Episode 148

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Episode 148

Scene 1:

"Dude, I think your jaw unlocks like a snake's or something," Darcy remarked as Catherine took a bite out of her breakfast burrito.

"Oh, fuff you," Catherine said through a mouthful of food.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't catch that, could you repeat?" Darcy asked sarcastically and leaned forward with her hand cuffed to her ear.

"Holy hit, hat's Mittah Huwke," Catherine cried, still with food in her mouth, she coughed, managed to choke some down and answered Darcy's puzzled look. "I said holy shit, that's Mr. Burke!"

Darcy leaned forward, "shit, where."

Catherine slinked down in her booth, "He just came in through the side door."

"Dude, I guess he doesn't have a first period class," Darcy commented, following suit. "Is there like anyway we can bust outta here ASAP."

"With out being seen, I don't know, man," Catherine returned. "Did I ever mention that Mr. Burke has a great ass?"

"Oh, only about every time he turned around last year in English," Darcy remarked, smacking Catherine for leaning to far out of the booth to catch a better view of Mr. Burke's backside.

"Honestly, teachers just aren't supposed to look like that. That's when those teacher-student sexual affairs start to happen," Catherine stated. "I'll be the willing victim of that."

"Congrats, you just made the oxy-moron of the day-Man, get your mind out of the gutter," Darcy snapped as she slipped out of the booth, back to Mr. Burke, "c'mon, it's crowded in here, maybe he won't spot us."

"Catherine, Darcy."

"Shit man, we didn't stand a chance," Darcy mumbled to Catherine.

Catherine whirled around at the sound of her name and Darcy could tell she had every intent of charming and lying her way out of this one. "Mr. Burke, what brings you here?"

Scene 2:

Chris followed the stream of kids out into the hallway at the sound of the bell. So far, he'd been inundated with congratulations for making the Varsity football team even though he wasn't sure he deserved it. Still, the attention was a nice diversion from the empty house and the nonexistent family life. He'd heard the rumor about Jamie buying a spot on the team but it was mostly brushed off by the kids who knew him. It was the ones who didn't that seemed to enjoy hearing how the Mason Heir was getting everything he wanted with a little help from Daddy.

Chris called rounded a corner, heading towards the staircase and his second hour chemistry class. Coach Foster's hat bobbed amongst the swarm heading the same way and he pushed his way through them calling after him. If anyone knew whether Jamie had bought Chris' position on Varsity, it would be Coach Foster.

"Coach Foster!" The teacher paused dutifully, scanning the hallway, until his eyes fell on Chris waving at him.

"Mason. Slow down there! You're gonna hurt yourself if you fall in this craziness," he scolded.

"Sorry. I just didn't want to miss you," Chris apologized. "I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute?"

"Just for a minute. We both have second hour to get to. What do you need, Chris?"

"Look, this is a little weird for me. But have you heard any rumors about me lately?" He asked averting his eyes.

Coach Foster raised his eyebrows and grinned at him. "You mean the one about how your dad bought me off? Yeah, I heard it. You're not bothered by it are you?"

"No...I suppose not," Chris lied. "It's just that there are a lot of people saying it..."

"Chris. I put you on the Varsity squad because you're good enough to be playing with them. I need a good back up quarterback and you're fast enough and smart enough to be one. Do you understand?" Coach Foster asked, gazing at him with a shrewd expression. "Besides, Scott Montgomery is graduating this year. I'll need a new quarterback next year. Can't pull one out of my ass can I?"

Chris nodded, still not completely convinced. "Sure. It's just that everyone seems to be saying the same thing. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't true."

"Wouldn't you want to ask you dad that, son?"

"Oh sure. But he's out of town on business. I thought I'd ask you instead. I hope that's all right," Chris added quickly.

"Sure. Look, don't take any guff from those kids that are saying it, okay? Probably some of them are just jealous. Do me a favor, work your ass off and do well on the team. That should shut some of those kids up. Okay?"

"Sure Coach," Chris answered as the warning bell rang.

"Good, get to class," Coach Foster ordered before heading off towards the staircase. Chris followed slowly, thinking about what he had said, not sure he bought into it. Why would he admit to being influenced by Jamie? If he were smart, he wouldn't. Someone had to know whether Jamie had made this gesture. There were two people he could think of off the top of his head and only one who was honest enough to answer him. Jude.

Scene 3:

"We decided not to have a first period class," Catherine replied casually. "Sleep in, have breakfast, and be refreshed and awake for you second period." Catherine smiled charmingly. "Right, Darce?"

"Right," Darcy replied slowly with her own sardonic smile.

"Good to know," Eric replied with a slow smile. "No first period for me either. I like my sleep too much." He dropped a five on the counter and picked up his muffin and coffee. "You guys heading to school now?"

Darcy checked her watch. Probably wasn't a good idea. They would have to show up as soon as the bell rang so they could blend in better. "Oh, pretty soon here, gotta run by my place first," Darcy replied before Catherine could even open her mouth (and you had to be fast for that). Catherine nodded.

"Forgot some books, eh?" He collected his change and stuffed it into his pocket. "You two need a ride or anything? I have a few minutes still before I have to be anywhere. I could take you home and back to school if you want."

"Well..." Catherine contemplated, but Darcy intervened.

"Thanks, but no thanks Mr. Burke we have our own ride," Darcy replied.

"Besides that wouldn't look too good Mr. Burke, we've already heard stuff about some of the other teachers look down on you for the fact that students actually consider you their friend. There would be all kinds of rumors if you took us to school in your car-"

"Man, your minds always in the gutter," Darcy interrupted.

Catherine smiled wryly and shrugged. "Wouldn't want to damage my Fairchild reputation!"

