NiS: Jacob and Tiffany - Tuesday

by Prof. Jack

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Chapter 19: Jacob

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, 1204 EST October 27th 2006.

It was 12:04am. That is what my alarm clock said in those bright neon numbers the nearly blind could read at twenty paces. With my vision, I could not see them from further away than three feet.

These thoughts I should not have running in my head. I should be having my post midnight fantasy about now.

The noise that interrupted my sleep sounded again.

I turned over and looked. There was a new flashing light. I got up and went over to my computer and hit a couple buttons. The id for the video call was an army computer in East Jerusalem.

Suddenly I knew exactly who it should be.

"Computer, on. Screen off. This is Jacob Jehosphat Stone. Identify the sender." Meanwhile I threw on a smoking jacket over my pajamas and washed my glasses. Damn, I should have remembered the time difference. This was most likely the promised call I was waiting for. With some hair adjustments, I thought I was somewhat presentable. I sat in my favorite chair by the window. I was ready.

"This is Major Stone, United States Marine Corps, East Jerusalem security station number four."

"Screen on. Hi Dad."

"Hi Jake." His Dad was the only person in this state he permitted to call him Jake. "What's up?" I asked. Now that I knew who it was, I was not as annoyed.

"Things are heating up. I am beginning to think your mother has it easy as a fighter pilot after all. The security detail I'm part of was moved by the United Nations to East Jerusalem. It seems that after Israel was forced by the United Nations forces to start accepting the Road Map, Israel has taken a page from the Palestinian's operation manual. A bunch of Israelis trapped on this side of the boundary have formed the Sharon brigade."

"Hold on. Last time I checked, both Arafat and Sharon were charged with war crimes in an effort to let the world know that justice was not a paper tiger. It was a major good faith gesture by Arafat to do this."

"Arafat got what he wanted. An independent Palestinian state, recognized by the United States. His advisors talked him into showing, and he accepted his sentence fairly. All he asked was that he gets to go to an Arab jail. Sharon was found guilty, sentenced to the same length of time. But the Mossad rescued him, brought him back to Israel. Since then every person fighting the new Palestinian state swears allegiance to him."

"And our great nation, that protector of peace, permits this?"

"As far as I can tell, we really don't want to put more effort into it. The European Union has taken the lead and outside of the token troops they asked for, we have not pushed ourselves into the mess."

"Hmmm. The situation seems to be similar to how it was before the state of Palestine came about as far as resistance, and official denials, with unofficial support."

"True. It's things like this that has me wanting you to stay out of the military, or visiting us in the war zones. You have been sheltered from reality by your skills in science. I've always thought that you are too smart, that you retreat too easily into science rather than dealing with the real world. You are almost never seen with a girl and you don't spend time with kids your own age. I'm proud of what've you done in politics. And I will not deny that your connections in the political system are impressive, or useful, but those achievements are fit for a 30 year old. You are still a teenager. Don't tell your mother this, but I'd rather you be holding a few parties since you have the house to yourself. Parties and girls are a normal teen's life, not rewriting the bounds of science and playing politics."

I just smiled a knowing smile. I had a few surprises in store for dad.

"Enough of that. How's school going? Anything interesting?"

Now where do I begin? So many things were crammed into yesterday that I'm surprised that a school day could hold it all. And that was only the first day of the Program. The more I think about it, the more I wonder what I should expect next. And given the emotional roller coaster of yesterday, how will I handle it?

"Ok, Dad, you want me to do something different for a change, something so unlike me that you and Mom would demand proof before you believe stories about it?"

I inserted a nice dramatic pause there.

"I spent Monday naked in school."

"You didn't!"

"I did."

"You're right. I don't believe it. No way you would do such a thing if you had any choice in the matter."

"True. But I did not have a choice. You should have received the packet, as should have Mom. The old law on sexual openness and equality had been expanded 5 years ago in select districts. As the flaws of it were worked out, more districts participated. Turns out that this year, Riverpoint joined the schools doing it. There was a brochure sent out about it with an exclusion list sign up form. Apparently due to military mail issues, neither of you got it."

My dad started leafing though papers in the desk to his side. "So what happened?"

"I stripped as required, walked into a hallway full of laughing students. I launched a verbal broadside and moved though the sudden silence. My partner is a girl I think is perfect for me with the exception that she is too cool for me. Or so I thought at the time. Any thoughts about the subtleties of the program were rendered unimportant by my hearing two football players plans to ravage Tiffany, my program partner. What annoyed me most of all about this was the fact they acted like her feelings, or her consent about this was meaningless. So, foolish me, I acted."

"The Debbie Kutzman incident?"

"That inspired my actions yes. But I learned from the mistakes I made that time. This time I set it up so that the players thought that they had the upper hand. Poor fools. I caused a lunchroom incident with them to insure they would play their parts in my trap. The lunchroom monitor gave me detention because I would not tell what I was up too. Then after gym I got laid because I played with the rules of the program."

"I thought you said you thought you had no chance with Tiffany."

"It wasn't Tiffany. It was a girl in the girl's showers after gym class. In health class, when we talked about first times, I bared my feelings to Tiffany. She cried. Detention had barely started when I ran out, jumped into the Flying Dutchman to rescue Tiffany. I cut it a bit closer than I would have liked, but after we reported it, they still were not punished. It seems football in this school is more important than a girl's safety."

"You're going to crucify them at the right meeting, aren't you?"

"No."

"No?" my father asked, surprised.

"No. Tiffany asked me to let her handle it. She was the one who had been attacked; I saw the fairness of letting her handle it. As we were leaving, I let her convince me to do some drag racing. Somebody issued a challenge. Tiffany convinced me to accept. A Ford versus the Flying Dutchman. Who do think won?" I gave dad a wide smile. "By the end of the day, Tiffany admitted she was falling in love with me and wanted to be my girlfriend. Though I expect that eventually this will turn out painful, I accepted."

"Well Jacob, it sounds like you had an eventful Monday. But we knew about the program. We failed to fill out the exclusion forms on purpose. You needed shocking out of your shell. It may be true that MIT is head hunting you before you've finished tenth grade, but being brilliant is not everything. You need to experience life. While you're at it, invite Tiffany over one night, but do not let your mother know that I said that."

My dad did not just say that. He just did NOT say that I should invite Tiffany over to a house that I'm living alone in.

Dad changed the subject while that was settling in. "How is the hovercraft project going?"

"Excellently. I got up yesterday way too late for the school bus, so I used it to get to school. It was useful for school travel, plus it enabled me to humor Tiffany in the race. But for some strange reason, it does not seem to be the most important thing in my life anymore."

"That shows something about Tiffany that you need to seriously consider. Exactly what, you will have to figure out for yourself."

That's a good point dad. I have a few ideas on the meaning of that, but I'll be truly certain tonight.

"How's the density drive experiment working?

I told him that I planned to test it on Sunday.

"I have to go now, give my love to your mother and brothers."

"Speaking of that, I've no news from my brothers in Afghanistan, and Mom's email said the next time she would be able to video phone me is about two am EST on Wednesday.

My dad tried to hide a look. Futile. I know when he is concerned.

I asked, "Will my first long distance journey be to Afghanistan?"

Dad tried to be soothing. He really did. "You'll probably hear from them by Friday. Bye for now. I'll call you on Thursday morning."

I tried to have faith in my father's calm. After all my brothers are Stones. We tend to turn up when least expected. "Bye Dad."

I turned off the video phone and looked at the map I had on the wall. It was a map of a very mountainous country, whose natives could be murderous. That does it. I'm going to create kinetic weapons for the Flying Dutchman by Friday at the latest.

Chapter 20: Tiffany

7am.

My phone rang.

Some of my friends have parents that wake them up. Others use alarm clocks. I need neither. Megan always calls before 7:15am. I picked up the phone. "Hello Megan."

"How did you know it was me?"

"Because nobody else has the nerve to call this house before seven thirty."

"Not even Jacob?"

"Jacob does not have my phone number yet."

Megan did a credible attempt at imitating Jacob's voice. "I see."

We both laughed at that.

"Megan, he has not even asked for it. Or me for a date for that matter."

"Tiffany, we both know men can be so dense at times. How was yesterday anyway. Is all I heard true?"

"Heard?" I know the gossip net in that school was big, but this fast?

"Yes. Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"That in Ms. Q's health class he told everybody how he felt about you."

"That's true."

"And how about the story that you broke down in tears after hearing how he felt."

"Not only how he felt." Tiffany said defensively.

"Oh?" Megan asked disbelievingly.

"Ok, I'll admit it was a strong part. But also it was the fact that he was so caring, so understanding. A girl we all now knew he wanted was sitting naked in front of him, and he did not care. He spoke to my pain. He cared more about helping me though a problem even as he so clearly never expected to win me. I knew he was different, that he took pride in his being considered odd by everybody else's standards. But then I learned that he was not as bad as we all thought. He had the same feelings and concerns as we do. Unlike us, he never showed them. Jacob can be best described as a cross between Scotty and Spock."

"True. But that's not all. He's a legend of sorts. He seems to be able to pull what he needs out of his coat. He puts on a shell of uncertainty about what he is up to so that nobody knows what is going though his head. Personally I find that a but worrying."

"But Megan, we in the school made him into this living legend. Because he is so different, so smart, he had to build a facade. And that facade crumbled in health class yesterday."

"Are you saying we made him what he is?"

"Partially. He's partly to blame for his situation too. But I had an inspiration yesterday. I whispered 'Who's going to sing those songs, who's going to stand that tall, who's going the fill his boots, who's going to tell the tale of the Wabash Cannonball?' He lost it. I mean Jacob seemed the most normal I've ever seen him, ever."

"I'm surprised. But if you are going to fall in love with him, I'm glad that he does have a human side to him."

"Luckily for me, he was back to his normal self by the time school ended. Because shortly after the last bell, I was attacked by two football players."

"And then what? Tiffany, you just can't say things like that and stop. Tell me!"

"Then my new favorite madman came to my rescue with his hovercraft. He somehow blew them away, then we went to report it."

"Ten to one there were not punished."

"You'd win your bet. But only because I told Jacob to let me handle it."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure. All I know is I had two very powerful forces about to go head to head. Think about it, Stone versus the football program. No way those uninvolved would be kept out of it. Stone may care, but those in the football program would not. I think I thought that by doing that, I'd force the feud underground, having it stay between those players and him."

"Ok the other thing I'm wondering is if it is true that you and Jacob are officially a couple."

"That's true. We decided ourselves yesterday afternoon, and told each other our feelings directly last night."

"Now, for what everybody is dying to know. Have Tiffany and Jacob got it on yet?"

I giggled. "Not yet. Although I do have an idea as to where our first time should be." I whispered it into the phone. And nearly lost my hearing from the shrill teenage squeal on the other side of the phone.

As soon as Megan calmed down she said, "I dare you to go through with it either before school or during half time at the soccer game.

This time I laughed. "I'll let you know what happens. Remember Jacob is still new to sex. He might not have the nerve to do it there."

I could practically hear Megan's grin. "Let's just say I have faith that you can 'convince' Jacob to do anything."

I laughed, and then hung up the phone. Then I went to my closet.

The plunder of half a dozen mall trips looked back at me. And despite enough clothes in there and around my room to start a second - hand clothes shop, I had trouble selecting what to wear. I wanted to dress sexily for Jacob, to make it obvious what I wanted. Plus it should be nice, yet easy to get out of. Plus it should be something I'm not too worried about. After all, I was going to be letting it sit in a box all day with no guard. Maybe Jacob will have the answer to that problem.

What to wear, what to wear...

Clothes, at least some clothes. Mother will invent new forms of annoying and humiliating punishment if I try to leave this house naked.

Start with underwear. None. I'll be wearing less then that anyway during the school day.

Next, bottoms... how about a skirt? Excellent. Sexy yet accessible. Hmmm denims? No, jeans. A blue jean skirt. With a zipper down the rear, a full length zipper. Great.

Now for the top... oh joy. 14 tops and none of them match what I'm looking for. I looked in drawers and storage things I had not touched in months. My eyes fell on a denim top I had borrowed from Diane. Perfect. Zipper down the front, deep v-neck to start... it's just too perfect.

I called up Diane. "Hey, Diane, can I keep your top another couple days, I had it washed but now it's the only thing that will work for the outfit I want to wear today... yes I know I'll be spending the day naked, but this is for something else... I guarantee its safety. I'll ask Jacob if I can store it in his hovercraft... thanks... no I'm not going to tell you... nobody's going to know this surprise... guess all you want, I'm not telling you anything." I hung up.

My outfit was complete. Some jewelry additions, perfume and I thought I was ready.

I wonder if Jacob went though this much trouble with his scientific creations. I bet he'd think it was easier to work his density drive, whatever the hell that is, than understand girls fashions.

Speaking of Jacob, I called him up, asked him for a ride into school.

I went to the kitchen to get breakfast. Food, they keep telling me in Home Ec class is important. I got myself some cereal and milk and sat down.

"Tiffany?"

Oh, great. Just what I needed. My mother wants to talk. Well, I do not want to talk to her. Whether we are moving too fast, or not, I am still mad that she insulted Jacob like that. Divorcing parents do not have the right to ruin everybody else's love life.

"You can't ignore me forever, you have to speak to me sometime."

Forever, no. But I'm sure I can try for sometime next month. You'd be surprised how stubborn I can be when you get me this pissed.

"Tiffany, be reasonable."

I responded with deafening silence.

Where was it ever written that a teenage girl ever had to be reasonable?

My mother moved directly in front of me. "I know you are upset, and about some of it I'm sorry."

Some of it?

Some of it???

"Only some of it?" I tried as hard as I could not to have my question soaking in sarcasm.

"Yes, some of it. He is after all one of my biggest foes. So I'm used to looking for things to attack in him. And he is used to dealing with my attacks. That's normal. But that insinuation didn't hurt him."

"What??"

Did my mother have so little clue about men?

It would explain her imminent divorce.

"That insinuation did not hurt him. He would have been surprised had I not done it. He probably expected it to be a private accusation. He threw that statement at me, he was angry, not for me, but because by doing it in front of you, it showed that I had no faith in your ability to decide things for yourself."

I think you don't, mother.

"And do you?" I asked her.

"Do I what?"

"Do you have faith in my ability to decide for myself what I want."

"There are moments, but overall, yes."

Well, well. Will wonders never cease?

"And if I truly wanted him as a boyfriend?"

"I would try to find a way to put up with it."

Change the word wonders to miracles.

Let's really push things.

