the speakers, while Letty and Tara were seated at the bar, the remnants of a Bay Bomb round in front of them. Letty grinned mischievously as Tara pulled a disgusted face after downing her first one. 

"Jesus Christ, that shit's disgusting," Tara remarked, shaking her head as she stuck out her tongue. 

"Just keep drinking, it gets better," Letty encouraged, setting up another round. "Although, full disclosure, last time Half-Sack had a couple of these, he blacked out and I had to carry him home."

Tara's eyes widened in alarm as she just finished her second one, "What?! I have to go back into work. I'm on call, Letty!" 

Letty waved a dismissive hand, "Then call in sick."

Tara shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips, "That's not how it works," she chuckled in bewilderment. "And besides, I'm not you."

Letty chuckled, dropping her shot glass into the beer, lifting it up into a cheers motion, before sculling the entire contents, "Yeah, I know, 'cause I wouldn't even call," she slurred, swaying slightly, making Tara burst with laughter. 

The song coming from the surround sound system changed, and Letty's eyes lit up as her current favourite song, 'Sex on Fire' by Kings of Leon, blasted through the speakers. She jumped up from her stool, grabbing Tara's hands and pulling her to the open space in the middle of the room, making Tara squeal. 

"Come on, you gotta dance with me!" Letty exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Tara laughed, a bit unsteady on her feet, having just finished downing another Bay Bomb before Letty had pulled her to her feet, "Letty, I'm gonna make a fool of myself!" 

"How?! No one's around!" Letty shouted over the music, spinning Tara around.

The two women moved to the beat, jumping up and down as they flipped their hair back and forth, singing at the top of their lungs as their laughter blended with the music. Tara stumbled, her drunkenness making her movements clumsy. As she spun around, she lost her balance and fell into a solid chest. 

A set of strong arms caught her, steadying her before she could hit the ground, "Whoa there, Doc," Jax said, his voice filled with amusement as he looked down at his hammered old lady. 

Tara looked up, her cheeks flushed from both the alcohol and the sudden closeness, "Ooh...Hi, baby," she slurred seductively as she tried to regain her composure.

Letty laughed, coming over to them, "Sorry, Jackie boy, I might've over-served her."

Jax smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "I can see that." He kept an arm around Tara's waist, ensuring she was steady. "You okay, babe?"

Tara nodded, a bit embarrassed but still smiling, "Yeah, just...might've had one too many Bay Bombs."

"Those things will get you every time," Jax said with a chuckle.

Letty joined them, her own steps a bit wobbly but her spirit unbroken, "Come on, Jackson, dance with us. It's my favourite song! YOUR SEX IS ON FIRE!" she sung on the top of her lungs as she continued to dance to the music. 

Jax shook his head in amusement, his smile widening, "I think I'll stick to keeping Tara upright for now."

Letty pouted playfully, but then shrugged, "Your loss."

The music continued to play, and Letty danced to her heart's content, her energy and joy a bright spot in the dimly lit clubhouse. Tara leaned into Jax, as he guided her to the couch, feeling a sense of safety and comfort in his arms. Despite the dizziness and her looming work responsibilities, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment, a rare break from her usually hectic life.

As the song ended, Letty collapsed onto the couch beside them, breathless and laughing, "Cheers to one hell of a day," she declared, raising her shot glass in a mock toast, before downing the burning liquid. 

Jax smiled at Letty's unbreakable energy. And for a moment, they both forgot their worries and the fact that they were currently fighting. 

"How's Chibs doing?" Jax asked, breaking the silence that had engulfed them as Tara drifted off to sleep. 

"The bleeding stopped. He's still critical, but if it holds, he'll be out of the woods," Letty informed him, her drunkenness' momentarily disappearing replaced by the apprehension of the unknown. 

"That's great," Jax beamed, glad Chibs was going to be okay. 

"I'm sorry about last night and today," Letty suddenly blurted out as she nervously played with a loose string on her ripped jeans, struggling to meet Jax's gaze. "I was just so angry about what happen to Chibs. I got lost in my rage again. I just don't know what I would have done if he--if he had died." 

"I know," Jax simply stated. 

"I was a complete asshole," she muttered, finally meeting his gaze. 

"I know that too," he said, flashing her a smug smirk. 

Letty scoffed, "Shut up," she said, playfully shoving him, making Tara groan slightly. 

"Hey," Jax gave Letty a slight nudge, sending her a genuine smile. "If it was you, I would of done the same thing." 

