Necessary Evil

[Drew Conner]

Drew never liked leaving his family alone while he traveled on business but it remained a necessary evil.  With Erika rooted in Kalispell because of her responsibilities to the Academy Drew was forced to venture out alone more often than he'd like.  It wasn't that he didn't trust Alistair, his longtime protector and friend, to keep tabs on his family, Drew simply worried when he wasn't around.  Then again, Drew tended to worry a lot these days.  With the growing cultural unrest regarding mutants combining with the uncertainties of a still young and overprotective father, Drew had responded to recent events in drastic fashion.

Still, here he was, seated in the cabin of his private jet, staring out the window as the buildings, trees and cars below grew smaller and smaller.  He was headed to New York City along with his trusted ally, Selina Taylor.  As the months passed, Drew's 'inner circle', as it were, had grown perilously small.  Selina happened to be among those he still trusted enough to allow into his home and to be close to his family.  They'd both come a long way since their college days when he was a low-rent peddler and she his hired muscle.  Now he controlled one of the most powerful entities in the international corporate world while she was a highly trained security specialist.

"It's only for a few days."  Drew said suddenly, his eyes shifting to the clouds the plane was now flying among before turning to Selina.  It was a rare moment of weakness for Drew.  So much so even someone as close to him as Selina hadn't seen it often, even in the wake of his being shot at a couple years ago.  "They're going to be fine, right Selina?"  He looked to the young woman, a hint of worry flashing in his dark eyes.  "Alistair's with them."

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina had changed over the years. She was calmer, far more self-possessed, and generally more laid back. She glanced out the window of the private jet absently going over the security measures she'd put in place both regarding the Conner home while Drew and she were gone, but also the set up at the venue they'd be arriving at in a few hours. She'd prepared both to the best of her ability, which was considerable thanks to her last three years of training and having been basically taken under Alistair's wing.

    Selina knew of Drew's anxiety, not because he showed much obvious sign of it, but merely because she'd been around him long enough to know how he got when away from his young and budding family for any length of time. She glanced up in slight surprise when he started speaking though. It wasn't so much that he was speaking that was the shock, but more the tone and the words themselves. Drew was well put together, even under duress, and for him to be admitting this now...

    Selina nodded to him in response to his question. "We've both worked together to make sure that your house is as safe as it possibly can be, Drew. And Alistair is highly capable, as you well know. He'll protect them," she assured him. No matter how many times you rationalized anxiety away, it would still be there... something she understood all too well. She knew that focusing on other topics could help though, "I've also contacted the people in New York and worked with them to ensure that this trip poses the least risk possible," she added. Not that Drew needed to focus on business any more than he already did, but still such a distraction might serve him well if he wanted it.  

[Drew Conner]

Drew's fingertips drummed restlessly against the arm rest of his seat. By now it was foolish of him to be holding onto such fears and anxieties. The sheer amount of monetary resources that he poured into security approached vulgar levels. His two closest professional confidants were both in security and he ensured they were among his highest paid employees and that was to say nothing of the ridiculous lengths that had been gone to when it came to securing his home. Here he was, a man with the world at his fingertips driven mad by the simplest of fears: losing what he held dear.

"Yeah. I know." A hand came up to run through the swath of dark hair. Drew issued a low sigh, partly due to the frustration of his own unfounded insecurities. There was no reason to voice his concern. Selina had been with him since they were in college and he trusted her implicitly. She wouldn't be on this trip if he didn't. "Sometimes I think I'm taking this too far." He confessed with a certain sense of contempt touching his voice. He was Drew Goddamn Conner. He shouldn't be doubting himself this much.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina studied him in slight fascination, as she was still very much the woman who would do literally anything to ensure that her own family was safe and taken care of. Selina absently wondered at how similar and yet how very very different her fears were and had been in comparison to his own. Some things could connect even people as vastly different as Drew and herself.

    She had always drawn a strict line between employer and friend though. For her, personal and professional had never mixed. She was incredibly adept at compartmentalizing her relationships and differentiating between how she approached those she worked with versus how she approached casual acquaintances. On the rare occasion however, she almost felt like the lines were capable of blurring.

     These moments never lasted long, but seeing Drew act like this had the empathy she never showed to anyone outside of her close family and friends surfacing despite herself. And then his words registered... taking this too far... perhaps he was right. "Permission to speak honestly, Drew?" she asked, a serious tone giving weight to her words that usually wasn't there. Her words could be harsh, blunt and some would probably think unfeeling, but she'd never been good with sugar coating anything.

