As a scientist, you take certain precautions. You wear hazmat suits when you are not sure if the chemical substance is dangerous or not, you work with anyone your boss pairs you with, no questions asked, and most importantly, you never allow a poisonous toxin to be released. Well, except this time.
March 24, 2013. That was the date that the American Disease Research and Control group left for Moscow, Russia. There had been some uncommon illnesses, and they called for America's help. In just two months there have been over 100 reports of people who have suffered from fatal internal hemorrhaging, brain damage, and organ failure, but the peculiar part is that they had no fever or vomiting. The only link between these patients are that they all traveled to a forest about six months prior to their symptoms. They have already been tested for poisons, animal secretions, and venom, but everything came back negative. That's where Cosima and Delphine come in.
The ADRC is the most advanced and elite illness control in the world. Nothing has ever gotten past them, and neither will this. They have arranged for Cosima to be partnering with French/American immunologist Delphine Cormier. She has been told that Delphine is one of the best, and that she should look forward to working with her. From what she has heard, Delphine has a PhD in immunology and is originally from France. Unlike her, who grow up in San Fran, and earned her degree in Evolutionary Development from the University of Minnesota.
After Cosima was shown to her hotel and dropped off her bags, she and Delphine met at the medical facility around six in the evening. Delphine introduced herself to Cosima in that French accent that people drool over.
"Bonjour. Delphine Cormier. I am excited to be working with you."
More like Delfine Cosima thinks, cause damn, this chick has some looks. She has luscious curly blonde hair, a face that one could stare at for hours, and absolutely killer grades. Cosima introduced herself to her.
"Cosima Niehaus. I am working on evolutionary development. I hope to stop any possible hereditary diseases that could be linked with these illnesses."
"Well, then I suggest we get started." Delphine said with a warm and inviting smile. She could tell already that keeping her attention on the science was going to be difficult.
Their guide then escorted them to their temporary lab. This is where they would be spending most of their time for a while.
"We should totally, like add a chill zone in here." Cosima suggested with a laugh. Delphine looked at her like she was crazy.
"Peut-etre. We will be spending lots of time in here, so a 'chill zone' would help things be more fun." She replied playing into the idea. Thankfully Cosima can understand quite a bit of French from her classes. With that, the guide returned to his duty, and they were left alone, to quote "familiarize themselves with the lab." In reality, that just meant playing with all of the gadgets the facility has set out for them, since there are no samples to analyze yet.
After a couple hours of messing around, they decided to call it a night. Coincidentally, their rooms are right across from each other. Cosima wouldn't admit this to Delphine, but she was glad that they are so close; this way she can spend more time with the younger scientist.
"Ah, well this is my room here. I'm really happy to be working with you." Cosima couldn't stop herself from smiling as she said this. There is just something about this French woman that elicits emotions from her that she didn't even know she could feel.
"I am also happy to be working with you. I think we will have fun working this case together. Bonsoir Cosima." She couldn't get over how her name sounded with that light French accent. That is definitely something Cosima could get used to.
"Yeah of course, goodnight to you. Sleep well."
"And don't let the bed bugs bite." Delphine said with a laugh and smile. She looked proud of herself to know English idioms. And Cosima has to admit, her English is outstanding, just like everything else about her. Just as she thought that this night couldn't get any better, Cosima felt the slight brush of lips on both sides of her cheek. Her body felt immobilized, she wasn't able to move or talk. The blonde had stunned Cosima into a paralysis. But it wasn't shock, or discomfort that she felt. Honestly she's not really sure what it is, but it's too late at night to be analyzing this any further.
"I'll see you in the morning. We can meet and head to the lab together."
"Yeah, that sounds great." And with that, they each respectively entered their rooms and went to sleep for the night.
