The first struggles

I looked at Dr. McKinnon. I have to be subtle. I looked down and yawned quickly so that tears would come to my eyes.

"He was a good chemist but sadly he had passed away last year. He was the one who had taught me everything."

Dr. McKinnon looked unconvinced, he opened his mouth once more but Artemis interjected.

"Does it really matter where she got her knowledge Dr. McKinnon? What's important is that she has quite a solid plan. Based on her plan we have a lot of work to do."

I nodded at Artemis. He smiled at me. God bless him. Zhang, Quincy and Tariq nodded as they agreed. Dr. McKinnon sighed and looked at my notes once more. They were filled with equations and molar quantities which I had converted. Dr. McKinnon looked at me with suspicion once more before flipping the paper. There were my diagrams of the processes needed to be done to make the glycerol, and isinglass, ethanol, and extraction of crystal oxygen. He nodded as he stroked his chin. I have done this process millions of times in my previous life. Lab reports were my specialty. I got to a point where I could whip one up in only an hour. Dr.McKinnon then stood up with my papers in hand. He walked back to the house and returned a couple of minutes later with his briefcase. He then opened it. I inhaled sharply as excitement filled me. Erlenmeyer tubes, beakers, pipes, glass bottles and vials presented themselves. A box of matches and a lighter were there as well. Dr. McKinnon then took out the supplies and told me.

"You may begin the process of extracting the oxygen from water."

I nodded and smirked. He was testing me? That shows how much he doubts my ability. I sighed. I don't blame him, this time period is still sexist against women especially when it comes to science and chemistry. I walked over to the koi pond and filled a vial. A second later I used tongs and held the vial over a small fire. I then placed a container over the vial in order to store the extracted oxygen. When something burns it usually goes through the process of combustion. The koi pond is probably freshwater yet it still must have some organic compounds. These organic products will then turn into nitrogen and hydrogen along with oxygen. I bit my lip. That is going to be a challenge for extracting the oxygen. Typically I would need electrodes and do a process of water electrolysis but I highly doubt that to be true. In that case I must do a second step of extracting oxygen from the gas produced after boiling the koi pond water. As the container above the vial filled with gas my team members watched in awe. Quincy announced.

"Holy shit Doc! She's making oxygen!"

I shook my head.

"No I'm not. I'm only boiling the water so that I could get a gas composition of oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. In order to truly extract oxygen I must use fractional distillation in a lab setting."

Zhang smiled as Tariq, Quincy, and Artemis looked at me in confusion. Dr. McKinnon chuckled before he smiled and said.

"I apologize for originally doubting your ability Astrid. I have decided to accept your request and allow you the use of our lab as we will be your assistants."

I was filled with immense happiness as I agreed. A couple of minutes later I escorted my new team members to the door. I said good bye to them as they left. Dr. McKinnon gave me instructions on how to get to his lab and said that I was welcome at any time. I agreed to come in a couple of days. As the gate to the Yamaguchi residence closed I turned and said.

"Now that they're gone why don't you show yourself?"

Haruto appeared from behind the tall Sakura tree. He was smoking a cigarette as he wore his Yukata open. His muscular chest showed along with his red, and green dragon tattoo. He glared at me.

"Why are you joining a group of people who had doubted your capabilities."

I chuckled at what Haruto said and answered.

"Because its better to be doubted in the beginning than later on. I would rather they grow to trust me and understand the value of what I know. This is why I love chemistry after all. Reactions take time. If the chemist doesn't trust himself then the elements will not work the way that the chemist wants. I trust my capabilities. Whether others do doesn't matter to me after all."

Suddenly I was crushed in Haruto's embrace. My face flushed as I smelled tobacco. Haruto then leaned in and kissed the top of my head. He patted my head and said.

"I trust you and am proud of you. If you need to talk to someone know that you can count on me. I am your husband after all."

For the first time I didn't retort to what Haruto had said. I smiled and replied with a,

"Thank you."

......

Thank you so much for reading my luvs❤️Please stay safe😷😍