[Drew Conner]

Drew glanced to Selina curiously. He was rarely seen as a personable young man. Even when he was in college Drew had a certain detached nature that continued to serve him incredibly well as he grew older and delved into the world of international business. To him employees were assets. Important assets, yes, ones that should be taken care of and offered fair compensation for their contributions to his company, but assets nonetheless. Even so, Selina had found herself in an entirely different class.

Protecting himself and his family went much further than mere 'business'. Drew trusted the general security of his home to nameless, faceless 'assets'. The security team that patrolled the perimeter of the house were well paid for their work, sure, but they remained mere employees. The two individuals who had been pulled into Drew's ever shrinking personal circle blurred the line between friend and employee. Alistair had been with the Conner family before the Twins had relocated to the Academy and Selina was right beside him when it came to Drew's trust level. She wasn't just an asset, nor would Drew ever treat her as such. He wanted to feel as though the people tasked with looking after his family had a personal stake in the duty.

Still, Selina had always been the quintessential professional and Drew respected her for that. He gave a short nod. "You know you can, Selina." He had a feeling while he may not like what the outspoken Selina would have to say, something told him to listen carefully to the security official's words.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina nodded as she took a brief second to decide how she was going to say this, but then she met his eyes and something crumbled her steel resolve. For some reason, he had always been different. With her previous employers it was so easy to keep the line drawn, mostly because none had ever bothered to try and cross it… except for a few who’d thought they could get away with taking advantage of their position over her, and those jobs she’d left.

    Those people had been so easy to shut out, but from the start Drew had made this seem more like an equal partnership than a traditional job. Not only that, but he’d never been unfair with her and had always been more than generous. Selina also knew that she genuinely did care about him and Erika, despite how often she reminded herself that she really should keep her emotional distance. Selina had occasionally rationalized it by thinking that it was in her job description to care about the physical well-being of the Conner family… but even she knew it was deeper than that.

    Selina had known him for over three years now, and though she often reminded herself to stay on guard, part of her trusted him. She was so tempted to firmly remind him that she was just the security detail, that if he kept going, he’d have to compensate her for emotional labor too… but she also couldn’t quite force herself to do it. Drew had so few that he could trust or open up to, and even he was human. In some ways, she realized that she was far luckier than he was. “Drew, what you’re feeling right now, is perfectly normal. I don’t care how tough you think you have to be, but you’re also a human being and humans are emotional.”

    “With what you’ve been through, fear is a perfectly normal reaction. Worrying about your family is also nothing out of the ordinary. You don’t have to hate yourself for feeling.” She’d been there and done that, and sometimes she still did that, but it hadn’t helped anything, and had often made whatever emotion she was suppressing worse.

    “But at the same time, everything in moderation... perhaps you have taken this too far, but maybe right now that’s necessary.” She knew that her next words might be crossing a line, and that he probably wouldn’t thank her for them, but nonetheless, “Until you learn to trust in your wife, who’s an incredibly smart and capable woman, and trust in Alistair, who would do literally anything to protect both her and your son. Until you learn to trust in my skill and my dedication to my job and your family, maybe it’s necessary to go to these lengths for your own assurance,” she added her tone hard and her gaze level. “Until you can have faith in your allies, and in those who genuinely care for you… perhaps it’s best you continue as you have.”

    Learning to feel and to trust those close to you... she wondered if her mother was laughing at her right now.

[Drew Conner]

It was no surprise that Selina didn't tell Drew anything he didn't already know. It as different, though, when someone else vocalized it. Hearing the words pass through Selina's lips lent weight to them, afforded them a certain sense of reality the moment they were spoken. He hung on every one. The only woman in the world he trusted more than Selina he'd married, leaving the security official in rarefied air, to say the least. She may not have been starting a revolution with her words but she certainly had Drew thinking.

With a slow nod, Drew exhaled. At some point he would need to fully give in to the trust he was so reluctant to give. There were no doubts in his mind that Selina and Alistair not only had his family's best interests at heart but were also more than capable of upholding their duty and responsibilities to the Conners. "I know." Drew said with a resigned sigh. His eyes turned back to the window where he looked out at the clouds around them. "I have you following Erika around when she's easily more capable than I." His brow furrowed at this and he then issued a soft chuckle. "She's an athlete and a hell of a telekinetic while I just push papers and shake hands all day." He glanced back to Selina now, a hint of that mischievous smirk he'd become synonymous with shining through. "Makes this all see a little backward doesn't it?"

