A/N: I'm glad you guys like it. Now I can go on.

Getting to Know Me

…………………

"Nothing against you," Lucy said to Professor Zachary, "but I hate science. Isn't there another English class I could go to? Or art? Music? No offense."

"None taken." he assured her.

"Believe me Miss Randall, I examined every possibility and this seemed the best solution for all." Principal Durst said.

"But I hate science. I always have." Lucy argued.

"As I recall," the principal said and rose to come around her desk to where the other two were standing, "you received straight A's in science while you were here."

"Just because I can do it doesn't mean I like it."

"Principal Durst, perhaps if you explain to Miss Randall exactly why you made the choice you did, it would help." Professor Z said as he nudged his glasses higher up on his nose.

"Very well. I chose for you to assist in Professor Zachary's class because he is the youngest faculty member here, so I thought the two of you would get along the best. I do remember that despite your marks, you never cared for science and I thought this might help you overcome that. And lastly, Professor Zachary sponsors a school activity and you helping him would also help you."

"The Science Club?" they said in unison.

"Yes. Of which our brother is a member. This will give you the opportunity to spend more time with him. I'm sure you can't object to that." Miss Durst concluded and held the door open for them. "I suggest you begin getting yourself situated and Miss Randall…"

"Yes?" she asked tentatively, turning back to the door.

"I also suggest you ask Professor Zachary to inform you of proper faculty attire."

Lucy looked down at her outfit and back at Professor Z as they walked down the hall toward the science room. "Is there something wrong with my clothes?"

He looked at her. Jeans. Black stiletto boots. Sheer black top with a wide neck which showed the strap of her black bra and tank top. Ornate, dangly earrings. Her hair was loose down her back in a tumble of waves. But the topper had to be the generous amount of black eye makeup she'd used to create that often coveted smoky rock star look.

"There's nothing wrong with it. " he assured her. "But you look more like a student than a teacher."

"I am a student." she reminded him.

"Yes." He stopped in front of the door to the science lab and held it open for her. "But while you're here you are also an authority figure. It's probably best that you look like one."

She scanned his form head to foot, a frown on her face. "Sorry, but tweed is not my style."

He chuckled. "It's an acquired taste."

She smiled at him. "Well, what do you suggest? A uniform?"

Professor Z directed his hand to a chair at the table in front of his desk for her to sit. "Maybe something a bit more…mature. Not quite so sexy."

"Sexy? Why Professor…" she teased.

He blushed slightly and cleared his throat awkwardly. "I'm sure you'll be fine. And believe me, Principal Durst will tell you if she doesn't approve of your outfit. So why don't we get down to the lesson plan."

He pulled a folder from the filing cabinet behind him and laid it in front of her. They spent the next hour and a half going over the curriculum for the semester and he answered her questions about the faculty, students, and any other rules she needed to know.

She was just about to ask about the science club when her stomach growled loudly. He looked at her quizzically and they both laughed.

"If memory serves me correctly, the cafeteria food here isn't the best in the world. What are the alternatives?"

"Well," he began "some teachers cook in the teacher's lounge. Other go into town or order in."

"Is that Thai place in town still there?" she asked quickly.

"Yes, but we'll have to pick it up. They refuse to deliver here." he said.

Her mouth dropped slightly. "Still?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "It sounds like you may know a thing or two about it."

She squirmed guiltily like a little girl who had been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to. "Well…"

"Yes?" he prompted.

"My sophomore year Grant and I, Grant Wheeler, were playing around with some foam darts outside and we sort of accidentally knocked a flower pot off a windowsill on a delivery boy's head. They haven't delivered here since." she confessed.

"It makes sense now." he said. Smiling indulgently at her, he thought a second about her story. "So you're the girl that stole all the clothes out of the boys locker room during senior boy's gym class while they were in the shower."

Her mouth dropped fully open that time. "How do you know about that?"

"Grant came to see Marshall not long ago. After he left, some teachers began talking about a few of his more colorful exploits here. And more than one mentioned a girl cohort."

"That'd be me."

"So you two…"

She nodded and her voice softened. "For three years."

"Well then," he said to change the mood of the room back to thelightheartdness it had held before, "if we're going to beat the dinner rush downtown we better get going."

She stood form her stool to face him. "Shall we?" she held her elbow out to him.

He laughed and held the door open for her. "We shall."

…………………

"I'm sorry!" she said between fits of giggles, "I just can't see you playing the guitar."

"It's the tweed, isn't it?" he asked.

" 'Fraid so."

He was just about to retort when they rounded the corner and nearly collided with Miss Dubin, the librarian.

She looked Lucy over critically from head to toe and turned to smile sweetly at Professor Z. "Miss Durst was looking for you earlier Professor Zachary. Something about a staff announcement."

"Woops." Lucy said, trying desperately to stifle her giggles.

Miss Dubin pointedly ignored the younger woman's presence. "Perhaps you should leave social activities for the weekends."

He looked confused for a moment, then enlightenment came over his face and he smiled. "It's not what you think. Lucy isn't my date."

"She's my new teacher's assistant." he explained to Miss Dubin's dubious expression. At this, the librarian's expression grew even more unconvinced. She looked back over at Lucy, as if silently asking for confirmation.

"Noodle?" Lucy asked sweetly and held the take-out container toward her.

"No thank you." she said briskly.

"I'm assuming that was the faculty announcement Principle Durst was referring to." Z said, hiding a smile.

Miss Dubin muttered a welcome and walked quickly down the hall.

"If I'm not mistaken, I'd say she was jealous." Lucy smirked.

"Of what?" Z asked, genuinely perplexed.

She rolled her eyes and they continued on down the hall. "She thought I was your date." Off his continued confused expression she added slowly, "She likes you."

He looked in the direction Miss Dubin had just walked. A mixed look of confusion and intrigue come over his face. She laughed and took hold of his arm to continue their trek. "Come on Romeo, you have to show me how to get to my room."

…………………

"Well?" Lucy asked the six occupants of the science lab the next morning before class, "Do I look like an authority figure now?"

They took in her appearance. Black knee length skirt. A fitted deep green quarter sleeve cardigan the same color as her eyes. Black heels. And she had left her hair straight, tucked behind her ears. But she had on a chunky silver charm bracelet on one wrist and a tank watch on the other and dangly green and silver earrings. In all, she looked polished but still her age.

"Very nice. Professional." Professor Z assured her.

"I don't look old?"

Again everyone looked her over. "No." they all said together.

"You're gonna do great." Lucas assured her once the bell rang and they headed toward their seats.

Professor Z introduced her once the class had all assembled and Kubiak asked if she was sure she was related to Lucas. After she confirmed it, Z began class.

And everyone knew right away it was going to be a very interesting year.

…………………

A/N: Not much action, but I'm building up the plot. There's more of the science club in the next chapter and a surprise guest later on.