As You Wish

25: As You Wish

Jane stood in front of her mirror assessing herself with a critical eye. She wore a classic knee length,"LBD," elegant heels, and her hair pulled up into a clean bun with dark strands framing her face. She had on formal makeup and carried a small clutch that held her phone and handgun snuggly without revealing an outline. She knew she looked elegant but she would be able to move easily into the background noise of the party.

As she climbed the stairs in Fiona's condo she contemplated what she might find. Fiona was standing by the island looking out at the lights of the city. Before Jane could stop herself she breathed out in awe,"Wow."

Fiona looked over and smiled in thanks. The dress was a summer color block highlighted by a blue-green sea color. It fit her perfectly, her heels gave her a few more inches and highlighted her toned legs, her hair fell in perfect cascades around her shoulders, and the borrowed necklace drew in Jane's eyes to the delicate space just between her collarbones. Jane could smell Chanel No.5.

Jane smiled, her senses overwhelmed. "I think the fish better put on their best show tonight if they want any attention."

"Thank you. You look quite stunning yourself." Jane smiled in thanks. She knew she was attractive but no one tonight would outshine Fiona.

Jane shifted into work mode. "Ms. Donovan, I am here for you tonight. You need only to focus on your event. You will find that I may be in close proximity or you may not see me but I will always know where you are and you will be safe. My goal is to be as unobtrusive as possible." Jane glanced quickly at Fiona's wrist and ankle to confirm she was "live."

"Ms. Donovan? May I take you to the event?"

"Yes, Jane." Fee held Jane's eyes searching for something, "I am ready."

----

As Fiona moved from the car to the red carpet entrance of the Aquarium, Jane moved along the ropes standing clear of the photographers watching the crowd, scanning, processing the faces. She glanced up and watched as Fiona stopped in front of the Charity Water wall made of yellow Jerry Cans for photos. Her smile was truly intoxicating.

Fiona continued to move along the carpet to the entrance and outside the scope of the photographers. Jane fell into stride with her 20 feet from the door and they entered the cocktail party uneventfully.

The Aquarium was transformed to a luxurious elegant space. The lights from the water bounced off the walls, sharks circled, the colors and movements of the animals were breathtaking. Fiona looked around and felt like a kid again. Jane looked over and smiled at Fiona's reaction.

A good part of the first half of the evening involved welcoming socialites, CEOs, and political heavy weights to the event. Jane positioned herself close to Fiona so she could help her identify approaching donors. At one point a German business man approached Fiona and held a short, broken conversation with him. Jane, noticing his wife looked unsettled, engaged in a conversation in her native tongue easing her discomfort.

As they walked away Fiona turned to Jane with a crooked smile and raised eyebrow. Jane laughed lightly, "Mrs. Engle was feeling a little overwhelmed, that is all. She did say she found you painfully beautiful." Jane's face leveled in sincerity, "I'd have to agree."

Reaching into the second hour of the event Fee found she was freed up to move through the aquarium. Jane fell into the background tracking Fiona and her surrounding guests and workers. Mr. Stout, the director of MGC, took the opportunity to stroll with her and speak with her about her success with Micropath.

Jane watched the two move past the tanks, the lights revealing their faces as they moved. Jane sipped at her wineglass and continued to take in the moving crowd. She was about 30 feet back from them when she saw it. A cocktail waiter moving too fast, his gait was unnatural. He was holding his tray up, but it was empty. He was moving toward the two. Closing the distance quickly, he dropped the tray to waist height sliding his hand beneath the napkins on top.

Jane moved quickly, striding past Fiona and Mr. Stout. She turned her head, catching Fiona's eyes and warning her that something was wrong. Fifteen feet and closing fast the waiter was so focused on his target he did not see Jane until it was too late. She unceremoniously walked directly into him, upending the tray and sending him to his back.

