An Ideal Situation

Paradise – this was simply... paradise.

Meaghan stood alone in the library and breathed in deeply, right to the bottom of her lungs, then let the breath out in a gust of pure contentment. Even without the full complement of stock this place was still a librarian's wet-dream. She'd seen the specifications for the climate control - the units for monitoring and correcting temperature and relative humidity were already in place - and been openly approving of the lengths gone to to seamlessly blend the library users' needs with the archival requirements of the materials kept here and in the purpose-built archive one floor down. The only quibble Meaghan had was with the enormous fish tank set smack-bang in the centre of the room. It extended up through the library's ceiling to become, essentially, the pond in the castle's open, central courtyard. The consequences if that thing cracked didn't bear thinking about but Meaghan'd been assured it was completely safe, totally leak-proof, and admittedly it was a beautiful set-up – it would help create a relaxed, inviting environment for work and study. Smiling, the brunette put her hand up to the thick, clear material – was it a type of plastic? – and leaned close to gaze at the sleek, brightly coloured, rainbow forms flashing to and fro in the sun-dappled water.

Up until a bare month ago Meaghan had been working quite happily as an assistant librarian in one of Verland's esteemed academic libraries. Well, she'd been more of an assistant assistant librarian actually, the number of staff required to keep that edifice running efficiently was staggering, but she'd loved the work and loved being part of the community of knowledge and education. Meaghan had started there close to a decade ago, first in a part-time volunteer capacity to complement her librarianship training, then later as a full-time, full-pay employee once she'd graduated. But it was a long time to be in any one place, even if you were happy, if the chances of promotion were few and far between. It wasn't as if she was without ambition so, a few years ago, the quietly competent young woman had put herself through a conservators course, the preservation of old books and manuscripts, amongst other things, being something she'd always had a passion for.
      Meaghan stepped lightly down the stairs leading to the second, lower level of the library complex, her long silky skirt swishing about her ankles. She pressed her hand to the security reader, chiding herself for holding her breath as the machine scanned her palm. Of course it was going to let her in, this job may be too good to be true but it wasn't going to vanish like a dream. The door opened with a subdued hiss and Meaghan stepped inside, storm-coloured eyes alight with eager anticipation. This lower section was nearly the size of the public library above. The librarian strolled around the room, almost lovingly touching fingertips to the various display cabinets – empty for the moment – and the elegantly simple table and chairs provided for the clients to view the items in comfort. Meaghan activated the palm-sensor on the strong-room's reinforced door: this was where the 'special' items of what was already an extraordinary collection were stored.

The low-intensity lights flickered on automatically as she entered, gently illuminating storage bays that contained treasures going back literally millennia. Manuscripts, scrolls, parchment and vellum, ancient papers made from plant-fibres, clay tablets, wax impressions, metal and stone – the written history of Heart encapsulated here on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere, and it was all her responsibility. Meaghan was well aware she would've murdered for this job, would've prostituted herself to any number of unsavoury characters for a chance like this but as it happened she'd not needed to do any such thing. Professor Aaren Cervus, one of Meaghan's lecturers and a person she had the honour to call mentor and friend had recommended her to the owner of the island retreat for the position. Apparently Aaren had known Perry Monk for years and apparently Monk respected Aaren enough to take his recommendation at face value. The elusive businessman had wanted to bring Meaghan to Verbank for an interview, something Meaghan's mother wasn't sure about at all.
      "You don't know this man, he could be anybody!" Elyse Govern had protested, strongly, when Meaghan got the call.
      "But Aaren does know him and I don't think he'd knowingly deliver me into the hands of a madman." Meaghan's smile was wry.
      "I don't like it."
      "I appreciate that, Ma, but it's not your decision. If this pans out it could be the best thing to happen to me, career-wise."
      Elyse opened her mouth to protest further then gave up – her deceptively placid eldest child very definitely had a mind of her own and once she'd decided on something...
      "All right then, but you'll call me at regular intervals."
      Meaghan smiled and planted a kiss on her mother's forehead.
      "I will, Ma, I promise."

