Page 50 of Conner's Luna

"That's so cool!" I pause, thinking. "Do you think that criminality is physiological or psychological?"

"Nature versus nurture? No one really seems to know. Both, probably," Sarj says, blushing the tiniest little bit.

I decide to give him a reprieve (temporary, of course) from that line of questioning. "Are any of the rest of you agents?" I bounce in my seat. Now that Sarj has reassured me that he can accompany me inside Honekier labs I'm incredibly excited.

"Nope. Just the nerd," Sean says a little spitefully. He reaches back and tries to ruffle Sarj's hair. The sound their arms make when Sarj blocks him is a heavy thunk that makes me wince for them.

"Nerds are awesome," I give Sean a sour look.

His eyes fall, clearly abashed at the rebuke.

"Sorry, nerd," he mumbles to Sarj.

Sarj quirks an eyebrow and sends me a small smirk with a wink.

Sarj and I quietly speak about forensics and his work as we drive the rest of the way. Sean is subdued and by the time we arrive at the Lab I'm worried that he istooquiet, so when he drops us off in front of the gate I make sure to smile at him.

"Bye Sean. Thank you for driving us."

He nods, still not meeting my eyes. "I'll pick you both up in a few hours, alright?"

"OK," I say. My voice sounds a little too low and I almost repeat myself, but Sean is already pulling away from the curb.

I walk with Sarj up to the security booth. When I glance back, the pickup is back at the stop sign and turning left, away from the highway.

Only now does it strike me as strange that Sean just drove Sarj and me 45 minutes away from campus only to drop us off and leave again.

I have a definite love/hate relationship with mysteries. It's like gossip, which is like rock candy, so delicious and pretty when you unwrap it before it turns sticky in your mouth. It's not worth the bother in the end, but I'm addicted.

"Miss Washington," the guard at the gate is eyeing us oddly.

"Hi, Kaleb," I spin around and smile. What if he doesn't allow Sarj inside? This was a poorly-thought-out plan. Are these boys really convinced that they can waltz up to a secure, privately-sourced laboratory and just-

"Here you go, Mr. Genom. It's a temporary badge. Please scan both when you walk in."

As Sarj and I walk toward the building I nudge him with my elbow. "Two things."

He gives me a sidelong glance.

"First. Did you call ahead? When? Didn't Conner make this decision about stalking me to work only yesterday?"

"Yes."

I wait in vain for any elaboration on his answer. When nothing is forthcoming, I continue, "Second. Your last name is Genome."

I can't hold it in any longer. The laughter bubbles up. When I see Sarj's small pout I tip over into hysterics.

"Genom! It's perfect! I want to change my name. Will you marry me?" I tease him.

The tips of his ears turn red. "I would marry you," he says with utmost seriousness, "but I'm busy this weekend."

I lean on the wall, feeling the air in my lungs constrict. Sarj crosses his arms over his chest, looking bored but with a devious twinkle in his eyes. He plays it up perfectly.

I gain some control and jut out my lower lip, "please?"

"Nope."

"Any brothers?"

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