Kate leaned back in her chair.

"You've impressed me in the limited dealings we've had- and your application does seem like it'd fit well."

Kate scrutinized Jennie's face.

"What's your comfort level being around sex? Alcohol? Drugs? Violence?"

Jennie blinked in surprise and then scrunched up her face, "The fuck kinda business you running?" she asked before gasping in shock and slapping her hands over her mouth. She could feel her face turning bright red as she shook her head side to side, "no, no, no. Oh god, I'm so sorry." she managed to get out to Kate as she sat there. She hung her head and sighed. "Me and my stupid fucking mouth." She groaned and then looked at Kate again to see if she was angry. 

Kate just stared at Jennie for a moment before breaking out into peals of laughter. She rarely laughed anymore; she'd barely smiled in the past week. And maybe she was just exhausted. But she couldn't help it: laughter fell from her a sudden, gentle rainstorm. When it subsided, she wiped her eyes.

"The fun kind, Jennie. The fun kind. Still interested?"

Jennie had been braced for yelling, lectures or even actual violence at the fear of offending Ms. Logan. But when the laughter started she didn't quite know what to do with herself. She managed a few chuckles of her own, while Kate carried on, but mostly she was still slightly to mortified to even ponder the true hilarity of her own words. 
Once Kate had calmed down she smiled, "Absolutely. To be honest, from our past dealings I've wanted a reason to get closer to you." She sighed, "Well that came out a lot creepier than I meant it to." She waved a hand, "But you know what I mean." she said, "Well, at least I hope you do." she chuckled and then asked, "So, what can I do to help you?"

 "In a word, everything. There's going to be times when I need some privacy, of course. But I... well, if I'm being honest, there are times when I try to do too much."

She pointed at a jumbled mess of papers on her desk.

"Help me stay organized, managing my time, looking after the logistics of things."

"Forcing me to sleep every now and then. Perhaps overseeing a special project now and then. That sort of thing."

Jennie nodded her head. "Leave it to me. I'll have to pick up some supplies, but I can get a few things sorted this evening before I head home." she glanced at the clock and frowned, "Gosh, it is very late. Perhaps you should head home and get some rest. That way you're not underfoot while I try to sort your life out." she told her new employer with a smile. "Anything I'm not sure of I'll leave until morning - but if you get some sleep you'll have a clear head and then tomorrow we can discuss things in greater detail?" she suggested to the woman who looked tired. 

 Kate nodded.

"See, earning your keep already. Take it easy, Jennie, and we'll talk tomorrow."

Rising, Kate exited the room, wondering whether to head home- or get a drink.

Jennie waited a bit until she heard the front door close. Once it clicked she stood up and flipped her head upside down, gathering her hair in a bunch at the top of her head. Taking two of the pencils out of the holder on the desk she stabbed them through her hair and then stood up to make sure they would hold, they did. She let out a slow breath as she looked at the mess on the desk and then shook her head. "No time like the present." she said as she started gathering papers. She figured she would sort them into four piles. Junk, can wait, Important, unsure. She started shuffling through them, skimming them quickly and then putting them in the appropriate pile. She knew she was going to have to double check them, but she wanted to get them sorted first. She eyed up one of the papers that caught her eye, a report from someone in the family about her and a conversation they had had. She chuckled as she re-read the words that she had told them. "Ah, what a fucking idiot." she muttered to the empty office. Once she got through the stack of papers, she dusted her hands on her skirt and then rose to her feet.  She wandered down the hall in search of a coffee maker, knowing that she was probably going to be here for quite some time tonight. 

Jennie woke up slowly, her eyes blinking a few times as she tried to remember where the hell she was. She sat up, papers stuck to her face. With a groan she pulled them free from her skin and glanced over them. Ah yes, she was in Kate's office - trying to make sense of the madness that had been left there for her to deal with as her new job. She had stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, sorting through papers and jotting down notes to go over with Kate when she finally showed up. It had been exhausting, but after two pots of coffee she felt like she had made some headway. 

She put the paper in the correct pile and then clamped them together. She did the same with the other three piles, and then stacked them neatly in order of importance on the center of Kate's desk. She had a list of things she was going to need if she wanted to do this job effectively as possible, so she ripped that sheet of paper off the notepad she had found and shoved it in her pocket. On the page below it was a list of things Kate could expect to do today.  She scribble a note at the top of the page explaining that she had to run a few errands, but would be back before lunch, hopefully. 

With that Jennie got to her feet and stumbled, still half asleep, towards her apartment for some breakfast and a shower. 

Kate returned to her office and was pleased to see everything in order. Jennie sure did work fast. Smiling, she returned to her seat behind her desk and began the day's work ahead of her.

Cradling a fragrant bouquet of pink roses in one arm, Billie stepped from Park Avenue into the ground level of The Logan Review. Pausing in the doorway a moment, she removed her brown driving cap and tucked it beneath her elbow, waiting for her eyes to adjust. As the dim interior slowly faded into focus, Billie found the room to be oddly still. It seemed strange to see no one milling about yet, but it was still early and the pungent smell of booze in the air made her suspect whatever oafs ran the equipment were likely ‘on break’ or still recovering from the last break. Still half expecting to be hauled out by her hair, Billie spent a few more tentative moments glancing around before finally stepping over the threshold and properly into the building. Patting her left pocket to ensure she still had everything she needed, she smoothed the front of her floral print tea dress before carefully picking her way upstairs.

