I know I had said I needed a break from this story, but you can thank RhondaL for my new found movement with Riley and her story. She went through and commented on almost every chapter, causing me to read through everything again. I started writing at least five different starts to this story until I found the right one. This one works. This one stays in the world and stays true to how Mr. Sutter saw the world they lived in. I am sure that at least three of the other ones you all would be happier with, but I gotta stay true to both Riley and SOA. For that, I am sorry.

I'm not sure how often it will happen, but there will be flash-forwards underlined. All flash-backs will be in italics like normal and my AN will be bold. I can't guarantee that this story will be long, but I can promise it will be the last in this story.

Riley sat slumped against the wall with her left hand placed over her bleeding abdomen. She could feel shrapnel digging into her with every breath, but she tried to keep her breathing steady. She stifled a cough and felt her mouth get incredibly hot. She ran her right hand, that was still holding the pistol, across her mouth and looked to see blood on it. She tilted her head back and laughed painfully. She looked over and saw boots moving from someone laying on the ground.

"Ri, that you doll?"

"Yeah, Tiggy. It's me."

"You hit?"

"I am very hit."

"Yeah, me too."

She saw Tig crawling towards her, and his left arm was a mess. He wasn't bleeding very badly but there was going to be some serious damage. Other than that, he seemed intact.

"Shit babe, you don't look so good."

"Don't feel very well, Tiggy."

"Where is Hap?"

"I don't know. We split up. He went to go in the back. Hopefully he didn't get hit since most of it seems up here."

"Shit, your mouth bleeding from getting hit or you cough that up."

"Don't worry about me. Go find Hap. We need to end this."

Riley watched Tig get up and limp towards the back of the building. Riley groaned out in pain knowing she wasn't going to make it anywhere alive. She contemplated pulling the trigger herself and ending it all, but part of her always saw it as a cowards' way out. She looked up when she heard footsteps.

"You look like shit, Riley."

She laughed and felt more blood come up. She let the blood run down her face instead of wiping it off.

"All you need to do is just give up. Stop this stupid feud. I'll get you to a hospital."

"It's not that easy and you know that."

"It's all been business, Riley. How many times do I have to say that?"

"You fucking killed him."

"You aren't going to give up are you."

"No."

"So be it."

She grinned as she watched him lift the gun up and point it directly at her. She quickly raised her gun and fired, just as he did. She had kept one bullet, just for him. She felt a bullet pierce her chest as she let out a strangled scream. She fought to keep her eyes open as she heard Happy screaming her name, but in the end, everything went black.

Riley grimaced as they rode up to the clubhouse. They had enjoyed their time away from Charming, even if it was forced. In all honesty, they really did have a great time. The limo had taken them to a private beach house on the coast. While searching it to make sure it wasn't bugged, Riley discovered her father had just bought it in her name. He had left a note telling her that it was a way to get away when she needed to. She tried to be pissed about it, but it was a nice gift.

They had spent two weeks just relaxing and talking. She had gone swimming often and even got Happy to join her. The time alone with him and stirred up some feelings she thought had disappeared long ago. She knew she was happy to be married to him, but she was concerned to realize she may be falling for him.

They both fell to the ground when Happy lost his footing in the sand. He had been carrying her towards the water, wanting to dunk her in after she made a smart-ass comment to him. They both howled out in laughter, feeling the effects of the alcohol. She looked into his eyes and felt her heart race. Their faces were close to each other and for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her before he pulled away and helped her to her feet.

Riley pulled her focus back to the present and cut the engine to her bike. She had been dreading the moment. Before she left, she had gone off on Chibs. He had walked out on the wedding and then blamed her for all of the club problems. Riley then threatened him with either leaving the club or taking it from him.

"C'mon. Time to face the music."

"Yeah, yeah I'm coming."

Riley climbed off her bike and tossed her hair up in a bun. Her shoulders were sore for a healing sunburn and her hair was aggravating it. She walked towards the front door, walking next to Happy when Althea walked out of the doors. Riley stifled a growl and heard Happy laugh.

"For the love of all that is holy, I do not want to deal with this today." She said low enough that only Happy could hear her.

"Riley."

"Yes. Still me."

She went to walk past Althea but stopped when the sheriff stopped moving. She rolled her eyes and turned to face her, not trying to hide how much she didn't want to talk to her.

"I'm assuming you're going to keep bothering me until I talk to you. So talk."

"I wanted to apologize for my actions."

"Why? You got what you wanted?"

