The Ocean On Their Shoulders

Chapter 20

It was safe to say that communication was really neither of their fortes. Not knowing if some regrets were maybe plaguing him, or shame to be riddling her. Of course, things were only made worse with the right questions being asked but by the wrong person, Dr. Lamb. And she happened to have seen them at the gala as well, finding Jane's next appointment as good an opportunity as any to continue to dig for any information on Rapture's most feared man.

~*~

She couldn't even cut the tension with a serrated butcher's knife if she tried. The air was so thick within the small space that it felt suffocating as if she was actively drowning. And what confused her the most, was how causally he was standing at the bathysphere's lever, hands in his pockets like nothing was happening. Pure ignorant bliss.

Little to no words were even spoken that morning. In recent weeks as well, she was so used to the occasional affectionate touches as they'd be getting ready. Slight, and feather-light for someone such as him who certainly was not a morning person, and would usually grip her tightly while she'd be brushing her teeth. His head leaning and lolling against her shoulder as if he'd fall right back asleep standing upright like that. This morning, however, nothing. And while she had attempted to do her part, picking out a tie that would match his suit with a small smile; he'd only give her a distant look. His lips would barely lift at the corners, a potential smile that certainly did not reach his eyes and her brows furrowed in confusion.

What was happening? What was wrong?

Was the previous day still forcing him to stay in his funk? Was it Saturday night that still sat heavily on his shoulders like it did hers?

At this point, Jane sat along the cushioned seat next to one of the bathysphere's windows with her purse clutched between recently painted fingers. The red stood out amongst the beige of her bag as she glanced down towards it to distract her conflicting thoughts. She recalled then if she had brought her journal for her appointment with Dr. Lamb that afternoon. A quick peak inside her bag confirmed she did, and a sigh relaxed her shoulders. If anything, she was looking forward to this appointment, it would at least give her time away from the headache standing just feet from her.

As soon as they docked, Jane checked her watch with a frown pulling at her features. If being late was a concern, then they were two hours behind the traditional 8 am. However, Fontaine rather preferred to arrive late, especially with her as fewer people would see them together. Still, it took away time in the lab and she tended to make that up by staying a couple hours later. Today, however, with her appointment she was hoping to arrive sooner. But with whatever was going on with Fontaine, she couldn't find it in herself to argue with him about that this morning.

With the space between them still muted, he opened the hatch and waited for her to disembark first, following right after. The ocean water sloshed against the grated flooring under her flats as he closed the bathysphere hatch, both making their way from the docking station to the lobby of the Futuristics. Once at the threshold between his office and the labs, Jane paused to look back at the tycoon who followed with hands still buried deep in his pockets.

"I have an appointment with Lamb this afternoon." She started, her voice sounding fragile and a tad defeated. "I might be back a little late, but I'll be taking the Express."

Don't wait for me.

He looked as if he wanted to say something, or if he wanted to step forward and give her a quick goodbye kiss like he's done several times before. The guilt felt like a punch to the gut when he nodded, and instead of taking those steps toward him, she turned and started walking down the hall to the labs.