"And if I seduced him?"

Tiffany's mother gave her a look, and tried not to explode. She wanted mother daughter peace, trying to keep her on her side in the divorce proceedings. "That I would not want to know about."

Chapter 21: Jacob

7:25am

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, October 27th 2006.

Sleep, a famous science fiction character once said, is for tortoises. Unfortunately, that person was an alien. I, on the other hand am human. Despite public opinion, I am human. My difference is when they call me an alien, or say I'm not normal, I thank them. Think about human behavior. Wars, violence at home and school, abuse of friend and family, petty mocking and torment of the helpless, drug and court scandals of those we are supposed to look up too, all this has me glad to be thought different.

I made breakfast. Eggos and syrup plus tea and milk. As I sat down, the phone rang.

Always my personal time is interrupted.

I looked at the phone. The caller ID said it was Tiffany. Why ever would she call me? I would have bet every dollar I spent on the Flying Dutchman that she would have realized the inevitable results of wanting to be a couple. Crush, or love, it would not be just us involved. My public reputation would see to that. Every gesture, every word, every action I do is gossiped upon. I seriously believe the British royals produce less gossip than I do.

I hit the speakerphone button. "Stone residence... Morning Tiffany, how are you? I'm doing ok too... you want a ride... sure, pick you up in 15 minutes... ok, see you then."

I finished eating quickly then put on my usual outfit. I went out to the Flying Dutchman, took off and set course for Tiffany's farmhouse.

I'm running a feud with the football players. Also I have to deal with a relationship I want, she may want, but will it survive public reaction? Come to think it, why do I care? The behavior of everybody else is comic relief to me most of the time. My concern should be that Tiffany is able to stand the public reaction. Today I think I'll let her react, face it as she wishes. After all, for all that I supposedly can do, I cannot do everything. Any partner of mine must be able to stand on her own two feet.

Chapter 22: Jacob

7:39am

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, October 27th 2006.

As the flight proceeded, I decided to put in a Meatloaf CD.

The landing went smoothly. Nobody came out waving a shotgun at me. I did not think her mother would do a thing like that, but after last night, anything was possible.

Tiffany approached from the back of the house past a stretch of the road framed by corn stalks.

Then I took a second look. And a third. The outfit she wore might have been designed to try to make her look sexy, but it was a futile attempt. She was sexy to begin with, and all the outfit could do was show it off. As far as I'm concerned, Tiffany is the sort of girl who would look sexy wearing anything. But to be my girl, looks are not enough. Personality is most of the needed material, but also personal strength. She has got to run the gambit of the high school gossips.

I really hope she is strong enough to be my girl.

Tiffany hopped aboard. "Let's go. We don't want to be late."

Late? Not in this craft.

I nodded.

As she put her book bag down, she said "Trust me, you want to hurry."

I had a better sense of time then most clocks. School did not start till 8:30am. We had plenty of time. I was just about to point this out when I remembered something I had seen other men in relationships do. They humored their woman, even when there was no reason to do so. "Ok, Tiffany." I pulled up the GPS and the mapping program. Shortly afterwards I had the craft moving down the back roads at a decent clip.

"How's your family doing?"

"Ok."

"You going to introduce me sometime?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because they are not here. To be accurate, they are not even in North America. Mom is on a carrier in the Arabian Sea, Dad is in East Jerusalem and my two older brothers are in Afghanistan." I looked at the console for the density drive for a moment. "Tell you what. If things work as I expect they should, after I test the density drive, we'll go visiting. I'll introduce you around."

Tiffany nodded. She had more pieces to a puzzle. He lives alone, living in his self - imposed shell. He only did school stuff and worked on his craft.

As we reached the school, I noticed some new signs. It seems the school has given the Program participants parking spots right outside the school. I guess they noticed it was getting very cold.

Then Tiffany drove all concerns about the weather and parking clear out of my head.

She came over and dropped her coat.

I could see she was surprised briefly that the ship was so well heated. Well, I never did tell her how cold sensitive I was. And surely she noticed that I had my coat hanging on a hook by the door. I bent to pick up her coat so I could hang it up as well.

She put her hand on my shoulder. "Forget about the coat." She maneuvered me so that I was looking into her eyes, standing about a foot in front of her. "You want to kiss me, don't you?" she asked, sexily.

Do you have to ask such an obvious question?

Then I looked at her outfit. I mean I saw it earlier, noticed the materials, patterns, colors, my usual 'scan' of anything that passes by my eyes. But now I took a really good look. Her outfit screamed 'innocent country girl', but the way it hugged her body shouted 'I'm a party girl'. It hugged her curves so perfectly. The skirt was just enough below her ass that she could wear it, and high enough that if she bent over, all would be revealed. Her top had a neckline that went as far as it could while still hiding something. I may not be that experienced at reading women's outfits, but if I had to guess, that outfit screamed 'sex'. And that zipper went from the neckline to the waist too.

Not even I can resist a hint from a girl in that outfit. I said the natural response. "Tiffany, I really want to kiss you." I really meant it, too.

"Then go ahead."

I looked at her just a second longer, then accepted the fact that the local cop for Murphy's Laws had decided to go on a donut break.

I kissed her. It started slow and tentative, but before I could help it, I was kissing her hard. I pulled her to me and held her tight.

She opened her mouth to me while grinding herself against me.

Our kiss ended. I didn't want it to. I really never wanted to stop kissing Tiffany. Unfortunately I still needed to breathe.

Then she started the next kiss, moving her hands up and down my back, squeezing my ass as she continued to grind herself into me. It was as if she was trying to flatten her decent sized breasts by crushing them against me. She stopped the second kiss to tell me the zipper in the back of her skirt was not there for decoration.

The Meatloaf CD started to play Paradise by the Dashboard Lights.

Ok universe, I'm getting the hint here.

I unzipped her skirt, and she stopped her grinding just long enough to let the skirt fall to the floor. Before she went back to grinding, I indicated my pants. "We'll both be more comfortable without these."

She took off my boots and slid down my pants, then pulled them off. Then Tiffany practically ripped my underwear to shreds. "Please, please can I have it?"

Her pleading tone was cause for interesting speculation... later. Right now there was only one thing I wanted to do. Or should I say the only thing I wanted to concentrate on was doing Tiffany.

"Go ahead."

She shucked of her top, and I removed the rest of my clothes.

She lay down on the floor, and then I got on top of her. I think the position was called a '69'. I was not going to ask just then. Instead I fingered her as she started to suck my cock.

I started with one finger, moving slowly.

She was sucking me, rather nicely. She tried to grind her body against my finger.

I kept it up, keeping my finger motions rather slow, before putting in a second finger and speeding things up. But only just a little bit.

Tiffany was moaning a bit now. She was sucking harder, trying to get it all in her mouth, almost as if she was sucking a milkshake. The last few drops of the milkshake that is. The pressure was building.

A few minutes later, I upped the finger count to four. I started to match the finger speed to her sucking speed.

She caught on quickly. She sucked harder. Her moaning increased.

My resistance went quickly. I came in her mouth.

She drank it all. Then she sucked me again. She kept grinding her pussy against my fingers.

I fingered her off fast. By now I knew what she really wanted. And I wanted it too.

She came screaming. As soon as she could speak again she begged, "Put it in, Jacob please put it in now."

Like I wanted to do anything else.

I climbed on top of her and rubbed her pussy slowly and teasingly with my cock. Her pussy was wet. My cock slipped in a little.

"Yes... give it to me... please give it to me now!"

I tried to fuck her slowly. I wanted to make the moment last as long as I could.

I tried.

Instead she put her legs around me, and rolled us over. "I want it all, now. I need you to fuck my brains out. To hell with it" At that point she started riding me hard, moaning, "Yes, oh yes... I love this so much. More... give me more..."

I reached up, squeezed her nipples.

Tiffany went wild. Her orgasmic screams should have broken every window in the hovercraft.

Chapter 23: Tiffany

8:15am

That was just too good. If Jacob is that good during his second fuck, how good will he be after we fuck a few more times?

One thing is for sure. If for no other reason, I've got to keep him around for that.

Did I just think that?

Who would have thought I'd be thinking such thoughts last week?

Now all I have to do is get him past this bit of shyness he has left. I know he can take charge of things. The question is, how to give him the confidence to be certain our relationship will last?

I put on my skirt and my jacket. Then I helped Jacob get dressed.

As we went to the school entrance we were supposed to do our stripping at, I saw a large crowd waiting.

Oh great, there was Kevin and Fred standing there. They had a bunch of football players there. They all had lust driven looks on their face.

I went from feeling heavenly to feeling like I had gone to hell.

Jacob put his arm around me, somewhat protectively. "The rules be damned. I am going to refuse any supposedly reasonable requests concerning Tiffany from certain people. They know who they are."

Fred, Kevin, Ms. Q., Bob and I spoke up at once.

Jacob held up his hand. "This is not a press conference. One at a time, please."

Fred went first. "You can't stop us. She's free game all week 'cause of the Program. We can do what ever we want with her."

Kevin followed with, "You will not be around to guard her all the time. Sooner or later we will get what we want, and what we deserve."

I said "But..."

Jacob gave a short, evil laugh. "You'll get what you deserve alright, you can bet your bottom dollar on that. You and that son of a bitch coach of yours. Yesterday was not the end of my plans on that issue. Not by a long shot."

"Language, Mr. Stone." Ms. Q. said. "You have not been the best Program participant here, you know. It is in the rules to let them get their requests. Or at least ask them and let Tiffany decide."

"And no doubt I will be punished in the end. But let me tell you this, I'd rather spend another week being the naked laughing stock of this school than let them try to hurt Tiffany, or even touch her for that matter."

"Understandable. Still..."

"Ms. Q, we have seen proof already that they do not care if Tiffany permits things or not. It's what they want only that decides what they do. Nothing, nobody else matters."

Bob came up to me and asked, "Do you mind if I take your clothes off?"

I looked at him, then took his hand and moved him and myself out of the line of fire between Jacob and the crowd.

Fred and his football friends charged after us. Jacob moved in front of them. Most of the soccer team stood by him. Other students picked sides. They started to look like a bunch of snarling dogs.

Fred said, "You're going to be beat meat."

Jacob stood there with a calm face. You'd think from his expression that this was a bunch of friends deciding where to go next weekend. "It looks like I'm not as alone as you thought I was."

The two sides tensed. Both groups looked towards their leaders for the slightest sign to attack.

Jacob was giving nothing away. If anything, he looked slightly bored with the mess.

Kevin looked like he was aching to spring. Anger seemed to be seeping from every pore. If looks could kill, there'd be nobody alive within 80 miles.

Ms. Q. was looking back and forth between the two of them. She looked like she was at ground zero of a ticking time bomb.

She was.

Then coaches Bromby and Koke came running. I'd love to know who told them. I could had sworn that nobody left, everybody eager for the fight that would solve the question of who was the alpha student in this school.

Koke told Kevin to relax, he'd get his chance soon enough.

Bromby told Jacob that he could not permit a fight and asked Jacob if he really thought a fight would help matters.

Jacob thought for a couple minutes. "No. Not yet. I still have other moves to make, other cards to play." He made a 'stand down' gesture.

By now Bob was done taking off my clothes. He did it with no suggestiveness, saying something to the effect of he and other of Jacob's friends will be ready to beat Kevin out of requests before school.

A freshman girl asked, and got to strip Jacob.

I wore a big grin as we walked arm in arm to geometry class.

Chapter 24: Jacob

10:32am

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, October 27th 2006.

For once, math class was of some interest. Today we discussed the abstract mathematical principles of thinking. Not that that was any problem for me. Almost the entire mathematical basis for the density drive's theories are based on such math after all.

After the class ended, Miss Plussman held me back. "I liked your participation better. At least you acted like you enjoyed the class rather than looking like you were bored out of your skull.

"Today's math was more enjoyable. It was not simply that I could fall asleep in class, get called on and answer right as I look at the problem. These questions I had to think about for a few seconds."

"We really have to get you some more advanced assignments. You better head to your next class."

I moved quickly and started to make for my next class. The teachers were right about one thing. I have been flirting with trouble all week. Eventually I was going to put a foot down wrong and the school establishment is probably praying they are there to catch me.

WHAT THE BLOODY FUCK???

I had a sudden pain in my right hand.

I felt liquid hitting my chest.

I heard laughter as somebody ran away.

I looked.

I saw a very happy Kevin running away, holding a bloody knife.

No need to call in Agatha Christie here. Hell, even Clusseau could put these clues together.

I grabbed a baton of a passing girl and started moving. I was checking the balance. The time with Debbie brought me more than just pain.

"DOWN!!!" I thundered.

I must have had quite a look on my face because people started dropping like bodies in a bad horror movie.

I waited for a clear shot, and then threw. Hard. The baton flew down the hallway, clearing some students by inches. Then it struck Kevin in his legs, causing him to fall.

He got up. "You should have died when you had the chance. I'm going to make you suffer for that." He started back towards me.

My blood was beginning, causing people to give me a wide berth. I was trying to remember just how much blood I could afford to lose.

Chapter 25: Tiffany

11am

Class went great. I got my test back with a perfect score on it. The teacher told me that if I wanted, next semester, I could try for an advanced placement course. I just might go for it.

By the time I reached the usual T - junction, I thought that maybe the Program might actually have a point. By stripping us of our metaphorical armor, we can grow quicker.

Oh my Good God. All that blood? Did Lizzie Borden get loose in our high school? Wait. All the blood on Jacob? Am I seeing Kevin with a bloody knife? That's it. Kevin is soooooo dead. He just hasn't stopped moving yet.

I threw all my books at Kevin.

Then I gave him his wish. I jumped him. But not the way he wanted. I started to do my best to beat him up. I got rid of his knife first. Then I tackled him to the ground. I sat firmly on top of him, happily slamming him into the floor. "I'm going to beat the shit out of you," I hissed, "I'm going to beat the shit out of you, and then I'm going to make you eat it." The second part I shouted.

I fully intended to do this. Do not doubt it.

Mr. Makepeace came around the corner at that moment.

Lucky for Kevin that he did.

The teacher took a look at Jacob's bloody hand and blood covered body and went to the intercom. "School nurse to the E corridor. We have a knife wound, possibly more."

"I'll be right there." The nurse's reply came.

"Ok, now somebody tell me what happened."

All right, let's see them cover this up, even if I am too out of breath to say anything.

Nobody answered the teacher's question.

Security showed up, bagged the knife and started to herd everybody not involved into groups.