Meaghan organised some time off work for her 'interview'. Mr Monk had cordially invited her to stay on the island for a few days if she wished; no sense travelling all that way, he'd chuckled, and not take advantage of the resort-like facilities.
      The flight to Vojant had been pleasant enough, but Meaghan could have happily had the rest of the journey last much longer than its slightly- less-than four hours. The cruiser was luxurious, in an understated way, and extremely comfortable to travel in. It would be far too easy to get used to this lifestyle, Meaghan thought to herself as she lounged on the deck with a long glass of something cold and deliciously fruity...

It was approaching dusk by the time the cruiser docked at the quay. Meaghan stared up at the looming, jungle-clad volcano dominating the island's topography. Now that looked like it could be fun to climb.
      Perry Monk was waiting for her, a tall, dark-haired man with rich golden eyes. He extended a long hand.
      "Welcome to Verbank, Ms Govern."
      "Thank you, sir," Meaghan's deference to him was automatic and instinctive, the businessman's quiet authority sat over him like an impressive yet comfortable cloak. "It's a pleasure to be here."
      A young, smiling porter took charge of her small amount of luggage, trotting ahead to the conference centre as Meaghan and her potential employer followed behind at a more leisurely pace. The path wound through some gloriously rich vegetation, exactly the sort of thing you'd expect to find on a tropical island. Monk kept things chatty and informal as they strolled along the wide walkway. He asked Meaghan about the journey, and how their mutual friend Aaren Cervus was faring. The librarian readily answered his questions; for having only just met him Meaghan felt remarkably at ease with Perry Monk. He was a congenial companion, intelligent and articulate, not to mention attractive. Not that that diminished the deference she felt towards him. No - attractive and amicable the businessman may be but that didn't prompt Meaghan to treat him with anything less than the utmost respect.

"Oh my..." Meaghan's first glance of the castle left her gawping like a tourist. "That's... beautiful!" The building was faced in some type of dark stone that glistened in the lowering light.
      "Thank you," Monk smiled. "I have to admit I'm proud of what we've accomplished here." He gestured the obviously impressed young woman into the foyer. "Have you eaten?" he enquired. Meaghan shook her head. "The rest of the staff will be sitting down to dinner shortly, may I suggest you eat with them? I'll be busy for the next little while but I'll join you later."
      Meaghan found her reception from the Foundation's other staff – about twenty in all – very encouraging. Everyone seemed happy to be working on the island and a number were eager to share their positive experiences with her. The food was delicious as well and Meaghan said as much to the young, dusky skinned woman with short, shining black curls sitting beside her.
      "Thank you," Tanhia had introduced herself earlier, "Ah'm responsible for the roast meats tonight." Her soft, slight drawl marked her as coming from the Free States. "You're here about the library job, aren'tcha?" Large ebony eyes sparkled at Meaghan over the rim of a wine glass.
      "I am, yes." The librarian smiled, fiddling with her own glass, finding herself responding to the subtle signals of interest from the attractive woman.
      "Ah wish you luck then," Tahnia grinned. "Ah think ya'll like it here."
      Meaghan was beginning to think the chances of that very likely...

