22. captain

Kitt woke up stiff but comfortable. She felt heavy and awkward. She rubbed her face in her pillow and realized it wasn't her pillow at all. It was Leo. And he smelled amazing.

Her head was spinning.

They had fallen asleep in each other's arms. He had held her close, not letting her go, which made her neck stiff. She wouldn't change a single moment, though.

She looked up to see his sleeping face. He looked so peaceful. She felt a rush of emotion.

She pulled away slightly, and his face contorted he pulled her back into his chest as he rolled over onto his side. She smiled at his unconscious act of affection.

She reached for her phone on her nightstand. She clicked the power button to check the time. It was almost seven. She didn't have class until the afternoon, so she was happy to stay snuggled up with Leo all morning, but she didn't know what time he needed to be up.

She kissed him gently. He moaned and hugged her tightly and then kissed her back.

"Sorry, I don't want to wake you, but I don't know what time you have class." She whispered as he leaned in for more kisses.

"Afternoon." He said between kisses on her neck beneath her ear.

"Good." She said, lifting her chin to let him explore her neck.

"Good." He said against her skin.

"How do you feel about being here?" She asked, pulling away gently.

"Great." He said, leaning in to kiss her more.

"No, seriously!" She laughed.

He pulled away to look her in the face. He took a moment to study her face, her expression of worry that he was going to change his mind.

"How could I not be happy?" He asked.

"Because things look different in the light of day." She said, studying his face looking for a clue to what he was thinking.

"I think it looks better." He smiled.

"Ok, I want to ask you about something that has been on my mind for a while." She said, nervous about talking to him.

"What's up?" He asked, looking worried. He sat up and leaned against the wall as she got up to get a bottle of water. She used the distance as a bit of a cushion. She took a deep breath.

"So I spent the day yesterday writing an affidavit against Director Thomas, I don't know what you know about all that, but basically, I am working with the administration to determine if he was intentionally diverting funds and resources away from female athletes." She looked up from her hands to see what his reaction was to the topic.

"Ok?" He looked more confused.

"So, I know you have, um, a personal connection to him." She said slowly, looking back at the water bottle in her hand.

"Ok." He said again. She really wished he would say something else, anything else.

"So, is that a problem?" She almost choked.

"What? What do you mean?" He scooted  to the end of the bed, so they were closer together.

"How are you going to feel if I pursue this action against him?" She asked, crossing the room to the door and then coming back.

"I'm sorry, but I'm still confused. What are you asking?" He asked as she continued to fidget.

"Ugh! How is it going to look and feel if your girlfriend is the one to get your God father fired? Your family will hate me!" She said, putting the water bottle down heavily. Accidently slamming it on the desk.

"Girlfriend?" He grinned.

"Leo!" She was exasperated.

"What? I didn't know I had a girlfriend!" He teased.

"Whatever!" She grabbed her keys off her desk and stormed towards the patio door on the other side of the room.

Leo stood up and caught her with one arm around her middle. He pulled her against him while she pouted and barely resisted.

He hugged her against him. She wanted to crawl into his lap and let him hold her, but if they didn't finish the conversation, it would always play on her mind.

"Leo, seriously, labels aside. Is it going to be a problem for you or your family? I mean, I will be instrumental in getting him removed from his position here. If he is super important and close with your family, and then we turn into SOMETHING... won't that be a problem?" She turned to look at him in the eye.

"Ok, so, yeah, Director Thomas is kind of a member of my family. I doubt that my parents know that he was doing those things at the university. I mean, yeah, it's a little weird, but I don't really have much to do with him outside of here. If he did all those things, then he needs to be held accountable." He said.

"Ok, but are you ok if it is ME that holds him accountable?" She asked, still worried.

"Better you than someone who is stupid or not well spoken." He said with a shrug.

"What does that mean?" She wrinkled her brow.

"You are smart and well spoken. So you will do things the right way, I think." He said.

"What do you mean 'the right way'?" She stepped back.

"I just mean, you won't let emotion cloud the facts." He said, letting his hands drop to his knees.

"You think there won't be emotion? Really? He basically blocked talented women from being able to train and compete! He made women have to give up their sport because they couldn't maintain the work load with having to have a job on top of school and training, but their male teammates can really focus because they had scholarships, even if they were not champions. These women deserve so much better! Sorry if I get a little emotional about that!" She paced as she ranted.

"Passionate." He said with a smile.

"It's important! Girls leave sports as soon as they are challenged, usually by situations like this! How many girls and women could be playing sports if they were given the same opportunity as their male counterparts? Imagine little girls knowing that they can do it all, sports included? They can pursue math and engineering and science and athletics! But girls get these terrible messages that their contributions are either not wanted or unimportant! I want to tell them that they can have it all if that's what they want!" Kitt felt her face flushing with her determination, leading her excitement.

"Seriously, babe, your passion for this is super sexy." He said with his eyes shining.

