Chapter 21
KATE
Istared at the data on my screen, blinking hard to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. The bacterial samples I'd been torturing for weeks had finally surrendered their secret—a vulnerability in their cellular structure that could revolutionize treatment.
"Holy fucking shit," I whispered, my fingers trembling as I cross-referenced the results. "This can't be real."
But it was. The enzyme complex I'd developed had created a cascade effect, breaking down the resistance mechanisms in ways I hadn't even anticipated.
"Dr. Ellis?" Brian poked his head into my lab space. "You okay? I heard cursing and that's usually my department."
"Better than okay." I spun my monitor toward him, unable to contain my excitement. "Look at this binding pattern! The molecules are attaching at junction points we didn't even know existed!"
Brian squinted at the screen. "Is that... wait, are you actually creating perforations in the cell wall without triggering the resistance response?"
"Yes!" I nearly screamed, jumping up from my chair. "It's bypassing the entire efflux system. The bacteria don't even recognize it as a threat until it's too late!"
I grabbed my notes, scribbling furiously. This could change everything—reduce treatment times, save lives.
"Dr. Barnes needs to see this immediately," Brian said, already backing toward the door.
"Call her," I agreed, not looking up from my notes. "And the sequencing team. We need to document every aspect of this before we publish."
The next few hours disappeared into a scientific frenzy.
Dr. Barnes arrived, her typically stern expression giving way to something that on anyone else might have been classified as excitement.
The sequencing team crowded around my station, and soon we were all talking over each other, pointing at data sets and molecular models.
It wasn't until my phone buzzed for the fifth time that I remembered—dinner with Austin. I checked the time: 9:48 PM. Shit.
"I need to make a call," I said, extricating myself from the crowd.
Austin answered on the second ring. "Let me guess—you're still at the lab."
"I'm so sorry," I said, wincing. "I had a breakthrough and completely lost track of time. The enzymatic inhibitor I've been working on created nanoperforations that bypass the traditional resistance—"
"Kate," Austin interrupted, his voice warm despite the interruption. "In English?"
I laughed, pushing my hair back from my face. "I found a way to potentially kill superbugs that doesn't trigger their resistance mechanisms. It's like..." I searched for a metaphor he'd understand. "It's like sneaking past the opponent's defense by disguising yourself as one of their teammates."
"That sounds incredible," he said, and I could hear the genuine pride in his voice. "Important enough to miss dinner for."
"I really am sorry. I was so wrapped up in the data that I forgot about everything else. Including basic human needs like food and not sitting hunched over a microscope for six hours straight."
"Sounds like you need dinner and a back rub," Austin replied, and I could practically hear his smile. "Should I order something for when you get home?"
Home. The word still sent warmth through me every time he said it, as if our shared space was more than just an apartment.
"I'll probably be another hour at least," I warned. "We need to lock down the documentation before we leave tonight."
"Then I'll have food waiting. Go change the world, Dr. Ellis. I'm not going anywhere."
The call ended, and I leaned against the wall for a moment, overwhelmed by how different this was from my last relationship. Daniel would have exploded, guilt-tripped me, made passive-aggressive comments about my priorities. Austin just... supported me.
When I finally made it back to the apartment, it was past eleven, my body aching from tension and excitement. The lights were dimmed, and the scent of something delicious hit me as I closed the door behind me.
"Welcome home, genius," Austin called from the kitchen.
I dropped my bag and followed his voice, finding him at the stove, reheating what looked like pasta. He wore sweatpants that hung low on his hips and nothing else, his broad back and muscled shoulders on full display as he moved around the kitchen with unexpected grace for such a large man.
"You cooked," I said, surprised.
He turned, that half-smile that still made my heart skip playing at his lips. "Don't sound so shocked. I can follow a recipe." He gestured to the counter where a bottle of champagne chilled in an ice bucket beside two glasses. "Figured your breakthrough deserved a celebration."
"You're amazing," I breathed, crossing to him and pressing my face against his chest, breathing in his clean, masculine scent. "And I'm starving."
"Food first, then you can tell me about your science victory in excruciating detail." He dropped a kiss on the top of my head before giving me a gentle push toward the table. "Sit before you fall over."
I sat at the table, suddenly aware of how exhausted I was. Austin placed a steaming plate of pasta primavera in front of me and poured champagne into two flutes.
"To bacterial breakthroughs," he toasted, clinking his glass against mine.
"To supportive boyfriends who make pasta at midnight," I countered, taking a sip. The champagne bubbles danced on my tongue, perfect after such a momentous day.
