#Can The Law Of Attraction Bring Ba

[careermantradotorg]

Alliance University Bangalore: A Premier Institution for Higher Learning

Alliance University, located in the vibrant city of Bangalore, is one of India's leading private universities. Established with a vision to provide world-class education and foster academic excellence, Alliance University Bangalore has quickly become a hub for students aspiring to pursue a career in various fields, including management, engineering, law, and more. The university is recognized for its commitment to high academic standards, global exposure, and a strong emphasis on research.

Why Choose Alliance University Bangalore?

1. Top-Notch Academic Programs

Alliance University offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across its faculties of Management, Engineering, Law, and Liberal Arts. Some of the flagship courses include:

MBA at Alliance School of Business, which is among the top B-Schools in India.

B.Tech and M.Tech programs at the Alliance College of Engineering and Design.

BA LLB (Hons.) and LLM programs at Alliance School of Law, known for their strong legal curriculum.

2. Highly Qualified Faculty

One of the distinguishing factors of Alliance University Bangalore is its team of distinguished faculty members, who bring a wealth of academic and industry experience. Many of the professors are alumni of prestigious institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and top global universities, offering students the opportunity to learn from the best.

3. State-of-the-Art Campus

The campus of Alliance University in Bangalore is an architectural marvel that provides an ideal learning environment. Spanning over 55 acres, the campus is equipped with modern facilities including:

Smart classrooms with advanced learning aids.

Well-stocked libraries with vast collections of books, journals, and digital resources.

Laboratories with the latest equipment for engineering and science students.

Dedicated moot courts and simulation centers for law students.

In addition, the university has a vibrant campus life with clubs, events, and sports facilities that allow students to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle.

4. Global Collaborations

Alliance University Bangalore has established collaborations with over 45 reputed international universities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. These partnerships enable students to participate in exchange programs, internships, and research projects with global exposure. Some partner institutions include:

Berlin School of Economics and Law, Germany.

Royal Roads University, Canada.

Nanjing University, China.

Through these collaborations, students can gain international exposure, preparing them to thrive in a globalized world.

5. Impressive Placement Record

Alliance University Bangalore takes pride in its excellent placement record. The Career Advancement and Networking (CAN) Cell works tirelessly to ensure students are well-prepared to enter the job market. The university has strong industry ties, attracting some of the best recruiters from India and abroad. Top companies like Amazon, Google, KPMG, Deloitte, and Infosys have recruited from Alliance University. The placement process includes:

Pre-placement talks.

Internship opportunities.

Grooming sessions to enhance soft skills.

With an average salary package on the rise and top-tier firms participating in the recruitment process, Alliance University is an attractive option for students seeking a promising career.

6. Bangalore: The Ideal Study Location

Bangalore, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, provides the perfect backdrop for higher education. The city's thriving economy, home to numerous startups, multinational corporations, and a vibrant tech industry, makes it a great place for internships and networking opportunities. Additionally, the pleasant climate, cosmopolitan culture, and diverse social scene make it an ideal location for students from across the globe.

Conclusion

Alliance University Bangalore is a prestigious institution that stands out for its academic excellence, global collaborations, and strong placement opportunities. Whether you're looking to pursue business, engineering, law, or liberal arts, Alliance University offers a world-class education that will equip you with the skills needed to succeed in today's competitive world.

[dollycas]

Donor 73101: A PIP Inc. Mystery by Nancy Lynn Jarvis #Spotlight / #Giveaway - Great Escapes Book Tour

Donor 73101: A PIP Inc. Mystery by Nancy Lynn Jarvis About Donor 73101 Donor 73101: A PIP Inc. Mystery Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting - California Publisher ‏ : ‎ Good Read Mysteries (August 15, 2024) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 243 pages ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8990936607 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DC5H77N2 Aiden O’Rourke needed cash to help pay for college so he made money by selling his sperm. He was young, attractive, smart…and popular. Now many years later, his offspring are coming forward—eleven of them and counting—and connecting on a website they created called Donor73101.com. Pat Pirard, Santa Cruz County Law Librarian turned PI, is approached by next door neighbors Tina and Robin who want to start a family. Because Tina was conceived via sperm donation, they want to be 100% certain that their baby and Tina won’t have the same father. It doesn’t take Pat long to determine that Aiden O’Rourke was Tina’s sperm donor. It also doesn’t take her long to discovers that one by one, his offspring are being murdered. By whom and why? Well, that’s a mystery. Excerpt  Although it was only a few minutes past 6:30 pm, it was dark, not unexpected in Santa Cruz in early January. The Uber driver popped his hatchback and offered to help them with luggage. Tim declined, moving the four suitcases―one for him and three for Pat―on to the sidewalk.    Pat started to pick one up. “Leave it,” Tim instructed. “We can come back outside for those in a minute, but before we bring in suitcases, I want to carry my bride across the threshold.”     Pat giggled. “I’m a modern woman. No carrying needed.” “That may be, but I’m feeling old-fashioned at the moment.” He smiled at her, put one arm around her back just above her waist, and attempted to scoop her into his arms. She slipped away from him, laughing as she did. “I bet you can’t catch me before I get inside on my own, my old-fashioned caveman,” she flirted, heading for the front door.  “I can be a caveman if that’s how you want to be carried, but you’re being carried,” he said, his tone full of playful mischief. He gave chase and tossed her over his shoulder when he caught her. Pat squealed, but was laughing too hard to resist, which is how she came to greet her tail-wagging Dalmatian, Dot, who jumped against Tim’s backside in an attempt to get her head up high enough for the backward-slung Pat to scratch her ears; her cat, Wimsey, who abandoned his rule about avoiding Tim and rubbed against his legs, and Tina and Robin, their pet-sitting next-door neighbors, butt-first, draped over Tim’s shoulder. About Nancy Lynn Jarvis Nancy Lynn Jarvis wore many hats before she started writing cozy mysteries. After earning a BA in behavioral science from San Jose State University, she worked in the advertising department of the San Jose Mercury News, as a librarian, as the business manager for Shakespeare/Santa Cruz, and as a realtor. Nancy’s work history reflects her philosophy: people should try something radically different every few years, a philosophy she applies to her writing, as well. She has written seven Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries; five PIP Inc. Mysteries; a stand-alone novel “Mags and the AARP Gang” about a group of octogenarian bank robbers; edited “Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes,” and short story anthologies, “Santa Cruz Weird,” and “Santa Cruz Ghost Stories.” Author Links Website    Facebook    Goodreads Purchase Link - Amazon  Find more books by Nancy Lynn Jarvis Here.  TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops.  October 8 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST October 9 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT October 10 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST October 11 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT October 12 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT October 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT October 14 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT October 15 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW October 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST October 17 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST October 18 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT October 19 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST October 20 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT October 21 - Reading Authors Network – SPOTLIGHT a Rafflecopter giveaway Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Read the full article

[dy-patil-university-navi-mumbai]

Choosing the Right Path Towards Business And Law Courses In Mumbai

Mumbai, often referred to as the financial capital of India, is home to some of the most prestigious educational institutions offering a diverse range of courses. Among these, programs in business administration and law are particularly sought after by students looking to build successful careers. This article explores the top BBA colleges in Navi Mumbai, BA LLB colleges in Mumbai and the increasingly popular B Com LLB course, with a special focus on D.Y. Patil University (DYPU) as a leading example.

Exploring BBA Colleges In navi Mumbai For Business Leaders

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the business world. Navi Mumbai hosts several renowned colleges that offer comprehensive BBA courses.

Key Advantages

IndustryRelevant Curriculum: BBA colleges in Navi Mumbai provide a curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical business applications, ensuring students are jobready upon graduation.

Experienced Faculty: Students benefit from the expertise of faculty members who bring real world business experience into the classroom.

Networking Opportunities: Navi Mumbai’s proximity to major business hubs provides students with ample networking opportunities through internships and industry interactions.

BBA programs are ideal for students aspiring to pursue careers in management, entrepreneurship, or corporate sectors. The course provides a strong foundation in business principles and practices, preparing students for leadership roles.

Shaping Legal Minds With BA LLB Colleges In Mumbai

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Legislative Law (BA LLB) is a comprehensive five year integrated course that combines arts and law subjects. Mumbai, with its vibrant legal community, is home to several esteemed BA LLB colleges.

Core Benefits

Interdisciplinary Approach: BA LLB colleges in Mumbai offer a curriculum that covers a wide range of subjects, including political science, sociology and economics, along with core law subjects.

Practical Training: Students gain hands-on experience through moot courts, internships and workshops, which are integral parts of the program.

Career Versatility: Graduates are well prepared to pursue careers in law firms, corporate legal departments, government services and academia.

This program is suitable for students who have a keen interest in law and wish to develop a strong understanding of the legal system. It provides a holistic education that enables graduates to excel in various legal roles.

Bridging Commerce and Law With Bcom LLB Course

The Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Legislative Law (B Com LLB) is an integrated degree that combines commerce and law studies, making it an attractive option for students interested in both fields.

 Program Highlights

Comprehensive Curriculum: The B Com LLB course covers key areas of commerce such as accounting, finance and business management, alongside law subjects.

Skill Development: Students develop critical thinking, analytical and legal skills that are essential for success in both commerce and law sectors.

Wide Career Scope: Graduates can explore diverse career opportunities in legal consultancy, corporate law, taxation and compliance management.

The B Com LLB course is ideal for students who aim to work at the intersection of commerce and law, providing them with a unique advantage in the job market.

Why is DYPU the best?

D.Y. Patil University (DYPU) is a premier institution offering high quality programs in business and law. DYPU’s commitment to academic excellence and innovative teaching methods sets it apart as a top choice for students.

CuttingEdge Curriculum: DYPU’s programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry, incorporating the latest trends and technologies.

Expert Guidance: Students receive mentorship from experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields.

Holistic Development: DYPU emphasises the overall development of students, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in a competitive environment.

Whether you are looking to pursue a career in business management or the legal field, Mumbai offers a wealth of opportunities through its esteemed institutions. D.Y. Patil University (DYPU) exemplifies the quality education available in this vibrant city, providing students with the tools to achieve their career goals. Choosing DYPU not only enhances your academic journey but also empowers you to become a leader in your chosen field.

[pasqualestorino]

Gamification Enhances Guest Experience in the Attraction Space

With a JD from Seton Hall Law School and a BA in business from the University of Miami, Pasquale Storino brings extensive knowledge to his role as the general counsel and director of operations for Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Pasquale Storino is also a member of several trade organizations, including the New Jersey Amusement Association (NJAA) and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).

Location-based entertainment providers in the attraction industry, such as theme parks and museums, are working to enhance their visitors' experiences with cutting-edge technologies. Gamification and technology-driven sports are two trailblazing technology-aided experiences in the industry.

Gamification involves enhancing the customer experience with gaming technologies and elements of game design, such as competition. Augmented reality (AR), a type of technology that superimposes digital information like virtual objects onto the real world, enables gamification. A typical example of a popular entity in this space is Nintendo.

Super Nintendo World launched in 2021 and is leading the way in merging real-world and video game experiences. It has expanded to Universal Studios Hollywood, a popular film studio and theme park in Universal City, California. The park offers an immersive and gamified entertainment experience, and Super Nintendo World is enhancing the offerings at the park.

Guests can physically interact with question blocks in the land, collecting coins and competing for high scores, which is reminiscent of video games. Additionally, guests can participate in “Key Challenges” where they collect digital keys to unlock gameplay opportunities, including “Boss Battles” against enemy characters.

[strawbebehmod]

Some potentially controversial headcanons about sexuality and gender in atla

Ok so I have some headcanons about gender and sexuality in the atlaverse that may controdict some aspects of canon as well as many other's headcanons but I feel go pretty inline with the nations, either based on their inspo country's history or the feel I get from the nations in canon culture. If you disagree that's totally chill I just wanna get my thoughts out there to see who else agrees.

So with that let's begin:

Air nomads

This I think everyone agrees on that the air nomads didn't give a shit about gender or sexuality. Love is love and gender is an illusion.

They also were very pro poly relationships

However, cause of the whole communally raising children thing that's a part of canon I don't think all the temples really had a concept of marriage and some groups may have actually given you odd looks if you wanted to be exclusive with someone

But the general 'let it be' culture meant you really wouldn't get any widespread social grief on the issue just maybe have a few arguments with friends or maybe a partner that wasn't used to being exclusive or was used to being exclusive and you weren't, and you veritably weren't going to be ostracized for your sexuality or preferences in a relationship. It's a domestic issue rather than a social justice one.

Air nomads were by far the most accepting of asexuality and aromaticism.

Water tribe

I actually think things very between the north and the south a lot due to their seperation, but a commonality between them is their strong sense of gender roles and other ridged segregations in gender like the whole waterbending thing.

That being said, transness is very much accepted but there are specific ceremonies for transitioning and coming out to the tribe, and it can mean losing some privileges you had from the gender you were assigned at birth.

There's also a third non-binary gender that has its own specific ceremony. This circumvented a lot of rules about who could learn what type of waterbending, particularly up north but also carried a few unique social responsibilities like officiating weddings but could also strip you of some priviledges from your initially assigned gender, such as paticipation in specific gendered rituals such as women's cerimonies or men's cerimonies.

