Bridge the Vampire Slayer: Season I Chapter 4: Teacher's Pet, a power rangers fanfic

Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

Episode 4: Teacher's Pet

Warning: Okay, slash rating for this chapter! Jack/Bridge hinting. I think it's apt . . .

A girl screamed inside the Bronze as a vampire advanced on Bridge who backed into a pole. He swung a quick left, followed by a right on the vamps face, but he was unfazed. He grabbed the Slayer by the upper arms and hurled him onto one of the pool tables. The vamp pinned him down and moved to bite him when Jack came up behind him. He grabbed the vamp by the shoulders and pulled him off Bridge.

"May I cut in?" he mocked.

He bashed the vamps head into the pool table, turned him around, punching him in the face and gut. The vamp fell to the floor, unconscious, while Bridge looked on, impressed and gave him a bright smile. Jack silently extended his hand to Bridge to help him off the pool table.

"You okay?" Jack asked smoothly.

"Yeah. Thanks to you!" the Slayer slid off the table and then noticed the bruise on Jack's hand.

"You hurt your hand! Will you still be able to . . ." Jack cut Bridge off by placing his fingers on his lips.

"Finish my solo and kiss you like you've never been kissed before?" he winked. The vamp got up again and growled at him, charging for Bridge. Jack broke the leg off a table and hurled it at the vamp while at the same time pulling Bridge closer to him with an arm around his waist. The make-shift stake effectively dusted the vamp. Jack jumped on the stage, grabbing his guitar and Bridge looked at him adoringly while he played.

"You're drooling," Bridge said. Jack gave him a confused look.

In the dark science classroom, Professor Gregory was showing a slideshow to the students.

"Jack!" Bridge hissed, nudging his partner again from behind where he was sitting. Jack got up from his day dream and looked at the object of his dreams groggily. Bridge pointed to the corner of his own mouth, "You got a little . . ."

Jack picked up on the gesture and quickly wiped off the drool on his chin.

"Their ancestors were here long before we were. Their progeny will be here long after us. The simple and ubiquitous ant!" Gregory turned off his projector and flicked on the lights as he walked up the aisles.

"Now, if you know did the homework, you should know how ants communicate. Mr. Carson?" he stopped in front of Bridge.

"How ants communicate?" Bridge asked, slightly nervous at being put on the spot.

"Yes."

"With other ants?"

"Yes."

"They communicate by, um," he spotted Z making signals at him. She stroked Jack's back and Bridge picked up immediately.

"Touch?"

"Yes. And?" he questioned further. Bridge looked at Z, who started sniffing at Jack. Bridge's face took on a confused look.

"B. O.?" he said, causing several students to laugh. One blonde boy, Blaine, in particular was finding it funny.

"Thank god someone finally found the courage to mention that!" he smiled at Bridge and winked, causing the Slayer to blush.

"That would be touch and smell, Mr. Carson. Is there anything else Miss. Delgado would like to tell you?" At this point, the bell rang and the professor moved to the front of the class.

"Alright, chapters 6 through 8 tomorrow, okay people? Bridge, can I see you for a moment?"

Bridge walked down as the professor began rearranging his slides.

"I gather you had a few problems in your previous school?"

"Well, what teen doesn't?" Bridge didn't like where the conversation was going.

"Cut school, get into fights, burn down the gym. Flutie showed me your permanent record," he said blandly.

"Well, the fire, I had a good reason! It's a-actually kinda f-funny if you think about it," he stammered.

"Can't wait to see what you'll do here," Gregory muttered.

"Destructo guy. That's me," Bridge sighed.

"But I suspect it's gonna be great," he said with a smile.

"You mean 'great' in a bad way?" Bridge asked, hopelessly confused.

The professor looked at him and smiled, "You have a first-rate mind. You can think on your feet quickly. Imagine what you could accomplish if you had done the homework thing! I understand you probably have a good excuse for not doing it," he stepped in front of Bridge, "Amazingly enough, I don't care. I know you can excel in this class and I expect no less! Is that clear?"

"Yeah!" Bridge agreed, "sorry."

"Don't be sorry, be smart," he put his hands on Bridge's shoulders. "Please don't listen to the principal or anyone else's negative opinion. Let's make them eat that permanent record, huh?"

Bridge nodded enthusiastically, "Okay! Thanks!" He was out the door

in a second, a new bounce in his step.

Gregory smiled at his hyper-active student and then turned his attention to the slides. The closet door opened from behind him and he didn't notice, too engrossed in his slides. A large, green, mantis claw came around his neck and he turned, screaming as he saw the creature behind him. The claw dragged him off the chair as his glasses fell to the floor, breaking immediately as they skidded near a desk. A second later his body fell as well.

Jack looked around the dance floor of the Bronze and he mad his way to where the singer was on the stage. He grinned at her and she gave him a 'get out of here' look, disappointing him as he moved away. He went to the bar where Blaine and his friend were sitting.

"Seven, including Cheryl," Blaine boasted. "Her sister almost made it eight.

