Emma’s brows pinched together as she grabbed a glass and moved toward the fridge. ‘Better than what the hell happened to you.’ She chuckled, maneuvering past the Orange Juice labeled with Jake’s initials. ‘You run into a thorn bush or something? Or did you completely lodge the acoustic guitar into your leg last night.’

She moved to sit next to Mike, her shoulder brushing across his back, taking one sip of the cranberry juice until her mouth turned down. Someone had spiked it with vodka. ‘I leave you alone for a couple hours in this house and Charlie is already playing Doctor with you.’ She leaned around the side to see his face, but was careful not to jostle him enough. ‘See how fast people get close here. Doesn’t it feel like you’ve been here for a while already?’

Emma slowly glanced toward Johnny. ‘Like blood disrupts your ability to put food into your body. And it’s a guitar in someone’s leg, it’s not that gross.’ Though she slowly turned back to look at all the splinters Charlie tugged from him laying on a napkin, all covered in blood. ‘Okay…it’s a bit gross. But also nothing at the same time.’

She pushed her glass away and leaned on the table. ‘It’s a good thing she caught you before you escaped out that door this morning.’ She put on a playful face, pouting her lips as she looked at Charlie.

‘Tell me, will he ever walk again!’

Her eyes watched him the full way as he slowly sank underneath the water. She was grateful that he was able to lower himself, she was too tired to jump and try to catch him if his body failed to work properly. But she could see the medicine the doctor had given him was working properly.

Amara lifted one of her hands out of the water, running her fingers over the lip of the tub. She kept her eyes on his face, even though she wanted them to dip down and catch a glimpse of him under the water.

‘Almost never.’ She said softly, reaching over to the table to grab the bar of soap. She dipped it under the water and slowly began to lather it over her chest and down her arms. 'Why do you ask? You want to make it a reoccurring thing between us?’ She said slyly as she bent her knee so only the top of it poked out of the water.

Art closed his eyes as he let the hot water lick at him. It left a soapy residue that smelled like strawberries over his and Amara’s skin. The water swirled with a faintly pink sheen, twisting like a storm in a cup. It almost felt as if it possessed healing properties. But Art knew that was just the opium in his body, the blissful heat and warm body so close to his. 

‘Almost never.’ Art repeated her words as if processing them, relaxing against the tub wall. ‘I’m asking because it feels like Epithymía themself has blessed me right now.’ He twirled his fingers across the water’s surface, spinning the pink soaps in a different direction. ‘That’s the only thing that can explain how I’ve ended up sharing a bath with you.’

Amara was no gift from the God of Love, Lust and Beauty. But she certainly should have been. 

Amara drew in a deep breath, the aroma of the strawberries hitting her even hard. She could feel her own body giving into the sweetness as she drifted farther down. Eve had definitly slipped something magical into that soap.

Her eyes opened to half slits a she looked over at him. ‘Really? That’s the only reason why you think we could ever be sharing a bath?’ She let out a low chuckle as she forced herself to sit up, and lean forward slightly. ‘I can assure you, Epithymia has nothing to do with any of this.’

She pressed her lips together, as he eyes fell to his. Even defiantly put gave them something to feel extra good. ‘But you do feel good, right?’

Emma was actually relieved no one offered to walk her back to the house. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was escorted everywhere by Nigel for the past week. She was grateful for no watching eyes and didn’t have to worry about any secret cameras spying on her while she changed into her sleepwear. A tee-shirt and shorts that actually fit her. Everything felt so…nice again. Normal. How it should be.

Until she found herself tossing and turning as she tried to get comfortable. It wasn’t that her bed was uncomfortable, she just found that something was missing. She even sat up, holding her knees to her chest, watching the door hoping that at some point in the night, someone would break her from her thoughts. That Mike would help her sleep in some way. But he didn’t, and the house stayed quiet until four in the morning.

The noise actually jolted her from the sleep she did get. For a moment as she opened her eyes, all she could see was that room, where they waited for Nigel to just show up and take them away. She only realized that she was in her own bed when she felt tears on her cheeks.

She quickly wiped them with the back of her hands and laid back down once she heard the sound of Mike stumbling into the guitar. She stifled a chuckle, staring up at the ceiling. She had missed seeing Mike drunk off his mind. She wondered what type of mischief they got into without her.

But instead of jumping up and going to his room to check that he hadn’t busted his head open. She stayed in bed until the sun came up and then she was dressed in running clothes.

