Wounds Patched
**Gonna miss you, Sack. In one of my SOA groups it was suggested that Half-Sack get patched in posthumously. That gave me the idea for this ficlet. I just want to wish Johnny all the best in his continued acting career.**
Her eyes scanned the crowd at the funeral parlor behind huge dark glasses. She didn't much like wearing the red wig but given the name she'd adopted for herself in her previous life, it seemed appropriate.
She dressed in black with low-heeled shoes, trying to look dignified but inconspicuous. False identification was in her shoulder bag, just in case.
The casket was open and she tried hard not to gasp. Seeing him lying there, so still, so quiet. It was surreal.
The memory of the short and happy time they'd had together flashed through her thoughts. If only it were possible to go back and relive that time again.
The room was filled to the brim with men wearing Sons of Anarchy cuts. Seeing the cuts gave her a warm feeling.
She watched as Clay Morrow moved to stand next to the casket. The room quieted.
"Many of you knew our Prospect, Kipp Epps, who we affectionately called 'Half-Sack'." The reference to the Prospects nickname got a chuckle from the assemblage. "He was a soldier who paid his dues in Iraq as well as a soldier who paid his dues to this club," Clay said while comments and 'yeas' sounded through the throng. "Last night, in Chapel, he was patched in." The Sons of Anarchy President raised the top rocker over his head to thunderous applause. He turned toward the casket and laid the patch across Sack's hands.
She started to cry in earnest now – like a leaky water faucet.
Bobby Munson had been watching the young red-headed woman who stood in the rear of the funeral parlor for some time now. Catching Clay's eye, he jerked his head to one side.
Clay made his way to Bobby's side and whispered something to the tall Son's leader. Clay also turned his attention to the woman. Together the two men made their way toward her.
"Cherry Pie, Cherry Pie," Bobby said quietly, "you shouldn't be here, little girl." Still he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a hug.
"I know," Cherry whispered. "I just – I had to be here. For Kipp."
"ATF's all over the place," Clay hissed. "It's not safe. They're snooping around and they're gonna find you if you're not careful." He glanced around. "I'll have one of the guys get you out of here."
Cherry reached out and placed a hand on Clay's forearm stilling his movement. "That's already taken care of. Happy is going to take me up to the cabin to meet my ride back home." She blinked back tears, squared her shoulders; her voice a mere whisper. "But there's another reason I'm here. I have a message for you," she said to Clay.
Clay furrowed his brow. "A message? What message?"
Cherry lowered her voice even more and said, "Your queen wants you to know she's safe."
~The End~