Transition Plan Chapter 126: School Days Part 2

Authors Notes: It's the day after Thanksgiving Holiday in the US and like everyone I'm grateful for a lot of things. On the creative writing front, I am grateful so many people want to keep reading this Tarzan and Jane and family fan fic, so many of you have made it a favorite and have given me so many uplifting and encouraging comments. And that I still have ideas for where the story can go next.

...

Jack and Jeanne woke up the next morning spooned together as usual, and greeted each other cheerfully. They knew the coming day was going to be tense. They had an appointment with the University Chancellor to get final instructions on their behavior at the University. They had talked to him on the telephone but never in person. It wasn't enjoyable then and it would probably be worse now.

But after the appointment, it would be fun to be immersed in the bustle of campus life with the other students, buying books and obtaining all their study supplies at the University bookstore. It was an interesting new world for them. They hadn't spent much time with other young adults their age, having really been alone together, or with animal friends, people from Jeanne's past life, or with family continuously for over three years.

They started to follow their instructions prior to the meeting with the Chancellor after dressing. Reluctantly, they both removed and put their marriage rings on small chains and hung them around their necks underneath their clothes.

"I hate doing this," she complained.

"I know. Me too," he objected with her.

Those rings hadn't left their hands in over two years, and were now hidden, but not the indentations the rings had made in his and her fingers. There was difference in their tans on their third fingers due to the rings' blockage of the sun. Some might notice that, but their jungle tans would fade fast in the week Scottish sunlight of fall and winter.

They looked at her Nigerian 'going steady/engagement' bracelet, and then each other. There was only one decision.

She defiantly stated, "Nope. Not this. This never comes off again. I didn't get to wear it for eight years. To anyone but us it's 'just an African bracelet'. This is the first gift of love you ever gave me."

"You don't have to convince me, dear," he added in support.

Neither was happy, and Jeanne lamented as they stood awkwardly, "Surely, we could have found another college to attend that allowed married students."

Jack sighed, "You know Mom and Dad searched thoroughly. Remember they told us there really aren't any in England or France. We'd have to go to the States for that. And there are still only a few universities that allow single men and women students together. This is one of them."

Jeanne groaned, "I'd hate that too."

"Going to the States or very few colleges with women?" he mused.

"Yes," she retorted.

They laughed.

Jeanne added in frustration, "Despite all that, Jack, I know your family history dates back centuries here. We had to enroll."

They both knew she was right. There was really nothing more to do right now, and he asked, "I appreciate that dear. We did. So. Are you ready for this?"

Jeanne answered glumly, "No, but we have to, dear. Please help me keep my temper in check. I don't want to fight the Chancellor and get expelled before the first day of classes. It would just prove his point."

"Will do, cherie. Got money?" he asked.

"Yep. You?" she replied.

"Yes, my dear."

Jeanne gave her husband a surprised look, "My goodness, Viscount Clayton, we're so formal today."

"Well I am only courting you now, Mademoiselle Jacot."

She really fumed at that, not at Jack, but about the situation, but managed to tease him, "Like I said, dear husband, please help me keep my temper."

He hugged her for comfort. They made certain one last time that their rings were secure around their necks, and remembered to just walk next to each other from the edge of town to campus and all the way to the University Administration building not touching or holding hands.

As they strolled, they saw many college students and parents arriving, all excited about being there and a lot of upperclassmen going determinedly about their routine business. A number of the older students were being affectionate with their significant others. Jeanne screwed her face up unhappily.

She whispered, "This is going to kill me, Jack. It's only the first day. Look at the others. You're my husband. When I meet new girls in class, I know they'll ask me if I have a boyfriend, and I want to tell the whole world that you and I are married. But I can't. We're living a lie, Jack, on the orders of the University."

He touched the side of his head, she remembered and smiled, then they both closed their eyes a moment, and they were connected.

Jeanne sighed with the flood of soothing, quieting emotions she felt from her husband that was even more intimate than holding hands and kissing, and she settled down nearly instantly. The feeling of peace was better than one of his back and neck massages, which usually pleasantly digressed into full body massages, she mused.

