sl-newsie

[sl-newsie]

Query: Q x 00 Agent- Ch. 22: Comes With The Job

Thank God no one’s noticed our boat parked in the sub pen. Another relief is that Mathilde's kept quiet and is surprisingly cooperative considering the tense atmosphere. Maybe now we can get our signal back.

“Q?” Bond asks blindly. I hope this works.

“Yes?” The Quartermaster’s voice answers crystal-clear. He sounds pleased to hear from us.

“We’re going to need an immediate strike on this entire island. It’s a manufacturing plant.”

A few seconds go by before Q answers again. “Bond, there’s something else you should know. Multiple unidentified planes are heading toward you.”

We all exchange glances and I can tell we’re all thinking it. 

“They’re coming for Heracles,” Bond speaks for all of us. “How far out?”

“20 minutes,” Q answers. 

He must have notified M as well because now I hear his voice in my ear piece. “Bond.”

007 comes to attention. “M?”

“Our interference is attracting global attention. We’re seeing what we can do.”

Perfect. Another inconvenience. Of course the rest of the world wants in on the gossip. Can’t we all talk about this after we’ve ended this crisis?

“What do we do now?” I ask blindly. “For all we know whoever’s on their way here might use Heracles for the same reason Saffron is.”

Bond catches my eye and seems to think of a plan. He grabs D. Swann’s hand and it doesn’t take a genius to see he’s trying to figure out how to say a thousand things at once. Thankfully Dr. Swann gets the point and offers a knowing smile.

“I have to finish this,” Bond explains. “For us.”

She nods. “I know.”

They lean in for a kiss and Nomi and I look away to pretend this is not awkward. If it weren’t for the deadly situation this would be a touching moment. It tugs at my heart and sends guilt seeping into my thoughts because I can’t see my fiancée. The thought of even having a fiancée seems like a fairytale all in itself, but it does give comfort to know I’m not in this alone. And if we don’t destroy Heracles then there won’t be a world worth living in.

“0011, are you there?” Q’s voice rings out.

“I’m here,” I answer quickly. “Bond and I are going to destroy the factory once Dr. Swann and her daughter have left. Before you say anything, no I’m not backing out. He needs my help and I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t do everything I can to stop this.”

On the other end I hear Q let out a deep sign. “I knew you’d say something like that. I don’t doubt you’ll do brilliant as always but… Please be careful.”

“You do know we can hear you?” Nomi speaks up from behind.

A quick blush flashes across my cheeks but I make haste to hide it. “You know I can’t promise everything, Q. My job always comes first.”

By now Bond and Dr. Swann have finished up their goodbye. “I’ll just be a minute. 0011, Nomi, please escort them to shore.” He starts walking back down the dock. 

I turn to tell Nomi I’m going with him but she already seems to know. “You’re his partner. Make sure he doesn’t get into too much trouble. Good luck, 0011.”

I nod and sprint off to where Bond just disappeared. He’s climbing back up the stairs back towards the lab. When I catch up with him his only response is a frown.

“You’re staying behind?”

“Like you, I’m not fond of following orders. Even from you. I’m with you ‘till the end, Bond.”

“You could die,” Bond pants as we scurry up a narrow ladder.

Yes. Yes I could. “Comes with the job.”

Bond doesn’t respond to that. We both understand that this mission is far more important than personal safety. When we get to the top level Bond checks the hall for any guards and declares it safe to continue.

“Talk to me, Q.”

“Our uninvited guests are 15 minutes away,” he answers dryly.

Now another voice joins the conversation. “Bond, M here. This business has going beyond our jurisdiction-”

“We don’t have a choice,” Bond interrupts. “Fire on my mark.”

Just our luck. Too bad the threat of Heracles is such an inconvenience to national peace. To be frank, can’t we all stop acting like children for five minutes and agree to destroy this thing?

“It disrupts agreements with Russia and the Japanese,” M argues. “The Americans will also want answers.”

“Well don’t give them any,” Bond states firmly. “Mallory, if we don’t do this, there will be nothing left to save. Fire on my mark.”

We pass through another room. Unfortunately this one is guarded. Bond does quick work to shoot the first two. My instincts snap my attention to the approaching guard with a knife, whom I give a quick kick to the crotch and punch his neck. He’s out in seconds. One other thing I notice is how the room is designed. Giant, heavy metal doors.

“Let’s go!” Bond waves me over to the exit.

“007, there’s another problem.” Q must be thinking the same thing. “That room you were just in-”

“Yes yes, I know! I need to open the blast doors.”

“Otherwise the missiles will bounce off of it-”

“I know.”

Honestly, Q, this is not the time for over-explaining! Bond and I are tightly wound as it is and lecturing is not helping. We make our way out in silence, both trying not to think of the foreign planes headed our way.

“Find the control room,” Q tells us. “Think you can do it?”

Bond nonchalantly waves it off. “Plenty of time, plenty of time.”

Yes. Let’s pretend ten minutes is loads of time.

“Is 0011 still with you?”

“Don’t worry, Q. I’ll make sure your fiancé gets out in one piece.”

Oh.

My jogging staggers. “You know?”

The older agent checks the next hallway before answering. “It doesn’t take a genius to spot the ring around your neck. Plus the fact that he can’t stop worrying about you says enough.”

His tone doesn’t give me much to assume what he thinks of this… and I’m sort of nervous to ask.

“Are you mad?”

“I did disagree with it. I told you before that this job never allows for a normal life.”

I bite my lip and avoid his gaze to hide my embarrassment. I thought I had passed the point of fishing for Bond’s praise. He’s not my real family and he shouldn’t have any control over my life. Yet the sting of his disappointment still leaves its mark.

“But,” he continues. “I’m really proud of how you’ve handled it.”

What?

“You understand that the job comes first but also remember to show communication and empathy. Something…” Bond lets out a deep sigh. “Something I seem to struggle with. What I’m trying to say is, you deserve to have love in your life, Levie.”

A happy smile tugs onto my face. “Thank you, Bond. That means a lot. Maybe after all this we can all go out for drinks to celebrate?”

Boom!

Suddenly a nearby explosion rocks the building. There goes the lab.

“Celebration will have to wait.” Bond and I sprint down the rest of the hall. “Up the stairs. I’ll go first.”

It’s a spiral staircase. With any luck this one leads to the control room and we can get out of this wretched place. 

“Hault!”

Crumbs. More guards. With the cramped space it’s much harder to fight. I think there’s something that just might help-

“Bond! Get down!”

He drops to the floor and I snap the clasp on my bracelet before hurling it at the oncoming guards. Shrapnel rains out across the stairs and causes them to drop like flies. This leaves Bond with a bewildered look.

“Where did that come from?”

“A small gift from Q. A shrapnel bracelet. But I can only use it once-” The sound of clinking metal draws my attention towards a small object being dropped in. “Grenade!”

I dive behind one of the dead guards just as a hot explosion bursts forth and knocks me against the wall. I try to get up but another guard from above notices us and starts shooting.

“Ah!”

A stinging pain rips through my arm. From the hole in my uniform fabric the explosion burned I can see a bullet wedged into my pale skin.

“You alright?” Bond demands once he shoots my attacker down.

“Just my left arm. Only nicked it, nothing major. Keep going!”

Boom! Another grenade goes off and I can tell both Bond and I have static ringing in our ears because neither one of us can hear each other’s questions. After a while the ringing wears out and I can focus on shooting more guards below us. Bond has the last guard in his grip and flicks on his watch to overwhelm the guard’s eyepiece and literally blow his brains.

“Smart. Good use of an expensive watch.”

“Remind me to thank Q for his brilliance,” Bond comments and wipes the bloke’s blood off his hands.

“Bond, do you read me?” Speak of the devil.

“Yeah. I just showed someone your watch,” Bond pants as we continue up. “Really blew their mind.”

“Good. Did you find the control room?”

We both spot a sign marked on a door. “My Russian is a little rusty but I think so.”

Thank God there are no guards in the room. Saffron must have focused on the lab more than this section. The entire room reminds me of Q’s lab because it’s one big computer. Only this tech looks way more dated than what I’m accustomed to.

“The infrastructure must go back to the 1990s. That’s going to be an intricate switching system,” Q explains as we start looking for an off switch. “Now the order in which you engage in must be extremely precise. There might be a counterweight clutch. First you-”

Suddenly Bond pulls a random lever and I hear the equipment groan. And he calls me reckless.

“Got it! There it is, get ready for launch.”

"But-”

“Launch the missile, now!” Bond orders.

A few seconds go by and then another siren comes on.

“Why are the hatches shutting?”

Bond slams a fist on the dashboard and looks out the window. “No. No. No!”

“I’m on it!”

I grab a nearby cable and latch it to the outside wall. There’s no time to go back down the long way so I’m winging it. I sprint back to where the blast doors are still locked tight. How am I supposed to-?

“Get down!” I hear Bond shout from behind. I look up and-

Saffron’s back. And he’s holding a pistol straight at Bond’s head. Before I can react Bond rushes up to push me to the side and I slide off into a ravine. No! I can’t get stuck down here! Bond can’t expect me to just hide while he faces that monster alone!

Once I crawl back up I peek up just in time to see Saffron’s lifeless body sink into the pool he and Bond are fighting in. Bond’s been shot. There’s something else floating in the water. A used vial. It can’t be…

“Bond!” 

I call from the dirt and sprint over to go help him out of the water. But before I can reach him he holds a hand up for me to stop.

“Go. Go, now!”

“What did he do to you?” I gesture to Saffron.

Bond takes a deep breath. “Heracles.”

The word sinks in and my mind pieces together just how intricate that bastard’s plan was.

“It’ll kill them, won’t it? Dr. Swann and her daughter?”

He takes a moment to wipe the water off his gun, avoiding the answer. “Yes. And you too.”

“Oh God. I’m so sorry-”

“Nothing I can do about it. Q? Are you there?”

“Yes,” Q’s calm 

“Are they safe, Q?” Bond asks urgently.

“Yes, they’re safe. Bond, have you left the island?”

Bond looks over at me and I point to the still-stuck doors. One way or another this whole place is going up in flames.

“There’s a slight problem with the blast doors.”

“Bond, the missile’s already launched. Just get out of there.”

007 looks down at his hands as if trying to decide something. “There’s no way to get this stuff off me?”

Even I know the answer before Q confirms it.

“You know as well as I do it’s permanent, it’s eternal. Which is why we need to destroy it. Just get off the island! It’s harmless unless it’s programmed for a target.”

Bond shakes his head. “That’s not going to work.”

Now Q gets the message. “Oh God. It’s for Madeline.”

Bond gets a soft smile, being surprisingly calm. “It’s alright, Q. It’s alright. Could you put Madaline on, please?”

He goes on to talk to Madaline while my mind races trying out all possibilities of how to avoid this. With all of today’s technology there must be something to counteract it! There has to be another way… 

“Eleanor.” Bond interrupts my thoughts. He used my name. “You need to get out of here. I’m staying behind to open the silos.”

“No.” I frantically shake my head. “No! I’m not leaving you here!”

“You attach a rope and scale down this building right now, or else I will toss you out myself. I will not have you kill yourself because of me. You need to go back to Q.”

Tears are starting to form, making my vision blurry. “B- But Bond… This can’t be the end.”

The older agent chuckles. “I always said I’d go out with something dramatic.” 

His attempt at a light joke does little to steady my racing heart. “You’re the only one who’s been like family to me. I don’t want to lose you…”

I can tell Bond wants to give me a hug to provide any amount of comfort but can’t because of the despicable nanobots. 00 agents are supposed to be unattached to people. But like Bond I’m not always one to play by the rules. All at once I’m supposed to deal with seeing my father figure of a mentor one last time before his fiery death.

“I’ve watched you grow from a skittery rookie to a stubborn and fearless leader. You have no idea how proud I am of you, Levie. I know you and Q will be very happy together.”

I take a shaky breath and want to say so many things. How am I supposed to summarize just how much he’s influenced my life?

“I know.” He can read my thoughts. “I wish there was an alternative. But this is the way it’s got to be. It comes with the job.”

I stifle a sob and look up with watery eyes. “God be with you, Bond. Are you sure I can’t help?”

The man’s smile widens with something I hardly see in Bond: pride. “You’ve done beautifully, Levie. Let me take it from here.”

We give each other a formal farewell salute and I sprint back towards the tower before my heart can override my head’s common sense. I need to get out of here before this whole place gets obliterated. I attach another cable to the side and begin descending down towards the rocks. The adrenaline almost makes me forget my arm is shot.

“Eleanor? Are- are you still there?” Q’s skittery voice comes out in a worried tone.

“Yes,” I try to find my own voice through the pit of swirling emotions in my stomach. “I’m headed down the side of the building. I’ll break the water before the missiles hit.”

“Please. Please don’t leave me again, Eleanor. I already thought I’d lost you once.”

“Stay focused, Geoffry.”

I’m already losing one loved one today. I don’t need my fiancé getting shot down by enemy planes. I near the ocean’s edge and drop down into the cold, churning water. Its icy sting does little to distract from the guilt and sorrow pooling in my head. How did I let this happen? Could I have been faster? Anything to prevent this?

The fear of being underwater completely (and literally) washes over me and all I can do is wait to float to the surface. When I reach the top to breathe I look up to see multiple approaching missiles. It always ends in violence. 

I also spot a lone figure standing atop the tower. Bond. He sees me and gives a small wave goodbye as the missiles begin landing in scattered patterns. I can’t even make out if his body is directly hit through all the explosions. We can’t even give him a proper burial.

“0011, are you there?” M’s voice asks.

I swallow hard. “Yes, sir. Agent down. 007 has been… killed in action.”

#quartermaster x reader #quartermaster #q x reader #james bond #daniel craig #ben whishaw #skyfall #spectre #no time to die #007 #james bond 007

[sl-newsie]

Query: Q x 00 Agent- Ch. 21: Courage Trumps Fear

“Hop in!”

The speeding car comes to a halt and I literally jump into the backseat. Up front Nomi pushes the accelerator and I’m pushed into the seat.

“Catch me up. What have you got?” 

