#but miss detective ma’am has me spiraling

[cdyssey]

Yellowjackets 2.04 Reactions:

Past!Taivan being divided over how they feel about Lottie. :(

Adult Tai experiencing whatever Shadow Tai is doing like an out-of-body, dissociative experience. So, so harrowing. The quick VHR static edits really help to emphasize the jarring nature of it too.

ALSO, Jessica Roberts, my beloved!!!! I miss her.

I SAW SOMEWHERE THAT ALANIS MORISSETTE COVERED THE NEW INTRO. ICONIC. SMASHING. STELLAR!! Lauren Ambrose and Simone in the intro now!! Yes!!!

Shauna not being able to look Jeff in the eye while she’s lying to him is so funny, lmao. And then Jeff lying to her about overhearing cops at the gym. Fail marriage. <3 They’re falling to their old habits of not communicating with each other.

“You’re right. I should have just run around in a ski mask—also in public. Blackmailing people.” Melanie Lynskey, I love you.

NATALIE LEANING IN THE DOOR JUMPSCARE, HELP. MA’AM. WHY ARE YOU STANDING LIKE THAT. Lmfao, Nat has been in that outfit for, like, three days now. Those leather pants cannot be comfortable. My god.

That lingering shot of Lottie and Nat’s hands as Lottie gave her the keys. 😵‍💫 I’m actually quite delusional about them now. I think they should tenderly kiss and/or hatefuck.

“If Taissa and Shauna have both been kidnapped, I’m going to be very, very annoyed.” ANDNNSSNSJWJSIDS.

“I’m honored that I seem to be your favorite Yellowjacket.” QKOQWKJDKWWJ.

YES AT MISTY BEING A SWEENEY TODD ENJOYER. That is so right.

I don’t think Walter is making it out of this season alive, lmfao, but what he and Misty have going on is so good. OH, GOD, Misty and Crystal singing the same song. 😭 For the record, I don’t think she’s making it out of the woods either.

NOT MARI ACCUSING COACH BEN. GIRL, YOU’RE NEVER BEATING THE PIT GIRL ALLEGATIONS.

Ben just straight up asking if the girls would have ate him.

Oooogh, more tensions in the cabin over the supernatural vs. rationality split. It’s important to note that Lottie is very uncomfortable at being thrust into the fore by Mari. This is also the first time that Shauna verbally stakes her claim in the skeptics side. God, poor Lottie—she doesn’t want this.

Nat being really gentle with Lisa and trying to help her see through some of the compound’s bullshit. Ugh, it reminds me of that moment last season when she coached Kevyn’s kid during his game. I love her.

Lottie at the therapist/psychiatrist’s(?) office. The way she so nervously plays with her fingers. The slight crack in her voice. The tears in her eyes. God, I’m so fucking unwell.

“Lottie doesn’t need a gun.” Mari, shut up. 😭

Both adult Lottie and teen Lottie being utterly unmoored the way they are in this episode is horribly sad. As of right now, some of the girls are looking to teen Lottie for guidance, while adult Lottie is desperately wanting something to ground her.

LMFAO, the cut from Shauna realizing that Callie’s been lying to her about going to Iliana’s to immediately snooping through her daughter’s closet. So dirty. So unhinged. Ooh, at her finding the burnt Adam ID.

Ugh, that fucking detective is still flirting with her, EVEN THOUGH HE KNOWS SHE’S UNDERAGED. I hope Shauna roasts him on a spit. He’s probably going to be the reason why Shauna/Jeff get away bc of how stupid he’s being.

Mommy-daughter bonding time!!! This is all I’ve ever wanted!!!!!!!!!

Misty being so disgusted by Walter’s condiment habits. So, so funny.

“Excuse me. Do you know about the cult with the purple people?” AKQKQKSJSNSJWIEDJSJ.

“Yes, they’re awful tippers.” KQOQOQOQIEDUDJDID.

Oh, God. Tai is just straight up walking the roads now. I fear for her. She is SO unwell. And I think about her progression from S1, Ep. 1 to now. She used to be the most outwardly put together of the core four. Had the family. Had the money. Had the lucrative career. And now look at her—you can see it in her lined eyes and the unfocused way that she walks. She has gone past the point of spiraling. She is in the abyss.

Mari continuing to hear things that the others don’t... love her and Akilah’s friendship. 🥺

A little mouse!!! Now Akilah has an animal emblem! Rabbits for Shauna. The moose for Nat. Wolves and Tai. Deers and Lottie. Birds and Misty?

Lottie making a blood sacrifice to the hollow. Hhhgh. That musical sting while she was doing so was brutal.

The Fourteenth Gilly!!! ANAJJDJDNSND, NATALIE CUPPING HER FACE ON THE COUCH.

Shauna taking her daughter out to the middle of nowhere with no cellphone reception. <33 Just mother-daughter things.

Shauna being truthful about killing Adam. God. HER TEMPORARILY FORGETTING THAT HE WASN’T THE BLACKMAILER. It’s kind of funny and kind of harrowing, the way that these events are blurred to her. It speaks so much to the way she processes trauma.

“Shoot, yes. Kind of.” AKQKWOOQOQOWJDJDJENS. Melanie Lynskey, we’re getting you that Emmy.

“They did… we did things out there that… we’re really ashamed of. And sorry, I know—maybe one day I can talk to you about it, but for now, um, can that just be enough?” Oh, God. This line. The way that Shauna distances herself from the Yellowjackets at first because compartmentalizing is historically how she copes, but then she revisits the statement. She includes herself, but it’s too hard to talk about. You can see the utter pain in her face as she looks away. And you can also see in Callie’s microgestures that this is genuinely one of the first—if not the very first—time her mother has every willingly broached what happened in those woods. And she’s so hurt for her mom. She’s one of the few people who has identified that Shauna is hurting. I’m sick.

God, poor Callie Sadecki. Her mom’s a killer and her father is a blackmailer. No one is allowed to hate this very normal teenaged girl with fucked up parents.

The symbol-marked trees aligning to actually form the symbol. Oh, God.

Ben and Paul. 😭 Oh, Paul is Ben’s first boyfriend. I’m so tender. LET COACH LIVE.

Lisa at her mom: “I love you even when you try to control me.” Jesus fucking Christ.

NAT FUCKING PUTTING THAT GOLDFISH IN HER FUCKING MOUTH. I LOVE AN UNHINGED QUEEN.

“Is this where the purple people are?” WKWKWOWOOWIEJDWJ.

“Tell her I didn’t want us to fucking starve!” GO, MISTY!!!

Leonard. 😭😭

The direction in this episode is so stunning. Lottie going through that arch of white light and then it become elevator doors closing. So good.

THE MUTED THEME SONG IN THE MALL. ALL THE GIRLS EATING TOGETHER. I’M SO UPSET,

LAURA LEE. THAT’S HER GIRLFRIEND.

“Lottie, if you don’t get out of here, you’re gonna die.” 😭 Laura Lee still trying to protect her beyond the grave. I actually have tears in my eyes.

GODDAMMIT, THE MOOSE. NATALIE CRYING. I’M SO FUCKED UP. SO FUCKED UP.

Natalie pushing away the shot. 😭 She’s invested in Lisa. Oh, I’m so, so tender.

MISTY AND WALTER SPLIT SCREEN PARALLELS. SO GOOD. I JUST KNOW THIS MAN ISN’T LIVING. GOD.

“We only have one kid, and as parents, it’s part of our job, we have to protect her, we have to shield her from making the same shitty mistakes we made, Shauna. To throw our fucking bodies in front of her if that’s what we have to do, and what, you’re telling me that you’ve… you’ve made her an accomplice?” THIS MAN DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THE BABY IN THE WOODS. OTHERWISE, HE WOULDN’T BE FUCKING SAYING THAT, RIGHT? IF HE DOES KNOW, DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“We are lying to everyone, okay, everyone we know. I don’t want to do that to our own daughter.” The vulnerability in Shauna’s voice. So many fascinating layers here. Objectively, Jeff is right—making Callie an accomplice is harrowing. But what’s happening in the subtext is that Callie wants to desperately to connect with her parents, her mom especially, and vice fucking versa!! So it’s fucked up that it’s happening this way, and it’s fucked up that Shauna sounded more like a teenager in that conversation by the car, and it’s fucked up that Callie is so accepting, but that is the literal point here. This family was founded upon deep and unspeakable trauma, and they have to continually grapple with that.

Anyway, Sadecki family bonding moments. <33 I love a family who does crime together and they’re all messed up beyond comprehension.

Shauna tenderly filling Nat’s tub with water. 😭

Oh, my fucking God. The Lottie and Nat tub scene. Sobbing. They’re just kids.

Lottie having a reaction to a Queen card with the eyes scratched out. The girls 100% drew cards to see who the fuck was gonna be hunted.

LOTTIE, LOVE, WHERE ARE YOU TAKING THAT BIG ASS KNIFE?

OH, GOD, SHE’S OFFERING BLOOD SACRIFICES AGAIN. The tears in her eyes.

“Can this just be enough? Please?”

FUCKING JAVI?!

Van exposing Taissa’s preternatural ability. Hhhhgh. Things aren’t looking good for Vantai in the woods.

WHILE YOU WERE STREAMING. AaqkqkkwkqowsksniwiwJQJEJD.

Tai adjusting her hair, even though she clearly hasn’t seen a bed in a week. Go, girl failure. Get ur woman.

ADULT VAN. SOBBING. CRYING SCREAMING. SHE LOOKS SO GOOD.

#yellowjackets #yellowjackets spoilers #s: yellowjackets #maggie blogs #SHOW OF ALL TIME

[lezlieshay]

hailey saying “yeah, but you learn how to be that way. to shut people out. to be invisible. you learn it.” makes me wanna combust !!!

#that’s litchrally how i’m feeling atm and i want to!!!!!!!!!! #SCREAM #the tags are acting up so idk if anyone gif’d that scene #but miss detective ma’am has me spiraling

[writing-mermaid]

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy

Summary : Y/N McCoy, daughter of Jack McCoy works as ADA Carisi’s PA. Before that, Y/N was sort of the Cinderella of the DA’s office working in the dust of the archives. When the DA’s Christmas ball is themed as a Masquerade, maybe it’s time for Cinderella to meet her prince charming, with a little help of her fairy best friend, Katriona Tamin.

Pairing : Sonny Carisi x reader

Warnings : Language, consomption of alcohol, Cinderella AU, some flashbacks, Vanessa Hadid is a bitch (but as she always is it really a warning ?).

Word Count : 14 682

Author’s note : Written for @thatesqcrush‘s Holiday B!ngo: Naughty & Nice filling the free square, and for @sweetcannolicarisi ’s Disney bingo. I know those two bingos are over now but I really wanted to post it between Christmas & New Year, but life stroked hard and I couldn’t write. Ball dress is inspired by the one from the movie A Cinderella Christmas. Don’t forget that feedback is appreciated and really important.

Song of the title : Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden

Masterlist

Buy me a ☕

“Assistant District Attorney Carisi’s office, Y/N speaking, what can I do for you ?”, I say, repeating this sentence on a loop all day long.

  Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, I just hate doing it in a fucking hallway, next to my new boss small and windowless new office. Well at least now he has an office, we’re not forced to squat in empty rooms all around the building.

  “Oh, hello Captain Benson. How can I help you ?”

“Hello Y/N, can you please ask Carisi to sign me a warrant for a perquisition please ? I emailed you the application. Kat will pick it in less than an hour. Can you do that for me ?”

“Sure, Olivia, consider it done”, I answer.

“Thanks Y/N have a nice day”, she says.

“Have a nice day too Olivia”, I reply, hanging up the phone.

  I take a look at the clock facing my desk, 10:30 am. I open Captain Benson’s mail and print the papers she joined in. I get up to the printer, passing next to the break room. It’s time for ADA Carisi’s coffee. I take the papers from the printer and enter the break room. I put down the papers on the table and pour a warm and steamy coffee into ADA Carisi’s usual mug and heat some water for my tea. I put two sugars in his coffee and pour the hot water into my mug with sugar. The papers under my armpit and the two mugs in both my hands I walk back to my desk, where I put down my own mug, and then walk towards his office. I lightly knock on the door before his voice tells me to come in.

  “Good morning counsellor”, I say, stepping in the windowless office.

“Good morning, Y/N”, he looks up. “And I already told you to call me Sonny. We work together for a year now, don’t you think it’s time to call me by my name, huh ?”, he smiles at me, with that charming smile that makes me melt.

“I can’t promise anything”, I shrug, returning his smile. “First of all, here’s your coffee”, I say, putting down the cup in front of him.

“Just how I like it”, he hums, taking a sip of it.

“Second, I had a phone call from Captain Benson, she asked if you could sign that warrant”, I add, handing him the papers, his thumb brushing mine when he takes it. “Kat will take it in something like thirty minutes to an hour.”

“I’ll get this ready and let you know when it’s done.”

“Thanks counsellor”, I say going back to the door. “By the way”, I add, turning back to him, “remember that I don’t work this afternoon, it’s my…”

“Monthly lunch date with you dad”, he cuts me. “I know that Miss McCoy, you and I work together for a year, every third Thursday of the month, you have lunch and spend the afternoon with your dad and I always managed to look after myself on those days. So as usual, go eat with your dad and have fun with him. Maybe you’ll start your Christmas errands. Don’t worry for me Y/N, I can handle myself for an afternoon, he smiles at me again. So have a nice lunch and afternoon with your dad Y/N.”

“Have a nice afternoon, counse…”, I can see his finger raising, “Dominick”, I finish before going out, a small smile playing on my lips, almost bumping in Serena, the mail girl.

“Y/N”, she nods at me coldly.

“Serena”, I answer, mirroring her tone.

“Hello Dominick”, I can hear her say with that honeyed voice she uses every time she talks to him, making me sick.

  When I go back to my desk, a pile of mail is waiting for me, next to it, two letters. The first one says, ‘Mr. John McCoy’ and the second one ‘Miss Y/N McCoy’. Even retired, my father still receives his invitation for the annual police and DA’s office ball. This year it’s a week before Christmas. As usual, I’m more like his plus one than a real guest, it seems that the office feels obligated to invite me to those balls because my father is the great Jack McCoy. A legend for some. I don’t know if counselor Carisi made the connection between my name and the fact that my father is probably one of the most famous ADA this city ever had, when I’m just a personal assistant.

  Sometimes, I’m wondering if they accepted me here because of him, like he asked them for a favor. I started to work here eight years ago. Not as a PA, it would have been too good to be true. There was no place for me. I was put in the archives, doing research for the attorneys, the ADAs, the DAs, the police, everyone who needed it. For a little time, I was ADA Barba’s PA, his was sick and I did the job for two or three months, time she came back. Working with Barba was a learning experience. Of course, I’ve already seen my dad work as an ADA, because I spent a lot of time in his office when I was little after my mom left him, and me in the process, but working with Barba was different, he had different methods, a different way of working. Barba was a great guy, seemed righteous, he was nice to me, even if I can’t say that we were friends or close, I was utterly shocked when I heard about that baby story and that he resigned. I was back in my archive hole when I learned about it. I haven’t met counsellor Carisi, detective back then, while I helped Barba, to be honest, I worked at the other side of the hall, in a proper office, I just caught a glimpse of his tall blond frame from afar. My first impression from my viewing point, he made me think about the character of a book from my childhood, Daddy-Long-Legs. He was tall and lanky, just like the mystery man from the book. I never really saw his face nor his beautiful blue eyes before Vanessa Hadid assigned me to be his PA.

After Barba left, a new ADA came to town, Peter Stone. My father knew his, but Peter and I never met before. He was cute and very nice, he brought me teas and pastries almost every day, and from time to time, we had lunch together. One night, after a few drinks, Peter and I had sex. Nothing committed, just a one-night stand, with no promises, between two consenting adults. The next morning wasn’t even awkward, we both had our fun and we stayed friend, occasionally having lunch or a drink. His sister’s death totally crushed him, and he had a lot of problems. Alcohol, sex, he was on a downward spiral. He left after having been set up by a so-called friend.

Then, Sonny came along. On his first day, Ms. Hadid called me from her office and said I had to come upstairs. I complied, knowing that as she didn’t like me, I should obey. I straighten my clothes and put my hair in order in one of the bathrooms before knocking on her office door. She told me to come in and he was there. He turned around and smiled down at me. Blond hair, bright blue eyes, a charming smile, white teeth, tailored three-pieces blue suit, I was breathless, wondering why I never saw him closer before. I was totally swooned by the man in front of me. I might have stared too long because Ms. Hadid cleared her throat.

  “Good morning Y/N let me introduce to you the new assistant district attorney, Dominick Carisi Jr. Counsellor Carisi, this is Y/N McCoy”, she introduced us both.

“Nice to meet you Ms. McCoy”, he said, smiling bigger and extending his hand.

“Nice to meet you too, counsellor Carisi”, I replied, letting him take my hand in his bigger one. “What can I do for you Ms. Hadid ?”, I finally asked, when he let go of my hand.

“Nothing, I just wanted to congratulate you on your promotion.”

“My promotion ma’am ?”, I asked, completely shocked.

