Tina had been perched over her desk for what seemed like an eternity. Though she had resumed her position as an auror for The MACUSA, the job requirements and rewards were elevated from her previous one before the Barebone incident. This came with stacks of new cases, and longer hours, but also an abnormally large maple desk, boarded with brass roses that trailed up and down the sides. That perk was one that Tina reveled over. In America, a large desk was a sign a power and this particular one in her opinion, rivaled even that of the muggle President Coolidge. Tina had been on assignment at the oval office years ago and thought that such a large piece of wood seemed unnecessary for any type of work. Since her move to her new office, her outlook had changed quite a bit.

Porpentina Goldstein had come a long way from being the once frail young orphan at Ilvermorny. Back then she was despondent, angry, and over protective of her sister. Now she was, blissful, hopeful and well… still over protective of her sister, but that really wasn't going to change. If anything, Tina was more scared for Queenie now more than ever. She had continued to see Jacob in secret and their relationship was headed towards a place they could no longer leave without heavy scarring. Besides her complicated love life, Queenie was also an accomplished legilimens and that was not looked at with anything but indignation. Even in the twenties filled with flappers and speakeasies, the world feared strong women. Though the right to vote was a newly gained privilege for the muggle women, the magical world was not in any way removed from the patriarchal stronghold. Despite the MACUSA's female lead, the prejudices were as potent as ever. Tina would do anything to protect her sister, even if it meant sacrificing herself, though she hoped it would never come to that. In the back of her mind, Tina figured she would just take the three of them to England to find sanctuary with a quirky magizooloigist if the MACUSA ever found them out. Thinking of Newt, Tina looked up to the large metal clock hanging on her wall and realized it was nearly 2 O'Clock.

"Oh Geez, I am really never gonna get out of here."

Tina began her fourth attempt at working through the towering paperwork so she could run home and prepare for Newt's arrival. The pair had spoken through letters throughout their time apart. By her count they had transcribed a total of 23 in which they shared their deepest secrets, their most earnest desires, and their appreciation for each other. Newt had told Tina of his childhood spent on the English countryside. How his mother would tend to the hippogriffs and on one occasion, in the most cliché of ways, he had fallen down a well at a neighbor's home. It was a hippogriff named Charlie who came to his rescue. He was four years old and that one interaction was the moment which solidified his love and respect for creatures. A respect that he knew the world did not share. Newt told her more of the happy memories, and some that pained his heart. Like how he fell in love with Ms. Lestrange, but how in the end, her alignment with the darker parts of the Slytherin house ruined them. He told Tina about his near expulsion, about how he took the blame for Leta and her shortcomings in character. How she used his affection for her own gain and how distraught he was after she left his life. Yet, throughout all of this, he told her that he didn't believe he would ever find someone who gave his life meaning. That is until he met Tina.

Tina responded to these letters with the same open and honest spirit. She told him all of what she remembered of her mother and father. The way her mother's green eyes glistened and the way the yellow specks would sparkle when she was out in the sun. When they would make meals together, how her mother's dress would twirl like a ballerina. Her father on Christmas would let her sit on his lap while they opened presents. His laugh was infectious and the moment he bellowed out a single giggle, the whole room would be a madhouse. With the good came the bad, and there was a lot of it for Tina. In a small wing of Long Island Jewish Hospital, there was a magical hospice care unit. There, Tina would watch her parents die in the most tragic way possible. Slowly, and with great pain. Her mother's eyes, no longer green, but filled with jaundice and her body crumbling under the Dragon Pox disease. Her father died first but before her mother joined him, she told her, "You will never be alone. I will be with you until the very end. Don't you dare forget that no matter what happens.".

Newt's response to that was probably the most important correspondence they had.

My dear Tina,

Your words are indicative of your perseverance and determination. Your mother would be so proud of the person you are, because at the core of you, there is passion, selflessness, and kindness. You are stronger than you understand, and I implore you to look in a mirror. If you did, you would see what I see. Not fragility, or peculiarity, but a bright light amongst the darkness. You feel as though you don't truly belong in any world, but I can assure you, you belong in mine. You surprise me in ways that I've never thought to be rational or possible. You have given me something I thought I didn't want, and convinced myself that I did not need. You are the master of your own destiny, and I would never want to drive that destiny off its course. But I do ask you to consider allowing me the privilege of joining you on that journey. I would consider a lifetime of watching you brave life's harshest storms and receiving its greatest gifts as a life well lived.

Faithfully yours,

Newton Scamander

For Tina to be so scared of his return was an absurdity. They had been so personal in their letters, so emotionally naked, and it was without any strain. Now to be face to face with someone who knew things about her no one else did, seemed strange and frightening. There were so many if's running a muck inside Tina's head she didn't know what she would say or do. Insecurity was the villain who had held her stomach prisoner. She couldn't eat and barely slept a wink. To top it all off, she wouldn't have extra time to get over her irrational fears (possibly drink a brandy or two) and prepare for his arrival before she went to the dock.

A knock at the door interrupted Tina's crazed inner monologue.

"Come in" Tina answered.

"Hi Ms. Tina, sorry to botha ya, but I got some news from downstairs". A young girl with tousled blonde hair was standing in the doorway. Her name was Anne, and she had just moved to NY from Boston. She previously worked as a secretary in the Illegal Magical artifacts department and was now training to be an auror.
"Don't tell me, my vacation has been cancelled due to an ogre infestation in the Bronx? Or is it a magical spill of Polyjuice over the Jamaica Bay?".

Anne laughed at the thought and walked over to Tina's desk.

"I don't know exactly; I'm just supposed to give you this"

Anne handed Tina a yellow folder whose face had words typed on the top "Confidential. For the eyes of Ms. Goldstein Only."

Tina opened the folder and almost burst into tears. The Brooklyn Project had been suspended until further notice, which meant her vacation would be a full three weeks. She did not have to come back early. It also meant she could leave her office ahead of schedule.

"This is the greatest news I could have possibly heard! Thank you".

Tina started to grab her things to leave and rearrange her desk so as to have some organization.

"Have a wonderful vacation Ms. Tina." Anne said while making her way back out to the hallway.

"Thank you Anne, I will see you when I return".

This was amazing. She would have three uninterrupted weeks of Newt time. She would also have an opportunity to mentally and emotionally prepare and , best of all, she had 5 hours to do so.