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spn-meanttobe · 5 years ago

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Spn Meant To Be Masterlist - 2016

Here is the roundup from the last spn_meanttobe challenge! The entries were wonderful and stay tuned for details regrading a brand new challenge coming this way soon!

RPS

Title: Butterfly in a Glass case Author: all_the_damned Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 5K+ Warnings: dollification, spanking, rimming, indentured servitude, prostitution, BDSM, dubious consent/non-con, hurt/comfort, mental atrophy, body modification, control collars Prompt: "Captured": Lifelong best friends James Laird and Lola Caraway are reunited when Lola moves to LA after college. Lola is starting her new life, new job, and a new romance with a successful lawyer--a relationship which forces James to question the nature of his feelings for Lola.James has always been a master at pleasuring women, so it was an easy transition to play a Master on-screen in a series of BDSM videos which have brought him fame and the promise of a lucrative career. The films have also brought him the attention of hardcore producer Eva Satana, who wants James to be a ruthless Dominant -for real- in her brutal and extreme BDSM scenes.James soon finds himself caught in a contract he cannot break and compelled by threats to the woman who's stood by him through everything.Summary: When you’re a doll, there’s not much to do other than dream. Jared can barely remember a time when he wasn’t a doll. On the best and worst days, he gets to be with Jensen. Link to fic: Ao3 (Must be logged in to read) Title: Can a Girl Ever Have Too Many Cowboys? Artist: beelikej Pairing: Danneel/Jeff/Jensen/Jared Rating: PG-13 Medium: Photoshop Warnings: Polymory Prompt: 33. The Trouble With Texas CowboysNo sooner does pint-sized spitfire Jill Cleary set foot on Fiddle Creek Ranch than she finds herself in the middle of a hundred-year-old feud. Quaid Brennan and Tyrell Gallagher are both tall, handsome, and rich...and both are courting Jill to within an inch of her life. She's doing her best to give these feuding ranchers equal time-too bad it's dark-eyed Sawyer O'Donnell who makes her blood boil and her hormones hum.Link to art: LiveJournal Title: Home of the present Author: crimsonepitaph Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: R Word Count: 32K Warnings: language, mentions of depression Prompt: A man in need of a comeback…A woman in need of love. Off the court, tennis star Jason Cartwright's playboy image is taking a public beating. On the court, he's down forty-love. A comeback is in order, but the makeover he needs is in the hands of the woman he loved and left fifteen years ago. While single-mom, Izzy Connors, sees people for who they really are through the lens of her camera, even without it, she knows Jason isn't the star he appears to be. All she sees is his wasted talent and playboy lifestyle. Will the click of her camera shatter his world as well as his heart? Summary: Jared Padalecki is a failing tennis legend striving for a comeback. Jensen Ackles is the unwitting photographer co-opted in the makeover project, a biography meant to change the game. Single dad, definitely not a fan of Padalecki's, and a cynical human being in general, Jensen takes the job out of necessity, and gears for a year long charade. But what happens when Jensen discovers more than he signed up for - not just about Padalecki, but about himself?Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: Jensen's Choice Author: zara_zee Artist: amberdreams Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 44K Warnings: Kidnapping, violence, torture, minor character deaths, dubious consent*, rough sex, light kink (bondage, spanking, edging/orgasm delay,cock cage, slight D/s), crime, discussions of child abuse, smoking, drug use, addict in recovery, bad language and homophobic insults.*For the purposes of a dark romance, I’ll say dubious consent, however it should be noted that in the beginning, Jared has all the power and Jensen’s consent is definitely coerced. In the real world, I would classify that as rape. On the whole many unhealthy attitudes to consent are conveyed here.Prompt: An ex-pool hustler must fight her attraction to a sinful, sexy biker when she's kidnapped by the Dragons MC and sold to the club's Vice-President. Summary: Seven years ago talented pool hustler Jensen Ackles fled LA for his home state of Texas—with a price on his head and HellSpawn MC on his tail. Now, Jensen’s past has finally caught up with him. His debt has been bought out by the Vice-President of HellSpawn, Jared Padalecki, who expects Jensen to satisfy his dark sexual appetites. But even worse than life as the VP’s beck-and-call boy is the very real possibility that Jensen just might be falling for the sinfully sexy biker. Link to fic: on LiveJournal Link to art: on LiveJournal Title: Pranking the Padalecki Author: whiskygalore Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 9K Warnings: younger Jensen, older Jared, spanking, bad language, schmoop with a happy ending Prompt: The Brat Next Door Tessa Randall has loved playing practical jokes on her brother's best friend, Trace Samuels, for as long as she can remember. But when she pushes him too far one day, she finds herself getting her long-overdue comeuppance over his lap. When Trace follows this treatment with a kiss, Tessa's confused emotions take an unexpected twist. Has she been menacing the boy next door her whole life, just to get closer to him? Has it been her motive all along to simply get his attention? And if so, where does she go now that she unquestionably has it? Summary: Jensen Ackles has loved pranking his brother’s best friend, Jared Padalecki, for almost as long as he can remember. But when he pushes Jared too far one day and finds himself on the wrong end of a spanking, Jensen lets slip a secret that might change things forever.Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: Up Against Your Will Author: amypond45 Pairing: Jared/Jensen, past Jared/Genevieve, past Jensen/others Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 17K Warnings: reference to past rape/abuse (not graphic or specific) Prompt: Blind Wolf: Julia has never been on a date in her life. She's a curvy girl with no money, no education, and no way out of the town she works in as a library assistant... until Damien shows up. He's just like the prince charming Julia always imagined would sweep her off of her feet. There are just a few things standing in the way of true happiness: he's blind, he's dating someone, and he's WAY out of her league. Oh, and he's a werewolf. Damien lost his eyes two years ago in a wolf battle. Ever since then, the straggler pack of disabled wolves he leads has been searching for a place to call home. One house seems like the perfect choice, but Damien realizes too late that the person who lives there is the girl he met at the library. The human girl. Damien is torn between loyalty to his pack and raw lusting desire for the girl who haunts his dreams day and night. She's a human. How could she be his true mate? Summary: Jensen wasn’t planning to rent out the apartment in his basement. But when a tall, handsome stranger offers him a deal he can’t refuse, Jensen puts aside his natural shyness and lets Jared move into his home. Now Jensen’s having intense dreams, hearing strange sounds in the night, and one day he sees a wolf in his backyard. Can Jensen regain his carefully ordered life (and his sanity) before it completely unravels? Or will he give in to his passion for the beautiful blind man with all the wildness in his heart? Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: Dead men do tell tales Author: siriala Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 18K Warnings: mildly creepy and supernatural stuff surrounding death (which is not made into a major issue in this fic), shady but friendly Chad, voyeurism, judgmental and mean people Prompt: Her Ladyship's CompanionIn the Scottish countryside of Selkirk, Lady Isabella Stirling resides at Bowhill Park, serving penance for a sin that nearly ruined her family. For five years she has been condemned to a loveless marriage and confined to the estate where she does little more than tend her rose garden. With her husband absent for months at a time and few visitors, Bella lives a lonely existence, denying the passions that burn within her very soul.Then her cousin comes for a visit and makes an outrageous suggestion: what Bella needs is a lover. A hired lover. Despite her need, Bella says no. But soon Mr. Gideon Rosedale arrives-and he is at her service for two weeks. Indulging in what she intends to be a harmless flirtation, Bella is overcome by Gideon's intoxicating presence. And when she at last permits him to satisfy her desires, she discovers she's done the unthinkable-she's fallen in love.Summary: Jared has been alone most of his life. Good thing dead people can't be picky when he talks to them. Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: The Roommate Author: ashtraythief Artist: beelikej Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: NC-17 for fic, PG-13 for art Word Count: 12.6K Warnings: ummm… there’s porn? And description of unhygienic storage of clothes? Unhealthy amounts of cereal consumption? Idk, this is just really schmoopy and floofy. Prompt: One Night With Her RoommateEver since her former roommates deserted her, Meg has had to share an apartment with a lazy, obnoxious ass. He won’t pick up after himself, and he refuses to get a good job. Plus, he doesn’t always wear enough clothes—which is really a problem, because he’s hot. Maybe he’s occasionally funny. And every now and then he can be sweet. But mostly he’s just annoying. It doesn’t matter how much he’s starting to flirt with her—Meg is going to resist. She’s way too smart to fall for a guy who never takes anything seriously. But then everything changes in only one night.Summary: When Jared moves in with Jensen, Jensen’s life is turned upside down. Jared is a terrible roommate; messy, loud and entirely obnoxious. Unfortunately, he’s also pretty hot and even kinda nice when his socks aren’t clogging up the sink. Not that Jensen would ever do anything about that, because Jared is straight and a giant slob. Or so Jensen thinks. Link to fic: on Ao3 Link to art: on LiveJournal Title: My Wicked Pirate Artist: kinkajou Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: G Warnings: none Prompt: Azure-eyed Alanis was by far the most exquisite treasure ever claimed by the black pirate known as the Viper, but his motives went deeper than his silken promise to ravish the feisty Yorkshire heiress. Commanding the waters of the Caribbean was his means to an end: reclaiming his birthright—and his blood debt against those who had betrayed him.Then he gave her nights of wicked pleasure...Comfortably betrothed to a nobleman, Alanis never imagined the heady emotions involved in the true games of seduction—games this blackguard seemed to thoroughly enjoy playing with her. Swept up into an adventure that soon revealed a gentleman and kindred spirit beneath the ruthless veneer of a privateer, Alanis began to soften towards her enigmatic captor, as her pride and her heart fell under his erotic spell.Link to art: on Ao3 Title: After All This Time Author: safiyabat Artist: vilabelle Pairing: Jared/Jensen, Gen/Danneel, Jared/Stephen, J2DG Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 7K Warnings: Internalized homophobia, het sex, Chad Prompt: Kinky Neighbors: The Mitchells and the Harts have been next door neighbors and friends for the past year. They have loads in common; double incomes, professional careers, no kids...and a kinky streak. Now they're about to become very good friends...with kinky benefits. The sex between them all is hot, naughty, and unbearably exciting. It isn't merely swapping partners and moving to another room; it's true foursome sex, same room, same bed, all four involved. For Drew and Cat Mitchell and Logan and Alexis Hart, it's about barreling through boundaries none of them have ever crossed before, doing kinky things they've only fantasized about. But when they begin to exchange not just sex but emotional connection, the problems start; a little jealousy, feeling left out, wanting more from the wrong partner. Can two couples really share everything without losing it all? Summary: Jensen's a pretty happy guy. He's happily married to his hometown sweetheart, Danneel, and he's got a thriving law practice in Austin. He lives next door to his lifelong best friend, Jared, who is married to his and Danneel's girlfriend, Gen. When Danneel and Gen suggest bringing Jared into the bedroom, though, things get weird. Jensen thought Jared had gotten over his schoolboy crush on Jensen, but it turns out that Jared isn't the only one with lingering feelings.Link to fic: on LiveJournal Link to art: on LiveJournal Title: The Lost Author: phoenix1966 Artist: amberdreams Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 93K Warnings: swearing, murder (off-screen), violence, m/m, top!Jensen, bottom!Jared, bottom!Misha (offscreen) Prompt: Al King is a rock singer and selfish stud extraordinaire. His brother and manager, Paul King, gets Al whatever he wants and boy does he want a lot. Dallas is a former hooker gone beauty queen/actress. Everyone wants a piece of her and she plays hardball like the best of them. What happens when the plane they are on crashes in the middle of the Amazon jungle? Summary: Big screen star Jensen Ackles was on his way to Brazil to continue filming his latest project. He was glad to lose himself in the role and bury the pain of his broken heart by slipping on a stranger’s skin. Because of his manager’s twisted attempt to help, he found himself on a private jet with a high-class rent boy. Before he could figure out what to do with that, a bolt of lightning sent them tumbling into the rainforest. Link to fic: on Ao3 Link to art: on LiveJournal Title: The Other Wesson Author: firesign10 Artist: milly_gal Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 8K Warnings: none Prompt: Beth Bradley has a problem. Everyone is expecting her successful music executive boyfriend, Charlie, to be her date for her best friend’s wedding. There’s one hitch: Charlie doesn’t exist. Unless she can think of something fast, she’s headed for the most humiliating weekend of her life. Alex Tanner has a problem. The former Navy SEAL's search for a double agent lands him at the Kensington Hotel, and he needs a cover to finish the job. When the sexy maid of honor blackmails him into pretending to be her lover, he thinks he's been handed the solution. Except Beth has a way of stumbling into trouble, and when the man Alex is hunting starts targeting Beth, Alex has to decide between solving the mystery or protecting the woman who has stolen his heart. Summary: Jensen Ackles has a problem. Everyone is expecting his successful accountant boyfriend, Sam Wesson, to be his date for his best friend’s wedding. And Jensen is the wedding planner! There’s one hitch: Sam doesn’t exist. Unless he can think of something fast, Jensen is headed for the biggest humiliation of his life. Jared Padalecki has a problem. The government agent's search for a possible sex trafficking ring lands him at the Isla Grande Resort on the Gulf of Mexico, and he needs a cover to finish the job. When he meets the sexy wedding planner while planting a bug in his room, Jensen blackmails him into pretending to be his boyfriend. Jared doesn't mind--he thinks he's been handed the ideal cover. Except Jensen stumbles into trouble, and Jared has to decide if this resort romance is just play-acting—or the real thing! Link to fic: on Ao3 (art embedded in fic) Title: These Violent Delights Author: dimpled_sammy Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 82K Warnings: Violence, gangsters, minor character death Prompt: Romancing the Mob Boss. Trina Hathaway is a waitress in a Las Vegas strip joint who spends a romantic evening with a good looking hunk she met at the club. Hoping to see him again, but not disappointed when she doesn’t, she goes on with her life. But a week later, when she interviews for a job at the renowned PaLargio Hotel and Casino on the Vegas Strip, and discovers that the owner of the hotel is the man she had slept with, a man who very much wishes to rekindle what they had captured that passionate night, her entire life spirals into a new and dramatic world where family ties and ever-increasing violence ropes them in. Summary: Jared Padalecki has only ever wanted to get out of Sin City. Trapped by extenuating circumstances, he works as a waiter in a Las Vegas strip joint, doing what he can to get by, including spending a romantic evening with a handsome stranger who wanders into the club one night. Hoping to see the stranger again, but not disappointed when he doesn’t, Jared moves on with his life. A month later, Jared interviews for a job as a financial consultant at one of the largest and newly made over Hotels on the Vegas strip. Jared gets the job, only to discover that his new boss is the same man he slept with: Jensen Ackles, the enigmatic and ice cold business man. Jensen Ackles, the city's biggest mob boss. Torn between his longing to get out of the city and his yearning to be closer to Jensen, Jared finds himself being sucked into a new and dangerous world where loyalty is everything, passion exists on a knife-edge, and the ever-increasing violence makes it impossible to escape. Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: Heartstrings Author: madebyme_x Artist: quickreaver Pairing: Jared/Jensen Rating: PG-13 Word Count: 7.5K Warnings: Language and references to drug and alcohol abuse Prompt: Heartstrings. As Julia prepares to settle in for another typical 12-hour shift in the ER, she's ready to handle anything...That's before Slade Hale rolls into her life...on a stretcher surrounded by 15 doctors and nurses. To her he's just another patient, and a cocky asshole Rock Star with an ego. Or at least that's what she thinks. When she's assigned to be his personal nurse, Julia suddenly feels out of her comfort zone. Slade is the most beautiful man she's ever seen in person and even in his vulnerable condition he seethes of raw sex appeal. When he starts to wake up, that's when the real trouble begins...Julia desperately attempts to fight his charm and wit, to stay professional, to keep the upper hand. Summary: Washed-up rock star Jared is rushed to hospital, and it's up to uptight nurse Jensen to fix more than broken bones. But what is it that they say? Opposites attract, or something like that... Link to fic: on LiveJournal Link to art: on LiveJournal

