She hurried through the crowds, pushing her way past a crush of giggling students while digging into her bag for her ID. Flashing it to the security guard, who only flipped another page in his magazine, she hurried through the corridors to a door marked 'Employees Only' and worked her ID over her head while taking the stairs as quickly as she could. It tucked into her pocket as she shouldered through a door and finally caught her breath at the sight of a tower, dark-haired woman frowning at a phone screen.

"You're late."

"I'm not late."

"You're not on time either." The taller woman looked her over, "How is it you still manage to be so put together?"

"Should I look otherwise, Mary?" She sorted through her things, pulling out a page protected file and more carefully tucking her ID into her pocket as she tugged at her blazer. "This is an important meeting."

"I didn't say it wasn't. But…" Mary winced, tucking her phone away as she turned. "Anna, maybe this is too much."

"Because of the timing or my choice?"

"Either. Both." Mary sighed, "Is JJ even back yet?"

"His name is Jamie."

"I call him JJ and I have since he was born." Mary shrugged her shoulders, "And he doesn't mind it when I say it. And he especially didn't mind when he was in primary school and they teased him for having a, and I quote, 'girl's name'."

"It's his father's name."

"When it's 'James' you're absolutely right." Mary shook her head, "Look, I know I can't argue the finer details of anything with you because you're a pedant, but I think you should hold off on this."

"Why?" Anna straightened. "You don't have confidence in me?"

"I never said that."

"And I'm not good with tone so if you're trying to say something with your voice that's not words I don't know what it is." Anna waited as Mary almost deflated. "Does that mean you've given up or you're just exhausted trying to get around me?"

"It means I think you're making a mistake being back at work. Or back at this level of work." Mary put out a hand, carefully placing it on Anna's shoulder as she watched. "You're grieving, Anna. Don't discount the need for that just because you might do it differently than the movies do."

"I don't." Anna picked up her things, "But this is how I grieve. I don't know another way. This is what I did when my father died and… And now it's what I'll do again. This is the way, Mary."

Mary opened her mouth as if to speak before she deflated again and nodded. "If that's the way you want it then I'll support you."

"I just told you that's what I wanted."

"I…" Mary put out a hand, "I know what you said. I was simply voicing my support for you."

"I heard you the first-"

"It's supposed to be…" Mary shook her head. "Never mind. Sometimes it's like talking to a wall with you… Or a recording device."

"It's just the way I speak, Mary."

"I know that." Mary turned to her, "But while you're not grieving the way I am, please don't forget you're not the only one grieving."

Anna reached out a tentative hand, placing it gently on Mary's shoulder for a second before removing it. "I'm sorry."

Mary almost Anna's hand as it retracted but stopped herself and nodded. "Thank you, Anna. That means a lot to me." She gave a little laugh, "You do know that convention has me giving you the condolences, yes?"

"I've never been one for convention."

"Don't I know it." Mary dug into a bag at her side and handed over a small bit of leather. "Since you might've forgotten yours at home."

"Thank you." Anna took it, placing the piece between her forefinger and thumb to rub over it. "And I did. In all the confusion I've… I've lost track of myself a bit. Everything's a little scattered."

"Feels like you've got to grow a whole new brain doesn't it?" Anna nodded and Mary kept her face blank. "I felt that way when Matthew died."

"It's like someone ripped my life apart and I'm left with pieces I don't understand." Anna closed her eyes, firming her jaw a second as she rubbed harder on the piece of leather between her fingers. "I don't like feeling like I don't understand. Or that my order's gone."

"We've all got our systems and when something breaks the system… It breaks us just a little."

"I don't want to be broken." Anna frowned for a second before she shook herself. "I just want James back."

"We don't get them back."

"I know."

"Maybe, one day, we get… Get something back. Something of ourselves back. Something we gave them that the Universe gives back to us."

Anna turned to Mary, "Do you believe that?"

"Some days I do. There are days when I feel like Matthew's closer than others and…" Mary trailed off and straightened as the doors before them opened. "Showtime."

Anna checked over her things, tightening her grip on the piece of leather, and followed Mary into the room. A long wooden table took predominance but Mary and Anna walked around it to a podium where Anna immediately set to setting up the laptop she slid from her bag while opening the page protected file on the nearby lectern. The same lectern where Mary took her position as Anna quickly brought a presentation up behind her.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the board, we'd like to present you with our plans for the upcoming exhibits." Mary clicked the button to bring up the first image. "We're pleased to announce that our virtual tours are bringing in steady viewership and, from diagnostics on our web activity, and we're seeing an influx in interest."

"As such, we've partnered with both local and national libraries for access to our works on display and in storage." Anna added, flipping to the next slide.

