"This is amazing," Danika Vaussier said, her eye practically glued to the eyepiece of a high powered microscope. "By attaching this protein to a carrier cell, then using the dimethyl sulfoxide to aid the absorption into the affected cells..." She trailed off, still not turning from the microscope.

"The DMSO is also an anti-inflammatory aid," Violet pointed out, grinning widely as she approached the normally quiet woman.

"Where did you get the original protein?" Dominik, Danika's twin brother, asked.

Violet just shook her head. "Purely by accident, I can assure you," she said. "It was found on a random blood draw and the effects were witnessed after the original blood sample was accidently mixed with another sample."

"Wouldn't it be easier," Dominik asked, sounding sincerely puzzled, "to draw larger samples from the original donor and organically replicate the protein than to put so much time and effort into synthesizing it?"

"Normally, yes," Violet admitted. "However, in this case, the original sample was from a child. While the child is willing to donate, and the parents agreed to the first sample draw, she is still a child, and I want to avoid taking more than necessary."

The twins nodded, deep in their individual thoughts.

Violet gave them a few words of encouragement, then moved on to the next lab where another possible medication was being worked on.

This one had nothing to do with Nayeli or her unique blood, but was no less important. It was a more effective pain killer, less side effects and fewer addictive properties. They were still in the beginning stages here, but once they were able to find just the right combination…

A light knock on the doorframe called Violet back to the present.

"Miss Bauer? I am sorry to bother you, but you have a visitor in the reception area."

"Thank you, Erica," Violet said with a grateful smile to the receptionist.

Erica Linde came to them from a temp agency, but after only two days of being there, Violet had offered her a permanent position. She was friendly, efficient and able to work the monstrosity of a coffee machine that Mr. and Mrs. Xanatos had given them as a "grand opening" gift.

Seriously, that machine made cappuccinos, espressos, regular coffee, steamed and frothed the milk…

The only thing it didn't do was speak.

At least, she didn't think it did…

Erica gave Violet a wave and disappeared back to the front reception area where she would keep the guest entertained until Violet joined them.

Violet took the time to wash her hands, de-vested herself of her protective paper suit and booties, and hurried to the main entryway that was the only area open to non-employees.

As she rounded the corner, she spotted her brother.

"Tony?" Violet burst out, "What are you doing here?"

Tony laughed. "Hey Vi. Sorry to bother you, but I was able to get my place packed up faster than I'd thought it would take me, so," he held his arms out to his sides, "looks like I'm here a little early, and thought I'd take my little sister out to dinner and maybe mooch a place to crash for a night or two until the guys with my furniture get here."

"I…" Violet said, stunned. In reality, she felt like they were still practically strangers. They hadn't seen each other for over ten years before they'd just happened to run into each other again here on Manhattan Island a week ago. Visiting, having an occasional meal together, that was one thing. Having him on her couch for an indeterminate amount of time...

"Hey," Tony said, holding his hands up, a sad smile on his face. "No pressure, okay? I get it."

"No," violet said, shaking her head and making the decision then and there. What could a night or two hurt? "Sorry, Tony. My mind is still on work, so it's taking me a bit to process anything else at the moment. Of course, you can stay with me. Go get your bags, and bring them up here, and I'll show you my place."

He looked at her curiously. "Wait. You live here?" he asked, looking around the lab areas.

Violet fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Not here here. But in the building? Yes."

"Nice," he said with a chuckle. "Easy commute and all that."

Violet laughed with him. "That's one way to look at it. Go," she shooed him. "Get your bags, and I'll show you to my humble abode."

{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}

Ten minutes later, Violet led her brother to the door of her apartment, unlocking it with a wave of her security card over the nearly hidden sensor there.

After the lock disengaged, Violet pushed the door open and motioned Tony in first.

He took in the apartment with its soft yellow walls, the soft greens and golds woven through the furnishings of the living area and the open kitchen.

He gave a long, low whistle as he took in the wall of windows that overlooked the city.

"Wow," he said. "You did good, Vi."

"I can't take all the credit," Violet said. "Mr. Xanatos was nice enough to offer this space to me when I came here to work for him."

Tony bent a little to gently set his bags down in a corner of the room so that they'd be out of the way.

"I always knew that you'd end up somewhere like this," Tony said with a smile. He reached out to ruffle her hair as he had when she'd been younger. "You and that big brain of yours."

Violet rolled her eyes and smoothed her hair down. "You're not exactly stupid, yourself," she said. "I remember you having good grades."

"Not like you," Tony said. "You were always trying to study things, take electronics apart and put them back together, collecting leaves and rocks and bugs." He shook his head, "Nah, little sister. You got the brains in the family, that's for sure."

Violet gave his brother a smile. "Well, follow me," she said, giving him a jaunty wave and led him to the bedroom. "This is where you'll be sleeping."

"I'm not taking your bed, Vi," he said, his voice deep in disapproval.

"You're too tall to sleep on the couch," Violet pointed out, "But I fit just fine. And," she said firmly as he opened his mouth as if to protest, "I wouldn't be able to sleep myself out of guilt if you even try to sleep on the floor."

Tony's mouth closed and he heaved a sigh. "Fine," he said in defeat, then perked up, "But I'm paying for our meals while I'm here."

"Deal," Violet said, sticking her arm out to him and shaking hands on it. "Now," she said, "Let's get your bags and get you situated in here."