Six months.

Twenty-six weeks.

One hundred and eighty-two days.

That's how much time Kimbra had left to work with Bud Flud. The first month hadn't gone so well. The two often found themselves antagonizing one another or engaging in banter. She found it difficult to get any work done. How could anyone? Especially if you utterly despise the person you're working with.

This was such a terrible idea.

And yet Kimbra had hoped the following work day would be a breeze. 'All you have to do today is go over reports', Dr. Ainsley said. He swore up and down that not much was planned for her today.

That turned out to be far from the truth.

Three meetings, a survey, overlooking two tests, and having to speak with a few journalists from the St. Canard Newsletter, filled Kimbra's morning schedule.

And she still hadn't gotten to those reports yet.

The scientist let out an irritated sign as she glanced up at her office door for the eighth time.

What's taking her so long? She said 'be there soon' over an hour ago!

Kimbra grew impatient as she waited for Dr. Ainsley's assistant to bring her the weekly statistics reports. It felt like they came later each time. She didn't know why Ainsley kept the girl around. Things just fell further behind due to her incompetence.

Kimbra, be nice. She's doing her best and probably is as busy as you are. You wouldn't want someone talking about you like that, now would you?

She started to pick up the phone to dial the secretary's extension, but was interrupted before she pressed anything.

Dr. Ainsley opened the door without knocking, as he always did. It caught Kimbra off guard, as she assumed he had busied himself with the media. They hung around like vultures lately, wanting more information on the project, so they could have something to write about.

He smiled, looking warm and friendly as ever. "Hope you aren't too busy."

She set the phone back down. "No more than usual."

"I came in here for a reason… let me see." He stepped in as he tapped his chin.

"Sir the statistic reports?"

"Oh, that's why I came in here! Don't worry, I decided to take them for you."

Kimbra breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thanks."

"Think I'm starting to get up there in age," he chuckled. "Can't rightfully remember anything nowadays."

"You're not that old."

She still actually didn't know how old the reptilian was. Seventy? Eighty? It was a mystery, and Ainsley would never let his actual age slip. He says it's unnecessary information, something people have no need in knowing. They'd only use it against him somehow.

"There's no reason to go on lying," he brushed off Kimbra's compliment. "Flud will be here soon. Be a doll and show him how the pump system is going."

Kimbra tried her best to not sigh again. "Yes sir."

Anything to make the boss happy.

Dr. Ainsley glanced over out the window at the Flud Water billboard that was in view, looked at Kimbra, and smiled before leaving. He either found their feud amusing or was lightly teasing Kimbra over Bud.

I don't get why Ainsley likes that man.

Signalling its arrival, the elevator dinged, and Kimbra quickly stepped in before pressing the button for the first floor. Boring elevator music played from the speaker above her head. She almost forgot that Dr. Ainsley had that installed yesterday. He thought it'd relax the EcoTech staff and boost their morale. All it did was annoy them and made taking the elevator an uncomfortable experience.

The elevator moved slowly downwards, stopping a few times to pick up other employees. They'd give each other a small smile before returning to riding in silence. Eventually they made it to the first floor, and the doors opened. The small group departed, going their separate ways.

Kimbra headed down the hallway to the lobby. She then stepped down the staircase into the main lobby area. A male voice called out as someone crossing the room spotted her. It made Kimbra stop and tense up. She didn't want to deal with him right now. That arrogant, egotistical, sorry excuse of a businessman. She watched as he crossed the room towards her.

Bud greeted her with a smile as he approached. "Kimbra."

"Mr. Flud." She gave a monotone response.

He sighed. "Come on, you're still not mad about that billboard are you?"

"I haven't said anything about that."

"It's your tone ."

"I don't have a tone."

Bud held his hands up, immediately backing off the topic. At least he wasn't willing to argue this time. She didn't want to bother bickering as her day had started off bad enough.

"I guess you want to go see how far my team has gotten?"

