Tig Trager was a badass old man. Still standing at a long and lean six feet tall, his dark hair had long turned silver, but it did nothing to dim his stunning blue eyes. His skin was bronzed from his time on the road, and it stood in vivid contrast to his all black garb. He looked strange as he stood in the middle of San Francisco International Airport. His black leather kutte made him an outsider, but it never mattered; Tig could make himself at home anywhere.

"I can't believe she did this alone," a sweet, dulcet voice crept in his ears, and he automatically turned in its direction. Venus. Twenty years hadn't dimmed Tig's love for the woman beside him. Like her counterpart, the woman once known as Venus van Dam aged amazingly well. Now Mrs. Venus Trager, she'd lightened her chestnut locks to a warm, dark honey shade. The waves barely skimmed the base of her throat. She garnered many stares as she walked with her handsome, burly biker. Clad in matching black, her curve skimming dress made her a polar opposite to her love, but they'd learned long ago that the stares of others meant nothing.

"I can," Tig countered. "I can completely believe she did this alone. She didn't want us interfering. I mean, she didn't even tell us where he went."

North Carolina. It was a strange place to be. To Venus, it made no sense. Why did Althea lie and say he was in Nevada? She gritted her teeth as she remembered last night's phone call. It came late at night, and when Tig answered, Venus knew that whatever news came from the other end wasn't good. Tig's tear-filled eyes and broken voice told her the basics. Chibs is dead. Althea got the call the day before. In that time, she'd fled to North Carolina, identified the body, and was now on her way back to California. The logistics threw enough confusion in the mix to make Tig forget all about Althea's initial Nevada lie. But Venus was sharp and never forgot. I can't wait to know the truth, Althea.

"He probably told her not to. Chibs would do that sometimes. He'd get the urge to ride away—especially after—" Tig swallowed his words. Venus knew her man was referring to Jax and Tara. He could never get their names out without choking up. "He needed to alone sometimes."

"But why North Carolina?" Venus questioned. "He'd never mentioned it before. Never had a big urge to be there—"

"I don't know, babe," Tig said, exasperated. Tears filled his eyes, and Venus stopped talking. "He changed after they-" He paused once more. "He didn't want a big display—and even though it pissed me off at first, I know that, deep down, and I don't want to ask questions now. He wouldn't want our tears. He wouldn't want our sadness or our anger."

"I can see it now," Venus whispered, deftly navigating the conversation out of painful memories as they breathlessly as they walked towards the gate. "Chibs is in Heaven, worrying about poor Bobby's heart and about your diabetes. He's worried about Quinn's kids and Rat's kids and Happy—well, we worry about Happy on a daily basis anyway." Venus' musical laughter sang in Tig's ears. He glanced at her for a moment and remembered that's what he first fell in love with. That laugh. That smile. Twenty years hadn't diminished the rush in his lungs when he inhaled her rose-tinged perfume. It hadn't diminished that laugh or that smile. I love you, his heart yelled.

"Althea never gave him a reason to worry," Tig returned. "She has her shit together. Always has. I can't believe how well they fit together—once they got over the bullshit." The bullshit Tig referred to was their equally fiery tempers. After Jax and Tara ran off and joined Witness Protection, SAMCRO was a shell of its former self. The remaining club members, falsely convinced Tig, Bobby, and the rest of the club of Jax and Tara's "death", rallied around Chibs as President. Chibs, in agony from his best friend's departure, lashed out on everyone he possibly could—and Althea was target number one.

"Do you think she'll be okay with us just showing up here unannounced?" Venus asked. "She was pretty adamant about us not coming."

"If she didn't want us here, baby, she shouldn't have told us she was coming home today," Tig reasoned. Venus wasn't so sure Tig's logic was on point with this one, but time would tell. It was only about half an hour before Althea and John landed.

Tig was the last thing on the sheriff's mind. Thirty thousand feet in the air, Althea Jarry stared out at the puffy cumulus clouds. John, exhausted from the stress and the travelling, rested his head on her shoulder. Althea rested against the headrest. Her body ached. She was exhausted, but she couldn't close her eyes, not for one second. If she did, she'd see Chibs' face. She'd hear his Scottish brogue and feel his lips on her cheek. It was unbearable. All she wanted was to have him by her side. She placed her hand over John's and inaudibly sighed. Her mind was full of the man she'd loved with her whole, entire heart.

