15The rain pelted her, dousing her and soaking her coat to her lanky physique of toned excellence and fair skin. Her hair, now matted to her damp face and forehead, clung to her flustered face, set in an agitated expression.
Hee long legs quickened in pace, her impatience draining any dignity she had left as she resumed a fast walk toward the building.
"When I get my hands on her..." Lola Kinney's future Reid couldn't wait to strangle her! She could almost picture it...
FLASHBACK
Lola watched him with a considering look.
Something was up with him. She'd noticed it since the morning but hadn't had a chance all day to get it out of him. They'd been busy all day, but now she studied him while he smoothed a finger over the rim of his untouched wine glass. "Are you gonna drink that?"
"Oh." Reid looked at the glass as if surprised to see it there. "No, not really. I think I'm just going to get ready for bed."
He went to the sink and emptied out the glass. Lola followed him to the bedroom and waited until he was done with his nighttime routine.
"Spencer, what's going on?"
"What?"
"C'mon," she smiled a little. "Like I don't know you've had something on your mind all day."
"All right," he gave in with a sigh. "I suppose I should inform you that your concerns regarding JJ were valid and I was wrong to disregard them."
Lola felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. "Run that by me again."
He huffed. "I do not want you to overreact."
"Why would I overreact?" She said as casually as possible.
"Lola, I hung out with my sister," Spencer said firmly, trying to turn away and hoping that would settle the matter.
Her hands reached out and grabbed his shoulders, keeping his in place. "What happened?"
Yeah, no, it didn't settle the matter at all. "Lola…"
"Spencer."
He recognized the unyielding tone. "Fine," Reid sighed in defeat. "She kissed me."
Lola inhaled sharply. "She fuckin' touched you?"
"It was barely—"
"When the hell did this happen?"
Knowing there wasn't any way to get out of this conversation, Reis said blandly, "Last night."
"Last night?" Her fingers tightened spasmodically on his shoulders. "You mean last night when you were working with this woman so late you came home after midnight?"
Now he stiffened. "Are you accusing me of something?" he said dangerously.
"No," Lola gritted out and she meant it but she was fucking pissed.
"Because it sure sounded that way, Lola," he accused, wrenching out of her hold and walking away from her, not at all appeased by her denial. "I don't appreciate the implication."
She took a calming breath and walked to stand in front of him. "I wasn't, Spencer," she said honestly. "You know I trust you." Her hands cupped his face gently. "But I'm pissed, ok. This bitch got you alone and then put her mouth on you. She kissed you."
"It wasn't a kiss, Lola." Her very masculine outrage very nearly made his lips twitch. "A kiss implies mutual participation." Her thumb traced his bottom lip softly and now he did smile a little, her earnest words and sweet caress inevitably softening his. "Shall I demonstrate?"
END FLASHBACK
Anger was dizzying. Rage was intolerable. But wrath?
Wrath was completely and utterly life-changing.
Lola had never been one to avoid a problem. In fact, she was more likely to press where it hurt to see what damage she could cause. She'd seen other doctors, professors and got the usual shit from the locals who all hated Reid with a passion. Reid was the star of academies and had more talent teaching in his pinkie than they did in their entire body.
The interesting bit had been Reid's reaction to the out-of-towners. There had been more pent up tension in one word than Lola could ever recall from Reid - ever. This had him worried and it hadn't taken him long to put two and two together. She was exactly like Reid had said but what had pissed her off was the way JJ had looked at Reid.
She had no claim on Reid. She had clearly missed the bit where Reid was almost married. Lola looked after her things fastidiously and would kill anyone who got close. That was just her way. She came out of the elevator to see JJ hanging off of Reid's every word, still hoping to sway the doctor's love towards her and then lifts a hand up to stroke his hair.
Lola doesn't particularly enjoy anyone touching Spencer at all but his hair is on a whole 'another level. The family had found out the hard way that no one is allowed to touch Reid's hair but Lola and Bastiana. It is surprisingly the part of Spencer that she is the most possessive of.
After a family dinner, Dana had made the mistake of touching genius's hair, after he had gotten it cut. The possessive growl Lola emitted was enough to send shivers of fear down the spines of all the family members in the room. If looks could kill, Dana would have been in a body bag. Lola had looked like she wanted to snap the lawyer like a twig.
Lola will not deal with this anymore. JJ has got to go. It's irrational but it just has to happen. Now. As soon as it becomes clear the blonde has broken the ultimate rule: Never, ever touch Spencer's hair. If Reid had allowed it, Lola would have "Property of Lola Kinney" written in big, bold letters in his hair…as well as other places.
Lola's hands are curled into fists at his sides. JJ's pretty sure she can't justify punching JJ. But there's something else she can do instead.
She strides across the room before she has time to talk herself out of it and grabs Reis by the lapels of his stupid jacket, pulls him up out of his chair, and kisses him full on the mouth. It's hard and furious, and Reis is too surprised to kiss back at first but he quickly gets with the program and slides his tongue along Lola's. One of Reid's hands is on Lola's shoulder and the other's in Lola's hair, certainly messing it up, and Lola doesn't even want to kill him for it. She just wants more more more.
When they pull back, they're both a little bit breathless. The rest of their audience is looking on in stunned silence. Morgan looks delighted. JJ's got a thundercloud expression and her brows have pulled together into a dark v.