The teacher looked annoyed. "Are you guys seriously expecting me to believe that a fight between Kevin and Jacob was ignored completely? Even when somebody was swinging a knife around?"

As I was trying to get back the air and energy I spent pounding on Kevin, I pointed. I pointed to the bagged knife in the security guard's hand and then I pointed to Kevin.

Kevin went to attack me.

A security guard blocked his path.

The nurse arrived. She saw Jacob and gave a minor screech. "Somebody try to kill you?" She rushed over to bandage him as best as she could. She sent one guard running to her office and another guard running to the gym for some clean towels

"Yes," Jacob said, "somebody did. His name is Kevin. Since everybody is afraid to say it, I must."

Jacob's voice sounded unnaturally weak. That hurt me more then the punches Kevin had landed on me.

"You hush." The nurse said. I can tell Kevin attacked you. Otherwise he'd be needing blood like you do. I'm seeing too much blood here." She pulled out a cell phone. She hit a speed dial. Get me emergency..."

By the time the call was over, Jacob was feeling a bit too faint. He fell towards the lockers and slid down to the floor.

The nurse surveyed the scene. She told the guards to remove everybody who was not wounded.

No way I was leaving. That just was not happening.

I made my way over to the nurse. "Please. I'm his girlfriend. Can I please go to the hospital with him?"

The nurse looked at me like I was something out of a particularly interesting magazine. "No. Jacob Stone does not have a girlfriend. He's above love and emotion. Stone may have gotten himself in this mess helping you. That's more believable. But the entire school would know if he's dating you. Even Jacob could not keep a secret like that."

That fucking legend again. I'm beginning to hate it as much as he does. "Listen," I pleaded, "I don't know why the gossips are so slow about it, but we agreed to be a couple last night. I want to be there for him."

"No. Not unless you are carrying his child. Besides, if you truly are dating him, you should know that like the proverbial cat, he'll keep coming back, no matter what you do to him. Molly Brown was never as unsinkable as he is."

A guard tried to pull me away. "Time to go to your next class, young lady."

I yanked my arm free. "Let me go, you mistimed excuse for an alarm. Now you are all over me when the danger has been building all day and the disaster just happened? Know this. If our relationship dies because you did not let me go with him, you'll only wish it was Jacob Jehosophat Stone who is pissed off at you."

I stormed off.

The crowds parted in the hallway as if I radiated danger.

Smart crowds.

The last thing I heard in that corridor was "Perhaps she is Stone's girlfriend after all. That sounded frightfully close to the way he'd do it."

Good. I wanted them frightened.

By the time I reached math class, I was well and truly pissed.

"Tiffany? Tiffany?? Are you paying attention?" Mr. Beakins asked. He was looking irate.

Of course not. After what happened in the hallway, what makes you think I care about class?

All I did was look back at him.

The math teacher looked like he wanted to say something else. But he contented himself with repeating himself. "Tiffany, I said that since you are in program, I can use you to demonstrate things. Today's lesson involves mathematical balances, and I wish to use your body to illustrate my lesson."

"No."

"No? You refusing a Program request?"

"Was my 'no' not clear enough? Then how about FUCK no?"

"Apologize, or be sent to the office."

"Send me. I don't care."

Mr. Beakins reached for the correct form, and then stopped. "This is not like you. What's wrong?"

"In the hallways, before this period, Jacob was stabbed."

"Why? Who did he offend this time? And why are you so upset about it?"

"He upset several football players. And the reason I'm so upset is because Jacob is my boyfriend."

And I thought the room had gone quiet when I had cursed the teacher. I think I could hear the traffic on the main road, a quarter mile away.

I continued with "I'm really pissed that though this knifing happened in a crowded hallway with Kevin laughing triumphantly, and nobody was willing to tell the guards what happened. The clues were obvious, but since when are knifings a permitted way to handle things around here?"

Somebody spoke up from the rear of the classroom. "Kevin should be arrested."

"Oh get over it," a familiar voice said, "Jacob deserved it. He has no right to mess with the football players. Maybe if they hurt him enough, that arrogant geek will realize his only purpose here is to do whatever he is told by anybody more 'cool' than he is."

It was Heather.

I asked, "Does that give them the right to assault the cheerleaders?"

Heather snapped back, "That's a non - issue. Speaking as a cheerleader, we are all honored and thrilled to get laid by football players."

"Not all," I shot back. "I turned them down."

"You choose Jacob over Fred or Kevin? Then the two of you deserve whatever they do to you guys." Heather turned her back on me at that point.

That was no loss.

"That's enough you two. I want quiet in this classroom now."

I admit it. I didn't pay attention to the teacher. I didn't care about the teacher or his class. I was not even interested in being angry with Heather.

I was worried about Jacob.

Who cared about the legend they all believed. The problem with this is that I had seen the humanity behind it. Not just any humanity, but his true self. Plus I've seen how he cares about other people's pain more than his own. I've seen proof of that long before yesterday. Any man who could feel pain like that is able to be hurt way more easily.

Finally, the class bell rang.

I had lunch next.

At least there, I could be with my friends.

I got my lunch. It looked uglier than usual.

I tried to think there was a good reason for it to look like this. I really did. The best I could come up with is that the school thought it was serving really fresh food... by serving us recent road kill. I joined the crowds of kids who did not want to throw up by eating my dessert only.

Diane called me over to the table they chose. Megan, Bill and Bob were already there. Lucy had a notepad open. She looked like she was working on notes for the school yearbook.

I ate what little I could and joyfully trashed the rest.

Hopefully the sickening substance they passed off as food would not combine to form a new type of life. I think such unexpected results should be left to the failed and trashed biology lab projects.

Bill looked around. "I don't know just how bad that fight really was, but it really has the groups divided. You are being cursed aloud by almost everybody in here."

I had noticed this. It was as if deciding to date Jacob was equal to painting a target on my chest. They act as if I've given up all rights to any social protection. But what really annoys me is that while all the people supporting the football crowd are being loud about it, you can't tell from what's being said if anybody outside of his confidants and I are supporting Jacob.

Is this a high school in the United States, or a town square in a third world country? Since when are we supposed to settle things with violence? And what is more annoying, since when are the teachers supposed to let any student get away with violence?

Megan asked "May I interview you for the school paper?"

I was surprised. Of all the people in this school, why me?

I decided to ask that very question.

"Megan, why me?"

"Because you are doing what nobody else in this school has done. You've captured the interest of Jacob Stone. Plus you are in the Program. We always interview the Program students."

I see. And for once I thought it might be something related to me.

"Ok. Ask away."

"What do you think of the Program?"

"I know what I think of its intentions. But as I've discovered, this school seems to be more concerned with other things. And if those other things need diversions, the Program's rules provide an easy escape. This Program is supposed to teach us respect and understanding, for our bodies and for each other. Yet since Jacob and I went into the program, we've had an attempted rape and a knifing. That's just the first day and a half. There will be school events till at least Saturday that we all need to attend."

"Do you really blame the Program?"

"No. I blame us all."

"Us all??"

"Yes. I blame the football coaches for the football team being taught that they are above rules and ethics. I blame the school for permitting this. I blame Jacob for thinking he has to fight this battle alone. And I blame myself and the rest of the school for letting Jacob do this. Don't you realize that if we all stood together, we could change things in this school on a scale that even my boyfriend would have difficulty matching," I said earnestly. "But by meekly letting things go on as they are in the name of some football championship, or because the victims are un - cool, we invite the trouble to happen. Because of this, we will probably lose both Jacob and the football goals, because neither side is liable to back down."

Megan reluctantly wrote down Tiffany's indictment against the high school's mentality. "A moment ago, you called Jacob your boyfriend. Why? What would make him a better choice then somebody with looks and coolness? There are others in this school besides the football team, aren't there?"

"Because he was strong enough to cry tears of sorrow for me. No man has ever done that for me before."

"Sounds like a contradiction. Strong enough to cry tears," Megan pointed out.

"It is, but it's true nonetheless. He was the only man to care that much about how I felt inside. All the others only wanted my body or the fame of dating a cheerleader. Hey, I thought this interview was about me."

"It is. Tell us about your activities."

"I'm a member of Future Farmers of America, the 4H, Science Club, and the Student Events Committee."

"Does Jacob share any of those interests?"

I just glared at her.

Megan had the grace to look sheepish. "I'm trying, Tiffany, I really am. But the truth is the reason everybody is going to read this article is that you captured the heart of Jacob. That has not been done before. I spent the morning checking the gossip networks. They are all going to want to know how you did it. Your friends here know there is more to you than who you are dating. But we all know that everybody in the high school is not like that. They care about the sensational, the thrilling, those things which we think are either beyond us or such things that we think are too cool. We care about things based more on enjoyment than substance. The more exciting it is, the more amazing it is, the more we teenagers like it." Megan was talking earnestly now. She had a point to make. Tiffany had put herself in quite a spot and how she handled it could make all the difference. "Take that race you and Jacob ran against Heather yesterday. She planned to show you up, make you think that you were choosing the wrong man, right?"

I looked at Megan. She had a point. But what, what was she trying to accomplish? And what has a race to do with anything. I was just trying to get Jacob to participate more in what most people call normal student behavior. He humored me, as I knew he would. I'm probably the only person in this school that can do that. Hmmm. I was probably also not the only person to enjoy putting Heather in her place either.

Could it be that simple? I know I can offer Jacob love and support. After all, that's probably all he expects of me. But maybe he does not have to hate who he is. Through his desire to please me, I can use my knowledge of the high school to try to shape him to be more cool.

But would he want to? He has built a legend, that for all his hatred of it, serves him quite well.

Can it be possible? Take the man behind the legend, fall in love with him, and together shape the legend so that he can be more of what he'd rather be while still insuring less pain and stress?

"I know what Heather wanted to do. Humiliate Jacob and have me think that no legend is worth the shame of going with him."

"Did it work?"

I laughed. "No. Like all of us at one time or another, she underestimated what Jacob could do."

"Based on this, we come to the question everybody is asking about you. I ask you, what do you think you can offer Jacob?"

I think I went crazy. I must have left my mind in my locker along with the books from my last class. Because I finally stopped playing things carefully. I told the truth.

"Personally there is nothing I have that Jacob does not have or can not get if he puts his mind to it. He has everything he needs but the understanding that he can be popular. He's built a legend. But that legend exists between the happiness of who he is and who he thinks he should be. The only thing I can offer is to help him to understand that he can be both without losing himself. The only reason I can offer him this is because for all he is and knows, there are things he does not consider. I'm going to help him with that."

Megan listened to that. "If you can do that, you should have a legend of your own."

"God help this school if we become a pair of legends."

Diane looked around. "Perhaps that would be a good thing for this school. We need our status quo upset at times."

The room went silent.

Various voices spoke in disbelief.

"No way."

"How can he? I thought he got stabbed!"

"He did! He was bleeding all over my coat."

"Will nothing stop him?"

"You know what they say. Murphy's Law strikes when it is least wanted."

I looked where everybody else was looking.

Jacob was there. He was as naked as he was this morning, except for the thick bandages around his right hand. He also had that mixed look of world-weariness and triumph that so annoyed his fellow teenagers.

This time though I could sense some underlying sadness.

He saw us all staring and muttered something about "spectator sports". In a louder voice he said, "I have indeed returned," After a pause he added, "and now I am going to eat."

Lucy called out for Jacob to join us at our table. "Come, sit with us."

Jacob looked around and saw the various looks he was getting. "You do know that you are making yourselves targets, don't you?" Bill looked around in disgust. "Forget them. Are you ok?"

"I've just been knifed. Should I be ok?"

"Good point," Bill responded.

"However I will say that I'm feeling better now."

"With that bandage I doubt you're feeling anything at all right now." A sarcastic voice said.

Jacob didn't bother reacting.

I did react. I asked him, "How would you like to be feeling the floor with your head?"

"Well, well," another voice said, "The geek needs a girl to protect him. How sad."

I started to get up. Today was not a good day to find out how bad my bad side really was.

Megan put a hand on my shoulder.

Jacob simply lifted his left hand. "Let the fools babble. I've more important decisions to make."

Diane got up and got him some lunch.

Megan moved away a bit so he could sit next to me.

He sat down, thanking Megan with a nod.

As he ate, I lost all doubt that he was a right-handed person. Eventually he gave up fighting with the lunch.

As he sat there thinking, more remarks came in our direction.

I looked around to see a crowd gathering.

Jacob sighed. "Am I a spectator sport?" he asked tiredly.

Fred spoke out from the crowd. "You should have just stayed away. Eventually you will be beat down."

"For the love of the fates, why me?" Jacob turned and looked Fred in the face. "That may be, but at least Kevin will not be doing any of the beating."

"Dream on." Heather said.

Oh great. I'm going to quit cheerleading if half of what she says is true about the mentality of the rest of the cheerleaders.

"At least Kevin will not be an issue any longer."

"Why?"

"What did you do?"

"You're kidding."

"Relax, there's nothing he can do to Kevin." Heather said confidently.

"Really." Although Jacob spoke normally, everybody quieted. He'd been in the school long enough for us to learn when he's waiting to drop some verbal bombshell.

"Okay. Spit it out, geek." Heather ordered.

"Kevin has been arrested. The school refused to press charges. They continued their 'protect the football crowd' policies. I pressed charges myself. He should have been picked up last period."

There was a murmur of discontent though the football favoring crowd.

"You guys forced me to this point."

Am I hearing sadness in Jacob's voice? Doesn't he realize that it's outright war between him and the football squad? Somebody has to have a clear victory, or this will never end.

Jacob continued. "I will not tolerate any further attacks, either on Tiffany or myself. I had Kevin charged with a charge that the school could not drop. Attempted assassination. I do qualify as a political figure, and I have no doubt Kevin meant to kill me."

Chapter 26: Jacob

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, October 27th 2006.

That shut them up good. Finally a move that actually made those sports addicted annoyances think about exactly how far they wanted to play this game.

Don't misunderstand me. I enjoy victories. Unfortunately, despite what they are thinking, that was not a victory. All I wanted to do is move them beyond their jock vs. geek mentality. And with all the skills I'm supposed to have, I should have been able to do this without going outside the school.

So in part the legend failed by allowing this to happen. I really should have been paying closer attention. But then again as far as they are concerned, the legend succeeded. I'm sure none of them thought I would get Kevin arrested.

God help me, the legend is moving beyond my control. How soon before the legend becomes me???

Now I've joined my school life with my political life.

