Caution Lights

Chapter 7- Cold Shoulder

The REAL Season 1 Finale of the Parker Girl Saga

By BG and Reaper

The day after Donna's funeral was Vix's first official day back to work and it had been a long one. Her usual clients were so glad to see her back they'd booked her solid through the day. She had spent every minute since 9 am styling hair. She was happy as a lark, albeit an exhausted one.

Eve had cut out early to attend the emergency town meeting. Vix had offered to close up the shop and drop the box of 'salon closing notices' off at the post office. She was just walking from the back room when she heard the bells chime above the front door, indicating someone had entered the salon.

"We're closed!" She hollered from behind the stack of freshly laundered towel she was carrying. Lowering the towels, she found herself face to face with Piney Winston. "Well, hey Piney." Vix said cheerfully, as she pondered the old man's appearance in the beauty shop. "Everything ok?" She asked delicately since ok was now a relative term in the Winston family.

"Not really." The old man muttered with a chuckle and stepped aside to reveal Kenny and Ellie.

Vix took one glance at Ellie and a look of alarm registered on her face. She dropped the pile of clean towels all over the floor. "My sweet Lord. What the fu..." She caught herself before the curse could come out. She had enough bad karma in her life with out adding corruption of minors to the mix. "What happened to her hair?"

"Apparently this one..." Piney nodded towards Kenny, "stuck a big wad of gum in this ones hair." He patted Ellie on the shoulder. "Mary tried to ice it, peanut butter it, and when those didn't work she tried..."

"A hacksaw?" Vix guessed aloud. "Jesus, Piney." She said as she stepped forward to get a good look at the damage. "I think Mary has some serious depth perception or hand-eye coordination issues."

"Among other things." Piney nodded.

Ellie began to cry. "I told you it is unfixable. Vix is a beautician not a magician." With that being said, the little girl began to wail louder. Kenny saw his sister crying and he started sobbing too.

Vix and Piney exchange looks: his was one of thinning patience at playing grandpa - a role he was not comfortable with at all. Hers was one of supreme protectiveness mixed with a bit of what the fuck am I supposed to do with two hysterical grade schoolers.

When Ellie reached out and grabbed Vix's hand, sniffled and said, "It's alright Vix, I can always wear a wig, right?" The ball that had been volleying between she and Piney landed firmly on her side of the court.

Vix gasped out loud. Piney shook his head and muttered something that sounded like he was late for something or other and did she mind dropping off the kids at home when she was through here and that Mary should be home from the VFW by ten.

Vix nodded, "Sure. No worries." She winced internally as she lied out loud because she was worried, deeply, about all of them.

Piney nodded his thanks and left the shop. Vix sighed and stared at the two kids, who had ceased crying and were just standing there staring at her. "Ok, here is what we are gonna do... Kenny, you know what you did was wrong, right?"

He nodded. "I'm sorry, sister." He looks like he is about to cry again.

Vix eyed him. "And you're never gonna do it again, right?"

"Nope, not ever." He replied.

"Well ok then, your punishment is to pick up all those towels I dropped all over the floor and stick 'em on that chair over there, got it?"

The boy nodded solemnly and started picking up the towels.

Vix seated Ellie at her station and began examining the extent of the damage. In Vix's opinion, what Kenny did was nothing compared to the mess Mary made of it. "Ellie, if this ever happens to you again, the gum thing… refuse all attempts at removal and come find me, quick as you can ok. We got shi... STUFF to take gum out. Your Grandma is Old School, she didn't know any better so try not to be too mad at her, ok? She was trying to help, bless her heart."

Ellie nodded her understanding and Vix set to attempt to work miracles. She found that by layering Ellie's hair she was able to mask the worst of it. When she finished, Ellie was sporting a new do and when Vix spun her around to face the mirror, Ellie was shocked. "I was wrong… Vix you are a magician!"

Vix laughed, "Thanks baby girl, sometimes I amaze even myself."

Kenny looked over from where he was playing battleship with the perm rods in the shampoo sink, "Hey, Vix."

"Hmm?"

"You own this place?" He asked.

"What dude?"

"Do you own this place? It's fun here, I wanna come back and play some more."

"No sweetie…" Vix shook her head, "I don't own it, I just work here. Hey can you grab that broom over in the corner for me, buddy? I'll sweep up this mess on the floor and then what do you two say to some ice cream before I drop you back home?"

No kid in their right mind would turn down ice cream and the Winston kids were firmly in theirs. After Vix finished closing up the salon, she led the kids out the door, stopped to put the box of "notices" in the trunk of her car and then led them down the block to The Inside Scoop.

As she sat there eating her waffle cone of Death By Chocolate, Vix pondered Kenny's question about owning the salon. She frowned and asked herself, Why couldn't I own it?

**

Tig finally showed up on Jaci's doorstep the night after the funeral, unannounced of course. Clay had been right during their talk; Tig could only avoid Jaci for so long. She was too smart and would start worrying about why he was pulling back from her. He had to either face her straight on or walk away from all of it.

Jaci opened the door and was a little shocked to see Tig standing there. He didn't wait to be invited in, just brushed past her and walked on inside. Thankfully the Parker sisters had postponed their Kumbaya session until tomorrow night or Tig would have been showing up right in the big middle of it. She frowned slightly at his lack of greeting and shut the door, figuring she would skip formalities as well. "So what happened to your face?" She had been wondering that during the funeral.

"Just a little disagreement. It's nothing. Been a crazy couple of days." He answered as he stood in the front hall with his back to her. She walked over to him and touched one of the bruises on his face lightly with her finger. "I'm fine." He soothed as he brushed her hand away and held it down by his side instead. Inside his head he screamed the truth, I shot your brother in law's best friend's wife and so I put my head through a mirror and then he figured it all out so I let him beat my ass as temporary punishment. Pretty fucking far from nothing.

For lack of a better idea, he kissed her forehead and let her wrap her arms around him. He closed his eyes and surprised himself by hugging her tight. Come on…you can do this. He held onto to her like an anchor and focused on just breathing in and out. You stupid fucking girl, you should really run from me.

"Missed you." Jaci whispered as she hugged him back.

"Yeah." He answered hoarsely and cleared his throat. He released her and headed toward the back door, still without really looking at her. "Get me a beer, would ya?"

Jaci watched him go and grabbed a beer from the fridge and refilled her wine glass. She took the beer out to him and settled in next to him on the wicker couch and watched the flames. She had actually been outside do this very thing for an hour; just her, a few glasses of wine and her iPod and speakers, playing depressive slow music.

"Started without me, huh?" Tig asked quietly as he looked over the familiar setup.

"Didn't know when you would be around." Jaci replied. "Just been sitting out here thinking." She waited for Tig to say something. She had already pieced a few things together, just by all of the tension displayed at the funeral. Tig's face was a bit jacked; Jax's lip was busted so the disagreement must have been between them. Something was brewing between Clay and Jax too judging by the harsh looks.

He slid his arm around her and they stared at the flames for a long while without talking. Sitting beside her felt comforting and unsettling at the same time; it was a familiar act that he used to love but now it felt like a sham. He didn't know what the hell to say to her. After nearly a half hour of sitting silently by each other, Tig was starting to get mad. The songs that were playing were bringing back memories. Moments around the fire pit were what had brought him and Jaci together but now, at least to him, it felt hollow.

Jaci had been going over and over Donna's murder in her head since the night it had happened, just trying to understand it all. She didn't like the conclusions she had made. Her heart had been arguing with her head all day, trying to prove logic wrong. But now, sitting next to Tig and feeling the heavy awkwardness between them, maybe her head had been right. Something was off...but was there really trouble or had they just been disconnected for a bit too long? She didn't rush the moment of confrontation and instead stayed silent.