She fell on top of him, striking him as they dropped to the floor in his left temple and calling out "I'm so sorry!" The waiter was out cold before he hit the floor but Jane could feel the straight edge he carried cut deep into her forearm. Quickly, she activated her two-way ear piece. "William extraction and detain, kitchen entrance." A two man team of security guards arrived within moments surveying the scene.

Jane looked at the first guard with complete calm. She said, "Zip tie this man's hands immediately, get him down to the kitchen exit, there is an extraction team coming for him. Two minutes, go now."

Fee looked on, stunned and paralyzed. It happened so fast, she saw Jane bump into the waiter, they fell to the floor, and now two large men were helping him back to the kitchens. She looked back to Jane and saw her slip something into her handbag and step down on a napkin crushing something. Two more guards ran by, and a small crowd was now gathering. "Ms. Are you okay? What happened?"

"Oh I'm fine, really, I think the waiter got the worst of the collision, he's back in the kitchen now. I just have a small cut from the broken wine glass." Jane smiled, putting the guard at ease, "I'm just going to head to the ladies room." Jane looked up at Fiona and calmly said, "Could you give me a hand with the door Ms. Donovan?

Fiona followed Jane down the hall but instead of heading toward the bathrooms Jane moved through an unmarked door back into the private offices and then into a staff bathroom. "Lock the door Ms. Donovan."

Fee was shaking as she turned back toward Jane. She stared down at the blood running over the thin cloth napkin Jane was using to slow the bleeding. "Ms. Donovan? Ms. Donovan?!" Fee looked startled by the harshness in Jane's voice. "I need you to concentrate, are you with me?"

"Yes, I'm sorry." Fiona focused on Jane's cool eyes and calm voice.

"Call PO1914, tell them we are secure but will need an extraction from the southwest exit in 5 minutes. Call Reggie and tell him to meet us back at the condo. Call Larry and tell him we have already left the site and are headed to the emergency room. Don't mention which one. Hang up." Fiona stared. "Now, Ms. Donovan. Dial."

Fee completed the calls and whispered shakily. "Your wine glass didn't do that."

"No it didn't." Jane pulled the now soaked napkin away and surveyed the damage. It was a deep but clean cut that shouldn't slow her down. She began to rip the lining out of her dress and Fiona reached down to help. She wrapped it tightly around Jane's gash but the blood continued to spill over and onto her shaking hands. "We need to move Ms. Donovan. Are you ready?"

"Ready."

Jane and Fiona moved quickly to the exit and when they opened the door a black panel van was waiting. They entered the van and Fee saw a driver, a passenger in the front seat and the man in the back was already attending to Jane's arm. "A couple of stitches, 10 minute patch, piece of cake."

"Take us back to Water Street. I'll be in to speak with William and Foster ASAP. Look in my bag the weapon is there, get it back to the Mailroom. Did you pick up our guy?"

"Yes. We're clear and processing him now."

Fiona's head was spinning, before she knew it the van came to a stop and when she stepped out she was standing outside her condo.

"I will secure the asset and call in ASAP." Jane pulled the panel door shut. "Inside Ms. Donovan." Jane looked at her and smiled softly, "please."

----

Jane looked across at Fiona who was now sitting on the sofa, unsettled. Jane hung up her phone,"Reggie is being debriefed and will go home and return tomorrow."

"Ms. Donovan? Are you alright? Can you talk to me please?"

Fee lifted her eyes to Jane, her hair was falling out around her face. Her eyes were focused and full of concern. "What just happened? Who was that? Did he stab you? Where's my dad?" Fee's voice cracked and tears threatened.

Jane reached across and held Fiona's hand firmly while she called in. "William, please give me a status update on Ms. Donovan's father. Please give me a status update on the event. I see. Is this information classified? Thank you. You should have the weapon momentarily. You can check security tapes but it was dark. Ms. Donovan will be fine. I will come in tomorrow. Thank you William."

"Ms. Donovan, I'm going to let you know what I know, then I want you to go back to your room and stand in a hot shower. Do you understand?" Fiona nodded looking into Jane's eyes for answers.

