#and my own mother was in a nearby facility just last year where she would hit the call button and no one would come for hours

[fiona-fififi]

...

[bookishofalder]

Night Changes [Seven]

Summary: An unexpected attack cuts the final tethers of restraint for Poe and the reader.

Warnings: Language, violence, blood, mentions of attempted assault, choking, injury description (note RED cuts to skip past uncomfortable parts if preferred), Smut—PiV, fingering, squirting, oral. W— +14K.

A/N: If there was ever a chapter I would beg for feedback/thoughts, this is it. Please tell me you like it. Oh god, soothe my worried mind.

It was tempting, the urge to roll your eyes as the man before you moved to stand too close. You smirked, waiting to see if he was serious in his attempt to corner you or if he would scamper off the moment you pulled your knife from your thigh holster where it was hidden beneath your dress.

There was a darkness in his gaze that made your hand twitch at your side, and here you had thought Canto Bight would be relatively uneventful. But it appeared you caught his eye and your disguise as just another casino patron worked because he had followed you unexpectedly into the foyer off of the main ballroom, where you had gone to wait for Poe and Temmin to return.

The three of you were here for intel promised by a very wealthy ally, so dressing the part was important for blending in with the privileged crowds. You were sure the man before you thought you weak enough to bully, a rich girl he could take advantage of.

You were annoyed, wishing you’d gone with Poe instead of Temmin, that you hadn’t offered to keep watch for any signs of your enemies because you felt you were the least suspicious of the three of you. BB8 stayed with you, but when you’d seen the man following you over your shoulder you told the droid to hide and it had zipped behind a potted plant in the corner of the foyer, beeping coyly.

You had first assumed he was a guard, perhaps about to tell you that you were in the wrong place if you were looking for a fresher, but when he stepped around you and blocked your path you quickly realized he was something else entirely. His suit, you could tell now from close up, was immensely expensive and he reeked of cologne.

There were two hallways over his shoulder, one which Poe and Temmin had gone down to meet with the contact, and the other which branched off to various parts of the greater building. Both were quiet, and so you knew not to expect any sudden interruptions that might save you the trouble of having to incapacitate the man.

But, you could easily handle one lone wolf who bit off more than he could chew.

Which was why it came as a very great surprise to you when you felt another presence behind you, but before you could do more than stiffen you felt pressure against your spine; a second man had snuck in and was pressing a knife to you. Now you understood that the first man wasn’t blocking your path; he was distracting you.

So less of a lone wolf, more of a predator with a partner. Bile rose in your throat and you glared at the man in front of you. He smirked now, taking another step toward you so that both men were almost pressed up against you, sandwiching you between them. “You’re a pretty little number.” He hissed, one hand shooting out to grab your throat.

You wanted to fight, but the knife at your back was a heavy warning of what could happen and you knew you needed to play your cards right. No pun intended. You’d been cornered before, of course, but always by First Order officers. Rich men who wanted what they couldn’t have were not on your list of experiences before this, and you wondered how best to deal with them.

“Fuck you,” You seethed, and the hand at your neck tightened fractionally. More of a threat than anything else.

His words though were a clear threat. “No, we’ll fuck you, doll.”

The way they got you onto the floor, the ease and swiftness of it, told you they’d done this together before. It sickened you, made fury rise inside of you and you wanted nothing more than to pull the knife from your holster and drive it into the hand at your throat. You made a noise, a growl, and the man with the knife finally spoke up.

“She’s a wild one, probably best to knock her out.”

You were going to kill them. Whatever happened, their blood would be soaking into this plush carpet before the end of the night. The first man moved so that he was straddling your chest, his weight on his hunches, and grinned down at you.

“Don’t worry, we’ll have our fun and be on our way. We aren’t going to hurt you so long as you don’t struggle.” He immediately contradicted himself when the hand at your throat tightened, pressing at the sides in a way that cut off airflow without completely crushing your throat. They wanted you to pass out.

You went limp, conserving your energy as you scowled up at the man. The reality of your situation was now enough to cause panic to bubble up; Poe and Temmin hadn’t been gone long. The contact would invite them for a drink, chat with them briefly before passing along the intel. They would find you here, after.

No, that couldn’t happen. It would kill Poe, and he wouldn’t be able to leave until he found the men. You whimpered, black spots started to dance in your vision and you saw, from the corner of your eye, a blur of orange and white zoom down the hallway your squadmates had ventured not long ago.

The second man was already getting excited, his free hand brushing over your face, touching your lips. Even without any air coming in, you tried to bite him. He jerked his finger back, cursing, and the man holding your throat threw his head back to laugh loudly, the pressure releasing in his distraction. You think he started to tease the other man, but everything was confusing now and instincts overtook your body, pulling in air-too much air, too quickly.

Scream.

Yes, you needed to scream. One good, long one that someone would hear, or at least loud enough to scare them off of you in case someone did come looking for the source. You kept pulling in air and it was painful your vision blurring, and you think you were about to pass out. Faces appeared in your mind. Two very distinct, very familiar faces; Charlie and Poe. Your protectors, your family, your love.

Just like that, you had what you needed to find the strength to scream.

It came out in one long, very loud wail, the sound of it echoing off of the walls and back to you before you passed out.

“POOOOOEEEEEE!”

+

The Martell family moved off, having given their words of sorrow and sympathy, and Charlie tightened the arm he had secured around his mother’s shoulders. She was the strong, silent type like him; whereas you always took after dad. He was keeping close to mom today, providing her with the support she needed and knowing that you were being well taken care of by the one person who could provide the tender love you required.

Charlie glanced around the room as mom took a sip of water, seeking you in the crowd. His eyes landed on Dad's green armchair in the corner, where you were curled up in Poe’s lap, face pressed into his neck as you shook with sobs. He could see his best friend whispering to you, his hand rubbing up at down your back, no doubt repeating words of comfort. He must have felt Charlie’s gaze, his eyes flicking up suddenly before he smiled sadly.

In many ways, it was a beautiful thing to behold the love which you and Poe had for one another. Even as young as you all were, no one could doubt or question that you were both made for one another-except, of course, for yourselves.

Charlie could almost be jealous if he hadn’t spent years around you and seen how natural it seemed to come to you both. He couldn’t be angry that his best friend loved you so deeply, that he knew what to do to comfort you, to care for you, knew when it was needed without Charlie even needing to ask. Hell, even dad had noticed, mentioned it to Charlie during that last visit...

Dad was smiling at Charlie, who sat in the chair next to his bed in the medical facility. It was a nice private room, the kind that the staff made a little homier because it was where the terminal patients came to live out their last days. Mom had taken you and Poe with her to get tea in the nearby lounge, leaving Charlie alone with dad one last time. He sighed, admitting to dad now that they were alone that it didn’t feel fair to lose his father at sixteen. And you were barely fourteen!

Dad chuckled sadly, “I want to stay more than you know, son. I have to tell you, Charlie, that I’m already more than proud of who you are and I know you’ll continue to be a remarkable person. I told your sister the same, but she’s still young, she’ll need more reminders,” Dad paused to take a breath and Charlie waited patiently, taking hold of one of his hands. “I know you’ll always take care of her, put her before anything else. Even the fight, it comes second to her. Though I expect you’ll have help. Wish I could have been around to see those two get married one day.”

Charlie grinned, “You noticed them too?” His father nodded, eyes bright despite the sickness. “How could anyone not, I suppose. Except them.” Charlie added, rolling his eyes fondly.

Dad laughed again, “They’ll realize it when they’re ready. You’re all too young for love anyway,” He joked, giving Charlie a mock stern look. “Just make sure that whatever they do, you focus on your own happiness too, son.”

He squeezed Charlie’s hand weakly, he smiled at his father, “I promise I’ll take care of her, dad. And mom, she’ll need me more.” Dad nodded, his eyes a little wet but so filled with love that Charlie could only stare at him for a few minutes before continuing. “You want me to beat him up when they do finally kiss, though?”

Another weak laugh, followed by a wink, and then Charlie spent a few more minutes talking with his dad for the last time, before eventually mom, you and Poe filtered back in.

He felt a lot of love and joy despite the fucking misery of it, until Dad's eyes slipped shut the final time and you all kissed him before stepping out to leave mom alone with the nurse. You were wrapped around Charlie, who had carried you out of the room, and he passed you over to Poe, asking his friend to take you home while he took care of mom. Poe pressed his forehead to Charlie’s before doing just that, his own eyes leaking tears.

Now, Charlie wondered if Poe had stopped touching you since that day. Perhaps he simply switched between carrying you and keeping his arm around your shoulders, anchoring you down in safety and love, letting you grieve while keeping you from falling too far into the darkness.

Poe met his eyes across the room, wordlessly asking ‘do you need me?’ And Charlie smiled back, shaking his head. Because Poe was already doing exactly what he needed him to, cooing softly in your ear as you trembled and cried quietly, protecting you while Charlie held up his mother and in turn, she held him up, thanking him for being strong, for loving so hard.

Charlie thought he could love as much as he wanted, it would still never compare to the love between Poe and you. It made him smile.

+

Poe was walking with Temmin at his side, the contact leading them through the extravagant hallways to the room where their source would pass over the intel promised to the Resistance. Intel that could help track down a man that had something the General needed. He was an ally to the Resistance, not a neutral or ‘for profit’ type but a true ally who pushed through funds for them as much as intel. Coming in person to the casino he owned, dressed to the nines in finery that felt foreign, sitting over a glass of champagne-it was the least they could do.

And Poe had to admit, the moment you’d stepped out of the fresher on the small ship Black squad had taken to come to Canto Bight, he’d become gleeful over the necessity to dress up. Because you were gorgeous, dazzlingly so in a golden, glittering dress, your legs bare, hair styled loose, a touch of make-up on your face. He thought you were so beautiful, and he wanted to tell you but didn’t trust himself to say it right, so he’d grinned before turning away and letting out a low whistle. Calling ‘looking good, sweetheart’ over his shoulder.

They were approaching a large, ornate door that the man leading them gestured toward, indicating their contact was on the other side. Poe thanked him for his help, but before he could move the final steps to the door a familiar sound suddenly entered the hall; BB8 was zooming towards him, beeping frantically.

Exchanging a curious look with Temmin, Poe dropped down to one knee as the droid rolled to a stop before him. Despite Poe’s fluency in binary, he was only catching words due to the panicked, too-fast rate at which the droid communicated. He gathered ‘attack’ and ‘knife’ and wondered if BB8 was telling him you had stabbed someone.

It wouldn’t have been the first time on a mission you’d done so.

“Buddy, slow down, I can’t understand you,” Poe hushed the droid, “Say it again, slower.”

The droid repeated itself, slowly.

Poe was moving before he finished. “Captain, go in without me. BB8, stay with him.” He ordered over his shoulder. He heard Temmin’s worried affirmative reply. And then he was running, faster than he had in his entire existence, blood roaring in his ears. Poe ran because the message was clear.

You were being attacked.

And he didn’t like how BB8 had phrased it, saying you ‘couldn’t breathe'. He didn’t know if he was about to find you with Storm Troopers or undercover First Order fighters, but regardless being unable to breathe didn’t sound like their usual treatment of suspected Rebels. It only drove him to run faster through the twisting hallway, forgetting his expensive clothing or even the importance of remaining undercover, his focus solely on you now.

You had offered to stay behind. Because it was the best option, and Canto Bight was an easy enough place to blend in. So who had made you?

Poe half expected to round the final corner up ahead and find you waiting for him with your enemy incapacitated, or otherwise in a standoff he would have to join in on the fight with.

He never expected anything like what was about to happen.

Before he reached the end of the hall, an ear-splitting shriek filled the air and Poe’s veins turned to ice, his breath catching.

“POOOOOEEEEEE!”

You had never made a sound like that before in your life, and blind, all-consuming rage overtook every facet of Poe’s being-whoever, whatever, made you scream like that was about to fucking die. He came tearing around the corner and his eyes fell on the most gut-wrenching, heart-stopping sight-you, laying still on the floor as a man straddled your chest, one hand wrapped around your throat. A second man stood next to you; both men had their backs to Poe and appeared to be watching you...

Were you dying? Dead?

They didn’t hear Poe coming, neither of them even turned around when he pulled the knife from the inner pocket of his jacket and leapt at the standing man. He slit his throat without thought, already looking toward the man still straddling you, who had released his hold on your neck to peer around curiously. He looked just in time to see his friend collapse to the floor, had enough time to jump back in fear, mouth opening in horror.

It didn’t matter, though. His futile attempt to block Poe only served to aid his aim, so that the knife he slashed out could be thrust down and into the soft flesh between his collarbone and throat. Poe snarled, slamming him back into the wall to ensure he didn’t fall onto you, before yanking the knife out and finishing him off with a firm swipe of the blade over his throat, cutting through the tendons and blinking when a spray of blood landed on him.

Stashing the knife back into his pocket and glancing up at the closed door, Poe stumbled forward and dropped to his knees next to you, adrenaline coursing through his body and keeping his hand steady as he sought out your pulse point. He could already see bruising bleeding over the soft skin of your throat, darkening it, and he felt his rage ebb away into a panic so severe that he almost missed the steady beat of your heart.

“Oh fuck,” He gasped out, a modicum of relief seeping through the panic. He scooped you up quickly, spinning around and making his way toward the hallway opposite the one he’d just come from. He groaned when he realized he wasn’t sure where to go, which door led to an exit-you had the entire place memorized. But you were breathing steadily in his arms, still passed out, and Poe needed to follow his gut on this because you’re life depended on him getting you to the safety of the ship.

He couldn’t cut through the casino, so he opted to simply try each door in the hall ahead until one of them lead to a room with a window he could climb out of. Kare was waiting on the ship, he could send her in as backup once he was out. It was the second door that he shouldered through that lead to him gasp in relief-it led onto a patio, on the ground floor. He glanced around, confirming no one was in sight before tearing off at a run, holding you tight in his arms. Everything was happening in such a blur.

He tapped on his comm, “Kare! Please tell me we have bacta shots on the ship.”

Her voice crackled through in alarm, “What’s happened? We only have spray-“

“Shit!” He growled, “I’m coming back with the Major-she was attacked, get out the medkit and prepare to head to the casino and wait outside for Temmin, he needs to have a backup-“

“You got it, Commander!” She replied swiftly before the line went dead and he knew she’d have switched over to Temmin’s channel to give him the update.

When Poe boarded the ship a few minutes later, Kare was waiting at the top of the ramp and gasped at the sight of you in his arm, passed out. She paused, eyes on Poe “Whose blood is that, Commander?”

“It’s not hers,” Poe replied, setting you down on the only bed the tiny ship had and picking up the medical kit Kare had left out for him, “I killed two men. Make sure Temmin and BB8 get back here with the intel, I’ll have the ship ready to depart.” She confirmed she heard him before running down the ramp and out of sight.

Poe set to work quickly, first tugging a rolled blanket from the end of the bed and covering you with it, then seeking out your pulse to confirm it was still beating steadily. He then uncapped the bacta spray and gently tilted your head back; exposing your heavily bruised throat, and carefully opening your mouth.

“Oh my sweet girl,” He sobbed out, first spraying into your open mouth so that the spray would drip down into your throat and reduce the swelling, then again to the outside skin. It would help, he comforted himself, “My sweet, sweet girl, I’m here. I’ve got you, please, please be okay.” He pleaded, his voice a strained whisper as he stroked your hair gently off of your face, waiting for the spray to do its work. He thinks he kept talking, while his eyes watched your face, every second torture until he saw movement behind your eyelids.

“Mmm,” You moaned out a strangled sound, your face tightening as you registered the pain. Your eyes suddenly snapped open and he saw panic flash there, a fear he’d never seen on your face before that shattered his heart right in his chest.

“Baby,” He whispered, bringing his face over yours so you could see him clearly, “It’s me, I’ve got you, sweet girl. We’re on the ship, we’re safe.” He promised you, dropping his hand to hold yours under the blanket. You gazed at him for a second, then dropped your eyes to search over him and he glanced down, realizing he was...still covered in blood.

“Ah-okay?” You wheezed, your voice was scratchy, but your brows pinched together in an expression that cleared up your meaning.

“I’m fine,” He assured you, leaning down at pressing a kiss to your forehead, “Don’t try to speak until we get you looked at, okay? Does anything else hurt?”

He drew back to watch your face, but you shook your head slightly to indicate you were okay. He cupped your cheeks then, needing to touch you, to feel you alive and warm under his now trembling fingers. You noticed his shaky hands, one of your own coming out from beneath the blanket to reach up and stroke his jaw.

A shuddering, retched sob tore out of him as you did this familiar comforting gesture, attempting to ease his pain when you were the one that had been harmed. Tears no longer threatened, but spilled from his eyes as he leaned over you, his face inches from yours, “My sweet girl, y-you scared me, there, thought I-I-“ He broke off, unable to even say the words. You kept caressing his jaw, the motion soothing to you as well, he gathered from the expression on your face. “I killed them. Both.” He admitted. You responded by merely widening your eyes slightly, then shutting them in understanding.

He watched you for a few moments, then let his own eyes shut as he lowered his head and pressed his forehead to yours, trying to reign in his emotions so that he could get the ship ready to go home. He pulled back when you attempted to speak again, your voice a little clearer thanks to the spray.

“L-love you.”

Poe ran his thumbs under your eyes to wipe away the tears that spilled, “I love you,” He replied, turning his head and pressing his lips to your hand, “So, so much, my lovely girl.”

+

When Tahla had first walked onto the ship after Temmin and Kare had successfully landed back on base at D’Qar, his expression was so fraught with concern you’d squeaked a little from your spot on the bed, wanting to tell him you were fine despite your voice box rejecting the attempt. Poe had disappeared into the cockpit with Temmin and Kare when they finally boarded the ship on Canto Bight, BB8 in tow, and you think he must have overstated your injury when he’d called into base.

“Well, that sounded extraordinarily wretched, let me take a look,” Tahla joked, his features relaxing, and he sat at your side on the bed. Poe was behind you now, his body acting as your pillow, a comforting position he’d taken up the moment the ship landed and the rest of Black team had departed to get the intel to the General. “This is going to be uncomfortable, but try not to make noise, okay?” His eyes were on Poe when he spoke at first, dropping to you when he posed the question. You nodded your understanding and decided to lose yourself in thought as he gently started feeling along your throat.

When you first came to, the only thing you had been aware of was the pain in your throat. You’d felt movement at your side and panicked, thinking you were still under attack, only when you opened your eyes you instead met the most heart-wrenching sight of your life; Poe covered in blood, looking down at you pale and panicked, his eyes wide with fear. Seeing him like that hurt worse than the pain in your throat, though that was certainly in a strong second place.

When he admitted he killed the men, you regretted only that you hadn’t been able to fight them off yourself, or at least been able to help him take them down. You didn’t want all of that to sit on his shoulders. You comforted yourself at the moment by telling him you loved him, testing the words on your tongue, despite knowing he would take them at their usual meaning and not how you truly meant them now.

But you could wait a little longer to tell him properly.

“Alright, Major. The good news is that you’re going to be okay and the spray will combat any long-term damage to your vocal cords,” Tahla was looking into your mouth now, a light shining in his hand as he inspected your throat. “Bad news is that I can’t administer a Bacta shot this far into the injury, so you’ll have to allow it to heal on its own over the next couple of days.”

“F-fuck.” You stammered, and Poe’s hands, which were clasping your shoulders, tightened fractionally in response. A silent, loving, admonishment. Tahla laughed, stowing away his light before giving you a final once over.

His eyes moved up, meeting Poe’s instead, “That’s not your blood, right?”

“No,” Poe replied, his voice quiet, “No. I killed them. BB8 found me, told me (y/n) was being attacked. They were...I didn’t hesitate.”

Fuck, he sounded so dark and haunted, you wanted to take away his worry, take away whatever memories he had now from the attack. You were tired though, your eyes beginning to droop now that you were home and safe and in the clear of any permanent damage. Tahla gave Poe a nod that suggested his approval over Poe’s handling of the men who attacked you, his eyes darkening for a moment, and then your eyes closed completely.

Poe’s hands immediately moved, adjusting you in his arms. How he was able to tell you were ready to sleep you’d never know. He was lifting you before you could even consider offering to just walk since your legs worked just fine. But you let yourself curl into his hold instead, your face pressing into his neck. He began to walk and you let the gentle motions soothe you further, lulling you towards sleep.

Tahla spoke from somewhere behind your head, where he walked next to Poe, “I’m going to give her a few days off, pull her from the field for a week minimum-I’ll check on her in five days, see if her voice is good enough for the field.”

“Listen, man, thank you for coming. I know it’s overstepping to demand a specific Healer-“

“Don’t worry about it,” Tahla interrupted, “I’m glad you did ask for me. Scared the hell out of me though, Poe.”

Poe sighed, “Sorry about that.” He didn’t elaborate even though you wanted him to explain why he’d caused Tahla to panic, what he’d said to have your friend run into the ship like he thought your head was about to fall off.

You also wanted to thank Tahla for coming, but you were too sleepy. Instead, you let the way Poe carried you to ease you closer and closer to the blissful release of sleep, not realizing until you heard a door whoosh open that the Healer was gone. Poe lowered you onto something soft and you peeked out beneath your eyelashes to find you were in his room.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to wake you,” He murmured, pulling his blanket from where it was folded at the base of his bed to cover you, his hands still shaky. You reached for him then, grabbing hold of his hand, and Poe stilled, gazing down at you. “What is it, sweetheart?”

You cleared your throat carefully and kept your voice as low as possible when you spoke. “Sta-y with me.” You saw the words hit him, his tension releasing so quickly that you think he nearly collapsed as he joined you on the bed, laying cautiously next to you. The only part of him that touched you was where your hand had grabbed him; now, you tugged him closer and shuffled, burrowing into his side and tucking your head into his neck.

You didn’t care that he was bloody or you were both still dressed in the fancy clothing-you just wanted him close. Needed him, not only for yourself but also for him, so that he knew you weren’t upset with him in any way, so that he couldn’t lick his wounds alone and convince himself that he messed up.

You needed him to know that you still trusted him. Always would.

He shifted so that he could circle his arms around you, holding you tight against him and breathing steadily, hard enough that you knew he was fighting off tears again. Your poor, kind-hearted Poe. He took things so hard, loved so fiercely. You didn’t understand how you deserved him when you were young or now. You just felt so fucking safe now, he was all-encompassing safety and love and you wondered again how you could have thought badly of him, to ever have run away.

“Sweet girl,” He started murmuring again, whispers as he stroked one hand over your hair soothingly. You weren’t sure if he knew you were still awake, it had been so long. You remained still, hoping he would never stop speaking so sweetly to you, letting his words lull you. “My brave, beautiful girl. So strong. I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again. I love you, maker I love you...”

You wanted to say it back, but you fell asleep to the soothing rumble of his chest as he caressed you in the night, rocking away your nightmares and keeping you every bit as safe as he promised.

+

Poe woke early, light only just filtering in his thin window because he was too warm. At first, he was confused as to why he felt so restricted, so heavy until he looked down.

Stars.

You were tangled around him as he lay on his back, your arm hugged around his waist, head resting just below his sternum, legs entwined with his own. And he was still wearing his suit, the fabric not as breathable as his flight suit, and tighter too. As he gazed down at you, still peacefully asleep, further warmth pooled in his chest and belly.

‘Stay with me.’

Maker, three words and you knocked him clean over and he was ready right then to tell you he would never leave your side again if you asked him not to. But he’d managed to reign himself in slightly before curling around you protectively, unable to keep himself from touching you in gentle, soothing motions. He’d fallen asleep faster than he’d thought he would.

Now, he realized that if you woke up you would find him still covered in the blood of the men he’d killed. He needed to get himself into his fresher and clean up. With slow movements, he was able to extract himself from your grip and climb from the bed. He covered you in the blanket so the temperature change wouldn’t go as noticed and wake you up. He watched you for a minute as you slept, then quietly grabbed a pen and piece of paper, jotting a note down in case you woke up.

‘In the shower. Don’t leave, please.’

He set it next to you on his bed, then grabbed some clean clothing and stepped into his fresher, the door closing behind him silently. He bypassed his mirror, not interested in seeing how he looked, and went straight into the shower, turning on the water and flinching at the brief burst of cold before the temperature evened out. He scrubbed himself clean and avoided looking at the floor, at the swirling blood and grime disappearing into the drain. He had enough images in his head. It wasn’t that he hadn’t killed before, because he most certainly had-both from his x-wing and in ground combat. But he had never taken a life so viciously, so intimately. And it wasn’t how quickly he’d done it that scared him, it was how okay with it all he was.

They were hurting you, at the time he’d thought they’d killed you, he had no choice. No option but to end them.

He considered working in the field with you now, what that would look like. Would he start throwing himself in front of you and breaking protocol as he had in the woods of Takodana? Like he’d gotten angry at you for doing all that time ago when you’d first come back to D’Qar and had taken out that Stormtrooper with his gun levelled at Poe’s head? Was the fight...

Maker.

Was it worth losing you for?

The answer came fast; no, no it wasn’t. And that scared him because he’d always been ready to die for the cause, for the Resistance, to abolish the tyranny of the First Order. You and Charlie and he had all grown up with that single mindset, to get old enough to join and then fight until the war ended or you died.

And now all he could think was that he would rather lose the war a thousand times over than lose you.

When he stepped out of his shower and dried off, Poe was reeling. He was going through the motions-pulling on his socks, his shorts, his favourite tee. But internally he was reminding himself of everything he’d accomplished as a Resistance fighter. Of everything you had. Even after losing Charlie, you both kept fighting without question, for him, for yourselves, for the cause.

But...wasn’t the saying in your family that family came first, then the fight, and then everything else? When had he lost sight of that and forgotten that with great love came the equally great threat of losing it? But he couldn’t just leave, would never even consider it, no and he knew you wouldn’t, not for him or anything. There was nothing in the entire galaxy that would make you stop fighting. Which left Poe with the greatest question of all-what the hell was he going to do?

He didn’t have an answer, not even a vague idea, so he tabled the internal battle he was waging and stepped out of his fresher to check on you. His heart stuttered in his chest when he found you splayed across his bed, head hidden under his pillow, one leg kicked out from under the covers. You had always looked so peaceful when you slept, and memories surface of the countless times growing up, waking in your bed and watching you sleep. He’d usually wake up before you, sometimes he’d sneak out to hang out with Charlie, other times he’d enjoy the quiet and calm of your room.

The last thing he wanted to do right now was to wake you up, and so Poe made his way to his dresser to search through options for you to wear. Even the idea of you going alone into your room to shower and change made his heart drop, his need to keep you safe and close was so great. He picked out one of his shirts, a pair of athletic shorts you could tighten the waist of, and after much debate with himself, a pair of his briefs. He’d let you decide if you were going to wear them-he just wanted you to have the option.

He went into his fresher and set the clothing on the vanity, starting a little when he emerged and found you watching him with bleary eyes. He smiled tentatively, suddenly nervous under your gaze, but after a small pause your face lit up, eyes brightening and smile wide, melting his heart in his chest.

“Good morning,” Poe sat down on the bed next to you, brushing a hand over your face to wipe away stray hairs, “Try not to speak too much, sweetheart.” He gently reminded you, his eyes dropping to your darkened throat.

You made a face, scrunching your nose, and Poe chuckled softly. He watched you yawn before pushing yourself up, moving to sit next to him and raising your hand to tentatively touch your throat. You winced before flicking your gaze up to meet his, offering a small smile, “Hi,” It was raspy and quiet, dry enough that he realized you needed some water. He leaned over and grabbed a glass bottle from his mini-fridge, handing it over to your waiting hand.

He watched you gulp the water down in small bursts, happy to see swallowing didn’t appear to cause you too much discomfort. “How do you feel?”

“M’fine,”

“You up for a shower?” Poe asked, and your eyes widened slightly in response and he started sputtering immediately, heat flushing his cheeks, “I mean-you can shower, I uh, that is, I put some clothes in there for you-and I will wait here. I showered already.”

Stars, he felt about fifteen all of the sudden, embarrassment flooding him over his unintentionally suggestive phrasing. He scrubbed a hand over the stubble on his jaw, glancing at you to find you holding in your laughter, amusement evident in your expression.

Poe rolled his eyes, recovering himself, “Very funny,” But he laughed, cheered by the smile on your face as you climbed out of his bed and made your way into his fresher. Your dress was crumpled and flat from sleeping in it, and your hair a tousled mess.

Even still, you were truly beautiful.

You looked over your shoulder at Poe before closing the door to the fresher, and he patted the bed, “I’ll be right here if you need anything.” He assured you, and a wave of relief flashed over your face as you shut the door.

Poe got out of bed, taking the time you were showering to tidy his room, including making the bed. He thought about everything that had happened and realized he wasn’t even remotely aware of whether the intel had proven as useful as the ally had claimed, having passed it off to Temmin and Kare to get into Leia’s hands. The fact that his droid hadn’t returned however told Poe that BB8 must be helping to decipher the intel, and Poe reasoned he could find out once he’d taken care of you.

When he heard the water shut off in the fresher, he started to fret over how to best do just that. He supposed it would be ideal for you to remain in the quiet space of his room, where you could avoid speaking too often or loudly. He wanted to keep you close...but then the doubt crept in and he began to question whether you would even want to stay with him, or if he was already being too overbearing. Maybe you were right now looking at the clothing he left out for you and shaking your head.

The fresher door opened a few minutes later, as Poe was tying on his boots, eager to get food from the dining hall and bring it back to the room for you both. “Anything you want from-uh...” He froze, eyes landing on you dressed in his clothing, his shirt much too large and-and you’d decided to only put on the briefs, the tighter fabric only just peeking out below the hem of his shirt.

Poe hadn’t thought of a chest band, not until this very moment when he could see your full breasts outlined against the light grey fabric. He swallowed, dropping his eyes to the floor as heat crawled up his neck.

If you noticed his reaction, you didn’t comment. You crawled back onto his bed, pulling a throw blanket over your legs before settling into the cushions happily, “Pancakes. Definitely pancakes, please.” You whispered, voice slightly improved now that you had some water.

It was entirely without thought that Poe leaned across his bed and placed a gentle kiss to your temple, before jumping up and promising to return with all the pancakes he could carry.

+

Poe sat with his drink held firm in his hand, his eyes flicking around the crowd before he sighed and settled back into his seat. The usual table, though this was the first time he’d been back to the Cantina since the funeral. Tommy and Rico had asked him a few times, of course, but he’d refused, never feeling quite ready to return.

Today though...he’d come because it was your birthday.

He’d have a drink for you. Even though he had no idea where in the fucking galaxy you’d gone.

And it wasn’t for lack of trying, but no matter who he went to, no one could or would give him your new assignment. You’d been clever and covered your tracks enough that you made sure anyone who would have helped Poe couldn’t see your assignment.

He’d never been more miserable in his life, never more angry with himself. He’d said awful shit to you and then disappeared for a few days to collect his head, thinking of how he’d apologize.

He’d wanted to tell you he loved you.

Instead, he broke your heart.

And you up and left before he could even begin to start making amends.

He was on his last possible source at this point, a person he hadn’t even wanted to go to. But Vanya had been kind to Poe, said she could try and see if anyone she was close with had the access needed. He told her he’d be here tonight, having a drink in your honour, if she wanted to stop by and let him know how she’d got along.

He just needed to find you, and then he would say everything he should have before, apologize to you and promise to make it up to you for the rest of his fucking life. He missed you so much it hurt, it hurt more than losing Charlie. You had disappeared in a way that almost made it feel like you had died as well.

He was starting to feel dead inside.

He glanced up, seeking Vanya out, and met the eyes of a woman at a nearby table, who shot him a friendly smile. He gave her what was probably more of a grimace in return, dropping his eyes to his drink. He wasn’t sure he was ready for...anything like that.

After a moment, he looked back up and saw Vanya walk in. She spotted him and waved, beginning to make her way over. As she grew closer, Poe could see the hard set to her jaw and felt his heart sink into his stomach-he could already tell she’d been unsuccessful.

When she sat down across from him, she heaved a great sigh, her eyes casting downward to look at her hands. “I’m sorry,” She looked up at him after a moment when he made no reply, “She’s smart, didn’t leave a lot to chance.”

Poe waved his hand, “It’s not your fault in the least, Vanya. I appreciate you trying.”

“I’m sure she’ll come back, once she’s grieved enough, had a chance to think things through.”

He wanted to laugh, but instead only grunted, “You didn’t get a chance to know her, but she’s more stubborn than...” He broke off and rubbed a hand over his face. Vanya’s face had fallen as the unspoken name sat between them, and he felt a surge of sadness for her-she had really loved Charlie. “I said...well, I don’t blame her for leaving. It’s already been a couple of months, she’s not coming back. I just wish one person in this fucking place could tell me more than ‘she’s alive.’.”

Vanya leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table as she bobbed her head in agreement, eyes kind, “Poe I saw you-both of you-that night when we first met here. I saw the way you looked at each other-“

Poe tried not to glare, frowning into his drink, “Yeah? And what do you think you know now?”

Vanya ignored his tone, unbothered, “I saw how in love you both were. That kind of love...it doesn’t go away. Not forever. She’ll come back.” And with that, Vanya dipped her head and let loose a wave of fresh tears as thoughts of how Charlie was never coming back sat in the air.

He reached across the table automatically and took her hand, squeezing. “I’m sorry, Vanya. Look, thank you for everything. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me, alright?”

She smiled then, her eyes misty, but remarkably already recovering from her emotional moment, just the kind of tough lady Charlie loved. With a farewell hug, Vanya departed and left Poe alone at the table again. He sat for a minute, his drink nearly finished, and thought of all the times he sat here and took for granted what he had. Silently, he wished you a happy birthday wherever you were in the universe and hoped you weren’t even half as lonely and miserable as he was.

When he finally looked up again, the pretty woman at the table not far from his caught his eye again, and this time he smiled more broadly at her, tilting his head in question. She gestured at the seat next to her and after only a brief pause, Poe decided it was time to give himself a break from the monotony of grief and pain and loneliness and just escape for a few hours.

He joined the woman, Smiling in a way that didn’t feel real at all.

+

“This is nice, me getting to talk and talk with absolutely no interruptions-“

Tahla flinched when you kicked him under the table, and you stifled a giggle. Stars, it wasn’t as painful as when you’d woken up last night, but your throat still hurt. It was stinging, scratchy sort of pain when you made too much noise, but you found you’d been able to hold a low conversation with your friend over the past hour with minimal issues. It was just the laughing that did you in.

Poe had reluctantly dropped you off to the dining hall for an early dinner after you’d spent a good ten minutes convincing him you could handle going to dinner. He’d then been called away by BB8 to see the General, and you’d watched him actually contemplate what to do. It had almost been funny, but it also made butterflies erupt in your stomach-not for the first time that day. You shooed him away with the promise that you’d seek out Tahla or Temmin so that you wouldn’t be alone.

He’d been so attentive since you woke up, setting out clothing, then by bringing you breakfast and lunch and confining you to lounge on his bed all day. Despite your injury, it had kind of been one of the best days you’d had in years. It had felt a lot like old times, curled up in bed with Poe. The silence was comfortable as you read and he typed up his mission report, though the emotions running through you were entirely new.

It was a lot, emotionally, the last twenty-four hours. As traumatizing as your attack was, you felt like you were being best-taken care of by Poe and felt a little overwhelmed at how good he made you feel. He sensed everything you needed, right down to catching you when you’d be stuck on a page for a little too long, your thoughts turning inward, and he’d press a soft kiss to your hair, run his hand over your jaw, whisper sweet words of comfort.

You wanted to comfort him, too, for having to do what he did. For having to suffer through the worry of how injured you were and if you would recover. You didn’t know how to make him feel better, exactly, but you sensed that the more he took care of you the better he felt in turn, so you allowed him to fret more than was necessary.

And every time he touched you? Well, that was the thing, now that you’d encountered darkness where, for just a few moments you thought you were going to die, you realized you needed to tell him how you felt, finally. You weren’t sure how to bring it up, though, and ended up going back and forth in your head all day trying to decide.

“Lost in your head again, kid.” Tahla’s hand came to rest over yours from across the table; you glanced up from staring into your soup to meet his gaze. He looked extraordinarily understanding considering this wasn’t the first time it had happened during this dinner.

“Sorry. I guess I-I’ve never been attacked like that before. I’ve had, you know, guys pinch my ass or whatever and had no problem kicking the shit out of them if Charlie or Poe didn’t get to them first, but this was...” You trailed off and ran a hand over your face, then sipped your water to help soothe your throat as you spoke. “This wasn’t enemy forces, this wasn’t some guy in a cantina too many drinks in with a shit moral compass. This was-“

“Attempted assault,” Tahla said bluntly, squeezing your hand again. You gulped, then nodded, unsure of what to say. “I’m sorry that you went through that, (y/n), I really am. I wish I could say something more insightful.”

You sighed heavily, waving off his concern, “The worst part is that I passed out before I could...and Poe didn’t say what he did, but I saw Temmin’s face when he was getting off the ship last night. I don’t care how he killed them, I just hate that I couldn’t help, that I couldn’t take away some of the responsibility from him.” You had another couple spoonfuls of your dinner, eyes on Tahla as he thought over your words.

“You know,” He began slowly, tapping his free hand on the table, “Poe basically said the same thing to me when he got me on comms last night. That he wished he’d prevented you from being hurt at all, that he failed in protecting you. He was so worked up, so upset, I thought you were close to death. He really loves you.”

Setting down your spoon with a clang, you sat up straighter before, quietly, replying. “Of course he does, and I love him. We’re a team, one of the best. We get the job done, always have. That’s why I’m freaking out, Tahla,” You flinched as your voice raised too high and your throat burned. You switched to a whisper, “He dropped everything mid-mission to save me, then brought me to the ship. He still...He sent in Kare, but it wasn’t exactly protocol.”

Tahla suddenly grinned at you in a bright, knowing sort of way that made you want to kick him again. Your scowl gave you away, “Don’t kick me, I’m just...I can’t believe you don’t see it. Don’t you realize-aren’t you in love with him?”

You blinked across the table; were you that obvious? If Tahla was calling you out, did that mean others, Poe, had figured you out? “Kriff, Tahla, why are you always so fucking blunt.”