"Ooh, Cheryl's sister? The one in college?" his friend asked,

Blaine nodded, "Home for the holidays and lookin for love! But a girl's gotta have something special to be with me!"

"Something like a lobotomy?" Jack quipped, causing Blaine and his friend to look at him.

"Jack. How many times do you score?" Blaine asked.

"Well, uh," Jack stammered.

"Just a question. Guys or gals?"

"You mean today, or the whole week?" Jack asked. The boys snickered and he spotted Bridge and Z coming down the stairs. He raised his eyebrows, "Ooh, duty calls!" He left the bar as Blaine and his friend watched and grabbed them both around the shoulders, "Babes!"

"Jack!" Bridge blushed furiously as did Z. "What are you doing?"

"Work with me here!" Jack hissed, "Blaine questioned my manliness. I'm just giving him a visual."

"We'll show him!" Z said, wrapping her arms around Jack. He turned back and gave them a thumbs-up, enjoying the look of shock on their faces. Bridge looked to the side as he felt a tingling and his jaw dropped open.

"I don't believe it!"

"I know and after all my conquests!" Jack misinterpreted him. Bridge walked over to a familiar tall blonde man with blue eyes as Jack and Z looked on.

"Who's that?" Jack asked in disbelief.

"That must be Sky, I think?" Z narrowed her eyes to get a better look at him.

"That weird guy who warned him about the vamps?"

"That's him, I'll bet you!"

"Well, he's buff! Bridge never said anything about him being buff!" Jack whined.

"You think he's buff?" Z looked at him.

"He's a very attractive man," Jack scowled, "how come that never came up?"

Bridge walked up to Sky, "Well, look who's here!"

"Hi." Sky said a smooth, deep voice.

"Well I'd say it's nice to see you, but we both know that would be a big fib," Bridge crossed his arms in a huff. He wished that Sky would, for once, come with good news instead of bad.

"I won't be long," Sky responded stoically.

"No. You'll just give me a cryptic warning of some exciting new danger and then disappear into the night. Right?"

"You're cold."

"You can take it," Bridge shrugged.

"I mean you look cold," Sky shrugged off his leather jacket and put it around Bridge's shoulders.

Jack scowled from where he was watching, "Oh yeah give him your jacket. It's a balmy night, no one needs to be trading clothing out there!"

Bridge smiled slightly. Sky was right, he had been feeling cold since he was wearing a sleeveless top and silently wondered how he knew. "A little big on me," he teased. His smile faded at the sight of a series of deep cuts on Sky's arm, clearly visible now that the jacket wasn't hiding them. He took his hand in concern, not even noticing Sky's surprised look, as he examined the wounds. "What happened?" he asked, worry lacing his voice.

"I didn't pay attention," Sky answered simply.

"To somebody with a big fork?"

"He's coming."

"The Fork Guy?"

"Don't let him corner you. Don't give him a moment's mercy or he'll rip your throat out."

Bridge grimaced and winced, "Okay, I'll give you improved marks for that one. Ripping a throat out is a strong visual. It is not cryptic!"

Sky took his hand back and turned to leave without a word. Bridge put

his hands on his hips.

"Sweet dreams to you too!"

Bridge and Cruger walked down the halls in front of the school while the Watcher ate an apple.

"That's all he said? Fork Guy?" Cruger frowned.

"That's all Cryptic Guy said. Fork Guy," Bridge shrugged.

"I, for one, think there are too many guys in your life," Cruger laughed, eliciting one from Bridge as well. They walked over to here Z was sitting and Cruger looked up at the sky, "Reminds me of home."

Bridge looked up as well and then donned a mischievous grin, "Dark, dank and dreary. You must be so happy!" Z laughed and Cruger couldn't help but smile at the tease as well. Bridge sat next to Z as Jack walked towards them.

"Good morning," the British Watcher nodded to Jack.

"Morning!" Jack turned to his friends, "Guess what I heard in the office? No Gregory today! Ergo, those of us who blew off our science homework aren't as dumb as we look!" He flipped Z's book closed and she barely stopped it from falling on the ground.

"What happened? Is he sick?" Bridge asked, concern in his voice.

"They didn't say anything about sick. More like missing," Jack nodded.

"He's missing?"

"Well, let me think. Um, the cheerleaders were modeling their new short skirts and . . . Yeah! They said missing!" He saw Bridge and Z exchange a look, "Which is bad?"

"If something is wrong, then hell yeah!" Bridge exclaimed.

"He's one of the only teachers who doesn't think Bridge is a felon!" Z added.

"I'm really sorry! I'm sure he'll . . ." he looked up to see a beautiful dark-haired woman with ruby red lips walk towards them. "I, uh, um-" he stuttered. Bridge and Z looked over to see the woman and she stopped in front of Jack.

"Can you help me?" she asked in a sultry voice.

"Uuuuhhhhh, yes!" Jack snapped himself out of his thoughts, while his friends snickered.

"I'm looking for Science 109," she responded.