Letty returned her brother's smile. 

"I love you, sis," Jax whispered, wrapping his arm over her shoulders as he placed a kiss on the top of her head. 

"I know," Letty teased, smirking up at him. 

Jax chuckled, shaking his head in amusement, "Shut up," he said, playfully shoving her. "So, I got a call from Luann. Apparently there was some kind of firearm incident out at Cara Cara." 

Letty feigned a confused expression, "Ha. No kidding?" 

Jax chuckled, shaking his head in both amusement and disbelief, "Just don't corrupt her too much, yeah?" he said, signalling to Tara. 

"Oh, Jackie, we both know Tara already has a wild side, I'm just bringing it out of her," Letty said, smirking proudly. 

Jax continued to shake his head, smiling at his sister in amusement. 

"I have something I gotta do," Letty said, pushing herself to her feet, pausing for a moment, feeling slightly dazed, before composing herself, turning to address her brother. "You alright with her?" 

"Yeah, I got her," Jax looked down at Tara's sleeping form in awe. "Are you right?" he asked, chuckling as Letty slightly swayed. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. But you look after her, Jax," she said, motioning to Tara. "She's one of the good ones. Treat her right, yeah?"

"Of course," he said, placing a kiss on Tara's forehead. 

Letty smiled at the couple, before turning around and somewhat walked out of the clubhouse. 

***

A drunk Letty stumbled slightly as she stormed into the police station, catching the attention of Hale and Unser, who were in deep conversation as they leaned against the table situated at the back of the department. 

"You girls swapping diaries again? Huh?" Letty sneered, her words slightly slurring. 

"Are you drunk?" Unser asked in concern. 

"A little, but that's not the point." 

"I needed some information," Hale informed Unser, realisation crossing the older man's face. 

"Oh, shit," he cursed under his breath, knowing what was coming. 

"You have no idea," Letty declared as she stepped forward, staring down the Sheriff, who could smell the strong scent of alcohol on her breath. 

"Come on," Unser sighed. "I'd prefer the feds didn't see the beating I'm about to take. And you could use some coffee," he said as he led her around the back to his office, immediately pouring a cup of coffee for the girl from the small coffee station set up in the corner. 

"I had to tell Hale," Unser defended, passing the coffee to Letty, who sighed, before taking a sip. "He was getting seduced by Zobelle's 'I'm good for Charming' bullshit. I'm sorry." 

Letty sighed, taking a seat on one of the chairs by his desk as she felt the room starting to spin, placing the coffee down on the table, she ran a shaky hand through her hair, bouncing her knee nervously as she rested her head in her hands, "The thing that happened to Chibs, we're right, right? It was definitely Zobelle?" 

"Can't prove shit, but I know it in my gut, same as you." 

"Nothing I know could have stopped that blast. Clay and the guys taking on what happened to me would have--Would have made it worse," Letty started rambling as her nerves were clearly fried by the large amount of alcohol she had consumed mere moments ago. 

The concern grew on Unser's face, "Are you all right, honey?" he asked, coming to kneel down in front of her, grabbing hold of her unsteady hands. 

"I'm sorry," she said in a shaky voice, tears welling in her eyes. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just didn't want anyone else to get hurt because of me." And that was when the tears started to run down her cheeks like a uncontrollable tap. 

"Listen to me, this ain't on you, sweetheart," he said, wiping away her tears as he cupped her face. 

"I'm start--" Letty's voice croaked as a sob formed in her throat. "I'm starting to think that--It's all on me," she confessed as a heart breaking cry escaped her lips. "Maybe I should of never came back to Charming in the first place. Then none of this would have happened," she said, shaking her head as more tears fell. 

"Awe, Letty," Unser wrapped his arms around the girl, catching her when she collapsed into his chest, her sobs echoing through the four walls of his office as she buried her face in the crook of his neck as she cried. 

***

LETTY'S OUTFIT 

Letty hummed softly to herself as she moved around her cosy kitchen, the savoury aroma of her homemade spaghetti sauce filling the air. Unser had dropped her home a little while ago, making sure she drank a couple cups of coffee to help sober her up, before leaving, heading back to the station house to finish off some paperwork. 

Letty had spent the rest of what was left of her afternoon preparing a special dinner for her and Juice, determined to make the evening perfect. The table was set with care, a bottle of red wine breathing on the counter, and candles waiting to be lit. She had even chosen the movie, 'Pulp Fiction', one they both loved for a relaxing night in.