The sound of her mary jane pumps echoed off the walls with each step as she timidly made her way toward the receptionist’s desk on the second floor. Still clinging to the bundle of lusciously scented Memorial Day roses, Billie click-clacked her way back to the stairs and peered once again to the eerily still presses below. Perhaps she had arrived too early…

The crisp morning air surrounding the Review’s building was irrevocably perfumed with the soft, damask scent of roses by the time Billie finally made her way back, to sit atop the receptionist’s desk. Crossing her legs so that she could rest the ridiculously large bouquet across her lap she, she perched atop the front edge like an entertainer might sit atop a grand piano. And once she was comfortable and settled in to wait if need be, she finally called out to anyone who might hear, “Pardon me! I have a delivery for Ms. Kate Logan!”

Thomas shivered in the brisk morning air. The Sun had yet to peak, though it's rays illuminated the streets of downtown Montcalm where he awaited the dozen pink roses he'd ordered from the floral shop.

As Francine finished wrapping them, Thomas rubbed his gloved hands together and blew into them before reaching for the bouquet.

"T'ank yeh, lass. I really appreciate this." He borrowed a pen and took some of Francine's stationary, having a seat at one of her benches and tables within the shop. He tapped his chin for a bit and looked at Francine who walked over... "Fancy yourself a woman now do ya, Mr. O'Shannon?" Thomas laughed and shook his head, "Nae... I mean, tá. I do, but this nae be fer her. This be an errand fer someone else. They be wantin' ta deliver some roses, pink," he gestured to the roses on the table, "ta Miss Logan o'er at tha Logan Review. Anonymously. So they hired a courier... Me." He chuckled and pointed to the paper, "Yeh go' any thoughts on a note ta leave 'er?"

Francine and Thomas bounced ideas off of each other for a while, long enough for the Sun to rise and heat the cold air outside.

Once the note was finished, Thomas folded the stationary paper neatly and creased it down the middle before sticking it in his coat pocket. Wrapping his coat up and bundling himself, he grabbed the roses and headed for the door, pausing only to give Francine a quick wave.

He hurriedly made his way down Montcalm towards Park Avenue. The wind whipped him in the face and he protected the bouquet of flowers as best he could, even going so far as to hide them beneath his greatcoat. He hit Park Avenue, crossed the street, and hooked it around the corner to break free of the cutting wind. "Jaysus Christ," he spat out as he took a moment to lean against the brick wall that worked as a wind-break.

With a huff, he shoved off the wall and continued down Park Avenue at a more leisurely pace.

Arriving at the offices of The Logan Review, he pushed open the door and ran in to the lovely Billie_Faegan sitting atop the secretary's desk.... holding a bouquet of pink roses.

He looked at her and blinked, producing a bouquet of pink roses from under his greatcoat and began laughing.

Billie blinked at the roses, confounded for a moment. Hers were prettier, she thought, and they smelled better. Wait... what the fuck did it even matter? And what just happened? Thomas' laugh was absolutely infectious. And before she knew it she was chuckling along in that melodious way of hers. "Fuckin shit, Tommy. You too?" With a shake of her sleek ebony curls and a brilliant flash of pearly whites she cooed, "Guess we'll just have to wait together then." Patting the desk next to her she coaxed him over,  "Come keep me company with those dancing blue eyes of yours."

Thomas nodded, continuing to chuckle. He hopped onto the desk next to her and attempted to catch his breath, finally sputtering out, "I suppose our employer truly wants Miss Logan ta feel loved."  He shook his head and put an arm around Billie. "I guess we both wait fer her ta pop in and then we pounce on 'er an' give off these two beautiful bouquets." He swung his feet like a kid off the desk as they chitted and chattered back and forth waiting for Kate, or SOMEONE...

Thomas looked at Billie, "Am beginin' ta wonder if Miss Logan seen us t'rough da window an' decided ta fock off instead o' come in." He laughed, hopping of the desk and meandering his way up the stairs to Kate's office. After motioning for Billie to follow, and passing off his delivery to her, he pulled out some bobby pins and went to work on Kate's door.

*Click*...

The tumbler unlatched and the door creaked open. "HAHA! Lookie tha', lass. I still got it."

Thomas pushed the door wide open and took his bouquet back from Billie before walking across the room. "I can'ae be sittin' here waitin' all fockin' day fer Miss Logan ta come in. You do what yeh will, Billie, but I'm leavin' me flowers an' note here on 'er desk."

He placed the gently wrapped bouquet on Kate's desk and pulled the folded note from his coat pocket, tucking it into the tissue paper surrounding the rose stems. When Kate got it, it would read:

Dear thoughts are in my mind  
And my soul soars enchanted,  
As I hear the sweet lark sing  
In the clear air of the day.  
For a tender beaming smile  
To my hope has been granted,  
And tomorrow she shall hear  
All my fond heart would say.