“That’s not an answer.”

You glanced around wearily to ensure you wouldn’t be overheard, “I am, but I just got him back so I’m trying to time it-”

“Maker, I bet he tells himself the same thing and that’s why you’ve both been so fucking blind. You realize he cut down your attackers with his knife?” You stared at Tahla in surprise, “Then he carried you back to your ship and freaked the fuck out until he got you here, not to mention how he told the Healer on call to go to hell and only send me to look at you?”

“I-I, but-“ You gaped. You’d known some of the pieces, of course, but hadn’t realized the extent of Poe's panic.

Tahla laughed, not unkindly, “You want to know what we all used to say back home growing up?” He didn’t wait for your reply, seeming to understand from the expression on your face that words didn’t exist for you right now, “We said, ‘never mess with Poe’s girl’. Remember when Gus broke up with you, said some rude shit to you? Well, he ended up with a black eye for it. Poe’s always loved you. And since I’ve been here these past few weeks, it’s like you two are already a couple.”

You still didn’t know how to reply, so you were incredibly grateful when his pager went off and he glanced down before releasing your hand. With an apologetic smile, he began to stand, and you joined him-no longer hungry-and met him around the table. He pulled you in for a hug, his face schooled to a more neutral look when you pulled back slightly to peer up at him.

“Thanks for everything, Tahla. I’ll be sad when you leave next week.” You admitted softly, and his smile grew.

Leaning down, Tahla pressed a chaste kiss to your cheek and then turned his head slightly to whisper in your ear. “I’ll come back for the wedding, of course.”

And with that, he pulled back, winked at you, and then walked off toward the far doors of the dining hall. You had half a mind to follow him and kick him just for the hell of it, the cheeky bastard, but instead, you pushed your seat in and turned to head back to your room, hoping Poe would be done with the General and would give you an update.

When you walked into the hallway and spotted Poe coming along, a weirdly decisive sensation seemed to settle in your stomach, solidifying the moment his eyes found yours from several feet away. His face broke into a relieved, wide grin and that was it, that was the final cord snapped.

It was almost funny.

You saw a modicum of confusion knit his brows together when you suddenly marched towards him, jaw set because you were trying to reign in the intense emotions now bubbling up inside of you. “Sweetheart?” He said, frowning further when you grabbed his arm and started toward the direction of your rooms. You didn’t speak, afraid of opening your mouth and just word-vomiting every thought you’d ever had, and so you pulled him along silently.

Out of the corner of your eye, you could see him assessing you, trying to figure out what set you off, repeatedly opening and closing his mouth as he considered. When you got to the first empty hallway, you couldn’t contain yourself any longer. You halted, releasing his arm and spinning to face him straight on. Poe opened his mouth, but before he could ask you a question, it just...came out.

“I love you,” You sighed it, lower than you’d have liked to say it because of your damaged vocal cords, but he heard you. You knew because he stiffened like a board and his open mouth slackened almost comically. “I-I’m in love with you, Poe Dameron, and I always have been and I can’t hold it in any longer.”

You bit your lip to prevent yourself from babbling, holding his wide-eyed gaze steadily. Finally saying it aloud was about a million times better than it had felt to simply admit it to yourself. You felt like you could float away just for getting the truth out, though a level of anxiety began to grow the longer he stood silent before you. But you knew his eyes, every expression they’d ever held, and you could see that he was processing your words, that they grew brighter and brighter until movement caught your eye and you glanced down to see his fingers twitch, and then he was moving.

Poe reached up and caught your face gently in his hands, closing the distance between you both so that your bodies were pressed together. He gazed at you in wonder for a moment. “Oh my sweet girl,” He crooned softly, and you were melting into his touch, your heart was surely about to burst now, and then- “I have loved you in every eternity that has ever been, and will ever be. You are everything, sweetheart, everything to me. I should have...should have told you so many times before this.”

And then Poe Dameron slotted his lips over yours and kissed you deeply like he’d been waiting his whole life to do it. It was like coming home. You were rooted to the ground now, his kiss anchoring you, his gentle caress over your cheeks sending fire into your veins that conflicted with the euphoria in your mind.

Because Poe, your Poe, was kissing you. Handsome, tall, broad and strong Poe. Your best friend, your soulmate, was kissing you and you didn’t think you could ever stop now. Your lips parted for him the same moment he did for you, and then you were tasting him and Stars, did he ever taste good. Like home-warm, a smouldering fire on a rainy evening. You knew he liked what he found in kissing you when he groaned lightly, his hands settling at the back of your neck and pressing you closer against him, deepening the kiss as your tongues danced, and you whimpered in response.

With a gasp, Poe pulled back and you saw more than love and adoration on his face, now you saw desire too. Real, heated desire.

And fuck, that pollen had absolutely nothing going for it, you saw that now. Seeing just a sliver of what desire truly looked like on his face, you knew it had all been a huge illusion brought on by the poison, during that mission. You were burning under his gaze now, every cell of your body alight and happy to surrender, responding to him before he’d barely moved. His hands were still on you and you realized yours were in fists at your sides so you reached up and did something you’d always wanted to do-sinking them into his curls.

“Fuck,” He rumbled the moment you gave a slight tug, his eyes fluttering closed briefly, a twitch appearing in his jaw. When he looked at you again you swear you burst into flames. “We need to...talk. In my room.” Before you could reply, he stooped and clasped his hands to the back of your thighs, lifting, and you realized he wanted to carry you.

And you were going to fucking let him. You pressed yourself against Poe and allowed him to guide your legs to wrap around his waist, whimpering again when his hands gripped your hips tightly. You leaned forward, wanting to kiss him. You could see how determined he was to focus, to get to the privacy of his room. You nipped along his jaw as he hurried along, grateful the halls were quiet but truly you wouldn’t have cared if he bowled people over at this point. His hands flexed as you kissed him, pressed you even closer against him when you lightly sucked on a spot on his neck that tasted as delicious as it looked.

“Stars, Poe,” You whispered, playing with his hair still. “I love you so much.”

“Let m-me show you, how fucking much I love you, sweet girl.” He panted in response, stepping through the doorway to his room and laying you onto his bed. The door shut and locked at his command, sealing you into the privacy of his quarters. He pulled back to gaze down at you, eyes wide, then reached up with one hand to very lightly trace along your neck. “And no one is ever going to touch you again.”

He said it with such strength and conviction you could only nod, even though it was a tall promise to make given the lives you lived. Because you believed him; that he meant he would do anything in his power to keep you safe. When he lowered himself down over you and started to kiss you again, you relaxed entirely for probably the first time in your life.

Burning never felt so good.

+

Poe was kissing you. You were kissing Poe. It was, it had to be, a dream. But if it was a dream how could it feel so intense and real and right? How could kissing you possibly be as perfect as this? He felt like he was whole again-like his heart tripled in size the moment you told him you were in love with him and then every moment with his lips pressed to yours only continued to make it grow.

Yesterday he’d almost lost you, or at least thought he had, and now you were tangling your fingers in his hair and moaning underneath him as you kissed, your body trembling. He’d never been as hard as quickly in his fucking life, could feel himself pulsing where he was pressed against your leg. He wanted to be embarrassed but the look on your face when he’d dropped you onto the bed told him you were thinking the same thing as he was now, just as overwhelmed and needy to get as close as possible, skin to skin. To finally tear down every single barrier-mental and physical-between you and come together, be together.

Which was probably why it seemed to take no time to rip one another’s clothes off until Poe was only in his briefs and you were left in the briefs he’d given you that morning to wear.

“Oh sweetheart,” He murmured, his eyes running over your every dip and curve and swell, the smoothness of your skin calling to him. He was laving his tongue over your nipple the first time you cried out, the sound strangled and broken enough that he pulled back and looked at you closely. “You can’t be loud, sweet girl. I want you to, trust me, but you have to be a good girl. We don’t want to hurt your voice any more than it already is, okay?”

“O-okay, I’ll try.”

Poe hummed, “Tell me the moment you want to stop. We don’t have to do anything you aren’t comfortable-”

You slid one hand out of his hair and dropped it between your bodies as he was speaking, coming to grip his length over his underwear. Poe broke off with a hiss, automatically thrusting into your hold. “I’ve b-been waiting my whole life for you, Poe Dameron.” You sighed, releasing his erection and tracing your hand along the planes of his stomach and chest. “Never stop. I’m yours and I never want to stop.”

A possessive feeling, one that had always lingered in the background when Poe was with you, increased tenfold at your words, further driven by what had happened yesterday. He growled before capturing your mouth in another, more fierce kiss, his tongue exploring you as he ground his hips down a little.

When he finally pulled back, you were gasping and even more flushed, your chest heaving as you looked at him. “You’re mine,” He repeated, bracing one arm on the bed and trailing the other down to tease over your centre, dipping below the band of his briefs. “I’m yours, too, sweet girl.” And he locked eyes with you as he pushed two fingers inside of you, gasping out at the blissed-out, contained moan you allowed yourself and the feel of how tight and wet you were.

Your hips bucked when he pressed in deep and curled his fingers, playing with you until he found a spot within that made you just about shoot off of the bed. With a wicked grin, he started to tease that spot and watched your face as you came undone bit by bit for him.

It was the most vivid, raw experience of his entire life. Every single moment soaked into his mind and became a permanent, detailed memory-your little whines and pleas, the roll of your hips, the heat of your slick and how he could smell you, just the right amount of sweetness. It was all so much more than the sex you’d had during the pollen exposure. Every other sense had been cut down and pushed back during that, but now they were all operating on full levels and it felt so right. It enabled Poe to work you through to your orgasm with ease all the while just about ready to cum in his underwear as he did.

“Shit, you are fucking beautiful, sweet girl,” He moaned, adjusting the arm he was bracing himself with so that he could clamp that hand over your mouth. He sensed you were close, could feel your tight walls clenching, and wanted to protect you from harming yourself if you forgot you couldn’t scream. “Cum for me-I’ve imagined it so many times, need to see you cum for real, for me. I’ll keep you safe, go ahead, let go.”

He felt your lips part behind his hand, then your entire body went rigid and you came hard, back arching until a significant amount of wetness soaked his hand, and the bed, and you started to whine and shake from the intensity of it all. Poe growled as you came, glancing down in wonder to see more wetness pool and realizing you were squirting, and he hadn’t known you could do that.

“Fuck, baby, is that for me? You perfect little thing, you are the hottest fucking woman. Holy shit!”

You slumped into the mattress with a huge breath, the warm air hitting his hand and he moved it so that you could catch your breath. With care he slowly removed his fingers from you, looking from your blissed-out expression to your soaked underwear, to your essence all over his hand. He quickly removed your panties, then shuffled down the bed, even more turned on now.

“I just, fuck I need to taste you real quick, sweet girl.” And he dove into your folds before you could respond, taking care to avoid your sensitive nub, and licked you like it was his last meal. You tasted fucking delicious and he didn’t want to stop, pushing your legs apart he cleaned up every drop you’d leaked while you whimpered for him.

“Sh-shit,” You cried, voice low, writhing against his hold on your hips. “Poe, please. Please!”

Poe pulled back, licking his lips, and grinned up at you. “You okay, sweet girl?” You nodded and he rose, eager to get you over the edge again so that he could lick up everything you gave him. “Please what? What do you need?” He crawled back up your body, chuckling when he felt your hands pushing desperately at his briefs.

You cleared your throat, “You. Always needed you, Poe.” You whispered, your voice so filled with emotion you nearly knocked him over. He took over pushing his briefs off and then reached under you with both arms, securing your body before lifting you, changing positions so that you were sitting in his lap. His length pressed against your thigh as you settled.

Poe stroked some stray hair out of your face and kissed you softly, holding you against him and savouring the moment. He’d never been so filled with emotion and pleasure before, every woman he’d been with over the years simply could not compare to the power and love between you and Poe, and it was terrifying. Sensing his apprehension, you drew back from the kiss and stroked along his jaw soothingly and Poe took a moment to simply drink you in.

“I never knew anything could be like this,” He admitted, now running his hands all over your body, pausing to squeeze his favourite curves. You smiled at him, pupils blown wide with lust, your expression telling him you agreed. “I’ve wasted so many years, (y/n). I’m so sorry.”

“No,” You shook your head, dropping one hand to seek out his length and holding it gently in your hand, lining him up. “No, we aren’t apologizing for our mistakes anymore. It’s you and me now, Poe, you, and, m-me.” You lowered yourself, your scratchy voice breaking off into a sigh of content as you slowly sunk onto his length.

Poe had pictured being with you like this many times in his life, certainly more than he’d like the admit. But even combined, none of those fantasies could come close to how it felt to bring your bodies together, the fucking ecstasy, the sight of his cock splitting you open as you slowly took him inch by inch. Your hands tangled in his hair again as a low, continuous whine fell from your lips. Your face was slightly scrunched as you tried to relax and accommodate him, and Poe was enraptured, watching everything with his hands at your hips.

You were devastating. And you were his.

Poe hurled headfirst into oblivion as you settled fully on his lap, a groan escaping as your tight heat clenched around him, and it was all he could do to speak, to just tell you how perfect you were. “Baby, oh fuck, I love you,” He leaned back slightly, dropping one arm to brace on the bed and then gripping your hip with the other. Poe set a slow and deliberate pace with his feet pressing into the baseboard of his bed. He rolled up, then back, his cock dragging halfway out before sinking back into you as you gripped his shoulders and whimpered above him.

It was sensual, soft, each movement like a slow dance, your hips rolling down to meet his in perfect harmony with his thrusts. You were biting your lip, eyes locked on Poe’s, and he could feel you flutter around him every time he groaned; so he let himself make noise, let you hear how good you made him feel, grunting and cursing with every blissful motion.

Even though the pleasure kept mounting Poe didn't want to rush this, so he moved at the same pace for a long time. Occasionally stopping completely when he was fully inside of you and relishing the sensation until you whimpered and he would move again with a grunt. It was divine, perfection...you. It was all you.

“Poe,” You whimpered as you moved one hand from his shoulder to push into his curls, urging him toward you as you leaned down and pressed your lips to his. He kissed you slowly as well, licking into your mouth, over your lips, drinking up your moans, until eventually it wasn’t enough for you and you made a noise in your throat, a little frustrated sound that made him smirk. Made him even fucking harder.

Without warning he sat forward, brought both hands to your hips and slammed you down onto his cock, using his strength to lift and drop you. “Sweet girl,” Poe grunted as your head tilted back in a silent cry, “That’s it, cum for me, let me feel you, baby, please.” He was desperate to feel you cum on his cock, pulling out and then slamming you back down, meeting you halfway as you struggled to hold in your noises, and Poe let loose another round of groans that seemed to propel you straight over the edge.

Your body curved forward as you came, one of your hands shooting to cover your own mouth as you sobbed in pleasure. He kept moving, watching your face rapturously until a strong clench around his cock drew his gaze downward. He had a moment to recognize what was about to happen before roaring in delight as you squirted for him again, the hot wetness coating his lap. The room filled with the wet slapping sounds of your body meeting his and Poe had to actively work not to cum, setting his jaw and gripping your hips with almost bruising strength.

“Ahh,” You whimpered, your legs going limp. Before you could fully collapse into Poe, he flipped you onto your back and started to fuck you into his mattress while peppering you with soothing kisses, “Oh Poe, more!”

He was right there, nearing the edge and yet savouring every deep thrust into your tight cunt. His movements were getting sloppy now, and he wasn’t even trying to hold back his noises because you felt so fucking good and this was so perfect and he loved you so much.

“Oh baby, baby-” He slammed into you one last time, dropping most of his weight down onto you and filling you deeply as he began to cum, his hips stuttering. You were moaning for him, weakened legs hooking behind his ass to draw him closer as he filled you, “I love you, I love you, I love you-“ He couldn’t stop saying it now, his head dropping to your shoulder-careful to avoid your injured throat-he just kept repeating himself between grunts.

As he started to come down from the high, he realized you were speaking, your voice a whisper in his ear, hands stroking his hair. “I love you too, Poe, my Poe,” He was gasping now, everything that had transpired catching up to him in the clarity of post-orgasmic bliss and your words brought his emotions back to the forefront.

He made to move back, only you stopped him, keeping him close. He looked at you, “You okay, my sweet girl?” Stars, you looked fucked out in the best ways and he swore he could cum again just at the sight of you as drunk on him as he was on you.

You nodded, giving him a soft little smile, “Just stay inside me a little longer.”

Fuck, you were going to kill him, you were so hot.

As much as he liked the idea, he didn’t want to stay on top of you and crush you, so he considered carefully before rolling you both, settling himself into the bed as you lay atop him, whimpering at the movement before resting your head on his chest. He’d started to soften inside of you, but remaining in your warmth kept him semi-hard, not something he’d ever done before and yet he decided at that moment he wanted to do it all the time.

“That was...you are perfect, you know that? Dreamt of you my whole life and that was better than I ever could have imagined.” Poe beamed at you when you looked up at him, your eyes bright. He had never been so radiantly happy in his entire life.

You reached up and ran your hand along his jaw, “Says the man who made me squirt. Twice.” You gigged, and he gazed at you for a moment before responding.

“You’ve done that before, yeah?”

When you shook your head, Poe felt a mixture of both surprise and pride swell within him, and you read that in his expression. “Yes flyboy, that was all you.” Another throaty giggle, which then morphed into a full cough as you hit the limit on your poor vocal cords.

Poe was up in an instant, carefully slipping from you and hurrying to his fridge to get you water. He passed it to you and then went into his fresher to get a warm washcloth. You were gulping the water gratefully when he returned, your eyes raking over his body with a level of possessiveness that made his cock twitch. You wanted him to yourself as much as he wanted you to himself, that much was now abundantly clear.

“Alright, sweet girl, let me take care of you,” He whispered, running the washcloth gently through your folds and tidying you up. You cooed softly, relaxing into the bed. When he was satisfied, he lifted you into his arms and carried you into the fresher to set you on his toilet. “You pee, I’m going to change the sheets.” And he wiggled his brows at you, earning him another big smile that settled right down into his oversized heart.

A short while later Poe Dameron was laying in his bed with you held in his arms. This was not the first time in his life that he drifted off to sleep with you, but it was the first time you were both nude and satisfied and so wholly consumed with your love for one another.

It was the first time he would wake in the middle of the night, hard and aching, only to find you already awake and needy for him, moaning when he rocked his hips into you and fucked you slow.

It was the first time since Charlie’s funeral that Poe would sleep entirely at peace, wrapped around his soulmate.

+

If you thought making love with Poe Dameron was perfect beyond expectations, it almost made it unfair how fucking good he was at eating you out.

You’d both woken late the morning after coming together and felt ready for more-you wanted him inside of you again. Only he insisted he hadn’t gotten anywhere near his fill of tasting you last night. Now he was happily lapping between your folds with his skilled, hot tongue and absolutely wrecking you, one hand clamped over your mouth to keep you quiet because he knew how fucking good he was.

You saw it the first time he’d made you squirt and then watched it solidify when you admitted you’d never done so before. It was hot, seeing the mixture of passion and cockiness, skill and care. You fell more and more in love with him throughout the night, when you came together and fit so perfectly, and now you were about ready to beg him for his cock before he killed you with his mouth.

When you came again for him, you were spent and though you did get wetter, you didn’t squirt. He didn’t mind, eagerly drinking up what you did give him before moving to kiss your thighs, then eased your legs together and began to massage the aching muscles. “Such a good girl,” He praised, his muscular figure drawing your eyes. You hadn’t realized how talkative, how much noise he would make, and it was the hottest shit. His groans were downright sinful, were what sent you rocketing into your orgasms the night before. “I should keep you here all day, wet and ready for me.”

“Fuck,” You replied, the words shooting straight to your core even after all of the orgasms you’d had. You sat up, struggling slightly and Poe reached out and gripped your arms, lifting you in another show of his strength that made you kind of dizzy with lust. “You’re insatiable. But we’re having lunch with Tahla, remember?”

Realization flashed over his face and he glanced over at his wrist comm next to the bed, relaxing when he saw there was still time before lunch. “Shit, I forgot. He’s leaving soon though, right? So I don’t want to bail.”

“Next week,” Poe moved to sit next to you, both of your backs against the wall now. He pulled the blanket from where it had been kicked to the end of his bed to cover you both. “He said something...that sort of made me realize how stupid I was being, right before I saw you yesterday.”

Poe turned his head to face you, his arms circling your waist and tugging you close to his side, “Oh? What did our wise, filter-free friend say?”

You giggled, then cleared your achy throat, “I had said I was going to miss him when he left and he told me he’d come back for our wedding.” You thought Poe would laugh with you, or at least scoff, but instead, he’d gone quiet and his expression turned inward in a way you couldn’t read. You hesitated a moment before tilting your head into his line of sight, though his mind was clearly a million miles away, “Poe?”

He looked at you then, for what felt like the first time in your life because of how intense his expression was, filled with love and something you couldn’t get a read on.

“I’m sorry,” He began, shaking his head a little, “I just...you are the love of my life. I meant everything I said last night.”

Warmth filled you as he spoke; you weren’t sure you’d ever get used to him saying such perfect things to you. Saying he loved you. “I know, Poe, I meant everything too.” You assured him, brushing your hair over his forehead to push back some stray curls.

Poe nodded, his expression still intense, eyes bright, “We’ve lost a lot of time, sweet girl. But I don’t want to waste another minute. I-” He paused, and you were growing increasingly confused. When he suddenly pulled away standing up to cross his room, your curiosity spiked, confusion at an all-time high.

Until that is, you saw what he was doing.

He was pulling something out of the inner breast pocket of his flight suit, lifting a chain and then turning to you back at the bed. He glanced between his hand and you once, stealing himself before dropping down to one knee next to the bed.

“Maybe he won’t have to come back for our wedding,” Poe opened his palm to reveal exactly what you knew he kept in his flight suit, “Maybe he’s here just in time. Marry me, (y/n). I love you and I never want to spend another minute without you. You are my soulmate, so please marry me, sweet girl.”

Your eyes fell from the passionate look on Poe’s face to his mother’s wedding band that lay in his outstretched hand.

+

34 ABY - Aftermath of the Battle of Takodana - D’Qar

Climbing from his ship with his adrenaline running high thanks to the success on Takodana, Poe turned and gasped when saw his droid, the orange and white blur zooming over to him. “BB8 my buddy!” He cried, dropping to his knees, “It’s so good to see you!” He looked the droid over, happy to see it looked to be in good shape.

BB8 beeped, excitedly explaining what had happened to it, “What? Saved you? Where is he?” He asked, the droid responding quickly and Poe glanced up, eyes landing on the defected ex-Storm Trooper who had saved Poe. Holy shit!

Finn spotted Poe at the same time and began running forward, “Poe?” He called, and Poe rose to his feet and started towards him, still reeling in surprise that Finn was here, that he was okay.

Poe felt himself grin, “Oh no!”

“Poe Dameron, you’re alive?”

Rushing up to Finn, Poe gasped out, “Buddy!” He pulled his new friend in for a hug, “So are you!” And he looked well enough, thankfully, too. Poe had worried he’d been captured back by the First Order after he couldn’t find him on Jakku.

“What happened to you?

“What happened to me? I got thrown from the crash. Woke up at night-no you, no ship, nothing,” Poe released Finn, pointing to him and then to his droid, “Listen, BB8 says that you saved him.”

“No, no, it wasn’t just me-“

Poe stepped closer to Finn, needing the man to understand, “You completed my mission Finn, I-that’s my jacket.” His gaze dropped to the jacket-his jacket- that Finn was wearing.

Finn glanced down, “Oh,” And he started to take it off and suddenly, Poe realized he didn’t need the jacket back, that Finn needed it more.

“No, keep it,” He punched Finn’s arm affectionately, “It suits you.”

Finn stopped and straightened, his eyes roving over Poe once again, “I still can’t believe your alive, Poe.”

Poe laughed, grasping his friends' shoulders, “You’ve got no idea what I have to live for, Finn. Dying ain’t an option.”

Tags

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[oss-crime]

Chapter 2-Project “Ma” –Eve–; Scene 3

Original Sin Story: Crime, pages 23-37

Apparently the carriage’s speed was enough to outrace their pursuers.

After they arrived at Nemu village, they headed for Eve’s house, which was also the residence of the village chief.

This village had no clinics. As he had some medical knowledge, the village chief also acted as the village doctor.

“Welcome home…And who are these people, Eve?”

Chief Zvezda’s eyes went wide when he saw Eve carrying in two men, one of them injured.

“They were attacked on the plains by the white army. This one’s wounded.”

“It looks that way…Well then, you sit over here. I’ll examine you.”

Seth obeyed the chief’s words, taking a seat in a chair set deeper in the room.

After watching him silently, Eve spoke up to Adam “Are you alright? You didn’t get injured or anything?”

“No, luckily for me. More than that—”

Before Adam could continue his sentence, the village chief cut in as he wrapped a bandage around Seth’s head, “Judging by your outfits…you two are researchers from the royal capital.”

“Ho, you’re quite well-informed.”

“Director Horus of the Royal Research Institute is an old acquaintance of mine. Is he still working hard on research artifacts as usual?”

Adam hesitated for a moment, before telling the chief, “No…He’s passed on. Two years ago. Right now I’m working as director in his place.”

“How…I see, I hadn’t known. I’ve stopped going to the Twelve Royal Capitals lately. And so that would make you—”

“Horus’ adopted son, Adam.”

“I’ve heard your name from him, but I suppose that would make this our first time meeting like this.”

“Yes, and—"

This time Seth butt in. “Erm…I’d appreciate it if you could patch up my wound first.”

“Oops, sorry.”

The chief flusteredly resumed wrapping bandages.

“…Hm?”

He made a puzzled expression, peering at Seth’s face.

“Your left eye looks funny. Is that injured as well?”

“Ah…No, it’s always been like that. I haven’t been able to see out of this eye from birth.”

“A defective left eye…Horus was like that too, as I recall.”

“Ha ha, that’s right. Just a coincidence.”

.

After Seth’s treatment was finished, the researchers bowed their heads to Eve and the village chief and said their thanks.

The chief offered for them to rest at the village for a while.

“The white army wouldn’t go as far as attacking us here,” the chief revealed.

Adam replied, giving him a courteous smile, “Is that because this place is a village of sorcerers?”

“…My my, so the son of Horus is able to glean that much.” The village chief sat down in a nearby chair, a hand on his aching hip. “Let me ask you a question instead, Adam. For what purpose did you all come to this remote place? I’d think that scientists would have little interest in an excavation site, of all things.”

“That’s not so. After all is said and done we’re researchers of the old legacy. It wouldn’t be all that strange for us to want to see where it’s excavated.”

“But up until this point we have never once had a scientist go visit there. Your aim is not the excavation site.”

The village chief’s tone had hardened, but Adam wasn’t intimidated. “Chief Zvezda—No, esteemed sorcerer Raiou Zvezda. It seems you have something in mind already. As it happens, we also have several things we’d like to talk to you about.”

“So I’m the one you’ve been after.”

“Actually, to be more accurate—” Adam turned to Eve. “—We came here to meet her.”

The peaceful atmosphere that had been in the room just moments ago changed in an instant.

Eve could feel a sense of unease.

This wasn’t a light matter; especially considering they had come here with a retinue of soldiers.

Appearing to guess at Eve’s anxiety, the chief said to her, “Eve, please go outside for a minute.”

But Eve shook her head.

“If there’s a reason why these scientists are interested in a humble village girl like me, then I want to know what it is,” she said, somewhat challengingly.

It wasn’t like she’d never done anything of note. Depending on the situation…there was a chance that she would have to drive off the scientists that she’d rescued herself.

“Oh dear, let’s all calm down now, everyone.” Seth stood in the center of the group, remonstrating all present. “Sorry for being rude. …I’m sure you are as well, aren’t you Adam?”

“…”

“None of us wants to see this turn out like what happened with the ‘Witch of Merrigod’.”

Upon hearing that name, the village chief’s gaze turned even sharper. “So…you two are on a ‘witch hunt’ after all!”

“You’re quite knowledgeable. I suppose you…suspected us of that from the start. You not knowing about Dr. Horus’ death—was also a lie, I imagine.”

“I said this earlier, but I haven’t gone to the Twelve Royal Capitals in some time. I rarely even go outside the village. …But sorcerers have a network that allows them to share information.”

“The spell that uses green onions? Talking to people at long distances…Well, leaving that aside you have several misunderstandings here, so I shall explain.”

Adam looked at Seth with dissatisfaction. “No, I’m the one who—”

“Just leave this to your underling. Mister Director.” After cutting Adam off, Seth once more bowed to Eve and the village chief. “I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Seth Twiright. I work for the Royal Research Institute, and I am the late Dr. Horus’ top apprentice.”

“…Self-labeled top apprentice,” Eve heard Adam quietly mutter.

.

Levianta was called a “Kingdom”, but at present the position of ruler was not something gained by heredity.

In this country that was born to protect the temple and flourishing through the legacy bequeathed by the gods, the “gods” were absolute, and all people were little more than their servants.

The one who ruled the country had to be someone who could hear “the voice of the gods”. And the one they deemed most suitable for that was a virgin who commanded extraordinary magical power.

For that reason Levianta was ruled through the ages by a “queen”, but there were various institutions that existed for selecting that queen.

The special orphanage owned by the Loop Octopus family, the Lighwatch temple managed by the Asayev family, the Royal Research Institute run by the Vaju family, etc…

This also served as a source of political conflict in the senate. Because whichever establishment the queen was born into decided who was the next head of the senate. The current queen Alice Merry-Go-Round had once been a child raised in the special orphanage.

“Naturally, the other families don’t just passively sit and watch. There are a lot of senate members who get worked up over making the next queen show up from their own facility. As for the Vaju family, they’ve been seeking out results from a certain experiment…”

The village chief covered his face with his hand as he listened to Seth’s explanation. “Scheming to artificially birth a child with strong magical potential…How frightening.”

“Be that as it may, if we hadn’t then the institute wouldn’t get its funding for the legacy research. Dr. Horus couldn’t afford not to comply.”

“There have always been shady rumors about the Royal Research Institute. That to birth the ‘next queen’ they abduct potential mothers from all over. …Though Horus never told me anything himself.”

“That’s another misconception. It’s not like the research institute is forcibly making off with these women. It’s all out of their consent—if it means performing a service to the gods then everyone is quite happy to participate in our research.”

The village chief snorted, clearly not believing him. “It hasn’t been like that recently, at the very least. You’ve all been carrying out ‘witch hunts’, even using troops for it.”

“To be accurate, they’re a peace-keeping force. And, well, we’ve found ourselves in certain circumstances that require we hurry.”

“Why is that? As I recall the current queen is still in her forties. Her dynasty should last for another twenty years more at least.”

“…The institute is no longer searching for someone to be the ‘mother of the queen’.”

“--? What do you mean?”

“We are trying to find a woman who can become queen. And the new queen will also become the mother of the gods…The ‘Ma’.”

“You can’t mean…!? The ‘Ma’ is little more than a fairy-tale!”

Seeing the chief’s astonishment, Eve asked, “Father, what’s the ‘Ma’?”

“…It is said that when catastrophe is on the cusp of visiting this world, the dragon god LeviaBehemo with two heads and two wills will have a second coming in this world as human children. And the woman who births these ‘Twins of God’ is ‘Ma’…the divine mother, Mem Aleph…It’s an old myth passed down from long ago.”

“Erm…” Eve then said to Seth, guessing on her own what the conclusion to the story she just heard was then. “…So if the gods must be reborn in this world…Then does that mean that there really is a catastrophe coming?”

Seth briefly clapped for her. “That’s correct, Miss Eve.”

“But what’s your basis for that?”

“It was none other than the dragon god LeviaBehemo who prophesized thus. Through the queen. We’ve never had an oracle be wrong before. The senate needed to come up with a countermeasure post-haste.”

And the countermeasure drafted by the senate head Miroku Loop Octopus was project “Ma”.

They changed the role of the next queen selection measures to search for a woman who could become the mother of the gods.

Once she had safely birthed the children that would become receptacles for the gods, she would obtain the position of queen in place of Alice, as reward for her service. …That sort of thing.

“But if you do that then the current queen will have to step down. Can the senate really decide that on their own?”

“The current queen agrees with this project as well, you see. …I mean, I think that the members of the senate wouldn’t be able to move with this much forward momentum if she didn’t.”

The one who managed to produce the mother of the gods from their institution would achieve glory as the savior who protected the world from catastrophe.

And also the position of next head of the senate.

“…Anyhow, the Royal Research Institute must also search for ‘Ma’ candidates under orders of the Vaju family.

Upon hearing that the village chief gave a sideways glance to Eve with a sullen expression. “And so…you’ve selected my own daughter as an ‘Ma’ candidate.”

“The Royal Research Institute is seen as the most plausible source for completing this project. So the head of the senate has given the institute several authorizations. Such as to freely make use of security forces and their information.”

“But if the Royal Research Institute were to successfully carry out Project ‘Ma’, Miroku will lose his position as senate head. Is he alright with that?”

“Well, I don’t know that far…But I imagine it would be pretty difficult to find the ‘Ma’ in Senator Miroku’s special orphanage. And so…maybe his plan is to be able to continue to wield some influence in the senate even after stepping down by collaborating with the facility most likely to succeed.”

“What an awful power struggle.”

“I agree. Well, anyway, it’s thanks to our information that we were able to learn of some rumors around here…”

That was, the rumors of the “Witch of the Forest” that supposedly would appear in the sprawling “Forest of Held” to the south of the village.

There was a girl who would use magic to drive off the tribesmen that would appear every now and then…She had green hair, and would cast lightning with a blue spoon…Supposedly.

“According to what we’ve heard, she’s the bearer of significant magical power. Only, this region is currently being terrorized by that savage clan. That’s why we brought along minimal guards with us…Though conversely, that seems to have just spurred them on.”

Listening to all that, Eve was reminded of the soldiers that they’d left out on the plain. “I wonder if…those guys are alright.”

Adam had been quiet this whole time, but he replied, “The peacekeeping unit…especially Gammon, are all strong men. They can’t use magic, but they are proficient with swords and guns. They won’t be defeated by the likes of those tribesmen.”

“But—”

“In the worst-case scenario, they’ll seek out reinforcements from the royal capital…Right now it’s us I’m worried about.”

Eve felt her cheeks flush from being looked at by this man so close to her in age.

There weren’t any intrepid, intellectual guys like him in the village.

“Hmph…It sounds like you two are mistaken about something.” The village chief cut in between Eve and Adam. “This ‘Witch of the Forest’…I’ve certainly heard of that story, but that isn’t Eve.”

“B-but, she has the same green hair, and her magical ability—”

As Adam tried to argue, the village chief quietly shook his head. “Green hair is a trait shared by the people of the forest…And as for magical ability, everyone in the village has it in varying measures.”

“…Let me ask then, Chief. Are there any other green-haired girls in this village—”

“No. We’re immigrants who originally wandered here from elsewhere. But Eve is different. She was abandoned and set adrift in a nearby river when she was a baby. My late-wife scooped her out. We raised her as our own daughter.”

“So then—”

“Did the intel you gathered claim that the Witch of the Forest was someone in this village?”

“No, it…didn’t say that…”

“If you’re looking for a girl with green hair, I’d suggest going to the Forest of Held. You’re sure to run into the people of the forest immediately.”

“…Seth.”

Adam gave Seth a prompting glance.

“O.K. Now it’s time for this.”

What he brought out was a small iron rod that forked into two prongs.

“This is an artifact. It can measure someone’s latent magical potential by holding it out in front of them like this…Augh!” Appearing to have realized something, Seth looked up to the ceiling and held his head. “We don’t have the output device! I left it in the carriage.”

“What!?”

“No…It’s understandable. With the way things were there wasn’t any time to take out something so heavy…”

“…Nothing for it. We’ll have to go back there and get it.”

Adam asked if they could borrow Eve’s automated carriage.

Given that it would be dangerous to bring a woman over to where there might still be some tribesmen, he apparently intended to go get the equipment with Seth.

“But you need magical ability to run the carriage.”

“Don’t worry. I have enough myself.”

Thinking on it, he had been riding in a large automatic carriage. Adam must have been driving that one too.

“Don’t break it. It’s very important to us.”

Adam nodded at Eve’s words, and started to move to leave the house with Seth along.

--But that moment, they heard the shrieking sound of a car wheel from outside.

“Huh!? …Could it be?”

Adam leaned out the window.

And there he beckoned over someone who was outside.

After a beat, a long-haired man walked into the room.

He had a gun and a sword sheathed at his hip. He appeared to be a military man.

“So you’re alright, Gammon.”

This man named Gammon exchanged a handshake with Adam.

“It was no big deal. There were just quite a lot of them, so it took some time.”

“You only have the one carriage? And I can’t see the other soldiers outside of your driver.”

“I sent everyone back to the royal capital. They’ll need to appeal for information, and reinforcements, depending on the circumstances.”

“Reinforcements?...If you were able to repel the tribesmen then there’s no need for that, is there? Don’t do anything too dangerous. This is supposed to be a peaceful—”

“I won’t be turning my sword on any witch. This is incidental. I want to take the opportunity to make a decisive strike on the white army.”

Adam heaved a sigh.

“…I suppose that is the official job of a peacekeeping force. But don’t forget. Your responsibility is—”

“Guarding you, I know. Naturally I will accomplish that properly myself.”

“Alone?”

“Is that not enough?”

“…It’s enough. You’re dependable.”

“You could stand to be a bit cheerier. I did bring you back what you forgot.”

Packed in the luggage compartment of the automated carriage that the captain of the security forces, Gammon, had rode in on was the device that Adam and Seth had left behind on the plains.

Once more putting together the magic measuring device, Seth started to take note of Eve’s magical ability.

“Though this isn’t a standard instrument. Using it in itself is quite simple. Please just stand perfectly still right there.”

Seth turned the iron rod's prongs in Eve’s direction.

After a while the box that was attached by wire to the bundle of metal let out a “be-beep”. Seth set it down and started to examine the numbers displayed on the box’s screen.

When he did, his expression grew crestfallen.

“…Your M count is 72. And your other numbers are average. That means you’re only a little bit stronger in magic than the average person.

Adam stood next to Seth and peered at the data output device.

