March Part 2
The all too familiar grief counselors were available in the library again. The EMTs may have taken the SRO to the hospital after a failed suicide attempt, but that didn't keep his post-surgical infection from ending him. The Board of Education and the parents worried that students would be distraught, but not enough to alter the schedule.
Emma and Regina had been concerned until Derek--" So, Dr. Swan, who is the dead guy again? I don't understand why they think I'm going to be sad over a pig offing himself."
She shrugged. "The School Resource Officers are here every day. They are part of this school. The fact that you never connected with the man doesn't mean someone else might feel his loss."
"Doubt it. I'm not one of his young ho-"
Madison slapped her hand down on the desk in anger. "Dr. Swan, an officer's death doesn't mean we have to listen to misogynistic bullshit in class."
Emma's lips made a flat line. The idea that Madison's older sister was a senior and had been mysteriously absent for days brought a whole new layer to the girl's outburst.
"Woah. I'm not--" Derek began to defend himself until realizing every girl in the room was giving him the stink eye.
"Nevermind." He sat at his desk and hoped everyone would forgive his outburst." Swan texted Regina wondering if her students cared as little.
As could be expected, when school resumed after the teacher workday, the rumor mill raged with names, dates, and speculations. No one learned anything for certain. Thomas, the biggest gossip of their group, kept everyone's phone filled with overheard assumptions. But, as often is the case, even the students knew nothing new.
*****
Daphne flashed another grin at her teacher while she grabbed her books. "Thanks again, Dr. Swan. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry if I took too long."
"It was fine. I'm glad you were able to talk to your mother." Emma placated the girl and checked the time again. She couldn't afford to be late for her meeting.
The girl waved and hurried out of the classroom. All mirth slipped from Emma's face. She had grown to hate her Teacher of the Year nomination and all the ridiculous activities that went with it. She blew a slow breath out, congratulating herself on how smoothly contacting Fiona had gone, but now the dread rolled in waves through her belly--surely this meeting would go as well, wouldn't it? Up until now, she'd managed to avoid some of the pomp and circumstance that made her uncomfortable. But, for the meeting with the state official today, she had no more excuses not to attend.
She waited until she was confident Daphne wouldn't return before she closed the door silencing the loud afterschool traffic. Her watch beeped, notifying her of her scheduled FaceTime meeting with the state superintendent. She rolled her eyes. "I don't want to do this!" she whined out loud, although no one was around to listen. She'd heard stories about the man and had yet to have the experience. Fortunately, he had rescheduled this meeting twice: once due to a scheduling conflict, and the other coincided with an emergency cabinet meeting. Then, after the announcement of the state winner of the Teacher of the Year, he had made himself available again. Of course, the winner was a beautiful young woman who resembled Anna Kendrick; she also taught in a magnet school within minutes of his office. Emma wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but once she'd seen the press release photographs of him cozied up to the young woman, her stomach had soured. Either the man saw Harvey Weinstein as a role model, or he didn't understand how creepy it appeared when an older man wrapped himself around someone so young. Emma's revulsion only grew the more she the two appeared in the press. The woman always looked wooden and empty, whereas he looked on cloud 9
The chime from her computer knocked the spiraling thoughts from her head. It had alerted her to the incoming video call, so she stalked over to her desk, buttoned the top two buttons on her blouse, and clicked accept.
"Good afternoon, Miss Swan."
She takes in the leering man through the screen. Gray hair highlights his nondescript hair. She's amazed at his lack of anything, really. He's as bland an individual as she's ever seen. Mal would describe him as a beige person. "Dr. Swan, and thank you."
"I just wanted to congratulate you on your near win. All three of you lovely ladies were so promising, but when they notified me of Clarissa's win, well, I was surprised that you hadn't beat her out."
Emma's internal lie detector pinged over his last statement. Yes, the DOE does not run TOTY, but they have sufficient influence. His mistake of 'first naming' the winner told her everything that needed to be said.
She plastered on a smile that she didn't feel. "It was an honor to be nominated. You said you wanted to discuss something beyond the nomination with me."
Looking taken aback, he adjusted his tie. "Well, yes. I was wondering if you ever came to the capital if you would be kind enough to let me know I have a few projects that I think a teacher of your" he licked his lips and traced his eyes over her again. She felt dirty from the action. "I think a teacher of your skills and caliber could go far in state politics. I would be happy to find you a position on my staff."
In her shock at hearing the man's blatant innuendo, she missed seeing Regina enter the room and the fire burning in her coal-black eyes.
"I'm sure you have many more talents that have yet to be tapped."
Emma pressed her lips together in a hard line and counted to three. "Mr. Purswell, though I am sure you mean well, I must say that in the wake of the #MeToo Movement, I would think you would be more careful with your wording. And, as you would know, if you read any of my biographical sketches, I'm taken. And, I am not interested in men, powerful or otherwise. Please refrain from making any more inappropriate comments."
