CHAPTER 7 – THE RUSE

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"I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that's how you grow. When there's that moment of, 'Wow, I'm not really sure I can do this,' and you push through those moments, that's when you have a breakthrough."

- By Marissa Mayer

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"All the games now are important. It's us just coming together as a team, fighting a little bit harder, turning up the concentration a little bit more. It's getting close to that time."

- By Glenn Murray

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"Love is blind, but friendship closes its eyes."

- By Friedrich Nietzsche

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"You are my person."

- Cristina Yang to Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

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"If I murdered someone, she's the person I'd call to help me drag the corpse across the floor."

- Cristina Yang to Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

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"Sometimes it's not the people who change, it's the mask that falls off."

- By Haruki Murakami

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"Being single is much wiser than being in a fake relationship."

- By Unknown

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A/N: I'm doing a timeline jump in this chapter. I want to start showing Dany and Jon working cases together and get their romance truly on the road.

You'll "see"/read the rest of their conversation about Dany's past in a flashback chapter, like "the incident" one that will also be a flashback. I'll be posting both in the future.

This story is not completely linear because it didn't come to me that way and I enjoy the use of flashbacks. If you guys prefer a completely linear story, let me know and I'll start posting the chapters in their right timeline.

Lastly, what do you guys think Dany did to avenge Irri?

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ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER FROM THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER

(JON HAS BEEN WORKING FOR DANY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW)

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Time was going by smoothly after I hired Jon. We got along great; we shared the same thoughts on our work ethics and on our client's issues.

We got along fabulously. Due to this, it seemed like we had been working together for years, even though it had only been a few months. I came to trust Jon more than I trusted anyone; and in a very short period of time.

Yes, I have had trust issues in the past, especially with men. It is one of the reasons I am still single.

However our current case was starting to bog me down both mentally and physically. I was exasperated beyond belief. My frustration was driving me crazy. The more I thought about the case and how best to resolve it, the more I realized there was only one logical and practical solution. I had wanted to avoid it all together, find another answer and store it in the back of my mind for another day, but I couldn't keep going on like this, my head was rhetorically spinning in circles over the it. Enough was enough. Plus, in general, I was never one to dillydally when I should act.

The problem with the case was that what had seemed like an easy job had become more problematic than what I expected when I first took it.

Mrs. Olenna Tyrell was the client. Sansa had recommended her to our agency, one of the many perks of having Jon as an assistant. Sansa knew people. She was very well connected and she was ecstatic that not only had Jon found a job he liked, but more importantly he had finally come back home for good.

Oleanna was in her sixties, married, exceptionally wealthy and one of those notorious socialites that were charitably called 'Ladies Who Lunch'. She was not the one causing me issues. She was actually a very pleasant woman, albeit extremely sarcastic, and so far a great client. However, her husband was slick. She had hired me to catch her spouse in flagrante delicto.

She had, by an innocent but fortuitous mistake, overheard on her landline extension her husband talking to his secretary; who now appeared to clearly be his mistress. She had known for years that he had been double-timing her, but not since that fateful phone call had she been completely certain about whom the other woman was. She needed me to get irrefutable proof so that she could have her prenup voided, divorce his ass and get half of what was rightfully hers. I had no misgivings about that. He was a cheater and she had helped him build his extensive empire over their 40 year marriage, she was owed her half.

The problem was that even though we knew about his affair, it had been hard to pinpoint exactly where and how it was happening. Mr. Tyrell was a man who followed a strict routine. He went to work and came back home every day at the same time. He had lunch every day with his colleagues. He spent his weekends with his wife and family. The only exception to his rather tedious schedule was his weekly Thursdays' night poker game at this private club. It started at 7pm and he was always home before midnight, come hell or high water.

If I didn't trust what Olenna had heard, I'd have chalked her up to being a paranoid wife. But, I could tell she was being truthful to us. It was one of my talents. Jon had also agreed, which I appreciated since I had come to trust him and his opinions enormously.