"Lola," says Reid, "What prompted that-"
"I'm laying my claim."
"What?" Reid is staring at Lola intently. Lola is staring at JJ straight in the eyes. "…Ahh. I see."
"No more of this, you hear me? You're mine, Reid." Lola glares at JJ, who's glaring back just as fiercely. "He's mine."
"Excuse me?!"
"I said, you will stay the hell away Barbie?" Lola said in gritted teeth.
"LOLA"
'Bitch did not just say that!' JJ thought
"Excuse me Barbie?!"
JJ's face contorted with anger at the once again, questioned reply.
"Do you know who I am?!" JJ basically screamed "I am an FBI fucking Agent, which means I handle you. In this pool I'm the man, which means, I can destroy you."
Lola grinned, her face looks like it would split into two on how wide her shark-like grin is.
"First of all, I don't give a shit on your name. I will call you Barbie, and only address you like Barbie, as long as you bloody exist."
"Lola!" Reis called out again only louder, getting Lola to stop trying to hurt JJ and turned towards her, not noticing the frown on JJ's face. Just as Lola was about to go over to him, the blonde agent grabbed her wrist.
"Maybe Reid wants a real woman in his life," JJ growled, glaring daggers at Lola.
SMACK!
JJ's eyes widened as She brought a hand to her red cheek. She watched wide-eyed as Lola drew the hand back. Her brown eyes were narrowed.
"Stay the hell away from my fiance and that wasn't a request," Lola brunette hissed.
JJ shook her off. "I'd be careful if I were you," She threatened Lola, "I can arrest you for attacking to a cop…"
"Blonde, your threats are meaningless as last season Prada," Lola smirk triumphantly.
The two growled and went at each other, JJ strangling Lola and Lola doing the same. And since the two were a match in power and strength, the fight didn't really get anywhere. Reid and the others just stood by and watched as the two women growled and shouted insults at each other.
"You fucking bitch. I will rip your fake blonde hair out."Lola shouted. Reid flinched, he wasn't used to Lola yelling, and watching her get so angry kind of made him feel guilty.
All Reid could do was gape like a fish out of the water as JJ and Lola tried to strangle themselves again.
''What the hell is going on?''An angry Hotchner asks while all the other Agents around the floor were stunning by the fight.
All the eyes fall on him while Reid's eye twitched as he sighed in frustration and walked towards the two; He pulled the two of them apart. JJ let go of Reid, who was panting for breath, backing away from her, truly p ulled Lola upright so she was against his chest, but didn't let go.
''You are the boss, right?''Lola asked, ignoring the voice from her fiance.'' Well, act like one and put a strap on your pets''
The BAU team blinked in surprise.
''What do you mean?''Hotch said with a deadly and frightening tonne
''Your fucking bitch, harassed my fiance last night," Lola said trying to control her anger.
The whole team had heard her and were now staring at her in shock.
"Now that you mention it . . ." Reid piped up.''"Did you know that 12,696 complaints of sexual harassment were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last year?"
''Spencer, I love you and your statistics but not now'' said Lola and he pulled the woman near him.
Hotch frowned and then looked at JJ.''Is that true, JJ?''
JJ gulped but glared.''I would never do that to my best friend.''
Lola gave a laugh at that.''My fiance best friend is Temperance Brennan and secondly, you are fire''
At Lola's words, some of the people in the room gasped and Garcia demanded "You can't do that''
JJ smirked and said "You're right Garcia you do not have the power.''
Lola's eyes twinkled as she looked at Reid.''Bastiana Wolf''
JJ's eyes widened in shock as she stared at her boss.''Hotch, do something.''
Hotch turned his head and looked at the woman.''"I can and I did Agent Jareau. I will not have someone in my team try to force themselves on someone. You knew Reid was in a relationship with someone else and you continued to flirt with him while Reid told you to stop it. The less thing that I can do to you is to fire you and I don't know about Reid.''
JJ swallowed hard but snarled "I didn't do anything Hotch. I kissed him.''
Hotch shook his head and looked around and then sneered .''It is my final decision.''
Morgan glared up at Hotch and snarled.''Hotch, man, you can not do that.''Then looked at Reid saying.''Reid says something.''
Reid smirked.''Good riddance''
JJ's eyes widened in surprise but it was Garcia who said: "You don't mean that G-junior."
Reid turned his head to look at Gracia and he said with hard eyes .''First of all, my name is Reid and I mean it."
Rossi cleared his throat and said, "Well Hotch that is your decision."
"Bye-bye Barbie, "Lola calls before leaving the bullpen, satisfied with her initial torment.
Donna Paulsen is a being who every man wants and every woman wants to be. But that fact is not unknown to the redhead, in fact, she embraces it and hell even throws it on the face of Harvey Specter. All her life, she knows she's one of a kind, the blue diamonds on the see of sparkling emeralds and opals, but then she came across one red diamond on the person of Bastiana Ross. She is the very person that she would never expect to be a relative of one Michael Ross.
Donna has come to the name when she was having a protective streak with Harvey. Clearly, the man would never be alive without her, and so she made a thorough background check to his newly adopted puppy. She knows that her boss has already employed the services of Vanessa, his most trusted PI to sniff into the history of Mike, but there is so much that woman can do. Plus, she is not Donna, nor does she have the sheer awesomeness that is purely Donna, and so she did her own.
