pte

ed her way through Roger's notes, spreadsheets and charts she began to relax. Elena was deep down worried that t

client base increase dramatically, they might run short but otherwise they would be fine. Lunch time came and w

blue eyes of a small child. His blonde hair appeared to be more fuzz than hair, making him resemble a dandelion and he was sucking on his thumb. The knees of

't answer, but pulled his thumb out of his mouth and held his arms up in the universal gesture symbolizing he wanted to be pic

. She felt her spine pop, a sure sign she had been sitting too long

f the stairs she began looking around for someone who looked like they were m

" She said loud enough to

of the Imports store with a smile. "His father dropped him off just a second ago, I turned around and he was gone. I should have thought to

Emily starting maternity leave and sending flowers to the hospital. S

ould grow in a year's time, her cell phone rang. Elena pulled it out of her back pocket, saw it

g her steps back up the s

e time. I just thought you would like to know that there is a sign on t

thinking of the large space that current

office." Elena thought of the oversized purse she had taken to carrying so that she could

Is Bob the listed

"It would also keep us fr

ll. Don't you forget about dinner at Docks

Mateo promised. "Is

e of guilt. "Technically he's still a

. "So you just to

we were s

'll let Kiera know about k

na hoped he understood that. As Peter's family he was legally bound to his house. She ended her conversation with Mateo and scrolled through her

and her grandfather soon, and swung her heavy purse to her shoulder. The edge of one of the council books poked her in the bac

he beach glow and her clothing was sophisticated and well thought out. With a start she realized that the Faith who worked as Bob's secretary was more or less trying to look li

that housed the lab and potential office were within easy distance. She felt she would be able to make it through the rounds and back to her apartment

ncil, outlining plans for the future and placing them all squarely on a course of action. She had eighteen pilots, Mateo, Kiera and to some extent Benjami

ought as she reached Bob's office and pulled open the door. To

" Elena murmured her thanks and took a seat. She had barely settled when the door to Bob's

said. "Expand

f the stores now, the small office space located there is taken up with the day to day things. I n

nt of some kind then all of your records would be stored off

won't be an is

"But the best way to avoid a

you carry an umbrella then

ailable space up there. I don't know how much privacy is an issue, but I know that most places of scientific research tend to value seclusion either because they fear corporate

s I don't think there is too much concern, " E

ho wasn't territorial. One time, we had maintenance changing a light bulb in the stairwell and a biologist wanted proof that he wasn'

would be, " Elena

ndered how long it had been left vacant. "There are five office spaces and a receptionist area, " Bob told her. "I believe the basic office furnitu

"Do you have time to s

k drawer and pulled out a set of keys. "Wh

iven and tucked it into her already over full bag. Bob signaled Faith that the

wn for long?" Bob a

n Nate's wedding coming up and some buying trips in

out. After a while it doesn't matter what fabulous sight

about that after the last trip

days too long in my estimation, but I

ng Greek language less

be able to ask the questions she wanted and to have to rely on a translator."

. Is something wrong?" Visions of hospital visits danced in her head. Lisa was the first f

. They were downsizing. They cut everyone who had been there less than a certain amount of time and Lisa fell below the line. It

her friend. Being dismissed was no

h the partners and disagreed with some of the cases they chose to take. This wa

hinking of some of the less savory cases Lisa

n't helped the ego thing. And with you and Tina both being out o

done. Maybe see if she wants to

lain in both his features and his voice. T

a was out of tow

better part

d. "I wonder w

were on a series of buying trips." They reached the door to the converted warehouse and took the elevator to the top floor. As the doors

the books in a room marked files. The tour did not last long and by the end of it Elena agreed that renting it would be a good idea. She signed the lease Bob carried from the offi

wn work station making notes in a spiral bound notebook and occasionally glancing at the potted plant in front of her. Elena watched them work for a

ateo dwindled recently. Elena chalked it up to him spending large amounts of time skyside, but perhaps there was a d

Both of the room's occupants jumped and she tried

ra followed her out into the hall

, " Kier

for an assistant, " Mateo s

ied away, " she rep

of imports and exports, most of which will be staying skyside. Then there will be all of the deals with various merchants for marketing wares, craftsman to transform the raw materials into goods. Plus you have to

think of an assis

imate change, " Mateo responded. "Or the c

re to fill out the lab staff, " Kiera added q

ebrow. "And I will think about an assistant." Mateo nodded, satisfied. "Oh and I spoke to Aunt Catherine. She needs your measurements for the tux at your brother's

he following day. By the time Elena reached her apartment, her mind turned to exactly what order she would make her House announ