She said softly with a gleam in her eyes for him, "Well that's not perfect, but it'll do, you big smart college jungle boy. I can reach you anywhere on campus when I'm lonely for you. Or if I feel angry."

He teased her, "And I look forward to that, cherie. But not in the middle of an exam, please. I'll surely flunk if you distract me."

That both made them laugh.

She added, "Oh really? Perhaps I could help. I can 'think' you the answers to your exams!"

They'd never been able to do actual thought transfer but it was a fun joke, so he played along, "You'd deliberately try to make me a cheater? That's against the Student Code of Ethics."

"I'll never tell, Jack… and who's going to believe 'telepathy with my wife made me cheat'?" Jeanne said with a very snarky tone.

And that made them laugh harder. Some students walking around nearby turned their heads and saw their laughter and their looks at each other, and knew instantly that these two were 'together'. The other students didn't need to see rings or physical demonstrations to tell.

They walked all the way across campus calmed by their connection. Jeanne stood out with her dark olive skin and incredibly long black tresses, which also drew notice. The challenge for the pair was to walk close enough together to tell any would-be suitor that she was his and not violate the 'public display of affection' rules that were forced to observe. They couldn't tell anyone they were married but there was nothing preventing them from appearing as boyfriend and girlfriend. They arrived at the Admin building, climbed the stairs, and he helped her climb the stone steps with her mid-calf dress and heels by supporting her arm.

"Are you violating the rules by touching me, Jack?" she fretted, very worried the Chancellor could somehow watch their every move.

Jack chafed, "I dare them to expel me for using chivalry to help a woman climb a long flight of steps in heels."

She beamed, "You are always so dashing, dear. And today: a daring scofflaw besides! I love rebels."

"Careful with that 'love' stuff, dear. The marble statues have ears, Mademoiselle Jacot."

"You are insufferable, Viscount Clayton," she grinned.

She thought that maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. They could play a mental game of 'them against the University' and its strident rules to appear unmarried. They'd always loved playing games together. She'd spent her childhood judiciously defying her kidnappers, and resistance against overbearing authority was now something deeply etched into her soul.

They went into the high vaulted entrance of the ancient Administration Building, and told the receptionist, "Students Jonathan Robert Clayton IV and Miss Jeanne Meriem-Marie Jacot are here for our appointment with the Chancellor."

The middle-aged woman said pleasantly, "The Chancellor will see you momentarily, please have a seat over there."

They sat across from each other in the waiting area instead of next to each other, both assuming they were being watched. They were right.

The receptionist heard her intercom buzz and she said to the young pair, "The Chancellor will see you now."

They were escorted into an enormous oval office with a three story high ceiling with a huge central chandelier dominating the opening. All around them were portraits with grim faces of the most recent centuries' Chancellors and stone busts of unknown old mean-looking old men. In front of them was an enormous dark wood desk, adorned with many important looking awards and desk mementos, and stacked moderately with a number of very formally organized documents. Behind that enormous desk, seated in a huge, black, well-padded chair was a short, wrinkled, fat old man. He was jowly, had many wrinkles and age blotches, and he had white-gray hair. Jack wasn't sure the man was even alive until he blinked.

He had other files open. Their files. The pair stood a more than shoulders length apart in positions of respect for the Chancellor. The old man was not aware they were connected emotionally. They continued sending each other feelings of strength and calm.

In many ways, this was a more difficult battle than the ones against Akut or the kidnappers. At least Jack and Jeanne knew their emotionally-charged intentions clearly. Jeanne picked up on that feeling from Jack, and reinforced their resolve.

They stood silently for a considerable time in front the Chancellor, while he continued to read and review their home school academic files and their tutors' evaluations without a single acknowledgment of their presence before him. He did that intentionally to see if they could be provoked. Most young people were impatient and dealt poorly with long silences. These two were different. It was clear they would stand there until addressed. They were as immovable as the statues that surrounded them. The old academician wondered where they had learned that.

He had a grim look as he spoke very bluntly, reinforcing their separate identities here and that noble titles were irrelevant, "Good morning, Mr. Clayton and Miss Jacot. Welcome to the University. I have reexamined your records. Both of you come with impeccable academic credentials despite having very different backgrounds. That is the reason you are students here. Not your father's contributions or your family history here, Viscount."