Those members had their own unique cerimonies and celibrations however.

In the northern watertribe specifically homosexuality is very much accepted but under the current cheiftan unions of politics like Yue's will almost always come before unions of love, so gay individuals can sadly be forced into hetero relationships via arranged mairrage, with the only concessions being that they can take on a single same sex lover outside of the union.

The absoluteness of the arranged mairrage rules can change based on who is in charge however.

Biphobia has had a history of being a problem in the water tribes as they have a huge emphasis on separation and opposites in their culture as their two biggest spirits represent yin and yang. Lesbians were long considered favored by tui and gay men favored by la, as if they were living symbols of the spirits.

There was discourse as to how bi and pan people fit into this model, some even horribly suggesting they were abandoned by the spirits, but the current concesus among spiritual experts and elders is they are actually a symbol of tui and la's love for eachother and thus favored by both.

The southern water tribe has always been laxer about the gender specific stuff and never had the arranged mairrage rules.

It was always much smaller however so LGBT individuals were less common. This often made it harder for homosexual individuals to find romantic love as there were just fewer fellow LGBT people that were avalible.

So if you came out as gay/bi/pan/lesbian to the tribe it was often the tradition to complete your ice dodging cerimony soon after and then become a sailor for at least three years to try and find romance while trading goods with the other nations if you didn't have a partner already.

A majority of southern tribe fishermen/women as a result were LGBT. Being a full-time fisherman is now a euphamism for being a lonely gay person.

Southern watertribe mermaid tales were almost always very gay as a result.

Unfortunately due to the southern watertribe's culture and traditions being decimated by the firenation's raids, a lot of LGBT culture in the southern tribe was also lost.

They're still pretty accepting but because of the dwindled population of the southern tribe and the fact that LGBT people tend to only make up 1-10% of an average population in the real world, it's rare for a gay individual to be born into the southern tribe, usually only once every generation now, if they realize they are gay to begin with.

As a result of that and the fact that bringing it up generally brings up the fact that the firenation destroyed what nice things they had, it's often not talked about outside of between elders mourning better times, which has made it even harder for some individuals to even realize they are LGBT to begin with.

The swamp benders are mostly men who wear leaf loin cloths they gay af and we're probs established by southern watertribe gays and bis that got lost in their travels and decided to settle down in the swamp, eventually attracting the attention of other lgbt earth kingdom people who decided to live with them.

Earth Kingdom

There's a huge divide among how it's treated among peasents and aristocracy

Peasents grew up on stories of past earth kings with many lovers, including several gay ones

So depending on where you live homosexuality is either considered something romantic of fairy-tales or celibrated as something unique and uncommon

In some places where people have more spirituality, some joke that gay people were royals in their past lives.

The earth kingdom is big tho, so some small towns can be homophobic but it's much rarer and usually because they were established by homophobes who were chased from areas that were very anti homophobia.

Fetishization of homosexuality can happen but it's again depending on where you are.

The earth kingdom is also very accepting of asexuality but there are stereotypes such as asexuals usually becoming gurus.

In aristocracy things are a bit different

Homosexuality is still pretty accepted but due to how prevalent arrange mairrages are it's heavily assosiated with affairs and running away from family obligations and thus it's a bit taboo to speak publicly about it in high society.

Lesbianism specifically cause China, what the earth kingdom is based on, has a long history of writing off women's feelings.

The upper crust of Ba Sing Se, despite lots of historically gay earth kings, has a big homophobia issue thanks to the Dai Lee slowly becoming corrupted after Kyoshi died.

Long Feng particularly had a hand in making talking about gay stuff practically off the table or seen as only something for filthy commoners.

Transgenderism, again cause of China historically treating women like shit, is a subject of a lot of discourse in the Earth kingdom, although there are no legal issues with being transgender and one can have their passports changed in certian cities and towns to reflect their gender identity if they move there, but only in those specific towns.

Omashu is one of them and is extremely pro trans and in general pro LGBT even among the aristocracy, infact king Bumi in his first year of rule established specific holidays for celibrating trans people, gay men, lesbians, asexuals, bisexuals, agender people, and any other gender or sexual identity Bumi knew about.

He has added to the list since. Whenever he finds out about a new gender identity or sexuality he sets the day he found out as a day for a feats next year celibrating it.

This is why there are so many feasts in omashu.

He also often officiates gay weddings himself because according to him "gay weddings are the most interesting and creative. They all have mad geniuses for their wedding planners I tell ya"

Tbh he will randomly show up to any wedding in his city cause he loves parties but he will specifically officiate gay ones.

The Fire Nation

Ok this is where some people may get pissed cause I disagree that the firenation is horribly homophobic

I know it was stated by one of the creators that the firenation has anti gay laws thanks to Sozin but Japan had a loooooong history of celibrating gay stuff prior to westernization and the firenation is based off of Japan. Also kinda headcanon Sozin as having a thing for Roku that fell apart with the whole war bs.

So Sozin never imo put into place any homophobic laws aside from banning gay writings and plays within the palace out of bitterness of having Roku betray him and just didn't want to have anything around him that would remind him of him. Dude got so mopey over it he neglected his wife and children a lot, despite the whole thing being 100% his fault.

Azulon on the other hand was a homophobic son of a bitch and put a lot of anti gay and trans laws into effect. While none outlawed same sex relations, they included ones that allowed people to get away with firing people or harming people for being LGBT.

Ozai was also extremely homophobic.

But before all this the fire nation was practically a gay paradise. Fire is the element of passion, and so gay sex and relationships were considered for a long time just as normal as heterosexual relationships.

There were festivals and holidays celibrating gay lovers, lots of LGBT writing and art, and many many plays on the subject

There were several folk stories of Agni the sun spirit coming down to earth to meet his male human lovers, including one that explained why we have night and day. (Tui introduced Agni to one of the volcano spirit's sons so that she may rule the night in peace without his constant incercession and annoying boastfulness)

Soldiers were pretty much expected to have a gay relationship with one of their brothers in arms if they were single to increase the loyalty among troops.

The firenation was the only nation where arranged mairrages could be nullified instantly on the grounds that one of the individuals involved was gay, unless you were the firelord and that was only because it was the firelord's duty to produce at least one heir to continue the linage, so it was seen as the firelord's sacrifice to his or her people to take up at least one opposite sexed partner. Romantic affairs were expected and understood in such situations however so long as there was already an heir to the throne born.

Families could even be punished with jail time for knowingly forcing their gay children into heterosexual relationships.

Gay couples could adopt children too and denying one on the grounds of being gay would be grounds for removal of your position in child care and being blacklisted.

There were still homophobes but homophobia was squashed a lot

Azulon managed to "justify" the cultural shift and changes to laws by having newspapers publishing fake news about pedophilia cases being linked to homosexuality as well as other stories linking homosexuality to degenerate acts.

He also used the culture of honor and family loyalty to shame gay children for ending their parent's bloodlines and claiming gay individuals were less likely to take care of their parents in their old age. And that trans children dishonored their parents by rejecting their "birth gender"

He even had certian folk stories changed to be heterosexual

This allowed homophobia and transphobia to spred in the firenation

However many individual towns held onto their pro LGBT roots and still published and performed gay literary works and plays.

And azulon and ozai were unable to remove many nonheteronormative traditions, such as guy friends being extremely physically affectionate, more so than with their girl counterparts.

In some areas it's still customary to greet close male friends with platonic kisses on the cheek

Zuko repealed many of the old laws established by his father and grandfather almost immediately, and reestablished many old holidays and protections for LGBT individuals.

Fixing the damage is still taking time, but with a corrected history of the firenation being now taught in classes thanks to zuko and aang, things are getting back to the way they once were slowly.

[muertawrites]

Two Halves - Chapter Eight (Zuko x Reader)

Part Seven

Word Count: 3,000

Warning: This chapter gets violent - there are mentions of death and assault. I'll include a recap at the beginning of next week's chapter for those who choose not to read for the sake of their mental wellbeing. No harm done in not reading; I appreciate you taking care of yourself ♥

Author’s Note: .......... yeah idk what happened either. oops there’s actually a plot here lmao

~ Muerta

Your tour of the city the following day is rained out by mid-morning, leaving you cozily stranded at the Jasmine Dragon until the weather decides to clear. Iroh gives you a private room to relax in while you wait, coming by every hour or so with a new menu item for you to sample. Since the weather is quite chilly, he’s converted the table in the room into a kotatsu, which you’re curled up under with Toph leaned comfortably against your shoulder. From where you sit, you have a perfect view of not only the street from the room’s window, but the rest of the tea shop, your gaze shifting between watching passerby avoiding the downpour outside and customers milling about inside, smiling to yourself each time you catch a glimpse of Zuko darting between tables; He insisted on working the rush that day, all of you changing out of your ceremonial robes and into something more low key so as not to attract attention.

Regular customers are happy to see Zuko, greeting him excitedly and asking how his “travels” have been; he nods over to you a few times while speaking, multiple people coming up to meet and congratulate you. Toph smirks at you, teasingly nudging your arm.

“I think you’re more popular as Lee from the tea shop’s wife than you are as Firelady,” she observes. “Not one person who’s come over here has said anything about the royalty sitting next to us.”

Kuei looks up from his reading, shrugging his shoulders as Bosco - whose head rests lazily in the king’s lap - lets out a grumbling yawn.

“I’m not meant to be noticed,” he states. “Besides, I come here all the time; regulars are used to seeing me here.”

“Are they also used to your guards taking up every table within twenty feet of you?” you joke. You’re only half kidding - plainclothes guards are stationed at three tables beside the room’s open door, all tensing up and ready to pounce every time anyone who isn’t Iroh or Zuko approaches.

Kuei grins sheepishly at you, offering another shrug.

“Not all of us are warriors,” he excuses.

“We need to teach you to fight,” Toph comments. “Having a scrawny Earth King is embarrassing.”

Before Kuei can retort, Zuko appears at the threshold, sliding the door shut behind him with urgency. Kuei stands immediately, instantly alert.

“The Dai Li were just spotted in the refugee district,” Zuko announces. “A customer told me they're staging some kind of protest.”

“Does it really count as a protest if they're facists?” Toph mutters. “Seems like the kind of thing they'd be opposed to.”

“A protest against what?” Kuei asks. “They don't typically operate so boldly.”

“I don't know,” Zuko answers, “but we should go there and stop it. They're too powerful for the regular guard to subdue.”

He turns to you, eyeing you sternly.

“Stay here,” he orders. “Toph and I will handle this.”

“Oh, the hell you will,” you quip, standing so abruptly that Toph tumbles over. “I've already told enough imperialist assholes that I don't answer to you - you shouldn't have to be one of them.”

Zuko shakes his head, ignoring your harsh comment.

“Darling, please, I'm not trying to boss you around,” he explains. “The Dai Li are dangerous and I want to keep you safe.”

“I'm not even safe in my own home, Zuko,” you counter. “We’re a team - we face danger together.”

You cross your arms, challenging Zuko with a determined, defiant glare. He sighs frustratedly, furrowing his brow but eventually giving in.

“Alright fine,” he caves. “We don't have time to argue. Let's go.”

You leave the Jasmine Dragon through a hidden panel in one of the private room’s walls, installed for just such occasions when Kuei needs to make a hasty exit; his guards are already assembled on the street, perched on ostrich horses with two steeds empty for the Firelord and king.

As Kuei mounts, you help Toph onto the back of his saddle, where she takes hold of your forearm and pulls you close so she can whisper in your ear.

“Did Sparky call you ‘darling' just now?” she marvels.

You blush, realizing that yes, he most definitely did.

“I think so,” you mumble in response.

Zuko calls for you and you part from her, noting the smirk that spreads across her features. You climb into the saddle behind him, wrapping your arms tightly around his waist as he digs a heel into the ostrich horse’s side, sending you speeding through the streets of Ba Sing Se; you hardly feel the rain biting at your cheeks and hands against the firmness of his back.

The refugee district scatters in chaos, people scampering like ants separated from their colony as they attempt to flee the terror the Dai Li have inflicted.

Agents prowl up and down the streets, raiding homes and businesses seemingly at random and interrogating their owners, many of them beaten or bound in stone cuffs. You ride past an agent looming over a man and his young children, his hand raised to strike; as you pass, you pull Zuko’s sheathed katana from its slot in the saddle, holding it out so it hits the agent in the throat and topples him, incapacitated; the man wails, tears streaming down his face as he lifts his children and carries them away from the scene.

You arrive at the source of the bedlam, where the heads of the Dai Li have gathered in a market square and bark out commands, taking prisoners and making displays of their battered, comatose bodies. Zuko reins the ostrich horse to a halt, leaping off before fully coming to a stop and removing his dual swords from the horse’s pack, strapping them onto his back. He hands you the reins, roughly taking your hands in his and leaning in close to you, shouting over the din.

“Can you ride?”

You nod as you settle yourself into the center of the saddle, squeezing his hands tightly.

“Go with Kuei and take out as many Dai Li as you can for the guard to arrest,” he tells you. “Toph and I will go for their leaders.”

He places both of his palms on either side of your face, bringing your head down so he can press his lips firmly against your forehead.

“Be careful,” he says in parting.

