Felon Failing Fallen

'Some development,' Mavin took it in a firm grip and kept her eyes on him.

"I'm guessing this facility's under heavy surveillance." Wagner pointed.

Mavin nodded without any patience and she bellowed for Hairo on her radio. He made his way toward Mavin and fell at ease when he saw her seemingly calm face. If only he knew.

"Did you get it on tape?"

"Carver is on it but judging from the scene, I doubt we did." Hairo said quietly.

"There you have it, Detective. Do all the questioning you want, seal off the scene and follow your leads, that's all I can help you with now. Hairo, see to it that he gets all the co-op he needs and I want copies of all the tapes from the last twelve hours." Mavin said and made her way back into the main building.

She walked briskly through the first lobby and made a sharp turn into the security department. She headed straight for the control station and motioned the officer on duty to switch into the main channel. She had an announcement to make.

"Attention staff and personnel of Lecter Corp. As you all most likely know, a horrible tragedy has taken place and we lost the former director of this facility, Dr. José Sanchez. The NYPD is investigating the matter and as they do, I ask you all to be cooperative and honest with them. That's all for now." Mavin's voice wavered slightly as she steeped away from the mic.

As she turned to leave the room, she saw about three vans with satellite dishes mounted on two of them. The press had been alerted.

"Shit!" Mavin exploded out of the room. She had to get to Bellinda before the media did. Her day couldn't possibly get any worse.

**********

Mavin didn't realize until she stopped that she'd arrived at her destination. Her mind was jumbled and raw with shock. She got out of her car and was slapped by the cold biting wind, causing her eyes to sting and tear up. She squinted and blinked a few times as she walked into Illusions.

"Oh, hey there." Adam smiled.

"Wassup Adam, is she in?"

"Yeah, go right in."

Mavin didn't wait for the words to leave his lips, she went for the door and found it slightly ajar. She walked in and her heart fell on the floor. She was too late and Bellinda was just catching the six o'clock news.

Mavin took two giant steps and wrapped her arms around Bellinda who proceeded to burst into tears. The tall woman was secretly relieved that the bad news didn't come from her but that was soon replaced by guilt as she felt Bella's body quaking with tears.

Bellinda cried for what seemed like forever, screaming heaven knows what in Spanish, cursing, pinching and at one point, biting into Mavin's chest. The dark butch couldn't stand to see her girlfriend in this much pain, or any at all. Wait...what?

She held Bella in her strong arms, whispering into her ear, trying to soothe her. After another seemingly manic episode of heart-wrenching tears, Bellinda managed to pull herself together, barely. She leaned back but didn't leave Mavin's embrace.

"I don't believe this." Bella whispered and threatened to burst again.

"I'm sorry baby." Was all Mavin could say as she pulled Bellinda into a tighter hug.

"How did it happen?" Bellinda sobbed, "Why would anyone want him d-dead?"

"We'll figure it out, I promise." Mavin said as Bella leaned back, sobbing anew. Mavin's heart clutched again when she saw the tears shimmering on her flushed face. "Hey, hey, they won't get away with this." Mavin thumbed a fresh tear away.

They stayed like that for about twenty minutes, just holding each other. Bellinda pressed her head into Mavin's chest, listening to the steady thump of the tall woman's heart. She inhaled Mavin's scent, a subtle hint of passionate cologne and warm flesh.

"Stay with me tonight." She looked up into Mavin's eyes.

"You're sure?" Mavin exhaled.

"Yes. Besides, José wouldn't want it any different." Bellinda said with a sad smile.

'Neither would I' Mavin thought and sighed again. Despite the shock that still held her seized, Bellinda's voice was intoxicating. Having the redhead safe in her arms, felt good to Mavin.

"I'd be-" Mavin started just as her cell rang. She scrambled for it and saw it was her brother. "Wassup Z."

"Oh man, I just saw the news. Are you okay?" Zeke said with worry in his tone.

"Hardly but yeah, I'm aight."

"Oh good...Damn, I'm sorry about José. I know y'all were real close."

"Thanks Bro. You're not in town are you?"

"We're settling at the crib in Westbury."

"Shit, why didn't you call me sooner?" Mavin said as Bellinda pulled away and sat on the edge of her desk, watching the dark woman.

"There was no need. I know you hate being bothered."

"Yeah, whatever man. Listen, I'm in the middle of something here, I'll call you later."

"Alright Vin. Becca says hi."

"Yeah, she's always tryna start something." Mavin humored her brother.

"Don't even think about it." Zeke laughed.

"Oh come on, what do you have to worry about? She's all straitlaced."