Supernatural

Title: Behind Glass Author: museaway Pairing: Dean/Castiel Rating: Teen Word Count: 21.3K Warnings: Temporary Character Death Prompt: Life as he has known it is over for Adan when his mother tells him she has bought a mansion in an exclusive community high in the redwood mountains. There are no other young people living there except one, a girl named Chrystal who has never been outside the community before or known anyone her own age. But Adan can only admire Chrystal from afar, she is beautiful and he is covered in scars. Summary: Castiel has spent his life secluded in the woods. At his father’s warning, he’s never left the property. He has no memory of his mother, and his father doesn’t come above twice a year with supplies now that Castiel is grown. But when he befriends a boy named Sam who trespasses on his land, and Sam's older brother, whose face and arm were maimed in an accident, he begins to doubt everything his father has told him. Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: The Trouble with Benny Author: angelus2hot Pairing: Dean/Benny Rating: PG-13 Word Count: 2K Warnings: none Prompt: Can a girl ever have too many cowboys?No sooner does pint-sized spitfire Jill Cleary set foot on Fiddle Creek Ranch than she finds herself in the middle of a hundred-year-old feud. Quaid Brennan and Tyrell Gallagher are both tall, handsome, and rich...and both are courting Jill to within an inch of her life. She's doing her best to give these feuding ranchers equal time-too bad it's dark-eyed Sawyer O'Donnell who makes her blood boil and her hormones hum.Summary: It took awhile for Sam to realize even though Dean could have almost anyone he wanted, his brother only wanted Benny. But when he did he and Garth devised a plan to get Dean to finally go after what he wanted. Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: Happenstance Author: stonenumberone Pairing: Sam/Dean Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 18K Warnings: Pre-series AU, underage sex, underage drinking, complete lack of listening to the concept of Stranger Danger, swearing and just a little bit of angst and sibling incest. Prompt: Colin Hartman can now add college to his list of failures. On the coast-to-coast trek home from California, Colin stops at a gas station in the Nevada desert, and can’t help noticing the guy in tight jeans looking like he just stepped off a catwalk. When he realizes Catwalk is stranded, Colin offers a ride. Riley only intended to take a short ride in Colin’s Jeep to the Grand Canyon. But one detour leads to another until they finally find themselves tumbling into bed together. However there are shadows in Riley’s eyes that hide a troubled past. And when those shadows threaten to bury the man whom Colin has fallen in love with, he vows to get Riley the help he needs. For once in his life, quitting isn’t an option… Summary: Dean’s never been really good at that whole “accomplishment” thing. Drifting is the one thing he really knows how to do, and a trip after his latest failure—college—with just him, his car, and the wide open road is exactly what he needs. Running into a boy with legs longer than the California coastline was definitely not on the agenda, but hey, it’s not like Dean has anywhere else to be. When the trip becomes more of a series of detours, Dean finds himself more and more drawn to the young Sam, who seems to be carrying more baggage than Dean originally thought. A secret revealed threatens to shatter everything they’ve built together in this short time; will they make it through or crash and burn like every other thing Dean has ever touched? Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: Sunrise Cove Obsession Author: smalltrolven Pairing: Sam/Dean Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 9K Warnings: Beyond Awful!John Winchester Prompt: Naomi Bowes lost her innocence the night she followed her father into the woods. In freeing the girl trapped in the root cellar, Naomi revealed the horrible extent of her father’s crimes and made him infamous. No matter how close she gets to happiness, she can’t outrun the sins of Thomas David Bowes. Now a successful photographer living under the name Naomi Carson, she has found a place that calls to her, a rambling old house in need of repair, thousands of miles away from everything she’s ever known. Naomi wants to embrace the solitude, but the kindly residents of Sunrise Cove keep forcing her to open up—especially the determined Xander Keaton. Naomi can feel her defenses failing, and knows that the connection her new life offers is something she’s always secretly craved. But the sins of her father can become an obsession, and, as she’s learned time and again, her past is never more than a nightmare away. Summary: When the boys are forcibly separated at twelve and eight by a father gone mad their lives take very different turns. When they are then reunited fifteen years later, they don’t recognize each other. Dean’s promise to stay away from Sam even though unwittingly broken brings a danger back that may kill them both. Link to fic: on Ao3 Title: Indelible Author: dare_darcy Pairing: Dean/Sam Rating: M Word Count: 25K Warnings: Light BDSM Prompt: Leni Brewster should have been disappointed when her twin sister had to bail on holding her hand during her first tattoo, but going to her appointment solo means time alone with the sexy-as-hell tattoo artist who falls into the Do Not Touch category. Only Jamie Rodriguez isn't as off-limits as Leni thinks. Privately single for months, Jamie finds himself more than looking forward to having the hot little librarian in his chair. And when she accidentally reveals a naughty secret about herself, he can't get his hands on her fast enough-he has to know what else she's hiding under that buttoned-up exterior. What he discovers sets his blood to boiling, igniting a burning determination to test every single one of the boundaries, both personal and physical, that she's set for herself. Summary: Dean Singer is a tattoo artist, single and unhappily so. Sam Winchester is the sexy librarian who has been feeding his secret book habit. When Sam walks into Dean's shop, will Sam break through Dean's walls and see the man beneath? (Summary to be fixed when I'm not sleep deprived.) Link to fic: on Ao3

#spn meant to be #masterlist #2016

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thoughtsoftheantagonist · 6 years ago

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A Song for You

AN: I am beyond sorry its been so long. The second the holidays started I was in a whirlwind but I'm back and ready to keep going. Here is the new Chapter hope you love it.

Chapter Eighteen

Joy POV

She hadn't seen her husband since they both got to work this morning, he was currently underneath a car while she was double checking some appointments for later today and filing that still hadn't been done by Gemma. It was a fucking wonder this place lasted with her behind the filing. She was putting some files up when the door to the office opened, without turning she speaks “Take a seat I'll be with you in a moment.” She drops the files on her hands when she hears a Scottish brogue reply “Take your time Lass.” she turns and sees Chibs grinning at her, practically leaping over the desk chair she hugs him tight. “Jesus fuck Chibs I was so scared!” the older man hugs her close kissing the side of her head in greeting as her husband rushes in at the sound of her shouting. “Babe you…..” she pulls herself from Chibs, seeing the wide grin on her husband face she gets out of the way just in time for him to hug Chibs himself “Jesus Chibs.” She rubs her husband's back, she knew Chibs meant a lot to Juan, she was glad he was back home. Once they released the man hug of the century she grabs Chibs face in her hands, looking him over “What happened.” the older man huff out a laugh, grabbing one of her hands he kisses the back of it before stepping out of her reach, nodding towards the clubhouse. “Want to wait until the others are here, put up the break sign or get one of the prospects in here.” she watches him go, she and her husband locking eyes. This wasn't good if the whole club needed to know. “Go clean up. I'll grab our lunches from the clubhouse.” Juan nods, pressing a kiss to her cheek he heads for the bathroom in the office to clean up.

It's not twenty minutes that she and Juan are having lunch at the picnic tables with Tig, Chibs, Bobby, Phil, and her father. She kept having to swat at her father and Tig as they stood bites of her chicken and rice, when her father steals another bite she hands her food to her husband for protection while she smacks at her father's arms as he hides his head from her blows. “It's your mom's recipe what do you expect little girl!!!” she glares at him as she grabs her food back from her husband. “ I expect you to ask you heathen. You too Tig don't think you're off the hook.” she feels a tap on her shoulder, seeing Chibs glancing between her and her food she arches a brow “May I have a try lass?” she sighs, hold out a spoonful for him she glares between her father and Tig “See. Asking helps.” She goes back to eating as Chibs nods. “Pretty good girlie. Make that for dinner one night and I'll swing by.” She takes her last bite and nods, hearing a bike pull up she sees Jax, she hears her father get up as his phone rings she moves over so he can head for the ring behind them to talk to whoever was calling. She grins as Jax pulls Chibs in for a hug “The prodigal Scot. Oh, man. Thank God you're alright, man. What happened?” she leans into her husband's side, resting her head on his shoulder as she listens to Chibs “Frankie, he dumped me out on the 99. I really thought he was gonna put a bullet in the back of my head. Some trucker found me. Check this out.” she watches him pull his paperboy hat from his head, hissing between her teeth when she sees the glimmer of two staples in the long scar on his head. Frankie was worm food. “Did you see anything Chibs? Anything we could use to find him?” turning to her he lights a cigarette, blowing the smoke upward he shakes his head in the negative “Too dark lass. But it looked like a White SUV. I couldn't see plates, faces. But it's obvious somebody's helping him.” She sighs, resting her elbows on the table she racks her brain, but with so little info that was given to her through the paperwork she was given by Frankie, it wouldn't be easy to sniff him out. She turns to Bobby, “Seems to be heading north, maybe breaking for Canada.” sounded plausible, she almost jumps out of her skin when her father plops down next to her, seeing his face and the evil grin on it she narrows her eyes “Try Tahoe. Just talked to Quinn. He found Frankie.” She smirks, leaning over she plans a kiss on her father's cheek, snickering when he tried to scrub her lip gloss from his cheek. Even Jax chuckled as he said “Well, let's go. Come on, let's move to church.”

Standing she follows behind the others, her husband's hand on her hips as he walks behind her. She and the others quickly grab their seats, seems she wasn't the only one itching to get her hands on Frankie. She gets comfortable between Phil and her husband, rubbing her hand up and down her husband's back as he leans his elbows on the table, his whole upper body almost hunched over the table. He was just as ready as she was to see Frankie bleed. Her eyes land on her father as he speaks first “Quinn says Frankie's in South Tahoe. Hooked up with Leo Pirelli's crew.” She scuffs, couldn't even hide on his own. Jax nods, a hand coming to scrub roughly at the side of his beard jaw “He's bought himself some mob protection.” all eyes move to the older man at the end of the table as he says “Is that solid intel? 'Cause I'm a little cautious when it comes to Nomad integrity.” she wanted to throw one of her knives into his eye socket, the Nomads were his errand boys and a good few of them knew it. Her father's eyes narrow at Clay “Quinn knows every pimp and hooker in a 300-mile radius. Frankie still likes them young and slanted.” She narrows her eyes at Tig and he snorts “Yeah, pussy tells all.” she kicks him under the table, a smirk of satisfaction on her face when he winches and reaches down for his shin. “Ok unloyal pussy tells all better?” she nods and turns her attention to Jax, who shakes his head at the both of them “All right, give him a call when we break. Tell him we're on our way. Make sure it's real.” she watches her father nod, he had his role to play. She glances past her husband's still hunched form to Bobby “Leo runs book and poker clubs. It's a quiet crew, man. Maybe Cacuzza could reach out, explain our situation. Do this the easy way.” She doesn't look at Clay as he replies “Yeah. I can call Jimmy.” Her husband sighs, leaning back in his seat he grabs her hand, his fingers playing for with the rings on her hand as he asks the question they all want to be answered. “ What happens when we find Frankie? Because frankly Jax I want his fucking head for what he tried to do to my wife.”

She lifts his hand, not caring if the guys see her kiss his knuckle. Juan wasn't the most blood thirty out of this group, but she knew he needed this. Chibs nods “I agree, we cut his head off.” Jax's leans forward on his elbows, his gaze bouncing between Juan and Chibs. “First we press him on the attacks, find out who's calling the shots.” She nods, lacing her fingers with Juan's “I agree, I want him to die buried to his neck in shit but I want the person holding his fucking leash.” Tiggy slaps his hand on the table “Then let's vote this shit.” She watches Jax as he looks at everyone at the table for a moment “Okay, we all know what Frankie did to compromise the club. Vote's got to be unanimous. All in favor of stripping his patch.” the sounds of agreement were deafening, not one person at this table would stand for that man having redwood on his cut for another day. Jax's face takes on a darker note as he locks eyes with her “As far as Mr. Mayhem goes, let's hear pros and cons.” Tig scuffs, drawings Jax's eyes from her to him “He tried to kill you. That would be a pro.” She will give Jax his dues, she knew he wanted the man dead but he was also being a president and level headed when he said. “We only got the word of a non-member.”

Clays voice down the table makes her tense, ever since Frankie had confirmed she had been right all she wanted was to crawl down the table and his throat out with her teeth. “ Gogo and Greg tried to kill Unser. Nomads were on a spree.” all eyes turn to Chibs “ Yeah, and he shot Lyla, tried to whack me, and admitted to being the one who shot Joy. Frankie's made his bed, Jackie.” she rubs her husband's forearm as he grips her hand, she knew Juan still hadn't gotten over that night, she knew it would take a while for him to forget that feeling of not know if she was alright. Jax's eyes lock with hers for a moment, sometimes she wondered why he gave Bobby the VP patch when it seemed he still looked to her for some things, she nods slightly, it needed to be done. “ Okay. All in favor of Frankie Diamonds meeting Mr. Mayhem.” everyone voted in favor, Frankie's lifespan just shrunk down to hours as Jax slams down the gavel with a resounding crack.