“Been chasing a lead Bond sent me. Now I- Hold on.” Nomi holds the buzzing phone up to her ear.

Right now my head is spinning in a hundred directions. The only thing providing any amount of comfort is the chain around my neck. I keep fingering Q’s ring while I wait for Nomi to finish the call.

“Bond, where is she?”

I can’t hear the full conversation but Bond definitely sounds worried. 

“What’d he say?” I ask when she hangs up.

“Dr. Swann’s gone. We need to pick Bond up and get back immediately. Q’s waiting on the plane.”

Plane? Obviously Bond’s request has gone fulfilled but how on Earth is Q on a plane right now? He’s actually outside the lab! Normally I would encourage this but in these circumstances I wish he hadn’t gotten this up close with the mission. Last time Q left the lab I was there to guard him. What’s to stop an enemy plane from shooting him out of the sky? I can’t live with myself if something happens today and he gets hurt… or worse.

“Here he is.” Nomi drives to the side of a field, where Bond is waiting impatiently. “Need a ride?”

He climbs into the passenger seat, looking roughed up and covered with dirt. “Where have you been?” 

“Chasing after your lead.”

“They took Dr. Swann,” Bond tells her. “And her daughter.”

The reminder of the involved child clenches my heart. “I didn’t know she had a daughter.”

Bond whips his head around and sees me pressed into the cushion. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s personal to me when kids are involved. Plus you need all the help you can get. You can’t talk me out of this, Bond.” I speak quickly before he can argue.

He still disapproves but keeps quiet as we speed through the evening traffic. Good driving, Nomi. In only a few minutes we arrive at a discrete airfield where a giant aircraft is waiting. 

“No time to waste. Let’s hurry.” I jump out and follow the other 00s to the plane ramp. When I look up, the sight of Q wearing a pilot’s helmet is both adorable and frightening.

“Bond,” he addresses the older agent.

Bond nods. “Q.”

At least this is better than the last time they met up on a whim. Bond seems to have forgotten his disagreement with our relationship.

“Told you I’d be back soon,” I smile softly and offer a gentle hug. Q however takes this time to examine me for injuries.

“Are you hurt? Did anything happen?”

I grab his hands and make him face me. “Relax. It was just a quick drive to pick up Bond. I’m here, all in one piece.” A smirk makes its way onto my face. “What surprises me is that you’re here. I thought you still hated flying?”

Q calms down a tad and shrugs. “Desperate times call for facing my fears and nearly fainting. I’m surprised I have enough guts to even be on a plane this big.”

“Excuse me?” Bond interrupts in an annoyed tone. “If you could please ignore your gushing feelings for five minutes we’d like to come up with a game plan, if you don’t mind.”

Q and I, both sharing flushed faces, pull apart and step deeper inside the plane. Right. I need to keep professional. Time to be a 00 agent.

“M, we’re ready,” Nomi says to the computer speaker.

“Good. The agenda is short: Confirm the presence of Hercules, kill Obrechev and Saffron, and get Dr. Swann and her daughter off the island.”

It sounds so simple yet hidden behind it is countless options for failure. Beneath M’s calm voice I detect signs of concern.

“Sir, permission for Commander Bond to be redesignated as 007?” Nomi asks. We all give her a look of surprise, to which she just shrugs. “It’s just a number.”

“Very well,” M answers. “Good luck.”

I look around the plane for parachutes. “How do we get down there?”

“This.”

Q points to a vessel hidden under a tarp. I peek under and see- A submarine? You’ve got to be joking. I’ve been fortunate enough to never have had a mission that involves going underwater. Just the thought of a dark, quiet abyss is eerie enough to make me shiver.

Strangling my fear, I turn back to finish checking on my equipment. Bond is also getting a new toy from Q.

“Bond. Your watch.” The Quartermaster reveals a watch similar to what I saw in the lab. “Contains an unlimited radius, electromagnetic pulse.”

Bond studies the new gadget as Q straps it on. “How strong is it?”

“It’s… fairly strong.”

“‘Fairly strong?’” Bond grunts. “What’s that supposed-?”

“I haven’t had the chance to test it. Just be careful. Oh, one more thing.” Q pulls out a set of syringes. “One shot, for your vitals. Bond, would you be up for a shot after work?”

This is genius! If there’s one way to distract Bond it’s to either talk about women or alcohol.

“Well I haven’t had a drink for 3 or 4- ouch! Hours.”

Nomi chuckles and is given her own shot. “Wow. Doesn’t sound like you. Ow!”

When Q turns to give a shot he already knows my answer. “You know I don’t approve of that.”

He nods and sets it down. “You brought the necklace tracker?”

I fish the chain out of my pocket, the blue pendant gleaming in the dim light. “For old times’ sake. Help me put it on?”

Q doesn’t hesitate and gently clasps it around my neck. “It’s dated tech. Still looks lovely on you, though. Is that too tight?”

“Perfect. I always admire how you use your hands, Quartermaster.”

Behind me I hear him sigh and even though I can’t see him I know he’s smirking. “It’s what makes me good at my job. But if you make it back alive I might put them to much better use.”

My own breath catches and I have to keep from spinning around to kiss him. “Careful, Quartermaster. I’m on the clock. We have a planet to save from a global pandemic.”

He pats my shoulder as a platonic gesture to show understanding. “You’ll do brilliant, 0011. Good luck.”

“I’m not looking forward to it. I’m terrified of going underwater.” It’s the first time I’ve admitted the silly fear but Q doesn’t tease me.

“Guess we’re both facing our fears today.” He reaches out and gives my hand a quick squeeze. I look up and see he’s got the same fear in his eyes as I do. “Please come back safely.”

“I always try to, Quartermaster.”

He looks back at where Bond and Nomi are reviewing the blueprints of the island, then quickly pulls me in and whispers: “I love you.”

I blink in surprise. We hardly use the ‘l’ word, considering that each of us are not ones for mushy romantic talk. But we’re both thinking the same thing: this could be goodbye.

“I… love you too.”

Q tilts his head. “Sounds odd, doesn’t it?”

“Not as odd as I thought.”

“Ready, 0011?” Nomi calls from the sub.

I thought I’d be ready. This is going too fast. Out of all the missions I’ve gone through this one’s tripping my senses up the most. Something feels off, like something’s going to go wrong.

“Don’t think too hard.” Q must notice my concern. “You have your earpiece, I’ll be in your ear the whole time. After all this is over it’ll be you and me taking some well-deserved time off. I love you so much. Please be careful.”

I bite my tongue to help silence the aching intuition and sit down in the seat behind Nomi.

“Have you ever flown one of these things before?” Bond asks.

Nomi shakes her head. “Nope.”

I stifle a nervous laugh. “Lovely.”

The hatch closes and the only thing I can see through the glass is Q waving goodbye. I feel a shift forward and all of a sudden we’re pulled backwards out of the plane and plummet through the air. Unlike Q I enjoy this. The feeling of flying is good to let me relax. It lets my mind float away.

“Don’t forget to release the chute,” Q’s voice comes from the earpiece. “Gravity isn’t always your friend.”

Out the window I spot the island. “There it is.”

“Look for a concrete structure on the west side of the island. That’s your best bet for getting in.”

We touch down on the water’s surface and I squeeze my eyes shut as the plane begins to float towards the surface. Deep breath. Thankfully Nomi’s competent driving is quick to drive us over to one of the island’s docking chambers.

“Coming up for air, Q.”

“Good. You should be entering a World War II sub pen. Not much activity but still remain alert.” The pen itself is abandoned and nearly falling apart. Nomi drives the sub to a corner dock and we climb out. After a few more seconds I hear confirmation that Q’s gained access to the database. 

“You’re on the edge of a toxic merry-go-round. The main activity should be towards the hub just above you.”

We ready our weapons and carefully sulk down a dark, half-flooded tunnel. There’s too much echoing to focus on one target. We’d better get through this quickly.

Q’s voice starts to go static. “Bond, there’s something big up ahead. I think- it- ah-” His voice drowns out completely.

Bond checks his earpiece and sighs. “We’ve lost him.”

“These walls must be thick.” Nomi pats the concrete.

We get to the end of the tunnel and get a look into a giant room with water flowing beneath a single catwalk. On the side of the room there’s another structure that appears to be a lab.

“Quickly. Across the catwalk.”

I bring up the rear and we sneak further into the room. Now we see the original design.

“This was a missile silo.”

Down below there are people in hazmat suits. They seem to be prepping something in the water.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bond shoots the ceiling and the workers scatter like mice. One man in a lab coat rushes out of the lab with a perplexed look. This must be Obruchev. 

“On the ground! Now!” Bond barks.

I guess we’re abandoning the idea of a stealth mission. Nomi gives a quick kick to a very confused Obruchev, who starts whimpering on the floor.

“Down boy,” she taunts.

We watch Obruchev while Bond starts placing explosives around the lab.

“No. No! You can’t blow up my laboratory!” Obruchev whines. “This is suicide mission! You will never leave this island alive.”

That’s what this job is all about.

“Look.” Nomi points to the multiple vials set up at the tables. “He’s mass producing it. It’s a simulation. He’s-”

“He’s going to kill millions,” Bond finishes.

Obruchev gets a crazed look in his eye. “You cannot stop it.”

Nomi rolls her eyes. “He’s really getting on my nerves.”

Bond doesn’t miss a beat. “Shut him up.”

Nomi takes the privilege to butt the gun to Obruchev’s nose. That does the trick.

“We have to destroy this whole facility,” Bond decides and tosses more explosives at me. “Get to work.”

“Mr. Bond, you have something of mine.” Saffron’s voice drones from overhead. “And I have something of yours. Maybe we can talk about it?”

Dr. Swann. Of course he’ll use her as bait. His plan works out because Bond now has the look of murder in his eyes. He reloads his gun and pulls Nomi over.

“If I don’t come back, blow it all to shit.”

“You don’t have enough explosives for that.”

He grins and starts walking across the catwalk. “Yeah but they don’t know that.” He turns back and waves for me to follow. “Cover me.”

I don’t hesitate. “On it, boss.”

“I’m not your-”

“Save me the lecture, Bond. Just go!”

We head through another tunnel and up a dark flight of stairs leading to- Oh my God. 

In front of us sits a dark-haired man with a scarred face and sinister eyes. Saffron. He’s clutching a small child who I assume is Dr. Swann’s daughter. Her innocent face tries to be strong but I can tell she’s scared.

“Welcome. On the floor. Please, sit.”

At Saffron’s request Bond lowers his gun and strips off his vest, which I copy. The whole time I keep eye contact with the girl and try to comfort her.

“It’ll be alright. I promise it’s going to be alright.”

Saffron chuckles. “You must be 0011. Bind her, and plug her ears. She may not listen, but I want her to see when I kill her mentor.” 

Immediately an armed guard comes up and ropes my hands behind my back, as well as stuffing cotton in my ears. He must be joking, right? Bond wouldn’t fall for something like this. And yet… I still see a hint of fear in his eyes as Saffron begins to rant about whatever scheme he’s cooked up. Whatever it is it can’t be good if Heracles is the star of it. As the conversation continues Saffron grips the child closer and Bond holds up a hand to surrender, then kneels down in defeat. Classic bluff. Suddenly Bond pulls out a hidden pistol from his chest pocket and shoots the guards just as Safin and the girl disappear underneath the floor.

“Damn it!” Bond hisses and tries to examine the floor. “Levie, go find Dr. Swann. I’m going to look for them.”

“Yes, sir.”

I grab my weapons belt and strap my vest back on as I make my way down another set of stairs. Surely they’d be keeping Dr. Swann close by as leverage in case things went south. The question is which room is it? Oh!

A quick glance of blonde hair catches my attention towards a door up ahead. I sprint to it and knock gently, hoping not to alarm her. Slowly the door cracks open to reveal Dr. Swann holding a lead pipe, ready to strike. She must have gotten free.

“Dr. Swann! Remember me? I’m a friend of Bond’s.”

Her eyes scan my face for any threat and soften in recognition. “Yes, I remember. What’s going on? Did you find my daughter?”

“Bond’s looking for her. He was just-”

“Her and Saffron dropped down to a lower level,” Bond pants as he jogs up.

“I swear we’ll find her,” I try to assure the worried doctor.

Bond keeps running down the hall and we hurry to catch up. “There has to be a another stairwell-”

“Momma? Momma?”

Is it really…? Sure enough, the little girl pops out from under a table. Clever girl. Dr. Swann rushes over and holds her close. 

“We need to get you two out of here,” Bond says with little emotion, though there’s no denying his look of relief to see the girl safe.

“Ah. Just in time.”

Nomi struts in from another hallway holding her gun in triumph. Dr. Swann seems confused by the large rescue party but relaxes when Nomi puts her gun down.

Bond gestures to the girl. “Nomi, Matilda. Matilda, Nomi.”

Nomi nods in greeting. “Hello.”

Now he points to me. “Matilda, this is Levie.”

I kneel down and offer a hand to the timid child, which she shakes softly. “Hello, Matilda. You’ve been very brave today.”

Sadly the moment does not last long.

“We need to get out of here now,” Bond says to Dr. Swann. “We’ve rigged the lab to explode to destroy Heracles for good. We’ll get you two to the boat and hopefully get a signal to contact Q.”

Q. I almost forgot. For all he knows we’re all shot dead. Bond’s right- we need to get out of here.

#quartermaster x reader #quartermaster #q x reader #james bond #daniel craig #ben whishaw #skyfall #spectre #no time to die #007 #james bond 007

[sl-newsie]

Valid 🗞️

newsies has got to be my favorite coping mechanism

#newsies therapy #newsies broadway #newsies 1992 #92sies #newsies 92

[sl-newsie]

Jack’s taking on the system. 🗞️

the fact that there are so many american psycho memes on pinterest is so funny like do you guys even realize thats strike leader jack kelly

#jack kelly cowboy #jack kelly newsies #newsies broadway #newsies 1992 #92sies

[sl-newsie]

We need this, your honor. No further questions. 🗞️

while googling newsies memes to annoy my friend with, I came across this

Don’t know who’s it is, but they’re right

#newsies 1992 #newsies broadway #livesies #disney world

[sl-newsie]

Spelled (Carlos de Vil x Sanderson Daughter) Descendants 3- Ch. 11: Time Will Tell

I can already feel the differences of not wearing the brooch. Not as much power but my mind is much clearer. Now I just need to settle one last request.

