Nothing Changes like Time

Chapter 4

A/N: thanks to all my reviewers.... you guys have been great! And I'm really sorry about the LONG wait...I've had buckets of homework to do over the holidays and the like...and I also had to figure out what I really wanted to do with this fic...but its sorted so I'll update more frequently now...

So, thanks to these lovely people for their nice words....anjel919, Random Person, boschette (I know!! I'm actually writing my own fic instead of annoying everyone else! lol), and Just-Call-Me-Joe....I hope you all enjoy!!

"As I was reading your literature analysis yesterday afternoon, there were so many conflicting opinions in one class I was astounded," Jack said addressing his year 10 class.

"So, for the rest of the lesson, I thought we'd have an open class discussion on what we think... to share views. Who wants to start? Was Catherine and Heathcliff's relationship considered an affair after she got married to Edgar?"

He glanced around the silent room. "No one? No one has an answer? I was presented by some really powerful and sometimes fruitful opinions," he said and glanced at a surly looking boy in the back row. "You don't need to use unpleasant language to prove a point Jason," he said and the class laughed.

"Well, I don't even like the stupid book."

"Maybe that's because you don't understand it," said a girl in the second row, turning back and glaring at him. Jack smirked, thank god for Cameron Andrews, other than her weird obsession for him, she was the only one Jack thought would get someone in the real world. "Or maybe because you cant even get past the first paragraph."

"Ok, Cameron, why don't you start us off?"

"Not in this century," she started, locking his gaze; Jack looked down at his copy of Wuthering Heights. "These days, an affair, 9 times out of 10, is based on physicality. Their close, connected relationship, their bond, 'two halves of the one soul' would have appeared as completely inappropriate. But it was defiantly an emotional affair, Catherine denying Edgar and indulging Heathcliff."

"So you concur? It was an affair?"

"Yes, an emotional one."

Jack looked around. "Someone else with a different view?"

A boy, who was previously gazing out the window turned towards the room and put his hand up.

"Matthew?"

"What do you think Mr. McPhee?" he paused. "Since you're the only one here in a... mature... relationship."

"I—"he stopped. I don't know, he though. Think of something quickly; take the same view as Cameron, an ego boost for her and you get out of it faster. "I agree with Cameron, it was very much an emotional affair. Edgar was so clueless for so long, reciprocating feelings that weren't there, but that was no reason for Cathy to abuse that. But then you could also say that Edgar was the affair, as the real feeling existed between the two soul mates."

The bell sounded. "I'll hand back your responses next lesson," he called out. As Jason walked past, Jack grabbed his arm. "Jason," he waited for the rest of the class to file out before he spoke.

"Jason, I'd really recommend you read the book. You are sitting a major test on this book that'll go on your record. If it's difficult for you to read, you can borrow the tapes from the Library and play them before you go to sleep. But I'd really like you to make an effort—"

"Are you calling me stupid?" he asked gruffly, glaring directly at Jack, who was the same height. Jack was taken aback.

"No," he said honestly, and leaned back against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm offering you help to pass English, because, I can tell you from experience that football alone doesn't get you into collage. And you need to get there to be successful."

"Whatever Mr. McPhee," he said and left.

Jack sighed and retreated, sitting at his desk. He ran his hands threw his hair. His mobile rang and he shuffled papers before he found it.

"Hello?"

"The school hasn't changed one bit," Tobey said, he sounded close and Jack looked up. Tobey was standing in the door way and he hung up and walked in. "So this is your classroom? Nice..."

Jack laughed, "Thanks. I try."

"Oh, you decorate it yourself do you?" he walked over to one of the display boards. "Oscar Wilde...An Ideal Husband... nice choice."

"I didn't pick that actually," he said leaning back into the exceedingly uncomfortable chair, particularly after a long day of teaching. "I teach what they put on my desk. I think it's still too advanced to teach to the year 12s."

"So teach," Tobey said walking back to Jack's desk. "What homework do I have tonight?"

"Hmmm...I don't know. You've missed quite a lot. I'll have to catch you up over dinner and into the night..."

"Um...Mr McPhee..."

Jack sat bolt upright and Tobey turned around. "Cameron," he said and stood up. "Need something?"

"Um..." she said and readjusted her backpack on she shoulder. "I was wondering if you read my essay, for the Princeton Summit. I need to send it off tonight."

Jack paused, narrowed his eyes in thought, then suddenly, "Oh! Yeah! That's right," he said and opened his mark book. "Sorry, I forgot to give it back to you," he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her.

"Thanks. Ah... Mr. McPhee?" She said and looked Tobey up and down.

"Yeah?"

"What did you think?"

"This isn't as bad as Jack makes out, Doug," Tobey said and took another bite of the lasagne Doug had attempted with Jack hovering in the background.

"Thank you Tobey," Doug said and threw a playful look at Jack. "Jack always looks at me like its poison."

"You'll find out in the morning," Jack whispered and Tobey laughed.

"Well, I'm hardly a distinguished chef myself," Tobey admitted. "Gareth usually, well, he usually cooks."

There was a silence which was broken as Amy waddled up to the table. "Hey baby," Doug said and picked her up. "You're daddy's not being very nice to me," he said.

Jack laughed and Amy did too. "I have a mini me," Jack said.

"Daddy!" Amy shrieked suddenly and lunged towards Jack across the table.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey," Doug whispered in her ear, then looked up at Jack and Tobey opposite him. "I don't know why but when it comes to bedtime she hates me."

"It's because you watch her as she tries to sleep. I correct papers, she doesn't like an audience."

"A Lindley doesn't like being watched? I don't believe it," Tobey said. "Can I hold her?"

Doug passed her over and she sat quietly in Tobey's arms, one of her little hands wrapped around Jacks finger. "She's so cute. Do you have any idea who the father is?"

"No, Jen never spoke about him. I never met him, I have his name in a document if ever Amy wants to find him, but I'm not interested. I might track him down and kill him," Jack answered.

"Hey Jack," Tobey said, "Who was that girl who was entering the Princeton Summit?"

"Oh, Cameron Andrews," he said and Doug laughed.

"What?" Tobey asked amused, looking between the two lovers.

"Cameron Andrews in love with Jack," Doug said. "She follows him everywhere, enters competitions for him, gives him extra work to mark, and pretends she doesn't get something so she can spend extra time with him..."

"She's highly intelligent, but she should stop following me," he laughed loudly. "It was so funny, Doug and I went to the park one day with Amy and when he went to get icecream, she followed him to find out my favourite flavour."

"You're joking me!"

"Would I joke you Tobey?" he said. "But Doug's been followed by Cameron... something about us deeply fascinates her."

"It's probably because you're gay," Tobey said.

"Yeah, I know. She's a funny girl, I humour her coz she's bright."

"Is that fair...?"

Hours passed after their dinner and finally Jack and Doug said goodbye to Tobey as he left their house. Doug closed the door and turned to Jack who was leaning against the hall way wall.

"That went well," he said, locking the door and testing it. "Coming?" he added, almost as if he knew the answer to be in the negative.

Jack's head snapped up and he uncrossed his arms. "Yeah," he answered tiredly. "I'm coming," he took Doug's hand and they slowly walked towards the bedroom.

They climbed into bed, Doug instantly moving towards Jack, cuddling him in close. "It's so cold in here," Doug whispered and rubbed Jack's arms. "Did you leave a window open?"

Jack turned around in Doug's embrace and kissed his lovers lips slowly. "No, it's just the natural order Douggie, after summer comes autumn, then winter."