A/N: This is a continuation from Knightwood's story "Jungle Fury: Normal Life". So you'll need to read some of that to get a grasp of what's happening. To all my original followers though...thank you for following me. As a reward, here's a fun contest. The first one to review this story and know where I got the inspiration for my new pen-name will be given a bonus spoiler.
The following Monday, Donny pulled into the parking lot outside the school, feeling a sense of dread building in him. In all his time in the teaching profession he had seen it all. His car had been trashed more times than he could count, he had heard pretty much every threat and insult anyone could imagine, and as of the previous week, he had even been attacked, but throughout all of that, he had never once felt afraid or ashamed to enter a school. He did today though.
He had spent most of the previous day staring at the phone, occasionally getting as far as picking it up, before chickening out. Since he had kissed Fran, he had thought of nothing else, but how he could possibly try to explain things if not necessarily make them better? He had thought about almost every way he could possibly bring up the subject, but at the end of the day, it all amounted to the same thing. He was essentially going to be walking up to her to ask forgiveness.
He had met Theo twice now, and he had to admit that he liked him. He didn't know much about him, but he had been the kind of guy he was sure he would get along with. Of course he doubted that would be the case if Theo knew that he had put the moves on his wife.
He liked Fran, he knew that much. It had been a long time since she was the jittery nervous social car wreck he had seen cowering out of sight back at High School. She had grown into an amazing and beautiful woman. He had to admit that he had been attracted to her, but he wasn't the kind of guy to put the moves on another man's wife, so what had been different this time?
He saw her car pull up and Fran got out, clutching her folders to her chest. He took a deep breath and prepared to bite the bullet. Getting out, he started to make his way over.
"Fran..."
She snapped around, clearly a little alarmed as he greeted her. He could tell that she had obviously had much the same kind of day he had the day before. She didn't have anything to be ashamed of, Donny knew that he was the one that made all the moves. She had all but thrown him off her when he kissed her, something he was sure she would be capable of given the way she saw off the students who attacked him.
"Donny, I've got to..."
"Fran, please wait." He interrupted her, catching her elbow with his hand to stop her. Fran looked down at his hand, and back up. Donny immediately let go, realising his mistake and held his hands up defensively. "Fran, about the other night..."
"It's alright." She muttered, looking away. "You'd had a bit to drink..."
"It isn't alright Fran, you know that." He interrupted her. "Please, I know what I did was stupid, and wrong but...I really don't want to lose a friend over this."
"Donny..."
"I know you have a free period just before lunch." He reminded her. "Please, I really need to apologise and explain this."
Fran thought about it for a minute. She had to admit that Donny was attractive. She'd had a crush on him for a while back when she was a student, and when she figured out who he was, she had been overjoyed to relive one of the few happy memories she had from her childhood. When Donny had started to confide in her about his thoughts of settling down, she had listened, honoured that he thought enough of her to share that side of himself with her. He was still the confident, strong, popular jock he had been in High School to the world at large. While he had grown up a lot, his charisma and force of personality were still overwhelming, forcing people to believe in him, even if they didn't like him. His veil had slipped though, showing her a much more vulnerable side.
Of course she had never considered the possibility of what would happen next. He had moved in so quickly, she hadn't had a chance to react. When he kissed her, she had to admit that it felt good, it was flattering to know that she was attractive to others, but it also felt wrong. Her heart was with Theo. She admired Donny, and she thought of him as possibly being closer than a mere friend, but she didn't think of him romantically. Perhaps the thought had crossed her mind in a brief fantasy or random thought, but she never seriously considered cheating on Theo. She and Theo were like two halves of the same person. He and Algie were her entire world, she'd never do anything to hurt them. Looking at Donny briefly, she could see the desperation in his eyes. She took a deep breath.
"I'll talk to you then." She responded. Donny managed to force out a half-smile. He knew he wasn't off the hook, but at least Fran was willing to let him explain.