I really wanted to keep them separate. I mean I know that I am possibly the oddest student ever to walk these halls, but I still want to make some attempt at being a typical teenager. If I did not want that, I could have joyfully embraced the legend. Life would be easier. Probably.

About the time I reached that conclusion, the sixth period bell rang.

Oh dear. Coach Koke seems to be subbing today.

"Stone. On the bench. You've not in gym uniform, you're getting an F. Shame we are doing the test today. Your usual teacher does not permit retests, does he?" Koke was laughing as he turned his back.

I had the feeling that it was futile to try to explain that the Program required me to be naked in this class along with all my others. The only thing the coach probably wants to hear from me is an apology and public acceptance of the football program's superiority over geeks and odd people like me. Fat chance of that ever happening.

"Stone! In my office right now!"

Come into the parlor said the spider to the fly...

"Yes, coach."

Bzzzzz bzzzzz.

The coach closed the door behind me.

Now I knew it was a trap. Or was it something else? Could there be hope that he was just keeping up appearances and is going to try to negotiate some peace in here?"

"Kevin was pulled out of my Driver's Ed class by two policemen and arrested."

Old news. "Indeed." I kept my voice carefully neutral. "Rumors have it, you are responsible."

I just nodded.

"Then get on that phone this second you shit assed bastard and drop those charges. You managed to get him arrested. Now do whatever you must to get him freed by the end of this class period."

"No."

"Do it!" Koke screamed.

"He tried to kill me. This is beyond your arrogant disregard for students who clash with your team. He raised the ante with that knife assault. A pity he did not bother to find out exactly what I might be capable of."

Koke grabbed a bat. "It doesn't matter if he knifed you, you scrawny bastard. He's on my team. That gives him permission to treat geeky shits like you however he wants."

God help me, I embraced the legend.

"Hit me with that bat, and you had better kill me. Otherwise I will make my purpose in life to so destroy your sports future as to even make sure you are banned from the sports teams of what ever prison you end up in. What I did with Kevin is a small taste of the power at the disposal of Jacob Jehoooooooooooosophat Stone. Use me as a batting target at your peril."

The coach stopped as he was coming around his desk. Despite his bigotry, it was obvious that there was some power to this scrawny geek that he had never noticed. Slowly he put the bat down.

That's right, Koke. Get a taste of the power at my command, learn there is justification for my arrogant bearing. Clothes may make a man, but true power resides in what he can do with himself. Koke looked at me. Very quietly he said "I have to respect a kid who can match power and fear with me. But I cannot let you win this battle. The football team has a special practice last period. We are going to have a long talk. I have a feeling you should change schools tonight."

A crack in his shields?

I had to give him something back. "Coach, I and those who trust my judgment could have been valuable supporters of the sports programs. Brains means we can put science into the game, do calculations to do those small changes to give greater, more assured victories. After all, who do the jocks usually run to for tutoring to prevent their grades from getting too low? I heard after my return from the hospital emergency room that the geeks of this school as you call them, have decided to stop their tutoring. Even without my asking, they stood by me. How far do we have to fight this war? Until both sides are too devastated to care about the victory? How high a price are you willing to let the football players pay for their egos, the egos you fed?"

The bell announcing the end of class rang then.

I nodded at the coach and headed for Ms. Q's class. As the country song puts it, the battle lines are clearly drawn.

Upon arriving in my next class, I sat down next to Tiffany.

She leaned over and kissed me.

I composed myself. By the time class started, I looked calm and detached like I usually did. If it were not for the bandage, there'd be no clue from me of all today's troubles.

Ms. Q. noticed the bandage and asked if I was ok.

I told her I was ok.

Ms. Q. turned and addressed the class. "Yesterday we discussed first times. We had an eventful and revealing class, didn't we?"

There was some laughter and comments in the affirmative.

I contented myself with winking at Tiffany.

She smiled back.

"Ok, Jacob," the teacher asked, "after yesterday's revelations and the effects they had on you two, I think we all want to know something."

"Everybody expects me to have all the answers" I sighed.

"This question a lot of us think we have the answer to. But you are one of only two people who can confirm it."

"Go ahead."

"Did you and Tiffany hook up?"

"Yes." I let loose a genuine smile. "I have the honor to be Tiffany's boyfriend. Possibly, no make that certainly the greatest achievement I have yet accomplished."

"But Jacob, what about your hovercraft?" Tiffany asked.

"Simple science. I enjoy it, but it cannot bring me happiness. You can, and do."

"Your too sweet."

"No man can be sweet enough to match what you deserve. But I'm going to give it my best shot."

Ms Q. coughed slightly. "That's really romantic. Which leads me to the discussion topic I have planned for this afternoon's class. We've learned that a person's first time can color that person's attitudes on sex. But any two people can have sex. As you've no doubt seen, sex can be easily bought if you happen to be in the right area. It can be offered to you if you are famous enough or as a bribe for favors. But as you will all learn, that is simply sex. There is no pleasure beyond the skill of your partner and the rewards/ treats the partner might give you. Now for the big question. Tiffany, Jacob, have you two had sex yet?"

I sounded slightly disappointed. "Ms. Q, I told you yesterday that gentleman do not kiss and tell, and that at the very least, I am a gentleman."

I don't know why I bothered. No sooner did I finish trying to be noble and protect her reputation when she opened that sexy but occasionally big mouth of hers.

"Yes we did. This morning."

"This morning, Tiffany? Where?"

Tiffany gave me a questioning look.

I gave her a slight 'go ahead' grin.

Tiffany gave me a more normal looking grin back.

I nodded and I held up three fingers, then two, then one, then as I dropped the last finger down, I said "In my hovercraft."

Tiffany said "On the floor of Jacob's hovercraft."

The various reactions I heard from the class were to say the least, surprised. From a few of the comments, you'd think we announced we had God's personal telephone number.

"I'm curious. Was this sex any different? And be honest now."

Tiffany looked at me. "I'll go first. You are right, Ms. Q. Sex with a man I love, and who loves me was much better than anything before."

Even I am incapable of recording how I felt when I heard those words.

First I gave Tiffany a loving look and whispered, "Might as well give them what they are expecting." Then I turned to address the class. "To answer your question, Ms. Q, yes and no. Clinically speaking, the same. Sex is sex. But on an emotional level, on those levels beyond science, it was most certainly different. Sorry, Becky, but feelings do matter. I may not be the most experienced in matters of sex, but I think that while sex for fun is fun, sex when you are in love is so much more enjoyable."

Chapter 27: Tiffany

I love him, but he says things in the oddest ways.

"I would like to point out that it is better because those in love care more about each other's loving. They want it to be an enjoyable experience for both."

The bell rang then.

We all gathered our stuff and started to leave. Well everybody but Jacob and myself. We had nothing to gather.

Ms. Q. held Jacob and I back. "Is it possible the two of you could choose a fantasy to play out in our next class?"

Jacob looked shocked.

"The reason I chose you two is simple. Those in love are more willing to play such games, and more willing to trust that the partner would not hurt her or him."

"That's true," I said, "I'll talk Jacob into it, don't worry."

Talk him into it, or seduce him into it. Either way I'll get him to do it. And me.

In science class I made sure we were in the same lab group again.

When it came time to hand out the chemicals, Mr. Shuman said, "You two have to sit out the lab for safety reasons."

"Won't that mean a zero for the day?" I asked.

"I'm afraid so." Our science teacher replied.

"Might I offer a suggestion?" Jacob asked.

"Sure."

"How about the two of us stand off to the side. Tiffany can do the writing. I'll just give instructions and suggestions."

"Jacob, you've been a bit of a pain in my class. Why should I work with you?"

"Because, otherwise I'll just fill in the answers in my lab book, and share them with Tiffany. If you spare us the effort of actually participating, we should be turning in our lab session notes in about five minutes."

I smiled. And people wonder what sort of advantages dating Jacob has. Name me one jock that can do what he just said.

My science teacher was torn between the idea of having me at least learn something out of this lab, or the safety laws. He had no doubt Jacob already knew the answers. He thought for a few seconds. "Sorry. The safety rules cannot be ignored." He whispered the next part. "But if Jacob will at least wait ten minutes, I'll let him fill out the book and give you the answers. That way you two can avoid zeros for the day."

"Done." Jacob said.

The rest of science class went quietly. I figured now was not the time to bring up the things Ms. Q. wanted us to talk about.

The last bell for the day rang and the general stampede began.

One thing was strange though. Nobody was trying to touch us. Jacob not being touched I could understand. But why not me?

Jacob watched as the third crowd split around us. He leaned into my ear and whispered, "It seems we are outside the usual interactions. Also I see the biggest jocks are not having their usual followings. It's as if we are all above things and that everybody is waiting for their retaliation. They don't want to be at ground zero, lest they become victims of my next reaction. I knew I should have looked for some other solution."

I pulled him to the side. "Look, despite what you think, that was the best move to make. The football players and you were headed for a showdown. The more dangerous you look, the more likely you will be able to convince them to watch their step. It's too much to hope for that everybody will shake hands anyway."

"Ok. I'm just not happy about making such moves. Such actions prevent me from being liked by the general student body. To change the subject, can you do me a favor?" Jacob asked.

"Sure."

"It will be tough."

"If it was easy, you probably would not be asking. I'll be thrilled to help you." I tried to sound as eager as I could.

"Very well. Thanks to Kevin, I have a problem." Jacob held up his bandaged right hand. "The problem is that I need two hands to fly the Flying Dutchman. I need you to help me pilot the Flying Dutchman to and from the away game. The soccer game is at St. James High School."

My mouth didn't hit the floor. But that was only because my brain gave up its control on the rest of my body. After Jacob dropped that bomb, the rest of me went on autopilot.

Jacob was going to trust me to fly his hovercraft?

Hold on, I don't even have a driver's license!!

Is he out of his mind???

If he is, then I better agree. Besides it will give me a level of equality with him in the eyes of the school. Besides, I love him so that despite that crazy idea, I trust him to have some clue what he is doing.

I hope.

"I'll be glad to do it."

Jacob smiled.

"And hopefully get a chance to do you too."

Jacob smiled even wider.

We went to get our clothes, and carried them to the parking lot. On the way towards the parking lot, Diane came over. She had three other girls with her.

"Tiffany, hi, Jacob, hi... where are you two going?"

"I'm taking Jacob to the soccer game."

"But you don't drive," one of the other girls mentioned.

I just smiled.

Jacob looked at the girl and her two companions. Then he just raised an eyebrow.

Diane introduced them. "Jacob, this one is Candy, Cindy is the one with the long blond hair, and the one on the end with the baseball cap is Carla. They are all cheerleaders."

Jacob looked at all three of them and said "Interesting." He was examining them as if they were probable opponents. "More Heathers?"

"Jacob!" Diane shouted.

I glared at him. "That was not very nice."

"Perhaps not." Jacob said. "But I'm quite aware that I'm in a duel with a good deal of the cool people of the school. Tiffany, you and Diane I know and trust. The rest of the cheerleaders are unknowns, and I know that Heather is trying to get them to turn on me as well."

Carla said, "I'll be honest. I agree with everything Heather's been saying except the point where Tiffany's supposed to have no choice but to do as they command. Most of us would be proud to get it on with them, yes, but I disagree that we should have no choice."

Jacob took her hand and shook it. "I respect your honesty. I never expected all the cheerleaders to support me. All I ever hoped for from them was that they would respect Tiffany's choices."

Candy smiled. "For personal reasons, I'd like to see you stopped before you are too successful. But I agree with Coach Cane. If both you and the football team do fight an all out war, we will all suffer."

Cindy looked at him. "I'm Kevin's girlfriend. I came along to see the menace that has the proper school order so shook up."

Jacob gave a mock bow. "Ah yes, Cindy Pubsgate. Jacob Jehosophat Stone at your service. May I be honest with you?"

"Please do."

"I know what I say will be passed back to the football supporters within the hour. Please tell them that even now it does not have to be war 'til one side is destroyed. I have played such games in the past and such victories never thrill me. I have many cards still to play, and I suspect they have plans of their own. Your boyfriend was the first casualty. You and Carla, and those cheerleaders who agree with the two of you are perfectly placed to look for a settlement. All I seek is equality. I may never be cool, but this feud has forced me to reveal the legend of Jacob Stone as only partially an act. And I know damned well that the football players have reps of their own. Common ground exists. But since I made the call that got Kevin arrested, I can no longer make any moves toward a settlement. So long as nobody cares to get between us, it can only get worse," Jacob said as he sadly shook his head. Then he let loose a deep sigh. "That's how is stands. You did not hide your loyalty to the one man who you had to know is not a friend of Kevin. To you I will make my last gesture before the feud overtakes us all. I'll be willing to listen to peace gestures until I leave St. James field. After that, I'm afraid the football players will most likely be making their next move. From thence on it will most likely be a battle to final defeat."

Cindy looked surprised. "In your shoes I'd be going for total victory, destroy them all as they would destroy you."

"And then they would be plotting to do worse. Instead of the war lasting a week at the longest, it will be forever. Too many innocents will be hurt. I want them defeated to the point they cannot harm me. That is all. The rest of their pride they can keep."

Diane spoke up at that point. "The four of us are going to the soccer game to cheer them on. Want to come with us?"

Chapter 28: Jacob

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, 3:05 pm October 27th 2006.

Tiffany told her "I'm riding with Jacob. We'll catch up."

"I'll be right back." I left Tiffany to talk a bit with the cheerleaders while I picked up a few things. I ducked into the supply room, and got the soccer books. I looked at the bag of soccer balls we used for practicing, and decided to take them in the Flying Dutchman.

A couple of members of the soccer team saw me and demanded to know what I thought I was doing.

"With a cheerleader squad joining you, you guys are not going to have room for this on the bus."

They stopped listening after I said 'joining you'. They were too busy running off to find out which cheerleaders were going. With luck, they would be some of the few who did not have boyfriends at the moment.

"I'll meet you there!" I shouted after them.

I rejoined Tiffany and we headed towards the craft.

"Ok Tiffany, you first enter a six digit code to open the hatch. I've recently switched it to a very important date in my life. You should easily be able to remember it as well. You input the numbers." I moved out of the way.

Tiffany entered the code correctly. As the hatch opened, she turned to help me put the ball bag onboard. "One, one, zero, five, nine, one... November 5th, 1991..." she whispered to her self. "Hey, that's my birthday! How sweet of you to use it."

I smiled. I had changed the code last night.

After we both boarded the Flying Dutchman, I steered Tiffany into the control seat.

Tiffany looked at the controls. I saw a flash of comprehension cross her eyes as she read the various labels. She lifted her hands and made a few motions with them, as if she was testing ideas out. Then she slid something.