Mal walks out of the room just as Hades finishes up talking with Ben’s dad. 

“He left me his Ember.” She holds up the blue stone with a stunned expression.

“Gosh, Mal. That’s… really thoughtful of him. It’s his most prized magical possession.”

Yesterday I would never have trusted her with something this powerful. I hope Mal’s changed as much as she says.

She looks around and leans in to whisper: “Just a little secret: I’m going to reopen the barrier.”

Happiness floods through me and I know I won’t have to ask for the favor after all. My promise to the VKs on the Isle will be fulfilled!

“But you can’t tell anyone!” Mal points a finger. “I’m going to announce it at the ceremony tonight.”

I nod. “Please forgive me for not attending, but I can’t stay here. You know that.”

She understands. Just because I’m not a fugitive anymore does not mean people will look at me differently. I will always be the Sanderson witch.

“You need not worry any more about keeping Auradon safe. As long as I am alive my protection spell will ward off any threats. Happy engagement, Mal.” I look over at her fiancée who’s just joined us. “Happy engagement, Brother Ben.”

He squeezes my shoulder. “We’ll miss you, Sparks. Come visit once in a while. Maybe pull some pranks?”

I try to offer a smile. “We'll see.”

All that’s left here is old memories. I’m not one to feel nostalgic. If nothing is to ever be the same again then I can’t twist my hands trying to think the impossible. There’s just one last loose end I need to tie up.

“Nice jacket, dog boy.”

I find Carlos is sitting in the courtyard with Dude. The place we fought before I left last time.

He spins around to see me and his eyes light up. “I’ve been trying to find you!” He suddenly goes quiet. “I understand now why you’ve been mad at me. I’m your one true love.”

I can’t have the heart to lie anymore. “Yes.”

“And you can never find another?” he asks softly.

A deep sigh escapes me. “No. That’s how it works for me.”

Carlos paces back and forth. “Maybe if I-”

“No. You are happy with Jane, Carlos.” I give him a final soft kiss on his freckled cheek. “I hope you and her find every form of happiness.”

His soft eyes frantically search my face for a second chance. “But what about you? You deserve to be happy too.”

“I’ve survived this long without true love. ‘Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.’  Song of Solomon 8:6. If it’s by only the will of God that I must live, then I cannot change it. I understand, Carlos. I don’t get a happy ending. No matter how hard I try to be good I will always get the short end of the broomstick. But it’s fine. I’ve accepted my fate, and will release you from the empathy link.”

Carlos shakes his head and starts stuttering. “I want to keep it. I’ll feel too guilty knowing that I left you.”

His caring words make me double-guess myself but I put those thoughts to rest. It’s not fair to keep him held to this if he’s already happy.

“You’ve been a very loving friend, Carlos de Vil. If you ever need someone to talk to, send Dude to find Binx. I’ll stay in touch.”

Before I can let myself be poisoned by any more false hopes I tear myself from the conversation and walk away from perhaps the best thing that’s ever happened to me. My true love.

In the end, I thought we were friends.

Then life started up again.

So I thought we’d start anew,

And that maybe you’d love me too.

You skip to your next romance.

Not even giving me a chance.

And perhaps our friendship will be lost,

I’ll still hope one day our paths will cross.

Do the right thing in the right place.

As long as I watch, you are safe.

You taught me how to have fun,

How to make friends with someone.

You showed me how to forgive,

And encouraged me to live.

I’ll just disappear,

And you can forget you ever saw me here.

Don’t regret anything, it’s my fault.

The burden is mine to be taught.

I’ll be ready, I won’t mistake.

You’ve prepared me for the sickness of heartbreak.

For how long, you never knew.

One day I’ll tell how much I love you.

And even if I can’t find bliss,

I wish you every form of happiness.

Back at the palace I see father and Binx have already packed up what little belongings we have here. Travel light, I suppose.

“What’s this book for?” Father holds up my spellbook.

“That is what’s currently holding the Sanderson sisters.”

Father tenses up and holds the book out to me. “I think it’s safer if you hold it. Between you and me I don’t want any run-ins with your aunts.”

“For your return home you’ll be traveling in style,” Fairy Godmother tells me and points to the black limo parked out front. “I’m so proud of you!” She gives me a big hug. “You are everything I ever hoped for in a Sanderson.”

“Does this mean I pass Goodness 201?” I joke.

“With flying colors!” 

I help father carry the bags to the limo and find Remus leaning against the drivers’ side door. He's wearing his chauffeur uniform again.

“Time for a vacation?” he asks as I approach.

“You could say that, Remus. I hope FG gave you your job back?”

“Without question. That and along with a raise," he says proudly. "Now I’m in charge of personally driving Queen Mal to her meetings.”

The news brings a smile to my face. “Congratulations. I hope to see you around.”

The redhead tips his hat. “I wish the same thing. I’ll miss you, Magica. I’m glad to see everything worked out for you. Do you think you’ll ever come back?”

Life can be crazy sometimes. One day shows us everything is planned out. The next it shows that life can erupt into total chaos. Sometimes we’re shown that what we wanted might have been hidden in plain sight all along.

“Time will tell, Remus. Right now I want to live the quiet life I once hated. It’s time to go back to where it all started and remember who I am.”

“Magica Sanderson isn’t the same shy witch I picked up last year,” Remus points out.

I shake my head and look out onto the grounds as the sun begins to sink below the horizon.

“No. This is one Sanderson who’s going to write her own happy ending.”

#carlos descendants #carlos de vil x reader #descendants carlos #mal descendants #evie descendants #jay descendants #uma descendants #harry hook descendants #audrey descendants #ben descendants #disney descendants #descendants x reader #mary sanderson #winifred sanderson #sarah sanderson #binx hocus pocus #hocus pocus

[sl-newsie]

Spelled (Carlos de Vil x Sanderson Daughter) Descendants 3- Ch. 10: Apology

Magica… Magica…

Carlos? That can’t be. If I can hear him then we must both be dead, right? 

“Magica…”

I’m not imagining it. I can hear his voice plain as day.

“There’s no telling if she’ll wake up.”

Fairy Godmother? Ok, what’s going on?

All at once I feel my mind return and I can feel my fingers and toes. Fresh air rushes through my lungs and my eyelids flutter in response to the bright light.

“Wasgongon?” I try to speak.

“She’s awake!”

I feel eager arms squeeze around my sore frame and I wince.

“Careful! Her condition is fragile. There’s no telling if there are any lasting symptoms.”

Fairy Godmother is right. At any moment I feel like I could slip under the darkness and be claimed by death again. 

“S- Sorry.” I find my voice. “I’m sorry.”

I open my eyes and squint to see what’s happening. It’s Ben’s room. I’m lying in his bed, surrounded by familiar faces. Fairy Godmother, Mal, Ben, Uma, and-

“Carlos?” I rasp. “You’re alive!”

The freckled VK is the one trying to hug me. The look on his face almost makes my heart melt. He looks as if him being turned to stone is a minor setback compared to seeing me wake up.

“When the spell was broken they told me you sacrificed yourself,” Carlos whispers. “You gave yourself up, after all that happened. Why?”

I try to sit up but I’m afraid my energy is still returning. “Audrey’s driving force was getting what she thought she deserved. It’s not about deserving. It’s about what is needed.” I lock onto his chocolate eyes. “Auradon needs justified leadership, not one taken for revenge. I understand that now. I can’t tell you all enough how sorry I am-”

“Not to worry, child,” Fairy Godmother gently rubs my shoulder. “No one’s going to lock you up. You need to get your strength back.”

“We already sent word out to the authorities,” Mal speaks up from across the room. “You’re not a fugitive anymore.”

“You’re a hero, Sparks!” Ben smiles. 

“A hero…” I chuckle. “That’s a new twist. The wicked witch is the hero.”

“But it wasn’t all you,” Uma says. “We found this.”

She holds up the shattered remains of Aunt Winnie’s brooch. All that’s left unmarked is the glowing green gem. I’d forgotten about it until now.

“It emits dark magic,” Fairy Godmother explains. “That’s why you’ve been, um…”

“Acting like the villain I’m supposed to be?” I finish. It wasn’t entirely my fault after all.

“No more talk of that. There’s someone else who’s proud of you, Sparky,” Uma says and opens the door.

In steps Remus, and from behind him is-

I gasp. “Father!”

He sprints over and pulls me into a hug too. I notice he’s a bit skinnier than usual and unshaven but otherwise okay. He’s blinking back tears and keeps scanning my face.

“Magica, my sweet little girl! You’re alright!”

“I’m alright?” I choke back a sob. “You’ve been locked up in Arendelle! I thought for sure you’d be moved to the Towers!”

“Those are being shut down,” Mal is quick to say. “From now on we’re focusing on negotiations rather than force.”

"When I heard you were injured I drove north and picked up your father," Remus explains. "We both wanted to make sure you were doing okay."

I am better now, especially since life has been gifted to me once again. I'm here, but...

“Where’s Audrey now?”

Mal and Ben exchange looks. “We’ve settled her on her bed as comfortably as possible. We thought she’d wake up before you. Her condition isn’t so good either.”

As much as I disagree with Audrey she does not deserve to die. Since I’ve escaped death now, maybe there’s still something else I can do.

“Please take me to her,” I softly request and start to get up.

“Magica, no. Your condition-” Carlos argues.

“... is strong enough for me to be alive. I might be able to help.”

Carlos takes my right arm and father takes my left, both helping me to stand. I catch a quick peek at a mirror and I see they’re right. I’m pale as snow and my once-vibrant purple hair has faded. When we get outside I see Jane, Harry, and the other VKs waiting to hear from us. Ben’s parents have also made an appearance. I ignore their jumbled questions and walk down to Audrey’s room. I find Audrey laid out on her bed. She looks just like her mother, sound asleep. Though as peaceful as she looks I can tell she’s just as close to death as I was.

“She’s slipping away,” Evie says sadly.

I feel her pulse and find hardly anything. “I’m sorry, there is little I can do. Even if I was at full strength I don’t have nearly as much magic needed to bring her back.”

Mal frowns. “There’s only one person who could do something about this, and that’s Hades.”

“Hades? He wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t risk it,” Ben argues.

“He might do it for me. He’s my father.”

My jaw drops and Carlos has to steady me. “Your father? Dear Lord… That’s why you're so powerful. You have the magic of a god in your veins.”

Mal and Ben share a final look and he walks out to fetch Hades. “I’ll have the royal guards pick him up.”

“Maybe I could hitch a ride?” Uma speaks up. “The Isle is my home. Someone needs to be there to protect it.”

Harry hops up and goes to stand next to her. “Well then you’ll need your first mate.”

Mal gives the pirates a firm nod. “The Isle will be in very good hands.”

Celia stands up. “Can I go too? I wish I could be in both places, but I need to be with my dad again.”

I understand her completely. Seeing father again is like a sigh of relief, a sign that everything’s going to be alright. After Celia and the pirates exit I see another familiar face step in.

“Wait, that’s Doug? Dear Lord, Evie, how did you let Doug’s hair grow into something so… ugly?”

The band geek laughs and pats me on the shoulder. “Missed you, lab partner! Good to see you all in one piece.”

“Me too!” Jane bubbles as she passes me a signed ‘get well’ card. Something flashes and her golden necklace catches my eye.

“So… Jarlos?”

She sees where I’m looking and gets a sheepish look. “Yeah. It’s… my birthday present from Carlos. Are you mad?”

At this point my anger has been spent for a long time. Besides, it was my jealousy that led me to the wrong side to begin with. “Why would I be mad? I’m so happy for you.”

She wears a relieved smile and goes on to chat with Evie. Another game, I suppose. Each of us acting all smiles and pretending this isn’t real.

While we wait for Hades’ arrival, Mal changes into a simple pink dress. Audrey’s grandmother also pays her a visit, all the while giving me an icy glare. When there’s a knock on the door and Hades enters, Mal steps up.

“Since when do heroes care about villains?” The Underworld god asks when he sees Audrey.

Ben tries to explain. “She’s-”

“One of your own?” Hades finishes. “Right. When you guys try to destroy the world it’s sin, error, and judgment. But when it’s one of us, lock ‘em up and throw away the key. Right, Beast?” He looks at Ben’s dad, who doesn’t answer. After his restraints are removed he beckons to Mal for the Ember, which she hesitantly hands over. When Hades takes it his hair glows bright blue and he seems to regain energy.

“Haven’t lost my touch.” He steps over to Audrey’s bed and waves the Ember, sending blue magic drifting over Audrey and waking her up. Her clothes and hair also return to normal.

“Audrey! You’re ok!” Her grandmother is relieved. 

Audrey, however, does not look ok. She looks around the room with wide, fearful eyes. “Tell me it was all a bad dream?”

“I wish I could, but it’s over now.” Ben gives her a small smile.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to hurt you both, I wanted to hurt all of you.”

Mal steps forward and takes her hand. “I have owed you an apology for a very long time now.”

“And so have I,” Ben adds.

“And perhaps I have owed you one too,” Audrey’s grandmother says to Mal.

Audrey sees me standing nearby and she gasps. "Magica... I am so sorry. If it wasn't for me-!"

"I had a say in this too, Audrey," I hold up a calming hand. "Mistakes were made but now we can grow from them."

It’s one big day for apologies. At least my own has been accepted. Now I have everything I need. Now it’s time to call it a day and walk away. They have their hands full trying to restore order in Auradon. I just want to go home.

#carlos descendants #carlos de vil x reader #descendants carlos #mal descendants #evie descendants #jay descendants #uma descendants #harry hook descendants #audrey descendants #ben descendants #disney descendants #descendants x reader #mary sanderson #winifred sanderson #sarah sanderson #binx hocus pocus #hocus pocus

[sl-newsie]

Spelled (Carlos de Vil x Sanderson Daughter) Descendants 3- Ch. 9: Redemption

The blade that causes the most agony is the blade that takes its time.

The metal running through flesh and blood,

Its sharp emotion cutting into fear itself.

