Monday morning rolled around, and Kimbra slept on and off until her alarm rang.

She prayed that it would stop as she buried her head underneath her pillow, but the loud beeping refused. Nothing she did could muffle that awful sound. The canine didn't even want to drag herself out of bed today. It felt pointless. Work hadn't been all that exciting, unless you considered filing paperwork to be. For Kimbra, it only gave her a migraine. She wanted to be out doing actual science. Work on finishing the C.O.R.E project. That sort of stuff.

But no. This was real life, after all. Sometimes you get stuck with the boring parts.

That's depressing.

She sat up, raking a hand through her unbrushed hair. It felt gross and unkempt, probably from tossing and turning in her sleep all night.

Well, it was time to fix that.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Kimbra began to leave for her shift over at EcoTech. She picked up her car keys off the kitchen counter and headed out the door.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee was rich in the air. It reminded Kimbra of the small diner that she used to waitress at after school. How she knew everyone who came in by name and their usual order. The way it felt cozy and had that familiar homey feeling.

I really miss home. As soon as this project is over with, I can move back.

Stopping by the small coffee shop, The Loft, on her way to work wasn't part of Kimbra's schedule for today. But she was tired and needed something to wake her up. Usually, everyone at EcoTech sent the interns to go get the coffee, but Kimbra didn't trust them enough to order the right thing. They'd end up getting her the wrong drink or dump it in her lap.

No, thanks.

She ordered a small vanilla latte, and sat at a table by the window.

A pair of brown eyes wouldn't stop looking at her from across the room. At first, Kimbra just thought she was being paranoid or that her peripheral vision was playing tricks on her. Several minutes passed, and now she was convinced someone was definitely staring at her.

She finally looked up, and saw who it was.

Dr. Ross Spector. Ainsley and EcoTech's rival.

He looked away for a moment as the barista handed him his coffee. The man stepped out of the line, heading towards her. Not something she was expecting from him.

Was she dreaming? Why would she be dreaming about Dr. Spector?

Kimbra stood up from the table, preparing herself for whatever was about to happen.

No, this wasn't awkward at all.

Spector smiled.

Okay. Not liking this.

The man that her boss constantly went off on rants about was headed this way. Just in a few seconds, he'd be standing in front of her. Face to face.

I can still make it out if I sprint to the door.

She almost took a step backward when he approached her.

Kimbra didn't have time, or the courage to react. Dr. Spector stopped and stood in front of her, still sporting that warm smile from before.

"You work at EcoTech, right?"

She was expecting a snarky comment from him, so she put her guard up. "Yes?"

"Dr. Ross Spector," he held out his free hand for her to shake. "Pleasure to meet you."

She shook his hand. "I know who you are."

He's even more handsome up close.

Kimbra almost said that out loud, but she had professionalism to maintain.

Don't call your boss's rival handsome! Stop it!

She felt her face grow hot. Was she blushing? She hoped her face wasn't a bright shade of red. That'd be embarrassing, even for her.

Yeah, she wasn't going to say that out loud.

There was a subtle change in the atmosphere, one that Kimbra couldn't describe.

And then Spector asked her a question that confused her even further.

"I know this is sudden, but… are you free for dinner tonight?"

Kimbra brushed off her strange encounter with Dr. Spector as she stepped through the doorway of her office.

What a great start to the day.

Somehow, she convinced herself that going out with the innovator was a good idea. A chance to finally do something other than work. A chance to socialize with someone who wasn't a coworker or her sponsor.

What was she doing? Going out with him? It's a horrible idea set up for disaster. His question caught her off guard, and she immediately blurted out a 'yes, I'd love to'.

Don't get involved. Every time you got with a guy, it ended in disaster.

The rest of the morning passed with paperwork and phone calls. The Spector situation temporarily left her mind. Right now, it focused on this report that she couldn't help but keep screwing up. Kimbra crumpled the paper up and tossed it in the wastebasket by the door. She was running on absolutely nothing but caffeine and anxiety.

A knock at the door pulled her away from work. She looked up with a smile and called out, "come in".

The smile didn't last.

