Fallen From Grace
by Nicole J. Coltan.
"It had taken one taste of temptation and she knew she'd follow him into the pits of hell..."
Disclaimer: I in no means own anything related to the Sons of Anarchy. I merely own Dianne O'Neil, Wren O'Neil, José Fernandez and everything else which you don't recognize.
Chapter Edited: 2017/07/02.
Bold Italics — Memories/Flashbacks.
Italics — Thoughts.
Chapter Four: Unravaled.
Broken.
It was an unspoken truth that lingered in the depths of his eyes that made Dianne wonder whether he knew that she could see straight through his cracked mask. Was it worth hiding behind a shattered façade?
Silence lingered between them, something that Dianne in no means found odd, though she remained aware of her surroundings and despite finding herself somewhat apprehensive of the giant looming before her, she also found herself curious.
He seemed rough around the edges, another trait that Dianne found rather charming and attractive—once again chastising herself for the direction her thoughts were taking, Dianne merely tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and continued to observe the man before her.
"I know this is something that you aren't comfortable with but please remember to utter complete sentences without sounding like emotionless bitch because it's necessary for you to make sure that you don't draw any unwanted attention to yourself. Don't reveal too much for people to start acting questions but don't be aloof about it either. And one more thing, please practice smiling." It wasn't the best advice she had heard but coming from a man such as José, Dianne didn't find it surprising that his words made sense.
Her daughter having been the only one to witness her true emotions behind closed doors, the task at portraying more emotions than what she was use too showing was feat that seemed impossible, that much she could admit without sounding like an emotionless bitch, as José Fernandez had dubbed it.
So with a air of confidence she had thought to be nonexistent, Dianne found herself smiling genuine at the surprised giant before her—though her smile was quick to disappear once she saw his quizzical gaze regard her with a small sense of curiosity.
"Daddy," capturing her attention once more, Dianne could only blink as the girl glanced up at her father with wide, pleading eyes, "—can we have a puppy, please!?
It was like someone had dumped a bucket of ice cold water over Dianne O'Neil at that moment, drenching her to the bone and shaking her out the funk that she had been in moments before.
The similarities that Ellie Winston shared with her daughter was something that the woman hadn't expected to find and though it pained her immensely to remind her aching heart that her little Wren was no longer, Dianne couldn't help but smile down at the girl.
It was a instant trigger that sent the woman reeling back, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as the memory assaulted her without having given her the slightest of warnings.
"Momma, can I have a puppy? I promise I'll look after him and clean—," the amused mother had stopped listening the moment her daughter's over eager rambles reached her ears because knowing that she'd end up being the one too clean up the mess, Dianne found herself reluctant to agree.
But at the sight of large doe eyes staring back at her, Dianne could feel her resolve weakening because without thinking of the consequences, the mother nodded while pointing a stern finger at the beaming girl, "You're old enough to know that if I agree, you have to take responsibility for the dog. I am not cleaning up after—."
Arms wrapped tightly around her neck, effectively cutting off her speech and rendering her speechless, albeit momentarily. "I promise, momma. You're the best."
And not a week later, Diego O'Neil had become a member of the family and though her daughter's happiness meant more to her than anything else in the world, the mother could only huff in retaliation—because in the end, Dianne had been the one to clean after the mischievous duo.
Not that she minded in the least.
"I'm sorry," Dianne apologized once more at noticing the expectant expression on the man's face, "—care to repeat that?" He seemed rather reluctant to do so and it didn't take a fool to notice that he had witnessed her episode, the word sounding rather disturbing in her own mind.
"You're aware that your not wearing any shoes, right?"
It had taken all her self control not to combust at that moment when she finally registered his question and though he seemed amused, he also seemed surprised when she answered, "I don't make a habit of it but when I do, I like to stand out."
And though Dianne O'Neil prided herself at maintaining a calm front, nothing had prepared her for his comeback. "You don't even have to try." But she had failed miserably the moment her face heated up at the intensity behind his words, something that seldom happened to Dianne.
"I'm sorry," she murmured before extending her hand towards the man, "—it would seem that I've forgotten my manners in Budapest. Dianne O'Neil." Despite her reluctancy to reveal anything from her background just yet, Dianne supposed it wouldn't hurt to introduce herself.
