Daddio

22: Daddio

Jane and Fiona were on site and checked in within 30 minutes as promised. Jane walked through the 2-bedroom suite taking in the already familiar layout. Dr. Donovan's room was at the other end of the floor. He would share the space with one of his security detail.

"Ms. Donovan," Jane turned to Fiona and her tone was all business. "I'm going to escort you down to the lobby to meet your father. I will be riding in your car with one of his security detail. There will be a follow car as well. Your father has received some threats recently to you, but most primarily target him." Fee nodded in understanding. "If there is at any time an imminent threat, you are my priority. I will do my best to help your father's team too, but I need you to understand that I am here for you first. I don't expect that there will be any issues, but I wanted to be clear."

"Okay Jane, I understand." Fiona stood frozen for a moment a little intimidated by the tenor of the conversation.

Jane smiled softly and stepped in pushing a stray hair back from Fiona's face. "You look lovely, let's not keep your father waiting." Fee dizzied slightly at Jane's touch and she nodded silently.

Jane watched Fiona run up to her father who walked across the hotel lobby. She hugged him fiercely, squeezing the breath out of the man. He was almost 6' tall and with a slight build, wire rimmed glasses, and greying red hair. Jane looked closely and she could see that Fiona and he shared eye color and smiles. "Daddio! I've missed you!"

Jane's heart swelled at the pet name Fiona had for her father. She was stunned by her own reaction to something so relatively mundane. But she felt happily jarred by the interaction.

"Fee! I've missed you too!" His smile was wide and reached deeply into his eyes.

"Dad, this is Jane. She took Bill's place and has kept me very safe."

Jane stepped forward, "Hello Dr. Donovan, it's a pleasure to meet you. Fiona has been a joy to work for. Thank you so much for allowing me to ensure her safety here in Boston. I am truly grateful."

Dr. Donovan's eyes widened at both Jane's beauty and gratitude. "Of course Ms. Baker," he nodded to his man who was within earshot. "I'm certain that Jason will be both accommodating and gracious in meeting any and all of your needs. As long as my Fee is safe and happy." Jane nodded and stepped away into the background of the day.

----

Jane sat in the front of the car with Jason and listened intently to Fee and her father catch up. They didn't talk about business, they talked to each other about how they were feeling. They checked in on each other's emotional compasses, if they were enjoying work and travel in a general sense. The conversation was light. Each one reflecting on how the other looked. "Fee, you're glowing! You seem really happy." Dr. Donovan grinned and raised his eyebrows. "What's new in your life?"

Fee smiled and she could see Jane shift slightly in her seat. "Well, you know work has been challenging, but I've been finding time to socialize here and there. Jane and Reggie have made it really easy to get around." Fee hesitated for a moment, "Daddio, I'm kind of interested in a person at work."

"Really! Well that's wonderful! Tell me about him!" Dr. Donovan was beaming at the news. "I worry about you being alone, I travel so much."

"Well," Fee held her breath but she really wanted Jane to hear the response, "it's not a 'him' dad, it's a 'her.'" Fee watched her father's face cloud with confusion. Jason stole a sideways glance at Jane but Jane's face and body language gave nothing away.

"What? A woman? I don't understand. You date ... guys." Dr. Donovan was truly confused and Jane couldn't help but smile to herself at his response.

"Yes, Daddio, I've dated guys. I just happened to be interested in this woman. And it's new and different, but I'm drawn to her Dad. Is that a problem?"

"Ummmmmm Fee, no, but maybe you're just ... lonely?"

"Dad, I have been lonely from time to time, but this isn't loneliness. I'm not confused. I'm 28 years old, I'm not a kid anymore. I have a pretty good grasp on who I am." Dr. Donovan didn't immediately respond. Fiona's voice was quiet and tentative,"You're, disappointed?"

Dr. Donovan searched his daughter's eyes. He was truly stunned. "I could never be disappointed in you Fiona. I love you. You're the best parts of both your mother and I. I'm just confused. You were just dating Michael last year. What happened to Alex? Are you sure you're gay?"

Fee smiled softly remembering her discussion with Jane questioning her in the same way. "I know Dad, I don't mean to blindside you. Neither Michael or Alex would have met your standards. They would have treated me well, but not the rest of the world."

Jane heard this and wondered what Fiona thought about her and how she 'treated the rest of the world.'"

Fiona looked into her father's eyes and smiled with love and compassion,"I don't know what box I fit into Dad, I guess I just like who I like. I really can't help it, she draws me in. I'm just getting to know her, but I think she's a pretty special person."

"I see. I think." He grimaced and smiled, "Sometimes I really miss your mom."

"Me too Daddio. Me too."

"Will I meet her?"

