The Empress is a lovely, full-figured woman with blonde hair and a calm demeanor. She wears a crown of twelve stars on her head, symbolizing her connection to the mystical realm and the natural world's cycles (the twelve months of the year and the twelve planets). Her robe is patterned with pomegranates, a fertility symbol, and she sits atop a lavish array of cushions and flowing red velvet. The symbol of Venus, the planet of love, creativity, fertility, beauty, and grace - the essence of The Empress - is featured on one cushion.

The Empress is surrounded by a lush forest and a winding stream, symbolizing her connection to Mother Earth and life itself. She gets her sense of peace from the trees and the water, and she is rejuvenated by nature's energy. Golden wheat emerges from the soil in the foreground, reflecting the abundance of a recent harvest.

UPRIGHT: Femininity, beauty, nature, nurturing, abundance
REVERSED: Creative block, dependence on others

If The Empress is the Mother archetype of the Tarot deck, The Emperor is the Father. He sits on a large stone throne adorned with four rams' heads (symbolizing his connection with Aries and the planet Mars). The Emperor holds an ankh, the Egyptian symbol of life, in his right hand, and an orb, representing the world over which he rules, in his left.

He wears a red robe, indicative of his power, passion, and energy for life. Underneath it, he wears a suit of armor, implying that he is protected from any threat (as well as any emotional response or vulnerability). His long white beard represents his age-old wisdom and experience, and he is an authority figure who demands to be heard, along with his gold crown.

A tall, impenetrable mountain range looms behind his throne, indicating that he is supported by a solid foundation but resistant to change unless he deems it necessary. A small river flows beneath the peaks, providing some hope that, despite his tough exterior, he is still an emotional being - it will just take some digging and trust to open him up to his softer side.

UPRIGHT: Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure

REVERSED: Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility

***

The evening of Sunday was settled by strong winds from the north. Clouds began to form in the Maidstone area, and rain began shortly before midnight. Septembre was giving it best, to show that inevitably Autumn was unfolding before people's eyes.

Susanne Mary Brown dialled the men with a deep voice, immediately after giving Liam her promise." He begged me to be his attorney; I could not say no, and Alice seemed to like him. We cooked up quite a family drama for ourselves. The project "eagle eye" has recently been renamed "eagle nest."

The man on the other end of the line smiled and cleared his throat." I am looking forward to seeing you again, Susie."

"Alice will be with me, Seb, it is time," Susanne said, rolling her eyes.

"Do not worry, my love, we have worked it out for the last seventeen years, and if I know Alice well enough from all of your stories, she will understand. She is a very smart girl, and she is as beautiful as her mother," Seb said with a smile.

Susanne sighed and rubbed her brow." Seb, Liam appears to be in a state of disarray. Mister Hollers leveled a serious accusation at him, just as he had done to you years ago. "It appears that history is repeating itself."

Sebastian was quiet, looking for the right words of encouragement to motivate Susanne. He was aware of the difference that had occurred seventeen years before. Seb was informed of Mr. Holler's plans and acted accordingly when he saw the police approaching him. He managed to escape to Argentina by pulling some strings.

After a few moments of silence, he made the decision: "Susie, love, just come here and we will figure it out." I tugged Sam into his bed and reclaimed Jack's files from the safe. We might have a chance if we combine what I have discovered over the last seventeen years."

"Yeah, we just have to keep hoping, right?" Susanne, on the other end of the line, spoke quietly and worriedly.

"You know I will always love you?" said Seb, and Susanne laughed.

"Thank you; I will see you tomorrow morning!" he replied, and the conversation came to an end.

After their conversation, Susanne went to check on Alice; she seemed to be sleeping quietly again in her room. It must have been her promise to Liam, which allowed Alice to calm down and go to bed.

She decided to fill up a bathtub and enjoy long baths. It helped her to rethink her situation in this mess. The secrets have begun to reveal themselves, and it is just about time when her family figures out hers.

