(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/3b/c7/de/3bc7dee57e776b1e38b0fc06db1f2e97.jpg)<br/><br/><em>Shit, shit, shit, SHIT</em>was flashing through his head like a train careening off its tracks.<br/><br/>Tom had only just started working for Nucleocorp a week ago, not that he hadn't already caught attention before that. After all he had graduated top of his class and immediately landed an internship with Universal Logistics, and it didn't hurt that their stock was sky rocketing the entire time he was there. It was fair to say that the board at NeC Had their eye on him for some time.<br/>When his internship ended with Universal and Tim found out there wouldn't be any openings there he couldn't help but be a bit disappointed. But that let down wouldn't last longer than the next business day when he got a call from the president of a new company.<br/><br/>Timothy proved right away that he knew the business and knew it well, and to top it off he had charisma and never had a problem taking charge with new clients and prospective business partners. In the world of big business, you can get just as much of an advantage by being likeable as by being good at what you do and people tended to like Tim. His attitude, his look, his personality. These rich old men like to see an image of themselves in him from when they were younger, whether it was true or not. Needless to say Tim had begun climbing up the corporate ladder like he was a machine designed to climb ladders at an incredible rate, even he was shocked when that second paycheck came in the mail and it was twice as much as the first had been, two weeks earlier.<br/><br/>"...a cocktail party..." Mr Gallagher, one of the board members, had told him. "...we need to get you around these people in a social setting. If they like you socially it doesn't matter what you do, you're golden. Stock drops one quarter, don't worry about it we have your back. EPA on your back for the conditions in India, don't worry we know the prime minister. Kill a hooker? Don't worry, we have the police on payroll,  they'll make it disappear..." Tim had always known that money and power had its advantages, but he never would have expected anyone to be so glib about it. Like watching a movie. "...Friday at 9, on the rooftop. Don't be fashionably late, you're not rich enough for that yet..."<br/><br/><em>Shit, shit, shit...</em>He knew he needed to get that radiator checked, his car had been overheating for a week but he had always managed to make it where he was going without having to stop, if it could have just lasted to the weekend. But here it was, one of the most important nights of his life, and his car was belching out smoke like a sick dragon. No, it's too late, AAA will come and tow it somewhere, he didn't need to be there for that. No he had to make it to that party!<br/><br/>He was only three blocks away, no need to get a cab or wait for a bus. He could run it and still make it when he was told to. So with his jacket under his arm, Tim sprinted down the street at full speed, just looking both ways in the street barely long enough to be mostly sure he wouldn't get hit. Finally the right street, the building was huge and took up most of the block. The door is right around the corner and Time turned that corner at speed. He was just barely skidding to a stop as he came to the grandly lit up entrance, and just as suddenly the small frame of someone right in front of him came to view. He just barely was able to stop before crashing directly into her. Whether Jess was in a hurry too and not paying attention, or just didn't move in time, despite all best efforts they did manage a half decent bump the the doorway.<br/><br/>Wide eyed with shock Tim reached out and caught one of her thin arms while his other arm went around her shoulders, catching her in case she had lost her balance. "Oh jeez, I'm so sorry that was all my fault. Are you alright?" He looked Jess directly in the eyes without seeing through any of her disguise.<br/>When he knew she had her balance and not a second longer Tim took his hands off her and took shy step back. "Were you heading in here too?" He then asked as he reached out and held the door open. "I'm Tim, by the way. And sorry again for trampling you." His blue eyes, so sharp and honest, held only a little embarrassment in them.