Hey everyone,
So I had several ideas in mind for how this upcoming lunch break could take place. I thought about another confrontation between Merlock, I thought about Merlock contacting Miss Grey, I even thought about Merlock getting Jake's parents involved or an actual one-on-one fight between Merlock and Jake. In the end,
You'll see,

Venquine1990

Chapter 12
Solving The Issue

5th of May 2418
Tama Highschool, Japan
Merlock's POV

Adam and I spoke for the majority of the first period. We discussed quite a few things, I discovered things I hadn't expected and I had offered a solution to a problem my Elder was facing with. I also offered an invitation for him to join me on Wednesday, when I am going to hand in my report of last Saturday to Miss Grey. My Elder had happily accepted the invitation and we spent the rest of the period admiring our Ones.
The second period made it so that Sarah would have a class not taught by Miss Iknow/Petra Fina and so Adam and I had parted ways. Yet before we had both left, I had warned him about how easily and suddenly a cloak could get entangled in the trees here. I told him that I spoke out of personal experience and had even made sure to secure my own cloak before I jumped off. I had heard Adam chuckle as I left.
The second period I had just calmly and contently spent watching Sarah learning and studying. I had also used a few minutes to study the route between her current classroom and the cafeteria field and deduced that it may take Sarah about three minutes to get there. And so when the bell for the lunch break rung and the teacher let the class go, I had grinned and waited exactly two and a half minutes before I made my move.

I secure my cloak, leap from the tree I was in to the fence that surrounds the cafeteria field and from there I quickly used one parasol for extra elevation and to reach my goal. I land a few meters away from the double doors leading in and want to summon another rose for my love, when a male voice says: "Wow, nice landing there." I turn my head and notice a young man who, outside of his long wavy brown hair, looks pretty average.
Something about the young man, who seems a few years older than Sarah, looks familiar, but I don't really care. I cordially thank him and then the doors open, right on time. The sight of my beloved running at me brings light to my heart and a smile to my face. And I happily, lovingly wrap my arms around her waist as she wraps hers around my neck. Our kiss is brief, but it is full of love and a pleased smile is on my face at the end.

"Now that's a pleasant sight to behold." The young man comments again and Tony turns to him. The brunette's eyes widen and he puts a name to the face as he asks Richard what he's doing here. But before the lad can answer, the pleasant voice from this morning speaks up. I tilt my head a little and Miss Iknow is standing behind the young man and Jake is next to her, his arm held tightly in her grasp and slightly raised up.
"Mr. Henstens, what a pleasant surprise. I was just about to use lunch break to contact your parents about your little brother's unacceptable behavior of this morning. But perhaps you would like to substitute for them? It would certainly save me a lot of time. And seeing as how this problem has apparently been going on since shortly after you left, I believe a hasty but effective solution can be appreciated by all parties, don't you?"

I stare at the woman and suddenly I notice it. The gleam hidden behind the glasses, the shape of her face and the way her smile is just a few twitches away from a grin that I know only so well. Yet again I feel incredibly stupid for not seeing the similarities sooner and yet again I bless the fact that I wasn't the only one. Richard turns from the teacher/villain to his younger brother, to my group and back to his brother as he asks what Jake did.
Miss Iknow suggests that it be discussed in her office and Richard nods to this. Miss Iknow turns to me and she only spares me a glance before she seems to realize that I know who she really is. I notice her tensing for less than a second, yet it's long enough that I pick up on it. "Ahem Agent Holmes, I suggest that Mr. Henstens jr. and I go first, then his older brother, followed by Mr. Goodman, you and Miss Goodman and finally Mr. Hammerhead."
I nod in agreement to this, while Richard again looks between me and the teacher and his brother in confusion. We take the order that the woman suggested and then, before we head back inside, Miss Iknow turns to look at Flint and says: "Oh, and don't worry, Mr. Hammerhead. The time this will take from your lunch break you can take from your next class. Consider it compensation to see all of this done now rather than later."

