2

"So, this is the place you got for me to spend six months in?", she asked as she looked around.

"Yeah, it's cozy. Right?", Her boss looked at her.

"Cozy is a word. Small is another.", she said as she put down her bags.

"Look it is cheap so the project will cover all the expense, everything is included as well.", he said as he watched her closely. "There is a laundry room it is one of those keys I gave you. Also, a workout room next to it. It isn't much, but it is big enough that you will be comfortable and it was furnished already as well. It has everything you will need."

"I see. It also has the protection of half the people in the meeting today also?", she asked.

"That is an added bonus, at least for my peace of mind. I am staying with a friend for the duration but knowing that you have them nearby if something were to happen eases my mind.", He stated. She knew he often looked at her as a daughter instead of a co-worker so on this she was going to let it slide. She knew his heart was in the right place, even though she also knew she could easily take care of herself and he knew that too.

"Thanks, boss.", She said as she forced a smile. She knew something was up with some of the guys she had seen. Maybe somehow she could figure that out as well.

"Here is the wifi password. See you later. Call if you need anything.", He said as he walked out and she followed him to the door to peer outside. A group of men from the meeting earlier was standing in the courtyard in between the buildings looking in her direction. It was the man she noticed earlier and a bunch of others who all seemed to be from the same team. She glanced more at them as her boss nodded and she shook her head. She turned and walked in and saw her door was her favorite number of all things. She laughed and wondered how long ago he found this place. She walked in and shut the door and began to unpack.

"SHE IS HERE!", Frank nearly screamed.

"Holy crap!", Steven responded.

"Calm down you two.", Kevin said. "It isn't like she is all that special. She seemed rather normal."

"She is. That's what makes her even more rare.", Steven stated. "She isn't pompous like most scholars."

"She makes things relatable.", Frank stated. "So even normal people can understand. There is a whole series online where she discusses the origin of a particular virus, and it was easy to follow along. Even Yuki could understand it if he listened."

"You calling me stupid?", James asked.

"No just saying you're not interested in things like that, she could get you to understand.", Frank countered.

"Still sounds like you are calling me stupid, nerd.", James stated as he turned to go into is place.

"Well, she is already something else.", Mark said. "A body of a goddess, the face of an angel."

"Oh wonderful, he has started again.", Peter said shaking his head. "I'm sure Loriten over there has heard it all before. You won't get anywhere with her."

"Wanna bet?", Mark asked.

"Sure, what do you want to bet?", Peter asked.

"I can go out with her before you.", Mark replied.

"I'll take it. Terms discussed later?", Peter asked.

"Deal.", Mark replied. The rest of the men shook their heads and went to their respective doors. She had been working when she had heard the entire conversation as she laughed behind closed doors. She knew she was always looked at that way. It was flattering to hear it though. Maybe not to the point of having a bet, but it was nice to hear regardless. She thought about the first two speakers, fans she thought. She had fans? That was weird to know, but she was coping with the idea. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all.

She was settled into the new place within an hour. She had some energy left to burn, so she changes from her travel suit and got into workout clothes and headed to see what was in this work out room had. She entered and saw it was well stocked for a small apartment building. She began and soon she was working with the punching bag. She was focused in

the workout she didn't notice she wasn't alone anymore.

"You should tuck your chin more when you hit.", she heard a male voice coming from in back of her.

"What?", She asked as she turned around and saw the male she had seen at the meeting. He was taller than her by at least a foot. She looked him over.

"You leave your chin out to far when you strike. If you tuck it a bit more, you will find the follow through will be more forceful.", he stated again. "Watch." He said as he moved closer and struck the bag with his left fist it barely moved but when he did it again also with his head in tighter to his chest, the bag went spinning.

"Oh, I see.", she said as the math equations started running through her head. "Let me try?"

He stepped away from the bag and watched as she hit it again, the bag moved forcibly back and then came swinging back as she hit it again using the new technique. She turned and was smiling. Mike now saw what the other two had been talking about. She was undeniably pretty. She seemed to understand and take direction pretty well too. She was also strong. Not many women could move the eighty-pound bag that far that quickly.

"Not bad. Let's see what else you got.", He said as he stood back and watched as she went to the bag. He was impressed with what he saw. He thought she was a bit bigger than what she actually was now that he was only a few feet away. "Good but there is room for improvement."

"Really?", she asked. "There is always room for improvement but what do you see?"

"Well for one you are striking too far away. Wait till the bag is a little closer before you let loose. Two you should work on your stance."

"My stance?", she asked.

"Yes, you have too much of your weight on your back foot. Move it to your front. Bend your knees a bit more than hit.", He said. She tried it his way again, and he chuckled. "Now your stiff. Here let me."

He moved closer, and he put his hands on her waist to shift her ever so slightly. Her breath caught and so did his with the frisson of awareness between the two. He moved his foot in back of hers and nudged it forward a bit. "Now try.", He said softly in her ear. She was trying to focus on breathing instead. She went for the punch, and he chuckled sending waves of chills down her spine. "Not bad. You will get it with practice."

"Well thank you for the lesson.", she turned as she spoke. "Lori."

"Mike.", he said as he grasped her hand that she offered. "The pleasure is all mine."

"I doubt that.", she said softly. "So which team are you with?"

"Green.", he replied. "Your take on this project at the meeting earlier was different."

"I read the room.", she said. "Almost everyone was asleep."

"Well, that stuff bores most.", Mike stated.

"I get it.", she said and started laughing when he looked at her weird. "I do. No one wants to know about the polymers and whatnot used to make the tests. Hell, I worked on the development, and I do not want to know about the chemical reaction and the different variables it takes to make them."

"You really are different.", Mike said as he propped himself up on the wall.

"Not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing.", she replied.

"This case a good thing.", He said smiling. She wondered if he usually let down his guard so quickly, he didn't seem the type.

"Well on that note I should disappear as not to ruin it with some nerdy statement I am bound to make.", she said still laughing.

"A woman with intelligence like yours really can't ruin anything with a nerdy statement.", he replied.

"Thank you, I think.", She said with a slightly confused look on her face. That had to be one of the most interesting compliments she had ever received.

"You're welcome. I live in the apartment next to yours on the right.", he said. "If you need anything don't hesitate."

"Thanks.", She said as she opened the door. She walked out of the room and into the night air. She went to the door which she had left unlocked and opened and closed it. With a quick shower and change of clothes, she fell on her bed and fell asleep quick. She was awaked only a few hours later by a knock on the door. She got up and looked out the peephole and saw who it was. She was surprised as she opened the door and saw her team standing there.

"What the hell?", she asked.

"We thought you could use a friendly face.", Joe said.

"So where is it?", She asked. She looked across the courtyard and saw the group of men from earlier had once again piled up to look her over. Mike was also there reading the situation. She wondered about him.

"Funny.", Aaron stated. "Now let us in."

"Guys I was sleeping.", she said.

"Well, that's your problem.", Ortiz said as he pushed his way in. She looked up to the sky and shook her head as the rest of them filed in, "CJ got you the new game system?"

"I don't know.", she said as they were looking over the place.

"It's right here! Awesome! You don't even play games.", One of them said.

"This is going to be a long night.", she said to herself as she shut the door.