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#chief officer harry styles
mariasont · 1 month
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Our Minds Entwined------------------------
ch 1, ch 2, ch 3
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Aaron Hotchner x Original Character x Spencer Reid
in which jason gideon's daughter joins the fbi as the newest youngest member
Chapter Two:
Evelyn glided into the BAU office like the first breath of spring, her heels tapping a confident rhythm against the gleaming floor--a drummer setting the beat for a new day. The sun peaked shyly above the horizon, casting a soft glow that seemed to dance with the spark in her eyes. With a tray of meticulously chosen coffee cups cradled in her hands, she was the portrait of preparedness, memorizing everyone's order--or so she thought.
Her arrival was like a ripple in a still pond, drawing the gaze of every agent in the room. They couldn't help but be captivated by the way her hair cascaded in perfect waves, each strand catching the light as if spun from chestnut threads. Her nails, painted a shade of pink, spoke of a meticulous nature, each tip polished to a flawless finish. The air shifted around her, sweetened by the subtle hint of vanilla that trailed in her wake. She moved with a grace that belied the steel in her spine.
"Good morning, everyone!" Evelyn chirps, her voice a cheerful melody that fills the BAU conference room. She flutters to the table, her movements light. "Your caffeine fix, courtesy of the new girl," she announced with a wink, her words wrapped in warmth.
Each cup finds its way into the hands of colleagues, a personal touch from the newest member. Hotchner's eyebrow arches in silent question as he brings the cup to his lips, the familiar comfort of his morning ritual poised at the edge of disruption.
The first sip is a surprise, a cascade of caramel where stark bitterness usually resides. "This is... different," he remarks, the dryness of his tone belting out a hint of amusement that doesn't quite reach his eyes. Yet, in the curve of his mouth, there's a shadow of a smile, a rare crack in the facade of the ever-serious unit chief.
Reid's curiosity piqued as he approached his coffee with caution. The liquid was dark and unadulterated, a stark contrast to the usual sugary coffee. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth, a silent nod to Evelyn's thoughtful gesture. "Actually, this is exactly how I like it," he said, the lie as transparent as glass, accompanied by an awkward sweep of his hand through his hair. "Thank you, Evelyn."
The room fills with soft laughter. It was a rare sound, one that seemed to wrap around the room like a comforting blanket. Rossi, who had just walked in, couldn't but chuckle as he reached for his expresso, served just the way he liked it.
"You'll fit right in, kid," Rossi said, his voice rich with approval as he gave Evelyn a gentle pat on the shoulder.
Evelyn's cheeks flushed with a cocktail of embarrassment and delight, a rosy hue that matched the sunrise peeking through the blinds. "I'll get it right next time, promise," she chirped, her voice a tender mix of hope and humility.
As the room settled into the rhythm of the morning briefing, Evelyn found herself perched next to Reid, her pulse dancing to a nervous beat. "So, I heard you're going to be my mentor," she blurted out, her words tumbling faster than her mind could keep up. "I'm really looking forward to learning from you, Dr. Reid. I mean, your analysis on the last case was just--wow!"
Reid's gaze lingered on her, a silent enigma before his lips curled into a smile that could put the stars to shame. "I'm looking forward to working with you too, Evelyn. And please, call me Spencer."
The name rolled off her tongue, a sweet note in her mouth. "Spencer," she echoed, savoring the familiarity it promised. A shadow of a memory flickered--the bar incident--and her smile wavered, a ripple of uncertainty. Had he heard what she said that night? She prayed not.
The conference room, usually a crucible of tension and intellect, shifted into a training exercise as Hotchner laid out the case before Evelyn. "Evelyn, we have a mock case for you," he declared, his voice a beacon of authority. "We need a profile for a suspect based on the evidence provided. Let's see what you've got."
Evelyn stood, her notes clutched in her hands like a shield, her smile a bright flag of enthusiasm. "Thank you, sir," she said, her voice ringing with the clear tones of determination. "Okay, based on the behavioral patterns and crime scene photos, I'd say our suspect is a male in his late thirties, likely works in a managerial position--someone who's used to being in control."
From the sidelines, Reid observed, his mentor's eyes sharp yet encouraging. As Evelyn unfolded her thoughts, he found himself quietly impressed by the clarity of her intuition and solidity of her logic. She was a natural, her talent shining through like a lighthouse in the fog.
"Also," Evelyn pressed on, her confidence swelling, "he's meticulous, organized. The way the scene is arranged, it's almost ritualistic. This isn't his first rodeo."
Hotchner absorbed her words, his face a mask of neutrality. When she concluded, he gave a slow nod. "Impressive, Evelyn. Very thorough analysis."
Reid leaned in, his gaze locking with Evelyn's. "You're right about the control aspect," he offered softly, his voice a harmonious contrast to Hotchner's commanding tone. "But consider this--the suspect might also crave recognition. The 'ritualistic' aspect could be a signature, a way to stand out."
Evelyn's eyes stayed on Reid; her respect evident. "That's a really good point, thank you, Dr. Reid--Spencer," she corrected, a blush coloring her cheeks.
A hush fell over the room, all eyes drawn to the pair. Then, like a burst of sunlight through clouds, Garcia tumbled into the room, her arms laden with case files and her attire a splash of color. "Sorry, I'm late, traffic was a nightmare!" she announced, but her tone softened as she caught sight of Evelyn. "Oh, you're doing the mock case today! You go, girl!"
Evelyn's smile returned, buoyed by Garcia's infectious cheer. The room came alive with a fresh vigor, the team converging to weave their insights on Evelyn's building profile.
As the discussion continues, Spencer leaned in, his voice a low murmur meant only for Evelyn. "You have a good instinct for this," he murmured, his eyes twinkling with pride.
The moment shattered as JJ burst through the door, her breaths quick and sharp, cutting through the quiet. "Sorry to interrupt," she gasped, "But we've got a situation. The 'Charleston Choker'--he's active again."
A heavy silence fell, the team's focus coalescing into a sharp point. Hotchner's nod was silent, a nonverbal command that set the wheels in motion. "Go ahead, JJ."
With a sense of solemnity, JJ unfurled the folder, her fingers tracing the outline of a lily in a crime scene photo. "Two hours ago, a jogger found a body in the woods outside of Charleston. Strangulation, posed, and..." Her voice faltered, the weight of the words heavy on her tongue, "...a lily placed in the victim's hands."
Reid's mind was a whirl with patterns and profiles, his thoughts racing ahead. "That's the third this month. The escalation is consistent with his pattern."
Evelyn's response with a bright flame of determination, tinged with a concern of the uninitiated. "What's our timeline looking like? How fast is he moving now?"
"Faster," JJ returned, her gaze locking with Evelyn's, a silent exchange of resolve. "Days instead of weeks."
Garcia chimed in from her nest of monitors, "And I just cross-referenced florists in the area. There's a purchase that stands out--cash, large quantities. It could be our guy."
Evelyn's eyes shone, the thrill of her first case igniting a spark within. "That's something! Can we get a location?"
Reid's smile was tinged with pride and a hint of concern. "We can, and we will. But we need to be careful. This unsub is cautious; he's been evading us for a reason."
Hotchner rose, his very stance a commandment. "Wheels up in 30. JJ, brief us on the way. Garcia, send everything you have to the tablets."
The team began to mobilize, the urgency palpable. As they walked out, Evelyn turned to Reid, her voice a mix of excitement and naivety. "This is it, huh? The real deal?"
Reid nodded, the protective edge in his voice unmistakable. "It is. And remember, it's not about just catching him--it's about saving the next potential victim."
--
Evelyn's first step onto the BAU jet was like stepping into another world--one where the grim realities of their job were momentarily eclipsed by the sheer luxury of federal funding. The plush leather seats, the soft hum of the engines, it was all so... cinematic.
As she settled into the seat beside Hotchner, the reality of her situation began to sink in. She was here, really here, on the jet she'd seen countless times from her father, now filled with the tangible presence of her new colleagues--legends in their own right. And then there was Hotchner, the epitome of stoic leadership, his profile as he reviewed case files was a study in concentration. Evelyn couldn't help but steal glances, each one leaving her more awestruck than the last.
Hothcner's brow raised as his focus stayed on the case file. "Something on your mind, Evelyn?" he inquired, his voice steady.
Evelyn's cheeks were a canvas of emotion, painted with the embarrassment of being caught ogling as she averted her eyes. "Just... taking it all in. It's a lot to process," she said, her voice a whisper of excitement against the backdrop of her new reality.
A smile, rare and fleeting, graced Hotchner's lips. "It can be overwhelming at first," he acknowledged, his words a gentle nudge of encouragement.
The jet engines roared to life, and as they ascended, Evelyn felt the weight of her new reality. She was flying high, both literally and metaphorically on the wings of her dreams and the gravity of their mission. The juxtaposition was dizzying.
JJ commanded the room from the head of the plane, her laser pointer a wand of urgency as she traced the geography of the investigation. "This is where the last body was found," she intoned, each word heavy with the gravity of their task. "And here, and here. All within a ten-mile radius."
Morgan's posture was that of a statue, contemplative and still. "He's got a comfort zone. He's not taking any chances, staying close to what he knows," he mused, his thoughts a fortress around the profile they were building.
"Which means he's likely a local. Someone who blends in, who wouldn't raise suspicion," Reid contributes, his voice a sound of reason.
Evelyn observed with the intensity of a hawk. Her notes were a flurry of ink and paper, a physical manifestation of her fervor to contribute.
"So, we're looking for a needle in a haystack, but at least we know which haystack," she offered, her optimism a beacon in the fog of uncertainty.
Garcia's voice, a familiar melody, filled the space from the screen. "And I'm sifting through it as we speak, my doves. I'll find that needle," she promised, her determination a tangible force even through the digital divide.
Hotchner's nod was a silent decree, a sign of approval and command. "Good. Keep us updated, Garcia," he directed.
The team continues to brainstorm, throwing out theories and ideas. Evelyn sat amidst the seasoned agents; her eyes wide with a childlike wonder. Her enthusiasm was infectious, a palpable energy that seemed to pulse with the rhythm of her heartbeat--fast, eager, alive. Hotchner watched her, his gaze the steady flame in her excitement.
There was a softness there, a rare glimpse of approval that softened the hard lines of his face. He saw in her the spark that had once driven him, the unquenchable thirst for justice that was the lifeblood of their work.
Evelyn's idea cut through the hum of the plane's descent. "What if we set up a roadblock? Check vehicles coming in and out of the area?" Her voice a symphony of eagerness.
Rossi smirks at her words. "Not a bad idea for a rookie," he mused, his words a gentle tease wrapped in the velvet of experience.
As the plane continues to descend, the team starts to pack up their gear. Hotchner remained seated, his gaze anchoring Evelyn in place.
"Listen, Evelyn," he said, his tone even, "I know this is exciting for you, your first real case. But remember, this job... it can take a lot out of you. It can change you."
Evelyn nodded, her shine not dimming. "I know. But I'm ready."
