A/N: For YouHaveLovelyHair, who read and reviewed 20 odd chapters in a single day. I hope you all like it. I would just briefly like to say thank you for all the reviews! Over 100! I'm so impressed.

Tea Lady

The game was up. Matthew's boss knew Emily was living with him. She was to be brought into the ARC until further notice. After just winning her freedom from that terrible tomb, she was to be a prisoner again.

He'd been quiet, almost dejected, during the car ride to the ARC facilities and Emily couldn't help feeling worried. What if these people decided to kill her? What did they want with her?

As she entered the building, she could feel everyone's eyes on her. The young, auburn-haired girl in particular seemed very curious about her, but there was barely time for an introduction before Matt swept her into Lester's office. The bureaucrat was pacing, obviously angry over the whole debacle.

"Does the word superior mean nothing to you, Mr Anderson?" he demanded. "I am your superior, your boss, and as such you should obey my orders. I told you to bring the girl to the ARC a week ago, and instead you took her to your home!"

Matt stared impassively ahead of him whilst Lester ranted, his words seemingly having no effect. Emily, on the other hand, found it impossible to be still and the man's rage wasn't even directed at her. She glanced once out the window and found that no less than ten people's eyes were on her, including those of the young blonde girl who had helped Matthew distract Becker when he wanted to search for her. Abby shot her a brief smile and returned to whatever task she was working on.

Finally, Lester finished shouting and sent Matt away. As he left, Matt gave Emily's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, but Emily had no idea why she was required to stay behind.

Lester sighed and fell into his chair, loosening his tie. His pink cheeks gradually returned to their normal pigmentation, and reached into the bottom drawer of his desk. He pulled out an empty whisky bottle and dropped it into the bin in disgust. When he'd finished it, he had no idea. More likely, Connor had probably let loose a creature out of the menagerie which had been only too happy to waltz into the Director of the ARC's office and down the last dregs of his precious whisky.

Emily watched him in silence as he lamented the loss of the only thing that could keep him sane when he was at work.

"Would you believe, Ms Merchant," he said out of the blue, "that not one of my members of staff is capable of making a perfect cup of Earl Grey?"

Trying to be polite, Emily kindly offered to make him a cup.

As he blew on the steaming cup and took a sip, a moment of inner peace descended on Lester. It truly was the best cup of tea he had ever had the pleasure to drink. Better even than any of his wife's, though he wasn't about to advertise that fact. It was one sure-fire way of ensuring he spent the night sleeping on the sofa.

"Absolutely wonderful, Ms Merchant," he congratulated, taking another large sip.

It wasn't long before he had finished his cup and was desperate for another.

Emily noticed the craving in his eyes, smiled and headed back down to the rec room to prepare another cup.

When she returned, James Lester was on his feet. He crossed the room, took the cup from her and tentatively smelt it, wondering if it was possible for it to be as perfect as his last cup. It smelt just right, and although the tea scolded his tongue slightly – for he forgot to blow over it – it tasted even better than the previous cup.

"Ms Merchant, I have a business proposition for you. How does a position within the ARC sound?"

Warily Emily replied, "What sort of position?"

"Why, my tea lady, of course!"

A/N: Just a short scene of light humour because, let's face it, nobody knows what to do with Emily. She's forever the tea lady of the ARC. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you thought.