Leslie came in with more paperwork and a chart. It never failed. Right when Kimbra almost finished her work, someone would come by with even more for her to do.

Just another thing she needed to deal with.

She took the chart from her friend without a word and looked over it. Leslie stood there, patiently waiting. Staring. Without a single word.

Kimbra snapped shut the chart she was holding. "Why are you staring at me?"

"What's with you today? You had that same dopey smile when you came in earlier…"

Oh god, was she really smiling when she came into work?

"Don't ask if you don't wanna know."

"I want to know."

"You don't wanna know."

You said that already. Oh. Well, I'm saying it again.

"Oh, I wanna know."

Kimbra kept her face guardedly blank. "There's nothing going on."

"Liar."

"Fine," the blue-eyed canine huffed. "I was getting coffee and ran into Dr. Spector, and he asked me out to dinner, and I said yes."

Leslie's eyes grew wide with horror.

The feline was speaking even too quickly for herself. "Kimbra Diane Wulfe, you can not go out with Spector! He's the company's rival! What would Dr. Ainsley and the directors think? You cannot date him!"

Oh, she hadn't thought of that.

No… it's not right. You're being a traitor.

"Damn, Leslie, say it louder, I don't think the whole building heard you."

Actually, please don't. But yes, I see your point.

"I'm serious," Leslie pointed a finger at the canine. "Don't go out with him. I don't trust him."

Kimbra held up her hands in defense. "Les, relax, it's just dinner."

Yeah, it's just dinner. Nothing more. But… what if he thinks he wants to be with me? That would be okay, wouldn't it?

She didn't think her employer would mind too much. Or at least he never mentioned it.

Maybe.

No, there was nothing wrong with going out to dinner with Ross Spector. Clearly she saw no issue with it. Leslie, per usual, was being overdramatic.

Having dinner with Ross wasn't wrong.

Kimbra stood in front of the elevator and waited for the doors to open. Once they did, she spotted Bud leaning on the back wall of the elevator. She didn't even know he was here today. He hadn't come around to pester her or gloat about the Jackals's recent win.

"Hey there Blue." She smiled as she stepped in.

"And where did that nickname come from?" He raised an eyebrow, still leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Your tie," her hand reached out to gently tug on it. "It's pretty much your color."

"It just fits the whole water salesman thing."

She pressed a button for the first floor, and joined his side. "Do you want to know why water has a slight blue tint?"

"Not really."

"The water mops up the longer, redder wavelengths of light, leaving the bluer wavelengths unscathed. Thus, it has a blue appearance."

"Kimbra?"

"Yes?"

"I don't care."

She frowned.

The elevator stopped at the second floor and the pair stepped out.

Bud followed her out, getting into her personal space. "Are you avoiding me today?" He leaned close to her as he walked by her side.

Oh, yes. For so many reasons.

"No? I didn't even know you were here today."

"I came in late and Ainsley kept dragging me around everywhere and talked my head off."

"Yeah, he's pretty bad about doing that." Kimbra peered out one of the windows, realizing she hadn't kept up with the time. "What time is it?"

Bud checked his wristwatch. "Almost three-thirty."

Her blue eyes went wide. "I have to go."

"Hey, wait a minute—"

"Gotta go, I have a date." She said, fluttering her hand like it wasn't all that important. She had come to drop off some paperwork at Dr. Elliot's office, but that could wait until tomorrow.

"A date? You have a date? With who?" Bud asked when he halted and turned back with a skeptical expression.

He hadn't heard? What a shock. Everyone at EcoTech liked to gossip and the news of Dr. Wulfe having a date, would have spread like wildfire.

Kimbra opened her mouth to reply, but instead spun around on her heels and ran away down the hallway. She sprinted down the stairs to the ground floor and then out the building and across the sidewalk to the parking deck.

Avoiding answering Bud's question might have been overdramatic, but she didn't want his mockery to ruin her good mood. But what were her options, really? The sooner she left, the better .

She already knew what he'd say: You know of his reputation, right? He's your boss's rival.

So, not telling him was the better option.

However, in her haste to get away from him, she'd forgotten her car keys back in her office.

Kimbra groaned and headed back to the building.