“Yes, your promotion. You are, from now, ADA Carisi’s personal assistant. Congratulations.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I just opened and closed my mouth like a goldfish out of its bowl. Was it a cruel joke ? After all this time she was finally giving me the position I applied for the first time I passed the Bureau’s door ? For real ?

  “I… I… Thank… Thank you”, I stuttered. “I’m glad that you trust me enough to assist our new ADA.”

“I’m pretty sure that you will make a very good team”, she responded, smiling. “Let’s find you both an office”, she added.

  An office, we didn’t get it before a few weeks ago. For a year, ADA Carisi and I moved from rooms to rooms, to rooms. It was the worst way to do our jobs. Forced to be in the same room for two very different works. Not that I didn’t like to be in the same room, who would complain after all, Dominick was, and still is, a charming and handsome man, always ready to please people around him and very dedicated to his job. Each morning, he brought me an Italian pastry, still does though, and I grew really fond of him. We exchanged a few things during the few breaks he took or during lunch break, that I had, and still have, to remind him. He explained his path to me, why he wanted to be a lawyer, after having been a cop. I told him about my dad being an attorney too, retired now, but not that he was one of the most important ADA this city had. I still think that it’s strange that he still haven’t made the connection. He asked me why I was a PA and I just answered that it was because I liked that job, and that I probably wasn’t made to be an attorney.

Hadid was right, Sonny and I made a great team. I can’t help but feel like if Hadid paired us, it’s because she don’t like us. ADA Carisi because he was a cop and still has a strong bond with SVU and me because of who my father is. She didn’t expect for us to be such a good team. After a year working together, we have a whole routine. I remind him when it’s time to eat or to have a break, so sometimes, we go together for fresh air, taking a coffee down the street when he’s not too busy. It has been strange a few weeks ago when Hadid finally told us that Sonny would have an office. I thought that finally we would have a proper room to work. When we saw his office, the first question he asked wasn’t to question about the inexistant windows of the room, but where I would work, because there were not enough room for two desks. Hadid simply shrugged and said that they would put a desk for me in the hallway, by the door. I know he was about to protest and to say that if I couldn’t have a proper office or couldn’t be in the same room, he wouldn’t accept that office. But I opened my mouth before he opened his and said it was perfect and that I was willing to wait a little for a proper office. That’s how I ended up here.

  “Hey ! Earth to Y/N, are you here ?”

  I snap back to reality feeling a hand shaking my shoulder.

  “Jesus Christ Kat”, I almost shout. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“Well, I told you I was here but, it seems that you didn’t hear me. Too lost in your thoughts, looking down at those envelopes. DA ball”, she adds looking over my shoulder.

“Yep.”

“Going with your dad ?”

“As usual.”

  My brown-haired friend sits down on the chair facing my desk.

  “Coffee ?”, I ask her, and at the same time, Serena exits from ADA Carisi’s office, giggling.

“Have a good day Dominick”, she continues to giggle closing the door from Sonny’s office, and I can feel anger and jealousy rise in me, my free fist, and my jaw clenching. “Oh, and have a good day too McCoy”, she says, walking in front of me, pushing her little cart.

  I really can’t stand that girl. She does everything to make me lose my mind.

  “Just go ahead and punch her freaking face, I would gladly enjoy seeing that”, Kat states. “And to be honest, I don’t think that she’s Carisi’s type”, she adds.

“What ?”, I question, turning to her.

“You perfectly know what I’m talking about Y/N.”

“No”, I bite back.

“Oh yes, you know. You have a think for our ADA friend in here and I know it. And I’m not the only one who saw it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Kat”, I sigh. “I have to tell him to not forget to eat when I’m gone.”

“Y/N , you’re mothering him, just like you do with your father”, Kat says.

“I don’t”, I respond. “I’m just reminding him that he has to eat and to take breaks sometimes. He’s so into his work that he barely think to eat, drink, or go to the bathroom. He’s really dedicated to what he’s doing.”

“Y/N”, Kat sighs, “Carisi is a big boy, he’s supposed to know when to stop.”

“Oh, he doesn’t believe me.”

“And you’re not his mom. But you could be his girlfriend. Getting lay would do you good. To both of you. And I saw how he looks at you. With enamored eyes.”

“He doesn’t look at me that way Kat, I’m just his assistant.”

“Well, if you don’t want to see, I’ll not insist. Let’s talk about that ball. I’m going too and my dear friend, this year, I’ll make a princess out of the perfect worker that you are !”

  I can see the look on her face, and I really don’t like it. Kat and I met last year when she incorporate SVU team, we quickly became best friends.

  “I’ll make your inner Cinderella pop out !”

“You’re scaring me.”

“And I found the perfect dress for you, and mask.”

“Mask ?”, I ask.

“Masquerade ball, baby. You would know it if you had opened those letters instead of daydreaming.”

“I don’t daydream Kat.”

“Yes, you do. And your reverie is about the tall, blond and handsome Italian behind that door.”

“Aren’t you here to get a warrant back for Captain Benson ?”, I ask, hoping that she will change of subject.

“I am, but I have time”, she replies. “I know you have your lunch date with your dad today, but I offer you something. Tomorrow night, girl’s night and then on Saturday, dress shopping. I found the perfect dress for you !”

“You looked for a dress for me ? Kat ! I’m a big girl, I can dress myself.”

“Yeah, with a sad black dress when you can look like a princess. Please, let’s have girl’s night tomorrow and let me show you the dress on Saturday. You’ll love it, I’m sure of it. That might be the perfect way to attract some ADA.”

“Good morning ladies”, my entire body stiffens when I hear Hadid’s voice and Kat jolts out of her seat.

“Ms. Hadid”, I say, nodding.

“Miss McCoy, Detective Tamin you’re here. To what do we owe the pleasure ?”, she asks Kat.

“I’m here for a warrant Ms. Hadid, and as I’m waiting for it, I’m having a conversation with my friend.”

“This is very nice from you detective, but Miss McCoy has some work to do and we don’t pay her to have little chats with her friends. Don’t make me regret to have promote you or I’ll have to send you back in your little hole.”

“I was about to ask ADA Carisi if he signed the warrant”, I say, before she can add anything.

“Fine”, Hadid states, “and then I hope that you’ll go back to work”, and she leaves.

“Really, you shouldn’t let her talk to you that way”, Kat tells me.

“That’s okay, I’m used to it now”, I sigh.

“You shouldn’t get used to it Y/N. You’re way better than that woman.”

  At the same time, ADA Carisi’s door opens.

  “Y/N, I have the warrant for…”, his voice very soft. “Kat”, he finishes his sentence seeing the dark-haired detective next to my desk. “Morning Kat.”

“Carisi”, she nods, a little smile playing on her lips because of the tone of Sonny’s voice when he thought I was alone.

“This is for you”, he says, handing her the piece of paper I printed earlier.

“Thank you. I’ll leave you two and I will go back to the precinct. Have a nice day Carisi. Y/N, see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow”, I reply, while Dominick just nods to her.

  And she leaves, the paper in her hand.

  “I heard that Hadid was here”, he turns to me.

“Yeah, she was, reminding me that I’m not paid to ‘have little chats with my friends’ and not to make her ‘regret to have promote me’, because she could send me ‘back in my little hole’”, I reply.

“Don’t let her impress you”, he says, putting his hand on my shoulder. “You’re a better person than she will ever be.”

  I can feel my cheeks getting warmer and I’m probably blushing. That man really knows how to talk to me.

  “Let’s go back to work”, he resumes. “I’ll need you and your fast tipper skills to help me for the Mendelson’s case for my plea.”

“Give me time to make more tea and coffee and I’m all yours”, I say, seeing him turning bright red, and I assume that I must look the same. “I didn’t mean. I wanted to say.”

“I know, I understood”, he says, before going back into his office.

  Jeez dammit Y/N, you really had to…, I think, facepalming myself. A few minutes later, I enter his office with a fresh pot of hot coffee, sugar, and biscuits. I put down the tray on the side table and settle in front of the laptop next to it. Dominick gets up from his chair, his mug in one hand, a pile of papers with his handwriting in the other. He puts the sheets on the table before pouring himself some coffee and then a tea bag and hot water in my own mug, and settles it next to me, before putting some sugar in it.

  “Thanks”, I smile up to him.

  He just smiles back and starts to read his papers. We spend the next hour and a half to type, modify, revise the entire speech.

  “I think we’re done”, he finally says, stretching in his chair.

  I check one last time the document and hit the print button. From the inside of the office, we can hear the noise of the printer. We settle in a comfortable silence while the speech goes out of the printer.

  “So”, he finally breaks the silence, “I supposed you received the invitation for the Christmas ball.”

“I did. I must admit that masquerade ball is an original idea.”

“Indeed. I’ll have to find a suit and a plus one, maybe.”

  My heart aches when he talks about getting a plus one. When I said I grew fond of him, it was in fact a little more. Dominick ‘Sonny’ Carisi Jr. rocks my world for a year now and I love every part of him, from his ridiculously bright blue eyes to his passion for this job. I love the entire being he is.

  “What about you ?”, he asks, making me snap back to reality.

“I’ll probably go with my father, as usual, if I go”, I answer. “Speaking of my father, I should go and refresh a little before he arrives”, I add checking the hour, getting up from my chair. “I’ll bring the sheets when I come back.”

  And with that, I exist the office, walking to the bathroom. There I just look at myself in the mirror, trying not to cry because I’m pinning and crushing on my boss.

  Sonny’s POV

  I watch Y/N leaving my office. Why did I mention that I needed to find a plus one when I don’t want a plus one ? I don’t want to go to that ball with anyone else but her. But I never dared to ask her out. I saw the look on her face when I mention bringing someone with me, that she looked away, as if she was embarrassed by something. She rushed out so fast that I didn’t even had time to tell her that I’m going alone, or probably will bring my niece or one of my sisters. Of course, I’ll not bring a real date to office party, not when the girl that makes my heart sing is the one sitting on front of a desk outside of my office, accepting to work in a hallway just to still be my assistant.

I remember the first time I met Y/N, she had some dust at the bottom of her black pants and on her shoes. A little stain that she probably didn’t notice on her cheek. I knew she had worked for Barba for a few times, while his assistant was absent, but we never stumbled on each other. I looked at her, her Y/E/C hidden behind a pair of glassed, probably easier for her to see in the archives, her Y/H/C tied. When Ms. Hadid introduced each other, I heard some disdain in her voice, like she was despising her, still does though, and I didn’t and still don’t know why. It couldn’t be because Y/N was new here, like I was at the moment, nor because she has links with SVU. I don’t get how she can hate someone who’s so dedicated to her job like Y/N is, she loves what she’s doing, and we make a good team. She takes care of me, more than she should to be honest, reminds me to eat, drink, have some breaks. I remember once, she changed because she had a date, and I couldn’t help to feel jealous of the man she was seeing that night. She was so beautiful in that dress. It’s like every third Thursdays of the month. She has a monthly lunch and afternoon date with her father. On those days, she looks even more glowing. I must admit that I’m a little envious of her dad, you can see that she loves him very much and he has an important place in her life.

I rise my head from the paper in my hand and spot a man standing in front of Y/N’s office. He’s tall with grey hair and hazel eyes is rummaging through Y/N’s papers on her desk.

  “Excuse me sir, can I help you ?”, I ask, exiting my office, after putting down the sheet in my hand.

“I’m looking for my daughter”, he answers. “Have you seen her ? Y/N McCoy, not very tall, Y/E/C, Y/H/C hair.”

“Yeah, Y/N, she’s my assistant. She’s in the bathroom right now. Excuse me sir, but these are confidential, and you don’t have the right to look at it”, I add, seeing him looking at the papers.

“Don’t worry son, I was on the job. Jack McCoy”, he says, extending his hand to me, introducing himself.

“Excuse me, Jack McCoy, like THE Jack McCoy”, I ask, grabbing his hand to shake it. “Y/N never told me that you were her father. Wow, I’m so impressed.”

“Seems so”, he answers. “And I bet you are Dominick Carisi Jr., former cop turned ADA. My daughter told me a lot about you. I don’t know if she told you that her grandfather was a cop, she admired him and she admires you. She says you’re an amazing ADA and that you are passionate by the job. She can’t stop gushing about you and how happy she is to work with such a dedicated person.”

“I can assure you Mr. McCoy that I am as equally happy to work with your daughter. She’s an amazing assistant, she takes care of me when I forget about my basic needs.”

“She did the same with me, since she’s a kid she’s taking care about everyone around her. She knows this office like the back of her hand you know, she spent a lot of time here when she was a child. Sometimes I worked very late and she fell asleep on the couch of my office. She was doing her homework in a corner of the office, lying on the carpet, reading a book while listening to music when I was auditioning people. No one was ever surprised to see her around.”

“I can imagine that”, I reply, picturing a little Y/N, wandering around the corridors of the DA’s building, or working for school, or even reading a book on an office couch, headphones on her hears while her father was working.

“Dad”, I can hear behind me, turn around to see that Y/N is back from the bathroom. “What are you already doing here ?”

  Y/N’s POV

  I enter one of the cabins to pee before going back. When I exit it, I wash my hands and look at myself again checking my make-up and putting some lipstick again, check my hair. When I judge myself decent again, I go out. I walk back from the bathroom, hearing some laughs and voices coming from counsellor Carisi’s office.

  “Dad”, I say, spotting my father behind Dominick’s tall frame. “What are you already doing here ?”

“Y/N, sweetheart”, my father passes by counsellor Carisi to hug me. “I was a little early and I thought I would surprise you. That charming young man here said that you were in the bathroom, so we started to chat a little. I get why you like to work with that young man my darling, he’s really passionate about his job”, he adds, pointing the blond ADA with his thumb.

“If you don’t need me anymore Dominick, I’ll go.”

“Dominick ?”, my dad asks, raising his eyebrow.

“He told me not to call him counsellor, just like you did with your assistants.”

“Actually, I told her to call me Sonny, but she doesn’t”, he says, scratching the back of his head.

“It’s too familiar, you’re my boss after all.”

“Dad, if you’re ready we should go. Of course, if you don’t need me anymore”, I turn to counsellor Carisi.

“That’s good for me, you can go.”

“Thanks”, I reply, going behind my desk to grab my purse and to clean my desk. “Don’t forget to eat, to drink, and to take some break. I ordered you some food for your lunch, I prepared the few files you have to check. Don’t leave too late tonight, you have dinner at your parents”, I conclude, looking at Dominick while I list the things I planned for his afternoon. “Your tie, it’s not straight”, I say, looking at his neck, my hands reaching for the knot, his eyes meeting mine when I start to redo the knot, his face a few centimeters from mine, those pink lips I’d love to kiss for a year. “Here, all done”, I say, smoothing his suit jacket.

“Thanks”, he whispers.

“You’re welcome”, I respond, on the same tone.

  Someone clears his throat next to us and I suddenly remember that my father is around. I step back from counsellor Carisi and grab the two letters on my desk.

  “We should go. Have a nice afternoon Dominick.”

  On that, I grab my coat and scarf and I head to the elevators.

  “Nice to meet you Carisi, let’s meet again sometimes”, I can hear my father say, probably extending his hand to the counsellor to shake it.

“Pleasure is all mine counsellor McCoy, and I would love to”, my boss replies.

  I press the button of the elevator, and when the door opens, I have the bad surprise to see Vanessa Hadid in the cabin.

  “Miss McCoy, I see it’s time for your daddy-daughter lunch date”, she says, stepping out of the elevator, her eyes falling on my father who’s walking towards the elevators. “Counsellor McCoy, what a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Vanessa Hadid”, she deceitfully adds, a fake smile on her face, extending her hand. “Let me say that I really admire your work and all you did for the city. I think some people should take your successes as examples”, she looks at me, “and do their job better. Speaking of which, Miss McCoy, don’t forget that you must list all the charges in your documents or the ADA and then the DA can’t do their job correctly.”

“I can assure you Ms. Hadid that my job is done correctly, and that ADA Carisi is very satisfied with my work.”

“I’m sure he’s very satisfied of your job, I can tell, but it’s not enough, and ADA Carisi is satisfied with little”, her remark makes me turn red. “I should remember that you’re just a little secretary and the fact that your father was one of the best ADA of this city doesn’t necessarily make you good at your work, what a shame.”

  I can feel my anger boiling inside of my veins. That woman really treats me like crap.

  “My daughter is a PA, Ms. Hadid and I can assure you that despite what you are thinking, she’s very good at her job and she knows what she’s doing, after all, she assisted me a lot when she was younger and her first job was to be my assistant, so if counsellor Carisi says he’s pleased with her work, believe me, he is. Good day Ms. Hadid, and unfortunately, I can’t say that it was a pleasure to meet you.”

  With that, my father links his arm with mine and we step in the elevator.

 Fifteen minutes later, we’re settle at our usual table at Giovanni’s, one of our favorite restaurants. My dad takes me here since I’m a child. It became one of our rituals.

  “I’m surprised that you never told him that I was your father”, he says after the waiter took our orders. “That boy was practically fanboying over me. This was funny to see to be honest.”

“He’s unbeatable on the previous ADAs, and I’m not sure that he would have treat me normally if I had told him about our filiation. He’s very passionate about this job. I find it really cute”, I reply, drinking a sip of my lemonade.

