Twelve

The sky had finally cleared, exposing a thick blanket of stars later that night. These twinkled down over the dock behind Jade's house, where she lounged outside under the stars. She had always loved nighttime, a fondness she had carried from childhood.

Jade let the peace surround her, concentrating on the gentle sounds of the surf beyond and the rustle of a light breeze that moved the trees surrounding the dock. She was alone, reflecting quietly on her day.

At least it had been more productive than the previous day. After she'd sent her email out on Saturday morning, she'd somehow managed to fall asleep again on the couch with her laptop up and running. The soft leather had cradled her tired body and refused to release it until almost dinner time when she'd groggily woken up to see Spongebob dancing on the screen and her screensaver gliding across her laptop display.

That was when she'd picked up Tori's mail. In a sleepy daze, she had answered it and told her that she'd join her at the mall. It wasn't until ten minutes or so after she had sent the response that she blinked and realized what she had done. And by then, it was too late.

But she hadn't regretted it—not at all. The outing had been… well, sort of fun, in a way that she didn't get many opportunities to just relax and hang around with other people. And Tori was shaping up to be an interesting person to spend time with, which was good because as her assistant, that's exactly what she'd be doing with her.

The dinner had been somewhat of a test. Jade knew if she could stand spending an hour eating dinner with someone without wanting to kill them, it would be a good sign. Tori had passed. In fact… she gazed up at the stars in mild surprise. Tori had more than passed. Jade had actually enjoyed herself, to the point where she wished the evening had gone on a little longer. When was the last time that had happened?

It was nice to just talk to someone who was bright, had a sense of humor, and wasn't intimidated by her. Jade grinned as she recalled the crack about the screaming Spyder. Then she flexed her hand, remembering the gentle touch there. So… she'd figured out that old Jade hadn't just shooed the bad guys away, huh? Clever woman.

She sighed and shifted in her lounger, wrapping her throw tighter around herself. She tilted her head back and blinked at the moon that edged out from behind a cloud and lit her in a simple, silver glow. It made the rocks across the way seem almost white, and if she raised her head, she could see a broad flickering path that wound up from the rock into the house at the top.

She rolled over and watched the moon's reflection off the bay, sighing before getting up as she was thoroughly chilled now. She padded back up the dock across her backyard and into her waterfront home.

The warm air from the lit fireplace immediately warmed her, and she made her way to the kitchen, claiming a mug that she filled with milk and made a milky hot chocolate, popping it into the microwave.

Two minutes later, she pulled it out and crossed over to the computer that sat in the kitchen, noticing the new mail icon.

"Computer, read mail."

"Jade West. Unread messages. None urgent."

Jade scanned the headers.

"Read all," she commanded, the warm cocoa sliding down her throat as she waited, filling her entire body with comfort.

Rosenthal, John - sent 8:43 pm.

Jade-

Next time you want to transition a friend directly to corporate, please let me know, will you? I got a slew of whining regional directors complaining to me that you're not following procedure.

Her stats don't show much, but if she's good enough for you, who am I to say anything about it? I just don't know what to tell them.

John

"Reply," Jade muttered, awaiting a new message to appear.

John-

Who I hire to be my assistant is at my discretion. We play nicely together, and that's all you need to know.

Jade

"Send." Jade sipped her chocolate with a smirk. "Next."

Valentine, Cat - sent 9:01 p.m.

JW-

You stirred up a hornet's nest, my friend. Watch out—I think at least some of them are going upstairs.

I processed and emailed everything for Ms. Vega. She's on our payroll starting Monday, so make sure she knows how to turn in things and all that. I have her file from Buzz. Until I saw it, I was having some very evil thoughts about you, but in reviewing it, I realized you picked a qualified candidate, even though she has no experience in corporate operations. I'm attaching the details so you have a record of them. Did you know she was the Connecticut debating champion one year? Anyway, see you at the office on Monday. I'll try to smooth some ruffled feathers, but keep low for a while, will you? Just for me?

Cat

Jade bit off a delighted grin. "Debating champion, huh? Damn… I knew she had done debate, but a champion? I am in trouble. Should have guessed it though." She sat on a tall stool.

"Reply."

Kitten-

Thanks for the warning—John already mailed me about the dissenters; he will handle it.

I'm shocked you would think I would pick any candidate based on frivolous reasons—of course, I knew how qualified Ms. Vega is for this position. Why do you think I asked for her? The company's best interest comes first. This wasn't some knee-jerk reaction based on personality. Point of fact, the lady in question told me to go to hell, so it certainly wasn't done for friendly reasons. I'm sure she'll be an asset to the company, and maybe she'll make some of my people issues gone, so you get fewer complaints.

