For Science!
“Who the hell are you?”
Rissa stood, arms akimbo, glaring at the young blonde woman standing at her workbench, flipping idly through her notes. “I hope you’re not another research student. My boss said I wasn’t allowed to have more research students until I learned not to break my toys.” She craned her head. “Are you wearing short shorts under your lab coat, there?”
The woman giggled. “Do you like them?” she asked, doing a small pirouette on the spot. “I mean, I am working them, right? Look at these legs.”
Rissa gaped at her. “You know what? I changed my mind. I hope you are a research student, so I don’t get into shit for breaking you.”
“Sorry to disappoint.” The woman smiled mischievously. “It’s been a while since I was a research student. I’m Serena Fitzhugh-Copur, your new partner.”
“The hell you are.” Rissa glowered at Serena. “I don’t need a partner. I can handle forensic work just fine by my own self.”
Serena shrugged. “Like it or not, I was hired to be your partner.”
Rissa scowled for a moment, then sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Fine. Fine, whatever. You screw up once, and I am going to end you. We clear?”
Serena raised an eyebrow. “You’re awfully defensive considering you just met me.”
“Right.” Rissa planted her fists back on her hips. “You see this lab? It is mine. I have it set up fine. Mess with it, and I get cranky.” She slapped the stereo perched atop one of the shelves. “Same goes with this. There is rad music in there, and it is not to be messed with. On pain of death.”
Serena shrugged. “Whatever.”
Rissa eyed her suspiciously. “Are you just mollifyin’ me now with the intent of screwing with me later?”
Serena batted her eyelashes at Rissa. “Would I do that?”
“I don’t freaking know, do I?” Rissa tapped her foot. “Trust Rhys to send me a smart-ass partner with short shorts and stupid amounts of hair.”
“There will be no disrespecting of the hair.” Serena tossed said hair around haughtily, then smiled cheerfully. “I’m probably the only one capable of managing you.”
“You’re really working to get on my good side, there,” said Rissa coolly.
Serena hoisted herself up to sit on top of one of the work benches. “I don’t think I’ll need to work. I tend to grow on people pretty fast.”
“Get the hell off of my bench,” Rissa growled.
“Why? It’s clean.” Serena swung her legs casually. “So, there any cute guys working around here?”
“Just one. And he is mine, so there will be no flirting. Also on pain of death. Actually, that’s how any working relationship goes with me. No messing with my life, on pain of death.”
“Oh, which one is he?” Serena asked, feigning casual disinterest.
Rissa narrowed her eyes. She knew when someone was faking it. “Why do you want to know?”
“Oh, no reason.”
“You’re lying to me. You want to learn who my boyfriend is so you can flirt with him.”
“Defensive and paranoid?”
“Rrgh!” Rissa tugged at her hair in frustration. “I don’t like you.”
“Grampa warned me you might say that, but don’t worry, you’ll change your mind before you know it,” Serena assured her.
“…Grampa?”
“Yes, Rhys is my great-grandfather.” Serena watched the evil smile spread across Rissa’s face. “See? Told you you’d change your mind.”
Rissa raised an eyebrow. “Just ‘cause you gave me some prime material to taunt Rhys with, doesn’t mean I like you, Blondie.”
“We’ll see.” Serena hopped down from the bench. “So, as much fun as all this bonding has been, you should probably fill me in on the case.”
“Right.” Rissa switched to work mode. “We’ve got some particulates to identify. I hope you know how to use a mass spectrometer, because you and it are gonna be really friendly real soon.”
“Sure!” Serena grinned suddenly. “Hey, can I have a quick wander around first? See where everything is…”
“Fine,” said Rissa hurriedly. “As long as you do it away from here.”
“…find your boyfriend and introduce myself…”
She was gone before Rissa could turn around and snarl.