Disclaimer: I do not own Sons of Anarchy or any of its characters.

This is an AU story starting somewhere in the middle of season two. Ali Brooks is Kip Epps' older half sister. She escapes an abusive relationship and runs to Charming for a fresh start. She catches Chibs' attention, but her past and the Sons' enterprises keep getting in the way of them having something real.

Ali winced as she slung her backpack over her shoulder and took one last look around the house that she had hoped to call home. She had had dreams of laughing children, family barbecues and a man who would love her beyond measure. As she looked down at the shattered glass and bloodstains on the floor she knew she would never find those things in this place. She couldn't stay. With renewed strength, she marched through the front door with her head held high even as her eyes were filling with unshed tears.

Tammy was waiting for her on the front porch. Her lips were set in a firm line. She didn't like what Ali was doing, but she knew she couldn't stop her. She had no right to try. Ali looked at the older blonde woman she had come to see as an older sister. She couldn't help but notice the fear and sadness reflected in her friend's eyes.

"Are you sure about this?" Tammy asked, already knowing it was a stupid question.

Ali nodded, "Yeah."

Tammy tried to smile, but it didn't mask how she was really feeling.

"Call when you get there, okay?"

"I promise. Tell the kids I love them for me and that I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye?" Ali was struggling not to cry and Tammy wasn't holding up much better.

"I will. They're gonna miss you… I'm going to miss you."

Ali pulled Tammy into her arms, "I'm going to miss you guys too, but I have to do this."

"I still think Papa should know."

Ali pulled back and wiped her eyes on her sleeve, "I'll call him from a burner when I get there. We both know he would try to stop me and I don't know if I could say no to him."

Tammy nodded, "Be safe."

"I will."

Ali readjusted her backpack on her shoulder, cringing a little at the friction it caused against her back, and headed down the front steps and along the path to the driveway where her bike sat waiting for her. She grabbed her helmet off the handlebars and pulled it on over her curly pigtails, securing it with a click of the chinstrap. She climbed on her bike, settling into the cushioned seat, and turned the ignition. The engine roared to life and Ali looked back at Tammy still waiting on the porch. They shared a final nod and Ali tore out of the driveway and down the desolate street.

A few days later, Ali pulled into the small town of Charming, California. She cruised down the sleepy main street and couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. So this was where her little brother had ended up. She could understand why he liked it so much. She had been wanted to come visit for months, but Tony wouldn't allow it. Ali hadn't even had a chance to see Kip since he got out of the army.

Now here she was about to show up unannounced. She frowned at the thought. She hated that she was about to do this to him, but she didn't feel safe going anywhere else. Right now, she needed her family and Kip was the only real family she had left.

Ali pulled into a gas station to refill her tank and stretch her legs. She had barely stopped to sleep and eat the entire ride down and her body was protesting. She took the opportunity to check her phone for directions.

"Shit!" She muttered to herself. She could barely get a signal and her map application was taking forever to load.

"Can I help you ma'am?"

Ali looked up from her phone to find an attractive young officer with sandy brown hair and light blue eyes looking at her from the next pump over.

"Oh…um no I think I'm alright." She stammered.

He smiled at her, "You look a little lost."

Ali sighed. She had never been a fan of cops, but at least this guy was trying to be nice. She thanked god her eyes were hidden behind her reflective aviators.

"I wouldn't be if my stupid phone would get a signal."

"Ah." He nodded in understanding, "The mountains around here tend to run a bit of interference. Where you heading?"

"I'm looking for Teller-Morrow Automotive?"

The officer's smile fell, "I see."

Ali didn't like his sudden shift in mood.

"Are you having trouble with your bike?" He asked.

Ali was tempted to ask how that was any of his business but she held her tongue and shook her head, "Visiting family."

The officer nodded and Ali was glad he didn't ask any more questions. After a moment of thought he pointed down the street. "Two blocks that way, hang a left, it should be the fourth lot on the right once you've passed the second stop sign."

Ali replayed the directions in her head and nodded. "Thanks Officer umm…?"

"Deputy Chief Hale." Ali swore she saw his chest puff up with pride as he announced his rank. She smiled a bit at that.

