“Uh… excuse me. Hi, I’m lost. Can you please help me?”
Stewart tried to hide his nervousness but he sounded more like a shy school boy
than a confident young man. The men turned to stare at the intruder. Soon he
was surrounded by big burly men who looked like any one of them could snap him
in half with their pinkies if they so desired.
They started to taunt the thin lad, pushing him around and
generally roughing him up. Stewart had no idea how he was going to get out of
this mess. He was ready to accept that he was dead meat when the sea of men
parted and a ruggedly handsome man, probably somewhere around ten years older
than Stewart and obviously someone of standing in the club, made his way
towards him.
“What’s going on?” He demanded as he looked Stewart over.
“We thought he might be a spy for the Feds. Like that guy
before.”
“Him? A spy?” A murmur of agreement ran through the group.
“Don’t make me laugh. Let him go.” The man commanded sternly. The man holding
Stewart immediately let go, Stewart’s shirt now crumpled with specks of red
showing on the white fabric. Other than a cut lip and a bloody nose, Stewart
was fine and very thankful the man had come along when he did.
“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to come here. I lost my way
while walking.”
Without responding, the man grabbed Stewart by the arm,
making Stewart wince in pain from his strong grip. Now even more scared and
nervous than before he wasn’t at all sure what would happen next. “Come with
me.” He roughly commanded as he pulled on Stewart’s arm. He led Stewart into a
garage and then into a room with a large table. The man sat down and motioned
for Stewart to sit.
“My name is Stewart. I really didn’t mean to come here,
sir.” Stewart fidgeted in his chair, not knowing what to expect. This man
didn’t seem to be as ready to hurt him as the others outside had been but
Stewart knew he could do some major damage if he was so inclined. Stewart
couldn’t help but admire the guy though. His blonde hair and beard accentuated
his manliness and his muscles were obvious even under the vest and loose shirt
he was wearing. He was everything Stewart was not and had the confidence to go
with it.
“I’m Jax. Sorry about the trouble out there but we have to
be careful around here so the boys tend to act first and ask later. Would you
like a beer?” Stewart was thirsty for sure but beer wasn’t his thing.
“Can I have some water instead?” Jax laughed and pushed a
beer towards the embarrassed Stewart. Stewart didn’t want to appear ungrateful or
rude so he took a sip from the bottle, gagging on the bitter taste.
“So, Stu…” Nobody had ever called him Stu. “… are you from
around here?” Stewart was sure Jax could tell he was watching him, admiring
him. No matter how hard he tried to hide it he knew Jax must see the envy in
his eyes.
“Yes, sir. I live by myself in town. I don’t have any
family or friends. I like to be by myself… crowds bother me.”
“How old are you Stu? What do you do for excitement?”
“I’m twenty-two, sir. I like to play video games but that
is probably very mundane to someone like you.”
Jax let out a short chuckle. “A regular James bond type.”
Stewart’s face reddened. Compared to what Jax’s life must
be like he must find Stewart very boring indeed.
“As much as I want to continue this stimulating conversation,
I have to go out now but can you come back to the garage later tonight so we
can talk further? I don’t want the guys to know about our talk so don’t say
anything. I’m going to take you outside now and have you walk away. Act scared
like I have been hard on you. Remember come back tonight. I’ll meet you at the
back of the garage.” While Jax was trying to be nice to him Stewart still
wasn’t feeling all that comfortable. What would someone like Jax want to meet
with him about? It wasn’t like they had a lot in common but what else was
Stewart going to do?
Jax offered his hand as the two stood. The roughness of his
hand felt so strange to Stewart but at the same time so exciting. Stewart was
jealous of Jax, plain and simple. He couldn’t take his eyes off the gorgeous
hunk of man standing in front of him. Here he was touching such a god-like
person! Jax led him to the door, purposely making a show for the group outside.
“…and don’t come back here again. I might not be able to
save you next time.”