Hotchner's expression softened just a touch. "Just don't lose that optimism. It's rare in this line of work, and it's... refreshing."
next
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bantarleton · 6 months
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Who Wants a Non-Hessian German Troops of the American Revolution Uniform Identification Flow Chart?
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Now you too can roleplay as a harried British staff officer trying to identify which troops are encamped where, or a devious rebel spy collecting intelligence.
As folks may or may not know, only roughly 50% of the German state troops who served the British Crown during the American Revolution were “Hessians” from Hesse-Cassel. There were six other states that provided “subsidy troops.” Here’s how to tell them apart at a glance.
Are their uniforms predominantly dark blue? If yes, go to the paragraph numbered 4. If no, go to the para numbered 2.
2. Are their uniforms predominantly white? If no, go to the para numbered 3. If yes, those are troops from Anhalt-Zerbst. The only German state involved in the war to take its uniform and organisational cues from Austria rather than Prussia, the single Anhalt-Zerbst line regiment deployed to America wore white regimental coats faced with red. Their grenadiers wore bearskins rather than metal-faced caps (the only other German state to do this was Waldeck). One battalion also, according to one shocked British officer, had one of the most outrageous-looking uniforms of the war, including hussar hats, red and yellow waist sashes and red cloaks - these may have been “pandour” irregulars from the edges of the Austrian empire.
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3. The coats are neither white nor blue, so they must be red. In this case, the troops are Hanoverian. While still mostly following Prussian style, because they shared a ruler with Britain, Hanoverian troops wore red. Five Hanoverian regiments assisted Britain with vital Mediterranean defence during the American Revolution, before going on to fight in India. They were the only redcoat Germans fighting for the Crown outside the British Army.
4. Your Germans are wearing blue coats. Are the buttons on the coat lapels arranged 1-2-1, and do the cuffs have a “Swedish” style slit to them? If no, go to the para numbered 5. If yes, they’re from Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Brunswick provided the most soldiers after Hesse-Cassel, and arguably the most rounded force, with four line regiments, one dragoon regiment, one grenadier battalion and one light infantry battalion. But whether jäger, musketeers or grenadiers, they almost all had coat buttons in groups of 1-2-1 and the slit-style cuffs. Fun fact; the Brunswick crest of a racing white horse on a red field was the same as neighbouring Hanover’s.
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5. Your Germans are wearing blue, but don’t have buttons in 1-2-1 and Swedish cuffs. Do they have yellow facings, and cuffs with buttons placed both horizontally and vertically? If no, go to the para numbered 6. If yes, they are from Waldeck. This German state usually provided troops for the Dutch, but raised a new unit, the 3rd English-Waldeck Regiment, for service in America. They mostly fought against the Spanish in the Deep South, where they were decimated by disease. If the unusual position of the buttons on the cuff isn’t enough, look for the belt plate bearing “FF” for “Fuerst Friedrich,” the state’s ruler.
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6. Do your blue Germans have red facings, cocked hats and unusual lace on their coats, shaped like a figure-of-eight? If no, go to the para numbered 7. If yes, they’re from Hesse-Hanau. This state was closely related (in the sense of its ruler, literally) to Hesse-Cassel, yet remained independent. While it provided a small amount of artillery, jägers and freikorps light infantry, its main contribution was a single line regiment, Erbprinz. Their distinctive features were scalloped lace on their cocked hats and the figure-of-eight “Brandenburg” style lace. There was also a Hesse-Cassel Regiment Erbprinz (even sharing the same colonel-in-chief), but they were fusiliers with caps rather than the Hesse-Hanau musketeers with their cocked hats. Check the mistake made by this artwork - these are Hesse-Hanau soldiers from the Infanterie Regiment Erbprinz, but they’re wearing Cassel fusilier caps. Bonus fact; Hanau and Cassel’s crest both features a rampant lion with red and white stripes, but there are subtle differences - they face opposite directions, the style of stripes are slightly different, and the Hanau lion lacks the Cassel one’s crown, but does wield a sword.
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7. Do your blue-coated Germans have a black eagle on their flags and grenadier cap plates? If no, they’re probably from Hesse-Cassel. If yes, they’re from Ansbach-Bayreuth. This German state consisted of two provinces, Ansbach and Bayreuth (funny that). Besides jägers and some battalion guns, their main contribution was two infantry regiments, one from each of the two provinces. Their ruler’s crest was a black eagle, similar to the Prussian one.
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Of course these posts don’t account for the uniforms of the jäger corps, or musicians, or any artillery, but it can serve as a rough guide. For the proper detail, you’ll have to buy my forthcoming book on the topic!
Also would be pretty cool if someone made an actual flow chart out of this, just saying!
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed Thursday adding a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which he said will address the country's gun violence crisis.
The amendment would raise the minimum age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21, mandate universal background checks, institute a reasonable waiting period for all gun purchases and bar civilians from purchasing assault weapons, according to a statement from the Governor's office.
"This will guarantee states as well the ability to enact common sense gun safety laws, while leaving the Second Amendment intact, and respecting America's gun owning tradition," Newsom said in a video statement. "The 28th Amendment locks in the common sense constitutional protections that Democrats, Republicans, Independents and gun owners overwhelmingly support and ensures NRA-owned politicians can never strip those protections away."
6 in 10 Americans, including 4 in 10 gun owners, said controlling gun violence is more important than protecting gun rights – the highest percentage in a decade – according to a national poll released last month.
Newsom told Politico and NBC the move was inspired in part by the rollback of gun safety measures by the courts.
The move comes amid speculation that Newsom may run for President, which grew after he won a second term as Governor, which ends in 2026, and dropped $10 million on a new political action committee. Newsom has denied planning to run in 2024 or 2028, saying he supports President Joe Biden and wants Vice President Kamala Harris, a fellow Californian, to be President.
PROPOSAL SPARKS CRITICISM FROM GUN GROUPS
The move has drawn opposition from gun-ownership groups. A spokesperson for The National Rifle Association said in a statement to USA TODAY that the majority of Americans reject Newsom's "California-style gun control.”
“Newsom’s latest publicly stunt once again shows that his unhinged contempt for the right to self-defense has no bounds," the statement said. "California is a beacon for violence because of Newsom’s embrace of policies that champion the criminal and penalize the law-abiding."
Erich Pratt, senior vice president of Gun Owners of America said "Newsom's proposals will fail miserably to control crime."
"It's a foreign concept to wealthy anti-gun political elites like Mr. Newsom that the common people have a right to possess arms for self-defense and repelling government tyranny, so it's no surprise to us that he hopes to butcher that right with a new Constitutional amendment," he said in a statement to USA TODAY.
ADDING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 'WON'T BE EASY'
Adding a constitutional amendment requires either a two-thirds majority vote by both houses of Congress or a constitutional convention convened by two-thirds of State legislatures, according to Thomas Donnelly, chief content officer at the National Constitution Center. None of the 27 amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by a convention and the last time the Constitution was amended was in 1992, he said.
Three-fourths of the states must ratify the proposed amendment in order for it to become part of the Constitution, Donnelly said. Donnelly declined to speculate on the likelihood of Newsom's success. But he said the process is "meant to be difficult."
"The Founders really wanted to limit new amendments to those that can actually secure the broad support of the American people, so for them, they would have said 'an idea that would transcend faction,'" he said. "Today, we would say it's often something that's going to transcend partisan politics."
Given the impact of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on gun control last year, "something like a Constitutional amendment may seem absolutely necessary," according to Michael Waldman, president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.
Waldman, author of "The Supermajority: How the Supreme Court Divided the Country," called Newsom's approach, which leaves the Second Amendment intact but allows for "common sense gun laws" that may be palatable to some gun rights supporters, creative and interesting. He said Newsom's amendment "is not likely to happen, but it's important to think about it."
"Constitutional amendments seem completely impossible to do until suddenly they seem doable, and that's how it's worked all throughout our history," Waldman said. "If the Court's doctrine is so misguided and the carnage on the streets is so undeniable, you might get a surprising outcome."
Newsom acknowledged how challenging the process would be, saying "this fight won't be easy, and it certainly won't be fast."
California State Sen. Aisha Wahab and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer will introduce a joint resolution to make California the first state to call for a convention, also called an Article V Convention or amendatory convention, according to the Governor's statement.
Newsom will then work with "grassroots supporters, elected and civic leaders, and broad and diverse coalitions across the nation" to get similar resolutions passed in the 33 other states required to convene the convention, the statement said.
"California will be the first but that's just the beginning," Newsom said in a statement.
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atlafan · 1 year
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Violet Chemistry - Part One
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In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous...the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.
a/n: I’m posting part one here, and the rest will be on my patreon. A few disclaimers: I am not promoting copaganda. I have simply re-watched 22 seasons of Law and Order: SVU and I wanted to write my own thing based off of the main characters Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson. If you’ve never watched SVU some of this is going to be very confusing, but I tried my best to explain things so you wouldn’t necessarily need the SVU background. Harry is basically Elliot, and Ronnie is basically Olivia. I am not an expert on the criminal justice system or special victims, I simply used the information from the show to create this story. So much of this fic is probably inaccurate.
Warnings: THERE WILL BE MANY TRIGGERS IN THIS STORY! The words rape, homicide, pedophilia, murder, etc are used throughout this fic. If these things deeply upset you or trigger you, please do not read this story. Mentions of cheating, domestic violence, and other upsetting content is also intertwined throughout this story. Again, if these are things you don’t like, then please don’t read it.
Words: 6.6K
Main Characters: Detective Harry Styles, Detective Cameron (Ronnie) Walsh
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“RONNIE!!”
It all happened so fast. Harry did the one thing he shouldn’t have: he ran to help his partner instead of chasing after the perp.
“SOMEONE CALL A BUS, NOW!” He screamed to the vice squad behind him while he added pressure to where Ronnie was bleeding out.
The EMT’s got to her as soon as they could, and when they told Harry he couldn’t ride with them to the hospital due to the severity of the wounds, but he went ballistic and they backed off, letting him into the back of the ambulance. The only people he listened to were the nurses at the hospital that told him he couldn’t go into the operating room. That’s when his captain caught up with him.
“I’m not leaving the hospital. Not until I know she’s alive and breathing.”
“Harry-“
“I don’t want to hear it, Cap.”
“Harry.” The captain yanked him aside and made him look at him. “You haven’t even asked about what happened to Jones. Did you forget what you’re on the payroll for?”
“Of course not.” He has tears rolling down his cheeks, but he’s so angry he doesn’t even realize. “I know I fucked up, but I saw Ronnie go down, and-“
“The chief is going to want you two separated after this.”
“I figured.” Harry looks away from him.
“I’m going to have the doc talk with both of you. You both need a psychological evaluation. Then a decision will be made.”
“Your decision or the chief’s?”
“Mine. He trusts my judgement. But I need to make sure I can trust both of yours.”
“Fine.”
“You still haven’t asked about Jones.”
