#because you're driving 12 hours back from a conference

[flange5]

lol deja vu

I am, again, trapped by a car breakdown in rural PA.

This time, no cats with me, and only 4 hours from home.

Tomorrow is the last day of classes and I have office hours (Zoom) in a half hour.

[tragicxensemble]

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Kinkmas Day 3 (Sfw)

TW/CW: Warm Christmas feelings

Disclaimer: Happy Holidays! :)

Wc: 1k

⊱ ━━━━.⋅ εïз ⋅.━━━━ ⊰

It had been a few months since your last visit to see Elle. You two were currently in a long-distance relationship because of your jobs but you both made it work. You had been discussing about driving down there to Virginia for Christmas but the plan wasn't really set in stone.

“When can I see you again?” Elle spoke over the phone. “I don't know baby. Soon.” I respond whole heartedly. I could tell that Elle was frowning by the tone of her voice. “I promise I'll be there for New years Eve okay? I got to go. I love you Elle.” I declared. “I love you too.” Elle says as she hung up the phone.

“Was that your boo Elle?” Morgan teased. Elle scoff before rolling her eyes at morgan’s comment. “Yeah, sure.” Elle giggles. “When are we gonna meet her?” Spencer asks. The team knew that Elle was a lesbian even though a lot of men flirted with her not knowing her sexuality.

“I don't know but she says she’ll be down here for New years.” Elle says, still undefeated by her partner’s answer. “Awe really? That's must be hard for you.” Spencer says with a lip smile. “Thanks Spence.” Elle grabs her things before telling the team goodnight.

By the time Elle got home it was already dark outside. Elle’s phone goes off. “Hello?” Elle smiled at the sound of your voice. “Hey baby I just made it home.” Elle says as she kicks her shoes off. “Thats good.” I replied. “What are you doing now?” Elle asked as she looked for something to eat.

“Oh I'm just relaxing. I was about to take a shower. I'm exhausted from work. And the snow is really coming down here.” Chicago weather was no joke. One day it would be raining then for the next week or two it would be snowing.

“Alright. I'll talk with you later. I love you.” Elle says, no longer sulking from earlier. “I love you too Elle.” I say lovingly before hanging up the phone. What Elle didn't know is that I was driving out there to see her at that very moment.

I had my things already in my car from packing all day. It was already 7pm so I hurried to my car before starting my 12 hour drive to Virgina.

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The next day Elle came to work around 9 am. She didn't need to be called in until that time so she slepr in for a while. “Hey we have a local case coming in.” Morgan says as he walked to the small conference room.

Elle followed before taking a look at the files. “The unsub has been killing woman around the ages of 30-35. All of the woman libe in the same neighborhood but they have completely different occupations,” JJ presents.

“The only pattern we noticed is that he’s attacking everyone other Tuesday at the victims’ workplaces.” JJ finishes. Hotch assigned tasks for the team before dispersinon.

“Reid and I will examine the unsub’s dump sites. Morgan, you and Elle will go to the victims houses and look any evidence that points to how our unsub met the victims. We have less than 12 hours to save this girl.

Elle shoots you a ‘good morning’ text before hiring to out her phone away.

A couple of hours goes by and Elle takes a break to check her phone. She noticed you hadn't texted back. Not having enough time to the call, she texted you again. ’Hey are you up?’ She tested before slipping her into her jacket pocket.

A few more hours went by and they were able to find the unsub and catch him. He had met the victims at a gym and stalked them before killing them.

By this time it was already 7pm and she started to get worried. So, she sends you a call. “Hey, are you okay? You haven't texted me back all day.” Elle didn't want to sound possessive but it kinda came off like that.

“Hey, baby. Sorry, my phone died and I was out all day. I hadn't had a chance to charge it.” You said out of breath. “You okay? You sound like you're out of breath.” Elle questioned as she finished up some reports on her desk.

“Yeah I'm just making it inside of you're office building.” You said as you pressed an elevator button. Elle rose an eyebrow. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I'm right outside.” You sneered before hanging up the phone. Just as Elle for up out is her desk Garcia had walked in with you following behind. “R/n?! What are you doing here!” Elle says before she sprints to give you a big hug.

“Oh, I missed you so much!” Elle says as she kisses you. “How did you get here? When did you get here?” Elle questioned rhetorically. “I got here this morning. I didn't answer you back when you texted me because I was sleeping. I took a 12 hour drive here.”

Elle was completely shocked. By this time the whole team gathered to meet Elle’s mystery woman. “Whats going on?” Hotch consulted. “Everyone, this is R/n. My wife.” Everyone’s eyes went wide. “Wife?” Penelope says surprised.

“You're married?!” Morgan and Reid says in sync. You let out a laugh at their response. “How long have you been married Elle?” JJ interrogated. “We’ve been married for three years. We met 7 years ago.” Elle answers.