"Thank you." He told her as she turned to leave. Fran paused, considering turning back to him to say something, but thought better of it and just left. She wasn't looking forward to this conversation in the slightest, but it was definitely something that she wanted to keep behind closed doors.
RJ came into Master Finn's cabin, finding his father working on a piece of wood.
"RJ, how's the stomach?" He asked him, putting down his chisel.
"It's fine, everything's healing up nicely." RJ informed him, setting down a sandwich he had brought him. "So how was fishing in the bay?"
"I caught a 7 pounder." He informed him. "It made a fantastic meal."
"You ate a 7 pound fish by yourself?" He asked, a little surprised to hear this. Master Finn just grabbed the sandwich, unwrapping the cling film and took a bite.
"This is amazing!" He commented. "What is it?"
"The bread's fresh, Johnny gave me a recipe." RJ informed him. "I know you like grilled chicken."
"What do you want?" Finn asked his son, looking at him suspiciously. RJ just laughed, realising he had been busted. His motives for his impromptu visit hadn't been entirely noble.
"Susan's mom is moving to Ocean Bluff tomorrow." He informed him. "Knowing the way the Rhodes family pack, I was hoping to get a few extra hands to help get her moved in."
Master Finn smiled. He knew Mrs. Rhodes was moving, and now RJ had given him a valid reason for turning up on the day she arrived.
"I'd be delighted to help." He stated with authority. "I'm sure Casey is looking forward to having his mom in the city."
"She's staying with us until she finds somewhere permanent." RJ told him. Master Finn had to try hard not to react. The fact was that she had already made a long-term plan. Once she moved to OB, she was intending to tell her kids about their relationship, and once everyone had gotten used to the idea, she was going to move in with him.
"So how is Susan?" Master Finn asked him.
"She's just hoping this all ends soon." RJ told him. "She's looking forward to the birth."
"Your mother was the same at that stage." Master Finn recalled. "She tried everything to coax you out. Long walks, strenuous exercise..."
"OK, that's a lot more information than I wanted." RJ interrupted him. "Anyway, she's getting in around midday tomorrow."
"I'll be there to help." Master Finn assured him. "Thanks for the sandwich!"
As RJ left, he pulled out his cell phone, hitting speed dial. He smiled as it was answered.
"Barbara, it's me." He told her. "RJ just told me about your moving plans. I'll see you tomorrow."
He smiled as she answered.
"I love you too." He replied, hanging up.
Fran knocked on the door of Donny's office, making her way in. Donny gestured for her to sit down as he got up, pacing the room, trying to think where to begin. He was obviously looking forward to this conversation as much as she was.
"Thank you for coming." He told her. "I'd have understood if you gave it a miss."
"I said I'd come." Fran reminded him. Donny ran a hand through his hair.
"Fran, I wanted to apologise. What I did...it was way out of line." He began nervously. "It was stupid and selfish and..."
"Why did you do it?" Fran asked him.
"You remember how I was telling you that I've been thinking a lot about my future?" He asked her. Fran nodded gently. "Well I've been thinking a lot about my life now as well. I've loved my job, it's something I'm really good at, but the thing is, I don't really have much else."
He went to the window, looking out of it, breathing a sigh.
"I have quite a lot of money saved up. It isn't because I get paid a lot, it's because I don't pay rent or a mortgage. Fran, I'm three years older than you, and I've never once paid rent." He told her. "I've never stayed anywhere long enough to make it worth my time getting somewhere. I've moved around...I have an e-mail address book full of names from all over the country and the sad fact is, I'd probably walk past every one of them in the street. I wouldn't even remember them."
"Donny..."
"Please, let me finish." He told her. "Fran, I don't think what happened was even necessarily anything to do with you. The fact is, since I got this job, I've never formed any attachments. I've never set any roots anywhere."
He turned back to her, sitting on his desk.
"I saw what you have with Theo. I see the way he looks at you, and I envy it. I see the way you look at him, and I'm as jealous as hell. No one's ever looked at me like that. This life you have here, Theo, the house, Algie...I don't have any of that. For years I've told myself it didn't matter, but now...I realise what I've been missing out on."