She lets her husband practically drag her from the room by her hand as they all head outside, her mind is so focused on Frankie and how this would end she doesn't hear Juan's voice until he waves a hand in front of her face. “Hey. Come back to me. You ok?” She leans into his hands as they cup her cheeks, she rests her hands on his sides as his eyes sweep over her face “I'm fine just over analyzing. I'm ready for him to be gone.” she can't help but smile up at her husband when he plans a kiss to her forehead. “I know. Now the real question is are you riding along with me or solo. You seemed ok this morning without your pain Meds but this is an hour or so out.” she takes a hand from his side and rubs over the slowly fading bruise under her black shirt. “I'm alright. Tender to pressure as always but as long as I'm not doing a workouts like you do I'm good.” she smirks up at him as he rolls his eyes, she gasps as he yanks her closer by the back of her neck, the kiss he gives her makes her toes curl in her shoes. As he pulls back her lips chase his, much to his amusement. “Crack jokes about my work out habits all you want baby girl but you like what it does.” She snickers and smacks his stomach, making him grunt, she pulls two hair ties from her wrists, holding them up to Juan she turns around and lets him start to tightly braid her hair back. She sees Tig watching them, an amused grin on his face, he opens his mouth to say something but he catches the glint of silver on her hand, realizing she was holding a throwing knife. She waits until he locks eyes with her to wink, yeah fucker try it. Fucking cut your tires, the blue-eyed man pouts at her before yelling. “Your no fun doll.” she snickers and shoves the knife back into her thigh holster. Once Juan is done with her hair she runs to the office to grab her emergency ride bag she keeps there. Seeing Gemma she lets her know what had already he handled today and runs out to the bikes. Phil and Rat would be trailing behind them in the van, with Clay riding as well she would be taking up the rear between her father and Husband. Getting her customary kiss from her husband they take off not long after.

It had been so fucking long since they had just ridden together. This was what she used to dream about when her father would tell her about the club, wide open road. The rumble of their engines like a storm it's halfway in that they stop for a leg stretch and bathroom breaks. She is inside grabbing some waters for the guys and a few lollipops for her sweet tooth while Juan tops off their tanks, she heads outside a grape lollipop already between her lips as she walks up to Chibs who was laid out on his bike, she lays a water on his stomach before taking two waters out off the bag for herself and Juan. Chibs peers up at her, chuckling she arches a brow. “What's got you giggling?” he smirks “With the Lolli stick hanging out of your mouth it looks like a toothpick. Ya look like you Da.” the guys circled around grin, she remembers something, looking around she catches sight of her dad, she whistles to catch his attention. Reaching into her back pocket she holds up a small pack of toothpicks she got inside for him, tossing them towards him she grins when he catches them with ease. Sending her a nod in thanks before turning back to his conversation with Rat in the van driver seat. She shrugs as the rest of the guys laugh “Dad is easy to shop for. Toothpicks, beer, and condoms.” She giggles as Juan's forehead rests on her shoulder, her hand patting the side of his tattooed scalp as he tries to get his wheezing laughter under control.

She sees Phil glance over her shoulder, turning her head she sees him watching Clay who had just come from the bathrooms. The what he was rubbing his hand let her know he was regretting his choice to leave his shot at home. Juan having composed himself rests his chin on her shoulder as Clay passes them “How they doing?” Clay shakes his head, moving to lean against his bike behind them “I should have brought the cortisone.” Yes, he fucking should have, she even packed her pills, even if she felt fine she might not later. Jax comes over, his eyes narrowed on Clay “You good?” she lets Juan moves her so they are facing Clay, her back against his chest. Resting her head back on his shoulder she twirls the Lolli in her mouth as Clay replies “Lungs holding up, it's my goddamn hands.” Jax glances between the van and Clay before replying “Hop in the van with Rat. Let Phil ride it out.” she knew it sucked to tap out. But Clay needed to be more realistic, bring your fucking meds if you needed them. Everyone started to get on their bikes, pulling the Lolli from her mouth she kisses Juan snickering when he grins “Mmmm grape.” She shakes her head and heads for her bike, turning to Tig when he swats at her leg. “Got any more?” she heaves a suffering sigh and holds out her treasure trove of lollipops. Letting him pick before she puts them away. These men would be the death of her, from a bullet wound or mental break she just didn't know which.

An hour or so later

Pulling up to the poker club she sees a very tall son waiting for them and for a second her mind flashes to Opie, she shakes it off walking up behind Jax as he greets the taller man “Quinn it's good to see you man.” she tilts her head back to look at him as he smiles down at her. Seems he was another gentle giant. “Well seems the rumors of the smallest son to wear a patch are true. I'm Quinn it's great to meet you Sonshine.” She grins, holding her hand out for him to shake, she finds herself a few feet of the ground in a tight hug before she can blink. “Careful hun. I'm not one hundred percent.” he drops her onto her feet. “Sorry. I'll remember next time.” she chuckles, letting her husband grab her hand, pulling her behind him and the rest as they head inside. Looking around she gets a feel of the place, very backwoods casino. She liked it, hanging onto Juan's arm she follows behind Jax, narrowing her eyes as a man steps up to their side “Hey, what do you guys need?” Jax pats the man on the shoulder “ We're just looking around, big fella.” Jax's swiftly moves past the man, who turns his attention to herself and the guys, his fingers pointing towards her cut.“Yeah, we're a quiet place. Gotta do it without the patches.”

She arches a brow, her arms crossed over her chest as she replies “Take it easy. We're just here to see Pirelli, okay?” the man steps closer into her space, she places a hand on her husband's chest, stopping him as he moves to step in front of her, she hated cheap forms of intimidation. Staring up at the bald man before her she curls her lip as he replies “Call his office and make an appointment Peaches.” She can't help but snort, fucking peaches? Wow how cute. She is about to rip his throat out with her teeth when Jax's voice bounces off the walls of the room, making them all turn to watch “Leo! You made a bad mistake helping Frankie Diamonds, man.”

She watches as Mr.Clean moves towards Jax, placing his hand on her president's chest. Shoving him back towards the guys “All right, out. Move!” she sidesteps Jax's backward falling body. Snatching up a bottle from the table she uses it to crack the extremely tall man upside the head, sending him crashing to the floor. All hell breaks loose as he gets back up Snatching her up by her cut he holds her again the wall “You crazy bitch!” she snarls and kicks him between his legs when he lets her drop she clasps her hands together making one large fist she swings at the side of his jaw. She doesn't stick around as he goes down, seeing Juan was ok she looks for her father, finding him and another man flying through the air and onto a table she winches as the table breaks. Running over she throws herself onto the man's back as he punches her father, wrapping her arms around his neck she leans back. Using all her body weight she starts to choke him out. The noise around her as come to a grinding halt but she refuses to release her hold on the guy who was now squirming in her arms for freedom. She only let's go when Jax snatches her up by the back of her cut “Enough Sonshine!” panting she leans into her husband and he moves to stand behind her, her father moving to her side as he glares at the man trying to catch his breath on the floor. A man stands before them, she guessed he was Leo. “What the hell is wrong with you guys? Somebody sneezes, your little cocker spaniel here throw a fist? How do you get any business done?” she smirks, her eyes on the man currently nursing a bloody nose “Mr.Clean next to you dropped his pants first.”

Her husband's chest rumbles as he chuckles, the bloody and bold man takes a threatening step towards her “Aw, screw this” She moves to meet him but her husband's hands on her arms and Leo's voice stop her “Hey, hey! Enough. Enough! Okay, so you got my attention.” Jax moves in front of her with sigh “Frankie Diamonds. Leo, we know you're helping him get out of the States.” she couldn't see past Jax large frame, but the condescending tone of Leo's voice made her roll her eyes “ You don't know shit.” Jax finally moves so she can lock eyes on Leo as Jax speaks lowly, but just loud enough for the few close enough to hear. “You know, Frankie Diamonds stole half a million dollars from me and my associates. He's using our cash to bankroll his exit. If you think we're noisy, wait till the cartel and the IRA come knocking.” she bites down on her lip as she tries not to laugh, that sneaky son of a bitch. She leans into her husband and she giggles out “Machetes, grenade launchers and AK’s oh my. And you think I'm a pain. They can spill a few stacks of chips.” She winks at Leo as her husband rests his forehead on her shoulder, she could feel his chest shaking as he tries to suppress his wheezing laughter. The larger man Quinn pats her on the shoulder as he passes by to speak to Leo “We just want Frankie.” Jax's chuckle makes her glance his way, the look on his face was a touch on the teasing side “You can even keep the cash.” She smirks as Leo finally grins, turning away he stops before turning back to Jax “Make a call. Follow us. But if you're telling me a story, kid, this ain't gonna be such a beautiful, sunshiny day here in the splendor of the lakes. You understand?” she can't help but reach over to swat at Jax's arm closest to her as he replies “Not exactly, but I think I get the point.”

She watches him go with a grin, smart ass. She and Juan let the others pass by, leaving them to follow in the back as he walks behind her, his hand coming around to rest his palm flat against her stomach and he whispers “You ok?” She turns her head, presses a kiss to his jaw “I'm fine Juan. Sore but nothing I'm not used to handling.” He narrows his eyes for a second but nods, kissing her temple as they get to their bikes. Following behind Leo and his guys as they pull out the drive isn't long it's just a lot of back roads, she almost swerves into another lane when the sound of a huge explosion booms through the mountains like thunder. She sees Jax's head pop up as he stands on his bike to look at something before he is peeling around the SUV and taking off at high speed, takes the rest of them half a second to do the same when they see the smoke from the mountain. She had broke formation and got closer to Jax, she would catch hell for it later but she wasn't gonna miss Frankie, fuck that for a joke. She pulls up next to Jax as they both catch sight of the van she quickly races past Jax for the door, yanking out her glocks she aims them at Clay who had a shotgun aimed at Frankie “Drop it Clay or I drop you!” Jax's rushes in behind her, gun aimed at Clay as well “Not yet Clay.” She side steps from the door, never taking her eyes off Clay, or her guns as the guys file in one by one. She can't help but smirk as Chibs lays his hands on her shoulders as he passes, talking to Frankie over her head “Frankie. Miss me?” she sees Leo and his boys file in from her peripheral as Jax's speaks to Clay “Lower the shotgun now.” for a second Clay looks like he might just say fuck it, she hoped he would but sadly he had some sense, lowering the shotgun he looks at Jax, the next few seconds are so fast she still can barely remember them. All she hears is Leo's low curse and the sound of gunshots, she watches Frankie drop as one hits him between the eyes, she turns to Leo as he stops, it takes her husband and her father to drag her out as she screeches, trying to bum rush the man. “You stupid son of a bitch!!! HE WASN'T YOUR KILL HE WAS MINE!”

She struggles as her father wraps his arms around her middles, pinning her swings arms to her side she yells as Juan grabs her face. “Joy enough! Look at me. Stop before to pass the fuck out BREATH!” She stares at him, her chest heaving as she feels tears of rage stream down her cheeks and over Juan's fingers. She feels her body shaking as she tries to calm her racing heart and mind. It's a good ten minutes before she can speak without yelling. “I'm good. Let me down dad.” her father kisses the back of her head before he drops her on her feet, moving past her he plants another kiss on the side of her head as he goes back to the cabin. Leaving her alone with her husband, looking up at him she swipes at her tear stained cheeks, looking up at him with a watery smile “I bet I look like shit.” Juan chuckles softly, his hands coming up your cup her face as his thumbed swipe under her eyes. Wiping away the Mascara that had smudged in her rage, she rests her hands on his sides as he presses a kiss to her forehead. “There. Just as beautiful as the day I married you.” she snorts, her hand rubbing up and down his sides “If your trying to sweet talk your way into my pants…..keep talking it might work.” he husband chuckles, his beefy arm wrapping around her shoulder as he drags her forward into his chest. The smell of weed smoke and body wash makes her tension melt away, she slides her hand around his back, her hand digging his back pocket as he tries to move away “The fuck you doing!?” she smiles into his chest as she finds what she was looking for, pulling back she holds up the case of prerolled blunts he always had and wiggles it “light up time?” He shakes his head but grabs it anyway, she goes back to her place against his chest, hugging him tightly as he lights up over her head. With her ear against his chest, she can hear when he takes his first hit, the blunt appearing in front of her face as he passes it to her. Finally pulling back from the warmth of his chest she sees the fuss heading their way, she inhales deeply as Jax gets to her, his hand on the back of her head as he locks eyes with her “You good sis?” she shrugs, a sad smile on her face as she blows her smoke off to the side. Handing the blunt to Juan, as Jax talks to Quinn behind her “do you have a truck or something we can borrow? To haul Frankie back?” she watches Clay standing off to the side with Rat, she takes the last of the blunt from her husband, inhaling all of it she holds it as Quinn replies “Yeah I got you.” she tosses the blunt to the dirt stomping it out she blows her smoke out as she speaks, the guys going quiet at the tone of her voice as she speaks to Clay directly. “Wanna share with the class how you got here before us?”

