The Project (Closed for DeliciousMaiden and I)

[LittleGary]

The situation was definitely not to Mark Thomas’s liking. He had finally got comfortable where he was, both in his new house, and at work, and now he was being shipped off to BFE to help save another late project. When would this crap end, probably never. If you want to make the big bucks, you have to make sacrifices his boss always told him. This was certainly a sacrifice. The project was a financial disaster, behind schedule, and way over budget already, this would be a major feather in his cap if he could help pull it off. He had no idea who else was on the project yet, although his boss had alluded to the fact that someone else was being transferred also.

Mark was held in good regard by everyone he worked with. Just under 6’, with dark hair, and brooding eyes, his sense of humor generally kept the mood light, even during tense situations. Mark had never married, the demands of his job always prevented him from becoming too attached, although he never lacked for female companionship, always considered a great catch for any woman that could pull it off.

“Red Oak Michigan, who would put any kind of facility in a small town like this?” Mark asked himself as he checked into the MotorLodge. “The place doesn’t even have a Holiday Inn.” The town was pretty enough, set off a rather large lake with plenty of woods all around, but there was nothing to do. One movie theatre, one grocery store, that was about it. Hopefully the Plant wouldn’t be like the rest of the town.

Pulling his rental car into the nearly deserted parking lot of the Plant, Mark was pleasantly surprised by how nice the facility looked. Well at least they didn’t spare any expense on the building he thought to himself. Letting himself inside the offices, he made his way around, admiring the rich woodwork of the furniture, as well as the spaciousness of the offices. Finding the office of the recently departed Project Manager, he let himself in, and began to shuffle through some files that were still scattered across the desk.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Stevens

Samantha sighed and sorted through the mail that had accumulated over the days since their Project Manager had left. They were all on “alert” as this was the day the “trouble-shooter” was to arrive; a rescue package was to be compiled to save the project that seemed to have gone disastrously wrong. Much as Samantha disliked the idea of an outsider taking over where Mike Fraser had been forced to leave off, she was as aware as anyone else who worked for the company just how essential to the town’s economy it was for everything to go through successfully.

Giving a heavy sigh, she ordered the paperwork and picked up a hefty folder bracing herself to face the man who had recently entered the newly vacant office.

At the age of 24, Sam had worked for the plant since college. Initially dealing her duties had been largely secretarial, yet her quiet diligent way of working soon had her picked out for additional responsibilities until she had risen to the elevated title, or so it seemed to her, of PA to the so recently deposed Project Manager.

Nervously she knocked on the office door, then berating herself for her timidity she eased it open and stepped over the threshold.

”Mr Thomas …? … I’m … “

Her voice halted as she found herself looking up into the darkly assessing eyes of a man, who was alarmingly younger than she had assumed he’d be. His dark looks contrasted strikingly with her own fair hair and complexion. His suit was pristine; every inch of him screamed successful executive. Willing herself not to blush self-consciously she felt decidedly under-dressed attired in sky-blue linen pants and a closely fitted dark mocha top.

She watched him as he seemed to unfurl himself from his seat dwarfing her 5' 5 frame with his approach.

”I’m Samantha … Samantha Stevens …?”

She announced holding out her hand to shake his briefly but firmly in greeting.

”I worked … closely with Mr Fraser before … “

Her voice trailed off and she kicked herself mentally for her faux pas, but felt obliged to continue.

”The ... Projects Manager ... ? They thought I may be useful to you at least during the first phase of the transition … “

She informed him quietly, wishing she didn't feel as intimidated by him.

” … If you’re looking for the most recent paperwork and correspondence then I can pass that onto you Mr Thomas … “

She moved away from him finding the distance more comfortable and placed the folder and wallet upon the desk and turned to face her new colleague.

”Where do you want to start … ?”


Samantha:

http://image.redoute.com/images/REDOUTEUK/AH01/G/NV437A11G.JPG

 

[LittleGary]

Mark looked up as a shadow crossed his desk. The young woman that stood before him was breath taking. His eyes searched her face and body for any flaws, and came away empty. It was several seconds before he realized that she was talking to him.

”I’m Samantha … Samantha Stevens …?”