"We expect to expand and test the waters with the international community in due course." Mary used the laser pointer on the end of her clicker to bring the attention of the room to the listed options. "It's our goal to try and make a network of image availability in the coming months. Especially given the way we've opened up for more cooperation with other museums."

"How are they gaining access to our collection?" One of the voices in the room called out and Mary turned to Anna, nodding while miming a turn of the page with her fingers below the lectern so their audience could not see.

"These displays being made available through the tireless efforts of our restoration teams." Anna clicked the key to bring up the next slide. "Given we've a limited display available on our physical walls, we've taken to putting the rest of the collection online as a series of rotating images."

"As we're preparing for future exhibits and taking stock of the space, we've also utilized a growing internet presence to turn it into a kind of bidding." Mary shrugged, "If they're going to come and see what we've got, might as well make sure they've got a hand in choosing what they're coming to see."

"As such," Anna moved to the next slide, "We've prepared a different kind of exhibit. One we hope will showcase local talent as well as offering a bridge between the art of the Masters and the art inspired by the Masters."

She took a deep breath and brought up the next slide. "We've partnered with a few local artists to work on this advertising campaign. One we want to dedicate a month to so we not only cultivate interest but spark creativity in the community."

"You're asking us," Both Mary and Anna looked up the table to an auburn headed man as he held up a paper, "To sponsor craft days?"

"That's a reductive way of referring to it." Mary's eyes narrowed, "These days are for local artists, not just children with popsicle sticks. We intend to host it as a series of competitions and volunteer instruction."

"A waste of time and resources to have more shit art drawn by the fingers of primary school children that hangs on a fridge for a week before meeting the discard of the rubbish bin." The man shook his head. "It's a waste of time for this Board to consider this proposal."

"We're not finished, sir." Mary's jaw firmed. "And we're not asking for any more than the cost of an Investors' Dinner. Which, by my recollection, pulled in more than enough from the donations just three months ago to fund a proposal like this one five times over."

"That money is for the acquisition of artwork, not to fund taggers and graffiti artists to come and poison us with the fumes of spray paint."

"There's much to be said about the prospect of opening our minds to the world outside of oils and acrylics on canvas, sir." Anna cleared her throat, noting a widening in Mary's eyes as Anna slowly moved from behind the podium. Her fingers clenched on the side of it, her knuckles whitening, and she closed her eyes to slowly speak. "In fact it's been said, by self-proclaimed local graffiti artist Talbot, that the art form of graffiti is a revolution. A statement against being forgotten."

"Because signing your name on someone else's work ensures you're not forgotten?" The man snorted, "Ridiculous."

"That's not what she means." Mary tried to interrupt but Anna cut in.

"He meant that Rome, the city noted for its ancient architecture and beauty, is being forgotten. Its people are crushed under the weight of two fighting theories of both modernism and the romanization of the ancient. That perhaps people paint over famous landmarks and public structures as much to be heard as to be seen. To air their grievances where they can't be ignored as the train cars pass through the countryside or people walk by buildings every day."

The room was silent as Anna moved back behind the podium. "Hosting an event like this isn't us encouraging vandalism or rewarding those who deface public property. It's a recognition of voices that need to be heard. Voices that want a medium in which to do it and we'd be hypocrites not to recognize that art has been the medium of revolution and dissention for as long as the written word has. And if we ignore that, we do so at our peril."

She took a breath, turning to Mary. "I believe we had more of a presentation to give."

Mary nodded, giving Anna what she defined as a 'smug smile'. "Yes. We also had a request for funding. Both for our restoration department as three of our number retired last year. We lost a colorist, a historian, and a painter. We've already narrowed our list of applicants for those positions but to ensure we're getting the talent this museum deserves we'd like to advocate for a larger budget in that department. Not just for our artists but also for the materials they need."

"We've also discovered, during last year's inventory of our archives, a unique opportunity to complete a very rare set." Anna triggered the slide change. "Over the last year we've carefully cultivated a series of paintings and portraits done by the… Rather infamous, Duchess of Cranburchury."

The room tittered a moment and Anna counted three before continuing. "They were, history and rumor tells us, painted during her scandalous affair with a political advisor and Interior Minister." She swallowed, "We've dubbed it the 'Beloved' series and we're hoping to get more feelers out for other possible works by the Duchess so we can amass the collection for unveiling just before Valentine's Day. This should give us enough time to market the exhibit as we'd like."

Mary addressed the room as the slides finished. "We're not a large museum but we've carefully cultivated our reputation in this community and with this Board. To move forward we must respect the past while not ignoring the present. These programs we're suggesting, the budget growth of our departments, and the inquiries about this infamous collection will do much more for the publicity of the Grantham Archives and Museum than we've attempted ever before."

