CHAPTER 4 – AN UNDERSTANDING

"The highest compact we can make with our fellow is – Let there be truth between us two for evermore." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live." – Norman Cousins

"I have a loyalty that runs in my bloodstream, when I lock into someone or something, you can't get me away from it because I commit that thoroughly. That's in friendship, that's a deal, that's a commitment. Don't give me paper – I can get the same lawyer who drew it up to break it. But if you shake my hand, that's for life." – Jerry Lewis

"So, Mr. Snow, now that we got that out of the way can we continue on to more relevant topics?"

"By all means."

"Why do you want to become a PI, if that's indeed what you wish?"

"Can I be candid, Ms. Targaryen?"

"This'd go much better if you were."

"The truth is that there aren't that many career paths opened to me at my age and with my specific background. I have no wish to go back to the military or work in law enforcement. I'm also not built to work at a conventional business office. And since I don't have a college degree that point is moot anyway. Being a private investigator appeals to me. It's not exactly a conventional job and I believe my skill set would be an asset. I'd also like to help people, on my own terms, and not as a cog in a government machine. I'm done bumming around the world. I want to put down some roots and find a career that I can be proud of."

What Jon had said made sense. It was the most honest and direct answer he had given me so far, which I appreciated.

"I can see how that makes sense, but why not open your own PI firm? You have worked in intelligence, so you already have some skills necessary for the job."

"I could open my own shop, but why would I? I don't have any experience in this area yet. Yes, I worked intelligence, and although my knowledge will be useful, being a PI is quite different than gathering intelligence for our government. You usually work with a team and follow orders. A Private Investigator has a lot more autonomy. If I opened my own PI business I'd be inexperienced. I would have a hard time finding clients at first, which would not be an issue at an already established business. I take pride in any job I do and I want to be good at it. If I went at it alone it would take me a long time to be successful. However, and most importantly, I believe in learning a business from the ground up. Maybe it's still the military in me, but you start at the bottom and then climb the ranks."

"But why work for me? There are other PI Agencies, a few quite bigger than mine. I'm sure a lot of them would jump at the chance to hire you."

"Many reasons, actually. Most of these other agencies would probably use me as muscle. And I'm done being muscle for any organization. Also, as you so insightfully realized I'm not too keen on disclosing my past work in the military. Besides being private, most of the work I did is classified. Lastly, I did my homework. Your business might not be the biggest, but you have a solid reputation as someone who is fair, does good work and can be trusted. I respect that. Furthermore, you have an opening."

"You do realize that the opening I have is for the position of my assistant? Which in reality means a glorified secretary? I'm not sure that's what you're looking for."

"No. It isn't. Not in the long term, but I'd have to start somewhere. I was also given to understand that although you're looking for an assistant you want to hire someone to train to become a PI and help with your work load. Isn't that right?"

Missandei had been busy talking about me with Sansa, it seemed.

"Yes. That's right. But you'd still have to do the assistant work. Answer the phone, schedule meetings, serve refreshments, open the door, file, and so on. I can train you on what I know as a PI while you're my assistant, but you'll need to do both jobs and do them well. Do you think you can do that?"

"I think I'm more than equal to the task."

"We'll see about that. But before I agree to hire you, there're some other things we need to discuss."

"Agreed."

"You do realize that I'll be your boss, right? You'll have to obey my orders in this office and out in the field when we are working. You can't contradict me, argue with me or disagree with me in front of clients or sources. You can do all that in private. I'll welcome and encourage your input always. You can feel free to disagree with me and make suggestions, but not in public. We need to present a united front and you'd be my subordinate. You'll always have to defer to me. If you can't live with that, we have nothing more to discuss."

"I have absolutely no problem with that."

I gave Jon a measured look. He seemed like he was being truthful, but that was too important a point to let it go so easily. He noticed my scrutiny.

"One thing we learn quite well in the military, Ms. Targaryen, is following orders."

"And following MY orders won't be an issue for you?"

