**Disclaimer: Yeah, I don't own SOA. I do own Ava Rie. She's been a character in the making since SOA began airing on FX. I totally heart Tig. As psychotic as he is, he really does have a heart . This is my first SOA fanfiction. Please be constructive with your criticism. Flames will be stored and used in the winter to heat my shack. Please note I shall update as soon as I can, but I have an extremely hard time logging into fanfiction for some reason. My browser keeps timing out. I also have a hectic work schedule along with an occasional dose of writer's block. This story is AU and rated M. Also the title refers to the song by Depeche Mode. Hope you enjoy!

Ava Rie Connelly was tired. The last 24 hours had seemed like a never ending blur since she boarded the plane in Capetown. Her brain was fighting an arduous battle to keep her eyes open. Thank God the sun was glaringly bright as she drove down the road giving her a good glimpse of the path before her. It was why she'd chosen California, it was so different from the intense desert heat she was now used to.

Breaking away from memories of the not so distant past, Ava Rie saw a sign up ahead for the town of Charming. "Our name says it all," she laughed as she read the sign out loud. Ava Rie took it as a 'good omen' so to speak.

It seemed weird to her, though, that she was finally going to be settling down and working in an actual hospital again. She had been working with Doctors without Borders for the last 10 years on and off. Though mostly on, since she graduated from medical school at the age of 24. Having lived in some of the world's most remote areas, she was anxious for running water and indoor plumbing again.

One of the last few times that she had ventured to the nearest town, she searched for job openings back in the states. She'd scrolled through the various listings for what seemed like hours when she came a across a description for an opening at a St. Thomas Hospital for an emergency trauma room doctor. After reading the description, she applied. Two weeks later, her application had been accepted. One month later she had found herself on a plane heading for a whole new life.

After consulting her directions again, it took her all of five minutes to navigate her way to the hotel. She got out of the car and stretched. Grabbing her bag, she made her way to the front desk to check in. The front desk clerk eyed her warily, causing Ava Rie to wonder how much business they actually had around here. Putting her best smile forward along with her hand she said, "Hi I'm Ava Rie Connelly, and I have a reservation for one night."

"Right, hold on," said the blonde woman behind the desk who, despite Ava Rie's happy introduction, refused to move her eyes from the computer screen they were glued to. "Don't have a reservation for an Ava Rie Connelly," said the woman, still refusing to actually look at Ava Rie.

This wasn't exactly the type of hospitality one expected from a town called Charming, but Ava Rie figured everybody has their off days. "It could be under the name Dr. Connelly," she volunteered cheerfully. When all else fails, kill 'em with kindness, right?

"Room number is 304," the blonde said, placing a key card on the desk without ever taking her eyes off the screen.

Ava Rie made her way to the elevator and hit the button for the third floor. A New York minute later she was off the elevator and in a hallway that, considering the lousy attitude of the desk clerk, was amazingly clean, with bright blue and green patterned rugs and a little marble table supporting a gaudy, yellow flower arrangement.

She made her way into room 304, which was decorated in blue and green swirls similar to those in the hallway, and headed for the bathroom. Glancing in the mirror, she grimaced and laughed. Her long, black, wavy hair was currently styled with the last 5 days' worth of dirt and grime, and her dark blue eyes were surrounded by blackish-purple circles from lack of sleep. It was a good thing the desk clerk didn't really look up at her. Even her clothes were covered in road grime. Hospitable they aren't, but they sure are clean around here; you could eat dinner off the bathroom tiles.

Shower then bed, in that order. Ava Rie giggled at her self-prescribed remedy for the appearance challenged, as she got the water running, disrobed, and began the tedious process of stripping away a five days worth of gunk.

88

The sleeping pill Ava Rie took kept her nightmares at bay, and 15 hours later, she woke up to light streaming out of the window and an alarm clock that read 7:00am. She stretched and flipped/flopped on the bed, then turned on the radio to hear the day's weather report.

"The high today is going to be 85, so make sure you dress cool and stay hydrated!"

Ava Rie laughed as she got dressed. She hadn't experienced weather that cool in the last 7 years. She grabbed her sweatshirt and bag, as she headed out the door. She was meeting the realtor at 8 to pick up the keys to her new home, so figured she had a few minutes to grab a bite to eat. After checking out, she walked a couple of blocks down the quaint street lined with local businesses to the diner she had spied yesterday as she drove into town. The door tinkled as she walked into the crowded diner. Ava Rie looked around the diner and didn't see too many spots open. A waitress looked at her.