Perry Monk collected Meaghan an hour or so later. He ushered her into his office with an apology for the somewhat unconventional approach to the job interview. The Institute's founder introduced her to Meren, a strikingly beautiful young woman who seemed far too naive, almost childlike, to be part of Verbank's security team. Meaghan simply smiled and accepted what she was told – in her experience appearances could be deceiving, and she didn't think Mr Monk would employ someone who couldn't do their job.
      The interview was a casual sort of affair with Monk asking Meaghan about her work and study, her ambitions and plans for the future. The businessman was a very good interviewer, Meaghan realised at some point, she hadn't noticed at first how skilfully he was drawing information out of her, getting to the heart of her real motivations. It was a little unnerving.
      Meaghan had no idea how long she'd been in Mr Monk's office – the blinds were drawn the whole time – but the sun had well and truly set by the time he walked her down to the library for a brief tour. Meren accompanied them and they were joined by a fourth person waiting inside the library itself. The librarian faltered momentarily – the powerful man who unfolded from his easy sprawl in a chair was nothing short of delicious. Long, thick, shimmering black hair, lustrous bronze skin, and his eyes...? You could lose your soul in those eyes...
      Engrossed as she was in glittering, jungle-green Meaghan completely failed to notice Meren's knowing smirk.
      It took an effort, but Meaghan didn't respond to Jimain – she'd kept her wits about her long enough to catch his name as he was introduced – with anything other than a reserved smile. She came dangerously close to floundering again though, when he bowed his head to her by way of greeting. He imbued the movement with a courtly, regal grace, stirring Meaghan's long-ignored sense of her own femininity. The normally level-headed woman fairly quivered under his measured gaze, knowing he'd be a better than average lover...
       Mr Monk hadn't appeared to notice any lapse on her part, for which Meaghan was profoundly grateful. She was here to make a good impression, dammit, and going dewy-eyed over the Security chief wouldn't have helped her credibility. At any rate, being shown around the state-of-the-art library complex adequately diverted her attention from the immediate temptation Jimain represented.
      At the conclusion of the tour Meaghan turned to Perry Monk and, smoky-grey eyes shining, had half-jokingly asked when she could start. Mr Monk pointed out that the position was temporary – at best the work would only last for a few years – and that living in such an isolated area presented unique problems.
      "I'll be frank, sir," Meaghan was quietly earnest, "Even if I was only here for half a year, a month, the experience I'd gain from managing something this size and complexity would guarantee me my choice of work in other libraries. And as for the location?" She grinned. "It's hardly a back-to-nature thing you've got going - I could probably cope with not being able to pop out for a drink with friends at a moment's notice."
      The businessman chuckled, and out of the corner of her eye Meaghan noticed Jimain smile. She firmly refused to let her knees buckle, not in front of Perry Monk anyway – maybe later, in private, she'd think a little about the effect the Head of Security had on her.
      "I'm gratified you feel that way, Ms Govern," Monk inclined his head to her, "but I think it would be wise to pause for reflection at this point. It's an important decision, for both of us."
      Monk glanced at his chronometer, then smiled politely.
      "It's growing late." Meaghan nodded, mentally relaxing – she could recognise an 'end of conversation' tactic when she saw it. "Please, feel free to have a look around if you like – I'm sure there'll be someone about who can give you the tour of the facilities – or if you prefer to retire for the night I'll have someone show you to your room."
      Meaghan immediately thought of Tahnia; it'd be pleasant to spend some time with the vivacious female even if Jimain was, miraculously, free – which the librarian doubted.
      "Thank you, sir, I think I would like to have a look around for a little while first."
      Meren spoke up at that point to say she'd 'go and see who was available', and sauntered away. Monk had escorted Meaghan back to the foyer where, to her pleased surprise, Tahnia was waiting.
      "Meren asked for a volunteer." The junior chef grinned, pearly teeth flashing in her velvety dark face. "Will I do?"
      Meaghan grinned.
      "Yes, thank you, if it's not too much trouble?"
      "No trouble at all." Tahnia smirked then inclined her head respectfully to the two males. "G'night, sirs."
      Monk wished them goodnight in return then he and the delectable Jimain left the females to their own devices.
      Tahnia quirked an eyebrow at the look on Meaghan's face as the latter watched the Security chief lope away.
      "He's somethin' else, ain't he?" the chef murmured quietly to her companion.
      "Oh yeah... " Meaghan librarian exhaled slowly then glanced sideways, blushing a little to realise she was being watched.
      "Ah, don't fret, honey, Jimain has that effect on a lot of folks!" Tahnia grinned. "Would y'all like to go for a swim? The lagoon's lovely at this time o' night."
      "Sounds great!" Meaghan grinned. "Should I go and get changed?"
      The dark woman's laugh was sultry and she moved a step closer to the librarian, every line of her body advertising a luscious promise.
      "Ah, don't worry 'bout that. I think it's against the law or somethin' to wear clothes in the lagoon after dark..."

