Blair Sandburg pulled into the parking lot of the First National Bank in his 'classic' green Volvo, all the while apologizing profusely.

"I am soo sorry. This is really embarrassing." He said as he hurried to help his companion out of the car. "Here I go, promising you lunch for helping me out last week, and I forgot to cash my paycheck ahead of time. This will only take a minute."

"Don't worry about it." Lisa Prokopf said, laughing. "I don't mind. Maybe while we're waiting, you can tell me what the big rush was about last week, why you were desperate enough to need my help."

Blair grinned and was about to regale her with his adventures of that past week when he was interrupted.

"Blair! Is that you?" The voice from in front of him made him look up, and his stomach sank when he saw who had just walked out of the bank doors.

"Sam. Yeah. Hi. Its been a while." He glanced nervously between the two women.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" She asked, casting a critical eye over his companion.

"Oh, um, sure. Sam, this is Lisa. Lisa, this is Sam, she works down at the station." He squirmed uncomfortably. He and Sam had not broken up well.

"Nice to meet you." Lisa said cordially, extending her hand.

"Well," Sam's reply was like acid as she took in Lisa's jeans, oversized tee shirt and denim over shirt. "I see you found someone who shares your sense of style, Blair. I take it she is of the same 'mental caliber' as your normal dates" The tone of her voice left no doubt what she thought of Lisa's intelligence.

Before Blair had a chance to comment, his date stepped in to her own defense.

"Excuse you?! I'll have you know that I am currently working towards my PhD. in astro physics, thank you very much. I've already received job offers from NASA as well as several prestigious private companies. And I don't know where you get off making comments about my 'mental caliber'. I mean really, only someone with minimal intelligence would try to gauge a persons IQ by their appearance." The look she shot the forensic technician could fell a redwood. Blair's eyebrows shot up in surprise, he had never heard the soft spoken woman lash out like this before.

Sam tried to appear nonplused. "If you have ever met any of the other girls he goes out with..." She began, but was cut off before she could continue.

"Generalizing is no better than making snap judgments." The arched eyebrow and haughty look left no more room for conversation.

As Sam spun around and stalked back to her car, Blair looked at Lisa, keeping his lips pressed together in a thin line. She returned his gaze with an innocent look. When the car finally left the parking lot, he spoke. "Astro Physics?" he asked, the laughter barely contained, and his eyes sparkling, "Job offers from NASA?"

Lisa grinned and shrugged one shoulder. "Hey, a girl can dream can't she? Her attitude was pissing me off." She ducked her head and continued, somewhat sheepishly. "Besides, that sounds more impressive than a degree in Library and Information Sciences."

"Hey," he lifted her chin and looked her in the eye. "There is nothing wrong with being a librarian. I have a very high respect for them myself. After all," He continued with a smile, "If it weren't for you, I never would have gotten that paper finished last week. I need you."

Lisa smiled back and replied with mock seriousness, "And don't you forget it." She gave him a quick kiss and led him back towards the bank. "Now come on, tell me about what was in all those big, heavy books you had me lugging around all week."

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