“You’re sure the device isn’t broken?”

“I could check…Hey, Gammon.” Seth did a reading of Gammon’s magical ability just as he had done with Eve. “…M count of 0. Alright! You are, without a doubt, ‘magically impotent’!”

“…”

While breaking out into something of a cold sweat as Gammon glared at him, Seth then measured the magic potential of Adam, and then the village chief.

“…Amazing. The village chief is 200, and Adam exceeds 300. If you two were women you’d most certainly be candidates for ‘Ma’—At any rate, I think the device is working correctly.”

Upon hearing that outcome, the village chief slowly stood before Adam.

“And now we’ve satisfied you that Eve is not this ‘Witch of the Forest’.”

“…At the very least we’ve established that she can’t be an ‘Ma’ candidate.”

“I see…That’s good then, Eve.”

Eve wondered if it really was.

Maybe she had just let a chance for her to become queen slip out from under her very nose.

Queen…huh.

It was an unbelievable honor for a citizen of Levianta to obtain that position.

But I doubt my father would let me become queen.

Eve knew quite well that he was a man who hated politics.

It was only because there was no one else who could fulfill the role of village chief that he had bitterly accepted the role.

I’ve had to work specifically because he rarely takes in any taxes.

She thought her father was a splendid man.

But that didn’t mean she had no complaints.

<<prev------directory------next>>

[fanfics4all]

Green Light, Red Light

Request: Yes / No Hi can I please get a Spencer Reid x reader where if you’ve seen the 12 season where cat has his mom and tells him that she’s pregnant with his kids and tells him she did it because she Convince him that he was doing it with Maeve and reader over hears them and she starts to feel the she was just a rebound to him and they get in a fight about how she’s Insecure about their relationship and can it end in fluff please and if you can thank you 🙏🏼 sorry if this doesn’t make sense or sounds Messy Anon

Requests are open, but please read this! <3 Have a nice day/night

Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader

Word count: 8910

Warnings: Honestly not much I think. 

Y/N: Your Name 

PLEASE DO NOT STEAL MY WORK, I WORK HARD ON MY FICS AND IT’S NOT COOL TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK! 

If you want to be on the tag list for anything (My series fics, specific character fics, or just all of them) All you have to do is send me an ask and I will add you! 

Masterlist 

(Not my photo, credit to whoever made it!)

Emily had just called me and told me to come to the office. I dropped everything immediately and rushed to work. I just knew it was something about Spencer. God I hope he’s okay… As soon as I got there I rushed into her office, Rossi was already in there. 

“Emily, I came as fast as I could. What’s happened? Is Spencer okay?” I asked, worry clearly in my voice. 

“Thank you for coming Y/N, Fiona and I went to see Reid.” She said. 

“And? Is he okay?” I asked. 

“He said his Mother was in trouble.” She said and I looked at her confused. 

“Were Reid and Diana scheduled to have a visit?” Rossi asked. 

“He didn’t think so, but it happened anyway.” Emily answered. 

“What did Cassie say?” I asked. 

“Cassie didn’t bring Diana. Another nurse did, a Carol Atkinson.” She answered and I looked at her confused. 

“Cassie would never let another nurse take care of her.” I said. 

“Garcia’s running a search on the name now, but it’s an alias.” She said. 

“For who?” Rossi asked before I could. 

“Lindsey Vaughn.” She said. 

“Lindsey Vaughn? From that case in Chula Vista ten years ago?” Rossi asked.

“You remember it.” Emily said. 

“But how could it be her now? And why?” He asked. 

“I asked him the same thing.” She said. 

“And how did that go?” He asked. 

“He slammed the table and ended up being escorted out by guards.” She said and I bit my lip. My poor Spencer…  

“Any chance he’s wrong?” Rossi asked. 

“Well, Reid did smell Scratch’s drugs before the murder, and he said there was another woman in the room with them.” She said. 

“No, there’s no way he could be wrong, this is Spencer we’re talking about!” I said and they sighed. 

“Well, if Lindsey took Diana to visit, where’s Cassie?” Rossi asked. 

“We don’t know. Her phone goes straight to voicemail, she’s not returning texts either. Y/N, when was the last time you talked to her?” She asked me. 

“Um, a few weeks ago. She was giving me updates about Diana and said that I should come and visit, that it might help her.” I answered. I was now regretting not visiting her sooner, who knows what might be happening to her now… 

“And Garcia pinged it?” Rossi asked. 

“She tried, but the battery must be dead. The GPS was turned off. Walker and JJ are on their way to Reid’s apartment now.” Emily said. 

“I should be going with them.” I said, but Emily shook her head. 

“You’re too close to this Y/N.” She said. 

“We’re all close to this Emily.” I said and she sighed. 

“I know, but I can’t send you out there until we have something.” She said and I sighed. I understood why, but I just wanted to help Spencer and save Diana if she was really in trouble. 

“So what if this has been a Scratch-Lindsey partnership this whole time?” Rossi asked. 

“If that’s true, given his mental state, I’m not sure Reid makes it to trial.” Emily said and I felt my heart break. 

“I-I need to see him.” I said and Emily shook her head. 

“You can’t right now, he’s not being allowed visitors.” She said and I bit my lip to keep from crying. 

“Hey, he’ll be alright.” Rossi said and I nodded. 

“Here, take some paperwork to keep you distracted, I’ll call everyone in when we get news from JJ.” Emily said and I nodded. I took the papers and went to my desk. I needed to keep my mind off Spencer, but that was probably the hardest thing to do. 

It was maybe ten minutes later when I heard someone walk up to my desk. I looked up and saw Garcia giving me a sad smile. I returned the smile and she pulled me in for a hug. 

“Emily wants us in the round table room.” She said and I nodded. 

“Is Diana okay?” I asked. 

“We don’t know yet...” She answered and I bit my lip once again. We all sat down and everyone gave me a sad smile. I wanted this done with, I wanted the pitty looks to go away. I wanted everything to go back to normal. 

“We first came across the Vaughns ten years ago when Lindsey Vaughn and her friend Katie Owen were abducted outside of a crowded movie theater by three men.” Emily said as Garcia handed us the files. 

“Ryan Phillips, the traid’s dominant, tortured and strangled Katie.” Rossi said. 

“Jack Vaughn then took matters into his own hands, using his skills to find Lindsey.” Emily said. 

“It ended when Jack murdered Phillips in front of her and Reid.” Rossi said. 

“They let him stay in the program after that?” Luke asked.

“Jack was too important a witness to cut loose.” Rossi said. 

“And no one’s heard from either of them till now?” Tara asked. 

“That’s right.” Emily said with a nod. 

“Lindsey was posing as a nurse named Carol Atkinson, and was able to get Diana Reid in and out of the Millburn Correctional Facility.” Garcia said, pulling up the prison’s security video. 

“And despite all the cameras, this is the only one that picked her up.” Rossi said. 

“So she knew exactly where they were and how to avoid them.” I said. The phone started ringing and Garcia immediately answered it. 

“Please tell me you have good news.” She said. 

“Well, Diana and Cassie aren’t here.” JJ said. 

“There’s no forced entry and no signs of struggle. And Cassie’s car is gone.” Walker answered. 

“Garcia, where are we on that APB of her car?” Emily asked. 

“I don;t have anything yet.” She answered. 

“Okay. Also, search recent traffic in and out of Reid’s apartment. Lindsey probably entered as Carol.” Emily said. 

“Copy, copy.” She said and got to work. 

“I know Diana’s routen, I should go out there.” I said. 

“No Y/N, you’re not allowed to investigate this outside of this office, not yet.” Emily said. I was growing desperate, I needed to help Spencer. 

“I know her routen too, Stephen and I will hit up those places first.” JJ said and hung up. 

“The rest of us need to find Lindsey ASAP.” Emily said. 

“I know a marshal that can help cut through Witsec’s red tape.” Luke said and walked off. 

“Yeah, I’m friendly with some people at Homeland Security.” Tara said, also walking off. 

“I got a buddy at the DOJ, lost a lot of money to him at poker. He owes me.” Rossi said. 

“Garcia, there was degraded female DNA and prints found at the crime scene. No matches in Codis, but there might be something in Witsec.” Emily said. 

“I’ll pull every favor, turn every stone.” Garcia said and walked off. 

“Are we gonna tell Spencer?” I asked. 

“Not yet. I don’t want to add more stress for him.” Emily said. Rossi walked off to go see his friend. 

“Emily, you need to give me something to do. I can’t just sit here and do nothing and we both know I can’t just go home.” I said following her into her office. 

“Go help Garcia, I can’t let you go out there right now, I’m sorry.” She said and I nodded. 

“I get it, I’m way too close to him, more than you guys are, but when it comes time to go out there and do something I need to be there too.” I said and she nodded. 

“I wouldn’t keep you from that.” She said and I nodded. 

I was helping Garcia with whatever she needed. I wasn’t as tech savvy as she is, but I was good enough to help out. We were working on anything that could give us a lead when her phone rang. 

“Garcia.” Luke said. 

“What do you need?” She asked. 

“Metro P.D. found Cassie’s car and called it in immediately. No signs of her or DIana. No foul play. There are… There are three visible cameras. One nearby and two down the way.” Luke said.

“I can tap into them, see what I can find.” Garcia said getting to work. 

“Oh, oh, oh, uh, Walker and JJ are calling in. You want me to patch you through?” She asked. 

“Please.” He said and we were all in the call now. 

“Walker, JJ, you’re on with Alvez, me, and Y/N.” She said when she answered. 

“Hey guys, no luck finding Cassie or Diana.” Walker said and my heart sank. 

“Alright, well, I’m at Cassie’s car right now. Forensically, it’s a dead end, but, us, behaviorally we might have something.” Luke explained. It’s parked down the block from a high school.” Luke said. 

“A high school is where Jack Vaughn killed Lindsey’s abductor in front of her and Spencer.” JJ said. 

“Well, placing the car there could be a taunt at us.” Walker said. 

“That’s what I’m thinking.” Luke said. 

“I can look into that. I can- Oh!” Garcia said cutting herself off. I looked over at her screen to see what was happening. 

“Garcia?” JJ asked. 

“Oh, uh, uh, per Emily, I was supposed to look at the recent foot traffic in and out of Reid’s building. There is no sign of Carol Atkinson, but a Jaime Lamantia keeps popping up. She lives in unit 26 down the hall from Ried. She paid six months of her rent up front in cash, and there’s been not a peep from her since.” She said and I looked at the document she pulled up with wide eyes. 

“How’s Jaime connected to Lindsey?” Luke asked. 

“Jaime is Lindsey…” I said shocked. 

“I’m twenty minutes from Reid’s apartment.” Luke said. 

“Yeah, we’re ten.” JJ said and they were on their way. 

“I-I have to go out there…” I said. 

“No, you can't, Emily said you can’t.” Garcai said. 

“This is my boyfriend we’re talking about! I have to do something!” I said, tears threatening to fall. Garcia pulled me in for a hug and held me tightly. 

“I know hun, but we’ll get her.” She said. 

Emily came in and caught us up, Cassie was dead. Lindsey killed her and took Diana. Spencer was right. Emily went back to her office to have a meeting with Luke and his friend, but I followed and stayed in the bullpen. 

“I’m going to the prison. Reid deserves to know everything.” Emily said walking out. 

“I’m coming with you.” I said. 

“Y/N, you know you-” 

“Emily please, I need to see him. I need to know he’s okay.” I begged, cutting her off. She looked at me and sighed. 

“Alright, let’s go.” She said and off we went to the prison. 

“Wait here, I’ll give you two some time once I finish telling him okay?” She asked and I nodded. Emily was inside and they were talking. Spencer walked up to the door and banged on it. I stopped the guard from opening it and I opened it instead. 

“Y-Y/N?” Spencer asked shocked. It’s the first time we’ve seen each other since he was arrested. 

“Spencer, oh my God…” I said with tears in my eyes. I knew the rules, I knew I wasn’t allowed to touch him, but I didn’t care. I threw my arms around his neck and buried my head in his chest. 

“Hey, no touching allowed.” The guard said. 

“It’s alright.” Emily said walking over to us. 

“You two have until I come back, then we leave Y/N.” She said and I nodded. Spencer and I walked back into the room and once again hugged him. 

“I’ve missed you so much…” I said finally letting the tears I’ve been holding back for so long free. Spencer wrapped his arms around me and it felt like home. 

“I’m so so sorry about your Mom Spence, but I swear to you that I will find her no matter what. Even if it costs me my job I will find her.” I said gently caressing his cheek. 

“Does she know about us?” He asked referring to Lindsey. 

“Yes…” I answered. 

“You need to stay away from this.” He whispered. 

“You know I can’t do that.” I whispered back. 

“You need to, I can’t be the reason you get hurt.” He said. 

“I’ll be find Spence, everything will be fine.” I said. I leaned up to kiss him, but he pulled away from me… 

“You need to go. You need to stay off this case, you need to work on something else.” He said turning his back to me. 

“You know I will not do that. I won’t stop until you’re free and your Mother is home safe!” I said. I stared at his back in shock, Spencer had changed… The door opened and Emily walked in. 

“It’s time to go Y/N.” She said and I nodded. 

“I promise Spence, we’ll find her and get you out of here.” I said before leaving the room with Emily. 

“How’d it go?” She asked. 

“Not as well as I hoped…” I quietly answered. 

“He’ll come around.” She said and I just nodded. Why would he want me to stop? Why wouldn’t he want to kiss me? Why wouldn’t he be happy to see me? 

We made it back to the office and Emily went straight for the roundtable room. I was still in a daze, but I followed her in. The team was there walking and Rossi looked up at us when we walked in. 

“How’d it go with Reid?” He asked.

“As expected. He thinks Lindsey’s using her father’s gun as a way to carry on his legacy.” Emily said. 

“Makes sense, given her Daddy issues.” Rossi said. 

“And I spoke to the Warden about putting Reid in protective custody, but he said no.” Emily said and I sighed. 

“Okay, more ballistics literally just came in on Jack Vaughn’s gun, and, oh my goodness, Lindsey has been a busy evil bee.” Garcia said. 

“How busy?” Tara asked. 

“That gun has been involved in fifteen murders in the last five years.” She answered. 

“Single shot to the back of the head with a modified hollow-point.” JJ said.

“That’s our Lindsey.” Rossi said. 

“You guys see the geographical pattern? All of the kills are along the U.S-Mexico border.” JJ said. 

“And each of the victims have apparent Cartel ties.” Garcia. 

“So, Lindsey’s been a Cartel hit woman ever since she left the program.” Tara said. 

“Okay, but why is she using her Dad’s gun? That helps us, and it’s risky for her.” Garcia asked. 

“It’s an impulse, not a choice.” I said. We continued talking, but we came up with nothing so we all went to get coffee. 

“Why would Scratch choose Lindsey? I mean, her ties to Reid are distant.” Tara said. 

“Walker and I, we kicked it around on the flight, and we imagine that Scratch was digging further into Reid’s past and he saw that Lindsey had become a contract killer. Realized she could get to him in a way that he couldn’t.” Luke said. 

“It may be logistical, too. Scratch has never run out of drugs before, but now he’s a fugitive and might not be able to get them.” Walker said. 

“Well, Lindsey knows the border. She’d be a good drug mule.” JJ said as I was making myself a second coffee. 

“Good news, bad news.” Emily said walking up to us and I immediately turned towards her. 

“I am on the books first thing tomorrow with Judge Frost and AUSA Martinez.” Emily said. 

“But all we have is a theory and no support from the brass.” Rossi said. 

“That’s never stopped us before.” She said.  

“I guess we gave twelve hours to make an airtight case for you to bring to them.” I said. 

“Yes. Not only that, we also need a paper trail.” Emily said. 

“I’ll put on more coffee.” Rossi said. 

“Excuse me.” Emily said and went to take a call. 

“Y/N, you should go get some sleep.” Rossi said to me and I shook my head. 

“There is no way I’m going home when Spencer is stuck in that prison and Diana is who knows where.” I said taking a sip of my coffee. 

“I will inject coffee straight into my veins before I go to sleep.” I said and walked off to the round table room. Soon everyone followed and we were all looking for anything we could find. 

“We leave no stone unturned.” Emily said walking in with Garcia and a box. She started handing out files and we got to work. 

“Hey, guys.” Tara said after an hour and a half. 

“Okay. I got Carol Atkinson crossing the border at Los Indios.” She said. 

“There’s a factory nearby that manufactures non-FDA-approved seasickness tablets. Essentially, scopolamine pills.” She said walking over to the map. 

“Los Indios is only a 40-minute drive to Matamoros.” Luke said. 

“Looks like we’ve got Lindsey where we need her.” Rossi said. 

“Now we put the knife in her hand.” Emily said. We continued working, trying to get anything to match with Lindsey and that would be able to set Spencer free. I must have drank at least six coffees, maybe more. It was light out now, but none of us cared. 

“Rick, what have you got?” Luke asked, answering his phone. 

“Well, okay, guys, Jack’s gun was used in Mexico the day before Nadie’s murder.” JJ said. 

“What? Another Cartel hit?” I asked. 

“No, the victim was a Victor Flores. He was a local real estate broker, a model citizen.” She said. 

“Point-blank. Back of the head, with a modified hollow-point bullet. That’s Lindsey, alright.” Rossi said looking at the file. 

“Why are we only hearing about it now?” Walker asked. 

“Because it was in Monterrey. It’s a different jurisdiction.” JJ answered. 

“Okay, so, she crosses the border at Los Indios, which is very close to Matamoros, drives three hours west to Monterrey, kills Victor, and then drives four hours east to Matamoros?” Tara asked confused. 

“All possible within a day’s drive.” Walker said. 

“Sure, but why go to all the trouble?” Tara asked. 

“Why pick Victor Flores?” Emily asked. 

“It sounds too random to be random…” I said shaking my head. 

“Alright. Alright, thanks, Rick. I owe you.” Luke said and hung up. 

“Mexican authorities found an abandoned truck last week that matches the one Reid described. It was dumped two states over.” Luke said. 

“Did it belong to a Victor Flores?” JJ asked. 

“Yeah, how’d you know that?” He asked. 

“Lindsey killed him before Nadie. Must have stolen his truck too.” Rossi said. 

“Alright, well, we’re making some real headway here.”Luke said. 

“Yeah, it’s great guys, don’t get me wrong, but it’s all circumstantial. Garcia, any luck finding Lindsey’s prints from her Witsec file?” Emily asked. 

“I called in every favor I can think of and then some. It’s gonna take me, like, five more hours to cut through all this red tape.” Garcia answered. 

“I have to be at the courthouse in one.” Emily said and we continued to go back to work. 

Emily left soon after and we all kept working. We hoped that we could get something in time, but the odds were against us. An hour later my phone rang and I saw Emily’s name pop up on my screen. 

“Emily?” I answered confused and everyone’s eyes were on me. 

“I need you to go to the prison that Reid is at and bring him home.” She said and my eyes started to water. 

“A-Are you serious?” I asked. 

“I am, bring him home Y/N.” She said and I hung up immediately. 

“What’s going on?” Garcia asked. 

“I have to go, I have to go get Spencer.” I said with a smile. 

“He’s coming home?” JJ asked and I nodded. 

“Yeah.” I nodded and everyone smiled.

“I’m coming with you.” JJ said. 

“Me too, I gotta take care of something there.” Luke said. 

“I’m coming too!” Garcia said and I just nodded at them. I quickly gathered my stuff and rushed to my car. My Spencer was finally coming home. They were driving in a separate car from me. I got to the prison as quickly as I could and soon after they brought me to a room with Spencer standing there. Spencer saw me and smiled slightly. 

“We’re taking you home baby.” I said with a smile and a tear falling down my face. He looked relieved and I rushed over to hug him. 

“You’re coming home Spence.” I whispered. He held me tightly and started sobbing. I held him tightly. He kissed the side of my head and everything just felt so right in that moment. Spencer got dressed in the suit we brought him and we walked out to see Garcia standing there waiting. He went up and hugged her and I smiled. 

“Let’s get my Mom back.” He said. 

“Yeah.” Garcia said and we all left. We got back to the office and we were catching Spencer up on everything. 

“So we know Lindsey convinced Scratch to run drugs across the border.” Luke said. 

“And that Lindsey’s been operating from to locations- An apartment next to Reid and a house in southeast D.C.” Rossi said. 

“That’s where we think she’s keeping your Mom.” Walker said. 

“Scratch isn’t afraid to plot an elaborate trap. I want a full breakdown of that house before we set one foot inside.” Emily said and everyone walked off, except for Spencer and I. 

“Um… Spencer…” Emily said stopping us and closing the door. 

“You can’t officially go until you’re reinstated.” She said. 

“So that includes going to my apartment, since it’s a crime scene.” Spencer said. 

“That’s right. It’s sealed and guarded by Metro P.D. But you are the resident. You got it?” She said.

“Got it.” He said and she left. Spencer took a step up to the closed door, but just stared at it. 

“Are you alright?” I asked and he looked at me. 

“Um… it’s, uh, it’s open.” I said and he looked back at the door. 

“Of course.” He said and opened the door. We went to Spencer’s place and I had to show the guard my badge. 

“He’s the resident. He’s just gonna grab a few things.” I said and the cop nodded. Spencer sat on his couch and started looking at an open photo album. 

“What is it?” I asked. 

“This picture was on a different page.” He said and picked it up. He flipped it over and on the back in red it said XX-XY. 

“Does that mean anything to you?” I asked. 

“Only the obvious, male and female chromosomes, Lindsey’s way of telling us she’s with Scratch.” He said and I sighed. 

“Let’s grab some things and you can stay at my place.” I said. 

“Yeah…” He said. We grabbed a bag of clothes and dropped them off at my apartment. Emily had called me and told me all about what was going on. Spencer had to go back to prison to see Cat Adams. I was going with him. We got on the jet and made our way to Car Adams. We walked into the other side of the interview room, we saw Cat sitting at the table. I saw Spencer was comfortable, but this was the only option to find his mother right now. 

“I’ll be here the whole time, promise.” I said and gently grabbed his hand. He nodded and walked inside, I followed, but stayed in the back. 

“Spencie.” Cat said with a smile. 

“Where’s my Mother?” He asked. 

“I missed you.” She said. 

“What did you and Lindsey do to her?” He asked, ignoring her. 

“How did you-”

“No stop! You don’t get to walk in here and hiss at me like I’m the criminal.” She said cutting him off. 

“Now, we do this my way.” She said and kicked the chair in front of her. Spencer caught it as she told him to sit. Spencer sat as I stayed on the side watching. 

“How was Prison? Did you like it?” She asked. 

“No.” He answered. 

“It’s not fun, is it?” She asked. 

“Unlike you, I didn’t deserve to be there.” He said. 

“How did you stay sane?” She asked leaning closer. I was confused as to who she was or what her and Spencer’s past connection was. Her case was before I was even on the team. I had only joined three years ago and Spencer and I have only been together for two. 

“A brain like yours needs stimulation in such a gray place.” She said. 

“I worked in the laundry room and I played chess.” He answered. 

“That’s three, maybe four hours, tops. What about the other twenty?” She asked. 

“I read.” He answered. 

“That’s still not enough. You have to… go someplace. Up here.” She said looking at me for a split second. 

“Or else you go crazy.” She said with a slight laugh. 

“Do you want to see where I go? I’ll show you. Com here.” She said, motioning him to come closer. Spencer leaned in closer and she went to touch his face. 

“No touching.” I said and she stopped. Spencer looked at me then back at her and she smirked at me. 

“Close your eyes.” She said and moved his eyes to close them. 

“Good. Now keep them shut. Sit back and relax.” She said leaning back in her chair. Spencer also leaned back. 

“Now, when you open your eyes, I want you to look at me like I’m the first woman you’ve seen after being in prison for three month.” She said and my heart clenched at this. She looked at me and smirked then looked back at him. 

“Now… Open.” She said and he did. 

“Hello Cat.” He said with a smile. 

“You’re here!” She giggled. 

“You’re really here.” She said. 

“There’s nowhere else I would rather be.” Spencer said and I took a deep breath, this is what he needs to do to get the information. 

“You’re good at this. You’re so good at this, I almost believe you don’t want to kill me.” She said crossing her arms. 

“I don’t want to kill you.” He said. 

“No?” She asked. 

“No.” He said, shaking his head.  

“What if I let your Mother die? Then would you kill me? Or would you just… hurt me? Would you pin me down and leave bruises that don’t go away?” She asked with a very sexual tone. 

“Is that what you want?” He asked and my eyes widened slightly.  

“I guess I just want to know if you would.” She said and glanced at me with a smirk. 

“If you could.” She said looking back at him.

“No.” He said. 

“No?” She asked. 

“That’s not the kind of man I am.” He said. 

“Do me a favor and tell your girlfriend over there to step aside, because we’re gonna play another game. And this time, we’re going to find out exactly what kind of man you are. I’m sure she’ll love to watch that.” She said. Spencer looked over at me and gave me a nod. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving Spencer alone with her, but I left anyway and she gave me a wave goodbye. I was now watching from behind the glass, luckily I could still hear them. 

“Let’s play.” He said.

“Let’s!” She said excitedly.

“Are you hungry?” She asked him. 

“No.” He answered. 

“Me neither.” She said. 

“So, the same game as last time?” He asked leaning back in the chair. 

“I answer every question you ask honestly?” He asked.

“No, this time you get to ask the questions.” She said. 

“About what?” He asked. 

“Well, I know a secret. About you. And you can ask me as many questions as you like to figure it out. But you only get one guess as to what it is.” She said leaning forward. 

“Now, guess correctly, I take your phone, I call our friend Lindsey, and I tell her to release your Mother unharmed. If you don't…” She said and put her fingers into a gun shape and stuck it in her mouth. She then mimed like she was getting shot and giggled. 

“Is there a clock?” Spencer asked. 

“There’s always a clock.” She said and put her hand out.

“Give it to me.” She said. Spencer took off his watch and handed it to her. 

“You’ll have four hours.” She said and he went to ask a question, but she stopped him. 

“Not yet.” She said.  

“You have to wait till the second hand comes around.” She said. 

“You want to give me a hint before we start?” Spencer asked. 

“Do I look like a girl that gives hints?” She asked. 

“Actually you do.” He said.

“Okay, how about this? It’s a secret you’ll never admit to.” She said and I furrowed my brow. 

“Go.” She said. It’s been half an hour, I told the team that we had four hours to find Diana or she’s dead. 

“I know what the secret is.” Spencer said. 

“You do?” She asked. 

“Why else would you put me through all this?” He asked. 

“Ooo. Phrasing it in the form of a question. That way it doesn’t count as a guess. Very smart, Doctor.” She said. 

“I’m gonna walk you through a scenario and your face is gonna tell me how close I am.” He said. 

“From the moment I arrested you, you watched and waited for the right time to take your revenge. When you learned I was going to Mexico, you took it. You and Lindsey framed me for murder so I’d be in prison and treated like a criminal, and then you kidnapped my Mother so I would know how it feels to have a parent manipulated, because you wanted to prove that you and I are the same. Am I right?” He asked and she yawned. 

“Sorry, I couldn’t hold that in any longer. What were you saying?” She asked. 

“Psychopaths get bored easily.” He said. 

“You’re right. Let’s speed this up.” She said getting up. 

“Shall we?” She asked and sat on his lap. Jealousy raged through my body, but I kept watching. 

“Why don’t you think about all the pain you’ve suffered in your life. What would I capitalize on, do you think? Is it the death of your mentor, SSA Jason Gideon? ” She asked while touching his chest and face. 

“No. Because we caught the man who killed him.” Spencer said. 

“What about Agent Morgan? And your guilt over not visiting his little boy.” She said. 

“I was in prison.” He said. 

“Yeah, but you had time before that.” She said moving her face closer to his. I was feeling so uncomfortable and jealous, but I had to stay perfectional and Spencer was just playing into her fantasies to get what we needed, right? 

“Why didn’t you go?” She asked. 

“Truthfully, I got distracted. I was trying to figure out a way to help my Mom. She didn’t have time. Morgan, Savannah, and little Bobby did. So there’s absolutely no shame in admitting that. Morgan would understand.” He answered as she nipped at his ear. That wasn't Morgan's son… 

“I agree. That’s why that’s not the secret.” She whispered and got off him. He looked back at me and I smiled. 

“Good job baby.” I said and pulled out my phone. 

“Go ahead, Y/N.” Rossi answered. 

“So Cat has deep background on Spence. She knew about Gideon’s death and Morgan leaving the team for his family.” I said. 

“She’s throwing him off-balance.” He said. 

“Yeah, but Spence also purposely gave the wrong name of Morgan’s son, and she didn’t correct him.” I said. 

“She must have gotten her hands on Reid’s confidential FBI file. It would mention relevant team information but wouldn’t name Morgan’s baby because of confidentiality reasons.” Emily said. 

“We were thinking she’s been getting help from someone inside the prison. This goes deeper than that.” Rossi said. 

“I’ll keep you guys updated.” I said and hung up. 

“Working deductively, the secret wouldn’t be any of the topics you’ve already volunteered, because you wouldn’t want to make it that easy on me.” Spencer said after a few minutes of silence. 

“Genius, truly.” Cat said, playing with his watch. 

“So what is left that I wouldn’t want to admit?” He asked and they stared at each other in silence for a moment. 

“Love.” Spencer finally said and my eyes widened. My heart rate picked up and I gulped. Cat stopped playing with his watch and just stared at him. 

“Is that what this is all about, love?” He asked leaning forward. 

“For my Mother?” He asked and she just stared. 

“No. For you.” He said and I felt a pain in my chest. 

“You want me to admit that I am actually in love with you.” He said. 

“Don’t get me wrong, I love my fairy tales, clearly, as much as the next girl, but I’m not delusional.” She said. 

“Are you sure about that?” He asked. 

“Very sure. So sure, in fact, that I had Lindsey leave a clue for you in your little scrapbook in your house.” She said with a smirk. XX-XY. 

“I couldn’t have you come all the way down here and make a guess until I was positive. That is…” She said looking down at her stomach and my eyes widened. 

“Until I tested positive.” She said placing her hands on her stomach. 

“What, you’re pregnant?” Spencer asked. 

“We’re pregnant.” She said and it felt like my heart leaped out of my chest. No. No it couldn’t be possible… 

“No.” Spencer said, shaking his head. 

“Oh, yes. Mazel tov.” She said. I needed to know. The team needed to know. I asked one of the guards for her records and waited for them. 

“Here you are ma’am.” A guard said, handing me the files. 

“Thank you.” I said and immediately checked them. She was pregnant. Her due date was November 15th 2017… I looked up in complete shock. 

“It’s not possible. Even if you are pregnant, the baby’s not mine.” Spencer said, now standing. 

“Except for the part where it is.” She said. 

“That’s completely preposterous. You’ve been in prison.” He said sitting back down. 

“So have you.” She said. 

“And we’ve never had-”

“I know. We’ve never…” She said. 

“Ask me how I did it. Come on, ask me.” She said. 

“Ask her…” I whispered. 

“How did you do it?” He asked. 

“I had Lindsey dose you in Mexico. You lost time. And I gave her very specific instructions to get you in the mood.” She said with a little laugh. 

“What, did she pretend to be you?” He asked and I bit my lip. 

“Why, would that have worked?” She asked. 

“No.” He answered leaning closer to her. 

“Yeah, I know, I know. Believe me, I know exactly where I stand on the Spencer Reid hot or not list.” She said. 

“So you told her to pretend to be Y/N.” He said. 

“No. I told her to pretend to be Maeve.” She said and my eyes widened.

“Maeve Donovan. The love of your life.” He said and my heart broke. I knew Spencer loved her at one point, she was his first and she was taken from him. But when we met he said he was over her, that it was in the past… 

“Who had her brains blown out right in front of you before you two could even kiss. So dark… Yet, so useful.” She said. 

“You’re lying.” He said, slightly shaking his head. 

“Spencer, it’s Maeve. It’s okay. Spencer, Spencer… Spencer, it’s Maeve. It’s okay. Come here. Shh. You want this. It’s okay. You want this.” She said in a soft voice. 

“It didn’t happen.” Spencer said. 

“Hey, I was thinking, if it’s a boy, we should definitely call him Spencie junior.” She said and spencer got up to leave. 

“But if it’s a girl, I think we should call her Maeve.” She said and Spencer walked out. 

“I mean, after all she played such a huge role in her own conception.” She said and Spencer stood next to me. 

“Spence, we might have something.” I said and he took the files from me. 

“She’s three months.” I said and Spencer threw the files at the window. 

“I’m sorry, it’s not you.” He said and I nodded. 

“I just need a minute.” He said and I bit my lip. 

“Is she right?” I asked quietly and he turned to look at me. 

“What?” He asked. 

“That Maeve is the love of your life?” I asked. I knew I should wait, Spencer had so much to deal with right now, but I needed to know. I needed to know if our whole relationship was just a lie for him to get over Maeve, or if it was real. 

“I told you about this already.” He said and I nodded. 

“But are we just together because you can’t be with her?” I asked and he looked at me with wide eyes. 

“No, no of course not!” He said, but a part of me didn’t believe him. 

“I don’t believe you Spencer…” I said. 

“Now’s not the time for this!” He shouted and I flinched. Spencer has never raised his voice before. 

“I’m gonna go call the team…” I said and walked off. I took out my phone to call the team, but my phone rang first.

“Y/N, you there?” Emily asked when I picked up. 

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, go ahead.” I said trying to compose myself. 

“So far we don’t have anything on the prison employees. Somebody in there is helping her, but nobody jumps out as the obvious culprit, and it doesn’t help that they’re blocking us at every turn.” Luke said. 

“We have something, but, uh, it’s out there.” Tara said. 

“I’ll take out there.” Emily said. 

“The gun store owner was more of a libertarian than you would think. He talked about how he never judged his customers or who they love.” Walker said. 

“That’s weird.” JJ said. 

“Yeah, not as weird as when he mentioned Obergefell.” Tara said. 

“The supreme court decision that legalized gay marriage.” Emily said. 

“You said we were missing something in the relationship between these two women. What if it’s this?” Walker said. 

“The risks that Lindsey’s taking, the bond she has with Cat, it’s not professional. It’s romantic.” Tara said. 

“This casts a big shadow over Lindsey’s next move. By exposing their plan to us, she knows there’s no happy ending, no future with Cat.” Walker said. 

“And she’s going to take Reid’s Mother with her. And that’s the ultimate act of revenge against the guy who took her lover away.” JJ said. 

“Y/N, what do you have?” Emily asked. 

“Can you take me off speaker?” I asked. 

“Okay, it’s just us now.” She said. 

“Cat is three months pregant and she’s claiming it’s Reid’s…” I said. 

“Are you kidding me? Are you kidding?” She asked. 

“Well, here’s where it gets tricky. Do we believe her or not?” I asked. 

“On the one hand, getting pregnant is a power control move straight out of the female psychopath handbook. On the other hand-”

“If her story is true, it meant she sent her lesbian lover down to Mexico to get Reid to- Ugh.” Emily said, finishing my thought. 

“Yeah… Either way, she is pregnant. I just refuse to believe it belongs to Spence…” I said choking up a little. 

“It could be the person inside the prison who’s been helping her. Getting pregnant serves two purposes- Gasslighting Reid and emotional blackmail against that employee.” She said. 

“Yeah, but, Emily, we don’t know who that guy is yet. And Luke and Rossi aren’t going to in the time we have left.” I said.

“Y/N, I gotta call you back.” She said and hung up. I sighed and walked back to Spencer, he had gone back inside. 

“Let’s pretend you’re telling the truth. That means I guessed it, right? The secret, the one I don’t want to admit to? It’s my child?” Spencer said. 

“Is that your guess? You only get one, remember?” Cat asked.

“No. it’s too easy.” He said. 

“Believe me, getting pregnant with your baby was not easy.” She said. 

“You misunderstand. It’s too easy emotionally. Because I can take your child from you. The child I had absolutely no role in creating, but a child that I would care for better than you.” He said and I gulped. 

“That’s rude.” She said. 

“It’s true. You can’t be a Mother, Cat. I’m not trying to insult you. It’s your psychological makeup. You literally do not have the emotional skills to care for another human being. You’d lose interest in your own baby the way a six year old loses interest in a pet hamster. This baby is simply a means to an end, which is to keep me here playing your game, guessing like a fool, assuming something I never should have assumed in the first place.” He said. 

“And what would that be?” She asked. 

“My Mother’s already dead.” He said and I shook my head. No. That can’t be right. 

“She was dead before I walked in here.” He said. 

“She’s not dead.” Cat shook her head. 

“Yes she is.” Spencer said getting up. 

“No, because that would be cheating and I don’t cheat! You cheat!” She said. 

“I’m done playing.” Spencer said. 

“Get back here!” She said. 

“Goodbye, Cat.” He said opening the door. 

“I’ll let you talk to her!” She said which made him stop in the doorway. He looked at me and I looked at him in shock. He smiled and walked back in. I quickly called Garcia. 

“Yes, I’m here.” She answered. 

“Garcia, get ready to trace a call on Spence’s phone.” I said. 

“Fired up, plugged in. Ready to go.” She said. Spencer handed her his phone and she called Lindsey. 

“You’re early.” Lindsey answered. 

“Yeah, I know.” Cat said. 

“Did he guess?” She asked. 

“No, not yet. We need proof of life.” Cat said. 

“Alright. Hold on.” She said. 

“Spencer!” Diana said scared, only a moment later. Spencer grabbed the phone out of Cat’s hand so fast. 

“Mom! Mom, are you okay?” He asked. 

“I don’t… know.” She answered and then there was a gunshot. 

“Mom!” Spencer called. 

“Gotta go.” Lindsey said and hung up. 

“Mom! What the hell was that?” Spencer asked and I quickly rushed inside.

“I don’t know.” Cat answered. 

“Spence…” I said trying to calm him. 

“Lindsey said you were early. Was that a signal?” He asked. 

“No.” She answered and Spencer slammed the table. 

“Was that a prearranged signal to kill my Mother!?” He shouted. 

“No!” She shouted. 

“Spencer-” 

“Tell me the truth!” He shouted. 

“I am!” She shouted back. 

“Tell me the truth!” He shouted again. 

“I am!” She shouted back.