The man's features darkened. "Miss Swan, I assure you that you misunderstood my offer. I wish I could say that it has been a pleasure, but I don't like your tone or your accusations."
"I'm sure you will like this recording being shared with the NEA even less. Good night."
Losing all propriety, the man turned purple, huffed a good night, and ended the call.
Stunned, she gawked at her screen, disbelieving for a moment when the gravity of the situation hit. The state superintendent had propositioned her--the nerve of the man. Then, her mind turned to Regina and all they had to lose. What if he sought to ruin their reputations? Each negative thought spawned more until she began to hyperventilate. Trying to knock back her anxiety, she dropped her head to her desk. In a nervous tick she developed as a child, she gently beat her forehead against the hard surface. "Not my monkeys, not my circus," she mumbled under her breath, hoping to force the mantra through the thick outer layer of her skull. Except, those are her monkeys, and it's definitely her fucking circus.
She didn't hear the deliberate steps as the English teacher silently pushed the door closed, providing both women with privacy.
"You did a good thing." Regina's voice cut through the rapid decline of the blonde's inner voice. "I saw Daphne on her way outside; the girl looked radiantly happy." But, that voice contained a frisson of something. Emma couldn't put her finger on what, but Regina didn't sound content.
The history teacher released the tension in her neck and allowed her head to rest in place. "I'm not so sure about that. What happens when her dad finds out and calls the school? What then?" Muffled from her hair and arms, the truth in her words filled the void between them.
Soon, long nails soothingly scratched a pale scalp. "You might not, but I am. Ursula spoke with Fiona and the school. You are protected, especially since her father never had her removed from the contact log. We are allowed to speak to her about her child and to her child. That's his failure, not ours. He only made sure she could not remove them from the premises. I think he was afraid she'd take them away, and he would never see them again." Regina squeezed Emma's shoulder, then began to rub along her back as she stepped around the desk to stand behind the blonde. "Do you want to come over this evening, or do you want me to come to yours?" Her fingers found a knot hiding next to Emma's shoulder blade. The blonde hissed as Regina began to work a little magic to dispel the tension.
"Is a massage part of the deal?"
Plump lips brushed the back of Emma's neck, then Regina snorted. Warm breath tickled the blonde's ear when the other woman leaned down further and husked her answer into Emma's ear, "Only the best for you, my love. I will be more than happy to rub you any place that you like."
Regina stiffened after hearing her own words. But, the blonde missed it; her thoughts immediately devolved to places they shouldn't be at school. "Is that a promise?"
Meanwhile, the brunette thought about how the state superintendent had objectified her girlfriend. She hated it. How dare he try to take what's hers?
Regina gripped blonde hair tugging her head until pale lips tipped back to meet hers. "You are mine. That is the promise," she purred in Emma's ear. The blonde shuddered against her and gulped.
"Is that the way you want to play, your majesty?" She spun her chair and pulled the smaller woman into her lap in one quick motion, pulling a shocked yelp" out of her lover. "Possessive. I like it?" Her cheeky grin dispelled any hint of worry the other woman should have felt.
"Hi." Emma kissed the tip of Regina's nose in an attempt to derail her girlfriend from wherever that train went.
"Hello, Em-ma." The brunette wrapped her arms around the other woman's neck. She brushed a few stray ringlets away from Emma's neck. A soft smile appeared on pale lips. "I need you to tell me what you need." Her lips caressed Emma's pale forehead. The blonde hummed in a contented response.
"Why do you seem so worried about me?" Emma's eyes raked across her girlfriend's concerned face.
Tucking another stray curl behind the woman's ear, Regina cocked her head to the side. Her thumb grazed a bruise forming on Emma's cheek. She pursed her lips, and her eyes flashed. "Well, let's see. You had an irate parent in a conference this morning that screamed in your face until they realized you were the wrong teacher. You broke up a fight in your first period. Someone stole your lunch out of the refrigerator. MM sent you a nasty gram about keeping your grades updated even though you do. And, then there is the whole Daphne-Fiona situation."
Emma laughed. "It turns out that the email was meant for Emily Sheldon. The woman can't seem to double-check the computer when it auto-fills." The blonde smirked. "It makes you wonder how many emails she sends me if I autofill that easily."
"Did you resolve the stolen phone issue from the lunch period? I was afraid that would get out of hand. After that, I could not imagine your day improving."
"True. But, the situation resolved itself. Jameer gave Kasey her phone. Everyone was happy. I am fairly certain he took it to get her phone number in the first place. And, my day ended with Daphne talking to her mother on my phone. As long as her father doesn't scream at me Monday morning, all is good. I have this beautiful woman sitting in my lap helping me salvage my afternoon.." She squeezed the woman in her lap. "Tell me about your day. Apparently, you have spies and know all about mine, or at least, most of it."
