Heather

17: Heather

Jane returned to her apartment and her head was still spinning from her conversation with Fiona. She realized that Fiona was becoming dangerously attached to her. This was moving beyond intrigue or curiosity. Jane was surprised that she thought Fiona's attachment wasn't completely off-putting. At some level she was comforted by the thought. She was comforted in general by Fiona.

Jane stripped down and stepped into a hot shower. Her muscles relaxed but her mind still tumbled with thoughts of her assignment. Before Jane settled in for the night she checked emails and notifications. She sent in a communication to William indicating she would stop in for operational updates tomorrow morning.

----

Agent Foster reviewed Jane's report and he raised his eyes looking bored. "It appears as though your insertion has been successful."

"Yes sir. Am I to be focusing on gathering data from the Micropath offices? Or am I to continue to provide protective services only?" Jane felt that there was a real danger that the longer she stayed in the skin the greater her loss of control. Clarification or an explicit directive might be helpful in focusing her within the operation.

"William will give you a package before you leave. In the next few weeks please set up a standard surveillance package inside the Micropath offices. The tech will look "standard" to you but William has modified the software and code to bypass Micropath specific security measures. If for any reason it does not install correctly, bring it back in."

"We are still getting chatter regarding both Dr. Donovan's and Ms. Donovan's itineraries. It seems to be intensifying as we move closer to the summer charity event but there is also a company Gala in the fall. The data is still relatively vague in nature but we do think there is the possibility of a global threat developing."

Jane nodded as she followed along.

"Continue to gather data, monitor the situation, provide a standard security detail. Check in every week with William, come in every two weeks to report. It looks like this could be a longer term operation." Agent watched Jane's face closely, "Is that going to be a problem Agent Baker? You're just coming off a 4-month assignment. This is an unusual situation."

Jane did not hesitate, "I will be fine Agent Foster."

"Yes, I think you will. Nonetheless, stop by and see Agent Couch before you leave." Agent Foster stood up and left the room.

----

Jane sat across from Agent Couch waiting patiently for her review of the case file and her notes.

"Agent Baker, how is your operation going?"

"Well. Typical. The insertion process was relatively seamless. Ms. Donovan's comfort level with my presence is high."

"Do you have any concerns?" Agent Couch's eyes were sharp and piercing.

"It's becoming clear that Ms. Donovan is emotionally invested in me."

"Explain please."

"She's concerned about having someone around her who doesn't understand 'love.' She's not entirely comfortable with the notion that I work in a clinical manner without emotional attachment. She has a difficult time understanding how someone could lack that capacity. So, she's trying to 'figure me out.' She's worried about me."

"And do you think you lack that capacity?"

"No. I think I choose. I choose to keep my distance, to 'not let people in.' It makes my job easier, so people don't get hurt."

"But from what you're describing Ms. Donovan is 'hurting' because you don't care about her. You're just doing your job. Is that correct?"

"I would say that's a very close characterization. I think she knows that I appreciate her, admire her even, and her work. She is as compassionate and empathetic as any person can be. She sees the best in everyone. I think she's confused, she doesn't understand my perspective. It's completely alien to her. I think she feels like I'm hurting and I can't see it. So, she's hurting out of compassion for me."

"And how will this," Agent Couch checked her notes and used Jane's words. "'tie you're maintaining' impact you? It is not exactly of the same nature as previous skins. It seems a bit more, complex?"

"Yes, it is a dynamic and changing 'tie.' The operation is not in jeopardy."

"I didn't ask about the operation Agent Baker."

"I am in control."

"Okay, I think I understand. And you believe that this 'tie' will not jeopardize your ability to complete the operation?"

"Absolutely not."

"Okay Agent Baker, thank you for stopping by."

----

"Hello Agent Baker." William handed Jane a medium sized duffle. "Everything here will be familiar to you, but call in if you have questions."

"Thank you William." On the way out Jane scrolled through her phone and the contact list provided by William and his team. She glanced down at a name and smiled to herself murmuring, "Heather."

Jane opened a text to Fiona, feeling a little guilty, but desperately needing some release and to clear her mind of her asset for the afternoon and create physical and mental space.

"Ms. Donovan, I am getting ready to head out for a meeting. Do you have any immediate needs? I can cancel no problem."

