by T. J. Quinn
“In my humble opinion, we were lucky to get you.”
He preened a bit as he quipped. “Strangely enough, that is my wife’s opinion as well.”
Laughing, Danielle tossed her electronic tablet into her bag and followed Jon to his office to get his.
Never one to miss an opportunity to chitchat, Danielle walked through the door he held open for her. “I’d really love to meet your wife sometime. I’ll bet she’s really sweet.”
“She has my heart or at least a piece of it.”
There was no way she was letting such a mysterious statement fly right by without comment. “I can’t imagine what has snagged the rest of your heart, Jon. Is that top secret information, or what?”
“Human females are predictably curious. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist asking.” Beaming at her, he lowered his head slightly. “Of course, each of my young has a small piece of my heart as well.”
“That’s about the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. My best friends growing up were Kalian. I really miss them a lot.”
Of all the aliens that came down on the ships, Danielle preferred Kalian males. They were consistently attractive, accepted direction, and were meticulous about the details that could make or break a case.
The being attractive part was always the piece that constantly got her attention. They were smaller than most of the other aliens; making them about the size of a human. Their compact, muscular bodies made the males look like body builders. A Kalian could lift twice his body weight, above their head easily. Their skin was lighter, like a human. Hair only came in two varieties; thick, coarse black hair, which was almost always worn at shoulder length. Some few had snow white hair. Any way you cut it, they were real lookers.
Jon’s voice drew her from her thoughts. “What made you decide to relocate to this area?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Smiling politely, he opened the door to the restaurant. “Please tell me.”
“I’m looking for a mate. My home town was stuffed with single men, but none of them were meant for me.”
His expression shifted to one of understanding. “You are clever to move to a large metropolitan area. I have no doubt that you will find hundreds of new males over the next year or so. I wish you luck in finding your one.”
A hostess led them to a cozy table with a view of the city. Leaning over, Danielle whispered. “Would you like to know a secret?”
Looking intrigued her new assistant, nodded. “Only if it’s a really good one.”
“I have a very strong feeling my one is Kalian.”
Gasping, he pressed his lips together a brief moment before responding. “You can’t possibly know that.”
Picking up her menu, she sighed. “I might as well come clean. The Kalian family I grew up with had a ton of sons. I made every single one of the kiss me because I was so convinced one of the was my one.”
Jon stilled long enough for the server to fill their glasses with water. “What on Earth was that like?”
“It was really disappointing. It felt just like kissing my brother.” Smacking her menu down on the table, she stated happily. “Don’t worry though, I’m not giving up without a kissing every single eligible Kalian bachelor in this entire city.”
Jon made a small sound of shock. “You better get to it, ‘cause there are a lot of my brethren running around without mates.”
“I’m surprised women don’t snap them right up.”
“Though we were highly valued as fighting partners during the war, I get the feeling human women don’t select mates based on the fact that they have highly developed senses, and a tendency towards detail or an identic memory.”
Snorting a laugh, Danielle responded. “Well if they don’t, they should. My father had a Kalian fighting partner, and they’ve remained best friends for life. The man can track like a bloodhound. It’s a good skill to have.”
Now it was Jon’s turn to laugh at her antics. Strange that she seemed to value such traits. I can’t say my Kalian wife even cares about such qualities.”
Looking over the menu, Danielle responded thoughtfully. “I’ve always the thought Kalian were most attractive of the aliens to land on our world. And not just because of the long hair and big muscles either. You all seemed to be less formal, warmer, friendlier, and you have a good sense of humor.”
Nodding, Jon murmured. “I’ll have to give you that one. We are not quite as serious as most other species.”
“Are you kidding me? A lot of the other alien males seem to have a stick stuck perpetually up their backside for no apparent reason. They’re quick to anger and often times they don’t play well with others. Over the years, I’ve learned to be cautious.”
“I can’t say I blame you for that. I’m cautious about many of them myself.”
“God, I thought it was just me. Earth’s first contact with an alien species was a rude awakening for us. Then the long, brutal war blindsided us before we could really get used to the idea that we aren’t alone in the verse. Goodness knows, we never would have won without the help of the alien slaves. Most humans recognize your people’s contribution, and welcome you with open arms.”
Jon responded thoughtfully, “I believe many humans were compassionate, if nothing else, because of the hardships we endured on the ships.”
Nodding, Danielle agreed. “However, there is still a lot of discrimination. Many states were struggling to update their legal codes to ensure the protection of the newest members of society.”
“You believe in getting right down to the working part of the lunch without much small talk. I respect that in a boss.”
“I think of us more as co-workers. I eagerly signed the agreement for our small firm to hire the eight aliens because I believe in our cause. However, I need you to understand that decision garnered support among our partners for many different reasons.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Most of the partners are honestly dedicated to supporting alien rights. Their general consensus is that since you all shed your fair share of blood for the cause of a free earth, you deserve a chance to participate in society on an equal footing. Please don’t be put off that all our new hires were assigned mostly to clerical functions.”