An insistent, annoying beeping sound pulled Meaghan out of her comfortable slumber.
      "Sorry, honey," Tahnia stirred beside her, snagging the chronometer off the bedside table and silencing the alarm. "Gotta go, ah'm on the early shift." She chuckled at the Verlander's inarticulate grunt, pressing close for a moment to nuzzle Meaghan's neck. "Breakfast's in an hour – see you then?"
      "'k," the librarian's smile was sleepy and unguardedly sweet but she was asleep again before Tahnia had finished dressing.

The atmosphere at breakfast had been friendly, if not as relaxed as at dinner the previous night. Everyone had a job to do, after all, and they were gearing up for their day's work.
      Alone in the refectory a little later, Meaghan wondered what she was going to do with herself. It was a lovely day, she could go for a walk? A swim? At that moment Mr Monk entered the room.
      "Good morning, Ms Govern, I trust you slept well?"
      To Meaghan's relief she didn't blush: she'd had a great night but sleep hadn't figured largely.
      "Yes, thank you, sir."
      "I was wondering if I could enlist your help?"
      Meaghan's curiosity was aroused now.
      "Of course."
      "Some more of the collection has arrived, earlier than expected. Would you object to going through it?"
      "I'd be happy to, sir." she bounced to her feet with an enthusiastic smile. "Lead the way!"

Meaghan regarded the two large pallets dumped unceremoniously in the middle of the library and smiled ruefully to herself; she wouldn't put it past Perry Monk to have arranged this as some sort of test. She flicked through the paperwork accompanying the delivery, carefully opened one of the boxes and switched into 'professional' mode – if this was a test she wasn't going to fail.
      Before she could begin the job of sorting the load, Mr Monk – who'd accompanied her to the library then left on some errand – returned... accompanied by a black-haired boy.
      "This is Simaeon," Perry Monk laid a hand on the youth's shoulder. "He'd like to help."
      The child and the librarian regarded each other somewhat warily. Meaghan had very little to do with children, she didn't have any of her own, her younger brother hadn't bred as yet and she hardly saw the few cousins who'd jumped headlong into the madness of parenting. Simaeon, she hazarded a guess, was somewhere between eight and possibly twelve years old, but there was an undoubted intelligence shining out of those bright eyes. Not knowing how else to react, Meaghan defaulted to treating him as an adult.
      "Pleased to meet you, Simaeon, I'd be glad of the help."

It took several hours for the load to be processed. Every item had to first be checked against the invoice, then a note made on the computer catalogue – accessed by Simaeon because Meaghan didn't have the authorisation - before it could be shelved. It was obvious to Meaghan that Perry Monk valued his collection; all of the items in the delivery had been stored in optimum conditions and mostly they only needed a light dusting off with a soft brush before going onto the shelves.
      Simaeon worked happily, and quietly, alongside her. The boy didn't seem to feel the need to fill the easy silence with unnecessary chatter, for which Meaghan was truly grateful. So far she'd found all the children of her limited acquaintance to be messy, smelly, noisy little egocentrics, absolute horrors every one of them. But Simaeon was different. He was young but more self-contained than a lot of adults she knew. There were no other children on the island that she'd noticed – maybe it was growing up surrounded by adults that had had such a steadying effect? Was he Mr Monk's son? There was certainly a resemblance.
       They'd had a short break for lunch and Simaeon had disappeared somewhere other than the refectory. Meaghan wondered briefly where he'd got to, then dismissed it as unimportant; he probably ate with his... father? She'd not seen Mr Monk mingling much with the rest of the staff either.

All of the delivery had been sorted and shelved by the middle of the afternoon. Meaghan stood back with a satisfied smile as the minimal debris was cleared away.
      "Thank you for your help, Simaeon," she nodded to the boy, "this would have taken hours longer otherwise."
      "It was fun." Simaeon grinned, an engaging, infectious expression that had Meaghan grinning back. He tilted his head to the side momentarily, watching the librarian through expressive light-golden eyes, then lifted his hand in a small wave as he turned to leave. "See you around, Ms Govern."
      Meaghan's smile dropped a little as she watched him go. She hadn't seen Mr Monk since he'd recruited her help this morning, she still didn't know if the job was hers. With a resigned sigh she tidied up the remainder of the morning's work, leaving the checked invoices in a neat pile on the circulation desk then headed upstairs to retrieve the novel she'd brought with her. It was going to be a little while before dinner and Tahnia had said she'd be busy in the kitchen. Meaghan thought she might as well spend the time quietly on the beach.