After calling in all her favors, she finally came across Bastiana. Having her contact number is another plus, Donna learned that Jessica has girls night with her and that she met her match and her twin sister from another mother. Her wit and sarcasm are unparalleled that Jessica has already fallen in love, and wanted to fly over to London in a span of their1 hour conversation with each other.
Currently, Donna is typing away on her computer, fixing her boss' schedule while answering some e-mails her boss is sure not to open, such as several galas and reunions that Harvey, under no circumstance would ever attend, unless it would gain clients for the firm. Donna also received a text from Lisa, Jessica's patient assistant, about the dinner Harvey would be having a dinner/meeting tonight. Good thing, there is no shit to be done tonight since Mike has already delivered the work given to him.
Speaking of Mike, the kid has become as much as a mystery to her like his sister when the latter arrived at the firm. As if a switch was turned on, and so the kid's confidence and the mask have pulled up. The way he acts is totally unMike-ish. Maybe because he experienced being fired and rehired in a span of five minutes flat, or maybe the sudden appearance of his family that triggered it.
And now, her curiosity piqued when Mike 's sudden good mood when he visited Harvey suddenly turned bitter when the boss saw Scottie with Harvey.
Donna continued in doing her work. She's clearly pissed that Scottie the guts to walk in on Harvey's office and have a so-called "private" conversation.
You see, the thing is, Donna loves Harvey. As a family, sure, but also… Well. Also. She also loves herself, though, so it's maybe a little bit of neither here nor there. Donna doesn't reject Harvey's dates out of hand because she's a jealous person because in point of fact she's not, but because they're not good enough. They're not smart enough, they're not quick enough, they're not awesome enough.
Donna was almost done with her work when Harvey called him into his office. Clicking on to the 'save' button, before she made her way inside Harvey's office, the man is clearly readying himself for the dinner they would be having with their soon to be the biggest client, and the senior partner clearly want to look his best.
"Looking sharp boss man," Donna said as Harvey was adjusting his cufflinks
"Big fish to catch for dinner." was the reply
Donna sat at one of the couch before crossing her legs and leaning back in a relaxed and casual manner.
"Do you need me to give you a pep talk, or do you want me to get the can opener?"
Harvey smirked before grabbing his coat at the stand and buttoning up.
"Donna, call on to Goldilocks, tell her I'll meet her in the car down. Ray's there already."
"Why don't you just text her?"
"The woman doesn't open her message if it comes from me."
"Ooh. Tough luck their boss man, even I could see her opening her mails from Louis."
Harvey snorted.
"Why don't you just pass by her office? Afraid of a little power play?"
"I'm not, but she has snakes hidden somewhere there and I don't want to get the chance of getting bitten," Harvey said before taking his phone and making his way to the elevator.
Donna rolled her eyes before making her way to Mike's office. At least now she has the excuse to visit her friend. When she arrived at the former office of Hardman, she saw Mike was there with stacks of paper works, along with Katrina who is furiously typing on her laptop. With a soft knock on the glass door, the executive assistant entered gaining the attention of them.
"Hey blondes"
"Donna, to what do I owe the presence of a goddess?" Mike replied
Donna gave the puppy a smile before sitting beside Katrina, who in turn scooted over and removed the mess that the files (or rather she) had made.
"My boss sent me to get her majesty's ass. It's dinner with the client time now and Harvey is already waiting in the car."
Mike looked at her watch before cursing. He was about to close his laptop when Donna saw a mischievous glint on those blue eyes. Said blue eyes were also trained on the busy lawyer, who was trying her best to ignore the women's conversation.
"You know what darling, I don't think I can make it tonight."
That picked up Katrina's attention.
"You're canceling?" Katrina asked in disbelief as if the Ross committed a grave sin
"Yes." was the reply before Mike reclined on to his seat "We have lunch with my sisters."
Donna impressively concealed her flare of jealousy.
"You are canceling dinner so you can hang out with your sister?"Donna clenched his fists.
Mike looked up at Donna frowning."Yes."
"I will call Harvey," Donna said before storming out of the office.
After a few minutes, the red-haired woman was coming back from and she just shrugs at the shocked and dismayed look on the lawyers, secretaries, and associates' faces. Ahead of them, Mike and Harvey are arguing, trading insults, and scathing remarks back and forth like some sort of dance. It's normal, you either get used to it or you ignore it.
They were always arguing and bickering, always together, always looking for each other, always in trouble. They were in many ways friends.
Bickering between them was nothing new, and it was almost always over something stupid what Mike had done.
This was different though, this time Harvey looked like he was really angry. He didn't seem to care if anyone heard him. The name partner was chasing after Mike until he finally stopped the younger man.
"You are not going anywhere."Harvey spat.
"You are not my boss."Mike hissed quietly.
"I don't give a shit." They heard Harvey shout and they could only watch in silent horror at what they were witnessing. "You have a lot of work to do and I can not believe that you canceled dinner with a client for your..."It hurt. It hurt more than all the time he was punished or shouted at unjustly. The weigh was unbearable, his mind in disarray.
"My family!"Mike was no longer in control."Who I choose to hang doesn't concern you."