"Seat yourself where ever and I'll get to you in a minute." The elderly waitress was holding a full pot of hot coffee, looking as if she already put in a full day and it was still early.

Upon finding a free booth, she picked up a menu and started browsing. After a few minutes, the waitress announced her arrival with a resounding thud of the coffee pot hitting the table. Startled, Ava Rie looked up.

"May I please get a stack of the pancakes with extra butter and syrup, a black coffee, bacon, and a side of fruit?"

"Sure." The waitress sounded harried and didn't have the time to chat. The waitress filled the coffee cup and finished writing down the order.

Ava Rie smiled as she said thank you. She pulled her small netbook out of her bag and turned it on. Using the free wifi she logged into her email account and started checking her correspondence. She drank her coffee as she read through it all and responded to several emails. The waitress had come back and dropped her order off on the table and refilled her coffee cup. Ava Rie picked up a piece of the bacon and put it in her mouth. She couldn't help the small moan of pleasure as she chewed. She giggled as she cut a piece of the pancake and inhaled it. She hadn't had a breakfast like this in what seemed like forever.

Ava Rie was not a fat girl, but she was not skinny either. She was zaftig. Bad eating habits contributed to her fullness. Her paleness belied the fact that she had been living in the rain forests and deserts of Africa for the past 7 years.

88

Realizing the time, she left a twenty dollar bill on the table and left to go meet the Realtor. The movers were expected to come that afternoon once they had picked up her stuff from the shipyard. Getting into the car, she pulled out a notebook and a pen. She had already started a list of things she needed to accomplish before the day was over. First being a bed and the second a cell phone. Before that though, she wanted to check out her new home.

88

She pulled into the driveway and studied the outside of the house. It was a three bedroom ranch styled home with lots of space to entertain. She thought it was ironic about the entertaining since she knew no one in town, except for the Realtor. If there was one pet peeve of hers, it was snobbery. And the Realtor had it in spades, especially when she described her new neighbors. Her Realtor referred to them as white trash motorcycle enthusiasts, who were no better than outlaws.

88

Getting out of the car, she made her way to the front door. When she opened the door, she was pleasantly surprised by the neutral paint color. It wasn't her style, but it wasn't hideous. There were going to be projects she noted, like the two bathrooms were going to need an overhaul. The main bathroom had chipped bathroom floor tiles and the bathroom counter was stained with paint. The master bathroom was just downright ugly in neon pink. Right now, they were functioning, which was a plus. She went back to the car and grabbed her suitcases.

88

She brought them into the master bedroom. Bringing out her list again, she went over it. She still had a few more hours until the movers came at 1. She locked the front door and got back in the car. An hour later she had acquired a bed but the store had no way to have it delivered. Ava Rie was puzzled by the furniture store not being able to deliver.

The salesman suggested she contact the local garage to have them pick it up and deliver it. So here it was that Ava Rie found herself in the parking lot of Teller-Morrow. She got out of the car and headed to the office. She mentally, again, added getting a cell phone to the list of things she needed to buy. Motorcycles were lined up as she passed by the garage opening. A few of the mechanics were standing around laughing. She heard a loud wolf's whistle as she walked by them. Startled she thought for a moment they were whistling at her until she saw a blonde bombshell walk passed her. Laughing to herself, she knew that her sweats were about as appealing as curling up with a rattlesnake. Shaking her head, she didn't notice a set of eyes, staring at her. She entered the utilitarian office and saw an older woman behind a desk going through some papers.

"Hi, I'm Ava Rie Connelly and I'm sorry to bother you, but I heard that you sometimes do deliveries for the local furniture store?

88

"I'm Gemma Morrow. It'll be a hundred dollars, if anyone's available. You should have called ahead."

"I'm sorry, I don't have a phone yet."

"Cell phones, work just as well."

"Yeah, I don't have one of those either."

Gemma looked up from her paper work and studied the girl. She looked no older than 24. Gemma could tell the girl could be impressive if dressed the right way. The club had enough trouble with women causing problems. She knew who she would send to help her out. Gemma needed to send a proactive message to this girl on how things worked around here. Wait, how did she not have a cell phone?

"You been living under a rock, that you don't have a cell phone."