You kick into the ostrich horse’s side, turning back the direction you came and following Kuei through the streets, Zuko’s katana strapped at your hip.

Despite Toph’s teasing, Kuei is actually a skilled rider; though weaponless, he maneuvers his steed with ease, steering headlong into members of the Dai Li and trampling them, the beast lashing its long, razorlike talons until they fall unconscious. You ride close behind, sweeping the surrounding area whenever he overtakes a target and stunning anyone who tries to interfere, driving the edge of Zuko’s katana into their stomach or back; the only time you unsheath the blade is when you come upon an agent with a young girl pinned beneath him, her dress hiked above her hips and his body far too close to hers for your liking.

The image sends rage coursing like fire through your veins, and you remove the katana from its casing, riding up swiftly behind the man and drawing the blade across his neck, slitting his throat before he has a chance to react; his blood splatters across your legs and the face of the girl he attacked, causing her to shriek and crumple into tears. You reach down and lift her into the saddle behind you, riding her to the nearest area of relative safety you can find before returning to Kuei’s side.

“Is there anyone else?” you ask, looking around. Things seem to have calmed, the guard already arriving to take their prisoners and the citizens of the district starting to collect themselves, those not harrowed by shock either coming to the aid of their neighbors or starting to tidy the buildings that were raided.

Kuei shakes his head, panting heavily as he attempts to catch his breath.

“I passed the head of the guard a moment ago,” he tells you. “She said they have most of the situation under control - they're having trouble getting the leaders to surrender.”

“Let's go back,” you suggest. “We might be able to help.”

Kuei nods, trailing beside you as you gallop back to the market square, stumbling into a standoff between the Dai Li and the guard, Zuko and Toph in the middle of the fray - they have the leaders cornered, Toph having bent the earth around a few of them and Zuko with a flame ready in hand, one of his swords in the other. The scene is still but tense, and you sit with Zuko’s katana drawn.

“It’s your choice,” Zuko booms, approaching one of the captured Dai Li with predatory grace. “Either you come peacefully, or your entire troop will be killed.”

The bound man gives Zuko a wicked smirk, rolling his head to the side.

“Wouldn’t your father be proud,” he drones deeply. “His disgraced son, meddling where he doesn’t belong and threatening death when he can’t get his way - just like daddy. Even after you defeated him, you’re still seeking his approval, aren’t you Firelord Zuko?”

The man grunts as Toph’s fist closes, the rock around him compressing his chest.

“Watch it,” she snaps. “Zuko might be above squashing a slimy little roach like you, but I’m not - and he’s not the one who has you in a vice right now.”

“The Firelord is merely following Earth Kingdom law,” Kuei interjects. He rides into the center of the circle the guards and seized Dai Li have formed. “Dai Li have been considered highly dangerous by my guard since a child was found murdered in the catacombs under Lake Laogai preceding the end of the war; any members who resist arrest are sentenced to death once taken into custody. It’s your choice - be found responsible for the death of your men, or let them face fair trial.”

You don’t hear the man answer. One of the apprehended Dai Li nearby takes hold of the knife from the belt strap of the guard who holds him, stabbing her in the stomach to free himself; he makes a beeline for you, shoving his shoulder into your ostrich horse’s side and knocking you out of the saddle, sending you to the ground at his feet.

The Dai Li grips you by the hair, hoisting you up by the scalp and pressing his arm forcefully into your chest - the knife, still wet with blood, digs into your neck, so rigidly you feel a sting as its blade slices through the top layer of your skin. Zuko, who’d rushed forward the instant the man lashed out, pauses, his stature braced and eyes wide with terror. The Dai Li chuckles evilly, running a blood-soaked hand through your hair.

“Not so high and mighty now, are you Zuzu?” he mocks. “Let’s see if your no-killing rule applies when your pretty little plaything is up for grabs.”

“Don’t hurt her,” Zuko snarls. “You already face a death sentence just for touching her.”

“Then I might as well go out with a bang,” the Dai Li hisses.

You feel your skin start to split as the knife cuts deeper, and you squeeze your eyes shut, preparing for your lungs to fill with blood.

Before the worst can come, a metallic snap cuts through the strained silence, the arm flattened to your chest going slack as the man it belongs to slumps into a heap beside you.

You fall to your knees, limbs quivering as a quiet, heaving sob escapes your chest. Zuko sprints to your side, scooping you into his arms and immediately taking you away, carrying you into the back of one of the guard’s wagons and ordering to return to the palace.

“Kill them all,” you hear Kuei gravely command as the cart rolls away. “None of them can be trusted in trial.”

You don’t realize it until you arrive at the infirmary, but you’re soaked. Healers strip you of your wet clothes and assess you for injuries, finding only a small laceration on your neck from where the Dai Li threatened you. They clean the wound thoroughly, draping you in a large blanket and serving you sweet, calming tea, keeping you there for a few hours before allowing you to return to your suite.

Rain streaks down the sitting room window in sheets as you ghost through the threshold, thanking the healer who escorted you in a whisper as she assuringly touches your shoulder, then shuts the door behind you.

Zuko stands from his place by the pane when he hears your voice, swallowing heavily as he watches you enter.

“What happened?” you rasp, blinking drearily.

Zuko approaches you slowly, gingerly lowering you into the nearest chair.

“Toph snapped the knife and shot the tip through the Dai Li’s forehead,” Zuko recounts. His voice is dark, roughened with gravel. “They’re all dead. There are more still out there, but their numbers are significantly less after today.”

You nod, your gaze directed away from him, eyes unfocused as you stare into nothing.

“The guard who was stabbed is okay,” Zuko continues, taking one of your hands and clasping it between his own. “She apologizes for letting her duties slip.”

You shake your head, pressing your eyes tightly closed as you try to force the image of the day’s events from your mind.

“She has no need to apologize,” you murmur. “I’m okay; she’s the one who got hurt.”

Zuko sighs softly, reaching up to rest his hand on your cheek.

“This is why I wanted you to stay with Iroh,” he chides. “You’re not trained to defend yourself. It’s too dangerous for you to go everywhere with me.”

You pull your face away from him. From the corner of your eye, you shoot him a glare.

“Don’t scold me,” you mutter. “I defended myself well enough.”

Zuko retracts his hand, leaning away as if you struck him. He lets out a frustrated huff.

“Seriously?” he quips. “That’s all you have to say for yourself? You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”

“And so you could you,” you retort. “I’ve had a price on my head ever since I came to the Fire Nation; I don’t think I have to remind you that a man was murdered for the sake of making a threat towards us. Everyone’s after both of us, so we might as well stick together.”

“No,” Zuko snaps. “I won’t allow that. You’re my responsibility and I have to keep you safe.”

You jump to your feet, glowering down at him. He stands in return, taking a step back as your eyes meet his in a heated stare.

“You won’t allow that?” you challenge him. “What the fuck happened to treating me like an equal? You said in your damned wedding vows that you wanted to give me freedom. Did that only mean when it was convenient for you? You only want me as an ally when it looks good? Need I remind you that you were perfectly willing to let me ride out into battle when I was doing so under your command? You know that I’m capable of standing up for myself - I don’t need you playing savior whenever you think I can’t.”

“I’m not trying so suppress you,” Zuko counters. “I’m trying to make sure that the people who want us dead don’t actually achieve it. I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you because you were following me. You need protection.”

“Zuko, I killed a man today.”

You make the statement plainly, in a deadpan, looking him directly in the eye. He pales, his face going completely ashen.

“What?”

“I killed someone today,” you repeat in a hiss. “Before today I’d never even held a weapon, let alone used one on another person; that didn’t stop me cutting a Dai Li’s neck open because he tried to rape a teenage girl in the street. I feel like a monster, Zuko, but don’t you dare tell me I need protection - what I need is your help. I don’t need a knight in shining armor. I need my husband.”

Zuko’s expression falls, your brows still arched together as you realize you’ve been shouting. You take a deep, shaky breath, crossing your arms and clutching the sleeves of your robe.

Zuko crosses the room to you, resting one of his hands behind your head; his other arm curls around your waist, pulling you in and pressing you flush against his chest.

You didn’t notice before, but your whole body is trembling, tears starting to pour down the sides of your face. You wrap your arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.

“I’m sorry,” Zuko breathes. “You’re right. We need to stick together. I just… I hate the idea of losing you. I… care… I care so much about you…”

You bury your face in his shoulder, your fingers knitting themselves into the fabric of his robe; the shock of the day finally hits you, and you feel as if you’ll crumble in his arms.

“I know,” you whimper. “I care about you, too.”

Zuko lifts you into his arms, cradling you like a child as he carries you into the bedroom. He lays down beside you, and for a while that could be minutes as much as it could be hours, he holds you, rocking you gently and rubbing your back as your body heaves with sobs, tears soaking your face the way the rain beats against the walls of your room. When you’re finally calm, he leaves only as long as it takes you to change into your night clothes, returning once you’re dressed and taking you into his arms again, comforting you as the sound of thunder trembles somewhere in the distance.

You fall asleep with your head on his chest, clutching him tightly through the night. You dream of nothing, and for that, you’re thankful.

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[scarletaire]

flowerfall

A/N: Not my usual Jurdan fare, I know, but after reading A Sky Beyond the Storm, this fic poured out of me and I was helpless to stop it. Canon-divergent for Chapter LX, but mostly follows canon for everything after.

WARNING: Spoilers for A Sky Beyond The Storm!

Fandom: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Ship: Helene Aquilla x Avitas Harper

Genre/s: Fluff

Rating: T

Links: Masterlist | Read on AO3 

[Summary and tags under the cut because spoilers!] 

Description: 

When Avitas Harper falls, the Blood Shrike makes a deal with Death.  Snapshots of their life together after the war.

Tags: Harper Lives, Fix-It, Happy Ending, Helvitas Living Their Best Lives, We Stan One (1) Power Couple

_______

When Avitas Harper falls, the Blood Shrike makes a deal with Death.

It happens as Mirra of Serra takes her knife to Keris Veturia’s neck. The blood and the life leave her body, but the Shrike cannot revel in it, for her love is dead and cold in her arms.

How is it possible that she still had anything left to lose?

But of course, to love someone is both to gain and to lose a thousand pieces of the world all at once.

She roars in the face of it.

In the face of Death.

And this time, with the bridge between worlds on the brink of evisceration, Death answers.

I need power, says Mauth to anyone who will listen, weakened, and scrambling for any strength to beat back the storm. Power to fight.

The Blood Shrike has never heard the voice of Mauth before, but what he asks for is familiar. She knows all too well the pursuit of power, the search for anything to keep fighting. It is what she searches desperately for now.

Give him back, she orders Death with the voice of a girl who has still too much to lose, give him back, and I will give you the strength you need.

The power of the Star. The power of song and healing. The power of Rehmat, reborn again through the centuries and a thousand times in her blood.

Whatever it is, it will be enough.

It has to be.

The maw opens its jaws. The Nightbringer succumbs to the maelstrom. The Sea of Suffering overtakes the sky.

And Helene Aquilla sings her last song.

____

For a moment, there is only the storm. It surges through the escarpment, it rages across the cliffs, it consumes everything in its path.

For a moment, all is lost.

For a moment, she thinks that at least she didn’t have to wait long before following him.

And then, between one breath and the next, the maelstrom disappears.

Beneath her hand, Avitas Harper stirs.

____

In the end, her deal hadn’t mattered. It wasn’t Mauth that saved them all. It was Laia of Serra, because of course, of course, who else could have done it but her. Helene is full of a strange mix of pride and awe when she pulls Laia into a hug. The girl she once tried to kill, the girl who pieced together the broken world.

The once Beloved, the once Forsaken now rests in chains of mercy, and so the world continues on.

Mauth never speaks to her again.

Maybe because there is nothing she could possibly offer anymore. Maybe because the next time Mauth speaks to her, it will be at the end, when his words will be the last thing she will ever hear.

Briefly, she wonders what Death will do with the power she gave him. Then she thinks that it doesn’t really matter much to her, anymore.

____

She stands with Elias as they take in the bodies of their dead. They are spread out in lines across the forest floor. There are too many of them, Martial, Scholar, Tribal – it isn’t important anymore. They were divided in life. Today, they are united in the loss of it.

Above her, around her, the forest blooms alive, like a panacea for the death and destruction spilt upon the soil, blossoms of apricot and cherry and Tala filling the air with their sweetness, falling to the ground like colored snow.

It is a good thing, then, that Harper is alive. If she had lost him, truly lost him, then she would not have been able to bear the sight of flowers ever again.

____

It turns out dying and being brought back to life takes a toll on a human body.

“When will he wake?” she whispers into the quiet of the healer’s tent. “It’s been days.”

She knows the body lying still before her is merely asleep, but she remembers the way he had looked with all the life drained out of him, and it is a sight she will never forget.

“Give him some time,” Elias says. “Being resurrected by Death itself is no easy thing.”

She raises her eyebrow at him askance.

“I know a thing or two about being resurrected by Mauth.” He shrugs, and the movement is so familiar, so genuinely Elias that she feels the corner of her lips tilt. “Guess it runs in the family now.”

Avitas Harper wakes two days after.

