#how 'bout that Fronk

[magnoliasinbloom]

Lie To Me - 11

AO3 :: Previously

Jamie thinks his uncles might have kept closer tabs on him if he hadn’t acted so compliant in the last few years. Agreeing to marry Laoghaire, staying on at Leoch, keeping his head down. All the while, they’d let the cuckoo in the nest and he hopes he is preparing the massive downfall of the MacKenzie empire—with Claire’s help.

This is how he is able to create a fictitious acquisition meeting in London, regarding an up and coming author. The author is real, but the meeting is not. He has Louise, his executive assistant, register his schedule into the system, and book his lodgings for two days.

Claire books a room at the same hotel.

Laoghaire bids him farewell at their shared flat, glad to see him go; he knows she’ll spend these days with Joseph. He is happy for her. Now, Jamie boards the train taking him and Claire to London, sitting side by side, surreptitiously holding hands. He had tucked copies of the most basic documents pertaining to the investigation into Leoch’s business into his duffel bag.

“What do you mean, you’ve never toured London properly?” Claire leans back from her position tucked into Jamie’s shoulder to look at him in surprise.

“Aye, well, Mam and Da took Jenny and me when we were weans. We went to the Tower, the British Museum, the V&A and such, but I dinna really remember it.”

“Very culturally inclined, your parents.”

“My mam studied art history at uni. She was very much into art and history and culture and wanted her children to appreciate it too.” Jamie smiles. “Now, what made ye decide to be a doctor?”

Her answer is immediate. “Helping out at dig sites with my Uncle Lamb. I was always one of the few women there and I suppose caring for the people came naturally to me.”

“I admire ye, Sassenach. ‘Tis a noble calling.” Jamie lifts Claire’s hand to his mouth and presses a kiss to her fingers.

“It’s a hard one too. I’m afraid it takes up a lot of my time, days and nights, conferences, emergencies…” She wants Jamie to be aware that, no matter how much she cares for him, her calling to heal often consumes her. It’s something that Frank never understood.

“I dinna mind. I’ll take ye any way I can, Claire.”

X-x-X

They check into the Park Grand separately; their rooms are on different floors. Jamie lingers for a few minutes in the lobby while Claire goes up with her small suitcase. He wishes things were different—Jamie, unattached, a regular lad with a normal job, visiting London with his girlfriend, spending their nights in the same room.

Claire, for her part, closes the door to her own room, resting her palm against the wood, and wishes Jamie had followed her there. Their acquaintance and budding relationship are fraught with so many obstacles and complications, but she is determined to make something of it, to emerge victorious, to help the man she has come to love.

Frank has agreed to meet Claire at the bar in the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Jamie meets her in the lobby and together ride the metro as unobtrusively as possible to the designated location. Claire is nervous; it’s the first time in nearly a year that she’s seeing Frank, but the fluttering is tempered by Jamie at her side.

Claire recognizes Frank by the sharp cut of his hair; he’s sitting at a table in the middle of the bar, his back to them. With a deep, shaky breath, and a squeeze of Jamie’s hand in hers, she approaches and briefly startles her ex-husband with a quiet, “Hello, Frank.”

Jamie notes the way Randall’s neck stiffens and turns slowly to greet Claire. He does a double take when he sees Jamie beside her, holding her hand. He keeps an impassive face while Frank gives Claire a brief peck on the cheek and then gestures to Jamie.

“And who is this? I had the notion we would be meeting alone.” He has a good poker face, but Jamie’s is better.

“James Fraser.” He extends his hand and Randall grasps it out of courtesy, evidently trying to intimidate with the strength of his grip. Jamie matches it and is gratified to see him wince.

“Actually, Frank, he is the reason I’m here.” Claire sits at the table and plasters a smile when the server comes to take their drink order. “Two whiskies, please. Neat.” Left alone once more, Claire lowers her voice and says, “I hadn’t mentioned him before because I thought you might not want to see me.”

“I just didn’t think you would be that… quick,” Frank says, raising both eyebrows.

Claire’s cheeks color slightly, and Jamie suppresses the urge to punch Frank in the face. But his Sassenach is more than equal to the task. “You were quicker, I think, since we were still married.”

Frank offers a tight-lipped smile. “Touché.”

“Mr. Randall, the reason we’re here is that we need yer help with a delicate matter. It’s something that will benefit us both.”

“What is it you think you can do for me?”