“Hotch, Gideon, you knew about this already?” Morgan says a little hurt that his friend never told this part of her life to him. Or anyone, besides Hotch and Gideon, for that matter. They both shake their heads.

Not waiting any longer they introduce themselves to you. “What brings you here?” Penelope asks. “Im staying here for Christmas with Elle. The last time I visited her was her birthday.” I replied. “Well I was just about to surprise her with dinner. Do you all want to join us?”

The team agreed and we all headed out for a great Christmas dinner together.

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[yourmidnightlover]

lost my everything

Summary- while revealing something to spencer, you confess something during the process. he didn't know how to react, which led to a terrible accident in which he might lose you forever.

TW: talk abt mental and physical abuse, alluding to death, talk about self-harm, SAD ENDING

WC- 3,152

a/n - please don't read if you're sensitive to self-harm or talk about emotional and physical abuse because reader goes into discussion about these things. i care about you and your safety so if you need to talk about anything please seek help or my inbox is always open! you are loved and you are needed <3

masterlist

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one thing about being the youngest member of the team meant that the second-youngest member was drawn to you.

that second youngest member happened to be spencer reid.

you had just had another paperwork day today since you got back from one the night previous. you were currently in the conference room discussing the case before we got off-topic, curtesy of spencer's coffee problem.

"i might have a slight problem with my coffee addiction, but there are many studies that go to show the benefits of drinking coffee. supposedly, drinking coffee could extend your life period, strengthen your liver, increase your body's glucose production, and even-"

"okay, that's all for today guys. go home and get rest before a case comes in," hotch interjected and warned.

you placed your hand on spencer's arm, this time underneath the table, as his face began to fall from disappointment. he turned to face and gave a tight-lipped grin before you removed my hand and we both stood up.

"so, spence, my place or yours for the doctor who marathon this time?" you said as he grabbed his bag from his desk.

"we went to mine last, so we can just go to yours this time," he said with his natural pep back. "besides, i kinda like your apartment better," he shrugged with another wide smile.

"clearly you do," you joked. "you almost always say my place," you laughed as you both joined jj. pen, and emily in the elevator.

"hey, y/n, would you wanna go to o'kiefs with us tonight?" jj offered kindly.

"already got plans. maybe next time!" you said with a smile, turning back to see spencer wearing the same smile on your face.

honestly, you and spencer have gone to the bar with the team a few times. you weren't opposed to going with them, you just knew that going meant everyone would pressure you to drink alcohol.

last time, you had succumbed to peer pressure. spencer had to drive you home and hold your hair as you puked into the toilet, it was a very good bonding experience. you didn't remember much, but you do remember you convinced him to stay the night, although he did end up sleeping on the couch rather than in the bed with you.

"after last time, i don't blame you, y/l/n," emily laughed out, giving a concerned look recalling the memories flooding her mind.

"next time we won't pressure you so much!" penny consoled. "i didn't know how much you meant it when you said you can't handle your alcohol," she winced.

"yea... i really meant it," you laughed out, trying to shed some light on the subject. the elevator opened, allowing you to go your separate ways for the night. "have fun you guys!" you called as you walked to your car with spencer.

spencer and you have been carpooling to work ever since you learned he took the metro to work and only lived a couple blocks from your apartment complex. you couldn't stand the thought of something bad happening to him while on the train, so you've offered to give him a ride there and back ever since.

in return, spencer insisted on paying for daily coffee runs for the two of you. it was his way 'of returning the fuel money in another type of fuel.'

you and spencer crawled into the car and began the drive back to your place. it wasn't too long to your place, only a 20-minute drive, but being with spencer made it feel like half that.

"do you even remember what happened the last time you went to the bar with them?" spencer laughed.

"not exactly..." you grimaced. "just that you took me home, there was a bit of puking, and i coerced you to stay the night. and you slept on the couch, which is absolutely ridiculous! i mean, i was the one who practically made you stay, so shouldn't i have slept on the couch? it's not like we haven't slept in the same bed before," you ranted.

"you're right, we have slept in the same bed before," he clarified. "but each time we did that you weren't drunk out of your mind," he sassed.