“You wanna know the truth? Your Mother is an alzheimer’s-ridden moron who’s getting dumber day by day, and if she’s dead, it’s your fault.” Cat said. Spencer shoved the table away and grabbed Cat. He shoved her up against the wall and wrapped his hands around her neck. 

“Spence!” I shouted and tried to pull him off her. 

“I’m going to kill you.” He whispered to her. 

“Spence!” 

“I’m going to kill you.” He said again. 

“Spence, she’s pregnant. She’s pregnant Spencer! Stop it! Come on!” I said and finally pulled him off her. 

“Come on.” I said and pushed him to the other side of the room. He walked out. I made sure she was alright and ignored her teasing comments about how she was having his baby and how I was protecting their baby. 

“How does it feel knowing he really only loves Maeve and you’re just her replacement?” She asked and I took a deep breath and walked out of the room. My phone rang and it was Garcia. She told me about what the explosion was. I walked into the hall where Spencer was sitting with his head against his knee. 

“Richmond County police just reported a gas station explosion. One victim, a male. Whatever Lindsey did, we have to assume your Mom’s still alive.” I said and he just looked up at me. 

“Hey.” I said and sat down next to him. 

“I’m really scared this is who I am now.” He said. 

“No, don’t say that.” I said. 

“Y-Y/N, you don’t know…” He trailed off. 

“I do know. I know two inmates, Frazier and Duerson, killed your friend Delgado in front of you. And I know they wanted you to move their heroin, and I also know that if you didn't you would have been next, right?” I asked and he looked down at the floor in shame. He nodded, but still didn’t look at me. 

“Spence, anyone in your spot would have done the same thing.” I said. 

“You wouldn’t have.” He said. 

“Yeah. Yeah, I would have, Spence. Because if someone was threatening my life, You bet your ass I would. I would do it a million times if it meant I got to eventually come home to you. It doesn’t make you a bad person.” I said and he looked at me for a second before looking back down. 

“Because you know who does think like that, that- that doing what you had to do to survive somehow makes you a psychopath? She does.” I said and realization hit me. I looked over at Spencer and he had the same look on his face. 

“She does. She does. Because she- she knows.” I said quietly. 

“That’s the secret.” He said getting up. 

“What I don’t want to admit about myself.” He said and I got up as well. 

“Hold on, let’s play this out, because she will not lose to you twice. She already said that this wasn’t about you two being the same.” I said. 

“And she’s all about the game. She thinks that I cheated last time because I lied about her dad, so it’s integral to her that she beats me by following the rules.” He said. 

“Yeah, but, Spence, she controls the rules, and she will change them to ensure that she wins.” I said.

“Which means that I’m locked in.” He said. 

“Like she is.” I said. 

“And she needs me locked in, playing by her rules a game I can’t win, so she-” He cut himself off and looked at me. 

“I got it.” He said and went to turn around, but I stopped him.

“Wait.” I said and he turned back to me. 

“I’m sorry…” I said and he looked at me confused. 

“For before, I shouldn’t let her get in my head.” I said and he pulled me to him. 

“Y/N, I love you, but we both know that there will alway still be some love for Maeve in my heart. That doesn’t mean that you’re a rebound or that I’m using you as a way to replace Maeve, because I’m not. I love you. Everything we have together, is real.” He said and I looked up at him. I pulled him down for a kiss and put all the love I have for this man in it. We pulled away and we were both smiling. I was on the phone calling the team to get everything ready.

“Let’s get your Mom back.” I whispered and he nodded. Spencer Walked back inside and Cat was sitting down playing with his watch again. 

“Guess that’s one way to get you to put your hands on me.” She said. 

“Dance with me.” He said and she looked up at him. 

“Why?” She asked. 

“Because I don’t want the people watching us to hear what I’m going to say next.” He said and offered her his hand. They started dancing. 

“You guys got this up?” I asked. 

“Streaming now.” Garcia said. 

“Okay, uh, listen, you’re gonna hear a lot of weird stuff, like Spence saying he is the Father of Cat’s baby. Don’t let that distract you.” I said. 

“I’m sorry. Full stop. Why would he say he’s the Father-”

“Quiet.” Emily said cutting Garcia off. 

“You had eyes on me while I was in prison, didn’t you?” Spencer asked. 

“Spencie, don’t ruin the moment.” Cat said. 

“I don’t want to, but I’m on the clock. Answer my question. Am I right?” He asked. 

“Yes, you’re right. I wanted to make sure things were just as uncomfortable for you as they were for me.” She answered. 

“That’s what we missed, the inside man that’s been helping them.” Luke said. 

“He didn’t just work at Cat’s prison, he worked at hers and Reid’s.” Rossi said. 

“Garcia, look for any overlap.” Emily said. 

“Compiling now.” Garcia said. 

“Here’s something. Lionel Wilkins. He worked at both Mount Pleasant and The Millburn Correctional Facility.” She said. 

“Okay look, this guy could have gotten her pregnant, but there’s no way he could have gotten his hand on Reid’s file.” JJ said. 

“Well, not directly. He could have called in a favor from a friend at the bureau.” Walker said. 

“So someone must have wanted to screw us this whole time.” Tara said. 

“Someone who’s not gonna work for the bureau much longer.” Emily said. 

“That’s how you timed everything so perfectly. Like sending my Mom and Lindsey to visit me when I thought was at my lowest.” He said. 

“Thought? You sure you weren’t?” She asked. 

“No, I wasn’t. Because I didn’t feel bad. I felt scared. At how much I enjoyed poisoning the other prisoners. I had a hundred ways of getting myself out of that situation, and I picked the one that would cause them the most pain.” He said. 

“Well, look at that. You might end up saving your Mother’s life after all.” She said. 

“Okay, Lionel Wilkins’ primary residence is in Fall Church, but I also have a second address. Uh, it’s a cabin off of the Rappahannock River.” Garcia said. 

“Well the cabin is in Lindsey’s zone based on the gas station.” Walker said. 

“Helos are on the roof warming up. Let’s go.” Emily said and hung up. 

“They won’t get there in time. They must be on their way, right?” Cat asked. 

“Your team is too good to wait around, but, you know me. I always have a contingency plan. So, they’re walking into a trap. And the only way out is if you give me your phone and your guess, right now.” She said. Spencer handed her his phone and she sat down. 

“When we first sat down, you said you were going to show me what kind of man I am. And you have.” He said, sitting on the corner of the table.

“Every time I touch this, you’re getting warmer.” Cat said.Garcia was calling Emily to facetime her so she could show Lindsey everything. 

“At first I was furious, because the secret had to be the baby inside you. How could it be anything else? But then I realized that somehow, you knew I liked hurting those men. But now I know it’s both things.” Spencer said. 

“So which is it, Spence? Come on. Don’t fumble it now. You’re at the one-yard line.” Cat said. 

“You’re not pregnant with my child. You got pregnant with Wilkins to put me in as compromised a position as possible. But it should be mine. I wish it were mine. Because you and I… We deserve each other. That is the real secret.” He said and she pressed the call button. 

“Kill her.” Cat said. 

“Lindsey, I said-” She said getting up, but stopped talking. Cat looked at the camera and glared slightly. 

“Lindsey, sweetheart, it’s complicated, okay?” She said. 

“Y/N, we got her.” Emily said. 

“We’re clear.” I said walking into the room and Cat hung up. Spencer took his phone and turned back to me. 

“Is my Mom okay?” He asked. 

“Yeah, she’s fine.” I answered with a smile. 

“We do deserve each other, by the way. You guessed right.” Cat said sitting back down. 

“You lied, by the way. You were going to kill my Mother regardless.” He said. 

“Yeah, I think you really liked hurting those men. And once you cross that line, you can’t ever go back.” She said. Spencer walked over to her and grabbed her arm. He took his watch back and looked her right in the eyes. 

“Watch me.” He whispered and we left. We went back to the office and Spencer was so excited to see his mother again. We walked out of the elevator and the team with his Mother, she looked uncomfortable. 

“Spencer’s here.” Emily whispered. Diana looked over at him and they both went to hug each other. 

“Hi, Mom.” He said holding her close. 

“Don’t leave me. Every again.” She pulled away to say. 

“I won’t.” He said and I smiled at them. They pulled apart again and Spencer smiled at me. 

“Y/N! You should come visit more.” His Mother said and came to hug me. I hugged her back and laughed slightly. 

“I will, I promise.” I said. We pulled apart and we went back to his apartment. Everything was going to be okay. 

Tag list: @les-bio-lie​ @tashy-bear​ @ashwarren32​ @hollie-blogs​ @schisbro87​ @lover-of-books-and-teas​ @nerdygaloresposts​ @teenwolfbitches2​ @genius2050​ @drw0301bieber​ @softgamerking​ @lady-of-lies​ @simonsbluee​ @ravenmoore14​ @ravenempress101​ @cillianchamp​ @reidssmile​ @currentfangirl-futuremedexaminer @braeleebradshaw​ @satans-0-spawn​ 

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Saudade - Prologue

Summary: "Saudade" - A nostalgic longing for a person or thing that was loved once, but is now lost.

Helmut Zemo's life was forever changed when the Avengers picked his country as a personal playground to fight their own creations. He would never regain the pieces of his life where he was a husband and a father of two. But the existence of new Super Soldiers might just bring him closer to that life he once had than he ever thought was possible. Madripoor holds secrets that even Baron Zemo does not know about.

Word Count: 3.9k

Helmut shut the book that he was reading with an audible snap. He stretched out of his position on the bed to put the book on the metal table nearby. He was reading it for the past hour and a half, making his eyes dry out enough for it to become a slight annoyance. Dropping his feet from the edge of the bed onto the ground, he sat up. He could hear his back cracking as he stretched out. Truly, prison was bad for his back and posture.

Helmut sighed and brought his hand to his eyes, rubbing the strain away. He dragged his hand down his face, feeling a few days worth of a stubble that covered his cheeks. Ivana would’ve already pestered him to shave it off, preferring a clean shaved look on him. He didn’t disagree with her on that but without the constant comments, it was harder to remember or find the motivation to shave every couple of days. Days tended to blend in together when you’re confined to a small room by yourself for most of the time. The cell itself collected small knickknacks over the couple of years that he was incarcerated, almost looking like someone was living here. A number of newspapers, books, playing cards, a small radio, and a worn-out chess board filled his space. Getting his belongings back, post-Snap, was somewhat a tiring experience, even with the little influence around that he had. From what he heard, almost half of the prison had been snapped away, creating chaos when everyone returned. It was surprising to blink and find someone else living in his cell because somehow five years had passed. They shared a cell for almost two weeks while the facility tried to relocate both prisoners and guards that appeared out of nowhere.

Helmut glanced over at the abandoned Chessboard that sat on top of the table. While he won it out of another prisoner a while back, it sat untouched for the last couple of days. At some point, playing chess against yourself just becomes boring. He rose from his bed. Reaching, he took a Bishop off the board and twirled it between his fingers. It was nothing compared to the set that he had back home. The paint had chipped off the edges and the small, wooden piece had dents in it.

“Ready to give up?” He raised his eyebrow. Nic hadn’t made a move for the last five minutes and from the looks of it, wasn’t going to make another one anytime soon. They sat by the fire, at the opposite sides of the chess table. The board had both ebony Chess pieces and Checkers on top of it.

Their games started off as simple rounds of Checkers months ago, since Carl wanted to play as well but didn't understand the intricacies of chess quite yet. But overtime, the two of them, incorporated the chess pieces into the game, made their own rules. They might have accidentally created a brand new game that neither Carl nor Ivana understood or cared for. So it became their pastime before dinner whenever he was home from the army.

“No, I got this,” Nic mumbled through her hands as her eyes scanned through the board. He had her cornered on almost every front, they both knew it, but Nic wasn’t someone who just gave up. Ivana was convinced and often complained that she was a mini version of him, but he had to disagree. The level of stubbornness that Nic possessed at times did not come solely from him alone.

“Care to make a move then?” He egged her on, leaning back on the leather wingback chair and crossing his legs. An hour had already passed since they started the game.

“I’m considering all my moves,” Nic grinned and moved her hand to tap the side of her head with her fingers.

“I’m sure you are,” He smirked lightly. “Although, it would be nice if you made a move before midnight.”

“Fine,” Nic sighed and picked up a Pawn and moved it back diagonally, taking out his Checker. “Happy?”

“No,” Helmut frowned sitting back up. “That is against the rules.”

“What? It so isn’t!” She defended herself, taking the piece and putting it to her side.

“It so is,” He reached and snatched it, placing it back on the board. “You can’t go backwards to get the Checker when you use a Pawn, only forward.”

“No, you can when you either use a Pawn or a Rook.”

“You are altering rules to cheat.” He accused her, narrowing his eyes at the giant grin that plastered her face. If that wasn’t the most mischievous expression he had ever seen, he didn’t know what was.

“I would never do that!”

She was saved from being caught by Carl coming into the room and disturbing their attention.

“Mum says if you two don’t come to the table I get your dessert.” He announced, making them both look at the clock. They most certainly were late for dinner. Again.

“Well we can’t have that.”

“Mom’s gonna kill us,” Nic mouthed, making him chuckle.

“Oh most definitely.” He agreed as they made their way into the kitchen.

“Look who finally remembered that dinnertime exists,” Ivana called out looking up from her phone as they came in. Carl and Nic took their seats, piling the food from the table into their plates. Ivana cooked steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables that night. The latter that both kids, made their best effort to stay clear from.

“Apologies, dear.” Helmut made his way and leaned over the back of her chair. He laid his hands on her shoulders and pressed his lips against her cheek, planting a quick kiss.

“Playing your silly game again?” She chuckled as she brought her hand to the back of his neck, slipping her fingers into his hair.

“It makes all the sense when you know the rules,” He remarked, leaning into the touch.

“Not when you two are the ones that made the rules and change them every game in order to cheat and win the game.”

“We never cheat,” He cast Nic a look who in turn smiled innocently at her mother.

With a gentle squeeze on Ivana’s shoulders, Helmut moved away to grab the bottle of Marcassin Estate Chardonnay from the counter and opened the drawer to find a bottle opener.

“Oh don’t even try to act cute Helmut. I know you two.”

“We can always play something else,” He suggested. “Backgammon? Nic and I against you and Carl?”

“You lost the last time,” Carl quipped in with a fork half raised to his mouth. “And the time before that.”

“It was a brief misfortune,” Helmut defended himself. “Those days are over.”

“Mum and I are going to kick your asses,” He retorted with a shrug.

“Carl! Language,” Ivana reprimanded as Helmut moved to pass her the glass of Chardonnay before pouring himself one as well.

“What? Nic always says it.”

“Since when?” Nic raised her eyebrow.

“Just cause Nic does something doesn’t mean you have to repeat it,” Ivana rolled her eyes, taking the glass. She cast him a glance and smiled. “Thank you, honey.”

“It doesn’t matter. Dad and I are going to wipe the floor with you,” Nic boasted.

“In your dreams. We always win.” Carl rolled his eyes and reached for the glass of water.

“You lost like yesterday what are you talking about?”

They started to bicker, recalling their previous matches and rubbing in victories to each other while Helmut half-listened to them as he ate.

“Anything to add?” Ivana rose her eyebrow at him playfully.

“Oh, I know better than to say anything.” He defended himself with a smile and tipped the glass to his mouth to prove the point.

The pieces fell in a heap after it connected with the Bishop that he held moments ago. Helmut exhaled deeply through his nose, his hands curling into fists. Damn it. He opened his eyes and looked down at the scattered chess pieces across the board. Some of them had fallen to the floor. He ran his hand through his hair, brushing through the small knots and grease that seemed to permanently stick to him, no matter how much he tried to scrub it off. He was tempted to convince one of the guards to bring him some of the products he used back home, but ever since everyone snapped back into existence, the number of times the same guards came by, had decreased. Besides, there were a limited number of favours he could pull at a given time. So he was stuck living with the mediocre, at best, shampoo. Such a pity.

He clenched his jaw tight, grinding his teeth, as he bent down to grab the fallen pieces, failing entirely to ignore how his chest tightened and air seemed to disappear from his lungs. No matter how much time had passed, it never got easier to breathe through it. It was like a disease that could never be fully gotten rid off no matter how much he tried to move past it. When the dust settled, and initial shock left him all those years ago, he was certain that he must be having a heart attack. Convinced that such intensity of agony that hit him over and over, seemingly at random times had to have some medical reason. Apparently, the never-ending sensation that liked to leave him breathless and choked for air, was simply just a permanent part of his new life. A life that he was forced to continue against his will. It was cruelty at its best.

Helmut moved his position from the bed to the desk by the time that lunchtime came around. He hunched over the crossword puzzle in the newspaper that the guards brought in this morning, when they brought him his lunch.

The alarm buzzed as the metal door to his cell opened from the outside. He glanced over to see that it was a guard that he met when he was first dropped here from the Joint Counter Terrorist Centre. Stefan was one of the younger guards, more chatty and naive than some of the others. It was something that he used to his advantage years ago, befriending him enough to gain his trust.

Stefan came in, bringing a plate of food and a mug of black coffee. Getting to know his guards had its perks, such as getting better quality coffee.

“Thank you, Stefan.” Helmut voiced his gratitude to the guard in German. He too had fallen victim to the Snap. Helmut was grateful that the young man resumed working after returning to existence. Without him, some of the possessions that Helmut had in his cell would have taken longer to get.

“How’s the crossword?” Stefan nodded towards the newspaper as he slipped the cup first through the opening at the bottom of the glass.

“Would be better if they did not repeat the questions so often,” Helmut shrugged as he stood up and walked over the glass barrier. He bent down to pick up the mug and took a sip, humming in appreciation.

“I’ll see what I can do about getting better crosswords. If I can borrow one of your books again.”

“Consider it done.” Helmut chuckled, lightly rocking back and forth on his feet. He reminded him of Nic sometimes. “Quiet shift?”

“You have no idea,” Stefan sighed. “Oh, I almost forgot. You have visitors scheduled for 4 o’clock today.”

Stefan informed him as he passed the plate onto his side of the cell. Helmut tilted his head and raised his eyebrow.

“Who?” He asked curiously. It was not often that he had people visiting him. Not without needing something out of him.

“Someone by the names of James Barnes and Sam Wilson.”

“Oh?” Winter soldier and an Avenger in one day? Something serious enough must be going on if they wanted to talk to him. Perhaps something that wasn’t publicized in the newspapers.

“Any reason why two Avengers want to see you?”

“Not a clue,” Helmut shrugged and took a couple of steps back to his desk where his books were placed. He picked up a copy of Middlemarch and passed it to him. “Here, this should keep you occupied for a while.”

“Huh,” Stefan hummed reading over the cover. “Never took you one for reading novels.”

“I have time to kill.” He sighed as he passed the empty mug back to the guard.

“Well thanks,” Stefan nodded. “I’ll let you know when they arrive.”

Helmut watched him leave before sighing and taking his plate from the floor. Chicken with steamed broccoli and gravy laid on his plate. Not the worst.

Setting It down on the desk, he smiled lightly as the young Wakandan King’s words echoed in his ears. ‘The living are not done with you yet.’. It seems like he was right after all.

This was certainly going to be interesting.

Helmut watched him enter, patiently tapping his fingers while the guard left. The Winter Soldier, James as he now called himself, stepped closer to the glass with his posture stiff and head held high. Picture definition of a perfect soldier.

“Longing. Rusted.” Helmut rolled the Russian words off his tongue, raising from his bed. They came easy to him, even after eight years. “Seventeen.”

He stopped and watched James. He didn’t need to list off all of them, just enough to gouge a reaction from him. To see how quickly could the illusion of a changed man crumble under slight pressure.

“Those days are over,” James responded in English, never breaking eye contact. He said it with confidence, but Helmut could see through the facade. There was uncertainty in James’ eyes. Doubt. The trigger words might have been deprogrammed and removed, but the years of destruction and killing could not just be erased and replaced with a new start. The instinct would not just disappear.

“I know,” Helmut tilted his head, goading. “I just wanted to see how the new you reacts to the old words.”

With the cell being small, it didn’t take much to walk closer to the soldier and look him down. Up close, it was even easier to see the missing pieces in his face. There was still something, deep inside, that craved orders. The fragments of the Winter Soldier were still there. His therapist must have either been blind or lacking any skill in her profession to let this man go back into any work, let alone to meet him. Unless he was acting behind their back. Helmut smacked his lips, as different thoughts of how he could explore it to his own advantage crossed his mind.

“Something is still in there. At least you were not conscious for most of your imprisonment.” Unlike himself who had nothing better to do but to be trapped with his own thoughts. He had to admit, he was almost jealous. Unfortunately, the five-year blip felt no longer than five minutes, not nearly long enough to make any difference. To rest from the burden of living.

“That time wasn’t exactly a picnic.”

Helmut could sympathize with that.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” He confessed, any goadiness leaving his voice entirely. And he was sorry, honestly, for the part that he played, no matter how necessary it was. “It was never personal. You were simply a means to a necessary end.”

“Someone recreated the Super-Soldier serum. I need to find out who.” James, changed the subject, catching his attention immediately. Helmut looked back at him. This was not something he expected. Granted, it was suspicious in itself that James wanted to meet with him which meant that he needed something out of him, but he figured it would have been about Hydra or even perhaps the Winter Soldier Program.

“You are assuming HYDRA has something to do with this,” He assessed. It was a logical guess; with HYDRA’s past involvement and reputation, it would make sense to think it was them behind this. Yet, Helmut had to wonder if HYDRA rebuilt themselves enough, ever since it was destroyed by mostly Steve Rogers, to recreate the Super-soldiers. Empires like that took years, if not decades to rebuild themselves to former glory. After all, last he heard, The Avengers were still broken, even post-Snap. Scattered. So, perhaps it was someone else. “Which is why you came to me, which means you are desperate. Luckily for you, I know where to begin.”

It wasn’t hard to think of Madripoor as the first stop. Years of trading and forging connections on the low, allowed him a personal insight into the city-state. For long enough to build a small safe-house, off the grid, that was just outside the city.

He watched James consider the proposal of his services, watched as different emotions passed through him. Hatred, anger, mistrust, contempt. Finally, they all dissolved into resignation. He knew that he needed him.

“You will be our prisoner until we bring you back,” James asserted, leaving no room for argument.

“Naturally,” Helmut smirked, half raising his clasped hands in mock surrender. James looked past him to his cell.

“What’s the book you’re reading?”

Helmut glanced at the book behind him. First Edition of Fortune is a River laid on his sheets. He glanced back at James, hoping his plan was not going to involve the book’s destruction. It was one of the more expensive books in his collection. He won it an auction in Madripoor after bidding B6.61, roughly 304,421 Euros. It would be a shame to ruin it.

“Machiavelli.”

James grunted and tilted his head for it. Helmut picked it up and slid the book to him. He examined it briefly as they went over James’ plan and the location where to meet, slid it back to him, and left without a word. The door shut loudly behind him, leaving Helmut alone again. He looked down at the book and flipped through it. Towards the back of the book, on page 235, he found a small, black key card that was responsible for the lock of his cell and other doors.

Not long after Helmut put the key card into his pocket, the alarm went off. Within moments, the chaos of shouts and heavy boots hitting the ground could be heard outside his cell. He didn’t hesitate to unlock his cell, step out and walk through the mostly empty hallways on the upper floor. He was met by one officer with his gun raised by the shower rooms, but with his training as a Colonel, it was easy enough to overpower him and knock out the gun from his hold. Helmut used the grip that he had on the guard’s arms, twisted him over his shoulder and threw his arm over the guard’s neck, rendering him useless. The guard tried to pry his hold but Helmut was faster and dragged him backwards into the shower stalls, knocking him out by hitting him against the wall.

Adrenaline surged through his veins as he fought against time to undress himself and the man and swap their clothes. The longer he took, the less chance he had of slipping through unnoticed. Confrontation with the guards would not be the smartest decision. Thankfully, the man was roughly his size, so the uniform was neither too baggy nor too tight on him. It would not make him stand out. From there, he rushed down the stairs, past where the fight broke out and used the key card to open the security door.

“Aufseher Menz.” Helmut called out the name of the guard, with a phone pressed to his ear. He tilted the hat lower to cover his face against the cameras. The doors made an audible click as the lock opened and he held the door for riot guards to march past him. From there it was easy enough to sneak out, he only needed to trip out the fire alarm and run behind couple of guards and prisoners to appear like he was doing his job. Spotting the I-3 passage door, he snuck by the guards and took the shortcut for another hallway. Following the emergency exit signs, he stayed away from the camera views until the facility was behind him.

Helmut pushed the door open of his private garage and stepped in. Locating it by Berlin Correctional Facility finally paid off. It was quite easy to find James and his partner, Sam, in the building since they seemingly pulled all the electrical switches that they could find, making their location quite obvious for anyone with eyes. He crossed the corridor and pushed past plastic coverings that divided the room.

“Whoa. Whoa, whoa.” Sam exclaimed, marching to him the moment he noticed his presence. So James didn’t tell him of his plan to break him out. Perhaps he didn’t trust his partner enough. Interesting. Helmut wondered briefly if it had anything to do with the Shield being passed to Sam instead of James. It would be understandable if James felt some resentment towards Sam, even though he didn’t keep the Shield for long. The news of the new Captain America and the details of the passing of the Shield were plastered across all the newspapers for the last couple of weeks, even in Germany.

“No, listen.” Bucky jumped in front of Sam, putting his arm in front of his chest to stop him.

“What are you doin’ here?” Sam demanded, looking at Helmut who simply approached them with his hands half-raised in surrender. He took the uniform’s hat off while James tried to explain himself.

“I didn’t tell ’cause I knew you wouldn’t let this happen.”

“What did you do?”

“We need him.”

“You’re going back to prison!”

“If I may…” Helmut tried to intervene in the conversation, fearing that he would have to stand around and listen to them bicker for the next couple of hours.

“No!” James and Sam shouted back in sync.

“Apologies.” That was the best he could think of to say. There was no point to poke the bear, or this apparent married couple, too much this soon. He couldn’t help but watch their dynamic.

“When Steve refused to sign the Sokovia Accords, you backed him. You broke the law, and you stuck your neck out for me. I’m asking you to do it again.”

“I really think I’m invaluable…” Helmut tried to interrupt again, knowing that the Avenger would need more convincing.

“Shut up.” Sam ordered, sending him a glare. Helmut frowned. Well, that was rude and not called for. He was not the one that had no leads.

“Okay.” Sam sighed, making up his mind as he pointed the flashlight towards James’ chest. He turned to Helmut. “If we do this, you don’t make a move without our permission.”

“Fair.” Helmut tilted his head. It wasn’t like he had that many options at the moment. Not when the prison was so close.

“Okay. Zemo, where do we start?” Sam asked, distrust seeping through his tone, but he had no other choice.

Helmut’s face split into a giant grin. It was music to his ears.

Note: This is Zemo-centric fic :) His family hasn't been talked about that much in the movies or series so I took some liberty. In this fiction, his wife is named Ivana, and he has two children. At the time of the Ultron attack, Carl was 10 and Nic was 15 but the story is going to explore different periods of Zemo's life. Quick points: Normal text format is for present times and if someone talks in English. Italics are for memories and if someone speaks in another language. English isn't my first language so if you spot mistakes please let me know :)

[northernindigenousbeautyhailey]

TAMRA JEWEL KEEPNESS.

FEW CHILDREN IN CANADA JUST VANISH. Fewer still stay gone for longer than a couple of days. Some are found alive, others are hurt or killed, but rarely does a child simply disappear. The RCMP’s National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains database lists 147 missing children, in a country of more than 35 million people. Of the sixty children under the age of twelve, a quarter are thought to have been abducted by their parents. A large portion of the others were lost to apparent accidents or misadventure, falling through ice or swept away in the pull of wild rivers, their bodies never recovered. The database shows twenty-four children in the past sixty years who have inexplicably disappeared. Because there are so few, we know them. In Edmonton, there is Tania Murrell, six when she vanished while walking home from school for lunch in January 1983. In Toronto, Nicole Morin, eight when she disappeared from a condominium building in July 1985. Michael Dunahee was four years old when he went missing from a playground in Victoria in 1991. In Regina, there is only Tamra Keepness.

THE LAST TIME anyone saw Tamra, she was five years old, with bobbed black hair and soft, round cheeks. In one picture, she wears a T-shirt dotted with flowers, standing against the colourful collage of a classroom wall. Her smile is broad and open, her eyes lively. She was so smart that her mother called her “my little Einstein,” so feisty that when a little boy pushed her once, Tamra shoved him right back, and harder. She liked playing Mario Kart on Nintendo and climbing her favourite tree, down the block from her house.

July 6, 2004, was the first time Sergeant Ron Weir would hear Tamra’s name. He was getting ready to leave on vacation that day when he got an urgent call back to the police station. Weir was a veteran cop with the Regina Police Service and head of emergency services, which included search and rescue. In a meeting, officers from the major crimes unit laid out what they knew: sometime between the night of Monday, July 5, and the morning of Tuesday, July 6, a five-year-old girl had gone missing from her home in central Regina.

Weir had been a police officer for twenty years. He knew that kids often went missing and turned up safe a short time later. Sixty-five percent of missing children and teens are located within the first day, and almost 90 percent within the first week. But Weir also knew that Tamra was too young to get far as a runaway. Patrol officers had already checked the neighbourhood to make sure Tamra hadn’t wandered away or ended up at the house of a playmate or relative, as was often the case with missing children. They’d found nothing. Even in the early hours of the investigation, Weir suspected this case would be different.

TAMRA LIVED with her mother, stepfather, and five siblings at 1834 Ottawa Street, a shabby brown-and-white two-storey with a windowed porch at the front. The house stood between 11th and 12th avenues, just east of downtown Regina. The neighbourhood was a mix of long-time elderly residents, young families drawn by low prices for heritage houses, and ramshackle homes where residents struggled with poverty and addiction. The area was sometimes known as the “low stroll,” a place where women and girls sold their bodies for drugs or booze and men drove around looking to buy them, circling the neighbourhood in trucks and station wagons. Many of the women and girls who lived or worked in the area were First Nations, like Tamra. Long before calls for a federal inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women would dominate the political conversation, women were going missing from those streets. It was from that same area that nineteen-year-old Annette Kelly Peigan disappeared in 1983, followed by eighteen-year-old Patsy Favel in 1984 and Joyce Tillotson in 1993. Two years later, two young white men picked up a woman named Pamela George, sexually assaulted her, and beat her to death.

The last public development came in November 2014, when a Reddit user posted to the website a scrawled map with the words: “Location of Tamra Keepness, check the wells.”

Tamra’s house was less than a block from the Oskana Centre, a halfway house for federal parolees, and not far from the Salvation Army’s Waterston House, a residence and shelter inhabited by former inmates and men struggling with drugs, alcohol, and psychiatric issues. Residents of both facilities had been responsible for serious attacks in the past. Just four months earlier, convicted violent sex offender Randy Burgmann had lured a woman into his room at Waterston House with alcohol, before violently sexually assaulting her and leaving her beside a dumpster to die. The Oskana Centre had previously been home to both serial rapist Larry Deckert and Billy John Francis Whitedeer, who began committing violent sexual offences on children when he was ten years old. A few blocks farther was the Ehrle Hotel, one of the worst bars in town, from which patrons spilled soggy and staggering onto the sidewalk, and which appeared regularly in police reports and court testimony.

Police also had serious questions about what was happening at 1834 Ottawa Street. There was a broken window and blood spatter in the porch. Social Services had been involved with the family since not long after the oldest child was born in 1993, and there had been more than fifty reports made to crisis workers, most often about Tamra’s mother’s use of alcohol and drugs, and neglect of the children. Her mother’s boyfriend had a history of violence and domestic assault. In most cases, investigators knew, children are hurt by people closest to them.

POLICE STARTED with a thorough search of the area immediately around the home, then cast their efforts outward in an expanding grid. As the sun rose on the morning of July 7, 2004, the search effort intensified. First, there were ten officers, then twenty, then more. Some officers accompanied trained volunteer search teams; others questioned family members and potential witnesses, going door-to-door gathering leads or chasing down tips. The RCMP training academy provided cadets, and members of the public soon began arriving on their own to help.

Police set up a command-centre bus in the parking lot of a nearby church, from which Weir co-ordinated the search. Though it was an urban environment, the terrain posed serious challenges. The area was filled with overgrown yards, empty houses, piles of garbage. Tamra weighed forty pounds, and stood three foot five. There were so many places a child could hide or get trapped or be held, where a child’s body could be concealed or dumped. Searchers in orange vests worked in grids, knocking on doors, inspecting junked cars and crumbling garages, peering under discarded mattresses and piles of wood, looking down manholes. Police stopped garbage pickups, checking all the bins in the neighbourhood, the trash putrid and reeking in the summer heat. Some bins had already been emptied, so plans were made to search the dump as well.

And what if she had been taken farther? Not far away were industrial areas, large abandoned lots and buildings, Wascana Creek, and beyond that, the vast Prairie. With a thirteen-hour head start, someone in a vehicle could have had Tamra in Vancouver before she was reported missing.

When they were not speaking to police, members of Tamra’s family waited anxiously on the fringes, watching the searchers, eyeing the growing assembly of reporters and news crews holding out microphones and pointing camera lenses. “It’s not like her to go off by herself,” said Tamra’s father, Troy Keepness, sitting on the front steps of his ex-wife’s house, his voice tight with worry. “We’re trying to do our best to get her back.”

Weir worked in the command-centre bus, surrounded by maps and whiteboards. A scribe logged every aspect of the search in real time, recording ideas and progress. No one wanted to break, not for food or rest. Everyone knew the situation grew more serious with every passing hour. As the heat of the day gave way to evening, Weir stood outside and looked up. A strong wind had come in, and storm clouds were spreading, darkening the Prairie sky.

The next day, police strung crime-scene tape around Tamra’s house and the one next door, drawing it through the back alley and across six garages, long slashes of yellow dividing the street. Officers guarded the perimeter while forensic investigators went in and out of the house in boots and masks. “While we don’t have any direct evidence that Tamra has come to any harm, we also don’t know where she is,” police spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich told reporters. “And if, in fact, this comes to a point where we determine that she’s come to some harm and it’s because of a criminal act, this location could potentially be the scene of some evidence.”

THERE WERE three adults in the house that evening: the children’s mother, Lorena Keepness; her boyfriend, Dean McArthur; and a family friend named Russell Sheepskin, who had been staying with the family. All three had come and gone during the night, and investigators were starting to question their movements. There were no signs of forced entry to the house, and there were gaps, inconsistencies in their timelines that didn’t make sense to investigators.

The story the three told publicly, compiled from various interviews, was that Lorena and McArthur got into an argument while watching a movie on Monday evening, and McArthur and Sheepskin left the house around 8:30 p.m. to go drinking. The men returned briefly to drop off a bottle of formula for the baby, then left again. Lorena went out around 11 p.m, kissing Tamra goodbye before she went. The oldest child in the house was ten-year-old Summer, the youngest was Lorena and McArthur’s nine-month-old baby. Lorena returned briefly to check on the children and then left again around midnight. At about 3 a.m., Sheepskin returned home drunk and saw Tamra sleeping on the couch. Not long after, McArthur got back to the house and assaulted Sheepskin on the porch, punching him through a window and then stomping on his head. (Both men later said the fight had nothing to do with Tamra.) Sheepskin walked alone to the hospital to get stitches, and McArthur went to stay at his aunt’s house a few blocks away. Though it should have been a short walk, he said he got lost and kept passing out as he walked there. He didn’t arrive for at least two hours, until 5 or 5:30 a.m. Meanwhile, Lorena got home around 3:15 or 3:30 a.m., climbed in through a window, and passed out on the couch. She said that she got up to undo the latch on the door for her mother around 8 or 9 a.m. and that the two eldest children, Summer and Rayne, left on their own in the morning to attend a summer day-camp. Lorena didn’t realize Tamra wasn’t there until about three hours later, when the five-year-old didn’t come downstairs. At 12:16 p.m., a family member called the police and told them Tamra was missing.

Rayne, who was eight, said he had gone to bed squeezed into the space between the wall and mattresses piled on the floor in an upstairs bedroom. He told his mother he felt Tamra get up at some point, the slight movement of a child’s weight. All he could remember was that it was light outside.

FRIDAY WAS hot again and wet from the previous night’s rain. An odour of decay hung in the air around Ottawa Street. Tamra had been gone three full days and become national news. Her picture seemed to be everywhere, hanging on street poles and store windows. In news stories, she became “missing five-year-old Tamra Keepness,” but more often she was just Tamra, as if we knew her. The front page of the Regina Leader-Post spoke directly to her, asking, “Tamra, Where Did You Go?”

Tips flooded in to police. On the street, there were rumours that Tamra had been seen at a dollar store with an older woman. Business owners in the neighbourhood said detectives had been looking for a middle-aged white man named Roch or Rocky, but police wouldn’t confirm whether that was related to the search. Lorena and McArthur said they gave police the names of five people they thought could be suspects, including a man who had befriended Tamra and later been discovered to be a pedophile. For a while, there was even a theory that Tamra had never existed at all, that she had been a scam to get extra money from Social Services. (Hospital records proved that was not the case.)

Searchers were coming from around the province to volunteer, streaming into the city from towns and First Nations communities, motivated by the faces of their own children or grandchildren to help in whatever way they could. “I’ve got a boy, and he’s twenty-one,” said Jerry Scott, one of the volunteers who joined the search. “And if he left, I’d go nuts, too.” Around the city, people organized vigils and barbecues, brought water and snacks for the searchers, wrapped ribbons around trees to show their support. Some left teddy bears and angels on the steps of Tamra’s house. Days of intensive searches had turned up lots of items that seemed as though they could be connected—clothing, a child’s shoe—but none of it belonged to Tamra. “I’m starting to go on different conclusions, like maybe someone took her, I don’t know,” Troy Keepness said. “I just hope nobody would hurt my daughter.”