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina nodded to him, a small smirk flickering across her features when he mentioned Erika's capability, "Perhaps... And if you love Erika and Isaac, you'll ensure that you're just as protected as they are. I don't wish to see Erika a grieving widower, nor to see Isaac grow up without a father," she replied. It wasn't exactly a fun topic of conversation, but still... Drew seemed far more concerned about the safety of his family than of himself. She had no wish to increase his paranoia, but she also knew he wasn't exactly making many friends with his outspoken activism regarding mutants.

    Selina absently wondered how she'd become so entangled in this that she actually gave a damn. She'd been so careful to hold herself at arms length, but Erika and Drew were hard to dislike, even despite the fact that she would have hated them on sight when she was younger. Her life had certainly taken a strange turn when she'd accepted Drew's proposition, and she was more than appreciative, but sometimes she couldn't help but wonder when it was all going to come crashing down. It had been three years, and sometimes this still felt so surreal. Like she'd wake up and realize it was all some weird dream. She'd always felt like an outside observer to it all, and probably always would.

[Drew Conner]

Drew issued a short chuckle and offered an almost resigned shrug of his shoulders. Yet again, Selina was right. He wasn't in the mindset of allowing any of his family be harmed, including himself, Erika and Isaac simply took priority. There was nothing he could do to would change that. "You don't need to worry about me, Selina." He said, smirking faintly. "I'll be alright. They've already tried for me and failed. I can handle it." His apparent confidence was belied by the doubts that crept into his mind accompanied by the memories of SPECTRE and the fall out from that when he was just a teen.

"I'll keep my own security detail up." Drew added after a moment's silence. His smirk faded into a genuinely thankful smile. It was a small one, to be sure, but it was there. "I appreciate your concern, Selina." He glanced out the window once more and let his mind wander. "A lot's changed in the years." He mused solemnly. "I'm glad you've stuck by me."

[Selina Taylor]

    "Isn't it my job to worry about you?" she replied, a teasing glint lighting up her eyes for a brief second. Her expression turned slightly more serious at his second comment and she shook her head, "I would tell you not to minimize shit like that, but... I feel like you already know," she added with a wry smile. "Besides, no one else is here right now, so who the hell are you trying to impress?" she asked, her gentle teasing half serious in nature. No one could live through that and be unaffected, and she was the least likely to judge anyone for being affected by trauma.

    At Drew's mention of his own security detail, Selina smiled, "Good." She nodded at his words of appreciation, unsure how to respond. The fact that she felt anything close to concern was completely new to her in terms of how she regarded an employer. His next words had her letting out a half chuckle, "I am too. You're easily the best employer I've had, so thank you." If he hadn't approached her so many years ago, she wouldn't be here. She partially wondered just how her life would have turned out otherwise... but what ifs had never done her much good in the past so she brushed the thoughts aside.

[Drew Conner]

Drew smirked and gave a short shrug of his shoulders. Selina certainly wasn't wrong. He'd dedicated a great deal of resources in training and securing Selina's position. She was among the most well educated and technically proficient operatives money could by and her mutant power just made her all the more capable. The fact that Drew trusted her implicitly made her invaluable.

Once the private plane had landed Drew and Selina were driven to the hotel where the two of them shared a large, multi room penthouse suite. There was little down time before they would be due to attend the lavish function taking place in the hotel lobby. Drew had been reluctant to leave in the first place making spending as little time as possible in New York vital.

"You're looking lovely as always." Drew commented idly as be stepped out of his bedroom, glancing down from the young woman who was attending the bightsievent at his side long enough to finish clasping his gold cufflinks. "Does the flight crew know we're leaving first thing in the morning?" He asked, stepping in front of a mirror to take a second look at his tuxedo and give his tie a bit of a straightening.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina had donned a simple classy V-neck black dress that was light and easy to move in, in case anything should happen. She didn't want her movements hindered by heavy or excessive material. She'd had fun finding something that still clung to her curves while allowing her legs almost full range of motion. As practical as Selina was, she'd always had a weakness for fashion, and had always taken effort with her appearance. It may have seemed superficial, and it was partly, but it was also another way of arming herself against the world when she'd been poor. Her hair was pulled back tight to keep it out of her face and her make-up had been done before on the plane so she wouldn't have to waste time here. She was surprised she was ready about the same time he was, but then she wasn't exactly one for wasting time. 

