Disclaimer: I don't own these things. I'm just playing.
A/N: Della is going to the office! What will happen when she goes there? Will Nancy really resign or will Della have to go home after all…without seeing Perry? Enjoy!
Della walked into the office Monday and looked around. It was empty. She checked her watch. It was only 11:05, she wasn't horribly late. She wouldn't have been late at all, but she was still arguing with herself this morning. Finally she just told her mind to shut up and she listened to her heart. Of course, it led her here.
"Yes, sir," Nancy's voice sounded, a bit dull in tone. Nancy walked out of Perry Mason's office and, seeing Della, her face lit up in a huge smile. She quickly shut the door to Mason's office. "Oh my gosh! You're here! I didn't think you'd come! I'm so glad you're here!"
Della couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm in the young girl's voice. She really did seem happy to see her. Maybe she really was doing the right thing. "I didn't think I'd be here either, so I guess we're even."
"You do want to work for him, don't you?" Nancy quickly asked with a frown. "Because if you don't, you can't go in there."
Della smiled again. She wondered if it was the man or the job that caused this protective quality in all his secretaries. Who was she kidding? It was definitely the man. "I do want to work here," Della assured Nancy. "I was just fighting a war this morning."
Nancy nodded. "Between your heart and your mind."
Della tilted her head slightly. She wasn't sure she liked it when Nancy was so perceptive. "Have you resigned yet?"
Nancy tried to stop a smile from spreading across her face. She noticed Della's hasty change of subject. Nancy knew she really did need to stop speaking everything that came to mind, but it was fun! "Not yet. I was going to give you until 11:10 to get here. I thought you might be late. I would've done it regardless, but now I can give Mr. Mason some good news after I resign. I'll go do it now!"
"Nancy, wait," Della requested. "Just to clarify, you still want to resign?"
"Yes," Nancy said.
Della looked at her closely. "You're lying."
Nancy sighed with a small eye roll. "I'm not. Well…not really."
Della shook her head and pointed to the chair behind Nancy's desk. "Sit."
Nancy sighed again and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She obeyed Della even though she didn't want to. The woman had a strange presence about her that made Nancy obey without question. Nancy knew that must've helped Mr. Mason when he had difficult clients. She was sure Della could make anyone do anything. She had a quiet sort of power. "What?"
"You're not resigning," Della told her.
"Yes, I am!" Nancy argued. "Let's lay the cards out on the table, Della. I know I'm a good secretary and if I get a good reference from Mr. Mason I know I won't have trouble finding a job. I loved working here, but I'd rather you work here. Mr. Mason would rather you work here and I know you would rather work here. You can leave, but that won't mean I won't resign. Like I told you Saturday, I'm resigning whether you're here or not."
Della stared at Nancy. She looked serious and Della had no doubt that she would do exactly as she said. "When I got here you were leaving Mr. Mason's office and you sounded depressed. Why?"
Nancy smiled. "Because you weren't here yet. You might've noticed I brightened up considerably when you got here!"
Della sighed. "If I walk out that door right now, you'll still resign?"
"You bet," Nancy said.
"I don't understand," Della questioned.
"You need to work here," Nancy tried to clarify. "He needs you to work here."
"But if I'm not here…" Della trailed off.
"He might get a bad secretary," Nancy said. "You know you won't be able to restrain yourself from calling and checking up on the new girl. If she's bad, which she might very well be, you'll have to come back anyway. All I'm trying to do is speed up the inevitable." What Nancy didn't mention was that she knew she would be helping Mr. Mason find a secretary. She wouldn't find a horrible one, but she would definitely know who to hire, to make sure Della would have to come back.
Della tried not to laugh. She knew, on some level, Nancy was right. If Della didn't take this job, she probably would call to check back. She would want to make sure the new secretary was good enough for Perry. And if she wasn't…
"Can I resign now?" Nancy asked. She was a bit afraid to get up without Della's approval. She wanted to make sure the older woman was finished with her.
Della was shaking her head in amazement. "That's fine." She wondered how this woman knew her so well. Maybe Della really was that transparent. Maybe Perry talked about her. One thing was for sure. Nancy picked a good job, working with Perry was always amazing…but Della though Nancy might be better as a detective.
-%
Nancy entered Mr. Mason's office after she heard his "Come in," responding to her soft knock.
"Mr. Mason," Nancy said, getting his attention.
Mr. Mason quickly finished the sentence he was reading about his latest case. He looked up at Nancy. "Yes."
"I'm resigning," Nancy told him.
"You're…what?" Perry Mason asked, stunned. Of all the things she could've said to him, this surprised him the most. She could've told him she was visiting the moon and he might have been less shocked.
Nancy shrugged in silent apology. "I've been thinking about this for a while, but I wanted to wait until after your party. I couldn't ruin your weekend. You were so excited about it."
"Is there something you aren't happy with?" Perry asked in a desperate attempt to get her to stay. He had enough trouble finding a new secretary after Della spoiled him for anyone else (in more ways than one). He was sure he got lucky with Nancy. He didn't think it was possible for him to get that lucky again. "We can change it."
Nancy shook her head. "That isn't it. I'll stay and help you interview new secretary's though. That is, if you don't like the girl who's here right now."
"The girl who's here now?" Perry Mason questioned.
Nancy nodded. "I have a girl in my office who wants the job. I really think she'd be great for it."
"Did you get her resume?" Perry wondered.
"Well, she doesn't exactly have it with her," Nancy admitted. "But I think if you give her a chance you'll love her. She's everything you need."
Perry sighed. He knew that no matter who was in Nancy's office right now, she wouldn't be everything he needed. Everything he ever needed went back to Los Angeles on a plane yesterday afternoon. He had to accept the inevitable, just as he had when he moved out here and Della had stayed behind. "Bring her in."
Perry was a bit surprised at the smile that lit up Nancy's face. Was she really excited for this girl? He didn't know what could be so special about her. He knew there must be something though, because Nancy didn't get this excited about nothing.
-%
Nancy almost couldn't hold in her excitement when she walked back into her office. "Mr. Mason will see you now."
Della had to smile at how professional the girl sounded. How Della heard so much of herself in the girl. Della did smile at first, but quickly became nervous. What would happen when she saw Perry, when he realized she was the candidate. She hoped she would be able to talk when she saw him. Right now she was afraid if she opened her mouth some of the butterflies fluttering around in her belly would fly out. There were so many she was sure they couldn't all be contained in her small stomach.
Della walked into the office behind Nancy. "Mr. Mason, this is Miss Della Street. Miss Street, this is Mr. Perry Mason."
I know, I know, I'm mean. This originally wasn't where I wanted the chapter to end, but I decided it was too great of a cliffhanger to pass up. I'm sorry if you hate me. You can tell me how much you hate me in a review if you like! I'll try to update soon, thank you for reading!