“I work for Leoch Holdings.” Jamie senses Frank’s curiosity peak at the name. “My uncles own the business, and I have been made aware of many dealings that are less than… legal.”

“If it’s your uncles’ own company, why are you working against them?” Frank sips casually from a glass of white wine, but it is evident he’s interested.

“They are blackmailing me with false murder charges.” Jamie doesn’t blink even as Frank flinches and he sees Claire clutch her whisky glass tighter at the words. “There is corruption, crime, extorsion, ye name it. My godfather is working within the Glasgow police force to help me, and is in touch with Chief John Grey at the SCD.”

“If you have their assistance, why come to me?” Frank glances between Claire and Jamie, prompting her to reach for Jamie’s hand again and lay them on the table; their connection is evident, as is their support of each other.

“There are a great many people implicated, and there are precious few we can trust wi’ this information. Ye have access to certain resources we do not.”

“Do you have any documentation to go on? Something solid?”

Jamie pulls out papers from his coat inside pocket. “I brought these to get you started. I shouldna have to mention that it’s sensitive information, and the less eyes that see it, the better.”

Randall peruses the documents, rifling through the pages; his eyes widen as he reads the names Jamie has seen time and time again, almost unable to believe the scope of Leoch’s shady operations.

“This is quite an undertaking. Some of these people… the scandal would rock the nation.” Frank’s tone is noncommittal, and Jamie feels his stomach sinking.

“So ye dinna think it’s possible then,” he says dejectedly.

“I didn’t say that.” Frank is quiet for a few minutes, going over the papers once more. “From what I can gather, a key element is finding out where the money is going, all these names and payments… If we can find the accounts, we’d be in business.”

Claire tosses back her whisky. “It’s massive, Frank,��� she says quietly, leaning in and he imitates her unconsciously. “There’s politicians, judges, police officers, money, extorsion… if you were to help Jamie—help us—and put an end to this, it will no doubt aid in your efforts to solidify yourself as a model MP. Maybe even PM someday.” She knows the prospect is like dangling a carrot in front of a horse. She recognizes the old gleam of a challenge in Frank’s eyes, and a small swell of relief takes hold inside her. If anyone can help them, it’s this man; despite the crumbled marriage between them, she can trust him with this. Frank seems to read her mind, and asks:

“Why trust me with this, Claire? After what I did to you?”

“Not only is your name not in the documents—and I didn’t think it would be—but I know exactly how important your political career is to you. Much more important than I ever was.” Claire’s voice is steadfast and Frank does not dispute her statement. “So, you’ll do it?”

“I will.” Frank tucks the papers into his own coat pocket, drinking the dregs of wine. “I believe I owe it to you.”

“You bloody well do, Francis Randall.” Claire and Jamie both feel that spark of hope ignite within, a way out of the dark tunnel Jamie has been in for years and that Claire has also chosen to walk.

As they prepare to leave, Frank remains sitting; Claire can feel his scrutiny, appraising them, judging, drawing his own conclusions about what Jamie means to her.

“Is it worth it?” Frank asks suddenly, his parting shot. Claire feels Jamie stiffen next to her and she is tempted to let him thump Frank, but doesn’t want to undermine their efforts quite yet. Claire holds Frank’s gaze and responds simply.

“He is.”

[strangerinaholyplace]

A SUMMONING BUT I UNDERSTOOD THAT REFERENCE

OKAY KIDDOS TIME FOR ANALYZING THE SHIT OUT OF THIS

first of all I am only pointing out the more obscure/less noticeable/weird stuff I found, because y’all ain’t dumb and you’ve obviously seen the Demolition Lovers and the Dracs, so!

numero uno!!

hello mikeyway glasses (not exactly, but close) and I’m Not Okay inhaler!

numero dos!

y’all have probably seen her but I cried a bit soooo PANSY!!! (I’m so sorry for the shitty screengrabs btw i am not as they say hip with the computer stuffs so i just did some printscreens from yt) 

(ugh that is really bad quality sorry)

numero tres!

I am actually kinda bummed that i don’t know what that eye is (unless it’s the eye from the post box in the desert in nanana???) BUT! the picture top right corner is from The Black Parade Is Dead! In Mexico! yay!

(also i got tired of cropping the screenshots in paint so you’re getting timestamps now too lol)

numero quatro! (someone stop me i don’t know if I can count that high in spanish lo siento)

you know WHAT THEY DO TO GUYS LIKE US IN PRISOOOOON

NUMERO CINQUE (I THINK?)

most of y’all already caught that from the previous teaser but mister chemical romances jacket! raymond himself wore that!! 