I devoured the pasta with embarrassing enthusiasm while Austin watched with amusement, his blue eyes warm with something that made my chest tighten.
"So," he said when I finally paused for breath, "tell me about these nanoperforations."
Between bites, I explained my discovery, starting with the basics and gradually descending into increasingly technical details. To his credit, Austin listened intently, asking surprisingly insightful questions that showed he was genuinely trying to understand.
"The implications are enormous," I explained, gesturing with my fork. "If we can bypass the resistance mechanisms entirely, we're talking about a completely new approach to treatment. Hospitals could potentially save thousands of lives annually."
"You're going to be famous in science circles," Austin said, refilling my glass.
I laughed. "That's not really how microbiology works. But it could be a real contribution to the field."
"Don't downplay it," he said, his tone suddenly serious. "This is a big fucking deal, Kate."
Something about his firm belief in my work broke through a barrier I usually kept up. "Sometimes I dream about having my own lab," I admitted quietly. "Not just being part of someone else's research team, but directing my own programs. Following my own hypotheses wherever they lead."
"Why is that just a dream?" Austin asked. "You're brilliant enough."
I traced the rim of my glass with my finger. "Funding. Connections. Politics. The scientific community isn't all pure intellectual pursuit—it's a complex ecosystem of grants, publications, and institutional backing."
Austin leaned forward. "The team has connections with several medical research foundations. Our head physician sits on a couple of boards. I could introduce you."
"You'd do that for me?"
"Of course I would." He looked almost offended at my surprise. "Kate, you're working on stuff that could literally save lives. Including athletes with resistant infections from surgeries. Why wouldn't I help if I can?"
Before I could answer, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen, not recognizing the German country code.
"Dr. Ellis," I answered, switching to professional mode.
"Dr. Ellis, this is Dr. Werner Hoffmann from the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin."
My heart stopped. The Max Planck Institute was world-renowned.
"Yes, Dr. Hoffmann. How can I help you?" I managed, motioning frantically to Austin.
"My apologies for calling at such a late hour,” Dr. Hoffmann said.
“We’re just beginning the workday here, and I was eager to speak with you directly.
I've been following your work on plasmid-mediated resistance, and we've recently received a grant to expand our research team.
We would like to offer you a six-month visiting researcher position, beginning next month if possible. "
I nearly dropped the phone. "That's... quite an honor."
"Your recent publication was exceptional. We believe your approach would complement our program significantly. The position includes housing, a stipend, and of course access to our facilities."
My mind was racing. Six months in Germany. Starting next month. Just as Austin was hitting the most intense part of his season.
"Could I have a few days to consider the offer?" I asked, my eyes locked with Austin's.
"Of course. I'll email the details. We would need your decision by the end of next week."
After the call ended, I sat in stunned silence.
"What was that about?" Austin asked, his expression unreadable.
"The Max Planck Institute in Berlin just offered me a six-month visiting researcher position," I said, still processing. "It's like... it's like being a hockey player and getting called up to the Olympic team."
Instead of the disappointment I expected, Austin's face lit up. "Kate, that's incredible!"
"But it would mean leaving next month. For six months. During your season."
He reached for his phone, pulling up a calendar. "Let's see... your six months would overlap with our heaviest travel schedule anyway. If you left next month, you'd be back by..."
"You're figuring out the logistics?" I asked, bewildered. "Aren't you upset?"
Austin put his phone down, his gaze intense. "Why would I be upset about an amazing opportunity for you?"
"Because it would mean being apart. Long-distance. Different time zones." I swallowed hard. "Most relationships don't survive that."
"Most relationships aren't us," he said simply.
"How can you be so calm about this? We'd barely see each other."
Austin took my hands in his. "I'm not saying it would be easy. But Kate, this is your career. Your passion. I'd never ask you to give that up for me."
My eyes burned with unexpected tears. "I don't want to lose what we have."
"We won't," he said with quiet certainty. "We'll have video calls. I can visit during breaks. Six months isn't forever."
"What if it is?" I whispered, voicing my deepest fear. "What if you realize your life is simpler without my chaos? What if I come back and you've moved on?"
"That won't happen," Austin said, his thumb stroking my palm in gentle circles. "What we have is worth the effort, Kate. I'm in this for the long game, not just the easy plays."
I searched his face, finding nothing but sincerity in those blue eyes that had become my home.
"You really believe that?"
"Yes, with everything I have," he answered.