He grunted in acknowledgement and shook her hand firmly, "Opie Winston." For some reason, Dianne couldn't help but find the name strange. Though being a person who had been raised to never judge a person by appearance, the woman kept her thoughts to herself.
Her interest had been piqued once she registered the fact that the man was wearing a leather kutte with the words Redwood Original worn on the right and Men of Mayhem worn on the left.
"You're in a MC?" Dianne questioned without second thought, watching his expression with rapt interest. He seemed somewhat taken aback at her question and she elaborated by gesturing towards his kutte, "Your kutte."
Dianne was once more surprised at the utter look of shock crossing his face at the word tumbling from her lips, an expression that Dianne couldn't help but smile at—another trait that seemed foreign to her.
It was rather shocking that she could hold up a conversation without sounding aloof and Dianne found it rather refreshing for a change, though it was a piece of information the woman kept to herself.
Wren had always said that she should get out more—expressing her concern constantly that her mother couldn't go on in life alone and though Dianne reassured her daughter that she wasn't alone and that she had her, Wren merely informed her mother that the woman knew that wasn't what she had meant.
Kids these days. Too smart for their own good. It took her a second to realize that a silence had settled over the two and Dianne once more found herself immersed in the hazel orbs gazing back at her.
You can lie all you want but I know the truth. The woman couldn't help but frown at the notion that she knew something so intimate about the man that she couldn't help but sigh, "It never gets any easier. The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said and never explained..."
It was his expression that initiated Dianne to overreact, because the moment the words slipped from her mouth, trepidation was quick to settle in as it occurred to her that she had overstepped her boundaries.
So without waiting for the man's reply as he stared at her in the most intense way that made her squirm, Dianne glanced at Diego and hummed in response, "It was nice meeting you both but I'd best be on my way."
From all the options presented to her at that moment, Dianne O'Neil took the easiest route and without sparing anyone a backwards glance, the woman chastised herself as she reluctantly abandoned the rather full trolley in a vacant aisle before making her way towards the exit, the patter of Diego's nails scraping against the tiled floor the only reassuring presence that she didn't belong in this world.
Dianne O'Neil considered herself as a woman of many talents but speaking her mind was not one of them, which made her conscious question where she had gotten the gall for speaking in such a manner. For all she could—.
"You say that you don't care but why is his reaction bothering you so?" That was the point, Dianne O'Neil didn't care what the man thought of her now, because for all she knew, this would be the first and last time she'd see him again—but she'd be lying if she said it didn't bother her.
Doubt.
It pushed back at the forefront of her mind as she recalled what she had said, knowing all to well that she should put her pride in her pocket and apologize. "I am such an idiot." It was then and there that Dianne decided that if she ever saw Opie Winston again, she'd apologize profusely for blurting out the words she had intended to keep in her mind, though not that her apology should be taken for guilt at what she had said.
She had seen enough in herself to know that the man regarded himself as nothing but a failure—a fascinating trait that Dianne had picked up throughout the years. Reading people had become a second nature to her and despite being a woman who kept mostly to herself, Dianne knew she had just dug her own grave.
Because at that moment, Dianne O'Neil knew she hadn't seen the last of Opie Winston. And whether the warmth fluttering in her stomach was either the cause of trepidation or excitement, Dianne knew that her trouble had just started.
And to think she had only been in Charming less that seventy four hours and she was already cooking up trouble.
"Great first impression," Dianne chastised herself as she eased herself in the leather seats of the 69' Ford Mustang GT, "—Dianne. Let's hope Charming stays Charming."
She had a feeling she needed something stronger than a shot of whiskey.
Because whether she liked it or not, her stay in Charming might be the best thing that had happened to her since the incident and that fact alone scared her more than what she would have liked to admit.
Author Note: Not much here had been changed, but a few things had been corrected and added. I had every intention of changing how Dianne reacted but considering that I'm hesitant to change anything major, I refrained from doing so. And yes, Dianne was indeed barefoot, and yes, a proclaimed assassin fled with her tail tucked between her legs.
I mean I don't intend to make Dianne heartless, so I am going to include random and WTF moments.
I would like to thank everyone for the reviews, alerts and support in general. It means the world to me.
Thank you so much,
Nicole J. Coltan