"Oh, Mark, how should we do this? How do we figure out this mess? she said quietly, standing out of the bathtub. Sometimes, when life got hard, Susanne caught herself talking with Mark. No matter that it had been seventeen years since his death, she still loved him deeply.

Three glasses of brandy that she drank with Alice weren't enough; she decided to get herself a bottle of wine. "Mixing was never a good idea, right?" She said it quietly and opened the wine bottle.

She took the freshly filled glass and returned to the bathtub. "Ahh, this feels good," she said, relaxing her head and body.

An hour flew by quickly, and Susanne finally felt relaxed enough to get herself out of the bathtub. It was one a.m., and tomorrow she should be ready for a big talk. Susanne sighed and wrapped herself in a towel.

Back in her bedroom, she looked around and saw the safe box, one just like Jack had. She scratched her brows and sighed.

Nervousness took over her again; an hour in the bathtub was forgotten. She typed the code into the safe box and took out the file. The name on the file was Susanne Mary Peterson.

Susanne sighed and sat on the sofa with a file. She didn't open it for years, knowing it would change things to the point where she could lose Alice.

The events seemed to be taking place on her own terms, and Susanne wasn't prepared for what was coming. She had seventeen years of time to prepare and figure out what to do, but anything she came up with wasn't good enough. All the possibilities turned out to be her demise.

Year 2004; United States of America; Washington D.C.

Monday morning seemed to be shiny and warm. A light breeze made withered tree leaves fall down the trees, and the pavement seemed to disappear under the fallen leaves. It was the end of October, and nature was definitely starting to prepare itself for the winter.

Young Susanne Mary Meaden was walking down the pavement with a barely-bought suitcase, and her clothing revealed that she was ready for her first day at work. Dark brown boots, a light brown long skirt, skin-colored  tights, and a red jumper over the shirt made her green eyes shine even more. She pulled her hazelnut hair into a messy bun, and a lock of her heir fell down. Nervously, she was putting it back every time it started to bother her.

Her nervousness was even more evident as she was walking closer to FBI headquarters. She just finished her law degree and was greeted by the FBI officer, who was a very dear father's friend.

"Miss Meaden, please be welcomed to the FBI headquarters. We will make your photo for the ID today, but in the meantime, you will need this name tag." said agent Gregory and pinned the name tag on her shirt.

Afterwards, he started his walk further into the burro, and Susanne followed him. She was stunned by the greatness of the building. It was a large building with an open context, and the ceiling was high. The place was well lit and buzzed with people. There was a large staircase towards multiple floors, and the agent took her to the second floor.

"Please wait in this room; I will go looking for agent Peterson. Get will be your mentor, helping you to adapt easier and begin with your work as soon as possible. Our legal department is made up of highly respected and trained professionals who have been working with us for years now, but we are expanding and will need your expertise. It's not that we are doing funny business, but undercover many times funny business happens to us; that's where your work comes  in."Agent Gregory tried to explain how the FBI would need her knowledge and cooperation with them.

Susanne was twenty-two years old when her father gave her a chance to become one of the FBI private lawyers. He was a highly honoured and respected U.S. army general, and FBI agents were proud to welcome his daughter as one of them.

"Susie," she instructed herself to Mark, the man who was her mentor when she came for this job.

"Mark, pleased to meet you." They shook hands and sat down at the table.

"I know it's my first day, but when will I see the files that I am supposed to go through? I really want to know what else I am up to." Susanne said this before Mark even started to talk.

Mark laughed softly. "Can't wait to start, I see. But before, we need to talk about keeping you save on missions."

"Keeping me safe? I can keep myself safe! I have a black belt in Judo; I guess that makes me  safe."Susanne exploded at Mark.

"Oo, anger issues much? Calm down, lady!" Mark put his hands in the air, like he didn't want to fight, and smiled.

