AUTHOR'S POV   

Today is possibly the most unnerving day to ever come for Laurent. He's going to the dean to inform him of his very uncomfortable encounters with Erin. He does find some solace in the words of his love telling him that everything will be ok...but it's still unsettling because he has no clue where this is going. The dean could decide to give her a warning or possible expulsion. As an educator, Laurent doesn't that want for anyone if it truly isn't necessary. He will be fine with Erin simply being removed from his class and just hope that it would serve as a lesson to her that behavior like that is unacceptable. But, he certainly has no control over what the university decides. His first class is at 10 am though he always arrives much earlier to prepare for the day in his office. Of course most of that time today will be spent in the dean's office and he can feel his stomach forming a nervous knot as he has to not only tell him what happened but play the recording for him. He doesn't want to hear that conversation again but it's necessary. He's currently in the kitchen and has just finished packing the girls favorite lunches of mini turkey and cheese pita pockets, pretzels, carrot sticks and homemade unsweetened applesauce along with a juice box. He keeps the lunches cool in the fridge as he moves onto breakfast and he's now piling each plate with eggs when he hears two cheerful voices calling out, "we're ready"! He turns around and there are Kaylee and Emma dressed adorably with their smiles shining brightly...

Laurent: *smile* "Yes you are and you both look beautiful". 

Kaylee and Emma: *smile* "Thank you papa". 

Laurent: *smile* "Welcome my loves. Sit down and I'll bring your breakfast over yes"? 

They take their seats as Laurent picks up two plates and walks over to place them in front of them. He tells them to be very careful as the eggs are still hot then he sees Larry walking in with Ayden in his arms who he also greets with a smile. Ayden is placed in his high chair and as they eat Larry catches a glimpse of his love who he knows has been nervous since they went to bed last night because Laurent tossed and turned several times. Laurent thought Larry was sound asleep and didn't feel his movements but being so in sync with each other Larry not only felt the movement but sensed his anxiety. It's hard seeing his love in such a state but he's certain that the dean will make sure this doesn't happen again. After breakfast the girls are sweetly instructed to go and get their backpacks so they can be taken to school. They happily comply and while the table is cleared Larry takes the few spare moments to speak to his love...

Larry: "Baby I feel how nervous you are but it will be fine. I know the university has a strict policy for this so try not to worry so much". 

Laurent: "Thank you bebe. It's just hard to believe this is happening". 

Larry: "I understand my love but you're doing the right thing". 

Larry softly grabs his loves hand to comfort him then leans forward and applies a soft peck to those lips. With Larry's gentle touch and soft lips Laurent does feel some anxiety subside so he whispers a thank you to him that Larry replies to with a soft wink. At that moment the girls come back so Larry gives them a kiss then tells them to have a great day in school and he'll see them later. With Ayden back in his arms he walks over to Laurent so he can give their little man a kiss. Larry then gives one more reassuring look to his love then leaves so he can get Ayden to mama. Laurent doesn't want the girls to see him looking worried so he instantly flashes a smile then playfully asks them if they're ready to ride in which they excitedly respond, "yeah" so with their backpacks on and lunches in tow they head for the door. Laurent locks up and they head for the car then Laurent takes off in the direction of their school...

*****

Between the affection from his love and the girls giving him a big hug as well as a kiss on the cheek before they went inside their school Laurent feels much more at ease and is now eager to get to the dean's office. He enters the building and thankfully doesn't have any distractions that will delay getting there. The elevator opens on the floor the office is located and straight ahead he sees the door open which he's thrilled to see though he hopes that he can see him right away instead of being told that he's in a meeting or something of the sort and isn't able to. When the secretary tells him that he will be with him momentarily a huge feeling of relief comes over him so he takes a seat to wait but he doesn't have to wait long. The door opens so he stands to his feet and now face to face Laurent extends his hand...

Laurent: "Dr. Bouchet, it's good to see you". 

As they shake hands Dr. Bouchet gets a sense of urgency so his face shows concern and he wants to take the conversation to his office immediately...

Bouchet: "Good to see you too. Let's go inside".

After politely instructing Laurent to have a seat he walks around the desk to take his and with that same concerned look on his face he gets right to it...

Bouchet: "So how can I help you"?

Laurent: "I can't believe I had to come to you for this but I'm having a problem with a student. She came to my office yesterday and it was very uncomfortable". 

Bouchet: "How so"?

Laurent: "She unbuttoned her shirt then she came really close to me". *pause* "She was trying to...." *sigh* "I don't know how to say it". 

Bouchet: "Seduce you"?

Laurent: "Yes".  

Bouchet: "Who is the student"?

Laurent: "Erin Lebeau". 

Bouchet: "Was this the first incident"?