Jade

She chuckled softly. "Send." Then she clicked on the attached file and read the few short paragraphs with interest. "Hmmmm. Gymnastics... double major in computers and… no, that can't be right… in English? What a mix!" Tori's work history showed a steady, even progression from entry-level to management, with increasing responsibility and experience moving from job to job, with no job lasting less than two years. Stability, good work ethics… no gaps… no wonder Cat had been impressed.

She checked the personal side. No workers' comp claims, no judgments, good credit, spotless record—not even a speeding ticket—damn. Jade's brows rose. "It's almost too good to be true." The thought caused a frown to edge her features.

"New Message."

Sinjin-

I need a Class I security inquiry on a new hire—Tori Vega, the Buzz media employee we talked about last week. She's coming on staff under me, and I want to know everything. Don't cut corners, don't gloss over—the works.

Jade.

"Send." Jade drummed her fingers on the counter, feeling a bit guilty about doing this type of background check on Tori. But if Vega was going to be privy to all her little tricks, it was better to be sure about who and what she really was. It wouldn't be the first time a rival had tried to slip someone into the inside.

It was a logical precaution, her mind insisted. But something inside her still felt uneasy, as though it bothered her to consider the possibility that she couldn't trust Tori.

She thought about that for a bit. Her gut instinct was solidly in Tori's favor. It hadn't been wrong very often.

"But it never hurts to be sure," Jade sighed and turned back to the screen. She went through the next three messages, which were acknowledgements of items she'd taken care of the previous week. Then she clicked on the seventh with an odd feeling of anticipation.

Vega, Tori - sent 12:32 am

Hi.

Why does everyone think I'm crazy because I want to work for you? I got four emails warning me that I didn't know what I was getting into, from people I barely, or don't even know. I decided they're just jealous—I sent a list—you can tell me if they're people who had applied for the job. If they are, then I'll feel a lot better.

I wrote them all back thanking them for their concern, and hoping I'd get a chance to work with them sometime. I hope that was okay.

Anyway—hope you have a good week—and thanks again for helping me shop.

Tori

"Reply," Jade leaned against the counter and propped her head up on her hand.

Tori -

Everyone thinks you're crazy because everyone knows I am a heartless and cruel bitch who drives people to drink and an early grave, and who has no sympathy for anyone or anything. I tried to warn you about that. It's not too late to back out if you want to.

Your list is… as you suspected, disappointed candidates. The reply was appropriate.

I don't get much chance just to go out and be social. So today was pleasant for me. It also was an indication that we might just be able to work together. My previous attempts at an assistant have lasted one, three, four, and two days respectively. One I threw out, one decided to go back to the job they came from, and the other two ran screaming into the night never to be heard from again.

Please bear all this in mind.

Jade

"Send." Jade stifled a yawn and finished off her cocoa, then rinsed her mug out and put it upside down on the drain board. She turned off the lights as she went through the house, leaving space in total darkness as she reached her bedroom and crawled into the welcoming warmth of her sleep number bed. One arm curled around her pillow and the other rested lightly on the surface as she let her eyes close and slipped into sleep.

Tori took in her reflection in the rearview mirror for the sixth time before she took a deep breath and turned off the car.

It had been a very hectic week, in which she'd tied up loose ends she hadn't even realized were there and eased Ray into her old position. That first day had been a shock. When she'd had good news bad news, and important news all combined to tell everyone. Letting fifty people go had been hard, but when she'd told them about the severance package, anger had turned to disbelief, then acceptance, with stunned gratitude at what they thought was her ability to achieve miracles.

So that had turned out okay. The support groups were still reeling over the new contracts and both support managers had spent the week brushing up on their web coding skills. They were determined to make a good impression and not let her down.

It was so odd. The week before they'd been cursing the corporation's name, and now… now. They were finding ways to change and adjust—most of them were simply glad to still be employed.

The reaction to her new position had been… wow. It had ranged from "You're absolutely crazy," to "Jesus, you impressed her THAT MUCH?" and a lot of territory in between. Many people were sorry to see her go but encouraged because "She" was going to be up there and maybe could influence the Devil up there if things got too troublesome.

Tori just kept smiling and telling everyone she viewed this as a great learning experience no matter what happened, and she was really looking forward to it.

So now it was a week later, and it was Monday morning, and it was time for her to start this great new learning experience. She'd been trading emails with Jade most of the week, keeping her updated on the transition progress. The executive's writing style had relaxed a little as the week went on, becoming almost friendly, and Tori found herself looking forward to seeing Jade again.

"Okay, I'm ready," she told her reflection, then shouldered her briefcase and slipped out of her car, careful to pull herself together. It felt odd to be walking into a whole new set of doors and still be working in the same corporation.