The hatch shut.

She smiled.

I grinned. "Impressive, for a cheerleader. And just a small fraction of what I expect you can do. This time I'm going to show you how to set the systems up. The actual flight you will get to do." I leaned around Tiffany and received a very distracting view.

Concentrate, Jacob. You miss something and the only excitement the both of us will get will be as the Flying Dutchman crashes.

Tiffany was not helping any with the way she was leaning her breast into my arm.

It was only with the help of an epic effort that I concentrated on the lesson. "First, Tiffany, you engage the primary engine by flipping the switch located on the wall to your left. When only one person is flying the ship, that person usually stands between the two chairs. The third chair behind me will have access to all the ships functions, but will probably not be connected before Thursday. There are two rows of engine controls at that point. One of them says conventional. Push the button marked 'One'. While you are in that area, adjust the heater as you wish. No reason to dress since we are only going to have to strip once we get there. The rest of that side is simply engineering controls." I pointed one out. "When the reading on number one engine reaches 75%, hit that button there. That is the recyclatron. It basically takes the developed power and regulates the flow versus the need. If more power is being produced then is being used, it recycles through the system, reducing the draw off the energy fields and thus saves the fuel. The recyclatron also feeds the batteries. Extra energy is dissipated safely. The upshot is the more energy the ship can use wisely, the longer the fuel cells will last." I waited while she dutifully watched the engine's indicator.

Two minutes later, it reached 79%.

Tiffany pushed the button.

All the interior lights came on. A gentle hum filled the ship. A gust of hot air washed over us as the environmental systems compensated between initial readings and the requested settings. And the radio came on.

Tiffany looked around in awe. "Now this is more like it. It was impressive before, but this, this would get even those loudmouth idiots in school to shut up and take notice."

"True. But I did not build it to show off to fools. I built it for use. If I have a say in it, it will not become a tourist attraction with tour guides and t - shirts saying 'I flew in the Flying Dutchman'."

"A shame. You could easily buy popularity with this. The one thing we students in this school all love is something impressive. What next?"

"For the remainder of this flight, you can sit down in the right chair. On the wall to your right, make sure the flight systems are set to sub orbital. Then put my cell phone onto the downward slot in the center." I handed her my phone.

She put it in and grinned as the lights on the communication system kicked in.

I was beginning to think that she loves putting up and powering up Christmas lights too. "Ok. Now, you look at the screens in front of you. The one on your left has GPS mapping and our current location. The one to your right has the most important indicators and their current readings. In front of you is a large area that looks solid. Either you can open a set of windows, or you can push the large button above the left hand screen at your console."

She did so. "Wow." She gasped as a holographic projection was played in the area just in front of the two control chairs. "Cool." She turned to face me. That's when she really gasped in surprise. No matter where she looked, she saw the projection displaying what she would have seen if there had been no metal hull between her and the outside. "But yesterday there was only a forward projection screen! I would have certainly remembered something like this!!"

"Yesterday there was only that, yes. But last night I needed to work off some frustration, so I combined the observation system to the projection system, and ran it all through the computer for enhancement quality."

"This is just tooo cool. Can I show a couple friends? Please???"

I sighed. "I'll think about it. Next you power up the hoverjets. To your lower right in your panel, there is a bunch of twelve switches with dials next to them. Flip them all from neutral to positive, and set the dials all to 3.5. That should be able to deal with any environments we encounter on this trip. As a rule, the more unsteady the surface, the higher the power rating you want. To the right of those controls you'll see a set of four pointing switches. They are for aiming the inner four hoverjets. Simply kill power to the jet, aim it, and boost the power up, then hit the button below it. They happen to be the only weapons the ship has."

"Is this how you blew them away yesterday?" She laughed. "Pun intended."

"Yep. Now repeat after me. There is nothing more useless then a lock with a voice print."

"There is nothing more useless then a lock with a voice print." Tiffany repeated obediently.

"System. Authorization delta omega 714. The previous voice is now authorized to access system and voice control. Tiffany, choose a passcode."

Tiffany thought for a moment. "Wabash Cannonball."

"Acknowledged. System now acknowledges Tiffany French as authorized to control the Flying Dutchman."

"Tiffany. Get a system check."

"System. Current status according to set parameters." Tiffany was proud of herself for her choice of words.

The deep computer voice responded. "One hundred percent."

Tiffany relaxed. She had been following the instructions cautiously. But now she had an insight. Complex as the man behind the ship was, he did not go out his way to build it so. She realized that no matter the high sciences that make the ship work, the controls themselves are relatively logical. She understood the controls. She probably would have no clue about the inner workings, but the ships controls she knew she could handle.

"Great, Tiffany, you keep this up and people might stop thinking I'm the smartest student around here. Now put your right hand on the thing that looks like a sponge ball. Incidentally, that is what I call that control. With your left hand, key in the power levels you expect to use."

She checked the power readouts, and made a few guesses. She keyed them in as I watched.

Excellent. She's not trying to test limits or show off. "Next is the automatic avoidance device. That basically scans the environment and keeps us from hitting anything we shouldn't. On Friday I should have it capable of not only warning and stopping, but of choosing an alternate course to avoid trouble without troubling the pilot. Activate the automatic avoidance device now, if you would."

"System, activate the automatic avoidance device, please."

"Activated." The system's bass voice responded.

"And now for the moment you've been waiting for. Now you grab the joystick in your left hand, and squeeze the ball lightly with your right hand. It will seem as if the ship is almost controlled by a force of will. The more pressure, the more power the desired action will receive."

Tiffany put her hands on the controls. She squeezed gently, and moved the joystick back. A more decisive hum filled the ship. She continued though the parking lot towards the road.

Suddenly an alarm sounded. The ship froze in its current location. "What the hell??"

Chapter 29: Tiffany

Tuesday, just after school

Jacob sat in the unfinished command seat with his usual annoying calm. "Check the screens."

I did. There were a bunch of cars boxing the ship in from all sides. I thought I saw something in common about most of the drivers. "System! Give me distance enhancement, ten feet."

"Acknowledged." The ever-obedient computer replied.

I could see the insides of those cars so clearly I thought I could reach out and slug those idiot drivers. But I could also see what the common factor was between all the drivers involved. They all were wearing football jackets.

Poor fools. Have they no idea what my boyfriend has put at my command?

I hit the speaker button. "Move your cars or else."

"No."

"No way."

"Not going to happen."

"Dream on."

"Even that thing cannot push all of our cars out of the way."

"We're going nowhere."

"Neither are you."

Then we heard an annoyingly familiar voice. "Give it up, bitch. The only way you are getting out of here is if you leave Jacob behind to be punished by the football team for having Kevin arrested. Your boyfriend is going to get what he deserves."

Jacob sounded disgusted. "Heather. This girl could not be crossing my path more if I were dating her."

"Fuck off," Heather shouted back. "That will never happen."

"Thank every god ever worshipped!" Jacob said with great feeling. "I can think of no more horrible a fate than to be tied to you. Hell, such an evil bitch as you, I would not even want to touch."

I said nothing. I just stared at the controls. I had every intention of getting us out of this little fix without asking Jacob for help.

Of course. The hoverjets. According to this screen, we are five feet off the ground. If I kick in a couple of the back up engines, then it should be easy to deal with these idiots. I got up, went over to the engineering area and activated engine numbers two and three. Then I watched the power indicators as the extra power started flowing through the systems. Then I moved the hoverjets' control settings to 6.5.

The crowd watching this clash now watched the hovercraft rise to 30 feet.

As we flew over the cars, I could not resist a squeal of triumphant laughter.

This is almost too easy.

Now all I have to do is get Jacob to care about moving in high school society as much as he cares about science. He even has a major part of what he needs to do already done. He just refuses to take it to the next level. I wonder why. What is he so afraid of that he refuses to let loose all of his abilities? He has things that would get him credit with the cool people if only he'd let them be used that way. His intelligence is off the scale...

I flew on, amazed at how easy the controls responded to my touch. I swear if I sneezed, there was a chance the air from that sneeze might be registered as a command.

Jacob picked up a sheaf of papers. He snorted and sank into thought.

"What interesting project do you have there?"

"This is a recruitment package from MIT. I sent a basic version of the ship's visual system as part of the packet I had to fill out for the guaranteed admissions program. Now they will not leave me alone." Jacob snorted even louder. "As if this is anything special."

Can he be that dense? 'As if this is anything special' he says. If he walked on water, he probably would complain if people noticed his shoes stayed dry. Is it possible the sheer miracle of his achievements escapes him? Does he think that anyone else in the school, hell, in the state can so easily do what he has done?

About ten minutes later I found myself passing the school bus with the team on it to our right.

I waved.

Hey, I may be in something the people who work at Area 51 might want to get their fingers on, but I'm still a teenager.

Why is nobody waving back?

Without even looking up from his papers, Jacob said "Windows."

How did he know?

Of course. The visual projections only go one way. I used the controls Jacob told me would open the windows and waved again.

Jacob gave his friends on the bus a brief wave of acknowledgement. Then he returned to the sheaf of papers he had been reading. "According to this, they still wish to admit me in January. But now they want to pay any expense I possibly incur while there, but as soon as I finish my degree, they want to offer me a position on the faculty if I produce a few more inventions like the one I submitted."

"That's great." I sounded really thrilled.

I heard the effort in Jacob's voice as he tried to share my enthusiasm. "But the cost of accepting this package is to lose all hope of having any sort of normal teenaged life. I will forever become the legend."

I have plans for that legend.

I squeezed the sponge ball a little harder. The ship sped up a bit.

Jacob's cell phone rang.

"Nearly every lesser function can be done by voice control." Jacob told me. "System. Put the incoming call on the loudspeakers."

"Jacob?"

"Yes Bob?"

"Could you follow the bus?"

"Why?"

"It would be better if we all arrived as a team."

"Would it? I'm not exactly the most popular fellow around, you know."

"Believe us, we know."

Jacob asks "Given the controversy and my recent actions, are you sure we should arrive together?"

It sounded to me like Bob held out his phone as he relayed the question.

"Hell yes." One player says.

"Of course."

"He's not the coolest, but he's a better person than a lot of people I know."

"He is a member of the team."

"I'm not worried about being seen with him."

"Heck, I'd be proud to be seen with him."

It sounded like Bob got his phone back. "Looks like they want you, Jacob."

Jacob wiped a few tears from his eyes. He was seriously touched. It is not only a game of high school politics. Some people actually gave a damn about Jacob, even if they do not truly know who he is.

I could not keep silent. "See, you have more people who like you than you thought."

"The cheerleaders are there to support our team. I do not want to put them in a bad mood."

Bob snapped back, "Jacob, will you stop being so fucking self sacrificial? You have a right to your own happiness. It is not your purpose in life to solve everyone else's problems, no matter how we act at times. Enjoy yourself, goddammit! Sorry coach."

A new voice came over the speakers. "Jacob, this is Carla. The cheerleaders here agree with Bob. Even Cindy."

Cindy's voice was heard in the background agreeing.

"Convinced?" Bob asks. "Some people actually like you."

"I'm glad." Jacob says, "I may have mastered being the outcast. That does not mean I am enjoying it."

Then Jacob broke down in tears. Unable to speak clearly, he signaled for the hovercraft to move behind the bus.

I shut the windows. I did not think Jacob wanted his tears exposed to the world.

Chapter 30: Jacob

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, 3:22pm October 27th 2006

I heard Coach Bromby's voice next. "Jacob, what about our team's practice soccer balls? They told me you had them."

I summoned my will power. Not a chance I was ready to let them know how much the proceeding conversation affected me. "I do. I figured you, or at least the players would have preferred the space free for the cheerleaders."

"Good guess."

"I have the record books and two ball bags in the Flying Dutchman."

"Okay. But I have just one more question."

"Go ahead."

"What are you doing in that thing?"

"Teaching Tiffany to drive. We'll follow you there."

I could not help crying just then. I was seriously touched by the fact that they felt that way. I was not alone anymore. I had a lover and I had support. High school might actually be enjoyable after all.

And I was proud of how skillfully Tiffany was piloting the Flying Dutchman. Outside of that parking lot incident, she did not trigger the automatic avoidance system once.

I might have to get one of these ships for her use.

Tiffany followed the bus to the St. James parking lot.

She didn't cut the power though.

I put the pile of MIT papers down. Prior to that cell phone conversation I was actually considering accepting MIT's offer. Outside of Tiffany I was starting to wonder if all the high school had to offer me were quixotic challenges.

"Do you trust me?" Tiffany asked.

Stupid question. She would not be in that seat, and most certainly she would not be my girlfriend if I did not trust her. I just responded "Of course."

"Then just get out of here, with the books, and trust me."

Ok. I waited for her to open the hatch and I got out. I took the team books with me. I met up with Bob, Megan and the others and we entered the stadium. I saw that they had set up a soccer field at one end.

As we were entering, coach Bromby came up beside me. "We're going to need the bags of soccer balls in a few minutes, you know."

"Tiffany has it covered."

We exited the little tunnel to the main field.

There were some gasps.

We heard some discussion about the Program and that this was the first time they saw a Program student naked at an after school event.

It seems that at St. James, Program students can dress as they usually would for after school events.

Then one of the St. James players shouted, "What the HELL is that?" He was pointing skyward.

The other players were looking up too. Some were in disbelief. Our players were just amused.

I had an idea what it was. Tiffany was showing off in the Flying Dutchman. Does she really think popularity can be bought with gimmicks and impressive gestures?

The Flying Dutchman cleared the stadium with the ease of the Goodyear blimp and flew around the field.

Carla said, "That gives me an idea for the homecoming game. A sign hanging from that ship would be impressive. Plus it would be good in the homecoming parade."

Cindy told her, "That would be a great idea if it were not for the fact that the ship belongs to Jacob. I've never seen him care about a sports game. Plus he definitely is not a fan of our football team at the moment."

Candy smiled. "But he loves Tiffany. Maybe she could convince him. Come to think of it, where is Tiffany anyway?"

The St. James coach came running over. "That's... that's... that's IMPOSSIBLE!!!" He stared at the ship as it completed its circuit of the field and headed towards an open area of the field.

Oh, am I going to spank the hell out her for this. It is entirely too early for everybody to start expecting things of the Flying Dutchman. Hell, the bloody thing is only half built!

I strode towards where she was landing the ship. My look could have punctured every soccer ball on the field. "Clear an area for her!! Keep those bloody gawkers out of there. She has had no practice with crowded landings. Oh, for the love of the Olympic soccer teams, keep them the hell out of there!"

