Teaser Tuesday – A Blast From The Past

I have no idea where August has run off to. It’s less than a week until Nemesis goes live!

And this, friends, is your last Teaser Tuesday post before launch. Are you ready?

Everyone has history. In this installment of the Endure series, Lydia’s is catching up to her.

* * * * *

 

Wednesday morning, she took a little extra time with her appearance, making sure her prescribed shirt and slacks were pressed and makeup was just so. She wasn’t about to make the same mistake with this new team member as she had with Dr. Corvis, though, in reflection, she didn’t think that even if she had met her with two dozen roses, a box of chocolates, and a string quartet would it have made a bit of difference.

She sat and chatted with Cordy over breakfast, as Daniel was already at work. A beeping from her wristcom cut the conversation short. She was being paged to her lab.

Dr. Gerardi was waiting outside the SAT station when she arrived.

“Your new geneticist is here.”

Lydia stopped cold. “He’s already arrived? Why didn’t someone tell me? I would’ve offered to meet him at the Depot Gate if I’d known.”

“He caught an early shuttle. Have you had your tea yet this morning?” Dr. Gerardi guided her down the corridor to the drink dispenser. She was acting very strangely.

“Er, no. Is something wrong?” Lydia punched in her order for jasmine tea and picked up the steaming beverage.

“I thought I’d warn you before you stumbled into the situation on your own,” Dr. Gerardi said as they walked back to 3-SSR. “I’ve learned that you may be acquainted with our new recruit already.”

Lydia halted outside the lab. “What? How? I think I’d remember if I knew someone who went on to work for Dr. DeBeauvoir.” Only half paying attention, Lydia scanned her thumb and walked through the door.

At least, she would have, if not for slamming into the wall of solid muscle coming through the other side.

Yelping as her hot tea spilled down the front of her shirt, Lydia jumped back, slipping on the liquid pooled on the floor. A pair of very strong, very male hands grabbed her arms, steadying her on her feet.

“Well, that’s an interesting way to say hello.”

Lydia froze. That voice. That deep baritone. She knew instantly who it belonged to, even though she had seen no more of him than the front of the white shirt stretching across his muscular chest as she stared, stunned. It couldn’t be. No way. He couldn’t be here.

Her gaze slowly traveled up the buttons on his front to his broad shoulders. His dark hair was a little longer than she remembered it being, but the scruffy look always suited him well. The amused smile of his full, soft lips reached all the way to his dark eyes.

“Nick…” It was the only word she managed to work past the knot in her throat.

“It’s been awhile, Lydia.”

She fought the urge to shiver. It had been years since she’d heard him say her name and it still had that effect on her. As much as she could, she composed herself and pulled away from his grasp.

“I’ll just…” she faltered as she looked at him again. “I’ll just go get cleaned up then.”

As quickly as she could without running, she beelined for the SAT car and rushed to her room. How was he here? Why him? Of all the people in the entire world, Dr. Nicholas Miller was the last person she had expected, or wanted, to see on the other side of that door.

 

* * * * *

 

Dun dun duuunnnnnn! It’s the final countdown, folks! Nemesis is coming!