"ha-ha, spence," you mocked. "i did say i couldn't handle my alcohol. is there anything you wanna fill me in on?"

truthfully, yes.

there was something he wanted to fill you in on.

he wanted to tell you how you confessed your past to him.

he wanted to tell you how you kissed him right after...

and he kissed you back.

he could still remember the way your lips tasted, still covered by the vodka from the shots you took hours before.

but he didn't want you to think less of him since he kissed you back.

he just couldn't help it.

he'd been helplessly in love with you for so long, yearning to be with you as more than friends... as more than what he thought you wanted. but that kiss was his hope.

it was hope that maybe you felt a fraction of the chemistry he did. it was hope that maybe even if you didn't like him, you still had an attraction towards him in some kind of way. it was hope that maybe you would grow those same feelings for him.

but no matter how much 'hope' that kiss gave him, he shouldn't have kissed you back. he knew how vulnerable you were by telling him about your history of abuse.

you told him about your parents. about how they would throw you around when they were high, or drunk, or both. you told him about how they would call you worthless, a whore, stupid, good-for-nothing, basically every name in the book. but you didn't tell him about how you coped with the abuse.

so, when he told you how amazing you are to be able to turn your life around how you did, and how beautiful you are and always have been, you couldn't help but embrace him with a kiss.

you kissed him.

and he kissed you.

in a wonderful, vulnerable moment, he kissed you back as he'd always wanted to each night you spent with each other.

"nope," he shook his head. "nothing to fill you in on."

"i guess that's good," you shrugged.

he also wanted to know if you'd ever tell him about what happened when you were in your right mind. he wanted to know that you trusted him with your darkest secret that you accidentally already spilled to him.

although, maybe you should know about what you admitted to him. it was your life, after all. it was your past that you revealed to him in a simple drunken mistake.

"actually..." spencer started, taking a deep breath as he looked into your eyes. "you did mention something."

"okay... what'd i mention?" you wondered.

"you told me about..." he tried to find the right words to say. "about your parents."

"oh...?" you began to realize what you had admitted to him that very night, still not remembering the events that followed. "i didn't want you to find out like that..." you trailed off.

"i figured you didn't," he gave a small grin. you looked over at him hesitantly.

you thought about all the ways you could react to this. you could block him out and act like it was his fault you drunkenly confessed your past. you could ignore the fact that you told him at all and just move on, burrowing all the emotions inside of you once again. or, you could try to finally move on from what happened and how you coped with it by talking to spencer about it.

"when we get to my place, would you mind if we held off on the marathon? i should probably elaborate a bit more," you asked meekly.

"of course we can. we can do whatever you want tonight, y/n," he soothed, placing a hand on your lower thigh comfortingly.

you drove back to your place in silence, the both of you anticipating the conversation awaiting you.

when you finally entered your apartment, you both shed your coats by the door, hanging them on the hook, placed your guns and badged on the table beside the hook, and sat down on the couch comfortably. you crossed your legs, your knee up in the air, as spencer sat down with his knee touching the one still on the couch.

"so... how much did i say?" you asked curiously.

"you talked about the emotional and physical abuse, but nothing too in depth," he confirmed.

"when i was young, about 12, my parents got into a minor car accident," you began telling him about your past, trying to recall the memories with little hurt or pain. "they weren't at fault, it was a drunk teenager, but they each got addicted to their pain meds from the hospital. i would be asleep when they would come home from a night out, drunk and high out of their minds. i remember the first night it happened. i wandered in the living room, curious of what the ruckus was, and was greeted by my dad's hand slapping me across my face," you chuckled humorlessly, not knowing what other reaction was appropriate.

"he told me i shouldn't have been up or seen what they were doing. he was furious," you furrowed your brows as tears began to well in your eyes at the memory as spencer gingerly placed his hand comfortingly on your knee, scooting a tad bit closer to you. "after that night it became almost a pattern of his. he would come home and then get upset from his high coming down, and take it out on me. my mom just laughed and watched as he would hit me."

"eventually, they started just belittling me. they would say i was a coward for not standing up for myself. they would say i was stupid, or worthless. they especially liked to call me 'a waste of space,' i think that one was their favorite," you took a shaky, deep breath as you knew you were about to reveal for the first time to anyone what you would do to cope with the abuse.

"eventually i started to believe them. i started to believe the things they said about me. i thought i truly was an ugly, undeserving, piece of garbage," you turned to see spencer's eyes full of tears, mirroring your own. "i would self-harm because i believed them. each night after they were done with their own abuse, i felt so... frustrated. the only way i could get that frustration out was to do that. the scars are still there, taunting me of how weak i was to not just endure the pain," you finished.

you didn't even realize tears were streaming down your eyes until you noticed the few on spencer's cheek. he reached his hand up to wipe the tears on your face, ignoring that of his own.

"you aren't weak, y/n. you are unbelievably strong for getting through that. you have to know how amazing you are," he told you, demanding you to see you the way he saw you.

because the way he saw you, you were beyond perfect. you were so much stronger for going through that. if anything, knowing you went through that made him think you were that much more amazing.

and honestly, the way you were thinking is that when you told spencer, he might think less of you. he might think you were dumb for doing that to yourself, inflicting pain upon your own body to relieve yourself of pain.

that was anything but true.