She nodded at the group and took a step back, allowing the polite clapping to reach them before the group at the table broke into whispered discussion. Anna watched them all a moment before turning to Mary. "I'm sorry I broke script. I just… It came to me and I thought I should say it."

"I didn't mind the interjection." Mary jerked her head toward the man giving them the occasional glare from the table. "Shut that asshole up didn't it?"

"I don't like confrontation."

"No one who's true to themselves like confrontation." Mary let out a breath, putting one of her hands on her hip. "Do you think they'll support our proposals?"

"I give it a sixty percent chance on two proposals."

"Wow, how lovely." Mary shook her head, "Are you always so upbeat about our chances?"

"You asked me what I thought and I gave you the percentages." Anna fiddled with something on her computer. "We did our best and now it's out of our hands."

"Sometimes I wish I had your blasé attitude about things."

"It's not blasé. It's about function." Anna met Mary's eyes. "If there's nothing more we can do then there's nothing more we can do. That's the long and the short of it. We did what we could and that's it."

"Wonderful."

Anna looked up, nodding. "I think they're ready for us."

"Give them another minute." Mary turned to Anna, putting her fingers gently on Anna's hand for a second. "About our conversation in the corridor, there's something else I wanted to tell you."

"This isn't the time or the place."

"We've got a minute and we're going to use it." Mary took a breath, "We're not spring chickens anymore. But we've lived lives to be proud of. We've had loves to be proud of. And those are things we need to remember."

"I don't like the term spring chicken."

"Just remember," Mary snuck a look over her shoulder before continuing. "A strong woman is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laugher. A strong woman is both soft and powerful. She is both practical and spiritual. A strong woman in her essence is a gift to the world."

"I've ever been one for poetry."

"It's Jamsta and you're fine with poetry." Mary snorted, "You love art and that's painted poetry."

"Art is mathematics and understandable color. Poetry is words I don't understand. The order to it, the alignment of words I quantify but the nuance to it… It's like facial expressions. I don't understand it."

"I think you sell yourself short."

"If you ladies are finished discussing your morning hair products, we'd like to tell you our decision."

"If you're curious," Anna spoke up first, moving on the other side of the podium before Mary could stop her. "I use a regimen that consists of shampoo, conditioner, and a body wash. I could write down the brands if you want to rejuvenate your hair."

A few of the Board members tittered as Mary joined Anna. A small nudge of Mary's elbow into Anna's side brought them both into a penitent pose. Their hands crossed in front of them and Anna took a deep breath to stand a bit taller.

"We've decided to take on this rather ambitious series of proposals." The oldest woman at the table, her hand clasping and unclasping around the head of a cane, tapped her finger on the tabletop. "If this museum and these archives are to survive, then we need to change with the times. That involves going outside our normal routes and methods."

"Administrator Crawley-"

"I don't recall asking for your opinion, Mr. Green." Administrator Crawley turned to him. "You're new here, so I understand the confusion."

"I'm not so new at being a member of a Board to know that this plan isn't going to bring revenue. It'll sink this archive if it goes wrong."

"And again, I remind you, that you're new here and you obviously do not understand how it works." Administrator Crawley pointed at herself. "I'm the head of this Board. At the end of the day you're all very wonderful but not necessary for me to run this museum. This decision, the allocation of resources, is up to me and me alone. If I decide to allocate the funds then I'll allocate the funds."

She turned back to Mary and Anna. "It's my pleasure to tell you that your department will receive the funding it requires and I look forward to seeing where your department will take this museum." Administrator Crawley stood, "This meeting is adjourned."

Anna and Mary watched as the room emptied, Anna frowning slightly at the expression of Mr. Green, and turned to one another. "So much for your sixty percent for two proposals."

"I was making a calculated guess based on the results that we had at the time." Anna shrugged, "I didn't anticipate that your grandmother would be on your side when the historical evidence says otherwise."

"My grandmother loves me, Anna."

"I never said she didn't." Anna shrugged, gathering her things. "I just didn't think she'd risk the Museum on you."

"I'm my grandmother's heir. I'll inherit all of this when she's decided to retire." Mary let out a breath, "Not that I believe that'll ever actually happen but if it ever does then I'll be ready to take her legacy."

Anna watched Mary for a second before nodding. "Your sentiment is endearing and, under slightly different circumstances, I might suspect that you were planning a coup."

"Don't be so dramatic." Mary waved her hand at Anna. "Come on, we've got to get back to our department. There's money burning holes in our pockets and we need to decide how we're going to spend it."