I must have seemed positively Kirk like. Even these kids had to have heard of James T. Kirk. Completely ignoring the fact I was naked, I headed where I needed to go.

The St. James coach reached coach Bromby. "That's impossible. I should know. I'm the advanced placement science teacher."

Bromby was not even going to try to explain things. "Jacob!"

I practically ran over to where she landed, shoving people out of my way. By the time I got there, the hatch was opening.

Tiffany opened the hatch and stood there smiling. "Did we make a good impression?"

I glared at her. "Tiffany whatever the hell your middle name is French, I love you dearly, but if you ever do something like that again, I swear I'm going to spank your ass until it is redder then the cheerleader outfits your friends are wearing!"

She just kept that triumphant grin on her face.

"Now I've got to explain this to a bunch of people, the majority of which can't drive a car to begin with." I headed off towards the coaches. Then I briefly turned. "Absolutely no tours!" I yelled back.

The two coaches were itching with impatience.

Bromby looked at Jacob, then at the St. James coach. "I'm not even going to try to explain this. Jacob, you do it."

I sighed. "Bromby, you cannot explain it. And I cannot explain it in a way this other fellow will understand it. It's too complicated."

The other coach was not happy with that.

Tough. I did not come here to explain my science.

"Sir, it's not a matter of arrogance and disrespect. It's a matter of high science and invention. Best to accept that is a rather advanced hovercraft. We can get to the soccer game quicker. That's why we came after all. Besides, I want to observe my school's team trouncing yours."

The other coach glared at me for that response. "You may be a scientific genius, but we are the better soccer team." He blew his whistle hard.

The St. James players looked at their coach. Then back at the Flying Dutchman. They were torn between their interest in the game and fascination about the ship.

The coach blew his whistle twice, harder.

The St. James players reluctantly left the crowd around the ship and went to start practicing.

Tiffany brought the ball bags over to our team.

Before the coach started our pre - game practice, he told Tiffany "I want you to park the Flying Dutchman outside the stadium. It's too big a distraction. You and Jacob running around here naked will be enough of a distraction. Our team does not need distractions to beat these opponents."

Tiffany did as the coach asked.

Our team watched briefly, and then continued practicing.

St. James' team watched the ship's flight until it disappeared on the other side of the stadium. Their coach glared daggers at me during the whole time the ship was still visible.

The game went pretty well. Both teams were performing pretty well. Still, by half time our team was 3 points ahead. I was not going to complain. Although that foul kick that had a soccer ball nearly take off my left leg did not please me much. I could not get upset though. It was one of my teammates that made the mistake.

Tiffany joined the rest of the cheerleaders shouting their support from the stands. But she had problems of her own. Being the only naked girl on the field meant that nearly every male in the stadium was staring at her. Correction. Make that every male in the stadium was staring.

The crowds had been getting steadily bigger as the game proceeded.

At half time the St. James coach briefly stopped by our side to congratulate us on a game well played so far. "These are the biggest crowds I've ever seen for a regular game"

Tiffany giggled. "You could have crowds like this normally if your Program students had to be naked at after school events, too."

"I'm not sure we could take that type of distraction daily." The coach smiled as he went back to his team.

I got my snack and looked around for a quiet place to sit and think. As I was not a player, my presence is not really needed for this part. Besides I get the idea that Tiffany at least is getting too much attention. To keep our lead on the scoreboard, they should get an undisturbed half time to talk and plan.

I looked around. Perfect. Nice wooded area with a babbling brook. It even had a few ducks swimming. Soothing and relaxing.

Tiffany came up behind me. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that little spot in the woods would be perfect for a little picnic." I pointed out the spot.

"Looks like a place I've been at as part of a 4H trip. Let's go."

We went, wiped off a rock and sat down.

Tiffany put her arm around me.

I put my arm around her.

We cuddled.

Tiffany looked invitingly at me.

"You are too tempting," I replied, "but I doubt the host school is used to two happily fucking students so close to the stadium."

There was a noise behind me.

Looks like I chose right. Don't get me wrong, fucking Tiffany is something I'd happily do all afternoon. Witnesses however, I do not need.

I heard some more noise.

Sounds like more than one person. I waited for the students to get 10 feet behind us. "The group of four who are approaching from behind, who are you and what do you want?"

"Candy and Carla." Candy said.

"We have a couple of people we think you should talk to." Carla added.

"Indeed? Who?"

"Our boyfriends on the football team."

Every sense went on alert. I couldn't get up, dammit. I was trapped by that stupid legend into acting as though this encounter was no different then somebody in the hallway at school asking directions. I looked around for possible weapons and escape routes.

I should have expected trouble. Trouble follows me like a loyal sheepdog at school. Why should away games be any different?

But Tiffany did not have to stay. If trouble was brewing, I was not keeping her around here. "Tiffany, go."

"Why Jacob?"

"Because I do not want you at ground zero."

"Well, you have no choice in the matter. I'm staying."

Heaven save me from women who won't let me protect them.

"Don't worry," Carla said, "we are not here to cause trouble."

Candy added, "Our boyfriends just want to talk. You said you wanted to avoid more battles. Tiffany, remember coach Cane asking us all to try to keep things under control?"

"Yes." Tiffany replied

"Well, we are trying."

"Ok, I said, "introduce them, I'll listen." I turned around.

Tiffany did likewise.

Candy went first. "Jacob, meet Dave."

I nodded.

"Jacob, meet Mike." Carla said next.

"Oh good grief. Not another one. Exactly how many people named Mike are there at our school? You are the third one I've met this week."

Mike chuckled. "Eight I think."

"Nice one Mike," I laughed. "You have my attention."

Dave and Mike looked at each other.

"You seem to have put him in a good mood, Mike, you go first." Dave said.

"Ok. We're here to ask you to have pity on Kevin and save the football team.

"Kevin? Have pity on one of the guys that attacked Tiffany yesterday and tried to rape her? Not to mention his knifing me today. There is also the little detail of the football coach Koke nearly cracking a bat on me before 7th period."

I wanted them to realize that I was not the offending party, no matter how much my victories hurt them.

Mike said, "We are only trying to diffuse the feuding between you and the football team before it gets any worse."

"Gets worse?" Jacob asks.

"Just because we are football players does not make us dumb jocks. You can move a large enough segment of the school on us to cause us major trouble. Plus today we learned you will call on your connections outside the school." Dave interjected.

"So?"

"We also know from an uncle that your instructions are to hold him, but not charge him pending you stopping by the police station before the council meeting." Carla added.

"You guys are learning. Now, what can you offer me to make me consider not charging him?"

"How about a promise to keep him out of your hair."

"Not good enough. I can do that right now. Why is one hotheaded player so important to you anyway?"

"Because of a new state law. Any team with a member arrested for school violence must forfeit the rest of the season."

"Bit draconian, that law. Do you have a better offer?"

They talked among themselves.

"Kevin gets benched for the season." Dave suggests.

"Getting better. Try both Kevin and Fred are benched for the rest of the season, they must clean up after the Halloween dance this Friday without help, and coach Koke must formally apologize for his attacks on me, for not immediately punishing Fred and Kevin for their attack on Tiffany, and he must do this in front of the school at the school spirit assembly this Friday morning."

The football players were shocked at that.

Dave frowned hard. "You arrogant bastard."

I said, "Yes I am, but the battles you force me to fight make me so."

"When must you have your answer?"

"5:30 this evening. Agree to my terms and I'll have the police chief put him on youth probation. That will avoid his formal arrest and keep the team from being disqualified."

"Ok, we'll pass on your response."

Carla, Candy, Dave and Mike headed off. There were talking among themselves.

Tiffany didn't think they looked too happy. She had the idea that this conversation might not have been enough.

I watched them leave, too. The snippets of conversation I heard made me slightly worried. The situation we were all in forced me to ask a lot. Perhaps too much.

Trouble was not yet avoided.

Tiffany looked at me. "Can I ask a question?"

"Sure. Any time."

"Why are you even negotiating?"

"Because total victory is too much."

Chapter 31: Tiffany

Ok. I admit it. I was curious. Make that confused. Jacob had put himself in the dominant position. Of his top three enemies, the police was holding one, the other was lying low and the third was starting to watch his step. All Jacob needed to do now was cement his victory by taking out either Heather or Fred and the football vs. Stone battles would be effectively over.

Jacob watched the ducks swimming.

Finally I could not resist asking. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Since you went through all the effort to have him picked up, why would you even want to negotiate? Remember, Kevin did knife you."

Jacob moved his heavily bandaged fingers slightly. "Trust me, I had not forgotten."

"Then why???"

I received a curious look.

Jacob sighed and answered me. "The goal here was to get them to stop, not to destroy them. Things kept getting worse because they just kept upping the ante. Because of this the cost of their defeat kept increasing. Koke's humiliation is, I admit, a bit petty, but the coach did go out of his way to threaten me with a baseball bat in a place where there would be no witnesses. I also believe that he is the one that is teaching the players that they are above normal rules. His public embarrassment is to teach him that there are others who can play power games too. Some of us can play them better too." He grins at that. "Maybe it will even prevent others from following in his footsteps."

"Is that the best way? It sounds like overkill to destroy their egos like that."

"What, Tiffany, do you suggest I do about them?"

Well, if I must meddle in the affairs of titans, let's see how good I am at it.

"I'm suggesting you watch how far you are taking this revenge. You need to be careful that you only get your intended target. Do you really hate the entire football team over what has happened to us?"

"Not really. What I hate is the mentality that jocks are the elite, that they think they can do what they want and get away with more than everybody else. They are no different than the rest of us. We each have our areas of expertise. I cannot throw a football, but by god I can explain the physics and related science behind their actions, to explain how to know where to be to catch the football when it comes down. Hell, if I was in shape and had better hand eye coordination, I could be on that football team!"

"So you really don't want to destroy them. But the terms you offered to Carla and company sounded like you hated them all."

"What do you suggest?"

I was honored that he would ask me for advice.

"Am I correct in believing that the only thing keeping you from destroying the team completely is the fact that deep down, you do not think they are all horrible?"

"I hope not. I'd like to think that most of them are just being annoying out of some sort of group loyalty. But then, is it too much to ask that they try thinking for themselves, to ask themselves if the group actions underway are really good actions?"

"So do you really need such harsh settlement terms?"

"Hmmm, I see your point. Very well. You can tell them that my new terms are that Kevin and Fred need not do the cleaning detail after the dance. The season long benching they can get out of only if she can get those two to apologize to us convincingly. If so, I'll settle for those two just being benched for the homecoming game. As far Koke is concerned, I insist he suffer a bit. He must be broken of that attitude. Also you can tell them that I will not involve any football players in my vendetta against the coach. But if they put themselves in the middle of the Stone - Koke feud, all bets are off."

"That's it?" I asked

"Sure. I have a feeling anyway that they'd rather be benched for the entire season than apologize to me. You may know I'm not shit, my friends believe it, your friends are starting to accept it, but Kevin and Fred most certainly would rather puke for hours on end rather than admit I'm not shit."

I grinned. "Excuse me."

Jacob watched me head over to where the delegation was talking to Cindy and a few of her friends.

Carla turned as I approached. "Your boyfriend come up with more terms?"

"What now?" Cindy sounded upset.

As well she might be, given the previous terms.

"Actually, Cindy, you might want to stay for this. I'm pretty sure you'll find it interesting."

Candy suggested everybody but the cheerleaders, Dave and Mike give them some privacy.

"Ok. Before I tell you what I just got out of him, tell me the terms as you understand them."

Carla looked back at me with a 'you've got to be kidding look.'

"Humor me."

"Ok Tiffany. Jacob wants both Kevin and Fred to be benched the rest of the season. He also wants them to have to clean up the lunchroom after the Halloween dance this Friday without help."

Candy finished with, "And this is the hardest part. He wants coach Koke to formally apologize for his attacks on your boyfriend, and for not immediately punishing Fred and Kevin for their attack on you. Jacob wants this apology to be at the school spirit assembly Friday morning in front of the whole school."

"Correct" I said. "In exchange Jacob will pull a few strings and get Kevin into a warning form of probation. There would be no arrest record and the team can continue its winning season."

"But without Kevin and Fred it won't be a winning season for long. In case you haven't being paying attention, those two are our star players. All our strategies depend on them."

"That's why I have good news for you guys. I have talked him into an alternative offer."

They looked shocked.

I understood why. The number of times anybody successfully changed Jacob's position in a discussion could be counted on one hand.

I smiled. With this, I would prove to the school that Jacob had reason to love me for more than my body.

Cindy couldn't take it any longer. "Spit it out for god's sake. You've been dating him two days and he's changed you."

"I'm happy about that too. But with luck, he will do some changing too. Anyway, this is the new offer. Fred and Kevin no longer have to do the cleaning after the dance. Jacob is also giving them an option for the season long benching. If those two apologize to us convincingly, I've talked him into only demanding their benching during the homecoming game. I must warn you that he thinks they would rather eat shit than make that apology."

Cindy sadly nodded her head. "Jacob may well be right about that."

"Anything else?" Carla asked.

"Yes. Concerning coach Koke, he is inflexible. What he said before goes. I did get him to promise not to target the football players though. I've managed to convince him that they are not all evil, that once he wins a visible victory against Kevin and Fred, things should quiet down."

"Will it?" Candy asked.

"I think deep down even he knows he's not going to get rid of the jock vs. geek mentality. But I think he's hoping that at least both sides will be more tolerant of each other."

"Maybe," Cindy said, "he will accomplish that much."

"For the next part, I'll be quoting him directly. 'Also you can tell them that I will not involve any football players in my vendetta against the coach. But if they put themselves in the middle of the Stone - Koke feud, for the interfering players, all bets are off.' "

"He no longer wants total surrender?"

"No. If I might presume to guess what is going though his head, I think he went overboard because of their abuse of me. When Jacob deeply cares about something, he'll go all out to do what he needs to do. My mother told me that from their political rivaly. Imagine how much effort we can expect from him when the endangered cause is his new girlfriend. Especially if that girl loves him and is not using him for his gear or brains."

Dave said, "I better call the assistant coach. He and a few others are waiting for a group confrontation. Tell Jacob that he's managed to scare more people then he might have thought."

I started off as Dave started the phone call.

The game went ok. The second half of the soccer game was heavily contested. In the end it was a draw. Towards the end of the game, there were several close calls, but our goalie seemed to grab the ball out of the air at the last possible moment.