"Thank you, Chancellor. That is good to know," Jack bowed respectfully to the elderly man. If that was a compliment, they sure wondered what criticism from him would sound like.

The '800 pound gorilla' was still in the room, and the Chancellor addressed that issue head on.

"This University has been one of the most respected institutions in the world. Since 1542 we've operated on the highest standards of academic excellence. We were among the first to admit young women, since 1878, recognizing what women can contribute to society if given the chance. Many exemplary women professionals have been alumnae of this fine institution. We have permitted relations to form between single students and we know some of the most fulfilling experiences for our students are the many marriages that follow graduation. But while students are enrolled, they are here to single-mindedly concentrate on one thing and one thing only. Academics. Not playing 'house' or making babies."

He paused. The Chancellor sought a response from one or both of them. Jeanne was a little upset that the Chancellor impugned the worth of female students as well as criticize their married status, but with Jack's connection help, she fought back an angry reaction without so much as a raised eyebrow. She knew they had to survive this confrontation and remain students so they could show this man and anyone else why being married was unimportant to their status and abilities as students.

The Chancellor was disappointed that they had no reaction to that insult, so he sat up in his chair and leaned over the desk to emphasize his next point, "But… as smart as you are, you also know that being married as students at this University is completely forbidden. That does not mean we are unreasonable and not open to change if it is warranted by bodies of scientific evidence. In addition to your academic credentials, because of the generous incentive we have received from the Clayton Endowment Fund to the University, as your family has contributed many times in the past, we have agreed with both your parents, in return, to conduct an experiment in social behavior. Your social behavior as a married couple immersed in the student population. Our Sociology Department Chair Professor Hopkins has agreed to lead that study. Your marriage will remain a secret from everyone to be a 'double blind' study boundary condition, so that no one will skew the results of the study by making your married status the center of attention or bias anyone's opinion one way or the other."

That was the first explanation about this absurd situation that actually made sense to the young couple.

The old scholar continued, "How you behave and perform under these circumstances will determine your future status as students and how that influences admissions policy for future students such as yourselves."

The mental image of laboratory mice on a treadmill popped into Jack's mind. Jeanne saw it, and nearly guffawed. She scolded him across their invisible connection with a cold glance.

Professor Hopkins sat nearby in a darkly shadowed chair and nodded at them without saying a word. Jeanne realized this was the face of the enemy who would stalk their every move. They both knew he was living in the same apartment complex with them. They'd seen him the other day while moving in. He was the Chancellor's spy, not a study leader.

Both Jack and Jeanne wanted to gag with the Chancellor's doublespeak. It was only because of his father's money that this was happening at all. The experiment would be a sham. Both knew that the grant would be forfeit if they failed in school. The Chancellor was setting the conditions for them to fail.

The Chancellor's words reinforced their suspicion, "We conduct this experiment with reservations based on observations of students dating back centuries. We are very reluctant to become parties to a human experiment with severe disappointment on your part being the likely outcome. Studies have been made that indicates marriage interferes with a student's dedication to your studies. Pregnancy normally interrupts a woman student's studies permanently."

Jeanne's cheeks burned and she was angry she couldn't stop it.

The ancient man continued in a placating tone, but noted he drew a response from Jeanne, "We as an institution want the best for you and do not wish you to fail as students, and would rather spare you the embarrassment of failure."

Both clearly understood this was a lie and was a thinly veiled request for them to withdraw from enrollment now, and to spare the University further embarrassment – not them – from being wrong in their assumptions. It strengthened their intention to remain and succeed against all odds, and both transmitted those feelings of resolve across their connection. Jeanne shared emotionally with her husband that they had spent eight years prevailing against all odds. Jack clearly understood her inference and concurred.

Instead of withdrawing, Jack quietly threw the argument back at the Chancellor and his 'study' Professor, "Jeanne and I would enthusiastically entertain the opportunity to prove those studies incorrect, sir. And we would entertain a private debate on the aspects of all of those previous studies, if you would care to share them with us, Honored Chancellor. We are not newlyweds, but have been married two years. Our relationship is as normal and as stable as any long-time married couple. Does being married interfere with conducting your responsibilities as Chancellor, sir?"

