A/N: I can't believe we've made it this far. Onwards and upwards from here! It's almost on to season 4 for us! Thanks for bearing with me this long. Next up everyone finds out. =) I also wanted to let you know that I love you all, very, very, very much. Thank you for being the amazing readers that you are!

R&R if you have the chance. I love hearing from you *hearts*

Song inspiration: With or Without You - U2

Disclaimer: Sutter owns SOA

I slammed the door shut behind me. I winced at the sound but kept moving forward. I glanced into the kitchen but it was empty. I looked over into the living room and it had been tidied up. All of Kozik's things were gone and the couch resembled a couch again. I creased my eyebrows together. Hadn't I just left Kozik and Tig standing outside the mayor's office? How could all his stuff be gone already? I sighed and shuffled down the hall towards my room. I pushed the half opened door wide open and found Nev, shoving all her clothes into her back pack. I stood still for a moment just watching her. I knew it would be soon. She wasn't the type to hang around for long. It was one of the reasons why I loved her. I was never the type to easily root up my life and leave. I admired that trait in her. She always stayed the right amount of time and then would leave. Off to find another adventure.

It was if she sensed that I needed some time to myself. She always just knew. My heart burst at the fact that she was going to leave, but I knew she wouldn't leave if she didn't think it was the right timing. Sometimes she knew me better than I knew myself. With misty eyes I sniffed and decided to make myself known.

"You're leaving me?" I questioned.

She startled and turned around to me. When she registered me standing there she visibly relaxed and offered me her sweetest smile. I rolled my eyes at her, trying to hide my own.

"Where're you off too?"

She shrugged, "Kozik offered me his bed for the next little while. Something's going down with the club and Tig's going away for a while."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I pondered, while sitting down on the edge of my bed.

Nev joined me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, "Obviously, I didn't get the whole story, but it sounds like they're getting locked up. Most of the Sons."

I frowned, "All of them?"

Nev let out an exhale that sounded like a laugh, "No, not all of them. Especially not the one you're thinking about."

I shoved her sideways, "I'm not thinking about anyone."

"Sure you aren't." Nev rolled her eyes.

She stood back up and zipped her back pack closed. I watched her make sure that she'd packed everything up and then she turned back to me. She was silent for a minute. She was thinking of how to word her thoughts.

I sighed, "Just get it out."

I threw myself backwards onto my bed and stared up at the ceiling. She was never one to gloss over. She always told me like it was. While I tried to empty my mind of him, Nev's face hovered over mine.

"I know what you're trying to do. You can't stay mad forever. Tig told me everything. Including a few bits that you don't know about. Things that are only for Telford to tell you. He's not done with you, y'know. He's not going to just let you go that easily."

I shook my head at her, "He's been back almost two whole days and I still haven't heard anything from him."

"So?" Nev continued, "You going to tell me you wouldn't have slammed the door in his face if he showed up?" I gave her a pointed look and she nodded, "See? You aren't ready for him to apologize. He's waiting for the right moment. For both of you. Kozik mentioned that he's been on edge since getting back. Ever since they found out about Tara. He's been persistent in making sure that all the women have been taken care of. You think he's doing that just for the club? No. You're forefront in his mind."

I groaned, mad that she was making so much sense. "I don't like you sometimes."

She laughed at my murmur and dropped down onto the bed, lying next to me. We snuggled in closer together.

"Promise me one thing." She met my eyes with hers, "Promise that when he does come for you, that you'll at least listen to what he has to say."

I narrowed my eyes at her, ready to say no but she raised her eyebrows at me. I let out a groan of exasperation and she grinned.

"Good." She sat up grabbing a bag and pointing to the other, "Now help me pack all this onto my bike."

I grunted and tossed over, attempting to stay put but Nev shoved her fingers into my side making me wriggle around until I got off the bed. I huffed and straightened out my clothes before grabbing her duffel bag and following out to the driveway. I waited until Nev had her duffel bag secured on the back of her bike. I reached out for her and squeezed my arms around her shoulders. She squeezed back.

"Any plans for when you leave Kozik?" I asked as we pulled apart.

She straddled her bike and pulled her helmet on. She slid the visor up and shrugged, "Go down to LA, visit the parents. Then I don't know. Work a bit. Save some money and go to another warm country?"

I chuckled at her, "You never were one to stay put for long."

I gave her a wide grin and she blew me a kiss. She jumped down, turning the bike on and into first gear. She let it rumble for a minute before starting to back away.

When she reached the street she called out, "I want to hear everything. Call me and let me know how it goes."

I shook my head at her and waved her off. She snapped the visor on her helmet back down and sped off down the street. I sighed. I was alone again. For the first time in a while. I hadn't expected Nev to stay long. She never did. I was going to miss her. At least she'd be around for a few more days. At least before she decided she was bored of Kozik. I had no idea how that situation ended up the way it did. Both Tig and Kozik seemed to be perfectly fine with their arrangement. Once Nev was out of sight I turned back towards the house.

