Jemma's Pov:

I woke up and rolled over and looked at Michael. My fiancé! I rubbed my hand across his chest.

"Wake up baby we gotta get ready for school."

He groaned and captured my hand in his kissing my palm. "Five more minutes Sweetheart. You wore me out last night."

I giggled and hopped out of bed.

I was a little tender. So I took a hot shower to loosen my muscles. I got out and slipped on one of Michael's shirts and my panties.

I cooked bacon, eggs and toast. I was in the middle of fixing Michael a plate when I felt him slip his arms around me. "

Mmm Morning Love." He murmured against my neck.

"Morning baby, I made breakfast. So eat up"

He nibbled on my ear and said "I would love to but I'm thinking you might be a little sore."

I laughed and swatted his hand. "I was talking about the food, horndog!"

He laughed and grabbed his plate. "I know but you look damn sexy in my shirt! Turns my mind to very naughty things."

I walked into first period with a huge smile on my face. Kimmie looked up at me "I take it you had a good birthday Chickadee."

I laughed and nodded. "The best!"

"OMG Is that an engagement ring?" She squealed jumping out of her desk and yanking my hand up to her face. I hadn't thought about the reaction I'd get wearing it.

"That hot guy Skip proposed!! That is so cool! Tell me everything!"

Before I could say anything Michael walked over.

"Kimmie as awesome as Jemma's personal life is, We have a lesson to begin so take your seat."

I took my seat next to his desk. He turned towards me. "Thank you" I mouthed. He winked and class started.

I took my ring off and slid it on my chain. I don't want any gossip. I got on Michael's computer and booked our flight and hotel for Thanksgiving weekend. 

We'll fly out Thursday night and be back Sunday night. That way we can still do lunch with his family before we go. I confirmed my purchase and printed the receipts.

Michael gave the class the last five minutes free time and came over to his desk.

"Comfy?" He asked sitting in my chair since I was in his.

"Yep" I said popping the p. I leaned down and grabbed the receipts from the printer.

"What's that?"

"Well I hope you don't mind sir but I printed out receipts for some stuff I just bought."

"Hmm, no problem. Buy anything interesting?"

"As a matter of fact I just got a weekend getaway for my .... boyfriend" I would have said fiancé but you never know who's listening.

"That's very nice of you. He must be a great guy" He said with a sly smile.

"I think so"

He laughed and was about to say something when Kimmie plopped down on his desk.

"So tell me everything! When are you and Skip getting married? OMG are you pregnant?" She screeched. Everyone turned towards us. 

I sighed.

"Kimmie get off my desk and learn some volume control for Christ's sake! That is exactly how rumors get started" Michael said looking beyond annoyed.

"No I'm not pregnant, What the hell would make you think that?"

Kimmie looked down. "Sorry Jemma, I didn't mean to cause a scene. I just saw the ring and figured" She shrugged her shoulders.

I laughed "I know. That's why I took it off. I didn't realize people would jump to the wrong conclusion and think I was knocked up and marrying Skip!" I rolled my eyes.

The bell rang and I headed to my next class.

Tina pounced on me as soon as I was in my seat. "Sooooo?" She asked wiggling her eyebrows.

"So?" I asked playing dumb.

"Ughh just tell me already did ya get it on or what?" She whispered.

I blushed and she cracked up. "This is so crazy!! You finally got-"

I slapped my hand over her mouth and narrowed my eyes. "I don't want the whole god damn school knowing so keep it quiet!" I hissed.

She licked my hand and I yanked it away. "Eww... Baby-cakes did you have to lick me?" I whined wiping my hand on my jeans.

She giggled at the stupid comments coming from the jocks about us licking each other. "You loved it when I licked ya!" She purred.

I shook my head. "You need professional help, my dear."

"Anyway back to the important thing. What I was going to say was you finally got... Those killer heels your were dying for!" She chuckled at me as I rolled my eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We were walking into Michael class and I was scarfing down a burrito because I didn't have time to eat during lunch because Student Government had a meeting.

"Good lord woman! Has Mike seen you inhale food like that?" Robby Pop teased. I stuck my tongue out

"What? Cant a hungry girl eat?"

Tina poked my tummy. "I still don't get how you can eat like a 300 pound football player and keep that body!"

I smiled around the big bite I'd just taken. "Jealous much?"