“I don’t think that this is the only thing you find really cute about him.”

  I almost choke on my drink, while he’s looking at me, a small smile playing on his lips before he drinks some of his whiskey.

  “You shouldn’t let her treat you that way you know”, my dad suddenly says, after the waiter put down our plates in front of us, and I know he’s talking about Hadid. “I don’t like the way she talks to you, and the way she talks about that Carisi guy. Clearly, she doesn’t like any of you. But listen to me Y/N, she might be your employer, but don’t forget that you actually have a law degree. Just like her and just like that Daddy-Long-Legs for whom you work. Your ADA”, he adds, emphasizing the ‘your’.

“He’s not my ADA dad”, I sigh, praying that I don’t blush too much.

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you and the way you look at him, act around each other. You two act like a married couple without being one. But office relationship is not something I really advice.”

“Why ? Because of your own and disastrous experiment ?”, I ask more harshly that I intended.

  He gives me a dirty look and I know I’ve gone too far. This is still a sensitive subject. Even if many years have passed, I know that he still feels guilty about Claire Kincaid’s death.

  “Dad, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have talk to you like that. This was rude from me. I know you only want what’s best for me”, I say, reaching for his hand on the table.

“That’s okay Y/N, you’re an adult and I can’t spend my time to protect you nor make choices for you. He seems to be a nice and good guy and if something happens between the two of you, I’ll support you.”

“Thanks dad, but I don’t think that anything will happen between Dominick and me. And to talk about Hadid, I don’t want to risk getting fired, not when I love the job I’m doing and make a good team with the person I work for. I know I can find a PA job anywhere in the city and that I can work in another DA office, but I love working with SVU and with counsellor Carisi.”

“Promise me something then”, he starts, and I just nod, while he grabs my hand, “if she harasses you, you’ll report her. That woman is determined and tough, but I have no doubt that she would crush you, or Carisi, if she could.”

“I have no doubt about that either”, I respond, drinking some of my lemonade. “Don’t worry dad, if she goes too far, I’ll not hesitate to report her. I promise.”

  We continue to eat, in a comfortable silence.

  “Are you going at your mom for Christmas ?”, he asks.

“No. Last time I spoke to her, she reproached me to be too close to you. And I responded that she shouldn’t have to leave when I was a kid, I would probably be closer to her. Same thing as usual”, I shrug.

“You should be less hard with her.”

“She’s the one who chose that situation. Thank God, you never brought an evil stepmother or evil stepsisters home. Just your pretty and young coworkers.”

“What about your sister ?”, he asks.

“Rebecca ? Don’t have any news for a while. I think she has better things to do than spending time with her little half-sister who’s fifteen years younger than her. I think I might spend it by myself this year, unless you have nothing planned.”

“I’m already invited by a judge I worked with, in California. I can ask him if you can come if you want to.”

“No that’s okay, thanks dad, I’ll have a quiet night, I’ll order takeout and watch some movies. I’m used to be alone, remember.”

“That makes me sad to know that you will be alone on Christmas. You are young, you need to have some fun. Go to parties.”

“Speaking of parties”, I say, taking the envelopes from my bag, “I had those this morning.”

  I hand him his letter announcing the annual Christmas ball.

  “Masquerade”, he reads, after taking the letter out of the envelop. “Does that mean they expect us to wear a mask ?”, he asks, not really thrilled at that perspective.

“That’s exactly what they expect”, I reply, taking a bite of food from my plate. “It could be fun, for once.”

“Are you going ?”

“I have to, I can’t skip my job’s Christmas party, especially not when I’m the daughter of Jack McCoy.”

“What are you going to wear ?”, he questions.

“I don’t know, it seems that Kat found something for me, she seems to have decided to play Fairy Godmother with me. Said she found me a gown to wear on that night, to pop-up my inner Cinderella”, I sigh.

“Maybe you should let her do it, she’s your friend, she wants to help you.”

“I know. What about you, are you coming ?”

“I’m going every year, with you since you’re a child, I’m not going to skip that year either, after all they probably will be expecting for me. Especially that boss of yours.”

  He folds the letter in two before putting it in his pocket. We finish our lunches and then spend the afternoon walking in Central Park, going to the zoo, another old tradition from my childhood. I must admit that dad freed up some time for me more than he did for Rebecca. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why she doesn’t really like me. Well, I don’t really think that dad took care more about me than about her. I know he did spend more time with me, but that’s because my mother left. I spent countless nights on the couch of his office, countless days doing my homework on the spare table of his office, sitting in a court room, waiting for him to finish work, eating sandwiches instead of real meals, sometimes a hot meal from the restaurant down the street. When I was old enough to take care of myself, I stayed home, but I found my way back to my dad’s office for my first job during the holidays. I was helping, just like his assistant. Little by little I learned to love that job, helping the ADA, being here when he speaks with the victims, trying to help said victim, somehow investigating for him. Yes, I went to law school and had my degree, and I could be a lawyer, but being the ADA’s PA, was what I really wanted, I couldn’t guess that for a while I would be stuck in the archives.

 After our afternoon, my dad takes me back to my apartment. After we agreed on going at the Masquerade ball together as we do every year.

 The next day is busy. I wasn’t expected for the trial to be that soon. We had a message when I barely arrived that a court and a judge was available for today. The file is complete, we explained to Malia, the victim, all she had to know and that she has to stuck with what she told us, trying to not be destabilized by the other lawyer, everything is ready and we’re sitting at court, when we get the list of the defense’s witnesses.

  “There is someone I don’t know on it. Look, a last-minute addition”, counsellor Carisi tells me, pointing the name of a man.

“What do you want to do ? Do you want me to do a quick research ? That name is ringing a bell to me. As if my father had a trial with a man having the same name. Give me an hour or two, I can probably find something”, he just nods and with that, I rise from my chair and go out of the courtroom.

  I almost run to my office, quickly making a research in the archives. Bingo, I knew it. Quickly printing what I’ve found, I go back to the courthouse as fast as I can to assist counsellor Carisi. When I arrive again inside of the courthouse, I slide next to my boss, noticing that the man is already in the witness booth.

  “Howard Caplan convicted for rape almost twenty years ago. That’s why the name rang a bell to me, my dad was in charge of his trial. Caplan is a rapist, a murderer, and a liar. He’s one of those people who think that victims deserved what happened to them. He’s out because he was released for good behavior three years ago. If you want my opinion, this is a big fuck you to his victims. I was in courthouse when he was found guilty, I was young, but I will remember that face all my life, the face of a monster. The MO is the same, Caplan is probably Rowell’s mentor”, I whisper in Carisi’s ear.

“How did you find it ?”, he asks me, after I show him the paper with the information he needed for the trial.

“I’m the daughter of a retired ADA and the granddaughter of a cop, that makes me really good at sticking my nose into someone’s past, plus this was in the archives I had to type when I worked in my little mouse hole”, I wink at him. “Now you know what buttons to push.”

“Y/N, you’re amazing, I could kiss you”, he says louder, and I turn bright red, and so does he when he realize what he just said. “I mean with no ulterior motive.”

“Counsellor Carisi, if you and Miss Y/L/N have to talk of personal matters, I suggest you do it outside of my court”, the judge shouts in our direction, looking at us.

“I’m sorry your honor.”

“Sorry”, I repeat, and she sighs.

Dominick’s squeezes my hand under the table as another way to say ‘thank you’, his long fingers caressing my palm, a very intimate gesture. I bite my lower lip trying not to sigh in pleasure, and to pay attention to what’s said.

  “Counsellor Carisi, do you have things to ask the witness ?”

“Yes, your honor”, he responds the judge, letting go of my hand and standing up, buttoning his jacket, I can see the gearwheel turning into his head.

  And for five minutes straight, using the information I gave him, he managed to make Caplan admit that he is Rowell’s mentor and that he didn’t want to kill and rape by himself now not to go back in prison. But his confession is a violation to his parole, so he’s arrested right here and there. As for Rowell, he’s declared guilty by the jury. I sigh in relief when the verdict is said, looking at Malia, who’s sitting right behind me, Captain Benson, and Kat at her sides.

 “Thank you so much counsellor Carisi”, she says, hugging him tight.

“Actually, I’m not the one you should thank. Y/N found about Caplan’s past. She helped me a lot”, he tells her, slightly grabbing my hand in his.

  I swallow the lump in my throat while his stares at me right in the eyes.

  “Thank you, Y/N, you’ve been really nice with me during this all thing”, Malia turns to me and hugs me, making counsellor Carisi let go of my hand.

“You’re welcome Malia. Don’t forget that if you need something, you can contact me.”

“I know, thank you”, she says, hugging me again and tighter, before letting go of me.

  Malia exits the courtroom with her mother and sister.

  “Thank you, Y/N, I don’t know what I would do without you”, Dominick’s voice says next to me.

  I turn to him, his blue eyes are sparkling, while he steps towards me, his gaze never leaving mine.

  “Y/N, I’d like to…”

“Y/N, you were amazing”, Kat jumps in, cutting counsellor Carisi, and hold me in her arms. “You and I are officially off duty so let girl’s night begin !”

  From the corner of my eye, I can see Dominick leaving the courthouse alongside with Captain Benson. He slightly turns his head towards me, and I can see sadness in his eyes. I grab my bag and follow Kat who drags me outside of the building.

  “Don’t tell me that you never noticed the way he looks at you”, Kat says, after at least our fifth or sixth drink.

“He’s not looking at me in any way. Our relationship is strictly professional”, I slur, as drunk as she is.

“And the way you look at him.”

“I’m not looking at it in any way either.”

“You both look like two idiots in love, but you’re too idiots to notice”, she gulps her drink and waves at the waiter for another. “He looks like a lovesick puppy in love.”

  The waiter puts down another drink in front of her.

  “And besides”, she continues, “today he literally said that he could kiss you, in court, in front of everyone. That you can’t deny.”

  At those words, I remember what happened after the judge called us to order, his hand touching mine, little circles on my palm, his hand almost sliding in mine and then, the judge asking him to question the witness, only those thoughts make my cheeks turning red again.

  “He just said that because he was happy I found the information. I don’t think he intended to do it”, I sigh, sipping my mojito.

“You know what you need, you need to get laid ! When was the last time you had a good fuck ?”

“Kat !”, I shout.

“What ? You’re gorgeous, clever and you need to get that tall blond and handsome Italian out of your mind. You two act like a married couple without being one.”

“That’s funny you say that my dad told me exactly the same yesterday.”

“And he’s right”, she gulps her drink once again. “Another”, she waves one more time at the waiter.

“No more drinks for you two ladies, you already had way too many and I ordered a cab for you two to go home safely, ride’s on me”, he winks at us. “And this is my number”, he adds, handing me a piece of paper with his phone number on, “in case that guy you like doesn’t open his eyes.”

  I thank him and put the paper in my pocket. A few minutes later, the doors opens to a woman around Kat and I’s age and the waiter waves at her to indicate that we are the customers. The ride home has us sleepy and at the second we pass my front door, Kat collapses on the couch, and I manage to reach my room, after putting a plaid on her so she won’t catch a cold. She’s right, I mother people too much. Then, I finally allow myself to sleep when I fall on my bed.

The next morning, I wake up with a slight headache, fully clothed and Kat’s groan from the living room.

  “Fuck, my head.”

  I stretch like a cat on the mattress, feeling my whole-body crack before getting up.

  “Good morning to you too”, I say, stepping in my living room.

“How could you let me drink that much ?”, she asks.

“Nothing can seem to have stopped you, so I rather drank too”, I respond, shrugging. “What do you think about breakfast ?”

“Give me some aspirin first”, she says, sitting on the couch, massaging her temples.

  I turn around and walk to the kitchen. I open a cupboard and pull out two glasses, before filling it with water. I open the meds cabinet and take two aspirin pills, then I head back to the living room.

  “Here you go”, I hand her one of the pills and one of glasses of water before gulping my own pill and water.

“Thank God”, she thanks me, taking the glass and the pill.

“Oh, you can just call me Y/N, you know”, I joke, and she chuckles. “What about breakfast now ?”, I ask.

“I thought you would never ask”, she answers, rising from the couch.

She follows me to the kitchen. I take grab two mugs and start the coffee maker and the kettle.

“So, dress shopping today”, she states, very seriously when I put some bread, butter, spread and jam in front of her. “I will doll you up for the love of Carisi.”

“You’re obsessed Kat.”

“Me ? No, I just want my best friend’s happiness.”

  I rise an eyebrow, not really knowing what to answer to that. I appreciate Kat’s efforts to help me having a love life, but I really don’t really see why she absolutely wants to set me up with Carisi. I recognize that I have a massive crush on my boss, but regarding my dad’s situation when I was younger, I don’t think this is a good idea.

  “Stop trying to set me up with my boss please.”

“No”, she replies, a sly smile on her lips.

  I pour some coffee in her mug and some water in mine before I hand her the steamy coffee. We take our breakfast in a comfortable silence before each of us take a shower. As Kat and I are used to sleep at each other’s home after a night outside or for a girl’s night, we have spare clothes at each other’s.

  “Are you ready ?”, she asks, as soon as I go outside of my bedroom, slipping my head into a NYC sweater.

“Is it normal that I am frightened about that dress story ?”, I question.

“I promise you that you have nothing to be afraid about. I swear that you will love that dress and look stunning in it. It was made for you.”

  I sigh, I don’t really have a choice, I need a dress for the DA’s office Christmas Ball and I also know that Kat doesn’t give up that easy. She almost drags me from my apartment to the subway. Thirty minutes later, she stops in front of a little clothes shop.

  “How did you find this place ?”, I ask her, knowing that the kind of dress I can see in the window display.

  Indeed, a lot of the dresses I can see look like prom gowns or princesses’ dresses. So far from Kat’s usual clothing. I never wore a dress like this, not even for my prom. To be honest, I didn’t even go to prom, no one invited me, and I didn’t want to go there alone, instead, I spent the night at the restaurant with my dad who then, took me to a musical, a quiet night to celebrate my high school graduation and acceptation to law school. I look at one of the dressing and then close my eyes, imaging myself in it, looking like a princess, waltzing with a tall blue-eyed Italian in a three pieces-suit.

  “Y/N. Y/N. Y/N. Earth to Y/N, come back here”, my eyes shoot open. “You were daydreaming again, and according to the smile on your face, I know who you were daydreaming about”, she sings-song mockingly.

“I wasn’t daydreaming about Sonny”, I poorly defend myself too quickly, probably blushing in the process.

“Ah ! I knew it !”, she points at me. “But you’re not going into one of these dresses. There is a special one waiting for you inside”, she adds, dragging me inside of the store.

“Kat, you’re here !”, a woman says behind the counter. “And I bet this is the friend you told me about. The one for the dress”, she adds, smiling at me. “Come in darling”, she moves from her spot and grabs my hand to pull me towards fitting rooms, before making me step on a pedestal. “You were right I’m sure the dress will be perfect for her. Please sweetheart, take off your coat so I can see if the size is the good one.”

  I do what she says, shrugging my coat off my shoulder. She points at my sweater that I take off too.

  “Perfect, she’s gonna be perfect for my dress”, she claps her hands after turning around me.

“I told you it was made for her. And he’s gonna be crazy about it.”

“Can you please stop talking as if I wasn’t in the room ?”, I question, annoyed.

“Yes, sorry sweetie. You’ll step in that fitting you and remove your clothes, socks and shoes too, just stay in your underwear, and I’ll come with the dress and help you slip in it. There are no mirrors in the room, so you’ll not see yourself before we come back here”, I just nod. “Come on, undress and I’ll get the dress.”

  Just before I close the fitting room door, I can see the woman locking the front door and turning the open/close sign. I undress as she told me, hopping I’ll not die of cold before she comes back.

  “Well, are you ready dear ?”, I hear less than two minutes later, and when I say yes, she comes in, carrying a huge slipcover. “Turn around and close your eyes. Kat wants it to be a surprise”,  I comply, I don’t want to offend Kat, especially when she wants to make me a surprise. “Lift your arms, yes perfect”, I can feel the soft fabric of the dress on my skin. One hand puts my right shoulder under a brace, hands smooth the top of the dress around my chest, strings are pulled behind my back, and finally, the skirt is behind deployed around my legs and feet. “Put your hands on the wall, I’ll put the shoes on your feet.” I obey one more time, feeling my feet slipping in, making me a little taller. “Come on darling, eyes closed still, you’ll follow me.”

  She grabs my hands and guides me back to the store.

  “Oh my God, Y/N, you’re stunning”, Kat says from I don’t know where.

“Well, for now, I have to believe you as I haven’t seen myself yet.”

“Believe me, you look like a princess.”

“Mind the step”, the store woman warns me. “One more little thing and you can open your eyes.”

  I can feel her putting something on my shoulders. A soft and light fabric, maybe tulle caresses my skin.

  “Open the mirrors Kat please”, she says. “Okay, now sweetheart, you’ll open your eyes and see yourself. On three. One. Two. Three.”

  I open my eyes. There are mirrors all around and reflecting in those, me, in the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen in my life.