"It does if it affects your work, which it has." Harvey snapped seeing and anger.
"That's all you care about, my work ethics? You're such an ass." With that, Mike walked out of the office without looking back resisting the urge to turn back.
"Fuck." Harvey sank in his chair once Mike left.
"Harvey, are you okay?" Donna asked taking a seat across from him. "I could see the flames coming off of Mike. You're an idiot, you know? Want did you do?"
"I forbade him to go to dinner with his family, "Harvey said wanting to throw something, including himself out the window.
Donna took control then."What the fuck?"
"We had dinner and he canceled it because of his family," Harvey said darkly turning back to the case file. "Even Scottie turned me down for dinner."
"Oh, Harvey.!," Donna said gently."Scottie is a married woman even you two are in good terms, she still married. Mike has a life outside of the firm which meant we have to accept that."
" I'm going to take a break bye," said Harvey as he got up and left. The team looked on as Harvey went to the elevator.
"Any ideas on why Harvey is acting like this?" asked Jessica.
"He might be feeling jealous of Mike and his brothers' relationship because he sees Mike as a little brother," said Donna.
"Yeah and Mike usually tells everything to Harvey and Mike didn't tell him anything about his life before the Chilton," Jessica added.
"I hope only not screw everything."
Neal's eyes widened, his cheeks erupting into a ferocious blush. Adrenaline shot through him, every inch of him coming alive.
The mind has gone into a whirl of half-articulated thoughts-incredible-I can't believe-how-my god-I-we-this-it's real-she's-we're-
Expecting.
Heart beating furiously in his chest, as it had never truly beaten-attempted-before this moment. He brought a shaking fist to his mouth, gnawing violently at his lower lip, feeling tears forming in the corners of his eyes, before gasping aloud-completely overwhelmed, overcome with a rush of emotion that he didn't entirely understand-and rushing out of their bedroom, feet thudding loudly on the wood floor.
Dana, who had been smiling pleasantly during Neal's protracted, adorable reaction to her unexpected announcement, now raised an eyebrow with some degree of concern. "Neal?" I do hope I haven't given him a heart attack… or an ulcer…
I mean, it's not entirely unplanned…
She rose from where she had been sitting on the bed and crossed the threshold of the bedroom into the hallway, squinting her eyes against the sudden bright lighting. "Neal-are you all right…?"
A thick sniffle in reply. He had sunk to the ground, back pressed firmly against the wall, hands pawing hopelessly at the tears, the flow of tears streaming endlessly down his heated cheeks, knees bent in front of him.
"I-I love you so much-" He raised his head towards her; his lips were trembling but stretched into a nearly beatific grin-
He looked the happiest she'd ever seen him.
Including when she'd said yes to the ring on her finger.
When he'd seen her in her white dress on Logan's and Mike's arms-
Nothing compared to this.
Dana's eyes were warm as she crouched down across from him and pressed a kiss to his forehead, smoothing brown locks out of her way. "Neal… you're going to be a father."
"Christ-" He swiped at his nose furiously. "If anyone asks about my reaction when I found out, this did not happen." I most certainly did not run out of the room, sobbing like a romantic sap-
She rolled her eyes, happy to play along if he needed her to. "What didn't happen, Neal…?" Not everything needs to be shared with Lola and Bastiana, after all…
He wiped his fading nose with the back of his fist and reached out to her, cradling her face in his hands, before pulling her in for a tender, lingering kiss, one that left both their cheeks slightly damp. "I love you so much," he sighed quietly against her beaming lips, before pressing a kiss to the end of her nose, her cheekbones, her eyelids, her forehead-as if she were a miracle floating before him that he could never kiss enough.
Dana laced her fingers through his, reveling in every teardrop still clinging to his lashes, the watery bright blue of his eyes. "You're going to be an incredible father, Neal. I know it."
He couldn't help smirking through his drying tears. "Did you foresee it, Dana?"
She lightly cuffed him on the side of his head. "Very funny, Neal." She rose to her feet, pulling him up along with her. "And your siblings will be amazing uncles and aunties."
Neal groaned, imagining his younger brother sure-to-be ridiculous reaction to this surprising turn of events. "Oh god. Mike, Sonny, Spencer as an uncle-that'll be keeping me up nights…" He grasped at her hands tightly; he couldn't resist placing a kiss to the top of her head.
She led him back through the doorway, him still wavering in and out of reality, still partially in a state of disbelief. Me. A father. Christ.
"May I?"
-And he bent down to his knees before her, making her flush slightly as he ran a hand lovingly along her torso, settling just below her navel before lifting it as he placed a kiss through her nightgown to that spot.
He looked up at her, cheeks reddened anew. "Sorry-I had to do that-"
Dana cracked a grin at him-at his reverence of this wonderful future they had created-and replied, voice slightly coy, "and they say you're made of ice because your twin is Bastiana."
They settled onto their bed in their accustomed positions, he sitting up straight with his back pressed against the headboard, Dana curling up by his side, head in his lap, as he gently ran his fingers through her hair, gazing down at her with large, rapturous eyes.
"How long have you known?" His voice was soft, husky. Almost a whisper. Sending shivers down her spine.
Dana yawned, basking, nearly melting under his touch. "A few weeks… I visited the doctor this afternoon to make sure."