She doesn’t give him a chance to get his bearings. The words are out of her lips before he can even try to sit up, like a song she can’t keep silent any longer. “I love you.”

He raises his fingers to her face, tracing the scars there like a benediction. “I got my wish.”

Emifal Firdaant.

She presses her palm against his hand, trapping it against her cheek. “With all due respect, Captain Harper, it was a bleeding stupid wish. So I did you the courtesy of vetoing it.”

When she kisses him, she feels like she can breathe again after a millennium of holding her breath.

____

When Mirra of Serra takes up the mantle of Soul Catcher, Helene watches the life return to Elias’s eyes, and the hope return to Laia’s.

The Bani al-Mauth turns to Harper. “I suppose I should thank you. For offering me shelter and safety in the bowels of Antium.”

“It was an honor, Lioness. You repaid me in kind when you helped the Blood Shrike through the tunnels.”

“And when you aided in the battle with Keris,” Helene adds.

Mirra scoffs, white hair dancing in the wind. “I worried that the Shrike wouldn’t be able to keep the secret to herself. Not like you. A mind like a steel trap, you have.” She slaps Harper once across the chest. He does a fine job of hiding his grimace as she knocks his healing wounds. “Think you’ll be a fine brother-in-law for my daughter.”

Elias splutters, Laia flushes, and Helene feels a laugh bubbling up in her chest for the first time in ages.

____

As their troops begin to file out of the Forest of Dusk, she sees the figures of two men talking under the shade of a tree. Elias is taller, but Avitas is older. And so it is he who holds out his hand for his brother to shake.

And it is Elias who takes it, but uses it to pull him into a hug instead. She sees Avitas’s back stiffen in surprise, but he doesn’t push him away.

“It shouldn’t have taken so long for this to happen,” Elias says. “I’m glad you’re alive, brother. I’m glad I wasn’t the one to have to pass you on.”

____

When Quin Veturius proclaims her Empress in front of the conclave of their people, her eyes immediately seek Harper.

Help me, she tries to convey. Knock the old man out before he actually convinces them.

“Stand strong,” he says aloud, instead, love and pride sparkling in his green eyes, “Empress.”

____

Later that night, when she sings Zacharias to sleep with a soft lullaby, her blood doesn’t sing with her. It’s silent, dormant. The air is empty with the ghost of her magic.

Leaning against the door a few feet away, Avitas has closed his eyes to listen, his lips curled up at the edges.

And it should feel like something has been stolen from her, but really, it feels more like a blessing than anything else.

____

She dances with Avitas at the Moon Festival in Nur, and the night is warm and they’re both still in armor, and neither of them really know how to dance properly anyway, but it is enough.

It is more than enough.

Skies, it’s more than she could have ever asked for.

He lifts his arm and she twirls under it, catching the twinkle in his eye, and suddenly, she wishes they weren’t in such a crowded place full of other people. Suddenly, she wishes they were alone, in a room, flushed and pressed up against each other just like this. Dancing a dance they both know the steps of far too well.

On her next twirl, she catches Musa’s eye, where he leans against a table, flirting with a pretty Scholar girl. He winks at her, as if he knows exactly where her thoughts have strayed.

She’s far too happy to be annoyed in any way, and so she almost sends him a wink of her own before Harper pulls her close against him again and the thought is forgotten.

____

It occurs to her later in the night, as the festivities draw to a close and she glimpses Musa walking back to his tent alone, that she had come far, far too close to understanding his loneliness in a way she hates to imagine.

____

At night, the Empress walks her city.

Avitas Harper walks with her.

The blue irises native to Antium are in full bloom, littering the ground.

One year, she thinks, as she cups her hand around a petal that floats down to her through the air. It’s been one year since the last flowerfall.

The one in which the world was broken. The one in which the world was remade.

____

Sometimes, she wakes thinking of her family. Of Livia, bleeding out in front of her son. Of her mother, father, Hannah. All of them, their throats cut, their lives lost, gone.

Sometimes, she wonders if they will hate her for bringing back her lover instead of one of them, any of them.

Sometimes, she wonders if she will ever forgive herself for any of it.

____

Avitas Harper, as it turns out, is a shockingly good babysitter.

The first time he gets Zacharias to sleep in under ten minutes, she chalks it up to dumb luck and good timing.

The second time it happens she almost kisses him despite the baby in his arms, too grateful for the peace and quiet after a long hour of listening to her nephew scream.

The third time it happens, she stares at him in disbelief.

“Did you bring back anything from the afterlife, maybe? Does Mauth have supernatural baby-charming magic that we don’t know about?”

He flashes her that half-smile that she feels underneath her skin.

Her next decree, she decides, will be outlawing all attractive men in armor from holding adorable, sleeping babies. It should be absolutely illegal by now, the sheer power of the sight before her.

____

She may be the Empress, but she is a soldier first and foremost.

When the Karkauans hold hostage the Martial ambassador she had sent over to confer the peace treaty, she is first in line for the mission to take him back.

“It’s not over yet,” she tells her men, when all efforts at neutral negotiation fall through. “I’m most dangerous when I’m cornered.”

Harper stands strong at her side. Her Blood Shrike, always watching. “That makes two of us.”

They march together into the fray.

____

The next Moon Festival, Mamie Rila finally succeeds in shoving her into a dress.

She puts up a good fight, doesn’t go down easy. In the end, it takes the combined forces of Laia, Afya, and an exasperated Mamie Rila to wrangle the Empress into the thin, strappy excuse for a gown.

“What is this supposed to be, a slip? Where’s the rest of it?”

Laia furrows her brows. “What are you talking about? That is the rest of it.”

Helene gapes. “I can’t wear this. I’m the Empress. I can’t walk around looking like I’m one stiff breeze away from a public scandal!”

“If you ask me,” says Afya, “a public scandal might do you some good. Just the thing you need to convince some of those troublesome, barbaric Karkauans to ally with you like you’ve been planning.”

“Burning, bleeding hells.” Elias’s eyes go wide when he walks in. “Who are you and what have you done with the real –”

He chokes off as Laia elbows him in the gut. “Don’t listen to him. Or Afya. You look great. Harper will love it. Shall we get on with your hair?”

Helene rears back, because her hair is the last bastion of normalcy she has.

Harper looks like he's been stabbed in the heart a second time when he catches sight of her, and Helene vows to never wear a dress again.

But when his fingers find the hem of her skirt under the table, tugging first, testing the stretch of the fabric against the skin of her thigh, and then slowly inching under, and then up and up and up — well. Maybe dresses aren’t so bad after all.

____

Sometimes, when she walks, Laia is there beside her. There are some nights when the ghosts of the past seem to walk with them, too. This night, in Serra, is one of those nights. Spring has come, and the flowers here are different, cushioning the road on which they walk with bright yellow petals.

“I can’t forget their faces.”

Laia has never been a killer. But she has dealt her fair share of death during their war, and that leaves a mark on the soul that can never be burned away. The difference now lies in how one goes about dealing with those marks. No, Laia has never been a killer, even when she had to be.

Helene, on the other hand, has spent too much of her life wearing the skin of one, and so she speaks as much to herself as she does to her friend when she replies.

“And you won’t. Just don’t forget the ones you saved.”

____

The first time Zacharias speaks a full word, it’s in the middle of supply negotiations with Tribe Nasur. She has just been reunited with her nephew after months in the capital and so is making up for it by carrying and snuggling him everywhere she goes, even if it is to a highly political trade meeting.

Fortunately, Tribe Saif is in close relations with Tribe Nasur, and so no one throws dirty looks when the baby babbles nonsense right when someone tries to speak. The Fakira even smiles encouragingly when Helene begins to bounce him on her knee.

That’s when Harper enters behind her with a missive from Blackcliff.

“Empress.” His voice is warm, and she realizes that it’s because Zacharias has noticed him, and is dimpling up at him with his head tilted back in that way that only babies can do. “We have positive turnout for the new recruits at –”

“Hapa!”

The whole room stills, as if everyone understands the gravity of this moment. Helene feels a grin break across her face, and she realizes that this is a first for her, too. Her first real grin in so, so long, after so much pain. Harper’s large, brown hand comes over her shoulder to pat Zacharias’s downy head in gentle praise, and she forces herself to get it together in front of all these important Tribespeople.

The meeting goes on. But then, one little detail niggles at her, like a tiny pebble in her boot.

Later, when she’s pushing him against the side of an empty caravan, her lips maybe a little too punishing against the skin behind his ear, he has the gall to chuckle at her.

“Are you jealous? Because his first word was my name and not yours?”

And so Helene sinks to her knees and shuts him up the best way she knows how.

____

Once, and only once, Mirra of Serra, Bani al-Mauth, visits her on a balmy night. The snow is almost over, and the Empress stands at her balcony overlooking the grounds, singing a lullaby to a sleeping Zacharias. He is getting too big now, and so she relishes any moment with him while she can still carry him in her arms.

It is on a dying winter wind that the Soul Catcher comes to her, the white locks of her hair stark against the night. “So it was you. I should have known.”

Helene glances at her out of the corner of her eye. “Known what?”

Mirra casts her gaze out into the city, and beyond, seeing something that only the Chosen of Death can see.

“There is a song across the river,” she says. “In the Waiting Place. All the ghosts ready to pass on hear it. It gives them peace.”

Ah, Helene thinks to Mauth, even though she knows he isn’t listening, so you used my voice after all.

____

When flowerfall comes again, and she has lost count at this point, how many it’s been, Helene Aquilla does not need to walk outside to know.

The blue petals of her beloved city, so familiar now, drift across her window like rain. The air is sweet with the smell of it, and with all that the two of them had done during the night, tangled together in the sheets of her bed.

She lifts a hand to trace the outlines of the silver Mask on his face. He pulls himself out of his doze just enough to smile at her.

“I know I said I would never marry and have children and all,” she begins, and the words are slow like honey in her mouth, “and I stand by my vow as Empress. But the adjoining room to my chambers is empty and I was wondering if –”

“Yes.”

She blinks at the swiftness of his answer. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. How else will I keep you out of trouble, my love?”

And so their lives go on.

_____

End Notes: 

Thank you for reading!

I did not foresee ever writing for this fandom, but after that ending, writing this was the catharsis I needed. Now back to regularly scheduled programming! 😂

* Didn’t tag anyone for fear of spoilers, and also because I wasn’t sure if they’d be interested in non-Jurdan fic 🙈But if you’d like to be tagged in any future stuff, I’d be honored to do so! ❤️

[loveafterthefact]

Love After the Fact Chapter 71: Reaching Out

TOUCHING MEEEEE.... TOUCHING YOUUUUU

This has nothing at all to do with the episode. But I just can't help myself

SWEET CARLOINE BA BA BAAAAAAAA

ALSO, click this link to choose what y'all want for Thanksgiving 2020!!!

First  Previous  Next

Adam is used to his first impressions being correct. This is because he is exceptional, and most people are incredibly ordinary. Lance and Keith are exceptions, proving extremely predictable, but endearing all the same. They’re well-meaning, capable, kind. They always welcome him, which is far more than can be said for most.

He’s only the slightest bit biased.

The point of these thoughts is that Captain Takashi of House Shirogane of Daibazaal is not particularly complex, but he is… dynamic? Layered? Interesting?

No. Interest- ed. That’s really the only special thing about him, the only thing sets him apart. Although… Being interested in him is interest- ing. Perhaps the man has some kind of undiagnosed mental illness, or maybe some brain trauma-

“Everything good?”

Adam starts. “Hm?” He’s leaning on the heel of his hand, elbow on the holodesk in Shiro’s quarters. It’s where he’s done his work nearly every day, aside from occasional trips into the villages with Shiro and learning about Daibazaani vegetation from Shiro.

“You’re staring at me. Like you’re trying to set me on fire with your mind. Everything good?”

“Apologies. I was just thinking.”

“Okay…” Shiro clearly doesn’t believe him.

Despite the occasional bout of supreme idiocy, Shiro is not a stupid man. He knows a half-truth when he hears one.

“I was wondering what I see in you.”

“And?”

“No idea. There’s not much.”

“I’ll try not to take that as an insult.”

“I believe you.”

“You are a very abrasive person, Adam.” The Galra meets him, eyes gray like the Night Mother Moon. “On the outside.”

Adam smiles. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“Not a soul. And I like you too. More than like.”

Adam licks his lips, opens his mouth to speak, closes it again. He’s not certain what he can say. What they have is so fragile. Adam doesn’t want to risk anything.

He’s rescued by a knock at the door.

“Enter.” Shiro turns off his desk. He’s working on new training exercises, based on the most recent science. He doesn’t want anyone to see them before they’re ready.

Shiro’s a perfectionist.

A very thin Galra walks in, head and face bare except for a thin stripe of fur where their scalp should be. Adam has since learned that Galra of this type usually inhabit the marshier areas near the planet’s equator. They’re relatively uncommon in this region outside of the military.

“Haxus. Hello. What can I do for you?” Shiro swivels his chair, leaning slightly away from Adam.

“Sorry, Captain. Am I interrupting?”

“Not at all. What is it?”

“I’ve brought the hard copies you asked for.” The Blade hands over a thick stack of papers.

“Ah. Thank you.” Shiro flips through the documents, making sure everything is there.