  “It’s... I…”, I don’t know what to say, I barely recognize myself. I look like Cinderella. The dress is blue, with light blue and golden strass on the bustier which has only one shoulder strap, the other goes under my left arm, little blue straps in the back. The skirt is perfect, made of silk covered with blue tulle, with silver glitters, is not too big nor too small. A tulle shawl is covering my shoulders and tied on my chest. I lift the skirt to check on the shoes. They are the same color as the dress, blue with silver glitters. “Oh my god”, I manage to finally say after looking at me in the mirrors. “Kat, you were right, I look like a princess.”

“Least but not last”, the shop owner comes back near me, a sliver mask matching my dress in her hands. “I designed it for you, especially for the dress”, she adds, putting it on my nose.

  I look at the mask, on the silver base, there are blue patterns on the left side and a golden butterfly on the right, with some pearls on its wing. I step down the pedestal and hug Kat tight.

  “You’re going to be the most beautiful woman of that ball.”

  Three weeks after the dress fitting, and said dress hanging on my wardrobe, in a slipcover, waiting to be worn tomorrow at the DA Christmas Ball. Those last three weeks have been pretty calm, which was unexpected considering the time of the year. Usually, Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year. During those three weeks, I spent a lot of times with Dominick and he was dashing as usual. His blue eyes sparkling when talks about his nieces waiting for Santa to give them gifts. The ball is tomorrow and then, next Saturday it’s Christmas Eve, and on Sunday Christmas, that I’ll spend on my own this year. Maybe it’ll do me good, the occasion to rest and rethink my life maybe.

  “Well, I think we don’t need to stay here any longer”, counsellor Carisi says, going out of his office. “You can turn this off Y/N, I don’t think that something will happen now. Friday, 5:30 pm, no calls from SVU since last week. I must admit that I’m glad that this year is calm, not like last year where we had work all over our heads.”

  He smiles at me and my heart nearly misses a beat. That man will be the death of me someday. Why am I not even capable to ask him for a drink or a lunch date sometimes, just the two of us, no work between us and especially, no Vanessa Hadid, who just happened to appear in the corridor where my desk is, when Dominick is about to speak again.

  “Carisi, McCoy”, she calls us. “You both can leave, we don’t have any more work, so we can call it a week. Go get a drink or grab something to eat, enjoy your evening. See you both at the ball tomorrow. Well, if I manage to recognize you”, she adds, before leaving.

  I turn off my computer to see that he came back into his office, probably to take his coat and turn off the light. Then, he comes back when I rise from my chair, putting my scarf around my neck.

  “Y/N, before Ms. Hadid arrived and interrupted us, I was about to tell you that it’s still early and I wanted to ask you if you’d like to…”

“Y/N !”, I hear my dad’s voice shooting from behind.

“Dad ? What are you doing here ?”, I question, turning to him, taken by surprise.

“Taking you to dinner sweetheart, it wasn’t planned but as we are going to the DA ball tomorrow and also because I won’t be here the next two weeks so we won’t have our lunch date, I thought that we could spend the evening together.”

“I… Yes dad, of course”, I respond, “give me a minute please”, he nods, and I turn back to my boss. “What did you want to ask me Dominick ?”

“Never mind, another time maybe”, he answers, looking disappointed. “You should spend a good night with your father and enjoy it. I’ll see you tomorrow, try to save me a dance. Have a nice evening. It was a pleasure to see you again Mr. McCoy”, he says, before extending his hand to my father to shake it.

“Did I interrupt something ?”, my father asks once Sonny is out of view and ears.

“You’re the second person interrupting when he’s about to ask me something”, I whisper, not loud enough for him to hear it.

“What ?”

“Nothing”, I sadly smile at him. “Let’s go for a walk and maybe, I’ll find your Christmas present on the way”, trying to be as joyful as possible, feeling bad for Dominick who twice tried to say something and was interrupted, once by our shrew boss, the second time by my good intentioned father.

“If you want my opinion, that boy probably wanted to ask you on a date. He’s got a thing for you.”

“Dad, we already talked about it, don’t be ridiculous. Let’s go now, would you”, I conclude, slipping my coat on my shoulders.

  The evening passed fast and the next day is here too soon. Kat joins me in the afternoon to get ready. Her friend from the store showed her how to put the dress on me.

  “There you go”, she says, putting a little more red lipstick on my lips. “Perfect.”

  She turns me to the mirror, and I look at myself. I already loved the dress when I tried it, but I love it more this time with make-up and my hair done. I take a look at Kat’s outfits. She wears a black suit, with a little touch of make up on her eyes.

  “You really are something else Katriona Tamin.”

“What ? Because I don’t wear a dress ?”

“No because you’re really something else. I’ve never had a friend who did for me what you have done. I don’t even know if anybody’s friend already did that. You saw a dress, booked it for me convinced that it would fit, you support me and help me when I need something. I’m glad I met you Kat Tamin and it’s an honor to call you my best friend. Thank you”, I say, hugging her tight.

“Oh, don’t thank me now Y/N McCoy, you’ll thank me when you and Carisi are married, having kids and when you’ll ask me to be the godmother of your first born.”

“Kat !”

“Don’t pretend to be offended. If tonight he doesn’t fall for you, I’ll kick his ass myself.”

  We start to laugh when we’re interrupted by the doorbell.

  “Hey dad”, I greet him, opening the door.

“Hello sweetheart”, he responds, kissing my forehead. “You look radiant”, he adds, taking a step back to look at me.

“Thanks daddy. I feel like a princess”, I turn on myself to show him the back of the dress.

“Don’t forget this !”, Kat says, handing me my mask. “Hi Mr. McCoy.”

“Miss Tamin. What an interesting choice of outfit. But it suites you.”

“Thank you, Mr. McCoy. You look very good yourself.”

“Thanks, I just didn’t put that on”, he says, waving the mask in his hand. “This is ridiculous.”

“That’s not ridiculous dad, that’s the principle of a masquerade ball.”

“We should go, or we will be late”, Kat states.

“I have a little surprise for you girls”, my dad says once I lock the door.

  Indeed, a very big surprise, I was expecting a cab waiting for us, but a limo is parked in front of my building. The driver opens the door and help Kat and I to climb in the car. The ride is quick and before I can realize it, we’re in front of the city hall where the ball takes place. We put our masks on before exiting the car.

  “Can you please take us back at midnight ?”, my father asks the driver.

“Of course, sir. Have a nice night”, and with that, he comes back in car and drives away.

  I rise my head and notice that the city hall has been decorated for the occasion with a lot of white lights in the shape of snowflakes. My father starts to climb the stairs, followed by Kat.

  “Dad wait a minute please. Promise me something. Don’t drink too much tonight please.”

“Be here at midnight or I’ll leave without you.”

  That said, he offers me his arm to climb the stairs, Kat by my side. I hand to the person at the door our invitations and we come in. The inside of the ballroom is more beautiful than the outside. There is a huge white Christmas tree, decorated with some Christmas balls, garlands and lights. The walls are full of colorful ribbons. There are tables, full of food and drinks all around the dancefloor, a disco ball hanging on the celling, a DJ is placed in the far end of the room. All around us, there are people wearing masks, so that’s impossible to say who’s who.

  “I’ll go grab a drink”, my dad says. “I’ll see you later”, and with that he leaves.

“I want to ferret a little around. If I don’t see you again before you leave, I’ll call you tomorrow”, she says, kissing my cheek. “Have a good night Cinderella”, she winks at me before walking away.

  I sigh, finding myself alone in the middle of that big party. I take a glass of champagne of the table and sip on it and taste one of the appetizers on a plate next to the drinks. I start to wander around, climbing the stairs to the balcony, looking down at the ball room, watching the first dancers evolving on the dancefloor. I don’t know who they are and I’m not sure that they know who they are dancing with, but everyone seems to be happy with that. I go back downstairs, wandering on the first floor. Music is blasting from the loudspeakers while I’m still walking around almost walking through I don’t know what door, when a hand touch my arm and stops me. I turn around to see who it is, and my eyes meet with a pair of blue ones. The tall man in front of me is starring, before he grabs my hand and take it to his lips, laying a kiss on it. I can’t properly see his face because of my mask, and his only let me see his eyes, his mask sort of looking like the one of Erik, The Phantom of the Opera, I can only see his mouth, not his nose nor the shape of his face, he wears a black suit, Phantom of the Opera style too, matching his mask. Then, silently, he lightly turns his gaze towards the dancefloor, silently asking for my permission to dance and I just nod. He leads me to the middle of the dancefloor. He takes my hand in his and slides his arm around my waist while I put my other hand on his shoulder, and we start to sway to the music. I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need I love you more with every breath truly, madly, deeply do, the song says, while his eyes are never leaving mine. It’s just him and I lost in the middle of the crowd, locked in a bubble, where nothing else exists but my mysterious dance partner. The more we sway, the more I feel I’m where I’m meant to be, even if I don’t know who he is, I feel good in the arms of that unknown man, who doesn’t seem to know who I am either. The more the song passes, the more I want to kiss him, my eyes go from his eyes to his lips and I think that he must have understand because he leans towards me. I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need I love you more with every breath truly, madly, deeply do, the song says again when our lips finally touch. My mysterious partner has soft lips, I tighten my grip on his shoulder when he deepens the kiss.

The song ends and it’s like our bubble doesn’t burst. He looks at me smiling, pecking my lips once again, before dragging me behind him towards the inner gardens. I’m giggling like a teenager, living my prom in my early thirties instead of at seventeen. He presses me to one of the pillars of the city hall, his right hand on it while his left hand cups my right cheek and his lips find mine again. My hands find his arms and I’m sliding them until I reach the back of his neck, pulling him a little more into me. I’ve never been kissed like this, ever. I don’t know how long I stay here, kissing a perfect stranger but it feels so right and maybe, just maybe for once, I can allow myself not to think about Dominick Carisi Jr. I’m still in my bubble until I hear it.

  “Goddamn it, where is she ?!”, I recognize my dad’s voice, opening my eyes wide, pulling away from my strange one-night lover and also realize that the city hall clock strikes midnight.

“What is it ?”, my mysterious man asks, whispering.

“I… I have to go”, I answer, murmuring too. “I’m sorry”, I add, pecking his lips one more time before running for my life.

  I think he didn’t had time to process because I have time to reach the main entry of the city hall.

  “Hey, wait !”, I can hear behind me, but I don’t have time to care about him.

“Dad, wait”, I shoot, from the top of the stairs when I see him walking towards the limo, and by the way he walks, I can say that he drank more that he should have. “Dad”, I lift my dress and start to run down the stairs.

  I manage to reach the car, after I struggled with a hole in the stairs and the heel of one of my shoes.

  “There you are”, my dad’s drunk voice greets me when I sit down, and the driver starts to drive. “I saw you kissing I don’t know who. I know I told you you should have fun, but I didn’t think that you would take it that way. “What ?”, he asks suddenly.

“My shoe, I lost one of my shoes, and my shawl”, I say, looking down at my feet, unknotting my mask.

“Well play, now your mysterious prince charming is going to make all the girls from New York trying that shoe to find you.”

“Dad, please stop”, I just manage to say, too tired to bite back at him, because all I want now is to go back home and sleep, probably replaying myself the dance and the kiss to put myself to sleep.

 Sonny’s POV

 I’m dressing myself, hoping that this will have a good effect for the masquerade ball. I made some research before I chose my outfit for tonight. I didn’t really want to look like a prince charming, I wanted to try something different and I remembered that Y/N once mentioned that there was a masquerade ball in a musical she has seen several times with her father when she was younger, The Phantom of the Opera. I checked online to see what the suit and the mask looked like and I decided to wear it. I just took a mask that was a little different.

  “Hey Carisi, nice disguise”, Fin says when he parks in front of my building.

“Wanted to do something a little less conventional than usual, play the game”, I respond.

“Play the game dressing as The Phantom of the City Hall ?”, he mocks me. “Maybe you do that for a certain Y/H/C with Y/E/C lady.”

“She’s supposed to be here, with her father, but with the masks, I’m not sure that I’ll recognize her, she can be dressed in any outfit.”

“Let’s just hope you’ll find her. Now we better get going, I have to take Phoebe on the way.”

  We stop by Phoebe’s apartment where she comes out dressed in an amazing dress. Once at the city hall and in the ball room, I look around to see if I spot Y/N or Mr. McCoy, or maybe Kat, as she and Y/N are best friend, she probably knows how she’s dress. After a first drink and some appetizers, I grab another champagne glass and go upstairs, looking at the ball room from the balcony. That’s when I see her. No not Y/N. A girl with Y/H/C in a blue dress, with a matching mask, a butterfly covering half of her face. I don’t know what she’s doing, but she’s looking at everything in an awe. I don’t know why but I feel attract by that girl, I gulp my coupe and go back downstairs. I don’t know what she’s searching or looking for but she’s about to go in a room she can’t go. I don’t say a word, just touch her arm. She turns around, she’s stunning, outstanding, she takes my breath away. A real princess. I just grab her hand and kiss it. I look at the dancefloor, silently asking her if she wants to dance, she just nods and smile. I take her in the middle of it, we’re surrounded by other people. I take her hand in mine and put my other hand on her hip, while she puts her free hand on my shoulder. We sway slowly, following the slow rhythm of the song, some tune that was released when I was like fifteen. I never leave her eyes, gorgeous Y/E/C eyes. I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need I love you more with every breath truly, madly, deeply do, I don’t even know who she is but those are words I would tell that girl. Those are words I would tell Y/N if I dared to tell her how I feel about her, but I’ll probably never say it. At some point I can see her eyes travelling from my eyes to my lips, I’m attracted to her and I want to kiss her, badly. Once again, I silently ask her, and she silently agrees. I press my lips to hers in a slow but tender kiss. Her fingers tighten around my shoulder. Nothing else exists but her and me, it’s like there is a bubble around us. The song ends but I don’t want that night to finish. I peck her lips one more time and take her hand to go to the pillars near the inner gardens. She giggles and I find that this is the cutest sound I’ve ever heard. I press her to one the pillars, I steady myself putting my right hand on the pillar and I cup her cheek with my left hand, and I kiss her again. That’s the first time I kiss a total stranger and it’ll probably be the last time, but it feels right. Her hands go up my arms and find their place behind my neck pulling me into her. I don’t know how long our kiss lasts, but suddenly, she pulls away.

  “Goddamn it, where is she ?!”, a voice shouts from I don’t know where and the city hall clock strikes midnight.

“What is it ?”, I ask her, whispering.

“I… I have to go”, she answers, murmuring too. “I’m sorry”, she adds, pecking my lips one more time before she runs for her life.

  I’m completely taken aback as she runs away.

  “Wait !”, I shout, running after her, but she’s already at the other side of the room, still running. I might have long legs, the crowd stops me to reach her.

  I look over people’s heads to see her, her head turning from right to left as if she’s looking for someone. Suddenly, she’s on the run again.

  “Hey, wait !”, I shout, making people looking at me.

  I see her running down the stairs and when I finally reach the entry and go down the stairs, she dives into a limo and the car leaves.

  “Wait !”, I shout once again, going down the stairs, trying to catch the car, but it’s too late.

  With rage I rip off the mask from my face.

  “Fuck !”

“Carisi, what’s going on ?”, I can see Kat at the top of the stairs.

“There’s, there’s that girl, I danced with her she… She…”, I suddenly stop seeing a blue shoe stuck in the concrete of the stairs and a blue tulle shawl fluttering around.

  I bend to take the shoe and I can see Kat going down to me, the blue shawl in her hands.

  “Oh, she really made her inner Cinderella pop out, dancing with the prince, loosing a shoe, leaving at midnight”, she says.

“What ?”, I ask.

“Nothing”, she answers.

“You know who she is don’t you ?”, I question her.

“I’m not saying a thing”, she responds. “You will have to find your princess by yourself”, she adds, handing me the shawl.

  I take the shawl in my hands along with the shoes and turn back to where the car disappeared, not knowing how I’ll be able to find who that girl is.

  Y/N’s POV

  I slept at my dad’s after the Masquerade ball, I let the dress flood around my feet in my childhood room and find a few clothes I let in the apartment in case I have to sleep here. Nothing changed since the moment I left home, the decoration is still the same, the sheets on the bed are still the ones with animals and I found an old pink pajama in the chest of drawers. My phone beeps, it’s a message from Kat ‘Girl, I saw you dancing with that guy and most importantly kissing him. Who is he ? So, no more pinning over Carisi ? I want to know everything. Love ya’. I respond her that we will talk about it later. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep, replaying in my head the dance and the kiss.

The next morning, my father drops me at my apartment before going at the airport and wishing me a merry Christmas. I wave at him when the car goes away, sighing, wondering how I’ll get my shoe back and if I’ll ever know who my mysterious prince charming was.

The next three days nothing really happen either, at work it’s still really calm, and I take advantage of it to clean a little and sort the old files which are ready to go in the archives. Sonny seems to be somewhere else, in his own world, I don’t know what he’s thinking about, lost in his thoughts, only snapping back to Earth when I knock on the door. He barely speaks or asks me things, plays with his food when we eat. He seems to look at something that he hides when I enter his office. It’s Wednesday and frankly I don’t really know what to do. I had a phone call with Kat, who asked me about my prince charming if I found out who he was, and I said no. I also told her that I lost one of my shoes and my shawl and asked if she found it or anyone, she said she didn’t see any blue shoe nor shawl and that I should ask the city hall. That I did but, they didn’t find it either. I wonder who can have my shoe and my shawl. Well, I’m not sure that anyone would do anything with a thin tulle shawl and a single shoe.