Susanne calmed down, licked her lips, and said, "Father was preparing me for this moment for my entire life. He gave me puzzles, he was teaching me military ways, he taught me how to make myself invincible to pain, and we went hunting many times, where he left me alone for three nights! I was only thirteen. I guess I can handle an FBI file." Susanne crossed her hands on her chest.

"Right. I knew your father had some ways to prepare you, but here in our facility, training is highly important. You need to be prepared at all times. Sometimes you will have to be a part of the cover-up, and then the agent will have to take care of himself, and you will have to know your own way out. It happened that an agent took care of the law agent like you, and the mission was a great fail." He said it determinedly.

"And you are my worry now, so we have to cooperate with each other. I would love to know your fighting techniques to know what to  expect."Mark added, staring at Susanne, waiting for her reaction.

"Training, I got it! When will we start?" She replied, with hands still crossed at her chest.

Mark softly smiled and pointed at the file he was holding in his hands. "Right, you fill in these papers. Unfortunately, there is no way around this."

Right after she filled out the paperwork, they went to the training part of the facility. There was a room with wooden fighting equipment—swords, katanas, and staffs. In the middle of the room were blue and red training mats.

A few agents were already in the middle of their training sessions, and Susanne was enthusiastically observing them.

It looked like they made different possible scenarios and used different strategies to prevent or eliminate the problem that occurred. "Let's do it," said Susanne, who took Mark by the hand and brought him into the middle of the training mat.

Susanne fought fiercely and didn't give a lot of chances for a win to Mark. "Did I forget to mention I was in Quantico? A year of heavy training to become a special agent was also a part of my father's  plan."She said this when she put Mark down for the last time.

He smiled when she let him go and said, "It was your first day; I went soft on you today!"

A laugh came from Susanne's mouth when she was heading down from the mattress and in the way towards the bathrooms.

"Keep telling yourself that!" she said when she returned refreshed.

Mark has never seen a woman like that before. Shy and confident at the same time, Susanne made a big impression on him. He really wanted to figure out what she was all about, so he decided to be the best mentor she had ever known.

Their work wasn't just training all the time. There were parts of the work day when it got boring. "You have to finish this by tomorrow; I know you can do it," said Mark, winking at Susie, as she was fighting her way out through files.

"I am unstoppable on training mat and no file will stop me either!" She replied and smiled softly.

Days, weeks and months passed by quickly until she finally learned enough about the FBI to take over her position. In meantime she fell deeply in love with her mentor. Their relationship grew and relocated from workplace to their apartments.

There were some perks and difficulties between them, but they have always find their own ways to get over them.

One of the difficulties was Susanne's relationship to her father. From her the young age he was distant and strict. When her mother was alive, that wasn't so obvious, because she was giving her enough the love for the both of them.

"Margot, you know I wanted a boy, I know how to handle young men, but I have no idea how to talk with young girls."was his saying, when he was at home after another completed mission.

At the beginning, Margot thought he was just saying it to avoid father's obligations, but in time she knew he wasn't playing her. He grew up in a military family with four brothers and strict rules. Therefore he didn't know better and he was trying to be the best father he could be.

"Daddy, I want to talk with you about something." said Susanne, next time she went visit her father. She went there alone, because she had no idea how will he respond to the news about Mark. Her father was hard working but also hard father figure. In a way she was telling herself, deep down he loved her, that's why he was so protective and strict.

"Are you talking about your mentor? You thought I didn't notice how is he watching you? When is he going to propose?"said father directly.

"Well, em, he already did, I just didn't know how to tell you... you see, I thought you won't like him." Susanne started to mumble.

"Why he isn't here with you then? Susie, what is your plan with all this? Have you thought it over?" said father with strict voice.

"Like I said, I didn't know how will you react.. and.." she tried to explain but father interrupted her. "Oh, sweetheart, you know I love you. If you decided, I won't meddle with your love life. I am not good with the heart things, you see... On the other hand he looks like a decent agent." He said, admitting not being good with expressing his feelings.