"Oh! It's, uh," he looked around for the way and then smiled at the woman, "I go there everyday." While she laughed, Jack urgently whispered to his friends, "Oh God, where is it?"

Blaine came up behind the new arrival and smiled, "Hi! I'm Blaine Mall and I'm going there right now. It's not far from the varsity field where I took on All-City last year." He smiled smugly and slyly winked at Bridge, causing him to blush and Jack to fume.

"Oh thank you Blaine!" she smiled as they walked away. Jack watched them and then turned to the others with a sigh.

"It's funny how the earth never swallows you when you want it to." Bridge and Z nodded before giving each other a smile.

The woman wrote her name on the board, introducing herself as Natalie French while Bridge, Z and Jack walked in. The Slayer noticed Gregory's glasses on the floor near his desk and picked them up.

"What's wrong?" Z whispered.

"Dr. Gregory dropped his glasses . . . why wouldn't he pick them up?" he frowned. He set the glasses on his lab table as Natalie turned to face the class.

"I will be substituting for Mr. Gregory," she informed them.

"Do you know when he's coming back?" Bridge asked.

"No I don't, ah," she glanced at the rosters, "Bridge. They just call and tell me where they want me."

"I'll tell you where I want you," Blaine smirked in a low voice.

"Excuse me?"

"I wanted to know if you're starting off from where Dr. Gregory left off," he lied smoothly.

"Oh yes. His notes tell me you were in the middle of insect life.," she smiled and picked up a mantis mounted in a clear box.

"The praying mantis is a fascinating creature. Forced to live alone. Can any one tell me why? Bridge?"

"Well, the words 'bug-ugly' come to mind," he said before he could stop himself, causing people to laugh.

"There is nothing ugly about these unique creatures," Natalie said indignantly. The reason they live alone is because they are cannibals!"

"Eww!" Bridge wrinkled his nose as a few other in the class looked disgusted.

"Oh well, its hardly their fault! It's the way nature designed them: noble and solitary. Over 1800 species world-wide and in nearly all, the female is larger and more aggressive than the male.

"Nothing wrong with an aggressive female . . . or male," Blaine whispered to Bridge who was sitting next to him. Bridge continued to face Natalie's desk, but glanced to the side, giving him a look. He was really getting tired of his flirting and Blaine wasn't taking the hint that he wasn't interested.

Natalie went on with her lecture, "The California Mantis lays her eggs and finds a mate," she looked at Jack and then continued, "to fertilize them. Once he's played his part, the female covers the eggs in s protective sack and attaches it to a leaf or twig, out of danger. If the job is done properly, in a few months, she'll have several hundred offspring."

She shut the book and turned to the class, "You know, we should make some model egg sacks for the science fair. Who would like to help me?"

The boys all raised their hands except for Bridge who still looked disinterested and was flicking a rubber about his table. Natalie frowned slightly at him but was pleased at the others none the less.

"Good!"

Bridge, Jack and Z were in line at the cafeteria and the Slayer looked at the menu before rolling his eyes.

"Hot dog surprise. Be still, my beating heart," he said dryly.

"Call me old-fashioned, but I don't want anymore surprises in my hot dog!" Z chimed in and both she and Bridge snickered.

"I wonder what she sees in me? Maybe it's the good looks coupled with the smoky magnetism," Jack sighed.

Bridge and Z raised their eyebrows at him before exchanging amused grins.

"Miss French. You two are probably too young to understand what an older woman sees in a younger man."

"Oh, I understand," Bridge nodded.

"Good!"

"The younger man is too dumb to wonder why an older woman can't find someone her own age and is probably too desperate to care about the surgical improvements."

"What surgical improvements?" Jack asked, horrified.

"Well, he is young!" Z offered.

"And so terribly innocent," Bridge added.

"Hey," Jack protested, "those who can . . . do. Those that can't laugh at those who . . . can do!"

Bridge smiled and then went to grab a couple of utensils and bumped into Syd.

"Excuse you!" Syd said with a squawk and walked off, not noticing Bridge going back to the table with his friends and mimicking stabbing her with his fork. She showed a piece of paper to the staff.

"Medically prescribed lunch. My doc ships it in daily. I'll only be here as long as I can hold my breath." She opened the fridge and promptly screamed. Inside was a headless body. Bridge and the others came to see what the problem was and Syd was freaking out.

"His head, his head. Oh my God, where is his head?!"

Bridge looked in and promptly let out a choked sob, putting his hand over his mouth to stifle it. Jack promptly looked away while Z looked squeamish.

The tag on the lab coat read 'Dr. Gregory'.

Cruger filled a glass of water and gave it to Bridge who was sitting on the stairs of the library with Z. The Slayer had tear-stains on his cheeks and his normally lively blue eyes were filled with shock, sadness and horror.

"Here, drink this," he handed the glass to Bridge.

"Thanks . . ." he gave the glass to Z who took a sip.

"I've never seen . . ." Jack looked at Cruger, rather shaken, "that was new."