She was slowly and absently trailing her fingers along the center of his chest over his shirt and for some reason that unnerved him, it was too familiar, too normal. He grabbed her wrist and hissed, "Stop." She looked up at him questioningly. Shit, why did you snap at her? The thought popped in his head but was gone an instant later as a rush of anger and frustration flooded though him. Goddamnit…DO something! Fix this shit. Get back what you had! Enough of this awkward bullshit.

He saw Jaci's eyes widen slightly in surprise right before he slammed his mouth against hers so hard and unexpected that their teeth clanked together. A grunt came from her and she tried to pull back from him a bit but he gripped the back of her head and held her in place. Every part of his life was spinning and suddenly he wanted some control back…over anything. He just wanted to something to be like it used to be and the closest thing to try and exert dominance over just happened to be Jaci.

Tig was being too rough with her, forcing all of his emotions into physicality. He had pushed her back on the wicker loveseat and was on top of her, their heads had knocked together a few times. Everything was just too rough, it felt like an attack rather than an impromptu make out session; even his kisses hurt. He had pulled back her shirt to kiss her neck but then clamped down on her collarbone with his teeth.

She muffled a pain filled grunt and pushed against his chest, "Tig, could you…" He slapped her hands off him and was on her again. The hard wicker armrest was digging into the back of her head. She grunted in annoyance. She was all for reconnecting, knowing that might be easier to open the communication channels afterwards but he was moving at the speed of light. "Hang on, just let me…"

"Shut the fuck up." Tig whispered hoarsely. He had unbuttoned her jeans and was in the middle of trying to pull them down. "Just shut up…"

She was all for raw passion but everything just felt wrong to her. He was completely detached from her and not listening and she was not feeling the same level of urgency as he was at all. Ok, enough already! "Tig, seriously...STOP!" Jaci half yelled.

Tig jerked his head up to look at her and hissed. "What?!....Fucking… what?!" He pushed up on both his arms on the armrest and glared down at her.

She squirmed out from under him and ducked under one of his arms. "This doesn't feel right…you're being too rough." She stood up and looked back at him. She felt sort of prudish for stopping him, hell she might have went along with things had they been in the bedroom. But then again maybe not…something about the look in his eyes was unnerving to her, seriously lacking affection and a bit too predatory.

He had one knee on the loveseat and his other leg hanging off of it. "You've got to be fuckin' kidding me." He muttered as he stood up, breathing heavily. "No one else fuckin' complains."

No one else complains? His comment stung her slightly but she let it slide. "Let's just go inside. I'm not really in the mood to be fucked on my back porch." She doused the fire pit with the cup of water that sat at its base.

"Goddamnit." Tig muttered as he glared back at her. As she turned toward the backdoor, he kicked the little metal table that the iPod and speakers sat on, sending it all scattering across the deck. Jaci whipped around at the crash. Tig pointed toward the door, "Keep walking."

Jaci stomped into the living room with him following close behind. She was stunned by the sudden shift in his personality, his detachment, his temper. She turned, "What's your problem?! You ignore me for days and then just show up and attack me and then throw a tantrum when you don't get your way? What's going on?"

"Don't have a problem and I didn't fuckin' attack you. Not my fault you're so goddamn frigid." He watched the hurt and confusion spread across her face. Shit. I swear to God I fuck up everything I touch. He headed toward the front door to leave but stopped after a few steps. He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head. A humorlessly laugh escaped him. Where the fuck are you going? Sit down, Sit down.

Tig crossed the living room and flopped angrily onto the couch. He held one of his hands out to her. "I didn't mean all that…come here." She stood a few feet away from him and didn't move, only glared at him. "Jaci, for fuck's sakes…just come here. We'll slow down." Tig quickly tried to down shift gears in his mind. He knew he shouldn't have acted like that with her out on the back deck . Stupid fucking idiot.

She sat down but left a huge space between them. He reached over with his left arm and pulled on her leg to drag her closer to him. Shit, she's probably worried you're going to hit her, asshole. He kept his eyes on the floor. "It's just…my head's a little fucked up…a lot of shit's happened lately."

"I know." She replied simply.

Those two words hit him like a sledgehammer. Suddenly a part of him wanted to test her, to push her, to see just how smart she was or how dumb she would play. He turned to stare at her. "What do you know?"

She just frowned at him. "I was just agreeing with you."

He stared harder at her and shook his head. "No…you got something to say. Just say it."

It was Jaci's turn to stare at the floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world. She wasn't sure how she thought this night would go when it finally arrived but this wasn't it. Tig was wound up too tight tonight and out of control. He was hard enough to read under normal conditions and tonight was far from normal. It felt like they were dancing around a 500 lb gorilla in the room. Bobby's arrest, Opie's finances, Donna's death…something wasn't making sense.

She phrased next words as carefully as she could, knowing she was overstepping her bounds completely. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Here goes nothing. "Look, I know how it goes for women in a MC. I've seen all sides of that. I know not to ask questions…especially about things that I don't really want to know the answers to. I know how to keep my mouth shut. But that stuff I gave you on Opie…I stuck my neck out…it was really bad stuff and I know what happens to rats…so when the Niners swoop in and kill his wife the next day…"

He ran his hands over his face and then held his head in his hands for a moment with his elbows resting on his knees. Shit…oh goddamn she knows its all bullshit. She's too fucking smart. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

When Tig didn't yell or scream, just sat quietly next to her, she decided to continue. "I don't know why Donna was in that truck. You know…she was coming back to help me clean up but I don't know…"

\

He glanced at her and frowned. If she even suspected he had killed Donna she would have been livid, screaming, crying mad. She wouldn't have been able to hold all of that inside. But she wasn't; one look at her and he could see the guilt in her eyes. She thought she had Donna's blood on her hands. A flame of sick self preservation flickered to life inside him. Lie. Lie to her! Make her believe the story. Look at her, she's drowning in guilt. She wants an out…lie to her!! He took another moment to collect his thoughts. He remembered telling her one day that he was a very good liar, that a lie and the truth would sound the same coming from him; it was time to put all that to the test.

"If you were anyone else, I would tell you to fuck off and mind your business." He kept his eyes on the floor but at least turned his head slightly in her direction. "But you're not anyone else… so I'm going to tell you the truth. This never leaves this room, you understand me?" He locked eyes with her and hoped he was convincing. "This is between you and me; I could get my patch stripped for telling you this shit."

She nodded her understanding so he continued and found that he could look her in the eye for most of his story because most of it was true. He told her how Op's finances being paid off was all just a ploy by Stahl to set him up, that Op had come to the club and proved that he was loyal and everything was fine. He left out the part about finding the listening devices. Then he told her about the gun deal in Oakland, how he and Op had stupidly taken Op's truck on the run. He told her things had gone bad, that Niners had been killed and he and Op had barely made it out.

He stared at the floor when he switched to the hardcore lies but he rested his hand on her thigh and she didn't try to look at him, she looked down too. He lied and told her that the Niners must have seen Op's truck, decided to get some revenge, must have been waiting for Op after the party. He got a little choked up at that point but didn't think that gave him away. Everyone seemed to get choked up when talking about Donna's death, if anything that made him all the more believable. He told her the Niners must have saw the truck and just shot, not checking on who was actually in the truck. He waited a moment for all the lies to soak in for her and then ventured a glance at her. She had tears in her eyes. He squeezed her hand and sealed the deal.

"Donna's death…that's just a fucked up mess. But it had nothing to do with you. Donna getting killed…that's on me…on Opie. We were careless…reckless." He took a shaky deep breath. Careless and reckless fucked up mess, wasn't that the damn truth. I should have listened to my gut and called the whole damn thing off but if Opie would have been less hit and miss with the club, we never would have doubted him. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. He waited until he had himself under control before he continued. "You don't have any blood on your hands, Jaci." She nodded her head absently.

He pulled her closer and leaned his head against hers. She had bought the lies. The story was believable if you didn't look past the surface and with her level of involvement in thinking Op was a rat she wouldn't pick apart the story. She wanted to believe it…for now.

