Tig looked at Gracie, her cheeks were red and her chest was rising and falling quickly in her little dress. It took every bone, muscle and brainwave he had to not have her right now, against the wall. He swallowed his lust, "You're right," he said, leaning against the beat up dresser, "I think we should stay away from each other for awhile."

Gracie blinked her eyes like she didn't understand completely, "You serious?"

"Yeah, I am."

Gracie's face went blank and Tig felt his heart break. She was so damn confusing. He didn't question her love for him or his for her. She was right, he knew it; he was a danger to Ava and Gracie. He obviously couldn't keep them safe, that was obvious. Gracie adjusted her dress, ran her fingers through her hair and turned the door knob. Tig kept his head bowed, "This is the best I can do," Gracie stopped but, continued staring out the door, Tig spoke again, "For all of us."

I felt like I would puke. Our separation hadn't seemed real until now. I left Tig silently in the dorm and walked like a zombie; blank stare, arms by my sides, through the crowded clubhouse. I walked past Opie and he stared at me, concerned. I could feel him following me out into the cool air, "What'd he say to you?"

Jax quietly joined us, standing at my side as well. He was silent, waiting for my response.

"Nothing that wasn't expected," I quietly spoke, lighting a cigarette I had swiped from the bar. I blew out the hot smoke, "I suppose we will have to call it a mutual separation. Irreconcilable differences," I choked out a chuckle, "meaning neither of us enjoys getting shot at," Jax put my hand in his and Opie put his arm around me and gave a squeeze, he reminded me so much of Piney in that moment, Jax so much of John Teller.

We stood in silence, looking at the packed parking lot, in front of the garage doors. I closed my eyes and could feel myself surrounded by people who I loved and love me. I felt the presence of Piney, Donna and David. Kozik and Half Sack. The ghosts of our pasts were very much the ghosts of our present, preparing us for our futures.

The party went on, Tig stood in one corner and I stood in the other, next to Jax. I was downing the alcohol like no other, I had called Neeta and informed her that I would pick the kids up in the morning, "Sure thing, Gracie," she had said, knowing I would pay her well and Opie would probably pick them up before the night was through, "Be safe."

I took another shot of tequila and lit another cigarette, Jax walked over to me, "You should probably slow down," he said, pushing the bottle away from me.

"Tomorrow, I get to go back to being a housewife in jeans and oversized t-shirts, Jax," I said, slurring a bit, "Tonight, I'm gonna get wasted. And then, I'm going to get laid. And tomorrow, all will be well."

Jax smiled at me and shook his head, "You're a crazy bitch."

"Tell me about it, Pres," I grinned, sipping right out of the bottle. I scanned the room for someone who looked horny, so what that I wasn't. All these years with Tig, I knew that even if I didn't want some and I got it, I'd feel a hell of a lot better. There he was again, everything came back around to Tig. What I ate, what I drank, who I fucked (who I was gonna fuck) what I wore, what I packed in Kenny's lunch. I took another swig and found Tig staring at me from across the room. Again.

I lost it. I grabbed the bottle and a pack of cigarettes, Jax held out a lighter and I snatched it as I walked by, "Thanks."

I pushed my way through the ever thickening, ever rowdy club and outside. I stomped over to the ladder to the roof, put the cigarettes and lighter in my bra and climbed up with one arm and high heels. I could do anything when I was pissed.

I sat on the roof and propped my legs up on the cinder blocks in front of me. Lit another cigarette, it tasted good; that combined with the booze, I wouldn't be surprised if I woke up on the roof. I gave myself five seconds before I started crying, "Always fucking crying," I said out loud, to no one, "Crying like a little bitch, fucking Gemma doesn't cry. Tara doesn't cry… Tara's a fucking crazy bitch anyway," I sniffled and wiped my face with the back of my hands and continued my rant to myself, "And to top it all off, there isn't anyone else I want to bang here anyway. Shoulda bought a vibrator when I had the chance."

Cold wind blew in my face and the clouds above me lit up with lightning followed quickly by thunder. In a split second, giant raindrops poured out of the sky, "You gotta be kidding me," I said, sitting there already soaked in a matter of moments. I grumbled as I walked down the edge of the roof and climbed down with extreme caution. I stumbled through mud puddles probably look extremely dramatic, if not like a hooker. I saw Tig walk out of the clubhouse with a girl following him; she looked familiar but, the liquor and the rain making my makeup run made it hard for me to tell. I went into stealth mode; taking off my shoes and slinking low to the ground among the bikes, holding my shoes and bottle of booze to my chest with one arm. I crawled closer to Tig but, couldn't hear him talking over the rain. Guys were quickly walking out, reluctantly, out into the rain to pull their bikes under shelters and into the garage. I kept my cover and continued to crawl towards Tig, a headlight from a bike shone on him and the woman he was kissing; their hands all over each other. I stood straight up and Gemma saw me, quickly untangling from Tig.

Gracie's eyes were huge and when someone flicked on the big flood lights for a little extra help in the rain, Tig and Gemma could see her makeup running and her hair trying to curl back into its normal style. She adjusted the load of things in her hands and began to chuck shoes at both of them, "WHAT THE HELL?" She screeched, "You gotta be fucking kidding me!"

"Get inside, Gem," Tig said, Gemma obliged.

I watched as Gemma slunk inside, Opie and Jax came out a few minutes later. I walked up to Tig, "How long has that been going on," I cried above the rain. Tig shook his head and Opie was walking towards me, out into the rain.