Samantha, ahh he thought to himself. Mr. Frasers Personal Assistant. He had heard good things about her. Her next few statements confirmed his assumption.

”I worked … closely with Mr Fraser before … “

”The ... Projects Manager ... ? They thought I may be useful to you at least during the first phase of the transition … “

” … If you’re looking for the most recent paperwork and correspondence then I can pass that onto you Mr Thomas … “

”Where do you want to start … ?”

She certainly was no nonsense. Good, good. Although for once, he wouldn't have minded a little flirting.

"Yes, I'm Mark Thomas, but please call me Mark."

Samantha's uneasiness filled the air. Mark couldn't decipher yet whether she had been close to the old Project Manager, or whether the nervousness was due to him.

"Please relax Miss Stevens. If this Project is going to be successful, we will need to work closely together, and that will require that we are comfortable with each other."

Marks eyes locked on Samanthas, and he found himself captivated. Ohhh this is going to be a difficult one Mark thought to himself. First five minutes, and all you can think about is this beautiful woman.

"Alright down to business. Tonight, I need to see all the budget reports for the last 6 months. In addition, give me all the Purchase Authorizations for this Project. I will need to meet with the entire Launch team tomorrow at 8 am, but before that Meeting, I want You to show me around the Plant."

Mark had a feeling that Samantha would be key to the success of this project. She knew things about the Project that no one else knew, and it would be up to Mark to get her to share that Information.

The Project was actually a pump that required next to nothing in regards to energy. The applications for use in Third World Countries had enormous potential.

"So please get me those reports ASAP, and we'll get started."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Yes, I'm Mark Thomas, but please call me Mark."

Sam nodded in acknowledgement, her eyes taking in the sight of the man stood just the other side of the desk. He had seemed abruptly efficient, but he was far from curt as he invited her to use his first name.

"Please relax Miss Stevens. If this Project is going to be successful, we will need to work closely together, and that will require that we are comfortable with each other."

Samantha could feel her cheeks beginning to pink at his astute observation. She ran a hand nervously through her hair and moved back around the desk closing the distance between them and leaving the way clear for him to peruse the documents she had brought for him.

"Alright down to business. Tonight, I need to see all the budget reports for the last 6 months. In addition, give me all the Purchase Authorizations for this Project. I will need to meet with the entire Launch team tomorrow at 8 am, but before that Meeting, I want You to show me around the Plant."

His businesslike manner put her at her ease once more.

"So please get me those reports ASAP, and we'll get started."

She smiled briefly making a mental note of the information he wanted, secretly relieved that initially his demands would be very easy to meet.

”If you look into the buff wallet on your desk Mr Thomas, you’ll see the budget reports. They go back for the last year. The most recent being towards the front.”

She followed him as he moved round to the desk and followed her direction. Leaning across him slightly she pointed out the reference page.

”Everything is dated and ordered. The number code at the top of each page can be cross-referenced with relevant Purchase Authorizations. They’re kept in the admin office where I’m based. I set up the filing system on this project myself, it’ll only take five minutes or so to locate.”

She assured him drawing back from him and indicated the A4 folder.

”That merely contains the past 2 month’s correspondence. I’m not sure how useful that will be to you.”

She eyed him curiously wondering just how he was going to work.

”I keep all hardcopies filed according to organisation. There’s a record of documentation received and sent on the network and e-copies of all email communication including relevant internal memos are also accessible.”

She turned to make for the door.

”I’ll be right back with the Project Authorisations. Would you like me to order a pot of coffee or anything else for you … it could take some time to sift through all that documentation … “

 

[LittleGary]

"Yeah, coffee would be great."

Mark watched in awe as Samantha bustled around the office, pulling all the requested information together from what seemed like thin air. She ceratinly knew what she was doing.

Mark began to silently leaf through the folders she had set in front of him. He looked up in time to watch her quietly glide through the door. Working with Samantha was going to be a pleasure. Not only was she very well organized, she was also sexy as hell.

The budget reports were very troubling, just a quick glance through them told him that they were in worse shape that the corporate office even knew. Shit, this was getting worse and worse all the time.

Mark looked up, and seeing Samantha bustling through the office, called out to her.

"Samantha, I'm going to need to see profiles on all the people on all the key people at this facility."

