Author's Note: Just a short update this time around. Thanks for the reviews!


Should I stop?

No.

I can't stop thinking about that kiss. It happened only a week ago, but it's been on my mind ever since. After it happened I brushed the whole thing off. Told myself excess drinking lowers inhibitions, assured myself the memory would eventually slip away and join those of other drunken nights past. But it didn't. No, the memory seemed to get stronger, more vivid, until it was just replaying itself over and over, like a broken stereo playing the same song on an endless loop.

Cosima certainly never spoke of the kiss, though furtive glances and subtle smirks told me she hadn't forgotten about it either. Our days were spent tiptoeing around each other, the kiss becoming our elephant in the room. It was driving me crazy…

Knock! Knock!

The light tapping of knuckles on my car window brings me back to reality. I don't know how long I've been sitting in my car, but when I look out the window I find Doctor Clark tapping his watch and pointing toward the Dyad Institute. I nod and join him outside.

"We're going to be late!" he says, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a half-jog toward the Dyad's entrance.

When we enter the building I tug my hand from Neal's grasp and move in the direction of my office. But before I can even take two steps, he catches me by the elbow.

"Can I buy you a quick cup of coffee?" he asks, tipping his head toward the coffee cart. "It looks like you could use one."

"No, thanks. I've got to run." I'm already backing away as the words leave my lips. Doctor Clark frowns, disappoint lining his face. He opens his mouth to say something more, but I tap my watch. "I'll see you later, Doctor Clark."

I'm already half way to my office when I feel my phone vibrate in my lab coat pocket. When I retrieve the device I find a text message from Doctor Clark:

"It's just Neal. :)"


When I enter my office I can't help but feel grateful for the solitude, if only for a few moments. I keep the lights off, letting the sun's early morning rays illuminate the small space. I have just a few minutes to spare before I have to be in lab. Before I have to see –

"Cosima!"

I yelp the woman's name out loud as soon as I see her swivel around in my office chair. She's wearing her trademark cheeky smile, but as soon as I take a step toward her she readjusts her position and puts on a straight face.

"What are you…" I start, but Cosima holds up her hand stopping me. She doesn't say anything; instead she motions for me to sit in the chair across from her. I don't, I stay standing, but my noncompliance doesn't' dissuade Cosima. She continues the charade, leaning back and pressing her fingers together. She reminds me eerily of Doctor Leekie, and when she opens her mouth to speak I know it's him she's impersonating.

"Doctor Cormier, you're late," she says in her best Doctor Leekie voice. It doesn't really sound like him, but I recognize the inflections enough to make the connection.

"Cosima —"

"We here at the Dyad don't take too kindly to rule-breakers," Cosima interrupts, still using the Leekie voice. She stands from the chair and grabs a ruler from the pen jar on my desk. She begins lightly slapping the ruler in her hand, a small smile playing at her lips. In her own voice she adds, "You'll have to be punished."

She giggles at her own joke, but stops when she sees I'm entirely unamused.

"You know, I bet Doctor Leekie would've found it funny," she says, throwing the ruler back on the desk.

"What would I find funny?"

The deep voice startles both of us, and when I turn around I find Doctor Leekie standing in the doorway. He looks back and forth between Cosima and me, waiting for an answer. I'm frozen where I stand, no doubt turning redder by the second. How much had he heard? Finally Cosima steps forward and places herself next to me.

"I was telling Doctor Cormier how helium is way funnier than polonium," Cosima says, waving her hands as she talks. "But Doctor Cormier just didn't find it funny."

She nudges my side and I play along, shaking my head and shrugging my shoulders.

"But you get it. Right, Doctor Leekie?"

I watch as the man searches his brain to understand the nonsensical statement. It's obvious the whole thing is bullshit, but Cosima takes advantage of one of Doctor Leekie's biggest flaws – wanting to always be in control.

After a half minute of silence, the man cracks a smile and wags his finger at Cosima. He doesn't say anything, but it's obvious he's pretending as if he understands Cosima's absurd "joke." Finally he strides toward us and takes a seat behind the desk, motioning for us to sit across from him.

"Doctor Leekie, I'm already very late," I begin, but Leekie raises his hand. The gesture, his posture, it's all very reminiscent of Cosima's earlier impersonation, and I can't help but smile.

"I've instructed Doctor Clark to teach your students this morning, minus Miss Niehaus. There's something I'd like to discuss with you two."

The way he looks between Cosima and me wipes the smile off my face instantly. My whole body stiffens in the chair and I can feel Cosima's eyes on me. Did he know about the kiss? Did someone tell him? There's no way. The bathroom was empty. Unless Cosima…

"I can explain," I blurt out. My voice is higher than normal, much louder too. When I look up I find Doctor Leekie staring at me, utterly confused.

"You know about the Neolution Seminar?" he asks.

I pause, embarrassed and confused. "Huh?"

"The Neolution Seminar. It's coming up soon and I wanted to invite both you and Cosima to come along this year," Leekie explains. "I think it'll be an excellent opportunity for both of you."

My eyes widen when I realize my almost catastrophic mistake. Cosima must've caught on too, because she stifles a giggle beside me. Doctor Leekie, however, is none the wiser.

"Doctor Clark will be accompanying us as well. Space is limited, but don't worry we were able to book two rooms," says Leekie. "Doctor Clark has already agreed to room with me, so you two ladies can share a room."

I didn't think my eyes could get any wider, but they do. When I look at Cosima, she's giving me the cheekiest of smiles.

"Get to know each other beforehand and everything will be fine," Leekie assures. "Sound like a plan?"

In an instant Cosima is on her feet and shaking the man's hand.

"Yes, that sounds awesome! Completely amazing. Thank you." Cosima gushes, while throwing a wink in my direction.

"Good, that settles it then," Leekie says, rising from the chair. "Delphine, do you agree?"

In my dazed state I somehow manage a slight nod. It must be confirmation enough, because the man is out of the office not two seconds later, leaving Cosima and me alone again. When I look up, I find Cosima leaning on the desk in front of me. There's a mischievous glint in her eyes. A small smile plays at her lips.

"See you in lab, roomie." And just like that she's out the door.