Ava Rie laughed, "Ah, No."

"What's your address?"

"2117 Mockingjay drive."

Gemma quirked her eyebrow, "Well it looks like you're my new neighbor. What brings you to Charming?"

"I accepted a position as the new, er, doctor."

"Are you like Doogie Howser?"

"No. Why?" "You look awfully young."

"Oh. Well, I'm older than I look. I promise. I'm 34. "

Ava Rie smiled uncomfortably as she said this and bit her bottom lip. There was just something about this woman that made her want to be on her guard. Mrs. Gemma Morrow was certainly a lioness. And lions weren't king of the jungle for no reason. Ava Rie had no intention of messing with anything. She was looking for peace and things that didn't go bump in the night. She wasn't afraid of Mrs. Morrow, but she hadn't survived in the jungles and deserts of Africa by coincidence. Some things just couldn't be unseen, unheard or undone. She was a doctor, first and foremost, but she had learned how to protect herself and others.

"It will probably be tomorrow."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it. And it was lovely to meet you." She said sticking out her hand.

Gemma "hmpfh'd" but shook her hand anyway.

With that Ava Rie left the office and got back into her car. The next stops were to get a phone, groceries and cleaning products. She really had to pee, but had no intention of using either of the bathrooms at her house until they had been thoroughly cleaned. Pulling out of the lot, she made her way to the grocery store. After circling the parking lot for 5 minutes, she found a parking space and made her way into the local market. Ava Rie hadn't specifically cooked anything on an actual stove and or baked in quite some time, but she had some old recipes and had collected a lot of recipes once she had chosen to move to Charming. She walked through the aisles knowing that if she didn't have a list she would have been completely unsure of what to buy. Making her way to the checkout, she checked out with her groceries and cleaning supplies and headed back to the house.

At 11:00, she was back at her house putting away her purchases. She went back into the bedroom and grabbed her mp3 player and mp3 dock. Plugging them in, she started cleaning each of the bathrooms to the melodious sounds of Bob Marley. By the time the movers had come, she had cleaned the kitchen, bathrooms, the windows, vacuumed and scrubbed all the floors.

"Nothing like a little spit and shine to make you feel fine." She said quoting Sister Mary Margaret. Unbidden tears came to her eyes. She pushed them back. Crying wouldn't solve anything, she told herself. There was a knock on the door. The movers had arrived. They placed the boxes and additional furniture where she requested and left.

She began unpacking the boxes labeled bedroom. The first three boxes contained what little clothing she owned. Pulling her t-shirts out of the first box, she realized she was ill prepared for the weather of California. Her t-shirts were old, the newest ones at least seven years old. The skirts, jeans and khaki shorts she owned were worn and faded. A good pull and each one could tear apart. Let's not get started on my underclothing, she laughed. She reached over to her pen and notepad adding clothing to her list of things she needed to buy. Satisfied she had emptied all of her boxes in the bedroom; she walked to the garage and threw the boxes into the space.

She made her way to the kitchen and sighed. Aretha's soulful voice was begging for respect. Picking up a whisk out of the first box, she sang along as she put the pots, pans and dishes away. Dancing like an Egyptian, she put away the eating and cooking utensils. Looking out the window, she mentally added blinds and curtains to her list.

Next she went into the Living room and started unpacking the boxes and crates containing her picture frames, personal trinkets and art work that she had collected over the years. Some of the artwork included tribal masks, clay pots, musical instruments and other items she had picked up at various intervals in her travels. The last item she pulled out of the last crate was a spear. It was menacingly beautiful with its carvings and feathers. There was also a faint trace of blood where the arrow met the wood. Stretching, she noted the clock read 6:45.

"They must have been busy. Thank God, I have an air mattress." Her tummy started rumbling as she realized she hadn't eaten since this morning. She walked into the kitchen pulling out a pot and pan. She reached up to the cabinet and pulled out the olive oil. She filled the pot with a little water for the rice and turned on the stove. Cutting up various vegetables, garlic and ginger, she put them in the pan with the olive oil. Thirty minutes later, she had eaten her stir fry and washed the dishes. She was excited that her new house came with a dishwasher. Cleaning dishes by hand was something she had always hated.