She'd suspected. After all, their …practices weren't exactly precluding that option-thinking about that still made her blush, because long after the honeymoon period they still managed to be nigh insatiable with regards to one another-and so when the doctor had returned with the test results and a hearty "congratulations," Dana had taken it in stride, the confirmation only bringing with it the tiniest twinge of doubt-of fear. After all, she certainly hadn't anticipated going this route, but, then again, she hadn't exactly anticipated being in the position she was now in, with a certain brunet's hand moving lovingly across her scalp, brushing against her neck-ring on her finger. Settled. Kept.
As if a woman like Dana Scott could truly be kept.
She would have attributed it all to destiny, to fate-but that might have been a little too much for Seto, she mused, smiling.
Fear. Of the ordinary sort, she supposed. Will I be a good parent? That sort of thing.
Yet Neal's reaction-his immediate declaration of his love for her, his happiness at this prospect-had only convinced her of the naturalness, of the rightness of this path they were taking. Together.
After two hours, Peter watched as Neal strolled into the White Collar Unit with a wide grin on his face and a spring in his step.
'Neal! You're late!' he said harshly as he greeted his CI
Neal walked in and pulled a chair up to Peter's desk. He plopped himself down.
"Hi, yourself," said Neal, grinning widely.
Neal propped his legs on the corner of Peter's desk, crossing his ankles.
"What?"
Peter slapped Neal's feet off his desk, Ne still grinning mysteriously. He said nothing.
"Oh, come on, you're dying to tell me something. What?" said Peter, straightening up in the chair and checking his tie with his long fingers."
Neal smiled wider, "Dana had some news for me a couple of days ago."
"Oh? What news?"
Neal couldn't stand stringing Peter along any longer. "It seems I'm going to be a father, Peter. Dana's pregnant."
Peter studied Neal's joyous face. "I take it, this is a good thing?"
"Of course it's a good thing. We put off having children while I play with Pink Panthers and Dana busy with being a lawyer, we were waiting after the business with Pink Panthers.
"Well, congratulations!" He stood, slapping Neal on the back and giving him a half-hug.
''Have you told to your family?''
''Not yet.''Neal answered honestly.''Sonny and Spencer have trouble with work and Mike is busy putting up with his boss.''
''You are not going to tell them.''said Peter and she shook his head thinking it was a mistake.
''Bastiana and I will not in good terms even she doesnt know that I know.'' Neal said dryly as he remembers the cold shoulder and angrily glares from his sister.
Peter shaken with this idea because he could not imagine the pain that Neal has in his heart because his twin sister is angry at him.
''If you tell her about the prengancy ,maybe it will warm her heart.''Peter advised Neal.
Neal gave him a funny gaze or a 'really ' look.
''What heart?''
"Neal''Peter warned.
"It is true…" Neal tried once again, pathetically.
Peter laughs.''If you say so."
It's another stressful day for Bastiana Wolf when another of her employee had made a mistake in hee calculation and almost ruin the financial budget for her advertising team. For god sake, all of the people who served her company were supposed to be one of the elites of New York. There's only a 10% chance of success rate to get employment here so she already expects the best from each one of them. If it wasn't for her little secretary curiosity in checking the people's work, they would have gotten in big trouble. What kind of person is stupid enough to add another '0' in the project budget?
"Bastiana."
Without bothering to knock, Amy enters her boss's office without hesitation.
"Amy."
Bastiana really hates letting Amy seeing this side of her. Since she had learned from their time together that Amy's father used to be very abusive which had caused a bad memory lingers in the black-haired mind. So, every time she is at work, she will always make sure to always control hee emotions to keep their workplace a happy place.
"B." Amy gained her attention by calling her name again, now standing in front of her desk looking worried. "I heard that you are in a very bad mood today."
Damn it. Why can't her employees just stop spreading words around and just focus on their job? It seems that it is time to fire everyone and replace them with better people. Or she could just replace them with machines since people nowadays are annoying and always get on her nerve. Unlike her beloved brothers and sisters. That doesn't sound too bad, it will teach those peasants to behave appropriately next time.
"It's none of your concern, Amy." Trying to play it cool, Bastiana still can't control her emotion as she roughly types on her keyboard. Trying to finish her work for the day. "I just fired some people due to their own mistakes."
Sighing, Amy comes closer until she is at Bastiana side.
"You have been stressing yourself with work this couple of days. I'm getting worried."
Amy has always been worried about her always taking her time to talk and gossip every time he receives a call from either Travis or her brothers whenever Bastia is in one of her moods.
"It is about your brothers?' Amy's voice trembled in her weak mouth.
Bastiana's shoulders lifted and there was something inhuman about the way her blue eyes gleamed in the light that flickered. The room shifted. the air turned heavy and Bastiana's breaths rasped in her throat.
Bastiana's hands were clamped over the upturned table. Its thud echoed in his ears but she couldn't hear it. She couldn't hear a thing. She couldn't even hear her thoughts.
Did he even have any thoughts?
No.
There was only. Anger. Rage. Wrath.
Deafening and inescapable. Bastiana's head spun. She began to laugh. A high and eerie cackle that seemed fake.
'I don't understand it, Amy. H-How? It's no longer about the trust and family, no, it hasn't for a long time... It's all been about breaking me, hasn't it?'