“Ye…yes, sir.” Stewart stammered, doing the best acting job
he could to appear frightened, which really wasn’t such a stretch under the
circumstances. Stewart started to walk away, feeling the eyes of the bikers on
his back as he left. He could hear them joking and laughing at him but he
didn’t care. He was going to be meeting Jax again.
True to his word, Jax was waiting for him behind the garage
when Stewart went back later that night.
“Great. You came back.”
“I debated about this but in the end my curiosity got the
better of me. What did you want, sir?” Stewart still had no idea why someone
like Jax could possibly want anything to do with a nobody like him but he was
intrigued that Jax really seemed to like him.
“You might say your getting lost was a very fortuitous
occurrence. I’ve been waiting for just the right person. I think you’ll do
fine. And call me Jax. We’re going to be getting to know each other quite
well.”
“Waiting… for me? Why, sir…Jax?”
“How would you like to find out what it is like to be me?” Stewart
was floored. Was he serious? He sounded very sincere but there was no way he
could become Jax. He must be pulling some grand prank. But why?
“What...What are you saying? Become you? That isn’t
possible and even if it was why would you want to be me?”
“I didn’t say I would become you. I asked if you wanted to
know what it was like to be me. Yes, it is possible and I have my reasons for
asking.” Stewart’s mind whirled. Could he actually become Jax… be in someone
else’s body other than his own? What would that be like, especially in a body
like that? Wouldn’t others recognize that he wasn’t the real Jax? He was
scared, intrigued, confused… all at the same time. He could only dream what it
would feel like to live like Jax, even if it was just for a short while. He
lived a rebellious lifestyle while Stewart’s life was straight-laced and
anything but exciting. He had absolutely no idea what Jax was really like or
what problems he might have but none of that mattered to Stewart. He just knew
Jax had to be living a lot better than he was, sure he could overcome any
obstacles that might come his way. Did he dare take the chance that what Jax
said was possible? He would never know if he didn’t, for once in his life, be
bold and adventurous, break the mold of his humdrum life. Logic told him it
wasn’t possible but just this once his emotions won out:
“Yes. I want to know what your life is like.”
“Good. I was hoping you would say yes. You are going to
help me with something I need to do. Sure, I could use one of my crew but they
would be missed. You on the other hand are a loner, no one will notice your
absence.” Stewart knew he should be worried by that but he was just too excited
at the prospect of being a biker, of being a rebel, of being Jax, to really
care.
“What do I do?”
“Nothing. Just stand there, although I would recommend
closing your eyes.” Stewart did as he had been told. He felt a slight nudge on
his back as the warmth and comfort of an ebony blackness enveloped his whole
body, gently lulling him off to a deep and dreamless sleep.
He awoke to find himself standing outside the garage,
sunlight shining in his eyes.
“Good morning, Stu.
How are you feeling?” He could hear Jax but he couldn’t see him anywhere.
“Jax? Where are you?” He could hear himself speak but no
words came from his mouth. He tried to search for Jax but found he was unable
to move, no matter how hard he tried. His whole body felt somehow different…
heavier. What had Jax done to him?
Without warning, Stewart’s body moved forward of its own
volition. He had no idea where he was headed until he found himself inside the
garage bathroom, staring at a reflection not his own in a mirror. Jax was
looking back at him! He tried to lift his arm to touch his face but again found
he couldn’t control his body.
“Like what you see cowboy?” He had no idea how but he could
hear Jax in his head, talking. Stewart
couldn’t deny he was amazed to see Jax in the mirror.
“Yes, but how…”
“You are in my body with me. You’re in the passenger seat,
so to speak and you will experience everything I do. I have control now but I
can give you control whenever I want.” Stewart didn’t know what to say. This
was so strange, seeing himself in Jax’s body.
“You’re going to have to learn to be me so let’s get
started. As Jax you are the president of SAMCRO, which means you have to ride a
motorcycle, among other things. So, the first thing we’re going to do is go for
what I’m sure is your first ride. Enjoy the ride but pay attention Stu. You’re
going to have to know how to do this.” Stewart had always dreamed about riding
a bike but never had courage enough to even try. Now here he was getting ready
to actually ride one as a bona fide biker. They left the garage, Jax telling
one of the guys that he was going out for a while.