"Well, you do have a history of undoing such laces." Zeke roared over the phone.

"Haha! You know she's safe. Gotta go Zeke." Mavin laughed and ended the call. "My brother." Mavin said to Bellinda.

"And he's here?"

"Yeah, um...he's here with his family in Westbury."

"I didn't know you had a brother." Bellinda said and moved to sit on the lounge chair.

"I do." Mavin said and wasn't willing to say more.

"How come you never told me?"

"It never came up." Mavin tousled her hair, a gesture that always gave Bellinda visions of Mavin's freshly showered body, rippling under a tight shirt and satin boxers.

"And what else hasn't come up?" Bellinda pulled Mavin into the chair and straddled her.

"Bellinda come on, not now." Mavin breathed.

"Why, is it so hard for you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You, and why you're keeping a distance between us."

"And what's the hard part?"

"Well, you won't open up to me about anything. You know more about me than I do you." Bellinda said, her face was still flushed and her eyes, glassy. Mavin couldn't help but think she was about to start crying over this history quiz.

"Baby, I don't think now's the right time to talk about this. I mean, José's body is still at the morgue for fuck's sake."

"My uncle has nothing to do with what I wanna know about you."

"Now, how can you say that. We're talking about José here." Mavin said, and sputtered as her temper flared.

"I know. He raised me and I consider him to be my father. I love him just as much as you do. But I also know he was a cheerful man and wouldn't want anyone he loved to suffer."

"Mourning is not suffering Bellinda."

"Mavin, please don't change the subject." Bellinda said tiredly.

"Fine but this interview is over." The tall woman responded and began to shutdown.

"No Mavin, no." Bellinda slid her hands up Mavin's chest and into her collar, wrapping her palms around Mavin's neck and jaw. "I wanna talk."

"You're free to talk." Mavin said quietly, as calmly as her aggravated mood allowed.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what, Bellinda?" Mavin felt her temples throbbing. Not only did she have her temper to deal with, but the sight of Bellinda's creamy thighs having been abandoned by the skirt that was now bunched up at her hips. "What do you want? You want to get hurt, huh...Is that it?" Mavin said through clenched teeth.

"I just want you, anyway I can have you."

"You already have me, any more and you stand to get hurt." Mavin sighed, the heat of Bellinda's center on her abs was slowly driving her insane. "That's not want I want."

"Have you fucked anyone else since we've...you know...been together?" Bellinda asked and caught Mavin completely off-guard.

"What?!"

"Have you fucked anybody else since you've known me?" Bellinda asked more pointedly.

"Why do you want to know this?" Mavin threw her head back and stared at the ceiling.

"So you have?"

"I didn't say that."

"So what are you saying, yes or no?" Bellinda pressed her body harder into Mavin's chest.

"Yes." Mavin gulped as her head snapped back up and both women locked eyes.

"How many times?"

"Tread lightly babe. You're playing with fire."

"I am fire." Bellinda hissed into Mavin's ear. "Answer my question."

"I wasn't counting." Mavin mumbled.

"Fine, pick a number." Bellinda traced her tongue up Mavin's neck.

"Ohh...Four or five." Mavin groaned, she didn't know how the hell they got here but she wasn't about to lie. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"And the number of women?" Bellinda prodded further. The answers were almost devastating but the logic was irresistible.

"Two." Mavin was tripping on Bellinda's scent. So toxic, yet she wanted more.

"So you've had repeats?"

"If you wanna call it that." Mavin slid her hands over Bellinda's exposed thighs.

"Did you enjoy it?" Bellinda pushed her near-spilling cleavage right under Mavin's chin.

"Yes." Mavin's lips brushed the hot skin on Bella's chest. "What the fuck is this about?"

"And you don't feel guilty at all?" Bellinda heard the sharp intake of air as she flicked her tongue over Mavin's fleshy lobe.

"No, I didn't commit a crime." Mavin's hands wound up clasping Bellinda's ass.

"You're surprisingly calm."

"Hmm." Mavin responded, mostly because she was enjoying what Bella was doing at her ear.

"What do you get out of it?" Bellinda struggled to keep control of the situation as Mavin's fingers played 'find the thong' between her ass cheeks.

"Depends on what I want at the moment."

"What do you want right now?"

"I'm content." Mavin nuzzled her face in the supple breasts sitting under her nose, just as her fingers reached the thong and snapped it over Bellinda's ass.

"Well what if-" It was Bella's turn to suck air when she felt Mavin's finger sliding between her wet lips and back up to nudge her pulsing asshole. Just then, Adam popped into the room.