She knew it was a risk to be running alone. But she wouldn’t head that far, only keep down the length of the water and back. When she returned, she took a long shower and decided to cook breakfast for anyone who could eat it after having a hangover.

Emma’s brows pinched together as she grabbed a glass and moved toward the fridge. ‘Better than what the hell happened to you.’ She chuckled, maneuvering past the Orange Juice labeled with Jake’s initials. ‘You run into a thorn bush or something? Or did you completely lodge the acoustic guitar into your leg last night.’

She moved to sit next to Mike, her shoulder brushing across his back, taking one sip of the cranberry juice until her mouth turned down. Someone had spiked it with vodka. ‘I leave you alone for a couple hours in this house and Charlie is already playing Doctor with you.’ She leaned around the side to see his face, but was careful not to jostle him enough. ‘See how fast people get close here. Doesn’t it feel like you’ve been here for a while already?’

Emma could feel the tears trying to break through after being told that they weren’t going to be the ones able to bring Carmine in cuffs. She wouldn’t waist anymore tears on that monster. ‘So the only time he will see us again would either be masked up or sitting on the other side of the court room.’

She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth, her free hand moving to drape over her hip. Her finger tips pressed into the side of it, and she stifled a wince.

'But you will see him burn Em.’ Charlie reached out a gently gripped her shoulder. 'All of them. Just not first hand.’

Emma glanced over at her, her teeth chewing hard on the inside of her cheek. She tasted iron. Sometimes she hated going undercover, even after all of the thrills.

She gave a swift nod and downed the rest of her beer. 'I guess that is as good as it’s gonna get.’ She said softly before moving to stand. 'I think it’s about time I call it.’

Charlie tugged on her arm all while playfully groaning, begging for her to stay. But Emma wanted to sleep. Alone. In her own bed. But she knew that there wouldn’t be that much sleeping tonight. Or the nights to come anyways.

'This has been a lovely homecoming but I fear that if I don’t get into bed soon, Briggs will have to haul me over his shoulder and deposit me in my bed.’ She chuckled and bent down to pick up some of the empty beer bottles, her gaze stopping on Mike. 'Go easy on him in my absence…’

'No promises!’ Charlie chuckled. 'You know we don’t go easy on anyone!’

Emma smirked and shook her head. 'Good night you crazies…’ She glanced back at Mike, 'Night Mike…’ before heading back inside the house.

Emma was actually relieved no one offered to walk her back to the house. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was escorted everywhere by Nigel for the past week. She was grateful for no watching eyes and didn't have to worry about any secret cameras spying on her while she changed into her sleepwear. A tee-shirt and shorts that actually fit her. Everything felt so...nice again. Normal. How it should be.

Until she found herself tossing and turning as she tried to get comfortable. It wasn't that her bed was uncomfortable, she just found that something was missing. She even sat up, holding her knees to her chest, watching the door hoping that at some point in the night, someone would break her from her thoughts. That Mike would help her sleep in some way. But he didn't, and the house stayed quiet until four in the morning.

The noise actually jolted her from the sleep she did get. For a moment as she opened her eyes, all she could see was that room, where they waited for Nigel to just show up and take them away. She only realized that she was in her own bed when she felt tears on her cheeks.

She quickly wiped them with the back of her hands and laid back down once she heard the sound of Mike stumbling into the guitar. She stifled a chuckle, staring up at the ceiling. She had missed seeing Mike drunk off his mind. She wondered what type of mischief they got into without her.

But instead of jumping up and going to his room to check that he hadn't busted his head open. She stayed in bed until the sun came up and then she was dressed in running clothes.

She knew it was a risk to be running alone. But she wouldn't head that far, only keep down the length of the water and back. When she returned, she took a long shower and decided to cook breakfast for anyone who could eat it after having a hangover.

Amara’s chest grew tight, a silent breath slipping between her lips. ‘Wouldn’t be the first time I climbed into a tub with a handsome man.’ She glanced up at him through a hooded gaze. She eased his shirt off over his arms, not moving from the closeness they shared as she draped it over the nearby chair.

Her fingers began pulling on the lacing of her own dress, the fabric quickly going loose over the curves of her body. 'I’ll enjoy looking then.’ She whispered back, her dress falling to the ground, leaving her utterly bare. Her eyes stayed locked on his as she stepped into the tub, moving to one side of it, and slowly sunk under the water. She let herself hover for moments to let the peaks of her breasts be the last thing he saw before she was fully submerged to her collarbone.

'There…now I have a better seat to watch you…without shame.’ She smirked, a hint of lust rolling off her tongue.