With their heads still together, she whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She explained, "Everything is fucked up right now and I'm just sorry it's all happening."

He nodded and put his hands on her face. "It's ok. It'll be ok." She kissed him and for a moment everything stopped and his head was above water. He muttered those words a few more times, trying to convince them both. He pushed her back on the couch; his touch was soft as he tried to chase a moment of peace. They kissed and touched for a few minutes and Jaci was ready to get serious. This was how she had wanted to reconnect. She suddenly wanted to get as close to him as possible. She pulled at Tig's belt and tugged his shirt loose but he didn't even seem to notice. He had gone from intently focused to supremely distracted. Jaci didn't think they had ever been so out of sync.

Tig's peace was short lived. With his eyes closed, he was suddenly having a hard time focusing; his brain was starting to run through all bad shit from the last couple of days…talking to Jaci in the car about Op, the doll warehouse, Abel's party, shooting Donna and then watching Op cry over her body. Lying to Jaci had tipped him over again.

He had known from the day he started messing with Jaci that he would have to lie to her…he just had always thought it would be lies to cover up screwing around on her or occasionally leaving her in the dark about some club stuff. And then it turned out that he hadn't had to lie that much to her at all, that she had calmed him down a bit, he had kept himself in check for her for the most part. He never thought that he would have to lie this big to her…never wanted to have to do that.

"Tig, what's wrong?"

He shook his head and looked down at her lying underneath him. "What?"

"I said what's wrong? You just kind of stopped." Jaci asked with a worried look on her face. "And you're not…uh…" She dropped her eyes down south, not wanting to say the words. "You were but now you're not…"

He frowned and caught her drift. He grabbed at his dick through his jeans. Limp dick…shit. That had never happened with Jaci before…ever. Not even when he had been high or shitfaced drunk, he had always been good to go with her. Hell he could count on one hand the amount of times this had happened in his entire life. He stood up and stumbled backward, buckling his belt. Go from damn near raping her to not being able to fuck her at all. Goddamn Donna shit…it's making me fucking crazy. He dodged eye contact and headed for the door, muttering. "I gotta go."

Jaci sat on the couch stunned. She jumped up and started after him. She grabbed his hand. "Whoa, whoa. Tig it's ok. You don't have to go. Just wait, we can…"

"It's not fucking ok." He shoved her away from him as he reached the door. "Get the fuck off me." He left without another word. He slammed the door and left Jaci staring at it.

**

Jaci struggled through the next day at work, supremely distracted by the previous night's events with Tig. As she headed for home, she decided to let go of all the worry. Tonight, she had other issues to deal with…mainly the Parker Sister Kumbayah Session.

Wendy showed up right on time at Parker Place since she was brought there by Vix. Gemma had volunteered to watch Abel until she returned. The sisters didn't even bother with pleasantry bullshit instead they all headed into the living room and picked their spots for the long talk. Jaci eyed her sisters, "Ok…let's do this. Just get out ANYTHING that is on your mind about the past, present or future. We've had enough dysfunction in our lives up to this point, so let's start breaking some damn cycles. Who wants to start?"

Vix's hand shot up and so it began. After two hours and lots of yelling, finger pointing, crying and laughing, it was over and a pretty solid peace had been made between the three of them. Promises had been made, only time would tell if they would be kept.

Vix grinned at Jaci and nodded her head in exaggeration toward the kitchen. Jaci groaned. "I can't cook another thing… I am burnt out."

"Well then I vote for Chinese." Vix replied. Wendy shrugged and nodded her agreement.

Jaci winced. "Ok but the Chinese sucks in this town. God may love Nathanial Wong but he didn't give him any cooking ability." She stood up and stretched. "I've been to this place over in O-town with the work crew a few times…food is awesome if you guys are up for a road trip."

Vix grinned and yelled, "Shotgun!"

"Oh my god, what are you five years old?" Wendy retorted with a laugh. Jaci grabbed her car keys and the sisters headed out. The drive to Oakland was good with the girls mostly just singing along with the radio. They arrived at the restaurant and went inside.

They were met at the door immediately by a small Asian woman. "Sorry, sorry. Almost time to close."

The girls frowned and Jaci looked back toward the door questioningly. "I thought you were open until ten? We've got thirty minutes, right? Come on… we drove all the way from Charming just to eat here."

The woman sighed and relented slightly. "No buffet…menu only."

"No problem!" Vix exclaimed. "I'm starvin'. I'll eat damn near anything at this point."

"Don't let the cooks hear that…they'll throw some weird shit together." A man sitting at the front counter said with a low laugh. He looked the girls over and gave them a sly smile. He spoke to the woman in Chinese, waving her toward the main dining room. The woman rolled her eyes, not wanting to serve the girls but reluctantly motioned for the Parkers to follow her. As the girls walked past, the man gave them a wink and a smile and turned his attention back to the stack of papers before him…well after he stared at their asses.

The girls settled in at their table and started to look over the menus that the woman had thrust at them before walking away in a huff.

"That guy only let us in cause we're hot." Wendy mused.

"True dat." Vix agreed with a smirk.

Jaci eyed Vix and grinned. "Yeah, either that or he felt drawn to his twin here." Jaci pointed to Vix's jet black piecey hair style.

"Mmmph. Well at least he's got good taste then." Vix shot back. She ran her hand over her hair. "Don't get too attached to this look…the black is going bye-bye very soon."

"Ooh big surprise." Wendy teased.

As the woman approached, Vix shot a look to Jaci and smiled, whispering, "I'm going to do it, you know." Jaci instantly realized what IT was and shook her head in amusement. For as long as Jaci could remember, Vix had been ordering a particular drink KNOWING that most Asian restaurants didn't have it only to make them suggest an alternative that they usually butchered with their accent. It was their little inside joke.

Jaci ordered water to drink and Wendy asked for the same, leaving Vix to make her request. Vix looked up at the woman very innocently and said, "Doctor Pepper, please."

The woman didn't miss a beat and replied in her heavy accent with, "Missa Pibb ok?"

Vix smiled as Jaci bit her cheek to keep from laughing. "That's fine. Thank you!"

When the woman was out of earshot Jaci smacked Vix on the arm. Vix laughed, "What?! That is funny EVERY single time and you know it! Missa Pibb! Not my fault everything is funnier in an Asian accent!"

Wendy just shook her head as Jaci rolled her eyes and Vix continued laughing. The elder Parker sister was oddly enjoying every second with her sisters, realizing just how much she had missed being around them.

The hostess returned with their drinks and took their order. A few minutes later she appeared with a tray of Saki and placed it on the table. The girls frowned since they had not ordered the rice wine but the woman waved them away. "Compliments of the owner, Mr. Lin."

The girls all eyed the Saki in front of them with neither Jaci nor Vix wanting to point out that Wendy shouldn't be drinking any alcohol. Wendy saved them the trouble and shoved her small cup away. "So who's drinking mine?"

"Not me. I don't actually like the stuff." Jaci piped in.

Vix shrugged, grabbing the pot of Saki and helping herself. "Well I guess that leaves me! Waste not, want not, right? Besides the only wagon I'm interested in jumping on is a sin wagon." She took a long sip and held up the small cup in a toast to Lin who was watching the girls with a smirk on his face. He nodded in return to Vix. His ears had perked up when the one woman had mentioned Charming and he studied them more closely now thinking over the recent situation with The Sons of Anarchy and his dear ex accountant, Chucky. He had moved from the front counter to the bar that ran along the main dining room. He pretended to study the papers in front of him while he eavesdropped on the women. There were worse ways to end the night than spying on a few beautiful women.

The girls made small talk as their dinner arrived. Vix shoveled in a mouth full of Lo Mein. "Oh damn that's good! Good pick, J." She held up a finger as she chewed and then swallowed. "Hey, what's Tigger up to tonight?"

"No clue." Jaci replied coolly. She hadn't even tried to talk to him since the previous night. She was tired of trying to interact and getting her hand slapped. He was probably too busy dying of embarrassment any way due to the limp noodle incident. He would call when his pride was healed up.

