It Will Hurt

23: It Will Hurt

Jane encountered only moderate resistance from Jason when she walked down to inform him she would be putting eyes on the dinner and firework venues. "Ms. Baker, I can assure you we have checked and re-checked both venues. They are secure." Jason's voice was tight.

"I have no doubt, Mr. Simmons. But I think you know as well as I do that if the roles were reversed that there is no way you would let your asset walk into an area without first having been through yourself."

Jason nodded in agreement. "Very well. I will put a man in the corridor with eyes on both suites."

It only took Jane a short time to walk through the spaces. She had memorized the layouts and simply needed to verify table set up, numbers of attendees, and wanted to walk through the kitchen space and put eyes on staff. Jane returned to find Fiona dressed in a flattering summer dress and sandals. She felt her chest tighten slightly as she entered the suite. "Everything looks good Ms. Donovan." Jane let the eyes linger and the double meaning of her words hang in the air.

Fee laughed lightly, "Thank you very much Jane. Is it time?"

"Yes, Ms. Donovan. I'll escort you down. I will always be close. I will be back for you at the end of your night." Fee nodded and followed Jane out the door.

----

Fiona enjoyed every moment with her father. They let the world fall away and reconnected with ease over dinner. She hadn't realized how much she missed his quirkiness and found herself more and more excited about his return to Washington D.C. As much as she enjoyed the dinner and the fireworks, Fiona found herself thinking anxiously at the end of the night of sharing the suite with Jane.

Fee stood with her father looking out over the skyline. "Dad, when does your flight leave?"

Dr. Donovan wrapped his arm around Fiona. "4:45, sweetie, early."

Fee sighed,"Will I see you again soon?"

"The New York gala, Honey. I won't make Charity Water, but the change in leadership of the company will happen in New York. The start of our new life together."

Fiona smiled, "That sounds amazing. Daddio?"

"Yes?"

"I would like you to meet her. When you come back to Washington."

Jane was standing unseen and unheard just a few steps away. When she heard Fiona's words and she tensed. All of the sudden she felt a line was crossed and that it perhaps wasn't a line that should or could be crossed.

"Okay sweetie, whatever you want." The two shifted their eyes back to the skyline. They stood together until close to midnight before they walked back to their rooms, Jane and Jason following.

"I love you Daddio. I'm with you." Fiona fell into her father's arms.

"Oh?" Dr. Donovan leaned back to look closely at his daughter.

"Yeah, tell Mark. I'm with you. Let's step away from Micropath together. It's time for a new adventure."

"I love you Fee. I'll see you soon." Dr. Donovan stepped into his room and Jane fell into stride with Fiona escorting her back to the suite.

----

"How are you feeling?" Jane's voice was quiet and filled with compassion.

Fiona sighed,"Tired, I loved seeing him, but I'm exhausted."

"Ms. Donovan, why don't you go get ready for bed. I could use a shower too. I'll check on you shortly." Fiona nodded and moved into her room.

Jane was out first and she sat in a chair skimming her phone. She had changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt, hair pulled back. Fiona joined her dressed again in the same shorts and t-shirt as earlier. They sat comfortably in silence, processing the day's events. Jane smiled at Fiona, she was barely hanging on to consciousness. "Ms. Donovan, I think it's time you move to your bed."

Fee wanted to protest, but she couldn't muster the energy. "You're right. I'm ready." Jane stood and walked her into her room pausing at the threshold watching Fiona climb into the bed.

"Goodnight Ms. Donovan. I enjoyed my trip, thank you."

Fiona propped herself up on her elbows, her smile was tired but mischievous, "Aren't you going to tuck me in and kiss me goodnight?"

Jane chuckled, "Ms. Donovan, I think we both know that would not be a wise thing to do. Good night." Before Fiona could protest, Jane withdrew and gently closed the door. She was certain that Fiona would be asleep within minutes.

----

Fiona woke and stretched within the depths of the bed. She slept soundly and felt refreshed. She emerged from the room to find Jane dressed for the day, coffee, croissant, and fresh fruit on the table in front of the sofa.

"Ms. Donovan," Jane smiled, "you were 'lights out' last night."

Fee laughed, "Yeah, but now I feel great." She sat and started in on breakfast. "What's the agenda for today?"

"Well it's almost 10:00am. Your father has arranged our transportation to the airport. We fly out at noon, you should be back home by 4:00 easily. Okay?"

Fiona nodded. "Sounds good."

Jane watched Fiona for a few moments and then cautiously drew her attention. "Ms. Donovan, I couldn't help but hear you tell your father you'd like him to meet me."

Fiona nodded a little confused, "Yes."

"I may not be around. You understand that right? I'm under a contract, contracts end." Jane could see Fiona's shoulders slump with the realization.

Fiona responded and her voice was distant. "Oh. I guess I lost sight of that. Of course." She looked up at Jane, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to overstep. I guess I just feel like you're something I'd like to share with the people I love. It didn't occur to me that it's not up to me."

Jane smiled softly, "It's okay. I just wanted to make sure you understood. We talked about the risks of getting hurt. I don't want to hurt you."

"I understand, really. I meant what I said, any little part of your life, any small measure of time you are willing to share with me, I'll take it." Fiona smiled with compassion, "But you should know. When you leave me, it won't matter if it's today or years from now, it will hurt."

"Yes. I can see that. It will hurt us both." Jane stood up and kissed Fiona lightly on the cheek, "I'm going to pack and check in with the office. I'll meet you here in one hour. Please do not leave the suite without me. I'll be back for you."