"s-so you don't think any less of me?" you asked confused, looking into his eyes for any tells of his lying.

"absolutely not. if anything i think you're stronger now that i know what you've endured," he assured you, moving a stray piece of hair behind your ear as he moved even closer to you.

"thank you so much, spencer," you said as you lunged forward, your arms immediately pulling him closer around his neck into a hug.

"you don't need to thank me, y/n," he started as he rubbed circles in your back soothingly. "if it helps anything at all... i think your amazing. i always have, and i always will."

"spencer..." you pulled back and looked into his eyes. "just... i need to tell you one more thing."

"alright," he nodded, prompting you to continue.

"i uhm, i'm in love with you," you bit your lip in anticipation for his response.

he didn't say anything.

he couldn't say anything.

he wanted to say something, but he didn't know how.

he didn't even know if you actually said that, or if you were just a figment of his imagination.

because at this point, he felt so much more for you than love.

he was infatuated with you.

but you read it as rejection, so you quickly unhinged your arms from around his neck and retreated into a ball while on the couch.

"i-i'm sorry," you said after quickly realizing the reality of the situation.

he didn't feel the same.

"you d-don't need to say it back. i shouldn't have sprung that on you. i-i've just felt that way for so long, and i thought that maybe you did too, but i shouldn't have assumed anything. i'm so sorry," you looked at him, waiting for him to say anything. to admit anything.

"oh god, and i just spilled everything to you," you ran your hand through your hair.

silence.

"i think i need to go for a walk," you said, getting up from the couch and rushing out the door after grabbing your coat.

you opted for taking the stairs to run outside, being the quickest option.

spencer was speechless, still sitting on your couch, dumbfounded.

he was overwhelmed with emotions.

you loved him?

he couldn't believe that someone so smart, so beautiful, so kind, so funny, so... everything would ever love him.

and he was too late to say it back.

he couldn't wrap his head around the fact that you loved him, so he just sat there in awe of this revelation.

by the time he realized what you had said, and was ready to say it back, you were already out of the door and down the stairs.

you were walking all too fast with tears flooding your eyesight.

you had just lost the one person you loved the most. the one person who's always there for you. the only person you've felt a connection with. you lost your everything.

by the time spencer ran down the stairs in an attempt to chase you, you were nowhere to be found. he could always call your cell, but he wanted to admit his undying love and affection in person, not over some dumb cellular device.

you didn't know where you were going, just letting your feet take you wherever they pleased. it had been a bit cold and you had left everything at your place, so you began rubbing your arms in search for more friction.

you were walking around a corner when you were pulled into an alley by some random white guy. with a harsh hand on your arm, you whined out quietly from the sudden pain.

you didn't have your gun.

"money! NOW!" he demanded. you stayed there with tears in your eyes, too emotional to speak.

your wallet was back at the house.

"are you too dumb to speak? i said MONEY!" he said, pushing a gun you were now made aware of into your stomach.

"i-i don't have my wallet," you admitted with a shaky voice, tears now streaming down your face faster than before.

the night was supposed to be another night with spencer, watching your favorite show and being with your favorite person. you were supposed to be cuddled up on his couch, probably falling asleep in his arms by now.

and now you were being mugged and were probably going to get hurt in one way or another.

"and why is that, doll?" he pushed the gun further into your lower stomach .

"i-i was in a r-rush. i s-swear i d-don't have anyth-thing!" you stuttered, trying to convince him to let you go.

"too bad... you've already seen my face. let's hope you have a nice nap," he growled before pulling the trigger, a bullet running through your lower stomach.

spencer was near you when the bullet went off. he was walking home.

you didn't even realize it, but you were walking in the direction of your love's own home when you were ambushed.

he heard the gun go off.

he naturally ran into the alley with his gun raised, ready to fire at anyone fleeing the scene. he managed to take the guy down with a single bullet before realizing it was you who was shot.

he quickly grabbed his phone and dialed 911 and demanded an ambulance at the corner of 5th and maine, alerting them that an agent was down.

"Y/N!" he yelled, running to kneel beside your limp body. "please, no..." he pleaded.

he put his hand to your neck in an attempt to find any pulse. there was a weak one. there was that hope again. he pulled you onto his lap, your body now resting atop his.

"stay with me. i-i didn't get to tell you how i felt," he cried as he put pressure on where the blood was coming out.

"sp-spencer?" you asked, barely regaining consciousness.

"it's me, y/n. i'm here," he soothed, running a hand through your hair to move it from your face.

"i'm s-s-sorry," you choked out, feeling your eyelids become heavier by the second.

"no. don't apologize to me," he told you. "i should be apologizing."

"it's n-not... your... fault," you felt your breath coming slower, the weight on your chest becoming unbearable.