I continue to sort my files, humming the song I danced on with my mysterious blue-eyed prince charming.

 Sonny’s POV

  I have the impression that I spend my time starring at this shoe sing Saturday night. It’s Wednesday and I still don’t know to whom it belongs to, nor the tulle shawl. Luckily, we don’t really have work so I can think about what happened during the ball than being distracted of my work. I take the shoe and the shawl everywhere with me, hiding it when someone, mostly Y/N, knocks on the door. Serena came in between and gushed about the ball, saying it was a shame that she didn’t see or dance with me. But she spoke about that mysterious girl with the Cinderella dress dancing with an also mysterious man dressed as the Phantom of the Opera and that a lot of persons are talking about them, the mysterious couple. I clearly understood that she was jealous because she wasn’t the center of the attention. Knowing her a little, she would have brag about herself if she was the girl in the Cinderella dress. Honestly, I’m relieved that it’s not her. Actually, I’d preferred that Cinderella was Y/N to choose. She’s very quiet for the last three days, I’m not really talkative either, each of us in our own world. I didn’t even ask her how the ball was for her. We don’t have a lot to do, it’s almost like criminals decided to be nice this year.

It’s very early and I don’t have a lot to do and I think that Y/N doesn’t have a lot to do either, I could take her out for lunch, we have plenty of time. She started to sort old files to store them in the archives, but I don’t think she has many to do after two days of doing it already. I open the door and I can hear her softly humming a song. At first, I don’t recognize it, but then ‘I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need I love you more with every breath truly, madly, deeply do’. The song, the Masquerade ball song, the I danced on with Cinderella. It’s her, Cinderella is Y/N ! Realization strikes, same hair color, same eyes, how couldn’t I even realize it before ? I step back in my office and take the shoe and the shawl out of the drawer before going back to the hall.

  “I wanna stand with you on a mountain, I wanna bathe with you in the sea, I wanna lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me.”

  Hearing these words, she turns around, looking at me with wide eyes, falling on the shoe and the shawl between my hands.

  Y/N’s POV

  Behind me, I hear the chorus of the song from the ball. I turn around and I can feel my eyes widen when I realize that prince charming is Dominick freaking Carisi Jr., my own boss, the guy I’m heads over heels for, for a year. My eyes fall on the shoe in his hand, my shoe, the one I lost.

  “It was you all along”, he almost murmurs. “I think this is yours”, he adds, kneeling in front of me before I can even rise from my chair.

  He removes my left shoe from my foot and slips the blue one on. I don’t even respond, I just look into his beautiful blue orbs, wondering how I couldn’t see that it was him all along. How couldn’t I not recognize someone I see almost every day for more than a year. He gets on his feet and holds his hand to me so I can get up too. None of us say a word, he just slips the shawl around my shoulders.

  “It seems that people are talking about us”, he says, his voice still soft and without raising his tone, and I look up to him. “What happened Saturday night, you have no idea for how long I wanted this to happen”, he adds, his hand cupping my cheek, making me look at him. I start to touch his arms, my eyes never leaving his. “Y/N, can I kiss you again ? Because to be honest, that’s the only thing I’ve been thinking about for the last three days and the moment you ran away.”

“Yes, you can, Dominick. And for the record, that’s the only thing I’ve been thinking about too.”

  In no time, he bends his head, and his lips are on mine giving me a soft but yet passionate kiss. I snake my arms around his neck, one of my hands starts to play with his hair, allowing him to pull me a little more into his tall frame, one of his hands finds its way behind my head, when his second arm wraps itself around my waist. Once again, I feel like I’m in a bubble, here in Sonny Carisi’s arms, it’s like nothing can harm me there.

  “Excuse me, what the hell is going on here ?”

  We both turn our heads to the voice coming from the other side of my desk. Vanessa Hadid is here, starring at us.

  “Miss McCoy, I don’t think I pay you to make out with one of my ADAs. You are paid to assist him, not to kiss him. Mr. Carisi, I don’t think that behavior is appropriated, and this could make both of you fired. Or I can send Miss McCoy back to her little whole downstairs. Your choice Miss McCoy, either you and counsellor Carisi stop there your little make out session and go back to normal relationship, or you can go back to your little hole in the archives or if I want to, I can fire you right away.”

  That’s too much this time, it’s the final straw. Sonny lets go of me and I smooth my clothes.

  “Ms. Hadid, may I’m going to tell you something, and I don’t want to be interrupted. I don’t know what I’ve done to you or why you don’t like me. Is it because of my name ? Because my father is one of the greatest and most famous ADA and then DA that city ever known ? Is that an ego problem ? Let me tell you something. I know you’re the one who hired me, so I don’t think that you have see my resume, but if you look at it, you’ll see that I have a law degree, just like you, just like counsellor Carisi, just like my father, the great Jack McCoy. I just chose a different path. I spent a lot of time around here when I was a kid. When I was old enough to work, I helped my father, was his PA and I loved the job, that’s why I chose to be a PA rather than a lawyer. What you’re doing to me is harassment, once again I don’t know why, but I think that it must be because my name is McCoy, that for you maybe I’m privilege because of that. Breaking new, I’m not. But you know what, I know my rights, nothing authorizes you to fire me just because I’m in a relationship with a coworker, especially of it doesn’t jeopardize our work. Sonny and I are a great team. So, threating me of fire me because of that, you don’t have the right to. I could sue you for that you know, and believe me, you never saw me in court. My father could represent me, go out of his retirement, and plead for me. Or I could do it by myself, and believe me, as Jack McCoy’s daughter, I know how to defend a case. So now Ms. Hadid, threat me one more time for no reason and I’ll sue you, and I can guarantee you, that you’ll not win.”

  She opens and closes her mouth like a goldfish out of its tank.

  “If you both think that this relationship will not have a bad influence on your work, there is no problem for me. I just wanted to let you know that I’m on a break from now to the end of the holidays. Both of you have nice holidays and I’ll see you in January.”

  With that, she leaves, letting me and Sonny alone in my hall.

  “I didn’t know you had a law degree”, Sonny wraps his arms around my waist.

“Oh, I don’t tell everyone in fact. Everyone would think that they need to hire me as a lawyer because of my father and I don’t want that. Plus, I think I wouldn’t have made a good attorney. I’m satisfied with my work”, I shrug.

  I look at him, hair disheveled from my hands, so far from their usual combing.

  “Do you want to have lunch outside ?”, he asks.

“Dominick Carisi Jr., are you asking me out ?”

“If you want it to be a date, this can be, Miss McCoy.”

“I’d love to”, I respond, “but maybe it would be better if I wear the same shoes”, I laugh.

  I sit down again on my chair to change my shoe for my boot. When I’m on my feet again, Sonny hands me my coat and helps me to put it. When I’m ready, we walk hand in hand to the elevator.

  “Still nothing planned for Christmas ?”, he questions.

“Nope, nothing but tv and probably Chinese takeout.”

“What if you come with me at my parents’ ? One more person will not change anything. And my mom will be very impressive that I managed to put the glass slipper on Cinderella’s foot.”

  I laugh and I accept, I really have a good feeling about this.

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[flyinglotus777]

Fleeting Lotus

An usually sunny day on September 22nd. Reminiscing on the great remembrance of the 21st night of September. Although the sky was clear, my thoughts were cloudy. 3 years had passed since the death of my mother and I celebrated how I celebrated any other anniversary in my life, with a pack of menthol cigarettes and a book to get lost in. The pick for the day was Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix. My mother and I shared a love for Harry Potter, she introduced me to the series. I had a strange feeling that judgement was coming to me swiftly much as it met our three estranged heroes.

A knock at the door.

“Los Angeles police, open up.” an assertive, but comforting voice commanded.

I open the door to be greeted by a beautiful detective James. First name unknown. She had a slicked back, long curly ponytail and eyes of warm chocolate. Her skin was sun kissed and I found her presence to be encapturing. I wonder what she wants with me.

“Good morning sir. I am detective James. I am aware that your girlfriend, Lauren, has been missing for a couple of days and I would like to ask you some questions.” Her eyes pierced at me with persistence. Her tone sounded as if she was asking a question, but I knew she would come again if I denied. Maybe with more reinforcement.

“Uh, sure. Come on in.” I shut the green door behind her and light a cigarette. If I am to be interrogated, I shall answer in smoke.

“Sir, can you put that out?” 

“No, but I’ll open a window for you. You can sit by it.” I turn on a fan and open a window. I open the blinds slightly to see the families laugh and play in the shallow, motel infested pool. What a bunch of turds, I laugh to myself. 

I grab a seat for the lady and one for myself next to the ashtray. I see her eyes wander in silent judgement and amazement of the room. 

“There you go, Ms. James. Now what can I help you with?”

“Your girlfriend, Lauren Alexander-”

“Ex. I don’t make love to the dead,” I chuckle.

“She has been missing for over five days. We are doing an investigation and asking all close friends and family members about her whereabouts and when they saw her last. Why do you say she is dead?” she asks unsteadily, gripping the upholstered arm chair.

“Well, five days missing in this city means you’ve been kidnapped or killed. Especially for women, I’m sure you know that all too well yourself ma’am. Besides, I am the one who called to inform the police of her absence.” I take a drag and relinquish the air and stress I had built up inside of me for the past few days. She eyed me up and down as I spoke, taking notice of my fully unbuttoned beige, roaring tiger print shirt to reveal my white Hanes undershirt matched with my khaki capris. I placed my leg over my ankle so maybe she would catch a glance of my Nike socks and birkenstock combination. I did dress myself today after all. Her eyes read suspicion, but somehow I could tell she was doubtful of me. 

“Well, I would just like to ask some questions and I will be on my way.”

“Ask away. How rude of me. I forgot to mention, my name is Jacob Whitmore. My friends call me Jakey, but they haven’t been calling me as much lately.” I took another drag. Nothing screams rise and shine like a nicotine coated menthol and sitting across from an upgraded police officer.

She shakes her head in disgust and despair. “Mr. Whitmore-”

‘Please, call me Jacob.”

A heavy breath followed by a restrained urge to eye roll left the detective. 

“No more interruptions please. Where were you on Thursday, September 18th?”

“Well let’s see.” I begin to close my eyes and play in my hair in an attempt to rush my memory to the present. I need more nicotine for this. “I remember waking up that morning in my downtown Los Angeles apartment, noisier than ever that morning. Lauren had made me her classic breakfast special: bland eggs with turkey bacon and 3 chocolate chip Eggos before rushing off to work. She worked multiple jobs. She walked dogs in the morning before heading off to her fabulous mansion tour of house cleaning. Demeaning, but rewarding as me and the bills always thanked her.  I had suspicions that she had been cheating on me. I found love letters in her pockets while doing the laundry. I was a stay at home while she took care of me in between jobs. I know, you don’t find too many of us house husbands,” I said, smirking at the unimpressed detective. 

“Anyways, I decided that day I was going to follow her. Do some investigating of my own. I could’ve asked her, but I wanted to see for my own eyes the poor bastard that she was playing. You see, she loved me. We were in love and inseparable. She would be playing this rascal, but still wishing the man sweetening her gears was me.” I lit another cigarette, thankful for the lotus shaped ashtray that contained a mountain of my remnants over these past few days.

“Self absorbed, maybe but that was the kind of love her and I shared.” A smile shot across my face uncontrollably. “To my great fortune, she was loyal. I watched her rip the gardening boy a new one as she proclaimed her love for me. Lauren had the mouth of a New Yorker with the face of an angel.” A chuckle escaped through my lips along with the smoke. “I was so happy I bought her roses, her favorites. Yellow bodies with pinked tipped petals. I bought her three bouquets and decided I was going to make her favorite, fettuccine alfredo. Then I was going to lay her down like I was a handyman and the Lord hand delivered me a golden pipe to fix all broken faucets in the city.” I ashed my cigarette and began to spiral as the next menthol met my lips. I could see the concern on the detective’s face as my demeanor began to colden. 

“I made her dinner. I cleaned the apartment. I lit candles on the table and on the counter. I wasn’t too big of a romantic, but I knew how to set the mood.” I chuckled as I hunched over in my chair, staring at the ground. My hands began to tremble. I abandoned my dear ashtray for the floor. “I called her five times in the first round, no response. The clock struck 5:30, and I knew that was the time she was usually getting onto the bus. Sometimes she had went to the gay bar on Melrose, the one with the illuminated turtle splashing into an ale of beer. That quacky place,” I begin to rub my head in distress. “But she texted me that she had a long day and would be coming home as soon as possible to run a bubble bath. I was going to fuck her in the tub too.” I place my hands in my head as I wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes, sucking them back into their place. The detective has been silent, but watching me in suspense like an audience member of a Shakespearan tragedy. 

“By 8 o’clock, I still had no response or sight of her. The candles were melting down to the stem and the alfredo might as well have been frozen. That’s when I made a call to the station.” I stepped on the menthol delight to extinguish it before lighting another. Only four left in the pack. Fuck. I hope this wasn’t going to take much longer.

The detective nodded and I noticed she was taking notes. She seemed very good at her job. “I have some more questions for you...Jacob” she ended her sentence hesitantly, but her soft tone comforted my damaged soul. She shifted in her seat to her legs being crossed as if she was finally finding comfort in her 1940s styled chair. “Now we visited some of her colleagues and friends who reported a similar story to you, minus some details. We have no leads, as we have already contacted the gardener who had matching alibis. The bar said she had not come in that day. We’re still recovering city footage of her traveling throughout the county.” I picked my head up to meet her eyes. My emerald eyes glisten as she asks, “why did you decide to rent out this motel room the night of September 18th?”

“Well, I couldn’t stay in the apartment knowing that something had happened. You see, today marks the anniversary of my mother’s death. She would come here often.” Detective James nodded as if she understood. 

“I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Would you all come to vacation here?”

“My mother was a hooker. She would bring male and occasionally female clients to this location.” I said nonchalantly as if I were telling a relic of an old friend. “My father abandoned us when I was freshly born and she needed some way to support me and my brother. When she couldn’t find someone to watch us she would have us sit in the parking lot. In the parked car of course. One night I came stumbling in to beg my mother  to take us home as the clock was striking midnight and the car felt like an overworked camel hump to sleep on. I didn’t know what she was doing at first, she would always say business. I thought she was like a wall street business shark working men for their hard earned cash. I was partially right. I remember hearing these weird, promiscuous noises screaming through the lotus flower tapered walls. That’s my favorite part about this place.” I said drawing our attention to the decorum. “The pink flowers draped on the walls. Lotus flowers are supposed to be a symbol of purity. My innocence was extracted from me that night.” I take a hard drag on my cigarette in pain of irony. The detective stared at me in awe and pity. Before she could speak, I continued on with my story.

“Something inside of me told me to stay out, but my 7 year old brain was too curious not to open the door to see my mother getting pounded like the whore she was. The man just smiled at me and asked if I wanted a turn. I turned around and ran away. I vowed to never bring it up or let my brother know.” I shake my head reliving the trauma and seeing my last cigarette. “She was a good woman. She took care of me and my brother and made sure we had more than what we needed. Lauren kinda reminded me of her. Now they’re both angels watching over me.”

Detective James watched the flame from the lighter and then proceeded to scribble down an additional note. She had a confusing look on her face as if she was missing a piece of the puzzle.

“You know,” she says softly. “It hasn’t been confirmed that Lauren is dead. She may still be alive.” 

I shrug, “I abandoned false hope long ago. Is there anything else I can help you with, Ms. James?”

She starts to gather her belongings, but pauses for a second as she spots my unzipped suitcase. I could tell the puzzle pieces in her brain were looking for the missing link. Before she can answer, I say “I’ll walk you out,” managing to produce a smile. I’m just happy to reup on Ms. Mary Menthol.

She nods with a smile to mirror mine. “That is all for today. Thank you for your time and I am sorry life has been unkind to you.” Her tone rang defeated. I’m unsure if she was more saddened by my life or the unsolved case. We shake hands and I turn to reach for the door. As my back is turned, the sly bitch kicks open my suitcase to reveal a half kilo of my delicious cocaine, a machete with dried blood painted on it, and hand written notes I had written for my sweet Lauren. The next thing I know, I turn around to a gun pointed in my direction and me being handcuffed. Just as I thought I was in the clear. The scene played like a slow motion, silent film.

You see the cops had been trailing my alias for years as I had developed an itch that only holding a dead female corpse could scratch. Fell for my act didn’t you? I was sure hoping detective James would. I played the role so well I deserve to host the next fucking emmys. You see I’m not a bad guy, just a tortured soul. I was going to marry Lauren, I really was. She discovered I had killed my mother and was horrified by my actions. She was never supposed to find out. That sweet little Sherlock went rummaging through my stuff one day innocently only to be greeted with the same murder weapon that matched the description of my mother’s murder weapon and soon to be hers. I was tormented by my own thoughts and other kids for my mother’s actions. Although her intentions were in good faith, they created a world wind of hell for me. I plotted the move since I was 16. I figured sure people could clown me for having a whore as a mother, but would they say the same if she was dead. Then that makes you a shitty person. Call my mental twisted, but you try walking in my shoes and telling me how the fuck you like those roses. I’m ritualistic in my attacks as to why I was planning on burning the evidence that night on the day of my mother’s death. I figured her soul would take care of it, but it seems as if it had a vendetta to avenge me. As for the cocaine, my only mistake was not head diving straight into the baby powder while sweet cheeks handcuffed me. I hope they sell menthols in prison... 