He looked at Kimbra and again, gave her his trademark smile. "You'd be correct."

She turned around to go back up the stairs. "Follow me then."

Bud did as he attempted to start up a friendly conversation with her. She prompted to ignore him, walking ahead. It was hard to pretend he wasn't there once they had finally made it into the elevator. Classical music dimly played through a speaker above them. It caught Bud by surprise as he hadn't heard it the last time he was here.

He cast Kimbra a sideways glance. "Is that new?"

"Yes," she kept her focus on the closed doors, not paying much mind to him (not that she wanted to anyway).

"Huh," the businessman glanced back up at the speaker. It continued to play that irritating music. It didn't bother him as much as her, but he still considered it annoying.

"Dr. Ainsley thought it'd help relax the employees," Kimbra added. She didn't know what was worse, Bud's voice or the music.

"How's that going?"

"Bad. I can't stand it."

"Tell Ainsley that." He said, as the elevator slid smoothly upwards.

"He'll just say I'm being huffy."

"Aren't you always?"

She rolled her eyes. "Ha ha very funny."

The elevator abruptly stopped at floor twenty. The project department's floor. Kimbra's domain, or as she liked to say 'where the magic happens'. Now she knew magic wasn't actually real, it was strictly science. The catchphrase just sounded better than any technical term she could come up with.

Bud started yet another conversation as they walked down the hall. "I need your opinion on something."

"I don't care," Kimbra brushed him off.

'I still need your opinion on something."

Aren't you persistent? Fine then, I'll give you my opinion.

"Yes I think you use too much hair gel."

He frowned. "It's not that."

"Yes I think your suit looks tacky."

"What? No, it's not that either."

You still look like a used cars salesman.

"Yes I'm way out of your league."

"I beg to differ but no," Bud stopped her, and held his hands out dramatically. "Hear me out. Flud Seltzer Water."

What?

She placed a hand on her hip and raised an eyebrow. "Seltzer water?"

He nodded. "Yes! It's an idea for my new line of water."

"It's just water with white noise."

"No."

"It's just soda with no flavor."

"It can be flavored."

"Then it's not even water."

"It is."

"It's just soda then."

Again, he frowned. "Stop making this so complicated."

She started walking again, the CEO right by her side. "Why are you expanding anyway? Why not just stick to plain water?"

"So I can reach out to different customers. Some prefer seltzer water."

"Then fine, that's a great idea," she lied. Kimbra didn't actually care. She just wanted to stop being bothered. He shouldn't care about her opinion in the first place. If he actually respected her in the first place then maybe she'd give her honest thoughts.

But he didn't.

Hearing the impatience in her voice, Bud wisely changed the subject. "Anyway will this little project of yours even be done by December?"

"Yes, but I can ask my team about it, if that'd ease your troubled mind."

"It would."

One of the lab-coated men, a tan rodent, met them at the door of the C.O.R.E room. He seemed eager to update on the process of the reactor. His hands quickly flipped through the pages on his clipboard. His curly ginger hair hung over his face as he scanned the paper.

"Are we on track Ron?" Kimbra asked in hopes of answering Bud's question so he'd leave her alone.

"We're right on schedule ma'am." The technician answered proudly. "Today we're testing the new pump system."

She smirked at Bud. "See?"

"I don't even know what the pump system is or what it's for," the salesman responded with a small shrug.

"Don't worry about it."

"I'm worrying about it."

"I literally just said don't worry about it."

"Turning on the pump system," Neil, (who Bud hadn't noticed until now) called out, interrupting the two. He hated to intrude on their conversation, but they were mildly difficult to be around, especially when they were bickering back and forth.

They watched as the lion flipped on a few switches at the control panel. A soft whirring signaled that the pump system had been activated and was running smoothly, much to Kimbra's delight. Trial and error finally paid off for them.

"See, it's working just fine—"

The fluorescent lights above them flickered several times before going completely out. Kimbra had spoken too soon.