The house felt empty as I stepped through the door. Of course it actually was, but it felt lived in when I had everyone in and out all the time. Now it would just be me. If Nev was right, Tig would be in jail. For who knows how long. I thought of Rosen. Maybe I could swindle some information out of her. Take her out for drinks or something. Try and get all the details of SAMCRO's charges and length of jail time. At least it would give me a side project and something to keep my mind busy while I was at home on the weekends. I mindlessly walked around my house, taking note of all the little changes. Tig's wallet no longer sat the particular spot on the coffee table. Kozik's cut wasn't hung up in the closet. Nev's towel wasn't hanging next to mine on the hook in the bathroom.

On my way back into my bedroom I decided I needed a nap. The spike of adrenaline that had been keeping me afloat finally faded and exhaustion hit me. I yawned and began rummaging through my laundry hamper in search of my favourite pyjama shorts. Nearing the bottom I found a black SAMCRO hoodie. I laughed, realizign that Tig or Koz must have left it behind. I yanked it out and a strong scent wafted towards me. I blinked three times before the fog in my mind dissipated. It wasn't Tig's, nor Kozik's. I was smelling his cologne. This was Chibs' sweater. I didn't think there was anything of his still here. I hadn't gotten rid of anything on my own, but Ihad suspicion's that Tig went through all my stuff and took Chibs' clothing back to the clubhouse. He must have missed this. How long had it been sitting at the bottom of my laundry hamper? When was the last time I actually did any laundry? I could remember doing laundry but it was always just in the room already. I never took anything in there with me.

His scent brought everything back. All the smiles, laughs and good times. I wanted those back. I didn't want any of the pain. I bunched the sweater into a ball and brought it to my nose. I breathed in deeply, letting my eyes flutter close. A warm smile broke out across my face. I could let myself linger. At least for a little while. I unzipped my skirt and tossed it into the hamper. I undressed down to just my bra and underwear. I wrapped Chibs' oversized hoodie around me. I didn't bother rolling up the sleeves. I wanted to feel his arms around me again. I crawled onto my mattress, tugged the blankets back and snuggled down into my pillows. I wrapped my arms around my torso and pulled my knees up to my chest. I still had one real thing of his. I would allow myself this one vice. All snuggled up in my bed I closed my eyes and let myself drift into a deep sleep.

~(xXx)~

He pulled up to her house, noticing that all the lights were out. He licked his top teeth. Her car was parked in the driveway but it seemed like she wasn't home. He turned off his Harley, deciding that it didn't matter. He'd wait on her doorstep all night if he had too. Out of habit, he walked up to the garage door, pulled it open and stepped in. He let the door roll close behind him and found himself on autopilot. Everything seemed exactly the same, like he'd never left. As if he'd never been in the accident. He was coming back home. Home to his Lacey.

He reached out for the doorknob, reality rushing over him again and turned. He paused in shock, finding that it was unlocked. He took a deep breath before pushing the door in. The house was silent. No noise coming from anywhere. She definitely wasn't home. He felt like an intruder but couldn't help venturing inside. He gazed around the darkened kitchen and could still make out all the same furniture. The table was still sitting under the front window. He slipped his boots off and lined them against the wall next to the door. Another habit he developed. He pulled out the nearest chair and sat down. The memory of Lacey giving him a massage in one of these chairs bounced into his memory. He closed his eyes and let his head fall backwards.

Everything had been simple with her. That's what he wanted. Her simplicity. She was never jealous, never dramatic. It was always just about them. They never needed anything else. They just needed each other and each other's time. He reminisced on all the stolen lunch breaks, the quiet glances from across the street, each time he kissed her, and told her she was beautiful. He missed her long hair and the comfort it gave him to run his fingers through it. He imagined the way her eyes lit up when she laughed and a lazy smile formed on his lips.

He'd stay right here. Wait for her to come back. He had no idea what he was going to say, but he'd figure it out. All he knew was that he wanted her back in his life.

~(xXx)~

The sudden sensation of falling woke by abruptly. I opened my eyes to darkness. I was lying on my front, face down in the pillows. I pushed up on my hands and stared down at my pillow. What had I been dreaming about that made me feel like I was falling? I shook my head, my hair swishing all around. I sat back on my knees and scooped all my hair over one shoulder. I was pleasantly warm and knew it was because I was still wearing his sweater. I sat there for a full minute trying to decide if I was going to go back to bed or not. I swallowed and grimaced at the feeling. My mouth and throat were dry. I needed something to drink. I slipped out of bed and stretched my arms above my head. I was still pretty tired. One glass of water and then I'd be back in here to sleep the rest of the night away.

I trudged through the black house, wondering what time it was. I noted that I had forgotten to leave the stove light on but shrugged it off. I stepped into the kitchen and turned for the fridge immediately. Once I was in front of it. I leaned over and flicked the light switch on the wall next to the garage door. I closed my eyes at the sudden light and pulled the fridge door open. I grabbed a bottle of water and opened the cap. I took a swig of the cold liquid before closing the door. I stepped to the side, letting the door close and tripped over a pair of shoes. I swore out loud and gazed down. It only took a moment before I recognized them. I only knew one person who wore those boots.