"i-if i would've just told you how i felt..." he began thinking about how horrible a mistake he had made.

sirens were nearing, hope was becoming greater. spencer clung to your body tighter than ever as if holding you closer to him would will your heart to beat stronger, even if it was for just a bit longer.

"i-i..." you took another uneven breath, reaching your hand up slowly to wipe a tear from his face. "lo-love..." another breath. "you," you finished, your hand cascading down from his face and falling limp onto spencer’s lap, now accepting your own fate as the ambulance was now right outside the alley.

there was a moment when spencer thought maybe you’d wake up. you’d come back to him. but once they loaded you into the ambulance he had to accept one thing.

he had lost his everything...

@averyhotchner @greenprisca @muffin-cup

[midnightswithdearkatytspb]

You’ve Been Everything (Steve Rogers x OFC!)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC!Orchid Black

Rating: PG-13 - Cursing & Angst

Word Count: 1,787

Side Characters: Natasha Romanoff and Frank Castle

Synopsis: They haven’t shared a bed in months, the snap has changed them both. There is no one to blame.

Info: Based off the song If This Is The End by Ryan McMullan. All mistakes are mine and the dividers are from @firefly-graphics ♥️ This was going to be a Drabble but it got away from me and also it was not my intention to use my face claim for Remedy for Orchid, but Ksenia Solo just fit.

Being a vigilante wasn’t easy when in a relationship, it especially wasn’t easy when you were with the one and only Steve Rogers, the former Captain America. Things had been hard for Steve way before the snap had even happened, it was straining their relationship, with him on the run, Orchid back in New York, working alongside the likes of Frank Castle, Matt Murdock, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and occasionally the Spiderkid who had help and forcing Steve to go into hiding. (Not that Orchid blamed Peter, she had no one to blame really but Tony and Steve. Why couldn’t they be like two normal grown men and work their problems out, hell even go to couples counseling?) When the snap happened Foggy, Karen, Jessica, and Luke disappeared, Hell’s Kitchen needed Frank, Matt and her more than ever, along with Queens when Spiderkid didn’t return, Orchid was running ragged. While Steve was silent and stoic, it unnerved her.

What used to be nights curled up on the couch watching documentaries together, playing board games, and cooking together, turned into Orchid staying out late, walking the streets late into the early mornings, oftentimes sleeping on the couch, taking meals from Frank’s fridge of leftovers. Steve had taken to sleeping over at the compound many times, avoiding going back to the apartment in Brooklyn, any chance to avoid having to speak to his girlfriend. He had let Orchid down one too many times and the longing stares she gave him were just a reminder of it.

It was spring going on 3 years after the snap, Frank noticed the dark circles under Orchid's eyes were getting darker and darker. Sighing he scratched his jaw before clearing his throat earning the dark haired girl's attention.

“If Karen was here I would ask her to have this conversation was here, fuck, even Jessica, but since their not, I’ll do it. I think you need to break up with Nomad or whatever Stephen is going by these days. You can’t keep losing sleep over this relationship because whatever you guys have now is not a relationship. I mean you share more meals with me than you do him, I’ve shared a bed more with you than you have with him just this past year.” Before Frank could continue, Orchid reached out silencing the big guy.

“First off it’s Steve, and secondly I know you're right, it’s just, part of me still loves him. I mean whoever thought me Orchid Black would date a man like Steve? He was just so great at the beginning and even just before the whole Tony debacle. Even while searching for Bucky he made time for us, I made time for him, then when he went on the lamb, he made sure to get letters to me, he was a dream. It’s just fallen apart Frank after he lost Sam and Bucky, and I get it, I really do. I just wish he would let me in, but maybe I have this wall up to and it’s over you know?” Orchid felt the tears building up but she wasn’t going to let them fall, no she was going to be strong. She hadn’t cried since that day when she was at a steak out with Karen and Jessica, for both an article Karen was writing, bad guy she and Jessica were trying to take down, when suddenly her friends turned to ash right before her eyes. When she got back to Frank’s place she found out about Foggy and Luke, she cried.

“Then you know what needs to be done.” Frank sighed, taking a gulp of his freshly poured coffee. Reaching into the pocket of her ripped skinny jeans she pulled her phone out reading the time behind the cracked screen. If she left now, she could beat Steve back to the compound upstate and actually have a talk with him.

“Yeah, yeah I do. Can I borrow your truck to go upstate, to the compound?” Orchid looked up to see the keys to the Chevrolet that she had helped him restore hanging from his pointer. With a promise to return it safely within the next 12 or so hours she turned on heel making her way to say her goodbye.

Friday had just let her drive write on through the gates even though it had been over a year since she had last stepped foot on the compound. Orchid pulled as close as she could get to the front doors so that way she could get away fast, it also looked like it could rain any minute. Keeping her head down as to not bring attention to herself she walked into the building making her way to the Avengers living quarters.