“Respectfully, Cap, right now I don’t give a fuck about that piece of shit. Reynolds and Miller were there too, and since they’re not here worrying over Ronnie the way that I am, I’m assuming they caught Jones, or they’re down at the DA’s office waiting for arraignment.”
“They did catch him.” The captain nods.
“And the other underage girls? We only got a few of them out.”
“Found in one of his broken-down trailers, alive. Miller’s contacted their parents, they’re on their way here now. We had them sent right here so they could be checked over.”
“Obviously.”
“Don’t give me attitude, Harry. I’m giving you a very small, brief pass since Walsh is your partner, but that doesn’t mean you’re not on thin ice.”
“Heard, Cap.”
“Excuse me, Detective Styles?” A nurse taps him on the shoulder. “You’re listed as Cameron Walsh’s emergency contact, so I’m allowed to give you the particulars of her surgery. Who is this?” She nods towards the captain.
“Our captain, he can listen. She’d want him to.”
“Okay. Four bullets were removed from the body. Two were in her chest, one in her left shoulder, and one was lodged in between her ribs. The doctors were able to get them all out, but she’s in a medically induced coma.”
“What, why?” Harry’s eyes widen with panic.
“She started seizing from the blood loss. The doctors felt it was necessary.”
“So, when will she wake up?”
“When her body lets her. They’re still getting her stitched up and bandaged. They’ll be taking her to a private room shortly. Once she’s set up, I’ll come get you.”
“Alright, thank you.” The nurse walks away, and Harry takes out his phone.
“Are you texting Mark?”
“No.” Harry scoffs. “I’m messaging Reynolds and Miller that Ronnie’s alive.”
“Don’t you think you should contact Mark?”
“I don’t want him here, so no.”
“That’s not up to you. He’s her boyfr-“
“I know what he is.” Harry snaps. “I’m her emergency contact, not him. Get a clue, Cap.”
“That’s strike two, Detective. Check yourself.”
A little while later, Harry rushes to the room that’s been set up for Ronnie. He stops short of the doorway. It’s scary seeing her hooked up to all the machines. He steps in slowly, sitting on the edge of the bed. He takes her hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze. She has a few scrapes on her face, but nothing serious. He looks at how messy her hair is, and it makes him laugh softly.
“You’d hate the way you look right now.” He stands up and pulls an elastic off his wrist. He props her head up just enough so he can pull her hair back into a French braid. “Remember when you first taught me how to do this? Katie was about three, and Kathleen was on vacation with her girlfriends so I was on double parent duty. I was father of the year for being able to braid Katie’s hair the way Kathleen usually did.” He sighs and ties the end of her hair with the elastic and sets her head back down. He pulls a chair up so he can sit by her. “Don’t worry, Ron, I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you.”
**
Five Years Earlier
“Styles, I’d like you to meet your new partner, Detective Cameron Walsh.” Captain Sellers smiles as the other detectives crowd around to say hello.
“I go by Ronnie, hi.” She smiles as she shakes Harry’s hand.
“Nice to meet you. You’re joining us from homicide, yeah?”
“Mhm. I’ve always wanted to work in SVU, so I jumped at the chance when the position opened up.”
“You wanted to add rape and kiddie porn to your murder, huh?” Harry smirks and Ronnie grins at him.
The two clicked instantly. Harry took Ronnie out for a drink that night so they could get to know each other better, and so he could give her some tricks of the trade.
“I’ve been in special victims for four years now. It never gets easier. There’ll be cases you take extremely personally, but you have to try not to. I still do it sometimes, it’s tough not to picture these things happening to your own family and friends. In homicide, all your victims are dead, right? Well, in special victims, more often than not, they’re alive. It’s hard when you have to make someone relive a rape, or having to listen to a child talk about how someone they trusted took advantage of them.”
“You’re saying things I already know. I’ve been trained on all this. I’ve dealt with families and friends of victims. A lot of it is the same. Compassion and relating is important and more effective than accusing the perp.”
“Exactly. You might find yourself having to pretend to agree with a pedophile. It’s the worst, but-“
“It’s worth it if we can get an admission.”
“Yup.” Harry takes a sip of his beer. “Alright, so, what made you want to join special victims? You said you always wanted to work in this unit.”
“I…this is something I didn’t even tell my last partner, but…I feel like we’re really forming a bond here, so…I’m the…product of a rape.”
“Jesus, I’m sorry.” He leans in so he can listen to her better.
“I’m lucky in that my mother didn’t treat me like scum. I know it was hard for her sometimes, but for the most part we had a good relationship.”
“Had?”
“She died last year. Sclerosis of the liver. She coped by drinking.” Harry goes to open his mouth, but she stops him. “Don’t say you’re sorry again, it’s alright.”
“Do you know who your father is?”
“No. When I was younger I wanted to know because I hated that I came from someone that could do something so heinous to someone else, but recently…I don’t know, it doesn’t bother me anymore that I don’t know who he is. I just hope he didn’t ruin anyone else’s life.” She takes a sip of her own drink. “What about you? Why are you in SVU?”
“I sort of just fell into it. I’m tough enough to handle the perps. I’m good with kids. I actually just had one of my own. Well, my wife had her, but you get what I mean.” He takes out his phone to show Ronnie his lock screen. “That’s my wife, Kathleen, and our baby girl, Katie.”
“Oh wow. How old is your baby?”
“She’s six months.” He smiles fondly down at the picture. “Kathleen was my high school sweetheart. We broke up when I served. I was a navy seal. When I came home we got back together and got married. Best decision I ever made. I love being a family man. My household was so fucked up when I was a kid. I like knowing I’m providing a positive environment for my daughter.”
“That’s amazing. How do you make time for them? This job can feel never ending sometimes.”
“You have to build in those boundaries. Obviously we have to keep working until the job is done, but when the captain tells you to go home, just go home. You can’t do your job right if you’re exhausted.”
“True.” She nods.
“Try to do as I say and not as I do. Cap and I butt heads on the regular. I have a temper. Most of the time I can keep it together, but sometimes I lose it. It depends on how much the perp is pissing me off.” He looks her up and down. “Anything else I should know about you?”
“You mean other than the fact that my mother was a rape victim? No, I don’t have any other skeletons.” She smirks, and it makes him laugh.
“I’m glad you can joke about those things.”
“It helps make the job more bearable at times.”
“Sure does.”
The two went on to work very well together. Ronnie got to meet Harry’s wife and baby. Kathleen would often come see Harry for lunch if it was a paperwork heavy day.
After a year on the job together, the two got close. Ronnie was having trouble in her personal life. That is, her love life was nonexistent. One afternoon, when they were sitting in the car as they staked out a perp, Ronnie asked Harry for some advice.
“Can I ask you something personal?” She says.
“Depends on what the subject is.” He says as he continues looking out the window.
“Sex.”
“I’m listening.”
“I can’t get aroused.” She tells him bluntly, causing his head to snap in her direction. “Any time I even think of dating, I talk myself out of it. It’s like…it’s like my mind goes to the worst possible place. I think every man is going to try to take advantage of me, or that they’re playing me, buttering me up. Did you ever have trouble when you first started in special victims?”
“Oh, yeah. I couldn’t get it up for like three months.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Kathleen was ready to kill me. I mean, I’ve got a mouth and hands, but it got to a point where when I’d get between her legs I’d get flashes of the gruesome shit I’d seen.”
“How did you move past it?”
“Talking to Kathleen, and time. When was your last date?”
“I don’t know, a year.”
“You haven’t had sex in a year?”
“I guess not.” She shrugs.
“And you haven’t taken care of things yourself?”
“I told you, I can’t get aroused. I can’t even watch porn anymore because I keep thinking all the girls are underage and are being forced into it.”
“So, nothing gets you even a little wet anymore?”
“Harry.” She sucks her teeth and shoves his shoulder.
“I’m not going to tell anyone, I never tell anyone what we talk about. Partner confidentiality.”
“I’m as dry as a bone.”
“You need to, I don’t know, do something for yourself. Like, light some candles, take a bubble bath, use a new vibrator, or something. Kathleen has this one toy that-“
“I don’t need to know about the toys you and your wife use.”
“You know, Miller is single, and I know for a fact he thinks you’re cute.”
“I know he does, but I don’t shit where I eat.”
“Not even for one night?”
“Nope.”
“I can ask Kathleen if she has any single friends, we could go on a double date.”
“I’m all set.”
“Do you have a problem with my wife all of a sudden?”
“What, no. I just don’t think we should necessarily combine those areas of our lives. You’re always saying it’s important not to bring work home with you. Getting too familiar with your family would be a bit much.”
“Just say you don’t want to hang out with me, I’m a big boy.” He rolls his eyes.
“You’re annoying.” She shoves his shoulder again, making him chuckle.
“In all seriousness, it just takes time. Don’t force yourself. When you feel like giving it a try with someone, you’ll know. You’ll feel that familiar zip of electricity go through you. You’ll be drenching your panties again like you never stopped.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Harry.” She laughs so hard she snorts.
Harry always found a way to make Ronnie laugh.
But things weren’t always so funny. By the time Harry’s daughter was two and a half, Kathleen kicked him out of the house. She was sick of him not putting the family first, and he was sick of her not understanding that with his type of job he can’t always do that. He had been pissy at work for a while, and when he finally snapped at Ronnie while they were working a case, she snapped back when they returned to the squad room.
“Don’t ever talk to me like that again.” She says to him. “I don’t need you making me look bad in front of the perps.”
“Then do your job correctly.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“I was. Whatever your problem’s been lately, get the fuck over it. I’m your partner, don’t treat me like it’s my first day on the job.”
“Kathleen and I separated.”
“What?” Her features soften.
“Kathleen and I separated last month. Not legally, but I’m living in my old apartment that I had been subletting.”
“What happened?”
“I wasn’t being a good enough father and husband, according to her. So, now I get to see my daughter even less.”
“You should ask Cap for some time off. You and Kat have been together forever, you’ll get past this.”
“I don’t know, something’s different this time.” He runs a hand through his hair. “She thinks I prefer spending time here…with you.”
“Oh please.” Ronnie groans. “That’s so cliché. She knows nothing’s going on between us. I’d never break up a family.”
“So if I wasn’t married with a kid you’d be okay with breaking us up?” He smirks, and she shoves his shoulder. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be joking right now. She thinks I have better communication skills with you than with her. But that’s only because any time I’d tell her about what was going on at work she’d stop me halfway through because she didn’t want all the details. Eventually I just stopped talking about work at all. Turns out, we just don’t have anything left to talk about.”
“That can’t be true.” Ronnie frowns.
“I think it is. I just want to do right by Katie, she’s my top priority. That’s the one thing Kathleen and I are agreeing on right now.”
“I hope you know you don’t have to keep something like this from me. I’m not a blabber mouth.”
“I know, it’s just embarrassing. I fucked up, and I didn’t do anything to stop it.”
“This is a tough job, and it’s even tougher to have a family to go home to. I can’t imagine the stress that causes.”