The bell just rang and we were getting our homework out. There was a sharp impatient knock followed by the sound of the door opening and heels taping on the floor.

 I didn't pay attention because I was reading a text I just got from Skip.

"I see you're studying hard Jemma" Drawled an annoyingly nasal voice I know all to well.

I froze momentarily at the sound of her voice. Then whipped my head around and glared at her.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed standing up.

The class was starting to pay attention so she plastered on her fake smile. "Sweetie I know I shouldn't bother you at school but something has come up and I need to speak to you for a few minutes"

"I cant right now. I have class work to start." I said sitting back down as Michael walked up.

"I'm sorry ma'am but you can't be in my class. You need a visitors pass and you don't have one. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

She huffed. "I don't need a pass to see my own daughter!" She batted her eyes and smiled a smile I know all to well. 

She's about to flirt with him. I felt my blood begin to boil.

"You look kind of familiar. Have we met before?" She asked him brushing her hand down his arm.

"No" He stepped away from her touch with a look of disgust and I couldn't help but smile.

She seemed to get a little irritated by his short answer and non verbal gestures.

"Well maybe we can get a coffee after school to uh discuss Jennifer's grades." She leaned forward a little and placed her hand on his arm again.

I rolled my eyes. God she's such a tramp. She even forgot which kid she was talking about.

He removed her hand from his arm and stepped back. "I'm unavailable after school my fiancé and I have plans. But if you would like to schedule a parent/teacher conference I'll be able to do one next Monday via phone. But there really is no need because JEMMA is doing very well" He said emphasizing my name. 

She opened her mouth again probably to say something trampy.

I stood up, the thought of her trying her 'wiles' on him enough to make me physically ill.

 "Sorry sir, but I need to talk to her. Is it okay if I walk her to the office for a pass?"

He searched my eyes to make sure I was okay. "Fine Ms. James but if you're not back in 5 minutes I'll have the security guards looking for you."

"Yes sir" I smiled internally. That was code for if you're gone more then a few minutes I'll know the bitch is up to something and have her thrown off campus.

She grabbed my arm and pulled me out. Once the door was closed she dug her nails into my skin.

I yanked my arm away. "What the hell do you want Terri?"

She rolled her eyes "I just wanted to see my daughter. I mean you're birthday was yesterday and I felt so guilty for missing it."

It was my turn to roll my eyes. "To feel guilt you have to have a heart, which we've already established you do not. I don't have time for your games." I turned to leave.

"If you want your little boyfriend to keep his job I suggest you stay right where you are."

I turned and glared at her. "Sorry to break it to you but you have absolutely no sway over the united states army so I doubt you can affect Skip's job. Peace out bitch!"

She threw her head back and laughed.

"Listen here little girl! I may not be able to have him arrested but I can cause a stink if I need to. I had an interesting talk with dear Betty the other day. Seems you're seeing both brothers. How do you think the school board will take that news. So here's what you're going to do. For some unknown reason people seem to like you. You've missed the last 4 campaign functions and the results read out, announcing me as the new mayor and it hasn't gone unnoticed. People are starting to talk. Tonight I have an official acceptance party and you will be there. Is that clear. Or I will make sure your friend gets some trouble thrown his way."

I glared at her. "You leave Skip and Michael out of this or I swear I will ruin you! You have no proof to back up your wild accusations. Yeah I'm dating my teacher's brother. So what? It's not illegal and in case you forgot I'm legally an adult. You have no say what so ever on who or what I do. Make some excuse for my continued absences because I will not be there. Got it! And if you even think about stirring up shit. Think about this little fact."

I stood toe to toe with her and smiled "A few years ago when your spit personality developed and the abuse started I had a long talk with a very trusted friend of the family. He suggested that I record everything that happened between us as evidence to prosecute. He even has a copy of it all. So if you do anything, and I mean anything to cause trouble for my friends, I'll go beyond politically ruining you. I'll have your sorry ass thrown in jail for abuse, hell maybe even attempted murder."

She raised her hand and slapped me. "You think you can blackmail me? You have no proof or you would have used it by now"

I didn't flinch or rub my stinging cheek. I just laughed and took a step closer so I was in her face.