"Lace?"

My eyes widened as I heard the brogue of his accent fill my kitchen. The sound of a chair scraping against the tiled floor broke my concentration. Shock rippled through me and I heard the clinking of his pocket chain. A shiver ran down my spine. I whipped my head up in the direction where all the noise was coming from. My heart jump started and I found it hard to swallow. He stopped short, seeing the utter surprise written all over my face. I straightened out and without realizing it had happened, tears began streaming down my cheeks.

~(xXx)~

He held his breath, waiting for her to adjust. Had he known she was home he would've knocked or something? He had no idea she'd been home this entire time. Sleeping by the looks of it. In his hoodie to boot. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and wrap his arms around her but he knew she wouldn't be comfortable with the affection just yet. He would have to explain himself first. He watched the emotions flit across her face and before she knew it, she was crying. He noticed when she figured it out because her hand lifted to her cheek to feel the dampness there. He bit his lower lip, grasping desperately for some sort of explanation. How could he readily tell her that he was back and wanted her as well? She wasn't just going to accept his word. Not when he'd left out all information about his wife from her. His heart squeezed at the thought of how she found out and then it dawned on him. He did have a way to explain the situation to her. He had the perfect solution to their problem.

He held his hands up in a sign of surrender for her. Then without much warning he reached for his left hand, and tugged on the silver band around his ring finger.

~(xXx)~

I creased my eyebrows at his sudden show of innocence. I wanted to yell at him. Tell him to stop messing around. We both knew this wasn't going to end pretty. Why would he show up unannounced and enter my house. I narrowed my eyes at him as he moved his right hand. What stupidity was he about to feed me? What I wasn't prepared for was when he reached for his ring. My eyes widened as he tugged it up over his knuckle and placed it lightly down on the counter next to him. I held my breath, staring at the lone wedding band. What was he trying to communicate to me? Did that mean what I thought it did? I stared up at him and saw the crooked smile on his mouth. The pleading in his eyes and then I turned back to the ring. I tried to breathe in but I ended up taking three short breaths instead.

Without looking at him I whispered, "For me?"

He took two steps forward, leaving the ring behind. My breathing hitched again. I lifted my gaze and met his.

He nodded, "It was time to move on. It was time…. For you."

I blinked a dozen times, trying to comprehend everything that was happening.

"Your wife?" I stuttered.

"Not anymore."

Everything raced through my mind and I stomped one foot down on the ground. He stopped his advance towards me and I glared.

"What took you so long?"

I needed to know why it took him almost three days to come to me. Three more days of me questioning everything we had.

His smile drooped, "I… I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't know how to apologize."

I rolled my lips together. This wasn't what I expected. I thought we'd never speak again. I thought we were done. Without giving myself a chance to overthink everything I threw myself at him. My arms constricted around his neck and I buried my head into his neck. I knocked him backwards, and he stumbled a bit but caught me. He embraced me as tightly as I did him. The smell of his worn leather, cigarettes and his cologne attacked my senses. I breathed in deeply, never wanting to let the smell leave again.

"Chibs." I murmured into his skin.

He hoisted me up, securing my legs around his hips. He turned towards the counter and rested my bottom on the top of it. I clung to him even tighter, never wanting to let him go. I wasn't about to lose him, not after being given this second chance. His lips pressed against the side of my head and I sagged into him.

His hands tugged lightly against the sweater and I heard his low mumble, "This is mine."

I pulled back enough that our noses touched.

I shook my head, "It's mine now."

He gave me his crooked smile again and I nudged his face up. I brushed my lips against his, still unsure of how much of a reunion this was. His body relaxed at the light touch and he pushed into it. I sighed as his lips moved against mine. I threaded my fingers through his hair, tugging on the ends. I pulled his face a centimeter away from mine.

I waited until he opened his eyes again and I murmured, "I missed you."

"As did I." He answered.

Together we threw ourselves into the next kiss. His hands roamed my body, careful to keep above the sweater. I slipped my hands underneath his cut and began sliding it off his shoulders. He let me pull the item off of him and place it on the counter next to us. Before he could get any other ideas, but body decided now was the time to yawn again. I groaned and backed away, covering my mouth with the back of my hand. He chuckled and pulled me down from the counter.

He wrapped his arm around my hip and pressed a chaste kiss to my temple.

"Come on luv, let's go back to bed."

I twined both my arms around his torso and let him lead me back to my bedroom. Together we climbed into my bed. He pulled the covers over us and I scooted closer to him, moulding my body into his side. I slung one leg over his and left mine to rest between both of his. My arm spanned his chest while one of his dipped under my head and curled around to my waist. I left a warm kiss on his neck and he chuckled.

"Sleep Lace." He murmured, "I'll still be here in the morning."

I clung to him tighter at his words and he turned his head towards mine. Together we both fell back asleep. Happy to be back in each other's embrace.