The profiles would give him a brief insight into each person, but what he really needed was an insiders view, what were these people like, who could he count on. Who were the slackers, and the do'ers. Mark was going to have to go with a hunch, and trust Samantha's judgement on a lot of these people. He didn't have the time to get to know them in depth.

"Samantha, I hope you don't have any major plans tonight, because this is probably going to be a late night."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Yeah, coffee would be great."

Sam put the coffee on the desk and left Mark to sift through the papers. Absorbed as he was she took the opportunity to make her way to the far end of the admin block where others greeted her with questions.

”Heck … I don’t know … he seems ok … very business-like, but … approachable enough I guess … of course that was before he saw the files … “

She ignored the slating remark from Nick, the purchasing director and excused herself quickly.

”Thick as thieves already huh, Sammy?”

She gave him Nick a blank look.

”I’m just doing my job … which is what we all should be doing … “

She glanced round seeing that other’s were watching the altercation avidly.

”However we feel about Head Office intervening here, we’re all at risk unless this project can be salvaged … “

She sighed and made her way to the door.

”Though some of us are more … adaptable … than most .. “

She ignored the remark and made her way back along the corridor and back to see if Mr Thomas needed her.

"Samantha, I'm going to need to see profiles on all the people on all the key people at this facility."

She nodded. God she hoped it wouldn’t come to firing people. She knew everyone involved on the project was edgy and that unease had spread throughout the plant.

"Samantha, I hope you don't have any major plans tonight, because this is probably going to be a late night."

His words hardly came as a surprise.

”I assumed there would be some long hours, at least initially … that won’t be a problem.”

She eyed the array of papers that were now strewn across the desk.

”The personnel files are accessible via the network. I should be able to get you a print out of those involved in the project and other key people … “

She moved to the desk at the corner of the room and tapped in a password. The screen soon sprang to life allowing her to double click on the folder prominently displayed on the desk top.

”If you click on here … there’s a menu that will give you a link to most of the information you should need… “

She glanced over her shoulder with a smile seeing that he was looking over her shoulder.

”There … the project … name list … roles … “

She hit print and paused as the 2 A4 sheets scrolled out of the printer watching as he picked them up and clicked the Personnel folder maximising it to cover the desk top.

”Do you want to pull up any key information, or would you like me to do that and print out hard copies .. ?”

 

[LittleGary]

Mark could hardly pull his eyes away from Samantha, as she bustled around the office. He had worked with some extremely beautiful women before, but there was just something about Samantha that grabbed his attention. There was a certain grace to her movements.

”Do you want to pull up any key information, or would you like me to do that and print out hard copies .. ?”

Samantha's words brought Mark back to reality.

"I'll pull up the information I need. I'm sure you have other things to do, I'll start with what I have here."

Mark hoped he wasn't being rude. He needed a little time to digest all the information Samantha had supplied, and he wouldn't be able to focus very well if she was around.

"You've been a great help Miss Stevens. Thank you."

Mark turned back to the computer screen, and began to quickly move through the profiles of all the team members. There were several intriguing people here, none that he had worked with personally. He quickly printed hard copies on several, and placed them in his briefcase.

Mark spent the next few hours printing and analyzing budgets, and financial records, placing some in his briefcase, and placing others in a pile on his desk.

"Miss Stevens" he called. "I need to dispose of some sensative material, and I've lost track of the time."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I'll pull up the information I need. I'm sure you have other things to do, I'll start with what I have here."

The reply in itself was much as Samantha had expected, but she glanced at him somewhat apprehensively sensing a change in his tone. Had he found something he didn’t like? Was it something to do with her?

"You've been a great help Miss Stevens. Thank you."

The words put her at her ease, apart from the formality of his gratitude.
She watched as he focused on the computer screen and bit back a sigh returning to her own office.
She would have done better staying away from admin, especially when poisonous comments were being uttered. Some people turned everything personal, or rather would want to given half the chance …

Refusing to be distracted, Samantha set about working through her own post, general enquiries and on-going issues. It didn’t take long as most of the correspondence coming in would now have to be put on hold until things were clarified. In the meantime, Sam set about drawing together a schedule for an inspection of the facility. She warned … or rather contacted … the various departments notifying them that a visitation would be imminent and put together a plan showing the physical lay out of the building together with a brief resume of the function of each department. As she approached his office with the information, she was summoned to assist him.