Letty stirred the sauce, her thoughts drifting to Juice. Tonight was the night she was finally going to tell him how she felt. She had rehearsed the words a dozen times in her head, but nothing could prepare her for the real moment. She would also share with him the secret she had been carrying for far too long - the night of Bobby's party - It was time for honesty and healing.

Letty took a deep breath, her heart fluttering with both excitement and nerves. She glanced at the clock, noting that Juice should be arriving any minute now. She lit the candles, their soft glow adding a warm ambiance to the room - Everything was perfect.

Meanwhile, across town, Juice, alongside his brothers, was in a far different situation. The flashing red and blue lights of police cars illuminated the night as he was being handcuffed and read his rights. His thoughts raced, but they kept coming back to Letty. He was supposed to be with her, not in the back of a black van. 

Back at her house, Letty poured herself a glass of wine to calm her nerves. She took a sip, trying to shake off the growing worry as the minutes ticked by. She sent Juice a quick text, hoping for a response: 'Hey, you on your way?'

The minutes stretched into an hour, and Letty's worry turned to anxiety. She tried calling Juice, but it went straight to voicemail. She set her phone down, her mind spinning with possibilities. Maybe something had come up with the club, maybe he got stuck somewhere. But deep down, she felt a gnawing sense of dread.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Letty sat down at the beautifully set table, her eyes welling up with tears. She had been so ready to open her heart, to let Juice in, and now he was nowhere to be found. The candles flickered, their soft light casting shadows that seemed to mirror her growing fear and disappointment.

As the night wore on, Letty's phone buzzed. She grabbed it quickly, hoping for a message from Juice. Instead, it was a call from Hale. 

"Letty," Hale's voice was tense. "I need to tell you something. Juice...The guys. They all got arrested tonight. They're at the county jail."

The room seemed to spin around her, "What?! Arrested?! Why? Are they okay?"

"They're fine," Hale reassured the panicked girl. "But they're facing some serious charges, Letty. I just thought you should know."

Letty thanked Hale and hung up, her mind racing with worry and frustration as she stood in the kitchen, the aroma of her carefully prepared dinner now an unwelcome reminder of the night that had gone horribly wrong. Her hands trembled as she clutched her phone, the conversation with Hale still echoing in her ears. Juice. Her family. They had all been arrested. The words felt surreal, like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from.

She tried to take a deep breath, but it came out as a shuddering sob. She glanced around the room, her eyes landing on the untouched plates and the flickering candles. Everything was perfect - everything except for the gaping absence of Juice. The anticipation and excitement that had filled her just mere hours ago had turned into a crushing weight on her chest.

Letty stumbled to the table, sinking into one of the chairs. She buried her face in her hands, her body shaking with the force of her sobs, "Why?" she whispered to herself. "Why does this keep happening?"

Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision. She felt a deep, aching pain in her heart, a mixture of fear, frustration, and helplessness. She had been so ready to tell Juice everything - to finally open up about her feelings and the traumatic night she had kept hidden for so long. And now he was in jail, and she was left alone, surrounded by the remnants of what should have been a beautiful evening.

She reached for the bottle of wine, her hands unsteady as she poured herself a generous glass. She took a long sip, hoping it would calm her nerves, but it did little to ease the storm raging inside her. The wine only amplified the raw emotions, making her feel even more vulnerable.

Letty's mind raced with thoughts of Juice. Was he okay? Was he scared? She hated the idea of him being locked up, away from her, away from the safety and comfort she so desperately wanted to give him. She felt powerless, unable to do anything to help the man she loved in that moment.

She pushed back her chair, the legs scraping loudly against the floor, and stood up abruptly. The anger and frustration bubbled over, and she grabbed one of the plates from the table, hurling it across the room. It shattered against the wall, pieces flying everywhere, but the destruction brought no relief.

Letty's legs gave out, and she sank to the floor, her back against the cabinets. She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as she rocked back and forth, "Why does this keep happening?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper.

She thought about the letter from her mother, the secrets she had been carrying, about Chibs lying in a hospital bed desperately clinging to life, and now this. It felt like everything was spiralling out of control, and she was powerless to stop it. The weight of it all was suffocating.

***

A/N:

20/05/2024

So, I got carried away in this chapter, I'm sorry. But I am dying to know all your thoughts about Letty and Hale - Did you see that one coming? 

Like always images were made by A.I, but gifs by me. 

Please let me know what you thought, also shoot me a follow and don't forget to vote on this chapter if you enjoyed it, which I hope you did.

~ Marley 😄

Words: 14468