"Tigger…oh my god, don't call him that to his face, Vix." Wendy warned with a laugh.

"Too late…I do it all the time." Vix frowned and turned her attention back to Jaci. "Tig's been sorta absent lately. Did you guys even talk at the funeral?"

"Nope. You know how he is...does what he wants whenever he wants...on a whim or whatever. He actually dropped by last night." Jaci replied, never bothering to worry about tossing Tig's name around so much. In Charming, she would have been more careful.

Vix eyed her. "And?"

Jaci raised her eyebrows. "And what?"

"Your tone seems a little pissy or something."

Jaci shook her head and frowned. "No...it's just...it didn't go very well." She was visibly frustrated. She stopped for a second to collect her thoughts, knowing she couldn't mention any of the previous night's discussions or events…or lack there of. "I swear he has the emotional maturity of a 13 year old boy. He opens up, he closes off, he gets pissed off easily. Sometimes I just want to shake the shit of him."

After finishing off another cup of Saki, Vix waggled her finger at Jaci. "You know your issue with Tigger reminds me of this song I heard the other day while I was in the shower. And it was amazingly funny at the time because I was listening to the lyrics while staring at the water knobs cause the song is called HOT n COLD. HA!!! Anywoo, the words go like this: "You're hot then you're cold, you're yes then you're no, you're in then you're out, you're up then you're down, you're wrong when it's right, it's black and it's white. We fight, we break up, we kiss, we make up.

Vix stopped her serenade for a second to cram in another bite of food, from egg roll this time. "Hell she even says a line about how he speaks cryptically and that she should know he aint' no good for her. And there's some really cute bit about havin' a case of love bi-polar. I bet Tig could be bi-polar."

"Geez…shut up, Vix!" Jaci hissed and stared in annoyed awe of her baby sister. "Are you finished?"

Vix mused for a second and smiled. "I think so."

"Well, thank you, Katy Perry." Jaci said sarcastically. "I know the song...and it does fit part of the time. We've been ok for the most part, he's just weird lately."

"Everyone body is stressed out right now. Jax was a mess the other night." Wendy offered. She didn't bother sharing the fact that she had slept with Jax…it seemed pointless since he had kissed Tara at the funeral in front of everyone.

Vix nodded. "Juice has been bugging out too. It'll all work out. But you knew Tig wasn't normal when you hooked up with him. Weirdness is to be expected. Ooh, speakin of…Wendy, what's your opinion on J's boyfriend?"

Wendy looked very surprised by her sister's question and tried to dodge it. "Um…I am not here to judge or take sides really."

"Well aren't you just neutral like Austria?" Vix replied as she cocked an eyebrow.

"Switzerland." Jaci corrected.

Vix rolled her eyes. "I knew it was one of those German countries from the Sound of Music or some shit."

Jaci tried not to laugh at her obviously tipsy sister but couldn't help it. "Vix, Switzerland is its OWN country, dumbass."

"Whatever." Vix dismissed with a wave of her hand. "Ms. Switzerland Parker, over there."

"Case." Wendy gently reminded.

Vix pointed a finger at Wendy and stared her down. "Parker born, Parker Bred, Parker you'll always be. I don't give two shits 'bout that five second marriage you had to Scotty Case. You know you just did it outta rebellion to piss Daddy off." Vix frowned. "Why'd you keep that name anyway when you married Jax? Inquiring minds have always wanted to know…but Jaci wouldn't let me ask."

Lin scribbled a few names down on his paper:

hot brunette (J/JC?)Tig

hippie chick (Wendy)Jax, Case

funky chick (Vicks?Vix?)Juice?

Sisters?

Charming

He circled Jax and then tapped his pen on the paper and listened more closely to the girls.

Wendy shrugged. "Just never took the time to do the paper work to officially change it. Always had more important things to do, ya know… crank, smack, pot, Jimmy, Johnny, Jack and Jose."

"True, true." Vix nodded. "Ok, Wendy…what's your opinion on the Tig and Jaci show? We need a tie breaker. J's a yes but I'm a no so vote!'

"You're a no?? Since when??" Jaci frowned.

Vix explained, "Well I'm not a 'no' RIGHT NOW. I'm like… a no to LONG TERM."

"Oh."

Wendy shrugged and winced. "I still can't get my head around you being with him, J. I mean…I've seen him doing some pretty messed up shit to girls around the clubhouse."

Vix saw Jaci frown and decided to head off the Tigger talk. She reached across the table and patted Jaci's hand. "No worries, J. Gemma and Clay manage to make it all work, there has to be some hope for the rest of us."

Lin smiled slightly as he jotted down a few more words: Clay, clubhouse. He thought for a minute, a few of those words were ringing a loud bell with him. Next he wrote SAMCRO and circled it as the puzzle came together in his mind. The lovely ladies seemed to be affiliated with the Sons of Anarchy. His curiosity was peaked and he decided to go chat up the ladies. He stood and walked over to their table with a charming smile plastered across his face. "How's is everything tonight, ladies?"

All three of the sisters gushed about how great the food was and thanked him for the Saki. One look at the funky black headed girl and it was plain to tell she had drank the entire pot of rice wine by herself. He kept his smile in place. "So you ladies are from Charming? How did you know about this place?"

The brunette smiled and nodded at him. "I work in Oakland sometimes so I've actually been here before."

"Where do you work?" Lin asked. She rattled off the name of a law firm he knew in town. He grinned. "Oooh a lawyer!"

Jaci smiled back but corrected him. "No…just a lowly accountant."

"She is NOT lowly…she's VERY important!" Vix corrected. She was very proud of Jaci.

Lin laughed. These sisters were damn enjoyable. "I'm sure she's is. That's a good profession to be in…people always seem to need a good accountant. Honesty seems to be an issue with some."

"That can be a problem.' Jaci replied with a nod.

Lin outright flirted with them for a few moments more asking them vague questions and then wished them a good night and returned to his papers and his seat at the bar. The hostess/waitress woman appeared a few more times, always trying to rush the girls along. Their thirty minute meal was pushing an hour now but she was the only one that seemed to mind. The girls took the hint and settled up their bill, waving and smiling to Lin on their way out.

Once outside, Vix and Wendy fired up cigarettes immediately.

"What now?" Vix asked.

Jaci shrugged. "Go home I guess."

"I don't want to go back yet." Wendy said. "I'm sorta liking hanging out with ya'll."

"Ya'll?!" Vix laughed and punched Wendy on the arm. "We're rubbing off on her, J!"

Jaci smiled. "Well…what are we going to do?" The three were silent for a few minutes trying to think of something. With the late hour, there weren't many legal alternatives.

Vix suddenly clapped her hands together. "I got it!! Tattoos!"

"What?!" Jaci asked with a frown.

"Ink baby! None of us have anything really family related, we should all get something."

Wendy was already nodding. "I know a place not far from here. Jax and I both have been there before."

Jaci studied her two sisters who were obviously all for the idea of a new tat. She was a bit more selective about tats and very selective about their placement unlike her sisters had numerous tats in very obvious places like their forearms. "So what would we get? And where are we putting it?"

"Well it can't be anything on our backs, heaven forbid we break the Asian theme you have going on…" Vix teased.

Jaci smirked and flipped her off. "I would bend the rules for family...if you asked nicely enough."

Vix headed for the car. "Come on, we'll figured it out on the way there. Wendy, you can have shotgun…navigate wisely! I don't want to end up in any Oakland ghettos!"

The girls found the tattoo parlor without a problem and luckily it was still open. There was only one customer being worked on and two other artists sat around talking. One the artists, a good looking middle aged guy, walked over and asked if he could help them. Jaci explained the tattoo they had all decided on, PARKER written in script in simple black ink.