Your mind stops entirely, it’s too late to realize…

Hope is the blade that has pushed me to this. I can’t blame my mother, my coven, or Carlos. All of this is because I dared to hope. I chose to partake in this rotten fairytale, the one with the evil witch and no happy ending.

As I fly over Auradon I feel no reason for remorse. The citizens are still cowering in their homes but it doesn’t matter. I mean no physical harm to them. If they cooperate nicely then all I ask is for my father’s release and my own solitude from the law. Ben’s turned to stone and Mal’s obviously not a reasonable figurehead so I will consult my demands with the new queen: Audrey.

It’s no trouble to find her. The giant beacon of pink light in the sky leads me straight to the palace and I spot the pink villain on the tower. When she sees me Audrey’s face twists into a taunting smirk.

“Hm. Come crawling back, have we freak?”

“You were right, Audrey,” I mutter as I land and dismount my broom. “Mal is nothing but a vicious, back-stabbing liar. She never wanted to keep the barrier open, and she never wanted to let me be free. She just wants to use my magic for herself.”

Audrey’s cruel gaze softens and she lowers the scepter. “I’m sorry to hear that. What about the others?”

My breath stutters and I look up with glowing eyes. “You… You know what you did. Thou cast them into stone!” I seethe. “And now that everyone I care for is either locked away or dead, there’s nothing holding me back. Uma predicted I would become a villain. Why test fate?” 

“Magica?” A familiar black feline jumps onto the stone wall. I look away to avoid his judgeful eyes. “You’ve been busy.”

“Not now, Binx. I don’t need a lecture right now.” I let out a heavy sigh and turn to Audrey. “I have come to ask for thou’s permission to release my father and allow us to return home. Alone. Away from everyone. I promise I will not bother your reign as long as we are left alone.”

The pink-haired AK takes in my words with an amused look. She paces a few times and then says: “Funny. After all this I thought you’d want more.”

“I don’t want more. I just want my life back.”

She hums. “Very well. But first I need you to help me secure a certain asset.”

Something about the way she says it triggers my pulse to strike. “What asset?”

Audrey points the scepter and sends a blast of energy across the grounds, striking a nearby tree. When the smoke clears I see what- or who, she was aiming for. 

“Let me go!” Celia shouts as Audrey’s magic pulls her towards us. “I’m not on Mal’s side anymore!”

“That’s too bad,” Audrey says. “Because Mal still poses a threat to me and you’re going to be my insurance that she doesn’t try anything against me. As long as I have you she can’t do anything drastic.”

A hostage? No, I don’t like that. And neither does Binx.

“Magica, stop her! This isn’t right!”

“If it means I can be left in peace…”

No. It’s still not right. Celia shouldn’t be caught up in this. This is between me and Mal.

“Audrey, there are other ways-” I start off slowly.

“Here she comes!” she cackles and looks up at the darkening sky.

Mal, in dragon form, comes flying towards us with Audrey blasting magic everywhere. Unlike previous times I don’t see any anger behind Mal’s eyes. Did she just show up for a peace offering?

“Help me, Mal!” Celia shrieks and Audrey pulls her closer.

“Come save your little friend, Mal!”

Mal it seems is trying to put together how to attack without hurting Celia. All she does is circle around and growl with no intention of blasting any fire.

“Help me out!” Audrey barks and tries to curse Mal. “Come on! Blast her!”

Down below I see Uma and Harry run up, and I can tell they’re planning on stopping us. At least they’re unscathed. But Uma’s fearful and disappointed stare makes me wonder just how evil this side is.

Despair will cloak my being.

My mortal self will subside. 

The face of Death I’m seeing… 

To a frightful fate I’m tied. 

“Hold still, you little brat!” Audrey hisses at Celia. “Once these two prissy VKs are taken out I’ll finally get what I deserve!”

“Mal! Do it together!” Uma shouts from the ground.

Using both her shell and Hades’ Ember in Mal’s clawed hand, Mal blocks Audrey’s next lightning attack and sends it back to her, knocking her down. Mal descends and turns to human form, approaching us very slowly.

“Magica, I know you’re mad. You have every right to be. I’m a terrible friend and a selfish queen who thought if I locked away potential threats then I’d be doing the right thing. But it’s not. I can’t just assume that evil can be locked away. I need to settle things diplomatically.”

From the ground in hear Audrey scoff. “Ha! She’s trying to sweet talk us again. How ‘bout that, freak?”

The guilt and dread, pooling in my stomach. 

The sorrow of humanity is stressing. 

My time winds down to the final hour. 

The hope and joy wanes from my conscience. 

“My. Name. Is-” My eyes glow bright and I hold up my arms, both flickering with purple sparks. “Magica. SANDERSON!”

A powerful spray of flames bursts from my chest and spreads out in waves. Audrey cries out and is slammed against the wall even harder. She hisses in pain and sends out her own blast from the scepter. Time to end this once and for all!

“Praesidium! Praesidio nobis! Protegat nos cara Domine!”

A circle of purple runes sparks to life and spreads across the land. 

“Magica! You can’t-!” Binx screams over the roar of my energy.

I know I can’t. No witch can cast a spell this powerful without a full coven. But if it means providing protection for Auradon then it’s the least I can do to repay my sinful vengeance.

“Praesidium! Praesidio nobis! Protegat nos cara Domine!” I rasp in a shaking voice.

My energy is almost gone. As if someone cut out my heart. Audrey’s unconscious and is no longer trying to attack. My work is done.

My mind goes fuzzy and I feel myself collapse against the stone floor. All I can hear through the ringing in my ears is Mal and Binx trying to reach me.

Death is inevitable. 

A knife through the heart will stop any flow. You will die, you will slow.

A hint of red will stain the floor,

After you have entered the door,

You will shriek.

Moan.

Die.

Not a quick death,

But just enough for you to feel your senses weaken.

A slow, miserable death.

A long and sad death.

But I am not alone. Through my glazed vision I see both Mal and Uma are kneeling next to me, while Binx is pawing at my chin.

“My prophecy did come true, Sparky,” Uma whispers. “But instead of destroying the world, you saved it.”

The black veil of grief clouds the bliss of Life. Will I make it through the night? 

“I’m so sorry,” Mal’s breath hitches as she tries to block tears. “This is all my fault.”

Yes, it is her fault. But it is also partially my fault for letting things go this far. As I lay in despair, my dress torn and my skin covered with multiple cuts, all I can think of is that the deed is done. I am at peace.

Despair will cloak my being.

My mortal self will subside. 

The face of Death I’m seeing… 

To a frightful fate I’m tied. 

“I- I don’t know if I will wake up,” I choke down a breath. “I only ask for your forgiveness.”

“Of course, Magica. But you need to stay awake. We’ll find Fairy Godmother, she can-”

Mal’s words are muffled out and my mind urges me into darkness. So now it ends. Without seeing mother, without keeping my promises. My last regret is that I never got to say goodbye to Carlos. I didn’t even get to tell him I still love him. 

“For God shall bring every work to judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14

My own sins are tested. It’s in His hands now. 

#carlos descendants #carlos de vil x reader #descendants carlos #mal descendants #evie descendants #jay descendants #uma descendants #harry hook descendants #audrey descendants #ben descendants #disney descendants #descendants x reader #mary sanderson #winifred sanderson #sarah sanderson #binx hocus pocus #hocus pocus

[sl-newsie]

American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 14: Gussied Up

“Men and their cocks never cease to amaze me.”

Polly’s blunt statement almost makes me drop my teacup. It’s late and Thomas is late as usual. At this point I don’t even bother waiting up, though I still feel anxious about his safe return.

“Will Tommy be back?” Finn asks from the table, almost slumped over the book he’s reading.

“Yes, Finn. Now go to sleep.” I bookmark the page and pat his head. “That’s enough thinking for today.”

The young Shelby shuffles down the hall to his room and retires for the night. I’m almost to the point of wanting to retire to bed myself. But the door creaks open and my thoughts are interrupted by Thomas.

“Shh,” Polly hushes him as he closes the door.

Thomas throws down a wad of cash onto the table. “Freddie didn’t want your money. Now the coppers are saying that if we don’t turn him in, they’ll arrest Ada. That’s what compassion gets you, Pol.” He gives her a stern glare. “From now on we do it my way.”

Polly doesn’t back down. “Or what?”

He doesn’t answer. Thomas just keeps his head lowered and exits through the side door. Polly’s fierce gaze doesn't waver from where Thomas was just standing. I calmly set down my cup and follow him to the back alley, where he’s already lit up another cigarette.

“You’ve got siblings,” Thomas says. “Is life with them as crazy as this?”

“Hard to say. Most of the time I don’t even know what city my brothers are in.” They’re old enough to work for Uncle Colon.

“He said he loves her,” Thomas sighs heavily and takes a deep puff.

“Maybe he’s telling the truth. There is such a thing as love, Thomas.”

The gangster stiffens and turns his head sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

This proves my point. I hold up steady hands to show no hostility. “You’re not exactly the emotional type.”

He grunts and kicks the dirt. “There’s more to life than love.”

I slowly shake my head and dare to step closer. “It makes me sad to see you so closed-minded. I do not pity you, Thomas. I only wish you knew how good of a man you could become.”

Thomas’ brow creases. “I’m already a great man.”

“No. Good.”

“There’s a difference?”

“Very much so.”

His eyebrows rise expectantly. “What is it?”

This isn’t something one can learn in a split second. Thomas is too stubborn and angry right now to understand.

“You’ll find out one day.”

With that I pat him lightly on the shoulder and pivot to walk back inside to my room.

The next morning is racing day. How do I know? Because that’s all everyone’s talking about. There’s been too much foot traffic in the kitchen for me not to notice. Thomas is the last one to rise and takes a seat in the corner.

“Morning,” I greet lightly.

He gives a low grunt. “Morning.”

“Didn’t sleep too well?” I ask as I wipe down the ever-dusty counter.

“How did you know?”

“Heard you fighting in your sleep again. Do you want any breakfast?”

Thomas shakes his head and pours himself a drink. “‘M fine.”

“Half a glass of whiskey is hardly a supplemental breakfast, Thomas. Here, have some eggs.”

The gangster gives my offering a bored stare but eventually complies. I get the feeling he wants to be alone to process today’s events.

Once I grab my clutch and stuff my pistol inside I gesture to Finn. “Come on, Finn. Let’s go for a walk.”

Outside there’s even more energy buzzing around as more Peaky Blinders chatter about today. Some of them watch me with slight suspicion but drop it when they see I’m with Finn. 

“Shelby, who’s your girlfriend?” One man asks with a smirk.

Poor Finn’s cheeks go red. Before someone else can taunt him I decide to step in.

“I, his tutor, am taking a walk and Finn offered to join me. Is there a problem?”

Another Blinder snickers suggestively. “Sure. Tutor. Nice one, Finn- Ow!”

I make quick work to step on his toe with my heel and continue down the dusty road with Finn following close by. Once we’ve turned the corner he lets out a constricted groan.

“Sorry, Verena. ‘S not that you’re, y’know, pretty ‘nd all, but-”

“I’m well over ten years older than you,” I finish smoothly. “No offense taken, Finn. My brothers tease me about things like this all the time.”

“Are they all married?”

“Close to it. Conor, Liam, and Eoin all were married three years ago. Nicolaas tied the knot last fall, and Abel got engaged last May. Since I’m the youngest I suppose I get a few more years ‘til father will start pressuring me to wed as well. Mother’s given up on trying to get me to settle.”

We keep walking until we circle back to the house. Hopefully Thomas has calmed down a bit- And in the process seems to have cleaned himself up rather handsomely. His suit is freshly pressed and he’s clean shaven.

“You look spiffy,” I compliment as I set my clutch down. “I’m sure Grace will love it!”

“Looking good, Tommy,” John agrees.

He nods at our approval. “I’m picking Grace up at 9, the race is at 10. Don’t be late.”

I frown. “We’re not all riding together?”

Arthur shakes his head. “Tommy’s going ahead while we have a last-minute rally with the boys by the factory. Don’t worry, they won’t bite.” He gets a wide grin. “You can ride up front with us.”

“Why are you coming?” John asks.

“Never been to a race before. Thought I might see what all the fuss is about.”

I myself am wearing a borrowed dress from Polly. She said she hasn’t worn it for years and that I mine as well take it. The dress is chic black intricate patterns and a fringe skirt. John and Arthur are sporting fine suits too. Aw, the Shelbys are all dressed up! It’s delightful. In ten minutes everyone’s ready and we hop into a truck. The only slight disappointment is seeing Thomas drive off alone. I truly am glad he’s happy to go with her. She seems like a lovely girl. But why do I feel so… empty?

“You alright?” John nudges me.

“Yes, just over-thinking.”

“You’re upset that Tommy doesn’t like you, eh?”

I roll my eyes. “You know perfectly well how he sees me. Just ‘the help.’ He likes Grace, not me, which he has shown by asking her to the races. I know I shouldn’t be upset, but I am. I will deal with it and let go.” I shoot a warning glare at the three Shelby brothers. “And, if any of you even think of uttering any word of this, I’ll gut you before you can blink.”

Arthur backs off with almost comical alarm. “Wow. Alright, then. Don’t piss off the American.”

I smirk. “Keep on my good side and I’ll spread word back home about your new pub. Maybe my father can partner with you.”

Arthur’s face lights up. “Ah, you’ve heard! Yes, my new pride and joy! You’re welcome any time, Steenstra.”

The truck pulls up to the factory where the rest of the Peaky Blinders calvary awaits. They jump in the back and we drive the rest of the way with little spoken words. The racetrack itself is much more crowded than I imagined. All this attention for a horse race? It must be good entertainment… or good money. 

“Attention!” Arthur calls after everyone piles out. “Now this is called your briefing before going over the top. Steenstra, this is no place for a woman. Please step out.”

I gawk in resistance. “What about Finn?”

“He’s a Shelby. He stays.”

“He’s 11.”

“He still stays. Now run off. Go wait outside the entrance ‘till we’ve finished.”

Wait outside? Why did I even come if I’m supposed to be a lookout? I’m not even doing anything! I don’t even get to see a single race-

“Going in, miss?”

