The Ocean On Their Shoulders

Chapter 21

It was finally here, the big meeting between two of Rapture's most influential men and companies. While exciting, it was rather daunting to be standing between Ryan and Fontaine for a photo for the Tribune, someone as "low-life" and insignificant as a scientist at the Futuristics to be pitching a grand project and idea. Of course, look where the Plasmid industry ended up, and ADAM's influence within Rapture. She was merely expanding on the resource's benefits and potential.

After talking again about the night following the gala, Jane also felt a tad more comfortable regarding the situation between her and Fontaine. Although comfortable to the point where she wanted to have a bit of fun of her own, pushing the tycoon to his limits during the big meeting in hopes of getting exactly what she deserved after. Both compliments on the meeting's - hopeful - success and discipline for her promiscuous behavior.

All in good fun, of course.

~*~

He had asked her to stop going to Lamb, and she agreed.

Neither of them had slept well that night, Frank leaving at some point to finally put Jack to bed. Jane also thought that her emotional purge would have been enough to render her exhausted. But the appointment with Lamb still sat sour in her mouth, feeling dirty that she had been vulnerable and Lamb had been so distracted and exploitive. And as Frank held her while she explained what happened, she could feel his anger radiate. He had asked her then not to book another appointment, for both their sake, and she didn't hesitate to agree.

It wasn't too soon after, had she finally calmed herself down enough, did she ask him about his strange behavior over the last day or so. How it almost seemed as if he was avoiding her, avoiding what had happened that Saturday. His response almost surprised her with how much she'd convinced herself something was wrong.

"I don't regret anythin' from that night." His fingers twirled through her hair once he'd finally settled down under the comforter with her. "Things were just a shit show yesterday, never should've happened in the first place."

His attention lowered to where she was clinging to his front. "Do you? Have any regrets? You seemed a bit conflicted that night."

"No." The word dripped from her lips. "And I still don't." At least she was right in thinking the whole situation at the Fisheries was what put him in a funk, relief flooding her chest to know it wasn't anything she had done.

"Then stop worryin' 'bout it." He teased, flicking the hair that was wrapped around his finger back over her face. "Can't be worryin' 'bout us fuckin' when we've got a huge-ass meetin' today."

Jane huffed, the puff from her breath blowing the hair from her face and she peeked over his shoulder to his bedside clock. It was almost 1:30 in the morning and a groan erupted from her chest. There was little to no exaggeration on his end at the mention of the "huge-ass" meeting, it was borderline monumental for Rapture.

It was the meeting between Ryan and Fontaine, the Industries and Futuristics. Jane had been rather surprised to find this meeting to occur as soon as it was, especially after just talking to Ryan about it a few days ago. However, Frank was telling her that he had been on calls the entire day with both Ryan and his team confirming they wanted to go ahead with the collaboration as soon as possible, just in case Fontaine were to have any second thoughts. Frank apparently couldn't hold back the chuckle at that, thinking they were doing it in case Ryan was to hesitate.

Although, Jane was to be a part of this meeting as well, giving a more formal proposal for the project with the gritty details for the press and both participating companies. It gave her little time to prepare anything, panic evident in the shake of her voice and nervous twitch to her fingers as they fidgeted with his shirt.