#murdermysteries #murder mystery #short story #creative #creativestory #creativestories #drama #fiction #mystery #janet

[kdtheghostwriter]

New Blade Runner Fic

And I mean Brand New!

Yes, this is one of the ideas I’ve had slamming around in my head lately. And before we go further I must must MUST give a shoutout to the righteous @future-geometries for being a source of inspiration.

You see, we both have an on-off, intermittent fascination with the 2017 film Blade Runner 2049. It has a tiny but passionate fandom that still produces content to this day. (That includes a great fic written by J.)

We were in the midst of one of our convos about this flick when they pointed out how tragic K’s arc was and how disappointed they were that we haven’t had a “satisfying, low-stakes AU” yet. Now, this was over a year ago at least and perhaps I underestimated how much people love putting K on the Whump Train because we still haven’t seen it. So, what else is the guy who rewrote Dawn of Justice to do?

This is a rare look into my process as you get to see a very skeletal first draft. The final version will be three chapters with much more detail about the characters and the issues they face in a modern-adjacent setting.

I had to get this out into the Ether because I know it will be ages before I can get back to finishing this. I still have to finish The Batman. I still have to write JL3. Between those I’ll be writing my [REDACTED] rework. And a neat idea I have for Atomic Blonde. Then maybe I can finish this.

Until that fateful day, join me under the cut if you will...

Title: Dead Slow Ahead Word Count: 2415 Category: Gen Fandom: Blade Runner Characters: K, Rick Deckard, Ana Stelline Rating: T+ (some thematic elements and Deckard’s salty language) Summary: A tragedy in the life of Officer K begins a slow spiral that leads to his resignation from the LAPD. He now finds himself in the home of another former officer named Deckard, as he begins the slow march back to stability. A snapshot of a recovery in progress.

He drops the badge and gun on her desk without a word. She doesn’t look up at first, until she notices him still standing there. He stands there in silence for several seconds longer before he takes the seat in front of her. He’s looking down and away, then up and to the left. Anywhere but ahead into her sight.

“Is that it?”

“I think so.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Think what? I don’t read minds.”

“I think I’m done.”

She pauses at that. Not out of surprise.

“Kinda figured. Life’s put you through the shit stain recently.”

“…Yeah.”

Another pause and she opens up a drawer to drop the badge and gun into. She snaps twice to get his attention. He maintains eye contact for the first time.

“I don’t have to tell you but…this isn’t normal protocol. It’s usually a two-week notice. Two weeks that you’re still expected to show up and do your job. But I like you. We’re not friends but I like you. You’ve done good work for this department. So, I’m going to do you a favor.”

She holds up two fingers. One from each hand.

“Two days. Forty-eight hours. However you wanna think of it, I don’t care. You get two days leave to figure out whatever this is. You come back in two days and I give you your gear back. If you don’t, I clear out your desk and I don’t see you in this building again. That’s fair, right?”

“Very fair. Thank you, ma’am.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiles very slightly. “You were always so polite. I know I’m a smartass constantly but I do appreciate that.”

“I know.”

“Hey.” She sits up straighter to cross her legs. “Before you go.”

“My baseline?”

“If it’s not any trouble.”

“Not at all.”

He’s been in her office for meetings before. He doesn’t have to see behind her desk to know her finger is hovering above a silent call button. Whether he left the precinct under his own power or under restraint depended on his performance.

He closes his eyes, swallows the emotion and looks forward to recite the words.

“And a blood-black nothingness began to spin. A system of cells interlinked within cells interlinked within cells interlinked within one stem. And dreadfully distinct, against the dark, a tall white fountain played. But in the case of my white fountain what it did replace? Perceptually was something that, I felt, could be grasped only by whoever dwelt in the strange world where I was a mere stray.”

She places both of her hands flat on her desk. She visibly relaxes. He does not.

“Thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Constant K like always.”

“Always a pleasure, Madam.”

 -------------------------

 K jolts awake to slam on his brake, throwing his arm out to the seat space next to him. He expects the paper grocery bags to go flying. What he finds instead is his front bumper flush against the garage door. Asleep in the driveway. Embarrassing but not dangerous. He backs up slightly and kills the engine.

Almost a year removed from his last day finds him in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. He’s staying in a house for the first time since finishing high school. It shows as he drops his keys while fishing from his pockets. He grumbles as he bends down to retrieve them, hearing the door open.

“Deckard,” he says. “I know I’m late but I got some extra-“

The face in front of him isn’t who he expects. It’s much younger and the smile is still visible from behind the clinical mask.

“I suppose you aren’t wrong.”

“Ana. Hello.”

She answers with a wave. “I’m making my weekly visit. May I?”

K without protest hands over one bag and pockets his keys. Once inside, he slips both shoes off and drops into the near recliner with the bag still in his lap.

“About time, boy.” Deckard speaks gruffly while scrolling his phone.

“Kept you waiting, huh?”

“Not me.”

A scruffy Shepard mix brushes up against K’s leg and he repositions the bag to give it a petting.

“Ten years I’ve had Bo, he’s hardly ever that friendly. Good-looking stranger walks in and he acts brand new.” Deckard places his phone down and takes the bag Ana is holding. “You get everything?”

K answers non-verbally through a yawn.

“Feels that way. Oh! Look at this. Four whole bell peppers? I think Miss Consuela likes you, Joe. Joe?”

The latter man is asleep with the second bag still upright in his hold.

Deckard claps once. “Joe! Huh. New gig is doing a number on him.”

Ana pads quietly across the room and stops near the chair before reaching out to touch his shoulder.

“K?”

This perks him up. He looks back at Ana and down to the dog.

“Was I asleep just now?”

“Out cold,” Deckard responds. “You’ve got a bed, you know.”

K hands the bag to Ana. “You don’t need help with dinner?”

“I do, but that can wait until you’re rested. A stiff in the kitchen won’t do me any good. Get.”

K gives Bo another head pat, then shuffles down the hall to his room. While holding the bag, Ana joins Deckard on the sofa to help him with the groceries.

“What’s that you called him?”

“K.”

“Like the letter?”

“Like his badge number. KD6-3.7.”

Deckard scoffs, putting his reading glasses on. “The hell kind of serial is that?”

“It’s his.” Ana says this while inspecting a pack of tomato seeds. “Was his.”

“I’m not calling him by his damn serial.”

“You don’t have to, Deckard.”

“Oh yeah?” Deckard is out of his chair and she follows him into the kitchen. “Why do you?”

“He asked. And I feel like K is a bit more interesting than Joe. Don’t you?”

“Eh. Seems like a lateral move, to me.”

Deckard sits at the table with both bags before him. Ana remains standing, drawing her hands into the sleeves of her pullover.

“Will he be alright?”

“You’ve got three degrees. You tell me.”

This is meant to be a joke, but if the frown outlined by her mask is an indication, Ana does not find this funny. Deckard frowns back to remind her where she got it from.

“Don’t give me that. Physically he’s fine. Beat up maybe but fine. Mentally? Emotionally?” Deckard removes his glasses and his gaze softens slightly. “He won’t be ‘alright’ for a long time. You know that like I do.”

Ana circles the chair to embrace her father. She isn’t taller than him but while he’s sitting, she can rest her temple on his.

“It was nice of you to help him.”

“It was necessary. Kid has no family and I know what the force does to people. Wasn’t gonna let him go back there.”

Ana stands up straight when her phone sounds from the other room. She’s reading the message silently as she walks back in. Deckard is busy separating the canned goods from the perishables.

“Oh,” she says.

“Gotta go?”

“I do.”

“Fair enough. Scoot, then.”

“Very well, Detective.”

“I told you I’m not-”

Deckard is cut off by a quick peck to his cheek. He fights a smirk as she slips away.

“Hey! Mask on, you hear?”

 -------------------------

 When K wakes up his room is dark. Several hours have passed since he left Ana and Deckard in the living room. This is about when dinner gets prepped, but Deckard hasn’t come looking for him. K walks past a napping Bo in the hallway to see what the status is. Deckard is at the table, peeling potatoes.

“You started.”

“You were sleep.”

“Could have woke me up.”

“Could have. But that would be rude. You’re here now, so get started.”

He tosses a peeler in his direction that K catches easily.

“Yes, sir.”

They stay like this for several minutes, peeling in silence. K is a great help with menial tasks like this. He doesn’t complain, nor does he get distracted. After a time, though, even Deckard gets a bit antsy.

“Talked with Ana earlier today. Before you got here.”

“How is she? She usually stays to eat with us.”

“Busy, Joe. It’s always around springtime her workload gets heavy. She can manage but for a few weeks it’ll be tough.”

“Okay.”

“Anyway, she told me you had your eye on a place?”

“Found one, actually. Studio in Los Feliz. I move in next month.”

“Not bad, kid. You know there wasn’t a cutoff date on this arrangement.”

“I know.”

“I mean I get it. Shacking up with an old man ain’t exactly exhilarating.”

Deckard’s teasing works as K holds up his peeler in protest.

“No, no! It’s not you. I like being here. I’ve…honestly needed to talk to you about this for a while.”

“I got nothing but time, Joe. Just keep peeling, huh?”

“Right.”

K doesn’t speak again until he’s finished peeling his current potato. He also doesn’t see Deckard roll his eyes.

“I never lost the place. I put all my stuff in storage. Been subletting for months. I just couldn’t stay there any longer. I only went back today because the office called me.”

“Is that what this is about?” Deckard reaches into the seat of a neighboring chair and pulls out a copy of the Vladimir Nabokov novel Pale Fire. “Found this under the eggs.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“You mentioned this before. Your girlfriend. What was her name?”

“Joy.”

“She was a reader, huh?”

“No, she hated that book. She liked to hear me read.”

“How long you stay after?”

“Too long but it’s not like I was ever there.”

K closes his eyes and counts before he continues.

“After Joy died… You’d think my work would suffer while I was bereaved but it was the opposite. I was more driven than I’d ever been. I was sleeping in the station barracks. I found a lot of people that didn’t wanna be found. Destroyed them. Got destroyed myself. In my storage unit, there’s a box of awards with my name on them that I got for running and fighting and kicking ass.”

K grabs another potato. He isn’t done and Deckard knows so he doesn’t interject.

“This sounds crazy now but I didn’t even consider leaving.” K drops his peeler and wipes his hand to pull out his phone. “Not until I found this up on my door.”

He passes the phone as Deckard slips on his glasses. Once he sees, he whips them off and returns the device.

“Fucking hell,” he spits out.

“Didn’t matter that my life partner was dead,” K started. “Didn’t matter to them that she was Spanish and not Mexican. It didn’t matter that she was a legal US citizen. Only thing that mattered to them was my badge and my gun, when I knocked on their door and told them exactly what would happen if they bothered me again. That is when I knew.”

“This sounds familiar.”

K exhales. “Bet it is.”

“Well, you were nice enough to share so I’ll do the same. I was with LAPD way longer than I was supposed to be.”

“I thought you quit.”

“I did! Life has a funny way of happening.”

“You too?”

“Rachel was her name. I was already one foot out the door when I met her, so there wasn’t really a decision to be made. And with the ink dry on the previous marriage I felt like the stars were lining up for once.”

“What happened?”

Deckard lays down his peeler to ruffle the fur of Bo who has joined the pair at the table.

“The good news, if you can call it that, is that we weren’t taken by surprise. I was never interested in kids. Rachel wanted one so I wanted one for her. We tried and failed and on the way to failing, we were told in fairly explicit terms that a pregnancy, should we succeed, would likely be fatal. We traveled the country after that. Maybe it was my youth but I was damn prepared to live in that RV in Vegas forever.”

“Until you weren’t.”

“She was with child, Joe. It was every fucking emotion all at once. The happiness, the relief, the fear. I took her home and was back working full time within the week. I took as many cases as I could. Maybe deep down I knew, but I never stopped long enough to think about it.”

There are three potatoes left to peel at this point. K will finish the job, of course; before that, there’s something hanging in the air between them. K goes ahead without looking up from his work.

“Did Rachel get to see her?”

If Deckard doesn’t appreciate this question, he doesn’t let it show. “You never know with that kind of thing. The nurse said she did. Could you blame her? You’re facing down a widower holding a newborn in his arms. You’d say the sky was turning pink.”

K isn’t sure how he should react to this, so he stays quiet for a long time.

“Feel better?” Deckard asks.

“Sorta.”

“Did any of that make sense?”

“Some of it.”

“Good, cause I’m not repeating it.”

The older man rises from his seat and lifts a harness off the wall. Bo takes this as the cue to follow his lead.

“Taking Bo for his night walk. When you’re done there you can get dinner started.”

“Are these for dinner?”

“Nope. They’re for tomorrow. Dinner’s in the oven. All you gotta do is press the ‘Start’ button, big guy.”

K is alone again. He had been rather sluggish and heavy for days up to that point. Moving into his own place once again obviously wouldn’t be the end of his relationship with Deckard or Ana. What it would be is the first extended time he’s had alone with his thoughts. Is he ready for that? Does he have a choice? What is his relationship with these people exactly? He feels better than he was, but there are still more questions than he’d like.

K picks up one last potato from the container. With no one to hear him, he begins to recite the lines he knows so well.

“And a blood-black nothingness began to spin. A system of cells. Interlinked within cells. Interlinked within cells. Interlinked within one stem. And dreadfully distinct, against the dark, a tall white fountain played…”

#br2049 #KDTumblr #officer k #rick deckard #ana stelline #j doesn't promote often #but you should read cotb #it rules and they worked very hard to finish it #thanks again!

[digimonadventuretimelines]

[16 - Team Up!!]

Lupinmon returned back to the headquarters, dizzy and injured. His servants came to give him assistance and treat his injuries, but he felt unable to understand why that human kid and the adult man made him froze in battle. He was supposed to stop them, to eliminate them!

So, why was he freezing every time those humans appear in front of him?

“Master,” Magnamon arrived and took a look at his commander “... What happened to you?”

“A fight. I lost a fight. If you say anything about it…”

“Who did this to you?”

“The Chosen Children, but no worries they weren’t taking the fight seriously. However, the human man said… He was here looking for someone important to him.”

“Someone… Important?”

“Didn’t the Roar of Freedom capture one of those humans a long time ago? What happened to them? Did they die or what? But the kid… The kid strikes me something I don’t understand.”

“What is it?”

“... A feeling. But let’s forget it. Send two tough scouts this time. We need to close the gates and retrieve all of the digimon in the human world. And, getting rid of the human colonies in our world.”

“As you wish, master.”

“WHAT!?” Taichi shouted on the phone “Daisuke is WHAT!?”

“Is being controlled by the enemy, yes. He thinks he’s Lupinmon and I assume there’s some amnesia or mind control.”

“Ken, hold up. Did you find something on him? Evil Ring or Spiral?”

“... No. And you saying it quite of implies that I could’ve controlled everyone with those, something I never had thought of before. Neither want imagine what could’ve happened if I had tried to.”

“Oops, sorry I meant no harm! Someone could’ve gotten your old gimmicks and used it on humans.”

“I know. But no rings, spirals or even Black Gears. Could’ve been something deeper, under the skin. But I assume their original plan was getting me and Daisuke messed with it by saving me and letting them capture him instead.”

“Always doing self-sacrifices” Taichi sighed, “We need to find a way to bring him back. Anyway, any more news?”

“... Daisuke’s son has a digivice and a digimon partner. Not only them, but also Daisuke’s daughter, my children and an unknown children codenamed ‘Brave Tamer’ who is constantly involved into battles.”

“I knew about Hoshi and Eiji thanks to Hikari. Huh, so a new generation is showing up… And they’re our children this time.”

“Do you know if Taisuke got a digivice and a digimon, Taichi”

“No, I don’t think he has gotten one or a partner. Unless he hadn’t told Sora and me.”

 Miyako was glancing at her children, arms crossed and foot tapping the floor.

“You two lied to me.”

“I’m sorry mom--”

“We had a reason” Daichi was all pouty, “But you lied to us too. When were you going to tell us the truth, mom? About… About that the legends were real? That you and dad were part of the legendary Twelve?”

Miyako felt a headache, she didn’t expect that talk to be so hard or even earlier. Daisuke would’ve helped her to make things less tense, but… No, she had to be strong for her family. And handle it alone.

“We were going to tell you when you were a bit older.”

“I’m 14! How much old do you mean!? You were 12 years old and dad 11 years old when you had fought evil digimon in the past!”

“Watch your language, Daichi. I’m not your enemy!”

“And my dad isn’t either!”

“H-hold on everyone…” Kiyoko interrupted them, “Natsu explained why you didn’t tell us before. It was to protect us, right? Then… Now it’s useless because we got digivices and digimon partners. You can’t not let us get involved with it.”

