I swear it seems like everytime I update this story its in massive chapter uploads. This was such a hard chapter to write-hence the reason it so short- and it actually made my poor unsuspecting sister cry her eyes out when she went to proof read it for me . . . so here's the warning for that. Its sad . . . but i don't think too sad. Thanks for all of the reviews, alerts and favs! The support really does mean the world to me . . . Okay. enough blathering. On with the show . . .


Tig stood just inside the doors of Powle Mortuary's preparation room and watched Ripley examine LuAnne's body one last time before nodding to the attendant. He'd sworn he'd be here for this and he was keeping his word. And he was glad he had . . . The staff here had agreed that they could cover the most substantial damage and bruising so there could be a proper wake and burial . . . with an open casket. He sighed, watching his girl carefully as her eyes followed the curtain the man pulled around LuAnne effectively shielding her from sight before nodding his head towards the other table. Now all they had to do was deal with London . . .

Ripley had already told him she knew they wouldn't be able to do anything for London and the extent of her injuries would make embalming her remains a huge hassle . . . not to mention worthless. So she was going to cremate her . . . something they had apparently discussed over the course of their relationship. This final viewing was more for Ripley to have the opportunity to say her final goodbyes than to actually sign off on anything . . . The cremation would happen tomorrow morning prior to LuAnne's funeral and the ashes would be released to her the next day . . . Opie and Piney were going to come with her to collect them and he was thankful. The Winstons would be able to help her and comfort her without her feeling the need to close off like she had with the rest of them . . . even him.

He sighed, running a hand over his face as Ripley and the attendant discussed the process for tomorrow. He'd already cleared it with Clay that as soon as all of this shit was settled he and Ripley were taking off for the coast and staying a few days . . . it's where she wanted to scatter London's ashes . . . Both women had loved the sea and Ripley had confided in him early this morning while he held her as she sobbed that she could at least do that for her. Put her somewhere she loved and pray that the serenity of everything could grant her the peace her death had lacked. Tig had just about broken down and called the Club, refusing to go at the sheer despair in her voice as she spoke . . . but she'd insisted. The sooner he left the sooner he could come back. And she didn't trust anyone else to watch over Gemma.

Her hitch in breath had him moving to hold her as the attendant slowly pulled the curtain back and folded down the sheet covering what was left of the sweet and confident girl that kept the other pieces of Ripley's heart. As she turned and burrowed her nose into his cut he was overcome with the sudden desire to grab her up and drag her away from this. All of it . . . This wasn't London . . . nothing on this table even resembled his Old Lady's lover- the only thing to him at least- that identified her was the tattoo over her heart. The Japanese kanji for chaos was stenciled into the pale ashen and torn flesh, the dark lines still surprisingly clean and stark in the middle of the large slashes that covered the torso.

He closed his own eyes, pulling Ripley just a bit tighter as he felt her shoulders shake with the force of her tears. Had it really just been a few days ago that he'd been with both of them? Watching Ripley trace that very symbol with her tongue and nip at the flesh around it as London had leaned back and into his chest, his arms under her and over her shoulders to steady her as her head lulled back . . . He could still hear her throaty little moans as Ripley chuckled against her flesh, leaning up to kiss her before moving from her lips to his. He'd savored the kiss, tasting both of their lips on hers as she showed him the same amount of attention she did the guest in their bed . . .

He shook himself, petting Ripley's curls as her sobs started to weaken and she turned to look at the girl-her girl-with teary red rimmed eyes. He nodded to the attendant and the man took the hint, slipping out of the room to give them the privacy Ripley so desperately needed. As soon as the door shut quietly, Ripley slipped from his arms and brushed London's bangs from her face, tracing the torn and battered flesh gently and lovingly as new tears overran her lashes and made wet trails down her cheeks. She drew in a shuddering breath before dipping and very carefully placed a chaste kiss on London's lips, mindful of the angry and brutal slash that marred her own perfect and pouty smile.

Tig watched her move and press her forehead to her girl's and felt his black heart break as her tears fell and traveled down London's face, making it seem like the dead girl was crying right beside Ripley at their final farewell. He was so busy trying not to choke up that he almost didn't see her lips moving as she kept her eyes closed, tears spilling faster as she cupped London's face. And when her words registered he swore to God that he would hunt down the bastard that did this and make them pay.

"I am so sorry, baby . . . I am so, so sorry . . . I should've made you stay . . . I should've told you, God I should've told you I love you . . . I love you . . . and now you're gone baby and you're never gonna know . . . you're never gonna know what you mean to me. What you'll always mean to-"

Tig stepped forward, pulling her back to him as she started sobbing again. He kissed her forehead as he rubbed her arms, holding her to him as he spoke. He didn't know where the words came from but he was glad they flowed freely . . . He hated seeing her like this-hated seeing London like this- but all he could do at the moment was hold her and try to comfort her. Even if he didn't really believe all of what he said . . . he just knew it was helping her . . .

"She knew Baby Girl. She knew . . . she still does and always will . . . C'mon sweetheart. I know you don't want to but . . . you need to tell her goodbye . . . You need to do that for both of you . . ."


Ripley felt the tears fall even harder as she nodded, leaning into the comfort he was offering. She knew he was right . . . but God this hurt . . . She stepped away from him, leaning down and kissing London for the last time ever. Her tired and hurting eyes raked over her face, trying to take in every detail and replace the carnage with the beauty that was once there. She pressed her forehead against hers again, whispering her final words to one of the most important people in her world. Tig was her soul-the one person who would always be able to steady her as they tried to balance one another-but London had been her heart for a long time . . . And even after they'd parted ways to go on to other things she'd kept a good piece of it. A piece she was taking to the grave with her . . . She made her a promise, then and there . . . and knew she would die to fulfill it.

"I swear on my father's grave I will destroy whoever did this to you; I will make them pay . . . They'll lose twice as much for every bit of you they desecrated and defiled, every cut that pierced your skin . . . I swear. I love you London Aikido . . . bye Baby. I miss you . . ."

Tig watched her pull away and saw the coldness there in those pretty blue green eyes . . . right before she darted towards the door and down the hall. Probably going to be sick. Again. He looked after for a moment turning back and looking over what was left in this world of London Aikido. He moved, reaching down and cupping her face, brushing the abused cold skin with the rough pad of his thumb. What a fucking waste . . . He leaned down and dropped a kiss on her brow, smoothing her bangs as he spoke.

"I'm working on keeping my promise to you girl. But I'm making you a new one . . . one just between us. I will make sure you get what you deserve . . . and I won't let our girl fall . . . Be at peace, Baby Girl . . .One of you deserves to be . . ."

And with that, he turned to collect his probably sobbing retching Old Lady to take her to the Club. Clay and Unser wanted to see her and as much as he hated it he had to get on the road to Oregon. Because the sooner he got down to business the sooner he could come back home to his girl . . . He just prayed she would be okay while he was gone.


Like i said before . . . short and sad . . . but don't worry there's more . . .