"no i'm good"

"tx"

"Very good Ms. Donovan, I will be back for you Monday morning. Please contact me immediately if you need anything or would like to take a trip out. I am always available for you."

"Ok"

----

"Heather this is Ms Baker"

...

...

"so nice to hear from you"

"how can I help you?"

"I understand it is your day off."

"My apologies for the intrusion."

"no intrusion ms baker"

"business or pleasure?"

"All pleasure today Heather."

"Palomar 1 hour?"

"meet you at the bar"

----

Jane stopped by the apartment, dropping off her gear and showering quickly. She changed into a classic black dress and pumps. She was committed to shedding her skin for the afternoon, breaking physically, mentally, and emotionally from her asset.

Heather looked up and saw Ms. Baker moving with a calm focus and determination. Her eyes were sharp and unwavering. Heather gasped in awe and anticipation, "Ms. Baker, you look dangerous."

Jane smiled sitting down at the small table in the bar. "Thank you Heather, I was so pleased you could meet me for drinks." Jane's smile lingered and desire flashed intensely in her eyes.

Heather involuntarily licked her lips and she took a sip of from her wineglass before she spoke,"Would you like to order something?"

"No."

Heather's eyebrow raised at the quick and unapologetic response. "Would you like to leave?"

"Yes." Jane smiled watching Heather's eyes flicker with need as she saw Jane raise a room key up.

Heather stood dropping a $20.00 bill on the table, following Jane out like a puppy.

The ride up on the elevator was both too long and too short as the women could not resist falling into each other intensely. Heather was gasping as Jane pushed against her, completely dominating her lips and mouth. When the doors began to open Jane broke away, leaving Heather dazed. Jane stepped out looking back and chuckling, "Are you coming?"

It didn't take long for the two women to fall into bed naked and breathless. Jane was determined to drive Fiona from her mind and lose herself in the moment. She had always been able to engage in relationships that met her needs in this way and relieved her of the stresses and tensions of her work.

The memory of their encounter at the boutique came flooding back to Heather and she refused to let Jane dominate her in that way again. She pushed Jane into the bedding wasting no time letting her mouth and hands aggressively pull, suck, and bite Ms. Baker's soft and toned torso and belly.

Both women were driven. There was shared raw need in the encounter. Neither woman was interested in sharing meaningless small talk.

Heather pulled her tongue across Jane's skin and dropped her mouth between her legs moving with urgency, tasting and exploring deeply. Heather let her lips and tongue meet Ms. Baker's soft and heated skin. She could not contain herself, she moaned in pleasure getting that 'taste' she so desperately needed in their last encounter.

Jane's body responded immediately, her back arched and she broke into a light sweat. She shook in ecstasy and reached down burying her hands into Heather's soft hair, she pushed to meet her. Jane could feel Heather respond, driving into her. Jane felt her body tense and then release with a shudder and deep groan.

Heather smiled into her skin as she continued to kiss Ms. Baker's body and pull the sex and sweat off her skin with her mouth.

"Heather," Jane whispered in satisfaction, "you are definitely worth the wait."

Heather chuckled lightly. "Ms. Baker, I have been thinking about how you tortured me." Heather grinned. "That wasn't very nice."

Jane smiled, flipping Heather to her back, "I'm not done."

----

Jane and Heather spent several hours enjoying each other's company making the most of their room and the time they had together. They spoke of nothing meaningful. Neither asked any questions or made any assumptions. Jane stepped out of the bathroom in the evening hours and slipped her dress on.

"Will I be hearing from you again?" Heather smiled watching Jane dress.

"Maybe, you are a lovely distraction from the stresses of my work."

Heather smiled, content with the response. "Live to serve."

Jane stepped over to the bed and leaned down kissing Heather's lips tasting one last time the spoils of the evening's conquest. She stepped back and withdrew with a smile and a wink.

----

The release of the tension and the euphoria of the evening stayed with Jane until she crossed the threshold of her apartment. Then her thoughts turned immediately to Fiona. Jane checked the clock, 10:30pm, she opened up a text.

"Ms. Donovan. I hope all is well. I am back at my apartment if you need me. If not, I will be back for you tomorrow morning."

"i'm all set""thank you jane""good night"