She locked her car doors, squared her shoulders, then headed for the building's main entrance.

She gave her name at the security desk and waited while the guard looked at a list, then smiled at her. "Ms. Vega, can you please come with me? We need to badge you."

"Okay," Tori agreed amiably, as she followed the short, husky man around the corner and into a small suite of rooms. There were banks of monitors along one wall with a slim blonde girl watching them. The girl turned as they entered and gave Tori a polite smile, which she returned.

She got her picture and fingerprints taken, then stood while the agent assembled a security badge, much like she'd seen Jade carry the night they'd come back here. The man attached an electronic scan card to the badge and then handed it over to her. "Thank you." She accepted it and examined the surface. "Wow… you take nice pictures." She gave him a grin. He grinned right back. "Depends entirely on the subject, Ma'am."

Tori blushed. "Thanks. May I go up now?"

"Yes, Ma'am. First bank of elevators, then when you get off, turn left and it is the second door on your right."

Tori nodded, remembering. "Yes… Thank you." She slipped out of the security office and headed toward the elevators, glancing up and around at the milling employees. She could see several think tanks of people working together on their different projects. Some of them were just eating breakfast snacks and gossiping. All of them took surreptitious glances at her, and she figured that this would happen.

She slipped into the elevator; there were two other occupants in it. Tori noticed them looking over, trying to inconspicuously read her name badge. She stuck out her hand instead. "Hi, I'm Tori Vega. Nice to meet you."

The first woman shook her hand, then the second. "Enid Perspex," the taller of the two said hesitantly. "I work in purchasing."

"Fawn Lebowitz," the second, a shorter fairer woman added. "From Marketing. Are you Jade West's new assistant?"

"That's me," Tori replied with a grin.

They looked at her as though she had two heads. "Well, good luck," Enid mumbled. The door opened, and she and Fawn escaped. "You're gonna need it." That was under her breath, but Tori heard it anyway.

The door slid shut, leaving her with a tall thin blond man of about her own age. He studied her for a moment, then held out his hand. "So… you're the infamous Tori Vega."

Tori sighed and shook his hand. "Infamous? I hope not. I just got here." She gave him a wary look. "And you are?"

He laughed. "Relax, I'm Sinjin Vankleef… head of MIS and data security." He paused. "I'm a friend of Jade's."

Tori gave him a friendlier look. "Really? To hear people talk, she doesn't have any of those."

"Nah… she does. Not many, that's true, but the right ones. In the right places, if you know what I mean." The slim man smiled. "As long as you know your shit, you're all right with Jade. If you don't, you're toast. It's really easy." His eyes met hers. "You must know yours."

"Guess we'll find out." Tori relaxed a little, then turned as the doors opened onto her floor. Both she and Sinjin exited, and then both headed down the same corridor. Tori could hear raised voices as she reached the double doors that led into Jade's office. And she glanced sideways at Sinjin. "Sounds like a fight."

"What else is new?" He sighed and held the door for her. "C'mon, might as well get used to it."

The inside of Jade's outer office was very different from the last time she'd been there. Several people were waiting, facing a desk that had a short, slim, Latin woman behind it. She was pressing the phone against her ear with one hand, and holding her other ear with the other. Two of the people waiting were arguing, one waving a set of printouts.

"The code is failing on that account, it's not going to work, so go find another way to do it!" The shorter of the two men shouted.

"We don't have a choice, Scott. The coding team was promised a full support center and now they are holding us to it," the other man replied, throwing up his hands. "I hope to hell Jade can figure out how to pull us out of this mess. I'm going to beat the crap out of Sue Kingston on the account team for pulling this crap again!"

Two other women with reams of paper in their arms were trying to get the secretary's attention. She was on the phone with two lines blinking and talking on the third. Tori barely heard a buzzer sound. The secretary put her caller on hold and punched it. "Yes, Jade?"

"I've got half the fucking Game's network down, three of our online multiplayer games that cannot go online, and gamers and streamers that are freaking out. Can you get me an engineer that doesn't have his head up his ass right now?"

"I'm trying, Jade, believe me," the secretary replied.

"I can't have trying, Mari… I need those people!" Jade's voice was rough with frustration, and Tori moved toward it almost instinctively. She found herself at the secretary's desk and gave her a tight smile as the woman looked up.

"Hi," she said softly. "Looks like a busy morning, huh?"

"Jade?" The older woman interrupted her boss's further ranting.

"What?" the CEO growled.

"Ms. Vega is here." Mariela gazed at the slim brunette appraisingly.

There was a moment of silence. "Oh, good. Send her in." Jade's voice had dropped an octave and sounded almost cheerful. "Hello, Tori. Welcome to hell."