"I don't know what you're talking about.'"
"They all takers. They want my money and my power and they only use me."Bastiana shouted. "I gave up everything for them and they fucking lied to me"Amy didn't say anything, just staring at her with wide eyes.
'I - I still don't understand. A-Are you okay You don't seem to be yourself.'
Bastiana's hand dug into the underside of the table; where it gleamed black and metallic. The table bent. The wooden part of it shattered. Nails turned to claws.
'Oh, sweet, sweet, Amy... I haven't been myself for a very long time.' Bastiana chided. Her voice morphed. Became growlier.
Amy swallowed. Terrified.
"Have you ever think of leaving them?"
"Just get out," Bastiana spat out.
"Am I fired?" Amy asked timidly.
"Another word like this and you are," Bastiana replied and turned away from her. She heard the doors closing as she left her boss's office and rubbed Bastiana temples to ward off the coming headache.
It was a rough day.
Then again, it had been a rough case, ending in an even worse trial.
Worst of all – she lost.
Taking off her shoes, Bastiana leaned back in her chair. Her desk was disorganized – papers were scattered everywhere, covering every inch. She hadn't cared to pick them up. The quiet rumble if her phone pulled her away from her musing and she could not help the smile that pulled at her lips when she saw it was Neal.
"Hello."
"Hi sister, it's Dana."
"Oh wow." Bastiana replied in an amazed voice. "You are calling me from the bed? How did you escape Nea'?"
"I'm right here sister."
"Figured. You never leave her alone or clothed when you're there." She said. "By the way, please tell me you're covered, and by that I mean covered with a cloth and not with each other or whip cream or-."
"Shut up B."
"Just making sure."
"Stop kidding around Bastiana." Dana said. "We have something very important to tell you."
"Are you leaving Neal?" Bastiana asked in an eager voice. "Because if you are, know that I'm here for you. I won't leave you."
"She's not leaving me B." Neal said in a frustrated voice. "We are very much a couple, but it's nice to know you're so eager to wait for our relationship collapse to get a chance to hit on my wife."
"Don't feel so left behind brother. I got a plan for you too." Bastiana said in a cheerful voice. "See, when you and Dana break up, I get her, and my one of my lovers gets you. That way, everyone is happy." Neal stared at the phone in shock. Dana let out another giggle and began speaking.
"Bastiana, stop kidding around or we won't tell you the big news."
"Ok sis, tell me." Bastiana said in a mock serious voice. Dana exchanged a glance with Neal before taking a deep breath and speaking.
"You're going to be an aunt soon."
"Aunt?" Bastiana said in an uncaring voice. "I can't be an aunt. The only way that'll ever happen is if… you're…" Her voice died down to a mere whisper. "Pregnant? Are you telling me that you are pregnant?"
"Yes." Dana replied with a big smile. There was silence on the other line before Bastiana let out a whoop of joy.
"Wow, I can't believe it. You're pregnant. I'm going to be an aunt. I'm going to have a nephew or a niece. I'm going to be an aunt." Bastiana celebrated with joy. "I'm going to spoil the kid rotten. I'm going to take him to all my favorite places and I'm going to teach him soccer and baseball, and hockey, and I'm going to make him a pro at video games so he can kick Sonny's ass. Yes. Yes. Yes." Neal smiled at his sister's behavior. Dana moved closer to him and held his hand, squeezing it slightly.
"Oh before I forget." Bastiana said after having finished her celebration, "congratulations. I'm so happy for you two, but I'm happier for me. I'm finally going to have an accomplice in making Neal's life hell. And the best part is, I can do the crime and put the blame on the kid. And since no one is heartless enough to hurt a baby, we'll both get off scat free. It's perfect. It's damn brilliant." Neal shot Dana another amused look and she let out a small chuckle.
"I love you guys." Bastiana said.
"Bye guys. Take care." Bastiana said and the line went dead.
Her twin brother is going to be a father.
If she allows it.
She sit very still, disconcerted by the understanding that the small clump of cells growing in Dana is - will become? - her own niece or nephew. James' blood, she thinks, disgusted, but involuntarily, she remembers what Neal had been like as a baby and young child. Cheerful, loving, innocent. She knows, instinctively, that no matter how deep the similarities run otherwise, Neal won't be the kind of father that their own was. He will be a good father, loving and tender, and his child will be as sweet and happy and carefree as Neal once was.
-if she allows it.
one away and it was about then that Bastiana felt her phone buzzing with a text notification, and quickly put her drink down and pulled her phone out of her pocket.
YOU. ME. DINNER AT MY PLACE. I WILL SEND YOU MY ADRESS
A.H
Bastiana took a couple of deep, calming breaths, and with that, she knocked on the door. Almost immediately, a grinning Aaron Hotchner answered it.
"Hi," she breathed, her eyes sparkling.
Hotch returned her smile with a genuine one of his own. "Hey," he returned. "Wow, you look great."
Bastiana felt her cheeks begin to heat. "Thank you," she said sweetly. "You look quite good yourself."
"Thank you," he chuckled lightly."Come on in."
With that, he stepped out of the doorway, letting Bastiana follow him into the dining room. There, Hotch had already laid out platters for dinner, filled with fruit and salad and various meats.
