XIV

Saturday, September 15, 2001

Blair was excited, and nervous, and apprehensive as their SUV got closer and closer to New York City. All three of the occupants had mixed emotions about their return-all of them desperately wanting to see their loved ones, hug them, and tell them they loved them, but while they wouldn't bet at Ground Zero, they knew the city they were re-entering later that day was not the same city they had left the week before.

Blair was most nervous about seeing Jo, after their fight they had just before Blair left for Los Angeles. She knew Jo loved her, but both had been deeply hurt by their disagreement. Yet both of them knew, now, after this world-changing event, that their argument was nothing against the backdrop of the smoldering ruins in New York, Washington, and Shanksville.

More than anything, however, she simply wanted to wrap Jo in her arms, and if it were up to her, never let her go.

Jo arrived at the Warner Tower about 3:30, David indicating that family members of James and Karen Condon would also be there to greet them on arrival. He assured Jo that she and Blair would be able to meet privately in his office once they arrived in New York. While they waited, David had The Palm restaurant, which wasn't open for business, but was helping in catering food and drinks to the workers at Ground Zero, if they could hustle up some sandwiches and iced tea to be delivered. He asked them if more could be delivered after 5:30 pm. The management at The Palm graciously agreed.

"So, how you feeling, Jo?" David had a roast beef sandwich in front of him, with an iced tea, while Jo had a Reuben in front of her.

She smiled at David Warner. "Nervous. Since that fight, everything has been a mess, and I just want to put all this negativity behind me, even if just for a few hours or few days."

David nodded, but with sadness. "It's going to be impossible to put this", he pointed his thumb in the direction of Ground Zero, "behind use for a long, long time, but you're right. Everyone needs to start getting some positive momentum behind them. It won't be easy, but it'll happen soon enough."

"I hope you're right, David", Jo said quietly. "The Cap'n told me early this morning to be ready to do work involved in the investigation of the attack. I told him if I can nab just one person who helped do this to us, I'll have avenged Nathan and the rest of 'em."

"I hope you get that chance, Jo", David said somberly. He paused for a moment, then changed the subject. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you, especially since all of this happened." Jo nodded for him to continue. "As I told you when I saw you Thursday, I was worried sick about you after the attacks occurred. Obviously, I had reason to be worried. I was relieved beyond belief when I found you at the Precinct."

He paused to take a sip of his tea, but also to gather his thoughts and emotions. "I'm so damn proud of you, Jo, for how you've handled this crisis. I know it hasn't been easy, and I suspect you saw some things that no one should ever see, but you, like the rest of the NYPD and FDNY, have made all of us proud beyond belief."

Jo shrugged. "I was just doin' my job, David", she said, inwardly pleased by his words. "And I'd do it all over again."

"I know that", David nodded. "You remember years ago, when we first met, that I didn't exactly have a high opinion of you?"

Jo laughed loudly on hearing that. "Yeah, I have a penchant for rubbin' people the wrong way first time I meet them."

David chuckled. "I made the mistake in judging you on where you came from and that fact that you weren't...in the social circles Blair was. It took me a while to see that, Rose and Charlie, bless their souls, raised a wonderful woman under a lot of handicaps. And there's no doubt you're the best thing that ever happened to Blair.""

Hearing David mention her late parents' names, made Jo close her eyes. "Ya know, Ma and Pop struggled with my sexuality, but we were good before they both died, first Pop, then Ma. What I wouldn't give right now to put my arms around them and tell 'em how much I'll always love them."

"They were good people, Jo, and I know you miss them. But you do realize you still have a family, don't you?"

"I got Blair, David", Jo said with another smile. "She's all I need to sustain me."

"I have no doubt of that, Joanna", he agreed. "But what I'm saying is that, after everything that's been going on, it's time I let you know that I think of you as my daughter now. No, right now, by law, you can't be my 'daughter-in-law'. That will change someday, but I want you to know that, law or no law, I consider your as much my daughter as Blair is." By the time he finished, David's eyes were glistening.

Jo stood up and went around to him, David rising as well. The flung their arms around each other. "God, David, you don't know how much that means to me. I needed to hear that for so long." She released him for a moment. "Don't get the idea I'm gonna call you 'Daddy', like Blair does." David let out a belly laugh at that. "But maybe, eventually, I can call you 'dad'. I don't think that 'Pop' will fit you either."

David laughed again, pulling his second daughter to his chest. "Jo, you can call me anything you want...uh, within reason." Again they both laughed while hugging. "I'm proud to call you my daughter."

"Thank you, David, so much." She laughed again as she looked at him. "Blair would be teasing me now for getting 'mushy'. She knows I hate that." The both laughed happily again. "But next to Blair comin' home today? I can't think of a better present right now."

The SUV pulled to the secured entrance of the Warner Building around 5:45pm. All three showed their ID's, and were cleared to enter the secured basement parking lot.

Five minutes later, they were met in the lobby by CEO David Warner. The office had not reopened for business yet, so the building was practically empty. Blair immediately ran up to her father. This was a daughter-father moment, not a CEO-underling moment.

"Daddy!" The wrapped their arms around each other in a tearful hug. "God, I'm so glad to be home!"

The broke the embrace, David kissing her on the cheek. "Welcome home, honey. It's good o see you."

After that he went over and hugged both James and Karen, and giving Karen a kiss on the cheek as well. "Thank you both for help getting Blair home safely", he told them with a warm smile. "You don't know how much I appreciate it."

"It was our pleasure, sir", Karen spoke first. "Despite everything, it wasn't a bad ride."

David's smile faded a bit. "Did you see anything...when you arrived in the city?"

James took that one. "We noticed the police are absolutely everywhere, and that the National Guard are out, weapons in view", the man said, the mood changing somewhat. "We saw...we saw the smoke from Ground Zero. Honestly, Mr. Warner", he said starkly, "I don't know if I ever want to go down there."

"You'll get no grief from me, Jim. I went down there with a police escort the other day. It's the most horrific thing I've ever seen, guys", he added, setting aside formalities. "A lot of good people were lost Tuesday."

"Daddy", Blair interrupted, "has any word come down about Nathan?" On their trip from L.A, Blair had told her car mates about Nathan Zidek, and about what a wonderful man and friend he was.

The CEO's eyes cast downward. "Yesterday, Jo's boss, Captain Randazzo, submitted his report to City Hall. Every precinct captain had to get a count of his charges. Everyone was accounted for, except Nathan. He's officially 'Missing, and presumed dead."

All four were silent for a moment, the tragedy taking on a more personal form. "He was such a great guy, Daddy. God, Jo must be hurting so bad over it."

"She is, Princess", he agreed. "Speaking of Jo", he said turning to address all three of them, "it's time for all of you to reunite with your loved ones. Jim, Karen? Your families are in the Conference Room on the 19th floor. Blair? Jo is waiting for you in my office."

_

Blair nervously took the elevator up. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she honestly didn't know why. It isn't like Jo and I are gonna screw in my dad's office, for Pete's sake, she thought wryly to herself. As he elevator continued upward, she thought more about it. Maybe it's a combination of the fight we had last week...God, that was another lifetime ago! And because of the hell everyone's been through this week.

The elevator announced it's arrival on the top floor, Blair stepping out, her mouth suddenly dry. She ignored it best she could. She arrived at the large, thick oaken double doors that led to her father's elegant and spacious office, pausing for a moment before opening it. Despite how big and heavy the doors were, the one she chose opened quite easy.

She stepped inside.