It’s a stranger. A young man in his early twenties I’d say, along with his date. 

“Um, I’m afraid I have no money for entry.”

His date gets a wide smile and she grabs my arm. “No problem! You can join us! Right, Harry?”

‘Harry’ doesn’t seem to mind and the woman all but drags me inside the building. We go up multiple stairs and now I can finally see what all the fuss is about. Inside there’s a giant racetrack set up with a row of gates on one end. That must be where the horses take off.

“Here! This is the best spot!” the bubbly girl says and leads us to the front of a box. “I’m Roxie! What’s your name?”

“Verena,” I answer politely.

“What brings you to the races?” Harry asks.

How to phrase this? “I was supposed to be here with some friends but they lost me.”

“Aw, hon. That’s too bad. You can still enjoy the race up here.”

I give them both a sincere smile of gratitude. “Thank you, I appreciate it. Birmingham can be a tricky place to find kindness.”

Roxie scoffs. “No need to tell me twice! You’re American, huh? Are there lots of cowboys there?”

I stifle a laugh. “Is that the talk about us? No, no. The cowboys are primarily in the west and southern states. I’m from the east coast.”

“I heard there’s a new law banning alcohol?” 

Ah, yes. For the past few months there’s been an increasing pressure on breweries to halt production. What a laugh.

“Yes, the proposed Eighteenth Amendment will initiate prohibition.”

Harry chuckles. “I’m sure you Americans love that idea, hm?”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t get me started. My father runs a brewery company. This whole-”

“Steenstra! There you are!”

John rushes up and grabs my arm to tugs me away just as I make out a quick goodbye to my new friends. 

“Go go! We got to find Tommy!”

“You got the money?” I pant as we weave through the crowd.

“We got the money!”

He leads me to a room downstairs where there’s live jazz music and wealthy people dressed in rich clothes. Then there’s Grace, wearing a gorgeous red dress with a matching hat and patterned shawl. Her appearance highlights how much older she is than me. It’s no wonder Thomas would fall for her.

“That dress is stunning!” I comment when John and Arthur go to talk with Thomas.

Her blush almost matches her dress. “Thank you. At first I thought it was a bit much, but I liked the color.”

Thomas likes it too because his eyes can hardly stray from her. I’m surprised his attention to the operation is faltering so easily.

“We chased the Lees across the track and down to Devon Road,” Arthur explains. “We got every penny back.” He takes his own moment to get a look at Grace. “Nice dress. You can wear it in my pub.”

“Buy the boys a drink,” Thomas orders with a proud smile. “Anyone hurt?”

“Only a few cuts and bruises.”

He nods and gives Grace a smirk. “Off we go, Lady Sarah.”

And off they do go, to waltz across the dancefloor with such ease you’d think it was a romance flicker. Although this is one flicker that seems to tear into me little by little.

John picks up on this and starts to lead me away. “Come on, Steenstra. Best not hurt yourself any more by watching. Let’s go.”

He’s right. This is just making things worse.

“You’re right. Let’s go.” I put on a smile and walk confidently beside them back to the truck. “In America our dances are much more, shall we say, rambunctious. Besides, this place seems to stuffy anyway.”

#peaky blinders #peaky blinder fanfic #peaky blinder imagine #peaky fucking blinders #peaky fookin blinders #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby #arthur shelby #john shelby #finn shelby #polly gray #grace burgess #cillian murphy

[sl-newsie]

The Secret Ingredient (Willy Wonka (2023) x Fickelgruber Daughter) Masterlist

“I failed. It was a bad beginning… I suppose I never would have done anything if I hadn’t kept coming back.”- Milton Hershey Charlotte Fickelgruber has spent her life cooped up under the watchful eye of her father and the other chocolatiers. What new adventure awaits when a strange candy man in a waistcoat and top hat introduces her to an incredible world of pure imagination?

https://www.tumblr.com/sl-newsie/746246624411615232/the-secret-ingredient-willy-wonka-2023-x?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/sl-newsie/747509581150896128/the-secret-ingredient-willy-wonka-2023-x?source=share

#wonka 2023 #willy wonka #willy wonka x reader #wonka movie #wonka x reader #arthur slugworth #felix fickelgruber #gerald prodnose #timothee chalamet #calah lane

[sl-newsie]

The Secret Ingredient (Willy Wonka (2023) x Fickelgruber Daughter) Chapter 2: Pleased To Meet You

“Are you alright, Ms. Charlotte?” Lottie asks as she brings over my breakfast tray. “You seem distracted.”

She’s right. Ever since yesterday my mind’s been in a fog. I can’t stop thinking about the man in the top hat. It’s like I’ve got a nagging feeling in the back of my head that’s itching to know who he is.

“Sorry, Lottie. I usually don’t take so much interest in newcomers, but there was something different about that man yesterday. I hope father doesn’t go too hard on him.”

“I very much plan to!” The man in question announces. “That Wonka fellow is going to wish he’d never set foot in this town!”

My head perks up. “Wonka?” Now I have a name to match the face. “But why? He won’t hurt anyone.”

Father scoffs. “He will hurt our business! Besides, he’s-” he shutters. “P- P-”

I raise a brow. “Poor?”

He leans over and gags. “Yes! That! But don’t worry, dear. We are going to run him out and he will no longer be a threat.”

I feel my temper start to churn and I gawk at his arrogance. “There’s more to life than competition, dad. He wants to sell chocolate, that’s all. Isn’t encouraging his dream worth a few coins?”

But it’s no use. Once again my words wash over father and he walks off to join Prodnose and Slugworth for their morning meeting. Guess I’ll go back to my usual reading and study sessions? Unless…

“Say, Lottie,” I think out loud. “I might be willing to take up that offer from yesterday. You’d still be inclined to sneak me out tonight for a bit, would you?”

The maid’s eyes widen and she gets a funny smile. “Yes! I knew it! I knew there was something funny about you yesterday!”

I frown. “What’s that mean?”

She giggles. “Oh, you know. See a cute boy, can’t stop thinking about him…” She trails off suggestively.

“Excuse me?” I gawk. “What’s wrong with wanting to meet someone new? This man might be the adventure I’ve been looking for!”

The day drags on unbelievably slow. The whole time I’m stuck in mind-numbing private lessons about finance and lady etiquette. The only enjoyable session I have is my lecture on chocolate chemistry.

“Mr. Snickers, just how many cocoa beans can be churned into chocolate? Wouldn’t it be the more beans there are the richer the chocolate is?”

My teacher gets a certain gleam in his eye that always happens when I spark an idea. “One would think, Ms. Fickelgruber. But there is also a rumor that there could be a secret ingredient we may never be able to measure.”

A secret ingredient…

Mr. Snickers is by far one of my favorite people. Sometimes I wish he was my adoptive father. He’s no doubt much more caring than my real one. Sadly he has no wife or kids of his own so he’s devoted his life to teaching. His lessons both inspire imagination and moxy, which are things my life craves on a daily basis.

“I’ll leave off with that note,” Mr. Snickers says as he packs up his briefcase. “Remember your assignment is to compare the different cocoa bean to sugar ratios from the major chocolate corporations.”

Just then Lottie appears with his weekly check in hand. They both exchange shy smiles and my hypothesis thickens. For weeks I’ve been seeing their feelings blossom and it only drives my curiosity behind the idea of love. Obviously they take a fancy to each other so why ignore it? But perhaps it’s not as simple.

I catch a quick peek at the window. It’s dark now, meaning it’s almost time for father to retire to bed. My moment of opportunity approaches. It’s best to wear something less conspicuous so as to not draw attention from the constables. For this evening’s confidential gallivant I choose a plain light pink dress with brown boots. I’m actually surprised these are still in my closet. I haven’t worn anything this “poor” in years. But unlike father I prefer a touch of modesty.

Deep breath. Take a look outside… All dark. Father’s gone to bed. Time to move-

Thump. Thump.

What in Heaven? There’s footsteps on the ceiling- Wait a minute. Is that…? It is! The chocolate man and a little girl are floating on the roof! Carrying… balloons? There’s no way I can walk away from this now!

I do little to hide my excitement and take off running down the staircase.

Lottie spots me and starts following. “Where are you going?”

My smile widens. “I’m meeting destiny, Lottie!”

She grips her long skirt and chases after me. “Wait for me! I need to sneak you out, remember?”

Right. That part.

“Quick, get in here.” Lottie beckons to the dumbwaiter and I climb inside. “Once you’re downstairs, take the door on the right. It should lead you to the back alley. Good luck!”

She gives me one final wave and I’m lowered into the cellar. Down here all there is are extra ingredients and old trunks full of countless forgotten things. I follow Lottie’s instructions and step out into the brick alley. It’s so dark not a single shadow is cast. The perfect environment for a quick sneak-out.

If my intuition is correct, the wind would have blown the two balloonists towards West End Street. Thankfully there’s little foot traffic so I have the courtesy to search the skies without bumping into anyone. Since father hardly lets me leave I need to stay focused and not get lost. I shall use landmarks. Like this fountain-

“Don’t sell chocolate here ever again!”

The police chief’s familiar voice heightens my attention and I see him holding a man’s head under the cold water. Wait! Why is he dunking him?

“Stop!” I sprint over and now see it’s the Wonka man that’s being held under. “Chief, he’s done nothing wrong!”

“On the contrary, miss. He sold chocolate without a license.”

After a few seconds too long I start to fear for his vitals. “Let him breathe!”

The chief realizes he’s still holding Wonka under. “Oh. Right.”

He lets go and the poor man rises gasping for breath, sopping wet. Same overcoat, same worn out boots. I notice a top hat on the ground and pick it up to offer him. But Wonka’s still clearing the water from his eyes and he doesn’t see. 

“There’s your warning, Wonka,” the chief pats him on the back and starts walking away. “Have a good evening, miss.”

Wonka wipes the wet hair away from his face and now I can see just how cute he is, even if he is wet. But not just cute. There’s an intriguing look about him that makes me feel nostalgic and want to explore the wildest ideas my mind can conjure.

“It is you!” I gasp. “The strange man with the magic chocolate!” 

The man himself does a mock bow and tilts his head. “I’m sorry, have we met before?”

I shake my head. “No. In fact, I was hoping I might find you to meet you properly.”

Wonka’s eyes twinkle. “Really?”

“Yes I want to meet the man who made everyone happy with his chocolate. You see, normally the chocolate around here isn’t as enchanting as others make it out to be. But your chocolate really seemed to spark something in people yesterday.” I bite my lip and hold up his hat again as a kind of peace offering. “I’m sorry you got kicked out. I tried to stop them.”

“Thank you!” The man grins and places the hat on his head. “Well, since you have done me a service it’s only fair that you get to taste the marvelous chocolate you seem to admire. Here, try one!” 

He digs into his pocket and pulls out a chocolate the size of a strawberry. No charge? Father would go ballistic over free samples. It’s not that I’m not touched by his gesture but chocolate has sadly started to become more ordinary than it should.

“Oh, thank you. I appreciate it, really. It’s just… I’m personally not a big fan of chocolate…”

“Come again?” Wonka suddenly gets a serious expression. “I don’t trust people who don’t like chocolate.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t not like chocolate, it’s just that chocolate’s been a bigger part of my life than I’d care to admit.”

The man seems amused by my answer and tips his hat.

“I like you! Oh, where are my manners? Name’s Wonka, Willy Wonka! At your service! Miss…?”

A name. He wants my name.

I bite my lip again as I banter with my internal struggle. 

“It’s Charlotte.”

Willy gives me a lopsided grin. “Usually there’s a second part, right?”

I nervously laugh half-heartedly. “Yes, but for me people usually judge me differently when they hear the second part.”

The top-hatted man steps closer and wiggles his eyebrows. “Promise I won’t.”

I arch an eyebrow to show my doubts.

“I promise! And-” He holds up a pinkie. “I’ll pinkie promise!”

His childlike demeanor is too adorable to ignore despite my brain tugging at me to say no.

“Charlotte Fickelgruber,” I speak quickly and tense up, waiting for him to scoff or lose interest. But instead Willy’s surprise is actually polite.

“Really? I didn’t know Fickelgruber had a daughter.”

“Not many do,” I mutter. “Aside from being next in line for his chocolate empire I really don’t have much purpose.”

“Why say that?” Willy asks. “You’re part of one of the biggest chocolate industries ever!”

“Yes, and you’ve personally witnessed how cruel my father can be.”

We start a slow walking pace down the dimly-lit cobblestone street. Now I notice Willy’s still using a cane.

“Why the cane? You're not crippled.”

“It adds character!” he smiles. “You’d be surprised how many uses it can have.”

I peer over at him with curious eyes. “What’s your story? You’re obviously not from here.”

Wonka grins. “That obvious, huh? You’re right. I’ve just come from sailing 7 years at sea.”

My eyes widen. “Sailing? That sounds fun! What’s it like? Are there sea monsters and mermaids? I’ve only ever read about what the outside world is like.”

The man chuckles at my response. “I never spotted one of those, though that doesn’t mean they could be real. Do you read much?”

“Yes. Books are what take me away from here.”

“I know someone who thinks the exact same thing,” Willy points at me as if he’s a salesman addressing a lucky customer. “Well, this is me.”

We’ve stopped at what looks like a dingy hotel. Hm. For being such a colorful character Wonka certainly picked a dodgy place to stay.

“Will you be back at the Galeries Gourmet tomorrow?” I ask anxiously. “People adore your chocolate so you’re bound to make a big profit.”

Willy takes off his hat and twirls it open his finger. “Sadly I’m afraid my business deals will have to be done under the table from now on. Or better yet, under the city.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that since I’m not allowed to sell chocolate in the Galeries Gourmet without a license then I’m selling it elsewhere.”

An uneasy feeling starts to churn in my stomach. Illegal chocolate? What has this world come to?

“Don’t worry.” He must have noticed my concern. “I made some new friends who have helped me come up with a plan. By tomorrow Wonka chocolate will be sold throughout the city for one sovereign apiece, unbeknownst to the police.”

I stifle a laugh. “You only charge one sovereign? No wonder father and the others are upset. That’s way too affordable for their standards.”

