Avery and Jax find Gemma and John watching over the community from the clubhouse rooftop. Avery notes the irony of the powerful leaders observing their domain, finding the scene amusing.

"Something funny?" Asked Jax as the two of them walked over to where John and Gemma were sitting on one of the raised boxes of the roof.

"It's just ironic that Gemma and John are basically the King and Queen of Charming and SAMCRO." Said Avery. "And here they are staring down at the people most loyal to them. Kinda like this rooftop is their thrones"

"That's because we are the King and Queen of this town." Said Gemma, as she snuggled into John's side.

"I didn't realize I said that so loud." Said Avery laughing but slightly embarrassed. She had never really had a filter when it came to her thoughts but there was no denying that the shots from earlier were making that filter less effective.

Jax, a wide, affectionate grin spreading across his handsome features, leaned down and enveloped her in a close embrace. "Is my buddy Jack already making you loopy, babe?" he playfully inquired, his arms tightening around her, pulling her closer against his strong frame. The warmth of his body and the familiar scent of his cologne created an immediate sense of comfort and belonging.

"No... well, maybe a little. I did have 3 glasses of wine with dinner and I did chase that shot of whiskey with a beer that I finished in two swallows." Said Avery as she herself snuggled into Jax's side. "I'm a lightweight these days, babe. Doesn't take much."

Leaning in close, his warm breath ghosting across her ear, Jax's voice dropped to a husky whisper thick with possessive intent. "Well then," he murmured, his gaze intense and unwavering as it locked with Avery's, "we certainly can't have you going unconscious on me later, now can we?" A faint smirk played on his lips, a hint of something dangerous and thrilling lurking in his eyes. "I have plans for you, baby," he continued, the endearment a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. The air between them crackled with unspoken promises and a palpable tension, the intimacy of his words creating a private world in the midst of their surroundings.

Gemma's clearing of her throat interrupted the moment between Avery and Jax, drawing their attention back to the present.

Gemma, lighting a cigarette, remarked, "So, I hear you're buying old lady Morrow's place. Honestly, I thought it was a dump."

"Honestly, I can't beat the deal," she mused, a hint of excitement in her voice. "The house itself is structurally sound, which is the most important thing, but it definitely needs some significant updating. The foundation appears solid, and the roof is in good shape, thankfully. And according to Mrs. Morrow, a recent inspection on the house shows that there are no underlying electrical issues, which is always a relief." She paused, considering the task ahead with a sense of anticipation rather than dread. "For the price I managed to negotiate, I really don't mind getting my hands dirty and putting in the sweat equity. Plus," she added with a more personal inflection, "this will be the perfect opportunity to truly make it my own, to customize everything exactly to my tastes."

"I heard that," Gemma stated, her voice carrying a note of finality that brooked no argument. Avery felt the full weight of Gemma's unwavering attention descend upon her as the formidable woman executed a deliberate pivot, her entire being now oriented towards Avery. It was a look Avery had come to recognize well in their interactions – a clear, unmistakable signal that Gemma possessed little tolerance for superficiality and intended to communicate her thoughts with forthright and unembellished directness. The sheer intensity of Gemma's steady gaze seemed to momentarily hold the ambient air captive, drawing a palpable tension into the space and underscoring the perceived significance of her forthcoming words. A brief, pregnant pause ensued, the silence thick with unspoken questions and anticipations, allowing the implied query to linger in the atmosphere like a held breath. Finally, Gemma broke the stillness, her tone now shifting to become more explicitly inquisitive, though the undercurrent of her initial assertion remained. "So that means you're staying in town?" she asked, the subtle implication hanging in the air that Avery's preceding statement, whatever it might have been, had furnished Gemma with this particular piece of information, and she now sought direct confirmation to solidify her understanding.

"Of course," Avery replied with a measure of casualness, attempting to downplay the significance of her decision, though inwardly she knew it was anything but trivial.

"You didn't tell me you were buying a place," Jax interjected, his voice laced with a playful accusation as he smoothly inserted himself into the developing conversation, his presence adding a new dynamic to the exchange between the two women.

Avery offered a sheepish grin, tilting her head as she looked up at Jax. "Well," she began, a slight blush creeping up her neck, "it just sort of slipped my mind earlier." The truth was, informing him about the house had been on her mental to-do list that morning. However, the day had taken a rather unexpected and decidedly more pleasurable turn. The intensity of their passion in his office had completely derailed her train of thought, a delightful distraction that continued in the bathroom shortly thereafter. Then, the subsequent wave of anxiety regarding their lack of caution in the throes of their desire had further compounded her forgetfulness. The whirlwind of emotions and physical sensations had simply pushed the house news to the back burner of her mind for the rest of the day. Of course, she would never voice any complaints about the morning's activities; they were memories she would happily revisit.

Sensing her unspoken desire from her expression, Jax, ever the cunning one, leaned in. He drew her earlobe to his lips, nipping it softly before murmuring, "No apology needed. I like distracting you." The gentle pressure of his teeth on her sensitive skin ignited a fiery response that shot directly to her core, amplifying the insistent throb that had been present since earlier.

Bringing Avery and Jax back to the present, John voiced the question likely on everyone's mind: "Are you two rekindling your relationship?"

"Seems that way." Said Avery smiling at Gemma and John.