"Oh excuse me." Adam said and made no move to leave as fast as he came in.

"Hey Agua Lad, you've met Mavin." Bellinda didn't get off Mavin since there was no point trying to hide anything now.

"Why yes, under less heated conditions." Adam smiled at the two.

"Adam, my uncle was shot and killed today and I still don't know what to make of it. I doubt I'll be able to get out of bed when it finally hits me."

"Oh Bee, I'm so sorry." Adam went to hug his friend over Mavin. "Great way to provide comfort." Adam winked at the dark woman.

"Um...this is a bit awkward." Mavin muttered to herself as she pulled her hands from Bella's ass.

"Well, that explains it." Adam took a deep breath, "The press is out waiting to be fed."

"What?!" Bellinda got up from Mavin and adjusted her skirt.

"Yeah, they're camped outside. I didn't say anything to them but they're there. You know, at first I was about to invite them in, but there's no mention of them in the schedule so I didn't. They keep multiplying in number and I figured you should know."

"This can't be about José, can it?" Bellinda turned to Mavin.

Mavin clasped her hands behind her head and stretched. "Feel like closing early?"

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

"Miss Ross, how do you feel about your uncle's death?"

"There're rumors that he was assassinated by the leaders of a rival company. Is this true?"

"What will you do with his estate?"

"Miss Ross, can we have a statement?"

Reporters and various media personnel were camped outside Illusions, ready to pounce on anyone brave enough to step out of the building. They clamored with questions, shoved their equipments in Bellinda's face as she made her way out of the building with Mavin's arms around her. Mavin received her share of the frenzy as well, but the scowl on her face did the trick of keeping most of it at bay.

Adam wasn't far behind. He lagged so he could lock up the gallery as his friends drew the media away. Once he was sure they'd gotten into Mavin's car, he zipped back indoors, to make sure everything was okay and then he slipped out to his car. He wondered what it would have been like if they'd actually used the main entrance. The press seemed to be able to predict their route and had already set up shop in the parking lot and side entrances.

"Some holiday this is gonna be." Adam muttered as he peeled out and tried to catch up with Mavin.

"Where're we going?" Bellinda asked when she realize they were taking a bridge.

"I didn't think it would be a good idea to go to your place since we'd probably be followed and there's no way in hell I'm gonna tolerate the media at my place, so we'll head up to Westbury." Mavin said slowly.

"Your brother's place?"

"Well, kinda. It's more like a family home so it belongs to us."

"You get along with your brother?"

"No doubt." Mavin smiled, "And, today of all days, you'll get to meet him. He's a really genuine guy."

"So he's there all by himself?"

"Nah, Becca and the kids are with him. You'll see them soon. Just mind Becca, she seems to think I'm ready to settle down."

"And you're not?" Bellinda poked Mavin's side.

Mavin didn't respond, instead she swerved into her exit and prayed they wouldn't get caught in rush-hour traffic.

"I don't see Adam." Mavin said after a while. "Call him, make sure he's in the zone."

"I'm so excited to meet your family." Bellinda said as she dialed Adam.

"I don't know what could be exciting about an army general and a fashion designer."

"Really?!" Bellinda almost shrieked. "Wow, that's a weird combo."

"Don't worry, we're almost there. You can test your theory."

**********

They pulled into the driveway of a suburban mansion, the holiday home of the Bright family. Mavin had called ahead to announce her arrival and wasn't surprised to find Zeke and his family waiting outside for them. Bellinda thought it was incredibly sweet that the family had the biggest smiles on their faces which were illuminated by Mavin's headlights.

"We're here." Mavin turned to Bellinda, "you ready?"

"Yes." The latina smiled.

With that, they both got out of the car and headed to the main door. Adam had broken off their route and headed back home because he had a date with Jason.

"Well, well, if it ain't my twin musketeers." Mavin said just as she was almost bulldozed by her twin nieces, Louise and Sharon. The two girls were identical but Mavin never had any trouble telling them apart. She swept them up in her powerful arms as they showered her with hugs and kisses.

"We missed you, Mavin." They said in unison.

"And I missed you a ton." Mavin responded lovingly.

"Guess what." Sharon whispered in to Mavin's right ear. "Daddy promised us a kitty for Christmas."

"But mom said we can't have one." Louise, the wild one said. "He got us bikes for our birthday."

"Yeah, they're so cool. You wanna see?" Sharon squealed.

"I love your hair, Vin." Louise said and started toying with Mavin's dreaded locks.

"Yeah it's longer now." Sharon said and joined her sister.

"Alright, girls. Let 'em in." Zeke said as he and Becca approached them.