The artist, nodded. "We can do that. Where are you girls wanting them?" He silently wished they would say someplace intimate like on their hips but knew he wouldn't get that lucky with a family tat. The girls replied that the tat would be on the back of their necks.

Vix was immediately enamored with the guy. "You know you look like that dude from LA Ink?"

"Corey…yeah." The artist replied and rolled his eyes. "I get that a lot."

"Total compliment, man. That dude is hot." Vix said with a grin.

She was a bit overactive and the artist smiled while watching her. He looked to Jaci and frowned. "Is she drunk? Can't ink her if she's drunk."

"Nooo… she's not drunk!" Jaci pulled Vix away from the counter and stood in front of her. She plastered a sweet smile on her face. "She's always like this. But um…we'll let her go last." Jaci turned and glared at Vix. "Maybe she'll calm down by then." Vix grinned and nodded.

After drawing up a stencil that the girls looked over and very much approved of, the artist led Wendy to a chair and started work on her. The other available artist led Jaci to his station.

"Um, actually my tat needs to be a bit lower than theirs. I can't show any ink at work." Jaci explained.

"She's very important!!" Vix exclaimed as she twisted back and forth on a stool across the small room.

Jaci couldn't help but laugh. "I'm glad you like me so much tonight."

"I love you, sis!"

Jaci's artist laughed at the girls. "Ok, no problem. We can put it right at the top of your shoulders. That work?" Jaci nodded and he started trying to pull the neck of her shirt down enough to get a proper work space. "Um…this isn't working too good. How shy are you?"

"Do I need to just take it off?" Jaci asked with a wince. He nodded. Jaci shook her head in amazement. Wow, I'm stripping to get a tat in Oakland during the work week.. Classy. She stood and pulled off her t-shirt. She sat back down now only wear low rise jeans and a black bra.

The artists glanced over at each other and grinned. A mutual "I love my job" sigh was exchanged.

"Ahhhhh…I'm telling Tig you're getting naked in public!!!" Vix teased which earned a sharp look from Jaci.

**

The next day, Vix rolled up into the lot of Teller Morrow in the late afternoon. As she got out of her car, Chibs did a double take. He shot a look at Juice. "Ok, so like three days ago she is pink haired, two days ago she dyed it jet black for the funeral and today she is whiplash blonde?"

Juice just smiled. "Yeah, it's how she expresses herself. Plus she wasn't lovin' the black."

Chibs shook his head and hollered at her while she was walking across the lot to where the guys were standing in front of the open garage bays. "Hey Parker! Love the do... now all's you need is a white dress and an air grate."

Vix laughed. "Awe Chibsy, I couldn't pull off Marilyn if I tried... but thanks for thinkin' so." She walked over to Juice and exchanged a greeting and a kiss.

"Gram hasn't canceled again has she?" He questioned.

"Not last I knew, but there has been a change of venue. We're now meeting her and Sadie in Stockton."

"Stockton? What are they doin' in Stockton?" He asked with a frown. "Wait… who drove? And WHAT?"

Vix laughed. "Sadie drove… the Torino."

Juice groaned, picturing the two old women tooling around Stockton in the vintage car.

"Too bad they're not from Pasadena." Chibs commented out of the blue.

Both Vix and Juice turned and looked at the Scotsman. "Uh?"

"Ah, come on…" He started to belt out The Beach Boys' song. "Well, she's the Little Old Lady from Pasadena. Go Granny, Go Granny, Go Granny, Go"

Vix cracked up, not only at how funny the song sounded coming from Chibs, but she because she could totally picture it. She began humming the song.

Juice just shook his head. "So why are they in Stockton?"

Vix make a tsking sound and then began singing along with Chibs "You might drive a go-er but you'll never lose her... she's gonna get a ticket now sooner or later cause she can't keep her foot off the accelerator..."

"Vix!" Juice snapped.

She frowned and stopped singing. "They are in Stockton because apparently there was this wine auction and that's the only place they can locate this wine that Henry loves." She shrugged. "So they want us to meet them at some Waterloo place out off of Highway 99."

Juice groaned again. "Why does everything with these women have to be a production?! I mean why do they even want me there? It's not like I'm gonna get a word in edge wise in these discussions and if I know Gram, her and Sadie have the whole fuckin' thing planned already."

"You're there to balance the estrogen levels and add some guy-input." Vix replied and then grabbed his hand. "And you're going because your Grandmother asked you to and because I am making you, so get your ass in the car. We've got to be there in an hour and a half."

From his perch on a work bench stool, Chibs just chuckled, as he watched Vix toss Juice her keys. "Crack that whip, Parker."

The pair walked off. She slid into the passenger seat and he climbed behind the wheel of her car and off the two sped into the wild blue yonder... or well, onto the I-5, headed to dinner with Gramma.

"Go Granny, Go Granny, Go Granny GO!" Chibs sang softly as he started to get back to work.

Tig wandered out of the TM office and frowned at Chibs. "What?" He questioned Chibs on what he was mumbling.

Chibs shook his head. "Nothin'."

Tig hefted the car part he had been carrying up onto the workbench. He grabbed a wrench and started trying to pry a bolt loose on the starter. After a few minutes of struggling with the bolt, Tig was getting pissed. "Goddamnit…come on!"

He was running extremely low on patience. He stopped and banged the starter with his wrench in frustration. He stared at the part for a moment and then commenced to work on it again, only to realize he had been pulling the wrong direction, in fact tightening the bolt. "Fuckin' idiot." He muttered. His brain was fried with all of the shit going on in his life; he was fucking up everyday simple work now. Tig shook his head and tried to focus, pulling to the left to loosen the bolt.

Chibs was watching Tig with slight amusement as he still struggled with the bolt. "You keep straining like that you'll give ya self a hernia."

Tig kept his eyes on the part and muttered, "Shut up."

"It's gonna break."

Tig pulled harder and through gritted teeth replied, "No....it...won't." He gave the bolt one last tug and SNAP… it broke. Chibs let out a hardy laugh and Tig threw his wrench into the brick garage wall. "Motherfucker! Fuck this!" He stormed out of the garage; quitting time was going to come a little early today.

Chibs watched his very pissed off friend stalk across the parking lot to the clubhouse. Tig was a volatile guy on a good day but something had him very unsettled lately. He had been a total prick for a few days now.

Tig jerked opened the door the clubhouse. He was seething with anger and felt like beating the shit out of something or someone. He looked around the room and found it completely empty which was probably for the best. Spontaneously wailing on the Prospect would have caused trouble and attention Tig didn't need right now. He rounded the bar and grabbed a cold beer. Leaning against the bar and holding the bottle to his forehead, he tried to calm down.

**

"Are we going the right direction?" Juice asked, getting a bit frustrated since they seemed to be driving forever.

"According to the GPS in my phone we are." Vix replied as she read off the paper she'd written on. "And Ruby said to take the I-5 to Stockton, then the Highway 4-Crosstown to 99 North , go 2 exits to the Highway 88-East ~Waterloo exit, then drive about 5 minutes or so and the place is on the left at the bend in highway."

"Well, shit there's the exit. Hang on." He cut across lanes of traffic, setting horns honking and 'birds' flying in his wake. "Now we go what? Five minutes? To a bend in the road?" He shook his head in amazement at the directions.

"Well that's according to Ruby, so with you driving I say a minute and a half tops. HA! See the road is bending already."

"Very funny." He smirked.

Two minutes later they are parked in the lot of the Waterloo Club. Vix stared at the building. "This place is um, interesting. Wonder how they know about it?"

As he turned off the motor, Juice replied. "I usually find it best not to ask. Probably some place Henry told 'em about. He was a circuit court judge based in Stockton for years."

She nodded. "There's the Torino… looks like they made it in one piece."

"Thank god for small miracles."

She stopped walking and looked at him. "Seriously, what is your malfunction? Does it bother you that much that your grandma wants your advice and opinion? In exchange for it she is even treating us both to dinner. My family never asks my input on any damn thing."

"That's not it."

"What's not?"