Regina scoffed and brushed her hair back. "I wish. No, I don't have spies, but we do share a few students, all of which seem to think it's important to tell me when your day is turning to…"
"An absolute clusterfuck from the word go?"
"Precisely." Regina chuckled. "Well, my morning conference was a no-show, so I didn't have to deal with any of that nonsense. I did have twenty minutes of my time wasted, but that isn't unusual. It happens at faculty meetings." She rolled her eyes. My classes were uneventful, except for the fight in your room distracting my students. Planning was quiet. Lunch was lonely without your presence, but--" Regina turned her head and looked toward the door. "But, I heard some interesting gossip that Belle corroborated for me. I will be sure to fill you in over dinner."
Emma's smile turned predatory. "What if you are filling me for dinner?"
******
Regina's lips teased the sweat-slicked skin between ivory shoulder blades soothing her most recent bite mark. Emma hummed, then panted out, "I thought you said you were giving me a massage--oh, umm." Teeth scraped pale skin bringing goosebumps.
"If you remember, I did start by working the knots out of your lower back." Teeth sank into her flesh.
The blonde sucked in a breath, "Are you marking me?"
Regina ignored the query continuing to suck on the supple flesh. Her hands continued to dance across pale skin. When her hand enveloped a soft globe and squeezed, an erotic mewl leaped from the blonde's throat.
Emma wriggled and moved, bucking her hips, not sure if she wanted to dislodge the other woman.
"Careful, Miss Swan, someone might think you didn't belong to me."
"Fuck. Hardly." Emerald eyes flashed as her laser-like focus fell over her shoulder, meeting hungry burnt coffee orbs. "Yours. I'm so yours. Everyone knows I am yours. And, those who don't will figure it out."
Emma's laugh bled into another moan. "I'm certain what you did to my ass isn't a message." Her voice cracked.
One dark eyebrow raised in challenge. "Does this mean you don't want me to do that again?"
Emma whimpered. "God, yes. Please do." The blonde pushed up from the twisted sheets beneath her, bringing her back closer to the other woman's lips and mouth, a clear sign of her approval. "Please don't make me beg."
"But, I love it when you do," Regina whispered into a needy ear. Her girlfriend's body began to tremble beneath her. She knew she'd started this by teasing Emma. Her message had begun by loosening her spinal erectors before working the knots from Emma's glutes. Regina's knee strayed, occasionally brushing the blonde's lower lips. Her hands had traced the woman's hips and thighs, a move that always broke any resolve the history teacher had. Emma's arousal steadily leaked onto Regina's knee while she had worked. Now, half an hour later, the older woman relished seeing the quivering mess in front of her.
"Please."
"Please, what?"
"Harder."
Emma whined. "More, please. Why--" The teacher's words failed as a thumb pressed into puckered flesh, removing the blonde's ability to think.
The brunette shifted her hips again, sending the phallus bottoming out inside the woman. She moved again, giving her lover another slow, smooth stroke. "I'm not the one who suggested you needed to be 'filled' for dinner." Thrusting again, increasing her pace. "But, as you know, I do take requests." The brunette's hot tongue licked a line up the blonde's spine in a well-rehearsed move.
"Ooo. So, good."
"If you like this, I may have to buy you a new toy." Regina grinned wickedly, imagining precisely what she wanted to add to the bedside drawer. She pushed her thumb through the thick muscle ring.
"Ahh." Emma panted and moaned. Her blissful cries flooded the room.
Feeling encouraged, Regina left her hand in place, then increased the assault with her hips. She loved watching the purple toy bury into her lover. But, Emma's state drove her to quit tormenting her with languid strokes.
"Faster."
"As you wish." Dark hair fell in her eyes as she gripped onto Emma's hip, balancing herself and allowing her to meet her lover's demand.
Emma moaned, her anal muscle spasmed around Regina's thumb. She surrendered everything to the moment. One hand snaked back and wrapped around Regina's muscular thigh, squeezing her pleasure when her voice because she could only speak in nonsensical gibberish.
She was chasing her own release; Regina recently pistoned her phallus into the blonde. The steady sound of flesh slapping rang through the room punctuated only by heavy breathing and the myriad of noises spilling from the blonde. When Regina's lungs began to burn and her stamina waning, Emma's body stiffened, then went limp beneath her, screaming out her release and driving her nails into the other woman's thigh. Regina followed close behind her, her pleasure cresting from watching Emma fall apart beneath her as much as anything else.
The brunette collapsed onto the blonde's pale back, burying her nose in the damp hair at the back of Emma's neck.
"That was. Wow." Emma said, breathing heavily. "Unexpected, but that was amazing."
"I don't think that ever gets old."