Her eyes watched him the full way as he slowly sank underneath the water. She was grateful that he was able to lower himself, she was too tired to jump and try to catch him if his body failed to work properly. But she could see the medicine the doctor had given him was working properly.

Amara lifted one of her hands out of the water, running her fingers over the lip of the tub. She kept her eyes on his face, even though she wanted them to dip down and catch a glimpse of him under the water.

'Almost never.' She said softly, reaching over to the table to grab the bar of soap. She dipped it under the water and slowly began to lather it over her chest and down her arms. 'Why do you ask? You want to make it a reoccurring thing between us?' She said slyly as she bent her knee so only the top of it poked out of the water.

@sheiismother

Carter really couldn't catch a break. He had been asked to sit in on a case and it so happens to include a certain somebody who always loves to step on his toes. Even with the cases, she isn't cleared for. Though he really couldn't say anything about not working with her. Their bosses paired them together for a reason. Because they were both the best in their line of work.

'Listen...how about you let me worry about the evidence and everything else a cop does and you just worry about your pretty little speeches on getting the good guy out of jail.'

Was she trying to bribe him into making things civil? Or maybe he was being to hard on her for her line of work after being screwed over by multiple people. And it wasn't like he did not like her. She was a beautiful, smart, young woman. And he was sure that outside of her work, she was fun to be around.

It had been a while since he had spent time with someone that he didn't work with. And what could it hurt by having a little Chinese and mending some of the broken patches in their relationship. He let out a soft sigh, his hands slipping from his hips. 'Normally, looking over evidence outside the office wouldn't be allowed.' He swallowed, pausing a bit as he looked her over. 'I guess it won't hurt anyone, you or me, if anyone higher up didn't find out. Sure. Chinese and evidence studying sounds like a fun way of getting over whatever this...' he motioned in between the two of them. 'Is. Because believe it or not, I don't like fighting with you.'

Besotted {Sloane & Cole}

@the-life-we-fear wanted!!

So this is the man she’s been waiting to meet all evening. Hmm. Hmm! “Has she? All good things, I hope,” she laughed. It’s always a pleasure to hear that students enjoy her class. “You’ve got a very bright mind on your hands! Always raises her hand, studies hard, takes care to absorb everything, and performs well with tests. I don’t know if she’s mentioned it, but she enjoys my pop quizzes, too.” That’s not something she can say about many children. “She’s been very kind to my daughter Maeve this year as well.”

Settling back into her chair, fingers drumming on her desk, she smiled politely at the man. “You’ve done quite well with her. You should be proud. I very much am; it’s not every year I get to brag so openly about some of my students. Now. Was there anything specific you’d like to discuss?”

Good, his daughter would have second set of eyes on her when he would be at work. That was one thing that he wanted to ask of her tonight. The other thing...was a bit risky, and he didn't know if he would actually go through with it. And it was highly unprofessional.

He let out a soft chuckle, glancing away as he scratched the back of his head. 'There was actually one more thing...but it doesn't include my daughter. I actually wanted to know if you would like to grab dinner with me sometime. Or is that highly, unacceptable?' Shit, what was he doing. This was his daughter's teacher. 'You know what...that was highly inappropriate of myself. I apologize.' He shook his head and moved to stand.

Hey, Hey {Holly & Evan}

@the-life-we-fear gets a starter!

“It’s not every day someone like you comes around,” Holly said sincerely. After having only one conversation with this man, she felt there was something about him. Normally, she filed away any and all ‘layover’ conversations with strangers in a ‘fond memory’ box never to be touched, but she wanted to savor this experience. Especially if she never saw this Evan again. She’s always been very good with names. “I still have ten hours before this flight boards. Want to go somewhere?”

Evan couldn't help the smile that spread across his lips. It wasn't everyday that he was out with a woman and they suggested grabbing wings on the first date. Wait, this wasn't a date. Was it? No, it was just two friends grabbing a bite to eat while they waited for her to catch her next flight. 'I spend most of my days being healthy, I think I can spend one day being a bit unhealthy. Plus...' he shrugged and began walking toward the parking lot. 'Chicken is protein...nothing unhealthy about protein.' He teased.

Stupid. That was what Piper felt in this moment right now. Her smile washed from her face as she sat back slightly, glancing down at her plate. Maybe if Dune didn’t laugh like a hyena she wouldn’t have felt so stupid.

