She smiled up at her mentor as he walked around his desk and perched on it, looking at her closely.

Her strawberry blonde hair had been dyed a flame red and the dress-and-jacket combo had been picked out to really emphasise both her hair and her green eyes.

She waited for his approval.

Finally, after what seemed an age, he stood and held out both hands to her, helping her stand. He cupped her cheeks and she bowed her head, smiling wider as he bestowed a kiss on her forehead.

'My little Olesya. You are ready. I shall miss our talks. Do you have everything?'

'Da, otetz.'

'English, my daughter. English only from now on.'

'Yes, my father. I am ready.'

He kissed her once more and led her to the waiting plane.

When the plane landed in Houston, Texas a young woman carrying one small case stepped off. She was met by a man from the new job she was about to start. They shook hands and he offered to carry her case as they made their way to the waiting car.

'My name is Chuck Hanse. NASA sent me. I'm here to escort you to your new home and then show you how to get to your new job.'

'Thank you, Chuck. I'm Lucille Evans. But you can call me Lucy.'

Jefferson Grant Tracy backed away from the engine module he had been looking over, wiping his greasy hands on a cloth that wasn't actually helping.

He couldn't wipe the grin off his face. Whoever the new engineer was he was a genius. Even Jeff himself hadn't thought to solve the issue they had been having like this. He couldn't wait to meet this man and exchange ideas.

He backed up and turned around…straight into a woman in blue coveralls, knocking her flat on her ass.

Shocked green eyes blinked up at him and for a moment Jeff froze. Those eyes were mesmerising, set off by flame-red hair that was tied up with a scarf. She blushed under his gaze and suddenly Jeff was acutely aware that he should have helped the woman off the floor.

'God, I'm so sorry!'

He reached down and helped her to her feet. The coveralls did nothing to hide the woman inside them. She was tall, almost as tall as he was, and slim. Red hair, green eyes and full lips. Oh god, he needed to get a grip! It was Jeff's turn to blush when those lips he was admiring formed into a smirk. She held out her hand.

'Lucille Evans. Lucy.'

'Ah, er…Jeff. Jeff Tracy.'

They shook. She had a firm grip. Long fingers that were calloused with hard work, much like his own. Jeff shook himself. He really needed to get a grip! This was not the first woman to ever turn his head, but there was something about this one…he stooped and picked up the clipboard off the floor she'd dropped and handed it back to her.

They turned to look at the engine module. Jeff gave Lucy a side glance – she was hugging the clipboard and was gently biting the corner. Of course she chose that moment to turn her head and look at him. She dropped the clipboard and smiled.

'Do you like her?'

'I do. Did you – did you fix her?'

'I did.'

'I can't believe you fixed it! And such a simple fix too!'

Lucy flashed him a big grin and tapped her head.

'I am very good at out-the-box thinking.'

'That you are!'

They turned back to the engine. And stood there staring at it for a good five minutes before Jeff swallowed and turned once more to the woman beside him.

'Lucille Evans…'

'Lucy, please.'

'Lucy. Do you maybe want to grab a coffee with me one time?'

She looked him up and down, eyebrow cocking when he blushed slightly. Unconsciously she began to bite the tip of the clipboard again while she contemplated her response. Jeff had never been so nervous to hear if a woman would go out with him.

'Sure. Pick me up at seven.'

She wrote something on the paperwork, tore off a corner and handed it to him. Jeff took it.

'Don't lose that. And don't be late.'

He watched her leave.

Damn.

Damn, he was hooked.