"Listen and listen well, I may have kept quiet and claimed not to remember how I ended up in the hospital for those three weeks last year. You know, the reason I missed so much school and had to make up so many hours to graduate on time... Funny thing about brain injuries, the memories can just pop up out of the blue." I paused for a second to let that sink in.

"I do remember and have the videos and audio to back it up. So step one foot out of line and I'll release them. I dare you to test me on this. You're nothing but a pathetic crazy whore. Did you honestly think I was stupid enough not to protect myself and Justin and Jen? Or did you really think you broke me down and made me afraid of you? My five minutes are up so I suggest you leave before my teacher calls security and I accidentally let one of your dirty little secrets slip out."

I stepped back and walked to the classroom door but paused and turned back to a stunned looking Terri.

"Heed me on this. You do not want to start a war with me. You. Will. Lose. Have a nice life and remember... One wrong step..." I opened the door and walked in.

Tina and Robby Pop glanced up at me and gasped causing the entire class to look at me. Michael strode towards the door without a word.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I heard him yell. "Get out of here and I better not see you on this campus again or I'll have you arrested. I don't give a shit who you are!" He bellowed.

Then it was silent. He stuck his head back in the class "Jemma can I have a word with you out here please?"

I nodded and walked out silently.

"Tina and Rob, y'all are in charge while I'm gone. Make sure the class continues working and stays quiet."

He closed the door and pulled me into a tight hug. My cheek rubbed against his shoulder and I flinched.

"What happened? Your cheek is red and you're forming a black eye. Plus there's a little blood on your arms."

"Oh you know.. Just a little mother/daughter bonding. I need to go see Mr. Erickson. I'll tell you what happened in his office."

"Why didn't you call me? I could have stopped her." He asked kissing my bruised cheek and eye softly

"Yeah and things would be even more complicated. It's fine. I handled it. I just need to talk to Sully."

We walked into the office and Kim gasped. "Sweetie what happened?"

"Nothing, I just tripped and fell into Mr. Jenkins door. Is Mr. Erickson in? I really need to talk to him."

She gave me a look that clearly said she knew I was lying but she didn't push it. "Yeah just go on in Hun."

Michael and I walked into Mr. Erickson's office and closed the door quietly because he had his back turned and was on the phone. Michael and I sat down on the couch just as Mr. Erickson turned towards us.

His eyes widened. "Uhh Mags I'll have to call you back." He disconnected and rushed over to me.

"Jems what the hell happened to you?" He pulled me into a hug.

"I'm fine Sully. It looks worse then it feels."

He let go and pulled a chair closer to me. "What happened Dear?"

"Terri was here." I waited as he took that in.

"She came into Michael's class and I stepped into the hall with her. She's pissed because I haven't been going and playing happy family for all her politician friends. She made a few threats about causing trouble for Skip and Michael. When I didn't bow down to them she slapped me."

"Jems I cant let this slide. Not after last year. It's getting worse. She's never hit you in public before. She's always been too concerned about being caught. Obviously she's escalating if she didn't register the fact that y'all were around people. We're calling Donald."

"No we're not. She only slapped me the one time and it wasn't in front of anyone. Look I already told you as long as she keeps treating Justin and Jennifer fine then I wont involve the cops."

He jumped up and began to pace. "SHE TRIED TO KILL YOU!!" He screamed.

I dropped my head down and stared at the floor. Michael slipped his arms around me and pulled me to him. I sighed at the instant relief and calm I felt in his arms.

"She didn't purposely try to kill me. She just beat the shit out of me. That's besides the point. I told you then and it's the same now. As long as she's a decent mother to Jen and Justin I'm keeping mute. Back to the reason I'm in here. I made a few threats of my own. I told her about my recordings and explained if she pulled any crap I'd not only ruin her, I'd have her ass put in jail. She's, well, she's Terri so I don't know if she's gonna back down or push it further. I'm not going to let her cause any trouble for Skip and Michael. So I need to make sure that you still have all the copies I gave you."

Sully didn't get a chance to answer because Michael pulled me onto his lap and looked into my eyes.

"I don't give a damn what she threatened Skip and me with. We can take care of ourselves. I want you to go to the cops. For fucks sakes Jems, you never told me that bitch almost killed you! Why would you go out in the hall with her? It makes no fuckin sense. Where is your sense of self preservation! That woman is deranged and capable of anything and you let her go unpunished? What about your brother and sister." He didn't yell but his voice was raised a little.