She doesn't flinch as Clay stares her down through his shades for a moment before replying “Cacuzza. He called me as you guys were pulling out. Me and Rat boy here wanted to check it out before we hit you up.” She doesn't take her eyes off Clay as Rat speaks “We wanted to make sure it was real.” she nods slowly, the feel of a hand on her shoulder makes her tense until she hears the voice attached “Well guess what. It was. Come on. Let's go home.” Her eyes following Clay as he turns to walk to the van, Jax's hand clenching her shoulder in silent support letting her know, I see him too. She reaches up and pats his hand as he moves away and towards the cabin to collect Frankie's corpse. Sliding her sunglasses on she moves away from the others, and away from the still smoking cabin she finds a nice rock formation near the lake and climbs on top of it. Curling her legs up to her chest she stares out onto the oddly still lake, as she stares she tries to figure out what is next. She had been so angry looking for proof of the Nomads and finding the shit stains who killed Opie that it was all she felt for a while, sure she had overcome her issues and fears regarding her and her families mortality. But she was slowly coming to the realization that she was always angry, or maybe the best way to describe it was her anger never died down it simmered under her skin and she was so tired of it. Now that Frankie was dead, that chapter closed. She wasn't sure where to focus that anger she held before and that worried her, the last thing she wanted was to lash out at the guys or worse, Juan or her dad. They still had Opie's killers to look for but she had long ago told herself that she couldn't hold anger for that even though it still hurt to know he was gone, all she could do was just serve justice for her still living boys. She jerks when she feels arms slide around her shoulders, but once she got sight of the reaper set against the deep sepia skin of the left forearm she knew it was her husband. Leaning back against him she closes her eyes as he presses slow, lazy kisses from her ear to the collar of her shirt. When she turns her head to returns the favor. “Want to tell me what has you sneaking off? Needed a minute?” she rests her forehead against his cheek, her nails dragging back and forth over the reaper on his arm as she tries to figure out how to say this right. “I was so ready for today. My anger was at the surface and I was ready to take that human skit mark back to Charming, grill him and dump him in a ditch after. But now I'm left feeling. I don't know if empty is the best word.” She struggles for a moment, her husband grabbing her hand rubbing his arm, pulling the hand to his mouth he kisses her fingers before speaking.

“I get it. You had so much anger. And have had it since Op died and then this added too it. Now when you thought you were doing to get an ending you wanted it was stolen from you and your anger is confused now. Frantic and searching for a place to put it all.” she nods, staying quiet as Juan continues. “But baby that's not healthy to stay that angry all the time. You have to take away the fact that it wasn't you who killed him and think on the main point, he is dead now. He can't hurt any one of us anymore. And Joy If you need to do something with it. The anger I mean. tell me. You and I can go in the backyard with Sonny and play it off or hey, come out on Saturday with me and your dad to work out, yoga is all well and good for you but this might help more.” she thinks for a second, he made a good point. Shifting she grins up at her husband “Look at you. My incredibly smart and thoughtful husband. I like that idea working out, and we can bring sonny with us, he loves the clubhouse.” She smirks, her hand snaking up his hard chest to the back of his neck. Yanking his head down she brushes her lips over his softly as she speaks, her eyes heavy-lidded from the weed and her voice taking on a smokey quality “And seeing you sweaty and shirtless is never something I will pass up seeing.” His grin is wicked as he leans down, closing that last centimeter between their lips to kiss her deeply. She would never get tired of his kiss, the brush of his warm tongue along her bottom lip as she lays back onto the hard stone below them, his body hovering over her as she grips the back of his neck with both hands. The sound of laughing doesn't hit her until she opens her eyes, she can hear the voices finally “I don't think Juicy boy stands a chance. She will detach her jaw swallow him whole, you watch.” She finally pulls away from her husband, tilting her head back she sees an upside-down Chibs and Tiggy grinning at them. “Do either of you old pervs have nothing better to do?” she pets her hand down the back of her husband head as he laughs into the side of her neck. Tiggy walks over to them, Chibs following behind, Chibs help Juan off of her and Tiggy helps her down from the tall formation. Grinning as he wraps an arm around her shoulder, leading her towards the bikes “You know I'm always down for a live show.” She shakes her head and sighs, only the men in her life. She would be grey by thirty-five.

A few hours later

Once they had gotten back to the house it had been peaceful, they had stripped down to their night clothes well before the sun was down but they had the rest of the day to do absolutely nothing. Then right before dark Juan decided to take Sonny on a run with him, something about needing time to think about what's up next. She didn't stress him, he would tell her his thoughts eventually when he finally caught up to them. That had been an hour ago, Juan had texted her saying he was on his way back so she was currently getting dinner ready when the doorbell rang. Grabbing her Glock from the kitchen island she slowly walks to the door, peeking out the hole her shoulder drop and she sighs at the sight of Roosevelt. Opening the door wide she grins. “What can I do for you?” he holds up a file. She waves him inside, locking the door behind her knowing Juan had his key to get in. She lets him follow her into the kitchen as she checks on the broccoli she is steaming as she talks over her shoulder to him. “Thanks for the file. But I doubt it will be necessary.” She knows he is staring holes into her back, once she is done tossing the spices into the chicken in the pan she has before she turns it down a little and turns to face him. “Got a call an hour ago. Frankie Diamonds was found in a ditch, multiple gunshot wounds to the face and torso. Something you want to tell me, Ortiz?” She can't help but smirk, always the cop. “First off, cut the cop act your sitting at my kitchen island and I'm in my pj’s it's not even remotely intimidating. And secondly no it wasn't us sadly.” She turns, grabbing the tongs on the counter she flips the chicken, giving it a dash of her pre-mixed seasoning before turning back to face Eli. “We were there though. And another person who isn't a son shot first I'm just as pissed as you are, trust me.” she crosses her arms over her chest as Eli rests his head on his folded arms on the counter, it's quiet for are moment, the sounds of the food cooking the only thing you could hear before she breaks the silence again.

“I wanted to pull the fucking trigger. So I get how you feel man I do, but Juan said something today that made me see reason. He is dead Eli. The man who tried to kill me and your wife and unborn child are dead. I know you as a cop want to see them rot in cells but for me…..this is enough. And both of us have people we love to watch out for, so we can't waste time dwelling on what could have happened.” she hears the front door lock tumble, turning her head she can't help but smile as her husband and dog rush in. Watching him kneel down before sonny, she can't help but sigh. Even after a year seeing him so happy and open makes her heart go soft, she hoped in years to come it wouldn't stop happening. Once Juan had finished taking the harness off sonny he made his way into the kitchen, panting he leans against the doorway as he eyes the man sitting at his counter. Opening the fridge she gets him a tall bottle of water and tosses it at him, smirking as she says “He isn't gonna explode if you stare at him hard enough Juan.” her husband narrows his eyes and walks over to her to kiss her cheek, she wrinkles her nose as his sweaty chest brushes her arm. “You stink. Go shower dinner is almost ready.” he chuckles, pressing another kiss on her cheek he nods to Eli on his way out. She grins as Eli shakes his head “I need to head home. Rita is probably worried.” she nods, walking over to cabinet she pulls out a container of cookies, handing them to Eli she smiles. “Rita seems to like these. My mom's recipe. Tell her hi for me.” Eli nods, heading for the door he stops and turns to her. “I need your statement still. write it up and drop it off, please. Maybe tomorrow?”

She nods and watches the man leave, feeling somewhat better about the day. Juan had been right, she and Eli both needed to let go of their anger in this. The deed was done and for now, both their small families were safe, heaving a tired sigh she turns back to dinner. Pulling the chicken out of the pan she sets it to the side, Juan would be out soon then they could finally eat.

Next Morning

She had risen early, normally Juan was the one to rise before her but she guessed everything from yesterday and his hour run after had wiped him out. She had quickly let Sonny out into the back yard before he could start making enough noise to wake Juan before she set about making a nice breakfast. But before she can start her phone starts ringing, seeing Jax's name on the screen she arches a brow, putting in on speaker she grabs the eggs and other stuff from the fridge. “What's up buttercup?” the man in questions tone made her know this wasn't just a social call. “A little much to talk about over the phone, you good to have visitors?” she silently curses and then sighs “Yeah. Who's coming so I know to make enough food for you strays I have apparently adopted.” that gets a chuckle from the man on the phone before he replies “Just me and Rat boy. And you and Juice.” She nods, sorry Juan duty calls you from slumber it seems. “I need to wake him so let me do that first and get some go go juice in my man.” they both say goodbye and hang up. Putting the foodstuff to the side she heads for the bedroom, leaning against the door she watches her sleeping husband for a moment. He looked so peaceful she honestly wanted to let him sleep but she had no choice.

Walking over she carefully slides in on her side of the bed, sitting against the headboard she combed her fingers over his Mohawk as she calls his name softly. “Juan, wake up baby.” She watches with a soft smile as he turns in his sleep, his arms reaching out for her. She lets him wraps his arms around her waist as his head comes to rest on her lower stomach. She gently traces his tribal tattoos as she speaks again. “I know you're tired handsome but Jax called. He and Rat are coming over to discuss something.” She giggles as he groans, his face turning to rub back and forth over her stomach as he shakes his head. His voice deep and underused as he speaks into her shirt. “Why are they coming here at ass o'clock in the morning anyway?” she snorts, sliding down in his arms so they are holding each other under the warm covers she kisses his stubble covered jaw “It's hardly that early Juan. It's eight in the morning.” he groans against, his face hiding in her neck, the scratch of his stubble making her laugh. “Exactly. Ass o'clock.” She swats his arm, trying to wiggle from his iron grasp, trying not to smile as she realizes she is stuck. “Juan Carlos get up. I need to make breakfast and let Sonny back in and you need to get dressed and have your wake up mix or your gonna be a boar when the guys get here.” she thinks he is asleep again until she hears him curse lowly before rolling onto his back to stare at the ceiling, slowly Blinking sleep from his pretty brown eyes. She sits up in bed, looking down at him to make sure he is going to stay awake when he looks over at her and grinning she knows he is ok. Leaning over she presses a kiss to his nose before sliding out of bed she walks over to her side of the dresser, pulling on some old sweats she turns to leave, only to see her husband's smirking face watching her from the bed, she couldn't help but laugh “Your such an ass man.” she watches him stand, biting down on her lip as she catches sight of his toned body in nothing but black boxers. He walks over to her, kissing the top of her head he smirks “And your no better about me.” he swats her on the ass, making her yelp. Before she can retaliate he is out of arm's reach and closing the bathroom door “Coward!” his wheezing laugh is the only reply she gets before she heads back to the kitchen, a small grin on her face.

It's not twenty minutes later that the Jax and Rat stroll in, she rolls her eyes as they park it at the kitchen island, grinning boyishly at her as she pours both of them cups of coffee. “Only two men can grin at me like that and get away with it. One is in the living room the others is not here. So drop the shit and start talking.” She pulls the eggs and turkey bacon off the fire, setting three plates out she goes about making them as she raises her voice so Juan hears her over his movie. “Juan come on breakfast.” She hears him groan, narrowing her eyes at the backsplash in the kitchen she yells again. “Juan Carlos you have seen Spaceballs twenty fucking times in your young life. And you will see it twenty fucking more. it's not changing any time soon now get in here!” the men behind her snicker but when she turns with their plates in hand and a glare on her face they quite quickly. She only loses her glare when Juan comes into the kitchen, an easy grin on his face. Standing by her side he goes to make his plate seeing she already had that and his morning mix done he grabs her jaw. The turn her face he pecks her lips quickly before moving to sit next to the guys, she sips her cold brew slowly as she watches them. “Start talking guys. I didn't plan to get into work headspace this early so I'm a bit of a grouch.”

Jax and Rat share a look before Jax nods, swallowing his mouthful of food he speaks “Rat came to me this morning. Apparently, Rat-boy here got a few words from Frankie before he died.” She sets her cup down, picking up her bowl of sliced fruit she nods for him to continue. “Apparently Frankie told Rat that Clay was behind the Nomads attacks. And that Clay told them to steal the safe but here is the thing, Clay made them give him back all his legal papers.” She smirks around her mouthful, swallowing she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “If we find the papers it proves Clay knew or at least had some part in this shit. Because the police never found the safe or the papers so how would he have them otherwise. Which would also call into question his involvement in the attack on me and Rita, the home invasions, the dead nomads. Christ Jax, we got him.” Jax shakes his head, making her frown “Not yet. We need those papers. Rat said he would look, and I'll talk to Miles myself since him and Rat boy are Clays, main watchers. Once we have those papers though yes. We just might have Clay.” Once business was off the table breakfast went quickly, the guys leaving them to get dressed. She is pulling her jeans over her hips when her husband's arms slide around her bare stomach from behind, leaning her head back she smiles as he kisses her jaw. “Can I help you sir?” she can feel him smile against her shoulder, his arms holding her a little tighter. “Just wanted to hold my wife for a second.”

She feels her heart melt a little, turning in his arms she stares up at her husband, all hard lines and head tattoos. But his eyes are soft, she wraps her arms around his back, under his so he can wrap himself around her. Laying her cheek on his chest she lets him rock them for a moment, their life was so fast-paced and hectic that silent moments like this one were so precious to her. When he tries to move away she doesn't release her grip on him, looking up at him she pouts. “What no sugar from daddy?” the eye roll she gets makes her snicker, but his smile lets her know he finds her just a little funny as he pecks her lips. “I'll be ready in ten then we can ride out. Got some paperwork that needs doing at the shop and I have our lunches set aside for later.” he nods and heads into their closet. She sent up a silent prayer as she pulls on the rest of her clothes, let no son die today.

A few Hours later

She was watching her father and Juan talk across the room as she finished the last of her lunch. He had stayed in the office with her for an hour, talking to her about working out on Saturday when Juan had come to remind her it was lunch time, after that her boys had branched off to let her eat in peace. She is shaken from that peace as the last spoonful hits her lips, Tigs hands coming down gently on her shoulders, she tilts her head to look up at him. “Prospects called. They got Hightower.” She drops her spoon, one of Opie's killers. Getting to her feet she whistles to her father and Husband, both of them at her side in an instant when they see she is checking her backpack of goodies behind the bar. “What's has you checking your bag of tricks little girl.” she loads a clip onto her Glock, stashing a few others into her tiny backpack as she replies without glancing at each of them, still elbow deep in the duffle before her. “Prospects got one of the guys who killed Opie. I'm getting ready for just about anything.” her dad is gone before she finishes the sentence, probably heading up to the dorms to do the same. Juan stays by her side, his hand held out as she hands over a few of his own clips and guns he had stashed in her bag. “So much for a slow day huh.” Once she had the bag packed full she put her weapon duffle back in its place by the bar, turning to her husband she lets him see how shaken she is.

He doesn't hesitate to wrap her up in his arms, she leans heavy into his chest “It's ok baby. We will get them all for this. Opie's death won't go unpunished. And remember, even if you don't pull the trigger yourself. It's still enough.” she leans her head back, her husband's lips meet hers in a feather-light kiss. She soaks him in, his warmth, his scent, the taste of him on her tongue. She pulls back, giving him a sad smile “I love you Juan.” he nods, resting his forehead against her he closes his eyes “I love you too Joy.” they both head for the door as her father joins them not a minute later. Heading for the bikes she is slowly, brick by brick locking away her worry, her pain, the image of Opie as well goes behind that wall. She knew this would be a touchy one. She had to remain level headed because from the faraway look in half the guy's eyes she knew level heads would be hard to come by today.