“Every little kid we come across, all I can think about is what if something like that happened to Katie. I won’t be able to protect her forever, and it kills me.”
“Did you explain that to Kathleen?”
“Of course I did! We went to therapy for weeks, but I didn’t say all the things she wanted to hear. She’s done.”
“Let me take you to dinner later. We can hit up the Chinese place, have some drinks, and…just turn our brains off for a while.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Would you rather go home to an empty apartment?”
“No.” He smiles softly. “Alright, Chinese and drinks after work. Thanks, Ron.”
“No thanks necessary.”
Ronnie wanted to jump for joy, which made her feel terrible. She has nothing against Kathleen, but she’d be lying if she said she didn’t have feelings for Harry. She knows it’s dumb to fall for your partner, but they spend so much time together. He knows her in a way that no one else does. She loves him. She’s in love with him. She’s not going to press her luck, but maybe after some time without Kathleen, Harry will realize that if he and Ronnie do things right, they could be together. It’s not totally uncommon for detectives to get together, and it’s certainly not against the rules. She catches him looking at her sometimes, she knows this isn’t completely one sided.
**
Harry got shot. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last. But this time around, he realized what was really important to him: his wife and his daughter. After he got out of the hospital, he went home. He just wanted to see Katie. He got to tuck her in and read her a story, and when he was done with that, Kathleen asked him to stay. He wasn’t going to say no to that.
**
Ronnie can’t read Harry. Which is strange because she can always read him. He’s been antsy lately. He’s constantly checking his phone, his mood goes from hot to cold in seconds.
“Hey, can we talk?” She asks him, and they both go into the bunk room for some privacy.
“What’s up?”
“That’s what I was going to ask you. You’ve been weird lately.”
Harry sighs heavily and runs a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t going to say anything for at least another month, but Kathleen’s pregnant.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“My wife is pregnant.”
“Who’s the father?”
“Um, me.” He says, completely offended.
“How could you be the father? You’re not even living together.”
“That’s the thing, we’ve been working on reconciling.”
“Since when?”
“Since I got shot a few months ago. I went over to see her, and I asked if I could come home. We’ve been going out on dates, doing things as a family again. It’s reignited our spark.”
“So, you got shot, then went and fucked Kathleen?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you guys gonna do?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I just…do you think it’s a good idea to bring another kid into your situation? How long could these good times last? We both grew up in fucked up households, you know how bad it is. Why would you want to put another kid through that?”
“I can’t believe you’re even suggesting Kathleen have an abortion. She doesn’t want that.”
“How do you know? Did you ask her? How does she feel about it?”
“We’ve always wanted more than one kid, of course she’s fine with it. She’s really excited to be pregnant again.”
“Are you two at least back in therapy? I mean, have things changed? Are you being a better husband and father this time around? Or do you only care now because she’s pregnant?”
“Don’t interrogate me, Ronnie.”
“I’m not trying to! But you’re not thinking rationally about this, Harry. Do you really want to make things work with Kathleen after these last seven months?”
“See, this is why I didn’t talk to you about this.” He shakes his head.
“What does that mean?”
“It means, you wouldn’t understand the trials and tribulations of marriage. For fuck sake, Ron, I’m the longest relationship you’ve ever had with a man!” Her mouth falls open at that. “Whatsamatter, baby, you can dish it but you can’t take it?”
“You’re an asshole.”
“Oh, you’ve wounded me.” He puts his hand over his heart, mocking her.
“How could you even say something like that to me?”
“It’s the truth. You can’t make any relationship work. I’m the only guy in your life you trust. Maybe you should go to therapy.”
“You know what, from now on, let’s just keep our personal lives private. I won’t ask you about yours, and you won’t ask me about mine.”
“Works for me, partner.”
Ronnie makes an exasperated noise, and huffs out the door. She nearly runs over Kathleen.
“Kat, hi!”
“Hi.” Kathleen smiles softly. “Were you just in there with Harry? Alone?”
“Yeah, we needed to have a private discussion. He told me the good news, congrats.”
“You look thrilled for us.” Kathleen rolls her eyes.
“Look, I’m not saying it’s not a blessing, but I just think-“
“Walsh.” Harry’s low voice bites through the air. “Don’t you have some paperwork you need to get done?”
“Don’t you know you can’t tell me what to do? We’re the same rank, you prick.” She walks away from the two of them. She needs to clear her head.
**
After taking a month off for paternity leave to help Kathleen with their new baby boy, Harry returns to work. It’s hard leaving his three favorite people, but he knows he needs to get back to SVU. This time around, he’s going to set limits where he can. He’ll take a break to go home for dinner, then come back to work if he needs to. He’s not going to screw this up a second time.
Harry checks in with his captain first thing, then catches up with Reynolds and Miller. He looks around for Ronnie, but she’s not there. He figures she must be out on assignment. But much to his surprise, she comes walking into the squad room with a cup of coffee in one hand, and a man by her side. She’s giggling and has rosy cheeks. The man walks her over to her desk. She sits up on top of it, and he leans down to speak in her ear, making her smile. She nods and kisses his cheek before he leaves. Harry approaches her with a smug look on his face.
“I leave for a month and you already have a new man in your life?” He jokes, and she hops off her desk to hug him.
“Welcome back, Styles.” She gives him one more squeeze before letting him go. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Ron.”
“I’m sorry I never came to the hospital, or to the house…I didn’t want you to think of work while you were away.”
“That’s alright, I’ve got tons of pictures to show you.”
“What’s his name?”
“Eddie.” He smiles fondly. “Edward, actually, but we’re calling him Eddie.”
“I like that.” She smiles.
“So…” He sets his jacket down and loosens his tie a little. “Who’s the guy?”
“He’s our new ADA.”
“What happened to Timmins?”
“She got offered a better salary with homicide.” Ronnie shrugs. “His name is Mark Hayes. We butted heads at the beginning, but we ended up going out for drinks one night and one thing led to another.”
“What happened to not shitting where you eat?” Harry smirks at her.
“I’m not, he’s at a completely different table. It’s not like we see each other all the time. He has other cases he’s working, you know?”
“Isn’t it a conflict of interest for you to see our ADA?”
“We disclosed things with, Cap. We figured all that out. It hasn’t affected either of us at work.” Her cheeks start to redden, and Harry’s eyes widen.
“And after work?”
“I’m sorry, Detective, but I’m afraid that’s diving a bit too deeply into my personal life.”
“Ah.” He nods. “That bad, huh?”
“What?” She laughs.
“If he was any good at fucking you, you’d tell me about it.” He leans his bum against the desk, standing closer to her. “What’s wrong, he can’t make you come?”
“The opposite, actually.” She turns, getting right in his face. “It’s the best I’ve ever had. In fact,” she looks around to make sure no one else is listening, “I’ve recently found out that I can squirt.” She watches as Harry’s eyes visibly darken, his pupils turning into saucers. His jaw clenches and he stands up straight. “Welcome back, partner.”
**
Flash forward two years later. Harry’s divorced, but still occasionally fucks Kathleen when he’s desperate and just wants something familiar. It’s hard not to get riled up with emotions when he’s over spending time with his kids. Ronnie’s been seeing Mark the entire time. He’s asked her to move in a dozen times at this point, but she always comes up with an excuse as to why she can’t.
Harry and Ronnie are currently sitting in Cap’s office. They think they’re in trouble. For what, they’re not sure, but it’s usually not good when they both get called in for a chat.
“I have an important assignment for the two of you. It’s going to involve being undercover for a bit.” Cap explains.
“Alright, what’s going on?” Harry asks.
“We’ve had a string of strippers getting murdered. They all work at the same club. Narcotics tipped me off. They’ve been working the case because the perp running the entire operation is the one giving the command on which girls are getting tossed. It happens infrequently enough that it hasn’t raised a ton of eyebrows.”
“Is that why we’re just hearing about this now?” Ronnie asks.
“Homicide was taking care of the murders. We’ve only recently found out that the girls that aren’t being tossed in the trash, are being prostituted out and raped. There’s an open position at the club. Ronnie, I need you to go undercover as a dancer. Start off as a bottle girl, but I need you to get into that dressing room and get whatever information you can. Harry, I need you to be her handler.”
“So I have to take my clothes off, and he gets to be my pimp?” Ronnie scoffs.
“I know it’s not the most appealing thing for you, but you’re the only female detective we have that could actually pass as an erotic dancer.”
“Gee thanks.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ll do it, but I’m keeping whatever lingerie I have to buy.”
“Deal.” Cap looks at Harry next. “What do you say?”
“I’ll do it. I don’t trust anyone else to work this with Ronnie. I think Miller’s head would explode if he saw her dressed provocatively.”
“Stop it.” She shakes her head. “When do we start?”
“Immediately.” He hands them each a folder. “That has the information on where you’ll be staying, your new ID’s-“
“We have to stay in the same apartment together?” Ronnie asks.
“Once Harry gets in good with these people, they may come around to check for bugs and wires. It has to look like you both live together.”
“Captain, respectfully, Harry is a slob. I can’t live with him in a…oh my god, this is for a fucking studio?”
“That’s what they gave me funding for, Walsh. I’m sorry it’s not ideal.” Cap says facetiously.
“Is there at least a couch for him to sleep on?”
“Why do I have to sleep on the couch?” Harry scoffs.
“Because you’re not going to be the one sliding up and down a greasy pole every night.”
“Fair.”
“Enough. Go take some time to get familiar with your new identities, and go shop for whatever you may need to make it look convincing. You’ll be staying at your new apartment tonight. Have fun, and try not to kill each other.” He looks at them. “Or…anything else.”
They both roll their eyes at that, and leave the office. Ronnie takes out her phone and calls Mark to let him know what’s going on. He’s up in the squad room ten minutes later.
“How long will you be gone for?” He asks her by her locker.
“I don’t know, it could be weeks…months.”
“Months?”
“These things either happen fast, or they’re really slow. You know that.” She closes her locker and looks up at him. “I’m sorry, I know this isn’t the best thing happening right now. But at least we’re not living together, you won’t miss me too much.”
“Don’t use this as an excuse.” He sighs. “Are you at least being given a burner phone so we can still have contact?”
“Yes, but I have to use it carefully. If our place gets bugged or something, it could mean game over. I feel bad for Harry. He barely sees his kids as it is. This is going to be really tough for him.”
“Yeah, Romeo.” Harry says as he opens his own locker. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of our girl.”
“Can you give us a minute, Styles? We’re talking.”
“Mmm, no.” He grins and leans back against the lockers. “No, I think I’ll continue eavesdropping. Kathleen’s bringing the kids by so I can see them before we go, so I’ve got time.”
“Harry.” Ronnie looks up at him with her big brown eyes, and he all but melts.
“Fine, I’ll leave you alone. Oh, when we go to the store to get all your stripper accessories, should we get you some sex toys?”
“Christ, Harry.” She shoves him away, making him laugh.
