Wednesday knocks softly on Don Mezzo's door, hoping she is not interrupting something important.  As she waits patiently on his doorstep, Cruel wiggles around in the pocket of her dress.  Other than carrying a frog around in her pocket, she looks like a normal young lady in her early 20's.

She had dressed very carefully for the occasion, wishing to impress the handsome and powerful Don.

She had heard over and over by many that he had been friendly with her mother.  Just how friendly, Wednesday had no idea but she hoped to find out.  It was time to get over her fear and find out what she needed to know.

If she was ever to move forward in life, she had to identify her father.

Following a slow and typical day in the East Cat, Jack took grateful exception to the unscheduled knock to his door. He briefly paused before standing to welcoming his visitor, Mezzo knew all too well how life can change by opening a door.

The girl on the other side was familiar, it took a second to recall the encounter some days before.

"Ah, Wednesday's child. The Seattle girl looking for her father. I expect you've got hopes I can help you on your search? Or maybe you need some accommodation while in Philly?

"Regardless, it's good to see you again, please come in."

He stepped back and allowed the young girl to enter. 

Wednesday smiles impishly as she is inclined to do and parades past her hapless host.  She is a curious person and is attempting to compare him to his surroundings.  Everything about JackMezzo is masculine and straightforward.  His home definitely confirms this as it definitely lacks a feminine touch.  It seems to suit him perfectly is the way Wednesday sums it up.

I'm sorry to barge in on you this way, Don Mezzo.  I realize you are a very busy man and you probably don't have time for frivolous little girls and their whims of fancy.  However, I am on a mission to find my father.

I have no idea where I might find him, except that My mother was in Seattle when I was born.  I went there and have spoken to many of her friends.  They have welcomed me with open arms.

In the end, many of them have pointed me to Philadelphia and some specifically to you.  They think you may know something.  I apologize for being so blunt, I am just so anxious to get on with my life.

Please tell me if there is anything at all that you know.

She wanders around the room while speaking, occasionally looking at him to see if she can observe a hint in his demeanor.

As the girl paced the room, Jack watched with the same curious fascination that had plagued him on first meeting her. Due to his schedule, Jack's office wasn't in the slightest bit interesting, so Wednesday was clearly not making idle chit-chat while taking in the scenery. There were no personal touches, no trinkets or gifts from loved ones, no photos of family, friends,... wife... children.

No, her words were carefully prepared and of great importance to her. 

As she spoke, Jack began to realise her motives in Philly could extend beyond needing to tap into Jack's contact list, or seek accommodation.

"I'll of course be happy to help however I can, you mentioned before you were looking to reunite with Don Coltrane, an old family friend? Did he give you any answers?"

Jack soon remembered his manners, at last. His mother would be appalled.

"I'm sorry, can I get you a drink?"

He closed the door and stepped towards a tray with a selection of bottles. Most were the same shimmering shade of gold. He made conversation while shuffling through the clinking bottles.

"It might also help to know who your mother was, was she Seattle born, too?"

Wednesday's eyes lit up when she thought of her mother.  She hadn't been around for a long time, but Wednesday's memories were only of the good times.

My mother's name was Joy.  She was the Godmother of Ballard Blush.  She was very well known in the Seattle area, but no one there seems to be the father or know who he was.   She seems to have been well loved by her family and friends.   I have interviewed them all at length and no one seems to know for sure who he may have been.  She had several links to Philadelphia and you are one of them.  Did you know her very well?

Wednesday looks at him intently, her gaze tries to penetrate his soul.  She doesn't merely listen for an answer but also involves all of her senses when he responds.

The bottles struck each other slightly more vigorously than probably intended.

The vague association he couldn't place suddenly came crashing down and became abundantly obvious. The recognition in her features gradually revealed itself. He took a moment to allow the thoughts to bombard him, questions to rise and fall, possibilities presented themselves and emotions rolled in on the crests of thunderous waves.

His composure struggled to return. Despite belief, discipline, conditioning and pride, Jack couldn't conceal the emotional response that name triggered. He soon accepted it, letting the closed doors of the walls built between personal and professional fly open. Wednesday was likely the first to witness it, ever. It didn't really matter, she seemed to be taking it all in with just a look, anyway.

"Your mother... is deeply missed."

He began pouring a whiskey, concentrating his gaze on the sloshing liquid.

"In my younger days, I'd arrange to be in Seattle just to be around in case she called. Business that would take me to the city, I'd prioritize. Business that took me to the west coast, I'd bunk off and head to Seattle. Even Detroit and Chicago were closer than Philly is."

The whiskey continued to flow.

"One day though I received an invitation. One I perceived as a generic attendee request. Turned out I was her guest, and what followed was probably the greatest night of my life."

He returned the decanter and replaced the glass stopper.

"...After she died I became... this." He motioned around the room.

"Dull, private, workaholic. I've not ventured far from this path since."

Wednesday's jaw drops like a rock.  Not only did this man admit to knowing her mother quite well, he was obviously distraught even after all of these years at her death.  Could there be even the slightest chance that her search was over?  Wednesday held her breath as tears began to well up in her eyes.  She too missed her mother, even after all of this time.

She hated to come right out and ask him, but she supposed it may be necessary in the end.