"Who would wanna hurt Dr. Gregory?" Z asked softly.

"He has no enemies on the staff," Cruger sighed. "Nice fellow. I liked

him."

"So did I," Bridge spoke in a hoarse voice, fresh tears threatening to erupt.

"What do we know about the murder?"

"Not much. But he had to have been killed after I saw him yesterday, on

campus."

"What makes you say that?" the Watcher cocked an eyebrow at him.

"He never changed his clothes."

"This is a question no one wants to here but . . . where did they put the head?" Jack spoke up, grimacing at the fresh look of pain on Bridge's face.

"Good point, I didn't want to hear that!" Z glared at him.

"Sky!" Bridge spoke up suddenly, standing up. "He warned me that something was coming!"

"Yes he did, didn't he? I was looking up on the Master, our local vampire king, and I found a reference about a vampire who displeased the Master and cut off his own hand in penance."

"He replaced it with a fork?"

"Not mentioned. There was an incident two nights ago where a homeless man was found shredded in Weatherly Park."

"Fork guy doesn't do heads," Bridge nodded.

"Not historically," Cruger pointed out.

"And Dr. Gregory's blood wasn't drained.

"So there's something else out there besides silverware man? Oh, this is fun, we're on Monster Island!"

"We're on a Hellmouth. Where the real and the unreal meet. Guess it's the same thing," Bridge shrugged.

"Well, unpleasant things do gravitate here. And we have no other leads, so I'll say this fellow is our main suspect."

"That guy was killed in Weatherly Park, right?" Bridge asked.

"Bridge," Cruger came up to him and put his hands on his shoulders, "I know you're upset right know, but you are not to go hunting until we know more. Promise you won't do anything rash?"

"Cross my heart."

Bridge climbed the fence of the park at night and hoped down easily, looking about carefully. A bum came up behind him and startled him.

"You shouldn't be out here kid. Dangerous," he drawled and left. Bridge scowled and then went deeper in, noticing some shrubbery covering an open manhole. He moved to open it and then suddenly, Fork Guy leapt at him. Bridge dodged one of his swipes and slammed his straight arm into his stomach and then his back, knocking him to the ground. He swung at Bridge again and he dodged. The Slayer backhanded him across the face and front kicked him. The vamp lunged at him and Bridge flipped him onto his back, attacking with his stake. Fork Guy dodged it and rolled away, taking off as Bridge gave chase.

In another part of the park, Natalie was taking home some groceries. Fork Guy stalked her and jumped over the fence. Bridge hid behind a garbage can and was about to come to her aid when he saw her turn around and face the vamp, who hissed and ran away in fear. Bridge stared open-mouthed as Fork Guy opened a manhole and jumped in while Natalie walked away calmly.

In the library, Cruger looked at Bridge with disappointment.

"You went hunting last night."

"Yes."

"When you assured me you wouldn't."

Bridge sighed and rolled his eyes, "Yes, I lied. I'm a bad person, can we move on?"

"Did you see someone with a fork?" Cruger asked with a sigh.

Bridge scoffed, "More like a jumbo claw!"

"Oh, well at least you're not hurt."

"Yeah well, I saw something more interesting than your usual run-of-the-mill vamp. You know the teacher who's subbing for Gregory?"

Cruger smiled, "Ah yes, Miss Natalie. She's lovely i-in a common well-proportioned way."

Bridge scowled, "Well, I'm chasing Claw Guy and Miss Well-Proportioned is heading home. He sees her and turns tail, screaming for cover!"

"He ran away from Miss French?" the Watcher looked confused.

"Uh-huh! So I'm a vamp that can shave with my hand . . . what am I afraid off?" Bridge stroked his chin in mock-thought.

"Not many. Not substitute teachers as a rule.

"So what's her deal?"

"I don't know. Keep an eye on her."

Bridge looked at his watch and yelped, "Then I gotta get to class!" He grabbed his bag and ran out, nearly running into the door in his haste, not noticing Cruger chuckle at his Slayer's antics.

Bridge ran down the stairs and suddenly stopped short as Flutie came in his way, nearly falling over.

"You were there. You saw Dr. Gregory, didn't you?"

"Um, you mean in the cafeteria where he was found-"

"Don't say dead! Or decapitated or any other D-word. You witnessed

the event, so follow me," he walked down the hall.

"I'm gonna be late!" Bridge whined.

"You have to see a counselor! Everyone who saw the body has to see

one."

"But I really don't need-"

"We all need help with our feelings. Otherwise we bottle the up and powerful laxatives are involved. If we gang up together, w e can beat this! I'm here if you need a hug, but," he saw the look on Bridge's face, "not a real hug. Because there is no touching! This school is strict on wrong touching!"

"But I don't need-" Flutie cut him off by shoving him into a seat outside the counselor's office.

"Heal!" he ordered and walked off. Bridge slumped in his seat and heard Syd inside the office. He frowned and then concentrated on using his Slayer abilities to hear the conversation.