"I love ye," Althea thought she heard him whisper. As tears welled in her eyes, she couldn't help but snap them shut. It was a reflex. Immediately, her lover came into view. Still dressed in his kutte, he rushed towards her. His arms and hands found her and pulled her close. She inhaled deeply, and the sharp smell of smoke and leather overcame her. "No matter what happens, I love ye. I always did, even when ye drove me ta madness."

"When I drove you to madness?" she laughed. "Do remember our first night together?"

"I'll neva forget it, lass," he stated. His scars broadened his smile. "It was a month after Jax and Tara left. Ye had come ta Teller Morrow for business—"

"And you told me to fuck off," Althea interrupted with a giggle.

"And ye slapped ma fool mouth," Chibs said.

"You deserved it," she returned.

"Aye, I did," Chibs honestly replied. "But I was too stupid fer ye and angry at ye to see what I wanted. That slap showed me yer fire, and I realized how hot it was."

"Then you kissed me," Althea murmured. "I've never been kissed like that before." Her fingers clutched the lapels of Chibs' kutte. He touched his forehead to hers, and their noses grazed one another.

"I'd nae kissed anyone like that before," Chibs jaggedly whispered.

"Why did you go?" Althea cried. "Why couldn't you just stay with me?" She heard Chibs' sharp intake of breath. Althea hadn't wanted Chibs to leave California. She didn't want him to protect Jax and Tara. In her mind, law enforcement should have handled it. Chibs wouldn't have it. In the end, Althea knew it was a lost battle, but she also had a deep gut feeling that she'd never see him alive again.

"Take care of Johnny," Chibs stated, ignoring her question. "I'll be back. I promise ye."

"Althea." Tara's voice startled the sheriff awake. She jumped, causing John's eyes to snap open.

"Are we—" Althea began.

"Yeah," Tara said nervously. "We're landing." Tara's heart began an impatient hammering against her chest. She was seated in the aisle, and Jax was on the other side. Thankfully, the seat next to him was vacant. They'd gotten lucky on the trip. Now, as they approached San Francisco, Tara was that much closer to Charming. The thought both excited and terrified her. Her eyes stared at the sapphire sky. Jax, like Althea before him, slept. Tara had tried to nudge him awake before, to no avail. She hadn't seen him sleep like that since before Abel's wedding. She hated to pull him from such peaceful dreams, but she had no choice.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking," the pilot's smooth radio-worthy voice echoed throughout the small cabin. "We are beginning our decent to San Francisco International Airport. As we make our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full and upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened—"

Tara blocked out the rest of the message. She'd been on enough planes throughout the years to know the drill. She gently nudged Jax back to consciousness. This time, it worked, and his blue eyes flew open. He looked almost startled as he gazed around the cabin and tried to get his bearings.

"We're here already?" Jax looked at his watch. Tara chuckled.

"Time flies when you sleep for the whole damned flight," Tara teased with a smile. Jax grinned back and nuzzled her cheek.

"I can't believe we're here," Jax whispered. Truth be told, Tara couldn't believe it either. She never thought she'd see California again, much less step foot in Charming. Her heart smacked against her chest.

"I can hear that," Jax said quietly. Tara kissed his forehead in response. Her eyes looked over at John and Althea again. She was awake. Though fully awake, John had shut his eyes again. As the sheriff's eyes met Tara's, Tara saw the tears glistening in their corners. Guilt flooded her as she blushed and looked away. Althea's pain was compartmentalized and regimented, but when she actually let her feelings show, the hollow ache within her soul was palpable. It was too much for Tara to bear.

"Are you going to call the kids when we land?" Jax asked. "I'm sure they're worried."

Tara sighed, welcoming the distraction. "I told Abel and Hannah I'd call them, and they could disperse the news, since they're staying at the house." That decision was made in the wee hours of the morning as Tara and Jax readied themselves for bed. Tara felt bad Hannah and Abel postponed their honeymoon, and Jax worried about them barricading themselves within their apartment. He and Tara decided that Abel and Hannah had to house-sit while they were gone. It just made sense. They could help Opie and Lala too. It was a win / win.

Jax nodded. "Makes sense. If we called everybody, we'd be on the phone all night. Do you know if Thomas and Will made it back to South Carolina?" Damn, Jax thought, it feels weird to say Thomas. I never thought he'd know his true name.

