Chapter Twenty-EightGrace
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Grace
I sat in the front seat of Wes’ truck as we drove into the city so he could go to his important meeting, and I could see Spencer’s company.
Today, I actually wore clothes–cute dressy things Evan had chosen for me. There were even earrings and a necklace. It was quite a change after wearing Wes and Evan’s shirts and yoga pants, while being a blanket potato for the past few days.
“Are you sure you’re feeling up for it?” Wes asked again, his laundry scent getting intense for a second.
“It’s a tour; I’m not going back to work.
” I rolled my eyes. All I’d done the past few days was nap, lounge in the window seat of my room, and check in with Mrs. Beekman and Luc from the integration team, and watch movies when I felt up to it.
I was feeling better and remembering a little more every day.
“I’m actually hoping it will trigger my memories,” I added. Not knowing what happened still made me anxious.
“Okay. Don’t push yourself.” He squeezed my hand.
I squeezed it back. “While I’ve loved staying in with you, it’s nice to get out.”
As we drove, Wes pointed things out like Jett and Lexi’s police station and the building Brennan worked in. Then a building that said Compass BioTek came into view, and we pulled into an underground garage.
Wes took my hand as we rode the elevator up. He looked nice in a striped button-down and slacks, his hair neatly combed in a way that made me want to mess it up, and a wool pea coat. We entered an understated but not sterile lobby, and he went up to the receptionist.
“Hey, Wes.” He grinned. “Lose your badge again?”
I tried not to laugh.
“No. I need a guest pass.” Wes nodded to me.
“Oh, is this Dr. Ellington? I have her credentials right here.” The receptionist handed me a badge on a lanyard. “Welcome to Compass BioTek.”
“Thanks.” I put it on and let Wes lead me to an elevator. “Wow. I haven’t even started–or been hired.”
“Riley has one. That’s how she gets in and eats free ice cream in the cafeteria. Did Spencer tell you? She came by yesterday with Marcos .” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Yes, and then texted him all night while we played video games.” I laughed. Riley kept having excuses to stay over at the house. As much as I enjoyed spending time with the guys, it was fun to do things with her–or all of us together.
Like a family.
Wes looked at his phone as we got off. “I’m supposed to leave you with Spencer. I actually have two meetings. My department meeting, then this special meeting. If you get tired, nap in my office.”
“Or, I’ll get some ice cream and text Ri a picture.” I held up my phone, which was fancy. Much fancier than anything my world had. Riley had a great time showing me how to use all the features.
Wes laughed. “She’d love that.”
Today was the afternoon she did stuff with Evan, which seemed so sweet. I was pretty sure that I stopped having much of a relationship with my brothers once I hit high school.
Wes tipped his forehead to mine. “You’ll be okay?”
I let his warmth, his scent swirl around me. “Yes.”
Spencer was waiting for us, looking dapper as usual in a dark grey suit with a pocket square that matched his tie . Who even did that? But it was a look. A sexy one.
“My good doctor, I’m so excited to show you my company.” Spencer beamed at me.
“Spencer, I’m sorry to bother you, but you are attending on Monday?” an older woman asked, joining us, her accent a little like Spencer’s. “Wes, you’re back. You must be Grace. Welcome.”
“Hi, Mrs. Katsopolis.” Wes grinned, then leaned in. “She’s known Spence his entire life and has all the good stories. She won’t tell me, but maybe she’ll tell you.”
“Oh, you.” She waved him off with her hand. The older woman had kind eyes, but also seemed like she took no nonsense from anyone.
“Grace, perhaps you’d like to accompany me?” Spencer offered. “It’s a dinner, for science, and there will be people to talk to that you’d find interesting,”
Oh? The idea of talking about my field with my interdimensional colleagues excited me. Especially now that it was not quite as hard to think.
“It sounds wonderful. Let me ask my assistant.” I looked up at Wes and batted my eyelashes. “Am I free on Monday, for science?”
“ Please, take one for the team and go to all the science dinners with Spence,” Wes told me. He kissed me on the cheek and gave my hand another squeeze. “I’ll see you later.”
“Shall we?” Spencer and I got into the elevator. When the doors opened, he led me to an area with restricted signs, swiping his badge.
“Special Projects is the division that I’m most excited to show to you. We have two qubit projects. Ultrafast quantum nano-computers and totally secure communication. While they have separate uses, we also plan on pairing them. Think of the medical possibilities,” he told me, eyes alight.