"Miss Stevens, I need to dispose of some sensative material, and I've lost track of the time."

She walked into the room and closed the door behind her, choosing to adopt a more formal tone as he himself had.

”It’s way past lunch time Mr Thomas … almost 2 pm to be precise … I thought it might be a good idea to do a tour of the plant at around 4pm. That would give you an hour or so to do a preliminary inspection and then leave us undisturbed to continue with our work … “

She informed him knowing that the administrative departments closed down at 5 pm and that it would be easier to deal with potentially sensitive issues with fewer people in the immediate vicinity.

”After we’ve disposed of the information, perhaps a working lunch might be in order … as we’re working late this evening … ?”

She suggested tentatively, wandering if he would choose to order in or go to the local “eatery” which would now be near empty now that their lunchtime clientele would have returned to work …

 

[LittleGary]

"That sounds good. Do you know a decent place to grab a bite? I think we should get out of here, at least for awhile."

The first part of this job was going to be very tedious, going through all the files looking for the correct information had the tendency to suck the life right out of a person.

Grabbing a pile of papers, Mark stood up, and started towards the door.

"Where do we dispose of these?"

As Mark walked towards Samantha, he was once again struck by how attractive she was. He had an overwhelming desire to kiss her at that moment.

"Let's go, my stomach is growling."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha smiled and led Mark to her own office just along the corridor from his.

”Just here … shall I … ?”

She took the sheath of papers from him, turning them face down and not giving them a second glance. Confidentiality was just that. It wasn’t for her to know just what and who he had been researching, unless he chose to tell her.

” … cross-shredder … “

She told him softly and fed the sheets down into machine as it sprang into life, lost in concentration and unaware of his gaze on her as she completed the task.
Turning finally with a smile, she switched off the power.

”There’s a little deli-come-coffee house just round the corner from here. It gets busy at lunch time, very popular place to go but as it’s now … “

She glanced at her watch.

” … gone 2, it should be all but empty … we can go there if you like … “

Smiling as he agreed, she picked up her bag and preceded him out of the office, the admin block and out into the fresh air taking a deep breath and stretching as they left the complex. It had been a long tense morning she realised and though she was still with the “boss” she felt freer as she led him down the walkway and then across towards “Maggies”.

”It’s good food … homey feel … “

She told him then halted. NOT what he would be looking for she recalled.

”There’ll be space to go through papers and we shouldn’t be disturbed … “

She added remembering herself.

”Heyyy… Sammie… !”

Samantha whirled around and laughed as the elderly man greeted her with an affectionate hug.

”They let you out at last!”

She teased easing free and eyeing him assessingly pleased to see he actually looked in better health.

”Sure did … did you escape the Task Master then … good of him to let you go eat finally …. “

Samantha shot a sideways glance at Mark, unable to read his expression.
What could she do, but answer in kind, as she always would?

”Umm … actually Mac … I kinda brought the “Task Master” with me … “

She whispered with mock confidentiality drawing his attention to Mark as he stood beside her.

”You crazy ole … “

Maggie's voice interrupted as she began to flap steer Mac away from the two of them.
Between chuckles, Sam tried to reassure her that the poor man hadn't caused any offence with his comment, but she wasn't content until she had escorted them to a large round table in the far corner of the small establishment and left them to select their meal.

Far from being concerned, Samantha could hardly hold back a giggle and grinned as she caught Mac's eye.
Mark didn't seem the kind to be too easily offended and if couldn’t see the funny side … well …

” … meet the locals … “

She murmured softly raising her eyebrows and giving him a sweetly innocnet smile before taking refuge behind the menu.
She could just imagine what a high flying executive like him would make of a place like this …

 

[LittleGary]

Mark stifled a grin as Samantha bantered easily with the locals in the coffee house. No matter where you went, the boss was almost always thought of, as the "Task Master". He could sense the momentary uneasiness in Samantha, but decided to remain quiet and see how she handled it.


” … meet the locals … “ Samnatha said, before hiding behind the menu.