"I don't know what to say! It was like, one moment your in your normal life and then, who's in the fridge? I haven't been able to eat a thing since yesterday and I've lost seven ounces! Way swifter than the diet my quack of a doc put me on. I'm not saying that we should kill a teacher so I can lose weight but-"

Bridge shook his head and slumped in his chair.

Meanwhile, in class Natalie was giving a pop test. She walked down the aisle and stopped behind Jack.

"I think you meant pollination for question fourteen." Hs put her hand on his shoulder, "I'll see you here after class."

Bridge ran along the halls and skidded past a corner. He reached the door of his biology class and peered in through the door window.

"Pop quiz. Great," he muttered and then stared in shock as Natalie turned her head a good 180 degrees. He rolled away from the window before she could see him, eyes wide.

Bridge and Z walked in the library, the Slayer still freaking out about what he had seen.

"No, I'm not saying she craned her neck! We are talking full-on Exorcist twist!"

"Ouch!" Z winced.

"Which reminds me. How is it that Blaine, who helped her yesterday, isn't here today?"

"Inquiring minds want to know."

"Any luck?" Bridge addressed Cruger as Z went to the computer to find info.

"Um, I've not found any information on a creature that strikes fear into a vampire's heart," he admitted.

"How about one which can pull an Exorcist?"

"Nothing human can do that," he frowned.

"No, but some bugs can!" Bridge hopped up the stairs to the stacks.

"Where are you going?"

"To do my homework."

Meanwhile, Jack came into the biology classroom and walked to Natalie's desk. "Can I help you Jack?" Natalie asked him as she spread butter on a slice of bread.

"Actually, you told me to meet you after class?" the teen swallowed nervously.

"Ah yes! I need to make some more model egg sacks and I was wondering if you could come to my house after school."

"Yeah sure!" Jack couldn't believe his luck. Natalie gave him her address and then time and Jack let out a small hiss of victory once he left the classroom.

Natalie opened a small plastic container, revealing crickets. She took a few and put them in her sandwich before taking a bite.

"Hmm, crunchy!"

Bridge came out of the stacks with a book and walked down the stairs without looking up.

"Dig this: The praying mantis can rotate it's head 180 degrees while waiting for its prey to walk by. Ha!" he slammed the book shut and then sighed at the following silence. "Well, come on guys, Ha!"

"Isn't Miss French a little . . . big for a bug?" Z asked hesitantly.

"And she is, by and large, woman shaped," Cruger offered.

Bridge sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose (excuse the pun), "Okay. Factoid one: Only the praying mantis can rotate its head like that. Factoid two: A pretty whacked-out vamp is scared to death of her. Factoid Three: Her fashion sense screams predator!"

Z nodded, "It's the shoulder pads."

"Exactly."

"If you're right she's a shape-shifter. I have a chum at Oxford, Carlyle, advanced degrees in entomology and mythology."

The two teens looked at him blankly and he elaborated, "Bugs and fairy-tales."

"I knew that," they said together.

"Bridge, 911! Blaine's mom called the school saying he never came home last night," Z exclaimed as she saw the school records.

"That boy who worked with Miss French yesterday?" Cruger frowned.

"Oh no, Jack's supposed to be helping her today! He's got a crush on a giant bug!" Z panicked.

"Don't panic! I'll warn him while you hack into the coroner's office," Bridge put his hands on her shoulders, trying to calm her.

"What are we looking for?"

"Autopsy on Gregory. Find out if the teeth-marks match these babies," he pointed at the praying mantis.

"I need to make a transatlantic phone-call," Cruger got up and turned to them. "This hacking of the coroner's office, one assumes, is legal?"

"Definitely!" Bridge and Z answered together.

"Right. Wasn't here, didn't see it, couldn't have stopped you.

"Good idea!" Bridge then took off to find Jack. He caught up to him after a couple minutes.

"So, how'd it go with Miss French?" Bridge asked casually.

"Well, it's a bit demanding , being her favorite guy in the whole world. I'll muddle though," Jack sighed dreamily.

"Okay, um, I need to tell you something about her and you have to listen, okay?" Bridge shifted uncomfortably.

"Okay . . ." Jack said slowly.

"I don't think she's human."

"So she's a . . ."

"Technically? A big bug." Bridge cocked an eyebrow as Jack started laughing. "Okay, I know this is weird, but-"

"It isn't weird at all, I completely understand! I've met someone and you're jealous!"

"What?" Bridge asked in disbelief.

"Look, there's nothing I can do about it. Miss Natalie and I just have a little something called chemistry!

"I know, I read about it. It's pheromone, a chemical attractant that bugs give off!"

"She's not an insect!" Jack yelled, causing Bridge to take a step back in shock. "She's a woman, okay? And as hard as it may be for you to conceive, an actual woman finds me attractive! I realize it's no mystery guy handing out leather jackets, and while we're on the subject, what

kind of a girlie name is 'Sky'?

"What does that have to do with this?" Bridge asked in surprise.

