AN: This was plot bunny that got in my head. Should it be more than a one-shot? I don't own SOA, just walking through Kurt Sutter's world.
Tig sighed as he stared into the sunset on the Mokelumne River. It wasn't a long ride to this part of Lodi by a long shot, just enough for the noise of Charming to fade. Thoughts of Donna and his betrayal of Opie circled in his head. He needed whatever peace he find before having to head back.
"Get away from the bike assholes!" A female voice yelled. He turned seeing some punk teenagers trying to do something.
"Whatever," they sneered. She just moved forward grabbing the one closet to his bike and bending his hand. The scream let out made Tig smile as he rose. His friend was just standing there, unsure of what to do.
"You do touch, even fuckin' breathe on another man's bike. But considering," here the woman kicked out the teen's leg so he was kneeling. "…your lack of intelligence consider this your lesson."
"Let him go you crazy bitch," the other said. Tig growled at that.
"That's no way to treat a lady," Tig moved next to the woman.
"Fuck man, we didn't know it was your bike and old lady," The teenager not in pain bolted.
"You have a bad taste in friends," the woman said releasing the teen who bolted just like his friend.
Tig turned to the woman, sizing her up. He was impressed both by her defending of his bike and her physical skills. She was average height with platinum hair that free flowed to mid-chest. He briefly wondered if was natural or not, as he scanned her muscle-toned body.
"I'm Finley Alexander," the woman said causing a jolt that she already knew his name.
"What?" He asked, forcing his eyes to meet hers'. They were that golden brown color Tig found fascinating.
"My name- Finley Alexander, and you are?" She extended her hand. Tig noticed she wasn't wearing jewelry, just a watch.
"Tig Trager." Her grip was firm.
"I'm guessing Tig is a nickname?" Smart woman.
"First name is your last name," he shrugged releasing her hand.
She nodded, looking around before piercing him with her gaze. Tig didn't know what to say, he didn't feel the need to thank her for what she did. He didn't get that vibe from her. Instead he went back to his spot.
He was pleasantly surprised when she joined him. He looked her over again. She wasn't classically pretty but he was feeling an attraction to her. Not the he wanted to hit it and quit it attractive, and not the friend attraction. It was the relationship attraction, the kind he hadn't felt in over twenty years. He fidgeted trying to think of how to handle it.
"You ever do something so bad, you'd do anything to take it back?" Where the hell did that question come from Tig thought.
"I messed up a job and it put a good friend in the grave. I still feel haunted by it even though his family doesn't blame me. I find comfort in that," Finley answered, her voice holding the tone of mix guilt and regret.
"I don't think that type of forgiveness is in my future," Tig sighed. Forgiveness was hard earned in the club, and he had thought his brother was a rat leaving his kids' without a mother.
"What happened?" Finley's question opened the floodgates. Every fucked up thing poured out of Tig. Donna, Opie, Kozik, his daughters'…all of it. A long overdue confession and catharsis, that Finley just absorbed. She didn't run or accuse, yell at him or hit him. Finally, Tig ran out of words.
"Make amends with Opie. Doesn't have to be big or fancy or even at club level. Just apologize and see where it goes. Opie deserves that regardless of how you have to deal with it on a club level," Finley advised, surprising him by taking his hand.
"How do you know so much about MC's?" Tig savored the physical contact, her hand fit perfectly with his.
Finley shrugged, giving a little grin. "Work."
What the hell did she do for work that had her in the MC world? It didn't look like she would be giving him answer tonight.
"As for Kozik, you have to let it go. I had to let my shit go and it's hard but the longer we hold on to it, the more it holds onto us. And the rest of it…Alex you have to know that you are worthy of respect and love, even from yourself," Finley scooted closer so she could rest against him.
"Baby doll, where did you get so wise?" Tig thought she was around Jax's age.
"Therapy," she deadpanned. Tig snorted at that, letting the silence envelop them as the last of the sun's rays disappeared.
When twilight was turning to darkness, Tig knew he had to get back. Finley's warmth against him had done more to soothe him than the sunset. The conversation was giving him things to think about, and he was grateful for direction.
"I gotta go sweetheart, can I escort you home?" Tig was tempted to kiss her head but refrained. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of skill set.
"As long as you are going to Charming," Finley stretched beside him.
"Well shit, didn't know you lived there, we could be neighbors," Tig stood offering his hand. If the guys could see me now, being all gentleman like.
"I live above the coffee shop. Haven't been there long," Finley walked toward the parking lot.
Tig frowned at that. The apartments above the shops were small, and not the highest quality. He quickly caught up seeing Finley getting into a1969 Chevy Camaro. Girl had good taste; he mounted his bike giving the engine a couple revs. He smiled when Finley did the same.
Cruising behind her through the streets of Charming, he appreciated her trust in letting him escort her. When she pulled behind the shop, he followed. She waved at him when she got out, then looked bemused when he got off his bike.
"You certainly have customer service in your favor Alex," she teased with a wry grin.
"Only for you, I'm usually a bastard," Tig bantered, liking that she had chosen to call him by his given name. It was helping him feel human.
"You can follow me up but you can't stay, I'm not that type of girl. But I am the type that isn't afraid to use violence."
"Already saw that baby doll," Tig said trying to keep his eyes off her ass as they walked up to her door.
Finley turned to him will her keys in hand. It looked like she wanted to say something but Tig couldn't figure out what it was. Finally she just threw her arms around him in a surprise hug.
"People make huge mistakes sometimes and we can't take back our actions. But we can take the chances to make them right. Alex, you are worthy of forgiveness, respect and love, you hear me?" She whispered against him. If he wasn't holding her you could have knocked him over with a feather.
"Thank you Finley, that means everything to me sweetheart," he murmured squeezing her tightly.
Pulling back she graced him with a smile that he returned. He silently thanked every star and higher power he could think of for this moment. For this girl, for her words.
"Here, it's my number if you ever need to talk again," she said handing over a business card. Tig noticed the company: Wolf Security and Retrieval. That explains a lot.
"I'll text you with mine, c'mere," Tig tilted her chin up giving her a gentle peck. It was all he had to convey his thanks.
"Good night Alex," she said, turning the lock on her door.
"Good night sweetheart," Tig said watching her disappear inside.