Mark looked around the little establishment. It reminded him of his favorite eatery back home. There was something to be said for those places, where everyone knew everyone. Back home that place was Joe's. At Joe's, Mark could be himself, they didn't care what he did for a living, or how much he made. It was refreshing.

Glancing down at the menu, he quickly decided to try the house specialty, a 1/2 lb Hamburger with the works.

"See anything you like?" Mark asked Samantha.

"This is a really interesting little place." Mark said as he looked around the place. "Reminds me of a place I frequent back home."

"So what do you do for fun, if I'm not being to personal?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha realised she was hungry. Her eyes moved down the menu although she knew it by heart already. She hazarded a glance and saw mark look around him, no doubt taking in the décor and somewhat “lived-in” look.

"See anything you like?"

She smiled responding non-commitally;

” … plenty … “

"This is a really interesting little place … Reminds me of a place I frequent back home."

Samantha forgot not to hide her surprise. The menu laid unnoticed now she watched him carefully as he looked around with obvious approval. He really wasn’t what she’d expected. Time and again he surprised her. She smiled as he turned and met her gaze once more, not bothering to cover her open curiosity.

"So what do you do for fun, if I'm not being to personal?"

She chuckled.

”Well … as long as you drop the Miss Stevens … as you invited me to call you Mark, then Samantha seems more appropriate, don’t you think … ?”

She invited smoothly pleased to see a responding smile.

”As to fun around here … it’s not the wildest place … there are places to go eat and local bars, a club, if you can call it that … oh and a cinema, bowling alley … though if I’m going out on some occasion, I head for the next town … 50 mile round trip though … good for a weekend though … “

She blushed hoping that hadn’t seemed inappropriate.

”As to what I do personally … I like to walk … picnic when the weather’s right … swim … makes a change being outdoors … farming background I guess … “

She smiled up as Maggie approached and left him to order first before deciding to order the same, then amending her order to a cheeseburger ...

 

[LittleGary]

Marks mind almost automatically sifted to a vision of Samantha slipping off her clothes and skinny dipping in the lake after a nice picnic lunch.

"Maybe we can head up to the other town some weekend, and you can show me around."

A hot flush set in Marks cheeks as he thought about what he had just said.

"Sorry, if that sounded inappropriate, it's just....being here alone.....I just meant maybe we could go as co-workers, there's no one else here I can trust yet."

Mark instantly began to scan the restaraunt. She was going to think he was nuts. It was true though, that was the trouble with his job, no friends.

Mark returned his gaze to Samantha, he could get used to being around her. She was easy on the eyes, and her personality meshed well with his.

"I think I will need a beer later."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Maybe we can head up to the other town some weekend, and you can show me around."

Samantha looked up in surprise at the invitation. It was made so casually and certainly appealed.

"Sorry, if that sounded inappropriate, it's just....being here alone.....
I just meant maybe we could go as co-workers, there's no one else here I can trust yet."

She said nothing eyeing him speculatively.
That hadn't been what he'd meant she was sure. But he was obviously back tracking.
Perhaps he thought better of his impulsive invitation. She bit back a sigh hearing his comment about the beer.


”The beer’s good … a good accompaniment to hamburgers … we could get Maggie to bring one with our order … “

She smiled at him seeing him return his gaze to hers after scanning the restaurant.
He seemed uncomfortable, which was endearing and not what she’d expected at all.

”Mark … “

She started, not wanting any "atmosphere" between them she decided to clarify things.

”I’d be more than happy to show you around here … but … at the risk of being “inappropriate” … “

She blushed faintly and smiled as she quoted his words back at him.

”It would be easier to do that as a friend than as a colleague.”

She watched him closely unable to gauge his reaction.

”Work is work … and I hope you realise I am professional and know that things about the project will need to be confidential and will at times become … delicate … but outside that … “

She hesitated and ploughed on.

”A small town is a lonely place if you don’t know anyone … and I could use some company myself at times … “

Her offer was fortuitiously interrupted by the arrival of their food. With minimal fuss to allocate the correct plate to each and process an order for beer, they were soon on their own again.
Samantha took a bite of her hamburger and looked across at Mark wondering how he would respond, if at all.
Perhaps he would just go the professional line and ignore her offer of … friendship … company …

 

[LittleGary]

Mark smiled as Samantha offered to show him around as a friend, as opposed to colleagues.

