After returning from the Italian cafe, Piper grabs her notebook and jots down all the thoughts and feelings running through her mind. She feels a lot more focused when things are organized. She tries not to let her mind drift to who she would pick for her team in this moment. There's far too much left to observe before she can make such decisions.
"Hey Piper! You ready for the next course?"
"Yes Jason. What are we viewing next?"
"Next up is hand to hand combat. We've upped the stakes for the trainees. Since they are all trying to accomplish exactly the same thing, to score more points than their opponent, it should offer some excellent insight. You'll just be observing this one from within the room.
"I wonder if even trainees will be thrown by my presence or if anyone will be trying to really play it up for the cameras, so to speak."
"You hit the nail on the head. Yes I think that those things might come into play. Possibly affecting a trainees effectiveness." Offering his hand and a smile to Piper "let's go watch."
Many did in fact show both behaviors that Piper had mentioned. The results coming up poorer than past scores for trainees who did either. Alex smiled at Piper and made plenty of eye contact without letting it affect her performance. She earned high points in the majority of the tested skills. Piper was once again impressed by Alex. Keith and Rick also did a good job at staying focused and earning their points.
The next course had Piper participating again. Jason explained that it would be a one on one set of exercises where each trainee's goal was to form an effective bond with Piper. Begin developing a shorthand between them, where certain words or looks would help them understand each others' communication styles.
Colton was up first and they were starting to understand what certain looks or expressions were a shorthand for. Chase followed and Piper thought he redeemed himself a bit from earlier. After the eleventh trainee went. Piper started getting excited. She was really wanting to see how Alex fares.
"Hello Piper! I'd like to start by us staring into each others' eyes for a bit. I find it to be an effective way of reading someone and the subtleties of their expressions. Are you comfortable with that?"
Piper nods, too deeply drawn to Alex's deep sexy voice to say a word. Their eyes met and Piper feels like she could drown into the green hues. Alex is thinking the same about Piper's ocean blues. 'It's like her face is a moving canvas, every single thought and feeling, there for me to read.' She decides to test this theory and gives her a look that says trust me, I'll keep you safe.
Piper smiles at expression on Alex's face. Turning to look at Tommy with disgust, then quickly back to Alex. Alex easily picks up on the quick changes of emotion, and gently places a comforting hand on Piper's shoulder and nodding. Piper is encouraged so finds another test. She thinks of a moment that scared her. Alex clocks it and gently pulls Piper to her shoulder. Piper is amazed by just for comforting the action feels and how safe she feels close to Alex. Alex spots the dreamy happy quality she sees on Piper's face and gives a genuine smile followed by a wink. 'Who is this woman' Piper thinks. Suddenly feeling a warm feeling all over her body.
Alex starts flirting without even saying a word. Piper picks up on it and her cheeks show a beautiful pink. Alex slowly looks the blonde up and down trying to savor every detail. Piper feels a tingle up and down her spine as she mirrors Alex's examination. 'Yep. I've never seen anything quite so gorgeous. Alex is like a goddess.'
"Hey Piper," she shoots her an expression they've already clocked on each other. Piper nods immediately. Once again locking eyes with Alex. It's becoming increasingly clear to both that they can truly read each other and at a far deeper level than should be impossible in the few hours since they met. Neither needs to voice it, their smiles for each other say it all.
Piper does a quick debrief with Jason, retrieves her notes and the video from today, and calls her detail to take her back to her parents.
Before she can even gets settled into her old bedroom, her cellphone lights up with Polly's picture.
"Hey Pol! Give me a minute to get situated please."
Piper pulls up her spreadsheet, loads the video, and has her notes nearby. "Okay Pol, I'm about to go grab something to drink downstairs, but I'm listening." Polly proceeds to excitedly tell her about her boyfriend and even detail for the last few days. Leaving little room for Piper to respond even if she wanted to. Finally it seems to occur to Polly to ask about Piper.
"So how is the whole selection process going? Any changes since you made your list?"
"Actually yes. Tommy and a guy named Jeff were both so far off the mark today, that I don't think either will make the next cut. A guy named Bradley really stepped it up today. I hadn't paid him much attention previously. Keith, Rick and Colton all did pretty good. But the rockstar of the bunch continues to be Alex. Everything I see from her impresses me more. Especially the two sessions that involved me.
"You know I'm gonna have to put names to faces again to retain this info. and know who's who. And which one if Alex."
"Yeah it does get a little confusing if your not looking at it day in and day out or watching them in person. Alex is the female Pol surely even you remember her." Piper can imagine the look on Polly's face over it not being one of the 'cute guys'. "Anyways, I have video I need to watch from today and take more notes on before I update my spreadsheet."
"Do you ever stop working?"
"Not really. But this is far too important to me to let anyone screw it up." She chuckles at herself for being so uber OCD, but knows she won't feel at ease until she's made her final selections.