"Let's go home," Opie pulled me away but, I wrenched away from.

"Fuck this bullshit," I screamed, I stormed off, still barefoot towards the street, "Do not fucking follow me." My feet were freezing as I walked down the sidewalk in the rain. I couldn't believe Tig and Gemma, something told me that this little coupling hadn't happened in the last few hours. I got a ways down the road and a pair of headlights flashed over me; figuring it was Opie, I continued to walk.

A car pulled up next to me and the window rolled down, "Excuse me, Miss, do you need a ride?"

I hollered as the rain poured down harder and the wind picked up, "Can't a girl take a walk around here?"

"Sure but, barefoot, wearing a cocktail dress and in a downpour isn't the best time," the voice called again. I looked over and saw Sherriff Eli Roosevelt in his old Jeep, "Can I give you a ride?"

"Don't really know where I want to go," I said, continuing my trudge.

"Looks like you're headed somewhere," he said, creeping along next to the curb of the sidewalk.

How about a nice trip to Go Fuck Yourselfville with a pit stop at suck my dick? I thought but, probably a better idea to take the offer. I opened the door and got in the car, it was warm in there and I realized how cold I actually was.

"Been at the party," Sherriff Roosevelt asked, he already knew the answer, "Must have been some drama."

"How could you tell," I scoffed, wiggling my toes under the heater. I looked out the window and saw we were about to pass the cemetery, "How about you take me here," I said, pointing out the window.

"Oh… okay then," he said, "I was hoping to take you somewhere not outdoors but, okay."

He stopped the car and I stepped out into the rain again, "Thanks, Sherriff."

"Want me to wait," he asked, "I can do that."

"That's okay," I smiled politely, "I've got some catching up to do with a lot of folks around here."

Roosevelt nodded, "Good luck, Miss Trager."

"Not Miss Trager anymore," I sighed, "Back to the old Gracie Learner."

"Good luck, Miss Learner," he said, rolling up the window and driving away.

My feet squished into the grass, I knelt first next to John Teller's headstone, "Well, I guess everyone knows about you now," I talked to no one as was the theme of the night, "Piney's probably told you everything. I miss him so much," I choked a little, "I need him now more than ever. Tell him I miss him, I love you both."

I carried onto the next grave, Half-Sack's, "Prospect," I said, picking up a few cigarette butts and chucking them into the bushes, "Found some new guys but, they aren't as cute," I smiled, "Or smart. A little slow."

It took some courage to see David. His mom had planted some flowers around his headstone, the rain was destroying them, "You would shit your pants if you saw Charming, Davey," I said, "To see all of us. My kid is all shot up, Opie's wife left him, Jax has two kids now – he's President. Clay is in the hospital. Piney's dead. Tig and I done."

I could see David in his khaki uniform shaking his head, disgusted, "I miss you. I keep thinking that I could just go to your house and hide for a few days but, it's still empty. Well, all your stuff is still there. Your brother mows the lawn; I see your mom has been gardening there a lot."

I stood in front of David for awhile, remembering "the good old days". A loud clap of thunder made me jump and I said good-bye, starting the long walk to see my sister. Donna was on the other side of the cemetery. I was so glad it was dark, and people couldn't see the scary lady walking around the graveyard. I probably looked like the girl from "the Ring" but with a good taste in clothes.

I sat on the wet grass and propped myself up on Donna's tombstone, stretching my legs out, "Opie said he loved me. Tig and I broke up, for real this time. I have Ava. She looks just like you. I'm living with Opie… not like that, although I don't know what he's thinking… about us. I feel like, I'm stealing your man and I don't want you to be disappointed in me," at this point, I was sobbing rather than talking, "I fucking don't know what to do or where to go at this point. Not that I ever fucking knew. I'm so tired of this shit. Crying all the time and not knowing. Always fucking asking "what now" and fucking Tig, he's been with Gemma for fuck's sake."

I heard a motorcycle pull up and turn off and I slid in the mud, in front of Donna's headstone, hiding.

"Grace," I heard Opie's voice and continued to cry. Now like a little child being caught and too embarrassed to fess up, "Grace get over here right now, Sherriff called me and told me where you were."

I cried harder, "Fucking asshole," I said to myself, shrinking lower.

I heard Opie coming closer, "Grace, come here right now! I'm cold and wet and I don't want to be out here," I screamed when two big hands grabbed a hold of me and pulled me upright, Opie was as wet as I was but, looked warmer with his heavy clothes and boots on, "What the hell, Gracie," Opie said, "I was freaking out. Thought the Niner's or something… you're shivering, dammit Gracie. Let's just go home."

Opie took my hand and walked away but, I pulled him back to me, slung my arms around his neck and kissed him. He hesitated for a moment but, lifted me up with one arm and holding my head with the others. It seemed quick, almost too quick. Opie's mouth was warm, heat radiated off of him and I was freezing, "Take me home, please," and he picked me up and carried me to his bike, I cried on his shoulder. I caught his face in the lightning and he was a picture of seriousness. He was a man on a mission.

I walked in the house and struggled with the zipper on my heavy, wet dress as I shuffled down the hallway, "Help me," I said, to Opie behind me. He carefully unclasped the hook and slid the zipper down to my underwear – lacy and black to match the dress.

I felt his lips on my shoulder and leaned back against him, "This want you want," he asked against my skin.

"I'll know in the morning."