This felt like the beginning of a long night.

Ross Spector was a smart man, almost too smart for his own good, really. Exceedingly charming. Those eyes and that hair. The way he talked and how he listened closely to you when you spoke.

Kimbra had taken a liking to him almost immediately. Everything about him was flawless. The definition of the word perfect.

Spector might have been a known ass, but Kimbra saw a softer side of him. Maybe he really was a good, kind person. Ainsley could have been wrong about him all along.

But oh god, would he be mad if he knew what she was doing right now.

For the rest of the night, her worries about getting fired fled. She was off the clock. Tomorrow morning, she could stress over whether her boss would dismiss her for going out with his rival.

"You look gorgeous tonight." Spector spoke, resting his chin on the knuckles of his hand. The warm glow of the candle flickered across his face in the dimly lit room.

A tiny million butterflies bounced in Kimbra's stomach, trying to break free. "Oh, um… thank you."

"I also noticed you and Bud Flud spend a lot of time together." His expression was unreadable.

"Well, he's my project sponsor so…"

"Oh, pardon me, I just assumed you two were together ."

Together. She hated that word. Why did everyone keep assuming that?

"Oh no," Kimbra shook her head. "No, we're just friends. I don't think that much of him."

One truth, one lie.

They're just good friends, that's all.

Or at least Bud never mentioned it being anything more.

Sarcasm and mockery. That's all their relationship was built upon. Antagonizing one another until one of them finally snapped under pressure. They were nothing more. They could barely even stand each other most of the time.

Apparently, that was a good enough response.

Spector nodded, as though it made perfect sense. "He's an idiot for not at least trying to pursue something with someone as intelligent and beautiful as you."

Well… there was that time at Ainsley's birthday party.

Unlike Bud, Ross said all the right things at exactly the right time.

Not falling in love with the scientist was going to be quite a challenge. She hated how much she wanted his compliments. Hated how much of an impact his opinion had on her. But what did it really matter? She most likely wouldn't ever see him again after this night.

But to her surprise, the date…or whatever this was, went well. They laughed and discussed their work. Their lives, hobbies, and just about anything.

The rodent laughed at something she had said. "Why, Dr. Wulfe, I might start believing that you really do like me after all."

"You're fine, I guess." It sounded snarky, but she was smiling.

"Good because I really like you." He said it looking into her eyes, in a low, intimate tone.

Allowing herself a smile, she ducked her head and picked up her glass. "I like you too."

"So EcoTech funding the windmill farm in Echo Hills was your idea?"

Kimbra smirked against the rim of the glass. "What can I say? I'm a big fan of renewable energy."

"A joke, how cute."

"And I'm sure the great Dr. Spector has a better one."

"Two scientists walk into a bar. 'I'll have an H2O,' says the first. 'I'll have an H2O, too,' says the second. The second scientist dies."

A sip and then she sat the glass back down with a smile. "That was terrible."

"I know," he laughed. "My employees hate when I tell that one."

Seriously, why does Dr. Ainsley hate this man again? He's too charming to dislike.

"By the way…did you ask me out just so you could snatch me from EcoTech?"

"Do you think that's why I asked you out?"

"Well…" Kimbra began to trail off, but caught herself. "It crossed my mind, considering you're my boss's rival."

"I get it," Spector rested his hands on the table, clasping them together. "The guy your boss swears is the devil, asks you, one of his employees, out. I know how it looks, but I promise you, that's not my intention at all."

"I would have declined, anyway."

"But you haven't even heard my offer."

"You're cute, but no, thanks."

He chuckled, jokingly. "You can't say that I didn't try."

Kimbra found herself liking Ross Spector more and more by the minute. Too bad this could be the only time they crossed paths.

She couldn't break Dr. Ainsley's trust.

This night was most likely a mistake anyway.

The two scientists stood in front of Kimbra's apartment complex. Spector had insisted on walking her to the lobby door (something Bud would never do). They were saying their goodbyes, and reminiscing about moments of the night.

"Thank you for asking me out, I had a lot of fun." Kimbra said, slightly disappointed it was already over.

"The pleasure is all mine." Spector said, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm.