Jack sighed. He couldn't believe Bridge still didn't get the hints he dropped everyday. "Nothing, it just bugs me. Look, I gotta go," he walked off, leaving a very confused Bridge behind.

The doorbell of Natalie's house rang as she poured out two martinis. She opened the door to reveal Jack standing there nervously.

"Hi," he said nervously, trying to be unaffected by the cleavage her dress showed. She smiled and showed him to the living room,

"Hi, would you like a martini?" she offered one to him and Jack accepted.

"I just need to relax. I'm a little nervous around you," she laughed. "You're probably as cool as a cucumber."

"I like cucumbers. Like in that Greek salad thing with the yogurt. Do you like Greek food? I'm exempting schwarma, of course, I mean it's a big meat hive," Jack rambled. Natalie laughed and Jack downed his martini, immediately feeling woozy.

"Hellllooooo!" he said drunkenly.

"Jack, have you ever been with a woman before?" Natalie asked quickly. She ran her hands over his hair and down his ear.

"Yeah, there was . . . several!" he grinned.

"I can tell," she whispered as she stroked her fingers down his chin.

"You can?"

"I like it. I guess you could say I need it," she grinned. Jack frowned at

the sound of muffled screaming.

"Do you hear . . ."

"No . . ."

"Sounds like someone crying . . ."

"I don't hear anything," she took his hand. "Your hands are so hot!"

Jack jerked slightly at the touch and remembered his daydream. Bridge had held his hand like that, worried about a wound that had not actually been inflicted.

"Bridge. I love Bridge . . ." Jack muttered and grinned again, "wow, so that's a martini, huh?"

"Would you like to touch me with those hands?" she asked seductively. Jack looked down at her hands.

"Wow, your hands are really," his eyes widened slightly as they morphed into claws, "serrated. Oh wow, that martini! I really have to . . ." he fell to the floor, unconscious.

Two mantis claws dragged him away.

Jack woke up in a cage. He grabbed the bars and pulled himself up and saw Natalie as a giant mantis make her nest.

"Miss . . . French?" he stammered.

"Please call me Natalie," she smiled as Jack backed into his cage.

Meanwhile, in the library Cruger was nearly screaming into the phone.

"No, I don't know what time it is and I don't care! Now unlock his cage, unstrap him and bring him to the phone. It's an emergency!"

"Got it!" Z said triumphantly. "Coroner's report, complete with . . . yuk! Color pictures," she looked slightly green.

"There are teeth marks," Bridge speculated over her shoulder, trying to suppress a shudder, "they mark perfectly the one insect that nips of the head."

"O-okay, I don't like this," Z muttered.

"It's the way they feed, head first! It's also the way they mate. The female bites off the male's head during-"

"No, no, no! I like Jack's head! It's where you find his eyes and his hair and his adorable smile-"

"Hey, hey take it easy Z!" Bridge tried to calm her down, though he was panicking as well. "I saw Jack leave school. He's probably safe at home."

Jack backed up to the far corner of his cage and was surprised to see Blaine next to him.

"Blaine? Are you alright" Jack asked.

"You gotta get me out of here!" he yelled. "Sh-she gets you and . . . ." he trailed off, too busy panicking.

"She does what?" Jack began to panic as well.

"She takes you out of the cage and ties you up and, and she starts movin' and th-throbbin', and these e-eggs come shooting out of her! And then, she mates with you!" Blaine screamed in panic.

"Oh. Crap." Jack went pale.

"And that's not the worst part!"

"Of course it's not!"

"You've seen her teeth, right? While she's . . . you know! Right in the middle of . . . I saw her do it! I don't wanna die like that!"

"Calm down , Blaine! It's gonna be okay! I'm gonna get us out of this!" Jack yelled.

"You got a plan?" Blaine asked hopefully.

"Yeah, just let me, uh, perfect it!"

"Oh god . . ."

"I-I understand Carlyle! Yes, I'll take every precaution. Uh, absolutely, it sounds exactly like the creature you described! Y-You were right about everything! Well, no, y-you weren't right about your mother returning as a Pekinese, but . . . uh . . . try to rest, old man. Yes . . . Ta! Bye now!" Cruger hung up the phone with a sigh and came out of his office to see Bridge and Z still at the PC.

"Dr. Ferris Carlyle spent years transcribing a lost pre-Germanic language. What he discovered, he kept secret for several years until a group of young teenage boys were murdered. Then he went hunting for it."

"It being a . . ." Bridge trailed off, looking at Cruger expectantly.

"Uh, he calls her a She-Mantis. This type of creature, a virgin thief, appears in many cultures. The Greek sirens, the Celtic sea-maidens, who, tore the living flesh off-"

"Cruger, while we're young!" Bridge interrupted him, both him and Z looking a little green and a lot more panicky.

"Basically, the She-Mantis takes on the form of a young beautiful woman and lures innocent virgins to her nest," he gulped.

"Virgins? Well, Jack's not a, uh . . . I mean, he's probably-" Bridge was interrupted by Z.