"That's irrelevant to the matter, Mr. Clayton," he blurted with true annoyance.

The Chancellor and his lap dog Professor fumed at Jack's eloquently phrased challenge to remain students and refute the results. Jack was 20, older than almost any incoming freshmen, but acted much older.

Jeanne suppressed a smile. He was handling the Chancellor much like Akut – taking on his false world view and proving his assertions wrong from the start, but doing so respectfully. Jack was so rational and logical – as formidable a fighter mentally as he was physically. She adored that in him.

The Chancellor steepled his fingers and asked, "I see that you are committed to give a living real-time counterargument to those esteemed studies. Why?"

Everyone knew those 'esteemed studies' didn't exist.

It was Jeanne's turn to contribute, personalizing it for their situation, "It's obvious, Chancellor. We want to graduate with degrees together to run the Clayton estate properly, one of the oldest clans of Scotland. This University is a hallowed institution of Scotland and generations of Clayton's have graduated with honors from the University. Including one Chancellor."

She pointed high above to the enormous painting of a green-eyed, bearded, very elderly man with a twinkle in his eye and a warm smile who was clearly related to the 20 year old green-eyed student standing before the Chancellor's huge desk. The academician squirmed in his overstuffed chair, and felt the oil paint on canvas visage of Jack's Great Great Grandfather laugh down upon him silently from the vaulted wall. These two knew their family history, and it was the spouse delivering the message.

Jeanne paused for a moment to let that fact sink in, then continued, "We want to continue the tradition of our family's loyalty to this institution. You can see from our records, we will do it honor as students, as did many Counts Clayton."

The Chancellor could not refute Jeanne's words. It was even more stunning that that the spouse of a Clayton had stated the case, especially in French-accented but otherwise flawless Gaelic. The Chancellor raised an eyebrow. These two young adults were profoundly aware of who they were and what the Clayton dynasty contributed to this University over the centuries.

Jeanne continued to seize the moral high ground, "We'll be living proof that marriage between students promotes stability and dedication to studies, because of our permanent commitment to each other. Several American Land Grant universities permit married students. They have found being single contributes to the lack of attention to studies. Men and women spend considerable time dating and seeking dates and worrying about dates while in college. They invest a lot of mental and emotional resources courting which distracts from paying attention to their studies. Singles suffer mental anguish during breakups, further distracting from studies at critical times like exams."

Jeanne's logic was impeccable. Her arguments were a result of a very long discussion with her Professor grandfather-in-law and her college-degreed mother-in-law. Jack was very proud of her thesis. The Chancellor and Professor Hopkins frowned. Both of these students were out-maneuvering them with logic, and had never raised their voices in anger. This was all going wrong. The very people he sought to intimidate were actually intimidating in their own way. He wanted to end this and just force them to adhere to his rules.

The Chancellor blustered at this young couple's calm counter arguments, and blurted out, "Well, just don't prove us wrong about you and my decision alone to accept you. You will be required to check in with Professor Hopkins every week for interviews on your experiences for the past week. And receive our assessments of how you are doing compared to the rest of the unmarried student population."

This was clearly a way to put a very short leash on their activities at the University, but they didn't resist, as Jack said, "We agree."

"I have one more question. You were married at 18 years old. That is very young, especially for those of peerage, who normally wait until their early twenties. Why did you decide to marry when most commoners do?"

Jeanne wondered just how many times the Chancellor would go out of his way to insult them as a couple or either one of them as individuals. Two years ago she was a commoner.

Jeanne let Jack answer, "This is a very personal matter, Chancellor, but in the interest of providing relevant information about our experience as married students, it was because we became very committed to each other when we met as children. Jeanne was kidnapped for eight years during and after the War and was highly traumatized during that captivity. I rescued her from captivity, and was personally responsible for her rehabilitation. Despite the years of separation and because of the reunion, we discovered we were still completely committed to each other and were able to handle a permanent adult relationship. We were supported by our parents in our decision. So we married at 18."

