For Honor or Glory

Lessons

Chapter 19 

Alex was still smiling when she got into the lab that morning. A couple of the other interns gave her curious looks, but none of them stopped her—not even Peter. There was a jaunt in her step that had little to do with the coffee she had with breakfast. Most of it was the fact that Genesis had insisted that if she would be working late, he at least be allowed to take her out that weekend. It might have also had something to do with the kiss he gave her when she left and the promise she could read in his eyes. She wasn't sure she was ready for that yet, but it was hard not to think about it when she looked at him. She did her best to banish the thought that it helped her understand why other women would be attracted to him too. That was an avenue she didn't feel like exploring.

She had already started her first pass on professor Rayleigh's project for the day when Peter walked by. It took her several seconds to realize he had stopped and was staring. When she finally noticed, she looked over with a grin as she said, "Good morning!"

He almost looked taken aback by her exuberant greeting. He also didn't respond to it. Instead, he pointed to the culture plate in her hand as he said, "Has the professor put you on this project already?"

Alex nodded as she put the plate back in place. "Yes. While I'm here, she asked that I check these every two hours and report back with my findings."

Peter's brow furrowed slightly. "That's...unexpected."

Alex waved off his concern. "It's not like she asked me to handle everything. I am just reporting back my findings. She's still handling the reporting and whatever else she plans to do with the data."

He nodded slowly, but his brow was still furrowed. If he had something else to say about, though, he kept it to himself. Instead, he said, "I'll let you get back to it then."

His abrupt departure right after that made Alex wonder why he would be upset. She briefly thought it might have been that he felt she was getting special treatment, which was a fear she continued to have. Still, she didn't feel like what she was doing would be beyond the capabilities of even the least competent intern, so she didn't let it bother her. Maybe he was just having a bad day. Either way, it was none of her concern, and she still had plenty to do.

By the end of the day, she had gotten fast enough that she had at least an hour between trips, which was a good thing. Her supplies had come in at noon. She didn't have time to do more than organize them that day, but after her fourth report, she planned to at least get a place for cultures of her own set up. She might not be able to start right away, but once she figured out what would work best and had time to set them up, she could alternate her observations between her project and the professor's. It might work out perfectly.

Genesis had not been happy that she had gotten in late again, but at least it was early enough that they had been able to share a late dinner before they both had to get to bed.

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The following morning, several interns had gathered outside the cubicles to separate a new batch of commonly used supplies. Alex didn't need any since she had just received hers the day before, but it did give her an opportunity to get to know more of her coworkers. It was also pleasant to see that Peter was in a better mood again. Whatever his problem had been the previous day was nowhere in sight as he introduced her to the rest of the team with a grin.

Despite her warm smile, most of them seemed just as nervous around her as Peter had at first—even the women. She repressed a sigh and tried not to curse her height. It wasn't like she could change it anyway.

It wasn't long before the rest of the group took what they needed and made a hasty retreat. As soon as they were all gone, Peter turned to her with an apologetic look. "I know how it looks, but don't worry, they'll come around. You're kind of..."

Alex laughed and took pity on the man when he couldn't find the words. "Insanely tall? Intimidating? I don't mean to be, but I've heard it before."

He looked away awkwardly but didn't get to answer as a new voice called out. "Ah, Miss Hewley. I'm glad I didn't need to look for you. I had something I need to speak with you about."

Alex's head jerked up to stare at Professor Rayleigh with wide eyes before she looked over at Peter to see he was staring at her with a similar expression. They both looked back at the professor when she spoke again, "Oh, I apologize. I had forgotten you would rather that I not use that name. Anyway, at least Peter was the only one here, so it shouldn't matter. I don't have much time, would you please come with me."

Alex looked back and forth between the two and made a frustrated noise at the look the man was giving her. She tried to give him a reassuring look, but now wasn't the time to try and explain. She turned to follow the professor. "Of course."

Once they were in the hallway, Alex tried to keep an even tone as she said, "Professor, please don't take this the wrong way, but the others already seem to have a problem with me. I don't need anything else causing a rift before I even get started."

Professor Rayleigh stopped and gave her an evaluating look for a moment before she raised a brow. "I'm going to tell it to you straight. This is a cutthroat business. I'm not saying you shouldn't cooperate with your coworkers, but it wouldn't hurt for them to have a healthy dose of respect for you either. Especially if you plan on getting ahead. With your potential, you could get far too. Don't let other's opinions hold you back."

Alex's jaw clenched. For some reason, she had the impression that the woman in front of her was just a little less of an asshole than the vague memories she had of the men at the top. Perhaps she was wrong. Still, arguing with her wasn't going to do anything but put her in a worse position. And she still needed to get more information. If she had to swallow her pride for now, so be it. She gave the woman a curt nod.

That was all that was needed, and they both started walking again. They had made it to one of the secondary labs before the professor said, "This lab doesn't have the same top-of-the-line microscopic computer imaging as the central lab, but it is only a generation behind. I have received permission for you to use it after hours. You cannot leave anything behind, so make sure you clean up after yourself. You aren't the only one using this lab. And if anyone else is here already, they have first priority. Understood?"

Alex gave her a flabbergasted look. It took her several seconds before she could get her mind to work well enough to formulate a response. "I can use it exclusively if no one else is here? No restrictions?"

Rayleigh finally smirked as she nodded. Alex stepped into the room and looked around. It may not have been the newest model, but it was more than she had dreamed of using. Her heart was hammering as she took in all the monitors, cabinets, and everything else that she thought she would not have access to for months. Finally, that thought caused another that made her whirling brain stall.

She stopped in her tracks and turned to the professor slowly. She took a deep breath before she finally said what was on her mind. "I need to know if I am getting preferential treatment. Is this because I am a Hewley?"

Rayleigh rolled her eyes before she smirked. "You are getting preferential treatment, but not because of something so inconsequential as a name. Besides, what good would a Soldier be in a lab? No, I am gambling that your thesis will end up garnering the right kind of attention. If I sponsor it now, then I get that attention too. Don't think it's just for you."

Alex closed her eyes for a moment. She should have known. That was how Shinra scientists got ahead. They took every scrap they could and pushed others down if need be to get to the top. It was a lesson she would do well to remember. Perhaps there was more than one reason not to let the professor's earlier lesson get to her either.

She let go of a sigh as she opened her eyes. She then gave the other woman a nod. "I appreciate this. As an intern, I had not expected to have access to anything like this for months. I give you my word that you will start seeing results within the next few weeks."

Rayleigh smirked as she responded. "That is what I wanted to hear." She then turned to head back. "For now, don't forget you have a spot check that's due."

Alex nodded at the woman's retreating form before turning to head to do her next set of reports. She had a lot on her mind and could already tell that her nights would not be getting shorter any time soon.