"Chibs and I are back together."

"Good for you."

"You aren't mad?"

"I told him weeks ago to do what he wants. He's not my problem anymore as long as the club still functions."

"That's all you really care about?"

"Yes. So, as long as you aren't going to be a problem to this club, you aren't a problem to me."

"Are you seriously threatening a sherrif?"

"No. I'm threating a homewrecking whore that's standing outside of my clubhouse. Stay in line, Althea, and we won't have a problem."

Riley walked past her and tried to ignore the grin on Happy's face.

"I don't think you know who you're talking to, Miss Morey."

Riley stopped in her tracks and turned around. She stalked back towards Althea, and smirked when the sherrif took two steps backwards.

"No, sweetheart, I don't think you know who you're talking to. You've stabbed me twice now, Jerry. Remember that. I don't forget anything. Not a damn thing. I'm assuming you've looked up my past already so I'm sure you know what I'm capable of. You can be in Chibs' life, as long as it benefits this club."

"Christ you sound like Gemma."

"From what I know of her, I'll take that as a compliment. Except I wear that reaper just like these boys too. You know that means something."

Jerry nodded at Riley and turned towards her car.

"Oh, and Althea?"

"Yes?"

"It's Lowman."

Chibs heard the bikes pull in and looked at Althea. She had been waiting for Riley to get back. She swore it was to apologize, but he didn't believe her. He watched her get up and followed her out. He stood by the wall and watched the two women speak. He frowned at how Riley was acting.

Something in her had changed. She looked rested. Her skin had actually taken some color and it made her glow. The way she walked almost reminded him of the first time he met her. She had driven onto the lot straight out of the army. She radiated strength and honor. She always did but losing Sarah had taken its toll. She had lost some of her determination. She had lost her soul. Chibs had seen a lot of heartbreaking things in his long life, but seeing Rileys soul break like that was one of the hardest to face.

There she was, standing with her shoulders back and a fire in her eyes. A lot had happened in the past three weeks for the blonde. Between almost dying, having her heart broken and being forced to marry someone Riley had every reason to snap.

She hadn't snapped though. She had grown stronger.

"Oh, and Althea?"

"Yes?"

"It's Lowman."

Chibs felt his stomach drop at her acceptance of her last name. He still very deeply cared about her, even if he knew she could never forgive him for cheating on her. He regretted a lot in his life, but breaking her heart was at the very top of the list. He looked at her and wondered if she and Happy had decided to be more than just what was on the paper. He mentally kicked himself, knowing it wasn't his right to ask that questions.

"Welcome back, you two."

"We need to talk, Chibs."

"Aye. Think we do. Chapel alright?"

"Yeah."

Chibs turned and walked towards the chapel, surprised that Riley fell in behind him. He was incredibly drunk when she showed up after her wedding, but he remembered all of it. Truth be told, he felt like an asshole for how he acted. He walked in and sat down at the head of the table. He watched as Riley looked over the table and took Happys seat, right next to him.

"I know this isn't my seat, just didn't feel like sitting all the way across the table was practical."

"Yer fine lass."

"I shouldn't have gone off on you like that."

"Nah, ye were right to do so."

"No. I was pissed at everything else so instead of being a little upset with you, I took it all out on you. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Should be me apologizing anyway. I fucked shite up with you then tried to tell you it was all yer fault."

"I can see why you said that."

"Aye, but we both know it ain't yer fault."

"My father isn't going to stop with where we're at."

"Didn' think he would."

"I'm going to kill him. I don't know how or when yet, but he needs to die for everything he has done to me. Done to this club."

"Club needs to vote on it, but I don't see why anyone would disagree."

"I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of him."

"Don't you worry about that. A vote will be the guys decision with all of this."

Riley nodded and looked down at the table. He could tell she was thinking and he was sure it had to do with Althea.

"Althea said you two are back together."

Chibs sighed and started playing with his knife on the table.

"She wants us to be."

"I don't care if you are, but she already has two strikes against her."

"Aye."

"One step out of bounds and she's dead."

"She should be dead already."

"What do you have in mind then?"

"I might be able to convince her to get close to your da. He knows she helped Brandon. Knows about all of it."

"You don't care using her as bait?"

"Absolutely not."

He looked at Riley and he thought he saw guilt flash through her eyes, but it was gone too quickly to be sure.

"You been thinking about this for a while then?"

"Aye."

Riley nodded again and stood up to leave.

"Ri?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're back."

"Yeah, me too. Now it's time to get to work."