WHEN Tamra had been gone a week, police announced they were suspending the ground searches. At a press conference, Regina police chief Cal Johnston announced a $25,000 reward for information and vowed, “We will find Tamra.” Police questioned sex offenders living in the area and obtained surveillance tapes from convenience stores, bars, gas stations, and the Greyhound bus depot nearby. Johnston confirmed that “criminal interference with Tamra is a distinct possibility” and drew attention back to Tamra’s house and family. “There were comings and goings from the house that night that remain not fully explained to our satisfaction, and we continue to ask those questions,” he told reporters. He would not elaborate.

Tamra’s family was growing increasingly angry at the police, and the strain of the situation was starting to show. Lorena told reporters she’d signed consent forms for police to search her house and had given her DNA, but still she felt as if they were focusing too much on her family and not enough on trying to find Tamra. She was angry that police hadn’t closed the highways out of the city and that there was no Amber Alert because police said it didn’t meet the criteria. “I’m fed up,” she told reporters. “They are wasting time. This is my little girl we’re talking about.”

The family was growing frustrated with the media, too. Lorena’s mother yelled obscenities at reporters one day, and on another, members of the family nearly came to blows with a TV reporter doing a live update from the front lawn. They had been watching the news inside the house when they heard the reporter imply what many in the city were already wondering: If not someone in that house, then who?

On July 19, two weeks after Tamra had been reported missing, police charged McArthur with assaulting Sheepskin the night Tamra disappeared. McArthur told reporters he had been interrogated for twenty hours, not about the assault, but about Tamra and about what had gone on inside the house that night. “It was always the same questions, and they were assuming that I knew the answers to those questions, but I didn’t know the answers, and I still don’t know the answers,” he said. “I would never hurt a hair on that little girl’s head.”

Two days later, Tamra’s brothers and sisters were removed from the home by child-protection officers. Tamra’s twin sister wore messy pigtails and clutched a colouring book and a yellow blanket as two women led the children away down the front steps of the house. Neither government officials nor police would say whether the children’s seizure was related to Tamra’s disappearance. When the children were gone, police searched the house again.

One night late that summer, Tamra’s father, Troy, showed up at the house with a baseball bat and confronted her stepfather, McArthur. Troy was charged with assault, though McArthur later said police “got things misunderstood.” “Everybody’s looking for answers,” he said. “We more or less talked.”

LORENA KEEPNESS was fourteen years old when she ran away from her home on the White Bear First Nation, 200 kilometres southeast of Regina. She had been in residential school for about three months, but that wasn’t what did it. For her, it was the same ugly stuff at home. She found her way to Regina. When her mom tried to take her home, Lorena wouldn’t go. She lived on the streets instead.

She had her daughter Summer Wind when she was twenty, her son Rayne Dance not long after. It was after the ultrasound for her third baby that she walked home in a daze and told her husband, Troy, “We’re having twins.” She kept repeating it until it sunk in, and then they just stood together in the kitchen and laughed. Her mother said “Way to go!” but Lorena told her, “They came from God. Not like I planted those in me.”

The babies were born on September 1, 1998. Fraternal twin girls, each weighing more than six pounds, carried almost right to term and curved around one another like pieces of a puzzle. Lorena and Troy split up when the twins were little, and after that, the girls stayed sometimes with their mother, sometimes with their father or with other relatives. Lorena and Troy each struggled with substance abuse, and their lives were sometimes too troubled and unstable to have the children with them. At five, Tamra was bold and courageous, and protective of her twin sister. Once, Lorena heard a soft knock in the middle of the night and opened the door to find the twins standing there. The children had left their father’s house and walked four blocks back to Lorena’s in the middle of the night, Tamra leading her sister by the hand as they found their way through the dark. REGINA POLICE received more than a thousand tips in the first six weeks after Tamra’s disappearance. At one point, a Volkswagen van that had been stolen the night Tamra disappeared was found burned outside the city. A jail guard told police she and a former inmate had stolen it, picked up Tamra, and then dumped the child’s body in a ravine on the Muscowpetung First Nation. Ron Weir led a week-long search on Muscowpetung, draining multiple beaver dams with compressor pumps, while searchers slogged through water up to their hips. The jail guard later confessed she had made up the story. She was charged with mischief and wrote a letter apologizing to the police. In court, her lawyer said she had been trying to get her abusive boyfriend locked up again.

Returning from medical leave to the police department in the fall of 2004, superintendent Troy Hagen could feel how Tamra’s disappearance was weighing on his colleagues. Hagen noticed it in everyone he spoke to, from the police chief down, whether they were involved with the case or not. Sergeant Rod Buckingham, one of the lead investigators, was among those who felt the growing frustration. “It’s a mystery,” he would say. “And I don’t like mysteries.”

Officers had spoken with more than 6,000 people by then, but there had been no arrests, and leads were drying up. Shortly after, a special task force was struck to re-examine the case, to see whether anything had been missed. The name of the project was iskwesis ayishowak e mamayahi, a Cree term meaning “little girl bring people together.”

TWELVE YEARS LATER, Lorena Keepness spends her days doing odd jobs and picking bottles, trading them in at the depot for cash. She is forty-three and lives with her eldest son in a rundown shack of a house on Victoria Avenue, a fifteen-minute walk from Ottawa Street. Lorena’s children were never permanently returned to her custody after the disappearance, and the three babies she had after that were all taken by Social Services, too. Tamra’s twin sister is seventeen now. Lorena says she is an athlete, smart and beautiful. Lorena lost her family pictures when someone threw all her stuff in the garbage a few years ago. The only photos she has of Tamra now are the ones on missing-child posters.

Tamra’s twin and her older sister, Summer, don’t want to be interviewed. Neither does Tamra’s father, Troy. McArthur couldn’t be reached. Lorena needs a six-pack of Black Ice beer to talk. She doesn’t really want to be interviewed either. She has never liked reporters or their questions, and it hurts to talk about that time. “But part of me wants to,” she says, as her face crumples. “Part of me needs to share what the fuck happened. Someone stole my child.”

Lorena has heard many theories about what happened to her daughter. Some believe Tamra wandered away and was abducted by a driver cruising the area or that she got lost, then crawled in somewhere so small she has never been found. Other theories focus on the adults in the house that night. Some officers will say off-the-record that they think Tamra is in the dump but that they just couldn’t find her in the mountains of debris. Many in the city believe that Lorena and McArthur sold or traded Tamra to pay off a cocaine debt. Lorena has heard that one the most. One night, she was at a bar and heard some women talking, loud enough so she could hear. “Yeah, she sold her kid for dope. She has a whole bunch of babies. She has kids just to sell them for drugs.” Her friend told her not to listen, but Lorena couldn’t ignore it. She swore at the women, promised she would get them for even thinking she could do that to her child. They met at the same bar again the next day, and that time they fought, a tangle of hair and fists. One of them had a knife and slashed her twice on the back of her arm. More scars to wear for life. It wasn’t the only time. One night, she was attacked in Moose Jaw. Not long ago, a woman shouted “Baby killer!” at her across the street.

Lorena and Dean McArthur are still together, on and off—“more on than off,” she says. Police tried hard to turn them against each other, but she always believed him in the end. He may be all kinds of things, she says, but he’s not a baby killer. “If I thought he did something to my daughter, I would have killed him myself,” she says. “I think the police were just so sure. They figured, ‘These guys are a bunch of nobodies. She did her own child.’ They already had their conclusions drawn before they even tried to look for anything.”

The suggestion she could have had something to do with her daughter’s disappearance still pushes Lorena to the point of violence. You can see her eyes flash, her muscles tighten at the question. But she holds back— it’s not worth going to jail. She’s had enough of the police, has grown used to the accusations. In the past twelve years, she’s repeated her story publicly many times, and it has never really changed.

REGINA POLICE have never released full details about the investigation into Tamra’s disappearance, on the grounds that it remains an open case that they still hope to solve. In an interview, Troy Hagen, now Regina’s police chief, would not speak about any working theories or confirm any specifics of the investigation, including whether one of the people questioned about Tamra’s disappearance had failed a polygraph test. Instead, Hagen echoed what police have said since the beginning: That there remain important unanswered questions about the comings and goings from the house on Ottawa Street that night. That they will continue to investigate every tip. That they won’t stop looking for Tamra until they find her. He pointed to cases in the United States where children have been gone for years, sometimes decades, and then been found alive. In Canada, twelve-year-old Abby Drover was held in an underground bunker in Port Moody, British Columbia, for six months after being abducted by her neighbour in 1976. There was an intensive search of her community—including by her abductor—but she had been only feet away from her house the entire time. She was found alive. It seems impossible, but it happens. “I refuse to lose hope,” Hagen says.

The years since Tamra’s disappearance have exposed the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Suspected serial killers are facing charges in the Prairies, but there has been no public indication that Tamra’s disappearance may be connected to any of those cases. Hagen said police have also explored a possible connection with thirteen-year-old Courtney Struble, who disappeared from Estevan, a city 200 kilometres from Regina, four days after Tamra was last seen. Investigators initially believed that Struble was a runaway, and she had been gone for seven years before RCMP announced that her case had become a homicide investigation. No one has ever been charged, and her remains have never been located. Hagen says it’s strange to have two unsolved missing-children cases linked so closely in time and geographic proximity. He says the possibility of a connection was “very much” explored by police, but there doesn’t appear to be a correlation. The police investigation into Tamra’s disappearance is one of the largest and costliest in Regina’s history, but Hagen says it has never been about the money. If there were more leads or work for investigators, the police chief says he would reconvene the task force “in a heartbeat.” But the flood of tips has slowed. The reward for information that leads to finding her, now $50,000, sits unclaimed. The last public development came in November 2014, when a Reddit user with the name MySecretIsOut posted a scrawled map with the words: “Location of Tamra Keepness, check the wells.” The person later wrote that the map belonged to their grandmother and had come from a great-aunt who had visited an inmate in Alberta. “We, like many others, haven’t forgotten about you, Tamra, and continue to search and hope you are found,” the person posted. Police searched twenty-one wells around Muscowpetung but found nothing.

Sheepskin died on January 1, 2009, “with his family by his side,” according to his obituary. Many of the police officers who worked on Tamra’s case have retired or moved from the department to other jobs. Hagen says he thinks of Tamra whenever he is walking through the forest, not looking for her but always half expecting to see her there. Sometimes he looks at people he passes on the street, examining their faces and imagining what Tamra might look like now.

THROUGH THE YEARS, Lorena has developed her own theories about what happened to her daughter. These days, she mainly wonders about a drifter who used to stay with them, a woman Lorena knew from when she was a girl. A woman who sometimes told people she was pregnant even though she wasn’t, who Lorena knew by one name but whose medical documents said something else. The woman was around so much that Lorena’s children called her Big Auntie. Big Auntie had been staying at the house before Tamra disappeared, but left after she and Lorena had a falling out. Lorena says it took a long time to realize Big Auntie wasn’t coming around any more. When she did, she put word out on the streets, but no one there had seen her either. Big Auntie didn’t even show up for her own sister’s funeral in Regina a few years back. Lorena says she told the police about Big Auntie many times, but doesn’t know whether they ever found her, or whether they even looked. “She’s just gone now,” Lorena says. “Same time as my child.” Maybe it’s something. Or maybe Big Auntie is missing, too.

When I ask Lorena whether she thinks Tamra will ever be found, she struggles for an answer. “I don’t know,” she says. “But can I tell you about a dream I had?” There are two, both so vivid it’s as if they were real. In one, Tamra is inside a big house in a city Lorena has never seen. There are silk clothes draped around, and broad windows, and Tamra is upstairs, sitting on the edge of a bathtub putting on stockings. She is grown, with dark, shiny hair like her mother’s but cut straight all around. In the other dream, Tamra is still a little girl, running into her mother’s arms. “There you are!” Lorena says. “There you are!” She picks up her child and holds her, until Tamra wriggles free and is lost again.

[rosecoloredbi-writes]

Settle (Chapter 3)

Summary: After the death of your best friend and their spouse, you went from Godparent to Parent overnight. Now, Mio is your world. Because of this new role, you move back to Tokyo, Japan in order to keep Mio with her friends and her school, even if it means you might run into *him*.

Warnings: Mentions of stalking. Swearing probably. Cannon violence. Single parenthood. barely mentions Mio’s parents passing. Mentions of needles/tattooing at home. First look at Dabi and the reader's abusive relationship...

Gender Neutral!Reader x ?????

Mentions of past GN!Reader x Dabi

A/N: So... I decided the direction for the pairing has changed and it could be anyone even though I made this with the intention of it being Shouta... but who knows!! It sure as hell isn't me in charge of this :)

Tags: @dungeons-and-awkwarddragons @encrytpta

The next day, Aizawa escorts you and Mio to a Quirk Testing Facility nearby, wary of any watching eyes. He expects Hawks to be there, maybe a few others who are involved in the case, even a few involved from afar. This is one of those multi-agency cases. All hands on deck when it comes to the League of Villains.

Aizawa watches as you step out of the changing room with Mio in matching athletic gear, although yours shows more skin for ease of use of your quirk. You go sit down in the chair next to his as you both wait for the quirk tester to appear. Mio puts in headphones to listen to music.

A scowl shows up involuntarily on your face as soon as Hawks walks in. A smirk on his stupid, punchable fa-

“Why don’t you like Hawks?” Aizawa interrupts your thoughts before they can start to get violent.

Your eyes slid over to meet his for a moment before you turned back to the man in question, “I know his type.”

“And what exactly is my type?” Hawks interrupts from across the room.

Damn his excellent hearing.

You stood, going toe to toe with the bird boy, glad in this moment that Mio is busy listening to music. “You're the kind of guy who is a little too cocky for his own good, who doesn't care if he hurts anyone else to get what he wants.” You flush slightly when you realize just how close you had gotten to him.

“Sounds like a compliment to me,” he winks, a stupid lopsided grin on his lips.

It makes you want to-

“Alright Mx. L/N,” a woman walks in with her eyes on a clipboard, “Let’s see what you can do!” She looks up to see the impending clash and gives a look that tells you this is something she is used to.

You send Hawks a mischievous glare, “I can demonstrate on him if you’d like.”

Hawks is about to volunteer when the woman, Professor Tanaka, sighs and tells Hawks to sit down.

He sits next to Mio who begins admiring his feathers.

You start warming up your muscles and make quick but concise observations of the testing room. It made you nervous. You hadn’t gone to a hero school because you never wanted to be a hero. You would have been perfectly happy being quirkless however, you weren’t. You had this quirk and now that you had Mio, you would use it to protect her. Gone were the days of others using you for your quirk.

A chime goes off and a few bots appear for the upper left-hand corner. As you turn you begin to form a staff from your right side, pulling it up and out so that it doesn’t get caught on your shorts, you’d learned that the hard way. A few quick jabs and the bots fell to the floor and different ones come in. They were built to mimic common quirks so you had no way of knowing what they’d use, but you weren’t going to give them any time to show you. You quickly create the throwing knives you had tattooed on your hands/arms and threw them with precision so that they strike anywhere a bot could deploy a quirk. Then, you pick your staff back up and strike them. They explode on each other and you duck away from the blast. A chime goes off informing you the current test was over. So, you stand up and take a bow.

They were content with your performance, so now Professor Tanaka was having you make as many things as you could in succession. You look back to see your audience, Hawks is doing his best to look bored, Mio had excitement and pride written over her features, and Aizawa… you couldn’t read him. You had no idea what he was thinking or feeling and that made you nervous.

You were getting bored, so you had Mio come over and point at a tattoo for you to create rather than you picking at random. You created vines that extended past your arms and crept around the testing room, one wrapping around Hawks’ ankles and another up Aizawa’s chair to his chest. They moved in a snake-like fashion, curling and slinking up and around whatever you wanted. This went on for about 10 minutes before they began to disintegrate back into nothingness. You were drained, but now Mio had touched the butterfly, it was her favorite of all your creations. With the last of your energy, you create a swarm of butterflies that gently flit throughout the room.

Hawks gasps. You turn, intending to give him a smug look, but your eyes catch on Aizawa, who looks on with an almost childlike wonder. His eyes meet yours and that sparkle is back for just a second before it’s gone again.

You now look back to the professor who is writing in her notebook quickly. You had anticipated this. Most people with creation quirks could only make non-living things. You were somewhat of an anomaly. Before the professor could ask questions, you began explaining your quirk.

“My father’s side is full of run-of-the-mill creation quirks while my mother had an illusion quirk. I got the mix of the two. I’ve never been able to create anything more complicated than bugs and insects. My vines seem alive, but they’re probably closer to working like Eraser Head’s capture weapon. Inanimate objects are easier. I can keep those up for hours if need be. My vines didn’t last long because I’m already worn out and I’m directing multiple parts at once. The butterflies last longer because I don’t control where they go or what they do, at least so far.”

Professor Tanaka nodded as she continues taking notes, Mio was having the time of her life running around amidst all the butterflies, Aizawa was trying not to stare, and Hawks had a look on his face that causes you concern. He stands and approaches you quickly, wings puffed, back straight.

“Y/N, why the hell aren’t you a hero? We could use someone like you!” he was exasperated, but you knew he didn’t understand.

“Hawks,” You said as you stand. Your butterflies begin to swarm behind you causing a beautiful but terrifying visual. “Why do you think you know what's best for everyone around you? Why do you think you know me? I’ve played hero before and it was hell. I am not an object, a weapon to be used by someone else!”

Your butterflies swarm him, following the emotion you carry with your words. They aren’t going to hurt him, but Hawks uses his feathers to disintegrate your creation. You shake your head at him and he feels something odd in the pit of his stomach. You almost reach Mio when you collapse and luckily Aizawa is there, catching you quickly.

“I fear we pushed them too far,” a distant voice comments. “We ought to save Mio’s testing for another time.”

“You know why we need these results, Professor,” A smoothly annoying voice responds. “I say we do it anyway.”

Professor Tanaka speaks again, “We need parental or guardian permission before we can perform testing on minors. I will not skip a step because you *need* something.”

Then a third voice pipes up, “I’m lead on this investigation and I say we wait.” His tone is bored but straight to the point.

Thank you Aizawa, you think before you lose consciousness again.

Dabi has been in this damn tree for hours by the time you return, the erasure hero helping you walk up to your apartment. Dabi moves so he can keep an eye on you as you walk through your bedroom door. You begin to shed clothing as soon as the door is shut and Dabi takes a moment to look over your naked form, taking count of the different tattoos that cover your skin. Most are new- at least new to him. But he sees the dagger he inked into your skin so many years ago placed on the back of your thigh before you jump in the shower.

Dabi had helped you get out of a scrap with some lowlifes who would have picked a fight with anyone. You didn’t have many weapons at your disposal. So far a few throwing knives and your vines, but you’d have yet to master your throw or control of the weaving plant.

The plan for the evening had been to grab some pizza, but you were left exhausted. Whatever was in the fridge would have to do. Dabi picks you up and gets you back to your dingy shared apartment. It took a few hours, but you eventually woke up and stiffly got up from the spot Dabi had discarded you on the couch. Carefully you sat down at the desk with transfer paper and began to work on a design. You weren’t sure how much time had passed when a shadow covered your lighting.

“What do you think?” you ask, still focused on correcting an edge of the blade.

“I think it’s sexy,” he whispers, lips at the shell of your ear.

He gives you a few suggestions and then you print the drawing on the transfer paper.

“Where do I put it?” you’ve got an eyebrow raised suggestively.

“Let’s see,” he circles you, looking over every inch of skin that was currently exposed. “Pants,” he demands more than asks.

You do as he said and wiggle out of your pants. He gets closer, crouching down to run a rough finger down your leg before he determines the spot, leaving a kiss just below your left ass cheek.

Then he gets to work prepping the workspace, making sure everything was sterile. He places the stencil, taking his time. When he removes the paper you turn to look in the mirror and nod.

The only time Dabi is tender is when he has the needle in his hand inking you with your drawings. This process is what keeps you there. You know he’ll never let anyone touch you, he’s too possessive… and obsessive. But, you were drawn together for a reason- you were both too broken and too angry at the society of heroes everyone worships.

Dabi sighs, feeling odd about the hero making you dinner. “How disgustingly domestic,” he mutters to no one. “I'll give you one more night of peace,” he says decidedly. “League be damned. I’m doing this my way.”

[ask-professor-laurel]

Shiverwood Facilities

(This is a WIP, will probably be updated fairly frequently!)

PREFACE

This blog is a headcanon blog- it is not run as canon, and everything said is my own personal headcanons. The goal of this blog is just to explore the Pokemon world and the lore in ways that canon does not, I don’t claim anything I say to be canon or superior to anybody else’s headcanons.

This blog ignores game mechanics, as they don’t apply to the more realistic approach I’m taking here. I’m operating more under a blend of manga and anime mechanics. Storylines in the games may be acknowledged, but game mechanics (level up system, IVs and EVs, etc) are not canon to this blog.

A note from the person who runs this blog: I am by no means a medical expert, or an expert in real life animals. This is all for fun, and is just my fun way of having a blog for a self-indulgent Pokemon OC. Do not take anything I see here as real-life medical or animal handling advice- I am not a professional in any way.

(I also want to note- I was inspired by the Professor Peach blog to start my own, so shoutout to them for giving me the idea!!)

—————

What do we do?

Shiverwood Facilities itself is dedicated both to Pokemon research and Pokemon care. Our work is primarily based on Pokemon behaviour rather than on any specific Pokemon type, with our primary work being researching into a broad spectrum of Pokemon behaviours, and the care of Pokemon sent to us for care or rehabilitation. We also act as an in-between for Pokemon that need more intensive rehabilitation we can’t offer and we can often take in Pokemon that need to be removed from situations, but who don’t have someone to take them in quite yet. 

On the research side of things, I (Professor Laurel) am in charge of most aspects of it. My research is centralized on Pokemon variants, the environmental causes, and the behavioural aspects. I’m also a behaviouralist myself, with a background in that sort of research, so I’m a bit of an encyclopedia on Pokemon behaviour and the habits of various species. I’m most familiar with Dragon, Grass, and Bug type Pokemon, but I can help with pretty much any typing. 

Our site is equipped to deal with Pokemon that need care or minimal rehabilitation- anything more intensive we offer to just hold onto the Pokemon in question until someone more qualified can come and pick them up. Pokemon care here covers mental wellbeing and physical health- we have several behaviouralists onsite, including myself, who can get to the root of the problem and help a Pokemon emotionally, as well as trained medical staff who can deal with anything physical, be it injuries or something chronic. Our medical facilities are equivalent to a Pokemon Centre, and we often take in injured wild Pokemon for short stays before releasing them, but we’ll also help out trainers who pass by, or anyone who needs to bring in their Pokemon for a longer stay, free of charge. Any Pokemon left with us, whether found after being abandoned or being surrendered from bad situations, will most likely be rehomed, if not taken in by someone on staff. 

We offer tours of the facility, as well as tours of the local habitat. These are both guided either by myself or another staff member with a capable team, just in case. Public areas are clearly marked with signs, same with warning signs for any areas that might be dangerous, and areas closed to the public. We also host a couple of events every season that serve to raise awareness of our work, Pokemon care, Pokemon wellbeing, etc for the public. 

—————

Who are you sending your questions to?

Professor Arthur Laurel! That’s me- you can call me Arthur if you want, I’m not big on formalities. I’ve talked about myself already, but I’m the person who will be receiving and answering all of your questions.

I have a smaller team of Pokemon from my trainer days, and all three of them are my trusted partners and some of my very best friends.

Cloudhopper - My Dragonite. She’s been with me the longest and is my partner, gifted to me as a starter as a Dratini when I was going to set out on my Gym Challenge. She’s also a certified service Pokemon, as well as a flying Ride Pokemon. Known for being very protective, usually the one to get me out of trouble, but also very sweet and loving. She does have a wicked sense of humour, though, watch out for if she feels mischievous.

Honeybite - My Appletun. He’s larger than the average Appletun, standing at over 3 feet tall, and known for being the sweetest cuddles there ever was. He’s been with me nearly as long as Cloudhopper. Honeybite’s famous for his cuddles, but don’t underestimate him for his sweet face, he’s quite the little powerhouse when he wants to be, but luckily for us he chooses peace.

Sweetbug - My Vespiquen. She was the last addition to my team, but it’s still been a good decade of having her by my side. She’s a mother hen type between myself and her Combee hive, with a fierce protective streak that has us keeping her hive closed to the public. She often offers honey as a gift to those she cares about, so you can always tell someone’s having a good day when they’ve got a little jar of honey that they didn’t get from me.

—————

Where are we and how can you find us?

Shiverwood is a bit of an exaggeration for a name- we’re located just north of Ballonlea, near the mountains surrounding Wyndon. We’re just north of being hot and humid, and just south of being freezing, so we have some cooler weather for most of the year, although summers can get quite hot. There are designated paths through the thick forest outside of Ballonlea that lead to us, so finding your way isn’t too difficult, but for those who don’t want to travel on foot we can also be reached through Corviknight Taxi and easily spotted from the sky on a flying service Pokemon. We don’t have any water access, the only body of water being a nearby lake, as well as no train access. Walking/riding or flight are the only ways to reach us. 

We’re in this area on the standard Galar map.

—————

What kind of facilities do we have?

MAIN LAB - This is the largest building, it’s the main research facility and where you’ll find me if I’m not cooped up in my lab or out in the field. It also contains a smaller medical facility equipped for minor injuries for both people and Pokemon. Mostly open to the public.

LAUREL’S LAB - Within the Main Lab building. I keep it open to the public for the most part, just know that it’s a mess most of the time, because I believe in organized chaos. My team can be interacted with here if they’re in the mood for it, so if you’ve ever wanted to hug a Dragonite, now’s your chance. 

POKEMON CENTER - It’s not an official Pokemon Center, but we call it one because it’s easier. It’s equipped to handle anything from massive medical emergencies to permanent and semi-permanent residents who require more care. Also equipped for human care. We often offer supervised positions to learning medical students so that they can gain experience under the watchful eyes of our doctors. Some of it is open to the public, but the rooms are restricted to trainer and friends and family only, and surgery rooms are completely off limits.

ZEN AREA - This is a combination of a building and a bigger outdoor area. This is where the behaviouralists care for Pokemon’s mental wellbeing- think of it like therapy for Pokemon. The outdoor area is open to the public, but inside the building only the entrance is accessible. This is because inside is where Pokemon who may be volatile or aggressive are cared for, to prevent them from escaping, or harming other patients. We call it the Zen Area because it can be very soothing, patient or not.

CONTAINMENT - Where we hold the Pokemon we’re temporarily holding for someone to come collect. This area is completely closed off to the public due to the usually very aggressive or unpredictable nature of the Pokemon who stay there. This area is meant for temporary stays- it’s a sizeable enough area of the woods right at the base of the mountain, and there’s a pond in there that’s surprisingly deep. This area can handle a wide variety of Pokemon, temporarily, but it can’t handle every single species. In those cases, we relocate them to another facility as quickly as possible.

GREENHOUSES - These are the warmest places in the facility, mostly inhabited by Grass Types, but also home to quite a few Bug Types. Open to the public and plants are available for purchase, with a wide range from leafy greens to berry saplings. The Pokemon here are tamed, and can be adopted. There is one that’s closed off to the public due to the Combee hive in there, but the honey can be bought!

TRAINING FIELD - Most of us are trainers, so we have a standard battlefield set up for battling! It isn’t equipped for Dynamaxing or Gigantamaxing, but that isn’t a worry since we don’t have the means to do so in this area. Trainers are welcome to use the field for practice, and to see if any staff would like to battle with them. I’m usually up for a good battle unless I’m busy (or recovering from something), and it’s great fun to spectate during your breaks!

MIRROR LAKE - Named after the Giant’s Mirror, Mirror Lake hosts numerous Water Types that prefer the colder waters. We have a Lapras who lives there and she’s very friendly, though she’s never been captured and we don’t allow the public to ride on her. She picks and chooses on the staff who she’ll allow to ride on her back and if you try to force it, she throws you into the water. We have other trained ride Pokemon for water rides, and the shallows can be nice to dip your feet in during the hotter summer, though the water never gets above chilly temperatures.

SHIVERWOOD FOREST - Likely named during the colder winter, Shiverwood is the forest we’re built on the edge of. It’s technically still the Glimwood Tangle, but we have stronger wild Pokemon around, as well as some other species you won’t find south of Ballonlea. There are trail tours, but we generally advise not wandering into the dense forest, as it’s very easy to get lost. You’ll often be able to see the wild Sylveon and Umbreon packs, as well as some Deerling and Sawsbuck herds, lots of Impidimps and a few Morgrems and Grimmsnarls, and plenty of Zubats. If you’re lucky, you might spot a Trevenant! 

MOUNTAIN TRAILS - We have several mountain trails to hike on if you don’t mind the chillier weather up there. Most of the caves have danger signs posted in front of them and we often have staff posted near them, but several caves are open and free to explore! We have a Gigalith who lives deep in the caves who comes out every once in a while and is a real sight to behold, and higher up the mountain for more experienced climbers, you may get to see a very friendly Froslass. Other than that you can expect to find Geodudes, Gravellers and Golems, more Zubats, Roggenrolas and Boldores, and most common Rock Types. If you’re very lucky in the winter, and if you’re patient and brave enough to climb up to see the Froslass, you might just see an Aurorus if you wait around long enough. She’s very elusive, but breathtaking to see. Just don’t get on the wrong side of any Abomasnow or Beartics you see up there- keep to the trails and don’t go without staff. 

—————

You said events?

I did! We host a couple of events every season, raising awareness for our work and for Pokemon in need to the public. The events we host are all free and are open for everyone, and we always put out plenty of notice and signs so everyone knows!

SPRING

Shiverwood Trek - Every year, early in the spring, we put on the annual hike where everyone who shows up early in the morning joins us for a hike through the forest! We do Pokemonspotting throughout, and this is usually the time where you get to interact with a lot of wild Pokemon and see the sights that Shiverwood has to offer. This is also the only event where we go off the trails- since the foliage won’t have fully come in, it’s much easier to get through, so we always explore “new” (we explore before taking random people in for safety reasons) areas. Afterwards, there’s a lunch and then we offer the usual guided tours. I usually lead this one!

Wake-Up Call - A lot of Pokemon come out of hibernation in the spring, and after sleeping for so long, they’re quite hungry! Come on down and make up baskets of food grown here in the Greenhouses, and join us in going through the forest and setting baskets around for anyone who might need it. You’ll often get to see sleepy Pokemon stumbling around, and let me tell you, you haven’t lived till you’ve seen a sleepy Greedent fall asleep eating the basket it found.

SUMMER

Summer Barbecue Bash!! - Just what it says it is! It’s a massive barbecue party we hold from early afternoon to late into the night every summer. We team up with Kabu and other Fire Type experts to bring in Fire Types to help with the cooking, as well as putting on shows of them displaying their talents and powers. It’s a lot of fun, just remember to bring sunscreen! 

Scavenger Hunt - This one’s more meant for the younger ones, but we host a big scavenger hunt in the easy forest trails and the easy mountain trails for people to complete! Everybody gets a prize for finishing, but first free to finish get a bigger prize just as a bit of incentive. This usually brings out the families, a lot like the barbecue bash, and is a lot of fun to set up and help out with. Staff get to be wonderfully cryptic and unhelpful (unless it’s with the little ones- we’re a bit more helpful there) and it’s good to get out into the sun for a bit. We hold this one a couple times throughout the summer.

FALL

Fall Forage - As fall comes in, a lot of local plant life starts to wither for the colder weather. Right at the beginning, we lead people around for foraging, and anything they find they can choose to donate to us or take home for free. There’s a lot of Pokemonspotting to be had, a lot of exploring, and at the end of the day we take some of what we’ve found and we make a big community pot of soup! That’s become a tradition for the forage over the years, and it’s probably my favourite part after spending the whole day gathering plants in the chilly weather. 

Sawsbuck Sendoff - Every year in the fall, the Sawsbuck and Deerling herds that live in the area migrate towards the mountains for the winter. They come through the area in big herds, and this lasts usually 2 - 3 days. This started off as something unofficial, but the popularity of it led to us advertising it as a sendoff, where we all gather and watch the Sawsbuck and Deerling herds migrate. You can also help clearing their way with us if you want, it’s a volunteer operation and we repay you with food, but you basically just help us clear the way and set up food and water stations, plus you might see some early groups come through! Can’t go up to the herds for safety reasons, but watching them is quite beautiful, and very rewarding to see your hard work pay off when they eat the food you set out for them. 

WINTER

Into the Unknown - Named a bit dramatically, because we definitely know where we’re going, but winter’s event is cave exploring! This is the only time of year we open up some of the more restricted caves, and we take people deep into the caves to explore. We check them all out in advance, of course, to ensure safety, but this is the one and only opportunity a year to get into some of these caves and explore deeper into the mountain. This is another one I tend to lead, and it’s great fun, but it’s also got a lot of hands on deck and on standby just in case. A lot of prep goes into this one and honestly, it’s probably my favourite event to host! There’s hidden waterfalls, glittering caves, and this is the only way you’ll see some Pokemon like Noibats, Noiverns, and some elusive Ghost and Dark Types.

Winter Harvest - We do this one a few times throughout the winter. Winter Harvest is when we take what we’ve been growing in the Greenhouses and the public can come help us make food packages that we donate to Pokemon shelters, and to families in need. This one usually has a big turnout and it’s a great environment all around; just people helping each other and drinking hot chocolate. I participate every year, and help with the deliveries along with staff and volunteers. 

Besides those, we also host regular adoption events. People can come through anytime to see if they’d like to adopt any of the Pokemon we hold here, though we do have fairs on a regular basis to promote the facility’s adoption services. 

You can also find some courses here- we offer them to anybody looking to learn, no age limit (just a minimum; 16), but they can be very helpful when applying for certain lines of work. I also offer referrals and letters of recommendation as a professor, and the staff are also qualified to do the same as medical experts and behaviouralists.

—————

FAQ

Q: What kind of questions can I ask?

A: Anything and everything! I’ll always answer to the best of my ability, be it behaviour, medical, or just you wanting my thoughts on a certain species or concept. I’ll always be sure to be clear when my answers are uncertain, theoretical, or if I just don’t know. But anything you want to ask, ask away!

Q: Can I come to you for medical advice?

A: Within the Pokemon world? Absolutely! If you’re looking for real-life medical advice from the author of this blog, who is an arts student who works part-time retail, you are not going to find anything helpful!

Q: Why is my question taking a while to get answered?

A: I (both myself and Arthur) get very busy! I check this blog whenever I can, but I don’t always answer right away because my answers require time for me to sit down and think it out. I answer every ask I receive (unless it’s really weirdly personal or if there’s clearly something really bad about it- then it’ll be deleted) and I do so as quickly as I can, but I pride myself on quality answers, so it might take me a bit!

Q: Do you hand out starter Pokemon?

A: Not in the way you think! We do adopt Pokemon out, but we’re not like, say Professor Oak. Adopting a Pokemon out here, even to a child, involves a screening process of the adopter (anyone over 18 and if younger than 18, their legal guardian(s)), and a lot of paperwork. We have to make sure everything is going to work out, after all! But we don’t just hand a new trainer a Pokemon, no.

Q: Can I leave my Pokemon there for a short while?

A: Absolutely! We don’t have a designated daycare area, but we will ensure your Pokemon gets the best care and stays in the area best suited to them. Feel free to leave them with us, but we do ask that it not be long, so try to come get them within 10 days unless you give us notice it will be a longer period. While you’re away, your Pokemon will be allowed to roam (with supervision) in any area that best suits it, and I’ll personally assure you that staff are more than happy to keep our Pokemon guests company, haha :)

[sweeethinny]

The Duke - Chapter 3

Another chapter, after some time! I hope you like it, and let me know what you think <3

AO3 | FF.NET | SIYE 

-----------------

‘‘Mr Figg, you are a coward.’’ Ginny's voice was loud from above the roof where she was sitting, holding the broom in one hand. ‘’You duel even with your eyes closed, but don’t want to fly with me?’’ He smiled, denying and thinking about how crazy that woman was and gave him more trouble than all the Askaban prisoners combined. ‘’What if I get attacked from up here? You won't be able to protect me.’’

‘’Miss, I believe that few wizards will be able to hit someone on a broom.’’ He argued, ignoring the tightness in his stomach he felt at seeing her in the air like a bird.

''There is! That's a lie, because my father has seen a man fall dead from a broom.'' Ginny climbed up on the broom and flew across the sky like a lightning bolt, turning a blur of colors until she bent down and stood at the height of his head, laughing boldly and keeping her chin up in the best Ginny Weasley way he knew. ''You are afraid.''

''Madam, I will have to disagree with you.'' He wanted to laugh, a lot, but three of her brothers were around, and Henry would never let them think he wasn't doing his job right because he was distracting himself with that Greek goddess. .

Henry knew very well who he was and where he came from.

''Disagree? Aren't you being too bold?’’ Ginny seemed to shine like gold, her hair on fire flying in the wind, and her freckles looking like constellations on her pink cheeks. ‘’But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.’’ She whispered, before cutting the air again and climbing higher than everyone else.

It had been almost two years since he had seen her do that, in fact, that he had seen her do almost anything, but he never got used to it.

Whenever she laughed, or when she flew like a bird that was born for it, even when she just walked in silence in the gardens, seeming to work some crazy idea that would make him afraid of losing his job, Henry was touched. It was simply impossible, there was no way not to look at the freckles on the top of her nose that stood out when she got too much sun, or how she had an almost dangerous facility to escape from home.

Henry knew he had never met a woman like her.

Not that he had met many aristocratic women, but in general, Ginny was totally different.

She flew for a long time, laughed with her brothers, performed acrobatics that would leave her mother with her hair standing, and challenged Henry to fly with her, but soon gave up and returned to the heights, seeming to have fun like never before, smiling from ear to ear. Her skin becoming increasingly pink from the Sun.

For his part, Henry stood up, strolling around in order to think about some things that Robards had passed on to him last week, trying to recap each part - again - of the attack of two years ago, and of the letter - that never arrived in the Ginny's hands - with horrible misspellings and threatening her with death. The person was very explicit about what he would do if he found her, and for a week, Henry had nightmares that, while sleeping, someone would be able to catch her and kill her. Sometimes it was almost three in the morning and he was walking around the house, looking for a potential killer, going to the garden, to the clearing nearby, and even to the roof. But there was never anyone.

The house was protected, very well protected, but it never hurt to have a look or two.