"My grandmother is not the issue."

"Ok, then what is?"

He shook his head, "I… I"

From across the lot they heard Ruby call, "There you two are. Sadie, they're here! We've been waiting for thirty minutes. Henry said this place was popular but my goodness who'd suspect, judging by the looks of it."

"Can't judge a book by it's cover, Gram." Juice leaned down and let her give him a hug

and plant a kiss on his cheek.

"I guess not dear." Ruby said as she turned to hug and kiss Vix as well.

"We're vibrating." Sadie called out, holding up a pager.

"Oh good, let's eat, hmm?" Ruby smiled and turned and walked towards the restaurant.

They were seated and looked over the menus given to them by the hostess. The waitress approached the table and without looking up went into her schpeel, "Welcome to the Waterloo…" At the sound of her voice, Juice's heart lurched. "I'll be your server, my name is Blair."

Juice felt the room jerk out of control and started off an internal-obscenity filled rant at this wrinkle of fate. Oh shit, oh shit. Oh fuck me!! Wait…no fuck me, that's what caused this fucking problem in the first fucking place. Oh God PLEASE DONT SAY ANYTHING, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!! I swear if I didn't have bad luck, I'd have none at all.

When the girl finally glanced at the people seated at the table, her shock at seeing Juice was visible on her face. Juice shot a stern look at her, just before Vix looked up from her menu and looked at him. "Oooh Baby, this place is supposed to be famous for their ribs."

Juice looked up from the menu he was pretending to read. "Hmm?"

"I said the ribs are supposed to be good here. You were saying you were jonesin' for 'em the other day." Vix noticed the waitress staring at her. She took in the girl; cute, in that Abercrombie/GAP wearin' sorority girl kinda way. The kind of girl who'd never survive to the end in a horror flick or on a season of Survivor. I know her type, I HATE her type, she's the kind that when the party ends everyone worries if she has a ride home… I'm the kind who everyone just assumes has mastered the art of hitchhiking. Sorry chick, I hate you… on principle. If only Vix knew she had other reasons to hate her.

Ruby glanced up from her menu, asking "What are the specials?"

After rambling them off and taking their drink order, the waitress disappeared. Vix glanced over at Ruby and Sadie, "So what does Henry recommend?"

As Sadie advised them about Henry's favorites, Vix eyed Juice. She reached out and touched his hand that was resting on the table, causing him to about jump out of his skin. She stared at him with concern in her eyes and started to pull her hand back – but he reached out and grabbed it, intertwining his fingers with hers. He nodded his head to her in an everything's fine... don't worry gesture. He even flashed her a weak smile. Alright asshole, calm the fuck down and MAN UP. This has nothing to do with bad luck. You fucked around and now Karma is trying to bite you in the ass. Vix shook her head, thinking OK whatever and went back to perusing the menu.

For where she stood hidden, watching them look over the menus, Blair sized up the woman sitting next to Juice. She's probably the reason he had tried and fail to resist my charms when things had gotten hot and heavy. Blair could see Vix was tough - likely to the point of being hostile if provoked. Her hair and her clothes and her mannerisms painted her as funky, trendy, sexy, cool... with more than a dash of crazy for good measure. I know her type, I HATE her type. She's the kind that smokes and drinks and believe they'll live forever but just in case they party like tonight is their last. The problem with that is someone still has to be responsible - the designated driver, the payer of the tab or the bail. Christ look at her, she probably beats people up for the fun of it. Cocky bitch...wonder if she'd be so cocky if she knew what I did to her boyfriend there...

The waitress reappeared with their drinks and was placing them on the table when she paused mid-motion, sort of staring at Juice and Vix holding hands. She quickly snapped out of it after noticing the hard look he was shooting her direction. She finished the drink delivery and went around the table taking orders and then quickly retreated. When she left, Juice excused himself from the table on the premise of having to use the men's room ... and went in search of the kitchen.

Ruby took a sip of her wine and inquired, "Is everything alright, dear?"

"Hmm?" Vix replied. She'd been thinking over all of Juice's odd-ball behavior lately. She'd even commented on it to her sisters last night, but had assured them that everything would be ok... now she sat contemplating her own words.

"With Jean Carlos? He's acting a bit odd."

"I know, he'll be ok." There she went again handing out assurance like lollipops from a bank teller. "I'm sure it's just everything, Donna… and stuff." But she thought back and Juice had been unsettled since before Donna was killed. She felt a shiver down her spine, "I'm gonna use the ladies room."

Ruby and Sadie nodded as Vix got up and left the table.

**

Juice entered the kitchen and saw Blair picking up a tray of appetizers. He snapped his fingers and said "HEY" in her direction. She looked up sort of stunned to see him standing there.

She set the tray down and walked over, glancing around nervously. "You can't be in here."

"I'll leave in a minute. Look, I need you to forget you know me... those women I am with, never find out about that shit."

She scoffed. "Please what do you think I'm gonna do walk up to your girlfriend and give

her all the details?"

"For your sake…I certainly hope not." Juice warned. "So just so we are clear, you're gonna be cool, knock off the stares and shit?"

"Sure… whatever."

Juice shook his head. "NO! Not sure whatever ... YES!"

Blair rolled her eyes. "Fine...YES! Happy?"

Juice gave a wry laugh. "Not even close." He turned around and pushed back through the double swinging doors trying to get a grip on himself.

**

Everyone was back at the table as their food arrived, delivered by another waitress who announced that she was relieving Blair. They finished their meal and wrapped up discussions on Herny's party. Juice had been right, Ruby and Sadie had everything planned and really just wanted to make sure they weren't going overboard. Juice and Vix both agreed that of course they were, but turning 80 was reason for a big celebration.

Juice had offered to drive the older ladies home but they both scoffed at the idea. After a quick round of goodbyes they parted ways. Juice and Vix watched them leave and then walked to her car and got inside.

Vix turned to Juice. "Look, is everything ok? Even your Gramma is concerned, so it's not just me being overly sensitive."

Juice stared straight ahead thinking I'm no good at this shit. Ok…I need to believe what I'm saying - convince myself that the lie is the truth. When he finally turned and looked at her, he was as convincing as ever. "Everything is fine, Vix. Don't worry, ok?" He added with a smile. "My head is just messed up right now, that's all."

She studied him, if she'd listen really hard she'd hear the bullshit... but she didn't want to hear it, so instead she smiled and turned on the radio.

The song that started to play sent chills down both their spines, Seethers' haunting remake of Careless Whisper.

Juice thought how ironic as he listened to the words...

To the heart and mind,

Ignorance is kind...

There's no comfort in the truth,

Pain is all you'll find....

Vix listened to the lyrics and got stuck on a particular verse...

Maybe it's better this way,

We'd hurt each other with the things we want to say.

**

Back in Charming that same night, Jaci had been lying on the couch, zoned out and flipping through TV channels when someone pounded on the front door. She cocked an eyebrow and rolled off of the couch. Need to fix that damn door bell. That pounding always scares the shit of me. She padded to the door barefoot, wondering who would be stopping by at 10pm. She stopped just in front of the door and called out, "Who is it?"

"It's me." A familiar voice answered. Her heart snapped to attention and began to pound slightly faster as she unlocked and opened the door. Tig stood on the front stoop, still in his TM work shirt, staring down the driveway. His head snapped around when he heard the door open. Jaci just stared at him, not really sure what to say since he had ran out so abruptly on her the last time he was at her house. He beat her to the punch and asked, "Can I come in?"

She frowned. He never asked for permission before, usually just pushed past her. She nodded and pulled the door open wider. He stepped inside and walked into kitchen. Jaci followed him; it took all of five seconds for her to register the heavy awkwardness between them. She leaned against the fridge as he leaned against the counter; neither one spoke, just dodged glances from the other person.

