Tactics & Teamwork Chapter 38

Mark felt vibrations in his pocket and realized that it was his phone going off. He was patiently waiting on Lyn's living room couch for Erk to show up so he could set up the security system. And then him and Lyn would go about their night of dinner and massages, so every passing moment was making him fidgety.

"Aren't you going to see who that is?" Lyn asked as she had felt the vibrations as well. So Mark took his phone out, looked at it, and then sighed slightly. "What?"

"It was Erk, he says something came up and he's going to be a little late." Mark answered.

"Well, if that's all, then I don't see any issues." Lyn said, even though she wanted to enjoy the night with Mark as well.

"It's not." Mark replied. "He said he has to bring someone with him, someone who doesn't know what's going on."

"Mark, you know I'm horrible at lying." Lyn said putting her hand on her head and sighing herself. "What are we going to do?

"Just let me and Erk do the talking." Mark assured her. "It's not like he's bringing a college professor over here."

"I guess. But I'm still a bit tense." Lyn commented before thinking of something else and smirking. "Hey, how about you get a head start on that massage while we wait?"

"Okay, sit on the floor and I'll rub your neck and shoulders." Mark said grinning back and agreeing. So Lyn slid down and sat between Mark's legs. "Do you mind if I slip your shirt off your shoulders?"

"Not at all, you can even move my bra straps over if you want." Lyn told him. Mark moved his hands to her shoulders and did so, giving her a moderate amount of goosebumps. "So, you're taking this much better than last time, I'm proud of you."

"Well, we tried our best and we had a legit chance to win, what would I have to be upset about?" Mark said as he started to rub her neck.

"You aren't upset at me or anything?" Lyn asked, even though she was pretty certain he wasn't.

"No way, if you would have seen the way Hector hit you and how you landed, well let's say I'm surprised you made that first foul shot." Mark admitted. "Are you sure that you don't have a concussion or something, usually I'm the one asking that type of question."

"I guess I'm just a bit shook up from the hit, pay it no mind, I still love you." Lyn told him as she patted his leg.

"Okay, I won't. What I will do though is give you a reassuring kiss just in case." Mark said back doing just so. It was a slightly awkward position but they were enjoying it. That is until the doorbell rang and spooked it out of them. "That's probably Erk and his friend. I'll get it."

"Thank you." Lyn said as she got her top back in order. Mark walked to the door and opened it too see Erk and a taller, silver haired man. He still looked kinda youngish though.

"Good to see you could make it." Mark said normally. "I take it your stuff is in your car?"

"Yeah." Erk answered. "Oh, and this is who I mentioned before."

"Greetings." The man said extending his hand. "I take it you're Mark?"

"Uh, yeah." Mark said shaking his hand. "And you would be?"

"Dr. Reglay of Etruria, but most people just call me Professor Pent." Mark obviously started freaking out a bit since this was exactly what he said wouldn't happen. "Erk tells me that we're here to install a security system for a friend, may I come in and meet her?"

"Don't worry, I can carry the equipment in." Erk called from the car so Mark let Pent in and led him to the living room.

"I didn't know Erk grew a foot and some grey hair." Lyn joked as they came in. "I take it your his associate?"

"More like mentor, but I'd say we're friends as well." Pent said smiling at the joke. "I already did my formal introduction, so I'll just say my name is Pent and leave it at that."

"He's a doctor, and a professor." Mark said and Lyn's eyes widened considerably.

"Surprised? I get that a lot." Pent said chuckling. So Erk carried in all the supplies and Lyn led everyone to her grandfather's office so they could set it up. "So Lyn, I hear your grandfather is the principal of your school, that must be nice."

"It is, though he's been sick for the last couple of months." Lyn answered guardedly. "That's why I wanted to set this up, if something were to happen while me and his caretakers are away, I just can't think about it."

"That's understandable. Does he approve of it?" Pent asked. Lyn was about to answer but Mark cut her off.

"We haven't told him yet, we're suspicious of something and we don't need him worrying about it with his condition." He said.

"Cutting out variables, smart." Pent commented. "Okay, so we have four cameras, what rooms should we put them in?"

"One in the bedroom for sure." Lyn said.

"We should have one in the living room." Erk added. "Preferably pointing at the door."

"Good thinking, I would suggest one in the hallway near the bedroom." Pent continued.

"And probably one in the bathroom, because you know that's where some of his meds are." Mark suggested.

"Is he prone to overdosing?" Pent asked at the suggestion.

"No, that's why we're suspicious." Erk answered. "So this is how you set the cameras up. Stick them to the wall where you want them and then type in the code 553 to synch them to the computer and TV. Everyone should take one and place it where they suggested." Everyone nodded and did just so. Mark had a bit of an issue, but Pent helped him out.

"Looks like the battery casing is a bit loose." He said pulling out a screwdriver. "That should do it."

"Thanks." Mark said and then there was an awkward silence. "You know what we're doing don't you?"

"I have a hunch, but I'm no lawyer or police officer, so I'm going to keep silent for now." Pent said winking at Mark. "But if you need help with anything, just get in touch and I'll see what I can do."

"You're kinda cool, you know that?" Mark asked with a chuckle.

"That's what most of my students say." Pent said smiling back. "Maybe someday you'll be one of them, you are quite smart."

"Does your school have a good basketball team? Say room for an assistant coach and star Guard?" Mark asked not too seriously.

"I could pull some strings." Pent said more seriously. "Consider it, it's never too early." After that Erk went over how to work the security system with Mark and Lyn.

"And I have it set up so it sends backup files to my personal laptop at home in case something happens." He said to finish up.

"Erk, this is wonderful, thank you so much, you too Dr. Pent." Lyn said as she gave Erk a bearhug.

"Can't breathe." Erk said and Mark chuckled, knowing the feeling well. Lyn offered for them to stay for dinner, but Pent said he had a date with his wife and had to see Erk home as well, so they left. That left Mark and Lyn in the kitchen alone, hungry and looking for what to make.

"So, I may have fast tracked us to scholarships to whatever college Pent teaches at, we might want to search which one it is, see if we're interested." Mark said getting out the spices.

"Oh, no need, he gave me his card." Lyn said before handing it to him. Etruria Tech- Reaching Your Future With Style!

"Even his card sounds cool." Mark said grinning.

"You know what else sounds cool, I'm thinking mani cotti for dinner, let's go all out tonight." Lyn commented.

"Yeah, why not?"

A/n- So, this story is going on break until at least the end of the year. I work retail and it's the holidays, so I have no time to write. I hope you understand.