“Does he always have to be so crude with you?” Mark asks her. “This is the sex crimes division for fuck sake.”
“We do it to each other, it’s just how we work. If we don’t find reasons to laugh, we’d cry.”
“So, we can’t even go be alone for a bit?” He steps closer to her, making her blush.
“I want to…” She looks over her shoulder at the bunk room, then back to her boyfriend. “I should really start briefing myself on this case. I want to check the homicide detective’s notes, see what we’re really dealing with. I’m sorry, Mark. I know…I know this is what makes our relationship difficult.”
“It’s alright, I understand.” He leans in and kisses her, then pecks her forehead. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
While Ronnie is on the computer looking over everything, Harry is talking with Kathleen and the kids. Ronnie can’t believe Katie’s already five, and that Eddie’s already two.
“How long will you be gone for, Daddy?” Katie asks him. She’s got her arms around his neck, her bottom being supported by his hip while Eddie is on his other hip. Ronnie looks away before she has time to fantasize about how strong her partner is.
“Well, Daddy’s not sure. I’m going on a top secret mission, so Daddy won’t be able to see you for a while, but I’ll do my best to call when I can.”
“What about on FaceTime?” Katie looks up at him, pouting.
“We won’t be able to do that, sweetie, I’m sorry.”
“But…but I’m gonna miss you.” Her bottom lip starts to quiver. Harry looks at Kathleen. She takes Eddie from him so he can properly hug his daughter, biting back tears of his own.
“I’m going to miss you too, so much. You have no idea.”
“Why…why do you like being with Ronnie more than Mommy?”
“Katie.” Kathleen says. “Now’s not the time for that.”
“Sweetheart, it’s not that I…Ronnie and I work together, that’s all. She’s going on the secret mission with me. We keep each other safe. And while I’m gone, Mommy will keep you and Eddie safe, alright?”
“Will you miss Mommy too?”
Harry and Kathleen look at each other, and her face flushes from the coy smirk forming on Harry’s face. “Of course I will. I’ll miss you, Eddie, and Mommy very much. I’ll check in when I can, okay? I need you to be a brave, big girl and help Mommy a little more. Can you do that for me?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s my girl.” He hugs her and gives her a kiss before setting her down. He takes Eddie back and tosses him into the air, making him laugh. “Alright, little man. Need you to be a big boy.” Harry takes Eddie’s thumb out of his mouth.
“Okay.” Eddie says with his precious, soft spoken toddler voice.
“I love you.”
“Wove you too, Daddy.”
Harry smiles at his boy and sets him down. He tells Katie he loves her as well, then looks at Kathleen.
“I know you don’t need me to tell you this, but be careful.” She says to him.
“I like it when you tell me to be careful. It helps having your voice in my head.”
“Come back in one piece.” Her voice cracks as she throws her arms around his neck. He holds her close.
“Don’t cry, it’s going to be alright. I’ve gone undercover before.” He coos into her hair.
“Not like this.” She pulls back from him and pecks his lips before fully letting go. “Check in when you can, like you said.”
“I will. I love you, you know that, right?”
“Yes, and I love you too.” She picks up Eddie and sighs. She and Ronnie make eye contact, but neither of them say anything to the other. There’s nothing to say.
**
Harry walks around the store while Ronnie picks out clothes to buy. It’s all miniskirts and tight dresses. Then she goes to the lingerie section, and he joins her.
“Would you ever wear any of this stuff for real?” He asks her as he picks up a pair of crotchless panties. “It can’t be comfortable.”
“It’s not. This is stuff you put on when you tell a guy you’re going to slip into something more comfortable.”
“But you just said it’s not comfortable.”
“It’s not, but it’s also not going to stay on for very long.” She grabs a few bras and throws them in her cart. “I have to buy makeup too.”
“Don’t you already own makeup?”
“Yes, but I mostly wear neutral colors, nothing too heavy. I need to get some pallets with more vibrant colors. I need to get fake lashes. Oh! I’m going to need some highlighter.”
“Jesus, this is going to be never ending. I hope Katie’s a tomboy so she doesn’t have to deal with all this.”
“How’s that working out so far?”
“Not great, she’s all about princesses and Barbies right now. It’s actually pretty cute, and she has a wild imagination. I always have fun when we play with her dolls.”
“You play Barbie with her?” Ronnie pouts up at him endearingly.
“Course I do.” He shrugs. “It’s important to spend time doing the things your kid likes to do, rather than dragging them out to do something you want to do. As she gets older, she won’t feel like it’s a chore to hang out with me because she’ll know I’m up for whatever she wants to do. Within reason. I don’t want her thinking I’m going to take her to get a tattoo before she’s eighteen.”
“You’re a really good dad.”
“Thanks. I hope she and Eddie feel the same way.”
“They do, they have to. You’re doing the best you can.”
“Right. Let’s keep shopping. I’m ready to get the fuck out of here.”
The two get all the things they need, and head to their new home for the seeable future. It’s a nice place, but it’s going to be hard for them both to stay in such a small space.
“So, who’s taking the bed for real?” He asks her later that night over takeout.
“I have a proposition.”
“I’m not sleeping foot to face.”
“That’s not what I was going to suggest. I was thinking we could just stick some pillows between us so we can both sleep on the bed.”
“Do we need a barrier at all? I’m not going to try to fuck you while you’re sleeping.”
“Well, obviously, or I’d say you’re in the wrong line of work.” She smirks. “I just want us both to be comfortable.”
“I won’t sleep if I feel like I need to be rigid.”
“Okay, so no pillows.”
“We’re both adults who have shared beds with people before. I think it’ll be fine.”
“What do you usually wear to bed?” She asks him.
“Boxers. What about you?”
“Oversized t-shirt.”
“Well, if anyone busts the door down we’ll at least look the part of a couple.” He takes another bite of food, then sets his container down. “You and Mark have a quickie earlier?”
“No.” She laughs. “We almost did, but I wanted to start briefing myself. I felt bad, but isn’t this more important?”
“You need to find that answer on your own. I’m clearly not the expert.”
“I think you just married someone that bit off more than they could chew. You’ve been in this line of work since you two were married. She knew how hard it was going to be.”
“It wasn’t like this when I was in vice. I had standard shifts, the same schedule for months on end. That worked for us. I don’t blame her…so you shouldn’t either.”
“Sorry.” She swallows down a noodle.
“Why won’t you move in with Mark? An attorney like him should have a great place, definitely one big enough for two people.”
“It’s big enough for more than two people, that’s the problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean…he’s been dropping hints about wanting to really settle down together. He wants to have kids with me. I love him, I really do, but I don’t know if I’m the type of person that can handle all those things.”
“You’re great with kids.”
“I know that, but I’d never be around. I’d be working all the time. I’m just not ready for it.”
“Have you told him that?”
“Yes.” She sighs. “But neither of us necessarily wants to break up, so we have a fight once every few weeks, and then we move on.”
“Maybe the time apart will help you both gain perspective on what you really want from each other.”
“That’s sort of what I’m hoping for.” She takes a sip of water, then sighs. “So, what’s our backstory?”
“I’m your pimp.” He smirks.
“You’re my handler, not my pimp.”
“It’s the same thing.”
“No it’s not. A pimp pimps their girls out to have sex with other people. Handlers don’t do that.”
“It’s the same thing, but whatever.” He rolls his eyes. “How should we approach that, by the way?”
“Approach what?”
“You having sex. I don’t want you to get forced into something.”
“I’m supposed to start off as a bottle girl, then work my way up. So I should be fine. Once you get in good with the bosses, you can just tell them they can look, but they can’t touch. I’ll stay focused on getting information from the other girls, you stay focused on gaining the trust of the bosses.”
“Arthur Jones is the guy we’re looking to bring down. He’s the head of the entire operation.”
“We should go there in the late afternoon tomorrow when it’s not busy and see about me getting a job. Do you know which detectives from narcotics are already undercover there?”
“Yeah, Cap texted me who to look for. It’s another guy.”
“Okay, so none of the girls are under cover. Damn, it’s gonna take me some time to become friends with them.”
“Apparently, we have all the time in the world.”
The two clean up from dinner, then take turns washing up before bed. It’s a little awkward when they both slip under the covers, but they’re both able to fall asleep easily.
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thestylesindependent · 10 months
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Kearney will work alongside Pleasing's Co-Creative Directors Harry Lambert and Molly Hawkins, as well as its Head of Marketing, Sophie Kerr-Dineen.
Harry Styles, Founder of Pleasing, said: “We are delighted to have Shaun join the Pleasing team. His exceptional vision and extensive experience will be invaluable as we enter the next chapter of Pleasing. We are excited to continue to explore ideas, categories, and characters alongside him.”
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I feel stuck in my head and I need to ask someone: what's gonna happen to us when biden's reelected? What can we do to stop the genocide? What can we do to get roe v wade back? How to we make things okay?
Answering the last question first — how do we make things okay? We get informed, and we get involved.
If you want to change how things work, first you have to understand why they work the way they do. I’m not saying you have to become an overnight expert, but you gotta know the basics. You have to know who *really* makes the decisions about the stuff you care about. And I’m not being snarky here, but there’s a very very very good chance that that person is not Biden.
(long-ish more in depth USA-specific thoughts under the cut)
Let’s look at the two specifics that you mention. Yes, the president may be commander in chief of the armed forces but that “just” (air quotes bc obviously that is hugely consequential power, but it’s not the only power at play) means he’s the guy who says yes or no, stay or go. A more effective tool to address the United State’s relationship to Israel? Money. You know who controls the federal money? Congress. You know which political body has elections twice as frequently as the president? Congress. Look into who your Senators and Representatives are, look into their voting records, look into their hiring choices, look into their public statements and appearances, look into the company the keep.
If you like what you find, let them know, and if you have the resources, donate money and/or volunteer your time to make sure they win reelection. If you do not like what you find, and you think they might be responsive to public pressure, let them know you didn’t like what you found. If you found it abhorrent or do not trust that they will adjust to their constituents expectations, figure out if they have a competitor, and if they don’t, make sure that someone steps up to the plate. That someone doesn’t have to be you, but while we live in an ostensible democracy, these people can lose their jobs if and when we vote them out.
Regarding Roe v Wade, this might be upsetting to hear but you need to get used to the idea that it’s not coming back, and if anything, things might get worse. If voting and the legal system is your jam, I can recommend researching the circuit and district judges that preside over your region. If organizing and direct action are more your thing, there’s probably a Nurse’s Union in your area that can point you in the right direction. If your school district has an elected body where you can run for a seat to make sure that kids in your area are getting appropriately scientific sexual health education, do that. If you feel brave enough to start actively having conversations about sexual health and reproductive rights among your daily/weekly social groups, and maybe even start a book club style study group to learn about the legal and medical aspects most relevant where you live, do that. Even on the most individual scale, if you can make it clearly known that you are a safe person for people to talk to about this stuff, that’s a great step in the right direction.