"He said he'd text Abel when he got home," Tara returned with another smile. "I guess everyone has to report to mini-Jax."

Jax laughed, but it was true. He is my mini-me. He was proud of Abel's grace throughout the process. Just before everyone parted ways, they'd gathered in the giant kitchen. As they were seated around the massive kitchen table, nostalgia pulled at Jax's heart. He couldn't help but remember a time where SAMCRO was okay. If he closed his eyes, he could see them all: a happily married Gemma and Clay, Juice before his paranoia and self-doubt took over, Piney and Opie candidly talking while Donna held her husband's hand. The feelings Jax experienced as he looked at the family he created was no different than the feelings he had towards the family that created him.

"How long are you going to be gone?" Thomas had asked. Will was at his side. Jax was warming up to his son's partner, and that was surprising, especially to Jax. The love was strong between Thomas and Will; anyone could see that. One day, Jax thought, Will won't be just a man in my son's life. He'll be my son-in-law. What surprised Jax more than anything was that he welcomed the thought. The support Will had given Thomas during the craziness was much appreciated and had earned Will plenty of brownie points.

"I don't know, son," Jax replied. "It depends on what we encounter there. Your mother and I intend on getting Chibs back to Charming, attend the funeral, and try to come home."

"In theory, we shouldn't be gone more than a week or two, tops," Tara interrupted. "In the meantime, Abel is going to stay with the twins, Lucius, and Victor to make sure everything stays calm."

"Abel and Hannah don't have to stay with us, Mama," Opie said. "We're old enough to care for ourselves, and we'll have Lucius and Vict—"

"We've had this discussion," Tara began. "And at the risk of sounding crude, I know damned well that Lucius will be doing more than just protecting you." Her daughter flushed crimson with embarrassment.
"Besides, there's safety in numbers. With only Thomas and Will away, I feel much better having you all together."

Opie was annoyed. She hated when Tara was right, but she also knew there was no swaying her mother once she'd set her mind to something. Apparently, tenacity was a family trait.

"Be glad we're allowing Lucius and Victor there at all," Jax interjected, and Opie was silenced. Tara smiled at the memory as the pilot's voice poured into the cabin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at San Francisco International Airport. Please make sure your seat belt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any cups and glasses. Thank you."

Tara inhaled deeply. This is really happening. I'll be in Charming in a couple hours. Chills raced up her spine. Then what?

"Flight attendants, prepare for landing."

Panic settled in Tara's chest as she clutched Jax's hand. Her eyes locked with his, and he smiled. It wasn't a smile of joy or excitement—it was fearful and brave. He's just as frightened as I am.

"Cabin crew, please take your seats for landing."

The attendants and crew took their seats, and within seconds, they were making their decent. Tara wanted to scream, No, wait! I'm not ready! Pictures of her Charming life—her childhood home, the high school, Opie and Donna's house, Gemma's house, the Clubhouse, St. Thomas—they all flooded her mind and confused her. Anxiety filled her chest and her throat. I can't do this. I can't fucking do this. Why did I come? Why?

Jax grasped her hand and leaned towards her.

"Breath, baby," Jax whispered in her ear. She opened her mouth and inhaled. She'd forgotten to breathe. As oxygen filled her lungs, the edge eased, and even though complete and utter terror filled her, she knew she'd be alright.

"They're here," Venus said. She'd been nervously watching the gates change on the monitor. As Flight 318 changed from Landed to At Gate, a strange sensation sank into Venus. Goosebumps raced up and down her arms, and she shivered.

"You cold, baby?" Tig asked. He draped a casual arm over his beloved, but sensing her tension, he pulled her close. "You're shaking."

"Yeah," she exhaled. "I just felt like—like—" Like a ghost just went through me. She didn't dare say it out loud, but that's exactly what she felt. A strange, alien notion drifted through her, and she was scared. Fear wasn't something to which Venus was accustomed. With Tig, she was fearless. She could distinctly remember the last time she shook like that. She'd never forgotten it. It was a vendetta gone horribly awry.

First I'm going to fuck you. Then I'm gonna grab your boys and do the same to them. Then I'll be merciful and kill them in front of you. Then I'll fuck you again and kill you.