He smiled at her. Bastiana smiled back. He was doing an awful lot of smiling. His face muscles would hurt after this dinner, from all the smiling he's been doing since she got here.
She noticed him staring at her.
"I'm sorry. What were you saying?" She asked. He cleared his throat.
"Shall we begin dinner?" He asked. Bastiana nodded. He smiled and pulled out the chair for her. She thought he was going to sit at the other end, but he sat next to her.
She looked up and noticed him looking at her necklace, his eyes wide.
Bastiana froze. The necklace consists of four diamonds of different colors: black, red, blue, and green. She has not taken it out of her neck unless it is necessary
She looked up at him. She had to say something and drive whatever he was thinking away.
"I see you're admiring my necklace." She said. He looked up and nodded.
"It's very beautiful." He said. She smiled.
"Thank you. It's from my mother." Bastians lied. He smiled. I love this necklace. It's one of my most prized possessions." She said. He nodded.
"Now, shall we begin dinner?" He asked. Bastiana nodded.
The two ate in silence for several minutes, shooting each other odd looks and then looking away quickly. Eventually, their eating slowed and a conversation began.
''What are you allergic to? 'Asked Hotch and Bastiana raised her eyes at him. 'What? Twenty Questions''
"As long as you make them interesting. I'll even go first."Bastiana smirked.
''Pines nuts and the full spectrum of human emotion' 'answer Bastiama and when the lawyer went to ask a question, the agent cut her off.
''Your favorite color? ' Hotch asks again as he wanted to learn more about the woman.
''Red, black, dark black, pitch black, pastel black, light black and faded black''
''Why are you single? 'Hotch asked and we really wanted to learn that such a beautiful woman does not have a man in her life beyond her opinion of love.
Bastiama rolled her eyes and smirking at the good as she answered this question.
''I am single because apparently, the only good men are fictional".She responded sincerely, smiling at him over her glass of white wine."Enough about me.
"Like you don't like people talk about you."Hotch joked, making her laugh even more. He was already enchanted by the sound; not that he would tell her that, but still. It was only the truth.
"If you're talking behind my back then you're in a perfect position to kiss my ass."Bastiana finally said playfully, pulling him back to the present.
"My turn, "Bastiana said gallantly. " Question number one," she introduced in a ridiculous game show host voice that made Hotch almost choke on his food. "Describe yourself in one word."
"That is so not a question," Hotch retorted, already enjoying himself more than he had in much too long.
"Oh, come on," she coaxed.
"Fine." He gave it some thought."According to my coworkers, I am a classic narcissist who thinks he's better than everyone else on the team." he said after a while." I'm a bully, I can be a drill sergeant sometimes, I don't trust women as much as men..-"
"I ask your opinion, not theirs." Bastiana inserted."You don't like me?. Have a sit with the rest bitches waiting for me to give a fuck."
Hotch blushed." You kiss your brothers with that mouth?" asked rhetorically.
Bastiana chuckled."I do more things that kiss."
"You are crazy." Hotch countered, internally noticing that there was something about Bastiana that brought him out of his shell and encouraged him to live a little.
Or maybe it was Bastiana herself.
"I am cold and emotionless. I deal with death, killers, crazy people who kill for fun. I see people on their worst day, trust me we deal with the whole spectrum of psychos!"Hotch stared at her intently. " I kill people to save others and some times this is not enough. My ex-wife used to say that my job destroyed me and changed me."
"Of course." Carefully Bastiana drew her hand forward, wrapping it around Hotch's wrist in a comfortingly strong grip. "As you said, you deal with killers and dead bodies every day, and what?. To do a job like yours, you never must lose it because the feeling will involve and everything goes to hell. Don't felt guilty because you are doing your job."
Hotch was a deep red by the end of Bastiana's speech.
Bastiana threw back his head ad laughed." When I got bored with company mergers' cases and closing new clients, I spent my time with cases like yours. I have represented killers, rapists, and every monster you can think."
Want to know what keeps me awake at night?
Hotch swallowed heavily. "What?"
Bastiana's smile only widened even further.
"Nothing. "
"I do what I do because I can."She said with a dangerous calm to her voice."Something inside me I turned it off, a long time ago."
"The food was delicious," Bastiana said, wiping her mouth on the napkin. Hotch smiled.
"I'm happy you enjoyed it." He said. She nodded and sipped her wine.
"Would you like to have dessert in the lounge?" He asked.
''What? 'Asked the lawyer and with a gash, the two of them stood in front of a living room.
It was big and elaborately decorated. Bastiana looked around the room. There was a stone fireplace, where a warm fire blazed.
There was a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There were two large chairs and a couch. There were bookshelves lined against the wall. Bastiana walked over to one and scanned the titles.
"Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre, Pride, and Prejudice." She read the titles aloud. She turned towards Hotch.
"You enjoy love stories?" She asked. He nodded.
"I find them," He paused, searching for the right word.
"Entertaining." He said. Bastiana looked at him.
"You don't enjoy reading romance novels?" He asked. Bastiana laughed.
"Love? Hah! It doesn't exist." She said, turning away. He studied her.
"You speak as if you have had a bad experience with love." He said. She turned and looked at him.
"Love is merely an emotion, an illusion created by the heart to play with one's head and block one's logic. Love is like a disease; each organ shuts down until your heart is left in control and you are in a complete daze." She said. He was looking at her, very interested and puzzled.
