I Shouldn't Need You

10: I Shouldn't Need You

Fee sat down at the small conference table with Larry Stout the Senior Director of Micropath GCA, Elliot Keyes a Micropath financial manager and accountant, Nell Freehman the Charity Water COO, Courtney Mitchell her executive assistant and Stacy Warren the event planner for summer cocktail party at the aquarium.

She introduced Jane to the group as her personal assistant who liaised across both D.C. and New York offices. Jane sat back from the table behind Fiona taking notes and listening intently to the discussion.

Over the course of the 2-hour meeting reviewing all components of the upcoming event Jane was fascinated by Fiona's confidence and tenor in working with her colleagues. She clearly had a grasp of all the complex moving parts of an event of this magnitude and the involvement of all the players. She balanced delicately the personalities at the table directed the discussion both subtly and with precision.

Jane watched carefully Mr. Stout, Mr. Keyes, and Ms. Mitchell. Mr. Stout was particularly animated and engaged as the discussion revolved around company PR and event costs, tax implications, and the collection and allocation of funds. Mr. Elliot was informative and made several points of clarification but was relatively deadpan. Ms.Mitchell was actively listening and primarily recording and taking notes for last minute details that needed to be resolved.

As the meeting came to a close the parties thanked each other for their commitment to their work and stood leaving Fiona alone in the room with Jane. Jane stood just a few feet away. She was genuinely smiling at Fiona and her eyes shone with admiration. "Very, very impressive Ms. Donovan."

Fiona felt her body warm in response to the compliment and the proximity of Jane. She was close enough that Fee could smell the subtle floral fragrance on Jane's skin. Fiona shifted slightly under Jane's gaze. "Thank you Jane, it's not 'special ops,' but it is a jungle in here too."

Jane smiled, "I bet." Fiona laughed and Jane felt her chest tighten slightly hearing the laughter. When Fiona's eyes lingered a little longer and normal Jane quickly refocused on the job at hand. "Ms. Donovan, would you like Reggie to drive you and your guest to lunch or would you like to walk?"

Fee smiled softly, sensing that their moment of banter was over. "Oh, we will walk Jane, thank you."

"Very good, Ms. Donovan." Jane followed Fiona and the office intern from Maryland University a ½ a block behind. Fiona was taking the young man out for a quick lunch to thank him for his work. Jonothan was beaming with excitement.

Jane could see easily that he was enamoured with Fiona, she could understand why. She could tell in her body language that Fiona was there professionally. She saw the two enter a small bar and grill where they were seated in a booth and she took a seat at the end of the bar with her back to the couple. She could see their table clearly in the mirror behind the bar.

The bartender, a handsome man in his late 20s, looked at Jane, smiling. "What can I get you?" He leaned in to flirt.

Jane smiled politely and kept her tone professional. "Perrier and lime please, I'm not eating today, just taking a break from the heat, thank you." The bartender nodded, reading her tone perfectly. He moved away and Jane's eyes settled on the reflection in the mirror.

Fee and Jonothan placed their orders and Fee opened up the conversation giving the intern an opportunity to tell her about himself. "So, Jonothan, what will your course load look like this Fall?"

"Oh, not too bad. I'll graduate next May. The Micropath internship will end in December, but that's okay because I should probably be taking the GREs and following up with grad schools."

Fee nodded. "Are there any programs you're interested in now?"

"I'm thinking about the pacific northwest or Alaska. There are some interesting things going on out there for Native American populations in need. There is a high rate of depression and suicide in high school aged populations in some areas where they don't have youth programs and athletic programs readily available through the high schools. There are a couple of programs working on developing some support youth programs."

"Wow, that sounds like that might be really fulfilling." Fee was genuinely impressed and she smiled warmly at Jonothan. He blushed deeply and shrugged trying to maintain some degree of modesty.

"So, Fee. What's on the horizon for you and Micropath? The Charity Water event is a pretty big deal."

"Yes, that's the biggest thing on my plate right now. I really enjoy what I'm doing, so I don't see any significant changes in the near future." Fiona's eyes drifted to the bar where she saw Jane sitting comfortably looking perfectly at home with the lunch rush. Fee wondered how she kept the steady stream of young professionals at bay.

Jonothan followed her eyes and saw Jane's eyes flash in the mirror. "Wow. That's your new assistant right? She's ... ummmm ..."

Fiona laughed lightly,"Yes, Jonothan, she is. She's also very good at her job."