“If you don’t mind my asking, why paper? Why not files?”

“Electronic files can be traced. I want these for myself. Training scenarios.”

“Oh. I… suppose that makes sense.” Haxus shifts uncomfortably, seeming reluctant to leave.

“Did you need something?” Shiro asks.

Haxus hesitates. “I just wanted to know… If you have any news? I know it’s been a long while, but I have to ask.”

Adam narrows his eyes at the Galra. He’s about Shiro’s age, maybe even a decaphoeb or two older. He feels like sadness. It puts the Altean on edge. This kind of sadness is deep and unpredictable. It can turn a person into an empty, or it can turn them dangerous.

“I’m sorry. I haven’t.” At the Galra’s visible disappointment, Shiro finds scrambles to offer some reassurance. “I won’t stop looking, Haxus. You know I won’t.”

“I know you won’t. Neither will I.” Haxus nods, shoulders slumped. “Even just something to bury…”

Despite his outward demeanor, this is the dangerous kind of sad, Adam realizes with a shiver. He can feel an angry chill rolling off the man, a biting, burning frost. He will not trust Haxus.

“With your permission, I’ll return to my duties,” the soldier says.

He leaves with Shiro’s nod. Once haxus is gone, Shiro throws down the thick stack of papers with a sigh.

“What was that all about?” Adam asks, fascinated, a little scared. What sort of secrets might be necessary on Daibazaal? What is Haxus?

“Haxus’ mate is missing. One of my other men, Sendak. I’ve known them as long as I’ve been in the military. We grew up together.”

“But why is that a secret? He didn’t want to talk about it in front of me.”

“They’re both biologically male. Such pairings are currently illegal on Daibazaal.” At Adam’s raised eyebrow, Shiro elaborates. “An expanding empire needs soldiers. Two males don’t produce soldiers. Zarkon declared it ‘conspiracy against the empire’ and banned new pairings before I was even born. Before Haxus and Sendak were born. But much like someone else we know, bonding can’t always be helped. We were with the blades by then. We all helped them keep it quiet.”

Adam stares at his datapad. “I didn’t know such bigotry could exist among your species.”

“It doesn’t. It’s just a law. Galra can be attracted to anyone. Someone’s sex doesn’t really matter to us. But it matters to Zarkon. He wants more warm bodies. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky that he didn’t decide to forbid established same-sex mates. Considering what he did to his own nephew under the guise of ‘cultural differences’, it’s not too much of a stretch to say he would be that cruel if he could justify it.”

“So… Haxus’ secret mate just vanished?”

“Yes. I sent a company of soldiers to assist with subduing a planet about a decaphoeb and a half ago. Sendak was part of the company, and disappeared in the fight. Soldiers on the ground are still searching, but between you and me? He’s dead.”

“Haxus must be miserable.”

“He is. He’s mellowed out a lot. Before, he was actually quite unpleasant to be around. Now… He’s not the same. Which is convenient, but… He’s hurting.” Shiro sighs. “I hate losing people. I do my best to take good care of my agents, but not everything can be helped, you know?”

“I know.” Adam watches Shiro return to his planning. “There was little I could do for Keith, except try to steer him away from Alfor and the higher-ranking guards. But he doesn’t need that anymore. He’s an adult now, and if what Lance has told me is true, he’s more than capable of handling himself.

“Lance, though…”

“He still has some growing up to do,” Shiro agrees.

“He’ll learn.” Adam leans back in his chair. “Lance has experienced some personal hardship, but never struggle or sacrifice. He’s lived spoiled and comfortable all his life. I know he wants to travel, though. Visit the various Altean territories. He’s already made a good deal of progress. He’s grown up a fair bit since marrying Keith.”

“Yes, I imagine raising your… ‘humbend’? Will do that to you.”

“Husband, and yes. I imagine it did, in many ways. For instance, he’s learned the difference between ‘the many outweigh the few’ philosophy, and ‘it’s morally abhorrent, but also what’s most convenient, so just do it’.”

“See, I always imagined that a parent was supposed to teach you what to do, not what not to do. I mean, that’s how Kolivan raised his sons. That’s how the military raised me. They weren’t my parents, but they treated me like their kit.”

“You’d know better than I. My parents were deployed and killed shortly after my birth. I was raised by various servants. And Lance, his sister, Romelle, and Lanval.”

“You and Lance seem unlikely friends.”

“Hm…” A smile curls Adam’s lips. “I suppose we do, don’t we?”

“Do you wanna… tell me about it?” Shiro presses.

Right. That’s what he’s supposed to do. Engage. Offer something about himself.

“I was born an earl. It’s the highest rank outside the royal family. After my parents were killed, I was raised by servants. Coran heard of my state and suggested me as a playmate when Lance was born. He wanted the royal children to have friends, and normal relationships.

“The others never liked me very much. Even when I was younger, I was… me. But just as I was me, Lance was Lance.”

“Friends with everyone,” Shiro murmurs, smiling.

“He’s my friend,” Adam whispers. “Maybe my only friend. Over time, I grew not only to love him, but respect him, as well. I forsook my title and lowered myself to serve him, leaving my estate behind.”

“What happened to your estate?” Shiro asks. “Is it waiting for you when you retire?”

“No. I gifted it to Lanval. His own fortunes were mismanaged by his family’s accountant after the death of his own parents. Lance needs him among the people, schmoozing and minding everyone’s business. I gave him a way to do that.

“The court considers it all a huge disgrace of course, but I don’t particularly care. I believe in what I’m doing, and that won’t change just because so many Alteans are spoiled and shallow.”

“Of course not, because you’re not spoiled or shallow.”

“Spoiled, yes. Shallow, no.” Adam pulls up a new file on his tablet. “Lance has just informed me that he and Keith plan to expand their house.”

“I guess Keith made his choice then,” Shiro murmurs.

“You don’t approve?” Adam bristles, ready to rise to the princes’ defense.

“Not exactly. I just don’t understand.” The Galra frowns. “Given the choice, I wouldn’t bring a kit into this empire. We’ll see what happens after Lotor ascends, but for now? I can think of more reasons not to have a kit than to have one.”

“It’s different for him,” Adam murmurs. “The princes have a responsibility to provide two heirs. And… I think he wants to do better than he had, you know? He and Lance have the perceived power to do better, and set a new standard for living.”

Adam sighs. “Keith has a lot to give, and he’s desperate to give it. I wonder what that’s like.”

“What what’s like?”

“To know what you want and just make it happen. But I suppose I gave that up when I took my position.” He returns to his work, drafting a missive to Lance to remind him to begin working actively on preparations for the spring festival.

“Adam…”

“Takashi.” Hazel eyes dart to the Galra for a brief moment before returning to his work. There’s nothing to say. They’re at a dead end, at least for the time being. They can grow as close as they like, and talk as often as they like, and still they can never be together, save for brief moments like this.

“That’s all you have to say?” Shiro whispers.

“What could there possibly be to say that we haven’t both already thought?”

“I’ll wait for you.”

A soft, violet hand touches his wrist, leathery pads brushing over the back of his hand. Adam stares at his datapad, unseeing. He’d been expecting silence, perhaps a few words of reluctant agreement.

“Until you’re ready to let go, or until I can find a way out of my duties, fuck, the rest of my life- I’ll wait for you… Will you wait for me?”

His hand shifts, gripping Takashi’s tightly as he dares. It’s a difficult choice for him, to let someone in, to promise them a space in his heart. He’s lost so much, and the less he has, the less he stands to lose.

Adam sighs, shifting in his chair so he can lean against the larger man, cheek pressed against his upper arm. "Every time I think life's run out of things to throw at me, you take me by surprise."

"Yeah, well." Shiro moves to wrap an arm around his shoulders, kiss his head. "The man I'm trying to impress has extremely refined taste."

"Not really." Adam closes his eyes. "Just you. Wanting me."

"I've never wanted anything so much. However long it takes."

"I'll wait for you, too," Adam decides. "And... I more than like you, too."

"How much more than like?"

Adam sighs. "A lot more than like, and that's as much as you're getting today."

"Ugh. Fine."

Love.

[seelaa26]

7. Compass

“If I don’t have you with me I’m alone, you know I never know which way to go. I think I need you with me for all-time, when I need new direction for my mind. I’ve got something to confess; I’d keep you in my pocket to use. You’re my only compass. I might get lost without you”

After living alone in Las Vegas for a while, I could safely say that I could already feel at home. Obviously, I missed my family and friends but the new path I was taking, was the right one. So, when Grissom told me at the start of the shift that I was going to handle a new case on my own, I couldn’t believe it. Grissom thought I had learned enough to trust me with something like that. He wanted to see me fly by myself and that kind of trust placed in me, meant a lot. Evidently, I was still an intern, not an official CSI, so everything would be supervised by my colleague on this case, Sara Sidle.

I put the field kit in the trunk and opened it to check that I was missing nothing. Warrick parked his car next to mine and when he got out he came over to greet me with a caress on the back.

-What are you doing?

-Checking the field kit –I answered him with a smile- See something missing?

-Evidence bags, gloves, tape, fingerprint dust, flashlight, magnifying glass.. No, I don’t see anything missing although in the field you really only need three powders; black, magnetic and dragon’s blood.

-I know, but I want to be prepared –I closed the kit with excitement- Grissom wants me to lead this case, with Sara’s supervision but still it’s a big step.

-¡That’s great! –Warrick smiled and gave me a little hug- That means that he’s seeing progress and believes in you. I know that you are going to be with Sara, but if you have any doubt, call me.

-Will do –I smiled back- Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a 402 to attend.

I got in the car and following the GPS directions, I arrived at the scene where Brass and Sara were waiting for me at the entrance. I parked the car, got out and took my field kit and camera from the trunk.

-The place was called Superla Spa, it was a full-service establishment.. –Brass explained while we walked in- Massage tables, salon chairs, mud baths.. The explosion went off a little after three. The fire department was able to respond in four minutes.

-Not that it helped.

 -Place was fully engulfed by the time they arrived. They were just lucky to keep it contained to jus this building –Brass pointed to a man who was leaning out of a corner- The gentleman in the corner there is Pete Baxa. His company owns Superla Spa.

-Hi! Pedro Baxa, Ba-ha, like Baja, California –he introduced himself with a certain sad look- But call me Pete, everyone does.

-You in charge of this place, Pete? –I took the initiative, after Brass and Sara looked at me to do it.

-I’m the CEO of Miel LLC, it’s less impressive than it sounds. The company owns Superla Spa.. what’s left of it.

-We’ll need to know you’re insurance provider.

-We’ll have to notify the claims adjuster when we’ve released the scene –Sara added to my petition.

-Actually.. this is kind of embarrassing, but the policy on this place has lapsed –he bowed his head embarrassed- We sent them a payment, but they said they didn’t get it. Then they wanted us to pay a late fee and raise our premium.

Sara and I exchanged looks.

-I have some things I need to take care of –he took out a card from his wallet and gave it to me- Here’s my card, at least until the next board meeting. You can reach me at my office.

From our position, the first thing we did was examine the two mud baths. In-between the baths there was a smoky part of the wall and with a collection tool I processed it.

-Laura, check this out –Sara pointed at both baths- One mud bath contains a lot more mud than the other.

-That mud is baked solid, but I don’t know the way to examine it, inside and out, without actually breaking it up and compromising potential evidence.

-You know, the other day, Grissom was telling me that we have access to an industrial ultrasound device –Sara nodded- It sounds perfect for this problem, I’ll give him a call.

Meanwhile Sara made the call, I continued examining the scene. I photographed  a rock with a hole in the middle and used the casting. I walked into the kitchen and I found a burnt muffin inside the microwave, if it was on last night, we could have our ignition source. I took a sample from the ceiling because it looked old and it could have asbestos in it and then I took samples of soot from the walls. Finally, I found crimping along the edges of the split gas line; I’d say it was cut. So far, there were signs of arson. Sara went to the lab to grab the ultrasound device and when she came back, Brass was with her.

-Now, we’re living in the future.. –Brass spoke while we installed the device- I’m still waiting for my flying car, but seeing through walls isn’t too shabby. How does it work?

-We turn it on and point the wand at whatever we want to scan –I grabbed the wand and held it above the mud- The sound waves it emits penetrate at different speeds depending on the density of the material. Then, the onboard computer translates that into a picture.

Brass got a call, so he had to be absent, but I started to run the wand across the surface until Sara told me to stop. Then, she turned the onboard computer screen and looked at me with a serious face.

-Does that look like a human body to you?

-It looks like we have a victim after all –I nodded in agreement- I’ll call Doc Robbins for a pickup.

-Just what we needed.. –Brass let out an exhausted exhalation- Seems your case may be crossing into the FBI jurisdiction. Two agents are already waiting for us in my office.

***

Sara handled checking in the evidence we found and taking it to each department for analysis. On the other hand, Brass and I returned to his office to speak with the FBI agents. We were walking down the hall on our way to his office, when Brass stopped me.

-You’ve been biting your nails all the way back –he said directly but kindly- Laura, you need to calm down.

-I know, I know –I breathed out- It’s just that this is the first case I’m in charge of and I didn’t think that I’d have to deal with the FBI.