Yet while Flint would normally be super excited and relieved over this, he keeps a straight, calm face this time as he gives the woman a grateful nod. It takes us only a few minutes to get to the woman's office on the first floor. Luckily enough the woman has a large rectangle table set in her office. Miss Iknow sets the younger Henstens down on her left and the elder takes a seat on her right. I sit down in front of her, Sarah in front of Richard and Tony in front of Jake.
Flint stays standing and crosses his arms as he stares straight at Jake. The boy might have a really youthful face, but his expression is very serious and proves that he will strike if Jake tries anything. A very clear warning that I am sure Jake knows he needs to take seriously. Miss Iknow speaks up and says that Sarah should be the first to explain as she was the offended party in the event of this morning. Sarah nods and starts to talk:

"Richard, it all started about a year and a half ago, two weeks after you left for college. One day, out of nowhere, Jake asked me out. I told him no and told him that he wasn't my type. Since then he just kept asking, he kept telling me that I should date him, that I should be his girlfriend. He even dared to use his friendship with Tony and our families as a reason. To be honest, that's one of the reasons I denied him. He didn't want me for me.
Then, half a year later, Uncle Bernie managed to bring Flint back from a fossil, though he unfortunately couldn't quite get the same done with Rocky, Flint's father, who is the stone axe you see on Flint's back. Flint is exceedingly powerful and he was instantly accepted by the Time Police as there were missions that needed to be done that he was best qualified for. Tony and I went with him and that's how we met Merlock. And I'm going to be honest with you, Rick. Whether your brother had asked me or not, doesn't matter.

The minute I met Merlock, or better said the minute I laid eyes on him, it was love at first sight. And it's true that we always had the missions and the situation at hand keep us from really expressing those feelings – or at least they kept me from doing so – but last weekend we met at a beautiful brook and both confessed our feelings for each other. But as we left the clearing and the park, Merlock carrying me as he likes treating me like a princess, Jake saw us. He made a scene that was just downright humiliating, but Merlock stayed calm.
He observed the situation, threw Jake's own words in his face and pointed out that him making a scene was annoying the other pedestrians. Then he focused on the fact that I wanted to go home and used his own incredible strength to get me home. He took to the rooftops – yes, dramatic exit, don't care, it was romantic and amazing – and got me home that way. After this he stayed at my place for the rest of the weekend and we had an amazing time.

But then this morning happened. Even before we got to school, Jake had already gathered this whole group of at least 30, maybe even 40 students together and he was turning the whole situation of last Saturday into some kind of fantasy story or something. In the process he made it sound as if my brother and uncle didn't care enough for me to be present, as if Flint was weak and as if Merlock was some kind of dark wizard and he the hero.
He even dared to accuse Merlock of raping me. Needless to say, neither Tony nor I accepted this, but luckily enough Merlock is a Time Detective and he was able to call on the help of Miss Grey, the head of the Bureau, and Miss Iknow over here to prove your brother wrong and get the crowd to disperse. And naturally, his words were the final straw for Tony, who ended his friendship with your brother permanently before we went to our classes."

Sarah sighs and mumbles how the young adult now knows the full story. I know that this is a serious situation and that we should remain professional. Yet my care for my One wins out on this knowledge and I gently pull her from her chair and onto my lap. Flint quickly takes the seat, while I comfortingly wrap my arms around my girlfriend to make her feel better. Sarah sighs in relief and sends me a grateful smile before she tucks her head underneath my chin.
I gently rub my chin across her brow in order to further ease her from the stress she is obviously feeling and has obviously been feeling for some time. On one hand I feel great annoyance and disgust that a family friend would willingly put this kind of stress on one of their friends' shoulders, yet at the same time I worry for my One for hiding this level of stress for so long. And at the same time I slightly hate myself for not noticing.