Time Jump

As they pull up she feels an off sense of deja vu like she had been here before at some point, standing she makes sure her guns are strapped tight and her small bag on her back isn't flying off at some point. Walking over she catches the tail end of Jax's and the prospects conversation. “....there are bikes in the back. Tricked out shit.” She arches a brow, another biker gang. She starts heading towards the club, ignoring the rest of the club as they call for her in low whispers. Fuck this pussyfooting she wanted answers, making her way around the club she curses violently at the sight of the bikes before her, Jax and the others aren't too far behind when they catch sight of the bright orange bike, Grim Bastards. It would fucking have to be them wouldn't it, nothing could be fucking simple. She moves past the bikes and into the club, she is halfway to the bar when she is spotted by T.O. She quickly slaps a grin on her face as he and his men make their way towards her and the other son's. “Well if it isn't the Princess of Samcro. What brings you to our side of town?” she lets him pull her into a hug, letting him say hello to Jax and the others. Feeling Juan's arm slip under her cut she leans into his hand, trying to draw some sense of comfort as Jax's speaks to T.O. “I'm looking for someone. Guy called Randall Hightower.” T.O’s face goes from Civil to hard in seconds, she narrows her eyes as he replies flatly “Why you looking for him?” she moves to stand next to Jax, her arms crossed over her chest “He killed Opie when they were in County. I don't like the look on your face T. Spill.” the man before her starts to fidget, almost two years with Bikers you learn they don't like to see an angry woman or be the blockade in front of one “He hired us to protect him. I didn't know it was from you.” she smirks as Tig rests his arm on her shoulder he leans forward to speak “Well, we'll be buying out your contract as of now.” something else is up, she arches a brow as T refuses to meet her or Jax's eyes “ Ain't that simple. He's my cousin. We came up together.”

She is about to open her mouth to raise hell when it decides to break loss without her, she hears someone shout Randall and gunshots, she is yanked down to the ground by Tig, his body shielding hers as three shots rang out she shoots up, catching sight of the large man going out the side door. Cursing she shakes off Tig as he tries to grab her and she books it for the front door, Jax and Bobby not far behind. She is standing in the road when she hears the sound of tires, seeing a Blue SUV she starts shooting, Jax standing at her side as they rain gunfire. They are both yanked from the street by Chibs as Randell almost hits them, she tries to aim for his tires but she gets the back passage door as he knocks into one of the guy's bikes, causing them to domino into one another. She screams her rage to the sky as she stands at Jax side, she combs her hands through her hair as her Husband runs to her side. She waves him off, she needed a second, moves back a few steps, his eyes watching her closely as she pulls the now empty clips from her guns to replace them. She finally looks up at Juan, walking over she grabs his jaw, yanking him down she presses a hard kiss to his lips before quickly pulling away. “I need to keep this anger a little longer. I love you.” he nods, grabbing the wrist of the hand holding his face he yanks her hand off of his face to kiss the back of it before running off to check up with the others.

She is starting off in the distance as the sons and bastards crowd around each other she can hear the guilt in T’s voice. “we had no idea Randy was involved in Ope's death, man.” she grinds her teeth as Jax shouts, looking to her a child in every sense “Well, now you know! Where do we find him?” she watches T scrubs a hand over his mouth, a look of remote washes over his face like a flash before he locks it down. “He's blood, man. I can't just turn him over. There's gotta be something we can work out.” she finally has enough when Jax practically screeches, his arms flailing “ Like what, bro?! How are we gonna make this right?!” pushing off the wall she plants her hand on the center of the tall blonde man's chest, walking him back as she walks forward. “Give us a sec T.” She gets a few feet away and shoves harshly, Jax's glares down at her as Tig hisses through his teeth “Well, isn't this just a bunch of bullshit. Let's just find Fat Albert and cave his skull in.” She turns her glare to her father when he speaks his agreement “Second that.” both of her hands reach out to smack both men's heads with a satisfying thud. “Both of you chicken heads shut your holes. All your doing is feeding into the frenzy this albino gorilla in front of me is currently in.” turning her gaze back up to Jax “Don't act like your the only fucking person here to take a much-owed pound of flesh. The only difference between us at the current moment is I'm thinking through my anger and none of you assholes are. So please get on my fucking level or leave.” Bobby stands at her side, his hand on her arm as he talks “Kids right. For 20 years we have had relationships with these people. The Grim Bastards have always backed us, always. Maybe we need to look for a compromise.”

She curls her lip as Jax's shoulders by her, she had no issues calling anyone out on their bullshit, he should know that by now. Turning she stands towards the back with Juan and her father as they return to the Bastards “There was a couple of other guys with your cousin when they took out Opie. Why don't you let us talk to them? We'll get those names, throw him a beating, but we'll let him live.” T’s eyes move between her and Bobby, he knew at one point she had been VP, she knew what he was asking. Keep Jax honest. She nods and T locks eyes with Jax once more “All right. I'll track him down. I'll let you know.” she lets the tension drain from her shoulders, leaning back against the brick wall she slides down to sit, pulling out her pack of cigs she lights one, sliding her sunglasses on she watches Jax take off with a shake of her head. He saw Opie die, him, Chibs and Tiggy saw the whole damn thing so she could understand to a degree the rage. But Opie wouldn't want this club to go down in flames because of his death. She would keep her promise if it fucking killed her.

She doesn't look over as two bodies move to sit down on either side of her, she keeps her gaze straight even as Tigs head comes to rest on her shoulder, his curls brushing her cheek. “Going to Ignore us forever kid?” she leans her head on top of Tigs, a sad smile on her face as Chibs does the same to her other shoulder. “Not forever.” She hears Chibs light another Cig as she tosses the butt of hers into the street. “We understand where you're coming from lass. We know you made a promise to Op. But you need to understand where we are coming from.” She lifts her head, sliding her glasses a little down her nose she turns to look at Chibs as he gazes off to the side. She feels Tig grab her hand, playing with her rings and nails, her heart clinches as it reminds her of Able. “We saw that giant bastard open Opies skull with a lead pipe lass. While we banged on the glass until our knuckles went numb and bloody each one of us left a part of us in the dark, dank room with Op.” She swipes at her cheeks below her glasses, not looking away when he lowers his glasses to lock eyes with her. “Don't Judge us too harshly for what we do as the half men we currently are. We need you girl, more than you know to guide us.” she nods, licking her suddenly dry lips “Your my boys. I'll always guide you. But you make it so hard sometimes.” She closes her eyes when Chibs kisses the side of her head before he stands. Looking up at him she sees he is grinning down at her “We wouldn't be yours if it was meant to be easy.” watching Chibs walk off she raises her none captured hand to come through Tigs wild curls, her eyes finding her husband across the street. His eyes watching her from the shade, he tilts his head, she knew he was asking if she was ok, she nods, a small smile on her face. Now all they had to do was wait.

And the wait wasn't long, apparently, Jax had gone to meet with Pope about Charming Heights and got a nice tidbit of information out of the meeting as well. The boatyard, that's where Randell was hiding. Part of her was suspicious of how Pope knew that but she had come to realize this was Pope's town, they knew charming like the back of their hand, makes sense he would know his turf. Pulling up to the boatyard she sees the bastards bikes lined up near the car Randell almost ran her and Jax down with. Pulling her helmet off she sees T.O heading their way, a look of guilt and shock on his face. Standing next to Jax she arches a brow as T.O speaks “How did you know we were here?” she watches Jax as he replies “A friend. You remember what those are? Don't you?” oh please. Enough with the melodramatics, she sighs “Where is he T?” the man looks down at her, his shoulders slumped a bit “I'm trying Joy. I can't convince him that you won't kill him. I talked to him about Opie. The order was from Pope to take out the guys in county. The guards grabbed Randell for his size it was the guards who set up that kill. You know what it's like to be hired muscle joy.”

She did, you don't ask questions, do what needs to be done to survive. But she wasn't Prez or VP anymore, she had no say in what happened today. She feels a hand on her shoulder as Tig speaks over her head “so who were the other guys.” T doesn't look away from her as he replies, she knew he was trying to appeal to her better nature, but honestly, after her talk with Chibs and Tig, she didn't know how she felt. “He didn't even know them.” Jax, sensing her unease stand a little in front of her breaking T’s line of sight with her “Let us hear that from him.” T sighs, his chin meeting his chest as he scrubs a hand over his bald head in frustration. Looking back up at Jax he replies “I need your word.” She places her hand on Jax back, he back was like stone under her hand, hard and unmoved as he replies “Yeah. Sure.”

She follows behind Jax as T leads them down to the boats, a flash of red makes her look up. She curses a Randell makes a run for the building, she is shoving past the guys as T yells for his cousin to stop. She shoves the two Grim members who had been with Randell to the side as they try to slow her down. He wasn't getting away again if she could help it, she pulls out her Glock as they make it inside. Seeing Randall aiming at her and the guys she shouts “Put that shit down!”

The taller man yells back “Back off your trying to kill me!” she curls her lip as Jax moves to her side, his gun aimed “No man we just want to talk to you.” she nods, lowering her gun slightly she lets T pass her “They gave me their word Randell. They want info, not your life. Put the gun down man.” she watches him put the gun on the floor, keeping hers in her hand she walks over slowly, her eyes on his hands as he bends down to grab it from the floor. Handing it off to T. She watches Chibs and Jax as they stand next to the giant of a man. “Who else killed our friend?” she feels Tig move to her side, he needed to be closer to this. She got that, Randell sighs “One guy, his name was Aldo. Smith, I think. Other guys, I just knew their first name. Vox and Mace. That's all I know. I swear.” they had names, that was enough for her to do a search, she sees Chibs say something to Jax but she can't make out what. She feels Tigs hand on her arm as she watches Chibs move behind Randell his silences gun blowing out the back of Randells head. She can't process as guns are drawn, she aims both of hers at T, moving away from Tig she stands between T.O’s gun and Chibs and Jax, he wanted them dead he would have to mow her down first. “Jesus Christ! What is this shit? Jax, you gave me your word, man!” she can feel the heat coming off Jax in waves as he places his hand on her shoulder, moving around her to face T on his own “And so did you. You said you were gonna deliver him. You didn't.” everything is still for a moment, she can hear everyone breathing for a solid minute before T lowers his gun, she goes as well. She feels a flood of cold in the pit of her stomach as T speaks to Jax “Who the hell are you?”

She doesn't know how they got back to their bikes, she is digging around in her backpack once she finds what she needs she forces Chibs to sit on his bike so they are level with each other as she wipes the blood from his face with napkins she keeps for situations like this. She didn't know how she felt yet about what they had done, the bond that was now broken between the Grim Bastards and SamCro. But she knew, right now at this moment that she needed to make sure her family was ok. Once the blood was all gone she grabs a lighter and sets it on fire, no evidence. She doesn't say anything as they all get on their bikes, what can anyone say in a moment like this? The ride back was smooth and quick, her mind never stopped moving, even when they made it back. She feels Juan at her side as he wraps an arm around her, his lips kissing her temple as she watches Bobby chase down Jax “Jax. Jax wait!” she sees Jax turn to Bobby as the group catches up to them she hears what Bobby is saying “You just shit on two decades of brotherhood. What you did back there was wrong. And it hurts all of us.” Jax looks off in the distance for a moment, his eyes lost in something before he turns to Bobby with a new focus “You know, you might be right, but you didn't see the pleasure in that animal's face when he caved in Opie's skull! We did!” she gets between the two men, her hands on Jax's chest, making him look down at her and not focus on Bobby, she tilts her head towards the picnic table and Jax goes without a word. She feels Bobby move around her to head into the clubhouse.

Staying where she was, she breathes deeply to shake the Image Jax painted when he yelled. Her heart still broke for her living men, no one should see a friend die, let alone the way Opie went out. she sees a mass of black leather come into her eyesight, she glances up at Tig as he pats her shoulder before looking past her to Jax “I'll go talk to him.” everyone files inside, her husband and father included. She might not be VP anymore but she refused to leave Jax's side like this, he was still her brother. Turning she sees Chibs and Jax watching her, she slowly walks over to the little bit of space left on Chibs side and straddles the bench so she can see them both clearly. As Chibs pulls a pack of Ciggs from his pocket she holds out her lighter to him as he speaks “We did what we had to do, Jackie.” He turns to her as he hands her lighter back once he lights his cigg “I know your off balance lass but you know it had to be done.” she nods, she knew it did but the way it happened could have been better. Jax leans forward, he elbows coming to rest on his knees as he looks between the both of them “I know. Things are gonna get bloody, guys. I'm not sure if Bobby's gonna be able to roll with that. I need to know that I have you both in my corner. I need you both or I'll get lost.”

Her eyes well as she stares at her club brother, Chibs stands seeming to tumble through his own thoughts before tossing his half finish cigg way and turns back to Jax “I've always been there, and I always will. Come here.” she watches Chibs as he stares Jax in the face hard for a moment as he stands before the older man. “I love you, kid. Understand?” Jax nods as Chibs grabs his face, kissing his cheek and bumping his head against the younger man he turns to her, holding his hand out she grabs hold, letting him pull her to her feet she crashes into his side as he wraps an arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head. “I love you to girl. I'm gonna get cleaned up.” She pats his back and watches him head inside. Turning to Jax she sees him watching her, turning to face him she gives him a tired grin, her hand coming up to cup his cheek. Watching a very small smile appear to match hers she pats his cheek roughly. “I want to be angry but I can't because I have no idea what you all saw that day in county. It changed something in the three of you I might never understand. But I'm not going to duck and run. I love you all too fucking much to do that. You all will break my heart more times then I'm going to be able to count I get that now, but I will always be right here for you. To yell, to comfort and nurse you idiots. Don't doubt that brother.” he nods, yanking her forward by her cut he holds her tight for a moment, his cheek rested on the top of her head. They would make it through this shit she refused to let it happen any other way.