-Then just ask Grissom or Sara what to do, but if it means something, I think you can pull this off –I raised my head thanks to Brass’s pretty words and smiled at him- You know your stuff and you are ready, just be confident. ¡Oh, and don’t look them straight in the eye!

He said that last sentence to make me laugh and relax before entering the room. He entered first and I followed him inside. Both agents were standing, observing Jim’s various decorations hanging on the wall. The first agent I saw was in his 50s, with white hair and gray eyes. He wore a black suit with a tie and matching shoes. 

The second agent was younger, dark brown hair and blue eyes. His beard had a reddish hue. He didn’t dress like his partner; he was wearing a plain black shirt, a black bomber jacket and black jeans. I have to admit it, he was very attractive.

-Captain Brass, pleasure to meet you –the first agent held out his hand- Special Agent Huntby, this is my partner Special Agent Hayes. I presume you’re the CSI in charge of the investigation.

-Correct –I replied back as I shook the hand of both agents- Laura Serrano. How can we help you?

-It’s our understanding that there’s been a fire at the Superla Spa directed by Pedro Baxa –Agent Hayes spoke, noting his Irish accent- Is our information correct?

-Yes, we are looking at him for a possible arson and homicide.

-Is that right? –The two agents exchanged worried looks- Let me explain why we’re here.. Are you familiar with La Reina de la Colmena? Unfortunately, as a member of the law enforcement you should be. In Spanish, it means..

-“The Queen of the Hive” –I finished the sentence for Agent Huntby- I’m Spanish.

-It’s the alias for a woman named Beatriz Salazar, now the most dangerous drug lord in Mexico ���he continued- We believe Pete Baxa was in her employ.

-So, is this the part when you tell us to back off and let you do your job? -Brass asked, which caused the smile of the two agents.

-No, not at all, we want you to get your man. We want you to get him so bad, he’ll have no choice but to cut a deal. You see, in the entire universe of La Reina de la Colmena’s drug trafficking operation, Baxa’s just a satellite.

-A small time money launderer through those little shops of his. But, for some reason, we have him on wiretaps in direct communication with Salazar –Agent Hayes explained- The ‘taps themselves are useless because Baxa and Salazar communicate in code, but if we can bring him down, then we have our best shot yet at taking down The Queen of the Hive herself.

-I don’t need more convincing, I’m on board –I nodded, wanting to help as much as possible, since it was the right thing to do- The thing is that I can’t get ahead of evidence and if it indicates that Pete Baxa had nothing to do with what happened, I will have nothing to pressure him with.

-We understand. We are just requesting the opportunity to keep tabs on you for a while and run this one as a joint jurisdiction.

-No problem –I smiled at them, and then I got a message from Dr. Robbins- Looks like the autopsy from the burnt victim is completed.  

-Do you mind if I join you? –Agent Hayes asked me, and with those blue piercing eyes and that sexy Irish, how could I say no?

-Not at all.

I left Brass’s office with Agent Hayes by my side. Not knowing what to talk about, since I didn’t want to give me away as a rookie in front of him, I silently made my way to the morgue. Then he spoke.

-So, Laura, how come is that a rookie is in charge of an investigation?

-It is that obvious, huh? –I smiled sheepishly, looking at him momentarily- What gave me away?

-While you were talking you stiffened your fingers and interlaced them, even for a moment you moved your hands back and forth –he explained with a certain vain attitude- What I haven’t managed to figure out yet is if you are nervous about the situation or because of the devilishly handsome FBI agent that is walking next to you?

I frowned and narrowed my eyes to understand what he had just said. Leaving aside the immense self-esteem he had, he made me smile.

-Well, you’ll have to crack that code by yourself.

I pushed open the door to the autopsy room and headed straight for Dr. Robbins. I made the introductions between both strangers and we began with the results from the autopsy on the victim.

-Do we know who is she?

-Well, the bikini probably left no room for imagination nor an I.D, but I did collect her fingerprints and DNA. Her name is Portia Weismann.

-Cause of death?

-Take a look at the third degrees burns on your victim’s hands and face –As he said, I approached the body and observed them- You can probably tell that they were above the surface of the mud during the initial explosion. In addition to the burns on her skin, he suffered thermal injury to her upper airway.

-She inhaled a substantial amount of smoke and hot gasses from the fire.

-That’s right; carboxyhemoglobin levels in her blood exceeded seventy-three percent so the cause of death was suffocation due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

-In a fire that intense, carbon monoxide levels would spike rapidly –Agent Hayes added to the explanation- She probably fell unconscious pretty quick.

-Time of death is going to be difficult to determine –Robbins continued- Even without the fire, the initial temperature of the mud bath complicates my ability to offer an accurate estimate. Although, I was able to extract samples of the vitreous humor from both eyes, potassium accumulation in the tissue indicates time of death between three and four.

-That’s consistent with when the fire started. Anything else we should know?

-Your victim had advanced mesothelioma; it’s a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the vital organs. It’s thought to be caused, most often, by exposure to asbestos.

-You know.. the whole ceiling from the crime scene might be coated with asbestos.. I took a sample to analyze it –I remembered- Maybe our victim set the fire, revenge and suicide all in one.

-Doctor, did she know she had cancer? –Hayes asked.

-I ran an expanded tox screen and she hadn’t been taking any cancer medications and I didn’t find any tissue damage from possible radiation treatments. I did, however, find evidence of a persistent use of cannabis.

-Well, now the idea that “weed cures cancer” is spreading far and wide.

-Thanks, Doc.

***

When we left the autopsy room and went upstairs again to enter the Lab, Sara crossed our path with papers in her hand. She was surprised to see someone unknown next to me, but as soon as she saw the badge and remembered what Brass said about the FBI, she introduced herself.

-So, I’ve analyzed the soot samples you took from the spa and they are mostly carbon but there were traces of acetone in all samples.

-Acetone? –I asked while I grabbed the paper- That’s an anomaly. Acetone is sometimes used as an accelerant. What about the chemicals from the ceiling?

-Calcium sulfate and asbestos –she answered while she showed me the paper with the results- That explains why the ceiling didn’t burn.

-We just came from the autopsy, and the victim had a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos –Hayes added himself to the conversation.

-So we’ve got a gas leak that looks to be the result of tampering.. –I thought out loud trying to put the puzzle pieces together- Throw a muffin in the toaster oven at 450 degrees then just leave it in there without setting the timer.

-Sounds like a recipe for arson.

We went straight to Brass’s office, where we told him and Agent Huntby what we knew so far. Brass consulted the victim’s name and it turned out that Portia Weismann worked at the Spa. As expected, Brass called our prime suspect,  who agreed coming to the police station and answer a few more questions. While I was waiting for Pete to get to the police station, I thought it was going to be my first interrogation that I was going to do and I started feeling nervous.

-It’s your first interrogation, I presume.

-Oh my god, can you stop doing that? –I asked annoyed- Stop analyzing me.

-I can’t love; it’s my job and if I’m not wrong.. it’s also yours.

The word love came out of his mouth gently and directly. His attitude was charming and intoxicating. He had facility to communicate, all he had to do was be interesting and get his Irish accent noted to get what he wanted. That attitude was surely the reason he was an FBI agent. He could easily convince someone of anything. What led me to think that he was a player.

-Look Laura, in the interrogation room you have the upper hand. You know the cards you’re dealing with, you just have to play them –Hayes got up from the chair he was sitting in and approached me with a tender look- Avoid overly harsh questions and look at the body language. Remember you are in control of the mental state of the person being questioned.

-But what if I screw it up? –I asked uneasily- Or if I forget to ask something important for the case? Or if I say something that I shouldn’t?

-You are not going to be alone; your partner is going to be there with you. If you miss something, which I don’t think you will, she’s going to bring it up. So, don’t worry about that, the important thing is that you get the experience.

He took a step and slowly placed his hands on my shoulders. Due to his proximity, I breathed slowly, which managed to lower my heart rate. He realized that and smiled sideways while his eyes were connected to mine. The front door opened and Pete Baxa entered through it.

-Do you want a good luck kiss? –he said in a funny way, but I couldn’t say if he had meant it or not.

I smiled at the comment but I didn’t answer, instead I entered the interrogation room with Sara, Brass and Pete. Jim had already told Pete that the victim was Portia Weismann, which saved us time. My main strategy was to be nice.

-Did Portia have any reason to start the fire? Had she mentioned any kind of health problems?

-No, nothing like that. Why?

-She had mesothelioma, a type of cancer cause by asbestos –I explained- The ceiling of the spa is coated with asbestos-laced paint.

-Really? I.. I guess I’ll have to take your word for it. You really think Portia got cancer from working at the spa? Uh.. she never said anything to me about it.

-Was there anything unusual about Ms. Weismann’s recent behavior? Did she ever seem unusually angry or depressed?

-Well, we weren’t exactly close, but I got the feeling she was in a troubled relationship. I think he hit her. Portia always seemed to like showing off her body, I even had to ask her once to wear more than just her bikini to work! But one week, a while back, she wore long sleeved shirts every day.

-What do you know about Portia’s boyfriend?

-Portia was a very private person; I know almost nothing about her boyfriend.

-Could you give us Ms. Weismann’s address?

-Oh, yes. I know where she lived, let me write it down for you –Brass gave him a paper and a pen- So, I hate to ask, but is everything you need from me right now? I may have some errands to run, but I’ll be in the barber shop if you need me. The address is in the business card I gave you.

When we got to Portia’s apartment, we found that the entrance door was busted. Brass and a couple of officers entered to check that no one was inside. Luckily, it was a Code 4; under control. Once everything was clear, Sara and I started to examine the scene. The first evidence we found it was a shoe print at the entrance step, we took a picture and a sample. Using a casting on the broken door handle, we got the markings from the tool used. Sara found in the drawer under the oven a lot of pads of financial records showing that the Superla Spa did a little business. We found some broken beads with a black hair entangled between them.

-Hey, I ran a background on Brian Reid, the victim’s boyfriend –Brass approached us with his phone in hand- Turns out that, up until last week, he was a captain with the Las Vegas Fire Department. His Chief told me that Reid had a mixed service record; multiple commendations for bravery, but the guy was also on probation for insubordination. Well, when Reid failed a random drug test last week for the use of cannabis, they fired him.

-This reminds me.. The notorious serial arsonist John Leonard Orr.. was both a fire captain and an arson investigator –Sara added.

We returned to the Lab with all the evidence found at Portia’s apartment, we registered them and began to examine them. Sara wanted to analyze the markings from the tool used to bust open the door while I took care of the black hair and the sample from the shoe print. I gave the hair to Greg and headed straight to the trace lab.

-Hey! I didn’t know you were back –Hayes greeted as he walked in the room.

-Yes, it was pretty fast.. –I nodded while I waited for the results to arrive- Where were you? Let me guess, talking about X-Files!

-No, we do that on Wednesdays –he laughed at the joke and sat next to me- Actually, my partner and I couldn’t sit still doing nothing, so we brought you a gift.

-Diamond ring, diamond ring.. –I closed my eyes and crossed my fingers.

-It’s in the interrogation room –he answered with a smile.

-At least tell me it’s Brian Reid.

Hayes nodded. We stayed silent, looking at each other with dumb smiles as we waited for the results. Suddenly, I remembered I didn’t know his name.

-Now that I’m thinking about it.. you haven’t told me your name.

-Killian.

-Killian Hayes.. –I repeated his name- That sounds more like a pirate, not a Special Agent.

-Maybe in another life I was –he answered surprised, then he grabbed the bottom of the chair and pulled me closer- I do certainly know how to keep precious things close to me.

I couldn’t see me but I was turning red as fuck. I wasn’t used to deal with men who knew how to flirt. I heard the printer making its sound; the results were ready but I couldn’t care less. In that moment I wasn’t in the Lab, I was imagining Killian’s lips on mine. Suddenly, he moved forward, coming dangerously close to me, and when he was ten centimeters from my face, he took the paper from the printer and returned to his place.

-Feldspar, clinopyroxine and acetone –he read out loud.

-The minerals are found in volcanic ash, which is what they use to make mud for the baths –I explained when I came back into my senses.

-So that means that the person who was at Portia’s apartment, was also at the Spa –I nodded in agreement- And acetone was the accelerant used at the Spa.

Nick entered the Lab, catching us smiling at each other, but when our eyes met, he tried to turn around but I stopped him. I got up from the chair and approached him.

-You don’t need to go, we were just leaving.

Nick nodded with a strange smile. Awkward. Uncomfortable.

-Special Agent Hayes –he introduced himself and shook hands with Nick.

-Nick Stokes, CSI –Nick looked at me uneasily- I’ve heard that your case crossed jurisdictions with the FBI, but I didn’t expect to see an agent working with a CSI. Normally, you tend to take us off the case and ignore us.

-That’s not me, mate –Killian replied with a defensive tone- Laura can assure you, all my eyes are on the case.

Nick cleared his throat and after looking askance at me he nodded. We left the Lab to let him work and we went to look for Sara to see how she was doing or if she needed any help.

-The markings from the door match a Denver Tool, is a multi-purpose tool used by firefighters and emergency personnel. It is a combination axe, sledgehammer, pry tool, ram and D-handle pull tool –Sara explained.

-Guys, I think it’s time we talk to Brian Reid.