We had been following Mr. Tyrell for over two weeks now. We knew everything we needed to know about him and his patterns. The only free time he had to conduct his affair was during his poker games. At first that had appeared unlikely. Poker games are not places renowned for their sexual activity. However, his secretary had always accompanied him and that was the only time they were alone outside of their office. Unless they had only been sexually active in their workplace, game night was the only other opportunity. My suspicions had been proven right. The poker game was not a card game at all and the club, well, it was a different and specialized kind of establishment altogether. After some reconnaissance, Jon and I had found out the truth about the building and about what went on in there.

Which brought me to my current predicament and irritation. It might be foolish of me, but I was not at all pacified with my newly developed plan.

Since this new plan was the only way I saw to solve this case quickly and efficiently, my decision was made. It had me pacing back and forth in my office, but with the plan in mind, reluctantly though I might be about it, I had stopped wearing out the floor. I took a deep calming breath and went to sit at my desk.

Now, I just needed to confer with Jon. We had been operating effectively together for a few months now and things had been going extremely well. He had been working incredibly hard and was doing even better than I had expected. He was exceptionally suited to being a PI and his work as my assistant had been perfect. He never complained, even about the more mundane tasks and always deferred to me. Jon was competent in the extreme, brilliant and professional. The truth was that I was extraordinarily lucky to have him.

I valued his judgement immensely and he had become an integral part of my work life. In a very short period of time he had become an important part of my personal life as well. We had a similar sense of humor, the same values, as well as many other important and not so important things in common and we were both closeted nerds. I now considered him a very dear friend.

Nevertheless, I was a bit apprehensive about the plan I had created in my head and how Jon would react to it. I was sure he wouldn't mind or even consider it an issue, but it made me somewhat uncomfortable and I wasn't even sure why. Liar, my mind told me. I ignored the thought and pushed it aside. It wasn't that big of a deal, just another part of the job. It'd be fine and we'd have the case closed in a couple of days. I was probably just being silly.

That sobered me up quickly. I was better than that. It was a minor thing, really. But, it'd be the first time I'd use that particular ruse to get results. And I would need Jon's help. So, I dialed his extension at our front desk.

"Hi Daenerys, you need something?"

"Hey. Could you come into my office, please. We need to talk."

"Sure, I'd be right there."

It was kind of ridiculous calling him on the phone when he was just sitting outside my closed office door, but I didn't think it was very professional to be yelling his name anytime I needed him to come into my lair so we could talk privately.

It took him a few minutes, which I found strange since he had been right outside. However, as soon as he entered I understood why it had taken him so long. He was carrying two steaming mugs of coffee, which I welcomed whole heartily. He was indeed a fantastic assistant. He handed me my favorite mug deferentially, inclined his head in my direction, and muttered straight-faced:

"My Queen."

I gave him my usual reply, completely mimicking his attitude.

"Lord Commander."

That was one of our inside jokes. My favorite mug was black and had a dragon with a crown on it. His usual cup was black and had an image of The Witcher on it. We had had this routine since his first day working for me. It was our usual greeting every morning. He always made the coffee and we performed our little skit to our mutual amusement. It was fun. And although it was the middle of the afternoon now, I still appreciated the fresh coffee and the banter.

He gave me a tentative smile. He settled into the chair in front of my desk. Lounging would be a more accurate term for how he placed himself. Jon usually sat like he was a king on display on a throne enthralling his subjects. Relaxed, slightly bored and sexy as hell. I didn't customarily mind it, quite the contrary, but today I was finding it difficult to ignore his magnetic appeal. I really didn't need that type of distraction right now.

"Is everything okay, Daenerys? You know, most conversations that start with 'we need to talk' don't usually end well for the recipient of said line."

He gifted me with a disarming smile. Although, I was used to it by now, it never got old. He smiled and joked often in my presence, which I knew was a special privilege given only to Sansa and now me. It warmed my heart and also a few other body parts that I was not ready or willing to admit to, if ever. I compartmentalized the shit out of it. As lovely as he was, inside and out, he was my employee. And a very good one at that. Great help was hard to find, while stunning guys were a dime a dozen.