Later that night

After her talk with Jax, she had buckled down at the shop for a few hours to lighten the load for the next day. Gemma had been around more which helped tremendously, she hoped this was the first steps of Gemma getting her shit together. She had told Juan to head home when he was done and she would meet him there, she needed to drop of her statement to Roosevelt at the police station before heading home and honestly that had been just as draining as she had thought it was going to be. It had gone from running in to drop of her statement to sitting down and going through it and honestly she was tired of having to remember it and picking at it. She was ready to move on. Pulling up to the house she felt her body already losing some of the tension as she sees the porch light on and the living room light shining through the break in her dark curtains. Getting off her bike she makes her way to the door, opening it she expects to find her husband on the couch, asleep or playing one of his many games but when he isn't there she is surprised. She hears the sound of sunny claws on the wood floor, kneeling she wraps her arms around the excited pit with a grin. She scratches his head with both hands as she speaks softly to him. “Hey, my handsome boy. Sorry I haven't been hanging with you much. I'll bring you to work one day this week. Get you out and about. Deal?” she holds her open palm out to him, giggling when he hands her his paw, pressing a kiss to his head she narrows her eyes as she looks around. “Wanna help me find daddy? Sniff him out for me boy.”

She grins when the pup licks her cheek and takes off for the backdoor. Putting her stuff on the side table by the door and sliding off her boots she follows. Seeing the fairy lights on she pushes open the door, letting sunny charge into the yard to play for a minute, when she turns she sees her husband at the outside table, food covered and a smile on his face. She had to bite her lip to stop the wave of emotion as he stands, making his way over to her, she curls herself into his chest as he wraps his arms around her. She inhales deeply as the scent of his body wash swarms her, her hands move to grip his shirt on both sides. “I got your text about being held up with Eli. Thought I would go ahead to do the cooking and did the laundry for you.” she tilts her head back she smiles up at him. “I can tell I'm married because the words ‘I cooked and did laundry’ got me weak in the knees.” he chuckles and shakes his head, looking down he sees Sunny at their feet, letting her go he kneels down and pets over sunny’s head as the panting dog licks his cheek. “Dinner time pup.” he looks up at her as he continues “Food is still hot. Finished about ten minutes before you pulled up. So all we need is drinks, grab those while I feed him?” she grins, grabbing his face as he moves to stand she pulls him closer, pressing her lips against his she melts into him as he yanks her closer. Pulling back he grins, his brow kicked up “What was that for? Not that I'm complaining.” She smiles, her hands rubbing his shirt covered sides “For being up handsome. Just for being you.” His smile losses the teasing edge as he stares at her, leaning his head down he kisses her forehead before turning to go into the house. She saw the raw emotion before he did though, her husband still wasn't used to being praised, but until the day she died, she would get him used to it.

AN: Hope you liked it. Let me know your thoughts and I'll see you next time.

#A Song For You #juice ortiz x oc #juice ortiz #ofc #happy lowman #Jax Teller #Clay Morrow #tig trager #chibs telford #bobby munson #gemma teller

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dailynewswebsite · 4 years ago

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Lincoln Project’s anti-Trump ads show power of biting satire

If he's laughing, it's most likely not on the Lincoln Challenge's satire. AP Picture/Ross D. Franklin

The narrator in a current Lincoln Challenge advert tells listeners, “In six months, COVID-19 has killed extra Individuals than any illness in 100 years. Donald Trump lied about it, rejected science, and nonetheless has no plan to avoid wasting Individuals.”

The narrator tells listeners that, in contrast to Trump, Democratic challenger Joe Biden has a plan for the virus, whereas a second voice, within the background, reads the names of a few of those that have died of the coronavirus.

The advert ends with the narrator saying, “On November 3, vote like your life is dependent upon it.”

The Lincoln Challenge’s ‘Names’ advert makes use of components of satire to extend its impact on viewers.

The adverts, which air on tv and on-line, have been created by the Lincoln Challenge, a political motion committee based by longtime Republican strategists and staffers, together with Steve Schmidt, who ran John McCain’s 2008 presidential marketing campaign; Rick Wilson, advert maker for politicians Rudy Giuliani and John Kasich; and George Conway, legal professional and husband of Trump loyalist Kellyanne Conway.

The PAC has spent US$28 million – most of that cash on adverts – to defeat Trump, who, it says, has destroyed GOP rules and, within the course of, is destroying America. The adverts painting Trump as unfit for the presidency – a draft dodger who calls troopers who died in wars “losers.”

I’ve written a e book on editorial cartooning and served as a Pulitzer Prize decide within the class of editorial cartooning. As a scholar of satire, I’m not inquisitive about whether or not the Lincoln Challenge movies are good politics or unhealthy politics; I’m inquisitive about whether or not they’re good satire.

They’re.

This Lincoln Challenge advert makes use of sarcasm and mock.

Satire is a harmful artwork

Satire is the usage of ridicule, sarcasm and irony to assault or expose the vices and follies of society. Satirists see themselves on the surface of society, trying in at an unjust or immoral world with mean-spirited, corrupt or inept leaders.

Efficient satire should resonate with readers in a approach that’s intimate, private and sometimes uncomfortable. A satirist desires the reader to grimace or howl at his or her description of a politician’s deadly flaws, and never chuckle comfortably as when watching a “Saturday Night time Dwell” character parodying a politician.

An instance of fine satire that’s an exception to the common “Saturday Night time Dwell” sample of ridicule can be Tina Fey’s spoof of Sarah Palin, which was meant to mock John McCain’s 2008 working mate as wholly insufficient for the job of being vp.

The satiric custom contains historic writers like Aristophanes and Horace; distinguished writers of previous centuries like Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain and “Doonesbury” cartoonist Garry Trudeau; in addition to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s televised depictions of right-wing excesses.

Tina Fey’s portrayal of Sarah Palin on ‘Saturday Night time Dwell’ was glorious satire.

A satirist takes his or her sense of indignation and tries to shake the viewers out of its sense of futility or indifference to confront the injustice.

Hitting the mark

For satire to be efficient, it should assault somebody or one thing that’s readily identifiable. This usually contains utilizing somebody’s personal phrases to make a idiot out of them – because the Lincoln Challenge adverts usually do with Trump. One solution to measure satire’s effectiveness is within the response of the particular person being satirized.

The adverts actually struck a nerve with Trump, who referred to as the Lincoln Challenge “the Losers Challenge.”

If Trump meant to break the venture, it backfired. The group acquired $2 million in donations within the two days after his remark, which additionally impressed the creation of extra adverts that have been designed to poke enjoyable particularly at him.

Enjoying off his bragging of getting the “most loyal folks” working for him, one advert quotes John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of workers, calling Trump “an fool”; Rex Tillerson, the previous secretary of state, calling Trump “a f—ing moron”; and John Bolton, the previous nationwide safety adviser, saying, “I don’t suppose he’s match for workplace.”

One other advert focused navy households and veterans, exhibiting American troopers carrying the flag-draped coffin of one in every of their fallen comrades whereas the narrator reads out the phrases Trump has used to explain troopers: “losers,” “suckers,” “dopes” and “infants.”

The Lincoln Challenge adverts have occupied the eye of the information media. The New Yorker and “60 Minutes” have printed current tales on the PAC, selling its goal to defeat Trump.

Promoting Age reported that the adverts have turn out to be a sensation in the course of the 2020 marketing campaign. One advert, referred to as “Hospital,” opens with a picture of a affected person in a hospital mattress that then shortly fades to black as we hear the beep of a coronary heart monitor. There isn’t a narrator. The phrases on the display say, “A demise from COVID is the loneliest demise possible.”

The advert finishes by linking the accountability for these deaths to Trump with the next phrases: “Over 200,000 Individuals have misplaced their lives to COVID. We might have stopped it. His mendacity is killing us. We’ve got to cease it. Vote him out.”

The Lincoln Challenge makes use of lots of the similar methods of satire, however provides them a totally fashionable chew by utilizing slick videography. The adverts go viral on social media to audiences that won’t watch tv adverts.

The Lincoln Challenge attacked Trump’s dealing with of the coronavirus pandemic.

One Lincoln Challenge advert was posted after Trump was identified with the coronavirus. The advert criticizes Trump for reportedly infecting staffers as a result of he refused to put on a surgical masks and he mocked those that did. The advert, referred to as “Covita,” reveals a montage of a maskless Trump at White Home features as a singer delivers a parody of the phrases from “Evita”:

“Don’t cry for me, White Home staffers. The reality is, I’ll infect you. All by my tweeting, my mad existence. I broke my promise. Received’t hold my distance.”

The Lincoln Challenge could or not accomplish its goal to defeat Trump on Nov. 3. Nevertheless it already has made a contribution to the custom of political satire.

[Insight, in your inbox each day. You can get it with The Conversation’s email newsletter.]

Chris Lamb doesn’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or organisation that might profit from this text, and has disclosed no related affiliations past their tutorial appointment.

from Growth News https://growthnews.in/lincoln-projects-anti-trump-ads-show-power-of-biting-satire/ via https://growthnews.in

#Growth News

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thisdaynews · 6 years ago

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‘Big moment’: Trump waltzes into North Korea

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/big-moment-trump-waltzes-into-north-korea/

‘Big moment’: Trump waltzes into North Korea

HE DID IT … ANITA KUMARinSEOUL — “Trump takes historic step into North Korea with Kim Jong Un”:“President Donald Trump on Sunday took a step no other sitting American president had before, crossing into North Korea with its leader, Kim Jong Un — a theatrical gesture meant to kick start stalled nuclear negotiations between the two countries. …

“It was a made-for-TV moment for the reality show-groomed presidentthat unfolded at the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Trump approached the border from the south, while Kim approached from the north. The two met at the line demarcating the two countries, grinned and shook hands.

“‘It is good to see you again,’Kim said through an interpreter. ‘I never expected to meet you in this place.’

“‘Big moment,’ Trump said.‘Big progress.’

“Trump said Kim then asked him if he would like to cross into North Korea.Trump said he would be honored and walked about 20 steps into the country.”POLITICO…32-second video

— WAPO’S SEUNG MIN KIMinPANMUNJOM,withSIMON DENYERinSEOUL: “Trump becomes first sitting president to set foot into North Korea”

— WHAT IT MEANS:It’s hard to imagine any other president taking a bold step like this, let alone warmly embrace a third-generation tyrant who starves and imprisons his own people. But Trump has silenced the doubters within his own party, while Democrats have largely embraced his diplomatic efforts with Kim because they’d rather he try that than threaten ye olde fire and fury.

It remains to be seen,of course, whether Kim is simply using Trump to advance his own agenda, or whether he genuinely believes, as he said today, “we want to bring an end to the unpleasant past and try to create a new future.” Even Trump sometimes seems aware of this; as he put it, “It’s just a step. It might be an important step, it might not.”

Trump also said, per pooler Jerome Cartillier of AFP,that he “would certainly extend the invite” to Kim Jong Un to the White House. Even with real progress on denuclearization — which we haven’t seen yet — that would probably be too much for most members of Congress.Pic of Trump and Kim at the border

ONE THING WE NOTICED: IVANKA TRUMP,the president’s daughter and adviser, has been much more prominent on this trip. She was seen hobnobbing with the likes of IMF chief Christine Lagarde at the G-20 in Osaka, gave an official White House readout, promoted her Women’s Global Development and Prosperity initiative and delivered a few remarks to troops at Osan Air Base. She also apparently crossed into North Korea with her husband Jared Kushner, a brief visit she described as “surreal.”

TRUMPhas now left Seoul aboard Air Force One, per the White House pool, headed for home.

— @realDonaldTrump:“Leaving South Korea after a wonderful meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un. Stood on the soil of North Korea, an important statement for all, and a great honor!”

Good Sunday morning.Blake Hounshell and Daniel Lippman here.

THE PRESIDENT’S WEEK AHEAD – MONDAY:Trump has lunch with VP Mike Pence.THURSDAY:Trump delivers remarks at the Salute to America on July 4th.FRIDAY:Trump travels to Bedminster, N.J.

2020 WATCH … THE KAMALA BUMP— viaSteve Shepard:“New polling from Morning Consult, conducted starting at the end of the debate Thursday night and running through all of Friday, now has Kamala Harris in a dead heat for third place with Elizabeth Warren. Both senators are at 12 percent, behind only Joe Biden (33 percent) and Bernie Sanders (19 percent). It’s only a roughly day-long chunk of Morning Consult’s weekly tracking of the Democratic primary, and the next full update won’t be available until Tuesday morning.

“But, compared to the results from the weekending June 23, the post-debate data show Biden losing 5 points, while Harris had gained 6 points. Sanders and Warren were mostly steady, but there is a red flag for Bernie: He was the only major candidate to see a significant drop in his favorability, according to Morning Consult.”

— KAMALA’S MONEY MACHINE— Our colleagueChris Cadelagoemails: “Kamala Harris, capitalizing on her debate-defining confrontation with Joe Biden, raised more than $425,000 over 24 hours at a series of fundraisers across California. Biden was also in the state raising money.

“Racing to meet the second quarter deadline today,Harris’ campaign raisedanother $2 million onlinein the first day after the debate, exceeding the $1.5 million she took in during the first day of launching her bid.”

—NYT’s Annie KarniandJeremy W. Peters:“Privately, people close to the White House said they viewed Ms. Harris as ‘very dangerous’ and the hands-down winner of the debate on Thursday. Others said they hoped the debate would serve as a warning for Republicans — including those in the president’s inner circle — who have been too dismissive of Mr. Biden’s less seasoned rivals.”NYT

SUNDAY BEST — SEN. CORY BOOKER(D-N.J.) onBIDENtoCHUCK TODDon NBC’s“MEET THE PRESS”:“We have seen from the vice president over the last month is an inability to talk candidly about the mistakes he made, about things he could’ve done better, about how some of the decisions he made at the time in difficult context actually have resulted in really bad outcomes. And this, this bad culture where you can’t admit mistakes, when you can’t speak to your vulnerabilities and your imperfections; we all have them.

“But when it comes to difficult issues of race,if you can’t talk openly and honestly about your own development on these issues, I think it’s very hard to lead our country forward so that we can actually deal with our past and rise to a better common cause and common future. We have one destiny in this nation and right now the Vice President to me is not doing a good job at bringing folks together. In fact, and I’ve heard this from people across the country, he’s causing a lot of frustration and even pain with his words.”

— BOOKERalso toldCHUCK TODDthat he doesn’t know if Biden is “up to the task” on racial issues.