To be frank, I am looking for my father.  It seems you knew my mother very well.  Is there some chance you know who he is?   Some chance that maybe, you could tell me?

Wednesday's voice cracks as the emotion comes to the surface.  Now that she is so close to finding out, she is overwrought with sentiment.  She takes a final deep breath and then just plunges on with her question, her voice at a near whisper.

Is it possible that you are my father?

She did it.  Yes or no, there was no turning back now.  She looked at him beseechingly as she waited for his response.

Jack reigned his thoughts in, hard. If they were a dozen stampeding stallions he would have dragged them all to the floor. It was necessary, the more Wednesday spoke the more he wanted it to be true. The idea had woken him, from whatever shadow of life he had been living, like a surge of sentiment overwhelming his previous self. The emotional response her voice triggered, and the possibility that she was suggesting, was a far cry from his previous opinion on the idea of being a parent. He had never wanted kids, or at least never wanted them born into this life, as he told Tara while they were in LA.

Right before he went to Seattle to see Joy, in fact.

The glass of whiskey now rested peacefully on the side. It was no longer stressed by the trembling motion brought on by the young girl stood feet away from Jack. The man himself had both hand on his desk, head hung. He eventually turned as she finished speaking, as that last whisper escaped her lips. He rested on the edge of the desk, finding enough respite from his thoughts to look her in the eye. 

"...It's possible."

A pause.

"...But unless you know your search ends at just myself, I don't know for sure."

He watched her, unexpectedly hopeful.

Wednesday looks over at Don Mezzo with new regard.  She never could have imagined this outcome in a thousand years.  Her heart beats like a drum, thumping and pounding in her chest and ears.  She has trouble thinking and feels slightly dizzy.  Cruel jumps nervously in her pocket.

I am afraid I have exhausted all other leads.  I have looked high and low for my father, and I believe I have found in you the only credible possibility.  My mother kept this information to herself and I am not sure why.  I did have one small clue in one of her diaries about an incredible evening with Jack.  I wasn't exactly sure who it referred to until speaking with you.  

Wednesday waits for some kind of reaction from him, not being able to tell by his face.  She looks away, hoping that he might have some sort of feeling somewhere deep inside, her own emotion kept in check until she sees what his might be.

A sudden rush of adrenaline. He felt the need to sit, quickly. Fortunately he found a chair aside his desk and gracefully lowered himself in. Resting his elbows on his knees, he felt his breath on his hands as they fidgeted over his mouth. 

A father. A personal responsibly outside of his own care. A liability? Jack had a lot to consider, there were many intrusive and suggestive thoughts passing through his head. Was she safe? Was she happy? Could he keep her safe? It took a few minutes for him to realise that while he was pondering the impact it was having on himself, that the girl was still waiting. For the first time in his life, the nagging voice of his mother did not rear itself. For the first time in his life, Jack knew what he had to do without being prompted. 

Raising himself from the chair he approached her and stood, looking down in what was quickly becoming pride and awe. 

"I'm not sure what you want from me, but I'm prepared to be whatever you need me to be. I'm not sure how rooted you are in Seattle or if you're comfortable with keeping me at a distance, but I'm ready you have you live here, with me, in Philly."

He watched, uncertain what to say or do, so just went with what he felt. It was unfamiliar ground, not being in control, however he expected there would be a lot more unfamiliar ground to come.

The tears welling up in Wednesday's eyes finally spill over her eyelids and onto her cheeks.  She has never been a particularly emotional person, so this is a new experience for her.

Looking at the man in front of her, her father she has feelings that she never knew were possible.  She also sees things that she has always wondered about.  She quickly realizes that there are some similar features between her and her father and also some mannerisms as well. 

It's nice to be able to see where you came from, and she is overcome with a feeling she can't quite identify.  Wednesday listens as he speaks to her with a fair amount of sentiment himself.  She thinks carefully about what she wants to say and then begins.

I have been searching for you since I can remember, and I have always wanted to know you.  I still want to know you, everything about you.  I am however, very attached to my Seattle home.  I can't see myself leaving there forever, but I would like to stay here and get to know you for a while if that's okay with you.

She holds her hand out to him in a gesture of affection, not knowing what else to do.  She isn't even sure what to call him.  She knows this has to be a lot for him to digest as well.  The fact that he has accepted her is amazing, and she doesn't want to spoil this moment.

Too soon? Maybe. He expected that Wednesday being in Philly would have been the right thing to propose, however the entire situation was unfamiliar territory, to the both of them. Despite consciously aware of this though, Jack couldn't ignore the protective instincts that surged through him as he took her hand. He suspected that the days to come would be challenging. 

"Of course, yes. I was just..."

He hesitated, eventually shaking it off and placed his other hand on top of hers patting it gently. 

"I'm very pleased to meet you"

He exchanged a smile with her and there was a moment where both could try and become comfortable with the revelation.

"I'll be in town for the foreseeable future as we have an eventful weekend planned. I don't know if boxing is your scene, but I'd be very happy to have you watch over the proceedings. I have certain duties to attend to on the day, but while you're in Philly I'll make sure you're well looked after by my security team.

"Following that we can get away from the business world for a while and I'll tell you all about your family history."