"Deputy Chief Hale. I'm Ali Brooks." She extended her hand for him to shake.

His hand was overly warm and a bit clammy as it shook hers and Ali was internally glad when he released her.

"You be careful around those Sons."

Ali gave him a knowing smile, "Oh believe me, I will."

With a nod, Hale headed back to his truck and Ali replaced the gas cap on her bike. She mounted and started up her bike, taking off in the direction of Teller-Morrow. Never looking back as Hale drove off in the other direction.

A few minutes later, Ali pulled into the Teller-Morrow Automotive lot. It must have been a slow day. There were a handful of guys hanging around what looked like a boxing ring in the corner and one or two unhooking a smashed up beamer from a tow truck, but that was it.

Ali took a cue from the line up of motorcycles and parked on the end furthest from the main building. She felt eyes on her as she dismounted and removed her helmet. She took a moment to shield her eyes from the sun with her hand, her sunglasses not quite holding up to the intense glare of the California sun. Looking over at the boxing ring, she found herself smiling. Of course her brother would be in the ring. The poor kid with tattoos on the sides of his head didn't seem to be putting up much of a fight against him.

Ali adjusted her backpack, wincing again as it scrapped against her back, and walked cautiously towards the crew by the ring. There was a portly older man with thinning grey hair who was hooked up to an oxygen tank sitting at a table next a younger guy with a bushy brown beard wearing a floppy looking toque that looked out of place in the California heat. Across from them were a middle aged man with a mop of curly black hair and piercing blue eyes and a similarly aged man with silky salt and pepper locks and peculiar looking scars on both of his cheeks who was taking slow drags from his cigarette. They all looked at her curiously, but it didn't appear as though Kip noticed her arrival. He was in full fight mode and probably wouldn't look up until a bell rung. In this case, the bell turned out to be a few catcalls fired in her direction. She ignored them as Kip turned and saw her approaching the ring. It took the wiry blonde a moment to recognize her before a huge grin broke out on his face. He all but launched himself out of the ring to rush towards her.

"Ali!"

Kip didn't even bother removing his boxing gloves or toweling off his sweat before hoisting her into a giant bear hug. Ali winced at the contact, but smiled nonetheless.

"Hi, Kippy." Ali said softly as he released her and started ripping off his gloves.

"What are you doing here? Where's Tony?"

Ali's face fell and she tensed up at the mention of her ex. Kip noticed.

"Ali? What happened?" Kip asked, his eyes instantly becoming concerned. He always knew how to read her.

Ali sighed and dropped her gaze to her boots as she struggled to find the words.

"Ali, tell me!" He insisted.

Ali took a breath. She knew Kip wouldn't let up, but she was aware of the eyes on them.

"Can we go somewhere?" Ali asked, pleadingly.

Kip followed her gaze to find the guys watching and listening.

"Alright. Give me a sec."

Kip walked back to the guys and grabbed his shirt and prospect vest.

"I need to take off." It wasn't so much of a request as it was a statement.

"Everything alright, Sack?" Tig asked.

Kip shook his head. "My sister," was all he said as if it were enough of an explanation.

The boys nodded in understanding.

"You go do what you need to, boy." Chibs encouraged.

Kip nodded his thanks and headed back to Ali. He wordlessly lead her back to her bike.

"Follow me back to my place."

Ali nodded.

Ali's mind was racing as they both mounted their respective bikes and drove out of the Teller-Morrow lot. There was no turning back now.

About twenty minutes later, Kip pulled up to a generic low-rise apartment. After they parked their bikes he led her up to the third floor and let her into his apartment. Ali suppressed a giggle at the mess that greeted her. Empty beer bottles, dirty laundry and boxes of day-old pizza littered the place. She bet if she walked into the tiny kitchen, she'd find a sink piled high with dirty dishes. Kip scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Sorry the place is a mess. I've been kinda busy lately."

Ali waved him off, "Its fine, Kippy. You didn't know I was coming, but I think you need to get yourself an old lady to take care of this sort of shit."

"Had one." Kip said plainly.

Ali's eyes widened at his admission.