The blonde laughed. "No. Sex with you never gets old." Emma lifted her head and spied the clock. "I think we skipped dinner again."
Regina hummed. "Give me a minute. I still can't feel my toes."
"Me neither. I can't feel much of anything. Even my lips are a little numb."
Emma's stomach growled, breaking through their delirious haze. "Babe, take out?"
"Please." The brunette reached a hand over to the nightstand. She frowned. "I think my phone is still in my purse. Emma pets the other woman's leg again. "It's okay. I'm not going to starve in the time it takes our breathing to return to normal. I'm waiting for basic motor control before I attempt to move."
Their eyes meet. Their bodies felt loose and content. "Although Emma's words were slurred, the English teacher understood her completely. Regina pressed her lips to Emma's neck. "Since when have you considered afterglow as an excuse not to find food?"
"You broke me?"
Both women giggled.
Emma scooted her body so that she could turn and face her girlfriend. "Hmm. Maybe, I've never lost complete consciousness before--now, I know better." She leaned slowly and claimed the other woman's lips in a sensual kiss that promised more.
"Don't start round two." Regina pushed her away halfheartedly.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Emma's tone disagreed with her words.
"We need to eat. And, I need to catch you up on what's going on at school."
Within the hour, the two managed to wrap themselves in silk robes and retrieve their food from the UberEats delivery man. He smirked but said nothing about their mussed hair and lack of clothing.
"I can't believe you talked me into eating like a heathen," Regina snarked as her chopsticks returned to her red and white folding box.
Emma sucked a noodle into her mouth. "Why waste our evening with dishes? We're tired and have better things to do." Her blonde eyebrows bounced comically; Regina semi-choked on her next bite, trying not to laugh.
"You said you spoke to Belle. What did she have to say?" Emma watched the other woman deflate in front of her.
Regina chewed her lower lip before beginning. "You know that SRO Levi tried to kill himself last week. He failed. But, he died post-surgery to remove the bullet."
Emma sighed and pushed the hair out of her face. "The kids know that much. But, some think he didn't die, and we are lying about it. Jeremy suggested we are 'protecting a pig homie.' Others think he's fine, and we are hiding him so that he doesn't go to prison for sleeping with underage girls. But, more of my kids than not do not care. They didn't know him, so it doesn't matter."
The English teacher rolled their eyes. "You'd think by now they'd know that some of us are ready to hang him from the school flagpole as a warning to others." Her mahogany eyes softened. "Belle said he was in a coma for two days, but an infection killed him. They never had much hope that he would come out of it, but still, if he had, the man would wake up to face that three students are pregnant. They are waiting on paternity test results, but the girls all say that he was their only sexual partner. And, all of them are suffering from the same STD, which is both sad and gross."
Emma's face scrunched in distaste. "Has Wolfe gotten the results of the staff screening yet?"
The brunette nodded. "She did that more as a show of force. She was fairly certain that he was the only one. But, with Shepherd and MM behaving like lovesick bunnies, she had a lot she needed to know more about and no way of getting the information reasonably."
"Why do I sense that an uh oh is appropriate here?"
"Because regardless of what I say to you, you aren't an idiot." Emma blew her a kiss in response. Regina rolled her eyes at the childishness and continued. "According to Belle, Shepherd and 14 staff members have all tested positive for Hep B and have Genital Warts:
"Wow. 14. I don't see it. Shepherd's handsome in that I've been carved out of cream cheese type of way, but I can't see the appeal."
"Emma, you are a lesbian. Of course, you don't see the appeal."
"Whatever."
*****
The two arrived at school a little worse for wear than usual. Emma's hand steadied her girlfriend's back as she adjusted the strap on the back of her shoe--the two stood in line to get another cup of coffee before the students came in the building.
"Ladies!" Thomas's overly excited greeting made the blonde jump; Regina covered her smirk with a hand over her mouth. Pushing through the crowded room, he leaned in close and whispered. "Eugenia and her posse are here again. She looks angry. I think some heads are going to roll." The way his feet danced around them told the world he was gleeful about the prospect.
The line inched closer to the coffee maker.
"Exactly what did you hear?" Regina asked, unwilling to let her hopes rise when she's dreamed of MM's removal for most of the year.
He shrugged but looked unabashedly smug. "I didn't get to hear anything. But, I did see the men in suits arrive. Those suits were too cheap for the county office. I'm thinking detectives. But, for what? Didn't they clear the staff? Yes, the SRO was screwing around, but none of us are that stupid."
The bell rang, interrupting his speculation. "Do you ladies want to catch up at lunch?"
Emma feebly gave him a thumbs up, "Do you think his feelings would be hurt if we didn't?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "You can pretend not to care, but I know better. He will know what Wolfe and her hounds are up to by then. Mark my words, things have gotten interesting."