Then Richard sighs and mutters, strangely enough, how he owes Sarah an apology. Instantly all our eyes are on him and he groans as he says: "As you said, I went off for college a little over a year and a half ago. Before then I used to have this group of friends with who I would hang out on the sports fields and who I would have fun challenges with. We would always dare each other like, if I shoot more hoops than you, you need to do this or that.
Now naturally, I would do the same with Jake from time to time, give him a chance to feel included. This was the case the night before I left. We were having a celebratory dinner, laughing ourselves silly, joking and making statements that made absolutely no sense, that sort of thing. Then mum asked me if I could do the dishes and I had this jokingly brilliant idea. Hey Jake, let's see who's quicker. If I can clean quicker or if you can dry faster.

I really don't know why, but Jake actually took that seriously. He even nicked the last glass out of my hand before I could finish rinsing it. Because of that it was still full of dish water and that sloshed all the way over his form. And at the same time dad had just cracked this really stupid joke and I was in a really jolly mood. So I burst out laughing, not just at the situation, but at dad's joke. Jake didn't realize this and yelled that Tony would never laugh at him."
Tony rolls his eyes and mutters that he totally would have. Richard nods and says: "I'm sure you would have. But at the time I was both caught up in the moment and in my own endless amusement. I really wasn't thinking and so I blurted out well now you need to ask Sarah out, cause you lost the bet, squirt. And I didn't realize the implication or what I had said until much later that night when I needed to go, so to say.
But I actually had my first classes early the next morning, so I had to leave almost before dawn. I hadn't expected to see Jake anymore, but he came to see me off. So before I got in the car, I took him aside and firmly told him hey, you know that I was just joking, right? We were just having fun, it was just a silly night, nothing more. You don't have to ask Sarah out, you know that right? You don't have to include her in our thing, you know that right?"

Richard then turns a stern eye on his younger brother and growls that, at the time, Jake had nodded and confirmed that he got that. Because of this, while I am definitely not amused with the fact that all this happened because of a dare gone wrong, we all turn to Jake and we all send him looks to prove that we're really not amused with his antics or impressed with his actions. The boy's whole face is beet red and he asks if he can't get a chance to defend himself.
To this Miss Iknow adjusts her glasses and retorts: "That depends. Do you have any defense that makes you sound like a responsible young adult and not a five year old who doesn't get his way?" Jake glares at her and snaps the question of why she's bothering now when she hasn't before. I feel deeply interested in the woman's answer and she seems to spot this in me. And from behind her glasses, I spot her winking at me.

And then the woman says a single sentence, one I know has a double meaning. "Simple, young man, I am doing this now to make up for my past mistakes." Instantly a grin adorns my face as Adam and I discussed ways that Petra could do this, ways that we are going to discuss with Miss Grey on Wednesday. Jake glares at the woman, his annoyance at the fact that the woman has an acceptable rebuttal very clear on his face.
Then suddenly Jake startles me as he turns and climbs over the table while he shouts: "GET OVER HERE, YOU STUBBORN SL –!" But before he can finish, I moved myself. In a set of fluid movements, I stand up, push Sarah behind me, summon my cane and slam it against the attacking form. And the strength of my strike makes the boy fly back against the wall behind him. Instantly I turn to Miss Iknow and Richard and say:
"My apologies, Miss Iknow, Mr. Henstens. I am not one who usually uses his cane or strength on civilians. However, Jake startled me and he was coming after my love, my Sarah. Ever since we started working together, I have taken on the role of her guardian angel. I love her and I just wish to ensure her safety. And then I'm not even talking about what he was about to call her, which I consider completely unacceptable.

And finally –." I growl as I turn back to the boy, who has gotten up on his feet while groaning and I continue: "Apparently my friends aren't the only ones who have been subjected to your student and brother's annoying stubbornness. Before school started, I received word from Miss Grey, my boss, that Jake has been attempted to apply for a job at the Time Bureau for the last 6 months. However, he refuses to take the required exam.
He keeps claiming that his history scores should speak for themselves. Miss Grey has lost her last bit of patience with the boy and when she heard that I was defending Sarah's rights against his actions, she ordered me to also represent the Time Bureau and defend their honor as well. Her actual words were, and I quote, you have my official permission to use every tool at your disposal. Don't hold anything back."