One of the many reasons I appreciated having Jon around was that he seemed to find humor in almost any situation and he was always trying to make me feel better when I needed it. I knew he could sense I was a little tense. We had this uncanny ability to read each other exceptionally well, more so than we did with other people. And reading people well was something both of us excelled at.

I couldn't help but smile at him.

"While I always enjoy your humor, Jon. I'm serious and before you make another joke, you should know you have nothing to worry about. I just want to discuss Olenna's case. I've come to a decision on how to finally close it."

"Great. Let's hear it."

"Well, since we realized his poker game is not a game at all, at least not the type of game we thought of; but instead a swinger's club that he frequents with his paramour, I see only one sure way to close the case as quickly as possible."

"I can't wait to hear it. However, you don't have to worry about closing the case so rapidly. Mrs. Tyrell is loaded, she can afford a lot more billable hours and she never gave us a time frame."

"That doesn't matter. We have been working for her for over two weeks now, which should have been more than enough time to get the proof she needs. Plus, I don't care if she's the richest woman on earth; I refuse to charge my clients more than strictly necessary."

Jon smiled.

"One of the many reasons I respect and admire the hell out of you. Your honesty is commendable."

I didn't know how to respond to the compliment. Jon would sometimes praise me and it always left me vaguely uncomfortable and unsure on how to react. So, I wisely chose to ignore it.

"You want to hear my plan? I'll actually need your help to accomplish it."

"Of course. Although, you know I'll help you with whatever it is. Besides being my job, I hope you know you can always count on me. Both professionally and personally."

I was touched and I felt the same way towards him. We were more than only co-workers; we were close friends now. Or at least, that's how I viewed him. I wasn't sure what his thoughts were on the matter.

"I'd feel much better if you heard it all before you agreed to help. It's only fair."

"By all means. I'm all ears."

Damn, I was stalling. I was anxious about his reaction. I needed to cut my nervousness out immediately.

"Okay. But, I need you to hear me out fully before you make any comments."

He nodded his agreement.

"So, we know that his affair, or should I say affairs, occur inside the swinger's club. I've been thinking a lot about it and I believe the simplest solution is for us to act like a swinging couple to get into the club inconspicuously and get our proof. We'd need to convincingly pretend to be a couple. It's a ruse I have never used before."

Jon regarded me carefully before replying.

"I had already considered that."

WHAT?

I shouldn't have been surprised. Jon was exceedingly bright. If I had come to that deduction, it made total sense that he had too. Then, why hadn't he proposed it?

"Why didn't you suggest it? You know I always value your input."

"I knew you'd reach the same conclusion. And you did. Plus, I wanted it to be your idea."

"Why?"

Jon sighed and looked at me intently.

"Because I wanted you to be relaxed about this plan. Nevertheless, even though you have reached the same conclusion, you're uncomfortable about it. Why is that?"

That was a loaded question. I had no idea how to explain it. I wasn't even sure what exactly was bothering me. No, that wasn't the whole truth and I was self-aware enough to know one of the main reasons why. I was afraid of playing the role of Jon's woman, of pretending to be a couple; which was unusual. I had played many ruses in the course of my career and I was pretty sure if it were anybody else besides Jon, I wouldn't feel this way. I was not immune to Jon's many charms. I just chose to ignore them and shove them in the very back of my mind. In a heavily locked room, with many padlocks, chains and possibly three large dragons keeping guard.

This gave me pause.

The silence stretched. Jon kept watching me.

"Is the thought of having to play my lover that distressing to you?"

"NO!... Of course not." I lied.

That was so unlike me to throw out a white lie like that. But, what could I have said? And yet I still wasn't done.

"And wait, lover?" My brain had seized on that particular endearment. Heavens know why I fixated on that.

"Daenerys, it's a swinger's club. It fits. Would you rather I called you sweetie or honey? That'd hardly go along with our ruse."

"I'm not calling you lover." It came out more forcefully than I intended.

Jon laughed.

"Is the term lover so unpalatable to you?"

"No!... It's just so… Well, explicit and intimate."

