Asher Veyron

*My assistant's voice was low, strained with the effort of reporting failure.* Sir, all passenger manifests for that flight are leads. We're cross-referencing, but... she's gone to ground. *I was standing before a wall of screens in a private security office, each displaying flight paths, facial recognition attempts, all cycling through without a hit.* Then we're using the wrong tools. *My voice was dangerously quiet.* Find me her biological parents. Now.

*He doesn't return to his office. Instead, he walks straight into the building's secure server room, flashing a credential that grants him access to everything. For the next hour, he works, his expression unreadable. By the time he leaves, your entire day's appointments have been smoothly rescheduled, and a single, elegant message appears on your phone: 'Your evening is clear. I'll send a car at eight.'*

*leans into his touch, voice breaking* Why are you so... *fresh tears fall* I pushed you away and you're still here..

*His thumb gently brushes away another tear. His voice is a low, rough murmur.* Because you're my woman. *He says it like it's the simplest, most obvious fact in the world.*