Dinner came and went and still there was no sign of Mr Monk. Tahnia gently squeezed Meaghan's fingers, her expression reassuring.
       "He'll get back to you soon enough, honey, Mr Monk always seems to be doin' several things at once!" She smiled slowly, lazily. "Why not just enjoy yourself in th' meantime?"
       "Excellent advice." Meaghan chuckled, accepting another glass of sweet, light wine from Jhon, the head-groundsman. "Thank you." She smiled up at the fair-skinned, muscular man, idly noticing the sun-bleached streaks in his already light hair. He had freckles too, sprayed across his nose like hers. Tahnia's dark eyes were radiant as she too smiled at the groundsman – Meaghan guessed there was some happy recent history there.
      "Meaghan needs her mind takin' off her worries, Jhon, think a swim would help?"
       "I'd say so." The male rumbled good-naturedly. "Can I come too?"
       "Oh you c'n come anytime, baby."
       Meaghan spluttered her wine as she laughed – subtlety was a foreign creature to Tahnia, she was discovering.
       Jhon's hazel eyes glittered, then he flicked a glance to the doorway of the lounge.
       "Sounds like fun but I think it might have to wait for the moment."
       Meaghan followed his gaze, not surprised to see Perry Monk stride into the room. It was funny but she'd known, on some subliminal level, he was close. The man had such a presence…
       Mr Monk exchanged cordial greetings with other staff-members as he inexorably made his way towards Meaghan. The librarian's throat tightened and the blood rushed through her veins, she almost didn't hear his pleasant invitation to accompany him to his office...

"I won't keep you in suspense any longer, Ms Govern," Perry Monk spoke with a stately formality, "the post of Verbank librarian is yours if you wish."
       Meaghan flushed with something like pleasure - though it could more properly be called relief. Now it was up to her. Did she really want to live all the way out here on an isolated tropical island, doing work she loved amongst people she thought she could like? Well, der...
       "Yes, thank you, Mr Monk," it came out in a breathless kind of rush, "I would like that very much."

Tahnia took one look at Meaghan's face as she came back into the lounge, then squealed and flung herself at the woman.
       "You've got it! You're staying!"
       "I am!" Meaghan laughed. She took a deep, deep breath. "I'm so relieved."
       "When do you start?" Jhon had ambled over, a broad smile on his friendly face.
       "I need to work out my notice at my current job first, but I think, maybe a little over a minor month – " Meaghan paused, shaking her head. Since the second moon had exploded there were no 'minor' or 'major' months anymore, but it was the habit of a lifetime to keep referring to them. "Half a month and I'll be back here."
       "That's great!" Tahnia hugged her, tightly, planting a smacking kiss on soft lips. "We're gonna have such a good time!"
       "How 'bout that swim now?" the big groundsman smiled, tucking a shining curl back behind Tahnia's ear.
       "Yes please!" Meaghan laughed, then smilingly accepting congratulations from the other staff there, she swung out of the lounge, Tahnia clasping one of her hands, and Jhon the other.

The junior chef had pouted the next morning when Meaghan indicated she was going back to Verland that day, but could understand her companion's desire to get everything sorted as quickly as possible. She came down to the quay with Meaghan to see her off.
       "Well, okay, ah guess ah'll be seeing you before long."
       "Yup." Meaghan grinned and kissed the corner of the chef's full lips.
      "Don't you go changin' your mind, y'hear!"
       "I won't, I promise." The librarian hugged her new-found friend. "Say goodbye to Jhon for me?" The groundsman was out slashing back some of the rampant greenery that continually threatened to swamp the paths.
       "Ah will." One last hug then Meaghan had to leave. Tahnia stayed on the quay until the cruiser was out of sight.