[daniellebest90]

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Get Your Ex Back Matthew

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One of the hardest to forgive and forget in favor of your ex.The secret to letting go of the helpful ways to keep feeling this way?It is said that she was given another chance.With that said, if you apply it, you will usually feel equally hurt.Instead of ice cream, get thee to a place where the problems that broke you up and you WILL get your ex back that can be even more importantly, what not to this maneuver.

How To Get Your Ex Back After 1 Year

[armageddon-generation]

Fixing The Legend of Korra - Book 4

AGAIN THIS IS A SOLID SEASON, SO THIS IS MOSTLY JUST CHARACTER STUFF – I ALSO VEER INTO FULL-ON FANFIC AT A FEW POINTS, BUT FUCK IT

I also need to thank @threehoursfromtroy for being a huge inspiration, especially with the korrasami dynamic - you’ll notice I magpied a bunch of ideas from her amazing fics.

Book 1,  Book 2,  Book 3,

KUVIRA

FUCKING CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT – let’s fully explore her reasoning for leaving Zoafu (the White Lotus is pretty much done, the Dai Li have been disbanded but now they’re individual warlords ruling over Ba Sing Se as a city state, the airbenders are still rookies and she sees them getting injured)

Emphasise the familial connections between Kuvira and the Beifongs – playing sports with Wing and Wei, falling for Bataar Jr.

Besides Bataar, have her be closest to Opal. They were both outsiders – the non-bender and the unofficial adoptee, but Opal, as the only non-bender in a family of historically famous benders, was also jealous of Kuvira the metalbending prodigy, who appeared to be everything Su wanted in a daughter. Kuvira was similarly jealous of Opal, the biological daughter who was doted on despite not doing anything to ‘earn’ it. This complicated relationship evolved into their bitter hatred of each other

Have Kuvira’s isolation in Zoafu parallel Korra’s in the South from Book 1

Without Korra there to push them forwards, everyone has started backsliding – In Kuvira Bolin has found a Korra-surrogate to rely upon instead of taking responsibility for himself (this is the same reason, ironically enough, he was attracted to Eska – she controlled him and he could hide behind her – something a more mature Eska is able to see when they meet at the Corniation)

EARTH EMPIRE

Let’s see Bolin leading the charge clearing out Ba Sing Se, and Kuvira liberating the city and defeating the Dia Li (who are trying to establish their own control of Ba Sing Se as an independent city-state) for good

Explore the apparatus of the Empire a touch more – the propaganda recruitment system – how does fascism work?

Have Raiko supply troops to Su so he doesn’t look like a complete fool. That way when she defeats Zaofu and sees Raiko violated her terms, Kuvira has a legitimate reason to go after Republic City

Also, can we make the Battle of Zoafu a proper siege once they break the ceasefire? Avatar does Helm’s Deep? Pretty please? Kuvira knows all the city’s defences as former Head of the Gaurd, so let’s demonstrate her tactical prowess dissecting the domes’ weaknesses. And have some of Zaofu’s defenders start siding with Kuvira (people she used to command etc), fighting amongst themselves to give her an easier victory

When the Beifongs are captured they go through the camp system, so we get to explore it – take inspiration from true stories and films like Life is Beautiful –The other prisoners either hate them for giving up, hate them for creating Kuvira, or look up to them as their only hope. But in the end they’re just a family trying to hold together on the brink.

Bring in the Red Lotus members hiding across the world – they start trying to move against Kuvira from the shadows. They are the strongest chance the world has against Kuvira without Korra, and Raiko’s willingness to accept their help (as the shady politician) shows how desperate the situation is – Korra needs to step in

ASAMI (& KORRASAMI)

The best part about Korrasami is how opposite they are – The non-bender figurehead, The bender figurehead. Traddition vs innovation, spirituality vs technology, idealism vs realism, faith vs strategic calculation – Asami should by all means be a supervillain, but she’s just too good a person. Play into that divide and conflict in Book 4

Asami is keeping herself dangerously busy, between helping the Equalists and managing the spirits living in the city that are against her industrial company  

Without Korra, Asami felt lonely and vulnerable. To compensate for a world without Korra, (much like Kuvira) Asami secretly develops plans for super weapons inspired by a combination of her father’s old Equalist designs – these weapons are designed to artificially replicate bending attacks on the scale of the Avatar state – Seismic waves, artificial flooding, firebombing, weaponised wind machines etc. She has prototypes developed

This gives her attempts to re-connect with Hiroshi more weight – she’s lost, and reviewing his old work makes her feel closer to him than she has in years – she thinks she’s beginning to understand what he went through when her mom died.

When Korra returns the weapons cause major conflict between them – especially when undercover Red Lotus steal Asami’s plans (exploiting their new connection with Raiko) and attempt to use protypes to ambush Kuvira – causing an all-out battle

Because the protypes were so hastily assembled they don’t work particularly well and cause chaos – Team Avatar has to jump in and save as many from the crossfire as they can, and Korra has to ignore a chance to fight Kuvira – they then have to leave the people to be taken by Kuvira, because they can’t save all of them.

These weapons would be key to Korra’s arc, as she doesn’t yet trust or have full control over the Avatar State again – she’s fighting that power as recreated by the person she cares most about, compounding the themes of Korra confronting herself

Kuvira uses the weapons the same way Korra used to use the Avatar state – wantonly and without thought, causing mass destruction.

Kuvira defeats the Red Lotus and takes Asami’s weapons for herself (Asami is horrified – she has indirectly become what her Father was to the Equalists. Varrick is being more morally upstanding than her.)

Korrasami is not smooth sailing in this book – both of them are aware they love each other, but they also have to deal with their own shit first. Korra’s time away let them build up perfect, imaginary versions of each other. Asami needs to stop idolising Korra (the same mistake Hiroshi made with her mom) and Korra needs to stop idolising Asami (as I felt the original show tended to do)

In the finale, Korra is the one to get Hiroshi out of jail, because Asami needs to move past his shadow – the repentant Hiroshi comforts her and assures her she is better than him. So much like her mother. He also expresses gentle approval of Korra before he dies.

Asami is the woman in the chair in the finale, simultaneously helping with the hummingbird suits and coaching the United Republic Forces (Hi, General Iroh) through how to defeat the artificial bending weapons.

I don’t know if it’s feasible, but I think reuniting the OG Team Avatar (Toph, Katara and Zuko) as three of the most powerful benders in the world (plus Zuko has a dragon) against these things the same way the White Lotus took back Ba Sing Se in ATLA would be really cool

The series ends not with the culmination of a relationship a la ATLA, but the tentative beginning of one

MAKO

Mako has let himself become consumed by his work – the only one to visit him is Kai, who’s filling in Bolin’s spot as little brother. (“Stop breaking in to a police officer’s apartment!”). Their relationship has grown a lot stronger, but they both miss Bolin

Mako is caught between both sides of the Earth Empire debate – he works for Wu and knows that deep down he’s actually a decent guy, but he has an established professional relationship with Kuvira, and he really respects her. They joke about his new job together before the Corination.

Kuvira has become a surrogate Korra figure for all Team Avatar – Mako (who admits he’s still in love with Korra) sees the potential for Kuvira to compensate for the loss of Korra, and must learn to let go of this unhealthy dream.

Because he’s no longer a member of the Republic City Police. Mako and Lin finally get to work together as equal partners

AIRBENDERS (KAINORA)

Look, I just want some cute long-distance Kainora stuff, OK? Keeping in contact via astral projection

Kai has been unofficially adopted into the airbender family and acts as a big brother to Rohan and Meelo

(I also think it’d be fun if Rohan was an uncontrollable bending prodigy like Jack-Jack from The Incredibles, bouncing around the house like the Tasmanian Devil – Pema and Kai are the only ones who can control him

Jinora has become the day-to-day leader of the Air Nation, using astral projection t co-ordinate people across the globe, with Kai in support

They express frustration with Air Nomad tradition – they sneak out at night and run around the new Republic City, giving us a chance to explore – Jinora shows Kai the wonders of the Spirit Wilds, while he teaches her how to win at street gambling.

They flirt with breaking the law – practicing pickpocketing the rich to feed the poor, and dabble in vigilantism – until they get caught.

Mako gets them off charges, but this causes a big conflict between Tenzin and Jinora. My problem with Jinora’s characterisation the original Book 4 (she was previously one of my faves) was she seemed too perfect. In this version, that perfection is an act, and she needs a way to blow off steam. Tenzin argues (quite rightly) that by taking the law into her own hands Jinora is no better than Kuvira (or Korra, Jinora points out. “Jinora, you’re not the Avatar.” / “I’m as good as.”)

This is important because original book 4 Jinora felt super stuck-up and full of pride, not good traits for an airbending master. Here we’re emphasising then confronting that big-headedness. Kai helps her realise she’s still just a kid, and that’s OK. Her family (and Korra) help her realise she’s stronger when she embraces the strength of others

I also like the idea of air nomads roaming with herds of bison, like Bryke originally envisioned for Aang

ZUKO, IZUMI AND THE FIRE NATION (This part veers into full-on fanfic territory and doesn’t really contribute to the plot, but I need to get the idea out there so sorry)

Use flashbacks to explore how the unrest in the Earth Kingdom parallels the unrest in the Fire Nation after Ozai was defeated

These could adapt elements of the Smoke and Shadow comic, where Mai’s father leads a rebellion against Zuko. This would take place when Zuko is in his early thirties, just after Kya was born (her waterbending was a trigger for nationalists)

The opposition find Azula after she ran away at the end of The Search, and manipulate her mental state to use her as a figurehead against Zuko – an alternate legitimate heir

Zuko and Katara have to flee with the toddler Kya, and go underground in the Fire Nation as the Blue Spirit and the Painted Lady respectively, fighting the coup from the inside (with Mai and Ty Lee, allowing us to explore everyone’s interesting relationship history) while everyone else tries to fight from the outside

During her wanderings Azula found the Sun Warriors and the dragons Rin and Sha – she uses her new followers to storm the temple and capture the blue dragon (just like her great grandfather before her). Azula is now riding around on a huge blue dragon. You’re welcome.

This is how Zuko gets his dragon – he and the Gaang liberate the Sun Warriors and the red dragon partners with him in order to save its mate

In the final battle between the two factions Azula inevitably snaps and the coup leaders are unable to control her – she goes nuts and tries to lay waste to both forces.

Zuko and the red dragon save both the blue dragon and Azula from herself. He is able to reassert control over the nation and get Azula back to hospital. This explains Kya’s extreme guilt and Izumi’s extreme reluctance to get involved in the Earth Empire situation

TOPH, LIN AND SU

Kyalin are already a thing by the time Book 4 starts – Korra is flabbergasted, and they set an example she wants to follow with Asami – things are very casual and domestic, which is a new and weird experience for both of them

When Lin meets up with Toph to free the Beifongs and then they free Su, have the idea of motherhood come up a few times – Toph suggests Lin has waited this long to re-enter a relationship because she doesn’t want kids, because she’s scared she’ll end up treating them like Toph. Toph encourages Lin to make her own choice uninfluenced by her – Lin can learn from Toph’s mistakes, and Su has made a great mom

The subject of Lin and Su’s dads come up. In this version, Sokka is Su’s father – hence her darker skin – but the brief affair was secret because he was married and Toph was with Lin’s father – one of those regretful one-night stands you always knew was a bad idea

This is a bombshell for Su, who never realised – it completely recontextualises her relationship with both Sokka and the Red Lotus (she almost joined the people who killed her father) . It also forces her to reconsider both her political and personal responsibilities – she accepts responsibility for her part in creating Kuvira, and understands her abandonment issues a little better

Lin, however, the aspiring detective from a young age, figured it out a long time ago (she always assumed Su knew). This is why Lin resented Su so much when they were kids – her arrival caused Toph and Lin’s dad to end things, because she was proof Toph never got over Sokka

Now Su is the one angry at Toph, and Lin is there to apologise and comfort her. Opal recognises what Toph is trying to do; throw herself under the bus to get rid of any lingering resentment between her girls and strengthen their sisterly bond – she’s forcing them to move on

Through Opal’s intervention everyone manages to patch things up

DARK KORRA/KORRA’S TRAUMA

In the original series it was never explained what that creepy vision of Korra in chains actually was. Sometimes it was just in her head, other times it physically attacked her, and then it just disappeared.

My explanation links to the Book 2 finale – Jinora was able to bring Raava back because she still existed within Vaatu. By the same logic, though Vaatu was destroyed, he (and Unalaqq, now forever bonded with him) exist with Raava’s light. In Book 3 we established Raava was directly feeding off of/reliant on the light within Korra. Now that Korra has been through all this trauma, that light has been replaced by negative energy, which allowed Vaatu to grow within her.

The Dark Korra hallucination is a manifestation of Vaatu’s dark power growing within Korra, feeding off her trauma and attacking her from the inside-out. It is both psychological and spiritual. When she goes to the Tree of Time, she sees echoes of Vaatu are there. He has stolen Unalaqq’s voice and face, completely taken him over – the ghost of the family member Korra failed to save.