“Oh.” Something clicked. “I’d only considered those in the military sense. But yes, the instantaneous ultra-secure communication of medical information could revolutionize so many different treatments.”
“You worked for the military?” His voice went quiet.
“A defense contractor, maybe?” I frowned, trying to remember exactly who it was. Both made sense within the context of my memories of security and fences.
“We have some other projects as well. There’s a particular one that I think you’d fit well in. It’s not biotech, per se, but more of a personal passion,” he told me. “Depending on your quantum computing skills. But I’ll happily find a home for you here, regardless.”
“I appreciate it. The idea of having a job prospect is comforting.” If I stayed, I’d need a job. Guilt about all the money Wes had spent ate at me.
This second, I didn’t even have money to buy him a birthday present–or do anything. While I knew I was safe with Wes and Evan, not being financially independent here bothered me.
We entered a lab, and Spencer eagerly brought me around, introducing me to everyone. The atmosphere was friendly and full of camaraderie and excitement. Most unlike the bits I remembered from my job back in my world.
As someone showed me their work, it hit me. They were actually working on constructing physical prototypes . It wasn’t theory here, like in my world. It was real.
For a moment all I could do was stare and absorb the amazing scene before me.
Finally, Spencer led me off toward another lab.
“You’re building quantum nano-computers,” I breathed to Spencer, trying to hold off my nerdgasm.
Things I’d only dreamed about proving were becoming reality here.
“It’s still only a partial theory, but yes, we’re trying to build actual working prototypes. Oh.” He paused. “You’re not that far.”
“No. It’s all math and simulation, and trying to build computers actually able to run our simulations.
” Excitement built within me as another memory bubble popped.
“That… that’s what we were doing. Running simulations, trying to get the math right.
We’d mess around and do other things, too.
Ah, the simulations you run when bored.” I laughed.
“Boredom is the gateway to brilliance,” he stated as we went to see their new particle accelerator.
“This is the size of a stove,” I breathed as I examined it. “The ones I used were much larger.” Miles long. What a marvel. “Is this using particle-charged plasma and lasers?” I’d read about the potential.
“Indeed. If you were working on a quantum computing project, what did you use them for? Or was it another project?” he asked.
“I used them for other things, but we were trying to use a particle accelerator to solve some of our quantum computing issues,” I replied, more memories coming to me.
He nodded, and we continued the tour.
He led me to an office that said Doctor Ellington. “Now, this is for you. You don’t have to work here to use it. But I want you to consider working here–when you’re ready, of course.”
I chewed on my lower lip. “I might not be ready for what you’d like me to do–for this.”
This seemed amazing, and I yearned to be here for the revolution these innovations would bring.
That’s what I liked about Spencer’s company.
His tech not only helped people, but making them accessible was a major part of their mission.
Though the healthcare system seemed a lot better here than in my world.
“My good doctor, of course you’re ready,” he assured. “I believe that together we can accomplish so many things.”
His confidence in me was astounding. What if I disappointed him?
“Now, the project I’m most excited about is our virtual supercollider. It’s pure theory right now—an idea with part of a team. I want to build a computer simulator that would eradicate the need for particle accelerators and super colliders for most projects,” he told me, leaning against the desk.
“Why? They’re not that dangerous.” I frowned. That also sounded like an incredible project.
“They can be. At least here. My father and Mrs. Katsopolis’ wife were research partners, mapping the fifth and sixth dimensions using qubits. The collider they were using exploded, killing many people and leveling a building. I’d only recently left the lab when it happened,” he whispered.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” It also explained why, when I’d mentioned qubits, he’d mentioned mapping dimensions.
“It was tragic, and I’m grateful that it didn’t cause a black hole–or worse.
While I understand the theories, I’m not the scientist my father was.
But as I said, the virtual supercollider is only one of many projects we're doing here. I’m confident we’ll find the perfect project for you to work on,” he assured.
“May I mull everything over, maybe look over some things, so I can see what I could actually be of help with?” I wasn’t sure what I could contribute.
“Of course; take your time.” His eyes lingered on my face. “You wore the earrings.” Spencer smiled. “I was unsure what sort of jewelry you preferred.”
“Oh, you chose these? Thank you, I love them.”