"Kimbra?" Neil softly said, somewhere in the dark.

"...What?"

"Kimbra the lights went out."

"I can see that Neil."

Bud spoke up. "Well I can't see at all."

Please don't start with the dad jokes. Please.

"Bud, this is not the time for jokes."

"I'm not joking."

Neil stumbled in the dark, but managed to shut the pump system off. The lights immediately came back on. Leaving Bud by himself, Kimbra walked over to her coworker. They talked for a moment, looking over the system. It was only a few minutes, but standing there alone felt like hours to Bud. He didn't know anything about this tech stuff. His lack of knowledge in that department always made him feel out of place here.

Kimbra walked past him towards the door. "Let's go Flud."

He wanted to ask where they were going, but she had already left the room before he could get a chance. Kimbra strolled through the corridors, avoiding her colleagues as she went (as she didn't have the time to chat). Bud followed her close behind, still not managing to get a word in.

"Can you tell me what we're doing?" He asked when he finally caught up to her.

"A part went out, and we need to change suppliers anyway." Kimbra explained as her heels clicked down the hallway. He just now realized she had Neil's clipboard in her hand.

"Why?"

She slowed her pace, shooting a look back towards Bud. "Our current one is severely delayed with their orders and I think we can find someone better."

Bud glanced at Kimbra, who now scribbled rapidly on the clipboard. "So we're doing… what?"

Does he not listen?

"Neil called several companies a few days ago because we wanted to change suppliers, and they're coming here to speak with us in the conference room." In one fluid motion she extended her arm out to him, handing the clipboard over. "I'll do all the talking."

He looked at the paper, which had the company names and parts they needed, written in pretty handwriting.

"You?"

"Yes me."

With a shake of his head, Bud disagreed. "Kimbra, listen. No offense but you aren't very... persuasive ."

"I can be!"

"Why don't you leave this to a professional?" He asked bluntly, with an absolute lack of shame.

"What are you gonna do? Sell them water?"

"I… no!" Bud ignored her sass, instead returning to the topic at hand. "I can do this."

"I know this line of work better than you."

"I'm the sponsor and I think I should be the one to choose our next supplier for the project," he said very bluntly.

"It's my project."

"I'm still the sponsor."

"It's still my project."

He groaned in frustration. "Can't you go five minutes without arguing with me like a child?"

"When you quit acting like a child first, then I will."

"Let me do this."

Kimbra gave in. "Ugh, fine ." She stepped inside the conference room and took a seat as Bud lingered outside.

He would greet the men and show them into the room, where they'd begin discussing plans and seeing who's best fit for EcoTech. Kimbra figured he could manage to do something as simple as that. After a period of waiting, muffled voices forced her to look up. Through the glass wall, she could see Bud chatting away with several men in suits. She assumed they were the company CEOs that Neil had called. She knew this meeting was scheduled ahead of time, she was prepared. Yet here came Bud Flud, taking control out from under her.

She watched him as he talked his way into the men's hearts.

Now Bud was laughing. What was so funny? He probably made some lame joke, and he's so full of himself that he actually thinks he's funny.

Now the other CEOs are laughing. He's not even that funny.

Great, they're shaking hands and exchanging numbers.

She frowned.

He was actually using this as an opportunity to network and sell his water to the potential suppliers. When she said 'sell them water' , she meant that as a joke!

This can't be happening.

Kimbra wasn't really shocked that Bud would do this, yet part of her wished he cared more about their current task at hand instead of his own interest.

As soon as he sat down beside her, Kimbra snapped. "Did you really have to do that?"

"What's wrong?"

"I just thought you'd take this more seriously."

"I have!"

"You're using this as an opportunity for your…" Kimbra paused as she tried to word this appropriately. "Business endeavors."

"No, it's merely a convenience."

"You got them to sign a deal with your company!"

"It was just convenient!" He defended himself.

"Stop using me to benefit yourself!"

"I'm not!"

"Yes you are!"

