"Thena?"

Athena looked up from her book, all her attention on her friend sitting on the sofa next to her. "Yes?"

"Did I ever tell you why I decided to study law? To become a judge?" Juniper asked.

"No. Not specifically..."

"It was that trial... Blackquill's."

Athena gasped, so Juniper stopped. "We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"No, no. I was just surprised. I want to hear it. Besides, it's all in the past now. Simon is free."

The brunette smiled. "Yes, he is." Her smile disappeared. "You were there, you remember, how it was... How the court didn't listen to you. The image of the judge, sitting higher than anyone, having the chance to listen to your words, the power to make them all listen to you... And not taking it. That image made a lasting impression on me."

Athena took her hand. "Junie, you will make a wonderful judge who will hold fair trials. No one will have to go through what I did if you'll be sitting in that seat!"

Juniper observed her friend.

Slowly, she moved closer. "Thena..."

"Junie? Are you- I mean, you seem a bit..."

Junie could tell Athena was listening to her heart. This ability of hers was a big part why she felt the way she did about Thena.

Juniper reached out and gently stroked Athena's cheek, and smiled at the way the redhead slightly leaned to her touch. She loved the way Athena responded to her. Juniper entertained the thought of finding out what kinds of reactions her fingers elsewhere on her body would get... What kinds of things she could get Athena to do...

All in good time.

Athena licked her lips, seemingly unconsciously.

Juniper took this as a good sign, and leaned in, capturing her lips in a chaste kiss.

Not wanting to push her too much just yet, Juniper pulled back.

Athena blushed. "Junie? But, I thought... What about Apollo?"

"I don't like Apollo that way." She had made some attempts to approach the young male lawyer romantically, but hadn't had much success. She suspected his relationship with the rock-star prosecutor had something to do with it.

In any case, she far preferred Athena.

Getting her to do what she wanted was far more satisfying than fooling Hugh or Robin.

Feeding her half-truths, making her wonder... Always in danger of being found out...

It was a thrill.

Even though her Thena was completely oblivious to things she didn't want to hear.

Junie smiled at the memory of Thena never doubting her word, always believing in her, so certain she had been innocent both times. So willing to believe her friend, so ready to dance to her tune, so unable to see the truth despite all of her abilities.

Constance Courte had been the first person Juniper had killed.

She had made the mistake of underestimating the young girl, thinking she had been a faithful student, both in law and the espionage side of things.

And that had cost one Professor her life and the other Professor who had suspected Juniper his freedom.

And then when Juniper had taken her first official assignment from the Organization, the bombing of Courtroom 5, she couldn't have helped doing it in a way that put her under suspicion, again.

She just couldn't resist the excitement.

Or the chance of having her Thena come to her rescue...

She kissed Athena again, with more force this time. Not too dominating to scare her, but enough to get her used to the idea.

She had played everyone, been the puppet master behind them all, just the way she would hold everyone's fates on her hands once she became a judge. With a knock on her gavel she would decide who lived and who died, who walked free, who was humiliated...

Yes, she had big plans, both in the courtroom and out of it.

But Thena was special.

So when she told her "I love you." She had no doubt the psychologist could not hear a trace of discord in her heart.

After all, she was her most precious little marionette.