— LARRY KUDLOWon China talks resuming — he spoke toCHRIS WALLACEon“FOX NEWS SUNDAY”:“Resuming the talks, as the President said continuing the talks which had been interrupted for a while is a very big deal. I think that’s the banner headline from this and I think everybody’s going to be pleased at that. No promises, no deal made, there’s no timetable I want to emphasize that as the President said several times this is about the quality of the deal there’s no time table, there’s no rush.”

— JULIAN CASTROspoke toGEORGE STEPHANOPOULOSon ABC’s“THIS WEEK”— on the Trump-Kim meeting: “Well look, I am all for speaking with our adversaries, but what’s happened here is that this president has raised the profile of a dictator like Kim Jong-un and now three times visited with him unsuccessfully because he’s doing it backward. Usually what happens, as you know, George, is that there’s an intense amount of staff work that goes into negotiating how one of these talks is going to go so that you can hopefully get something out of it.

“We haven’t gotten anything out of it.And after they had the first summit, the Singapore summit, he told the American people that North Korea was no longer a threat. Then after that, they continued to test their nuclear weapons and they have not even abided by one of the commitments that they made originally, which was to give an inventory of their nuclear stockpile.”

— SEN. LINDSAY GRAHAM (R-S.C.)toldMARGARET BRENNANof CBS’ “Face the Nation” that people “underestimate Joe Biden at your own peril” but said he has “got to up his game” before the next Democratic debate.Excerpt

— SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR(D-Minn.) on the border bill toBRIANNA KEILARon CNN’s“STATE OF THE UNION”(@CNNSotu): “‘I would have much preferred the House version and continuing to negotiate … but it is important to get the aid right now to the border and to these kids.’ Sen. @amyklobuchar, on Congress passing a $4.6 billion border bill.”Video

AN ODD BIDEN MOMENT … ‘5 YEARS AGO’? —Via pooler Jim Brunner of the Seattle Times, at a fundraising event in the home of public relations executive Roger Nyhus, a major progressive bundler:

“He suggested public sentiment has come far on gay rightsissues in a short period of time, saying 5 years ago, if someone at a business meeting in Seattle ‘made fun of a gay waiter’ people would just let it go.

“The audience vocally pushed back at that,saying ‘Not in Seattle!’ Others said such comments wouldn’t have gone unchallenged much longer back than 5 years.

“Biden said times have changed,so that ‘Today, that person would not be invited back’ after making homophobic comments.”

— DAN DIAMOND (@ddiamond):“Back in 2014, Biden told a similar story about gay waiters, although he set the scene 15 years earlier — back in 1999.”What Biden said then

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS(I-Vt.) spoke to NPR’s Scott Detrow and New Hampshire Public Radio’s Josh Rogers for the NPR Politics Podcast: “Voter turnout has got to be more and more young people, more and more working class people, more lower-income people, who traditionally do not get involved. But you’re not going to have that turnout unless the candidate has issues that excite people and energize people.

“That means you have to be talking about Medicare-for-all.You have to be talking about raising the minimum wage to a living wage of $15 an hour. You have to be talking about making public colleges and universities tuition-free, and canceling student debt. You’ve got to be talking about climate change and a bold response to the planetary crisis.”NPR

POLITICO MAG’S TIM ALBERTAinMIAMI: “Unhappy with Their 2016 Coronation, the Democrats Start a 2020 Circus

WHAT THE E-RING IS READING … BRYAN BENDER: “Pentagon study: Russia outgunning U.S. in race for global influence”:“The U.S. is ill-equipped to counter the increasingly brazen political warfare Russia is waging to undermine democracies, the Pentagon and independent strategists warn in a detailed assessment that happens to echo much bipartisan criticism of President Donald Trump’s approach to Moscow.

“The more than 150-page white paper,prepared for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and shared with POLITICO,says the U.S. is still underestimating the scope of Russia’s aggression, which includes the use of propaganda and disinformation to sway public opinion across Europe, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America. The study also points to the dangers of a growing alignment between Russia and China, which share a fear of the United States’ international alliances and an affinity for ‘authoritarian stability.’

“Its authors contend that disarray at home is hampering U.S. efforts to respond— saying America lacks the kind of compelling ‘story’ it used to win the Cold War.”The white paper

SCOTUS WATCH … WAPO’S ROBERT BARNES: “They’re not ‘wonder twins’: Gorsuch, Kavanaugh shift the Supreme Court, but their differences are striking”:“According to data compiled by Adam Feldman, who runs the website Empirical SCOTUS, [Neil] Gorsuch and [Brett] Kavanaugh have disagreed more than any pair of new justices chosen by the same president in decades.

“Kavanaugh was about as likely to be in sync with his liberal seatmate Elena Kaganas his fellow conservative Gorsuch, Feldman’s research shows.”

YIKES — “Venezuelan Navy Captain Accused of Rebellion Dies After Signs of Torture,”by NYT’s Anatoly Kurmanaev in Caracas: “A Venezuelan Navy captain accused by the government of plotting a rebellion has died in custody a week after his arrest, underlining President Nicolás Maduro’s increasingly ferocious repression campaign amid a spiraling economic crisis. The captain, Rafael Acosta, is the first of more than 100 active and retired Venezuelan officers jailed by the government on treason charges to die in custody after allegations of torture. … [H]is lawyer, Alonso Medina Roa. Captain Acosta … said the captain had been detained in good health.”NYT

FOR JARED … NYT: “Palestinian Who Attended Trump-Backed Bahrain Conference Is Arrested,”by Isabel Kershner in Jerusalem and Mohammed Najib in Ramallah: “About a dozen Palestinian businessmen defied the official Palestinian boycott of the Trump administration’s economic conference in Bahrain last week. Once there, most of them tried to maintain a low profile and keep their names out of the news media.

“The delegation returned to the West Bank on Thursday.But officers of the Palestinian Authority’s General Intelligence Service arrested one of them, Saleh Abu Mayala, on Friday night as he was walking from his car to his home in the West Bank city of Hebron … Mr. Abu Mayala was later released, Jason D. Greenblatt, the White House’s special Mideast envoy, said in a post on Twitter.”NYT

NAHAL TOOSI, “How Trump’s ‘weaponized’ use of foreign aid is backfiring”:“Aid groups working in Venezuela are eager to receive planeloads of humanitarian assistance from the United States, hoping to alleviate severe food and medicine shortages throughout the country. But many of them don’t want the U.S. label attached to it. President Donald Trump has so closely linked U.S. humanitarian assistance to his attempt to oust Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro — even placing goods along the country’s border as an incentive for Venezuelans to revolt — that some groups are asking U.S. officials if they can strip legally required U.S. branding from aid sent to Venezuela, three aid officials told POLITICO.”POLITICO

RESEARCH DU JOUR — The Atlantic’s Conor Friedersdorf (@conor64):“Overall, the evidence suggests that when a prominent figure apologizes for a controversial statement, the public is either unaffected or becomes more likely to desire that the individual be punished.”The research paper, by Columbia University’s Richard Hanania: “Does Apologizing Work? An Empirical Test of the Conventional Wisdom”

BONUS GREAT WEEKEND READS,curated by Daniel Lippman:

— “How Oxford university shaped Brexit — and Britain’s next prime minister”– FT: “Simon Kuper returns to the place where Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt began their climb.”FT

— “Why Weather Forecasting Keeps Getting Better,”by Hannah Fry in The New Yorker: “The stakes can be so much higher than whether you’ll need an umbrella today.”The New Yorker

— “Marianne’s Faithful,”by Leslie Bennetts in the June 1991 issue of Vanity Fair: “There is a new prophet for the New Age— and she’s no Tammy Faye Bakker. Marianne Williamson is a liberal, Jewish ex-lounge singer from Texas who preaches about Jesus, Jung, and the S&L crisis, and whose supporters—including Bette Midler, David Geffen, Cher, and Shirley MacLaine—raise big bucks for her good works. But, as Leslie Bennetts reports, some wonder if Williamson’s real mission is to shine brighter than the stars who follow her.”VF

— “The Polygamist Accused of Scamming the U.S. Out of $500 Million,”by Jesse Hyde and David Voreacos in Bloomberg Businessweek: “Prosecutors have charged Jacob Kingston, a member in a shadowy Mormon offshoot known as the Order, with collecting a half-billion dollars in biodiesel credits his company didn’t deserve.”Bloomberg Businessweek(hat tip: Longform.org)

— “Tower of Industries,”by Andrew Curry in Columbia Journalism Review: “Axel Springer found a digital identity. Will journalism remain part of it?”CJR

— “Etonians,”by James Wood in the London Review of Books: “Near the end of our time at school, the headmaster instructed us in how we should comport ourselves in the world. The Etonian, he said, is one who can go into any room, mingle with any social group, be at ease and put others at their ease. The Etonian is marked by his air of ‘effortless superiority’. ‘Effortless superiority’ was the ideal. If you aren’t forever performing your superiority but are elegantly obscuring it, you don’t alienate people suspicious of your privilege.”LRB(h/t TheBrowser.com)

— “Irreconcilable Rockefellers,”by Lisa DePaulo in Vanity Fair’s January 2000 issue: “When blonde, virginal Amy Whittlesey, 22-year-old daughter of Reagan’s ambassador to Switzerland, married 39-year-old artist George O’Neill, great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller Jr., it seemed she’d found the perfect combination of father ﬁgure and Prince Charming. Instead, she was headed for years in the gated Wasp enclave of Mountain Lake, in central Florida—and what she describes as a nightmare of inﬁdelity, perversion, and guns that led to her hospitalization for depression.” VF

— “He Cyberstalked Teen Girls for Years — Then They Fought Back,”by Stephanie Clifford in Wired – per Longreads.com’s description: “While a student at Belmont High in Belmont, New Hampshire, Ryan Vallee — under the name of Seth Williamson — would initially befriend teen girls by texting them about their favorite ice cream or the name of their pets. They thought he was been sweet. He was after clues to their social network passwords. His aim? To hack their accounts in a bid to extort them for nude selfies. If he didn’t get what he wanted, his demands escalated.”Wired

— “Yossi and the Mossad,”by Robert Rockaway in Tablet Magazine – per TheBrowser.com’s description: “Interesting if true. A retired Mossad agent recounts some of his adventures in the 1960s and 1970s. They include: Re-routing the plumbing in a Swiss hotel to intercept the waste from Hafez al-Assad’s lavatory; shooting a Swiss banker with ties to the Japanese Red Army; blackmailing an Egyptian newspaper editor; getting a drug smuggler out of a Brazilian prison; and running a jailbreak for himself plus a colleague in Switzerland.”Tablet Magazine

— “Hooked,”by Josh Dean in Bloomberg Businessweek: “A raging heroin addiction fueled a former Boeing engineer’s yearlong, 30-bank robbery spree.”Bloomberg Businessweek

— “‘Start finding me, boys’ — inside the rescue of Lt. Col. Dave Goldfein,”by Stephen Losey in Air Force Times.Air Force Times

— “Blood, Sweat, and Batteries,”by Vivienne Walt and Sebastian Meyer in Fortune in Aug. 2018: “Two-thirds of the world’s cobalt, an essential ingredient in our smartphones and electric cars, comes from one of the planet’s poorest countries. All too often it is mined by children.”Fortune

WEEKEND WEDDINGS — “Lillian Cunningham, Jim Tankersley”— N.Y. Times: “Ms. Cunningham, 35, is a journalist at The Washington Post, where she has created and hosted several podcasts on American history, including ‘Moonrise,’ ‘Presidential’ and ‘Constitutional.’ She graduated with general honors from the University of Chicago, and received a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern. … The groom, 41, is a domestic correspondent in the Washington bureau of The New York Times, where he covers taxes and economic policy. He graduated from Stanford.”With a pic.NYT

–Lauren Ehrsam,director for strategic comms at the NSC and a DOJ alum, on Saturday marriedJason Gorey,COO of the non-profit No One Left Behind. The couple married at Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria, Va. with a reception at Fish Market in Alexandria. The couple were introduced by their mutual friend Scott Weinstein at a masquerade ball.Pic…Another pic

SPOTTED:best man Bobby Panzanbeck, Rod Rosentein and Lisa Barsoomian, Asawin Suebsaeng, Lachlan Markay, Ben Jacobs, Jonathan Swan and Betsy Woodruff, Brian Morgenstern, Tricia McLaughlin, Kelsey Kats, Matt Wolking, Melissa Brown, Juliegrace Brufke, Ashley Pratte, Chris Bedford and Katie Frates, Benny and Katelyn Johnson, Jacob Wood, Jon Nicosia, Sergio Rodriguera Jr., Tommy Joyce and Katelyn Petroka, Gordon James Meek, Lee Ferran, Bill McMorris and Suhail Khan.