"Why would it be?"

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Because I'm a woman? Because I'm younger than you by five years? Because as you yourself said, I'm breathtakingly beautiful?

"So…? I have zero problems with anything you just mentioned. You're a woman? You don't say? I hadn't actually noticed. You're younger than me? I also hadn't figured that out. And you're beautiful. Well, I won't lie. That I had noticed."

He smiled and winked at me. Now he was just being a smart ass.

"Your attempt at levity is not assuaging my fears, Mr. Snow."

"Your question was condescending. But, fine. I'll answer it seriously. I have no issues with your gender. I respect women immensely. My best friend is a woman. You might be younger than me, but those five years you mentioned are also five years of experience in this business you have over me. And your beauty, as you so wisely said, is not the most interesting thing about you. I'm betting your competence is, among other things. So no, I won't have any problems following your lead if you treat me fairly and with respect, which I have no doubt you will."

Okay then. That was a good answer.

"Okay, Mr. Snow. Fair enough. Now, the bad news. The truth is I can't pay you what you're worth. The budget for my assistant is small. This agency isn't actually thriving. It's in its growing stages. I'm hoping with your addition we can grow the business to its full potential. But, until then your salary would be quite small, appropriate for the secretary of a small business and not for a real PI in training."

I wrote a number on piece of paper and passed it to him.

"Can you live with that for now? I can promise that as the business and your contribution to it grows, I'll raise your pay accordingly."

Jon barely looked at the number and nodded. That was weird. I kept staring at him, willing him to say something. He finally did.

"I can live with that."

No. That was too easy. That salary would not be enough to support him; it wasn't enough to support me.

"Are you sure, Mr. Snow? Because I can't promise when or if I'll be able to give you a raise anytime soon. I don't mean to pry, but I need to know why this salary didn't seem to faze you.

There was a pause. Jon looked away. He seemed embarrassed, why I couldn't guess. I waited. His reply was important to me.

"Money isn't everything, Ms. Targaryen. You're offering me a chance at a new career and are willing to teach me what you know. That in itself is already a form of payment. It's a kind of training not many people can provide."

"That's not all. Why were you embarrassed just now?

That earned me a sharp look from Jon. I unnerved him when I read him so well. Well, tough luck he'd have to get used to it. Plus, I was sure he was reading me as well. He hadn't showed me his hand yet, but I had no doubt he saw a lot more about me than what he was saying. With a heavy sigh, he answered.

"Because I'm going to sound like a privileged asshole. But, since nothing seems to escape your notice, I'll tell you the truth. I'm not concerned with the money, because I already have more money than I deserve or know what to do with. My family left me very well-off when they passed away and I've lived frugally for the most part. I have my own place, a car, and I can pay all my bills. If I'm careful and smart about it I could chose not to work at all and live in relatively comfort. Don't get me wrong, I want to earn money. I want a career I'm proud of and that rewards me financially also, but I want to build it. I don't plan on living off the generosity of my inheritance for the rest of my life; however it affords me the luxury to choose this job at this salary until things evolve. I do hope that doesn't affect the way you view me."

I could see why he was embarrassed. He would sound like a privileged asshole to anyone who lived paycheck to paycheck or struggled to pay their bills. But, I couldn't throw stones, since I lived in a similar glass house. My family had also all passed away and being the only living relative, I inherited everything they had. I too was well-off. It was what had allowed me to walk away from a law career to become a PI. I had invested some of the money that was left to me to open this place. It wasn't something I discussed with many people. Money never was, especially when you're privileged and haven't actually done anything to deserve it. I hadn't earned that money, I only paid for it in grief. I'd give all of it back to have just one more day with my loved ones. I knew all about losing the people you loved and being left with their money, as if that was an adequate consolation prize. It wasn't natural to have loss so profound and gain financially from it. It was a sort of blood money. I was betting Jon felt the same way. He was so worried about how his confession would affect how I saw him. He was looking at me intently and warily waiting for my response. But, the only thing I was feeling towards him now was a sort of kinship.