She picked up her wine and took a heavy drink of it. When she placed it back down Neris had her arm on her shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, The Troubles sound better as a boy band name rather than a war name.’ She cleared her throat. 'I’m sorry, political unrest.’ She playfully shot Aedan a look.

Piper gave her a look of thanks. 'Well, can you blame me? The only wars I learn about are the ones written in books. And most of them are real events sprinkled with magic.’ She forced a smile. 'Wars aren’t my forte unless they are.’

Piper had come across many men like Dune before. However, they didn't always show their true colors the first time she met them. And none of them were Dune. She tried not to show how uncomfortable he was making her by not glancing or paying him any mind when he spoke. But she could see the grin he wore knowing how much it was working.

Piper was the next one to sit back. She hadn't eaten much, for her nerves ceased her to do so. Which was quite odd for her, since she was usually never nervous about meeting new people. Maybe it was all the stories she heard.

She bit down on the inside of her cheek when she saw Aedan standing, almost swearing to herself not wanting to be stuck sitting across from Dune without him here. He kept glaring daggers at her whenever he wasn't chewing wildly on the meat he had on his plate.

Surprised there was any meat for the rest of them with how he was eating it.

She had to blink twice when the words left Aedan's mouth, and she stopped herself from sighing with relief.

'Yes.' She said softly as she placed her glass on the table along with her napkin as she stood. 'I will gladly help.' She glanced around the table, grabbing the empty potato bowl as well as a scrapped clean greens bowl.

She flashed Neris a smile before moving off into the kitchen. That was when she let out her breath depositing the dishes into the sink for her to start washing them.

Arrangements||CLOSED

@the-life-we-fear

Gavin stepped into his study to pick up a few documents before needing to go off to the office. He hadn't seen his new wife much since their marriage ceremony, but he was a very busy man.

He gave her a soft kiss to the head, smiling down to her. "I'll see you when I get off tonight. Hopefully today is the day."

Zaria folded her arms across her chest, crossing the foyer to him. 'I am more than sure that you will land it. There are very few people in this world that are able to say no to that face of yours.'

She smirked up to him, uncoiling one arm to swipe some of his hair into place. 'And if they don't, they are the dumb ones who will fail later in their career.'

Emma squinted playfully over at Johnny. ‘You may be one hot piece of ass, but in no way would you have been able to move your hips like the two of us had to for the last week.’ She pointed at him with her beer in hand.

She then glanced over at Jakes. 'And it’s not like we wanted to get into that situation. Cases go bad all the time.’ She took a deep breath. 'It’s how we deal with them afterward is what really matters.’ She rested her beer on her lip. 'And boy can I not wait to deal with Carmine.’ But then she blinked. Normally how these things should have went would be Emma and Mike being arrested with Carmine after the phrase was spoken. That obviously wasn’t the case anymore.

She glanced over at Briggs. 'We will be able to go with you to bring him in right? Dressed in our FBI gear just to rub it in his face that we bested him? Or will we have to sit this one out?’

She didn’t know what she would do if either Mike or her were forced to sit out rubbing Carmine and Nigel’s arrest in their faces. She knew it was protocol to not let the criminals see them in their FBI Gear, but Briggs and the others had to know how important this case was for Emma and Mike after the week of hell they had.

Emma could feel the tears trying to break through after being told that they weren't going to be the ones able to bring Carmine in cuffs. She wouldn't waist anymore tears on that monster. 'So the only time he will see us again would either be masked up or sitting on the other side of the court room.'

She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth, her free hand moving to drape over her hip. Her finger tips pressed into the side of it, and she stifled a wince.

'But you will see him burn Em.' Charlie reached out a gently gripped her shoulder. 'All of them. Just not first hand.'

Emma glanced over at her, her teeth chewing hard on the inside of her cheek. She tasted iron. Sometimes she hated going undercover, even after all of the thrills.

She gave a swift nod and downed the rest of her beer. 'I guess that is as good as it's gonna get.' She said softly before moving to stand. 'I think it's about time I call it.'

Charlie tugged on her arm all while playfully groaning, begging for her to stay. But Emma wanted to sleep. Alone. In her own bed. But she knew that there wouldn't be that much sleeping tonight. Or the nights to come anyways.

'This has been a lovely homecoming but I fear that if I don't get into bed soon, Briggs will have to haul me over his shoulder and deposit me in my bed.' She chuckled and bent down to pick up some of the empty beer bottles, her gaze stopping on Mike. 'Go easy on him in my absence...'

'No promises!' Charlie chuckled. 'You know we don't go easy on anyone!'