His eyes slid away. “We have noticed that every one of us ended up working in the mail room, or as research assistants, receptionist, or personal assistants. Since most, except me, got paired with other aliens we suspected the firm wished to marginalize and segregate us.”
They stopped long enough to place their orders, and Danielle picked back up with the conversation. “That was actually my idea. I’m the one who spearheaded this move. I reviewed resumes, performed most of the interviews, and debated the merits of each applicant. I asked the firm's HR team to make offers to the individuals who scored highest on a set of pre-established criteria.”
“I suppose that makes good sense, but why segregate us?”
I wanted you paired with tenured aliens who have already learned their way around our system. I may have miscalculated, but I wanted them to hit the ground running with mentors who understood what it took to adapt to our fast paced environment. I focused the search on newcomers with the best command of the English language, good written skills, and high scores on the pre-employment testing because I was confident that with the right foundation the individuals I chose would be highly promotable.”
Though Jon still appeared slightly suspicious, he nodded, clearly willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“The last thing in the world anyone wants is for any of our newcomers to get stranded in lower level jobs. It would seem patronizing, and appear as though you were incapable of competing on an equal footing when we are confident that you can. The firm’s goal in this situation is total integration at all levels. Nothing less will do.”
“Alright, I will stick with the firm for a few years and see where this goes.”
“Years? I think not. S
everal of you have high enough scores to sit for the bar exam. Our partners have already determined, they are very interested in having a Kalian partner in particular.”
“Ah, this is the part where our natural propensity towards mental alertness, being detail oriented, and single-minded pursuit of success finally wins us some extra bonus points.”
Smiling at the charming man, Danielle nodded. “Yes sir, it does. Those qualities make you particularly good accountants and exceptional attorneys. The firm feels that having a Kalian partner will enable them to capture a whole new segment of the marketplace. The Kalian are most integrated of all the alien species, and since they have more contact with humans, they are more heavily discriminated against. Those law suits could constitute a new untapped market for her firm, particularly the ones related to reproductive rights.”
“I must say that I feel fortunate to have been selected as your administrative assistant.”
“Actually, I’m the one who feels fortunate to have you on my team. You’re professional, polite, and detail oriented. I like that you are a bit of a stern task master. I need that kind of structure to keep my meetings to a reasonable length and get through the volume of work I juggle on a daily basis. If I'm honest, I would have to admit that I’ve never had it so good.”
Looking embarrassed, he mumbled. “That is kind of you say.”
“Look at me, Jon. I want to be sure you understand your worth. All this being sweet, bringing me coffee in the morning, and scanning the major news feeds so you can keep me updated on the trends that related to our business is a courtesy. You don’t owe me any of that, so don’t let it stress you out or keep you from doing what you need to do to be successful. I honestly think with your sharp mind and skills at diplomacy, you’re destined to be an outstanding attorney in your own right.”
“I can’t tell you how nice it is to get such a confidence boost, right now particularly. I also appreciate your filling in the blanks about our being hired. It puts my mind at east. I can’t wait to tell my wife the good news. We were starting to think I should look for another position. She will be happy to know we have found some stability with your firm.”
“How’s your family adapting to the move? It must be stressful.”
“It has been incredibly stressful. We are still at the resettlement annex.” She could hear the disappointment and frustration edging back into his voice as he spoke.
“How many little ones are in your family?”
His expression immediately shifted to one of pride and happiness. “Me, my wife and our three children. They’re all small and as you must know Kalian children are extremely inquisitive. Just yesterday they took apart our holographic projector and put it back together again. We are currently housed all in one room. It is a tight squeeze with a new baby.”
Thinking it over, Danielle reached into her purse, pulled out a set of keys and tossed them to him. “I have a beach house not far from here. It’s about a forty-five-minute drive. It’s small…Three bedrooms and a study but it is furnished. You can stay there for a few months until they get your housing worked out. I almost never use it. You know how tight our schedules are. I can’t seem to get myself out of the city to save my life these days.”
He looked at her strangely, and when he opened his mouth to object, she quickly explained. “It’s an empty house just sitting there on the beach. It makes no sense for it sit to empty if a family can make use of it. I know how the Kalian feel about wasting resources, so don’t object when you know it’s the right thing to do.”
“This will make such a difference to my family’s quality of life right now. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You just did, now let’s eat before our food gets cold.”
Putting a bit of food into his mouth, Jon chewed slowly and swallowed before taking a sip of water. “I never expected such generosity from someone I barely know. Though it feels strange to accept, I do not feel that I should pass up an opportunity to get my family into a better living situation. Thank you, Danielle.”
“Trust me, your family will love the bungalow. It’s right on the beachfront. The kids will love playing in the surf. Tell them to beware of the occasional jellyfish.”