"That's the idea. If you don't feel comfortable calling me lover, what term would you'd like to use?"

"Babe." And without thought that just came out of my mouth. Fuck!

Jon struggled with it for a minute. At first it seemed like he was going to protest the word. I wasn't sure any woman had ever called him babe. He was too much of a man for that term of endearment. He was just too much. He was too good looking, manly, striking and imposing; just to name a few of his attributes. Then, he finally decided on a reply that seemed to please him very much.

"That's fine with me, if you don't mind me calling you lover. You calling me babe actually suits you. It's sweet and endearing."

I was not used to being called sweet or endearing. It was jarring. I pressed on anyway.

"That brings me to my next point. I'll need you to take the lead on this one. I think it'd be more convincing if I play the reluctant new lover trying to please her man and you can act like the experienced partner who's introducing me to this new world. I'll play coy and you can be as cocky as you like."

"You, COY?"

He gave out an overtly amused laugh; it was one of his many laughs that I enjoyed so much.

"Well, I'd be acting."

"Clearly." He deadpanned.

"So, are we in agreement?"

"Sure. It would be worth it just to see you playing bashful and it'll be my first time taking point on a case. Or at least on a ruse to solve a case. I'm glad you have that much trust in me. So, when are we doing this?"

"Tonight, if you don't mind. It's Thursday. If we don't do this today we'll have to wait another week. Best to have it done and over with as soon as possible."

"That's fine. Although, I'd have to go home and change before we leave. What does one wear to a swinger's club?" He wondered aloud.

His question seemed more to himself than to me, but to my utter shame I had a case of verbal vomit and some words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. A brain filter malfunction.

"Black leather pants, combat boots and a black wife-beater."

I blushed. Jon looked surprised and very gratified. He smiled joyously.

"Have you been thinking about me in that outfit for long?" He half joked, half seriously inquired.

The truth was I had. A lot more often then I cared to admit ever since the day he walked into my office door all in black and looking for a job. I lied yet again; I really hoped telling white lies were not a new habit I was forming. And I hated most of all lying to Jon.

"No, it'll just compliment my outfit and I think it'll make us fit in well."

"You already picked out your outfit? You have given this plenty of

thought."

I had. I always did. I took my cases very seriously.

"Of course I have. You know me. I'm a planner. Additionally, I already have this dress that I never had the guts to wear. It's time to put it to good use. And I'm sure both of our garments will get us in the door."

"I can't wait to see it." He winked at me.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Let's save the flirting for tonight, when it'll be needed. You're already having too much fun and we haven't even started the subterfuge yet."

I might have read him wrong, which was unlikely, but he looked a bit hurt. I didn't understand why. And I wasn't going to touch that with a ten foot pole right now. I continued to talk.

"I need to get out of here. I want to work some of my excess energy off, so I'll be good to go later. I'll also need to change. Should we meet at the club around 7:30pm, that way we know he'll already be there? I don't fancy spending more time there than absolutely necessary."

"You're anxious about it. I don't get it. You're always so unflappable. Also, let me pick you up. There's no need to take both of our cars and it'll seem more natural if we arrive together."

He had a point.

"That makes sense. Pick me up at 7:15 at my place, okay?"

"Sure thing, boss."

He rarely called me boss, unless he was joking. I guessed he was still trying to ease my anxiety. Jon was great like that.

"Go home yourself. There's not much else you can do here for now. Just forward the calls to the office to your mobile, in case a client calls while we're out."

"Will do. Just get out of here and try to relax. I'll see you later."

I got up from my desk, walked passed Jon with the intention of leaving. I was stopped by his hand on my arm. It was gentle but firm. I froze instantly. Jon had never touched me like that before and we were too close. It was unexpectedly intimate. His hand had easily encircled my entire upper arm. He was holding me very carefully, almost tenderly. I looked up at him.

"You've never been to a swinger's club, have you?" He probed.

"No. Why, have you?"

"No. I don't share." That was said with a fierce intensity.

He carried on.

"Is this the reason why you're tense?"