— “Elizabeth Paton, James Wise”— N.Y. Times: “The bride, 32, is the Styles correspondent in Europe for The New York Times and is based in the London bureau. She has a master’s degree in English literature from Balliol College, Oxford University. … The groom, 33, is a partner in Balderton Capital, a venture capital firm in London, and a founder of the Social Business Trust, a London-based charity. He received a master’s degree in politics, philosophy and economics at Christ Church, Oxford University.”With a pic.NYT

REMEMBERING LUIS ALVAREZ — “Former NYPD detective and 9/11 first responder Luis Alvarez dead at 53,”by N.Y. Post’s Eileen AJ Connelly: “Luis Alvarez, an NYPD detective who suffered from cancer brought on by his time at Ground Zero — died Saturday, nearly three weeks after joining comedian Jon Stewart in a moving plea to Congress to replenish the fund for 9/11 victims. The 53-year-old retired Bomb Squad officer was scheduled to start his 69th round of chemo the next day — but his doctors said his liver shut down and there was nothing more they could do.”NYP

BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: Kyle Plotkin,COS for Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), is 37.Trends he thinks deserves more attention:“Two issues. The first is very on brand and on message for my current job: Addiction to our phones and apps. Technology is a gift and a curse. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a luddite by any means. I try every new app that’s introduced and I think technology can help our society, but it’s also omnipresent in our lives and we don’t unplug often enough. The second is school lunches. Access to healthy, fresh food is a luxury, but school lunches are increasingly processed. This is an area that needs more mainstream attention and disruption.”Q&A

BIRTHDAYS:Adam Kennedy, W.H. research director and deputy assistant to the president –profile(h/t Andy Hemming) … former IRS Commissioner John Koskinen is 8-0 … The Atlantic’s David Frum is 59 (h/t Tim Mak) … Alina Selyukh, NPR business correspondent … former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) is 6-0 (h/t Tim Griffin) … Brian Stewart, media relations director and comms manager at MoveOn.org … Paul Cheung, director of journalism and tech innovation at the Knight Foundation … John Legittino, CEO of Advoc8 … Kara Wheeler, director of political affairs at MetLife, is 32 … Dov Hikind is 69 …

… Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk… Uber’s Evangeline George … Zack Christenson … Dan Judy of North Star Opinion Research … Laura Turanchik … Bob McBarton … Josefina Carbonell … Robyn Shapiro … Ward Carroll of the U.S. Naval Institute … photographer Gregory Beals … Chevron’s Will Cappelletti … Jake Stafford … Tatiana Kotlyarenko … Montana State Rep. Ellie Boldman-Hill Smith … Douglas Waller is 7-0 … Elizabeth Blackney … Roxanne Conlin is 75 … Alexandra Acker-Lyons, president of AL Advising … Dan Leistikow … Kenzie Bok … Norm Sterzenbach (h/ts Teresa Vilmain)

Anna Palmer @apalmerdc

Jake Sherman @JakeSherman

Daniel Lippman @dlippman

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persuadedproject-blog · 8 years ago

Text

Chapter 14

When Anne had re-entered the Elliot household, there was one thing that would have made her more relieved than seeing Sam’s renewed interest in her sister: finding her father far away from the charms of Liz’s friend, Penny. After a few hours in the house, she felt uneasy about it. There was nothing specific Anne could put her finger on, just a sampling of looks that lasted a moment too long, and the churning that started in her mind whenever she watched them together. The senator was not the sort of person any more to fall in love, but he was an easy target for infatuation, if his ego could benefit. The morning after Anne arrived, before stepping out into the open for breakfast, she hesitated in the shelter of her small hallway.

She thought she had caught her name in Penny’s voice. Something about her being concerned about staying in a big bedroom while Anne was in the small room downstairs only meant for weekend guests, and how she did not want to overstay her welcome. Liz said in a stage whisper,

“There is no reason for you to go. I promise I don’t think there’s any reason at all. You should never feel uncomfortable, just because Anne’s here now. She’s nothing to me, compared with you.”

“You can’t go yet, Penny!” the senator added. “You haven’t really seen the area, or met anyone who’s anyone yet.” At this point Anne stepped into the open, met vaguely by a short nod from the speaker. “You’ve only been here to work, and you’ve gotten almost no leisure time. You can’t just run away from us now. We’re just discovering the beauties of this place, even though it isn’t exactly in the center of things. And I know you, with your mind, appreciate the aesthetically pleasing things.” His spoke with such unusual earnestness that Anne was not surprised Penny stole quick, almost watchful glances at Liz and herself. Liz saw nothing out of the ordinary, and Anne tried to keep her thoughts away from her face. The senator’s arguments were too strong for Penny to resist, so it was settled that she would stay through the summer.

That same morning, while Anne settled at the granite island for work, the senator floated through, looking for caffeine of some sort. He stood still, then almost toppled Anne off her barstool by complimenting her.

“You’ve been looking really nice since you came back from Uppercross, Anne. Less pale, a clearer complexion...just -” he flapped his hands at her general person, “Better. Did you switch moisturizers or something?”

“No, I just use a makeup remover sometimes,” Anne said slowly.

“Not Gowland’s coconut oil? Liz gave her sample to Penny, and it’s completely helped with all those dry spots and freckles. It’s made her even better-looking.”

‘Back to normal.’ Anne thought. She felt that when it came to Penny, she had to let things run their course; her father was still his own person, and Penny was an adult. She knew her father would not be the first politician to marry for the sake of acquiring a trophy, and Penny would not be the last smart girl to marry an older man for status and security. Even though Penny was aware of their financial situation, a potentially bankrupt politician is still more stable than a freshly graduated girl with a heavy load of student debt. Anne’s chief worry (and there was a whole tribe of them) was that Penny’s lifestyle would spark a chain reaction that would cause her father to backslide with his problems. If the overt flirtation did lead anywhere serious, Anne and Liz would have to move out, leaving him to fend for himself and be accountable to her.

Mrs. Russell’s composed mind and almost unnerving politeness was put to the test on this point, whenever she visited the cottage on Camden Hill. Seeing Penny in such a favored place and Anne in an overlooked corner irritated her constantly while she was there, and bothered her while she was away - as much as a person who lives on the Cape, walks every day, boats many afternoons, and has a large circle of friends has time to be bothered. As she got to know Sam Beckett better, her thoughts on the others softened, or at least became more indifferent. His mannerisms and easy smiles were an immediate recommendation, and talking to him made her think the solid supported the superficial. Talking to Anne after their first encounter at the clam dig, Mrs. Russell said,

“I almost couldn’t believe he was the same person! He was so surly when he was around the first time, so I just thought he was Liz’s bad boy phase. Now he’s this clean-cut lawyer! I heard he’s aiming to be the state’s attorney general in the next ten years.” Mrs. Russell could not picture a more admirable male specimen. All the things that are good and right were somehow a part of him: a decent mind, correct opinions (or at least the same opinions that she held), a broad knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. As Virginians are wont to have, he had a strong sense of his family dynasty but without too much pride, or dependence on that history to make him somebody. He lived with the liberality of someone who is well-off, but without being too showy. He thought for himself without defying public opinion on anything of great importance. Even his shirt was never wrinkled, and his nose was never sunburnt. He was steady, observant, mild, and candid. Feelings of any sort never seemed to run away with him. He also seemed to value the contentedness a home can have, which shady characters with too much unfocused, spastic energy cannot have. Mrs. Russell was convinced he had not been happy in his first marriage, despite all his wife’s frozen waffle dollars. However, this unhappiness did not sour him on marriage in general. She could tell from watching him, and Steven Wallis had told her so. To Mrs. Russell, the satisfaction in Sam outweighed all the plague of Penny.

It had been years since Anne had first discovered she and her mentor could think differently, so it was not surprising to her that Mrs. Russell did not find any unsettling inconsistencies, or require any further explanations about his sudden reconciliation. Mrs. Russell thought there was no further ulterior motive than him maturing through his silly phase, and wisely trying to get back to a good thing. Her thought was that years of struggling on your own can make you want all the connections and goodwill you can get.

“That pressed suit, and you think he’s struggling?” Anne smiled. “I doubt he has ever eaten Ramen noodles. But I think he’s been hovering around for Liz.”

“Liz?” Now Mrs. Russell was a little surprised. Then she said cautiously, “Well, time will tell.” It was a reference to a possible future that Anne did not feel she could sway, not yet. In the Elliott household, Liz always came first, in beauty and preference and consideration. The idea that someone could know them both and give Anne the preeminence seemed impossible. It also had to be noted that Sam’s wife had died only a year before - a little delay on his part would be more than excusable. Anne could not see the black band he still wore on his suit-coat sleeve without thinking that maybe she was the inexcusable one for imagining some interest on his side. Even if his marriage hadn’t been totally happy, there had been enough to keep him there for many years - Anne could not wrap her brain around the idea of someone recovering from their spouse’s death so quickly.

However that situation would end, Sam was hands down their best acquaintance in New England; Anne could not find his equal there. They talked about their meeting on the coast, maybe to revisit their initial reaction when they saw each other for the first time. He made sure to tell her how she had caught his eye, even in the early morning light, and she believed it. She remembered the look in his eye, and also the expression on another person’s face. Sam and Anne did not always agree, as she found out over the days of talking and socializing. He placed a higher value on rank, connections, and authority without supporting merits than she did. For instance, he joined Liz and the senator in being excited about a subject Anne would have thought was beneath him. On the fateful morning after Anne arrived, their phones informed them that the Dalrymple entourage had taken up residency in a sumptuous estate on the edge of the golf course (in the heart of Martha’s Vineyard, of course). The inhabitants on Camden Hill - including Mrs. Russell and Sam, who were there for brunch - were thrown into a tizzy trying to figure out the best way to get into their circle of society. The Dalrymples were (unfortunately, in Anne’s opinion) distant friends from Washington. Mrs. Dalrymple had hired them to position their son’s quitting school in a positive way, and occasionally had them for Christmas parties. Years ago, her husband had leveraged a career in television to be elected to one term in the Senate, on name recognition rather than talent or merit. As Hollywood royalty, he barrelled through logic with more zeal than understanding, and yet he somehow managed to gather influence and power. His party decided that a seat in the House was a little too much real-world power, and so when the presidential cycle came around they put him in the Vice President’s seat. It kept him rather busy, but with minimal impact. Still, there was ‘president’ in the title, and movie and TV credits to his name, so he somehow commanded importance. The Christmas and New Year’s Eve cocktail invitations had dried up within the last year, and so the question was how to find out which fence had been broken, and more importantly how to mend it. Mrs. Russell and Sam had a more rational, pragmatic view of the situation:

“Connections with old friends - and clients - are always worth preserving,” Mrs Russell noted, spreading strawberry jam on her toast. Sam nodded in agreement. “And they will make for good company. I’ve heard they rented that house through September, and will be living in style. Even when the VP has to be in Washington, he’ll commute for the weekends, and Lady will be here all the time. I’ve heard she’s a lovely woman herself.” Mrs. Dalrymple nicknamed herself Lady in an attempt to sound more regal than she actually was, and to harken back to Lady Bird Johnson. Depending on the company, the name could be used with an aggressive genuineness, or sarchasm. “If you can patch things up without looking desperate, I think you should,” Mrs. Russell concluded.

“We’re just lucky they decided to vacation here, not on Long Island, like last year,” the Senator remarked. He typed up an email then and there at the breakfast table, apologizing for any misunderstanding, and welcoming Lady to the neighborhood. Although Mrs. Russell and Sam could not give it their full endorsement, the email did the trick: that very afternoon they all were having bloody marys mixed by Lady herself. The tough labors were over, and now the sweet rewards had begun. New profile photos were had (selfies, with the Dalrymple’s glittering white smiles in the middle), and whenever they got the chance, they talked about their ‘dear friends, the Dalrymples’. Anne was embarrassed by the whole situation. Even if the Vice President and his family were actually pleasant, intelligent people, she still would have been ashamed of her family flaunting their high-up connections. Mrs. Dalrymple had gotten her reputation as a lovely person by always wearing a vacant smile, and having empty but polite (ish) things to say to everyone. And their daughter? When talking about her passions (mainly swimming, a little golf) she could barely be bothered to string two sentences together. Everything else brought on monotone, one-word answers. If she hadn’t been a Dalrymple, her presence would never have been tolerated, much less sought-after. Mrs. Russell admitted that she had been expecting more, but maintained that it was a connection worth keeping up.

That evening, Anne floated her opinion of the illustrious Dalrymple clan past Sam. Everyone else was still outside finishing desert in the large adirondack chairs, and she was washing the dishes while Sam dried.

“I mean, I agree that they’re nothing great in and of themselves,” he said, turning around to see her better and leaning against the counter. “But as old friends, and good company, and as people who will collect other people worth knowing around them, I think they have some value.” Anne smiled, but her eyebrows drew together.

“My definition of good company is different from yours,” she said, handing him a pair of tongs. “I think good people to be around are smart, well-informed individuals who can participate in an intelligent conversation. Not that it requires a degree - just people who are always learning, and want to exchange ideas.”

“You’re all mixed up,” he said quietly. “That’s not good company - it is the best. Good company only requires knowing the right people, having money, and some education. Money and connections are the real essentials; a little quality learning can be dangerous in these parts. If you know too much, you might be tempted to think for yourself, or even express your opinions. Seriously, though, I wouldn’t expose the fact your lofty education gave you big ideas. Oh, and now the serious Anne shakes her head. She is not satisfied. She is fastidious.” She was wondering when he would stop referring to her in the third person. While she was handing him a platter for drying, he placed his hand over hers, just for a few seconds. “Anne,” he appealed, “You have more reason than anyone I know to be fastidious. But is it worth it? Will it make you happy in the long run? Why not just grin and bear the patio parties, and then enjoy the advantages as much as you can? You can depend on them having influencers all around them this summer, and as position is position, being known as their friends will have benefits we could all hope for.” Anne drained the suds from the sink and turned around, leaning against the cabinet.

“We will certainly be seen as their friends. I don’t think we can avoid it, really. All of the East Coast will probably know by the end of the night,” she said, nodding to the three faces outside, illuminated by the blue light of small, slender screens. “I just think we’ve all been tripping over ourselves too much to renew this relationship. I guess,” with a wry smile, “I have a little more pride than any of you. I’ll admit it bothers me, chasing so hard after having a relationship acknowledged that is apparently so important for us, and they have no need for.”

“I think you underestimate your family’s place here. In New York or L.A. you might need the relationship, but as long as you are in and around the Vineyard, I think the Elliots will always be sought after.” He had somehow gotten closer without her noticing; her cardiganed shoulder brushed his, and she stepped out to put melting ice cream in the freezer.

“Well,” she said, “I certainly have too much pride to be able to enjoy a welcome that depends so much on place and position. I think maybe some people call it self-respect.”

“Look who’s getting fiery!” Sam smiled, seeming to enjoy the pushback. “I love your indignation. And, with all of the lectures we’ve received about American can-doerism, building yourself with nothing but your bare hands and God-given gifts, it is completely natural. But you have actually believed the lectures, when I don’t think the business moguls or politicians who delivered them really did. And you talk about being proud - I know that people around here would call me the same thing, and I don’t have a problem with that. So even if the way it expresses itself is different, I think we share the same general spirit.” After checking over his shoulder to make sure the kitchen was still empty, “And I’m sure we think similarly on at least one point: at least all of these higher-ups will distract the senator from those...less worthy of his attention.” He looked pointedly outside, where Penny was sitting draped over the back of the senator’s chair. Although Anne could not agree that they shared the same kind of pride, she was pleased with him for seeing through Penny’s plot, and not applying his opportunism to her situation. The family came trooping in at this point, to recap the afternoon and plan a small dinner party to which they could invite the Dalrymples.

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction, is it not? Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans.

#persuasion #persuadedproject #anne elliot #jane austen

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