“Hello Miss. Black I have informed Miss. Romanoff of your arrival and she asks you to please join her in the main conference room, she has the sangria.” letting a silent Fuck out from under her breathe, getting off the elevator she cracked her neck and knuckles trying her best to relax. Natasha stood in the doorway down the hall leaning against the door jam, a tiny smirk on her face, her red hair was growing in, mixing in with the white blonde she had gone while on the run, it was doing a nice ombré effect.

“You don’t call, you don’t text back, you don’t write to me, what did you do?” Orchid hugged Natasha as she walked into the conference room, she owed her everything, from her life, to the fact she was even ever with Steve. Blushing Orchid took a seat beside Natasha and crossed her legs in an extravagant leather highback chair, immediately taking a sip of the fruity wine drink, avoiding Natasha’s question.

“Okay, seriously this is unlike you, usually when we get together you have so much to talk about, but lately you have been avoiding me. Come to think of it, both you and Rogers have been avoiding me, him I can understand somewhat, but when I ask him about you he just changes the subject. Talk to me Black.” It was Natasha’s turn to take a drink of her wine, while examining her friend, her ex-protégé of sorts that she and Clint once saved while on a mission. The circles under her eyes were much darker than they once had been, she was thinner than she had been before the snap, not that she had much to lose, she looked to be in a state of permanent melancholy, which wasn’t hard to be in the state earth was in.

“I’m breaking up with Steve.” Natasha stopped mid-sip and looked Orchid in the eyes, the trained assassin almost looked surprised but she was trained so well that if you didn't know her you wouldn't know. “It’s just that as much as I love him that we could have found our way back to each other after the snap.” Orchid placed her glass on the table and pushed her long locks of hair back with her other hand, a nervous tick of hers. Natasha sighed before slugging back the rest of her drink.

“You know you’d think as someone who runs group therapy he would be trying to make things work with you.” Scoffing Natasha leaned back crossing her arms clearly annoyed with her super soldier friend. Orchid just shrugged, and stared out the windows as the rain was starting to come down heavily.

“Well, just because you aren’t with Steve anymore doesn’t mean you can’t come see me or you can’t talk to me anymore. You were mine and Clint’s friend before you ever started dating him, Clint would be upset to see you like this.” the familiar feeling of tears building up came back, but she swore she wouldn’t cry and she won’t. Friday alerted them to Steve arriving back at the compound, Orchid got off the expensive chair so she could meet Steve at the elevator, in hopes of speaking with him in the living room. Natasha grabbed her hand giving it 3 squeezes, Orchid returning the sentiment.

Steve wanted to eat and catch up with Natasha and see if she found out anything new from anyone, then hopefully turn in for the night. Today’s group had been longer than usual, Mark who lost both his wife and daughter in snap, had finally gotten the courage to tell his story, and because he did, Luciell who lost her folks, wife, and son spoke for the first time as well. The meetings by the end of them always had him thinking of Sam, making him wonder what he would say, what he would do for the folks, was he making him proud?

Orchid, she stood right outside the elevator when he got off it. He had not seen her since he had gone home  to their shared apartment to get more clothes to bring back to the compound a couple weeks before. Orchid he noticed looked almost gaunt, not like the woman who had captured his attention years ago, the one he loved. Steve stood frozen staring at her, he didn’t notice the duffle at her feet till she slid it over to him.

“At one point in time I would have said you were the one for me and I’d like to think maybe you thought the same, but with all the pain we just didn’t cope all that well. It obviously tore us apart and we have been avoiding this for much too long trying to spare each other’s feelings, look where it’s gotten us.” Orchid’s voice cracked, so much for not crying. “We can’t even be in the same room as each other anymore and that’s not love Steve, so I’m doing you a favor and letting you go. You’ve been everything I could have ever asked for and so much more.” Getting on her tippy toes, Orchid leaned forward kissing Steve on the lips one last time. Not giving him a chance to talk or make a move, she sidestepped around him getting on the elevator letting the tears fall.

Perhaps part of her hoped that Steve would follow but the other part of her was just so relieved to have said goodbye. It was done and over. Upstairs Steve stood frozen eyes shut with a single tear slipping down the side of his face almost in shock. He knew it had been a long time coming but it still had hurt to see her go. An arm to his bicep pulled him from his gloom, a hope hit that it would be her coming back, but when he opened his eyes to Natasha’s green eyes.

“It’ll be okay.”

“Will it though?”

“Yeah.”

[mindthump]

15 Unorthodox Ways to Get Your Foot In the Door http://ift.tt/2tvRHTB

Sales is hard work, and the marketplace is competitive. You must differentiate yourself and your company from all the competition. Your initial meeting with the prospect focuses on one key question: How can you convince your coveted prospect to become a valued customer?

