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"Says you, not me." Reaching into the fridge she grabbed a bottle of Jack and also a shot glass. Shutting the thing she returned to her desk and sat down in the chair, propping her boots on the desk and pouring herself a shot. "Maybe if you put a big orange sticker that says 'do not touch' that will get their attention. I think half of them are blind by this point anyway."

"Sometimes. And sometimes Jack and two aspirins lull me to sleep when I can't. When I'm not tired or not in the mood to sleep yet I work on updating my OODDS disks as well as the gear I'm developing to expand them. When I'm not doing that I'm going through paperwork and e-mails. And when I'm not doing that I read something that's completely non work related, or doodle.

"Oh don't lecture me. I've never been a social butterfly, that comes with the territory of being a scientist in a rather controversial field. But that's never bothered me, I have my little group of friends and accantances...besides with all the work I have to do there's not time for being social really. Sometimes the Project doesn't shut down for the night, other times like tonight it goes down early."

She downed her one shot and poured herself another, slightly turning back and fourth in her chair. "And I haven't heard anything from Fein yet, and I haven't pushed the issue...not telling if she'll come after me and extract my brain then put it in a jar. I don't doubt her capability to do that."

Then Jelena gave a slight laugh. "You're probably right. Hell who am I kidding? I would touch something even if I was told not to. But that's a scientist for you. Gotta touch everything."

"You're lecturing now James, whether you realize it or not." It did irritate her in the slightest bit. Yes, he meant well but she just couldn't help that she was a workaholic and the like. It was just who she was, frankly Jelena couldn't really remember a time when she wasn't working, or maybe she just didn't want to.

"Ever think that work is play for me? I mean sure...sometimes I definitely push too far and too hard, but other times it's just idle things that I do, no harm in them." But then she tilted her head at him and laughed then downed her second shot. "What you're taking Erik's approach now?"

"Hey, I only pass out at that thing one or two nights out of the week." That was her feeble defense that was said with a smile...though that smile instantly fell when he talked about someone was apparently looking to get her shut down. A rather eerie silence from her and a rather baffled look.

"...what?" Freaking out in...three, two, one..."Why?! I haven't done anything in the last year to warrant any action and they can't pull that non productive crap because in the last year alone I've had seven new successes. Besides, I'm covered for ten years at the least before I need to do anything, they can't just decide to shut me down!" That little shot glass was hit on the desk as well as he bottle of alcohol as she stood and took to pacing as she usually did when she was pissed.

Then a sharp turn to James. "Where did you hear that?"

"Back stabbing scientific community. You would think that the Nickko family would have a little more dignity than that, even if they daughter requested a position in a rather untraditional study." More pacing and now it was time to reassure herself and she was stating it out loud as she did so.

"It's okay Jel, you're fine. No one can touch your project because they can't all out shut you down. Either you have to cross a line or something horrific has to happen or your ten years run out. Just be careful and no problem really."

Yes, she was talking to herself and then she looked at James. "They can't even consider this. I mean...what am I going to do if they shut me down? I can't expect to go get a job on Earth, my reputation is already less that non existent there. Why don't they just take away my degrees and the like too!"

"I'm not trying to sound selfish James. And they won't necessarily shut the entire Fleet down. Admit it...I'm the one who's crunching the most toes up here. And cruisers can be remodeled easily enough." Scared? Yes. Sure if it happened she was young, and had the potential to start over again on anything else, but no one would give her a chance and she knew that.

Though with him coming over and holding her she couldn't deny that it made it her feel better. Sometimes it was nice to know that someone had your back in a situation and all. And thus she leaned into him with a sigh. "I'd imagine that you don't James." Sinking feeling none the less. Wow...suddenly she wanted to pick up some work to keep her mind occupied...or let Jack lull her to sleep with his unique ways.

Jelena watched him go about things and indeed that was easily catching her attention. Half of her was a little set off by the fact that he took MISSED files...but she figured she could trust him somewhat. After all, he was James.

But a raised eyebrow at what he was proposing and the method that he went about doing it. He was military and not science why again? She tilted her head at the screen and thought a moment. "Well considering that a Cerberus could come out at eighty-seven percent, then I suppose the same basic method of multiplying features could be used. Though again size would be the issue on it. Like I said...can't determine size until they get put into the works and you have your first success." Ah work.