To wrap this up, I think I’ll just say that I think big picture, if Biden wins a second term, things will be fine. If anything, maybe his administration will be able to bolster the environmental wins in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) but at a basic level he will probably maintain the status quo and then after the four years are up, he’ll leave office.
Let’s please not pretend the same can be said about Trump.
But in the spirit of ending on a more hopeful note, if you do not want Kamala Harris to be the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party in 2028 (and/or if you want a third party other than the Democrats and the Republicans to stand a snowball’s chance in hell) the time to start organizing is now. We deserve better than the status quo, we can do this, let’s fuckin go 💪
mod dyr
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stylesnews · 10 months
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Harry Styles’ Pleasing Names Shaun Kearney First Chief Executive Officer
Kearney will be leaving his post as chief design and merchandising officer at Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop.
Harry Styles’ lifestyle brand Pleasing has named Shaun Kearney its first chief executive officer, effective July 17.
“We are delighted to have Shaun join the Pleasing team. His exceptional vision and extensive experience will be invaluable as we enter the next chapter of Pleasing. We are excited to continue to explore ideas, categories, and characters alongside him,” said the British singer-songwriter. 
Kearney will be leaving his post as chief design and merchandising officer at Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop, where he started six years ago as senior vice president of fashion.
“I am thrilled to be joining Pleasing as we set the brand up for future scale and success. We have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives and expand our product offering through many different lifestyle verticals and multiple channels of business,” said Kearney in a statement.
His focus will be on “developing exciting, strategic and charitable partnerships,” according to the company.
He will be working alongside co-creative directors Harry Lambert, also Styles’ stylist, and Molly Hawkins, as well as head of marketing, Sophie Kerr-Dineen.
Styles’ Pleasing was launched in 2021.
“There is a really fun side of makeup where people play a character, but to me, ‘beauty’ is more and more about uncovering,” Styles told WWD exclusively in an email at the time. 
“The beauty industry is uniquely poised to be a leader in innovation and sustainability, which is extremely important and has to be a huge part of the conversation when talking about our future,” he added.
The brand takes a collection-based, drop-style approach to new products.
In November 2022, they launched their fifth collection, called Super Magic Family Time, to kick off the holiday season with three pop-up shops in New York City; Los Angeles, and London, which American Express was the official partner for.
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twopoppies · 7 months
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Hey Gina ,
Glad to see you're back:):) as unofficial chief librarian of Larry fics ,I have a few rec requests please . Thank you so much for your rec list, it's a treasure.
What's been some of your favourite reads so far this year (new, and re reads of old classics)
If I was looking for plot centric or even unusual plot ([idk if I make sense]. Just fics with a plot that made you go woah! This should be in bookstores
Do you have any where they're part of reality TV shows (like the bachelor) or home renovation shows or even master chef or something ?
Again, thank you for keeping the blog running through all the mess all these years. I'm sure it hasn't been easy. We appreciate it and you:)
Hi, darling. This is such a sweet message. Thank you. I really do appreciate it.
As for your questions, let me start with the last two it’s there simplest to answer. Under “R” in the masterpost is a rec for Reality Show AUs. As for plot-centric fics, look under “P” for Plot-Heavy fics.
And last, my favorites. I’ll readily admit that I’ve had a really disappointing year so far and haven’t found much that I loved and most of what I’ve really liked is quite short. I’ll do a wrap up at the end of the year, though.
Anyway, under “F” I do have a list of my Favorites, so you can check those out. But I really have to recommend a fic I read twice this weekend because it was just outstanding. It truly should be a published novel.
Danger I Can’t Hide by CelticSky (E, 227K)
“Don’t,” Tomlinson’s voice was low, gravelled, hiding out in the night where only Styles could hear it. “Stop it. Calm down. You can’t do anything.”
Styles’ chest heaved. Tomlinson had him pinned against the wall, his forearm strong against his ribs. The night air crackled around them and all he could hear was the overlap of their breath, desperation, exquisite need and pain and desire and longing and lingering resistance.
He couldn’t take his eyes from Tomlinson’s lips. The way they fell open to expel air against Harry’s jaw. His tongue darting out to wet them between desperate words, making them glisten in what little light there was. His eyes were lidded and unseeing as he himself looked down to stare at Styles’ mouth.
~~~
Flying Officer Styles and Sergeant Tomlinson would have likely never crossed paths in a time of peace, their lives laid out neatly, predictably before them.
But then the world became unrecognisable. Too soon they grew accustomed to fear, surrounded by death and destruction, not even their freedom a certainty any more.
Until they found eachother.
Comfort.
Companionship.
Understanding.
Another person to lose.
Unless you have a particular aversion to war fics, period-typical homophobia, or high tension stories, make time to read this one. I can’t stop thinking about it.
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cogitoergofun · 10 months
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In a staggering report last month, the Department of Justice documented pervasive abuse, illegal use of force, racial bias and systemic dysfunction in the Minneapolis Police Department. City police officers engaged in brutality or made racist comments, even as a department investigator rode along in a patrol car. Complaints about police abuse were often slow-walked or dismissed without investigation. And after George Floyd’s death, instead of ending the policy of racial profiling, the police just buried the evidence.
The Minneapolis report was shocking, but it wasn’t surprising. It doesn’t read much differently from recent Justice Department reports about the police departments in Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland, Albuquerque, New Orleans, Ferguson, Mo., or any of three recent reports from various sources about Minneapolis, from 2003, 2015 and 2016.
Amid spiking nationwide homicide rates in 2020 and 2021 and a continuing shortage of police officers, many in law enforcement have pointed to investigations like these — along with “defund the police”-style activism — as the problem. With all the criticism they are weathering, the argument goes, officers are so hemmed in, they can no longer do their job right; eventually they quit, defeated and demoralized. Fewer police officers, more crime.
Lying just below the surface of that characterization is a starkly cynical message to marginalized communities: You can have accountable and constitutional policing, or you can have safety. But you can’t have both.
In accord with that view, some academic studies have found that more police officers can correlate with less crime. But the studies don’t account for factors that the Minneapolis report highlights — the social costs of police brutality and misconduct, how they can erode public trust, how that erosion of trust affects public safety — and they don’t account for the potential benefits of less coercive, less confrontational alternatives to the police. We don’t have as many studies that take those factors into account, but to see the effects in real time, you need only step over the Minneapolis city line.
Golden Valley is a suburb of about 22,000 that in many ways is as idyllic as its name suggests. The median annual household income tops $100,000, there’s very little crime, and 15 percent of the town is devoted to parks and green spaces, including Theodore Wirth Park on its eastern border, a lush space that hosts a bike path and a parkway.
But the town’s Elysian charm comes with a dark past. Just on the other side of the park lies the neighborhood of Willard-Hay. There, the median household income drops to about $55,000 per year, and there’s quite a bit more crime. Willard-Hay is 26 percent white and 40 percent Black. Golden Valley is 85 percent white and 5 percent Black — the result of pervasive racial covenants.
“We enjoy prosperity and security in this community,” said Shep Harris, the mayor since 2012. “But that has come at a cost. I think it took incidents like the murder of George Floyd to help us see that more clearly.” The residents of the strongly left-leaning town decided change was necessary. One step was eliminating those racial covenants. Another was changing the Police Department, which had a reputation for mistreating people of color.
The first hire was Officer Alice White, the force’s first high-ranking Black woman. The second was Virgil Green, the town’s first Black police chief.
“When I started, Black folks I’d speak to in Minneapolis seemed surprised that I’d been hired,” Chief Green said when I spoke with him recently. “They told me they and most people they knew avoided driving through Golden Valley.”
Members of the overwhelmingly white police force responded to both hires by quitting — in droves.
An outside investigation later revealed that some officers had run an opposition campaign against Chief Green. One of those officers recorded herself making a series of racist comments during a call with city officials, then sent the recording to other police officers. She was fired — prompting yet another wave of resignations.
The typical Golden Valley police officer makes a six-figure salary with good benefits. The city has almost no violent crime. It’s a good gig. Yet in just two years, more than half the department quit.
“I haven’t been on the job long enough to make any significant changes,” Chief Green said. “Yet we’re losing officers left and right. It’s hard not to think that they just don’t want to work under a Black supervisor.”
The interesting thing is that according to Chief Green, despite the reduction in staff, crime — already low — has gone down in Golden Valley. The town plans to staff the department back up, just not right away. “I’ve heard that the police union is cautioning officers from coming to work here,” Mr. Harris said. “But that’s OK. We want to take the time to hire officers who share our vision and are excited to work toward our goals.”
Mr. Harris is quick to point out that Golden Valley may not be the perfect model for the rest of the country. “This is a wealthy community with very little crime,” he said. “We can afford to go through this change. I realize that may not be the case in other places.”
There is reason to think it may. When New York’s officers engaged in an announced slowdown in policing in late 2014 and early 2015, civilian complaints of major crime in the city dropped. And despite significant staffing shortages at law enforcement agencies around the country, if trends continue, 2023 will have the largest percentage drop in homicides in U.S. history. It’s true that such a drop would come after a two-year surge, but the fact that it would also occur after a significant reduction in law enforcement personnel suggests the surge may have been due more to the pandemic and its effects than depolicing.
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goongiveusnothing · 4 months
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what does he do at pleasing? Is he the owner or is he just the face? Could it be true that it is a money laundering front? Also, what happened to his Gucci capsule? Did the Ha Ha collection sell well? Alessandro left Gucci and there is tension between the new creative director and Harris reed, so is he still with them? Wonder what Ana Wintour thinks about him now? And why doesn't he attend Met and fashion events more often?
The Pleasing Company Executive Team (2)
Shaun Kearney: Chief Executive Officer
Harry Styles: Founder
so he's the founder and is more than just the face.
not sure what you mean by money laundering front, but i'm game to believe everything this man does is to launder money lol.
i didn't keep up with any of the gucci ha ha ha stuff so i'm not sure how well it did.
also not sure if harry is still with gucci but i assume he probably is. guess we'll have to see who designs his next ugly tour clothes collection.
harry thinks he's too exclusive to attend the Met and other events more often. he only does things if he can be the main attraction, not the side one. but that may change now that he's losing steam.
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Copenhagen mall shooting
A 22-year-old man suspected of killing three people at a shopping centre in Denmark's capital Copenhagen has been charged with murder.
Two Danish citizens, both aged 17, and a 47-year-old Russian citizen were killed in Sunday's attack. Police said the suspect had mental health issues and there is no indication of a terror motive. He had a rifle and a knife and his shooting was random - "not motivated by gender or anything else" - they said.
The suspect's lawyers refused to enter a plea for the accused while the media were present and the judge ordered the rest of the hearing to be behind closed doors. The judge also imposed a name ban on both the suspect and the victims. The suspect will be remanded in a closed psychiatric ward for 24 days, authorities said.
Speaking to reporters earlier on Monday, police chief Soeren Thomassen said they believed the suspect - described as "an ethnic Dane" - was acting alone and was not helped by anyone else. He added that the suspect was known "peripherally" to police.
