Title: Alpha: The Beginning

Author: Tracy

Fandom: CI

Rating: G

Summary: We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds.

Notes: This was inspired by a word challenge in the 15minuteficlet LJ community. This is what I came up with. Unfortunately I can't log into LJ to post it, so you guys get it first. This is also the first thing I've written in months, so be kind. Oh, and the word was 'impression.'

Thanks to Riverstar for help with a title, and summary.

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The world shifted in that half a second it took for her to size him up, and he knew that he'd met his match. This was a woman who wouldn't be pushed into doing his share of the paperwork, who wouldn't stand for being left in the office while he went off on his own tangent, who wouldn't be awed by his reputation, who wouldn't be afraid to push the boundaries, and who wouldn't put up with any of his bullshit.

He thought he could really get to like her.

Her handshake was firm and surprisingly dry, while his, on the other hand, had become mildly clammy. A slight upward twitch of her lips - probably unnoticeable to anyone but him - was the only indication that she'd noticed. Her gaze remained as appraising as ever, but he caught the mirth that danced behind her eyes, (brown, with tiny flecks of hazel that apparently lit up whenever she was amused) and knew that he'd never be able to hide anything from her.

He should have felt threatened, but he didn't.

Yes, he could definately see himself liking her.

She let go of his hand and he waited for her to take the next step. Her voice, when she spoke, was crisp and confident.

Nice to meet you.
I've heard a lot about you.
I look forward to working with you.
Oh, and I like to drive. You don't mind, do you?

This was tossed negligently over her shoulder as she draped her coat over the back of her new chair. Her new chair at her new desk in her new squad that until five seconds ago, had all belonged to him.

The game was over before it had even begun, and she'd won. Hands down, no question. She was tinier than he thought a grown woman could be, pushy as all hell, had no dress sense at all, but he liked her already.

He grinned to himself and watched as she tried out her new chair.

Robert Goren had just met Alexandra Eames.

End.