Jonothan blushed again and cleared his throat,"Yes, of course she is. Is she following you?" Jonothan was a little confused.

Fiona smiled,"Jane handles my business planning and operations, as well as, security." Jonothan's eyes widened in disbelief and Fee leaned in and whispered with a laugh in her eyes, "I wouldn't test her Jon!"

Jonothan smiled at the proximity,"No, of course not." He grinned,"I'm not interested in gaining her attention." Fiona shifted back into her seat creating space and the two ate their meal and shared in light conversation about Washington D.C. and the Terps.

Jane's sharp eyes saw the entirety of Fiona's and Jonothan's interactions and meal. By the end of the meal it was clear that Jonothan was completely smitten with Fiona. "That poor kid," Jane thought to herself, "he never had a chance." Jane stood and followed Fiona and Jonothan out of the restaurant again moving at a comfortable and unobtrusive distance. She saw Jonathan speaking in an animated fashion and Fiona smiling and nodding as they made their way back to the offices.

"Thank you so much! I had a great time!" Jonothan paused and risked it, "Maybe we could see each other outside of work sometime?"

Fee smiled, "You are quite charming Jonothan, but I don't mix business and pleasure." For some reason a fleeting but sharp thought of Jane sliced through her thoughts. Fiona saw the disappointment on his face, but he quickly and jovially countered with, "I could quit!" And Fee could see that he took the news in stride.

Fiona and Jonothan moved their separate ways once they were back in the lobby. Fee could feel Jane trailing them as they walked and saw her catching up through the glass facade of the building. She watched for a moment and could not get over how gorgeous this woman was. Fiona felt compelled to stare, her body responded in unexpected ways to her presence, and she found herself attracted to her. It was a new, strange, scary, feeling.

"Hello Ms. Donovan," Jane smiled and Fee felt her body tense, "I trust you had an enjoyable meal? Your dining partner seemed quite enamoured with you."

"Oh, yes. I had a good time, Jonothan is a nice young man. I think the world will be a better place with him around."

Jane was taken aback by the sincerity of Fiona's statement in response to her mild teasing. It was as if Fiona couldn't help but see the good in everyone. It was her first thought and first consideration. Jane quickly focused the conversation, "Ms. Donovan, you were going to give me a tour of this facility today? Correct?"

"Yes, please, follow me." Jane and Fiona moved through the building with ease. Fiona explained some of the finer details of her work, she reflected on working for her father's company, and her mother's death in a car accident when she was 10 years old.

Jane listened carefully to Fiona's voice rise and fall in excitement, concentration, sadness, and reflection. She spoke of her work with compassion and careful consideration. She spoke of the socially responsible work that her company could do and the delicate balance between corporate success and the costs and benefits to the world. Fiona spoke with passion and love. "Ms. Donovan," Jane said in a moment of reflection and simple sincerity,"You are a good person."

Fee laughed lightly,"Well, thank you. You're not so bad yourself." Jane smiled but did not respond and Fiona could see that Jane was not entirely comfortable with the statement. Fee was a little confused and surprised by the notion that Jane was not a good person. She had not considered this possibility, she assumed.

At the end of the afternoon Jane and Fiona found themselves sitting in the car in silent thought as they drove back to Fiona's condo. Fiona examined Jane in sideways glances and quick gazes. Her head was still tumbling with thoughts as she wondered what type of person was sitting next to her.

"Thank you Reggie. I will walk Ms. Donovan up and then I can walk home myself." Reggie nodded as the women moved toward the door.

"I'm done for the night too Reggie, you can go whenever you are ready."

Reggie nodded,"Thank you Ms. Fiona, Ms. Baker, good night."

"Ms. Donovan, do you need me for anything else?" Jane watched Fiona's face from across the kitchen island reading her microexpressions. Fiona hesitated but shook her head "no." "Very well, I'm going to pick up your dress, I will bring it to you tomorrow morning when I pick you up for your spa treatments. Otherwise I don't think we have any business until then. Unless you're planning to step out socially this evening?"

Fiona watched Jane's face carefully and nodded in agreement,"No, that sounds right. I have no plans for tonight. I shouldn't need you." Again Jane's face gave nothing away.

"Have a restful afternoon then Ms. Donovan, call me if you need me, otherwise. I will be back for you." Fiona watched Jane leave and a strange and unfamiliar feeling washed through her again. She realized that she wanted her to stay.