With a tone that was almost a playful warning, Gemma's words hung in the air, directed at the unspoken responsibility that lay with Avery regarding the fragility of Jax's heart. "Good," she began, her gaze steady and conveying a deeper layer of protectiveness. "Just don't break his heart again." The seemingly simple sentence carried the weight of past hurt and a clear expectation for the future. Gemma leaned forward slightly, a subtle shift in her demeanor that underscored the seriousness of her next statement. "If you do," she continued, her voice softening only fractionally, "you'll be dealing with me, sweetheart." The endearment, however, did little to mask the underlying resolve in her eyes. "And I promise you," she concluded, a hint of steel entering her voice, "you won't like that." The unspoken promise resonated with a protective fierceness, making it clear that she would stand as an unwavering shield for her son, ready to face anyone who dared to cause him pain again.

"I'm not going anywhere," she stated firmly, her voice leaving no room for doubt. The caveat, however, followed immediately, betraying a well of underlying concern. "As long as Jax keeps the big titty, blonde bimbos off his dick and out of his bed, we won't have any problems." The words tumbled out with a bluntness that starkly contrasted with the polished professionalism one would expect from a lawyer. Her carefully constructed facade of legal eloquence had momentarily crumbled, revealing the unfiltered thoughts and anxieties beneath. The possessive "his" emphasized the personal nature of her stake in the situation, while the crude description of potential rivals underscored the visceral nature of her feelings. In that moment, Avery was not a legal expert dissecting a case, but a woman laying down a clear and unequivocal boundary for the man in her life. Her statement served as both a declaration of her commitment and a stark warning against any perceived threats to their relationship.

"Did you hear that, son?" John asked, his voice conveying an unmistakable smile even without being seen.

Jax chuckled, a low rumble in his chest, as he tightened his grip on Avery's backside. "Yeah, who needs croweaters and their endless questions when I have all this waiting for me to get home?" His eyes swept over Avery, lingering on the curve of their neck before trailing down her body. A smirk played on his lips when Avery locked eyes with him. She watched as his tongue darted out, gliding over his lip. "She's everything I could ever want. I'd be stupid to fuck this up."

"Wait... I'm just supposed to sit and wait at home until you show up? And, um, which home are we talking about here? My place? The clubhouse? I need details, Jax."

"That's definitely the plan," he confirmed, his gaze unwavering as it locked with hers. A soft smile played on his lips, a silent testament to the sincerity of his words. He wanted there to be absolute clarity between them, a complete understanding that transcended mere spoken promises. "And just so there's no misunderstanding, being at home waiting for me won't be difficult at all," he reiterated, his voice imbued with a gentle yet firm conviction.

He leaned slightly closer, his eyes reflecting the depth of his feelings. "Because I assure you, Avery," he continued, his tone softening with an unmistakable tenderness, "wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, or whoever I might momentarily find myself with, the only place my heart will truly yearn to return to is you. You are my constant, my anchor, the unwavering point on my internal compass."

His hand reached out, his fingers lightly tracing the back of her hand. "As long as I'm with you, that's where I belong. You are my home, my safe harbor, the very definition of where I am meant to be."

Suddenly, a playful but impatient voice cut through the intimate moment. "Alright you two," Gemma interjected, her tone a mixture of amusement and mock exasperation, "can it with the lovey-dovey shit. Yall are going to make me sick with that shit." A wide smile, however, softened the slightly annoyed edge to her words, betraying her genuine affection for her son and the love of his life. "Why don't you two lovebirds get your asses back to the party? The king and I," she declared with a wink, gesturing dramatically towards herself and John, "need some quality alone time to discuss matters of royal importance."

*****

After leaving Gemma and John on the roof, Avery and Jax went back to the party. Just as they made it back to the main room, they noticed that Opie and Donna were saying their goodbyes. Glancing down at her watch, Avery noticed it was nearing midnight.

"Y'all leaving?" Asked Avery when she and Jax made their way over to Opie and Donna.

"Yeah. I've got school in the morning. Need some sleep to keep from murdering these bad ass kids tomorrow," Said Donna.

"Have fun with that." Said Avery laughing. "Get up with me one day after school. We need a girl's night. It's been way too long."

"Will do. You and Jax have fun tonight." Said Donna.

"Make sure you and Opie don't do anything Jax and I wouldn't." Said Avery laughing.

"That leaves a lot of possibilities." Said Opie as he pulled Donna tightly against the front of him, causing her to roll her eyes.

"Yeah, I guess it does." Said Avery laughing. "Y'all get out of here."

"Bye guys." Yelled Donna.

Jax, his gaze following Donna's departing figure for a fleeting moment, turned his attention to Avery. "Another beer?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of the evening's relaxed atmosphere.

Avery faced Jax, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint. In a gesture that spoke volumes of their intimate connection and her confident desire, she boldly palmed his cock through the denim of his jeans. Her touch was a silent yet unmistakable invitation, a spark igniting the already palpable chemistry between them. "A shot too," she added, her voice a husky whisper that hinted at the desires stirring within her. "I'm feeling frisky tonight."

A knowing smirk spread across Jax's face, a reflection of his own mounting anticipation. He reached out, his hand finding hers, his fingers intertwining with hers. "We'll take the beer and the whiskey bottle to my room," he proposed, his voice a low rumble filled with promise. His eyes locked with hers, conveying a silent challenge and a shared excitement. "Let's see just how frisky you are." The unspoken invitation hung in the air, a prelude to the passionate interlude that awaited them in the privacy of Jax's room.