Kimbra hoped she wasn't visibly swooning, but she couldn't be certain.

"I hope we can do this again sometime", she felt his hot breath so achingly close to her skin.

"M-maybe," Kimbra managed to blurt out.

He grinned and headed back to his car. She watched as it pulled out of the parking lot, and disappeared out of sight.

Kimbra's heart started to beat a little faster. She couldn't recall the last time someone made her feel this way.

It finally happened. She fell in love again.

Kimbra twisted a lock of her hair nervously. She was supposed to be asleep, like the rest of the city. The steady downpour of rain beating down outside her window should have calmed her nerves. But she couldn't get her mind off him .

She groaned, burying her face into the nearby pillow.

I don't normally act this way. I mean, that really isn't me.

She thought the feelings would go away eventually, but they kept coming. She was supposed to be better than this. Gushing over a man, Ross Spector of all people? She was acting like a teenage girl again.

He likes you and you like him. Of course, you're giddy. You might get that happy ever after you always wanted. No more being solely focused on work and pouring most of your time into it.

The thought made her shiver.

She hated herself for it.

But how would her coworkers and boss react to the news? That she was seeing the enemy?

There was no way she could fool anybody.

Well, that's it. She's fired.

She knew exactly what Dr. Ainsley would say. He'd go off and name off a dozen reasons on why Ross is a terrible person. How SpecCorp is a disgrace to the science world. How much of a traitor she is.

Then…then he'd fire her.

Frankly, Kimbra was on the fence about this whole dating Spector thing. It'd ruin her career, then again, she deserved to be happy.

What was she going to do?

So really, she had no idea what to tell anyone. She didn't think she'd cross paths with the SpecCorp CEO ever again anyway. Yet as the night continued, she found herself wanting to see him again.

She stared off into the remaining moonlight that spilled through the single window, which was slowly fading into the approaching dawn.

In a way, it had been love at first sight. Of course, feelings could be deceiving. It could be just her getting over excited about the attention and respect Spector was giving her.

Absolutely nothing good could come of that.

The morning sun rose, casting colorful rays over St. Canard. The sleepy residents of the city woke up with it, preparing for their day. Kimbra walked through the halls of EcoTech, a smile upon her face.

And it was the result of feeling absolute joy.

Which was a problem.

The problem is that you're scared. You're scared of being vulnerable with someone again. You're scared of having a relationship. You're scared of heartbreak.

A few doors down, Neil walked out of his office with a handful of papers. He glanced up as Kimbra approached.

"What's got you so happy today?"

Don't kiss and tell.

"I did a thing." Kimbra continued on as he walked by her side.

"What thing?"

"Let's...not talk about the thing."

" Kimbra ."

Fine.

She stopped in the middle of the corridor. "I went out with my boss's rival, Dr. Spector, and I think I like him. Not in a friend-like way but in a like-like way. But he's the rival of the company I work for, and I don't know if dating him is a good idea and things with Bud are kind of weird right now," she blurted out in a rush and then inwardly winced. "I think I'm losing it."

"Ew, you like Bud too?"

Is that the only thing you got from all that? Seriously?

"What? No !" The thought made her want to vomit. "It's like we're becoming friends, but at the same time it still feels tense."

"You like the water salesman…"

"Shut the fuck up, no I don't."

"Poor little Kimbra," he said in a tone full of pity. "Torn between two men."

Her voice rose sharply. "I am not!"

"One is her boss's sworn enemy, the other is Bud McFlud."

"It's Flud."

"Of course you care enough to correct me. What did the boss say about this?"

She hadn't told him, of course. But really, what did that matter?

"He doesn't know, and I'm worried about him finding out."

"Worst-case scenario is that he fires you."

No, that won't happen. It can't happen. He can't afford to replace you. Unless…he can because you're easily replaceable. There are dozens of other qualified scientists who can easily take your place.

Oh, boy. She drew a quick breath.

He didn't need to know. No one else needed to know. She should have not gone out with Spector last night.

You're digging your own grave, Wulfe.