Willy just shrugs. “Chocolate shouldn’t be deprived from anyone.” He dramatically looks around to see if anyone’s watching and leans in to whisper: “If you wanna see us in action, stop by the bridge tomorrow.”

My breath catches. “B- But I’m… me.”

“Yes. You are you. What’s wrong with that?” he asks.

“I’m the daughter of one of the men who are trying to run you out of town.”

“So? You’re not your father, Charlotte. Seems to me like you want to change the world with chocolate as much as I do.”

“Psst!”

We both look up to see a girl’s face peeking out of the top window. She’s the one Willy was flying with earlier!

“Willy! Come on! I’ve got the milk, now get up here so we can make the chocolate!”

“Right!” Willy turns back to me and tips his hat as he starts sneaking off to the back stairs. “Sorry to rush Charlotte but duty calls! See you tomorrow!”

And tomorrow can’t come soon enough!

#wonka 2023 #willy wonka #willy wonka x reader #wonka movie #wonka x reader #arthur slugworth #felix fickelgruber #gerald prodnose #timothee chalamet #calah lane

[sl-newsie]

Behind Masks (Dr. Jonathon Crane x OC) Ch. 7: Escape

“What exactly did he put into the water system?” I ask Montoya as she shifts through paper files.

I’m currently waiting in Crane’s former office (that feels so good to hear!) while the detective is looking for my records.

“We’re not sure. Batman’s going to run some tests-”

“Batman?” My head perks up.

“Yes. He’s the one who found out about Crane’s operation. Some say he’s overstepping his boundaries and doing our work for us. Personally I think he’s a concerned citizen who’s trying to help clean out Gotham.”

Could this new vigilante be the answer? For weeks I’ve been waiting for justice to strike. If this Batman character causes the mob to get shaky then surely the rest of the scum in Gotham won’t dare to stand out anymore.

Another 20 minutes of searching goes by and I hear Montoya sigh.

“I’m sorry Dr. Prentiss but there’s complications with some of the paperwork. Your file’s not on record here.”

My mind does a flip-flop. “But that’s good, right? That should mean I’m not an inmate here.”

“Sadly that’s not the case now. A law just passed stating that any prisoner found without proper records is to be kept on lockdown until ID is recognized.”

“B-But I do have an ID! Just call my boss back in Metropolis, please!” I’m starting to shake. Whether it be from nerves or anger is unclear. “I am not insane!”

��I’m afraid you’ll have to remain here for the next week or so.” Montoya says calmly and walks out of the office, locking me inside my twisted psychiatrist’s lair.

That’s it, then. 10 years spent studying psychology and I wind up in a nuthouse as a patient forever.

Time truly is relative, because the clock shows I’ve only been in here for one hour but to me it feels like an entire day. Crane’s chosen decor of past MRI scans and ink blot tests don’t do any help to calm my spasming thoughts. When the sound of jingling keys rings through the air I almost think I’m imagining it.

“Not to fret, Dr. Prentiss,” Baxton taunts smugly and cuffs my limp hands, tugging me up and pushing me down the familiar beige hall. “You can consult your complaints with your new inmate Dr. Crane.”

Sounds peachy-keen.

Baxton stops in front of a cell and unlocks the door to shove me inside. This cell is similar to my old one except it’s more padded and instead of a bed there’s a single chair. One that is occupied by none other than Dr. Jonathan Crane, who’s wrapped tightly in a full body straightjacket. Just as before his eyes are wide and keep staring into an invisible abyss.

“What happened?” I ask the guard.

“The Batman sprayed him with an unknown gas. We think it’s a hallucinogen.”

I know exactly what kind of gas he used. Crane finally got a taste of his own medicine. Literally. Once Baxton walks off I casually strut up and kneel down to be at eye level with the crazed doctor.

“Well well well. Got what’s coming to you, Dr. Crane.”

If there’s any part of him that’s somewhat sane he does little to acknowledge he sees me. “Scarecrow…” He mumbles.

“Oh, excuse me,” I apologize sarcastically. “Scarecrow. How does it feel to have your brain turned inside out?”

“It’s… dark. Very dark…” He whispers, eyes flitting all over my face as if I’m about to attack him.

“Poor Johnny, all tied up. Who’s laughing now, hm?” I rest my chin on my fists and continue to stare as he breaks down further. “How long is the medicine supposed to last? If it was anything like what you gave me then it shouldn’t be but a few hours. Although from what I see here it looks like Batman gave you a stronger dose.”

At the mention of Batman Crane’s eyes get wider and he starts shaking. “Scarecrow…”

There’s no use trying to reach him. I remember back during the first few days of my experiments that it can take days to filter out what’s real and what’s fantasy. If Crane weren’t such an emotionless pain I might actually feel sorry for him.

What to do now… Since Crane’s the one who’s kept me locked in Arkham then maybe I can get some leverage to escape. 

“Knock knock.”

I look up at the new voice and see we have company. A group of 3 inmates has gathered outside our cell and the leader is twirling a familiar set of keys.

“Did Baxton take the evening off?” I peer suggestively at the keys.

“Let’s just say it’s time for our own therapy appointment with Dr. Crane,” the lanky man with the keys says darkly. He’s the very definition of an Arkham patient. Crazed eyes and a shaved head.

Adrenaline surges through me and my reflexes kick on. I step in front of Crane to block him from the inmates’ view. The only thing separating him from being pummeled is me and the cell door- which the inmate leader is now unlocking.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way, toots,” a taller brute says.

Hm. I suppose Crane does deserve a good talking to. Maybe some criticism is just what the doctor ordered-

Thud!

The bigger inmate’s fist collides with Crane’s jaw and he goes limp. This triggers the other two inmates to join in.

Oh no. My first prison riot. 

“Wait- Oh God!” I grab a hold of one’s jumpsuit and try to tear him away. “What are you doing? Stop! You’re hurting him!”

“Since when do you have sympathy for this freak?” The smallest one seethes. “He tested on all of us!”

“You of all people should know he needs to pay for it!” The leader jabs at me. “We heard he’d drug you up every single day. He must be punished!”

“But not like this! This isn’t justice-!”

Bang! Bang!

The sound of a baton lifts my hopes. Baxton’s back! Maybe he finally came to his senses-

“Come on. Let’s go.”

He grabs my ponytail and yanks me into the hallway. I try to pull away but Baxton grabs me from behind and drags me further away.

“But you can’t just-!”

Slap!

A sharp pain stings my cheek from where Baxton slapped me. “Let’s go. Now!”

I’m shoved into an empty cell and he stands in the doorway with a sinister grin.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

My eyes narrow. Where are the other guards? Can’t they see what’s happening? They should call the police! This is against all protocol!  “You can’t ignore a prison riot! This is anarchy!”

Baxton shrugs. “Gotham is anarchy, princess.”

My eyes flash in an angry sneer and I clutch the brute’s shoulders to give his privates a stiff blow. He crumples to the ground and cries out in agony, too stunned in pain to form words.

I lean down and get in his face. “It’s Prentiss!” I hiss.

Quickly I snatch the gun from his holster and rush back towards Crane’s cell. Inside I find the doctor barely conscious and the three inmates glaring down at his beaten face. I hope this works.

Bang!

 I fire a warning shot into the ceiling and everyone jumps to look at me.

“Stand down. Now!” I speak firmly but still maintain the persona of a therapist. “Take a deep breath and go back to your cells.”

The tallest one looks apprehensive but the others simply shrug and stride out. “Our work is done here.”

Yes. Their work has left the fear doctor in rough shape. A black eye is starting to spread onto Dr. Crane’s left eye and there’s a bad cut on his lip. And those are just the visible injuries. Lord knows what they’ve done to his internal organs.

“You’re coming with me.”

I unlock the chair he’s strapped in and wheel him down to his office. With his assistance and a little luck I can find what I’m looking for.

“Where’s the antidote?” I speak directly to him.

There must still be part of his sane self left because his eyes dart to look at a painting of Sigmund Freud. I step closer to feel around the frame’s edge and find a handle. Giving it a firm tug, the picture swings away on a hinge to reveal a hidden cupboard. Inside there’s an arrangement of test tubes and vials, each labeled with Crane’s scribbled writing. How do I know which one to use?

“Crane, which one is it?” I point to the cupboard.

The dazed doctor lifts his head up. The only response I get is a small hum. I guess I just have to pick one and hope for the best.

One vial in the front has the freshest writing, which leads me to believe it’s Crane’s most recent antidote. That’s my best shot. But how is it administered? Batman sprayed Crane with a gas, while I’ve only been injected with serums. Is the antidote supposed to be inhaled or injected?

“Scarecrow!”

Jesus! Crane’s sudden outburst makes me jump. His condition is deteriorating. It’s now or never.

“This is going to hurt,” I explain in a doctor-patient manner as I dig out a syringe from the desk and sterilize it. Now I just need to figure out how to get his arm exposed without Crane going ballistic. He’s starting to shake and break out in a sweat. “Just… try to hold still.”

I pick up a scalpel and slice a hole in the straightjacket. Crane sees this and shakes even harder. I need to be quick. 

“One, two, three.”

“Ah!” 

Crane winces when the needle pricks his pale skin. How long am I supposed to wait? What if there are side effects? Any allergic reactions? My on-a-whim thinking is starting to make me double-guess if this was the best option-

“What happened?”

Crane’s normal voice strangely seems to calm my nerves. I used to shiver at the sound of it but now instead of him being a creep it means he might be back to normal. His eyes aren’t as feral and he’s stopped shaking, looking around the room as if just awakened from a deep sleep. He takes one look at me and then notices the jacket he’s wrapped in.

Crane quirks an eyebrow. “Care to explain, Dr. Prentiss?”

I set the used syringe down and take a deep breath. “Batman sprayed you with a toxin. You’ve been in a deranged state for the past 72 hours. I’m the only one who thought to look for the antidote.”

“Hm. And care to explain why my face feels like I collided with a brick wall?”

Oh. Right.

“Some inmates chose to administer self-justice and nearly snapped you in two. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop them in time but I was being detained at the moment.”

Crane nods, still with a peculiar look. “How did you escape your cell?”

“Persuasion.”

“Sexual favors?”

I smirk. “You could say that. I kneed the guard in the crotch and persuaded him to let me escape.” I walk closer and kneel down to look at him with almost taunting eyes. “What was your plan, Crane? Before it all went south?”

The doctor’s brow furrows in confusion. “Gordon was in here asking me the same thing. Why should I tell you?”

“You have nothing to lose.”

“Are you going to knee me in the crotch too?”

I huff. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? No. I’m asking nicely.” Since he’s being resistant to the person who just gave him his sanity back I see no reason to help him anymore. My conscience is clear. “If you’re not worth my time I’m going to leave this God-forsaken place without you.”

Dr. Crane still has the same befuddled look as I stand up to leave. “I’m the one who tortured you. Why come back for me?”

I shake my head and turn to look at him with new-found sincerity. “You didn’t torture me. You helped me grieve.”

Something flashes in Crane’s eyes. Something I’ve never seen before- But in a split second it’s gone again and it’s back to his cold, calculating stare.

“You’re going to escape?”

“Yes.”

Crane tosses his head back and forth, seeming to decide his options. “If you release me I can get you out. Sadly I don’t think the staff is going to let me just waltz out of here after my… episode. Between that and your record of defying corrupted judges we’ll both have to go off the grid.”

“Agreed. I say we make a deal to get each other out. Then as soon as we’re past Arkham’s gates we go our separate ways.” I clap my hands together and walk closer. “Now that you’re your usual twisted self again am I right to assume it’s safe to remove the jacket?”

Screee! Screee!

Ow! A new alarm blares throughout the PA system. I have to cover my ears to block the painful noise. Unfortunately Crane has no use of his limbs.

“Prison break!” I try to yell over the sound. 

I walk back to the doorframe to get a better look outside. Baxton better not be- Oh my God.

“Crane… Arkham’s not that old, right? Please tell me there isn’t a button that releases all inmates at once?”

A few seconds go by and then Crane yells back: “Yes. There is.”

“Uh-huh. Now my next question: how easy is it to access that button?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because someone pressed it.”

It’s complete chaos. A human zoo. Dozens of inmates are sprinting up and down the hall, ranting and raving in every form of insanity possible. From what little I’ve seen so far there’s already been multiple fractures and abrasions. There’s no telling what damage they will do once they get ahold of weapons.

Uh-oh.

A tall man in dark clothing steps towards me. He is no inmate, yet his vicious gaze is enough to earn him a cell here just as much as the others. He pays no attention to me as I step out of his way and he tosses a familiar burlap mask onto Crane’s lap.

“Time to play.”

#jonathon crane #jonathon crane x reader #dr jonathan crane #scarecrow x reader #scarecrow #poison ivy #the riddler #harley quinn #the joker #two face #the penguin #batman #batman begins #the dark knight #the dark knigth rises #gotham #gotham tv #cillian murphy

[sl-newsie]

Went to Disney World for the first time. Walked to the Hall of Presidents and saw Teddy Roosevelt in the presentation. I immediately thought ‘My man! The guy who helped the newsies!’ 🗞️🤠

#newsies #newsies 1992 #newsies musical #newsies broadway #newsies live #teddy roosevelt #theodore roosevelt #disney #disney world #american history

[sl-newsie]

American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 13: Blessings In Disguise

Still no sign of Thomas. He’s still asleep, and the memory of our last encounter still runs a chill down my spine. Is he still upset? I didn’t intend to make him mad but he has to understand that it’s his own doing that’s digging him this hole of chaos. 

“Eat up, Finn,” I urge as I pass him some eggs. 

The young Shelby does quick work to devour his breakfast and goes to grab his hat.

“Whoa, whoa! Where’s the fire?” 

“‘M late for something,” he replies before dashing out the door.

I guess there’s never a quiet moment in this house-

“Morning.”

As I said. Never quiet.

“Morning, Mr. Shelby,” I answer quietly as Thomas steps in. His tone is much less gruff that I expected. Maybe he’s forgotten-

“About yesterday…”

He didn’t forget.

“You don’t decide my life, Steenstra. Same as how I don’t decide yours. Are we square?”