Emma smirked and shook her head. 'Good night you crazies...' She glanced back at Mike, 'Night Mike...' before heading back inside the house.

Tori waited in the corner of the cute little coffee shop for the guy she found herself fallen hard for. She understood that they came from two different worlds but she couldn’t help the strong connection she felt whenever they were around each other. She couldn’t find herself able to be away from him for long. She always felt the need to be in his presence. He made her happy and most importantly made her feel safe with him whenever they were together.

Looking up from her book when she seen Nolan on the corner of her eye walk up to the secluded table she sat at. She smiled smiling seeing him before she stood up and wrapped her arms around him tightly. “Hey you.”

@the-life-we-fear

Nolan let out a frustrated sigh, more at the thought of his family being a pain in his side more than they ever should be. He pressed his lips to the top of her head once more before pulling away and taking his seat.

'You know I'd drink anything you'd order for me.' He glanced over at the menu, squinting, as if he couldn't see it with his eyes. 'You've never gotten me something I didn't like.' He smirked back at her. 'One of the reasons why I love you so much. You just get me.'

With @the-life-we-fear

Red knew she needed to get up and move. Needed to escape while she had the chance, while he was still gone. She just couldn’t get her body to cooperate with her mind. Every inch of her ached, deep into her bones. Not to mention the large bite mark on her shoulder that was still dripping blood. She needed to run get as far away as she could but she was still afraid. If he caught her she was certain he’d make promise on the things he threatened to do to her.

After some time, Red not knowing how long she had been there in pain on the forest floor, she finally began to move. She push herself up on her knees, breathing heavily as she did. Just as she was about to push herself up further she heard footsteps coming towards her and froze.

“Please I wasn’t going to run! I promise I wasn’t.” She began to beg with tears running down her face, thinking that He had returned for her. “I was staying here just like you told me to. Please please don’t hurt me…”

For a brief moment, pain flashed through his eyes as he swallowed a large lump in his throat. His hand slipped from her elbow and tucked it into his lap. 'I too have loved a monster.' The words felt forced, like he was choking on every single syllable. 'Possibly not one that is a wolf, but...' He pushed himself to his feet, clearing his throat. 'if you wish to bathe, I will leave the room until you are submerged. That is if you would still like me to stay.'

Liana rubbed her hands together, sitting back against the couch. It broke her heart to hear that her friend had gone through something like this. To have someone disappear is one heart break, but never knowing or having any signs that point to them being found. That's a different sort of heartbreak all together.

She scooted closer to him, grabbing his hand. 'I'm here now...I know I'm not her mother but I-' She swallowed and then took a deep breath. 'I can help in any way you need it.'

"Well, I've done well so far; she's three years old, so at least most of the hard part is done for now. But I won't lie, I might need some help at some point and..." Cameron started, but then he heard noises coming from Aoife's room. "Hold that thought," Cameron said as he got up and headed to his daughter's room, and after a minute, he came back holding his daughter. "Liana, meet Aoife"

Liana was glad he was able to do all of this by himself. But she knew that it was never an easy job, and it always could take a toll on the person raising the kid. She had no problem with helping with that portion if he would need her. When he came back with his beautiful daughter, she couldn't help but smile. 'Nice to meet you Aoife. My goodness, she is gorgeous.' She took a step forward, giving her a slight wave. 'I doubt you give your father a hard time, ever.'

Larissa wanted to refuse the other man's hand in a dance. She wanted Charles to take claim to her so that no man would look her way again. But she wasn't sure that he felt the same way about her. Maybe he wanted to dance with other women, take a different one back to his quarters tonight rather than continue to have her. They weren't officially courting, so she couldn't ask that of him.

The man gave Charles a nod, pulling Larissa onto the dancefloor. All through the dance she did her best not to steal glimpses of Charles as he spoke to the king. And when about four other men asked for a dance, she did the same, giving them all the attention they were asking for. She wondered if they knew who was under this mask.

She had to stop herself after the fifth dance she was in during the night. She wanted to take a break and get herself something to drink. All the spinning and dipping in men's arms made her warm and she moved to step out of the ballroom and into the cool night air.

Larissa glanced over her shoulder without moving the rest of her body, a sly grin spreading across her lips. 'You found me.' She said softly. She reached along the balcony railing and waved him over.

'What do I owe the pleasure for you to be joining me all the way out here.' She turned around, leaning her back against the railing. 'Did the King talk your ear off about how he's oh so excited.' She teased. 'Or were you just missing me that much?'