"Gonna die!" she squeaked and grabbed the phone.

"Okay, okay, so this thing is breeding and we need to find it and snuff

it?" Bridge looked at Cruger. "Any tips on the snuffing?"

"Um, cleaving all the body parts with a sharp object is recommended."

"Slice and dice."

"Well, whatever you do, it has to be swift. This thing is dangerous."

"What have I faced that isn't? Plus, your buddy Carlyle faced it and lives to tell the tale!" Bridge pointed out.

"Yes, he's now in a straight-jacket, howling his innards out day and night!"

Bridge winced, "Okay, Admiral! Way to inspire the troops!"

"Sorry . . ." Cruger looked sheepish.

"Jack's not home!" Z joined the conversation, on the verge of hyperventilating. "He told his mom he was going to work on a project at his teacher's home. He didn't say where."

"See if you can get her address of the substitute rosters!" Bridge instructed and then turned to Cruger, "you go get a recording of a bat sonar."

"Why?"

"Bats eat them. The mantis hears bat sonar and nervous system goes kerplooey!"

"Where am I going to find . . ." he trailed off at the incredulous look on Bridge's face.

"In the vid lib? Duh, go! It doesn't have books, but it's dark and dusty so you'll feel right at home!" he watched Cruger go.

"Guess I'll handle the armory," he muttered the last part to himself.

Jack worked on one of the bars while Blaine continued to panic. He managed to yank one out and Blaine smiled.

"You got it out! Now I can get outta my cage . . ." he saw where it led, "into yours. What'd you do that for?"

"A weapon!" Jack hissed.

"I think you're gonna need it!" Blaine looked behind him. Jack turned to see Natalie and dropped his bar.

In the library, the others were regrouping.

"Got the address!" Z smiled.

"Great! Cruger?" Bridge turned to the other member of their party.

"Recording bat sonar is like getting your teeth drilled!" he winced as he held up a tape-recorder.

"Let's roll!" They headed for the door, Z reading the personal records and she piped up.

"According to these, Miss French was born in 1907! She' like ninety now!"

"And very well-preserved!" Cruger chimed in.

In a few minutes, the trio had reached Miss French's house.

"What now exactly? We can't kick the door down!" Cruger pointed out.

"Yeah, that would be wrong!" Bridge gave him a hands-on-the-hips glare and moved to kick down the door, but it was opened by an old woman.

"Hello dear!" the woman said kindly. "I thought I heard . . . are you selling something? I'd like to help you out , but . . . you see, I'm on a fixed income."

"I'm looking for Miss French," Bridge said with a fake smile, masking his worry.

"I'm Miss French," the woman smiled back.

"Miss Natalie French, the substitute biology teacher?" Z asked with a bit of disbelief.

"Goodness, that's me. I haven't taught in thirty years!" she laughed.

Bridge turned to Cruger, "I can't believe this! She used Miss French's

records to get into school! She could be anywhere!"

"Dear, I'm right here!" the woman said, puzzled.

"What's she doing?" Jack gulped.

"I think it's eeny, meeny, miney-"

"Moe?" Jack swallowed again, terrifies.

Natalie opened the door to the cage and Jack crawled out on his butt, bar in hand.

"I'm comin', I'm comin'," he muttered in a shaking voice.

As soon as he was out, he swung the bar, hitting Natalie in the face. While she was stunned, he ran up the stairs, but she tripped him with her claw, causing him to fall down again.

"What do we do know?" Z asked as she, Cruger and Bridge began walking back to the car.

"Abject prayer and supplication come to mind," Cruger sighed.

"She lives in this neighborhood. I saw her carry grocery bags past the park," he stopped at a manhole and moved the cover.

"I won't be long!" he jumped in.

"Wha? Bridge?" Cruger called.

Jack was tied to the pole in Natalie's basement with leather straps and the mantis was in his face.

"Oh yeah, here it comes!" Blaine said terrified.

"Here what comes?" Jack yelled.

"How do you like your eggs bro? Over easy or sunny-side up?"

"Eggs? She's gonna lay some-" he stopped as he remembered something Natalie had said about the mantis. The mantis lays her eggs and then finds a mate to fertilize them

"Oh crap!" he said, terrified.

"Come on Bridge!" Z yelled into the manhole. She looked up at the sound of bushes rustling and saw Bridge shove Claw Guy out with his hands tied.

"You!" the vampire snarled.

"Me!" Bridge scowled at him and pushed him to Natalie's street while Z and Cruger followed.

"Come on, where is she? Which house is it? I know you're afraid of her, I saw it! Come on!"

Claw Guy began to react to Natalie's presence and Bridge noticed.

"This is her house isn't it? This is it! Better than radar!" Bridge turned to Cruger and Z, not noticing Claw Guy cut his ropes raise his arm behind him.

"Bridge!" Z yelled, pointing at him.