"Do continue." He said. She nodded and continued.
"Love is a disability robbing you of your senses. Then, there is the best part: yield to it and have your heart shattered into a million pieces or wield a sword against it and then have that same sword stab you in the heart. Either way, you end up hurt. Love, it's the devil's emotion." She said.
"You seem to know a lot about it," Hotch remarked, studying her. She smiled.
"I knew a girl once, a foolish girl, who thought she was in love. That it was true love, the best one of all. For almost a year, she was in a daze, head over heels in so-called 'love' «Bastiana stopped. Aaron sat up, looking at her.
"Dance with me?"
Bastiana looked at him incredulously, an expression of mirth still flirting at her features. "You are such a spoilsport," she teased. "I won't dance unless you answer my question."
"Not even if I say please?" he added, his tone of voice warm and appealing.
She looked at him for a long minute, struggling to stand her ground and keep a straight face. But then he smiled, his dimples came out to play, and she had no choice but to concede. He was just too damn handsome!
"Fine. I'll dance with you," she said, taking his hand and reveling in the small contact.
~.~.~
"So, you're a Beatles fan, huh?"
Hotch looked down at Bastiana, who was peering up at him curiously as they swayed back and forth to Something. "I am. I guess it's obvious?"
"Just a bit," she smiled, closing her eyes as she listened to him hum along, muttering the lyrics every once and a while.
"Are you still hungry?" Hotch asked after a beat of comfortable silence. They had both finished their dinner relatively quickly; the food was just too delicious.
"Not really," Bastiana murmured. "Why?"
"Just wondering if you wanted dessert," Hotch brushed off.
"Mmmm," Bastiana hummed. "I don't know if I can," she laughed.
"We could share," he suggested.
"That depends; what do you have?"
"Well, cannoli is amazing. I also have zeppole – you know, the little Italian donuts with powdered sugar – and apple crostata."
"Let me guess; the crostata has almond biscotti crumble?"
"And a shortbread cookie crust," Hotch said, smiling.
"But you recommend the cannoli," Bastiana queried, returning his smile as he nodded in response. "I love cannoli. My brother loves making it, too. The ricotta cream, the crumbled pistachios, or chocolate chips – whichever type I feel like cooking up. And then, finally dusting it off with powdered sugar…"
This time, it was Hotch's turn to laugh. "So, I'm guessing that's a yes?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound too hopeful.
"It sure is; as long as we share."
~.~.~
"Turn right here."
Hotch smiled at Bastiana's soft voice coming from beside him. "Yes, ma'am," he said just as quietly. Driving one final block down the street, he pointed to a building they were approaching. "That's your building, right?"
"Yes, sir," she returned impishly, poking fun at his previous response. Undoing her seatbelt as they pulled up to the curb, Bastiana watched as Hotch climbed out of the car and headed to her side door, holding it open for her in his purely, gentlemanly way.
"Thank you," she sighed. "Not just for being such a gentleman; but for treating me to dinner, sharing your time with me, and indulging me with the best dinner I've had in…forever."
Hotch's smile only widened even further. "I'm really glad you enjoyed tonight. I did, too; you make for an amazing company, and I had a wonderful time." They were near the entrance now. "I'll see you soon?" he inquired, not bothering to hide the hopefulness this time.
"You will," Bastiana promised. "Definitely." With one final, dazzling smile, she gave him a tiny wave. "Good night, Aaron."
"Good night." She was climbing the short flight of stairs leading up to her door and turning to enter her home when Hotch spoke once more. "Hey…Bastiana?"
Her hair whipped to the side as she faced him. "Yes?"
Hotch shifted his weight from one side to another. Come on, don't chicken out now. "Do you think I could…could I…" He cleared his throat. "Could I kiss you, please?"
Bastiana felt her heartwarming at his simple, sweet request. She didn't normally allow for kisses on the first date…but she figured, just this once, she could make an exception. Her mouth still curved in a pretty smile, she tilted her head to the side. "Go for it," she breathed playfully.
Slowly mounting the steps, Hotch paused as he was but an inch from Bastiana. "I don't know if I've told you this yet," he whispered on the wind, "but you have the prettiest eyes." As she blushed for what seemed to be the hundredth time that night, he felt his heart skip a beat.
And then, the distance between them was diminished, and then the phone rings.
Bastiana pushes herself away onto her elbows and glares at the phone.
She reaches over and picks it up.
"What." Her eyebrows stay furrowed but she rolls her eyes. "And you needed to disturb me for this?"She puts the phone back in her bag.
"Anyone important?" Hotch asks.
"Wilson."
Hotch frowns.
"Wilson wants a meeting tomorrow morning. God, I will kill him."
Hotch shook his head."What about a kiss?"
"Careful there, Hotchner," she managed breathlessly, her voice the slightest bit husky. "You just might sweep me off my feet."
Hotch could help it; he laughed. Brushing a tendril of hair from her face just to give himself an excuse to touch her, he let out a contented sigh. "Have a good night, Bastiana."
And just like that, he was gone, leaving Bastiana by her door, and neither of them saw the brother who was watching from the street. Neither of them saw his frown or anger or curiosity.
Harvey and Hotch have show their interest in Bastiana.
Team Harvey or Team Hotch!?