NUMERO CINQUE AND A HALF

while we’re on the topic of clothes, here’s the famous skeleton hoodie that i’m still not sure if it was franks or gerards??? anyway 13yo me was obsessed with it but i didn’t have the money for one

NUMERO SEIS

speaking of interesting fashion choices... i actually have one of those. and that’s all i’m gonna say bout that. TEENAGERS! YAY!

numero sieteeeeee

now we don’t have time to unpack all of this SIKE WE DO 

this is actually a bit sad, sorry! It’s everyone who passed away, and so i actually numbered the pictures to give you a quick rundown:

oh and before that - dia de los muertos skull! and matches that will be relevant later!

1. & 2. I’m pretty sure that’s franks grandparents on his mothers side, but don’t hold me to that!

3. imo this is Dixie, bob bryars dog???? i am confusion but also i get it, they’re all good dogs brent

4. is probably peppers?? i don’t even know anymore y’all im a fake fan, he has too many fucking dogs i can’t keep up

5.  Lauren Valencia, their tour manager who passed last year from cancer

6. with a better view below is fronks grandpa! the drummer! he has a tattoo of him made by k*t v*n d

7. i am about 86.2% sure that’s Elena Way, but i don’t think gerard or mikey ever shared any pictures of her, so i’m not gonna say for sure!

8. that’s mister chemical romance senior! rays dad, who let me say looks like freddie mercury and i respect that

9. oh no another dog ummm uhh eyyy idk sweat pea??? maybe?? idk i need like a separate wiki page just for franks dogs

10. i actually don’t know who that is either so pls lmk if you do! (i feel like i’ve seen his face before but can’t place it, sorry!)

(bonus pic of mr Iero Sr.!)

OH ALSO

Our Lady Of Sorrows is the way Madonna is presented with seven swords in her heart for the seven sorrows lbh you all have read the unholyverse and know what’s up 

numero idek i got lost ocho maybe??

random old revenge era gerard way art on the wall idk thought you might’ve missed it

NUMERO NUEVE (i remembered)

I know y’all have seen it but i’m really excited about it!!!! so here it is again,,,,,, hotel bella muerte keyring!

NUMERO DIEZ!!!

NOW WE’RE GETTING INTO IT HELL YEAH LETS GO LESBIANS LETS GO

GAY VAMPIRES IN NEON COLORS THIS IS WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY THIS BAND HAS NEVER BEEN STRAIGHT

oh and here’s rays medic helmet from ghost of you and the STARVED TO DEATH IN A LAND OF PLENTY banner from wttbp (that banner is still the most communist thing gerard ever did and i am in love with it) from two povs so you can see better!

NUMERO ONCE! (wow i can’t believe i still remember how to count in spanish)

WRITINGS ON THE WAAAAAAALLLLS this is my favorite part for two reasons: 1. i’m pretty sure gerard did that graffiti himself because that’s his xoxo shape and 2. i love graffiti! and mcr! and mcr graffiti! ok lets go

she loves you on the left and saints protect her now on the right side of kids head, in green paint next to it is UNLEASH THE BATS also i’m not sure what the relevance of Alien Blaster is but our boys always were nerds so oh well

above and behind the middle drac are the whispers!! you know which whispers!! the one at the end of vampires!!!  also kinda cut off but at the very top it says DIE IN THE DESERT and behind the gentleman on our right i’m pretty sure is heaven help us!!! 

NUMERO DOCE (i’m really proud of myself rn)

and we’re back to the matches! 

btw this shot is dope as fuck and i love venom so much

NUMERO..... (shit now i’m bummed) 13..... idk how it is in spanish :(((((

we’re in the parade now! not much to unpack here except desolation row from watchmen which to this day is my favourite mcr music video!!!!

numero.. CATORCE! I REMEMBER!

HELL YEAH BABY I’M NOT OKAY REFERENCE

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST

i know y’all have seen it it wasn’t really subtle, but i wanted to throw in my theory! that’s not teenagers! or even the helium wars! THAT SYMBOLIZES THE BREAK UP! thanks for coming to my ted talk

i’m sorry if this makes less sense than the video itself my adhd will not stop today but i had to make this!! even if everyone has seen all of that before i’m proud that i got all of it in here!! thanks and have a nice us tour from us here in the europes 

[tthicctae]

Well, are you ready, Ray?

YEAHHH HOW BOUT YOU FRONK