"I AM thinking about them Michael! How they would feel if I had their mother arrested and sent to prison. I'm trying to protect them from that knowledge! One day they'll figure out what kind of person she really is but I don't want to be the one to shatter their illusion!"

He growled "And if they learn that lesson by your mom going off on them? What then? I know you Love, it'll kill you if something happened to them because you didn't step forward. Hell who's to say that since you moved in with me that she hasn't started on them already?"

"They would tell me!" I huffed.

"Dammit Jems just think about it. Maybe they would keep it quiet the same way you have."

It had never crossed my mind that she might turn on them. I sighed. "It's just me she hates though" I said in a defeated voice.

He rubbed my back and kissed the top of my head. "Look you don't have to make a decision right now. But you do need to give this some serious thought. Maybe even talk to Justin and Jennifer."

"Well said Michael. I've been trying to make her see reason for years now." Sully shifted on his seat as he made that little statement.

I felt my eyes bulge. I forgot I was in my principles office on my teacher's lap. We are so screwed. 

Michael must have thought so to because he shifted me from his lap to his side. I tried to pull my hand away but he held on.

Michael cleared his throat. "Sir I'm sure explanations are in order."

Mr. Erickson narrowed his eyes. "Yes that would be appropriate."

I thought quickly "It isn't what it looks like Sully. It's just that with Skip gone Michael has been keeping an eye on me and we-"

Sully started to laugh. "Jemma save it. You cant talk your way out of this one."

 I jumped up. "You're right sir and I accept full responsibility. I came on to Michael and he-"

Michael jumped up next to me. "She's lying, I pressured her. I used my authority to-"

Sully held up a hand "Enough both of you!"

We both sat back down and shut up.

"Are you two dating? And be honest because I've seen plenty and Michael has already said you were living together."

I nodded and Michael spoke. "Yes sir we are living together and just became engaged. She never dated Skip but we didn't technically lie about the incident involving Mrs. Green. We weren't on a date or doing anything remotely romantic that day. I take full blame for this and will resign but please don't expel Jems. She's worked so hard and been through so much to get here."

"No Michael I am as much to blame for us being together. You love teaching and-"

"Jemma calm down! It'll be okay. I can find another job but you need to graduate."

"Don't tell me to be calm when you're trying to take all the blame here Michael."

Mr. Erickson sat forward and sighed "It's a good thing you two are getting married because you already bicker like an old married couple." He laughed lightly then leveled a look at the both of us.

"I take it you two are serious about each other then"

At our nod he continued "Aside from Betty's unfounded claim you've managed to keep your relationship under wraps for a pretty long time. I'm surprised you managed that. In a town this small, things tend to spread like wild fire."

He paused for a moment. "Michael have you shown Jems any favoritism or altered her grade due to your relationship?"

"Of course not. At school we put our relationship aside. Jemma makes her grades on her own. She would never ask me nor would I ever tamper with her grades."

"You know I'm not surprised in the least that you two are together. As I said the other day I may not be able to prove something but that doesn't mean I don't know the truth when I see it. Which I did. There was no spark between you and Skip. Plus you tried way too hard to avoid looking at each other when y'all were in here the other day. Michael you looked at Jems the way I still look at my Mags even after 40 years of marriage." He smiled

"So this is what we'll do. Jemma you will go to the nurse and get cleaned up and an ice pack for your cheek and eye. In the future you will remember that at this school Michael is to be referred to as Mr. Jenkins. He is just your teacher."

I nodded.

"As for you Michael, you will continue to treat Ms. James as a regular student. If I hear even a whisper of favoritism I will have her moved out of all classes and activities that involve you. I am not accepting your resignation at this time. You two are dismissed."

We sat there for a second and Mr. Erickson sighed. "You are a great teacher and a good man. As I said before I love Jemma like my own granddaughter. I don't care who she's with as long as they are good to her. If this was a fling then I'd have fired you in an instant but its very clear that you love each other. So as long as you two can keep your relationship circumspect and the rest of the faculty and students stay oblivious. Then I see no reason for any action to be taken against y'all. Especially since as far as I know you are just dating his brother. Because this conversation and that little show of affection never happened. So off you go."

I jumped up and kissed Sully's cheek.

"I expect to be invited to the wedding. Think about what he said. He's right ya know."