Bedore Bud could get another word in, three middle-aged men stepped into the room and sat down at the large table across from the pair.

"How's that project of yours coming along?" One asked. He had introduced himself as Mr. Bidwell out in the hallway. Not that a certain salesman would bother telling Kimbra.

"It's going well," Bud so thoughtfully answered for her.

Seriously?

Kimbra shot him a glare. "Yeah… it's going… well."

He better not do this the entire time.

"My partner and I—"

Bud began to speak, but he was rudely interrupted. Kimbra kicked Bud under the table, and he kicked her right back. She shot him a dirty glare that he bluntly ignored.

He spoke again. "As I was saying, my partner and I would be thrilled to work with your company."

Did he seriously already pick a supplier? Without even running it by her?

"We're pleased to hear that," the man smiled as he pulled papers out of a folder.

Kimbra didn't pay much attention to the conversation after that. Bud did all the talking. He was so much better at communicating with people than her. More charming. Every word that came out of his mouth was the right thing to say. He made them smile, laugh. They enjoyed talking to him. And ignoring her. The actual head of the project. The person they were supposed to be talking to.

Kimbra no longer felt important.

She grew tired of seeing the men fawn over Bud, so leaned over to him when given the chance. "Why don't you let me talk to them?"

"Kimbra," He spoke softly, as the men in front of them were chatting with one another.

"Yes Bud?"

"So… don't take this the wrong way."

"Saying that just tells me I should take it the wrong way," she didn't know what to expect from him, but it would probably be an insult.

"Well, I'm telling you to not take it the wrong way."

"I'm gonna take it the wrong way."

"I told you not to."

"I am."

"I just think that sometimes you're… not really a people person." As soon it was out of his mouth, Bud realized it was a mean thing to say. Especially right in the presence of guests.

Kimbra's silence confirmed that.

For the sake of professionalism, she didn't make a response. What Bud said may have been true, but using that against her to take over the project was inappropriate.

It wasn't her fault she didn't know how to talk to people.

Mr. Bidwell murmured something close to Bud's ear. It made Bud laugh, and he patted the man on the back before watching him leave the room.

"That went better than I expected."

Kimbra said nothing out of spite.

"If you want to be that way, then fine." Bud started to leave with Kimbra at his heels.

A tense silence floated around them. They walked down the corridor, neither saying a word. Making a scene out in front of the EcoTech staff would encourage more gossip. She didn't want to be the talk of the break room tomorrow morning.

Kimbra scoffed at him as soon as they stepped into the elevator. "I can't believe you just said that in front of them!"

"Don't make this into something it's not." Bud sighed as he hit the button for the first floor.

The doors close and the elevator jolts a bit, beginning its journey down.

"You turned it into something when you insulted me in front of our supplier!"

"I can't do this with you right now," the man waved his hand, telling her to knock it off. "I have things to do."

She replied only with a huff, but kept quiet for the entirety of the ride. The classical music playing above their heads didn't help the situation much, it only irritated them further.

Then the elevator stopped. They stood there for a moment, neither not knowing who should step out first. The air inside was still tense and both wanted nothing more than to escape from it.

So, Bud walked out first with Kimbra lingering behind. Neither said a word to one another as they walked down the hall and into the lobby. Both of them had set off on their separate ways. Bud went down the staircase and through the lobby to leave the building. Most likely back to his own company as he had work to do.

Well… good riddance.

Kimbra paced down the hall, hoping to avoid interacting with anyone before EcoTech closed for the day. Bud already put her in a sour mood, and she was afraid of snapping at some poor intern.

Tomorrow is another day.

For the following days Kimbra avoided Bud. They'd cross paths in the lobby occasionally, but they'd avoid eye contact. The businessman was kept up to date on the project by the rest of the team and Dr. Ainsley. Work was peaceful for the most part.

For now.