"Wait. Had?" She asked.

He nodded, clearing off the couch so they could sit down.

"Her name was Cherry. We weren't together for long. her past kinda came back to bite her in the ass and she had to leave the country. She's in Belfast now, I think."

"Do you miss her?"

"Yeah. I think I loved her."

"I'm sorry, Kip."

"Me too."

Kip sighed and ran a hand through his messy blonde hair. "Why are you here, Ali?

It was such a simple question but Ali found herself chocking on the answer. She reached up and removed her aviators. Kip swore under his breath as he saw the damage they concealed. Ali's right eye was surrounded with a sickly blue-green tinge. It was healing but still looked painful.

Kip tried to pulled Ali into his arms but his embrace was too tight and she let out a whimper.

Kip gave her a concerned look, "There's more isn't there?"

Ali turned in her seat and raised the back of her shirt so Kip could see a portion of the still-healing lash marks on her back. Kip was stunned.

"Fuck! Tony did this to you?"

Ali turned back to face her brother and nodded.

"Why didn't you come to me sooner?"

"I tried." Her voice was little more than a whisper. "But Tony threatened to kill the baby."

Kip looked at her with wide eyes, "You're pregnant?"

Tears welled in Ali's eyes and she shook her head, "Tony started using again. He got paranoid and tried to control me. He used his belt on me when he thought I needed to be taught a lesson. Sometimes it would be for something as small as having his dinner on the table five minutes later than he wanted it. No matter what I did, he found fault with it and he'd punish me for it.

When I got pregnant, he swore it wasn't his. Started going on about how I must have been cheating on him. He said he'd forgive me if I stayed and promised never to do it again, but if I ever left him he'd find me and kill the baby and me. He kept me locked in the house for weeks until Papa sent Vince to check up on me. Tony told him I had the flu, but as soon as Vince left, Tony attacked me. Said I was sleeping with Vince… that I was nothing but a useless whore and I deserved to die."

Ali was shaking and tears were flowing down her cheeks as Kip listened in silent horror to her story.

"He beat me unconscious and tried to strangle me. One of the neighbors heard me screaming and called the cops. When I woke up in the hospital I had lost the baby and Tony had been arrested."

Kip came to his senses and took Ali's hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Where is Tony now?" He asked gently.

"Prison. Two years for aggravated assault. They couldn't prove attempted murder and it was too early in my pregnancy for him to be charged with the miscarriage."

Kip saw red, "Two years? The fucker deserves more than that!"

"Believe me, I know, but there's nothing we can do about that now." Ali squeezed Kip's hand to bring him back to reality.

Kip blinked and realized that getting angry wasn't going to help his sister. "What now?"

"Now I just need a place to stay while I figure my shit out." She said bluntly. "I hate to put this on you but…"

Kip cut her off, "You're my family… my only family. You don't even have to ask."

Ali smiled, "Thanks, Kippy. It will only be for a week or so until I find a job and a place of my own."

Kip suddenly smiled brightly, "You're gonna stay in Charming?"

Ali nodded, "If that's alright with you. I kinda like the idea of small town living."

"Alright with me? Of course it's alright. Stay as long as you want. I'd love to be able to see you more. I've missed you this past year."

"I've missed you too, Kippy."

Kip squeezed her hand reassuringly, "Now, what can I do for you right now to make things better?"

"Umm… a shower, a snack and somewhere to sleep would be awesome."

"Shower's down the hall on the right. Bedroom is to the left. I don't have much in the way of food, but I could rustle us up some grilled cheeses?"

"Got any tomato soup?" Ali asked with a grin.

"Like you even have to ask," Kip returned her smile. "Get your ass in the shower. I'll have everything ready when you're done."

As Ali hauled her backpack down the haul, Kip called after her, "Ali?"

Paused and looked back at him, "Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're here."

"Me too."

Ali disappeared into the bathroom and Kip headed into the kitchen, resisting the urge to punch a wall. Ali had always been one of the sweetest people to him. She didn't have to be. Their mother had given her every reason to hate him when she abandoned Ali to run off with a new life with a new man and eventually had a new baby. She was raised by her father until he was killed when Ali was only six years old. From then on, her father's boss became her guardian. She didn't have much growing up, but she was loved and that was enough.

