Preparations

24: Preparations

The weeks passed relatively quickly and the Charity Water cocktail event was now looming. Jane sat at Fee's kitchen counter working the security preparations while Fee got ready for her day at Micropath.

"William, our asset's semi-formal event for Charity Water is this Saturday at the Baltimore Aquarium at 8:00pm. I'll send all finalized, detailed information later but for now run a second round of data mining for any up-to-date information. Once I forward you the contact list for the event Saturday please confirm attendance and send me head shots and brief bios on the guests."

Fee emerged from her bedroom looking quite beautiful in a summer dress and sandals. Jane smiled in approval and Fee couldn't help but sigh softly. The two women found several moments of time in the days that passed to share in their affection. On more than one occasion Jane found herself pulling away from Fiona's lips and wanting hands, trying to maintain some self control and sensing that Fiona wasn't quite ready to elevate their physical relationship.

"Ms. Donovan, do we need to get you a dress for the event this week. Do you have a preference for shopping?"

"No, Not this time. I have an original Kate Spade that I've been saving just for this occasion." Fee smiled like a kid taking a few more years off her appearance.

"Okay, how about a special piece of jewelry for the evening? Our concierge has made a suggestion." Jane smiled at the grin that broke across Fiona's face.

"If you insist."

"Great. Let me see the dress." Jane was grinning too.

----

Reggie pulled up Charles Schwartz jewelers. Before they exited the car Jane explained to Fiona, "This jeweler will give you a necklace on loan to wear to your event. I sent the picture of the dress to them and they have selected a few pieces from which you may choose."

Fee nodded, "I understand," she grinned, "not mine to keep."

Jane chuckled, "Not this time."

Thirty minutes later Fiona and Jane exited the store. Fee chose a simple platinum necklace with a brilliant 4 carat emerald bookended by 18 carat diamonds. She was beaming from the shopping experience as they headed over to Micropath. Jane walked Fiona into the lobby. "Ms. Donovan, I'm going into my office to work on security for the Charity Water Cocktail party this Saturday. Please wait for me here. I will be back for you."

"Of course Jane." Fee turned and walked toward the elevators.

"Ms. Donovan!" Fiona turned back to Jane. "I apologize, I almost forgot. I assume Sunday will be a day you will spend resting?"

"Yes ... probably." Fiona was a little confused.

"Would you like to have breakfast Saturday morning instead?" Jane smiled at Fiona's green calm seas.

"Perfect!"

Jane had a few hours to prepare herself and the site for Saturday's event, just two days away. She walked out of Micropath and hailed a cab while calling the Post Office for the latest in intelligence. "Agent Baker, there have been no changes in our data. We are showing fair weather and there are no other major events in the immediate area. There will be the typical tourist population in the inner harbor."

"Thank you William, I'm heading to the site now to do a walk through."

As Jane walked through the Aquarium she took in the changes in lighting, elevation, hidden nooks and crannies, and the various egresses. Posters and banners adorned the walls announcing the Charity Water event and periodic plastic donation boxes were mounted to the walls requesting special donations.

The cocktail event would occur in the redecorated cafeteria area near the jellyfish exhibit but then guests would roam freely through the main 3 story facility. As security goes it wasn't the easiest facility to lock down. Jane stood on the second level looking down through the center of the facility. The exhibits wrapped up and round the outside walls allowing visitors to look down into an expansive shark and ray tank at the ground level.

She glanced down into a slow moving crowd and noticed Ms. Mitchell making her way through the facility. She was doing much of the same thing Jane did, taking copious notes. She glanced up and saw Jane, hesitating just a moment before she smiled and waved. After her slow ride up the escalator Courtney walked over to Jane. "Hello Ms. Baker! I see Fee has you working over time too!" She grinned.

"Oh yes!" Jane returned her smile and said lightly, "It's been some time since I visited the aquarium, I thought I'd come and take a look beforehand."