You've been trained to sell the “benefits versus features,” write thank-you notes, show up 10 minutes early, give a firm handshake and look your prospect in the eye. Then what? How do you move the conversation forward to build trust, close the deal and make the sale?

Here are 15 creative ways to do just that.  

1. Frisbee.

Send a few valued customers each a logoed Frisbee with your name and primary contact info. In the accompanying letter, ask your contact to “throw me some business with referrals.” You'll be amazed by the results. Based on my research through the years, each contact who appreciates your product or service will refer you to between five and seven prospects. Assume just 50 clients at this rate, and you could gain around 300 new prospects. Not bad for a simple dimensional mailing.

2. Pizza or cereal box.

This was one of the most successful dimensional-mail strategies I used to meet “difficult" prospects. Send the box via U.S. Postal Service or delivery company (worth it for the few extra dollars) with a well-crafted, handwritten letter inside. "I'd love to spend just a few minutes with you over lunch" or "Could I stop by next week for coffee and cereal over breakfast?"

3. Time clock.

Instead of sending a pizza box, try a timer set to 15 minutes. "I need just 15 minutes of your time," your letter might begin. I've used this technique many times and set a timer of my own. When the clock hits 00:00, I say, "Time's up, as promised. If you want to get together again, let's set another time." I've even left an initial meeting, saying I couldn't be late for another appointment. If your prospect is at all interested in learning more about your company, I promise this tactic will get you a follow-up meeting within the next few days.

4. Prospect’s hobbies.

The internet and social media make quick (and easy work) of researching your prospect's interests. Look for some common ground. Dale Carnegie -- who developed a series of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking and interpersonal skills -- advised us to "learn about others" because it creates an immediate connection.

Related: 3 Conversation Starters to Convert Prospects Into Customers

5. Bathroom trick.

Please don’t think me strange, but this one has worked wonders for me over the years. Imagine you're at a trade show, conference or other business function, and you spot the one person you must meet at the neighboring table. You've got it: Follow him or her to the bathroom corridor (if you're not the same gender) or into the restroom itself. Just be respectful and wait until the handwashing to say hello. Laugh all you want -- it really does work.

6. Scissors.

Let's go back to creative dimensional mailings for a moment. Look for ways to make your products do double-duty as leave-behinds. If you're in the office-supply business, you could drop off a logoed pair of scissors with a note that commits to cut the prospect's expenses in half. 

7. $50 bill via FedEx.

This one can be a bit sensitive, so you'll have to make the call whether you feel comfortable with this approach. It's worked approximately 75 percent of the time for me. Here's the rationale: Everyone’s time is precious, and you're asking for 15 minutes of it for $____. That amount might be $50, $100 or whatever amount you think is a fit. One of two things is likely to happen. The recipient will return the money outright or send it back with a note that he or she is happy to set up a meeting. Of course, this could backfire and offend the prospect with your unusual way of "buying a meeting" (or with your bad over/under guess on the value of that quarter-hour).

Related: 3 Lessons From Backstage at ABC's 'Funderdome,' a Pitch Competition Where the Audience Chooses the Winner

8. Begging.

Not much more to write about this one. The worse that can happen is a "no" from your prospect.

9. Photo postcard.

Everyone's favorite topic is him- or herself. Create a personalized card that features a photo of the prospect. Consciously or subconsciously, your prospect will realize that if you took the care and attention to customize a card, you'll bring the same level to detail to fulfilling an order. 

10. Price.

Should you charge $0.00 or the highest price for your product or service? A commodity is the lowest-priced item, but you'll be racing to zero. Products with high perceived value can be priced at whatever level the market will bear. Consider charging a higher price, and you'll learn companies and customers are willing to pay for the best around. Your product is worth whatever your customers will pay for it.

Related: 3 Reasons Why You Can't Afford to Feel Bad Charging What You're Worth

11. Free samples.

The creativity here is how you structure the sample, especially if it's been awhile since you offered a free trial of your product or service. If you're in the auto business, you can't offer a free car. But you could package a free test-drive event. Get your prospects to touch your products and experience a small sample of the service they'll receive.

12. Surveys.

It's crucial to understand your market and your target customers, and there's a reason that terms such as “big data,” “small data," "metrics" and "analysis" are taking over the business world. Why not share some of this information? It's always better to give than to receive, and giving others a sneak peek at what you've learned could be the inroad you need to begin developing a new relationship with a customer. 

13. Prepaid mobile phone. 

Prepaid mobile phones are affordable and compact. Send a few to key prospects along with a note that you'll call on a specific time or day and you hope they'll pick up. 

