Lyla told her that Jax, Chibs, and Tig made it out of County and it was only Opie that came home in a body bag. Jax told her that he was murdered by another prisoner, during a riot on the inside. They were holding a wake at the clubhouse, a celebration of his life as a Son. Ari told her she'd make it back in time for that.

She asked if Jax called. Ari told her no. Her friend was silent on the other line. "I'm sorry Arianne. I'm not sure why he wouldn't let you know. Maybe he knew I would... I just caved, I don't know what to do here," she sobbed. "The kids, they're not even mine, how can I be a mother to them? First their mom, and now him...Ari, please come home."

"I'll be there soon," she assured her friend. "Almost home. I'll see you tonight." And she hung up.

The clubhouse was packed by the time she returned. The parking lot was filled with bikes and low riders, trucks and cars. Arianne saw Jax's bike and parked hers next to his. Then she made her way inside.

When she entered, she heard a collective gasp echo through the room. Members from the other Charters recognized Ari and went up to her to offer condolences. She was being suffocated by old, drunk men who tried to offer their sympathies. But none of it meant anything because she knew they'd forget the next day. She was pissed and could barely contain herself. Ari knew Jax was watching, thanking the Gods that Arianne was being distracted. He was surrounded by the rest of the guys at the front of the queue. Tara was at his side.

"I take it you didn't call her," Chibs asked Jax. He shook his head. Chibs groaned. "Damn it, Jackie... I'll be back. Let me get her away from those guys."

Chibs made his way over to Ari and the men dispersed as he got closer. Chibs had always been a father figure to her and she was glad for his rescue. "Sorry about that, kid," he said as he wrapped his arms around her. She looked past him and spotted Lyla with Gemma. "Lyla needs me," she said. Chibs walked beside her and led her to her friend without any more interruptions.

"Oh Ari, thank God you're here," Lyla ran to her and hugged her tight. It looked a little awkward as Lyla was the taller woman of the two, but she returned the gesture and let her friend sob into her shoulder. Gemma stood and gave them a look of remorse before approaching Ari and giving her a kiss on her forehead.

"Hey baby," she started. Gemma began to pull Lyla off of Arianne. "Sweetheart," she whispered into Lyla's ear. "Ari needs to say goodbye too."

Lyla broke off reluctantly, as she grabbed hold of Ari's left hand. "I'm sorry Ari, I am so sorry..."

Gemma led Lyla off as if she was doing Ari a favor. "Go ahead babe, I got her."

Arianne didn't want to say goodbye. She wanted her brother. When she turned, he was there. Opie was in full display, wearing his everyday gear. And wearing the kutte that killed him. A chair was placed in front of his coffin, as if everyone expected Arianne to showcase her grief.

"Were you gonna keep this from me?" She called to Jax from across the room.

Chibs was immediately at her side. "Not here Arianne," he put his arms around her. "C'mon, we'll go to the office and you and Jax can settle it there."

She shrugged him off and pushed Chibs away. "No. He answers to me, now." Jax stepped forward.

"Yah, I was," he simply replied.

A bomb exploded inside of her and she went off. She charged towards Jax, but was instantly pulled back by Chibs. Bobby rushed forward to help. "How dare you?! How could you let this happen? First my old man and now Opie...My brother, Jackson..." She couldn't finish. Ari tried to fight off Chibs and Bobby. "Let me go, Chibs! Let me go!" she screamed.

Jax nodded and the two men loosened their hold on Ari. She turned away from them and straightened out her jacket. The tears finally fell. She saw the chair and sank down into it. "How could you let this happen, Jax?" she repeated.

He didn't respond and that infuriated her even more. Ari leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees. She had her hands interlaced together as if in prayer. "God this hurts so much," she thought. Chibs was crouched beside her, rubbing her back, offering her solace that Jax refused to give her. She stared at her brother's face.

"What are you going to do Jackson?" She called out again.

Jax smirked and put his arm around Tara. "I won't run, that's for sure."

This asshole, did he just?! Ari brought her thoughts out into the open. "You have some nerve, Jax." She eyed down Tara. That wiped the smirk off his face.

Tara looked up at him and then back at Ari. "What does she mean?" She asked.

"Whatever the fuck you want it mean, Tara," Ari responded. She enunciated ever word, letting it sink in. Tara frowned at Jax and walked out of the room.

"Don't make this about you and I, Arianne," he said.

She stood up and Chibs rose with her. "Princess," he pleaded. "Enough."

She turned towards Jax. "But it is, Jackson. You of all people, knew how important this man is to me, and YOU couldn't bring him home. YOU, are the reason he's dead." She could cut old wounds open too. Ari collapsed back onto the chair. Her grief had finally overcome her.

Chibs went back to "over-protective father" mode and tried to comfort Ari. Jax stood over her and said, "When you're ready, I'll be in the office."

Ari wanted Jax to shut up. Every word that came out of his mouth only triggered negative feelings. What was he going to say that she didn't already know?! She knew her brother too well. She knew he sacrificed himself for Jax and the club. His conscience was eating at him in the end, so it was natural for Opie to find this as an escape.

She stopped crying long enough to reply, "Jax, save it. I already know."

He got the hint and walked away, heading towards the office to deal with the loss of his best friend alone. Jax spoke to a younger man with a pair of tribal tattoos on his head. He pointed at Ari and patted the man on his chest. The young man glanced at her, nodded his understanding, then shook Jax's hand. He walked up to Ari to introduce himself as Juice Ortiz...