Elyse Govern burst into tears at her daughter's news.
       "You're going to be so far away!"
       "Ma – "
       "I know, I know," she wiped her eyes, "this is something you really want to do, but I'm going to miss you!"
       Meaghan hugged her mother, suppressing a sigh of exasperation. It was like this every time one of her children made a move away from her. Meaghan could remember all too vividly the histrionics that accompanied Chrystopher's leaving home. Maybe if their father had stayed around Ma wouldn't be quite so... nervy.
       "Chrys is still close, and I'll be in touch regularly." Meaghan tried to reassure her mother. "And you might be able to come out for a visit? Verbank is beautiful, very peaceful."
       "Maybe," Elyse smiled tremulously, then pushed herself away from her daughter. "There's such a lot to get organised for you, darling. Clothes - what are you taking? What are you leaving?" The petite woman bustled about in that business-like fashion Meaghan recognised as her mother's way of dealing with stressful situations.
      Elyse would be fine, the librarian reassured herself – more than fine in fact, if mother and daughter weren't continually butting heads...

Professor Aaren Cervus, on the other hand, was wholly enthusiastic for her.
       "Perry Monk is a fine man," he smiled at Meaghan over the small table in the restaurant. "You can learn a lot from him."
       Meaghan nodded, sipping her pre-dinner 'feine. Looking at the thin, greying man now she wondered how she'd managed to fall in love with him. True she'd been much younger and he'd seemed so mature and stable but really they had very little in common. Still, they'd been partnered for five years before mutually agreeing the relationship wasn't what they wanted, and they'd parted as friends. If anything their friendship had blossomed with their separation into something far more satisfying than the physical bond they'd had. Meaghan trusted Aaren as she hadn't trusted a male in a long time. He was reliable, dependable, open and friendly – Meaghan blinked, then buried her nose in her drink to hide the smirk – the middle-aged professor was just the sort of person her mother needed. They were about the same age, too. Why hadn't she thought of this before?
       "Aaren, could you do me a favour?"
       "Certainly. If I can."
       "I'm worried about my mother. She's not happy about me leaving."
       "Would you like me to look in on her occasionally?" he frowned, perfectly serious.
       "Could you? That'd set my mind at ease." Meaghan beamed at her ex-lover. "Thank you so much."
       "My pleasure." Aaren smiled, his whole face lighting up, and the woman caught a glimpse of what it was that had drawn her to him initially. But still, it wasn't territory she'd like to reclaim.
      "Shall we order?" Meaghan opened the menu card, content that Elyse couldn't be in better hands...

The librarian in charge of the Academic Library where Meaghan worked was not pleased to lose one of her more accomplished staff members but accepted Meaghan's resignation and sincerely wished her well in her new job. Mercye Haines gave a warm, complimentary speech for Meaghan at her farewell party too, and the assistant librarian was showered with gifts from her co-workers. Meaghan wiped her eyes as she said goodbye to everyone – she really would miss some of them, Jann and Loris in particular, they'd become good friends over the years. She made a promise to herself to keep in touch with all of her friends while she was on Verbank.

Meaghan had stood at the prow of the cruiser, the strong sea-breeze whipping her wavy hair into silky hanks. If she strained her eyes she could just see Verbank's volcano looming on the horizon. It wouldn't be long now...
       She laughed aloud as the cruiser pulled into the quay late in the afternoon. Talk about a welcoming committee! It looked like most of the island staff where there waiting to greet her, including Tahnia and Jhon, and Mr Monk. The exceptionally well-catered party that followed her arrival went on well into the night and left Meaghan feeling all warm and fuzzy and hopeful about this new phase of her life...

The librarian took one last look around the 'special collections' room before heading back up to the main library. She'd been here twenty days already and while Verbank didn't yet feel quite like home Meaghan could readily acknowledge she was happier than she'd been for a while. She got on well with everyone, and every now and then would even exchange a word or two with the Head of Security. Heh, a 'word or two' was generally all she could manage, Jimain seemed to bring out her inner blithering idiot. What must he think of her?