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Cheers!

Sheep in Wolves' Clothing

The students were handed the Wells Challenge packet before they left. They were asked to come up with a well thought out proposal of how they would market the latest Wells invention – a robot for the home. Helena promised that she would send one of her brightest colleagues back in six weeks to assess each proposal and award a scholarship. Not to be outdone, Ted – who was totally surprised by the gesture – offered to install a coffee vending machine.

Ted was so outdone.

Helena, who would typically have taken the time to show Ted the error of his ways, smiled and shook her head. She was holding Myka's hand and nothing could distract her from the warm feeling she had from having Myka by her side. The couple passed back through the crowded hallway as students changed classes. That's when Helena felt it; a definite change in Myka's mood. She glanced to see where Myka was looking and it seemed to be on the heavily made up youth in designer clothes, carrying the expensive handbag. Myka had stopped to watch how the students surrounding her reminded her of herself – narrow shouldered girls dressed conservatively, bespectacled and less graceful. Myka was expecting the cheerleader archetype to disparage the studious girls, as was her own experience. But instead, Myka watched as the academic types taunted the stylish beauty and suggested that she not even both to attempt the Wells Challenge. "It takes a certain quotient intellectual," the student taunted the girl in French, who, much to Myka's amazement - cowered. Things certainly had changed since she was in high school, but she didn't like it any better.

Helena knew enough to understand that Myka was uncomfortable with what they were witnessing. Confused by the exchange, though, she was uncertain what would make Myka feel better. She assessed correctly that Myka would identify with the scholarly students, but was unsure of what had Myka so upset. Within seconds, Helena was being tugged in the direction of the girls. She needn't do a thing – Myka was going to handle this.

"I'd like to point out," Myka said, reaching through the small crowd and taking the cheerleader by the elbow to pull her closer and away from the group. "Everyone has a chance at this competition. It is not only an intellectual challenge, but one to evoke your creativity and ability to work in a team. Wells Corp is all about cohesive teamwork," Myka said in a warning tone.

The girls, who had been teasing their fellow student, sucked their teeth and rolled their eyes. "Yeah, whatever," the leader said dismissively. That caught Helena's attention and before Myka could stop her; she was in the leader's face. Helena was used to aggressively making her point – but that was with adults. Not only was the offender a youth, she hardly looked the part. Nonetheless, this was Helena defending her woman's honor – something the Brit excelled at.

Before the girl had finished her eye roll, Helena was there. "You will apologize to Ms. Bering right now…," Helena growled in a low tone. Students stopped mid step and turned to stare. Phones shot out to record it and Pete didn't know where to turn to stop it, there were so many.

The cavalier youth was about to dismiss the threat when she caught sight of Helena's dark, menacing orbs staring down at her. The twinkling dark eyes that had been so warm and friendly in the auditorium were now transformed into pools of promising injury.

"You…can't…threaten….," the girl's inaudible voice cracked.

Helena's lips curled up, giving the false impression of a smile so that it looked as if the encounter was, in fact, a friendly one. She even touched the girl's arm gently. "This is no threat," Helena promised through that carefully placed smile.

Nothing about that intimidating stare that locked onto the troublemaker conveyed that Helena would back off. Helena could hear that not one of the girls in the group had inhaled or exhaled. She liked that.

"Sorry, Ms. Bering," the girl uttered and although Myka nodded her acknowledgement, Helena raised her eyebrows indicating more. "For….being….rude," the youth asked more than stated.

"Well, we can't expect too much," Helena remarked sarcastically. "Go," she said and the four girls pushed their way through the crowd.

Helena had learned a long time ago how to appear calm and nonthreatening when she was delivering a promise of trouble. There wasn't one cell phone that recorded anything to the contrary and besides, after Pete texted Claudia, there wasn't one recording that wasn't deleted or scrambled.

While Helena was protecting Myka, the Wellsians were protecting Helena.

Helena rejoined Myka after informing the Principal that their zero tolerance bullying program was sorely lacking in the educational portion.

"Why do people bully?" Myka said out loud when they were all back in the car. She was still amazed at how the social order may have changed, but the behavior remained the same.

"Social dominance," Pete volunteered from the driver's seat.