“I wish I could, but you will have to be prepared for what’s coming” Miyako sighed, that discussion had taken a good chunk of her energy, “One, your father is working for the enemy against his own will. Two, the digimon you fight will get stronger battle by battle.”

“We know” Daichi replied with a serious voice of tone “But if we fight together we can save dad, we can save everyone!”

“That I agree, but… I will be afraid of losing you two as well. I need time to accept--”

“Everyone,” Natsu invaded the room with the digimon “Miyako’s digivice received a message of a digimon attack! We need to… Do something!”

“This will be your first trial, let’s solve it as soon as possible. But first take these communicators, put them on and keep me informed.”

  “Hey kid, there’s a digimon sinal nearby.”

He took the D-TimeRune and looked at the screen. BlackAgumon was inside and his icon appeared on a map. It was close to a Digital Gate.

“Really, now? Whatever, we’re going…”

“Release me so I can evolve kid.”

“Right.”

He pressed a button on the digivice, changing his clothes in a blink of the eye. BlackAgumon popped out of the screen and the kid scanned the back of his hand, next pointing the digivice to his partner.

They left the area quickly.

 “What’s happening!?” Reika exclaimed, after seeing a blue Greymon pass in the horizon. Jin and Mike asked the same after.

“That blue Greymon again” Hoshi clenched her fist, then looked at the other kids “Please help me to evacuate the area. I need to call the others.”

“Call the others?” Jin repeated.

“Miss Hoshi there are two digimon nearby!!” the partner digimon inside Hoshi’s digivice said.

“... We’re going with you” Mike gave a serious gaze at Hoshi “If with these we can help… Then we will.”

“Thanks. Follow me guys!”

 “Huh, I heard you!” Mirai responded to the voice messages sent by Mitsuki on the voice chat “I’ve detected two digimon close to the west digital gate. Hold on, I will tell Daichi asap!”

“Mirai, I’m scared… What if those digimon come after me?”

“Don’t worry Koh, you don’t like to fight but my friends and my skills are enough to keep you safe! Uh-oh, one digimon moved away and is on rampage. Mitsuki are you still here? Go to north, some digimon and people are in danger…!”

 Panic and digimon screaming. Some babies from the hatchery building had been carried by humans and child level digimon. The rest started bouncing, running and flying away from the Dinobeemon, a digimon combination of XV-mon and Stingmon.

Hoshi’s Stingmon flew in the skies and stood in front of the enemy. while the children tried to save the babies.

“Hold it, creepy thing” the audacious girl stopped a few meters away from the fight “Sting, let’s show em why to not mess with those digi-babies and people!”

“Sting?” he looked back.

“K-Kiyoko’s partner has a name so I can’t lose to her! From now on you will be called by ‘Sting’ and will be my loyal guard.”

“Miss Hoshi…” he blushed, and Dinobeemon hit him with a kick, sending him against a building “OOF!”

“I think it was a bad hour to…talk about it” she facepalmed.

The non-partnered human trio had been taking the babies away from the danger, but a wild squad of Tsuchidarumon (a mud/earth subspecies of Yukidarumon) appeared to block the area.

“What should we do!?” Reika asked the boys.

“Fight” Mike responded with a serious glare, and he took the digivice “I dunno how it works but…”

“I will fight with you!” A Tanemon said to him, “Show me your brave heart, human!”

“We will fight too!” And a Pukamon and a Upamon shouted to Jin and Reika.

“Those little ones wants to… fight with us?” Jin blinked.

“I have no objections, as long they don’t get hurt.”

the instructions on the digivices appeared on the screen, and just like the other kids… Reika, Jin and Mike followed those instructions. On the screen of Reika’s digivice appeared a scale symbol. On Jin’s and Mike’s, the crests of Reliability and Sincerity -- respectively.

Upamon, Pukamon and Tanemon evolved to Armadimon, Kamemon and Floramon.

“SCRATCH BEAT!” “ALLERGY SHOWER!” “POINTER ARROW!”

Floramon’s pollen paralyzed the enemy, letting Armadimon’s claws and Kamemon’s pointer missile hit them. they opened the way for a few minutes, taking all the innocents away from the battle. Sting and Hoshi tried to keep the enemy distracted, preventing it from going after the other kids and the rescued people plus digimon.

Meanwhile… Daichi and Kiyoko were on battle with a humanoid version of Kuwagamon -- MetallifeKuwagamon! The mysterious Brave Tamer was also there.

“Ulforce!” “Captain!” “Right!” “Yes ma’am!”

With their digimon evolved, and Miyako behind the strategy they could prevent the gate devices from being destroyed. However, Brave Tamer was finding that mission too easy. Three Adult level digimon against a Perfect level. Then, an Ookuwamon came from the digital world’s gate.

“H-HUH!?” Kiyoko exclaimed

“Don’t worry, i’ve called for Ken’s assistance. Stay focused” Miyako told her children.

“Uh-oh, there it is…!” Someone was talking with Brave Tamer, and that voice seemed to be Mirai’s!? “I think this is the time you need a backup plan. Hold on, you’re with Daichi right? My radar caught two digivices and digimon linked to.”

“Yeah, that kid is here--”

“You know you don’t need to pretend on this channel. It’s secured, with a strong cryptography and lots of filters. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Sigh, fine… Gimme a plan. I will talk to Daichi later.”

 On both fights, backups of the police dept. had came to help the (Neo) Chosen Children in the fight. A KnightChessmon and a GrappuLeomon appeared in the Kuwagamon species battle, one releasing darts against the enemies and another punching the Ookuwamon with high speed.

“Here’s the help!” Miyako chirped, “Ken is focused on another battle though…”

“Ok, there’s only four digimon here-- Huh, the blue Greymon is here!?”

“You noticed it only now, bro?” Kiyoko had some annoyance in her rhetorical question.

“Those support digimon are from the police unit” Mirai informed Brave Tamer “OK so the plan is: Two can handle Ookuwamon, I suggest leaving it to the PawnChessmon and GrappuLeomon. The rest is up to Daichi, Kiyoko and you.”

“Nice. I will meet with them right now” Brave Tamer responded, then approached from the Motomiya siblings. Kiyoko stared at him, while Daichi kept expressionless.

“We met again…” Daichi calmly greeted him.

“It’s not like I wanted to, but the digimon need to be saved. You will follow my lead, I got a plan.”

“Who’s that kid?” Miyako asked her children, “Is it that the one Hikari mentioned before?”

“I dunno mom” Kiyoko replied, “But we need all help we get. So start talking, kiddo!”

“Well, Your digimon fly and all of all three have long range attacks. If we combine out attacks, coming from three different directions we might beat it and protect the gate device.”

“... I see” Daichi smiled, a small smile though “Ulforce, Captain, did you hear it??”

“Yeah” “Aye, sir!”

 “Sting don’t dare to lose!!” Hoshi shouted, she was thinking what to do but Dinobeemon was way stronger than her partner. Then she had the idea of taking her digivice and saw something blinking on it. Was it a hint? “Why… Uh, scan enemy? Okay then.”

She scanned the digimon opponent and got data of it, “P-perfect level…? Isn’t Sting on his adult level? So, this means he’s weaker-- ??”

A very shiny and gallant insect-humanoid digimon -- Jewelbeemon -- popped in, hitting Dinobeemon with his spear. She heard someone calling her name and then saw...

“D-Dad!?”

“Let me handle this for now” Ken told her, “Get your partner back and assist the people and digimon to evacuate this area.”

“B-But--”

“Please, that digimon is too strong for you yet!”

She nodded and then called Sting back, who took her and flew away.

 The attacks combined hit MetallifeKuwagamon, KnightChessmon and GrappuLeomon had finally knocked out the other enemy and joined forces with the heroic trio. their strength increased the power and then they knock out the remaining opponent.

“It worked!!” Kiyoko grinned and showed a thumbs up to the mysterious kid.

Brave Tamer smirked. To Daichi it meant he was a bit arrogant, but didn’t worded said thoughts. The rest of the police unit came, and with Natsu’s help they all captured the criminals. But by Kiyoko’s reaction Daichi was able to find something odd in the picture.

“So I guess you have to show yourself,” Mirai talked with Brave Tamer “You can’t fool Daichi anymore, he probably got you.”

“... We should go home now” but Daichi seemed exhausted “Thanks for the help… Stranger.”

Oof, that sounded like sarcasm, but actually was him unable to think straight. He had Natsu denying information of the past, had intervened on a battle between his dad and officer Ichijouji and had confronted his mother. All of that in the SAME day. Daichi’s mood had done a 180° flip and he had no desire to get more stress.

“Heh, you have to know your place” Brave Tamer sounded like a treat, he was a show off kid. Daichi had no energy to get mad either, “This alliance was only for now. I work alone, and while Lupinmon is out… I will protect the innocents! All Baddies will not win against me.”

“Oh cut it out!” Kiyoko hissed, “Let’s go home Daichi. There’s some people who never learn!”

“Heheh, nice” Brave Tamer smirk didn’t disappear though, “We will see again, losers~” the blue Greymon grabbed the tiny and chaotic kid with his hands and left the area.

“Ugh! I hate this!” Kiyoko pouted.

“... I know what you meant. Hey mom? Is everything okay already?”

“Yup. Ken already handled the other digimon attack. Innocents are moved to a safer place. Let’s eat Paella today~”

“... What’s with Spanish cuisine all of a sudden?” Kiyoko gave a deep sigh.

“L-look, it had been ages since the last time I eat it! And… I need something to shove those thoughts away!”

#daichi arc phase 1 #datl text chapter

[nukacolamama]

How would companions react to sole confessing his/her love for them? PS: I just recently found your blog and wow! Your writing is so good!!^^

Aw thank you so much!! I really hope you enjoy this reaction! Sorry it’s been taking me so long to get this finished. (Answering more asks asap)

Cait: Cait winded gauze around Sole’s bruised knuckles, candlelight flickering behind her. Neither of them said a word, but the beating in their chests pleaded for their lips to part. “I think I love you Cait…” Sole confessed, staring at her working hands. She stopped, looking up at the Sole Survivor.”You think, or you know?” She questions, her hands slowly tying up the thick wrap.”I love you,” they reply. Cait leans into them, pressing her lips onto theirs. Her heart pounded, and without a second thought she kisses them harder. The months of built up desire and tension, dispersed in this moment. She pulls back, the both of them breathless.”I’ve never loved anybody before,” she admits,”But I know I love you.”

Codsworth: “Oh mum/sir…I don’t know what to say.. What about Sir/Mum?”

Curie: Curie hummed joyfully as she meddled with blood samples and shuffled papers that her handwriting had marked with calculations and hypothesis’. The Sole Survivor watched her from a distance, as they occupied their self with their own hobbies.”Oh isn’t it just amazing what the human body is capable of!” Curie exclaims rushing over to Sole, her notes in hand. She boasts about her findings, with the cutest grin plastered onto her face. Then without second thought, Sole kisses her softly as she speaks.”Madame/Monsieur?” She whispers, her cheeks glowing from the soft lips that had met hers.”I’m sorry,” Sole apologizes,”I’m in love with you…” Curie grins, looking at the floor to handle the uncharted land of emotions bestowed upon her.”I believe I am in love with you too madame/monsieur,”Curie says, craving to share another kiss with her new found love.

Danse: “Why? Why would you do all of this to save me? I’m a machine! I am a traitor to you and the Brotherhood!– I am nothing…” Danse snaps, his hands firmly grasping Sole’s arms. “Because I love you!” They snap back. His grip loosens, his hands moving down their arms and back to his side.”I’m in love with you Danse, I don’t care what you are, it doesn’t matter to me.” He regains his composure, finding the words to say. But they are jumbled by the confusion and anguish within ”Sole you of all people know I am no good with words, but I… I’m infatuated with you. And I dare say I’m in love with you too. Please… be patient with me, I have a lot to learn… and a lot to overcome.”  

Deacon: One night, as the Sole Survivor and Deacon lie awake in a pitch black room of the Dugout Inn Deacon’s thoughts raced about the man/woman beside him.”Sole?” he whispered into the dark. Sole sighed wearily, letting him know that he had their attention. Deacon licked his lips, his heart beating faster than it should.”Do you think you could ever love again?” Maybe it was the bottle or two of Gwinnett Stout that encouraged him to ask such a question, but regardless Sole was taken off guard.”Yes,” they answered vaguely, waiting for Deacon to say something in return. Instead he rolled over onto his side, and let no words escape his mouth.”I’ve fallen in love with you Deacon…” Deacon didn’t move, nor speak. A few minutes rolled by until the silence grew too uncomfortable. ”I’m sorry…” Sole finally said. The pathological liar turned over to spill a few truths,”You should be,” he smirked,”teasing a guy like that, it’s cruel.” Sole snorted,”I’m serious Deacon..” He let out a pleasant sigh,”Goodnight Sole.” He cooed planting a small kiss on their forehead. That night he dreamed of finding the courage to tell Sole everything, the truth, about his mutual feelings for them. But until that moment he’d cower behind his jokes and his black shades

Hancock: The Third Rail buzzed from the music and comforting appearance of Goodneighbor’s beloved mayor. Hancock sashayed nonchalantly to the bar ordering Sole and himself a cold beverage.”When are ya gonna tell the gal/guy what your true intentions are Hancock?” Whitechapel Charlie asked, while fulfilling the ghoul’s request. Hancock glanced at the Sole Survivor with a smile.”I have no idea what you’re talking about Charlie.” The bartender allowed Hancock to take in Sole’s beauty before speaking again.”It’s no secret around here that you’ve got something for the Vault Dweller, admit it, you like the gal/guy.” Before Hancock could defend himself Sole appears by his side, taking the glass out of his rough hand.”Mind if I have a word with you?” They ask, their alluring eyes causing Hancock’s thoughts drift to sheer desire.”I’ve been meaning to have this conversation with you for a while now…” Hancock pressed his lips against the glass in his hand,”Lay it on me.” Sole took a sip of their liquid courage before spilling the secrets they held within.”I’m in love with you Hancock… And I’m not sure if you-” Hancock interrupted their moving lips by using what was left of his to give into the urges and tension he’s let bottle up inside him. His hand tangled itself in Sole’s hair, pulling them into him, allowing him to kiss them passionately and deeply.”I was wondering when you’d say that, love.” He breathed,”Why don’t you say we take this somewhere more private? And I’ll show you what my love really feels like.” 

“Fucking finally..” Charlie huffed as the entire joint cheered for their sailing ship.

Maccready: Maccready hardly ever misses a shot, it’s something he is certainly proud to put on his business card. But it’s a skill that is acquired through practice. On days him and Sole aren’t giving the Commonwealth’s Finest hell, he spends his morning making a target practice out of what he can scrounge up.”Maccready, may I talk to you for a moment?” He loads a bullet into the chamber,”Of course. Give me one second.” He smiles, then staring through the scope, eyes fixed on the empty can of pork’n’beans. Maccready holds his breath steadying his aim,”Maccready, I’m in love with you.” BOOM, the gun goes off, his bullet spiraling into a nearby tree. He sets down his rifle with haste,”Y-You’re what?…. What about your husband/wife? I know she’s/he’s gone, but you still love him/her don’t you?” Sole then confessed to everything. Everything they had felt then, and everything they feel now for their spouse.”But it’s you I love Maccready…” His cheeks went ablaze, as his heart beated intensely.”I…I love too Sole,” He admits after hearing what he needed to hear.”I think I have for a long while now..”

Nick Valentine: It was late, Nick hung up his coat then making his way over to his desk to analyze his newest case. Sole had convinced him to go out to dinner with them, to get away from the drag atmosphere of his office. With plenty of convincing he went, but once he returned it was all work no play. Sole slipped of their shoes, watching the detective light up a smoke.”Nick, there’s something I’ve been needing to tell you…” Nick turned to look at them,”Lay it on me kid.” Sole sat on the corner of his desk, letting the radio that played softly in the background calm their nerves.”I love you Nick.” They didn’t look at him, just stared at the floor expecting the worse. He dug his cigarette into the ashtray on his desk, feeling elated yet confused how Sole could love an old bot like him. He placed his hand on theirs, leading them to the center of the room. Nick placed his metal hand on their hip as his other hand tangled with Soles fingers. The office became a ballroom, reserved for Sole and Nick only. They danced to the rhythm playing on the radio for as long as their feet would allow. Nick then paused, placing his hand on the back of Sole’s head, running his fingers through their hair as he finally spoke.”Kid, I may not know how or why you feel the way you do for me. But I believe you when you say that you love me. And you should believe me when I say, I love you too.”

Piper: Piper was writing the Diamond City’s next headliner when she ran out of ink. Luckily for her she had someone like Sole to run and find her the ink she desperately needed.”Oh my gosh Blue, I love you!” She thanked. Sole smirked studying her features,”I love you too Piper.” The reporter’s cheeks grew a rosy red.”Do you really?” Sole leaned into her, their lips meeting. Piper hesitated for a moment, but finally gave in, placing her hand upon their cheek. Sole pulled away, her eyes now sparkling like a sky full of stars, full of lustful desire.”Yes, I love you Piper.” She pulled them into her, allowing her soft lips to clash with theirs once more. From then on she was complete.

