Summary: Alasdair is going to be starting his new teaching job at Mercier Academy for the Gifted tomorrow - the only problem? One Rhodian Prince whose human name is Charlie Smith.

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Episode 25 – Charlie

November 2nd - Alasdair knew that the rumors still surrounded him. Some believed he'd slept with students - even if he were into that type of thing - which he isn't - they weren't his type - in one way or another! There were only a select few that thought he was a pedophile - which he isn't - the very thought of raping a little - girl or boy - it disgusted him! But, he had no idea how to disprove either - which was why he was letting Jean-Luis' Clan quash those rumors. Alasdair also knew that despite those rumors though that Mercier was willing to hire them - either because they didn't actually believe the rumors - and the parents of the students didn't either - or because their largest donor - the Viper Clan - which Jean-Luis would one day become leader of - made the request for his hiring. Alasdair also knew that when he started on Monday - which was the 3rd - that he'd actually be responsible for teaching Gaelic - which was going to be an interesting class to teach because there was more then one Gaelic language - and a class on World History - he was not actually looking forward to that class because there were still things about the parallel world that he just did not know but the headmaster - Callahan Miller - told him to 'just have fun with it' - now, that was an interesting phrase to tell a new teacher for a class. And, he'd gotten the go-ahead to start up a class on Shakespearian literature - which he had a feeling that Jean-Luis had more then a little to do with that because besides the idea of being a solicitor and a activist - Jean-Luis seemed to like Shakespeare almost as much as he did. Alasdair was glad that he was still going to be teaching students in their final year. Alasdair also knew that a key difference between Mercier and Coal Hill was Mercier had a 'private' area for teachers during lunch while Coal Hill did not - he wasn't sure if he liked that or not - he'd probably still be taking his meals - bananas - into his next class and eating alone. Alasdair also knew that a key similarity between Mercier and Coal Hill was how there school year ran - from August 1st to March 31st. Alasdair also knew that with the salary that he'd only be making a third of what he did at Coal Hill Academy - and he was also only going to get paid once a month instead of once every two weeks but he already had things worked out with Malik.

One question that Alasdair had wondered about was - what did Headmaster Miller honestly think he knew about rugby? He barely remembered the rules to cricket! Alasdair had been pretty blunt 'If you want someone to coach your upcoming rugby team - ask Jean-Luis - I don't know the first damn thing about the sport'! The biggest reason that Jean-Luis was out of the question as a coach 'We can't have students coaching students'!

Alasdair had also learned that there was one very important rule he'd need to enforce in his class 'keep your cell phones off'! His solution, 'Get a basket and have the students leave them on the desk and they get them back once class is over'. Headmaster Miller had laughed and asked, 'You're a - why hasn't anybody else thought of that'? Alasdair had just smiled and said, 'Because, nobody else is me'. And, that was when he realized that cockiness was contagious - then again, there'd been more then one of the Doctor's who'd been - more then a little cocky - so he was bound to show that on occasion.

But, what was Alasdair doing now? Standing outside with one of his long-sleeved shirts on and his jacket with a blue bucket, hot water, soap, and a squeegee - trying to get the damn green spray-paint off the window that read 'freak lover'. He was half-tempted to find a way onto the rooftop and shout 'I'm a freak lover, so what?' but he didn't figure Astrid would think to highly of him if he got carted off to an asylum! And, he didn't think that that would be a good way to tell Astrid that he was attracted to her - damn human body! But, at least this time - what had happened with the store was directly targeted at him! And, at least this time - what had happened with the store wasn't costing anymore then the cleaning supplies - and it was a good way to work off some of his pent-up aggression! Even though - he still wasn't sure what it said for his personality that he had the song Highway to Hell by ACDC on repeat on his iPod - a gift from Renee Moreau - a man that he'd yet to meet - to introduce him to the world of music. He already knew about the 'world of music' and 'rock' was not on his list of desired things to listen to - but the song was addicting.

Letting his mind wonder - he couldn't help but wonder where the Silent's had went - or more accurately, where Susan had gone - he knew that she wasn't his granddaughter in any way, shape, or form - but it was hard to ignore - that it wasn't his Susan - not that he even had a Susan! All he could think when he thought about Susan was 'I'm as bad as Rose'! As much as he had - and to a point still - loved Rose - where her father had been concerned - she was - as the prior Doctor would have said, a 'stupid ape'! But then - nobody was perfect - and sure as hell not Time Lord's! If they'd been perfect then they wouldn't have tried to ascend above their bodies and - what had they been trying to do? The Dalek's had been created as - really - universal Nazi's! The Time Lord's had just gone bat-shit crazy! Compared to Rassilon - the Master had been quite sane - which in itself was a scary thought! There had been very few exceptions to the Time Lord's insanity - and he wasn't sure that the Doctor was much different - his sanity came from his companions keeping him grounded. God pity the universe should he ever lose Rose for good! As he thought on that - he wondered when he'd stopped seeing Rassilon as a god - because he was the closest that the Time Lord's had to a belief in a 'god'. Yup, to much time on Earth - and now, he was stuck there! Well - the Doctor wasn't but Alasdair was. Was Rose really okay with being at the Doctor's side but never getting to see her mother, father, and little brother again? Ah - what was he thinking? If she was that desperate - the Doctor would find a way - for his Rose - he always would! Except when she'd gotten stuck in the parallel universe - she'd had to find him! What he wouldn't have given to see Rose slap the Doctor silly for making her find her way back to him - he hadn't even tried to find a way to her! And, that was the sad fact - he just thought there wasn't a way so he hadn't even tried to find a way! Some people believe that rule number one is 'the Doctor lies' - that should be rule number two. Rule number one should be - 'don't let the Doctor make your decisions for you' - yes, sometimes it's okay but when it comes to 'what is best for you' - he hasn't got a clue!