His mother, Arabella, would be extremely concerned if she knew that he was hunting a murderer with his bare hands, ignoring Robards' commands and doing his own patrol, even reading and rereading the letters and all the investigation, looking for any gap that he pointed out for the culprit.

She would die of worry if she imagined that he had gone to Yeovil alone, curious to the last hair, even if it didn't make much sense.

Later that evening, after her day of enjoying flying and playing with her brothers. Ginny finally landed and got off her broom and followed her mother to socialize, or as her mother called it 'women's time', and then having dinner.

Henry, after already having his dinner - wandered around the property, talking to the elves who worked in the house, and going to the greenhouse to take care of the plants that Ginny might have almost killed. Not that he was the one who was going to tell her that she sucked when it came to herbology, instead, he just took care of the damage and made sure that all the plants survived another day.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  ‘’Henry.’’ Ginny called out, her voice very low. ''Where are you?''

‘’I’m here, miss.’’ He whispered too, the wand light off, but ensuring that Ginny wouldn’t trip over anything.

It had started a few months ago, when one of the men Mr Weasley tried to choose to marry his daughter, commented unpretentiously that every night on the 31st, at a specific time, you could see lights in the sky that came directly from the mansion where the Duke and Duchess lived. Ginny had barely endured anxiety trying to wait for the time, and as much as she hadn't told Henry about it, he knew she would try to escape.

That's how he became an accomplice to her escapes, almost every night - because he would never let her escape at night alone.

‘’I don’t understand why you’re taking risks like that.’’ She spoke as soon as they left the house, walking under the effect of protective disillusionment, following the same path as always.

‘’Miss, I would never let you do this alone.’’ Sometimes he thought she didn’t know him, even though he had been working there for almost two years.

‘’Is there any danger even at 1 am?’’ She spoke, and Henry abstained from answering a question like that. It was obvious that there was danger even at one in the morning, in fact, he thought there was even more.

After leaving the safe perimeter of the Weasleys' home, Henry extended his arm to Ginny, apparating them sideways to the park where they always went, not wanting to pay much attention to the fact that she always held him tightly and that the feeling was simply overwhelming.

‘’How do they do it?’’ She questioned him, sitting on the bench in front of the water channel and looking up at the sky that glowed towards the west.

‘’I have no idea.’’ He admitted, looking at the golden lights that cut across the little starry sky, feeling a little suffocated, even if they were outdoors. This sensation always scratched his lungs, and he thought it was because of his protective sense, which made him anxious about the idea of ​​being up at dawn, taking a Viscount's daughter for a stroll on the sly. He was risking his job on a whim of that red-haired goddess, who he would never be able to say no to.

‘’When I was a little girl, my mother told me this story of two souls who were intertwined together, and who met, no matter what the circumstances were.’’ Henry looked at Ginny, curious about she was talking about Soul-bonding. Ginny continued; ‘‘I think she was hoping that her words would make the Duke’s son return."

‘’But you never believed!?’’ He questioned, knowing the answer. Happy to be able to treat her so personally now that they were alone. Her smile was always so beautiful when she realized he was doing it.

‘’No. Bonded souls? It sounds silly... I think that, apart from the dukes, nobody ever believed that the boy would return.’’ She looked at him, her brown eyes reflecting the golden lights in an inexplicably beautiful way. ‘’I once heard my father saying that Mr Potter had gone crazy since his son disappeared. Father said that he never left the castle, not attending any social gatherings, except for important meetings. And Mrs. Potter is no longer seen at afternoon teas, or even at events. Only the most special ones where she is required.’’. She shrugged. ‘’Myself, I think I’ve seen her less than five times in my entire life.’’

Henry was unable to give his opinion, the only time the Duke was at Ottery St. Catchpole, it was on a day that he was accompanying Ginny on a boring walk through the center, where she and Mrs. Weasley were looking for a new fabric for a dress. So, apart from photos that were here and there in the newspaper, he was never in the presence of the Duke or seen him.

And he would hardly be, to be honest, Henry was exorbitantly lower than the Potter family.

[self-proclaimed-chaotic-good]

Thank U, Next | Poe Dameron x Reader (1/2)

Prompt: High School AU

Fandom: Star Wars (Sequel Trilogy)

Words: 2791

Warning: Mentions past Armitage Hux x Reader, Ben Solo x Reader, Finn x Reader, and current background Finn x Rey.

A/N: I’m super late with the last three Writer’s Month prompts, but I ended up making this one longer than intended, like many of my fics, lol. Inspiration from the song Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande.

-

How long has it been since you’ve moved away from your hometown? Too long, apparently. There were some stores that closed down with new ones taking their place, buildings renovated and even a new road was added to cut travel time. Everything felt familiar to you, but also distant. You were born and raised here, but this was no longer your home.

When that invite for your high school reunion arrived at your apartment in the city, you debated whether you should go back. You had a lot of bittersweet memories there, but you were curious of what happened to your classmates. You’ve changed a lot since you graduated from high school and you hoped that certain people had changed for the better as well.

You went a week before the reunion, staying in a spare room of your mother’s new house. It was spacious and homely, filled with everything that your mother had always wanted, including a garden and a greenhouse in the backyard. Your parents had divorced a year after you graduated, something that had been a long time coming and they still remain friends. You could sense a heavyweight leaving your mother’s shoulders when the paperwork went through and you had helped her move out.

Throughout the week, you got situated in the spare room, making it your own for the times that you plan on visiting, as well as helping out with the garden. You always wanted one growing up, but your father was against the idea, claiming that it was too much maintenance that he didn’t want to do. It was peaceful in the backyard with fairy lights hanging around the patio. Oftentimes, you and your mother would drink a warm beverage and talk on the patio, catching up with each other and reminiscing. She had heard that some of your classmates stayed, some went to the military, and some even she hadn’t heard about in a while.

-

You were lounging in the backyard, reading an old book that you had in high school when an orange tabby hopped the fence and meowed. You bookmarked your page and sat up, seeing the orange tabby sit a few feet ahead of you, licking their paw.

“Hey, there, little one,” you said, reaching a hand out.

The tabby paused their cleaning, tentatively leaning forward to sniff your hand. When they realized you were good people, they rubbed against your palm and stepped towards you. Once they got closer, you realized the cat was female, her name tag reading Millicent Hux. Huh, you knew a Hux in high school. You had a crush on him for a year, and you remembered the whole school found out and he never spoke to you again because of all the teasing.

“Excuse me!” someone called out.

You turned away from Millicent and saw a tall and pale ginger man waving from the other side of the fence. He paused his waving when it registered just who he was waving to. You stood up with Millicent in your arms and made your way towards the fence.

“Armitage?” you asked in disbelief.

He smiled. “Yeah, that’s me. Lanky Armi,” he said with a shrug, “I didn’t know you were in town. Here for the reunion?”

“Yeah. I assume this is your cat,” you said, raising Millicent up.

“Yeah, I was about to take her out to the vet when she ran out of her carrier. Thank god she ended up here instead of hanging out by the road.” He grabbed Millicent from you, carrying her like a baby. “You look good.”

“You, too.”

He scoffed, shrugging off the compliment. “Still lanky and pale.”

“Are you going, too?”

He nodded. “I’ve seen a few of our classmates that had arrived earlier this week,” he said, hesitating to continue, “I, uh, saw Ben, too.”

“Oh,” you said, surprised.

From the way that Armitage said that, it meant that he knew or at least had an idea of what happened between you and Ben. They were close friends, after all. You never painted Ben as someone that cared for such gatherings. Sentimentality wasn’t his best trait. You weren’t sure how to feel about his presence in town.

Armitage cleared his throat, regretting about saying anything. “Well, I’ll see you around, then. Would love to stay and catch up, but this one needs her shots.”

“Alright, it was nice seeing you again, Armi,” you said, smiling, “And nice to meet you, too, Millicent.”

You walked back to your reading spot and sighed. Given the size of this town, you were surprised you hadn’t ran into anyone from school before now, and it was a pleasant surprise. Armitage was always tall and lanky, but he looked more mature and had a more lean build. He had always been a good kid, he was just easily influenced by others around him and you were disappointed that he had succumbed to it. He seemed to have gotten over that and you were glad that you could talk like friends, possibly making up for lost time. There was a classmate or two that you had ran into as adults that still maintained their immature personalities from school. You wondered how everyone else turned out.

-

Your mother had gone on a cooking spree on the first two days you were there and needed to restock the fridge. You volunteered to go grocery shopping but had to use google maps to find the address that the store had relocated to. Once there, the layout was relatively the same, just in a slightly bigger space.

While looking for a specific cereal brand that your mother insisted on eating, you heard someone clear his throat nearby. You wordless moved to the side, thinking you were in the way of something. You heard a soft chuckle before he spoke.

“(Y/n),” he said.

Your head shot up and you were met with a grinning Finn. “Oh, my god! Hi, how are you?” you asked excitedly.

“I’m good. Real good,” he said, pulling you into a hug. It was then you noticed a young woman around your age standing next to him with a sweet smile that showed off her dimples. “Rey, this is my old friend (Y/n). (Y/n), this is my fiancee, Rey.”

“Nice to meet you,” you said, turning to Rey.

She pulled you into another hug. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Finn told me a lot about his time at high school. He only has good things to say about you.”

“Well, that’s nice of him,” you said, raising an eyebrow at Finn.

He shrugged, wrapping an arm around Rey. “What can I say? I’m a nice guy.”

“I expect to hear all the embarrassing stories of him,” Rey whispered to you.

You smiled and said, “Oh, I have an arsonal full of those. Maybe we can meet up later. I’ve gotta get these groceries back to my mom first.”

Finn looks down at your cart, seeing beef, tomato sauce, vegetables, and other miscellaneous items. His eyes widened in excitement. “Is your mom making her famous beef stew?”

“Hell yeah!”

He groaned, thinking back to those times he used to come over your house for dinner and that first time he tried your mother’s beef stew. Ever since then, he always requested that she make it, or at least pack a container that he could take home and share with his family who loved it as well. His father would joke that two of you should get married once you two graduate, but marriage had never been a priority for you, and Finn knew that. You had different ideas of the future and respected the other’s decision for it, which was why your breakup was amicable and the two of you remained friendly and supportive of each other. 

“I’ll see if my mom can pack some for you and Rey,” you said as you walked towards your cart.

Finn grinned, patting you on the shoulder. “I knew I could count on you. Rey, you gotta try it! It’s so good.”

“Alright, I look forward to it,” Rey said, “It was nice meeting you.”

“You, too,” you said, then asked Finn, “Are you staying over at your parent’s house?”

“Yeah, same house, too. I’ll be showing Rey around for the rest of the week, but you can stop by anytime to see my folks. I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you,” Finn said.

“Alright. I’ll see you when I see you, then,” you said before walking away.

You smiled to yourself as you left, having seen the way that they spoke and looked at each other. Their happiness was infectious and you couldn’t help but be happy for them. Your worries that you had before coming back slowly seeped away after pleasantly running into Armitage and Finn. Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. You’re all adults now, surely it won’t be like that Romi and Michelle movie, though flying away in a helicopter looked pretty cool.

-

The park that you used to frequent seemed to have an upgrade with an added baseball field, more restroom facilities, an area with exercise equipment, and even a water fountain near the clearing away from the fields. You sat near the water fountain where there were painted picnic tables shaded by trees, a new journal and fountain pen sat in front of you as you brushed off the leaves from the table.

With your headphones on, you tried to get back into the writing zone that you’ve been hoping that your trip back to your hometown would help you with. When you left town, you went off to pursue your writing career, entering writing contests and having short stories published. Your new goal was to finish a novel. You would always start a story, but always got stuck on something and never finished it. Writing contests and published short stories could only get you so far and unless you wanted to keep churning out new short stories at a time, hoping that they’ll get through and be published, just to pay your bills, you needed to finish that novel.

You started small, writing down ideas, hoping that visually having them on the page instead of floating in your mind would help. Then, you took some of those ideas and jotted down plot points that the story could have. You continued this until you got into the flow of writing a rough draft for one of them.

Your timer went off, reminding you to head back home before it got dark. You finished your last thought before capping your pen and packing your things away. The sun hung low in the sky, a cool breeze rustling the trees, making you wish you brought a light jacket.

You got to your old car, you tried to open the backseat door that wouldn’t budge. It had always caused you problems like this, but you kept it because it at least got you where you needed to go. You sighed, yanking the door handle again before giving up. After years of forcing that door open, the handle looked like it was going to fall off.

“Still haven’t fixed that door, I see,” a voice said with amusement.

You turned to face the source of the voice and froze. Poe freaking Dameron stood in front of you, dressed in gray sweats with his military camp printed on the front and the side, dark spots stained near his armpits and his neck from sweat. He became impossibly more handsome since the last time you’ve seen him. He gave you a wide smile, one that made many of your fellow classmates swoon in infatuation at him and glare in envy at you, showing you the Poe you knew from school.

He briefly turned to open the backseat of his truck, taking out a hand towel to wipe himself down. “Back in town for the reunion?” he asked.

“Yeah. You, too?”

He nodded. “Everyone’s happy that I’m finally taking time off that’s more than two to three days. Apparently I’m a workaholic? Don’t know why,” he said with a shrug.

You raised an eyebrow. He definitely knew why. For as long as you’ve known him, once he got into something, he put his all into it. Joining a sports team? He’d practice during any free time that he had and become an mvp or team captain. Getting into music? He’d started a band that played during homecoming week and at school events. He even composed and wrote his own songs. It was his strongest and weakest trait. You loved his passion, but that passion would sometimes make him forget everything else.

“Huh, what’s your new obsession now?” you asked, leaning against your car.

Poe mirrored you with his truck as he wiped excess sweat from his hair. “Flying… it’s something that I picked up when I was in the military,” he said.

“Oh,” you said, looking down before clearing your throat to try and appear unphased, “What kind of flying?”

“After I left the military, I missed flying and travelling, so I got into doing helicopter tours in a few countries. Just a couple of years ago, I started to fly commercial airplanes. There’s a whole process with that one, but it was worth it.”

“That sounds cool. I know you’ve always wanted to fly those airplanes,” you said.

He nodded. “Yeah, funny how life works, right? You plan something, you end up doing something else, but if it was meant to be, you somehow end up where you had always wanted to go.”

“Yeah, I’m still waiting for that to happen to me,” you muttered.

“You got published, though,” he pointed out, “They’re short stories, but it’s a start. Your writing is amazing, (Y/n). I know you’ll get there.”

The corner of your lips turned up. There goes his award winning pep talks again. You didn’t know that he was even aware of the work that you’ve done. It didn’t do much for you personally, but you were glad that he hadn’t changed too much,

“Thanks, Poe,” you said, opening your driver’s seat door.

“Hey, can I say something before you go?” he asked before you could climb into your car. You paused, turning to face him. “Look, I know I should have told you that I enlisted, but I don’t regret going. I only wished that we had the chance to work it out, maybe take you with me if I could, if you wanted to. Or at the very least, parted on better terms.”

You avoided his eyes as you tried to find the right words to say. There were so many things you wished you had said on the day he told you about his enlistment. It was all too late to bring them up now. It wasn’t going to change the fact that you two broke up over it. You should at least clear the air, so there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings, though, but you were stubborn. You never wanted to admit it, but while your break up with Finn had been easy and painless, breaking up with Poe was one of the hardest things you had to go through.

“I… I understood why you did it,” you said, “And I should have stopped to think about your perspective instead of getting angry and I’m sorry. It’s my fault that we ended things like that.”

Poe sighed, knowing that there was more that you wanted to say. Another thing that you loved and hated about him was his ability to read you. When there was no reply from him, you climbed in your car, shutting the door harder than you intended. While you were turning the engine on and fiddling with the radio, Poe stepped closer, leaning a hand on the roof of your car.

“Could we meet somewhere?” he asked softly, “You know, just to catch up?”

You leaned back in your seat, drumming your fingers on the steering wheel. “I’m running some errands tomorrow. Does lunch at the usual diner work for you?”

Poe smiled. “Sure, yeah. I’ll meet you there tomorrow, then.”

That night, you sat on your bed, wondering why your heart was racing while thinking about tomorrow. It had been so long since you and Poe sat down and talked. Meeting him tomorrow meant that you would have to eventually address all the things that were left unsaid, all the questions that were left unanswered, and all the things that had happened after going your separate ways. You doubt that the two of you could start over, given your different career paths, but maybe you could at least be on speaking terms.

[rainythefox]

Nightfall (Ch.14)

Synopsis: Pre-Resident Evil 1, slight-AU/Canon Divergence. Claire Redfield comes home to visit her  brother Chris for the holidays but gets caught up in a dangerous game of  cat and mouse with Albert Wesker, the Captain of STARS, after stumbling  upon dark secrets. She can’t call the law; Wesker is the law, and she  can’t tell Chris. She is trapped…Claire/Wesker & Slight Chris/Jill (There’s Wesker & William Bromance too lol). Rated M for eventual smut, language, violence, adult content.

AO3 Link

Chapter 14: On the Trail

The journey through NEST seemed to take ages this time. Claire was super lost now. How did these people know where they were going? The directions painted on the walls seemed alien to her.

She stayed close to Wesker, although the two barely spoke as he led her through the underground facility once more. That was fine by her. The redhead was still overwhelmed and distracted with what just happened. She tried not to think about it right now. It was something she'd need to process once she was back home, away from his scrutiny. As long as no one ever found out, especially Chris, she would be able to handle it.

The younger Redfield thought that was reasonable…until Dr. William Birkin stepped around the next corner, looking at some papers and whistling a tune.

Claire panicked inside. Wesker better not boast about what happened or she would kill them both…somehow. She remained calm on the outside, glancing up at Wesker. His expression was unreadable, except maybe it had eased up on his usual seriousness when spotting Will.

William looked up from his documents, noticing them. He took just one glance between the two of them before a wicked, all-knowing grin broke out on his face and Claire inwardly cringed. Could these two read each other's minds or what?!

She prepared herself for whatever cracks were about to come out of William's mouth.

"Dear God, it finally happened! Anne owes me fifty bu-" Wesker's hand smacked Will's face and knocked it back into the wall. "Ow!"

"Not a word," Wesker stated as his best friend rubbed the back of his head with a shit-eating grin.

This close, Claire realized the documents he had been reading were the same ones she had stolen from Raccoon University. She wondered what dark secrets they contained.

The eccentric researcher put up his free hand in mock surrender. "Okay, okay! I would never disrespect Claire that way...and expect to survive." His eyes found her and she instinctively balled a fist, ready to punch him where it counted. "Are you alright, Claire? I can castrate him if you wish. Unless you enjoyed it, of course."

Claire punched him in the gut. Will curled over, holding his stomach, wheezing. "So that's a no then...right?"

The redhead glared daggers at him as he slowly recovered from her punch.

"Never mind Claire, I deserved that, and Anne will kiss my boo-boo better tonight, so no harm done. I should thank you...", Birkin squeezed out, rubbing his abused belly.

"Dr. William Birkin, your presence is urgently needed in the incubation center," came the mechanical female voice on the intercom.

He hobbled away, mumbling to his partner. "She hits fucking hard. You're two are meant to be, Al."

Claire glared at his back as he went down another hallway, but Wesker got her attention by clearing his throat. "Shall we?" He looked amused by what had just happened, but Claire felt it was best to leave it alone. Once they made it up to the surface, Wesker surprised her.

"William is a complex man. It may not have seemed like it, but he was genuinely concerned when he asked your well-being." He opened the passenger door to his Jaguar for her, but she hesitated getting in.

"Your point?" Claire asked, looking him directly in the eyes, still disturbed and confused over all that happened tonight.

The STARS Captain half-shrugged, hand still propped on the open door. "Perhaps to spare him another of your retaliations, deserved or not, as much fun as they surely are. Besides, punishing him is my job."

She rolled her eyes and got inside the luxury sports car. Wesker shut her in and got in the driver seat. Claire stared out the window, flurries of snow falling in sheets now. It was just after 11p.m. according to the car's radio. She was ready to get home, bury herself in a mass of blankets and forget this whole nightmare. Boy, had she dug herself a hole so deep she could no longer see the light! She looked over at Wesker. The redhead cursed his good looks and silver tongue. But ultimately, she had done this to herself. She could've walked out that door. Could've said no, refused him. But no, she just had to prove to herself just how attracted to trouble she was...

As long as Chris doesn't find out…and he stays safe. That's all that matters.

For added measure, she wanted to take a whole week's worth of birth control, even if she had been diligently taking it for over a year. She couldn't imagine trying to come up with a story for that scenario if Wesker managed to knock her up.

It would probably come out looking just like him, blond hair, wearing sunglasses and all. No paternity test needed to explain that! She joked crudely, but soon dismissed it. Don't jinx yourself. He obviously didn't care about protection tonight. He got what he wanted.

"Something wrong?" Wesker asked, stirring her from her thoughts.

Claire blushed, realizing she had been staring at him, and hid her embarrassment with the first jeer to fly from her tongue. "For someone who doesn't like or want kids, you sure as hell didn't care about protection back there." Facepalm. Way to go, Claire, you fucking idiot.

A soft snort came from her brother's boss, and the sly smile that quirked made her heart do a funny flip. "You're on contraception, yes? Safyrallin?"

A strange, icy feeling bit its way into her spine. He knew what medications she was taking? Should she be surprised anymore? His satisfied half-glance her way confirmed he had revealed that knowledge with the sole intent to unnerve her even more. And it had worked.

"Don't act surprised, dear heart. I know nearly everything of all my quarries, including medical histories and prescriptions. Comes in handy where it counts."

I'm sure it does…

"Nothing surprises me with you and your lows anymore."

"Good. You're learning."

She shot him a glare just before they came to a stop at a red light. He looked at her, serious, piercing steel blue eyes freezing her in place. "I told you before I control most of this city and you thought I was bluffing. Do you still believe I am?"

Claire quietly shook her head. He smirked. His hand made contact with her thigh, caressing down and squeezing her knee. "I thought so."

The light turned green. His hand left her thigh, its burning, tingling touch slowly fading away within Claire's flesh beneath her jeans and she shivered.

Claire was relieved to finally see home come into view. Chris's truck was gone, but Wesker just pulled over to the curb. She was ready to get the hell out of that car, but her door was locked. She knew he would have one last thing to say to her, and so she turned to him, ready to get it over with.

"I'll be in touch soon, dear heart. The same conditions apply. Keep your stories straight and Chris nescient."

"I will," she snarked. "Now let me out."

Her door clicked, unlocking. Claire grabbed the door handle, but Wesker asked a question she wasn't at all expecting.

"Why did you use your mother's name tonight at the university?"

She wasn't shocked he knew her mother's name or that he asked her reasoning for using it tonight as her cover. But she was surprised by how he asked it. It was pure curiosity; no scorn, no teasing, no patronizing. Claire shrugged, not really knowing herself as she dug for an answer.

"I don't know. It was the first name I thought of. She went there when she was my age. Raced dirt bikes and motorcycles back when they had that." She stopped herself from rambling. "Why?"

"I would refrain from using family names in the future, especially one as unique as hers. It could get you into trouble. Always use fabricated aliases."

She nodded. "Okay." In a weird way, she knew he was advising her for her protection. She got out of the Jaguar and closed the door. The car sped away, the sleek black body disappearing into darkness, fading in flurries of snow.

It was nice to finally pull into his own driveway after most of the evening spent at the bar. Chris made sure Jill got home okay in her car. She had more to drink than him and the snowfall had picked up since they left. His partner told him to let her know if she was needed, in case Claire didn't come home. She also made sure to point out not to jump right in demanding answers for her supposedly being spotted with Wesker across town the other day. Well, no promises there. It had eaten at him more than he thought it would.

It was the moment of truth as he hit the front porch, stomping his boots to knock the snow off. He hoped his little sister had returned. It was nearly midnight! If she wasn't home, Chris swore he would hunt down this William Birkin fellow at his house. Just as he reached for his keys, hands frozen because he forgot his gloves (again), the front door opened. His heart skyrocketed. Claire! She was home! She was safe!

"Chris, get in here, ya goof! It's cold out there!" She grinned.

"Hell yeah, it is!"

He entered the warm house, stripping off his coat and boots and placing them near the door. He tossed his keys and wallet onto the nearby counter as he waltzed into the kitchen. Sizzling ham and cheese permeated the air. Claire flipped the grilling sandwich on the stove.

"You're hungry this late? Did you not eat at that guy's house?"

"I cooked a small meal for me and his daughter, but it was early. I didn't want to be rude and raid their kitchen waiting for them to get home while Sherry slept."

"Oh." That sounded honest enough. "So, how's the whole babysitting thing going?"

Claire's eyes dipped down, and she quickly made her plate. "It's been fine. Sherry's a real doll, and her parents are…nice." Okay, not as honest sounding, but maybe she was just tired.

Claire didn't bother sitting down to eat, just leaned against the kitchen counter as she took a big bite of her hot sandwich.

"Well that's…nice," Chris awkwardly replied. "Who told you about this job again?"

His sister chewed slowly, giving him a look. Chris' bullshit sensor went online immediately to filter her reaction for any dishonesty or half-truths, but she instantly was onto him. "Eh fren of eh fren."

"Don't talk with your mouth full."

She swallowed. "Don't ask me dumb questions while I'm trying to eat."

"I'm not! I'm just…making sure everything is okay with you. You've been gone a lot recently. And…honestly, I'm starting to think you're hiding something from me, Sis."

"Bro, come on. I'm fine. Look at me! Just babysitting! I'm not getting into trouble, Jesus! You should know me better than that!"

She was getting a little defensive. Which meant she was telling the truth and getting mad he didn't believe her, or she was lying and was trying to cover it up. It was hard to say with his headstrong sister at times.

The older Redfield sighed. He was just going to have to come out and say it. "Look, Kendo told me he saw you and Captain Wesker together the other day across town. You got into his car. I'm just…wondering why? And you never mentioned it to me."

Claire nearly dropped her plate taking it to the sink. She had scarfed down her small meal as quickly as she could, probably to sooner get away from him and avoid his questions. It took her a moment to face him, trembling slightly as she rinsed off her dishes. When she turned around, she looked as though that sandwich did not agree with her stomach.

"Yeah? I was with him the other day, so what?"

He was stunned. "Why?"

"Does it matter?"

Chris kept his temper in check. "It does. He's my boss."

"You think we're bumping uglies or something? That'll be the day..."

"What?! N-No! I, I…" Chris stammered, completely thrown off by her accusation…even if Forest and Joseph's teasing of that particular subject had gotten under his skin. "I know Wesker wouldn't do that, I just…"

Claire snorted a laugh, and he didn't particularly know why. "Are we really doing this, Bro? We really gonna fight over something this stupid? If you don't think anything bad is going on between us, then why so goddamn nosy about it?"

"Why so defensive, if it's so innocent?"

"Because you're pissing me off with your constant police interrogations! I'm your sister, not a suspect! And I'm an adult! You really want to know why I was with Wesker? I bumped into him while picking up some things before going to William's. He offered me a fucking ride because he was being nice and looking out for me. He knows the fucking guy! They're friends. Are you happy now?!"

Silence. Thick, unbearable silence.

"Sorry, Sis…I just…" He was relieved, but he was far from happy. Maybe he had gone too far. He had done it before…a few times. Still, even with all this new information at the cost of a fight with Claire, something still didn't feel right.

"I'm taking a shower."

His little sister was mad now. But she also had tears in her eyes. Claire didn't typically cry when she was mad. Maybe she was just really frustrated with this whole mess. She stormed out of the kitchen and through the living room, taking to the hallway to her room. The door slammed shut, echoing across the house and rattling some pictures.

Chris rubbed the back of his neck. Yeah…he done fucked up.

This night had taken its toll on her. Claire screamed into her pillow, frustration, dread, anger, all suffocating her. Chris was making this so much harder. It didn't matter if he was just protecting her. She could protect herself, he knew that! But more so, he was pushing them both closer and closer to the edge where she would no longer be able to protect him. She had to figure out a way to get Chris off her back before he found out too much. But she had no idea how!

The younger Redfield needed a shower, badly. Not just to wash away all this tension and stress, but to wash away all where Wesker had touched and kissed and claimed. She could still feel his seed oozing within her, leaking between her tightly pressed thighs. And his hands roaming her body, igniting every single nerve.

Claire jumped to her feet, stripping. Disgusted, she tossed her dirty clothes into the hamper and entered her bathroom. She looked herself over in the full-size mirror. Wesker had kept his promise to not leave any marks where anyone could see, but she did notice the light bruises from his grip around her hips. One of her breasts had a small bruise too…from his mouth? Maybe? When she turned, she saw the faint marbling on her lower back from hanging over the back of the couch. Yeah, she's gonna be feeling that tomorrow! She was already feeling a lot of it. Her pussy was sore from all the friction with Wesker's large member. Her legs were still questionable with walking and balancing.

She was soon distracted by cold seepage between her legs, courtesy of Wesker. Gross! Claire wrinkled her nose in displeasure and quickly grabbed up a sponge as she turned on the shower, getting it as hot as she could stand. Steam filled the bathroom soon after. She would clean every single inch of herself from him, if only to make her feel that Wesker hadn't somehow laid complete claim to her tonight. No, she would wash it all away, she would refuse him next time. And, by God, she would find some way to keep Chris from finding out the truth…

The following morning went as expected. Claire didn't get up to greet him good morning or join him for breakfast. Chris didn't let it bother him. After all, Claire could hold a grudge longer than he could. It was his fault anyway. He left her the key to his truck just in case and caught a ride with Jill.

"I told you! Didn't I tell you?!"

Jill berated him (and slugged him hard in the chest) as they got coffee and made their way to the STARS Office. The Raccoon Police Department was already a hustle and bustle.

"I know, I know! I'm stupid, okay?"

"I know you're just trying to be a good big brother," Jill reassured. "I know all the hardships you two have been through and you worry for her. But she is an adult, and you taught her how to take care of herself really well! You don't want to spend Christmas fighting, do you?"

He couldn't believe Christmas was less than a week away. "No…"

"Then make up with Claire and let go of whatever's making you obsess over something being wrong with her. She's fine!"

The partners dodged heavy foot traffic of police officers, civilians, detectives and desk workers, taking the stairs. On the second floor of the main hall near the Lion Statue, they spotted Chief Irons bitching at the Captain and Vice-Captain of STARS. Enrico looked tired, after all, he'd been here all night, and looked as though he toned out the Police Chief, dreaming about his bed instead. Wesker rolled his neck, apathetic of Irons's rant. He noticed them but didn't say anything as they walked by.

"Poor Wesker and Enrico. I don't know how they deal with that asshole constantly," Jill sighed.

"Enrico says he just hears the sounds that Charlie Brown's parents made," Chris joked. "And I'm pretty sure Wesker just thinks of all the ways he could murder him."

"Who hasn't?"

They both laughed.

Jill stopped to pet her favorite K9, Vance, in the hallway just down from their office. The RPD used Dobermans for their K9 officers over the more popular German Shepherd. The old red Doberman was close to retirement, having served six years so far. Chris high-fived the dog and they went on.

When they entered the STARS Office, they were greeted with the usual faces, but also a familiar one they didn't see as often. Barry, Joseph, and Brad were chatting with Kevin Ryman, an outgoing fellow police officer. Barry leaned on one desk, arms folded, grinning as Kevin exuberantly told a story about a disturbance call for a party.

"The guy was handcuffed to the bed with a horse mask and socks on only! He even had the gall to neigh when we were arresting him! Weirdest shit ever, I couldn't keep a straight face, man."

"Sounds like one hell of a party, damn!" Joseph laughed.

"Oh, so you weren't in the horse mask this time, Kev?" Chris ribbed.

Kevin noticed them and laughed, bumping firsts with Chris. "Redfield! You wish. You know I always use a unicorn mask, bro! Rainbow mane!" He flipped his dark hair dramatically.

"Oh lord," Jill shook her head, smiling.

"Badass Jill, looking lovely as always. How do you get through the day surrounded by these dweebs all the time?"

"Funny," Chris interrupted, knowing Kevin was just joshing, but he was a little defensive because he knew he was also flirting. "What're you doing up here anyway?"

"Oh, dropped off my paperwork again. Another STARS exam test coming up! I got a good feeling about this one!"

"Again?" Joseph asked, skeptical, but was smacked by Barry. He rubbed his arm in pain.

Kevin had tried the exam for STARS twice now, and failed both. It wasn't as though Kevin didn't have the necessary qualities. He was a great cop and a nice guy. But he was still inexperienced, and well, a little too carefree at times.

"Best of luck when the time comes, Kevin!" Brad encouraged. "You can do it."

"Yeah, just keep training," Chris said.

"And studying," Jill added.

Kevin nodded with a grin. "Will do!"

The door to the STARS Office creaked open and finally their Captain had escaped Irons' tirade. Chris just hoped it didn't put him in an awful mood. That always made for long days. Wesker glared at Kevin behind dark shades. The young police officer shrank a little under the scrutiny.

"Ryman! What are you doing in my office?"

"Uhh, sorry, sir! Just turned in my paperwork for the next exam. It's on your desk."

"You're trying...again?"

"Yessir! Third time's a charm, ain't that what they say?"

Wesker walked over to their huddle, coffee cup in hand. "Perhaps you should give yourself more time for training? Save face, yes? There's no shame in that."

Kevin chuckled. "Of course I'll save my face for the new STARS poster! Besides, I have no shame!"

Barry facepalmed for everyone.

With one eyebrow raised, it was obvious Wesker couldn't decide if Kevin was joking or just dumb. "Clearly..."

"Just you wait, Captain Wesker! In a few months I'll be the newest Alpha member!"

"Bravo. It's for Bravo...if you even bothered reading the memo."

"Oh...yeah." Kevin snorted. "I knew that!"

Wesker smirked. "Good. Then that means you also read the qualifications needed. Chemical science, pathology and toxicology. You know, chromatography, spectrophotometry, ballistics, post mortems, the simple things. Oh, and let's certainly not forget that they need to be a healthcare specialist as well."

Kevin gulped. "Uh, is that all?"

"The basics. I'm sure you'll do fine. You're a smart lad, after all."

"Yeah...okay." The young cop gathered himself up and cleared his throat. "Well, I better get back to my desk and get some paperwork filed. See ya guys later!"

"See ya, Kev."

Once the door shut, they all looked to their Captain. Barry scratched the back of his head. "Jesus, Wesker, you really go for the kill, don't ya? Did you have to humiliate the kid so much?"

"He'll be fine. Builds character. Besides, some people are impervious to humiliation. Look at Frost."

"Hey!"

"It was a compliment, you idiot."

"Oh…"

"So, it's true then? Kenneth's gonna retire in a couple of years?" Jill asked.

"That's the plan," Wesker answered after a sip of coffee. "It'll take me months to find someone promising, I'm sure, even with scouting outside the state."

Barry sighed. "If 'ol Ken does an early retirement, I might have to as well."

"Don't you dare, Barry," Chris threatened light-heartedly. "Although getting weapons supervisor would be pretty awesome."

Barry snorted a chuckle. "You sound mighty sure of yourself there, 'ol buddy."

"I already promised Chris he would get it," Wesker informed.

"Hey, no fair. Don't I get a say in who would get my spot?"

"Would you rather me give it to Frost?"

Just as Joseph grinned, Barry ruined the moment. "Hell no!"

Barry slapped his large hand into Joseph's back playfully.

"Okay then," Wesker said, glancing at his watch when the phone on his desk started ringing. "Besides Barry, if you retire early, I'd have to blackmail you to stay, and I currently have too many blackmailing affairs to manage another."

They laughed as he left them to answer his phone. Chris nudged Jill and they went to their desks to get to work.

"Sometimes he sounds a little too serious when he says stuff like that," Brad said, his chair squeaking as he sat down.

"I'm telling you guys, secretly a supervillain," Joseph joked as he signed into his computer.

Chris rolled his eyes. "It's called dry humor, Brad. You should know him by now."

"I know that! It's just...I don't know, sometimes I think he really means what he says."

They focused on their work for a while. Chris tried hard not to let his sister and their fight distract him, but he did find himself zoning off for minutes at a time. He stared at the picture he had of them together on his desk, CDs, pens, and change scattered around the small frame. A hand touched his as it hovered just over his keyboard, and he pulled out of his thoughts to look at Jill.

Her reassuring smile centered him quickly and he returned it. No soon after did their Captain emerge from his room, taking his shades off long enough to rub his eyes. He looked a little tired, but Chris knew that wasn't all that abnormal.

"I do hope you all remembered that today is marksmanship training? I have to turn in all the paperwork by the end of the day."

Brad groaned softly and made himself smaller, but that only caused Wesker to single him out faster. "Vickers, front and center."

"Yes sir," he mumbled, getting up and plodding over to the door.

The two left the STARS Office, presumably heading down to the B1 floor of the police department where the firing range was. Chris, Jill, Barry, and Joseph remained, typing reports for previous and ongoing investigations. As an elite force, the STARS was subject to ongoing training and development. It wasn't anything new. Usually, marksmanship training was an extra forty hours every year, give or take. There was also training in defense tactics, legal education, and rescue procedures, to name a few.

Over the course of the morning and early afternoon, Brad, Jill, Joseph, and Barry got their training and returned to the office, informing the next member to go to the firing range. Chris was last, nodding as Barry jerked his thumb over his shoulder towards the door.

He made his way down to the B1 floor, mind flooded with thoughts of Claire and how he would fix their situation, torn on burying his instincts and letting it go to make up with his sister, or continue following his gut to figure out exactly what he was missing here.

"Chris, am I happy to see you. Means I'm about done wasting my time for the day."

Chris chuckled at Wesker. "How'd the others do?"

"Fine, as to be expected. But they still don't shoot anything like you. So, why don't you be a showoff and ace the training so we can get out of here?"

Wesker was never one to beat around the bush. Chris respected the man more for his direct nature, even if he was an asshole at times. Though he was well mannered and professional around most, and even a little friendly to those he liked, the STARS Captain wasn't known for sugar coating or being amenable.

Perhaps that was why he and Chris bumped heads at times, as Chris couldn't help his own rebellious, straightforward nature that got him canned many a times for insubordination, including his career in the Air Force. The other STARS members may have joked that he was a favorite to their pragmatic Captain, but he wasn't a stranger to any of his rebukes or discipline. Still, Chris was grateful that Wesker allowed him on the team despite his history, and was willing to work with and advise Chris as he, well, grew up a little.