Jax mounted his bike, Stewart getting giddy as he felt his
leg swing over the seat and he found himself sitting on the hog. His vision
darkened as Jax put on his shades and he felt the vibrations beneath him as the
bike roared to life. The rumble of the motor caressed his ears like sweet music
when they took off.
It wasn’t long before they were on the open road, wind
blowing through their hair. Stewart was loving every minute. He lost track of how
much time had passed until he heard Jax again. “How ya doin’ Stu buddy?”
“This is incredible.”
“Good. Ready to take over?”
“Huh? Take over what?”
“The bike and my body.”
“You’re going to let me control your body and drive your
bike?”
“No time like the present to learn. Besides, I’m here with
you to help and you are me so…” Stewart felt a push and before he knew what had
happened he had control of the beast beneath him. “Relax Stu. Go with the flow.
You’ll do fine. Trust me. There’s a rest stop a few miles up ahead. Pull in and
we’ll take a stretch break.” He could hear Jax
speaking in his head.
Jax’s ‘few miles’ turned out to be some ways off. Handling
the bike was a little nerve racking at first and he leaned into a corner wrong
but fortunately Jax reacted to correct his mistake. Before long he was riding
like he had been doing so his whole life. They pulled into the rest stop,
Stewart parking the bike flawlessly and dismounting. A strange craving hit him
as he stretched his new legs. “We need a smoke Stu.” Stewart didn’t smoke,
never had in his life but Jax did. Stewart felt his hands go to a pocket, pull
out a cigarette, and light it up. The taste was odd to him but experiencing it
through Jax was like riding the bike – natural and normal. He found himself
savoring the experience as the craving subsided.
“I feel incredible… so alive. Is it okay if I touch your
body?”
“It’s your body, too, so be my guest but let’s go somewhere
a bit more private.” Stewart found himself walking to the bathrooms and, once
inside, locking the door. He felt the familiar push forward as Jax gave him
control once more. “Enjoy yourself Stu.” By now he had gotten used to Jax
calling him Stu, even relished it as if it was something special he shared only
with the man who he was now so close to - brothers under the skin, quite
literally. He explored everything about Jax’s body, savoring the power of the
muscles as he flexed them. He was more than happy to be the very virile Jax for
as long as Jax would let him. He could have stayed there all night but Jax
interrupted.
“We have to go home, Stu. You drive.” The ride home was
invigorating. Warm night air combined with the adrenaline rushing through Stu,
or more appropriately Jax, made the experience so exciting, much more than
anything Stewart had ever known before.
“It’s late so shut the bike off and coast the last few
yards to the garage.” A very happy and tired Stu did as requested and once
parked, dismounted the bike, sure he would sleep well.
“That was awesome, Jax. Can we do it again?”
“Later, my man. You’ll have plenty of time for fun. Let’s
get some rest.”
Morning came and Stu half expected he would find he had been
dreaming, that none of it had been real. When he came to he could smell oil and
grease and after a few more minutes of coming to consciousness he realized Jax
was in the garage working on his bike. “Hello sleepy head.” Jax greeted him.
“About time you woke up. We have a lot to do today. First I’m going to show you
my family.” Jax put the wrench down and wiped his hands on an old rag, Stewart
feeling everything and savoring such a trivial but very new experience.
Before he knew it, he was moving outside, Jax donning his
shades as they hit the sunlight. “Over there is my mom, Gemma, and that is
Tig…” Jax droned on, name after name for all the unfamiliar faces. How did he
expect Stewart to remember all these people? Yesterday they had all wanted to
hurt him and now he was their leader. Strange how things work out. “Don’t worry
Stu. You’ll learn them all quite quickly.” He went back inside to work on his
bike more. “We have to bleed the brakes then we’ll clean her up. After lunch,
the guys are going on a ride. You’ll like that Stu. Nothing like a group ride.”