I shall tell her all my love, 
All my soul's adoration, 
And I think she will hear 
And will not say me nay. 
It is this that gives my soul 
All its joyous elation, 
As I hear the sweet lark sing 
In the clear air of the day.

~A Secret Admirer

Thomas turned to Billie and shrugged, "I suppose that works, hi?" He chuckled and headed out of the office and towards the building's exit.

"Tommy... Tom-MY!" Billie hissed as her companion went to work on their boss' door. "This is a baaaad idea, Thomas," she continued to whisper - as if anyone could hear. The place was still dead-empty. She shook her head as the latch popped open. Somewhere in the back of her brain she wondered what else he could open so adroitly, but at the moment at hand was a bit to hinky (not be confused with kinky) for her normal semi-sexual demeanor to take over.

If KateLogan caught them breaking into her office.... Billie shook her head. She'd only just relaxed from the last shit storm. She was no where near ready for another. As Thomas waltzed through the door and began arranging the roses, Billie hung back in the doorway; dancing nervously on the spot. 

"I was told to deliver them into her hands, personally. So... you go ahead. I'm gonna stick to my instructions." Billie shrugged, "Besides, I have some business with Jennie here, too. Two birds with one stone and all that jazz." She smiled and shook her head as he headed for the exit. "If they come looking for you at the flat cuz you're pulling B&Es on upper management, Thomas, I will not be pleased," She called down the stairs playfully. Though he was already in the streets before she realized it. Silly Irishman. What was she to tell the boss, now. 

Wait.... what WAS she going to tell the boss?? Looking around she gulped softly. Suddenly waiting didn't seem like such a good idea anymore...

Kate opened the door to the building with a sigh. It had been a long week. A long month. She was tired, but she wasn't falling asleep on her desk anymore, so that was an improvement. The heels of her boots thudded against the floor as she smelled... whiskey? bourbon? rum? Karl and Fritz must have been celebrating, since the paper had been so short last week. Smiling ruefully, unable to remember the last time she'd kicked back and had a drink, Kate climbed the wooden stairs and opened the door to the second floor, noticing there were two people in the reception area... and the door to her office was slightly ajar. Her hand moved with practiced speed toward the gun inside her jacket before she recognized Billie_Faegan and TammyDeLuca standing there.

".... Good morning, you two... didn't expect to see anyone here..."

Curious, she narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Why's my office open? Is Jennie in there?"

Billie narrowed her eyes a bit. How did she keep ending up in these situations. "It's alright, Boss. I half expected it, to be honest. Long week. I'm actually here for Jenny too, funnily enough," Billie explained, slowly turning her suspicious gaze away from the stranger. "But I was also sent to give you these!" Billie crooned, handing Kate the knock-you-over fragrant bouquet with a typically Harlem flourish. 

She paused, glancing down at the still-slightly-open door, kicking herself for not pulling it shut after Thomas left. She thought for a brief moment; long enough for Kate to surely pick up on, before finally flashing Kate a wide smile. Not the kind Kate said would get her in trouble. It didn't reach her eyes this time. Yep. Something was up... 

Billie met Kate's gaze with an air of seriousness quite out of line with her usual demeanor. "Two birds with one stone, and all that jazz, you understand?" Billie flicked her eyes to the roses in Kate's arms and then over to her office door before continuing.  "I've been here all morning boss. Not sure where Jennie is, but I haven't seen her. And I'm sure rather eager to move on with my day." She slowly fished a small piece of parchment from her pocket and handed to Kate, "This goes with those, and if you've got time, I'd like a word... in private." Billie looked back over her shoulder at Tammy, not in the mood for polite introductions, "I'm sure our friend here wont mind. It'll just be a moment." 

Billie flashed Tammy a patient smile. She didn't like the idea of lying - even by omission. And she wasn't about to let Kate flounder and stress over who might've done what in her office, but she refused to discuss in front of anyone else - just in case Kate got sour over it. 

When Kate opened the stationery, the letter would read:

Beloved of my life, delight of my soul,

My days are brighter simply for having you in them. All the songs and poems in the world do not even hold a candle to you, my love. You are the sun in a room of mere lightbulbs, an orchid among daisies, a diamond amidst coal.

My heart bursts at the slightest thought of you. Your name reduces my breath to raspy whispers and excites my blood to rushing rivers. You are my light and my hope and my future. There is no version of my life that doesn’t have you in it.

You are my greatest blessing; all that makes my life worth living. You are all the warmth, all the joy, all the light in my world. You are everything that is good and right in my life. Without you the world would be cold and bleak, dark and empty.

When I wake you are the first thing on my mind. And when I sleep, I dream of you. There is hardly a moment that goes by that I do not give thanks purely for your existence. Thank you, light of my life, for gracing my days with your precious presence.

Burn this note tomorrow, throw the flowers out the window, disgrace me entirely, and I will still cherish every second we’ve ever shared. I will still thank whatever gods may be that you saw fit to even share a moment with me. Such is the value you bring to me. You are a precious and immeasurable gift to this city. And I pray that you remember that every day.

I am devoted to you, always.