Jack coughed slightly and offered his hand. Hi, uh. Im Jack.Kim took it. Jack what?Huh?Your last name, silly.Jackson.She blinked at him. Your name is Jack Jackson?He blushed. No, uh, my first names Rhett, but I hate it, so He gestured to the chair and she sat. Her dress rode up several inches, exposing pleasing long lines of creamy skin. Well, Jack, whats your field of study?Biological Engineering, Genetics, and Microbiology. Post-doc. Im working on a research project at the institute.Really? Oh, uh, my apple martinis getting a little low.Ive got that, one second. He scurried to the bar and bought her a fresh one. She sipped and managed to make it look not only seductive but graceful as well. What do you want to do after youre done with the project? Kim continued.Depends on what I find.She sent him a simmering smile. What are you looking for? Immediately, Jacks eyes lit up and his posture straightened. I started the project with the intention of learning how to increase the reproduction of certain endangered species. I had interest in the idea of cloning, but it proved too difficult based on the research I compiled, so I went into animal genetics and cellular biology. It turns out the animals with the best potential to combine genes were reptiles because their ability to lay eggs was a smoother transition into combining the cells to create a new species, or one with a similar ancestry that could hopefully lead to rebuilding extinct animals via surrogate birth or in-vitro fertilization. Were on the edge of breaking that code, and if we do, it would mean that we could engineer all kinds of life and reverse what damage weve done to the planets ecosystem.Kim stared. Right. Would you excuse me for a second?She wiggled off back to her pack of friends by the bar. Judging by the sniggering and the disgusted glances he was getting, she wasnt coming back. Jack sighed and finished off his beer, massaging his forehead. Yes, brilliant move. You blinded her with science. Genius, Jack.He ordered a second one and finished it before he felt smallish hands on his shoulders and a pair of soft lips on his cheek. He turned to find Kamala had returned, her smile unnaturally bright in the black lights glowing over the room. Sohow did it go with Kim?He shot her a flat look. You notice the chair is empty.Kamala groaned. You talked about the research project, didnt you?No! She glared at him.maybeYoure so useless, Jack. She paused and then tousled his hair a bit. Cheer up. The nights still young. Im not giving up on you.He smiled in spite of himself. Yet.Her brown eyes flashed. Never.