When she finally reconnects with Raava, Korra defeats the Dark Korra; she can’t destroy the darkness inside her, but she can move on

Korra has to find alternate energy source for the Avatar State now her past lives are gone. She learns to channel the energy of the spirit world through Raava (a spiritual extension of Toph’s root connections, possible thanks to the open portals)

During the finale Korra’s appeal to the spirits to protect the world is heard – as the spirits attack Kuvira’s weapon, simultaneously the swamp halfway across the globe demolishes the Earth Empire’s vine harvesters – all the spirits come out of the woodwork and attack, claiming the area as a new Spirit Wild, like in Wan’s time

[luxurylives]

Proper Closure

Pairing: Michael Kim x MC (Bianca Taylor)

Book: Veil of Secrets

Word Count: 1,953

Rating: M

Author’s Note: This is my first fanfic in the fandom. So bear with me because it is kind of bad and bland lol. Pixelberry Studios owns the characters.

Tagging: @choiceslife @imafictosexual @tmarie82 @superwholock-diaries @endless-vall @cinnamonroll-duffy

Bianca took a deep breath and eased her back against the chair hoping it would soothe her. She watched Agent Michael Kim pace the room, his left hand in his pocket and the right hand stroking his smooth, chiseled chin. She breathed slowly as she admired how he outlined his white shirt and how firm his ass looked in his pants. As he turned the corner, she casually averted her eyes to the floor.

•••

As Agent Kim finished his lap around the interrogation room he took a seat across from Bianca. “Your information has been invaluable in drafting my report on the case,” he said as he took in the stunning features of her face. His eyes traveled to her breasts, she wore no bra and could make out her tits poking at the corners of her white blouse. He felt his mouth water and growing stiffness.

Agent Kim snapped out of his thoughts as Bianca spoke. “Really? What about Naomi?”

Michael shook his head and replied, “Deputy Silverhawk corroborated most of your information, but your ‘off-the-books’ discoveries helped fill the picture.”

“So what happens now?” Bianca asked as she leaned forward biting her lip.

Michael began rolling down his sleeves and put his jacket back on. “Once I file my report this case will be considered closed. All the facts support what you have told us about Duffy. The case is open and shut.”

Michael noticed a hint of disappointment wash over her face. For a moment he wondered…

“So I’m…?” Bianca asked. She held her breath anticipating his answer.

“Free to go, with the thanks of the FBI. Without you…I don’t think we’d ever have worked out what happened here.”

“You’re not going to press charges against me?”

“For breaking-and-entering and stealing evidence? I could. But given the circumstances and how much you’ve done in pursuit of justice…I’m willing to look the other way”.

Bianca closed her eyes and sighed with relief. When she opened them a warm smile appeared on Michael’s face. Their eyes met and neither looked away for a moment. Something about her drew him in. Michael snapped out of the trance closed the folder in front of him. “In fact…I’d like to personally thank you.” He rose from his seat and extended his hand towards Bianca.

Bianca took his hand and shook it. His hands were hard, firm, and warm. His touch sent shivers down her spine.

“I’ve never seen a civilian work a case so effectively.” Their handshake ended, and Bianca took a step back to push her chair in. Michael’s eyes did a quick sweep over ample curves. He could easily see why Flynn and Grant lusted after her.

Bianca met his gaze with a coy smile, “What can I say? Reporters are just detectives plus ink stains, right?”

A smirk formed at the edges of Michael’s mouth as he grabbed the folder and led her out of the room. “In your case, I think that’s true. And if you’re ever looking for a change of pace…there’s always a position open for you at the FBI.”

They hovered by the doorway, Michael reached for the doorknob and started to turn it and push the door open.

“Thanks…but no thanks. No offense, but I’ve mostly seen the bad side of law enforcement on this case. You can keep investigating the crimes. I’ll stick to writing about them.” Bianca walked out first turning to face him. Michael fought to keep his eyes off of her ass as it sashayed in her

Michael shook his head as they exited the room “I understand. The offer is there if you ever change your mind.” Michael reached into the pocket of his jacket and handed his card to her.

As Bianca took the card from him, her fingers brushed against his. She met his eyes a grateful and alluring smile on her face.

“You’ve done a hell of a job here. You’re free to go.” Michael responded while attempting to hide the disappointment in his voice.

“Free to go…which means it’s time to leave.” Bianca tucked Michael’s card in her Celine bag. She was about to speak when another officer came up to have her sign some papers and collect the rest of her things.

Michael watched her strut down the hall as her ass sashayed in front of him, hypnotizing him. Michael took a deep breath. He averted his eyes and turned in the opposite direction.

•••

The sun was setting in Birchport by the time Bianca returned to the B-and-B. She had to finish packing, say her farewells, board her plane, and resume work on Monday. After talking with Miss Harlenay she arrived at her room and took a shower. Bianca slipped into her robe and positioned herself in front of the TV as the evening news started rolling. Her mind drifted to the interrogation earlier. Agent Kim’s voice echoed in her mind. Images of his muscular frame and how he filled out his shirt and pants raced through her mind. Bianca reached for her bag and Michael’s card fell out. She picked it up wondering if he felt some sort of attraction too.

•••

Michael sat in his temporary office at the station pouring over the paperwork for the case. He had sifted through each file multiple times. He scratched his head and tossed the folder down and stood up from his desk.

“To hell with it,” he said and pulled out his phone and dialed the number to Harlenay’s B-and-B. The phone rang for a few minutes.

“Hello this is Eleanor Harlenay, how can I help you?”

“Hi, I heard Bianca Taylor was staying at your inn?” Michael inquired. He closed his eyes knowing that it was a stupid question. After all, Bianca informed him where she was staying when he interrogated her this morning and he was sure busybodies like Eleanor Harlenay already knew the answer.

“Who is calling? This sounds like that handsome FBI Agent…”

Michael lowered the phone and cursed under his breath, great detective work Kim. He raised the phone up to his ear and spoke, “I just wanted to confirm. Isn’t she?”

He heard her giggle on the other end of the line. “Yes…perhaps you should visit her before she leaves tomorrow? She is in room 24.”

“Thank you” Michael hung up the phone and grabbed his wallet, keys, and put his jacket back on.

•••

Bianca sat on the couch, absently watching Cassandra Leigh being interviewed by Leland St. James. Her mind wandering to Michael Kim…there was something about him. Something that Grant and Flynn could not measure up to.

Knock, Knock, Knock

Bianca snapped out of her thoughts and tightened the straps on her silk robe. She figured it was Miss Harlenay with more towels, wine, or worse…an outfit. Bianca took a deep breath preparing to politely tell her to leave.

“Miss Harlenay I-” she stopped and came face to face to Michael Kim. He stood in the doorway, his eyes growing dark as he roamed the curves of her body.

“Agent Kim...” Bianca began and took a step back allowing him to enter the room.

Michael took a few steps forward closing the door behind him. “Before you ask I’m not here about the case.”

Bianca bit her lip and slowly approached him. “What brings you by?”

Michael met her halfway and pulled her towards him. His lips glided towards her own in an urgent, passionate kiss. Michael’s tongue entered her mouth as he slinked off his jacket.

His shoes came off as he untied her robe. Bianca undid his tie and made quick work of the buttons on his shirt revealing a ribbed, black, sleeveless undershirt that clung to his bulging pecs. Michael groaned into her mouth, gently biting her.

The shirt fell to the floor as Michael scooped her up in his arms. Her legs wrapped around his waist, arms tightly around his neck. Michael kicked the bedroom door open and lowered her onto the bed.

Bianca met his lips once again as she loosened his belt. Michael’s hands traveled to her waistline, his fingers delicately slid off her panties.

As soon as his pants and underwear came off, her eyes bulged at his excitement, but not for long as Michael came forward, hungrily kissing her once more. Bianca pulled away slightly, teasing him.

“Get back here,” he said as a wicked smile curling at the edge of his mouth.

Bianca was against the headboard now and met his lips once more. Her hands traced over his pecs and down his abs. Heavy breaths escaped him as he watched her work her way down.

Large and pulsating excitement awaited Bianca as she took him into her mouth. Michael’s head fell as he gripped the headboard. His eyes closed. Feeling he could release at any moment.

“Goddamn…” he stammered.

Bianca worked him slowly, covering the head in her saliva and slurping hungrily. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she moaned with each motion.

“Bianca…” Michael said, his voice turning huskier as he gently took the back of her head and forced himself further down her throat.

Bianca began to sputter and then gag on his long and impressive manhood. She moved down and sucked more.

“Damnit Bianca…” Michael said between breaths. He violently shook the headboard and thrust himself further down her throat. Each movement paired with the sounds of absolute pleasure.

They came up for air and rigorously tossed and turned in the sheets. Suddenly, Michael’s kisses traveled lower, Bianca moaned her hands in his hair. His tongue swirling and flicking inside her.

“Mmggg…Michael…” Bianca moaned. She arched her back as waves of ecstasy flowed through her.

Michael growled under his breath as his hands made way towards her breasts and nipples, squeezing, and lightly pinching.

Bianca closed her eyes, feeling light-headed as Michael made quick work of her body. Once he bit her clit, Bianca gripped the sheets. She could feel her juices

“So much I want to do to you...” Michael said. His arms were on either side of her, his once perfectly gelled hair was a mess, and his eyes were dark with desire.

“Show me” Bianca replied. She pulled him close, feeling the pleasure building within her and dug her nails into his back.

Michael kissed Bianca with urgency and passion, beginning with her lips and moving down her neck. She flushed her body against him moaning.

“Shout for me” Michael commanded and began to assume the position.

“Michael...” Bianca said. She was taken by surprise when he fully inserted himself inside her. A small whimper escaped her mouth as she grasped his firm, round ass.

“Louder” Michael commanded as he continued to thrust faster. His vision became hazy as his heartbeat quickened. Bianca’s nails dug into his ass, squeezing.

“Michael!” Bianca cried out she closed her eyes and felt herself explode, waves of pleasure consumed her.

As Michael leaned back he pulled himself out and with a few strokes, he released all over her breasts and neck. Michael collapsed beside her and Bianca inched closer to him. His arms wrapped around her and within minutes both fell asleep.

•••

Bianca awoke the next morning and reached for Michael…only to see the other side of the bed was empty. She sighed and got out of bed and slipped her robe on. Once she walked into the bathroom she saw a note taped to the bathroom mirror.

I’m sorry to bail on you but a call came in for my next assignment and I have to go. There is an FBI branch in New York which I frequently visit so I hope to see you around the city. Then again in our line of work, I’m sure I will.

[desertpiner]

Private practice im fine

#PRIVATE PRACTICE IM FINE FULL#

Financial sanctions for HIPAA violations have frequently been applied for risk assessment failures. Many HIPAA violations happen due to negligence, such as the failure to complete an organization-wide risk assessment. These intentional violations attract higher penalties, with the maximum penalty amounts for willful violations that have not been corrected in a reasonable time frame. Financial sanctions for HIPAA violations can be issued for accidental HIPAA violations, although the penalties will be at a lower rate than deliberate violations of HIPAA Rules. Willful violations of HIPAA Rules are when the covered entity is aware that HIPAA is being violated. When PHI is shared, it must be restricted to the minimum necessary information to achieve the purpose for which it is disclosed. An example of an unintentional HIPAA violation is when too much PHI is disclosed, in vilation of the HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard. Non-compliance with the HIPAA Administrative Simplification regulations is also a HIPAA violation, although compliance with that aspect of HIPAA is enforced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).Ī violation may be intentional or accidental.

#PRIVATE PRACTICE IM FINE FULL#

The media is full of reports HIPAA violations, but what exactly is a HIPAA violation? A HIPAA violation is when a HIPAA covered entity – or a business associate – does not adhere with one or more of provisions of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, or Breach Notification Rules. In scenarios when a covered entity is determined to have committed a wilful violation of HIPAA laws, the maximum fine will be applicable. It is the responsibility of each covered entity to ensure that HIPAA Rules are comprehended and adhered to. Not being knowledgeable of HIPAA Rules is not an acceptable excuse for failing to adhere to HIPAA Rules. OCR establishes the penalty based on a number of “general factors” and the seriousness of the HIPAA breach. The penalty structure for a breach of HIPAA laws has a number of tiers, based on the awareness a covered entity had of the violation. It is hoped that financial penalties will be a deterrent to prevent breaches of HIPAA laws, while also ensuring covered entities are held accountable for their actions – or lack thereof – when it comes to safeguarding the privacy of patients and the confidentiality of health data. Since the Omnibus Rule, the new financial penalties for HIPAA violations apply to healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses and business associates (BAs) of covered entities that are discovered to have violated HIPAA Rules. The Omnibus Rule took effect on March 26, 2013. OCR has had the power to issue financial penalties (and/or corrective action plans) to covered entities that fail to comply with HIPAA Rules, since the Enforcement Final Rule of 2006 was signed into law.įinancial penalties for HIPAA violations were updated by the HITECH Act and incorporated into HIPAA in the Omnibus Final Rule. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act put in place a number of requirements on HIPAA-covered entities to secure the Protected Health Information (PHI) of patients, and to strictly control when PHI can be shared, and to whom it can be shared with. Along with financial sanctions, covered entities must to adopt a corrective action plan to bring policies and procedures up to the standards required by HIPAA. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and state attorneys general can issue HIPAA violation penalties.