It Was A Great Day, Part Two
Ugh. I vaguely remember coming home, and stumbling into the living room. I sat there for a bit trying to think of … something I was … work! Right. It was already after 8, and work started at 10. I could try to nap, but nodded off thinking about it.
It took a few moments before my brain put together an idea, and I remembered what I do for a living.
I make magic potions!
I’m going to say that my morning with Aiden scrambled my rational thinking; that’s easier to deal with than simply forgetting I was carrying around several serums that would juice me up. I knew it was risky, but this should keep going all day.
It worked.
Trisha was at reception when I got in, and I resisted the urge to dance around her chair telling her I was dating Aiden now. We hadn’t talked about the other night, but she also hadn’t been anything other than friendly since, so maybe I was paranoid. Maybe I still am. Dammit.
I did let Caitlyn know, she was excited for me. She was so excited, that she broke both computers during our conversation.
“What happened?”
“I think Meghan was here,” she said.
“I just saw you break …” Sigh. “Fine.”
I swear I spend more time fixing things around here than doing actual lab work.
The various tasks assigned to me today all involved testing out the multiple functions of the simray. Unfortunately, I was feeling the combined effects of my amazing, heart-soaring morning with Aiden, the wondrous energy from the serum I’d quaffed, and the apparent incompetence of my fellows and friends at the lab, and I may have let things get out of hand.
Maybe.
Just a little.
When he woke up – and warmed up – I was called into the boss’ office. I was certain I was going to be fired, but apparently everything was “absolutely and 110% on track!”, and so he promoted me to head of the division.
Now, I’ll admit that this is my first real job at a civilian research lab, by the title on my nameplate went from “Pioneer of New Technologies” to … “Mad Scientist”.
I’m not making this up. I have business cards that say “Jeanette Ross, Mad Scientist”. I laughed maniacally for a second or two (I figured it was required), thanked him for the opportunity to advance mad science, and went to tell Caitlyn. I went to wake up Caitlyn, and tell her.
The funny thing about working at this science lab is that we kind of brush off the myriad experiments as they happen. Well, other than Malcolm. He’s still holding a grudge from the wormhole experiments. But after Caitlyn woke up and Trisha unfroze, they suggested we head out to celebrate.
We took the new express train into the city after Trisha suggestion. I hadn’t been downtown yet, but the little food shops everywhere intrigued me.
Street food!
Luckily, there was nobody around to see me make a complete fumbling mess eating with chopsticks. As long as I can practice in private…
DAMMIT.
Okay, at least everyone else was having troubles too.
Skylar had joined us by then, and together we burst into the karaoke bar across the street. Caitlyn can sing!
I … made words come out of my mouth. But cripes it was fun!
At sometime during the night, after several songs and even more wine, I needed to use the washroom.
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
I think this was the washroom. In any case, I may have to return here. This thing was … thorough. And, um … thoroughly pleasant. I wonder where they bought it?
Eventually, the evening turned to night, which progressed into morning. It was hard to tell in the middle of a brightly lit city. Trisha had had a few too many shots of whatever it was she was drinking, and argued about leaving and freeze-rays and unfair treatments on behalf of whatever-the-heck she was on about. Skylar and Caitlyn took that as a sign, and together we got her home safely.
It was a really good day.
Oh man, I need coffee.
After a few hours wandering the park around the cafe, Caitlyn wanted to head over to the park where I’d run into her wife Teagan, and we both met Creepy Guy. I didn’t see him this time.
Caitlyn barbequed up some vegetables, although I really could have used a burger. Apparently Teagan’s a vegetarian, and Caitlyn has … “adjusted”, she said. I wondered briefly if there was any meat in the park I could catch with the stuff she’d cooked.
But it was a great day out with good friends. I wondered what Aiden was doing on this sunny Sunday afternoon.
By the time I’d convinced myself to call him, Caitlyn wandered off to the bar, and a friend of Jade’s had shown up. Lacie, I think she said. I wasn’t paying too much attention. Aiden said was just sitting around the house, and agreed to come down to the park! I was really looking forward to this.
He spent the entire time down playing with the kids. I don’t *think* any of them were his, it’s just … I don’t know. I guess it’s really nice that he likes kids that much, I just wanted him to spend some time with *me*. It was heart-warming and -breaking at the same time.
After ordering and talking for a few minutes, I realised what was going on. Jeez I’m clueless sometimes. Caitlyn had set us up. I’ll have to have yet another talk with that woman.
We talked well into the night, and I think got to know each other well. We won’t be dating, but I’m sure we’ll be good friends.
At least, I hope so. I’d hate to lose friends just because I won’t date them. That would SUCK.
I spent most of the day at work fiddling with the wormhole generator, and only once did Malcolm give me grief about it. It didn’t last long, and he went away without having to hit him with anything. I don’t understand why he puts up such a fuss about the thing; surely the lab wouldn’t ask me to make the thing if it was inherently dangerous, would they? No, they wouldn’t.
But in the end, I left the lab with a promotion to Lab Leader, and a swanky new lab coat, complete with an interesting piece of bio-tech that I’ve never seen before, and highly suspect being alien in origin. I’ve no idea why I need the thing, but it glows warmly and vibrates slightly when in use. So … could be fun.
The lab’s transport system had also delivered a promotion gift, and left this amazing computer-controlled high-tech shower system in my front yard. It would be nice if they could schedule these things when I’m home, so maybe I can get some help moving the damn thing.
Luckily I knew where I could put this. I had my old shower taken out, and this beauty pit in place. I was about to check it out when Skylar called again, wanting to go out. This time I accepted, but made sure she knew it was just dinner with a friend. I wasn’t interested in dating her, but didn’t want to lose a good friend either.
We met down at the Chowder House, of course. People in this town sure do love their chowder. The place was already quite busy, and it filled up by the time we got a seat, off in the corner.
Caitlyn and Teagan were already here, out on a date it looked like.
Or, I think she did. I woke up at home, anyway. Maybe I was responsible.
I got into work this morning and had a good talk with Caitlyn, who made me feel a lot better about myself. Malcolm was grumpy about us standing around talking, but he can go stuff a turkey; I needed to vent a little.
Good old Robot never let me down either, and we’ve become close over these weeks. We got to work right away on coming up with a Wormhole Generator.
I had to spend some time calibrating the thing, just so I don’t accidentally suck the lab into the cold vacuum of space. Just as soon as I turned it on though….
Well, I tried. I think I got an answer, but it was really hard to tell.