Richard groans and mumbles that he can only imagine what his brother has told their parents up to this point. Tony rolls his eyes and says that he wonders why said parents aren't questioning it that he hasn't come over to play games anymore this past year. Richard wants to reply to this, yet I have kept my gaze focused on Jake this entire time. And with the full speed granted to me by my inner vampire, I dash across the room.
And before the damned little lad can do more than pull his apparent weapon halfway out of a hidden pocket, I grab his arm, turn on my axis and swing his form around mine to make him trip. He yells as he falls on his back and I use my hold still on his arm to twist it behind his arm to ensure that he will let go off his weapon. "Flint, he's armed. Get his weapon off of him before he can hurt Sarah with it." I yell at my friend and colleague.

Instantly Miss Iknow yells the boy's name alongside Richard and Flint has Rocky in his hands as he rushes over. I pull Jake up on his knees and Flint swings his father exactly right. To my relief, the weapon turns out to just be a paint gun, yet Flint hits it hard enough, it crashes against the side wall and breaks to pieces. I quickly push Jake back on his front, yet the arrogant lad laughs and yells: "Now you're in for it, you caveman freak. You broke school property!"
Flint and I share a confused look over the head of the laughing brat, but then Miss Iknow speaks up again. "Not quite correct, Mr. Henstens. Mr. Hammerhead destroyed stolen goods. You are the one who stole school property. Not to mention that Mr. Hammerhead was acting in defense of himself, his friends and the school. And if you take the fact that you now have two accounts of an attempt of attacking your fellow students, you leave me no choice.

You're suspended, Mr. Henstens. And if you try to argue your case, Mister, I will go straight for expulsion. You are not to return until summer, when you can come over to do your exams. If you are spotted within even ten feet of the school, I will go through with the expulsion. Mr. Henstens, please take your younger brother home and make sure that your parents understand the full story and the reason behind my decision."
Sarah and Tony breathe a sigh of relief, while Flint and I share a grin, just like we did so many times during our missions. Richard nods in acceptance to Miss Iknow's words and moves over my way. I again pull his younger brother on his feet, yet I keep my hold on the boy's arm until the boy's older brother stands right beside me. And while it's obvious that I can trust him, I still growl: "Keep him away from my love."
Richard nods and in his eyes I can see it. The young man who is only a few years older than my beloved understands that I'm not just telling him to keep his brother away from Sarah, but that I am also warning him that I won't hold back on my next strike if he fails. And the fact that he nods in acceptance to this proves that he agrees with my need to keep Sarah safe and that he wants to help me in that, which I appreciate.

Miss Iknow then goes to help Richard escort his brother out of the room and reminds us that we have the next 14 minutes of the upcoming period to make up for their lost time during the break. She offers her office for our use, yet also reminds us to clean up after ourselves. All four of us gratefully thank her, yet we don't really relax our stance until the door closes behind her. At the sound of the door closing, we all sigh in relief.
Yet we don't return to the table. Instead Tony and Sarah move over to the comfortable set of couches that are also set into the room and Flint and I join them. Each of the twins take a couch of their own and I happily join my beloved while Flint joins Tony. The three of them pull out the packages of lunch that I made for them earlier this morning and Sarah mumbles her relief that this whole thing is finally over. Instantly I pull her close against my side.
"You really have been carrying this level of stress for much too long, my flower. It's not good for your health. Please, from now on, if you experience something like this again, let me know. Let me help you deal with it. Let me help you solve it." Sarah nods and just the look on her face says it all. My sweet One feels beyond alleviated and content with the fact that she now has someone she can rely on with something like this.

Good on you, Merlock,
Now we're probably going to have one, maybe two, chapters covering the 5th of May. After that I am going to jump to the meeting of Merlock, Adam and Miss Grey. Though while I am going to cover part of what Merlock and Adam talked about in that chapter, I am also going to add a part of that conversation to the next chapter. Now originally I wanted to add that part to this chapter, but then I remembered my other plans for the 5th.
You'll see,

Venquine1990