"Friends would be perfect." Mark declared with a huge smile, as he took a huge slug of his beer.

The burger was perfect, and the thought of Samantha showing him around, had his heart racing. It wasn't often that he would have jumped at this opportunity, but there was just something about Samantha.

"I wouldn't normally do this, but there's something about you.....Hmmm not sure what it is yet."

The beer and burger were going down real easy, and before Mark knew it, he was ordering another round of drinks. Maybe they wouldn't go back today.

"What brought you to Red Oaks Samantha?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Friends would be perfect."

Samantha smiled pleased by his response. She grinned and bit into her hamburger, licking absent-mindedly at her fingers as he continued.

"I wouldn't normally do this, but there's something about you.....Hmmm not sure what it is yet."

Samantha blushed at the compliment then raised her eyebrows speculatively as his eyes seemed to assess her. She lowered her eyes against the intensity of his gaze and sipped at her beer. He was certainly not what she had expected. He seemed at ease here and although obviously the “trouble shooter” his demeanour was far from aggressive or uncaring as they had all feared.

"What brought you to Red Oaks Samantha?"

Her eyes rose to his once more surprised by his question.

”Nothing brought me here Mark … I was born here … “

She pushed her now empty plate away and seemed to consider him as she responded.

”Red Oaks born and bred … went to school here … college over in Clayford … the town I told you about … “

She sighed thinking that she had indeed done and seen very little.

”Most workers in the plant are “local” … this community is very close-knit … even to the point of claustrophobia … “

She halted cutting of her train of thought.

”People move away from here … but it’s rare that people ever move here for any length of time … “

 

[LittleGary]

Mark looked down at his nearly empty beer, and sighed slightly. Deciding that getting to know Samantha, and more about Red Oaks was more important than going through a bunch of paperworlk, he ordered two more beers.

"Hope you don't mind, but I don't think we are going back to the office today."

He smiled at her shocked look.

"You need to show me around town."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Hope you don't mind, but I don't think we are going back to the office today."

Samantha's head snapped up to meet his amused look.
She couldn't have heard right!?

"You need to show me around town."

Automatically she shook her head.

" ... no ... "

She broke off blushing.

"I... sorry ... I didn't mean it like that .. it's just that ... "

He had completely wrong-footed her and she was desperately trying to respond to his suggestion.

".. there's still so much paperwork to go through ... and you were due to tour the plant this afternoon ... we can't just ... "

She was floundering. She could just imagine what her co-workers might say if she disappeared with the boss for the afternoon ...

"I really think we'd better head back ... "

She told him ignoring the fact that the prospect of being in his company for an extended length of time away from work was actually quite a tempting proposition ...

 

[LittleGary]

"Perhaps you're right, How would it look if we were to go sneaking off. But you must promise to have dinner with me tonight, and show me the town."

The thought of having her to himself for an evening was intoxicating to Mark. She seemed even more beautiful and funny after a couple of beers, but she was right, a plant tour was needed.

"Let's go take that Plant tour, so we can better discuss our strategy."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Perhaps you're right, How would it look if we were to go sneaking off."

Samantha hid her disappointment and nodded.
It was the best thing to do. He couldn't just disappear on the first day ... but he would have been good company she mused ...

"But you must promise to have dinner with me tonight, and show me the town."

She nodded. What was he expecting around here. There really wasn't much to show around here midweek.

"Let's go take that Plant tour, so we can better discuss our strategy."

She grabbed her bag and stood smoothly.

"Sure ... let's head back to the office ... I'll show you the plan ... we can take it from there ..."

She was all business again and didn't comment further on his offer of dinner.
It would be best to see how work went that afternoon ... time was getting on anyhow and the last thing she wanted was to give ...certain... people cause to talk ...

 

[LittleGary]

They quietly headed back to the plant, and spent the next hour huddled over employee records, and the layout of the Plant.

The tour went as expected it would. The place was a maze, no real sense of organization. He shook his head, as they headed back to his office.

"I'm gonna need a couple of drinks. Do you wanna go to dinner from here, or clean up, and then head out. I don't mind driving, so if we need to drive an hour for fum. I'm willing."