Jeanne had never heard the history of their relationship explained in such an inspiring way. But that was the way Jack always viewed things, and why she loved him so much.

"It appears you have rather… unique circumstances," the Chancellor observed, seeming almost sympathetic. Her file did contain information on being a kidnap victim and being rescued, but little else about that rescue.

Jeanne maintained her calm but emphasized, "Yes Chancellor. We are very unique. We will show you that it can be done."

The Chancellor, having seen the pair personally, was reluctantly impressed at their intelligence, commitment, and the their love story. He was still quite skeptical on the outcome because of his deep set bias, but he finally acknowledged their nobility and married status and family's long history with the University, "I accept that you will do your best to demonstrate that adequately. Remember, there are absolutely no special privileges as Clayton's beyond that for you. Viscount and Lady Clayton, I don't care if Count Clayton made a 1 million Pound donation to us or that an ancestor was a Chancellor. I must remind you that grades determine your performance here - not peerage, not stature, not legacy with our institution, not money. This University will not be paid off. Remember you are not to say that you are married to anyone or you will be dismissed instantly. None of your fellow students, or your professors, or your mentors or counselors are to know. Only Professor Hopkins and I are aware of your marriage, and nothing will be said about that until the results of your experiences are concluded. We have a reputation for higher learning without distractions, despite the conclusions of those American institutions."

"We understand. We will say nothing of our true status," Jeanne agreed for them.

He returned to being stern in his warnings, "Best that you do, Lady Clayton – Mademoiselle Jacot. There will be no open displays of affection. No signs of your marriage on campus or between classes at the library or University buildings."

Jack flinched with those restrictions, "I beg your pardon, sir, but students who are just dating are allowed to be affectionate."

The Chancellor countered, "Your father may have given us a million Pounds Sterling but he left it to us how to administer your behavior."

Jack stood his ground, and requested, "We wish permission be allowed to be as affectionate as dating students. For example, strolling together on campus. Other courting students do this, we have seen it already. Suitors need to know we are in a dating relationship."

He thought it over, and Hopkins shook his head, but the Chancellor overruled him, "Acceptable. But no more than any other courting or dating couples. We will judge that as well. Is there anything else?"

"No, sir. We need to prepare for classes tomorrow."

He got up and actually shook their hands, but never smiled, "I do hope you do well here, and that for your sake and the University's this does work. Despite our differences I do wish you all the success in the world here."

The young couple departed and Hopkins came out of his shadowy seat, and addressed the Chancellor, "I think you were too lenient with them sir. You know the faculty and alumni will not like this. This is a change that is one step too far."

The Chancellor did appear to be more supportive of Jack and Jeanne when he instructed Hopkins, "I'll leave this to you to determine their performance on campus, Professor. They are not what I expected. At all. And they are Clayton's. I believe we owe them an objective chance. You must not forget why we are here. For the students. And they appear to have the makings of extraordinary students. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir. Perfectly," he replied but departed dissatisfied.

the Chancellor whirled around at the Professor's departure. The old academician frowned and pointed at the portrait of the Chancellor who was Jack's Great Great Grandfather and yelled at the painting, "Damn you, sir. Look at the mess you left for me. It was bad enough that you let women on this campus. I don't care if the University grew and academics soared with women students. And now your kinsman wants to finish the job you said was inevitably needed for the University to be relevant in a modern world. Why do I have to do it? A lot of the Alumni will demand my resignation, and their money counts! I need my retirement pension."

He stormed through the doors, making his receptionist flinch and catch her breath.

"Cancel all the rest of my appointments today. I will be in my library."

He walked across the room, yanked opened the library's great oak doors - the institution's original library serving all of the then-tiny University, including yet another Clayton who became Student Body President – and slammed the doors behind him, threw the bolt lock, and she heard muffled shouting and ranting. The receptionist had never seen the old man so upset, knew full well the library was empty, and wondered what it was the two nice young students had said or done to upset him so. But she didn't have time to speculate. She had to make a number of phone calls to cancel the Chancellor's appointments.

…

Sitting together on a bench on the huge grassy mall amid the buildings of the campus, Jack and Jeanne felt very good about their session with the Chancellor. Other students milled about.