This specific morning started off stormy. Dark clouds floated over the city, shrouding it in a blanket of darkness. Kimbra rushed to finish the last reports that were due soon. Storms usually knocked EcoTech's power out, so they had to rush against time to finish.

Leslie leaned over, watching Kimbra type away. "You take forever to type reports."

Kimbra stopped typing, looked at her co-worker, and smiled. "Leslie?"

"Yes?"

"Would you rather do it?"

"I'm sure it'd go much faster if I did."

"Then be my guest." Kimbra leaned back, presenting the computer to her.

"No, Dr. Ainsley specifically asked you to document the Gunderson test results."

"Then let me do it my way." She began to type once more, ignoring Leslie's eye roll.

A streak of lightning followed by a deafening boom split the air and they both flinched in surprise.

The feline composed herself. "I'd save that if I was you."

"I'm almost done, shush."

"Kimbra, the last thunderstorm knocked our power out for hours. You'll lose your work."

Kimbra waved her off. "I'm almost done."

"Kimbra."

"I just have to finish this last column."

"Just please save it."

"No I'm almost done."

Another flash and loud boom occurred. This time, the power flickered on and off.

"Wait, no no no no!" Kimbra pleaded with the computer before the system went dead.

Everything around the two went dark. Now Kimbra is even more frustrated. Nothing ever seemed to go right for her. If one thing started going well, something else had to break.

EcoTech really should fix their electrical problem.

"I told you to save," the feline said in a I-told-you-so manner.

"Shut up."

The rumbling outside intensified.

Kimbra stood up from the desk. "Let's go turn on the generator."

"Are you sure?" Leslie said, with a hint of doubt in her voice. "It's pretty old, and we haven't used it in years."

"I'm sure it works just fine."

It better work or someone is getting a strongly worded email.

Leslie followed Kimbra out of the office and down the hall. They'd have to take the stairwell, since the elevator wasn't working due to lack of power. A flash of lightning lit the windows and was quickly followed by a deep rumble. It startled Leslie, who began walking closer to Kimbra.

"Is someone scared?" Kimbra teased.

"No!" Leslie snapped at her out of embarrassment. "Just get in the stairwell and let's get down to the basement."

EcoTech's basement was right above the underground testing facility. It mostly served as storage, and the occasional getaway from one of EcoTech's useless parties. It took time to get to, due to the elevator currently being unavailable. The two women discussed their own ideas, filling the silent halls with their voices. It helped pass the time as they stepped into the basement.

Maybe this wouldn't take too long.

Once they finally found the generator, Kimbra handed the flashlight over to Leslie. "Hold the flashlight for me."

She took it, shining it onto the generator. "Do you even know what you're doing?"

"I always know what I'm doing," the scientist opened the hatch that exposed several colored wires.

Well, maybe that wasn't quite true.

Kimbra fiddled with them a few moments before realizing what the problem was. Leslie, on the other hand, was more intrigued with Kimbra's relationship with the water salesman. She'd been pondering over it on their way down there. Finding a time to bring it up was difficult, as she didn't know what her friend's reaction would be.

But she finally mustered the courage to ask. "Is there a reason why you're feuding with Mr. Flud?"

The sudden question surprised Kimbra, but she answered, still working with the wires. "He's a pain in the ass."

"People think you're having a lover's spat."

A what?

"Leslie, we don't even like each other." She pulled a wire cutter out of her coat pocket and snipped one of the wires. "We can't be having one of those."

"I'm just telling you what I heard."

"Who the hell is talking about me and Bud anyway?" Another wire was cut.

"People. We sometimes get a little bored here."

Bored? There's so much work to do!

"Instead of gossiping, maybe if some of our staff used that time to work, then we could actually meet deadlines."

"So, you don't like Bud?"

"I don't like Bud Flud."

"You're awfully defensive about it."

Kimbra looked at her. "Leslie!"

Leslie raised an eyebrow and continued. "Don't you think you might despise that man so much because he reminds you of yourself?"

