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Four

"After this is completed, we could essentially run DNA through a database of all known mutations and determine every genetic disorder a person is carrying. We could take small DNA samples of children when they are born and run it through our marker. They would know every single disorder they have, every single disorder they could pass on. They could know ahead of time what their future holds, and possibly get the proper treatment for disorders they never knew they had otherwise. This could change the future of medicine."

A sense of relief washed over me when we finished our presentation. It had been a stressful past few hours and I was glad to be done with the hardest part. There was a round of applause after we concluded, followed by a few questions of concerns that our fellow colleagues had. Dr. Lygand didn't say anything, he just sat in the back of the room with his arms crossed and his eyebrows furrowed.

Seeley pointed to a red-haired doctor in the back, I wasn't sure what department he was from. "Yes, you say this is the future of medicine, but it only identifies the diseases, not cure them."

Seeley and I shared an annoyed glance and he answered the question, "Yes, but it does the work of diagnosing a patient for you. Essentially putting you out of a Job, Frank." The crowd laughed. "In all seriousness, this marker may not cure diseases, but it would help people seek treatment earlier. We all know that people can live with undiagnosed mental disorders and then just out of the blue snap. Knowing a person has a disease would help them get treatment before something that would be life-threatening could happen."

After we answered everyone's questions, our presentation had ended and the fellow doctors filed out of Conference room B. Everyone, except Dr. Lygand. He waited until the room had been cleared out completely. "I have only said this once before during my time here. I was impressed with your work, Drs. I look forward to reading your full research paper." He turned on his heel, leaving both of us completely shocked at his statement. He was impressed. With us. With our work.

Seeley and I both exhaled a sigh of relief. We had passed over this hurdle. There would undoubtedly be a new hurdle soon, but for now it was time to celebrate.

"Flint, what do you say we round up the troops and go get a drink? I think we could both use one."

I nodded, "I say that sounds like the best idea you have had to date."

Seeley clapped me on the back and we walked out of the conference room and toward the elevator. As we walked down the hallway, I saw her. I could pick her out of any crowd. "Serena!" I called her name and she stopped in the doorway and looked at me.

She smiled, "Well, hello there stranger."

I grinned, "We are going for drinks at the ER. Come celebrate with us."

"What are we celebrating?" Her smile seemed to match mine.

Seeley patted me on the back, "We just finished our presentation on the Rutledge-Bly DNA marker." I gave him a skeptic look, "Okay, maybe the Bly-Rutledge, or the Blyedge, or the Rutly, whatever we will work on the name. The point is, we didn't get fired, so we are going to go get drunk to celebrate."

I chuckled and rolled my eyes, and turned back to Serena, "So, what do you say?"

Serena smiled, "Yeah, it sounds like it will be fun."

Seeley jumped in the air, "She said yes! Serena Greyson is going to get drunk with us!"

She laughed and looked at me, "Are you sure he hasn't already started?"

I shook my head at my research partner. "I'll see you there then?"

She nodded, "Yeah, I'll head over when I'm done here."