Elbow braced on her desk, Jeannette Mathis rested her chin in her hand and tapped her fingers on her cheek. “I know that they are just thinking of their own egos, but you would think that they would at least check with us before pulling something like that.”

Jones sat across from her, one leg braced over his other knee. “Well, the CCDA has it under control, but it certainly makes our job more difficult.”

Word had filtered their way about Federation VIP individuals who wanted to be considered delegates to the gala. The gall of it infuriated Mathis, not that many would ever know or see that. Outside of Dash and her family, even those who were preceptive would come up against a protective wall around her mind. It wasn’t entirely impermeable, but for the most part Jeannette found it an important and necessary tool in her work, for her own protection as much as anything.

She shook her head. “It undermines the work we are trying to do. It pits us against the colony, even though it has nothing to do with you and I. Frankly, I am of a mind to make a complaint.”

Dash quirked a brow. Jean wasn’t prone to overreactions so if she thought this warranted a formal complaint and some sort of formal response, then it was worth not just paying attention to, but following through. “That bad, huh?”

Mathis sighed and dropped her arm, folding it over the other resting on her desk. “It could be. And that’s the problem. Their timing is terrible, their motivations were off and I don’t care who they think they are. They were not invited and they did not go through us, or the Tower. As far as I’m concerned, their presence would be detrimental to the process, rather than helpful, no matter who they are and what status they believe they have.”

“Don’t hold back on me now,” he teased.

Jeanette laughed, despite herself. Then she sighed. “I don’t need this right now. We don’t need this.”

He gave her one of his beaming smiles, the kind that made his eyes crinkle. “No, but onwards we go. And I know you know this, but just in case, remember that I have your back.”

She grinned at him and reached out and gave his hand a brief squeeze. “And how lucky I am. What would I do without you?”

Dash chuckled. “Be your amazing self. But it might be a little less fun.”

Jeannette laughed again, something she very much needed more of right now and Dash always seemed to be able to generate. “Ahh, yes, that would be true.”

“How’s Jessie settling in to school? Did he complain about the security drop off and pick up yet and how ‘it’s so not cool, Mom’?”

Mathis sighed. “Something like that. But especially right now, we can’t take any risks and we had to have another serious talk about my work and what that means right now.”

He nodded. “It’s hard to comprehend that your parent is doing something risky and that there might be people who care enough to use their loved ones against them. It’s not every kid who has to be told, ‘Hey, someone might try to kidnap or harm you’ and that means you need protection.’ It sucks yes, but it’s the reality and I’m glad you’re being straight-forward with him, even if it means his overall experience at high school is more awkward.”

“I feel for him, Dash, but I love him too much to take chances. Especially right now. Things are so very fragile and we’ve not been here long enough. We’re all used to this. It’s the embassy life, and it’s always going to be a struggle at first. Thank goodness for Ren, though.”

“No kidding. I’ve never met a more easy-going person. Do they even get stressed? I am not sure I’ve ever seen examples of it.”

Jean grinned. “Who do you think taught me meditation? Let’s just say my life became a lot more peaceful when Ren Bryant danced their way into it.”

Dash matched her grin. “I love that story. It’s one of my favourites.”

“Speaking of dancing…” Jean gave Dash a raise of her eyebrows. His grin shifted to something deeper and joyful. “I’m happy for you,” she said, her voice softening.

He shook his head and looked off. “Talk about surprises. And I think we’re just happy letting things flow where they will. No expectations.” He looked back at Jean. “I know it makes things a bit more complicated and there might be a conflict of interest-“

“Nonsense!” she interrupted, her voice stern. “If anyone doubts either of your ability to be discreet about your own work and not mix it with the personal where it does not belong, then they don’t know you or Dasca in the slightest.” Mathis pointed a finger at him. “Don’t let the naysayers get in your head. Trust yourself.”

He grinned, despite himself. “Yes, ma’am.” And he meant it.

“Good,” Jeannette said with a nod of her head. “Now, are you going to tell me what’s got you all antsy today, or shall I just wait till you’re ready to tell me?” Her tone was gentle, but she knew him too well and if something rattled him this badly, then it was worth bringing up. Dash’s smile faded, replaced by a trace of uncertainty, and even fear. “Dash?” she whispered.

He looked away and sighed. “I want to tell you, and I will. But I can’t yet. I just need to figure something out first.” He looked back at her. “It’s just a whole bunch of things all at once. There is one piece I can tell you though, and I do feel I can talk about right now. I just hope it works out okay, because…” He paused, looked away and looked back at her, meeting her gaze intently. “You know I would never do anything to compromise you, right?”

Mathis frowned. “Of course! Dashiel Jones, we’ve worked together for 8 years. There’s no one I trust more to to do this work with.”

He nodded, inhaled deeply, and told her about Raf. For her part Mathis just listened, though she watched him carefully. Finally, when he was done and she took a moment to process, Jean gave him an understanding smile. “Dash, we can’t control the choices other people make, and you have such a big heart. I know you feel obligated to have done more, but I think you made the right choice in keeping some firm boundaries for him right now. Whatever he chooses, it’s up to him. You, and I want you to hear me when I say this, deserve to be known for more than the difficult time in your life where you yourself made bad choices. Here’s the thing, Dash, when it mattered, you made the right one. That showed that you have integrity. I won’t let anyone, including yourself, convince you otherwise.”

Dash smiled and chuckled softly. “I didn’t expect different, but I guess hearing you say you’re not upset by it helps.”

Mathis shook her head. “Look, do I think it would be good for people to know this now, not really. They’re still getting to know us and we have a lot of work to do to earn their trust. Small things can unfortunately undermine that process. But your record was sealed for a reason and I think publicly it’s no one else’s business.”

He tapped his fingers on his thigh for a moment. “Do you think Karilan was right, that I haven’t let it go?’

Jean gave him her warmest smile. “I think if you have to ask the question, you already know the answer.”

Jones chuckled. He imagined Eela would say something similar. But at least talking about Raf’s appearance to Jean lifted some of his unease. The rest? He had to walk a fine line between disclosure and putting people at risk. For now though, there was work to do and things in his personal life to look forward to. He wanted to focus on that and not this other unnecessary drama.

~Ambassador Mathis & Dashiel Jones, Attaché