14. Handwritten thank-you note. 

Texting, email, in-app private messaging and other electronic communications have brought the handwritten thank-you note to the brink of extinction. Next time your friendly conversation ends with a sales rejection, send an old-school message and use a real first-class stamp (no company metered mail). You might just stand out from the crowd and earn yourself another chance to make a "first" impression. 

15. Smartphone video selfie.

Pick up your handy smartphone and shoot a short video. Briefly introduce yourself, describe what you're about, and wrap with a 15-second speech that quickly explains your business. Use technology to grow your business, but remember you are selling you. Getting your prospect to see and hear you when you make that initial pitch will put you on the path to getting the meeting you need.

Related: Classic Tales to Mirror When Telling Your Brand Story

  Related: 15 Unorthodox Ways to Get Your Foot In the Door 4 Insane Truths About Failing to Follow-up What Makes For A Good Sales Pitch?

[warrenmedia]

Press photographer, you know you're a press tog when...

Press Photographer?

Press photographer, you know you're a press tog when...

  1. You have french fries under your front seat and spilled coffee near your gearshift. 2. You rip your pants jumping a fence. 3. You view big press events as family gatherings 4. You gamble on how far you can go on an empty gas tank. 5. You win an award then find yourself shooting a pothole the next day. 6. You find yourself silently yelling at people who pass in front of your lens "Get out of the way!" 7. You accumulate press passes in your home from various events you’ve been fortunate to attend. 8. You see colleagues drop like flies around you when their backs give out. 9. You love your GPS until it makes you late for an assignment by sending you on a wild goose chase. 10. You lay out your front-page picture on the kitchen table for a long period of time and even look at it from the next room. 11. You cry out "Nooooo!" when you see a cropped version of your photo appear in print. 12. You photograph a chili cook-off, a pet-of-the-week, or a gurney race - two years in a row. 13. You fantasize about out-shooting James Nachtwey on an assignment in your community where he shows up. 14. You get incredible access to a huge event and try to play it cool. 15. You catch yourself laughing at a joke at a crime scene and realize how much of a schmuck that makes you appear to onlookers. 16. You see a whole crowd of television stations show up at a press conference to respond to a story you worked on the day before. 17. You sometimes feel like a vulture, a snake or a weasel even while trying to be sensitive on assignments. 18. You receive a phone call from a mom saying your picture made her son’s day. 19. You show up to an assignment to find you have dead batteries, full cards, or both. 20. You wish you owned your copyright but appreciate the health care if you work for a company. 21. You see a public relations professional's friendly demeanor vanish when an assignment takes an unexpected turn. 22. You whine about photo contests because of their overseas bias, then enter anyway. 23. You are an expert of the dollar menu at McDonald's. 24. You start referring to incredibly sad pictures as “great.” 25. You may know more about a particular topic than the reporter but can’t tell them what to write. 26. You have ink marks and holes punched in the back of your car seat from the pens in your back pocket. 27. You feel like a kid at Christmas when you either buy or get assigned new cameras. 28. You experiment with at least three different types of material to bounce light from your flash. At least two of them are hand-made. 29. You get yelled at by a security guard or police officer. 30. Your car battery dies after recharging your laptop and camera batteries. 31. You go to the bathroom in gross places out of sheer desperation. 32. Your dentist whispers over your shoulder "So how do you become a photographer?" 33. You drive your car around with a laptop open in the passenger seat, hoping and praying for a signal so you can transmit your photos. 34. You get pretty good at "Hail Mary" pictures (see above photo). 35. You donate a print for a good cause. 36. You work all the holidays, mystifying friends and neighbors. 37. You have a long list of reprints you promised (It's time to go do them). 38. You would like to finish an assignment in minutes but decide to stay hours to do the situation justice. 39. You photograph a bored or unruly child at a press conference because you’re bored too. 40. You shoot five silhouettes in one week until a colleague shakes you to your senses. 41. You receive five assignments in one day. Or eight. 42. You get a hand-written thank you note from an elderly person thanking you for your care and sensitivity in making his portrait. 43. You buy nice clothes to polish your appearance then slip back into wearing jeans and rumpled shirts after your nice clothes get destroyed by mud, fire, and coffee stains. 44. Your family member wonders aloud when you will get a real job. 45. You are amazed that you have this job. 46. You throw up your hands when it comes to video, "nat sound" and social media, saying, "All I want to do is take pictures!" 47. You leave your power cord at the office and rush to get your work done with 5% power left. 48. You realize that your blue pictures are caused by not changing the tungsten white balance from the prep basketball game you photographed the night before. 49. You wish a life partner could be there to experience all the crazy, wonderful and sometimes difficult things you experience that get lost in the retelling. 50. You hope to change the world with your photographs. Click to Post