Like Jax had said, the ride was amazing – Jax had let him
lead the group part way to their destination – but the weapons they were
picking up weren’t exactly something Stewart condoned. Finding out that he was
now the leader of a virtual arms syndicate surprised Stewart. “I didn’t sign up
for the guns and shit. ‘
“Get used to it. This is part of the package.” Jax bluntly
informed him.
Stewart sulked in the background as Jax drove back to the
garage. “I’ll never get used to this.” He wouldn’t talk to Jax the rest of the
day. He didn’t want to lead SAMCRO’s illegal activities, even if it meant
giving up Jax’s body.
He couldn’t wait to get to sleep that night. It grew later
and Jax still wasn’t ready to sleep just yet. “I know you aren’t talking to me
but I have a few more things to do before I go to bed. I’ll put you to sleep
and maybe you’ll feel differently in the morning.” Stewart drifted into a
restless dream, hoping that Jax would give him his own insignificant life back.
Instead he found himself waking to a craving for a smoke.
For some reason, the guns didn’t seem to bother him anymore. “Jax? Where are
you? I’m sorry about yesterday.” Jax didn’t answer him. Was Jax mad at him for
his rebellion against the guns? Was this his way of punishing him by leaving
him alone to deal with the gang that would surely know he wasn’t their leader?
“Ah, shit. I’ll worry about that later.” He lit up a smoke.
He didn’t have much time to ponder about the missing Jax. A
commotion arose outside as what sounded like heavy vehicles made their way to
the compound.
“FBI. Come out with your hands up.” Damn, another raid. He
quickly threw some clothes on and hurried outside to see what the Feds wanted
this time.
“Jax Teller – we have a search warrant for the premises.” A
young FBI agent dressed in a suit yelled as he was reaching in his jacket. He
came over to Stewart and shoved the warrant into his face. “Come with me.” Amid
all the uproar no one noticed the two men slipping away to the garage.
[
“You were here a few months ago. Except then you had a
beard and you tried to blend in. We trusted you. Even thought of letting you
join. Bastard.”
It had to be Jax. No one else called him Stu or knew that
he was in Jax’s body. “Jax? But how…?”
“I had this planned ever since Ward here betrayed us. What
better revenge than to take his body and be a spy at the FBI? But I had to find
the right person to take over my life first. Then you showed up and I knew I
had found my replacement.”
“Your replacement?”
“Haven’t you noticed you are starting to remember things
from my life? That you are saying and acting more like Jax than Stu? You are
becoming me – permanently. You said you wanted to know what it was like to be
me so now you will.”
“I can’t be you without your help. Gemma, Opie, Tig…
they’ll all know I’m not you.”
Ward smiled as Stewart rattled off the members of the Sons
of Anarchy. “No one will know because you are Jax. And I’ll be Ward. We’ll have
some fun with the Feds together.”
Stewart lit a much-needed smoke as he reached for a nearby
bottle of beer. Even his mannerisms were now those of Jax Teller. He had
forgotten he was ever Stewart and was Jax completely.
“So, you want to be a spy for us at the Feds now?” Jax said
as if he and Ward had been privately discussing this undercover operation all
the time.
“Yes. Think of the help I can give you, warn you about any
raids or plans they have. Perfect disguise.”
“Damn Feds. Always meddling in our business. I’ll work with
you but if you fuck up my operation…”
“Don’t worry Jax. Everything will be fine. We’ll talk soon.
Now get back out there and give the Feds hell, Jackson.” Ward said as the two
went back outside.
“Hey shitheads. Get off our property before I have you arrested.”
“Okay, let’s get out of here. We’re not going to find
anything else today. We’ll be keeping an eye on you, Mr. Teller.” The Feds
packed up and left, leaving the bikers to clean up the mess.
Jax still didn’t feel too secure about trusting Ward but if
he could stay one step ahead of the Feds it might be worth a try. He lit another
smoke and hopped on his bike, riding until he got near the ocean. The sea
always calmed him down and, after all the turmoil of the day, that was exactly what he needed.
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