"Well, it's a wonderful facility. This is the largest and most complicated event Mircopath has ever hosted. We're hoping to bring in some significant donors. The charitable arm of the company essentially operates autonomously now and we are always looking for money." Courtney smiled at Jane, "So you will be attending Saturday too, right?"

Jane tilted her head not understanding the woman's curiosity. "Yes Ms. Mitchell."

Courtney grinned, "Do you know if Fiona will be bringing a date?" Courtney saw the surprised reaction on Ms. Baker's face. "What I mean to say is, well, Fee's been different at work. For the better." Courtney laughed, "We've kind of got a little pool going around the office. We want to meet whoever it is that's garnered her attention."

"Ahhh. I see. Perhaps that's a question best answered by Ms. Donovan." Jane smiled. "I will be working at the event so Ms. Donovan will garner all of my attention." Courtney flushed slightly at the thought of being the object of Ms. Baker's focus. She gasped slightly and nodded.

"Well, I wish you the very best Ms. Mitchell. See you in a couple of nights." Jane moved away checking her phone, she felt a sudden intense need to get back to Fiona.

Jane moved back outside and her phone chimed with an incoming call from PO1914. It seemed there was additional information. "Hello? Great William, please forward me the file ASAP. I see, I understand. I'll send a request in for a 3-man back up team within 2 minutes of the site. Thank you for the update."

Jane heard her phone chime with an incoming file which contained the headshots and bios of about 150 people. She grimaced considering the most recent chatter regarding the Donovans that seemed to be intensifying but just as vague as before. Jane sighed at the size of the file she was looking at.

----

"Good afternoon Ms. Donovan. Thank you for waiting for me. May I escort you home now?" Jane couldn't help herself, she felt her body relax at the sight of the young woman.

"Yes please, thank you."

Sitting in the car Jane broke some disappointing news to Fiona and housekeeping news to Reggie. "Ms. Donovan, I just received a tremendous amount of data I need to process before Saturday. I will not see you tomorrow." Jane leaned forward addressing Reggie. "Can you cover Ms. Donovan's security tomorrow? I will be with her the entire day Saturday. We won't need you until it's time to depart for the event."

"Of course Ms. Baker, my pleasure."

Jane smiled into the rearview mirror. When she leaned back she could see the disappointment on Fiona's face. "My apologies Ms. Donovan. I will be concentrating only on you and your safety."

"I understand, thank you." Fiona turned and watched the city pass by.

----

All day Friday Jane immersed herself in data and last minute review for the Charity Water event. All summer the chatter was increasing and Jane felt like she couldn't be over-prepared.

Fiona spent the majority of the day Friday at home, leaving only for some spa services in preparation for Saturday. Reggie was on high alert notifying Jane of their every move throughout the day. Fee was amused knowing that he either wanted to impress her or was terrified of her, or both.

By the time Saturday morning rolled around both the women were anxious to be in each other's presence. Fiona waited in the kitchen, not so patiently, but was rewarded at 8:30 hearing Jane moving up the stairs. Fee grinned and laughed with pleasure at Jane's attire. Shorts, sneakers, high ponytail, glasses, and a Boston College t-shirt. Jane rolled with laughter too. "Ms. Donovan, may I escort you to breakfast?"

"Yes, please." Fiona was still rumbling with laughter, "That made missing you yesterday almost worth it. I think I really love Boston."

Jane and Fiona enjoyed a relaxing breakfast Saturday morning. They silently agreed that they missed each other on Friday and that together felt "right." Jane felt particularly anxious about her loss of emotional control. It was both intoxicating and terrifying for her.

Jane stood at the top of the stairs after they returned from breakfast. "Ms. Donovan, get a little rest this afternoon."

Fee chuckled, "I'll take a nap and dream about that shirt."

Jane smiled but her face turned somber quickly, "Ms. Donovan, I wanted to apologize."

Fiona tilted her head slightly, confused by the remark. "Jane?"

"You are not a 'distraction.' That was short sighted and wrong. You are, well, you are the most beautiful person I have ever known."

Jane kissed the stunned woman softly on the lips. "I will be back for you." She turned and disappeared down the stairs.