Tears came out Susanne's eyes, she felt like father gave her all the recognition she was craving for her entire life. He always wanted a son, but he got her. It wasn't an excuse, he thought her everything he would tell his son. Now he gave her fiancé a chance to be a part of family and she was overwhelmed by father's respond.

After this fruitful conversation she introduced Mark to her father for the first time." Daddy, this is Mark." She said pointed at her fiancé. Then she walk closer to her father." Be nice!" She whispered to his ear.

"What are you saying, I am always nice." Said father, smoothing his shirt. Afterwards he shook Mark's hand and they sat down on sofa.

"Tell me Mark, you are daughters mentor as I am informed. Is she any good?" Said Susannes father to break the ice.

"Are we talking about same person? She is a boss on a mattres. You taught her well!" Said Mark and opened the beer can, Susanne just brought to both of them.

"You keep on talking, the dinner will be finished soon. Mother's famous lasagna is almost cooked, and the salad is made. I will make a table." She added before she went back to the kitchen.

Five minutes was fast around and they were sitting behind the kitchen table.

"Mmm, your mother would be proud." Said father, eating lasagna.

"Yeah, I hope she would approve it. It has been ten years already, and I miss her so much." Said Susanne, turned towards Mark. "I know I was silent about mother's sickness, but it was a major deal for me, loosing her, and father have been much more absent to his work after."

Susanne's father stopped eating his lasagna. "Look Susie, I know I wasn't really a good father to you, but I tried my best. Majorie was a very motherly person, but I, I wasn't really a good father to you!"

"Oh, daddy... it's been ten years, and I wouldn't be who I am today if you wouldn't be so strict with my education and training. Miss Carol did a nice job caring for me and I have quite nice childhood memories. I sure missed you on many occasions but I knew you were making everything in your power to be with me more."said Susanne and stuff a piece of lasagna in her mouth.

Her words were partial truth, but she didn't have a heart to speak against her father. She missed more gentle father figure and his presence, buy in a years she grew up and focused on law studies and trainings. Meeting Mark gave her a new perspective on a relationship with a man, but in a way he reminds her at her father so much.

Mark was always sweet and kind to her, she loved their long conversations and he was great at his job, but there was a period of time between their engagement and marriage when she had some daubs. Mark was constantly abroad for his work and she was left home alone.

Susanne usually didn't mind his absence due to his work obligations and she tried to understand there were some things, he wanted, but it was forbidden to talk about. "Sorry, love, that's just how it is. It is a confidential matter and I can't share it with nobody."

Susanne nodded and smiled, but deep down she was questioning whether she really couldn't be part of his job, anyways she worked for the FBI. "It is alright Mark, maybe next time you could tell me."she mumbled and started to clean the kitchen.

He took a deep breath and left soft sigh out. He went to her and hugged her from behind, staring softly kissing her up and down her neck and shoulders. Susanne stopped and smiled softly. "You know exactly how to calm the pissed lady down, don't you?"she answered and turned around to him, looking at his eyes for the moment before she kissed him deeply.

"Oh yeah, kisses always helped!" He mumbled, puck her up from her feet and took her into their bedroom.

#

On many occasions she gave in like that, showed by hush kisses. When he was present, he didn't hesitate to show her how much he loved her. "Tonight's surprise will be revealed in a minute. Wait, don't take the blindfold down yet!" he said as they were on their date night out.

Flowers, pickings, long walks and more. She definitely felt adored, but he still felt like it wasn't enough for her. The days of his absence bothered him and he made a decision. Mark introduced her to his friends, whom were there for her and kept her company, while he was away. They have spent a lot of time together and Mark joined them as soon as he returned home. Washington D.C. was a law and presidential capital, but they have always find a place which gave them a great time.

Selena and Tiffany became her best friends and their husbands Steve and Terence joined them. They were the ones present at Susanne's and Mark wedding, which occurred a month before the big change.