"Well, I think the parents might have a lot to do with it," the resident parent and HR expert offered.

"Parents? What do the bloody parents have to do with it?" Helena said as if she were offended for all parents.

"Parents are role models," Irene said, taking the time to turn around from the passenger seat to look directly at her boss.

In that momentary stare, the message that Irene was cautioning Helena that her behavior would one day be a big influence in her child's life was delivered. Helena's head turned quickly to see if Myka was seeing what the older woman was doing, but unfortunately, Myka was staring out the window. Helena had no choice but to defend herself. "I…know…that!" she weakly retorted. Irene nodded her head and faced forward. How did Myka always miss this woman's sly messages? Then Helena focused her attention back on Myka. There was a myriad of emotions going on inside her wife and Helena sensed them. She slid her hand over Myka's lap and took her hand.

Myka continued to stare out the window as she thought about what happened and felt the emotions the event had provoked. She remembered being surrounded by a group of Alpha girls and told, in no uncertain terms, that she wasn't pretty enough, nor was she dressed well enough, to go out with any boy at Cheyenne Mountain High School. If she had thought about it any harder, the entire image would have played out in Helena's own mind telepathically. Myka stopped herself from thinking of it and turned to Helena.

"Some people are just mean," she offered as her own explanation.

Helena thought she understood most human emotions, either personally or at the very least, scientifically. But when they charged at her through her Oneness with Myka, they were too raw to fully grasp.

That didn't stop Helena from acting.

As Pete held the car door open for her when they arrived at the office, she put her hand on his firmly. "I want that list of Myka's high school chums today," she said in a low tone.

Pete stared at her and then looked over at Irene and Myka who were slowly walking towards the building. He wasn't sure either would endorse this request. "O…kay," he said slowly. "But boss?" he added as Helena started towards the building. "No one says 'chums'…..you know, anymore."

"Duly noted," Helena said, happy to be putting her plan in place.

Myka was glad to be back on her own turf at Wells Corp. She was even looking forward to her class with the first year law students. All the emotions that revisiting high school provoked in Myka now lay dormant as Helena rode the elevator with her.

"I had no idea that my day would be laden with students," Helena said as they walked towards the lecture hall, specifically built so Myka could teach at Wells.

"Well, I hope you'll behave in this class," Myka teased as her words brushed up against Helena's ear. "I hear she's very tough."

Helena immediately scoffed. "I haven't met a teacher I can't charm," she responded and Myka laughed out loud.

"You, Mrs. Bering-Wells, haven't met the person you aren't able to charm."

Helena came as close to blushing as she could given that the statement was correct. Then, she waited for Myka to walk into the classroom which was filling up with students. Helena looked inside and wondered what it would have been like had she had the opportunity to attend university like her brother. She protested enough until she was allowed to take a class here and there. Often though, it had disastrous results because the Genius often fought vehemently with the professors over doctrine or substance. She was especially irate in the science classes where she found many of their theories and methods antiquated. This was in spite of the fact that many of them were on the cutting edge of the technologies of the day. Helena's father was informed that she was simply too irascible for the academic environment and was summarily dismissed. Years later, when she built the very first rocket, she entertained the thought briefly of launching in the direction of the campus. She decided against it out of fear of hurting innocent people.

The buzz of the students, most of whom knew immediately who she was, filled the air and Myka had to call them a couple of times to get their attention. Helena walked slowly to the back of the class – afraid that her presence up front would be distracting.

As if distance could subdue her beauty.

Myka smiled, but put her eyes down on her IPad so that she could gather her thoughts. Helena chose her seat in the last row, because it provided the clearest view of the object of her affection. She was only a little perturbed when two male students sat down in the seats right in front of her.

Helena sat erect in her seat as she watched Myka push up the sleeves on her dress, move in front of the podium and begin the lesson. How privileged, Helena thought, these students were to have Myka as their teacher. She was so intelligent and well spoken; she was interesting and gave examples to explain the concepts of corporate law. How could anyone not have their eyes glued to her? Well, as it turned out, the two students in front of Helena seemed more interested in the video on one of their phones. Helena cleared her throat softly behind them to get their attention. They didn't hear her. Myka continued her discussion and engaged the students who had questions. Surely, these two were missing out on a lot of the important information.