Eric's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Rumors?" He repeated. "Well, I suppose I can understand that. But listen, I don't care what the other teachers think of me. You want my honest opinion?" He asked conspiratorially. "I think they're just jealous of me."

"Of course, I mean have you seen Mr. Kilgore lately?" Catherine replied with a bright laugh.
Even Darcy chuckled at that. "I swear he got an eye lift," Catherine laughed. She stood at the center of attention with Mr. Burke and Darcy watching on. She even caught the eye of several people in Connie's, most all knowing who she was, Catherine Fairchild. Darcy felt that pang she sometimes felt around Catherine. Yes, she liked her outsider status, preferred it in most cases, but this was one of those few moments where she was struck by envy for Catherine's natural charisma and charm.

Eric let himself laugh with Catherine Fairchild but his eye fell on Darcy McCormick who looked ill at ease next to her best friend for some reason. "That isn't nice...but I think you're right, Catherine. You have Kilgore this year Darcy? Or did you manage to escape the terror of a science class with Kilgore the Bore?"

"No, I have second year Physics with Dr. Hopkins, that's the only science I have this year," Darcy replied, surprised by the shift in spotlight. Most teachers viewed Darcy as a slacker like Andrew was and like Jareth, or they viewed her as a pain in the butt like Ian and Jareth. The teachers like Dr. Hopkins and Mr. Burke though knew she could be quite brilliant.

"Good to hear! Rich Hopkins is a bit doddery but he's a good teacher," Eric answered giving her a friendly smile. "You know, I don't have a student aide yet. Interested?" He asked more of Darcy than Catherine. Cat Fairchild just didn't seem the type to care about correcting papers or helping him with assignments.

While being a teacher aide for Mr. Burke was appealing, mainly for the fact she could freely check him out all she wanted, Catherine had better ways to waste her time and of course assuming he was addressing her, Catherine replied, "not really my thing, but Darcy could do that. But, she might sabotage those who she dislikes," Catherine said, draping an arm over the shoulder of her friend who she was only equal in height due to the stiletto heels she wore with her jeans.

"I doubt that. What do you say Darce? Up for an hour a day with me?"

Catherine let out an uncontrolled snicker and Darcy knew that to be a perverted thought entering her mind due to Mr. Burke's unknowing double entendre. "Sure," Darcy replied, nudging Cat when Mr. Burke wasn't looking.

"Great, great. Look, I have to run. Why don't you stop by my office today after school and we'll see what works for the both of us. Alright?"

"Alright," Darcy replied. Catherine was still snickering and Darcy pinched her...hard. Catherine released a yelp of pain, which made Mr. Burke turn, and both girls smiled automatically and simultaneously.

Eric flashed a look between the two of them but didn't say anything. Instead, he smiled and offered a small wave before turning back towards Connie's front door to leave. At least he had an aide now, he decided pushing the doors open. And fortunately for him, she was intelligent and capable as well. As long as she steered clear of Catherine Fairchild's shenanigans, he added to himself as he climbed into his beat up Honda and headed towards the high school.

Scene 4:

He hated himself. For what he had done to Georgia and what he was about to do to himself. There was no other way around it, Ian realized taking the steps to the front door of Four Winds two at a time. He'd tried to think of a way out of what he had to do even going so far as giving up on a career or life in Virginia. But with Ellen pregnant now, he was certain Jamie Mason wouldn't rest until he had ruined Ian's life.

He rang the bell, waiting only seconds before the housekeeper answered the door. "I'm here to see Ellen," he said stiffly.

"Miss Mason is on the terrace having breakfast. This way, please," she said motioning towards the hall behind the grand staircase. He'd been inside Four Winds only once before and it hadn't been a pleasant experience. He shrugged away the memory and focused on the present situation. "Miss? There's a gentleman here to see you," the housekeeper announced once they were outside.

Ellen turned an inquiring glance towards him, raising her eyebrows slightly in question at him. "Thank you, Mrs. Jamison." She waited until the woman had left them alone before gesturing to a seat opposite her. "Would you like something to eat, Ian?"

"No," he replied stiffly taking the seat that was offered to him. "You know why I'm here."

"Actually, I don't. Why don't you enlighten me."

"Are you really pregnant?" He asked without preamble.

Ellen smiled sweetly, shrugging her shoulders. "I told you I was. Do you think I would lie?"

"I don't think you want me to answer that, Ellen," he returned sharply. "So you're pregnant. And you want me to marry you."

"Not such a bad idea, is it? Give your child a name, save both of us from embarrassment. Give you the job and the life you've always wanted."

"I never wanted that life with you," he pointed out.

"No? Well, I always wanted you," she returned quietly. "I can give you what you want, Ian. I can give you the social standing you've always wanted and the professional position you've craved since you came home. I can even cement your position in society with a Mason heir. All I'm asking in return is that you take me as your wife. Is that too much to ask?"

"Dammit! It is!" He growled angrily. "I gave up the one good thing I thought I had going for me because of you and this...mess!"

"What? Georgia Corelli? Girls like her are a dime a dozen, Ian. You know that as well as I do. She's ordinary."

"She's probably heartbroken as well," he muttered under his breath. He turned away from her gazing across the grounds of Four Winds. Shattered was more like it, he thought trying not to recall the stunned look on her face when he had kicked her out of his apartment. "I don't like you Ellen. But I've made my bed and now I'll have to lie in it. I'll marry you."

She smiled brightly at him, turning his face towards her. "I knew you'd come around."

"I have a condition." Her smile faded slightly. "No big wedding. I want it quick and I want it over with as soon as possible. I've got two tickets to Las Vegas for six o'clock tonight."

"All right. I can do that. After all, I don't care about the wedding. It's the outcome that matters most to me."