"What about that cheerleader you were dating?" She asked him. "I heard you got married."
"It lasted about a month." He informed her. "It turned out she preferred my best friend anyway."
"Ouch." She exclaimed, trying to imagine what that must have been like. Donny handed her an envelope.
"What's this?" Fran asked him.
"It's a job offer." Donny told her. "I put in a recommendation that you be granted tenure. There's a permanent teaching job here if you want it."
"Donny, this..."
"This isn't hush money, I assure you." He told her. "I put in the recommendation my second day here. I always thought you were an asset to this place."
"But we already have an English teacher." She reminded him. "What about Dr. Jennings?"
"You don't need to worry, I had no intention of seeing him out of a job." He assured her. "I was actually thinking that there's a job he'd be perfect for, mine."
"Yours?" Fran asked him.
"Fran...after what happened, I don't expect you to work with me." He told her. "I was thinking of taking Dr. Weinberg's offer. I was going to call him and go to Silver Hills."
Fran felt a little sympathy building up in her as she heard this. She got up, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Donny, I don't hold it against you." She replied with a little smile. "I have to admit, I was shocked at the time, and it isn't something I'd like to repeat, but how I've been feeling since it happened...I'm glad you cleared the air."
"Fran..."
"Please, let me finish." She instructed him. "It's an amazing job, and I appreciate the offer, but don't go on my account."
She came around in front of him, putting her other hand on his other shoulder.
"You were feeling low, and you'd had a bit to drink. I can understand that you weren't thinking straight." She told him. "It's a bit of an ego boost to think you considered me like that."
"You don't mind?" He asked her.
"Donny, it was a mistake. We all make them." She reassured him. "Hell, once I kissed my brother-in-law."
"But, how...?"
"I haven't told Theo." She interrupted him. "Donny, you'll find what you're looking for. You're a great guy, and anyone would be lucky to have you. This job offer is a great opportunity, but just...don't take it just to get away from me."
"You aren't mad at me?" He asked her.
"No, I understand." She told him, hugging him. Donny eventually returned the gesture, grateful that she had forgiven his foolish actions.
"So are kick-ass kung fu moves just your thing or your husband's too?" He asked her.
"Theo was the one who taught me." She informed him.
"It's probably just as well you didn't tell him then." He replied. "Listen Fran, I really am sorry..."
"I hate keeping things from my husband." Fran told him. "Just...make sure it's worth it. Do what's best for the school."
"I will." He assured her. "Thanks for this Fran."
"You're welcome." She replied, hugging him once more.
Over at Casey's gym, he was just exchanging farewells with a kung fu class as Flit arrived. He made his way over to Casey as he mopped himself down with a towel.
"Hey Flit!" He greeted him with a strong high five.
"Hi Casey." He responded. "Um...could we talk for a minute?"
"I don't have any classes until this evening, and it'll be a while before the office crowd gets in." The Tiger Master told him. "What can I help you with?"
"It's about Michelle." Flit told him. "You know we've been together for a while now..."
Casey just smiled and extended a hand. Flit gratefully accepted it, shaking it warmly.
"Thanks Casey, I've been dreading this for ages now." He told him. "I plan on asking her soon, but since her dad isn't around anymore, and I know how protective you are..."
"Breathe flit." Casey interrupted him, putting his arm around the healer. "Look, I know I gave Jarrod a hard time, but there were other reasons behind that. I know you'd never do anything to harm my sister."
"So you're cool with me asking her?" He asked. "Casey, this is important to me."
"Flit, I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather have coming into the family." He assured him. "Mom's going to be so happy to see the last of the Rhodes kids being married off."
"Listen, I'm a little nervous about this. I'm planning on making a night of it." Flit told him. "I know your mom's coming to town tomorrow, so would you mind if I did it then?"
"Flit, I couldn't think of anything that mom would love more." Casey assured him.