'I think it's clean, Alasdair'. Alasdair spun around - yeah, like a squeegee is going to work as a weapon! Alasdair said surprised, 'Oh, Jean-Luis'! Alasdair used his left hand and took his earbuds out - letting them dangle around his shoulders - and then asked curiously, 'What're you doing here'? Jean-Luis said, 'Well, I tried messaging you but you weren't responding. And then, I messaged Astrid and she said that you were busy trying to - and I quote - scrub the glass apart. So - I figured I'd just pop-in and see just what she was meaning'. Alasdair looked at the window and then at Jean-Luis again and asked curiously, 'So, why were trying to contact me'? Jean-Luis asked curiously, 'Honestly'? Alasdair nodded and Jean-Luis said, 'I'm bored'. Alasdair laughed and then asked, 'You're kidding right'? Jean-Luis said, 'Nope'. Alasdair asked carefully, 'Don't you have friends your own age'? Jean-Luis said, 'There was Nina but apparently she was only my friend as long as I was at Coal Hill. And, friends in the Viper Clan are hard to make when you're the future leader - having the respect of someone does not mean you have their friendship. Mercier was an exception as is father - infectious personalities. That is something I have not developed - not everyone - even leaders - do'. Alasdair asked curiously, 'Can you read or something'? Jean-Luis said, 'I don't want to read, right now'! Alasdair said, 'Listen to music - play a video game'! Jean-Luis said, 'I only listen to music when I'm trying to sleep. Overall, I prefer the Magic: The Gathering card game and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG - no, they have nothing to do with poker or blackjack! They still require two players though. I also do a lot of puzzles - Sudoku and that kind of puzzle - not those 500 piece cardboard-in-a-box puzzles - and no, I do not like crosswords! Okay, I do like Tetris but my Game Boy has to be repaired'. Alasdair said uncertainly, 'Watch something on the telly'! Alasdair said, 'I don't really watch anything besides the Yu-Gi-Oh! series' and -'

'Shadow Kin'! Alasdair saw Jean-Luis flinch before he turned around - Alasdair couldn't say the handgun - not the Quill gun but a human handgun - was very reassuring as Charlie held it - pointed at Jean-Luis. Jean-Luis said irritated, 'I am not a Shadow Kin - you fucking lunatic'! Alasdair knew Jean-Luis would be able to shed and skin to recover but - okay, so he didn't particularly like guns - it was a Doctor thing that he just hadn't buried far enough yet! Charlie said angrily, 'You're a liar'! Jean-Luis said irritated, 'I am part of the Viper Clan - we are not Shadow Kin! Viper's are freaks not fucking aliens'! Charlie repeated angrily, 'You're a liar'! Jean-Luis threw his arms out and said angrily, 'Then fucking shoot me'! Alasdair couldn't help noticing that Charlie seemed - he'd never really believed that you could see madness in someone's eyes but - Charlie - Charlie was a different story - his eyes were - they were filled with madness! Charlie pulled the trigger and Jean-Luis' head snapped back. His body fell back and collided with Alasdair - Alasdair's back colliding with the bricks closest to the window as he was knocked down by Jean-Luis' body and thought, 'That's going to leave to bruise'! He scrambled away from Jean-Luis - he did not want to be holding the body when Jean-Luis began to shed!

Alasdair went to stand up and he collapsed back down to his knees - something wasn't right!

Alasdair heard Astrid come out from the shop.

Alasdair was only half paying attention as Jean-Luis began to shed his 'old' skin - his chest hurt - he couldn't breathe - something was very wrong!

After the shedding was complete, Jean-Luis stood up and shouted angrily, 'Do it again you son of a bitch'! Three more shots - all hitting Jean-Luis in the chest - and he asked, 'You should have two more bullets - can you just hurry up and just shoot me again'? It only took a couple seconds before Alasdair noticed Jean-Luis shedding again but his vision was getting blurry - he hadn't noticed he'd had his left hand pressed against his chest until he looked down - taking his hand away from his chest - he realized - he thought, 'It's my blood'. Alasdair didn't know if he said the words out loud or not 'You shot me'.

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Author's Note 1: Okay, okay - I know you probably hate me right now, but come on! What's a story without at least one cliffhanger at the end of a chapter?

Author's Note 2: Yes, I already have Episode 26 done but I will not be posting it until tomorrow.

Author's Note 3: As far as I know - a solicitor is the British term for lawyer - or at least that's the term they used in Broadchurch - if it's the wrong term - blame them and the simple fact that I'm American!

Author's Note 4: If you haven't heard Highway to Hell by ACDC - then there is something seriously wrong with you, buddy!

Author's Note 5: Well - today I was actually able to get two chapters done - so if you haven't read Episode 24 then you're missing Astrid's POV!

Reviews/Comments/Critiques welcome!

Written on April 2nd, 2019