I sigh heavily and loom up at him with concerned eyes. “I know. You bring this on yourself, whether you might want it or not. I will apologize, so long as you apologize for letting your temper loose.”

The Peaky Blinder’s eyes widen in surprise. “Me? You want me to say sorry for yelling? Are you really that soft?”

Bam!

I slam my own fist onto the table and Thomas reaches for his pistol.

“That’s what it feels like, Thomas. To step on eggshells, not knowing what little thing might set the gunpowder off. What might set you off.”

Those blue eyes’ cold stare softens and I think he gets my point.

“I’m sorry,” I start.

Thomas nods. “I’m s-”

Just then John walks in. “Tommy! What gives?” He gestures to the gun and Thomas slips it back into its holster. “Tell her what happened, eh? We’ve got leverage, Verena! Met with some new partners at the Garrison yesterday.”

“Billy Kimber himself even made an appearance,” Thomas says.

Kimber? I thought I heard Polly call that bloke a piece of bad news. 

“Might have an alliance forming,” John agrees.

“You’re playing with fire,” I scold lightly and start to roll out more bread dough.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Thomas walk over and whisper smugly: “I don’t catch fire. Fire catches me, love.”

John rolls his eyes at his stupid pun and walks off towards the office. I expect Thomas to follow but instead he sits down and takes a drink. How is this man still alive from all this whiskey?

“Something’s wrong. What are you stressed about, hm? You look like you’re about to explode.”

Thomas sighs and pinches his forehead. “Ada and Freddie are still here.”

“So?” One would think Ada and Freddie’s close location would be a good thing, or at least that’s what my family is like. We all stick close to the same spot.

“I made a deal with the copper that he’d be run out of town.”

I dust the flower off my hands and gesture to Thomas. “Like I said. Playing with fire. Between that, the guns, and this Kimber fellow, I don’t know who’s going to kill you first.”

The blue-eyed gangster looks up at me with a teasing gaze. “You’d be sad to see that, eh?”

“It’d mean I lose my job.”

Yes, I would be sad to see Thomas dead. It’s sad to see anybody dead. After the trust I’ve earned from him it’s not easy to ignore my growing attachment. Mother always says my feelings are what trips me up. Either I lash out to establish my pride or have an overabundance of attachment for people I barely know. I got that from father. He can make friends with anyone.

“Do you have any work for me today, Mr. Shelby?”

“You’ve done enough this week. Take a day off.”

He doesn’t mean just housework. Throughout the week Polly’s been showing me the ropes of banking and record keeping for the Peaky Blinders. Thank God I’m halfway decent at basic math or I’d be sunk, though I do admit having to shift to British currency is a tricky reminder.

“Thank you, sir.”

I know exactly what I’m doing for my day off. After Thomas leaves for Lord knows what business I finish prepping the bread and set it out to rise before leaving the house myself. Thankfully Campbell’s been keeping out of my hair and bothering Thomas instead so I shouldn’t have any predicaments pop up.

The church is one of the only places here I can find a sense of peace. The afternoon sun glinting through the clouds casts warm shadows through the stained glass windows. The only offsetting about this scene is the person I spot in the back of the pews. Never once have I pictured Arthur Shelby as a religious man.

“You come here too?” I ask as I approach him and sit in the aisle across.

Arthur glares down at me. “You think I’m out of place?”

I shake my head to show no hostility. “Everyone is welcomed in the house of God. I just never expected you to walk in. Something wrong?”

He grunts and looks away. “Private stuff. You’re just the help.”

“I am. But that doesn’t mean my job defines me as a person. We don’t have to talk about what’s wrong, I’m just here if anyone feels like talking.”

With that I leave him to be with his thoughts and kneel to pray. Lord, these are good people who happen to be faced with rough situations. If you could please allow them just a brief peace of mind I would be most grateful-

“I still don’t know how you got Tommy to trust you.”

I look up at the oldest Shelby brother. His face has changed to one of a tired man, one who’s worn down.

“People keep asking me questions that I don’t know the answers to. All about Ada, the Black Swan Paddy, something about guns and the BSA.”

Ada I understand. As for the other two I haven’t heard a thing about them. Obviously the Paddy wasn’t a member of Uncle Colon’s family or else I would recognize him.

“Your family has a strong role in this community. That is an honorable position but also one that comes with high responsibility. You probably expect me to say some nonsense about ‘good things come to those who wait’ and all that. That can be true. But between you and your brothers I know you’re not patient enough to wait. So I will say this: no one has the answers for everything, Mr. Shelby. Try as we might there are always unanswered questions. To some that might seem scary, but I like to think of it as a chance to put faith in God. Whatever the plan is, I can’t control it. Neither of us can. So only worry about the small things you can control now.” I stand up and gesture to the church. “Can you do anything about suppressing rumors right here, right now?”

Arthur slumps in his seat. “No.”

“Then don’t stress over it. I know that won’t help much but mind tricks have a way of improving tricky circumstances.”

A few moments go by as Arthur thinks through my advice. Honestly I don’t even know where all of this wisdom is suddenly pouring from me. Sometimes my brothers say that just because I’m the youngest doesn’t mean they’re smarter. Not by a long shot. But what sense does it make for a random American woman to have to teach such things to criminal gangsters?

“You seem to have a lot of hope,” Arthur says after a while.

The hint of a smile at the corners of his mustache is payment enough. “Even in this gloomy place, there is always a sliver of hope if one is willing to look hard enough, Mr. Shelby.”

“You know, you’re alright, Steenstra. Suppose I pegged you as any other loud-mouth ditsy broad that skips across the pond.”

My own smile tugs at my lips though I do well to suppress my joy. There. Now all of my employers don’t hate me. 

“Hello.”

Arthur and I both glance over at Thomas, who’s standing in the doorway.

“Never expected you two to become chummy.”

My eyes narrow in consideration. “The Lord works in mysterious ways.”

Thomas lets out a grunt and goes on to sit next to Arthur. “Well on that note, I’m here to talk to my brother. So would you mind…?”

“Not in the slightest.” I stand up and give a nod to Arthur. “Feel better, Mr. Shelby.”

Thomas’ nose scrunches. “I’m fine.”

“I wasn’t talking to you,” I reply and pivot to walk back down the aisle. Have I forgotten his temper tantrum? No I have not. 

For the rest of my day off I finish baking my bread and even a few batches of cookies for John. Once that’s done I decide to try and find a park of sorts. 

“There’s a small patch of grass that’s considered a park on the other side of town,” Polly says when I ask her. “Though keep your wits about. There’s trouble there for unescorted women.”

I flash her the pistol tucked into my skirt. “That’s why I'm bringing this little helper.”

“Smart girl.”

It’s been nearly a month since the Shelbys have taken me in. Whenever I ask Polly about my debt toll she never gives me a straight answer. Part of me is starting to suspect she doesn't want me to leave so soon. Between Thomas and Ada’s words of praise I’m beginning to think me being stuck here is a blessing in disguise. Over the past weeks I’ve gotten a feel of the land so Polly’s directions steer me right to my destination. And she’s right. This is no park. This place makes Central Park look like the Smoky Mountains! But a walk in the park is a walk in the… patch of grass? Whatever. I’m outside, that’s what counts.

“Polly said you’d be here,” a voice calls from behind.

Is Thomas stalking me? Jesus, is being his go-to for venting make him this- this… watchful? Does he think I’ll tell someone?

“Come to scorn me for doing what you can’t?” When Thomas cocks his head in confusion I fill in the blanks. “Me helping your brother?”

He pats my shoulder and pulls out a cigarette. “I told him not to worry.”

That’s it? “You know you can’t just slap a bandaid on something like this and expect people to be ok. Your brother’s been through a lot, as have you. Nobody should go on keeping secrets in their own family.”

“I made up for it,” Thomas replies lazily. “I bought him a pub. He seemed excited.”

A pub? That’s wonderful! A distraction is just what Arthur needs. If he’s as excited as Thomas says, this will be good for both him and the Peaky Blinders.

I stop walking and look up at Thomas with a bewildered smile. “Just when I think all emotion has been drained out of you, you still surprise me, Thomas.”

He squints. “You call me that. I notice you haven’t been addressing me as ‘Mr. Shelby.’”

“You said we were on a first name basis,” I shrug. “Would you rather I return to calling you Mr. Shelby? It’s kind of confusing when there’s four of you.”

“Oh no, love. A first-name basis is just fine.”

#peaky blinders #peaky blinder fanfic #peaky blinder imagine #peaky fucking blinders #peaky fookin blinders #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby #arthur shelby #john shelby #finn shelby #polly gray #grace burgess #cillian murphy

[sl-newsie]

😳

y’all ever fantasize about a fictional character a little too hard to the point you’re convinced you should be admitted to a mental hospital?

#spot colon #thomas shelby #q #riff lorton #dr jonathan crane #dr spencer reid

[sl-newsie]

Query: Q x 00 Agent- Ch. 20: Waiting

Instead of announcing our engagement we've decided it’s safer to keep it secret until this mess blows over. For now I’ll keep Q’s ring on a chain around my neck. It’s subtle enough to remain inconspicuous. 

As Q and I make our way into the office I can’t help but shoot him a quick smile. He scrunches his face into a frown to remind me to behave and I almost burst out laughing. Unfortunately my happiness is short-ended because Nomi walks up with a concerned expression. 

“What’s the trouble?” I ask.

“Bond’s been asking about a meeting with Blofeld.”

“And Mallory said no?” Q guesses.

“I’m afraid so.”

I shake my head. “That doesn’t mean we do. Is there a way to sneak him in? Or at least one of us?”

“No need,” Moneypenny says as she approaches from M’s office. “Good news. Bond talked with M and convinced him to let us in on Heracles.”

“Wait ‘til you see what it does up close,” Q mutters to Nomi.

“There’s more news. Bond’s in the office,” Moneypenny informs us.

“What?” We all gasp.

Alright. Remember, I’m not supposed to have spoken or been in contact with Bond in any way. As far as M knows he’s been off duty and away from us. We all take a deep breath and walk through the oak doors to see Bond standing in front of M’s desk with an amused smirk.

Q’s acting does little to convince. “Bond! God! I- I haven’t seen you in- in- Um, how’s retirement?”

“Shut up Q, I know he’s staying with you,” Mallory groans at Q’s pathetic acting. “And you’re not in the clear either.” He gives me a pointed look. “Bond’s been reinstated as a 00. Now that we’re all on the same page, what have you got?”

Q shuts his mouth and goes on to set up his computer.

“And that’s why you’re not fit to lie,” I say smugly and tap his shoulder.

Nomi looks troubled but goes on to explain our research. “Q has studied examples of the victims’ samples at the funeral.”

The big screen on the wall comes to life and news images of different funerals flash across it.

“These are the family members who made direct contact with the corpse. We found traces in all their blood samples.”

“Good work,” M comments.

Nomi ignores the subject. “00 what?”

Jesus, Nomi. It’s just a number.

“What are they?” Moneypenny asks.

“They’re nanobots,” Q explains. “Microscopic biorobots that can enter your system with the slightest contact with your skin.

“Programmed with DNA to target specific individuals,” Mallory says.

“But Blofeld modified them to infect anyone related to the target. It could target individuals to whole ethnicities. You infect enough people-”

“And the people become the weapon,” Bond finishes.

Dear God. Who could even think of carrying out this idea? Turning one’s own flesh against them simply by touching someone… It raises far too many ethical questions.

“It was never meant to be a weapon of mass destruction,” M says softly. “Only as a last result. Now I must call the Prime Minister. Q, hack into Blofeld’s eye. See what you can find.”

I stride forward to where Bond’s standing. “Can I go too?”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to stay behind,” M informs me. “Bond can deal with Blofeld.”

Left behind again. Sure, Bond gets all the fun and gets to interrogate while I’m stuck doing paperwork.

“Good luck,” I mutter to my old colleague.

“Nice necklace,” 007 murmurs with amusement. Before I can flash him a warning look Bond gives my hand a shake. “I’ll crack Boefeld like an egg. See you in 10.”

He walks out and I’m left to wait. No surprise that Q’s already heading back to the lab. I know tech is not my strong suit but at this point I’ll do anything to help. I head downstairs and find the screens he’s sitting in front of flashing with multiple images of blueprints, maps, and other patterns too fast to make out.

“Stuck in the basement again, I see.”

“Quiet. Trying to focus.”

I walk over and plop down into a chair next to him. “Need help?”

Q lets out an annoyed grunt. “This eye is harder to crack than I’d hoped. Got anything in mind?”

“A sledge hammer might help.”

Q tilts his head, still looking at the eye. “How is the thought of you with a sledge hammer both arousing and terrifying? Ah! Got it!”

I hear something click and then a female’s voice says: ‘Blofeld’s eyeball unlocked.’

“You look like a child on Christmas morning,” I comment on Q’s overjoyed face. “It’s adorable.”

‘Accessing files: 477, 478, 479…’

Now I’m back to waiting. I suppose there are other things I can do to be useful. “Want any tea while you work?”

“You know me so well. Yes, please.”

In no time at all I brew some Earl Gray and my own mug of hot chocolate. When I return I see on one of Q’s smaller screens that Bond’s heading towards the detention level.

“Thank you, darling,” Q says as he takes a sip of tea. “Think Bond will keep his cool when he sees Swann again?”

I huff a stale laugh. “Who can say? I’m curious to how she’ll respond. What do you say to an ex you abruptly left 5 years ago?”

The geek rolls his eyes. “You know I can’t answer that. I’m hopeless when it comes to social interaction equations.”

“And that’s why I love you.” I give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

We wait a few minutes and the screen shows Bond and Dr. Swann stepping into Boefeld’s cell. At the last minute the blonde psychiatrist backs out and leaves Bond to make contact with the one-eyed criminal. It looks like it’s going to be his usual method. Strangle the bloke until Bond gets what information he wants. But wait- Something's wrong. Boefeld’s not moving…

“Q… What’s wrong with him?” I point to the screen.