No, both stubborn and work obsessed maybe, but that's all they had in common. Kimbra considered herself more selfless, caring, and not full of herself. Bud on the other hand...

"I despise capitalists who try using me and my project for their own gain," she turned back to the generator, shoving the cutters back into her pocket.

"I'm sure there's more to it than that."

"Why are you siding with him?" Kimbra grimaced disdainfully at the wires in her hand as she inspected them. She wanted to replace them, but that'd take time. For now, they'd have to settle for the poor hack job she's done.

"I just feel bad for him… sort of. His company isn't doing well from what I heard."

"So you think it's fine for him to use me, so he can get back on his feet?" The scientist tied the wires together.

"I didn't say that."

That's what it sounded like.

A few worn wires sparked as they came to life when the switch was flipped on. The generator whirred as it started up, forcing EcoTech's power to restart.

"I really rather not talk about him." Kimbra stood after she closed the hatch.

"Yet you do… an awful lot."

"I swear if I hear one more person mention his name I will snap." She huffed, hoping that her tone alone is enough to convey the seriousness of her words. Kimbra meant it. She didn't want to hear or even think about Bud when she didn't have to.

They walked quietly into the elevator. Now that the power was back they could use it, instead of climbing flights of stairs. Kimbra pressed a numbered button and the doors closed. Boring classical music poured out from the speaker above them.

After a few seconds, Leslie slowly leaned over, inches away from Kimbra's ear.

Then she spoke.

"Bud Flud."

"Leslie!"

Later that day, Kimbra stood on the balcony in EcoTech's lobby. Her arms rested on the railing, letting her hands hang off.

Bud was late. Really late. He shouldn't be late. Why did he bother sponsoring her if he didn't want to arrive on time? Mr. Barksdale was never late. He even came early sometimes. Unlike Bud, Mr. Barksdale wasn't a selfish, egotistical, bratty capitalist that thrived by leeching off others.

The scientist grumbled and rubbed her eyes.

She didn't want to do this anymore. This project was a mistake, and she should have kept it to herself. The world didn't need it. It didn't need her.

It doesn't really need Bud Flud either.

"Hey Kelly! Loving that new haircut," that annoying male voice forced Kimbra to look up.

Speak of the devil.

"You're late, again." She called out, grabbing his attention. She stepped down onto the stairs to meet him.

Without a break in motion, Bud made his way across the lobby and to the staircase.

"I had to go by my office and do some work and then go over inventory at the factory." He admitted when he was close enough for her to hear.

She scoffed. "A call would have been nice."

"I'm not a child. I don't have to constantly update you on my whereabouts."

"Yeah, but you're my sponsor and I need to know if you'll be late."

"You're such a headache." He said, starting up the stairs past the purple-haired canine.

Kimbra followed him. "And you're irresponsible."

"Says the one who had their security guard tackle me at the door," Bud stopped in the middle of the hall. His expression showed he still held hard feelings towards Kimbra for the incident.

Is he really bringing that up again?

"That was weeks ago!"

"I hold a grudge."

"Well so do I. And I haven't forgotten about that hideous billboard of yours right outside my window." Kimbra pointed towards the direction where the billboard stood.

He waved off the insult. "It's beautiful, you're just a critic."

"Pretty sure it's what caused that traffic accident on Westmore Road."

"That had nothing to do with me."

"I'm sure it didn't."

"I need to talk to Ainsley before we get started." Before walking off, Bud looked over his shoulder at her. "Oh… by the way, on Monday I need you to drop by my office again."

"Why?"

"I'm booked with meetings and I won't have time to go over next weekend's plan with you."

You're so self-absorbed.

"Fine, if that's more convenient for you." She said with a sarcastic tone.

"Thanks, but you don't have to have an attitude about it."

"Just go."

He couldn't help but smirk back at her before entering the elevator. Once the elevator doors closed, the white canine loudly groaned and threw her head back. Kimbra was ready to go home, so she could enjoy her weekend. Alone.