“I am certain they will consider it a little vacation. We are anxious to integrate ourselves fully with the human population. All my children were born on earth, it’s a shame they have seen so little of life outside the resettlement center.”
“Well don’t put it off any longer than you have to. Try to take off early today, if you can break away. An early start might get you in my nightfall.”
“Are you certain you don’t need me the rest of the day?”
Smiling deviously, she responded. “I’m planning to take a load of work home for a special project. I’ll hit you with it first thing Monday morning. Prepare to be wowed.”
“I can’t imagine what it could be. Won’t you give me even a little hint?”
Pushing the food around on her plate, she murmured quietly. “It might have something to do with making a name for ourselves in the area of Kalian reproductive rights.”
“It definitely sounds exciting. Nesting is one of the most misunderstood components of Kalian’s culture.”
“God, I know. I’m almost too excited to even eat.”
“Me too, but that is more because it’s the weekend and I’m looking forward to getting my family into a real home.”
“Alright, let’s each take five gigantic bites and hit the road.”
“You are a very funny female. I hope you find the perfect Kalian mate. You deserve the best.”
Giggling, she deadpanned back. “So, Kalian males are the best, are they?”
“I know encouraging you to choose a Kalian is blatantly self-serving, but we really do take special care with our females, and I want that for you.”
Speeding their way through lunch, they both went their separate ways with a gleam in their eye. Jon was gone by early afternoon. Though Danielle was pleased with herself for doing a good deed, she had to admit it didn’t feel all that great, because it took no real effort. Her general feeling on the matter was that to generate real karma, one had to put forth enough effort to feel the proverbial burn.
In any event, she ended up staying until about 6:30 pm. By that time on a Friday, most of the others had left. She stepped into the elevator to find the good-looking Kalian was there, apparently heading home himself. She smiled, stepped onto the elevator, and introduced herself again.
“Hello, Jem. I don’t know if you remember me from the interview. I’m Danielle. Thank you for accepting our offer. I hope this position turns out to be a good fit for you.”
“I always make a point of remembering a pretty face, Miss. Danielle. I was delighted to get an offer from this firm.” She was aware that he had already been snapped up by one of the other partners, who was desperately in need of an administrative assistant.
“I hear there is some type of celebration involving a gentleman in a red suit. Are you planning to attend that celebration?”
Danielle stood staring at him for a moment, trying to figure out what he was talking about. Then it clicked. He was referring to their annual company Christmas party. “Are you kidding, watching a bunch of straight laced attorneys drink themselves stupid. That is a show I’d never miss.”
His slightly raised brow told her he didn’t quite understand. “I am not certain how drinking intoxicating beverages can impact a human’s long-term intelligence level.”
“That’s not exactly what I meant. At such functions humans usually drink too many intoxicating beverages. This lowers their inhibitions, resulting in them doing embarrassing things such as dancing with lamp shades on their head and making scans of her private parts.”
He looked at her disbelievingly. She laughed, “I’m serious. Don’t miss it. It’s the show of the century.”
He replied sincerely. “If it is all that entertaining, I will certainly try to be there.”
&nbs
p; “Be careful if you bring your wife. You might have to put your hands over her eyes, if old man Edwards begins flashing everyone again.”
He laughed at the image she drew in his mind. “Lucky for me I won’t have to worry about that.”
She noticed he was eyeing her with heated interest. She was familiar enough with Kalian males, to know what that looked like. “So where are you headed? You look like you brought enough work home, in your pull along bag to last all weekend.”
Glancing down at her huge briefcase, she lifted her eyes to look at him again. “I’ll give you one guess?”
He shook his head in disgust. “Home to work.”
She nodded. “Afraid so, I have a fascinating new plan to launch our firm into the spotlight.”
“I would love to hear more about your plan. Are you planning to eat? We could grab dinner some place.”
“You’re absolutely gorgeous, and I would love to go out with you, but partners are not permitted to date employees.”
He leaned one arm across her body boxing her against the wall. “You could always reevaluate your commitment to the firm. You might find that I am worth rearranging your life around.”
She smiled, and pressed him back with one hand. “I think a better course of action for both of us would be for you to just sit for the bar exam. I have it on good authority, the firm is extremely interested in having a Kalian partner. If you were a partner we could definitely have dinner together whenever we wanted.”
He smiled and said rather sarcastically, “That sounds like a bit of a fairytale to me.”
“Well since you think I am not being honest, I guess we are stuck with your original suggestion.”
He ran on hand over her cheek, and tilted her face up to look her in the eyes. “You win beautiful. I will sit for the exam. If that does not work out, we will look at the situation a little more closely. It probably makes a little more sense, for me to just move on to another job.”
She touched his chest with her hand and reiterated, “Sit for the exam. You’re a smart guy. You’ll probably breeze right through it.”