A heated debate was taking place over whether corporations had moral obligations or only legal obligations and Helena was awed by how her wife handled each side, allowing them to state their position and reminding them that derision was not an option in her class. "You will need many skills as a lawyer, but ridiculing the opposing counsel isn't one of them. Go after the facts, not your opponent. Then, take action," she told them.

Helena sat there in awe of how wonderful a teacher her wife was. The CEO was certain these students were among the most fortunate to have gotten into Myka's class. This is why she couldn't understand how the two sitting in front of her were still not paying attention. Helena leaned forward and asked – "There's a great deal of important information being disseminated by your teacher. Do you not feel compelled to listen and participate?" If wasn't just the fact that the teacher was Myka, but also that Helena couldn't comprehend how anyone would be so blasé about the opportunity afforded them to learn.

They glanced only slightly back when one responded for both – making it seem as if they had discussed it many times – "The only thing we feel compelled to do is to dream of what it would be like to grab that ….."

The response was visceral. The loud debate in the front of the room muffled the sound of two heads being banged together as Helena grabbed them from behind. Then she – not so gently – applied pressure to their necks, helping them both fall into temporary unconscious states.

The class was over and the students applauded their teacher – for yet another exciting and thought provoking class. Helena watched as Myka blushed and thanked them as the line formed to leave the auditorium. Helena walked slowly down the steps to the front of the class.

"Ms. Bering?" Helena asked in a playful tone when the room was almost empty. "I was wondering if you could go over some of those ...things ….you were talking about. I think I might be in need of …..some private tutoring," Helena said, slowly running her finger across the podium where Myka gathered her things.

"Really Ms. Wells? What concepts did you have trouble with?" Myka asked, playing along because she was certain they were alone.

"I think the issue of corporate propriety was particularly challenging. Could I perhaps come by your office and we could discuss the …lack of propriety …..in particular …of some corporate CEO's?" Helena proposed.

"You want to meet me? In my office? And go over the ….," Myka repeated.

"Lack of propriety….," Helena supplied.

"The lack of propriety among some CEO's?" Myka asked again.

"Total lack …yes," Helena answered, uncertain she could wait until then. The thought of seducing her teacher was more titillating to Helena than she realized and she forgot all about the two students – still unconscious – in the back of the room.

"Oh, I think that could be arranged," Myka said, putting her arm around Helena and letting it slip down until she cupped her derriere.

"Ms. Bering! You wouldn't be trying to take advantage of one of your students, would you?" Helena said, feigning surprise.

"I would never ….," Myka teased and then heard moaning approaching them.

The two men, finally awake with heads throbbing, walked down the steps to the front of the classroom. Holding their heads and with awkward gaits, the two left without ever looking at the couple. Helena was certain Myka was going to question what happened and worried it would interrupt the playful mood when she confessed. Myka turned and looked at Helena quizzically, which immediately prompted Helena to say; "I think….I …can…..explain."

But she didn't have to.

"That's very odd," Myka said, with a confused look on her face.

"Well, they probably…..," Helena laughed nervously, wondering which explanation would cause the least amount of disruptions.

"Must be new students," Myka finished her thought.

"Sorry?" Helena blurted out, but wasn't at all.

"I've never seen those two students before," Myka said because of course she knew every face in her class.

"Oohhh," Helena said, wondering if that explained why they seemed so inattentive. "Now, where were we?" she asked as she put Myka's hand back where it had been. "Oh, yes…."

"Bloody hell!" the faux student complained as he felt the swelling on the side of his head.

"It's alright, Henry, just a bump," the man said after the two entered the van that was parked on a side street.

"Easy for you to say! We're the ones who got our heads knocked together," the other man complained, rubbing his neck from where he had been assaulted.

"I warned you that this was a dangerous assignment," their boss explained. "But we got what we wanted."

"We got what you wanted. You head isn't throbbing," one of the men pointed out.

"A little suffering is a small price to pay to find out what we needed to know," the man explained.

"What? That she's still crazy?" the injured men asked.

"No, that Agent Wells is still terribly impulsive. We were counting on that," their boss explained as he told the driver to leave.