Police are also investigating videos of a young man with weapons which have been circulating on social media since Sunday, and believe them to be authentic.
Four people were seriously wounded in the attack. Two are Danish citizens - a 40-year-old woman and a 19-year old woman. The other two are Swedes - a 50-year-old man and a 16-year old woman. One remains in critical condition, the chief physician at one of the hospitals treating some of the victims said, giving no further details.
Three others were hit by stray bullets, taking the total number of people shot to 10, police said. Of the 10 shot, six were women and four were men, police inspector Dannie Rise told reporters. One of those shot was an Afghan national, she added.
The deadly attack began at Field's shopping mall at around 17:35 (15:35 GMT) local time on Sunday, according to police reports. The multi-storey shopping centre - one of the biggest in Denmark - is near a secondary school as well as a large student housing block, and is often full of young people. Several of those present at the shopping centre spoke of how they fled the scene or hid in toilets, shops and storage rooms.
One of them, named Isabelle, told Danish media: "Suddenly we hear shots - 10 shots I think - and then we run through the mall and end up in a toilet, where we huddle together in this tiny toilet, where we are around 11 people. "It's really hot and we wait and we are really scared. It's been a terrible experience."
Another eyewitness, Mikkel Suldrup, who is a chef at a restaurant in the shopping mall, told the BBC's Jessica Parker: "One moment I was making pizzas, the next moment a woman ran in and told us a man had started shooting... it just went chaotic... People crying, people panicking. A lot of people sought refuge in our restaurant. We had some kids who got lost from their parents. It was really terrible," he said. "I was scared of course. You had this feeling he could have come into our shop."
Police arrested the suspect near the mall - 13 minutes after being alerted to the attack.
Talking about the attack's aftermath, Mr Suldrup said: "I saw a dead man being carried out. It's indescribable, it really is. It's unbearable. You hear about these things happening in other countries, USA mainly, but you just don't think it happens here."
Less than a mile from the shopping mall, British singer Harry Styles was due to perform at a 17,000-capacity venue where crowds had already gathered inside before the show was cancelled. Fans - many in their teens - were escorted by police to underground stations where parents picked them up, Danish media report.
Praising the police's response, concert-goer Jan Muller told the BBC: "They acted really quickly, organizing transport for everyone."
Dozens of heavily-armed officers have been standing guard outside the Field's shopping centre all morning, while investigators have been filing in and out. The steps to the main entrance remain cordoned off with tape, and police vehicles line the street outside.
For this small Nordic country, where gun violence is rare and mass shootings are almost unheard of, Sunday's events are deeply shocking.
Though it's thought the suspect acted alone, police are keeping a visible presence across the capital.
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papermoonloveslucy · 1 year
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LUCY’S THIN BLUE LINE
Lucy and Law Enforcement ~ Part 3
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On “Here’s Lucy,” Lucy Carter not only had multiple run-ins with the police – she actually became Sheriff for a day! Here’s a look at Carter and Cops!
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“Lucy’s Impossible Mission” (1968) ~ In this “Mission:Impossible” spoof, even the police are in on the caper. John J. “Red” Fox was best known for playing policemen, which is what he did on five of his eight appearances on “The Lucy Show” as well as three of his five episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” The policeman has no lines, but is kicked by Lucy to get his attention and says “Ouch!”  
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“Guess Who Owes Lucy $23.50?” (1969) ~ Van Johnson plays himself and his evil doppelganger.Orwin C. Harvey plays the Security Guard (right). Harvey has one line, spoken off screen. A second Security Guard goes uncredited and has no lines.
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“Lucy and the Ex-Con” (1969) ~ Lucy and a safecracker (Wally Cox) go undercover as Little Old Ladies at a dive bar. Vince Howard played the policeman on the extreme left. Many of his 125 TV and film credits were as law enforcement officials. Howard also played a policeman on “Lucy and Mannix are Held Hostage” (1971). Larry J. Blake (policeman on right) is making the first of his eight “Here's Lucy” appearances.
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“Lucy Goes on Strike” (1969) ~ Harry refuses to give Lucy a raise so she goes on strike with the other secretaries in the building, including Isabel (Mary Wickes). John J. ‘Red’ Fox returns as the cop on the beat in front of the Bradshawe Building. 
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“Lucy and the Great Airport Chase” (1969) ~ Government Agent Bill (Morgan Jones) appears to investigate international epsionage in an episode shot on location at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The G-Man is never addressed by name but listed in the end credits.
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"Lucy Helps Craig Get His Driver's License" (1969) ~ A motorcycle cop (Ray Kellogg) faces off with driving test examiner Wibur Hurlow (Jack Gilford).  
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Inside the police station, the officers issuing licenses are played by (left to right): Herkie Styles, Joseph Mell, and Sid Gould. 
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“Lucy's Burglar Alarm” (1969) ~ Detective Harvey Gaynes is played by Elliott Reid, who also appeared on “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show.” 
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“Lucy, the Cement Worker” (1969) ~ Lucy disguises herself as a street construction worker to find a valuable ring she’s lost. She encounters the cop on the beat, played by Harry Hickox in the first of his three episodes of “Here’s Lucy.”
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“Lucy and Viv Visit Tijuana” (1970) ~ At the border, Harry is questioned by a customs officer played by Don Megowan in his only appearance with Lucille Ball. He is perhaps best remembered as the Sheriff in The Wolfman (1956). His final role was as a police sergeant in the 1979 TV movie Mrs. R’s Daughter. 
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“Lucy and Wall Cox” (1970) ~ Lucy helps Wally Manley (Wally Cox) get a job as a warehouse security guard where they encounter armed criminals. 
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“Lucy and Ma Parker” (1970) ~ Carole Cook plays a master criminal. The police convince Lucy to take her place in order to nab her associates. Harry Hickox (Lieutenant L. Hickox, left) makes the second of his three episodes of “Here’s Lucy,” all as policemen. Stafford Repp (Police Detective Halloran,  right) made a career of playing policemen even before he became famous as Chief O'Hara on TV’s “Batman” (1966-68). He played two different officers of the law on “Dennis the Menace” in 1962 and 1963, alongside Gale Gordon. 
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“Lucy and the Raffle” (1971) ~ The Baliffs in the courtroom are played by Emile Autuori and John J. ‘Red’ Fox. 
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“Lucy and Carol Burnett aka The Hollywood Unemployment Follies” (1971) ~ Lucy and Carol stage a musical revue featuring a tribute to the operetta Rose Marie (1930 & 1940). Four Mounties (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) sing “Stout-Hearted Men”. From left to right: Sid Gould, Kay Kuter, Johnny Silver and Mike Wagner.
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“Lucy and Mannix are Held Hostage” (1971) ~ In this cross-over with the Mike Connors private eye series “Mannix” (saved from cancellation by Lucille Ball), the policemen are played by Vince Howard (left) and Robert Foulk (right). 
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“Lucy and the Celebrities” (1971) ~ Sid Gould plays the Security Guard at the gate of Morton Pictures. Impressionist Rich Little stars with Jack Benny. 
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“Lucy and the Candid Camera” (1971) ~ Allen Funt plays himself and an evil imposter, getting the Carters to participate in criminal capers under the impression they are on “Candid Camera”.  Law enforcement is played by (left to right): Peter Leeds, Robert Carson as Sergeant Lou Holmes, and Paul Sorenson, who played policemen many times during his career. 
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“Lucy and the Chinese Curse” (1972) ~ When Lucy saves a laundry owner (Keye Luke) from a safe falling in the street, reporters and the police are on the scene. Frequent background performer Walter Smith plays the policeman. He had appeared with Lucille Ball in Forever Darling (1956), as well as in Desilu’s “The Untouchables” and “The Lucy Show.” 
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“The Case of the Reckless Wheelchair Driver” (1972) ~ Lucy, in a wheelchair due to her broken leg, is set-up by a conman (Jesse White). Law enforcement officials are (left to right): Officer Rafferty (Robert Foulk), Sergeant Montgomery (Hal Hickox), and Officer Egan (Ed Hall). 
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“Dirty Gertie” (1972) ~ Lieutenant Egan is played by Craig Stevens, who is probably best remembered for playing the title role in the private eye series “Peter Gunn” (1958-61). Egan questions Lucy and says he's “just trying to get the facts, ma'am.” This is a paraphrase of a quote from another famous TV detective, Joe Friday on “Dragnet.” The role of Lieutenant Egan was originally written with Webb in mind. Stevens even imitates Webb's deadpan delivery.
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“Lucy Goes to Prison” (1973) ~ When Lucy goes undercover in jail to discover where Mumsie Westcott (Elsa Lanchester) hid her stolen loot, Matron Wilson is played by Jody Gilbert, who also played a prison matron on “The Lucy Show.” 
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Two uniformed policemen are played by uncredited actors and have no lines.
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“The Big Game” (1973) ~ Jerry Jones plays a policeman on the prowl for ticket scalpers at the stadium. Prior to this, Jones played a policeman on “The Doris Day Show” and “The Brady Bunch.” 
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“Lucy Plays Cops and Robbers” (1973) ~ On the side of the law are Officers Spencer and Riggs, played by Dick Sargent and Gary Crosby. Rumor has it that the police officers were supposed to be played by “Adam-12” (1968-75) co-stars Martin Milner and Kent McCord. Like “Here’s Lucy,” the NBC police drama was filmed on the Universal lot. Gary Crosby played a recurring role on “Adam-12.” In the script, one officer says to the other “I think we’ve been riding together too long” which would have been even funnier had it been an already famous pair of policemen like Milner and McCord. The episode features Al Lewis, who famously played Officer Schnauser on “Car 54 Where Are You?” (1961-63). 
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“Lucy the Sheriff” (1974) ~ Lucy finds out that her grandmother was the first woman sheriff of a Montana town that is celebrating its centennial. She is asked to play her grandmother at the celebrations, which include the recreation of a bank robbery. Lucy is enjoying playing lawmaker until a couple of genuine robbers interrupt the celebration and take her hostage!
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Flora Belle Orcutt (the fictional one) is supposedly the first lady sheriff in the West. In real life, the distinction of first woman sheriff has been disputed. Some say it was Texan Emma Banister (1918), but others claim it was Mary Roach (1922-27) because Emma had inherited the position from her husband. Still others believe the title belongs to Kansan Mabel Chase (1926). Mrs. James Latty of Burlington, Iowa, was known as the first “Unofficial Woman Sheriff" as far back as 1870.
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Lucy the Sheriff meets Sheriff Bart Thomas, played by Orwin C. Harvey. 
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“Lucy Calls the President” (1977) ~ In the CBS special, Lucy Whittaker (Lucille Ball) is scheduled to get a visit from President Jimmy Carter. In advance of the visit, the Barker home is visited by Secret Service Officers Thatcher (Joey Forman) and Stockley (Stack Pierce). 
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Stone Pillow (1985) ~ Lucille Ball plays a homeless woman living on the streets. When another homeless woman dies on her corner, the police are called. Pat McNamara (Officer Daggett) played Sheriff Perkins in Silence of the Lambs (1991).