"Did you just call me babe?" She asked, stopping and turning to stare at him.

"Is that Ok?" He asked.

"I mean, I guess." She nodded slowly. She wasn't expecting it, so it threw her off.

"Ok, good, I mean you did declare yourself as my girlfriend just now." He grinned.

"Ok, so, I didn't mean to do that, I was just - ugh, I just -" She stumbled over her words.

"So does that mean you don't want to be my girlfriend?" He asked, tilting his head as he looked her up and down.

"I don't know. Do you want me to be your girlfriend?" She asked, worried he was going to say no.

"I wanted that week's ago!" He said.

"And now?" She asked quietly.

"Obviously!" He said and pulled her in against him.

"Leo?" She asked for her position against his chest.

"Yeah?" He said, gently swaying her back and forth.

"Why didn't you ask me to the dinner?" She asked.

"I told you because we were both going to be there already." He said.

"Ok, but why didn't you ask me to be your date?" She felt the hurt she experienced when he agreed to take Eva, seep in a little bit.

"I did want to, but I thought you would say no. And honestly, I was scared you would run, and I didn't want to lose you." He admitted.

"Oh." She said, leaning against him.

"Yeah." He said quietly.

"Leo?" She asked, not moving away.

"Yeah?" He asked, kissing her head.

"Are you my boyfriend now?" She asked, feeling her cheeks heat up.

"God, I hope so!" He said. He picked her up and stepped back to the bed and sat down, depositing her in his lap.

"Good!" She smiled at him and kissed him.

***

Kitt sat in the board room with her coach and a bunch of uncomfortable looking people she didn't know. Some were lawyers, some were administrators, and some were auditors. She felt a little sick.

Coach Ten was there representing all the coaches, and Kitt was there to represent the athletes. The grandeur of it all finally sunk in as she looked at the stack of files and printed lists and the wall of laptops.

"So this meeting is to determine the accusations and their validity. Once these are filed with the university, there  will be a formal hearing, but for now, we are gathering evidence. Everyone here is acquainted with Director Thomas and his administrative practices. We will not be making any decisions today. We will collect your files, evidence, and affidavits. Then, the legal team will determine how to proceed. Are there any questions?" The university administrative representative opened the meeting.

Kitt had a million questions, but held her tongue. This was not the time or place to learn about procedure by asking questions. She would learn by observing and then ask intelligent questions later.

"Ok, so we are going to review the last twelve years of scholarships awarded by the Athletics Department. Director Thomas was in charge of the allocation of these funds for six of those years, we are looking at changes in distribution, both in sporting types as well as gender." One of the lawyers handed a red folder to a woman sitting behind him typing on her lap top. She handed him a different folder in return.

Kitt listened as they talked about trends and revenue and other things she hadn't even considered to be factors. She learned about the legal requirements of different administrative institutions, and ways they are held accountable.

Coach Ten wrote notes on the legal pad provided as she listened. Kitt wanted to do the same, but wasn't sure what notes  she would need. A lot of these conversations were out of her league.

They took a break for lunch and Kitt stayed in her seat as most of the others in the room went to the next room where a large buffet was served.

K- how is mom doing today? I am sitting in meetings all day with Coach Ten. It is the day we are putting our case together (or at least that's what I gather! A lot of it is going over my head)

D- mom is doing well. She is sore still, but getting better. The nurse came by this morning so I went out to the driving range.

You are going to do great! I am so proud of you.

K- that's so great dad! I'm so happy that you were able to get out and do something you enjoy.

D- it has been some time since I was able to get out to the driving range.

K- how is your shot?

D- still arcs to the right!

K- that's amazing. How is the nurse?

D- it's strange, but it has been a great help. They come in four mornings a week.

K- the same one every day?

D- so far there has been two, both are fantastic girls.

K- I love to heard that. How is Auntie Emily?

D- she is struggling with guilt.

K- poor Auntie! I hope you tell her no one blames her.

D- I do, even your mom has, but she still feels it.

K- can you tell mom I sent her the link to that audio book site we talked about the other night? I know she doesn't check her messages as often these days.

D- she got it! She has been listening to a book about a woman who moved across the world and now gardens.

K- have you been listening with her? Lol

D- it's hard to miss when they are audio books played on the surround sound!

K- sure sure!

D- you know your mom and her books!

K- do I ever! Remember I helped you build those book cases in the spare room.

D- and they are still standing!

K- because we are amazing.

D- you certainly are.

K- I should go grab lunch before we run out of time.

D- I love you. You are amazing.

K- thanks dad I love you too!

Kitt took a deep breath before going to join the group in the lunch room. She was glad she took the time to message her dad. He helped her feel more grounded. He always gave her the support she needed.

She knew if she was going to help change the world, she was going to have to learn to be comfortable in the boardroom with people she finds intimidating.

But there was no way she could let the sexist dictators of the world win. Look out Director Thomas, Kittridge McCoy was on a mission and you are the target.