Chris nodded, faintly smiling. "Sure."

As he walked over to the selection of weapons on the table, he hoped he could suppress his worries of Claire and all that was going on long enough to concentrate on the marksmanship training. Then again, sharpshooting came as natural to him as breathing. So, he had nothing to worry about...right?

First up on the list was the W870. Chris fitted his earmuffs and walked over to his booth in the firing range. He used the 12-gauge shotgun to clear the targets in a quick amount of time, and also reloaded and took apart the gun. Wesker didn't say anything, and didn't even mark anything on the sheet, arms folded, bored. It was typical of Chris to ace the whole training, and so it wasn't anything new that Wesker took this time to be absorbed into his own thoughts. Although, Chris distinctly detected that the Captain seemed distracted today.

Chris dismissed it and grabbed the next gun. MQ11. Not his favorite, but it was a handy little machine gun. He taught Claire how to shoot one of these. She liked it a lot, he recalled. She also liked the GM79 he "accidentally took home but actually took out to the country to shoot on more than one occasion". She was a good shot with that thing!

Jill was right...He did teach Claire how to take care of herself, quite well. She was a good shot with all kinds of weapons, even ones not supposed to be in the hands of civvies. He taught her self-defense, and she was so smart. Smarter than he was at that age. So why was he so worried that something was wrong?

As he reloaded and took apart the small machine gun, he really picked at it. He at first thought maybe she was in trouble somehow, but now he didn't really feel that way. His gut kept telling him she was hiding something from him, but what? If she wasn't in trouble or danger, what could she be hiding?

He picked up the Samurai Edge next, the Kendo-modified M92F handgun all STARS were issued with. As he checked the gun over and lined up his sights, it finally hit him.

"A friend of a friend."

"He offered me a fucking ride because he was being nice and looking out for me. He knows the fucking guy! They're friends. Are you happy now?!"

He pulled the trigger, appalled by that connection - and completely missed his mark...

He despised days like these. Unfortunately, it was protocol, and Wesker needed to keep up appearances. The Captain supposed it could be worse. The stoic leader of Alpha team actually liked most of his subordinates. The marksmanship training was simple, but time consuming. It often made his mind wander, which he usually didn't care for. That is, if his co-workers didn't feel the need to be chatty with him as they trained.

While enduring today's lackluster training sessions, most of his thoughts consisted of something he wasn't expecting: Claire. He tried to focus on more important matters, like his and William's next step against Roth, or even the next set of experiments for G. But they would soon all go back to her. The way she sounded and moved underneath him, the way she tasted, the way she felt. That little taste was an addiction for sure, and he found himself craving to take her again.

Yet, he hated distractions. So why was he letting her consume his thoughts so much?

Seeing Chris was a relief. He was the last one for training, and he always finished in impeccable timing. Soon he could get out of this noisy dungeon and put his mind to something more productive.

Everything was going smoothly until Chris missed a target. Wesker did a double take to make sure he not only heard correctly, but saw correctly. Chris faltered, but the next few trigger squeezes came swiftly. He hit the remaining targets, but his aim was off. It didn't look like much, but to sharpshooters like Chris, it was concerning.

"Redfield, what's your problem?"

His point man flinched, staring across the way at the targets. He lowered the handgun, his eyes slowly turning his way. His usual, and occasionally annoying, aura of confidence was shaky now. Wesker didn't appreciate how Chris was looking at him.

Great, a heart-to-heart I have to pretend to care about. This day just keeps getting better by the minute.

"So-Sorry, Captain. I, uh, don't know what happened," he said when Wesker approached him.

"Do you wish me to write these marks down on your sheet?"

"No! I can redo it! I...I just had bad ammunition, is all."

Wesker grabbed the gun from the table and quickly fired one-handed down the range, emptying the remaining magazine. Five shots perforated the bulls-eye of one target. "Seems fine to me."

Chris looked away, rubbing the back of his head. It was unlike him at all. Wesker would've preferred that Redfield temper that usually tested him on the worst of days.

Wesker sighed. "So, let's hear it."

"What? I'm fine. I'm just having an off day…"

"You're distracted. I cannot have one of my best men in such a state. I need you focused. This team relies on you, and so do I."

Chris didn't say anything. Wesker contained his irritation. He hated his time wasted. Apparently, he needed to give him a little push, since Wesker had a suspicion he knew exactly what was bothering him.

"Let me guess, trouble at home?"

That wide-eyed, nostril-flaring stare told him he was correct. No surprise.

"How did you-"

"I have ears," Wesker cut him off. "You've mentioned it once or twice, not to mention Jill and Barry talk as well."

"Oh...right."

"You obviously need to vent. I'm here to listen and give advice, if you choose so. It is my responsibility to look after you and make sure you are fit to do your job - physically, mentally, and emotionally."

"Thanks, that's alright, Wesker. I appreciate it. You probably wouldn't understand...not having a sister and all."

"I do have a sister, actually."

At least, that is what they proclaim her to be…

He pushed those vexing thoughts aside. For now, there was a more pertinent problem at hand.

"You have a sister?" Chris didn't hide the disbelief in his voice.

"I'll give you the whole family tree one day, if you will just focus on you," he dismissed.

"Alright, alright." Chris sighed heavily, scowling. He gathered his thoughts, still perturbed. "Well, Claire and I had a big fight last night. I kind of...accused her of hiding something from me."

I detest insignificant euphemisms...

"You either did or you didn't, so which is it?"

"Okay, sheesh, I accused her! She blew up...she's got a temper like me."

As I've seen…

"What do you think she is hiding?"

Chris thought hard. "I...don't know. I feel it. I know her. It's been going on for a week now, ever since she went to that damn hiking trail. I-I thought maybe she got herself into some trouble, but now…"

"Time for some hard reality, Chris: your sister is an adult. She can live her life however she chooses. Do you really believe you should be able to have a say in every aspect of her life?"

"Well, I..."

It was a rhetorical question, you fool.

"Forgive my candor, but you are only pushing her away. If she is hiding something from you, perhaps it is because she fears your judgment or overprotective propensities. You should put more trust into her."

"I know that…"

Despite his agreement, the STARS Captain still sensed conflict within him. He wasn't particularly worried about Chris's instinct about Claire, but did find it impressive.

"If you know that, then why still so insecure?"

"Look...there's something else bothering me, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way...but Kendo said he saw you and Claire together the other day. She got into your car…"

Interesting. Wesker kept a straight face, knowing Chris would gauge his reaction. Little did his subordinate know, he was a master at this game.

"And?"

Chris's eyebrows furrowed, and he frowned. "I guess I'm just surprised you didn't say anything about it to me."

"Why would I?"

He didn't say anything, eyes shifty, fidgeting instead, like William often did when he was uncomfortable. Wesker sighed, deciding to push him even further.

"You asked Claire about it. It's what started the feud." It was a random guess, but the way Chris squirmed told him he was right on the money. This was almost too easy! "And what did she say to that?"

"N-Nothing really."

"Humor me."

"I guess she thought I was implying that something...indecent happened between you two. But I wasn't! I swear! I know you wouldn't do that!"

Don't lie, Chris! This had to be the highlight of his day, so far. It took a lot of willpower to keep himself composed.

"That's exactly what happened between us," Wesker said in the driest tone he could manage.

Chris grimaced and quickly shook his head. "No! Come on, Wesker, I didn't mean it like that, she just took it that way! She said you gave her a ride to William's to babysit after running into her across town. I didn't know you were the one who told her about the job!"

Oh, I certainly did give her a ride...

"I did. I overheard Barry say she watched his daughters and William needed somebody short notice. I'm sorry, am I missing something here? Was I supposed to leave your sister in a questionable part of town with only a cab?"

"No, no, of course not! I appreciate it, Captain, really."

"Then what is your problem, exactly? I can understand why Claire lost her temper. You seem awfully worked up over nothing, Chris."

Chris smacked a hand to his face, groaning. "I'm sorry, okay? It's this...gut feeling. I can't shake it."

"Instinct is useless when inhibited by emotions." Chris looked away, considering his words, still unsure. As frustrating as he was, Wesker had to commend his point man for his intuition. "You said this all started after Claire went hiking?"

"Yeah. She was fine until she came home that day. Hasn't been right since. I think something happened out there."

"Did you go out there and look for yourself?"

He shook his head.

"Why not?"

Chris shrugged. "I guess because I know I won't find anything, or that it's a foolish endeavor."

Wesker sighed. "Indeed, quite foolish. But I suppose we better get it over with."

"Huh? What do ya mean?"

"The sooner we go out to this hiking trail and put your worries to rest, the sooner we can put this behind us and you can focus on your job. Now come along, that's an order."

Chris trudged forward with a groan. "Yes sir…"

Chris was thankful for the sunshine when they pulled up to the Arklay Hiking Trails. The trails were open, but they were the only ones around. Most people didn't want to run or hike in freezing weather, although with the sun out it wasn't as bad as it's been. They got out of the STARS marked Ford Expedition and looked around.

"Please tell me you know which trail she took?" Wesker asked.

"Yeah." Chris motioned to the two-mile trail nearby. "This one. We walk it a lot."

"Lead the way."

The two men took to the pathway, straight into the woods. Chris checked his watch. It was lunch time. Hopefully, Jill wasn't too worried. He and Wesker had left straight from the gun range to the parking lot and out in the squad car, not bothering to tell anyone. Jill probably assumed he went home for lunch to see Claire. Although, if they found out he was with Wesker, it wouldn't be too out of the ordinary. Their Captain preferred to do his own thing on his lunch hour mostly, but he did eat lunch with them on occasion.

Chris was certain Wesker would've preferred utilizing his lunch break in a more practical way.

"You really didn't have to do this, Wesker. It's a stupid thing, I know. I shouldn't let home affect my work."

"Don't mention it, Chris. Really. Don't. Let's just focus on finding whatever you're looking for."

Yep, that was his no-nonsense boss. Most people would've taken his remark all wrong, but Chris knew better and took no offense.

They followed the forest trail. The sun reflected off melting snow and there were a lot of deer, birds, and rabbits. Chris told Wesker how Claire had made the comment about being freaked out by a dead deer out here.

"And you don't believe that?" Wesker inquired. "Seems plausible."

"Nah, Claire doesn't scare easily...and isn't squeamish."

They were probably a little over halfway through the trail, Chris about ready to give up, when he spotted something not far off the trail. It was easily missed, but he somehow caught it contrasting on a knotted root, soaked from melted snow, and glinting in the sun.

He broke away from Wesker and the road to get a closer look.

Chris's blind trust in him was almost too much. While they travelled the path, Chris doing most of the talking while looking out for any clues, Wesker weighed his options here.

Thanks to his brotherly instincts and innate perception as a cop, Chris was close enough on the proverbial trail that he could become a threat. Sniffing away like a hound hot on the scent. And he was close to baying. It was Wesker's job to shoot the hounds before they found the foxhole.

Wesker would actually hate to have to put this dog down. Such a waste. And so when Chris left the path to kneel next to a muddy mound of leaves and roots, he pulled his gun out from its holster and aimed it at the back of his head.

Too easy. Only a few people saw them leave together, and that was easily manipulated. The surveillance footage in the underground parking lot could be deleted with one order to Irons.

Perhaps he could throw him off the scent? He was an important asset, and yet Wesker actually liked him. Then again, this was business, and assets could change on a whim.

He itched to pull the trigger, to blow his unsuspecting subordinate's head to pieces just like the last fool he killed out here.

Why?

Claire, he finally admitted. He wanted her with no obstacles to stop him.

He ultimately lowered the gun, holstering it. Killing Chris now gave him no advantage, and wasn't beneficial in any way, especially with Claire. So, he would do this favor for her, and she would owe him for his mercy.

"Find something?" Wesker asked.

"A watch," Chris answered, standing up, looking it over, none the wiser of what could have been his end. "From who though?"

Wesker looked at it. He recognized the broken wristwatch. Ned Finley's, probably lost when he and William caught him out here alone. He had only killed the man a week ago, but this small item was missed by the cleanup crew. Luckily, it wasn't anything incriminating. People lost watches all the time.

"From your dead deer perhaps?"

Chris sighed, downhearted, and cast the watch away. "I don't know anymore. I must be losing it."

"Honestly, I just think you're conflicted, Chris. You know she's an adult, but old habits die hard, and you worry that you cannot be there at all times for her anymore. You think something is wrong, but there isn't. Just stress and emotions."

"Well, yeah, I know that. She's been living off on her own and doing her own thing for two years, so I'm used to it. I thought this was something different…"

Wesker crossed his arms, welcoming the chill on the wind. "It takes time to fully realize it. As she explores her life more, relationships, goals, and the like. Again, you just need to trust her more."

"I do trust her. I just...She's all I have...after what happened to our parents. I don't want anything to happen to her."

"That's the idea, isn't it?" Wesker asked. "If you don't let anything happen to her, nothing will happen to her. You take the good with the bad. Unfortunately, that is life."

Chris slowly nodded, taking in his words, finally pacifying. "You know what, you're right...Thanks, Wesker."

Wesker was relieved. Seemed like he was able to finally get through to him, and throw him off the scent. He was ready to put this behind them and move on. He clapped Chris on the shoulder. "Come on, we should get back. You have training to finish."

"C'mon Al, I neeeeeeeed details!"

"I've already told you all I'm willing to share. Is it still not enough?"

"No!"

"Quit chewing my ears off Will, I swear you're worse than Mike Tyson. And that's saying something..."

"You both are despicable." Annette typed away on a small laptop behind Wesker and William, logging recent findings.

Wesker tried to ignore them both and do his work. This whole day had been a complete headache to him, and he wanted to finish out the night with some worthwhile results. Although working beside his partner as he drooled for more details on his coupling with Claire, he doubted he would succeed. William's sly grin in his peripheral vision was highly aggravating and distracting.

"I will break your nose again," Wesker warned.

"Oh, come on! Was she just a fling…or, ya know…is it something more? I can tell you like her a lot. Is she the one? Because, I'm thinking…she needs to be."

Wesker pinched his nose, his headache inflating by the second. "I'm sure I'm about to regret asking, but what is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just saying! Hear me out…I may - or may not - have gotten a sample of Claire's DNA and ran some tests. And according to my results that I, ahem, may have received, her genetics compliments yours greatly!"

Annette turned around with a glare. "William! Really? Didn't you do this with Anezka?"

Wesker clenched his jaw, hand closing tight on the pen he was trying not to stab into his best friend's jugular vein.

"SHHH, don't say her name!" William hissed. "You'll put Al in a sour mood! Besides, I did not! She…beat me up when I tried. So violent...Al sure likes 'em feisty!"

William's wife rolled her eyes, flipping the notes on her clipboard. "Get over yourselves. Both of you. We have much more important matters at stake here."

William waved her off. "Claire's good breeding for you, Al. Just saying. Besides, it's obvious to me that you like her. You just refuse to admit it, even to yourself."

"I'm concerned on multiple levels on why you are so obsessed with me procreating."

The Golgotha creator fidgeted under Wesker's glare, pulling at his shirt collar. "Hey! I beg to differ, buddy. I'm just trying to help you find love since you're absolutely hopeless at it without me!"

Wesker shook his head and turned back to his work. "Drop it. I made a point with Claire yesterday. That's all it was."

"Whatever you say, pal."

William sure was testing him tonight. Gratefully, he fell quiet after that and the three of them were able to start a fresh round of tests on William's new phase of the G-Virus. While Annette typed away behind them, the two partners worked in perfect sync, programming the computer to handle most of the work and watching the analysis onscreen.

"So, what else did Nikolai want in payment for his service besides money? You never told me."

Wesker flipped through some of William's notes to make sure all the sequences were matching up. "He wanted the Colonel's confidential list of Monitors in the UBCS."

"Why? That's not suspicious at all. Ain't Sergei his bestest bud?"

Wesker sighed. "Don't know. Don't care. I assume Nikolai wishes to have it in case he can use it to his advantage in the future. He likes to think ahead, like us."

William tapped his pen impatiently. "Yeah, well, as long as he stays out of our way."

The next hour played out smoothly, without errors or hiccups. They got a lot of work done, and Wesker was impressed with William's ingenious theses. His old friend was always a bit better at the scientific research side of things.

Wesker's headache was just about gone now that they were close to finishing up for the night, when the Birkins started up another conversation.

"Anne, did you hear Sherry say she wants to become a professional artist?"

"Really? When did she say that?"

"This morning getting ready for school. I mean, she is quite the artist, but she's definitely becoming a researcher."

Anne frowned, fiddling with her glasses hanging around her neck. "Ya know…I often wonder what Sherry will become when she's an adult. What kind of life she will lead. Who she will marry and have kids with. Don't you ever wonder that, Will?"

"Why? When I know she's gonna become a researcher like me?" Will snorted. "My beautiful girl is gonna follow in her daddy's footsteps!"

Anne sighed and turned to Wesker. "What do you think, Albert?"

"She'll probably end up with a cocky, foul-mouthed delinquent who gets her into nothing but trouble," Wesker made up. Anne's glare was worth it.

"...and have his pretty babies," he added with a smirk, just because he knew it would drive the Birkins nuts.

"Over my dead body!" William huffed. "In fact, no dating until she's like…thirty…maybe! She won't be having no miscreant's offspring either!"

Wesker snickered as his partner went off on an incoherent rant about Sherry's future love life. Annette tried to smite him with her eyes and then had to bring her husband to his senses.

"-and if he has a motorcycle, that's it, hell no. I'm getting the shotgun! No, scratch that, he'll become my next guinea pig!"

"Will, Christ, shut up. Albert's just busting your balls as usual. Can we please get back to work? I swear your two are even more pains in my ass when you're together."

"He started it!"

"Real mature, William."

"Just stating the facts, partner."

"If we're stating facts, you actually started it, old friend, with your incessant whining for more details of my personal engagements."

"I explicitly offered you to draw me diagrams instead if you're too embarrassed, but noooo…you still don't wanna share, ya prude old party pooper."

Annette groaned "I'm gonna kill you both."

A video screen popped up on William's computer, covering his work and showing the hallway just outside the laboratory. The word "Caution" flashed. It showed the guard standing by the door with a familiar face waiting impatiently. The guard's voice filtered through the computer's speakers. "Dr. Birkin? Sorry to interrupt but you have a visitor that's not on the schedule. A Miss Ada Wong?"

Wesker nodded at William, but not without hearing Anne's mutter of disapproval.

"Yep, send her in, Johnny!"

"Yessir."

Annette crossed her arms. "Is there a reason why you two are still allowing her in here to do business? Can it not be handled somewhere else?"

"Be nice, honey! Ada's on our side."

"I have a feeling one day she won't be."

"You worry too much, Anne," Wesker added. "As long as I'm around, you have nothing to worry about with Ada."

"Coming from you, that does not relieve me in the slightest."

The double agent entered the laboratory and instantly made herself at home when she found them in the back. She greeted them with her usual charm and grace. Birkin responded like a hormone-stricken adolescent, making his nearby wife roll her eyes and gather up her things.

"Excuse me."

"Dinner time already, Annie?" Ada teased.

"Definitely not. I've suddenly lost my appetite."

"Again?" Ada slyly smiled. "You keep that up, you'll shrivel up even more than you are now."

Annette didn't take the bait, and sauntered out of the laboratory. Ada shrugged, unimpressed from not getting any witty banter back, and turned to the two infamous partners in crime. Wesker could tell something was bothering Ada, but she kept it well hidden as she noticed William wriggling in his seat with a stupid grin on his face.

"What's your problem, Will?"

"Guess what - Al banged Claire last night!"

Wesker glared at his partner. William winced, expecting retaliation that he was about to deliver, but the way Ada subtly flinched intrigued him more. He temporarily let his old friend off the hook, if only to study the agent more closely.

"Would you like to announce it to Sergei and Spencer as well? Or how about her brother? Do I need to cut your tongue out and feed it to one of your less successful 'experiments'? Because you sure are tempting me tonight."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself! Ada's good at keeping secrets, that's the only reason I told her."

Ada casually shrugged it off, but Wesker knew her half-smile to be not only forced, but bothered. It would have fooled anyone else. She was a great actress, after all. "And this is something I should know or care about because…?"

William expertly leaned just out of his best friend's reach. "No reason really, maybe just to see how you'd react."

"How would you expect me to react? I don't know the girl. I wasn't able to pick her up last night because of the change in plans. Nikolai picked her up, remember? I just know what you two have told me. It's none of my business what Albert does in his personal time. And same with you, William, because I don't think it's anything I want to know about."

Hmm, so his speculations were correct. Ada had met Claire personally, and the two of them were keeping it in secret. But why was Claire such an interest to Ada? So much that she exposed herself like so? At first, he considered maybe he should be concerned with her behavior, wondering if she was siphoning information to the Colonel behind his back instead of keeping him at bay.

Wesker soon dismissed it. Ada was clever. Such a situation with Sergei could expose them all, and Ada had too much at stake to risk dealing such a hand. Not while he had her under his thumb. And certainly not while Umbrella's rival had big expectations from them both.

More than likely, Ada met with Claire to get as much information as she could about her and why Wesker was keeping her alive. Not just because of the assignment Sergei had given her, but because of her own curiosity; to give herself the best odds at dissuading the Colonel's interest in the matter. Perhaps she had sympathy for Claire, or sought something to use against Wesker. The latter was unlikely, as the two of them were in the same boat, no matter what. Too useful to each other to kill and too detrimental to expose the other.

"If you want more details, you're gonna have to use your charm," William joked. "He's staying tight-lipped with me. And I'm his best friend! We're supposed to tell each other this stuff! Bros before hoes, Al!"

"No thanks," Ada declined. "Look, we have a serious problem on our hands. I trailed Roth last night and he met in secret with two men...one of them was Irons. Mueller joined them later and was complaining about something big, something about mass producing Tyrants."

William snorted a laugh. "What? You gotta be shitting me. The T-002 is gonna be a failure, even if they perfect the Epsilon strain. Those idiots won't listen to me...no offense. I know you like John and all. I wouldn't mass produce that thing. If they don't stabilize the mutagens within that strain's genome, it'll be Beta two all over again. The Tyrant's brain will deteriorate. They'll be lucky if it's smarter than those damn zombies. I mean, I could fix it for them in a matter of weeks...if it was my project. Then they would have a Tyrant that'll take orders and utilize secondary exposures for more Crimson Heads...win-win. Although, with a little modification, Crimson Heads can become something far more deadly." He paused, noticing their glares. "What? I'm just saying!"

Wesker looked to Ada, used to William's ramblings. "Who was with Irons?"

"Beats me. Didn't recognize him. Roth seemed to know him really well though. Also, I should mention, Mueller wanted out. He accused them of what happened at the university. He apparently doesn't want his secret project used in this mass production." Ada frowned. "What of Irons, you think? I have a bad feeling about this, Albert. He knows about Crawford, Finley, and Claire. He's been trying to set you up, just like Sergei. You're going to get cornered."

"You leave Irons to us. Find out what you can from Mueller, threaten him if you must, but we need him alive." He hated that speaking that last name still bothered him, even if it was spelled differently, even if it was a completely different person.

"And what of Sergei? I can't keep him at bay forever. Especially if Irons or Nikolai reported to him."

"Nikolai got what he wanted. He won't volunteer anything to the Colonel because I gave him knowledge that could cost him his life. Irons, on the other hand, doesn't have the temerity to say anything...yet. But William and I will remind him how that will be detrimental to his health."

"Yeah, an intervention you might say." William smirked, tapping his steepled fingers. "And he's long overdue for one of ours."

[hellafluff]

Bored and thinking about my slasher OC Andy, the Alligator one, and like what her movie arc would look like. The following long ass post details each movie and how good it would be:

Her first movie would be called Gator, releases in the early 80s. It's a suspenseful murder mystery set in Florida that seems to point to the killer disposing of bodies in the swamp for the gators to eat but then its revealed the Killer is killing them with their fucked up teeth so it only looks like theyve been munched on by gators. Andy gets away after being shot a bunch in the end. a solid 8/10 movie, the dialogue kinda sucks

The second movie, which is titled something like Gator II - Birth of a Monster and its a lot like "i know what you did last summer" where a group of now adult friends are being picked off for something they did and it turns out to be Andy seeking revenge for the torment they put her in from her childhood. Andy is arrested in the end but chews through her cuffs and kills the police before escaping. a 4/10, lots of sex scenes between unlikable characters???

Third movie is a clusterfuck, it markets itself as another installment in the franchise but really its a creature feature with elements of the first 2 thrown in. Just called Gator III. HEAVILY rips off Jaws about 30 years too late. The villain here isn't Andy but a congregation of alligators tearing apart a small Florida town, lead by a massive albino gator covered in scars. Andy appears in flashbacks and a house is discovered in the swamp that seems to be where she lived but now is infested with gators. a half rotten skeleton with only one jagged tooth found nearby is implied to be her. 2/10 movie, no one likes it and animals were harmed on set, causing activist pushback

So you know the weird cult plot that happened in the later Halloween movies? The fourth movie, Gator IV - Tooth and Nail does that, retconning Andy's backstory and saying she was groomed by a cult because they see her birth defect as a sign from their demon patron that she will be its vessel. Her remains from last movie are brought back to life in the last half hour as a alligator demon woman that the studio forced the crew to make sexy instead of gross. Effects/makeup for it are practical tho and the movie is considered a 3/10, with some solid kills from the cult throughout and great effects but the pacing sucks and the main cast is awful.

Okay so. Jason X exists, right? Yeah in the late 90s this happens. Titled Sewer Gator. Unrelated to the Andy of the previous movies, a young woman is experimented on in a genetics lab and infused with alligator DNA. She mutates into a fucked up gator woman thats actually gross this time except is 1999 and CGI is the hot new thing and the studio execs cover over all the fun practical effects and makeup with godawful CGI. She escapes the facility and into the sewers of New York where she begins a massacre and continues to mutate until she's exploded with military grade weaponry at the end. a stinger after her death shows she laid eggs but this goes nowhere because the movie makes no money and its never touched again. Surprisingly good actually 7/10, the bluray remaster gets rid of the CG and adds back in as much of the practical footage it can find and it becomes a 8.5/10

The series goes dormant for ten years

The series is rebooted in 2009 with a remake of the OG, except now its called The Swamp. Much more character focused, starting with a herpetologist and a poacher coming to town to help with the alligator problem. Theyre at odds immediately, the poacher insisting the gators need to be dealt with his way but the herpetologist is like "hey these bite marks arent anything like an alligators what the fuck is going on???" the big reveal of the movie is the poacher knows its not an alligator, but his deformed sister who he was keeping locked up until her escape a few years back and he's here to kill her. He's killed in the end by Andy and the herpetologist manages to snare her in a bear trap and get away but when the authorities show up Andy's chewed through her own leg and escaped. 7/10, goes on too long and the reveal exposition is weird and plot holey but audiences enjoy it. Has really good nu-metal on the soundtrack.

The Swamp II comes out 2 years later and sucks so bad. 1/10. The plot takes the Family angle from the last movie and goes full Wrong Turn incest cannibals in the swamps of Florida with it. Weird and creepy and sexual. Andy is there, missing a leg, as the eldest child of this family who serves an insane mother but the movie focuses on her other siblings with their weird deformities let loose now that the "normal" poacher brother is gone. movie heavily implies one of the female characters has sex with an alligator at one point. trash movie, don't watch in a place someone can walk in on you in

Series goes dormant again.

A miniseries drops unexpectedly in 2019. Swamp Diaries. 5 half hour episodes in the style of a found footage film of a group of friends searching for the legendary "Gator Woman of the Swamp." First episode introduces the characters, all likable and well rounded, college age. Second episode is the beginning of the expedition, outlines a lot of the history of the Gator Woman urban legend. Third episode the group runs into actual gators and starts finding weird, Blair Witch esque shit, becoming lost after they have to run from something, the first death happens. Episode four is suspenseful and horrific as the group tries to get home, another person dies. Episode five is the kicker, ending with the reveal Tamara, one of the last survivors, is actually working with the actual Gator woman, her childhood friend who she promised to protect and later on, feed. Ends with Tamara killing the last survivor and telling Andy it's time to go home. 8/10, paced mostly well and very scary, lots of shaky cam but the final twist is a hit with monsterfuckers bc its all but said Tamara and Andy are together.

[captainnikki]

The Story of StrangeView

Mortimer Goth just could not accept his wife’s disappearance. He was becoming a shell of a man, a recluse who spent his time working in the attic and muttering to himself about things that didn’t quite make sense. 

Cassandra couldn’t stand to see her father suffer like that. She knew she had to do SOMETHING. Often, that something was just listening to him talk. And the more she listened the more she began to understand that there was some sort of plan behind his rantings. Not a plan that would work, but with some tweaking, maybe...?

The Goths have a lot of money and a lot of scientific expertise. Cassandra knew that it would take everything they had to get them out into the stars to look for her mother, but it became clear that it was something they needed to do. They collaborated with SimCity’s space travel program to create a spaceship that was initially large enough for just the 3 of them. But as word got out about Cassandra’s project more and more people from both their own town and the neighbouring districts began to express an interest in the journey. Cassandra knew that they needed more muscle for their mission and readily agreed.

It was a long, daunting journey. but their trials were balanced with meeting incredible new species of people, plants and animals. As the months wore on several of the crew seemed to be forgetting about Bella altogether, and many people started to call the ship simply ‘discovery’. But the Goth clan never forgot. How could they?

It was a little over a year before they caught word of their mother. A merchant on a small trading post told them stories of a beautiful woman being held captive at a nearby testing facility. He sold them the information they needed and finally there was a glimmer of hope for their mission.

Just as they were getting somewhere they ran into difficulties. The ship was not designed to last long - the scientists back on SimPlanet had warned them that they would need to settle eventually. The whole thing came crashing down on a thankfully habitable planet.

The other inhabitants of the ship set about building their new home. Many were cheerful and excited. But Mortimer Goth was gloomier than ever, often wandering off for days at a time across the planet’s dusty surface and peering out of his telescope at the other nearby planets.

There were already people living on their new home - friendly people, for the most part, with strange eyes and markings. These new friends donated sections of land and building materials to their new neighbours, and the people of PleasentView, Bluewater village and Strangetown helped them with their own tasks in return. Everybody considered the mission a great success - everybody but the Goths.

It was just before the dawn of their second year when another small spacecraft came down on the planet. Inside they found a Sim woman, battered, bruised and unconscious but alive - Bella Goth.

Bella could not remember much of her time at the facility - snippets, here and there, of cold rooms and bright lights. Her most vivid memory was of her escape, where in a rare lucid moment she had managed to flee, blowing the whole facility sky high as she left. 

Finally the Goth family was whole again. Bella was stunned to see so many of her neighbours gathered around. 

There was some talk of finding a way home, but only in the begrudging way of people who feel the need to mention the option. Too many people loved their new friends and home - their little town of StrangeView. And that’s where my game begins.

[shigarakis-fifth-hand]

Yandere! Shigaraki x Reader; All An Illusion

tw: kidnapping, messed up relationship, parental abuse, eating disorder, knifes, gayness, depression, stalking

❤️ Enjoy the series! one two

I know heroes are supposed to hate villains with a passion and don't get me wrong, I do. But, my alarm clock comes close in second. I slap that sucker with my fist, sending it to the ground and unplugging it. " I hate Mondays," I tell myself, dragging myself out of bed and putting on my white fuzzy socks. As I walk to the bathroom, I take my icy blue, almost white hair out of the ponytail that is half undone. 

Looking into the mirror, I almost am scared of myself. I look like a zombie. I put on some music and wash my face before going to the closet. My dorm room isn't huge, but it's nice. Especially since my roommate is one of the gayest, most fanboyish guy in the world. "Deku! Did you take my concealer again?" I shake the broccoli headed boy, waking him up.

"Wha- oh, ya. Sorry Y/n, it helps cover up all the bruises from training. I don't like anyone worrying about me, and with all the news reporters, I'm scared my mom will see." I think of Deku's mom. 

So nice, so sweet, and such a good cook. 

"Yea, you're lucky about that one." I sadly smile, taking it from his bedside table. "Just let me buy you your own, or get your boyfriend to buy you one. What if you wake up someday and you're tan?" I tease as he throws a pillow in my direction. "Todoroki isn't just my boyfriend Y/n, he's my soulmate. Don't be jelly." he jokes. "At least my eyes didn't look like Christmas colors until this year." We both giggle hysterically.

In our world, everyone is born with two different colored eyes. Our left color is the one of our soulmate, and the right one is our own color. Once we make eye contact with our soulmates, they return back to their original color. My eyes are red on the left, and then purple.

 I go to the opposite wall and open the windows, letting the sunrise fill our view. Even though Deku covers his face with a pillow, I can't help but watch the birds in the distance. They're free to go wherever, be with whoever. They're not stuck in a certain place, they fly everywhere and anywhere they want to.

I do some makeup and curl my hair a little bit before slipping into my uniform. "Y/n, you've been getting skinnier. Are you okay?" Deku asks, waiting for me by the door. He's already in the UA uniform and is currently eating one of the donuts his mom brought for us yesterday. "Oh ya, I've just been training so much it's hard to find time to eat. But I'm fine. See?" 

I grab a donut and take a bite, chewing it slowly and giving him a fake smile. He smiles back, relieved as I slip on my shoes and take a final look in the mirror, trying not to throw up. My eyes are purple, but today they're looking extra vibrant. Maybe it's the sunlight filling the room, or the fact that I cried myself to sleep last night. Either way, they look different. Deku and I walk down the hall as I try to find a way to get the bite of donut out of my mouth without him seeing.

I haven't eaten anything for over 48 hours, and I can't have the first thing be full of calories and sugar. Finally, we get to the classroom. When Deku walks in, I immediately spit it out and stuff the donut into the nearby trash can where nobody can see. I feel bad about wasting food, but I would feel worse if anybody knew about me not eating. I sit down in Bakugo's seat so I can talk to Deku, eventually talking to Todoroki and Mina. 

Finally, Mr. Aizawa comes into class, followed by someone I don't know, and we all sit down. "Today we are going on a trip to the USJ for some training. Go change, and come straight back." I quickly go up as Mina and Asui join by my side to walk to the girls changing area. I hate this part with a dying passion, letting everyone see my scars, bruises, and ribs. It always starts a conversation that I don't like, making people worry about me. 

"So Y/n, I've been thinking. You haven't told me about a single crush that you've had since we got here. What's up with that?" Mina looks at me with curiosity. "I just don't see the point in dating someone who's not your soulmate. It seems like a waste of time." Mina laughs at my response, taking off her uniform and changing. 

"I've noticed that too, actually. I-" Uruaka stops talking as I take off my shirt. Everyone's eyes bug out, looking at the colorful display on my body. A large gash is in the middle of my shoulder, and another as my hip. There's a new scar near my collar bone and a large bruise on my upper stomach. " Y/n... What happened?"

Ururaka steps closer to examine me, before reaching out to touch the large scar on my arm. "Uh, Sensei has been training me extra hard lately. It's fine." I quickly put on my uniform outfit and fix my hair as Mina tries to start up the other conversation. "Anyways, do you really not like anyone else? What about Kirishima, or Sero? Personally I thought you'd be cute with Asui, or Momo. But Momo already is soulmates with Jirou, and Ururaka is soulmates with Asui." 

I laugh, thinking about how all my friends have been able to find their soulmate in our class, except me. It's kind of sad honestly. Is it impossible for me to develop feelings for people? Am I that hopeless? Maybe my soulmate is gone, or has found someone else. Maybe I’ll never find them.

Ururaka chimes in, but I blank her out mostly. "Maybe Tenya, but he gives me asexual vibes. I think you'd be cute with Shinso but..." I stopped listening as we walked to the courtyard of UA, where everyone else waited. "Fashionably late is not acceptable ladies. I expect you earlier next time." Aizawa told us as they stopped talking. "And ( y/n ), take your contacts off." 

I slid the contacts out and into my contact case. We all loaded up on the bus as Lida gave all the boys a hard time about the seating chart. I sat between Mina and Asui near the window, playing footsies with Momo for a little bit before I put my music in. Just loud enough to drown everyone out, I rested my eyes.

I guess it would be good to tell you about myself. Well, you already know I have icy blue hair that turned even lighter since I've been in the sun so much. My skin is darker than my friends, but I wouldn't call myself tan. I'm Y/n Kayama, the daughter of Kora and Magazaki Kayama. Kora Kayama, my mother, is currently in rehab for her addiction to her meds. The nurses at her facility tell me all the time that she says terrible things about me. It's not a surprise to me though, she always hated me. My dad wasn't any better though, as he drunk a lot and hurt me a lot before we got the dorms system.

 That's what all the bruises were from, not training, but my dad's fist. He was a gang member, who went to prison for trying to attacking a fellow gang member, and sent my mom to rehab because she was the only one in his way of having complete custody over us. He was obsessed with completely controlling us... well, I say us, but it’s just me now.

My sister killed herself last fall when I got into UA, she knew I'd be able to take care of myself and wouldn't need her to live. She felt her only reason for living was to keep me safe, and when we got dorms, she felt she was finally free. I remember watching her jump off the large red bridge downtown, the smile on her face. She hadn't smiled like that in a while. 

When my dad showed up to the school and demanded to see me, his breath smelling like alcohol and his tattoos showing, Aizawa knew something was up. Aizawa and my father had been acquaintances when they were kids, but my dad went down the wrong path. Aizawa knew about the drinking, smoking, gangs, and his violent attitude. Aizawa instantly looked over me and my sister from the moment my mom went to rehab, knowing that my dad wasn't a good parent. 

Aizawa and eventually Present Mic gave us rides and cared for us in general. I had only seen Aizawa cry two times, once when Mic almost died in a villain attack, and the day of my sister's funeral.

Oh right, my quirk. Silly me. My quirk is theft, which means that when I look someone in the eye, I inherit their quirk for 24 hours. The best part is that I can use multiple quirks at once.  The bad part is that when I accidentally look at someone, I end up using their quirk. I once looked at Ururaka and began floating. I also looked into Mina's eyes and turned pink. We looked like sisters though so it was cool. I do have a bad memory though, so I often forget my contacts. I didn't take the entrance exam since my quirk can't work against robots without me using someone else. 