Izzy. The night had brought Tara home from the hospital. She'd endured seven long months on hospital bedrest due to blood clots in her lungs. The night they arrived at Gemma's had been shattered by a murder at Teller-Morrow, and while Jax and SAMCRO went to investigate, Jax's old enemy Izzy came back to destroy Tara and the boys. She was still pregnant with the twins. Venus remembered it well. It sometimes plagued her dreams. The bastard is going to kill them. I have to stop it. Venus swallowed hard. She shook harder as her eyes snapped shut. She heard the bastard's voice as he spoke to a very pregnant Tara.

What did we do to deserve that? Tara's beautiful voice played in her ears. Venus was back in Gemma's house. The welcome home party. Nero's dying breaths were the only sound she heard as she crept form the shadows, gun in hand.

You didn't think you were alone, did ya? Shows how ridiculously dumb you are. Drop the gun, you sonofabitch. Venus heard the sound of metal hitting tile. Don't fucking move, you bastard.

Look, I—It suddenly occurred to Izzy to plead for his life.

I don't give a fuck. Venus was taken aback by her own words as memories overcame all her senses. She was there, in Gemma's living room, reliving the night Delylah and Ophelia were born. I heard everything you said to this beautiful woman. You said—

"What the fuck?" Tig's voice interrupted Venus' thoughts. Her eyes fluttered open, and she turned towards Tig. His eyes were saucers, big, beautiful, blue saucers.

"I told you not to come, Tig." Althea. Still half-dazed, Venus barely heard her, but the anger was clear. Unsure of where to look, she turned in the direction of her husband's gaze. She didn't even hear her own gasp as her vision cleared.

Ghosts. Althea Jarry, clad in all black, stood next to her son, but that was far from shocking. It was what was behind them that caused Venus to cry out.

"Jax?" Tig's eyes overflowed. Shock and dismay covered his finely chiseled features. His eyes roamed Jax's face for a moment before they lit upon Tara. Haunted souls seemed to hover freely about them as Tig felt Venus shake harder by his side. He looked at Althea, truly convinced he was seeing things. A tight nod from the diminutive sheriff confirmed that neither Tig nor Venus were crazy. "Tara?"

"I told you I'd see you at the clubhouse," Althea admonished. "I was going to do this slowly. This is too much now, especially with Filip-"

Tig wasn't listening. He was feeling. Every guilt tinged moment that had passed through his body, every fucked up dream, and every agonizing thought of the past bubbled within his gut and traveled to his heart. With Venus' hand firmly closed within his, they walked towards them—towards Althea and John, towards Jax and Tara.

The look on Tig's face was something Tara expected. It was exactly what she thought it'd be: a mask of horror, of joy, of anger, of elation. It was the strangest and most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Venus was openly crying, and as Tara held her arms out, she realized she was sobbing herself. It was bound to happen. Their departure eighteen years prior was too short—she and Jax and the kids said their goodbyes, knowing their fake deaths would be the next news they'd hear. At least Jax and Tara knew it'd be a final goodbye. Tig and Venus didn't have that luxury. Only Chibs knew the truth, Tara thought sadly. And now he's gone.

No words were exchanged as Tig and Jax stood face-to-face. Eighteen years apart had aged both men, but that didn't matter. The history they shared spoke volumes as they just stared. Althea and John moved to the side, close to Venus and Tara. The women embraced quickly, forgetting the pain of their absence from one another's lives, but when they parted, they were both astounded to see the bikers still staring at one another.

"You're alive," Tig croaked. He wasn't thinking as his hand reached up and lightly clutched Jax's face. "I have to make sure." Tig's voice was tinged with the explanation.

"It's true," Jax said simply. "I'm alive. I always have been."

Tig reached out and pulled Jax in close. Rivers of tears fell from both Jax and Tig's eyes as they clutched one another. Eighteen years of pain melted away, and it was as if they were back at Teller-Morrow, saying goodbye. They sobbed as they remembered that moment—they sobbed as they both completely understood why Jax was home. He'd returned to bury a man they both loved. A brother. The explanation of almost two decades away in Witness Protection—the kids—the wedding—the IRA—none of that mattered now.

The only thing that mattered in the midst of the mad reunion was Chibs. As Jax and Tig broke apart, the absence of the Scot was huge. Both men knew, no matter what happened before, during, or after those lost years, it didn't matter. Chibs wasn't locked away in prison or Witness Protection. There would never be a reunion like this one, no matter how much they prayed for it. After almost two decades of lies, the truth between them all was heartbreaking and simple: Filip Telford was gone, and he was never coming back.