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Fandango’s FOWC is recall, the Word of the Day Challenge is naughty, Paula’s 3 Things Challenge words are pie, fuel, designer , and Teresa’s Story Starter Challenge phrase is
“Can I have a word with you?”

My job as Chief Designer of Alternative Fuels at Tusla was the toughest and most important job I’d ever had. The fate of the human race was in my hands. Earth was in its final stages of terminal cancer. If our team didn’t perfect the hydrogen drive soon, humans would die here. Maybe it was for the best.

It was Friday at around 10 p.m. and still working.  I couldn’t recall the last time I left at 5pm. A small crew of the most passionate and I lived here in the lab for the most part. We had a room in the back set up with cots, a microwave, a hot water generator, a coffee pot, and a refrigerator. There was a gym and showers on the first floor with 24/7 access. What more did we need to sustain us as we tried to rescue our species from extinction?

I wandered into the back room and pulled the pecan pie out from the fridge while my rooibos tea steeped. Lost in the deliciousness of the pie, I didn’t hear Matthews come in. Matthews was the youngest member of our dedicated crew. Tall, blonde, and extremely handsome, he was a transfer from our Scandinavian lab six months ago. He’d brought such valuable information with him. He was why we were close to a hydrogen drive prototype that could begin real life trials.

“Can I have a word with you?”

His voice sounded different than his usual businesslike tone. Soft and dreamy-like.

“Sure, Matthews, what is it?”

Matthews sat down across from me at the table and looked serious as his blue eyes shone like beacons.

“It’s time for a confession, Li. I’ve been having naughty thoughts about you, but as my boss, it presents a bit of an ethical dilemma.”

My heart jumped in my chest but my composure remained. Although the focus of my attention was on getting us off of this pile of rock, I would be lying to myself if I said I didn’t have naughty thoughts about Matthews also once in awhile.

I looked up from my mini-revery and into those deep ocean eyes and smiled. I put my hand on his very warm hand.

In a soft dreamy tone, I responded, “I appreciate your bringing this to my attention, Matthews. I’ll submit a request to have you transferred back to your station in Oslo on Monday.”