Dr. Ainsley's face was bright and ready for the day. He called in several of the C.O.R.E team, including Kimbra, to one of the labs. They were testing a newly built part for the reactor. Ainsley insisted it had to be done today, so the project could move forward.

He rushed the team into the lab, eager to begin. "We've got science to do."

Kimbra followed Neil and Leslie into the brightly lit room. Two large tables stood on each side of the room, filled with equipment and tools.

Wear Protective Eyewear

A long row of warning symbols embellished the sign at the bottom.

Dozens of similar posters had been slapped all over the walls, hoping to encourage safety and bring down the percentage of accidents.

"Let's get to work, people," Dr. Ainsley said as he walked into the room behind them.

In one hand was a mug filled with a hot liquid. Kimbra knew he recently cut out coffee for his health, so most likely it was either tea or hot chocolate. Ainsley sipped his drink, reviewing the supply contract someone had just handed him.

The elderly man looked up and gave her one of those smiles that said, 'dunno what I'd do without you, kiddo.'

And that made her feel like shit.

I won't think about you. I shouldn't think about you. I can't think about you.

Kimbra tried not to. She really did. Honest to god and on her mother's grave, she tried not to think about Dr. Ross Spector (not that it helped all that much).

But she couldn't stop. His smile. His dark hair. The way he made her laugh.

You're so screwed.

Bud caught up with her on the stairs on her way down to the elevator to go home for the day. Like he had been looking everywhere for her. Like he had to ask her something. She took that as a bad sign.

Kimbra wanted to tell him to screw off. Yet, she stopped at the bottom of the stairs, keeping her composure. They spoke at the same time, stumbling over each other's words. They stopped, grimacing at the awkwardness that enveloped the surrounding air.

Finally, Bud spoke first. "How was your date?"

Kimbra laughed, trying to play off as obvious. "W-what date?'

Pause.

"The date you said you had?"

There was another awful pause between them.

"Oh, that date…" She laughed again—more nervously.

Kimbra found it hard to look him in the face. She had no intentions of telling him any time soon, either. No…she wasn't ready for any additional drama that would cause.

Just keep it a secret…for now.

She looked ashamed to admit the thought even crossed her mind.

I'm not really proud of this, but there it is.

"Who did you go out with?"

Just tell him.

"…Ross Spector."

His chest rose as he inhaled deeply.

"Don't you even say a word." She gave him a frustrated look, knowing what he would say.

"We need to talk about it."

"No. We don't." Kimbra immediately shut him down. She preferred not to discuss the topic of who she went out with.

An argument was likely to follow. Bud would scold her for going behind Dr. Ainsley's back. He'd say that Ross Spector was a terrible man and didn't deserve her. Or he'd find some other way to tell her that seeing anyone right now was a bad idea.

And she really didn't want to hear it. Not when she was finally feeling some thread of happiness.

"Alright." That was all Bud said. He didn't try to argue or pressure her into having a conversation on the matter. Something very out of character for the man.

She watched his jaw set. Kimbra couldn't be certain, but he looked upset.

Is that what was bothering him? That she was seeing Dr. Spector, or that she was seeing someone at all? Is he being overprotective or just trying to sabotage your life out of pure spite?

No, it has to be the first one. You're only friends. What other explanation could there be?

She noticed him clenching and unclenching his hands, as if he was trying to keep his composure. He said nothing else on the way down to the first floor. They patiently waited in silence. Awkward uncomfortable silence.

The elevator doors finally opened, and the two of them stepped out into the lobby. They walked side by side to the entrance without saying a word to one another. Not even when they left the building and headed to the parking deck. Before they parted ways, Bud looked at her, almost saying something but deciding not to at the last second.

There was a firmness to his gaze.

Kimbra didn't look at him as she walked to her car.

Well. I wasn't sure what to make of that.

She considered asking how he felt about her seeing Ross and if that's why his attitude towards her was poor. Then she remembered that she frankly didn't give a damn what Bud thought.

If I cared about what other people think, then I wouldn't be in this line of work.

It sounded like something her boss would say.

She unlocked the door to her car, slid in the driver's seat, and leaned her head back with a soft sigh.

It had been a long day and all Kimbra wanted to do was go home.