Archive of Our Own ^beta

February 1998

Joan:

It’s been way too long since we’ve talked, I know. It’s one of the perils of a job so thoroughly classified that – Hell, I can’t even finish this sentence without saying something I shouldn’t. Still, I’ve got big news – and a big favor to ask, and I hope you’ll see your way to saying Yes.

Short version: I’ve just become a (single, adoptive) Mom. Her name is Cassandra, she’s a bright, lovely twelve-year-old, and we’re getting along incredibly well. I can’t say much about the long version – yes, it’s work-related, and therefore classified eight ways from Sunday as opposed to the usual six. The main thing is that she has no living relatives at all, and though she’s fluent in English she’s not native to the US. I’ve included a few snapshots, which definitely don’t do her full justice.

For the near term, Cassie and I are doing well enough on our own. But it won’t be that long before she’s dating and looking at colleges and, well, growing up – and she’s going to need a broader worldview than I can give her from inside my highly classified cocoon of a life. Don’t get me wrong; I like my job, I have amazing co-workers, and I’d never have met Cassie otherwise. But it is a cocoon, and I don’t have a right to keep Cassie wrapped up in it. She needs someone in her life from outside the cocoon – an aunt, essentially, someone to show her the world and keep the secrets you don’t share with Mom. Also, to be brutally honest, someone who’d be there in the event – highly unlikely in my specific case, but not impossible – of something going disastrously south at work and taking me with it. Mostly you should plan on being the thoroughly modern, fun sort of aunt who’s not as square as Mom. (That said, if you say yes, I expect my bosses will run you through a high-level security check to make sure you’re not a James Bond villain, because they’re just that careful. They will probably not give you any sort of actual security clearance as a result, at least not that they tell you about, because they’re just that paranoid.)

Anyway. Whether or not you’re willing to be Cassie’s cool Aunt Joan, you are officially invited to come out to Colorado for a visit sometime soon. Even we highly classified worker bees get vacation time, I’d absolutely love the chance to catch up, and of course you should actually meet Cassie no matter what you decide.

Love,

Janet

February 1998

Janet:

Holy cats! Congratulations on becoming a (single, adoptive) Mom – that’s just about the unlikeliest news I could possibly have expected to get from you, but I can tell you’re over the moon about it, and Cassie is clearly a jewel and a treasure.

I will not say “I told you so” about landing in an ultra-classified job after letting the military pay your med school bills. We had that conversation at least three times during your residency, while they were making up their minds where to assign you. (Anyway, it sounds like your particular ultra-classified job is a lot better than most of the military medical postings I can imagine.)

To the point, though: I would be delighted to be Cassie’s weird but absurdly trustworthy Aunt Joan, keeper of secrets, buyer of lunches, sender of mildly inappropriate Christmas gifts, purveyor of worldly wisdom, et cetera. I hereby swear that I am neither a Bond villain nor a Bond girl, and that the worst thing your bosses are likely to find in my personal history is the business with the cadaver, the trombone, and the three watermelons, which I assume is already in their files from your background check.

Luckily for both of us, I also have vacation time available. Let’s plan for the first week of April – should I fly right into Colorado Springs, or come through Denver, and do I need a car? Or you and Cassie could come east, in which case I’ll see what sort of theater tickets we can score. (See, I’m already working on my “aunt” skills!)

Love,

Joan

March 1998

Dear Ms. Watson:

This letter confirms your formal designation as primary emergency contact and prospective legal guardian for Ms. Cassandra Fraiser in the event that her mother, Dr. Janet Fraiser, should become permanently incapacitated or unavailable prior to Cassandra’s twenty-first birthday (February 21, 2007). This status is subject to revocation should you be convicted of any crime greater than a Class A misdemeanor or adjudged by military intelligence personnel to represent a measurable risk to US military security on or before the aforementioned date.

In light of this designation, the Security Office at this facility must be supplied at all times with complete and up-to-date contact information including home and work mailing addresses, telephone numbers, paging or message services, and electronic/online mail or messaging addresses.

We thank you for your willingness to serve in this capacity. Janet Fraiser is a valued and respected member of this organization, and Cassandra Fraiser’s personal well-being is a matter of great importance to me on both a personal and professional level.

Sincerely yours,

General George Hammond,
Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Colorado

PS: That’s possibly the most creative use of watermelons I’ve ever encountered. I’m passing the information on to our field operations training staff; it may come in handy somewhere down the line. (GH)

April 2003

Dear Aunt Joan:

Fantastic news: I got into ALL FOUR of the colleges we talked about! Choosing will be tough. Bryn Mawr offered the best scholarship package, but Columbia’s really tempting (New York!), UC-Berkeley would be a lot of fun, and I like the look of the science programs at Amherst. Mom says she’s okay with whichever I pick – everybody offered at least some money, and of course you two Lions would love to see me land in Manhattan.

Will let you know when I’ve made up my mind.

Love,

Cassie

April 2003

Dear Cassie:

That IS great news! Just remember, this is your life we’re talking about – yes, Janet and I would be delighted to have a fellow Columbia alumna in the next generation, but that doesn’t mean you won’t fit just as well (or better) at any of the other three. You’re totally right about Amherst’s science faculty, UC-Berkeley’s is topnotch, too, and the Bryn Mawr grads I know are all really well-grounded folks.

