The next morning, Alex slumped dejectedly in front of Miguel, Jill, and Sally, looking like a man who’d just lost everything.
“She’s furious with me…” he muttered, his voice heavy with defeat.
The others stared at him in open surprise. They had all naturally assumed that Naosa would return to their team without any question or complication.
Miguel was the first to speak up, blunt as ever.
“Okay, sure—maybe things could get a little complicated if she came back officially. But we’ve consistently done excellent work together. We’ve collaborated successfully with other labs. Our results speak for themselves. What’s really the problem here?”
Jill nodded in agreement.
“Nao’s been holding everything together beautifully—even while you’ve been, you know, a complete emotional mess.”
Sally crossed her arms with a loud sigh.
“She’s not angry about the job, Alex. She’s angry because you made a massive decision without even talking to her. You let Deb shake your confidence. You’re always saying you’ll protect her from everything—but maybe she’s just tired of watching you keep doubting yourself.”
Alex looked at her, wide-eyed.
“Wow. I always thought you were just a total weirdo, but… thanks for the insight.”
Sally’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Excuse me?”
The others burst into knowing laughter.
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Alex stood abruptly, a new fire in his eyes.
“I need to talk to Deb. Right now. There’s no way I’m letting Nao go to another lab.”
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Later that afternoon, he found Deb in her office and came clean about everything.
“She said it’s basically not fair. That everyone else has the chance to stay on the team, and she doesn’t.”
Deb raised her eyebrows, surprised—then gave a soft chuckle.
“She’s absolutely right. It’s not fair at all.”
Alex blinked. “…You actually agree?”
Deb leaned back in her chair with a small smirk.
“She understood exactly what I was doing before I even realized it myself. She warned me not to push you too far. You’ve got yourself a remarkably smart one, O’Neill.”
She gave him a pointed look.
“Apologize to her. Now. And don’t let genuinely talented people slip away from this place because of your own insecurities.”
She stood and gave him a firm slap on the back.
“And for heaven’s sake—go get your girlfriend back.”
She practically shoved him out of the office.
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As the door clicked shut, Deb leaned back in her chair with a slow, thoughtful sigh.
“‘Not fair,’ huh…”
She glanced toward the window, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Resting her chin in her hand, she shook her head with fond exasperation.
“She knew he’d quote that line word for word.”
A moment passed.
Then Deb let out a dry chuckle.
“Smart girl. Just like I was—only cuter. And considerably more diplomatic.”
She reached for her coffee and lifted it in a quiet salute.
“No wonder he’s completely wrapped around her finger.”
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A new month arrived, and with it—fresh beginnings.
Naosa officially returned to Alex’s research team.
“Welcome back, Nao!” everyone called, greeting her with genuine smiles and barely contained relief.
Alex stood beside her, his heart lighter than it had felt in days.
Miguel leaned over and muttered with a grin, “Now I know exactly who the real boss of this lab is.”
Alex didn’t argue.
He already knew.
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