Jacob collected the soccer balls along with the other team materials and took them to the parking lot.

When I caught up with him, I heard him talking to himself.

"... there, the bags are in storage. Now to deal with my other problem. Sometime I've got to figure a way to fly the ship with only one functioning hand..."

What is he mumbling about? I thought I was here for that! "Exactly what, Jacob, are you planning for me now?" I asked as I started to dress. "I'm going to drop you off at the high school. After that I have to figure a way to get home." Jacob looked at his bandaged hand.

"No invitation?" I pouted. "Don't you want me to go home with you?"

"No. I'm only going to be there long enough to change into my suit before going to the council meeting. I would not want to make you sit though that."

"How about after the meeting?"

"I know what you want, I want it too, but I do not need to make your mother any more of an enemy."

"Why do you care?"

"Because tonight, I have to try to get her to support the Recreation Committee's proposal for using the yard behind the Republican Club for the staging area for the festival workers."

"Let me handle my mother. You just worry about handling me." I put a lot of suggestiveness into the word 'handle.'

Jacob gave me a look I was not sure I liked. "Are you sure? Politics is not the normal habitat of teenagers, after all."

I inwardly shook my head at his lack of social comprehension. Or was it his dating comprehension? "Look Jacob, if you are comfortable doing this, than the girl that loves you can take an interest. I'm sure you'll get involved in things that I care about, too."

"True enough."

I flew us back to the school.

Chapter 32: Jacob

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, 5:05pm, October 27th 2006.

I directed Tiffany to park the Flying Dutchman in the yard behind the barn.

As she parked, she looked around. "Can I get a tour?"

"Tomorrow I'll give the grand tour. I have to do a quick change now." I threw some Swedish meatballs TV dinners into the microwave and went upstairs to change.

Tiffany looked around the kitchen. It looked like the sort of kitchen her friends would have.

The oven sounded.

Tiffany put the food on the table and found some silverware.

I came back down the steps. I was wearing a three - piece suit. The suit was navy blue. The vest I was wearing used to be my grandfather's. The pocket watch was inherited from my grandfather as well. With a little effort, I managed to put on the cuff links as I reached the bottom of the steps. I kept the tie and tie clasp in my hand.

"Dinner is served." Tiffany called out.

We ate quickly.

"Want help with that tie?"

"Sure."

"Come here."

When I did, Tiffany tied the tie around my neck expertly. She rubbed her chest all over my back as she did this.

She was getting me hard.

"Ok, ok. I'll fuck your brains out tonight."

"I want it now!"

"But we have to go now. Later, I promise."

"You're damn right you'll fuck me later. But I can't wait for your cock." Tiffany sunk to her knees, unzipped my slacks, extracted my expanding equipment and started sucking on my cock hard.

I gave up my attempts at resistance. I put my good hand at the back of her head and started fucking her face.

She only managed to suck me harder.

I did not even try to hold it in. I came down her throat.

She wiped off her face and got a quick drink of soda. "After tonight, you will never be able to resist me that long again."

"I'm having trouble not fucking you as often as I can already."

"Great." Tiffany smiled. "Give me your brief case and we'll leave for the meeting."

"You don't have to, I can carry it."

"I insist on carrying it."

"It's ok. I have it."

"Jacob, I like to do things for the man I love. In relationships I believe the man should not be the only one going out of their way. I like it much more if the relationship is an equal thing between us."

I gave up at that point. With all my intelligence I should have known that men are rarely fated to win arguments with their girlfriends. "Ok. Let's go."

As I opened the door, the phone rang. Tiffany said, "The phone always rings when you are just leaving."

"Indeed. I wonder if there is some scientific law that causes that. It might be a good subject for an amusing research paper." I went over and picked up the phone. "Stone residence. Jacob Jehosophat Stone speaking."

Tiffany watched me standing there, and then I hit the speakerphone button.

"I see. Who then, Carla, was assigned the task of giving the football team my response?"

"I was." A new voice entered the conversation. Seems both sides were using speakerphones.

"Fitting, since it was your suggestion that the cheerleaders get involved. For the record, I was impressed with Candy, Carla, even Cindy for that matter."

"As," Carla said, "we were with Tiffany."

"Indeed." coach Cane continued. "From what they reported of your opening terms, nothing much would have came of this if Tiffany had not talked you into more reasonable terms."

"That she did. The question is whether even those more reasonable terms were acceptable to the football team and coaches."

"Well, I can tell you that it caused a shouting match in the locker room."

"This I expected. The result?"

"Overall, the team accepts. Koke gave in that far to keep the team from being disqualified for the season. Or should I say he gave in because all his assistant coaches said they would act as if Kevin and Fred had been suspended from the team and banned from all team events unless Koke agreed to the season long benching."

"I see."

"As for the rest of the agreement?"

"Koke agreed. He sounded like the words were choking him to death, but he agreed."

"That might cause a dilemma."

"Have faith. Even Koke knows to pursue things further can only hurt the team he loves so much."

"Very well."

"Ok. I think you should expect an interesting morning and lunch on Wednesday, and an interesting Spirit Day. Are you ready to carry out your part?"

"Coach Cane, there you were lucky. You caught us as we were going out the door."

"Not really. If I missed you at home, next I would have tried Tiffany's cell phone."

"Good. Tonight I will get Kevin released, but be forewarned, I'll be highly displeased if they fail to keep their promises."

"They will keep their promises because I've added the threat that I will be a witness against them in court about their assault on Tiffany if they fail to keep their promises."

"That must have been convincing indeed."

We left for the meeting as soon as I hung up.

It amused me to watch to the people's reactions. I guess since Tiffany did that stunt at the soccer game, I figured it was no use trying to keep a low profile. Two days of use, including high school and a sports game. Considering that country areas have better gossip networks then supermarket tabloids & phone party-lines, and including talkative high school students at two different schools, I'd be surprised if there were more than eighteen people who did not know about the Flying Dutchman.

Tiffany dropped me off in front of the courthouse where the town meeting was being held. Then she went to park it in the bank lot across the street.

I went in the building quickly. I had to keep my word concerning Kevin, but I did not want to have Tiffany there. Even if I have managed to explain why I did what I did with him, it does not mean that she's going to be happy to be around him.

There are times when even the legend they perceive me to be cannot do all that I want done.

Anyway. I tried to go in quickly. Unfortunately too many people noticed my bandaged hand. For the first time since I declared for a political party there was unquestioning support from everybody there.

It seems after all that they can move beyond political snapping. Could it be possible that despite bitter feuding inside the meeting, how is it that outside they are able to put those feelings aside and be friends?

An interesting picture on humanity. Perhaps a lesson I should learn. Maybe I should care to get involved in the affairs of other high school students with as much ability as they accuse me of having. After all, their entire existence is not bound up in the moment that they pissed me off.

Well, well... talk about a lesson learned. Even if Tiffany had not got involved, with what I just learned, I probably would have pardoned everybody but Kevin and Koke.

Finally I made my way into the precinct. I told them of my decision.

A few of them thought I was crazy.

The police chief even asked if I was crazy.

I asked how many sane 15 year olds dabble in politics.

They conceded the point and Kevin was released as Tiffany came in.

Talk about bad timing.

Fortunately for all involved, Kevin quietly walked out without saying a word.

Tiffany honored my wishes by not attacking or causing a scene.

Excellent. Trouble avoided. Now for the council meeting.

Tiffany and I went up the stairs to the courtroom where the town meeting was being held.

"Tiffany, what are you doing here?" Mrs. French sounded somewhat irate.

Oh great. I should have expected her to be here.

"Mother, don't you see his hand? With all the bandages, he needs help flying the Dutchman. Plus, according to him, the doctor's said he's to try to use that hand as little as possible."

I told Mrs. French, "The doctors told me that I needed to watch the hand until Monday, at the very least."

Tiffany's mother sighed and nodded reluctant assent. "Did Jacob ask you for anything else?"

"Not yet, but since you are going to be visiting relatives in New York after the meeting, you're not going to be able to pick me up. So I've already suggested I sleep in the guest bedroom at his place."

Mrs. French did not like this at all. She started to go red in the face.

Tiffany quickly whispered, "Remember where you are. More importantly, this was my idea, not his."

"I see." Tiffany's mother accepted this grudgingly. "This time I'll trust you. But next time I'll want a lot more warning."

"Tiffany, can I have a few words with your mother?"

"Sure, Jacob. I'll grab us a couple seats."

"Jacob usually sits over there."

"Thanks. I'll see you there."

I decided to preempt the fifteen thousand and five questions she probably had about Tiffany and myself. "This meeting is not for personal issues. I have a feeling more than enough time will soon be dedicated to that."

"You can bet on that."

"I need a favor politically. As you are aware, I'm working with the town Recreation Committee on the annual festival next summer. We need a staging area for festival workers. The Republican Club's back yard is located perfectly for this. It would be very useful for the festival workers to have a convenient area to change in and out of costumes. Also it would be a good staging area for supplies as well. Is there anything you would like that I could fairly offer?"

Tiffany's mother didn't hesitate. She said "Yes."

Ut oh. Trouble. She agreed way too fast.

I warily asked "What?"

Tiffany's mother laughed a little. "Relax, this will not even be political. Tiffany needs a partner in the science fair for the 4H club. Science, however, is not my strong suit. It looks easy enough to you. Ask to see it this week sometime and offer hints or, come to think of it, you are trying to date her... offer as much direct help as your ethics permit."

"Done." I said.

After that I found the council meeting itself to go smoothly. It probably says something about my experience when I am starting to get somewhat blasé about things in the meeting. I consulted the agenda, just to make sure. The farm side booth-banning plan is up for debate tonight? I thought that was next month. Well, I suppose what I know now on the subject should be just enough to fight a holding operation.

The mayor opened the meeting to the public.

I put my hand up.

The mayor promptly ignored me.

I kept my hand up. Those charges that I am stubborn are true after all.

The mayor still ignored me. He picked on people whose hands were not as obviously up as mine.

Then I remembered something that explained this. The mayor was heavily for the farm side booth-banning plan. Somehing about his son being fired over eating an apple without permission. Or some story like that.

Beside me, Tiffany raised her hand.

Behind my usual political face I was flabbergasted. Tiffany wants to speak at one of these meetings??

The mayor recognized her as Mrs. French's daughter. He called on her.

Tiffany stood up, took a few self conscious breaths, then said, "Your honor, I yield my time to Jacob Stone."

Where in creation did she learn about that trick???

I stood up quickly to take advantage of the momentum caused by everybody's surprise. "Ladies, and gentlemen, a comment, then my thoughts. One, this is public session, is it not? Considering that everybody on this side of the banister is considered the public, I consider the mayor's desire only to call on those who share his views to be a shameless abuse of power given by those who voted him in. We on this side are the public, and we will be heard."

The mayor had a glare on his face that freely translated, said, objectors should be seen and not heard.

Then I continued with the comments I originally planned. "As this is supposed to be discussed next month, I can only present some basic points. There are quite a few benefits to having those booths out there. First, a higher percentage of the farmer crops are sold. This increased income produces more tax income to the town. Those stands provide an excellent training opportunity for those who would be farmers, as will as an ideal part time job for those in school. That means more youth with money available to spend in the town's stores. Those future farmers are the future feeders of us and our children. We have much to gain by working to insure that they get their interest and training in the practical parts of farming as quickly as possible."

I sat down to the applause of those farmers in the room.

Tiffany whispered, "Good speech," in my ear.

The mayor looked unhappy as he looked around the room. "Any other comments?" He looked like he did not want to have my comments as the final comments for this session. He was glad to see Tiffany's mother raise her hand. "Mrs. French."

"As usual, Mr. Stone has several good points, but the problem of unregulated road side booths has been growing far too long."

I saw Tiffany's mother looking at us sitting together.

I looked back with the careful attention I always gave my best opponents,

Tiffany was watching us both with a look of 'can't we all get along?'

Mrs. French surprised us all. "Perhaps," she says "we can get some sort of reasonable regulation on the subject?"

The vote was heard next. The council voted five in favor to three against.

The mayor said, "I still think there is reason to act. Perhaps an informal poll on whether the council is interested in following Mrs. French 's idea?"

The vote was four in favor to four against. The mayor abstained.

I returned the favor.

Just loudly enough to be heard, I said, "Should such a proposal be accepted, those who support me will be glad to help make it fair for all."

One of the councilmen decided to change his vote. Now the poll passed by one vote.

The mayor accepted his partial victory with as much good grace as he could muster. He assigned the project to a councilwoman who promptly asks Mrs. French and Mr. Stone to help her.

Chapter 33: Tiffany

I put my hands on the controls and started to play them like a piano. Again I was astounded by how smoothly the ship worked. Everything my friends ever told me about sports cars paled in comparison to this.

By the time we were half way to the Stone farm, I was hooked. I was never going to dream of a sports car again.

"By the way Jacob, what plans do you have for the weekend?"

"This weekend?"

"Yes. As in the day after this Friday."

"Saturday I'm going to rest, do some reading and test the density drive."

"What about the game?"

"I've no interest in sports beyond my friends. Easier it is for me to understand high science than what happens on those sports fields."

"I'll be performing at the football game."

"For that reason alone would I go. But I'm not yet sure I should attend the game. They have been forced to make peace. That does not mean they want me there."

"But I do. You are my boyfriend. You have as much right to go to the game as any other cheerleader's boyfriend."

"Ok. I'll do it."

"Great. What about Sunday?"

"Nothing. What have you got on your mind?"

"That's a loaded question. You remember that my father is a preacher."

"Actually Tiffany, you never told me that."

"I should have. I have scary parents, don't I?"

"An activist mother and a preacher for a father. Most boyfriends would think so. I suppose then that you go to church on Sunday?"

"My dad would crucify me if I didn't."

"A painful fate that is. We better make sure you are there. You can borrow the Flying Dutchman so long as you remember to pick me up on Monday. I doubt your mother will let you spend all week in the guest room."

"Don't you go to church?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because church and science rarely agree."

"Huh?"

"In other words, it is hard to have faith given the fact I think so much."

"You can come to my church if you want."

"I don't know. I'll only know you there. I do not want to risk embarrassing you."

"It's a church. Embarrassment is not likely."

"I've heard stories." Jacob muttered under his breath.

I was going to park the Flying Dutchman in a large barn. It seemed large enough from the outside. I learned better when I pulled up to the barn doors.

Jacob leaned over my shoulder and pushed a button.