(You’re right, I’m not making this any easier. We honorary aunts are like that.)

Keep me posted. And if you do end up at Columbia, call when you hit town. We can do lunch and get you properly outfitted.

Love,

Aunt Joan

February 2004

Dear Ms. Watson:

This letter confirms what its bearer will have told you in person: Dr. Janet Fraiser was killed in the line of duty during a classified field mission earlier this week, and I and my fellow officers offer our deepest condolences as we inform you of this tragic loss.

As you’ll understand, I’m not able to go into detail concerning the nature and location of the mission in question, but I can tell you that it was ultimately successful, and that that success would not have been possible without Janet’s contributions. As chief medical officer of our operational group, Janet was only rarely assigned to field activity, but on those occasions when such assignments occurred, she invariably performed her duties capably and well, often under extraordinary circumstances.  

Dr. Fraiser’s passing creates a unique situation. As provided by prior authorization, you are now Cassandra Fraiser’s legal guardian, serving in that capacity for approximately the next three years. In assuming that role, I hereby acknowledge that you now have “need to know” status with respect to otherwise classified information regarding Cassandra and her background. Moreover, the “need to know” information to which you are entitled cannot be disclosed without including additional classified information concerning the operational group of which Janet Fraiser was a member.

In short, your security clearance has just been drastically upgraded – fewer than 100 individuals nationwide have access to the information on the portable computer I’m sending along with this letter. Before you begin to review that data, let me assure you of two things: this operational group is not a “black ops” organization in any traditional sense, and none of what you’ll see carries any negative reflection on either Janet Fraiser’s or Cassandra’s character (quite the opposite, I hope).

I have one further request to make as you review the data, and I hope you’ll consider it seriously. Dr. Fraiser’s passing leaves a great void in our medical staff – and I’ve taken the liberty of reviewing your own professional history in light of the present situation. I believe you may have the ability and temperament not to replace Janet as our chief medical officer, but to succeed her in that position and carry on the work she performed so wisely and well. I understand that you may find the idea shocking or difficult to assimilate, but I very much hope you’ll consider the possibility as you learn the scope and focus of our team’s mission.

You’re free to begin reviewing the data as soon as my messenger has completed certain necessary measures to ensure your household’s electronic privacy. When you’ve finished, please contact my office via the specified secure telephone line to discuss your response – one way or the other – to the offer I’ve extended.

Meanwhile, let me again express my sincerest condolences on Janet’s loss, and emphasize that no matter what else may ensue, our highest priority now must be to ensure Cassandra’s safety and well-being in the wake of these events.

Sincerely yours,

General George Hammond
Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Colorado

March 2004

Aunt Joan:

Thank you thank you thank you for being here/there/etc. these last couple of weeks. I’m going to miss Mom so, so much – but I’m totally grateful for having someone to lean on right now, in both the physical and emotional senses. And I’m really, really glad you’re finally officially in the loop about everything. Mom’s friends at Cheyenne are all just amazing; I’m sad we didn’t make the official service, but it was great to have you meet them all, and they told a lot of stories I hadn’t heard before.

About General Hammond’s offer: I just don’t know. He’s totally not wrong that you’d be terrific at that job…but it’s definitely not a low-risk thing, and if anything happened to you like it did to Mom, I am not at all sure I could deal.  (Yes, they also asked me whether I’d like to work in the mountain. You’ll be happy to know that I totally punted. Again, they’re right that I’ll never be totally off their grid, but the mountain isn’t home for me the way it kind of is for Sam and Daniel and their team.)

Anyway: I think the best thing for me right now is being back here at Amherst. You’ll laugh, but I think I’m turning into an Emily Dickinson groupie – she has such a sideways view of things, and that kind of appeals to the part of me that’s sideways to everyone else around here (for relative values of “here”). No, I’m not likely to switch over to an English major. But I’ve been thinking about something Daniel said at the dinner – “Science is a constant; a rock is pretty much always going to be a rock. People, now – people are variables, and cultures are enormous collections of variables. You want a challenge, understanding a culture is right up there at the top.” So maybe I’ll end up in one of his fields instead of one of Sam’s.

See you over spring break, if not sooner…

Love,

Cassie

April 2004

General Hammond:

Regarding the job offer: I’ve made up my mind. It’s incredibly tempting, I’m honored that you asked, and part of me really wants to accept – but Cassie comes first, and neither she nor I are prepared to deal with even the smallest chance of history repeating itself and taking me out.

That said, time and logistics permitting, I’m not opposed to doing the odd bit of consulting if and when it’s needed, and maybe a bit of research if there’s a way to manage it within your security constraints. And I thank you and your people for the really gracious reception you gave Cassie and me at Cheyenne last month. The compassion and trust you all showed us was very much appreciated, and I’m tremendously grateful to have learned so much about Janet’s life in those few days.

So: thank you, but this may be where we mostly part company for the duration – although any of Janet’s friends are absolutely welcome to get in touch anytime they’re in New York, yourself included.

Yours,

Joan Watson

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