"Actually, Mr. Snow, it does affect how I view you, but not in the way you're thinking. I appreciate your honesty, I know it wasn't easy for you. So, I'm going to tell you something about me to lay your fears to rest. I don't judge your situation, because I'm on the same boat as you. I too have lost all my family and have been left well-off. It certainly isn't a defining characteristic of mine, as I'm sure it's not one of yours. The money, I mean. The loss, well, that unquestionably does defy us to an extent, does it not?

He wasn't expecting that. He froze for a moment, then tilted his head and observed me like I was a rare bird. I was about to speak, when he did.

"We're more similar than I anticipated."

"It does seem so, Mr. Snow."

"Can I ask you two questions? And would you be so kind as to answer them as candidly as possible?"

That was oddly specific, but I didn't see the harm. If he was going to accept the job, which seemed like he was, he had every right to ask as many questions as he wanted. Actually, if he didn't ask anything I wouldn't feel comfortable hiring him. At least, he was taking this seriously.

"Feel free, but you should know that I'm always very honest and straight-forward. I try my best not to lie, so you don't have to worry about that."

He nodded. I think he had already realized that about me.

"What do you value most?"

That was a weird question, but I replied with the first thing that popped into my head.

"Loyalty."

He nodded again, more slowly. Mostly to himself, I thought.

"What do you hate the most?"

"Bullies." That came out without any conscious thought.

He gave me a penetrating stare and I realized that my answers to these questions were crucially important to him. I could also see that what I said had pleased him and that I had risen in his estimation. That told me he held similar values as mine. That he prized loyalty and didn't suffer bullies. We were indeed more similar than both of us had anticipated. That boded well. My decision was made, I'd give Jon a chance. I'd hire him in a trial-basis for now.

"Is that it, Mr. Snow?"

"Actually, I have one more question."

"Fire away."

"We talked about my training and about your wish to grow this business, so this might be presumptuous of me but if things work out, and I'm not looking for a timeline right now, would you consider adding me as a partner?

"If things work out, that's a strong possibility. But, that will take time. The business needs to grow first, our professional relationship has to work and you'll have to take a PI course and the pass the exam. I might first make you an associate, but if you earn it I'd have no problem having a partner. Which brings up a question for you."

"How so?"

"Let's say I do everything we talked about. I train you, I invest my time and energy in you. You learn the business and become a PI. What's stopping you from walking away from my agency to open up your own?"

"Nothing. Except for the fact that I too value loyalty. You're taking a chance on me and are willing to train me. I'll hopefully help you grow this business. Why would I betray you? Why would I leave? Unless our work situation deteriorated, I'd have no reason to want to change something that was working. And if our professional relationship sours or I'm unhappy with anything, I'll tell you, as I hope you'd tell me, and we can try to work it out. If it isn't fixable, then it's better if I leave anyway."

That was quite logical. I like how rational and practical Jon seemed to be. I valued those qualities, because I also possessed them and used those most often.

"Fair enough, Mr. Snow. If you still want the job, you're hired. I'd be hiring you on a trial basis, so we'll revisit this in a month. Can you accept those terms?"

"Yes. Should we shake on it?"

I smiled, got up and extended my hand. He also got up and we shook. He had huge hands and a firm grip. He smiled back and then we both sat back down.

"I'd prefer if you called me Jon, Ms. Targaryen."

"That's perfectly fine, Jon. Please, call me Daennerys."

"When do you want me to start, Daennerys?"

"Is tomorrow too soon?"

"No, it's fine. What time should I be here?"

"Nine. That's when I usually arrive. I'll give you the spare set of keys from the last assistant so you can let yourself in. I should also give you a tour of the office and show you somethings before you go, that is, if you're free right now."

"I am. Please, lead the way."

A/N: So? What are your thoughts on this chapter, specifically their interaction? Please, let me know! Thanks in advance.