Preston: The morning was warm and tranquil, the water crashing upon the castle walls sounded harmonic in way, and the diamond city radio allowed Preston’s hips to sway without a care. Sole watched Preston dance ignorant of their presence. The humble man turned on his heel when he heard Sole chuckle,”Care to join me General?” He smiles, unmoved by their judgement. He pulled them into his world, leading them with the music, twirling them when urged to. ”Preston…I’m in love with you.” The militia man’s ears burned as his smile spread from ear to ear.”So am I,” He admitted, slowly inched his lips closer to Sole’s, and when they met Preston didn’t hold back. Slow, but passionate and genuine, familiarizing himself with the woman/man h’s craved for so long.

X6-68: “Let me handle this ma’am/sir.” X6 pleads with a forceful tone. The Sole Survivor had gotten X6 and their self into a situation that called for an immediate reaction, that in turn, could have dire immediate effects.”No, this is my fault, I need to be the one who fixes it.”Sole orders, slipping off their coat.”Ma’am/Sir!” The courser yells pulling at their arm. “Let go X6!” Sole screamed over the unraveling blizzard. They pulled their arm away, then diving into the frozen pond. The scientist they were assigned to escort to Med-Tek Research had fallen through the ice after Sole lead her and X6 across, thinking it was thick enough to support the three of them. The cold sent an immediate sharp pain through their body as they swam deeper to rescue the cocky scientist. X6 anxiously stared into the water, anticipating Sole to submerge. After a minute or two he pulls off his trench coat preparing himself for the worst. A hand shoots up from the water searching for something to grasp. X6 grabs a hold, pulling Sole and the scientist out.”X6-88, Sole, and Ava Baker ready for relay. Mission failed, standby for medical attention.” When they all were transported back to the institute X6 pulled Sole into a maintenance closet with great force,”What the hell were you thinking?!” He seethed,”That was irresponsible, idiotic! I was more than capable of-” Sole ripped their self from the raging coursers tight fists.”I couldn’t stand the possibility of something happening to you! You may not know this X6, but I care about you, more than I do for anyone else… I love you.” X6 stands up straight staring at Sole,”I’ve never been in love ma’am/sir… nor have I ever had someone love me. I am a machine, but I’ve learned the extent of which I am capable of feeling. And I know if you hadn’t submerged, I would have died right then and there. I would die for you, and not just because my orders are to do so… From what I gather, I guess that is love. And I feel it for you..” Sole wraps their arms around X6, not expecting the courser to return their affections. But much to their surprise, one of his arms held them, as the other hung by his side. “Love,” he thought holding onto whom he feels for.

#fallout 4 #fallout companions #fo4 #fo4 companions #companions react #cait #codsworth #curie #paladin danse #deacon #mayor hancock #hancock #maccready #robert joseph maccready #nick valentine #piper wright #preston garvey #x6 #x6 88

[buckybarnesappreciationsociety]

“Jade Green Eyes” Part 1

Summary: Alexia Hargrove, Class 5 mutant. She possesses the power of telepathy and  shapeshifting. Growing up with Professor Xavier at his school for “gifted” children, she learned to harness and expand her powers. Now, HYDRA’s on her trail and the Avengers want to keep her safe.

Pairings: Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes x Mutant Black Reader, Alexia Hargrove (future chapters will include X-Men)

Word Count: 1,320

Warnings: Swearing, angst

A/N: I’ve never attempted to write a mutant fic, so I’m nervous. If all goes well, there will be 2 or 3 more parts. Italics denotes speaking telepathically. Comments are welcome. ENJOY!

***************************************************************************************

Alexia Hargrove’s life spiralled out of control at the tender age of 5. In kindergarten, Jimmy Watson the class bully, shoved Alexia in the mud during recess and what ensued next was, um, otherworldly? Alexia narrowed her jade green eyes and Jimmy was hurled face first into the mud, coupled with a bloody nose.

 The Hargrove’s were summoned to the Principal’s Office, where the child was reprimanded like an adult. They made a decision that day to “fix” her abnormality.

One blustery fall day, Mr. and Mrs. Hargrove received a visit from Charles Xavier and Ororo Munroe from “Xavier’s School For The Gifted.” Alexia had come across their radar via Cerebro, a machine used to locate mutants. At the end of her rope, Mrs. Hargrove didn’t flinch handing Alexia over to Charles Xavier. A deluge of tears ran down her caramel chocolate face. It saddened Alexia to think her parents didn’t want her anymore.  What she didn’t know was they weren’t her biological parents. Little Lexi was dropped off on the church steps. Since Mrs. Hargrove was barren, she stole their hearts. As her powers came to life, they became weary and wanted to get rid of her.

 With time, Alexia learned what her powers were: telekinesis  and shape shifting! Jean Grey, Raven and Scott Summers took her under their wings, instructing Alexia how to control her powers and use them for good. By age 16, she had mastered her powers and was charged with helping other youngsters with the same abilities.

 But we all know where there’s good, there’s also evil. HYDRA started sniffing around and Alexia left the confines of Xavier’s school for France. She assumed a different identity because, after all, she could be whoever she wanted to be.

 At Stark Tower, the Avengers and Nick Fury were engaged in an intense meeting. Producing files with Alexia’s background, the stoic director handed the thick manila folder to Steve. Sam in all of his cocky glory quipped, “Oh my god, would you look at her? Damn she’s fine as hell.”  

 Steve smacked him back to reality. “Calm down Sam. She’s not a piece of meat to be ogled. We’re trying to bring her in because if she stays out there any longer, HYDRA’ll snatch her  for sure. We need to focus.”

 Natasha mused, “I’ve located her in Paris. She’s assumed the identity of a preschool teacher, Emilee Sanderson at The Maison Academy.”

 “Well, there’s no time to waste. Bring her back here in one piece. But be warned, she’s extremely strong. So use caution approaching her.” As Fury turned to leave, he glanced at Cap. “I’m counting on you Cap. We don’t have time to waste.”

 Steve morphed into Captain America mode. “I’ll take Nat and Wanda with me. Wheels up in 30 minutes. Get what you need.”

 The chilled Parisian air forced Alexia to pull the collar up on her coat. A startling chill ran down her svelte body. Sensing danger, she slipped into an alley and turned into a large cat, with deadly jade green eyes. Once Natasha was close enough, Alexia pounced and the malay ensued.

 “Ow shit! Get this fucking thing off me dammit!” The stealthy assassin attempted to remove the heavy cat from her back, but not before Alexia scratched her with long claws.

 Wanda intervened using telepathy. She knew Lexi was frightened and wanted to calm her down. Catapulting off a garbage can onto the ground, Alexia morphed back into human form.

 “Hi my name is Wanda Maximoff . This is Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff. We’re part of the  Avengers. Please, we mean you no harm.”

 Alexia nodded, “I know who you are. What do you want?”

 “Can we speak so everyone else can hear it?”

 Alexia folded her arms across her chest, “TALK!”

 Steve stepped forward, “You’re in danger Ms. Hargrove. An organization called HYDRA is onto you.”

 “HYDRA was eradicated after the Washington fiasco or so I thought..”

 Steve rubbed the back of his neck, “No ma’am, HYDRA ain’t gone. As a matter of fact, they’re sniffing around for ya. We came to bring you back to Stark Tower for protection.”

 Alexia chuckled, “You do know I’m a shapeshifter or did you miss my little introduction?”

 Visibly annoyed, Natasha chided, “Look honey. Not only do they know WHO and WHERE you are, they’ve concocted serum and created a mutant stronger than you! So, that being said, your best bet would be to come with us. If you wanna remain free.”

 Wanda pleaded, “Please come with us. We can protect you.”

 “How in the hell can you protect me from someone stronger than I am? You’re joking right?”

 Walking gingerly towards her with his hands up, Steve said,  “Because Stark Tower can block any outside interference, regardless of powers.Your powers will be fine.

Looking between Wanda and Natasha, Alexia had a major decision to make.

“Please follow me to my apartment. It’s about 2 blocks from here.”

 Wanda honed in on Alexia’s mind to detect any malice. “She can be trusted.”

 Approaching Natasha, Alexia apologized. “I’m really sorry for what happened back there. My first instinct is always go on the defensive.”

 “You didn’t know  us, so all’s forgiven.”

Alexia shrugged, “I did know who you were; just didn’t know your intentions.”

  Strolling to her building, she and Wanda engaged in an unspoken conversation.

 “So, how old were you when you knew about your powers?”

“5, that’s when my parents sent me away. What about you?”

“My powers came from Loki’s staff. My brother Pietro and I volunteered with HYDRA and this is what they did to me.” Wanda motioned her hands and red tendrils formed.

“I know about your brother and I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you. I miss him so much.”

“I’m an only child, an unwanted child.” Tears pooled in her eyes.

Placing an arm around Alexia’s shoulder, Wanda conveyed, “You’re part of our family now. Dysfunctional, yes, but we make it work.”

 Alexia formed a tight smile.  Wanda’s aura made her feel calm ; Natasha on the other hand, was rough around the edges, causing Lexi to form a wall between Nat and herself. 

 Once inside, Steve laid out all the particulars to Alexia. They’d remain in Paris for a few days so she could tie up any loose ends. Her heart sank thinking about her preschool class. She’d become accustomed to greeting their smiling faces.

 Her personal possessions were meager; a few pictures of Storm, Jean, Raven, Kitty and Professor X and a silver locket with her initials on the front.

 The last day was extremely emotional. Miss LeBlanc, head mistress at The Maison Academy, bid Emilee Sanderson a fond adieu. Alexia spun a convincing story about an urgent family crisis. The portly older woman understood, embraced Emilee and wished her well.

 On the outskirts of an old airfield, Alexia boarded the quinjet. Wanda felt her apprehension and reassured her this was the right thing to do.

 Change was never easy but safely came first. She didn’t want to endanger anyone at the school or where she lived. A bitter taste rose in her mouth. In a matter of hours, Alexia would be back on U.S. soil. Her safety was in the hands of the Avengers. What could possibly  go wrong?

TAGS: @omalleysgirl22 @amrita31199 @erisjade @ajimaginingtheworld @anbanananna @irene-rogue-adler @cumonbucky @sgtjamesbuchananbarnes107th @cant-stop-the-fandoms @bolontiku @lowkeybuckytrash @supersoldierslover @caplanbuckybarnes @this-kitty-has-claws @gingerbatchwife @goody2shoessmut @mcuimxgine @goodnightwife @readerwinterbarnes  @buckywintersoldierbarnes2017 @jurassicbarnes @vvintersouldier @the-girl-without-a-face @sexylibrarian1 @papi-chulo-bucky @tatortot2701 @samuelsbucky @iamwarrenspeace @deals-with-demons @opaque-daydream @marvelous-imagining @jezzula @flirtswithdanger

Hope I didn’t forget anyone. If so, please forgive me!

#avenger x x-men crossover bucky barnes sam wilson black reader mutant meets avengers

[queercapwriting]

Maggie calls Cat for Kara, because it’s Livewire and Kara needs Ms. Grant.

She bites the inside of her cheek as the phone rings, rings, rings, and she half expects the Queen of All Media to let it go to voicemail at the unknown number, but a curt voice picks up, and Maggie gulps.

“Yes.”

“Hi, Ms. Grant?”

“Yes, this is she. And this is?”

“Maggie Sawyer, NCPD, ma’am. I’m sorry to disturb you, but -- “

“Is Supergirl alright?”

Maggie’s eyebrows shoot up at the clear concern in the woman’s voice, and she thinks Alex’s protectiveness of Kara might have caused her to overlook how much Cat Grant cares for her former assistant.

And Maggie knows that Cat knows, even if she pretended to believe Kara’s insistence that she wasn’t that Alex told her about.

“Yes, yes, Supergirl’s fine, but -- but have you seen the news?”

“I haven’t -- my son has a science competition today that he’s rather nervous about and -- I don’t know why I’m telling you this. You called me for a reason, Detective, I suggest you get to it, I’m a busy woman.”

“Yes ma’am,” Maggie says, watching Alex take care of M’gann through the glass wall separating them. “Livewire is loose, and Supergirl...“ She thinks of how distressed Kara was this morning, how out of sorts, how anxious, how enraged, how terrified, and she remembers the news about Livewire chaining Cat Grant to a bench in a park, Livewire targeting Cat Grant, Livewire trying to kill Cat Grant.

“Supergirl could use someone to talk to. You, particularly. I think the only reason she hasn’t called you is she doesn’t want to risk Livewire going after you again -- “

“I’m sorry, and you -- and you know all this because -- “

“I’m um... I’m Alex Danvers’ girlfriend, ma’am. Kara Danvers’s sister’s girlfriend. And I’m... I’m with the NCPD’s science division, and we do quite a lot of work with Supergirl.”

A long pause. Maggie bites her lip as she waits.

“So. You must be a decent detective after all. You figured it out about those ridiculous glasses too, hm?”

Maggie chuckles, and doesn’t answer, not directly, because it’s not her secret to confirm, but the littlest Danvers needs her. Or, more specifically, needs Cat.

“Supergirl needs you, Ms. Grant. So does Kara.”

Another long pause, and Maggie hears children in the background, and she understands suddenly why Cat left National City, why she put her career on hold. Her son was in a science competition, and she was there, of course she was there. Just like Maggie was hoping she’d be there for Kara.

“Detective Sawyer? Thank you. Kara is... lucky you came into her and her sister’s lives.”

“I’m the lucky one, Ms. Grant. Um, good luck to your son today.”

“Oh, Carter doesn’t need luck. He has his brain.”

“Of course, ma’am. Thank you. For helping Supergirl.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll call her right away. Goodbye, Detective.”

Maggie hangs up, sighs, and slips the phone in her pocket before slipping into the med bay to see Alex, to see M’gann, to hold her hand, to whisper stories to her about the bar, to whisper how she needs her to fight, how Alex is going to take good care of her, how she’d better wake up soon, because Alex is her girlfriend now and she’s gotta see them together.

When she hears Kara yelp at the caller ID as her phone rings in the hallway a mere minute later, Maggie smiles softly, because she might not be able to help Alex be a doctor right now, but she can help Kara be Supergirl.

“Ms. Grant!” Kara answers, her voice pitched high, her voice pitched nervous, her voice pitched eager.

“Keira, what is this I hear from a Detective Sawyer about Livewire being on the loose?”

“Maggie called you? I... Ms. Grant, you and Carter are in no danger, I promise, I’ve -- “

“And how would you know this, dear? Snapper have you covering the story closely, does he?”

Kara splutters and Kara adjusts her glasses, and Kara’s heart hammers because Ms. Grant, Cat, Ms. Grant.

“Yes, yes, of course, and I um... my sources, who I met through reporting, you know, being a reporter, tell me that undercover agents have been sent to Carter’s school to protect the two of you... did you wish him luck on his competition today?”

“Yes, Keira, he received all five of your ridiculous emoji-filled texts this morning, and he was so pleased her nearly dropped his project and destroyed it. But that’s not what’s important right at this moment, Keira, and you know it. Are you alright?”

“Ms. Grant, of course, I -- “

“Kara.” Her voice is soft, her voice is simple. Her voice is full. Kara blinks and swallows the lump in her throat.

“Yes, Ms. Grant?”

“I told you to dive. I told you to dive, and I was right: it’s rare that I’m not, as we both know. But Kara, you are strong enough and you are smart enough to know that when you choose to dive away from what you’re truly afraid of, rather than diving into it, you will lose, every time.”

“Ms. Grant, I don’t know what -- “

“Supergirl isn’t a hero because she locks away her nemeses. Supergirl is a hero because she has a capacity for forgiveness. For hope. And to inspire that hope in others. Fear drives anger, Kara. Don’t let that fear drive you.”

“I... I don’t know what I have to do with Supergirl -- “

“Oh, Keira, you know you’ve never figured out when to let people help you, have you? If you’re to rise, you need to learn that one, and soon.”

“I let people help me -- “

“Livewire is not Supergirl’s fault, Kara. Supergirl did not destroy her, and Supergirl is not responsible for the destruction she’s wrought.”

“I’ll um... I’ll let Supergirl know you said so.”

Cat sighs and Kara can just see her taking off her glasses and putting her fingers on the bridge of her nose.

“Do that, Kara. Do that. And keep safe, will you?”

“Yes, Ms. Grant. Always. And Ms. Grant?”

“Keira.”

“Thank you. For calling.”

“Well I wasn’t about to let you spiral down into one of those ridiculous glasses-adjusting moods you get into, was I? I’ll tell Carter you sent him more of those absurd emojis.”

Cat hangs up before Kara can thank her, before Kara can tell her she misses her, before Kara can ask when she’s coming back, before Kara can tell her she needs her.

She looks up and into the med bay, and she stares idly at Maggie, holding M’gann’s limp hand as Alex runs tests on her, and she wonders where Maggie got Cat’s number, and she wonders how she got so lucky to have such an attentive future sister-in-law, how she got so lucky to have people who care enough to stop her from spiraling, to still her from crashing, to catch her when she’s in danger of a fall.

She wonders what would have happened to Leslie if she’d had people, too, and she sighs, and she grimaces, and she gulps, and she sets her jaw, because she’ll find her, and she’ll stop her, but she’ll refuse to lose herself in order to do it.

#supergirl 2x10 #maggie x kara #supercat #cat grant #supergirl fic