"You were brilliant, dear hus… oops… boyfriend," Jeanne praised, but knew she'd have to never slip by using their terms of affection for each other they were used to.

Jack returned the praise, "So were you. I think we have them completely flustered. They wanted us to confront them and quit. I think we may get a chance to prove ourselves. I think our ancestors who were students and professors here are smiling at us. You played the 'Clan Clayton' argument brilliantly, dear."

Jeanne was more cautious, "Not with that Hopkins guy. He's trouble, Jack. We have to be careful. I feel it. I think we made him really angry today. He doesn't care that we're Clan Clayton. He wants to prove us wrong. And I still don't think the Chancellor is being sincere, but is just humoring us."

Jack always paid attention when she got a 'feeling'.

Jack stood up and offered her his arm, "Well for now let's just be the student couple we want to be. Let's go over to the bookstore and get our supplies."

They walked together arm-in-arm as they were now permitted to do. The bookstore was crammed with students and parents. It was chaotic but fun. They each shopped for all the things they needed, and soon their arms were both piled high with scholastic supplies and textbooks. Jack picked up a stereotypical bookkeeper's green eyeshade and grinned mischievously, suggesting that she buy it, but she just gave him a scowl over the top of the pile of supplies stacked in her arms.

"No, Jack. Just… no," Jeanne rolled her eyes emphatically, but then she laughed when he tried it on himself. Over his dreadlocks tied in a ponytail, he looked simply ridiculous.

"How do I look?" he asked while showing it off to her like a Paris fashion model. People around him gave him a dubious glance.

"Like someone who should never be permitted to become an accountant on looks alone," she quipped, and they chuckled.

The stood in the long line of students, , and everything was tallied and bagged up. They were a little surprised how expensive it all was, but remembered to pay separately, and they walked to their flat together, grateful to be out of the noisy, chaotic bookstore, and were careful that no one watched or followed. They were far enough off campus and in an upscale enough flat that there were no students, but they were prepared to separate and take different paths that they practiced walking to the same apartment if necessary.

...

They stood on their third floor balcony after a candlelight dinner holding on to each other and the railing, and they could easily see the lights of the campus from there. A cool breeze that belied the coming fall and winter was blowing and wafted her hair.

"So what do you think, sweetheart? What's really going to happen to us?" Jeanne said tentatively, sipping on the Riesling his parents had bought for them to have together, with her arm around her husband's waist and her head leaning against his shoulder.

Jack reflected, stroking his trimmed beard, "I think we're going to do great things together here. Even if we have to pretend we're not married, I think that we're going to change everyone's opinion and we will be able to open about 'us' sooner than graduation day. And that it is going to be the distinguished family name of Clan Clayton that makes the change for the better at this University again."

"Do you really think so, sweetheart?"

"I know so," he assured her.

She smiled with more confidence, "I pray you're right, Jack."

"Well, look at it this way, Jeanne. I know it took awhile for the Chancellor to acknowledge it, but have you seen how many statues and paintings of my ancestors are around? They all were benefactors and esteemed scholars of the University. And like you said, one was a Chancellor after he retired as Count and turned the family over to my Great Grandfather. Several of the buildings are named after them, as are several scholarships. No wonder the Chancellor couldn't say 'no' to my father's offer. Sooner than later they won't be able to say 'no' to us."

Jeanne was buoyed by Jack's optimism. She trusted him so much, "I did notice. I'm so proud of being your wife and carrying the Clayton name, even if I can't say so right now. Your father is such a smart man without ever spending a day going to class in any school ever. And you're just like him in so many ways, cheri."

"Well so far the only smart thing I've done is fall in love and marry you, Jeanne," he said softly with deep affection in his eyes.

She whispered back, "Saying things like that will get you everywhere, jungle boy. Classes start early. Come to bed with me now, and after we become one, dearest, we'll get a good night's sleep."

He teased as he gently let her olive hand entwine with his hand and followed her, "Be still my beating heart. The night before classes begin and already I'm sleeping with my college girlfriend?"

She turned and pulled him down with her in their bed, "You know better, husband."