"Who's that?" Louise asked of Bellinda, who stood behind Mavin, watching.

"Yeah, she's pretty." Sharon added.

"Oh, oh, my apple-jeez." Mavin grinned as she set her nieces down.

"I can't believe you remember that." Sharon giggled.

"Hey guys, there's someone I want you to meet." Mavin slipped her arm around Bellinda and pulled her forward. "Zeke, Becca, musketeers, this is Bellinda Ross."

"Ah Bellinda Ross, of Senator Jack Ross?" Zeke flashed his perfect teeth. Bellinda couldn't see him too well in the shadows.

"That's right." Bellinda felt warm all over. Probably because Mavin was holding her close.

"You must be special." Becca's voice was melodic. She smiled and moved to kiss Bella's cheeks. "Welcome to our home, which you'll see in a minute." Becca said with good humor and began to pull Bellinda into the house with Louise and Sharon trailing behind, introducing themselves as only curious 7-year olds could.

"When's the wedding?" Zeke asked just as he jabbed Mavin's shoulder.

"Now why would you ask me that?" Mavin shoved her brother.

"Well, of all the ones I've heard of, I can count how many you've actually brought home."

"There's always a good reason, but yeah, she's special to me." Mavin smiled at her brother.

"But no wedding?"

"Z come on, we're taking it slow."

"Aight, but she's fine though." Zeke said with an expression that made him look pained.

"She's outta your league." Mavin smirked.

"Aw, you had to do that." Zeke pouted and then both of them busted out laughing.

"Yeah." Mavin said as they finally got through the door.

"We're in here!" Becca called from the kitchen.

"Okay honey!" Zeke called back, "Hey, you wanna see Becca's gift?" He whispered to Mavin.

"You'll show it to me whether or not I do." Mavin grinned.

"No, I really think I outdid myself." Zeke said excitedly.

"Noo, that's impossible. After last year?" Mavin smiled as she followed her brother to another wing of the house.

********** Moments later **********

"Really? I've always wondered about that." Becca said, her accent, sensual and French. "And you've owned it for 5 years?"

"Yeah, it's all about expression." Bellinda said as she sipped the vanilla tea she couldn't get enough of.

"Interesting. So, how did you do it?" The robust woman said with an inflection Bella missed because she'd heard the sound of tea moving down her throat.

"Well, a lot of hard work, study and natural talent, I suppose."

"Oh my, her brother wasn't that difficult."

"Uh, I'm sorry...Are you talking about Mavin?" Bellinda gagged on her tea when she realized she'd missed Becca's train.

"Why yes dear. The one and only." Becca said with an endearing smile.

"Oh, um...in that case, I don't think I've really cracked that code."

"There's no need for cracking, just understanding and patience." Becca said with an air of maturity.

"Could you explain that? I have a feeling it's not that simple." Bellinda chuckled and Becca joined her.

"Well, I'll tell you a secret, Mavin and Zeke are very similar in their ways. It's uncanny, but you can't handle them like you would Joe Shmoe."

"That's no secret, I've figured that one out." Bellinda laughed nervously.

She couldn't help but think there was something about to be said that she wasn't supposed to know, but she wasn't about to stop Becca. Something about the full-figured woman held her captive.

"That's where your calculations stop. Any further and you'll go crazy." Becca said with a knowing gaze.

"Oh, I think I'm past that already." The redhead rehashed interest in the china she was drinking from.

"Have there been others?"

"What?" Bellinda's eyes widened. They seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

"Other women, lovers." Becca stated more as fact than theory.

"Well...yeah, and from what I hear, there could be more." Bellinda sighed as her heart beat faster at the thought of Mavin with someone else washed through her.

"How do you feel about that?"

"Under normal circumstances, I'd feel jealous, angry and inadequate." Bellinda said, and wondered for a second more why she felt so at ease with this woman whom she'd only just met a few minutes ago.

"And now?" Becca asked as she filled Bellinda's cup with more French tea.

"I honestly don't know how I feel. I mean, I'm supposed to understand that it has nothing to do with me and as a result I should feel indifferent."

"Yes, I know it's absurd on many levels, but I can't help but see myself in you."

"What did you do?" Bellinda asked, truly interested in whatever advice that would aid her with Mavin.

"About what?" The two woman turned to see Mavin and Zeke entering the kitchen. "Are you tryna to corrupt my woman, Becca?" Mavin smiled as she hugged Becca and pecked her cheek.

Bellinda remained silent. She was too awestruck to speak. She eyed Mavin and then Zeke. They looked so alike. They had the same stature, the same features and even the same dark complexion.