When the garage door opened I saw what looked like the set from a mad scientist movie. However was I going to park this in the middle of that without scattering things in every direction? "Ah, Jacob, are you sure you want me to park inside there?"

"Don't worry, you can do it."

"How?"

"Remember, it is a small space. We are not dealing with the rest of reality. Just concentrate on that small space. That's all that is important."

I looked at him.

Then I looked at the small, uncluttered area.

After looking at that for a moment, I looked back at Jacob doubtfully.

"Try less power to the hoverjets."

"Ok." I turned all the knobs to their lowest powered setting.

THUD.

I nearly fell from the chair.

That was not what I had planned.

Jacob muttered something under his breath as he grabbed the armrest of the command chair with his good hand. "Ok, Tiffany. That was a landing. I'll give you that. Perhaps you should increase the power to the hoverjets up a notch, and then move in very slowly."

I did so, just putting enough pressure on the controls to have forward motion. Barely.

"See that wasn't so hard, now was it?" Jacob asked with one of his little grins.

I wondered how fast I could shut the ship down. He deserved to be smacked for that comment.

We exited the ship.

"Welcome," my occasionally annoying boyfriend said, "to my project barn. Would you like a tour?"

"Sure."

"Ok. Here, as you have learned, is the parking place. Against the wall on the other side is a wall of testing instruments to run the testing equipment. In front of the systems is a ground based engine unit. This provides power to the barn. It also supplies power to the ship for testing purposes before the engine systems were installed. Over here under the loft is the work area. Where the stalls used to be are a bunch of filing cabinets and computer storage. That's where all my notes are. Be careful going near there. The security system there can be frightening." Jacob gave me an evil grin at that. "The rest of it is simply parts and supplies scattered all over the place around the workbench. That huge cluttered table in the middle is my workbench. Over there, the table covered with plans is my sketch bench."

Jacob led me over to his sketch bench and moved some papers around. Then he pulled out a large sheet and flattened it on top by using a couple of odd-looking devices. "This is my design structure for the command chair interface."

I looked at it. As far as I was concerned, it might as well have been in Sumerian. Mind you, I've never seen Sumerian in my life. Still I was certain it could not be harder to read than the notations on that sheet.

Jacob moved his hand over the sheet in some indecipherable pattern. Then he stabbed his finger down at a particular point. "I was going to do this wiring work here."

I took his word that that indicated wiring work. I took it on faith that whatever he was pointing at was not gibberish. Because without serious translation help, there was no way I could understand it.

He moved his finger to a different part of the plans. "And here is how I planned to connect the command systems to the center chair. Or at least, those where the plans I had before the knifing and the fact that you are spending the night. For at least one enjoyable reason, the finishing of the Flying Dutchman will take a bit longer than planned."

"I can be your hands." I turned on the barn light to make my point.

Jacob gave me a penetrating look. "Yes, you can. But I thought you were eager to get fucked."

"I am. But we have all night to fuck. If I'm going to be your girlfriend, then I must care about all the parts of your life." I gave him a short laugh. Even those parts I doubt anybody else could possibly understand.

"I must be the luckiest man in existence. Not even college science majors understand half my work and you are willing to postpone you own pleasure to indulge me."

Chapter 34: Jacob

Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, captain of the Flying Dutchman, 8pm, October 27th 2006.

Did she just offer to postpone a good fucking to help me with something she has very little understanding about?

What kind of girl is this??

Somebody remind me to find out what educational path she is on at school.

But should I accept her offer? I know she is smart, but I don't want to overload her brain. And this could be a test. She could be testing me to see what is more important in my life, her or science. I've heard women love those sneaky tests. From what I've observed, the man involved often does not know it is a test until it is too late. Plus it is often impossible to make the right choice. If I choose to accept her help, she might think I love my devices more than her, or that I think she'll put out on command, that I think I do not need to pay attention to her desires. On the other hand, if I act like I'm calling her bluff, she'll think I do not think her smart enough to help me. She'll probably also think all I keep her around for is fucking. Either way, I know one thing for certain. High science is far easier to understand than the mind of a woman.

I hesitated. I did not want to risk making the wrong decision.

Tiffany grabbed a tool off of the bench. "I'm serious, Jacob. You know that I am not a fool."

"If you are sure about this."

"I am."

"Ok. First you'll want the tool three feet to the left, and then in the storage area, you'll see some cable. Get about 100 feet of the medium sized cable."

Tiffany did. "You do know that you are still wearing your suit, don't you? The clothes I wore to school is ok I suppose for this work, but that suit?"

I took off my suit jacket and loosened my tie."

"That's all?"

"Yes. But only because you are being my hands tonight."

"Ok. Now what?"

Then I sent her for two #2 control panels, a set of #8 circuits, 10 feet of trunk power wire and my tool belt.

Tiffany fetched what was needed and moved the gear inside the Flying Dutchman.

We spent the next two hours wiring things and connecting parts to other parts. I'll spare the readers of this log the details that they probably have no interes t in. The upshot is that by ten pm we had the center chair fully plugged in. We also were able to get quite a bit more of the computer systems interfaced and talking to each other.

In fact, thanks to Tiffany's help, I'm actually ahead of schedule again. The only thing left to do is run tests on the density drive and related functions. That, however I'll wait 'til I'm alone on Saturday to do. There is no way I'm letting Tiffany be onboard during that test. Either it's going to work, or it's going to be the most spectacular explosion outside of when the Death Star blew up. There was absofuckinglutely no way in any of the conceivable universes I wanted her anywhere near the ship if that happened. Hell, I'm not sure I wanted her in the same state when I ran that test.

Then my stomach growled.

"What do you want for dinner?"

Chapter 35: Tiffany

He's crazy, but I love him. The last time his stomach rumbled, I swear it rattled the ship. Yet he ignored it. Talk about single-minded concentration. I bet a plane could have crashed in the back yard and he would not have reacted. Probably he would not have cared.

I on the other hand did care. I had plans for tonight. None of them included Jacob dropping from starvation. While he was doing some sickeningly complex things with the computers, I went into the kitchen and heated up some more of the Swedish meatballs microwave dinners. I even heated up some tea while looking for a good place to eat. The kitchen was a possibility, but not great. It was a typical Victorian kitchen, built small and functional. The dining room looked too perfect. It was as if it had not been used since the rest of his family went off to active duty. I decided it would be bad to mess it up for two teens eating TV dinners.

The living room looked much better. It was a cross between country charm and the most advanced entertainment systems available. There was a cat bed by the fireplace and a big fish tank. There was a tall case grandfather clock by the stairs and under the stairs was a locked door. I know this because I tried to open the door. The furniture looked comfortable and lived in. There were various papers littering them.

I looked at the papers. Papers for school, politics, science magazines and farm operations were littered around, except for a love seat across from the high definition TV, and an antique chair by the fireplace. In that chair was a cat.

The cat meowed.

Thank god. Given whose living room I'm in, it would not have been surprising if the cat spoke French. Not surprising, but it would still have given me a heart attack.

I moved to pet the cat.

It gave me a look. A very familiar look.

No. No, no, no, and no way.

The look that has the school confused, the inscrutable look that reveals just what Jacob wants it to, that look was copied from his pet cat?

Nobody would ever believe me.

The cat raised its head slightly and sniffed.

"I see you've met Scotty." Jacob said as he entered the room

Scotty? I should have known.

"Yes, he is adorable."

Scotty chose that moment to start licking my hand and purring.

Just like Jacob, he seems to choose the exact moment that his actions would get the maximum effect.

"Yes. And he's the only one that can sit in that chair. In our family, only the head of the family sits there, or the oldest person at a family gathering gets to sit there. However, they are still in the Middle East. Out of respect, I do not sit there."

"I was not going to disturb a content cat. Scotty can enjoy that chair. I've set up our meal by the love seat."

Jacob sat down next to me, and we watched Stargate as we ate. If that is science fiction, then it's not as bad as the people at the school think such shows are.

"Remember after Ms. Q's class?"

"Yes."

"Have you thought about the subject?

"Not really."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm still not comfortable being the performance model for the class."

"Well, it could be worse. They could be recording things."

"Actually, they do. Every room in the school has security cameras in it."

I felt a tingle.

"Well, we are supposed to discuss fantasies that turn us on."

"That's not a subject that I've given much thought to."

"I have. The thought that somewhere there could be pictures of me screaming in orgasm being used to turn men on makes me wet."

"One step up from simple fantasizing, eh. Give them a visual image to match their desires?"

"That's right."

"How do you feel about adult movies then?"

"Watching one could be a turn on, but I do not want to be in one."

"Why not? You already admit strangers watching you turn you on. What's the difference between that and somebody making a recording?"

"Recordings are permanent. They can be traded to people I do not even know about, who could do things with the videos that I would not want."

"Ok, I can see that." Jacob decided not to mention that school security kept their tapes for two years.

"Have you anything that you'd like to do?"

"Well, I've a few thoughts."

"Go ahead."

He hesitated. "You might get scared."

"I doubt it. It'll be good to prove that you are not some saint in scientist's clothes.

He took a deep breath. "Handcuffs. Or tying up the girl, teasing her until she aches for it, then fucking her until she goes wild."

Now that was a surprise. The quiet, unflappable Jacob has a dark side? The very thought of the fact that he had a wicked side was really turning me on. "How about multiple partners?"

"A loaded question that is. Every man dreams of having more than one girl. But whether they actually have the nerve is another thing. I even wonder if the men with girlfriends truly want more though. If they are in a relationship, I doubt they should. Because unless they are sure the girl dreams of the same thing, wishing for that fantasy could cost them the loving reality that they have now. The same goes for orgies. A lot of guys claim interest in them. But again, I wonder how many of them actually care to go for it. Even in today's society, in the end, it's going to come done to one significant other per person."

"True. But if they share that fantasy?"

"Then it can be fun." Jacob gave me a look. "What is cooking in that sexy head of yours?"

"For tomorrow's class we can combine two of them."

"Two?? Exactly which two?"

"The fact I enjoy being watched with you getting to tie me up. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

He thought about it. "I suppose."

"You suppose????"Don't get me wrong. Sex with you is not what I have problems with. I will never have problems with that."

"Then what's with the 'suppose'?"

"It's not easy to go against the part of my nature that says sex is not an openly described action. Plus I'm too used to being a gentleman. That means no kissing and telling, much, much less kissing and showing. The Program can be murder on beliefs like mine."

"In any other circumstances, I'd be thrilled that you are like that. But the idea of us being paired is so we can help support each other. That's why I do not get upset when we talk about it in class. You do so very tastefully."

He listened thoughtfully. "Hmmm."

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"Relax and at least in class open up a bit. You've built a legend as a defense, but you do not seem to use it. You seem to be afraid that the legend will escape your control. Don't be. You can control it. I'll help you. Rather than the legend evolving into a monster, I'm telling you you're just a few steps from your own type of coolness. Trust me on this. I heard my mom asking you to help me on my science project for the 4H meeting on Thursday. As easily as you can help me with science, I can help you become cool in a way you can live with."

He really went into deep thought at that. Then he went over to the alcove and looked out the window. Scotty mewed. "Ok Scotty, I'll get you your cat food." He got a fresh bowl of moist cat food and set it down near where he was standing, next to the water dish and dry food dishes. He made sure both were fresh. As Scotty purred next to his leg, Jacob looked out of the window again. Then he turned back to me. "Ok. I'll try."

"Can you do me another favor?"

"What's that?"

"Come over here and fuck me."

"Let's go upstairs."

He led me to his bedroom.

I looked around while he was stripping. The bed was a king sized canopy bed with a nightstand next to it. There was a dresser against one wall and on the other side were a couple of wardrobes. The room looked almost normal. There was a stereo and a TV against one wall where the people on the bed could easily watch it. The only thing in the room that made me sure I entered the right bedroom was an advanced computer system with a few wires leading to the TV.

Then I looked at him. He was naked. Just the way I wanted him. Naked and wanting me.

"Strip," He said, "the sooner you strip, the quicker we can be fucking."

I practically ripped my clothes as I tore them off. I needed to be naked. Now.

Then we ran at each other and started some deep kissing.

Jacob must have dropped the last of his self-control. He was kissing me as if kissing me was the only thing in existence that mattered. Eventually he broke the kiss. "Sorry, I'm not a lungfish. I need some air too."

I just giggled. I let us both get some air, and then I kissed him harder. I ran my hands all over his body. About the only thing I did not touch was his bandaged hand.

He put his good hand around my back and pulled me closer. When he broke that kiss, he started kissing the base of my neck.

I put my hand between his legs and started to stroke his cock.

Then he moved his hand to and up my leg.

I moved my legs apart.

Then he licked my tits. He started at the base and then licked around and upwards towards the nipples. I moaned. By the time he finished doing that to my other tit, my legs had gone weak. I slid down his chest until my clit bumped his fingers.

I came right there and then. Then I spread my legs and slid onto his fingers. "Finger me, please just move those fingers in me."

Jacob held me in place with his other arm while he used his fingers. He started slowly, then sped up. He stopped just as I was about to cum again.

"No, oh please no! Don't stop now. I need it so bad." I tried to get his fingers back in my pussy.

Curse him, he was not letting me get the relief my body so desperately needed. Instead he pinched my clit.

"Yes, oh fuck YES!!" I screamed as my legs gave way. I was on my knees before either us could prevent it. To hell with the hand job. I started sucking on his cock like a starving vacuum cleaner. I took him in as far as I could and just sucked hard. Really hard.

"Tiffany, keep that up and I'm going to cum in your mouth."

I just kept sucking.

He started moving his cock in my mouth.

I paused just long enough to beg, "Fuck my face."

"I'm not going to last long at this rate."

"Give it to me! Let me have it all!! I want to drink your cum."

Jacob fucked my face as long as he could hold it then gasped as he came hard in my mouth.

I sucked it like I was sucking the last bit of a milkshake though a thin straw. I got him hard again just as he flopped back onto the bed.

He took a few breaths, and then reached for my arm. He grabbed me, pulled me on to his bed. Then he rolled on top of me.

I spread my legs. "Now! Do me now!"

My boyfriend must have thought he had teased me enough. He drove his cock into me.

"Fuck yes, at last! I've been so aching for this all day... fuck me."

He kept pounding my pussy with his cock. "I'm going to drill your pussy. I'm going to see just how well this bed is built as I fuck you silly!"

My screams were so loud I was surprised my mother didn't call and demand to know what I thought I was doing. Hell, I was surprised that windows had not shattered. "Fuck me, fuck me all night, fuck me as hard as hard as..." I screamed even louder as I came.

~Continued~

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