Bridge leaned forward, missing the swipe and then whipped around while Cruger and Z went to a safe distance. He walked backward, but tripped over a pipe, hitting a small picket fence. Claw Guy roared and attacked, slicing a thin part along the Slayer's arm while Bridge tore off one of the pickets and stabbed him with it, effectively dusting him. Cruger let out a sigh of relief

"Kiss me!" Natalie laughed as she closed in on the bound Jack, "kiss me!"

"Can I just say one thing?" Jack asked, "Heeellllppppp!!!!"

The window crashed open and Bridge leaped in with his bag. "Ask and you shall receive!" he grinned and then scowled at Natalie, "Let him go!"

Z came in as well along with Cruger while Bridge took out two cans of bug spray and sprayed Natalie in the face, causing her to shriek. Bridge pointed at Jack when Cruger came down while Z helped free Blaine.

"Get them outta here!" Bridge yelled and as he grabbed his machete and the tape recording. Cruger began to free Jack while Z freed Blaine. Natalie retreated to the back of her nest while Bridge closed in on her.

"Remember Dr. Gregory? You scarfed his head? Yeah, well, he taught me to do my home-work, you learn stuff. Like what happens to your nervous system when you hear this!" he clicked on the tape-recorder and Cruger's voice came through.

"It is extremely important to file not simply alphabetically . . ." Bridge stared at the machine in disbelief.

"Cruger!" he yelled.

"It's on the wrong side!" the Watcher yelled back.

Natalie knocked the machete and the recorder from Bridge's hands. Cruger watched the recorder fly over his head and slide beneath the refrigerator. He scrambled to get it while Bridge turned his attention to Natalie, who tried to trip him, but Bridge jumped over the claw. Jack came up next to him and sprayed a can of bug spray in Natalie's face. Bridge pushed him away from the danger and got knocked down for his trouble. He pushed himself up on his hands and kicked back at her to keep her at bay. The Slayer grabbed his machete while Cruger came up and played the tape-recording, the sounds of the bat sonar disorienting her.

"Bat sonar. Makes your entire nervous system go to hell. And you can go with it!" Bridge began slashing at Natalie, hacking her into pieces. Cruger got up along with Z and Blaine, while Bridge bent over slightly, winded.

"Well, I'll say it' deceased," Cruger supplied.

"And dissected," Z added.

"You okay?" Jack asked Bridge.

"Yeah," he managed to get out.

"Just for the record, you were right, I'm an idiot and God bless you! Thanks to you guys too," he added, looking back at the others.

"Yeah, thanks," Blaine added.

"I'm really glad you're okay!" Z smiled. "It's unfair how she only went for virgins!"

Jack laughed and looked back and firth between Z and the winded Slayer, "What?"

"I mean, here you are doing the right thing when most guys your age-" she was cut off by Blaine.

"Flag down on that play, babe. I'm not-"

"Well, you see that's the She-Mantis modus operandi. Um, she only preys on the pure," Cruger said.

"Well, is this the perfect ending to a wonderful day!" Jack said happily.

"This does not get out, okay? My dad is a lawyer, you'll be facing a lawsuit!" Blaine threatened.

"Blaine, shut up!" Jack yelled.

"I don't think it's bad, I think it's-" she shut up as Jack took Bridge's machete.

"-sweet. I won't be mentioning this."

Jack took the machete to Natalie's nest and began hacking away.

A couple days later, Bridge was sitting on one of the bar stools of the Bronze wearing Sky's jacket. He sensed a presence behind him and turned to see Sky smiling at him.

"I heard a rumor there was, uh, one less vampire making a nuisance of himself," he said smoothly.

"There is. I guess I should thank you for the tip," Bridge smiled back.

"Pleasure's mine," he said with his smile.

"Course, it would make things easier if I knew how to contact you," eh added.

"I'll be around."

"Or who you were?"

Sky just smiled and moved to his other side. Bridge looked down and then began to remove the jacket.

"Well . . . anyway, you can have your jacket back." Sky stopped him by catching his hands and putting the jacket back on.

"It looks better on you," he muttered and then walked away. Bridge stared after him and Sky turned around to give him another look before disappearing into the crowd.

"Oh, boy, wow!" Bridge turned back to his drink.

The next day, the class had a new biology teacher.

"All mid-term papers will be exactly six pages long, no more, no less. One third of you grade will be dependant-"

Bridge was daydreaming again in his seat, but still listening to his teacher. The bell rang and everyone got up to leave. Bridge saw Dr. Gregory's glasses on the lab bench where he had left them and picked them up, remembering his favorite teacher and his advice. He saw Gregory's lab coat on the coat hanger and put the glasses in the pocket. He began to leave the room but felt a tingle. He looked back and then dismissed the feeling, closing the door behind him.

Underneath the desk, there was a nest of She-Mantis eggs and as the Slayer closed the door, one of the eggs hatched.

And episode four is done! Ah, I feel satisfied on getting this out so early! Oh and I've heard that posting chaps in bold completely is forbidden on Is it true? If it is, I'll post the next chap in normal, so tell me in your review, if you know.