Fee smiled, "Maybe. I just wanted to share this part of me with you. And now I want to concentrate on you. I've missed you so much. This trip it's me and you." Dr. Donovan smiled at his daughter, he knew how special she was.

Jane interrupted Fiona and her father's conversation. "Ms. Donovan, Dr. Donovan. We have arrived." She stepped out of the car. Jason opened the doors and he and Jane followed at a distance.

----

The tour and lunch were relatively uneventful. Jane did get to see both the Donovan's in action and Fiona clearly bridged gaps in the social settings that Dr. Donovan struggled with. She was charming and nearly everyone who spoke with her fell under her spell.

On the drive back to Dr. Donovan's hotel the conversation in the car revolved mainly around work. Dr. Donovan asked general questions trying to gauge Fiona's happiness with the company. Dr. Donovan hesitated at one point in the conversation,"Fee, there are going to be some changes coming."

Fiona shifted in the car. "What do you mean?" Concern washed through her voice.

"Nothing bad honey, it's just, I'm getting older. I turn 57 this year. I don't see you very often. I'm always traveling. I'm never in the lab long enough to see any single research project through. And I worry about your safety. I don't want you to live a life where security details are necessary." Fiona shifted uncomfortably in her seat, confused.

"Fee, I'm going to sell off my shares and step down. There is a position for me at Johns Hopkins anytime I want to take it as a professor and I can still do research. I thought I could be closer to you."

Fee let out her held breath. "Daddio, that sounds amazing! I'd love to have you close." Fee vibrated with happiness.

"It means that I would no longer be a voice in making decisions about Micropath Charities. My transition at this time could leave you without a job that you love or without the autonomy that you've enjoyed." Dr. Donovan's voice was thick with regret and sadness. "I can wait, Fee. It's not too late. The sale doesn't go through until the end of the summer just before the Fall gala."

"No Dad, no. I'll find a way to make it work or I'll find another organization. There will always be people in need and there will always be people willing to help." Fee paused for a moment, "Also, Dad, isn't the company quite valuable? It's not like we'll be paupers. I still have my stock too."

Dr. Donovan smiled and laughed,"Well, there is that! Would you like to sell too? I'm not really sure how it all works, but I can have Mark call you and step you through it next week. He would be able to advise you on the right decision. The decision is yours to make Fiona."

Fee smiled,"Okay Dad. You don't need to worry about me. Take care of yourself and come back to D.C. I miss you!"

Once they arrived back at the hotel the Donovan's retired to their respective rooms, they had about 2 hours before dinner and they wanted to rest and change.

----

When Fiona stepped into her room Jane texted William "New intel. Dr. Donovan to sell shares of Micropath. Start datamine for possible new majority owners."

Fiona moved back into the shared space wearing shorts and a t-shirt. She dropped into the sofa and grinned as Jane moved to a chair across from her.

"So, a little surprise for your father." Jane smirked.

"Yes. He was surprised wasn't he?"

"Me too for that matter." Jane chuckled,"Your poor father though. He's truly discombobulated."

Fee rolled with laughter,"Yes! But he took it better than I thought he would." Fee's laughter subsided and her tone changed, in a moment of reflection she said, "I guess I really didn't need to do that to him, but it felt right. It felt like something I wanted to share with him. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all Ms. Donovan. I was flattered." Jane laughed, "Wait, you were talking about me, right?"

Fiona grinned with delight,"Jane? Sarcasm? I love it!"

Jane stood up chuckling,"Ms. Donovan, I'm going down to take a look at the dinner venue and the rooftop. I'll let Jason know. Get some rest."

Fiona leaned forward and gently laid her hand on Jane's wrist stopping her from moving, "You promised." Jane looked confused and then realized what Fiona was remembering. "Just a few more files Ms. Donovan. Then I'll concentrate only on you."

"Yes, I did, didn't I?" Jane sighed,"I am concentrating on you Ms. Donovan. I'm concentrating on your safety."

Fiona had a sinking feeling that she wasn't going to be able to get Jane to stay and she didn't want to draw any lines in the sand. "Okay, I understand. You have a job, I won't get in the way." Jane smiled with gratitude. "But before you go," Fiona stood and closed the distance having never let her hand drop away from Jane. "Aren't you going to say it?" Fiona's warm breath broke over her lips and tickled Jane's neck and ear.

Jane turned slightly into Fiona, sharing space and air. She looked steadily into the calm green seas, and whispered softly, "Ms. Donovan, I will be back for you."

Fiona pressed her lips softly into Jane's, taking the time to feel the warmth of her soft skin. Jane's mouth broke open slowly and she allowed Fiona to deepen the connection with her. Jane's heart was thundering in her chest. Again she was dizzied by the unfamiliar emotional connection. Fiona broke the kiss, her eyes sparkled with life. "See you soon." She turned and moved back into her room making it easier for Jane to step away.