"This was not the Martha I was accustomed too. Although she fought briefly, the 'always in control' attitude she had displayed over the past few days ...as nowhere to be seen. She was quickly breaking down, shaking with fright. At the mentioning of her kids, she began to cry."Please, just leave," she again pleaded through her tears, after a few moments of no response from me."I'll leave when I'm finished," I told her finally breaking that silence, "And I'll be finished quicker if you stop. He kissed and hugged me and told me to get dressed.Before I could even put on my knickers he buzzed his secretary and told her that he was available again. There must have been a queue of people waiting outside. They all poured inside, wanting to know details about their involvement in the project, or asking for his signature on their travel advance forms.I just hoped that nobody would pay attention to the movements behind the curtain as I put on my clothes and tried to put my hair in order as. "Yep! Thanksfor warning me of the opportunity!"Dr. Thunder sighed and looked at me, "Like I said, loonies!"I smiled, "I'll probably fit right in with you all then!" So what's your story? Lioness mentioned that she had been convinced tospend a couple days helping a mutant agent for the FBI train, but shedidn't apparently tell me everything?" You want the long story or the short?" I asked."Well... enough?"I nodded, "I was an eighteen year old senior getting ready to graduate inLos Alamos, NM when. "Not chocolates, sorry. Food. Proper food. I thought I'd cook so you can work. I know you're behind."Lucy gaped in disbelief. Words failing her, she placed a hand on her heart."I wanted to surprise you." Pete dropped the plastic bag neatly at his feet. "And help, if I can." You do, you always do." Lucy's heart skipped. "Are they roses?" she asked, nodding to the flowers."Of course. A dozen. Red. Your favourite." Oh, Pete…" Fresh energy surged through Lucy's body and bounding down the stairs two.