"We already told-"

"I know." Mary held up a hand to stop Anna. "Remember what I said about being a pedant?"

"You do know this is a condition, yes?"

"I know that what you have is an advantage over normal people that I sometimes envy." Mary studied Anna, "And sometimes pity."

"Both emotions I understand on an intellectual level but not on a traditionally emotional level." Anna sighed, leaning on the podium. "I do wish Jamie was here. He understands this kind of thing and he always explains it to me."

"Not the job every son wants to have." Mary got her things together. "But he's very good at it. When he's not doing what he's even better at."

"I still can't believe you convinced him to investigate art."

"He's too good to sit in the basement with us and paint all day. He's young, he needs adventure." Mary shrugged, walking the length of the Board table. "One day I'll sit here, you know."

"In that chair." Anna pointed to the chair where Administrator Crawley sat. "And just because he graduated University without a plan-"

"Sometimes you can be very obtuse." Mary shook her head. "He wanted a job here and I gave him one. He hunts down forgeries and puts art back where it belongs. He gets to be Indiana Jones. What could a boy want more than that?"

"I don't think we can call Jamie a boy anymore when he's definitely had sex with a girl." Anna stopped at the door, "Probably multiple girls at this point."

"It bothers me on a very deep level that you say that like it's nothing."

"It does help that I don't process emotions the same way everyone else does." Anna fiddled with the piece of leather still between her fingers before handing it back to Mary. "Thank you. It helped."

"That impromptu speech told me as much." Mary took it back. "And it was… Far more impassioned than I imagined you'd go for."

"People like sentiment."

"Says the woman who gave us a sixty percent chance for partial success."

"I can be wrong." Anna reached the lift and pushed the button. "It's not unheard of you know."

"I was hoping you'd get there before I had to say it." Mary pressed the button for their floor. "And, by the way, one of the new hires will be sharing your office."

"Excuse me?" Anna shook her head, "I'm the lead in this department and I need my own space because-"

"He's basically in a corner."

"I don't care." Anna pointed at Mary. "You just managed to gain all that money from your grandmother and you're forcing me to share office space?"

"It may be burning a hole in our pockets but it literally just got there." Mary shrugged, "When we've actually started doing what we've been given the money to do, we'll get you another office that you don't have to share."

"If someone's in my space then…"

"Anna," Mary put up a hand. "I've made sure it won't be an issue. For as long as it has to be, it won't ruin anything for you. I promise."

Anna took a deep breath and nodded. "If it does then-"

"If it does then I'll readjust the department." Mary led the way out of the lift and through the double doors with the words 'Restoration Department' split between the two of them. "Until that time, we'll have to conserve our resources and use them wisely until we've proven ourselves to the Board."

"Not sure I've ever cared what the Board thought." Anna wove between canvases, paint, and the stacks of paintings carefully covered with cloths to block it from the natural light carefully mediated through specialized glass. "As long as they allow this work to continue, I really don't care."

"I'm aware and that's why, in general, you're not the one speaking for this department." Mary moved to her office, immediately unloading her bag onto her desk before picking up a pile of reports. "But when you do, inevitably, hopefully you've softened toward the Board."

"You mean when you're on the Board?" Anna twisted slightly, frowning toward her office. "Is that him?"

"Hm?" Mary gave Anna a look before following her gaze to see a tall man standing in the other office, separated by the windows between them. "He's tall enough to be. But I didn't memorize the back of his head."

"Aren't you going to…" Anna waved a hand toward the office, "Show him around or introduce him or something?"

"No." Mary shook her head. "Why would I do that?"

"You interviewed him."

"Yes. But he's your office mate now." Mary smiled at Anna, "Enjoy."

"This isn't…" Anna closed her mouth, struggling for words. "I can't…"

Mary put down the reports and pointed. "You're the second-in-command here, Anna. You can handle him and shove him in the corner, for all I care, until we get space for him. It's temporary and I promise you'll be fine."

"If I'm not?"

"Then I'll help you handle that." Mary picked up her reports again. "You've got this, Anna. I promise you can do it."

Anna took a breath. "If I have to then… Then I guess I will."

"Here." Mary handed over the piece of leather. "If it helps."

"Thank you." Anna took it, checking the strap on her shoulder to ensure she had everything, and strode with purpose to her office. Her hand shook slightly on the knob but she ran her thumb over the piece of leather in her other hand to soothe herself long enough to open the door. The man pivoted, a small smile taking over his face as Anna greeted him. "I'm Anna, Anna Smith. And you'll be sharing my office."

"John Bates." He extended his hand and Anna carefully switched the small piece of leather before shaking his hand. "Pleasure to meet you."