The lobby is barren; the center is closed today, so it isn't hard to spot Janice and Dr. Peirce. He's dressed in a dark suit that looks a little tight around his slightly bulging gut. Grey tufts litter his severely balding head. His head turns as I approach; revealing his half narrowed brown eyes behind thick, square, black-rimmed glasses. His lips are pressed into a thin line. Janice stands near him, her long hair, usually loose or pulled into a messy ponytail, is tied back in a thick bun. She's dressed formally in a long simple black dress with full sleeves, despite the intense heat.

"Hello, sir," I greet, offering a hand. "I didn't know you were coming."

He ignores my outstretched hand and straightens his tie instead. I let my arm drop back to my side. "Just a routine inspection, Dr. Evans, you understand," he replies absently as he gazes around.

"Of course. Anything I can do to be of assistance?" I ask.

Again, I'm ignored as Dr. Peirce wanders further into the lobby. I reluctantly follow, casting a quizzical glance at Janice. She offers no comment, but the corners of her mouth turn upwards into a false smile that makes my neck hair stand on end. "The place looks good," Dr. Peirce comments. "However, I'm concerned about your competence in your new position."

I bite back a shocked snort, my eyes widening. After a moment I straighten up, "excuse me?"

Dr. Peirce meets my gaze head on. "After the, rather mysterious, events and chaos that occurred around the flood, you were thrust into this potion and Dr. Taylor relocated. You have had no training or experience of any kind, and frankly, you appear to still be in the mindset of your old position. You have had to handle very little paperwork in the past and have never had to manage all the staff, funds, or the building."

"Sir, I really don't understand where this is coming from. Have I done something wrong?" I inquire.

"Well…"

"I am aware of the suddenness of my position change and my lack of training, but all my paperwork has been completed and filed, you should have proof of that. Is there something wrong with it? I have managed staff before, I've had teams in the past. I also used to manage this lace when Dr. Taylor was away. I've worked with her a long time and have gotten an idea of how her jobs works as I'm sure she is clear about mine. I have some experience, so where are you going with this?" I challenge before forcing myself to relax before I say something I'll regret."

"I will admit, your work recently has been impressive under the circumstances, but I still have concerns. Firstly, you are far too publically involved. A good manager knows when to stay away; otherwise it will look like we're so understaffed and underfunded that even the manager has to work the lesser jobs. Also, this place has only been open a couple of weeks and its thriving. As more people are drawn in and work gets heavier, I fear you will find yourself overwhelmed if the workload gets more intense," he pauses for a moment. "I have decided that you require the training and that I'm reappointing Dr. Taylor here."

Shock sweeps through me, my eyes widen and my mouth opens slightly. So that's why she's so smug. I mentally glare daggers at her. "But, I," my professional tone slips as I stutter.

"Relax Dr. Evans, your job remains intact. Dr. Taylor will be with you for a month. She will give you pointers on the job and review your work ethic. She will send weekly reports back to me. Then I will make a final decision on whether or not there needs to be a change in the management office. This is not open for debate."

"And who knows," Janice offers. "It might be a good chance to rekindle our friendship." She smiles, her teeth gleaming. My skin prickles at the false words. I know she doesn't really care.

Relax. Relax. Don't try to kill her in front of your boss. I mentally repeat the sentence like a mantra twice before taking a deep breath and forcing a smile. "Yeah, maybe," I manage.

"Well," Dr. Peirce clears his throat and straightens his tie. "There's another matter I want to discuss." I hold my breath for what I know is coming. "I've received information about your rescue yesterday that I want to clarify.

I nod. "Certainly, what do you want to know?"

His eyes narrow behind his glasses. "I'd actually like to see the creature myself," he replies coldly.

"Of course, follow me." I turn on my heel and lead him down the hall. Every loud clack of Janice's heels winds my nerves tighter as I lead them to Aquata. "Sarah worked through most of the night with her, but she hasn't woken yet," I lie as we reach the operation room door. I push it open to reveal Sarah leaning against the counter watching her patient. Thick dark circles line her eyes and she blinks long and slow, her exhaustion evident. "Any change?" I ask, pulling her from her daze.

"Mhm?" it takes Sarah a moment to properly register us. "Oh, sorry; no. She's pretty stable and stirred once, but she hasn't woken," she reports and I mentally thank her for staying awake enough to play along. Dr. Peirce walks over to the observation table for a closer look. Janice steps a little closer too and bends over the mermaid. Aquata remains still, the pain from earlier erased from her features.

"I want this closed as quickly as possible," Dr. Peirce orders, his eyes settling on Janice. "I have finally finished cleaning up all the paperwork after the incidents here and then your claims that followed. Keep this on the down low and get rid of it as soon as possible. If either of you do anything that leaves me with another mile long stack of papers on my desk neither of you will ever see employment anywhere again. Am I clear?"

"Of course sir," Janice mutters. I nod in agreement and withhold a smirk at the victory against Janice. No mermaid propaganda will be gained from her efforts in placing herself here. My boss straightens his tie and adjusts his glasses.

"I will take my leave now. Dr. Taylor, I trust you can set up without issue. I'll expect your first report early next week. Dr. Evans, I'll show myself out."

I nod. "Okay, have a safe trip home," I answer as I watch him go.

"I'm assuming you've moved into my office, so I'm going to find a spare one to set up in," Janice states, not bothering to ask. She doesn't wait for an answer before walking out of the room.

I turn to meet Sarah's wide questioning gaze and begin to wonder what I've gotten myself into.

Hey guys, sorry for the long wait. This is kind of a sucky filler chapter, but necessary none the less. So Janice is back! Next chapter will be better, I promise. As always, I love feedback, it fuels my inspiration and motivation and I always love to hear from all of you so let me know what you think.

On a side note, I've been brainstorming the potential of building a time machine to prevent the creation of math… or at least functions. Who's with me!? :-P

-Mermaid