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Colleagues

The buzzing of her phone made Lena look up from the research article she'd been reading, taking a break from work. She loved the quiet of her small but well-lit office on the third floor of the new DEO building. She'd spent so much time in the lab and the adjoining office underground, which were both amazingly comfortable given the sunlamps, but it was refreshing to be above ground and enjoy the view of the snow-covered front yard.

"Hello", she said, seeing that it the call came from the front desk.

"Hello, Miss Luthor. This is Dan. You're appointment is here. Should I send her up or will you come downstairs?" he asked politely.

Lena startled and looked at her watch, "Well, she appears to be early."

"Ah," Dan hesitated, "I don't believe so, Miss Luthor. Unless you changed the time, it would be 2 pm now, just like you told me."

"Is it really?" Lena gasped, "Oh dear, my watch appears to have stopped. Would you please send her up in five minutes, Dan?" she said, getting up and hurrying out of the office.

"Of course, Miss Luthor", Dan said.

"Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome, bye."

"Bye, Dan."

Lena quickly touched up her make-up and returned to her office, asking her assistant to bring water and coffee for her and her guest.

No sooner had she retaken her seat behind her desk and taken out the files she may need, Barbara, her assistant, entered, accompanied by a stylishly-dressed blonde woman.

"Eve", Lena said, smiling and getting up to greet her guest.

They shook hands.

"Miss Luthor", Eve said smiling a bit awkwardly, "It's good to see you."

"I'm glad you came. Please take a seat", Lena said, motioning to one of two comfortable chairs around a small couch table.

Eve sat and at that precise moment Barbara re-entered carrying a try with water and two mugs of coffee.

"I hope you still take your coffee like you did when we last saw each other", Lena said.

Eve looked surprised and stuttered, "Ah, yeah, thank you."

Lena smiled as Barbara set down the mugs.

"Thank you Barbara. Could you make sure we're not disturbed for the next 30 minutes, please?" Lena said.

Barbara nodded, "Of course, Miss Luthor."

When the door had closed Lena looked at Eve, "I'm sorry to have called you here without giving you any concrete information and I'm very grateful you still decided to come."

Eve shifted in her seat, "Ah, yes, I was very surprised by your call."

Lena chuckled, "Yeah, I can imagine that. So let me fill you in then, shall I?"

She took a sip of her coffee.

"I'd like you to join us here at the DEO and work with me and my team", Lena said, looking straight at Eve.

Eve's mouth fell open and she stared at Lena.

"What?" she gasped. "You want me to work with you here at the DEO … after everything I did to you?" she whispered, frowning?

Lena smiled kindly, "That's all in the past, Eve. We both know what happened and why it did and, god knows, I had my share in it", she added shaking her head and sighing.

"Well,…", Eve started but Lena spared her the pain of continuing, "Eve, you have a brilliant mind and I always greatly enjoyed working with you. You understood me in a way nobody did and for the projects we're planning I need that."

Eve shook her head in disbelief but smiled genuinely, "Yes, yes, I'd love to work for you again. It was the most fulfilling job I ever had and I can't believe you want to give me a second chance."

"So you're coming back?" Lena said excitedly.

Eve nodded vigorously, "Yes, absolutely, Miss Luthor!"

"Fantastic", Lena grinned.

They shook hands and before letting go Lena smirked, "And, since we're colleagues now, I'm Lena". She gave Eve's hand a little squeeze.

"Well, I'm looking forward to working with you, Lena", Eve smiled.

They spoke for much longer than 30 minutes and by the end of their conversation they were both more than excited for what their future work could achieve.