"Are you hungry? There are leftovers in the fridge." Jaci offered with a slight smile. Tig just shook his head once. She nodded and tried to think of something else to say. Hell she had spent the last few days trying to think of what to say to him the next time she saw him. The only thing she had settled on was the fact that she would NOT say anything that remotely sounded like 'It happens to everyone'. She took a deep breath. "Hey…about the other night…"

He held up a hand immediately and cut her off. He looked sternly at her. "We're never talking about that…any of it… again."

She nodded and took a closer look at him, seeing just how tired he looked, like he hadn't slept for days. He seemed out of sorts, like he might have been drinking too much lately. Hell, who could blame anyone for hitting the bottle during the past week. The TV was muted in the next room and the silence in the kitchen was heavy. He's here for a reason…just have to pull it out of him.

"Where's Vix?" He asked as he fiddled with the sink faucet, slapping it back and forth with his hand.

"Probably attached to Juice's hip and various other body parts I don't even want to think about." Jaci teased but then winced, realizing she had just mentioned sex to a guy that hadn't been able to get it up. Tig didn't seem to care. She decided to just say what had been on her mind. She knew better than to give Tig long speeches but couldn't help herself; she was tired of being pushed away.

She moved to the other side of the fridge and stood against the counter across from Tig. "Look…I know you're used to going things alone, to not having someone around… but surely by now you know that when the shit hits the fan…you don't have to pull back from me. Everyone one else is leaning on someone right now…Juice has Vix, Clay has Gemma, Jax has…well, who ever in the Hell he wants at that particular moment I guess."

Tig stood listening to her with his arms stretched wide along the counter. He stared down at the tile floor. She just stared at him and finished, "You can lean on me…I'm not going to break."

His body language shifted as he ran his hands through his hair. He glanced around the kitchen while he replayed her words I'm not going to break, I'm not going to break in his head.He thought of all the ways he had bent the truth in the last seventy two hours. Something had to give, he couldn't keep pulling and pushing and bending and twisting. His eyes wandered over the room, the neat countertops, the pristine floors, the goddamn alphabetized spice rack. Everything in the kitchen was perfect, not a thing was out of place…except for him.

"I'm done." Tig said abruptly and then looked up at her.

Jaci frowned at him, at the blank stare he had on his face. "Done with what?"

"You…me." Tig waved his hand between the two of them. "I…I can't do this anymore."

Jaci felt her heart drop into her stomach and she blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"

By putting a bullet in a Donna, he had put a bullet in everything good that he had left inside of him. Thinking he could be anything close to what Jaci needed had been a pipe dream from day one, Donna's death had just shined the bright light of reality on that for him. Anything that Jaci could have been in love with was fading fast; she just couldn't see that yet. He was going to save her the trouble of having to realize that. It was time to give up the charade.

He stood up straighter. "A while back, you told me not to waste your time." He looked intently at her, "I'm wasting your time….we're just wasting time here."

"No." Jaci replied with a frown. She knew what he was doing; Donna's death had shaken everyone up. Juice had tried to pull the same thing with Vix. "I know things have been rough lately but it's all just a bump. We're fine."

"It's not a bump, Jaci. It's goddamn black hole."

"Black hole?" She watched in confusion as he started to pace. "What's so wrong? Tell me and we'll talk it out."

"Talk it out? We can't work through it." He almost laughed at her and tried to think of a way to explain things to her. He covered his face with his hands for a moment and then finally spoke. "What did you do today?"

She stared at him. "What's that have to do with anything?"

"Answer me." Tig waved his hand to speed her up. "You got dressed up and went to work at your nice white collar job, right? You went to lunch with your squeaky clean office friends. Did you go see Abel? Go check in on Moby?"

"Yes…to all of it. Why?"

Tig let out a rant. "You shouldn't be taking care of other people's kids, Jaci. You should have your own and… a husband to mow the grass around a fucking white picket fence and be taking vacations to Disneyland and shit. You shouldn't be doing what you're doing."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jaci fired back, not liking being told what she should and shouldn't do by a guy that usually didn't give a shit.

"Everything!" He yelled. "I'm talking about everything. I can't give you any of it. What we've been doing…it's time to pull the plug on this."

"But I don't want…"

"This has gone on too long." He shook his head. "You got things you need. Things you're going to want…"

"Stop telling me what I what!!" Jaci yelled and surprised them both. He wasn't listening and she had to get through to him. "Everyone keeps making little comments, trying to shove all that down my throat. Marriage and kids is the last damn thing on my mind. Stop putting words in my mouth!" He stopped pacing to look at her. She pointed a finger at him. "Have I EVER asked you for those things?! NO! I've never asked you for ANY type of commitment!"

"Doesn't matter." Tig shook his head in frustration. "How long can we keep pretending this is a good idea? A year, two, ten?? We're going to fall apart."

"Who's pretending? I'm perfectly fucking happy…I thought you were too." Jaci scoffed and bored a hole through him with her eyes. "Did I miss something? Were you miserable and I didn't know? Because until this week you were fine. WE were fine. And what's with hatin' on my job? What's it matter if I fix books or you fix cars?"

Tig pulled on his work shirt. "I don't fix cars, Jaci- I run guns. You know that." He said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, I know…and I don't give a shit." Jaci fired back.

She stared at him in disbelief. This relationship flip flop was coming out of nowhere and she scrambled to make sense of it. She knew he wouldn't stand in front of her and discuss it very much longer so she got to the point. "I don't know what has you thinking about all of this…shit but stop…please." She pleaded. "Let's just calm down. There's obviously something that has you all riled up. You…you're not yourself right now."

"No….I'm the same guy. You just won't look that deep." He replied flatly. He started to stalk around the kitchen as she stood watching him. He hadn't expected her to fight so hard to keep them together. He thought after all of these months she would be starting to realize she had made a mistake with him.

He muttered, "You're just not going to let go." He shook his head again. "No amount of thinking about it is going to change this. I'm going to pull you one way and you're going to try to push me another and we'll…."

Jaci raised her voice again, hating to have something done to her. "Stop saying WE like this is some sort of mutual damn decision because its not."

"For fuck's sakes…is that what you want?!" Tig had reached his limit of trying to reason and let her down easy. She was bound and determined to fight. He waved his arm around and yelled. "To keep this going until the wheels come off and we end up hating each other?" He squared up in her face. "How long do you think I can keep walking the straight line with you…for you? How long until I start fucking around on you? How long until some club fuck up lands me in jail or the fucking ground?"

He took a step back and made himself calm down for a moment before he ended up blurting that he had already crossed all of those lines. "I won't put you through all that shit. I'll save you the trouble. You need to get the fuck away from me."

"Oh, don't do me any favors, Tig." She spat. His words started hitting home with her and tears started to sting her eyes, a mixture of hurt and anger. He was really going to do it, really going to bail.

They just stood staring at each other for a long moment before he said simply, "Ok…so that's it."

"Tig, don't DO this." She stepped in front of him as he started to try and leave. She put her hand on his chest and stopped him. "Think about this...please. Let's just calm down."

Instead of pushing her out of his way and just leaving, Tig let her stop him. He was extremely upset and close to shaking with emotion. He hadn't wanted to hurt her, she just deserved so much better than him and he was trying to give her that…he just had to hurt her to do it. He sucked in a breath and pulled her closer to him. His hands found her face and he pulled their heads together. She held onto his forearms. He closed his eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry… I'm sorry."

She squeezed his arms harder and tried to hold her tears inside but his apology brought the reality of the situation crashing down around her. Tig had never apologized for anything with her, not even jokingly. An 'I'm sorry' from him was on the same importance level of an 'I love you' and she had always thought neither phrase was in his vocabulary. She slowly shook her head side to side. A few tears slid from her closed eyes as she realized things were really over between them, he was really going to walk out on her.

"Please." She whispered quietly and inside her head she willed him to stay. It made no sense for him to suddenly want to end everything…no sense at all.