The geek looks over from where he’s still working on the eye and freezes. He abruptly gets up and sprints out of the room. Should I follow? M said to stay here. But I can’t just- no. Someone needs to guard the eye. I must be patient. On the monitor I watch Bond exit the cell while medical staff examine Boefeld’s body. No doubt everyone will rendezvous back here since it appears to be a contamination issue. Maybe the smart blood isn’t working properly?

In a few minutes Bond and Q walk in, followed by M and Nomi.

“What happened?” I ask anxiously.

“Um… Bond was infected with the nanobots back in Cuba,” Q explains. “When he touched Boefeld they killed him.” He gestures for Bond to place his hands on a nearby machine. “I need your fingerprint. You’re lucky you aren’t related or you’d be dead too.”

“So how do I get this off?” Bond asks.

“Um, you don’t. You can’t. Nanobots aren’t just for Christmas. Once Hercules is in your system it’s in there forever.”

Jesus. This is why I keep a close eye on MI6’s medical requirements. How could M think that something so deadly and permanent could be a good thing?

“I’m so sorry, Bond-”

“No time for that, 0011,” Bond grunts and looks over at M. “Did they find her car?”

He must mean Dr. Swann. 

“They traced it but she abandoned it,” Nomi says. “Hasn’t been to her flat. Is she one of them? Do you have any idea where she might have gone?

“No. I wouldn’t know.”

Bond’s clearly lying. He knows exactly where she is, I’m sure of it. But if he wants to keep things from M I don’t blame him. Without a word he gets up and strides out of the room before M can argue. We all look at each other thinking the same thing. What now? Boefeld was one of our only leads and we have no inkling of where Dr. Swann is.

“Our best bet is to wait for the field agents to report back,” M decides and walks out.

Is he serious? There’s a biological warfare crisis going on and he wants to wait it out? 

“This is ridiculous!” I throw my arms up. “I should be out there trying to help investigate!”

“Don’t beat yourself up, Levie,” Moneypenny says. “M’s been especially protective of your assignments these past few weeks because he doesn't want you getting infected too. You’re one of our youngest 00s and he wants to keep you safe for liabilities”

“So that’s it? I’m forced to sit back and watch the world erupt into chaos because I’m a child? So that if Bond ends up dead I’ll step in?” I argue. “That’s not fair! I’m a 00 same as him or Nomi. I should be helping!”

Both her and Q exchange looks. What? What else do people say behind my back?

“You’re a brilliant agent, 0011,” Moneypenny replies softly, as though talking to a wild animal. “But Bond is right. You do have a big heart, which can get in the way. If M sends you out now your connection to Bond might distract you.”

My jaw drops. “Are you saying I’m incapable of carrying out what’s necessary? Bond was my mentor, Moneypenny. You think he wouldn’t have taught me to adapt to any worst case scenario? He specifically trained me to keep going if he dies.”

I shake my head and storm out the door towards the training room, hoping some major sprinting will calm my nerves. How can they think that? Why does everyone think that you can either be an emotional sucker or a deadpan machine? In this insane world the only thing I can rely on is the potential chance of death. That threat never dies in this job.

I’ve been running for about half an hour when I see Q walk into the room. He looks so out of place here in his spiffy suit.

“Cooled down yet?”

I come to a stop next to him and take a swig of water. “Don’t test me, Q. I’m not in the mood to talk about my fragile heart.” Which is currently pumping too fast for me to count.

“Hey,” the geek says in a slightly offended tone and presses a finger to my chest. “It’s that heart I fell in love with, darling. It’s just as you say: sometimes love is the only thing that keeps us human.”

I frown. “I’ve never said that.”

“Yes but it seems like something you’d say.”

I smile and huff at his childish joke. “Cute. Is there anything I can help with now since I’m too emotional for the field?”

Q sighs and rubs his head. “Never going to let that go, huh?”

“Nope.”

“Fair enough. Fine, you can come help me in the lab. There’s a new watch prototype I’ve been meaning to finish.”

After I quickly shower and put on a fresh set of clothes I head back to the technology wonderland. Q’s hunched over his desk peering at a snazzy-looking watch.

Beep! Beep!

Q’s phone goes off, startling both of us. He takes it out and puts it on speaker.

“Q, I’m sending you a picture of an island.” It’s Bond. “Find where it is, as well as everything you can on a man called Lyutsifer Safin. I’m going to need a plane, a big one. I’ll send you my location shortly.”

He must have found Dr. Swann. 

“The island is in disputed waters between Japan and Russia,” Q states as he does a quick search on his laptop. “It has a chemical plant dating back to World War II. Seems it’s had quite a history. When do you need the plane, Bond?”

An idea pops into my head. “Wait. Bond, where are you?”

In the background we hear a commotion before Bond speaks again. “I think my position’s been compromised. Q, I’ll need that plane quickly. Think you can get it to me?”

The geek clicks through some files and nods. “Right then, yes. We’ll be there.”

We? Since when is Q so giddy to get out in the field?

Beep! Beep!

Now my own phone goes off and I pick it up to see Nomi calling.

“0011, I’ve just received a lead from Bond. Have you heard from him?”

My idea starts spinning faster. “He’s just requested a plane but has failed to mention his location as of now.”

“I don’t want to assume anything but I think there might be a child involved.”

This pushes me to make up my mind. “I’m going after them. Nomi, I’m going with you. I’ll meet you out there in one hour.”

I hang up and sprint over to grab my bag of supplies, opening the garage door to access my motorcycle.

Q’s already trying to argue. “There’s no reason to-” 

“I will not just sit here doing bloody nothing while my best friend is out there! I’ve been useless for 5 years, might as well give those goons a good punch now.”

I feel Q walk up behind me and grab my shoulders, turning me to face him. In his face I see something that is completely new to me: fear. Q is afraid.

“I’ll be back,” I say soothingly. “I promise.”

He shakes his head, tears wanting to form in his eyes. “What if you get knocked out again? What if this time you never wake up?”

I do admit the risk of dying is much more frightening now that Q and I are officially an item. It’s this kind of situation that Bond warned me about. But I know Q’s in this with me. I’m not alone. And right now I need to put my own needs aside to serve my country.

“I can make a difference. If I don’t help, who will? I’ve been trained for this my whole life.” I grab Q’s tie and lean up to press a deep kiss to his chapped lips. He must have been biting them because of nerves. It’s little traits like that make him special. Someone worth fighting for. I’m not only fighting for my country, but for Q. And for the safety of everyone around the world.

“This is the way it is, Q. I’ve got a job to finish.”

#quartermaster x reader #quartermaster #q x reader #james bond #daniel craig #ben whishaw #skyfall #spectre #no time to die #007 #james bond 007

[sl-newsie]

American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 12: Congratulations and Conflicts

“Morning, Verena,” Ada announces as she joins me in the kitchen. “Sleep well?”

The memory of talking with Thomas last night replays in my mind yet again. Ever since I woke up I can’t stop thinking about it for some odd reason.

“As good as I can, I suppose. How are you feeling?” I gesture to her stomach.

Ada bites her lip as she spreads mustard on a bagel. “Um, alright I guess. I just- I never expected to be pregnant. I kept hoping it would pass but when the doctor confirmed it my whole life changed. One moment I’m my own self without any burdens and the next I’m carrying Freddie’s child.”

Freddie. That must be her lover. With a little luck he’ll keep his love for Ada and stand by her through this journey.

“I don’t have any experience of what you’re going through Ada, but it’s completely natural to fear the unknown.”

Ada squeezes her eyes shut and plays with the hand towel. “It’s not just that. It’s what people are going to say that I’m afraid of. That’s why I’m hiding it.”

Something about the way she says that makes my stomach churn. She couldn’t- Could she? Polly might have mentioned it to her…

“God have mercy.” I look up at her with petrified eyes. “You’re going to kill it, aren’t you?”

Ada’s face hardens. “It’s not your decision.”

“I know. But I’m still a Christian. It doesn’t mean my morals are turned off just so I can agree with you.” I take a deep breath. Not everyone sees what they’ve been blessed with right away. Ada’s right. In this harsh society rumors of her pregnancy will spread like wildfire. 

“I won’t fight you, Ada.” She continues to avoid my gaze. “I still disagree, but letting that tear apart an acquaintanceship with you isn’t worth it.”

The Shelby woman turns and squeezes my shoulder. “That’s all I’ll ever ask for.” Before I know it she pulls me into a hug. “It’s not easy being one of the only two women around here. Thanks for getting lost, Verena.”

I playfully scoff at her dark joke. “I never meant to get stuck here, Ada. I’m in your debt, remember?”

“Oh please!” Ada huffs and goes on to eat the disgusting bagel. “You’ve practically got everyone wrapped around your little finger.”

She wanders off to her room before I can ask further. She’s joking, right? There’s no way I’ve done that much here-

“What’s in the books for today?”

Except that.

“Morning, Finn. Don’t you want a day off? We’ve been doing lectures for the past week!”

The young Shelby slouches and grabs an apple. “What else can I do? If Aunt Polly sees me lounging about she’ll make me do chores.”

Realization hits me in the head and I smirk. “Ah, I see. You use me to cheat out of chores. Well Finn, sometimes the simplest tasks can teach us hidden lessons.” What else can… Ah-ha! “Finn, I do have something for you to do.” He immediately looks up. “I need you to complete what’s on this list in the next hour.”

I hand Finn a scrap piece of paper and he scrunches his face as he reads it. “These are chores.”

“Exactly. When you’re done we can discuss what you learn.”

“I don’t get it-”

“Chop chop!” 

I clap my hands and shoo him off. When he’s out I slump against the wall and sigh. Maybe now I can have some quiet time- Nope. The always-revolving door opens yet again and I hear heavy footsteps slump into the kitchen. I don’t even need to look up to know it’s Thomas. He sits down at the table and makes quick work to pour himself a glass of Irish whiskey.

“You’re in a bad mood,” I observe.

Thomas sees me slouched on the floor and grunts. “Monaghan Boy lost.”

“And you think drowning yourself in alcohol will fix that? What about the new horse?”

“Had to kill him. He was cursed.”

My jaw drops. “You- You killed…? God, all you Shelbys ever do is kill! You surround yourself with death and then wonder why you’re so unhappy!”

Bam!

Thomas bangs a fist on the table. “I don’t need this bloody argument, Steenstra!” 

He stands up and heads back to the door, slamming it shut. I think that’s the first time Thomas has ever yelled at me. And it’s kind of scary. I make a mental note never to get on his bad side and get up to walk down the hall to Ada’s room. I knock twice but there’s no answer. Either she’s ignoring me, she’s sleeping, or she snuck out the window. More than likely it’s the last scenario. 

“Done!” Finn sprints into the room waving the list like he just won a war. “All done!”

His bright smile almost makes me forget Thomas’ outburst. “Good job, Finn.”

“What’s wrong?”

Smile, Verena. You can’t just blurt out that his brother yelled at you. He does that to everyone. Why should you be any different?

“Too much thinking, Finn.” I shake the dark thoughts away. “Did you learn anything?”

Finn lets out an exasperated groan. “What can I learn from sweeping? Or beating the rug?”

“You took thirty minutes, half the time I gave you. And now that you have some extra time we can do a quick lesson.”

A few seconds go by and then Finn slowly gets a cheeky smirk on his face. “I see what you did there.”

“See? The lesson was time management!” I laugh and pull out my bookbag. “Now what’s today’s topic going to be?”

The rest of the day goes on much more smoothly. Yes I’m still dreading my next run-in with Thomas but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. Right now I’m prepping an afternoon snack-

“I’m back,” Polly calls as she comes through the front door.

“Do you know where Ada is? She’s not in her room.”

Polly sets her bag down and grabs an apple. “She’s gone. Off to marry Freddie.”

So she’s keeping the baby! I’m so glad to hear it! Call it womanly instinct, but the death of a child can be much more traumatic and emotional compared to an adult because a child hasn’t gotten to live out their life yet. I haven’t gone through parenthood yet but I deeply sympathize with parents who have lost a child. Having a child is the greatest blessing in life and to have that taken away is devastating.

As for Ada running off, I can’t say I’m surprised. That sounds like something she’d do. 

“If you can, please pass on my congratulations to them,” I say with a wide smile. “Does Thomas know?”

“No.” Polly holds up a hand. “I’ll tell him so you won’t get the full blast of his tantrum.”

I bite my lip and avoid her gaze by busying myself with wiping down the counter. “Bit late for that, I’m afraid. He lashed out this morning and left, no doubt to go get drunk somewhere.”

Just then the door opens again and John walks in with a fit of tipsy laughter.

“Afternoon, ladies! How goes it?”

“Cut the chatter, John. Where’s Tommy?” Polly asks.

“Ath the Garrison. You should've seen the look on Tom’s face! A love-struck sucker if I ever saw one.”

Polly scoffs. “For who?”

“That barmaid, Grace. It’d be nice if at least one Shelby could keep a steady family,” John says as he takes a drink from the whiskey bottle on the table.

Polly huffs and walks down the hall to her room, leaving me flabbergasted to John’s words.

“None of you are married?” My jaw drops.

John takes another drink. “Arthur always puts business first. Tommy’s never even heard of love. Finn’s too young. And I’m a widower.”

Interesting. For all the glamor and excitement the Shelbys flaunt they’ve never settled for a simple family life.

“I’m so sorry. What was her name?”

“Martha,” John sighs. “She gave me 4 beautiful kids.”

I grab the cookie jar and plop down next to him. John immediately reaches for a biscuit.

“I can tell you really love your kids, John.”

“I do. Just wish I could find them a suitable mother,” John slurs. “If it’s any comfort, if you didn’t already love Tommy I’d take you.”

Obviously his drunk words hold little meaning. John’s looking for anyone and I just happen to be the woman sitting next to him. Yet somehow his words leave me questioning just how deep my feelings for Thomas go.

“I don’t love him. At least, not in the way people might expect me to. He’s a good friend. I love all you Shelbys. But thank you, John. I know that means a lot.”

“No problem love…” John murmurs as he drifts off with his head on the table.

Once again another Shelby brother has left me deep in thought about what my purpose here is. The Lord works in mysterious ways, as Polly would say. Whatever’s in store for me, I know it’s going to be a wild ride if it’s anything like the past few weeks.

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