Liam led them into Tanz Industries later that evening and he took them straight to Darius' office.
"Professor Malcolm Croft," Darius said as they walked into his office, "I am so relieved to have your brain on this project. No one has gotten as far as you on a working EM Drive. Liam will be an asset to you and Merrin, it's lovely to meet you as well."
"I'll be keeping them in line and task," Merrin replied before the men began exchanging ideas about the next step from the research Malcolm had already done.
"I have never been able to find the correct frequency to give the drive thrust," Malcolm concluded as he sat back, two late nights in a row catching up with him.
"Do you have to check them one by one?" Liam asked.
Merrin watched Darius as he watched Liam and Malcolm go head to head on the project.
"It has to be methodical," Malcolm replied, "If we cut corners, we might just miss the one frequency we need."
"Darius has a super computer that can help us go through the possibilities but that still might take too long. Mer, do you have any ideas?" Liam directed the conversation her way because she'd been quiet since their introductions.
"Liam, you know I'm better at being the lab assistant but I guess, if you could filter the frequencies in some way," she began, "Like, if you could set aside the likelihood of success and let the computer try the best chance frequencies first." She caught a proud smile from Malcolm as she finished.
"That's good, Mer," Liam replied, "Darius, can we get to work?"
"Don't you want to get some sleep first? You've all had a very long couple of nights," Darius replied, looking slightly concerned but also wanting his team to be on their best.
Liam shook his head, "We can at least get Tess started on the search before we sleep."
"As tired as I am, I agree with him. Time is a luxury we don't have," Malcolm agreed as he stood from the sofa to join Merrin who was already standing at the elevator because she had never sat down.
Darius nodded, "There's food everywhere and coffee. Make yourselves at home."
The three got down to a computer station with three desktops before Liam pulled out the research from Croft, "We need to input all of this into the computer for Tess. Do you wanna divide it by the three of us?"
Croft looked at the pile of research and quickly nodded, "Hand it to me to separate because some of it has to work together and we'd hate to make a small mistake like that."
"Put mine in front of my computer," Merrin stated, "I'm going to find the three of us some coffee so we don't spend the night face down on the keyboard. Any preferences?"
The men shook their heads so Mer shrugged her shoulders and made her way down the stairs to the kitchen where she finally exhaled for the first time since Liam had shown up at Malcolm's that morning. She was trying to keep her cool but inside she was in full blown panic because she knew that the world could end and she couldn't tell anyone else. She also hadn't been able to envision her and Malcolm's future anymore. She took a deep breath as she got what she walked down there for and walked back up the stairs to start on her section.
They broke into their work and everyone went silent as they began inputting all of Malcolm's data into the computers. After a few hours, Liam looked over to see Mer out cold on the desk.
"She didn't last long, did she?" he asked with a laugh.
Malcolm stopped typing and looked over, running a hand through her hair, "She's never been good at staying up all night. My girl needs her sleep," he smiled, only furthering Liam's confusion about their relationship. Croft continued, "Let's take over her work since we're almost done and let her sleep."
Liam nodded as the two began the work until employees started coming in for the next day's work.
Merrin came to and sat up, her neck throbbing in pain, upset to see the other two still wide awake punching the keys on their computers, "Why didn't you guys wake me up? I didn't want you to do my work," she snapped.
Malcolm looked up, "It's not problem and we're basically done. You know you can't pull all nighters," he reached his free hand out for hers. She placed her hand in his and he gave it a squeeze, "If it makes you feel better, you can monitor Tess' progress once she starts testing the frequencies while Liam and I catch a quick nap."
Mer nodded, "Of course, I just wish you'd sleep a little more," she revealed as she let go of his hand and rolled her chair closer to wrap her arms around his neck, "I want you around for awhile, or at least as long as we have," she whispered.
Liam looked over and stood quickly, "I'm going for coffee. Do you guys want some?"
"Are you gonna freak out everytime we're affectionate?" Merrin asked as she turned her head on Malcolm's shoulder so she could see Liam.
"This takes some getting used to. Coffee?" he asked again. Merrin nodded so he scurried away.
"I heard you ask me to move into your house," Merrin said as she pulled away just enough to stand and sit in his lap, running her hands through his hair.
Malcolm could fall asleep as she caressed him but he blinked to stay awake and looked up at her, "I know you did and I know you carefully ignored it. You don't have to answer yet but it's an option. You're there most nights anyway," he finished logically, "I like having you there."
Merrin felt her lips curl into a warm smile before she leaned down and placed her lips to his, pulling his face closer to her. Her hand that was running through his hair was now firmly on the back of his neck to bring him closer so she could deepen the kiss. Her free hand was running down his neck to his chest where the buttons of his shirt rested.
Malcolm pulled her hand away, "Not here. I'm gonna get some sleep and you think over my offer," he said as he helped her off of his lap and began to walk away. Once he was at the doorway, he turned back, "Mer," he said causing her to look his way, "I love you too."