"Your father is fine. We have eyes on him. He is currently in Munich visiting labs there. Yes, I was stabbed. The event is still ongoing, a team has moved through and "cleaned" the area. Your guests know you have escorted one of your staff to the hospital after she suffered a deep cut from a collision with a wine glass. You were not the target of that attack."

"What?! Who?" Fiona could barely keep up.

"We think that Larry Stout has gotten himself into some serious financial trouble with the wrong people. He may have been drawing in your company to try to remedy his problems. We are looking at that now, I promise to keep you posted. Ms. Donovan? Ms. Donovan?" Fiona would not or could not respond. Jane's voice became thick with concern and urgency, "Please. Please."

Fiona blinked at Jane's voice, she saw the bandage on her arm stained pink with bloody residue. She looked down at the dried blood on her hands, she broke under the emotional strain and her body shuddered with quiet sobs.

Jane moved over to her and gently cradled her in her arms. "Okay. Okay. It's going to be okay." Jane let her cry quietly and when the sobs slowed she stood up pulling her gently with her. Fiona sat on the edge of the tub, tears still lingering in her eyes. Jane started the shower in the large white room.

Jane hit one of the wall switches to ease the harsh lighting. She pushed back the shower curtain and helped Fiona to step into the oversized clawfoot tub. Fee sat down letting the hot water rain down over her. She held onto Jane's hand a little while longer, afraid to let her go.

Jane knelt on the floor at the edge of the tub and watched the water work it's way into Fiona's hair, slowly rinsing Jane's blood from her hands. She watched Fiona's face and eyes. Fiona sat hugging her knees waiting for her breathing to regulate and the tears to stop stinging her eyes. Jane reached up and gently brushed the wet hair away from Fiona's eyes and mouth. She could feel again a wash of emotional uncertainty. Her chest tightened and she thought of holding Fiona, pressing against her closely. Jane moved slowly closer to Fiona. She let her forehead rest against Fiona's temple ignoring the deluge of water.

Jane cradled Fiona's head and neck with her hand and murmured softly into ear, "Fiona. Let me help you." Fiona shook quietly with tears. Jane gently moved leaning into the tub and releasing Fiona from her dress helping her to strip down to her bra and panties. She removed the jewelry from Fiona's body, dropping the pieces to the bathroom floor. Jane began to work shampoo and soap over Fiona's body. She was gentle and careful not to move suddenly. Her hands moved across Fiona's arms, neck, back, and legs. She did not let them wander. She finished by soaping up Fiona's hands and forearms gently massaging away every remnant of the night.

Jane turned off the water and wrapped Fiona in a large bath sheet helping her out of the bathtub. While Fiona was wrapped loosely in the heavy cotton Jane reached gently under the towel without breaking eye contact she removed her bra and let it fall to the floor. She slowly turned Fiona so that Jane stood behind her and Jane moved her hands carefully up her legs and underneath the towel helping her to shed the wet garment.

As soon as Fiona was free of all her clothing Jane tightened the towel around her wrapping her in warmth. She moved Fiona to bed, covering her wrapped body in sheets and blankets. Jane leaned over Fiona,"Ms. Donovan, please try to get some sleep."

Fiona's eyes started shedding quiet tears again and Jane felt her heart seize with agony. "Please don't leave me." She whispered in a broken and ragged voice.

"I'll stay here with you tonight." Jane smiled softly and leaned in, framing Fiona's face with her hand and wiping a tear away from her cheek with her thumb she kissed Fiona gently on the forehead.

Fiona raised her eyes to find Jane's calming blue-grey eyes. She looked up deeply into Jane's eyes as if she was trying to find all the answers and Jane flinched. Fiona whispered in exhaustion, "Jane?"

"Yes, Ms. Donovan." Jane's face was so close now to Fiona's she could taste her sweet breath in the air.

"Please don't ever call me that again."

Jane smiled, "Okay Fiona. As you wish."