Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

In the lab-

Jen called out, "Hey, Stoddard, you're a human calculator. Crunch these numbers for me, will ya? It's urgent!"

Stoddard was swamped, barely looking up as he said, "Use the computer, I'm tied up right now..."

"Come on, it's really important, and it'll only take a sec!" Jen pleaded.

Stoddard gestured towards the workbench across the room, "Ask Roseanne, she can help."

After the last error-checking session, everyone had seen what Roseanne could do.

Only Liz still thought it was a fluke, like a blind squirrel finding a nut.

"What's up, Jen? Need a hand?" Roseanne offered proactively.

Jen perked up instantly, "Yes, please, can you take a look at this..."

Two minutes later, Roseanne said, "Done. I sent you the results through the intranet."

Jen was stunned. That fast?!

Stoddard paused his work, curiosity piqued. He reached out for the data and said, "Let me see."

"A minute ago, you were too busy. Now you

ignored the jab,

challenge,

long was

"Two minutes

just over two

as if she was a newfound treasure.

head awkwardly, "A

did you

was five? Or... six? Sorry, it's been so long,

"That's it?" he

supposed to do something else?"

Stoddard sighed, feeling outmatched.

join in,

learning speed

too. How about wek little contest,

turned to

Let's see how you two measure up. We'll make it ten minutes to solve as many problems as

How about it?"

so gentle, couldn't help but smile at the challenge. "Sounds good. But it looks