Her house was starting to feel like a home. She had unpacked her boxes for each of the rooms, except for her office. Those boxes contained a set of drums, an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar and an amp. She moved into the office and unboxed the instruments and set them up accordingly. The only thing missing at this point was her bed. She wasn't certain where she would put her bed just yet. Feeling full, Ava Rie took a shower and got ready for bed. After she was blew up the air mattress she went to the back patio. There wasn't any furniture, but she just wanted some fresh air. Out of habit, she looked left and right to make sure nobody could see her and lit her menthol cigarette. Exhaling, she felt at peace watching the sun set.

Her peace was short lived when there was a loud knock at her front door. Opening the door she saw Mrs. Morrow holding a plate of cookies.

"Hi, Mrs. Morrow. Would you like to come in?"

"Call me Gemma. When I hear someone say Mrs., it reminds of my mother. I hated that woman."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Please have a seat." Ava Rie motioned to her living room chairs.

Gemma took a seat and stared at the various masks and art pieces on the wall. "Quite an interesting collection you've got."

"Thanks, I've picked up a few pieces here and there. Would you care for something to drink?"

"Sure, if it's strong."

"I can do that." Ava Rie laughed and went into the kitchen. She grabbed two glasses from the cabinet and a bottle of Glenlivet. Walking back into the living room, she set them down on the coffee table next to where Gemma had put the cookies and poured 2 low balls.

"Hey, Ms. Gemma, do you know where I can get a trim? And maybe some new clothes?"

"It's just Gemma. There is a Cut and Dye on 3rd Avenue and there are a few clothing stores on 15th."

"Thanks. Where exactly are those? I just know where Main St. is."

"If you don't mind the company, I have tomorrow off and can show you around your new town."

"Thank you. I would love that."

They both sipped their drinks. Gemma laughed, "You may look young, but you drink like an old man."

Ava Rie laughed. "Thanks."

Gemma looked over at a picture frame on the table to her right and picked it up. It was a picture of a much younger Ava Rie who didn't look any older than 19 and a handsome dark haired man with piercing blue eyes. Both looked extremely relaxed and happy as they were posing in front of a huge jungle tree. Staring closer at the picture, she thought, Fuck. That man's dick is always getting us into trouble. This girl could be a liability. Just what the club needs. "Who is the handsome man in this picture?"

"That handsome man was my first love. I was 19 and he was 30. His name was Alex. I called him Tigger. He could never sit still. He was always bouncing around and full of energy. Kinda like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. It was kinda hard to believe he was in the Marines." Ava Rie smiled sadly.

"What happened to the two of you?"

"His convoy was attacked by rebels and he was killed." Ava Rie paused. "So you and your husband own the garage?"

"Yes we do along with my son. So tell me Ava Rie, what made you decide to really come to Charming?"

"Honestly, I was tired of living in the jungles and deserts of Africa waiting for a dead man to come back to life. I need to move on. I mean there have been a few other men since then, but I couldn't get past any of them not being him. Men don't like to compete with other men, let alone a ghost. So I started looking at job postings on the internet and found an opening in a town called Charming. I'd never heard of a town called Charming and I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I thought well maybe that's where I will find my prince." Ava Rie laughed. "Yes I know, completely lame."

Gemma laughed. She found the girl's down home attitude refreshing. Must be a Midwest thing. Usually attitudes like Ava Rie's got on her nerves. But it was nice not having to talk to Tara about club problems or Luann and the porn business. There were only so many conversations one could have about the trials and tribulations of the porn industry or what stupid thing Jax was doing now. She really hoped Ava Rie was level headed, she didn't think she could handle any more stupidity. Stupidity got you killed.

"I don't know about finding Prince Charming, but there are certainly a whole cast of characters here. Well, I better get going or the old man will send out a search party."

"Well thank you for the cookies and company."

With her back turned on Ava Rie, Gemma's mind was in a whirl. She needed to start planning damage control and quick. She quickly walked over to her house. Closing her front door, she found Clay sitting on the couch. "Babe we've got a problem."

88

After Gemma left, Ava Rie put the bottle of scotch away, rinsed out the glasses and put them in the dishwasher. Picking up a cigarette and her lighter, she went back outside to look at the stars. Nothing could compare to the stars in Africa, but these weren't so bad. Ava Rie was starting to feel really good about the decision she had made to get out. Things were looking up. She had already started to make a friend. Five cigarettes later, she made her way back into the house and into her bedroom. Laying down, she reached for a bottle of water and her sleeping pills. Yeah, life was looking good.