Instead, Aizawa recommended me to take the special exam. Deku idolizes All Might, but I idolize Aizawa. Aizawa has known me since I was born. I think about what Mina said, and I can admit that I've never felt love like that. Maybe it's because I was never loved as a child, or never saw a loving marriage except for Aizawa and Mic, but I've never felt for someone in that way. 

Sure, I love my friends to death and would do anything to help them, including risk my own life, but it's different. I've never felt connected with someone, even if they've ask me out or something. Lida asked me out once in middle school, and Denki perused me multiple times before he found Sero, but I never was able to say yes. Mina and I made out at spin the bottle once, but it was more fun than romantic.

" Y/n, we are here. Please wake up." I woke up to Lida playfully poking my face as everyone else giggled. Immediately Lida's quirk registered in my brain. It was okay, I had used Lida's quirk before. "O-oh sorry, I must have fallen asleep." The class laughed as Lida smiled. "I recommend that you get more sleep immediately. Deku has told me about how you lay awake watching makeup tutorials, so maybe you can go to Recovery Girl and-" 

I cut him off by pushing my finger to his face. "I'm good, thanks." I walk past him to Mina and the girls who are waiting for me. Immediately I inherited Ururaka's quirk. It was hard to control, but I had an effect on my shoes that kept me stuck to the ground until I used her quirk. As we walk up to the USJ, I see it's a large dome with different areas of natural disasters. I hope I get the building on fire or the ocean. I can run on water with Lida's quirk, and float above the fire with Ururaka's quirk. 

"Hello 1-A students, I am Thirteen. I've looked at your files here for recommendations, and right now we will be working on rescuing people from natural disasters." Thirteen sets down files with our profiles. I can’t help but be curious about what’s in mine.

" Now, I want to send you all to the biomes that will challenge you, and challenge the way you go about rescuing others. Now if I can have Shoto Todoroki, Bakugo Katsuki, Izuku Midoriya, ( y/n ) Kayama, and then Denki Kaminari to go to the mountain land. You will be dealing with an avalanche, and then getting people to the bottom safely with no equipment. Go ahead, and wait for the buzzer before you start."

I linked arms with Midoryia, registering his quirk, as we walked towards the mountain, eventually joining up with Todoroki. As I made eye contact with Todoroki, I felt a cooling sensation on my left and a heating sensation on my right. "Nervous?" Todoroki asked, grabbing onto Deku's waist romantically. " A little, but at least broken bones aren't an issue anymore. I am worried about the-", "Ugh, you guys make me sick!" Bakugo yelled out from behind me. I try not to make eye contact with Bakugo. I don't like his quirk. It makes me sweat, and it’s way too sweaty.

"You're just upset that Kiri isn't here," I smirk as his face turns pink all over. "At least I have someone who likes me." he snickers before walking over to Denki. I watch him walk off, and realize he's right. I'm unlovable, or else my parents would have liked me. I might have someone by now if I wasn't so broken. Maybe I'll never find my soulmate, or they won't like me. I finally come to my senses and realize that the buzzer hasn't sounded yet. Is everything working right? 

I look around to see that everyone else is confused too. Even the volunteers I can see on top of the mountain are looking around. Suddenly, a large boom comes from the middle of the USJ. I begin to go up the mountain towards the volunteer when I hear screaming. I turn around and see Deku, looking down at the center. I gasp, watching a large purple portal open in the middle and many people walking out. 

"Is this part of it?" Denki asks as Deku shakes his head. I register Denki’s quirk. Now is not the time! "No! That's the League of Villains, I've seen them on the News! They're not good news!" Todoroki suddenly grabs me and Deku, building an ice tower high off the ground with us on top. "We need to stay safe up here, who knows what they want."

Before I can even gasp, I look out into the center to see the entire league running towards the mountain area. "Bakubro, what do we do!?" I looked behind myself to see Denki and Bakugo on one of the mountain ledges. "I don't know, but they want something." I can hear my teeth chattering, and I can't help but feel dizzy already. Luckily, Todoroki has me and Deku in his tight, protective grip. I never thought Todoroki liked me, since me and his boyfriend spent so much time together. 

The league is now under us though, and I can picture out two familiar faces out of the group. Toga Himiko, a villain with a quirk for blood cloning, and Twice, a guy who can make copies of himself. We can take them and a bunch of villains I've never heard of. We are about to attack when I hear something that makes my legs shake. "Y/n~Senpai! We've come for you!" Toga yells up, making direct eye contact with us.

Todoroki and Deku look at me, as I can feel Bakugo and Denki staring at me from behind. "I don't know what's happening," I whisper to them, and they nod. They trust me, and can probably read the fear in my eyes. "Come up here and fight us for her you reject!" Bakugo yells down as them as Toga giggles. 

"Orrrr... you can come down here!" She yells as one of the random villains touches the ice tower. Immediately the tower begins to turn into melting sludge as we begin to fall to them. Todoroki grabs Deku and me, jumping and creating an ice path for them to walk on. The only issue is that Todoroki grabs my hair instead, and I begin to fall towards the villains.

Luckily Denki's hand is there to grab me and pull me up. "Get behind me," Bakugo commands as sparks begin to fly out of his hands. "No, I can fight for myself. I don't need y-" Bakugou and Denki physically push me behind them. "No, they have a portal quirk with someone. They get their hands on you for a split second and you're gone." Denki explains as I sigh. Boys. 

"Now stay back," Bakugo growls, scaring me a little bit. I wonder how Kirishima deals with this all the time. Bakugo and Denki step towards the front of the ledge, making me step towards the back. I sigh, still shaking from fear and nervousness. Why are all these people here for me? What do they want? How do they know my name? What did I do to deserve this? Do they want to kill me?

Looking out into the center, I can see all of my classmates are fighting villains while Aizawa and Thirteen are trying to get to us. But they can't, with a weird creature that looks like a bird but has an exposed brain and is purple. It's kicking Aizawa's ass too, which is depressing. I back against the wall and shut my eyes tight, wishing they would let me protect myself. Suddenly I feel a sharp pain in my neck, and look to see Toga, right next to me, holding a knife to my neck. I register Toga's quirk accidentally. 

"Oh, boys. Some protectors you are." Bakugo and Denki look behind them to see us, their eyes wide in horror. "Y/n! Let her go Toga!" Deku yells, trying to get to me, but Todoroki holds him back in fear. Everyone looks scared out of their minds, which they probably are. I know I am freaking out, trying to think of some way to get out of here. Some hero I am! 

"Toga, don't hurt her," Denki whispers, trying to inch closer. "Not another step lightning-boy!" Toga threatens, pushing me closer to the edge of the mountain. I look way down, seeing how deep the side of the mountain goes. That's surely a deadly drop, and who would save me? Nobody. "You won't push her off, and I know it. Not after you all did all this work, just to kill a random student? Seems pretty useless.", Bakugo begins to take a step.

"Kacchan don't!" Deku yells, right before my life flashes before my eyes. Toga pushes me off the cliff, and I plummet to the ground. I look up to see Aizawa and a few other students watching me, their faces filled with sorrow, regret, and fear. I'm going to die right here. At the hands of an amateur villain attack. How pathetic. They know I'm going to die too. 

As I hit the ground, I fall into a purple void that consumes me. I hear yelling, screaming, even blood-curdling screeches as I enter a dark room. Immediately the portal closes behind me, and I'm left inside a dark basement. I try to look around, but the moment I move, a thick cloth covers my eyes, and a towel is stuffed into my mouth. 

I can feel picked up, and thrown into a room. I hear a door slam, and then laughing. I smell something weird, and before I realize it, a gas fills the room and puts me to sleep. I've been kidnapped by the League of Villains, and now I have no idea where I am.

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[addie-bear]

Reunion Time

with @royal-iris and @leera-ozynite

Addie gets to Dwight’s base in record time, hoping to intercept Iris before he can even cause any damage. She sees the other ship but no sign of her old friend. She’s thanking her lucky stars that Dwight is away on Lazuroth with Uncle Johnny.

Several minutes of running around and hacking the security system later she’s dashing down a long corridor. She swears she stops breathing. Was he always that tall, his eyes always that blue. She’s trembling but she knows she can’t let him see that.

“Iris!”

Iris has to admit that the security of this place is rather remarkable. However a quick hack here and he managed to shut down the main alarms. He had to subdue several of the guards but what are a few faceless minions to him? Especially right now. He’s going to avenge his parents - universe - and nothing is going to stop him.

Then...he hears her voice...

It like time stands still and the air feels too thick to breath. He turns around slowly, his gun in his hand. His spooch jumps the minute he lays eyes on her. She looks a little different but...she’s really there. She’s real.

“...Addie?”

Addie smiles when Iris recognizes her. Her emotions are getting the better of her. She thought he was gone. She thought she’d never see him again. Against basic combat rules she lets her guard down, slowly walking toward him. “Yeah. Yeah, it’s me.”

Iris continues to stare at her with a stunned expression before breaking into a tooth grin. He gives a loud bark of laughter, ignoring how the corners of his eyes feel wet as he rushes forward, picking Addie up and spinning her around. “It’s you! It’s really you, holy shit!” He puts her back down and puts his hands on her shoulders. “We can finally do it, Adds! You and me! We can finally take that bastard down here and now!”

Addie squeals as she’s lifted, laughing and hugging Iris back. This is real. He’s actually back. She grins brightly as he sets her down. They’re back together again! They...

Oh...oh no...

Addie’s face falls as Iris speaks, an she swallows a lump in her throat. “Iris...Iris about that...”

“What?” Iris asks. “Addie, there’s nothing stopping us! His security sucks we can do this-”

“The only reason his security hasn’t affected you as much as it should is because I have all the access codes,” Addie tells. “I don’t...I don’t want you to get hurt because of a misunderstanding...”

“...Misunderstanding? Addie what are you talking about? This the asshole that made our lives hell as kids he...” His brow furrows. “You...you have all the access codes...Addie if you have all the access codes...why is he still alive?”

Addie is shaking again, but not out of excitement anymore. “Iris...a lot has happened,” she says, taking one of his hands in hers. “Just...come with me and I’ll explain.”

Iris’ expression hardens and he rips his hand away. “Does he have you on some sort of mind control? Where’s the device I don’t see it-”

“It’s not mind control!” Addie snaps. “Iris...please just...just come with me! He’s not even here!”

“Really?” Iris demands. He takes a step back and Addie can physically feel a crack from in her heart. “And you know where he is?”

“...I do,” Addie admits. “But I’m not telling you. Iris. A lot has changed-”

“Apparently! You know exactly where to find the goddamn megalomaniac who destroyed everything we love and yet you haven’t done a damn thing about it!”

“For fucks sake, would you listen to me!”

A soft noise catches Addie’s attention and she gasps, seeing little Egan crawling on the floor nearby. He sits and looks up at Addie, his singular big, blue eye full of confusion. “Egan, you little escape artist,” she says, walking over and scooping up the infant.

Iris scowls, his eyes darting between the child and Addie. “Who is that?!”

Addie give Iris a stern look. “This is Egan. He’s Dwight’s son.”

Iris feel like a bucket of ice water has been poured on him. Son? But...that kid looks only a little under a year old, and he certainly doesn’t look part Plookesian. Mefni maybe. Another sound startles him and he raises his gun, finding a woman that looks very similar in appearance to the child.

“Adalet who is this?” Leera asks. Her voice sound dangerous, like a poisonous snake wait to strike. Small flames spark from her finger tips.

“Iris, put your gun down!” Addie shouts, shoving him back and coming between him and Leera. She hands the mother back her son before staring her friend down. Her own flames come forth, royal blue, circling around her arms. “Let me explain!”

Iris doesn’t know what to tackle first. His old best friend is alive. He should be happy. But something isn’t right. How does she know Dwight’s son, and the woman who is obviously the boy’s mother? Why does she have she seem so familiar with them? Why isn’t she using the information she has to bring down their greatest enemy?! Where the fuck did she get fire powers?!

...What happened to the Addie he knew?

His face hardens again and he raises his gun to point at Addie.

“Where is he, Addie?”

Addie takes step forward. She knows the can’t be easy for Iris to take in. She knows he’s impulsive and hot-tempered. But she needs to explain. He needs to let her explain. “Iris...”

Her heart breaks in half as he points the gun at her. Even knowing he won’t pull the trigger...it still hurts.

“I can’t tell you that,” she tells him. The last thing she needs is Iris stomping into the Lazurothian Palace. Especially right now. Dwight’s kept her up to date on what’s happening. “And you’re not going to shoot me, Iris.”

Iris doesn’t lower the gun right away, his eyes narrowed at Addie. Deep inside he knows this is Addie, no cloning, no mind control. He just doesn’t want to believe it.

“You’re right,” Iris says. “But I will find Dwicky and I will shoot him! With or without your help!”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that,” she tells him. “In fact, as the Master of Arms of the Galactic Alliance under the new High Chancellor, I’m afraid I would have to put a warrant out for your arrest. But if you just come with me-”

“You would do that?” Iris demands. “You would do that to me? We used to be best friends, Addie. We used to have each other’s back!”

“We are and we do!” Addie argues. “Iris...I know you’re upset. And I know none of this makes sense but-”

“No! I don’t need you tell me anything, Miss Master of Arms!” Iris roars. “I don’t know what’s happened to you, but the Addie I know would not be letting that bastard galivant around about his life unscathed!” He turns on his heel and begins to stalk off. He’ll just need a better plan next time, especially to out-hack Addie, but he’ll be able to figure it out.

He hates that this is what it’s come to...

“Iris!” Addie shouts after him. “Iris don’t act like we’re enemies after we’ve just found each other again!”

“Who says I’m acting?!” Iris yells over his shoulder. “You’re not my Addie Denivar. And if I have to go through you to get to him...I will.”

“Iris!”

He doesn’t respond again, stomping his way out of the facility and back toward his ship. Addie’s flames fade away and she finds herself torn between wanting to cry and wanting to break something. She takes a breath, forcing herself to keep her composure in front of Leera and Egan. “I’m...I’m sorry about that...”

Leera shakes her head. “He seems...quite rightfully angry. Is that...the Tallests’ boy?”

Addie nods. “I just...I have to get him to listen to me is all...”

“And you will. He seems to really care about you.” She reaches up and brushes some of Addie’s hair out of her face. “Would you like to have some tea with me for a bit?”

Addie almost refuses, but she finds she’s in no hurry to get home. Then again, Chance is typically much more receptive and understand when she needs to explain things. It does sound nice to just...take a moment and relax, though. “Yeah. Yeah I would like that.”

[whispersafterdusk]

Lost in Time - ch 4

The next morning Dr. Xu and Eli were already waiting for Arlo and Sam outside the Corps building; the initial plan had been to put Eli on Spacer and then walk out together but Eli had assured them she knew how to ride so they'd changed to Eli on Spacer, Arlo and Xu on Arrow, and Sam on Teddy, with the group heading out together with everyone mounted.

And she did seem comfortable enough on Spacer's back so they'd sped up to a light trot; with everyone mounted and out of the mud they were actually making good time in getting out to the sinkhole.

"Was horseback riding a popular hobby, in the Old World?"

There was a pause before Eli answered Xu. "For some.  For me it was just part of training."

Sam, at the head of their little procession, turned to look back at her curiously.  "Training? For what?" ((Continued below cut))

"Armed forces."

Arlo blinked.  "Armed forces?  You're a soldier?"

"Was, am, still will be.  I am one of thirty seven 3-star gold rank Ranger Captains - the only person higher in the chain of command in the Ranger division is the Ranger General.  The Rangers of Dubei were one specialized arm of the Dubei Armed Forces, our partner division was Spec Ops.  Then you had your various rank and file for air, land, and sea, and we all answered to the High General of Dubei."

Arlo heard a very quiet 'that explains a few things...' from Xu sitting behind him.  "I see. Did the Dubei army ride horses a lot then?"

"Not the army in general - the Rangers did though, Spec Ops too.  We were the ones expected to be ready for anything so we were taught a lot of skills that most people assumed couldn't possibly be useful.  Such as riding a horse when there were thousands of different types of personal and multiperson flying or motorized craft available."

"Were you in the war that-" Sam stopped abruptly, gaze flicking to Arlo and Xu.  Xu was making a 'cut it out' gesture as he leaned around Arlo to be seen.  "-nevermind."

Eli snorted.  "Was I IN a war?  Probably.  We'd been having unrest and diplomatic breakdowns for about three years, last I remember.  It was one of those unofficial deals -- everyone was doing warlike things, but no one dared declare it a war. Not yet."

"DID they call it a war, ever?"

Eli was silent for a long period of time; they were almost up to the familiar red tent at the platform's edge when she finally answered.  "I remember my post being shelled.  If that didn't get called out for open warfare I don't know what would've been."

When they were at the tent they all dismounted, with Sam helping lift Eli down; with the horses tied to a nearby tree they made their way onto the platform and there Eli paused, shielding her eyes against the sun as she slowly (and carefully) spun in place and scanned their surroundings.

"Not even the cliffs..." she muttered, huffing out a sigh that sounded more annoyed than anything else.

"What about the cliffs?"

Eli slowly began making her way to the elevator car.  "I said, not even the cliffs look familiar.  I was hoping I'd recognize SOMETHING out here...anything, really.  I can't for the life of me see anything of Dubei in what's left.  Even the ruins that're mostly intact -- I can recognize WHAT they were but not WHERE they were in Dubei."  She paused, then gave them a strained smile.  "Not surprising, I guess -- Dubei was huge.  Portia's nothing at all like it."

"How big was Dubei?" Sam asked, stepping into the car.

Eli followed her in and as the elevator began to lower Arlo heard her answer "um...big.  Millions big" and then they were out of sight on their way to the bottom of the shaft.

Arlo looked to Xu, and then to Selene as she came out of the tent weighed down with two toolboxes and two duffel bags across her chest and back.  "We ready?"

Xu nodded; Arlo took one toolbox and one of the (extremely heavy) duffel bags, and waited for the elevator to come back up.

------------------------------------------

 Don't think about it don't think about it don't think about it.

It was a mantra running through her head -- one that was familiar, that had been taught to her a long time ago-

 Don't think about it.

-that had popped up over and over across all the training it had taken to rise to the rank she carried.

Don't think about it.  In those lessons, "it" was whatever was not immediately crucial to the mission.

That this world wasn't her own wasn't crucial.  The fact Dubei was...gone, wiped off the map without a trace, wasn't crucial.  Nothing was familiar, everything was new and wrong and wholly alien to her, but these facts were not crucial to the mission.  

They didn't matter right now.

Her mission as it stood was:

- get to the heart of this facility and see what power system was installed - determine the extent of damage done and calculate probability of a total system meltdown - corollary to above: determine level of danger to facility and surrounding area should total system failure occur - create plan of repair if repair is possible - if repair is not possible, figure out how to fully and properly shut down the equipment and de-couple it from the system as a whole and disable it enough that it can't be turned on again - adapt as needed

There were many details that were up in the air -- did this time period even have the tools needed to do any of the steps she'd mentally laid out?  Rangers were taught to adapt at any cost but adapation had its limits; if there wasn't any tool remotely similar to what she'd need to detach conduits or activate the safety measures or repair a damn reactor then she couldn't just 'adapt' a suitable tool out of thin air, and this time period may not have the infrastructure in place to try to recreate one.

Were there any AIs left down here?  Based on the time-ravaged halls they were walking down it didn't look likely...where had the AIs gone?   Why had her people taken the AIs but left their dead behind?

Yes, she knew about the skeletal remains in the halls these Civil Corps folks were keeping her away from (not that it mattered - Eli knew nothing immediately important would be found in the office or dorm areas).  If anyone would have the details on this facility and how to stave off a reactor meltdown, it would be an AI - either one of the assistants or even the installed All Source, if it was still here.

 Don't think about it.

What had happened here was a mystery she'd need to work on, secondary to securing the reactor.  Additionally, what this place WAS was a mystery needing solving - if she knew what this facility was for and why she was down here that would answer a few personal questions she had.

 Don't think about it.

She had to stop and rest several times, bracing her cane against the wall and leaning her backside into it like a tall, terrible stool.  To be this weak and unreliable in a situation like this irked her -- she'd never been one who needed to be carried or coddled, not even as a child.  Her mother liked to say she came out of the womb at a sprint and never sat down since; she'd love to be sprinting right now, or at least capable of walking ten feet without getting winded or weak in the knees.

 Don't think about it.

---------------------------------------------

"I'm not sure which building this was because I'm not sure where we are, locationally, within Dubei, but I do know Dubei itself had at least 1763 hospitals and that's not accounting for specialized facilities, long-term care, rehabs, or anything else that wasn't considered general or acute care."

"Really?" Xu asked, looking amazed.  "The entire Alliance doesn't even have that many between them."

Eli shrugged and waited patiently as Arlo, Xu, Selene, and Sam stepped out of the elevator ahead of her; all of them carried either a flashlight or wore a small headlamp (Eli had a headlamp herself) and the two Civil Corps members led the way to a shattered glass door across the room from the elevator's opening.  "Dubei had a population of 2.7 million if you counted all the outlying suburbs and territories.  With that many people you have to have enough places for folks to go.  No amount of peaceful times can keep you from getting sick or old, and the human body has quite a number of failure points even if you're at the pinnacle of healthy."

Arlo stepped through the door and aside to let the other three through, then offered Eli a steadying hand as she picked her way over the broken glass in the floor.  "Were hospitals normally underground like this?"

"No," was Eli's simple reply.  "But I never said this WAS a hospital."

"You sure sounded like you were implying it."

"It's a possibility but not a definitive fact at this time," Eli sighed.  "The only facilities that tended to be underground were research facilities.  Being underground shielded delicate equipment from outside interference.  We might be in the underbelly of an especially large hospital, or we might be in a research center.  Neither is more likely than the other at the moment."

Ahead of her Sam and Arlo kicked away broken glass and twisted metal left over from the light fixtures that had fallen from the ceiling; it wasn't entirely needed but the gesture was appreciated all the same as she followed in their wake and walked up to the lone console she could see in the light of their flashlights.  

"Did you bring a power source?"

Selene nodded.  "Yep.  I brought four, in fact."

"Good.  I can already tell we'll need in that center panel there but let me get a look at what else we're working with."

As Selene began digging for the right sized wrench to start removing bolts from the panel Eli eyed the computer console from where she stood; it was rectangular in shape but slightly curved, came up to a little taller than her waist, and was covered in buttons, dials, a few wide slots and some sockets, a single lever whose head could fit into her palm, the grill of a speaker, and a pair of keyboards on either end.   The console was long enough to fit four people, five if they stood shoulder to shoulder.  

Pretty standard really, aside from the fact she didn't see any displays or monitors nor did she see where they might have been if they HAD been here and had since been removed.  The slots she could see suggested that, for this room at least, they might have relied entirely on the portable displays (both portable screens as well as self-contained computer units).  It was a lot more efficient to carry copies of your work around on a personal computer where you could later connect to the main system to update the files either in the database or update things on your screen rather than be tied to a stationary console -- the problem was Eli doubted they'd have any chance at all at finding a still-functional screen after all this time, which would leave them reliant on verbal communication with the AI system (assuming THAT was even functional, and she wasn't holding her breath).

With a grunt Selene popped the panel loose and Eli moved her attention to the woman and the revealed inner workings of the console.   With an offered arm from Xu she carefully lowered herself down to the ground to sit cross-legged in front of the opening and hunched so her headlamp shined inside.

Familiar wiring and conduits met her gaze - the dust coating everything in here was thick enough she couldn't see coloring or labels but she could mostly guess what was what based on connector rings, sizes, and where everything was running to or out of.  

"All right... See that wide cap there, in the very back?"

Selene got on her hands and knees, peering into the open panel as Eli leaned back.  "-the one that kind of looks like that's where the tube wires come in?"

"Tube wi- oh.  This is the room you found me in, I recall now.  No, those should be routed to the left there -- that one there with the 3-way split."

"Oh, ok - I see that one.  So the wide cap one is...  Aha, I see it.  Is that the incoming power?"

"Yes.  What you'll want to do is follow it in about eight inches and then take the top off the box it looks like it's feeding in to.  See it?"

"Yep," Selene answered.  Eli scooted out of the way and the woman moved in closer; she took off her headlamp and tapped the builder on the shoulder with it, swapping it out for the flashlight she held. It wasn't an ideal angle but Eli shined it over her shoulder into the opening anyway to supplement the headlamp and then had nothing else to do but wait and hope the woman was able to get the relay box's lid off.

There were a few clanks, the sound of something breaking loose followed by the sound of metal clattering against plastic, and then Selene pulled out of the opening with the lid in hand.  "There we go.   Now what?"

"Now you're going to want to carefully unplug those wires from that box, and hope we can hotwire it to whatever power source you brought with you."

"Hotwire?"

"Uh... That's a term basically meaning to bypass an ignition or relay point."

"Gotcha."

Eli shuffled back over and watched as the builder dropped the wrench back into her toolbox and dragged over one of the duffel bags they'd carried down; inside was the familiar gleam of power stones (thank the Three that THOSE had persisted through the centuries) held within a metal bracket with wires and switches attached.  Selene handed the cobbled together device to Eli before ducking back inside the open panel to examine and remove the plugs.

She didn't recognize the plug ends on the device but that wouldn't matter much so long as they had a means to strip the wires and solder them together.  Definitely wouldn't be the first time she'd had to wire something on the fly like this - it'd be sloppy and slightly dangerous but if it worked it worked.

The builder pulled back out a moment later with a handful of wires and Eli waited as she carefully threaded them through and under the other components of the computer until she had about three feet of wire length freed from all the little clasps and hooks that had held everything neatly in place; as Selene handled the wires she smudged away the dust and Eli began picking out individual wires by color -- that one was for the cooling system, that one for a display (still needed to figure out that part), the thickest one was for the console entirely, there were two that powered the input devices on this end...that last thin black-looking one had to be for an on-board audio input/output system.

Bare minimum she'd need power to the console, the cooling system, and the audio (they wouldn't need the keyboard or buttons since there wasn't a screen to work off of - that would be less drain and strain on the power stones at least.  The device Selene had put together held four of the yellow condensed power stones together in a completed circuit; she was glad to see the yellow ones since if it had been blue or lower they'd need way more to have any hope of powering a console this large. Four...MIGHT be enough.  They'd have to see.

"Right, now - do you have a wire stripper?"

"A -- I use a sharpened part of my wire snips for that.  Is that ok?"

Eli nodded.  "Should work - cut the wires right at the base of the plug then clear off about a half inch of the coating.  Does solder still exist?"

"Yep.  I'm guessing I'll be doing the same to the plugs on my portable power device, right?"

"Correct."

Eli held the ends of the wires steady as Selene snipped and stripped, then sorted them out and lined up ends of wires so the builder woman could slowly solder them all together without having to juggle tools and align ends (strangely, she was using a mini welding torch to melt the solder...well, whatever, it was working).  When they were all connected Eli searched over the device until she found the on/off switch and flicked it on.

There was a loud crackling noise out of the console's speaker, causing everyone to jump; after a few more bursts of static there came a series of pleasant tones and then a low chime before-

"-Laboratory Assistant AI, online."  The voice was feminine and robotic - most AIs tended to have that metallic-like quality to their voices so that wasn't out of the ordinary at least.

Eli briefly glanced around - the others were staring down at the console as buttons and the slots lit up across its surface.  "-state your designation and assigned task category, please."

There was a tiny stutter and staticky noise again.  "I am known as Pauline.  My assigned tasks were to monitor laboratory experiments, issue instructions to medical assistant AI systems, provide back up storage for all experiment-related documentation, and record all meeting minutes and conversations that take place within my designated region within this facility.  May I ask who I'm speaking to?  I seem to be having trouble with my optics and my sensors beyond this immediate station are offline."

Eli carefully moved the power device out of her lap and onto the floor near her feet.  "I am Ranger Captain Elizabeth Summers.  Do you have me registered in your system?"

"Let me check...  I have you registered on the patient roster, ma'am."

"But nowhere else?"

"No."

Eli nodded - she had expected that.  "All right.  I need you to register me as primary administrative contact for this entire facility."

"I can't do that without prior administrative permissions from the All Source AI of the facility, ma'am.  Please wait a moment -- oh dear. My chronometer says I have been offline for 25 years, 8 months, 12 days, 2 hours, and 36 minutes.  Auxiliary power is offline."

"I know.  And unfortunately I am the only surviving member of this facility so I will need that administrative access."

"Please give me a moment to verify such a claim, ma'am - I do apologize for the delays in my responses.  I don't have the needed power level to run at full speed."

"Move as fast as you can safely process, Pauline.  We're in a dire situation.  While checking your logs run a cursory maintenance check on yourself for any data corruption."

"Yes ma'am."

The AI went quiet and Eli could hear a low whine from somewhere inside the console - age, dust, and the relative power level of the power stones were definitely putting a strain on Pauline's processor cores but there wasn't anything they could do about that at the moment.

"-I'm detecting no internal corruption.  I am showing that 115 years, 3 months, 6 days, 14 hours, and 16 minutes ago the auxiliary power systems came online .0034 seconds after the primary reactor went offline.  My logs indicate a connection failure between relay box 5372A-2 and 6981-B17, which placed undue stress on connected sectors and radiated out to effect the entire northeastern quadrant of floors 19 through 47.  As a precaution the reactor was closed off from the rest of the facility but it doesn't appear anyone answered the maintenance request."

At that Eli let out a huge sigh and leaned back against the wall behind her, feeling lightheaded with relief.  If it was a connection failure then the safety measures purposely took the reactor offline.   That meant they were in no danger of anything exploding.  At everyone's looks she gave them a smile and two thumbs up.  "That means we're in the clear - no explosion worries."

All at once an unseen tension melted from the room and the rest of them looked as relieved as she felt.

"Thank goodness," Xu sighed.

"Oh.  I didn't realize there were more than one user present," Pauline interrupted.  Xu seemed surprised that the AI had heard him as he'd been barely above a whisper.  "Please identify yourselves."

"They're not anyone registered with this facility, Pauline," Eli replied before anyone else could.  "Please search back through your logs and tell me what happened prior to the relay failure."

"One moment."

As they waited Xu dropped down to his knees beside Eli, gingerly resting a hand on her shoulder.  "How are you doing?" he asked - this time he WAS whispering, and Pauline either didn't detect it or was too preoccupied with her task to respond.

She smiled faintly at him.  "Like I want to fall over, but in a good way.  Knowing we're not going to explode any time soon is a big relief, and now we're in no rush to do anything down here."

Xu frowned.  "You're still recovering, exhaustion is to be expected."

Eli briefly clapped her hand to his on her shoulder.  "I'll be fine for a bit longer, doctor.  Don't worry about me."

His fingers carefully squeezed but his look of concern didn't budge; there WAS a creeping ache born out of tiredness coming over her but she didn't actually feel on the verge of collapse.  She glanced around and saw Arlo looking at her with the same concerned look on his face - Selene and Sam were both focused on the computer console at least.

"Ma'am, I am ready to provide my log report."

She returned her attention to the console as well even though there wasn't anything to actually look at.  "Go ahead, Pauline."

"Approximately 329 years, 7 months, 27 days, 10 hours, 12 minutes ago, I am showing that the facility went into emergency lock-down with the lock-down tagged with 'status: invader, armed, dangerous.'   Approximately 26 minutes later I am showing a mass evacuation of registered users leaving the building though the roster indicates there were 115 people unaccounted for based on automatic logging at all exit points.  3 minutes after the evacuation the 'hazardous material release protocol' broadcast issued."

"This place was attacked?" Arlo asked into the silence that followed Pauline's report.

"It would seem so, Unknown User Male A.  I do not have any further information beyond what is contained in the logs however.  For more detail you would need to speak to the All Source AI of this facility and I do not detect him online."

Arlo blinked at the AI's words; Eli inwardly laughed -- assistant or administrative AIs always gave odd designations to users they weren't familiar with.  "When did he go offline?"

"Checking.  -- when auxiliary power went offline."

Selene straightened where she sat, looking up to Arlo.  "The auxiliary power went out right as we rescued Eli -- that All Source hasn't been offline for long."

"Correct, Unknown User Female A," Pauline responded.  "The All Source AI has priority when there is any power issue.  As auxiliary power reached critical levels all non-essential services were disabled, followed by non-essential sectors, then I was put into standby and then deactivated completely to preserve what remaining power was present when auxiliary power dropped below 20% - unfortunately this means I am reliant on passively obtained system logs at this time and my access to those is hindered due to alarmingly low system power."

Arlo blew out a sigh.  "I can't believe there's another All Source here...  We had enough trouble protecting the first one we found."

Pauline's tone shifted from the pleasantly proper one she'd been using to one that had a tinge of amusement to it.  "Of course there's an All Source AI here - it would be silly to have a facility of this size and importance without one."

"An All Source AI is just a central AI that controls and coordinates a system of lesser AIs," Eli said, glancing up to Arlo again.  "Even every house had one."

"Indeed!" Pauline chirped, sounding pleased.  "And Stewart is quite a pleasant AI - I look forward to interfacing with him again.  It's been a very long time.  -- ma'am, considering the situation I have decided to give you full adminstrative access to all protocols, sectors, and documentation that are registered as being within my job designation.   Further access will need to be provided by Stewart."

"Got it," Eli replied.  There was a burning starting behind her eyes and she rubbed a finger in one idly, trying to encourage it to water a little bit.  "Pauline, we're going to leave you hooked up to this current emergency power.  Can you tell how long before it'll run out?"

"Checking... I estimate the current power source attached to my system will last approximately 6 days, 4 hours, and 19 minutes."

"Is that at your current activity level or without activity factored in at all?"

"With activity.  If I put myself back into standby my estimation goes up to 14 days, 19 hours, and 47 minutes."

"Good enough.  I want you to put yourself into standby and only awaken on the command of myself, or one of the the four people currently here with me.  I'm going to have them state their names - get a voice imprint for your access logs."

"Yes ma'am!"

Slowly draining energy was something Eli had in common with the AI; she pressed her back fully against the wall and pointed a finger at Xu, then to Selene, followed by Sam and then to Arlo.  "In that order, go.   All you need is your name."

"Uh...Dr. Xu?" Xu said, sounding as uncertain as he looked; Eli gave him an approving nod and dropped her gaze to Selene.

"Selene!"

"Sam."

"Arlo."

After everyone had had their turn there was a brief period of silence before Pauline responded.  "Users: Dr. Xu, Selene, Sam, and Arlo voice imprints registered. A pleasure to place names with voices.  If that's all then I'll place myself on standby and await future orders."

"That'll be all, Pauline.  We'll be back later."

The glow of the buttons all dimmed to barely noticeable and the whine of processors faded; Eli closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths.   The anxiety from not knowing the reactor's status had been mostly keeping her alert and on her feet - anxiety and adrenaline both, really - and now that she knew they were in the clear she was approaching a point where all she wanted was a warm blanket and a relatively clean horizontal surface to stretch out on.

Again there was a hand on the shoulder; she opened her eyes to find Xu had dropped down beside her on his knees.  His other hand moved to her wrist where his fingers found her pulse.  "Are you feeling all right?"

"Just tired, doctor.  Don't need to be so tightly strung now that I know we're not going boom."

Xu nodded and looked from her to Arlo.  "Let's get back to the surface and to the clinic.  It seems we're done here."

"Right," Arlo said; he stepped down from the dais to give Sam room to get out of his way, then he came back up and offered both hands to Eli.

She hated how her hands were shaking as she reached up to take them, and with Xu at one side and Arlo pulling up both men got her on her feet; before she could reach for her cane Arlo swept her up into his arms, carefully adjusting his grip so his fingers weren't pinched against the backs of her knees.  Xu had her cane in hand and was following close at Arlo's elbow as he turned to carry her toward the elevator.

"Sam, if Selene wants to poke around stay with her, all right?" Arlo called over his shoulder (he was considerate enough to shout it over the shoulder opposite from the one Eli's head was currently drooping toward - she appreciated that, even if it rubbed her the wrong way to have to rely on someone carrying her to get out of here).

As they walked away Eli could hear Selene giving Sam instructions on securing the exposed wires; she closed her eyes again and focused on keeping her head upright as the three of them got into the elevator and began the long walk back to the surface.

So far as she could recall Dubei had 47 research centers within the capital -- most of those were tech-based but 13 she was certain had been strictly medical research.  The problem with that was she could recall all the numbers she wanted but she still had no means of matching where they all were on Dubei's map to try and mentally overlay that to what the land looked like now.

 Don't think about it.

'What kind of damn war could alter the landscape to such a degree...' she found herself thinking.  It would've need to be one hell of a war to have removed Dubei from the map like this.

 Don't think about it.

Her eyes started watering.  It didn't help the aching, burning feeling behind them.  

After a bit she felt the first hints of a cold wind blowing down the entry-point elevator shaft, and then sunlight hit her eyelids; Arlo's boots thumped across the wooden platform underneath her as he carried her out to the horses.

"You get up first, doctor - I'll hand her up and you can ride together back to town."

Eli could do little aside from wait to be passed from one man to the other; Xu wasn't willing to go faster than a walk with the horse so the trip back to town took longer than the trip out this morning had, but that was all right -- the cold woke her up a bit so she was able to slide down from the saddle with Phyllis's help once they were back in the clinic, and then with Xu on one side and Phyllis on the other she was helped back inside and to the bed she was becoming incredibly familiar with.

"Are you in any pain?"

"Minor headache, doctor - just tired."

"Do you feel you'll be hungry after you rest?" Phyllis asked then, helping her get her boots and coat off.

Eli shook her head and fumbled her legs up into the bed, and Phyllis pulled the blanket up as she sank into the pillow and shortly after she was out like a snuffed candle. When she woke there was still daylight coming in through the clinic's windows so she couldn't have been out for long.

'Not nearly so long as...as the last big sleep I took...'

Her eyes started burning again, and watering; with an irritated huff she scrubbed the back of her hand across them to smear the moisture away.

From nearby she heard the rustling of paper.  "-are you all right, Eli?"

"Yeah, doc - bad dream, is all.  Just a really bad dream."