    It was amazing how she'd actually gotten used to things like penthouse suites while working for Drew. Three years ago, she would have been intimidated beyond belief, and now it was all just a part of the job. She was still occasionally surprised how much three years had changed her, but at his comment she merely smirked slightly, "You too," she offered simply. He'd always been handsome, but he looked particularly sharp in a tux. If he'd ever been single and not her employer, she'd have definitely tried for his bed, but with things as they were, she merely cast him a light appreciative glance. 

    At his question though, she almost laughed. "If they didn't, you could feel free to fire me for shoddy work," she replied, a bit wryly. "But to answer your question, yes they're aware," she offered. As many times as she'd went over every minor detail of this trip, she found his question slightly amusing, but she didn't mind. Besides, as her employer it was his right to ask whatever he wanted... almost. There were things she had certainly never spoken of with him, but they had nothing to do with her job anyway.

[Drew Conner]

Drew chuckled softly, sending a smirk in Selina's direction as she spoke. He gave a nod, of course she'd taken care of everything. She wasn't wrong. If he had to ask her about such things in order for them to get done she wouldn't be here right now. Still, he had to ask even if he knew the answer. That she was so confident in her preparation made all the difference in the world to the increasingly paranoid businessman. There were only a few people who had remained at his side in spite of his often erratic behavior and Selina was one of them.

"I guess we should head to the lobby and get this over with." Drew said, his shoulders slumping in resignation. He'd long grown accustomed to attending such functions and events but he was still a young man in his early 20's. Standing around while a bunch of puffed up, aging assholes spouted nonsensical quips about money and their lavish lifestyles was hardly Drew's definition of fun. A necessary evil, yes, but an evil nonetheless. "The press wouldn't be that bad if I got shit-faced and you had to carry me out... would it?" He asked, that smirk of his coming back as he straightened up and offered his arm to Selina. This was a formal event, after all. "Shall we?"

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina nodded at his words and felt a familiar anxiety in the pit of her stomach. It was occasions like these where she was forcefully reminded of just how much she didn’t belong in the world of the rich and powerful. Selina would always be mere gutter trash to most of these people and she knew it. She was just glad her job didn’t require her to do much more than stay at Drew’s side and occasionally make polite conversation when directly spoken to, which wasn’t often considering who her employer was. People were far more interested in a billionaire CEO, and for that she was incredibly grateful.

    So long as she kept her mind focused on security details, Selina was usually fine… so that’s what she would do. Selina held no desire to measure up to standards that were never meant to be reached by those not born to them. Selina was a professional and would act as such, no more no less… which was why any doubt or fear was easily hidden by the confidence she held in her trade. People could talk all they wanted, and some probably would, but she’d worked damn hard to get where she was, and she held pride in her work.

    She let out a small huff of amusement at Drew’s remark and shook her head, “Nah. Of course not. They’re feeling particularly generous these days,” she teased lightly. “But wait, that’d mean I’d have to stay sober enough to carry you, wouldn’t it?” she asked with a wry grin. Selina never drank on the job, and she wasn’t about to change that, but sometimes she almost wished she could. A slow smirk crossed her features as she took Drew’s offered arm, as this had only ever happened when she was being paid. There was probably irony in that somewhere, but she didn’t care to tease it out right this second. Instead, she took a calming breath and followed Drew to the lobby.

[Drew Conner]

"That's fair." Drew replied with a nod. He paused for just a moment as a plan formed in his mind, albeit an amusing, only partially sincere one. "Alright, how about this? We'll both get drunk and make one of the bellhops drag us back up here. Deal?" It sounded as good a plan as any. Drew wasn't one to drink heavily though certain times like this he often reconsidered that stance. These events were a necessary evil, one he usually placated by bringing Erika along to whatever exotic of bustling location they were set in and making sort of an impromptu vacation out of it. Whenever Erika wasn't able to go, Selina was the stand in. It was customary to show up with a date to these things regardless of how antiquated it may have been. Selina looked and played the part of business associate very well. It was one of her many charms.

A small gathering of the media was milling about the lobby snapping pictures and approaching a few of the patrons who ventured out of the event hall with a handful of questions varying in importance and potential social impact. Drew had been, thankfully, relatively scandal free lately leaving very little for anyone to attempt to discuss with him. Selina was a common fixture at his side when Erika was unable to attend such functions so even that wasn't a talking point. Anyone in the know was already aware of Selina's professional connection with Drew making her presence a non-issue.

After getting away after only having to stand still for a couple pictures, Drew slipped into the bustling convention hall and issued a low sigh. "I didn't look bored when they were taking pictures." His brow furrowed as he glanced to Selina, speaking only loud enough so she could hear him. "Did I look bored when they were taking pictures?"