It happened after Susie's twenty-fourth birthday, they celebrated their one years anniversary together and then it all went down. Mark was called out from his boss to make an investigation of a man living in London. That man was chased by many agents who wanted to get proper intel's on him to arrest him once and for all.

"Susie, you are my wife now and I decided you will be my one and only person with whom I may share my work. I know it's unsafe, but you are an agent to and you understand the risks." Said Mark, the night before the travel to London.

Susanne couldn't be more enthusiastic, she has always had wish to be part of the action. "Those are the files on Mister Hollers, please read it and memories it!"

"Yes, but before we need to celebrate." She answered and put her arms around his neck, kissing him.

He softly smiled and hugged her firmly."I like the way you are going."he mumbled and they were kissing their way towards the kitchen sofa.

#

After Susie's examination of the files, they burned them and prepared everything needed for the trip.

"Hello, this is him. Project "Eagle Eye" is on! I understand, sir. She is ready!" Heard Susanne from the kitchen. Mark was taking his last orders from his boss before he destroyed the cell phone.

"Are you ready?" He asked when Susanne came to the kitchen.

"Couldn't be more, love. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson agains the big Mister Hollers. We got this!" She answered and kissed Mark on the mouth. She returned the kiss and hugged her dearly.

"Do we have some time for, you know, funny business?" He asked with a naughty look in his eyes.

Susanne picked up the time and wiggled her brows. "We might have time for a quick one."

Mark smiled and took her hand, and they ran upstairs to the guest room. They have a trend where every time the "good stuff" came to their minds, they picked a different room to make it fresh and interesting. Occasionally, they even used different toys to make it unique, and they laughed about it later.

#

Twelve hours and a half took them to arrive at Heathrow Airport in London, where they were greeted by an MI5 undercover agent. He took them to the big black car, which was parked outside the airport. When he was convicted, no one was following them; he closed the doors and told the driver to proceed with their path.

The agent took a big breath and proceeded: "Welcome to London; my name is Sebastian, and I am your inside agent. Here are your new names and IDs. You are Lucy and Dan Waters, a USA business couple, looking for a new associate. I know this is a regular CIA and MI6 practice, but the boss is certain he wants you guys to do the mission. Hopefully you read and memorise everything; it's important!"

Mark and Susanne nodded.

"That's amazing. I will leave you by the hotel, and tomorrow morning we will meet," said Sebastian, while their car was just parked in front of a hotel.

Susanne and Mark picked up their luggage and headed inside the hotel.

"We have a room booked." said Susanne, and put their new passports on the counter.

"Certainly, Ms. Waters, welcome to the Britannia International Hotel,said the man behind the counter, who gave them their key cards.

On the third floor, on the left side, room 357 was the place where they were staying. They brought in their belongings and made themselves comfortable.
"Want some champagne? Can I order room service?" Said Mark, hugging Susanne from behind.

"Champagne and the chocolate strawberries sound good. Let's make the night memorable. It's my first night in London." Susanne answered and turned towards him. "I love you! she added, kissing him.

He kissed her back, and after he made a room service, They enjoyed every single moment of that night. The night was young, and the next day, the real business started.

#

"Me and my brother are thinking of making a company to lure Mr. Hollers, but for now the task from the file has to be fulfilled. We need the inside personnel at Nickson & Hollers. As is heard, this is Mr. Holler's third comrade in business, and the other two just disappeared." said Jack and sighed.

"Now you know all the details about why this mission is so important for us." Sebastian added.

"The meeting is set for tomorrow at 10.30 at Mister Hollers Company. Don't be late; he hates it. We won't talk further until you have some detailed information. You know the process." Jack said they shook hands, and Susanne and Mark left the premises.

They have worked from the inside for half a year. They collected their findings in file maps and were willing to show them to Seb and Jack when they called.

February 25, 2006, was the date Susanne will never forget. It was a day when Mark was shot in the head by unknown gunmen, and he died in her hands. He left her behind, pregnant.