When Kip was thirteen, their mother had let the truth of Ali's existence slip and he ran away to look for her. Ali, then eighteen, welcomed him with open arms. They had an instant connection and they had stayed in close contact every since. He would call whenever he could and she would send him care packages, even when he was overseas with the army.

Kip loved Ali more than anything. The thought of anyone hurting her the way that Tony had made him sick to his stomach. Thinking of the lost child she would have had, his heart sank. He knew how desperate she was to have a child of her own. Losing a child, under any circumstances would have devastated her. Now that she was with him, he promised himself he would any thing keep her safe and make her happy again.

Ali stripped away her filthy riding clothes, dropping them on the bathroom floor with a vow to wash them as soon as she could. She could probably take care of Kip's laundry backlog at the same time. 'He's probably wearing his boxers inside out by now,' she thought with a smile.

Ali turned on the shower and waited for the water to heat up. She took a moment to survey the damage Tony had done to her body in the full-length bathroom mirror. Her eye looked worse than it felt, but it was still tender to the touch. If she tried hard enough she might be able to cover it up with makeup. She made a mental note to pick up some new supplies, having left the majority behind when she ran to Charming.

She ran her fingers through her hair, releasing it from the confines of her hair ties. Her usual deep mahogany tresses were dulled by the dust and dirt she had picked up from days on the road. She figured she needed at least two if not three round of shampoo to return it to its original lustre.

Ali ran her hand down her naked body, past the multitude of bruises in various stages of healing marbling her pale skin, stopping just below her navel. She hadn't had the chance to experience her own baby bump before Tony had stolen her child from her. She would have gladly taken any beating Tony could give if it meant her child would live. Fate wasn't that kind. Unbidden tears slipped down her cheeks as she thought of a smiling baby with her eyes who she would never meet.

Ali wiped her tears away with the back of her hand and turned her back to the mirror. Looking over her shoulder she cringed. Months worth of lash marks inflicted by Tony's belt crisscrossed up and down her back like grotesque latticework. Newer marks glared at her, angry and red, and Ali knew they would leave scars like the rest. Tony had made sure of that. She flinched as she remembered the sickening snap of his belt as it connected with her flesh. He called it discipline. She called it inhumane torture.

Ali shook her head to dispel the nightmarish images before they could fully take hold of her. She was with Kip and Tony was in Prison. She had time to figure out what she was going to do next, but first thing was first and that thing was a shower. Ali stepped under the heated stream, hissing as the hot water collided with her raw back. After the pain subsided, she was able to relax and let the water soothe away her aches and pains from the long ride to Charming.

Ali emerged from the bathroom almost half an hour later looking more refreshed, wearing a pair of blue cotton shorts and a light pink tank top. Her chocolate curls fell messily around her face, barley reaching the top of her shoulders. Her sapphire eyes still reflected her exhaustion and Kip knew she would drop soon if he didn't feed her and tuck her into bed.

Kip shook his head slightly as he place a sandwich and a bowl of soup on the coffee table in front of the couch. Sometimes he wondered who the older sibling was. Ali smiled her thanks as she sat on the couch and began nibbling on her grilled cheese.

Kip plowed through his own meal like a starving man and put his dishes down on the coffee table when he was finished. Ali ate as much as she could, but the need for sleep soon overtook her need for food. Kip took her dishes from her, placing them with his own on the table before he stood and took her hand. Ali didn't protest as he led her to his bedroom. She felt the weight of her exhaustion hit her as soon as she sat on the edge of her bed. Kip pulled back the covers allowing her to swing her legs up onto the bed. As her head came to rest on the pillow, she struggled to keep her eyes open. Kip tucked her in and kissed her forehead.

"I'm going to head back to the shop. I'll leave a phone, my number and a key to the apartment in the kitchen next to the fridge. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

Ali nodded sleepily, "Thanks, Kippy. For everything."

She barely registered the sound of the front door opening and closing or the sound of his key turning in the lock. Sleep came almost instantly as she fell into a dreamless state for the first time in months.