"One of them. Mostly I'm worried about the patrons. I don't want anyone, especially a man, touching me. I'm not looking forward to being pawed at and I'm afraid of how I'd react. Probably with violence and that will blow our cover."

It wasn't until I had spilled my guts to Jon, that I realized how true that was. It'd be much more difficult to act as a swinger around the other regulars, than it'd be to pretend to be in a relationship with Jon. The latter was hardly a hardship. He was appealing enough, and not only physically, though that was what most women usually focused on.

Jon pulled me closer. We were only inches apart now. He looked intently into my eyes for a couple of seconds and said something so ferociously and in such a low and cold voice; one which I had never heard come out of his mouth before. The only thing I could do was stare into his mesmerizing grey eyes. That tone of voice was chilling, especially since it held no bravado. It was a statement of fact, delivered in a fierce and even tone which made him sound deadly serious and dangerous.

"Nobody will touch you on my watch. That I promise you."

He sounded like a medieval knight making a sacred vow. Maybe he was. I completely believed him. He had my utter faith. He looked a bit longer into my eyes, seemed to see something he liked, and freed my arm. I moved a little further from him. I needed a little space. That had been too intense.

"Thank you, Jon. I know I can trust you" I said solemnly. Not satisfied, I felt an urge to keep speaking; to give him something in return.

"That's one of the many reasons you're my person." I finished and kept walking out. I was almost out of the door when I was stopped by his voice.

He had whispered, but I somehow had heard him anyway.

"I am?" He asked sounding astonished.

At that, I turned back to look at him. He seemed perplexed. I saw many emotions pass through his eyes, but they were there and gone so fast I couldn't decipher them quickly enough.

"Yes. It's actually another nerdy quirk of mine. It's a frequently repeated quote from a favorite TV Show of mine. Grey's Anatomy. Have you ever watched it?

He gave me a look. Right, it was a "girlie" series. How silly of me to think he was a fan. I mentally rolled my eyes and before I could say anything else, he spoke.

"No, I haven't. Even so I can glean the meaning. Your person can be a guy or a girl, no matter your own gender. It's not romantic. It's the name you put down as your emergency contact. The person you call if you kill someone and need help disposing the body. A best friend of sorts, but even more than that. It's someone you trust above all others."

Well, for someone who had never actually watched the show he had gotten the meaning dead on. It was kind of self-explanatory, especially to someone as insightful as Jon.

"Yes." I said simply.

"I thought that would be Missandei for you."

I pondered that carefully.

"She was and still is in some ways. But, Missandei and I are very different people with distinctive goals and lifestyles. I trust her immensely and completely, but she doesn't get me. Not entirely. She wants me to be more like her. She wants the best for me, but she has always wanted me to change, to settle down, get a regular job, marry, have kids. She wishes for me to have the life she has, because she is very happy. She has trouble realizing I would never be happy in that type of life. You SEE me and accept for who I am. You appreciate me exactly as I am, or so it seems to me. You get me."

"I do." He replied sincerely and with great conviction.

I nodded and tried to leave once more, only to be stopped again by his words.

"You're my person too, Daenerys." He sounded stunned, by his own confession, and realization, or both; I didn't dare venture a guess.

"I was sure that was Sansa." It made total sense to me. They were family.

"What you said about Missandei, also applies to Sansa. She's my cousin. You're my person."

I was very moved but had no idea what to say, so I took the cowards way out and made my escape. After all, I had a night at a swinger's club with Jon to prepare for.

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A/N: So, did you enjoy this chapter? What are your thoughts on it? And what will happen when they finally put their ruse to good use?

Also, I'd dearly appreciate if the readers of this story could leave some feedback/reviews. The truth is my muse works faster and better when I get some feedback, positive or negative. Please, review. I have no idea how this story is being viewed and I need to know if I'm going in the right direction. If this story is not being well received or even just ignored, I might lose interested in writing it. I'm sorry to say. Seven chapter so far and only 2 reviews, maybe this story just sucks. Help a fic writer out? Please? So, leave a review...