A tear hit his thumb and he started to pull away from her. He kissed her forehead and then her cheek, but was very careful not to look at her face. He couldn't stand the image of her crying over him being in his head forever. He thought that image might undo him completely but she was determined to show him her pain. "I'm sorry." He said again and tried to step around her but she blocked him. He kept his eyes down and waited for her to move but she stood firm.

"Look at me." She said quietly. When he refused, she stepped closer to him. "Damnit, Tig, don't be like that. You're always so damn high on eye contact, don't change now. You look at me."

His head shot up and his eyes locked on hers. Fuck it, bring the pain. Why the hell not?

Jaci had been fully prepared to tell him that she loved him, thinking that might be the one thing to make him stop in his tracks and listen. Her brain was screaming TELL HIM, SAY IT! Fuck his 'words are bullshit' policy and tell him right now! But as she studied his eyes, she choked on the words and froze. Over the past months, she had gotten very good at reading his eyes and she could see that he knew exactly what she wanted to say…and he didn't want to hear it.

He felt as if his heart was being squeezed in his chest and he shook his head. "Jaci, don't..."

She narrowed her brow in anger. "Why? Would hearing it make this hard on you? Would you think I'm bullshitting you?"

He choked out a response. "No…it just… it wouldn't change anything."

Tig watched her face fall but she didn't move out of his way so he decided to help her. He put his hands on her hips and steered her backwards into the hall and then against the wall until her back was flat against it. He suddenly felt completely and utterly exhausted; his tank was on empty. He looked over every facet of her face. Feel the pain, asshole. Look at what you're doing to her. This is what happens when you step out of bounds, people get hurt. You never should have started this shit with her. He couldn't help himself and leaned in and kissed her slowly, waiting for her to slap him but she didn't. Instead her hands on his chest gently grabbed fistfuls of his shirt. He held the kiss for a long moment and then took a step backwards. When she tried to follow, he eased her back against the wall. "Let go." He mumbled.

Jaci stared at him, knowing something was wrong with the whole scenario, with him. "You can't tell me you WANT this."

Tig shook his head, "It has to happen."

She strained against his hands defiantly but he shoved her back against the wall, harder this time, but never breaking eye contact with her. "Stop." He warned. "You gotta let me go."

She was shocked to see tears welled up in his eyes. He stared at her for a second and then squeezed his eyes shut. Time to go. You can't fix this, don't even try to bullshit yourself. Walk away. Don't let her get ripped away from you later…just do it now. She watched his jaw clench, his eyes still closed. He slapped his hand hard against the wall in frustration once…then twice, making her jump slightly. He made himself stop, knowing that if he kept going he would punch a hole in the wall. When he opened his eyes again, they were cold and empty.

Tig pulled her hands off of him and gently shoved her back one last time. He left her standing in the hall and quickly left out the front door. Jaci just stood there, stunned. She heard his bike roar to life and then tear down the street. She blinked a few times and then finally slid to the floor as if all the air had been let out of her. The tears started to flow a minute or two later.

**

Vix pushed open the door to the house and stopped dead in her tracks causing Juice to slam into her back. She froze for only a second and then rushed to where Jaci was sitting with her head in her hands against the wall in the front hallway.

"J, what's wrong? Are you ok?!" Vix asked as she dropped to her knees in front of her sister. Her hands flew over Jaci, trying to figure what was wrong. Was she sick? Was she hurt? Vix tried to get a good look at Jaci's face but Jaci was moving away from her, trying to stand up. Vix pulled her back down; not wanting her to move until she knew what was going on. She could finally see that Jaci was crying and that scared the hell out of her. "Jaci, what happened?!!"

Juice spotted the tears at the same time as he stood in the middle of the hall, dumbfounded. Uh-oh…this isn't good.

Jaci quietly choked out, "Tig."

Vix glanced back toward the door in confusion. Tig had tore past them, headed in the opposite direction just as they had turned onto the street and now she found her sister in a crying heap in the floor. Vix's temper flared as her imagination ran wild. "Did he hit you?!"

Jaci wouldn't respond and Vix grabbed her shoulders. "Jaci, look at me...did he HIT you?!"

Juice watched Vix trying to get Jaci to talk and his stomach clenched when he heard the hitting allegation. He knew what Tig was capable of. Oh shit, dude. Please tell me you didn't do that!!!

Jaci finally stared up at Vix with defeated eyes. "No…didn't hit me." She stood up at that point and started walking toward the living room, humiliated. She was embarrassed enough over crying in the first place, never mind her sister and one of Tig's FRIENDS finding her in that condition.

"Well then what happened?" Vix scrambled to her feet and went after Jaci. She turned back to Juice and started to say 'give me a minute' but he held his hands up and said 'no problem' without a word.

Vix followed Jaci down the hall to her room. "Come on, J. Talk to me here or I am just gonna assume the worst."

"Assume it then." Jaci said flatly and slammed her bedroom door. Vix barged in behind her before Jaci could lock the door.

**

Juice sat down on the couch, a bit stunned. Vix returned to the living room a few minutes later. He looked up at her. "I thought she didn't get emotional…as a rule or something?"

"Yeah, well I think all the damn rules just got broken."

"So what happened?"

Vix was livid and paced around in front of the sofa. "I don't know, she won't say anything other than 'it's over' and she doesn't want to talk about it. I don't know who dumped who but it looks like it got ugly." She shook her head. "The breakup was bound to happen but NOT this way. There was no need for this shit!"

"What did he do?" Juice asked.

"I don't know!" Vix yelled. "She won't tell me so that means it's bad!" She kicked at the ottoman. "I am gonna go kick his ass."

Juice stood up. "No you're not."

She stopped pacing and stared at him in confusion. "He hurt my sister. He deserves ..."

"Vix, listen to me ... there are times for going in…I don't know guns blazing and there are times, like this RIGHT HERE, to tread lightly."

Vix rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah yeah. Walk softly and carry a big stick... well you know what the stick is for ... it's for rammin' up the asses of those who fuck with you!" Vix started toward the front door.

"Oh my God!" Juice grabbed his head in frustration. "Victoria!"

Hearing her given name barked at her had the desired effect, she spun around and stared at Juice. "What?!"

"Leave this alone. It's not our problem." He pleaded.

Vix closed her eyes and shook her head. "Spoken like a typical only child. You just don't seem to get that what hurts my sister... hurts me... more!"

Juice scoffed. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Her eyes flashed open, "No! But you're right... this isn't our problem... it's my problem." She glared at him, thoroughly disgusted with his lack of support and just upset with him in general. "You know…I really need to think about what is going on with the two of us. I think you should go."

Juice stood staring at her. "Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack." She replied flatly as she stepped aside to give him ample access to the open front door.

He stared at her for a few more seconds and then shook his head and walked out the door. She slammed it closed behind him.

**

Standing on the front steps of Parker Place, Juice took stock - his life since that fateful February day when Vix Parker swept into it had become a whirl wind roller coaster ride. The highs were amazingly insane and the low points were practically soul crushing, but if he was brutally honest with himself, he wouldn't trade a day of it, wouldn't change a thing... well, until right now, this minute. He wasn't ready for the ride to end - not by a long shot. He spun around and began pounding on the door, loudly and repeatedly until it was thrown open to reveal Vix standing there.

"What! What do you want, Juice?"

"You!" He said with such force that it shocked them both. "And I'm not leaving... so if that is still what you want... call Unser and have me forcibly removed."

Vix stood there momentarily stunned, staring at him. Then she stepped aside and let him back in.

THE END

Whew, it has been a LONG ride but Season 1 is finished! Thanks SO much for all of the love and support and fantastic reviews. We hope we didn't make anyone too mad with the way things ended. Please let us know your thoughts!!

We're going to take a short break and organize all of our pages and pages of ideas and then the Parkers will be back in a Season 2 centered work entitled, Walk Away from the Son.

Feel free to let us know your thoughts/hopes for the Parkers in Season 2, we have some strong ideas but nothing is written in stone…yet. Email us at parker_