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“Lucy and the Guard Goose” (1986) ~ This unaired episode of “Life With Lucy” was originally scheduled for broadcast November 22, 1986. When crime hits M&B Hardware, Lucy enlists the help of a guard goose. Charles Levin plays Pasadena’s finest Sergeant Green. Green played a policeman on two episodes of “Punky Brewster” (1987-88). 
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ao3feed-larry · 1 year
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Larry in Hellᵀᴹ
by the_night_changed
Harry dies and goes to hell. There he meets Louis, a long-time hell resident who is friends with the CEO and Chief Operations Officer of Hellᵀᴹ. Louis doesn't entertain boring ass corporate workers who end up in hell but Harry is a real pain in the ass because he absolutely denies being a hell person, apparently, he has "done everything in his life to get to go to heaven." Louis with his hell mates shows him how great hell actually is until he has to go to the annual Hell-Heaven meeting. Fluff and stuff. Ya know how I mean, read to find out more.
Words: 1074, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: One Direction (Band), Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, The Good Place (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Crowley (Good Omens), Aziraphale (Good Omens), Chidi Anagonye, Eleanor Shellstrop, God (Good Omens), Janet (The Good Place), Jianyu Li | Jason Mendoza, Michael (The Good Place), Jameela Jamil, Niall Horan, Michael (Good Omens)
Relationships: Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson, Aziraphale/Crowley (Good Omens), Chidi Anagonye/Eleanor Shellstrop, Chidi Anagonye & Janet, Crowley & Eleanor Shellstrop, Louis Tomlinson & Crowley, Harry Styles & Michael, Niall Horan & Harry Styles
Additional Tags: Enemies to Lovers, Heaven & Hell, Fluff, Family Fluff, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Romance, Action/Adventure, Friendship, Crack Relationships, Crack Treated Seriously, Crack, Death, Humor, the greatest crossover in human history, everyone is dead (convinient), larry in hell (literal), i have no plot no structure just an idea so ill add more tags later on xoxo
via AO3 works tagged 'Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson' https://ift.tt/DxcsC6j
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Harry Styles’ As It Was has been revealed as the winner of IFPI’s Global Single Award 2022.
IFPI, which represents the global record industry, presents the award to the biggest-selling single across all digital formats, comprising paid and ad-funded streams and downloads.
This marks the first time Styles, who has also enjoyed recent success at The BRITs and The Grammys, has won the IFPI award as a solo artist. Ten years ago, One Direction topped the inaugural IFPI Global Recording Artist Chart and the IFPI Global Album Chart.
IFPI chief executive Frances Moore said: “Congratulations to Harry Styles, and all of his team, on winning IFPI’s Global Single of the Year Award. Harry first received an IFPI Award as part of One Direction when we first launched the IFPI Global Recording Artist Chart 10 years ago, so it’s an honour to present him with an award this year for his stellar single As It Was which has soundtracked the year for so many music fans around the world.”
As It Was has 1,729,679 sales in the UK, according to the Official Charts Company. It is now the singer’s second biggest UK hit, behind Watermelon Sugar which has 2,133,817 sales. As It Was’ parent album Harry’s House also hit No.1 and has 502,156 UK sales to date.
IFPI, which represents the global record industry, presents the award to the biggest-selling single across all digital formats, comprising paid and ad-funded streams and downloads.
This marks the first time Styles, who has also enjoyed recent success at The BRITs and The Grammys, has won the IFPI award as a solo artist. Ten years ago, One Direction topped the inaugural IFPI Global Recording Artist Chart and the IFPI Global Album Chart.
IFPI chief executive Frances Moore said: “Congratulations to Harry Styles, and all of his team, on winning IFPI’s Global Single of the Year Award. Harry first received an IFPI Award as part of One Direction when we first launched the IFPI Global Recording Artist Chart 10 years ago, so it’s an honour to present him with an award this year for his stellar single As It Was which has soundtracked the year for so many music fans around the world.”
As It Was has 1,729,679 sales in the UK, according to the Official Charts Company. It is now the singer’s second biggest UK hit, behind Watermelon Sugar which has 2,133,817 sales. As It Was’ parent album Harry’s House also hit No.1 and has 502,156 UK sales to date.
Last year, As It Was co-writer Tyler Johnson told the story of how the song was made in a Hitmakers interview with Music Week.
“It’s got such a mellowness to it and it doesn’t really go for any big moments,” Johnson said. “Harry had the vision for it to be the lead single [from Harry’s House]. I’m very impressed at how he saw that it was what his audience wanted, and also people in general – it’s not just his fans who have taken to the song. When it came out on Spotify and I pressed play I got a good feeling in my stomach like, ‘I like that people are hearing this song.’”
“Harry was sitting on the Moog One and I liked what he was playing, so I sat down and played as he started to write the melodies and the lyrics,” Johnson added. “I said to Harry, ‘We need a lead line’ and he just came up right away with the ‘Dah, dah, dah...’ part. He didn’t hesitate. Then he started writing the second verse and referring to himself in the third person. So much of this song just came from Harry’s heart.”
Sophie Jones, the BPI’s chief strategy officer & interim CEO has also offered congratulations to Styles. 
“It’s great to see UK artists do so well in the IFPI global charts, particularly dominating the songs of 2022, with Harry Styles and Glass Animals at No.1 and No.2 and nearly half the top 20 claimed by UK talent,” Jones said. “Our congratulations to Harry Styles for featuring so strongly in the global charts and to all UK artists and their labels for an excellent performance last year.”
Styles is joined by Glass Animals, Elton John & Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and Adele in the Top 20. The list also features four songs performed in Spanish, with Bad Bunny appearing twice alongside Farruko and Karol G.
Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) also features following its revival after a sync in Stranger Things.
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dertaglichedan · 9 months
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VP Kamala Harris’ Office Suffers Massive Turnover
Vice President Kamala Harris continues to burn through staff as reports suggest she’s struggling to keep top talent.
Harris’s office has been plagued with turnover and more than a dozen high-profile aids have left. But the problem seems to be, at least according to former staffers, people don’t like working for her.“
Just last year, she saw the exodus of her main domestic policy advisor while her chief speechwriter departed after fewer than four months on the job. 
It was hardly surprising, given that a year earlier, Politico reported that Kamala Harris’ office was often rife with dissent, and it was even described as being ‘not a healthy environment.’
The problem was so great that even President Joe Biden’s team took notice,” the outlet 1945 reported.“People are thrown under the bus from the very top, there are short fuses and it’s an abusive environment,” a person with direct knowledge of how Harris’ office is run told Politico in June 2021.
“It’s not a healthy environment and people often feel mistreated. It’s not a place where people feel supported but a place where people feel treated like s—.”
The Washington Post published a lengthy report detailing turmoil inside Harris’ circle, with staffers describing her management style as horrifyingly bad.
“It’s clear that you’re not working with somebody willing to do the prep and the work,” a former staffer said. “With Kamala, you have to put up with a constant amount of soul-destroying criticism and also her lack of confidence.
So you’re constantly sort of propping up a bully, and it’s not clear why.”This comes as reports are circulating that there is rising tension in the White House between President Joe Biden and Harris as the 2024 presidential election cycle looms.
As noted by the outlet 1945, one of the biggest mounting concerns is Biden’s age and the fact that Harris, should the geriatric president be forced to resign his post or worse, die in office, would succeed him.
She’s not been a popular vice president and in fact, her polling has consistently been worse than Biden’s, even when Biden’s numbers were at historic lows.“
A vote for the Democrats might be for Biden. Then again, it might not be,” is what Republicans want Democratic voters to understand, the outlet noted.
The report added ominously: “After all, President Joe Biden will be 82 if he were to win his reelection.
The average lifespan for most American men is 77 years of age.
”The report noted further:As uncomfortable as it is, Americans need to have the conversation about Biden that no Democrat wants them to have: can the forty-sixth president even make it as president for another four years?
As a corollary to that line of questioning comes another important query that voters should be asking: can Kamala Harris be a good president, if something were to happen to Biden?
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dubaitimes · 11 months
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On-the-run clothing boss from Preston led £97m tax scam
Arif Patel used a Preston firm to buy properties using cash raked in from one of UK's biggest ever tax scam
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Fulwood fraudster Arif Patel
An on-the-run Preston man has been jailed for 20 years for his role in a one the UK's biggest ever tax scams.
Sock manufacturer Arif Patel, formerly of Sharoe Green Lane, Fulworth, was handed the two decade sentence for his leading role in a criminal enterprise which saw a gang try to steal £97m of taxpayer cash but was not present in court. Fellow crook Mohamed Jaffar Ali, of Dubai, was also not present as he was handed an 11 year sentence for his role.
A joint HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Lancashire Constabulary investigation found Arif Patel, now also of Dubai, and his criminal gang tried to steal £97 million through VAT repayment claims on false exports of textiles and mobile phones. They also imported and sold counterfeit clothes that would have been worth at least £50 million, had they been genuine.
The proceeds were used to buy property across Preston and London through offshore bank accounts. Patel, 55, used his dodgy Preston-based Faisaltex Ltd to buy a five-storey terrace in a Hampstead estate where neighbours include Harry Styles, Ricky Gervais and Benedict Cumberbatch.
He faced two charges of conspiracy to cheat the public revenue, one count of conspiracy to launder money, an offence of false accounting and final charge relating to the sale of goods likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark. Patel was found guilty of all counts at a trial at Chester Crown Court.
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Fake designer goods recovered from the gang
More than £78 million of the gang’s assets have been restrained and the process to recover these proceeds of crime is in progress. In total, 26 members of this criminal empire have now been convicted and sentenced following six trials between 2011 and 2023, leading to jail terms totalling 147 years and seven months.
Eamonn O’Neill, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Arif Patel and Mohamed Jaffar Ali were at the heart of one of the biggest carousel tax frauds this country has ever seen and the severity of their crimes has been recognised by today’s sentencing. We will continue to pursue those criminals who blatantly steal from the public services we all rely on and look to recover the proceeds of their crimes from current and future wealth.
“We are determined to ensure absconders face justice and we have helped secure the return of more than 70 fugitives since 2016, including some of the UK’s most harmful tax cheats. We encourage anyone with information about tax fugitives or suspected tax fraud should report it to us online. Search ‘Report Fraud HMRC’ on GOV.UK and complete our online form.”
Sam Mackenzie, Assistant Chief Constable, Lancashire Constabulary, said: “While presenting himself as a genuine and reputable businessman Arif Patel in fact used stolen taxpayers’ cash to line his own pockets and fund a lavish lifestyle. This is money that should have been used to fund the vital public services which we all rely on and to which most of us contribute our fair share by working hard and paying tax.
“I welcome these sentences which are the culmination of a lengthy and complex investigation which has involved many years of hard work and dedication by police officers and staff and partners from HMRC who have worked together in a truly joint operation.”
Author: Charles James
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