Laurent: "It was the first time it went that far but at the end of the last class I noticed how she talked to me. She said that she wants to do better on her tests but she wasn't talking to me like a student who was serious about her grades. I don't think she's serious at all but I just told her that she can get some tutoring". 

Bouchet: "I see". *pause* "Well this is a very serious accusation, Dr. Bourgeois. I'm not saying I don't believe you but is there any way this can be proven"?  

Laurent: *nods* "Yes sir, it can. I keep a recorder in my desk and I was able to turn it on without her knowing what I was doing". 

Laurent reaches in his briefcase to retrieve the recorder then hands it over. As he looks at Dr. Bouchet he nervously tells him, "everything that was said is on here". The shocked dean looks down at the recorder then slowly back up at Laurent as if he's nervous about this himself. He gently takes the device from him but gives Laurent one more look before hitting the button to play. He begins listening and as the conversation becomes more intense he leans back in his chair with his face seemingly trying to subdue his reaction. Laurent is sure that Dr. Bouchet is as uncomfortable listening to it as he was when it happened. He's nervously waiting for the unsettling conversation to finish playing and when it does silence falls for a few moments. Dr. Bouchet is unsure how to respond due to his state of shock and that tells Laurent that even though the university takes these situations very seriously it doesn't happen that often...

Bouchet: "Wow".

Laurent: "I can't believe it either". *soft sigh* "So what happens now"?

Bouchet: "Well first I have to contact her and ask her to come in for discussion about this which means I will need to hold onto this recording". 

Laurent: "Yes of course. No problem". 

Bouchet: "Next I will explain that behavior such as this will never be tolerated and the punishment that it includes then...."

Laurent: "Sir...." *pause* "I'm sorry I don't mean to cut you off but I'm not asking for her to receive a harsh punishment".

Dr. Bouchet is surprised to hear this as Laurent has been completely unsettled from the moment he saw him...

Bouchet: "So what do you think should happen"?

Laurent: "Don't get me wrong. She should know how serious it is but I think she should have a chance to stay in school and finish getting her education. That's important but maybe you can switch her into another class".

Bouchet: "Well we're already several weeks into the semester Dr. Bourgeois". 

Laurent: "I understand that sir so if that's not possible then maybe she can be dropped from my class for this semester and pick the class up next semester but with a different instructor". 

*brief pause*

Bouchet: "When is your next class with Ms. Lebeau"?

Laurent: "Tomorrow". 

Bouchet: "Ok. I have to meet with the board with any and all sexual harassment cases so I will inform them of your request but I need to reiterate that the university's policy on sexual harassment states that the punishment for such harassment is up to and including expulsion so that could happen". 

Laurent: "I understand. Thank you for considering my request". 

Bouchet: "You're welcome. As soon as a decision is made I will contact you". 

Laurent stands up and shakes his hand as he thanks him again then heads back for his office. Now that the most difficult part of presenting this to the dean is over he can continue his work day then go home to his family...

*****

It's late afternoon, and inside the dean's office his secretary is hard at work answering the phones among her other daily duties. Students have been in and out of the office all day needing to speak with the dean for various reasons...each one leaving the office in much better spirits than they were going on so their visits were seemingly successful. She catches a few glimpses of the student who's inside the office now and the expression on her face is a blank one. No emotion whatsoever which is vastly different from the other students. Most students would be extremely nervous if the dean called them to his office...but not her. It's as if she just can't wait to get whatever this is over with in order to go on about her day and now she seems agitated. Perhaps if the dean doesn't come out of his office and tells her to come back within the next two minutes she's going to get up and leave. She then gets the feeling that the secretary is looking at her so she cuts her eyes over and the intensity behinds those eyes causes her to quickly look down and continue working. Finally, the door swings open and the dean's eyes go straight to the student in waiting...

Bouchet: "Ms. Lebeau"? 

Erin: "Yes". 

Bouchet: "Please come in".   

Erin: "Sure", she replies coldly. 

Erin stands up and with an equally cold look on her face she walks inside his office. The door is shut behind her and he politely asks her to have a seat. She's slow to sit and she's still agitated though she hasn't yet been told why she was requested to come to his office. Dr. Bouchet looks directly at her as he rests against his chair and there's several moments of an awkward silence. He would normally be the one to initiate the conversation but in her agitation she asks, "what is this about"? He looks somewhat surprisingly at her but since she essentially got the ball rolling he goes right into it...

Bouchet: "Well Ms. Lebeau. I spoke with your Calculus professor this morning and he brought my attention to some very disturbing behavior". 

Erin: "What are you talking about"?

Bouchet: "I'm talking about your inappropriate sexual advances towards him. You were flirtatious with him at the end of your last class then you went to his office and tried to pursue him further. What do you have to say about this"?

*brief pause*

Erin: "You have it all wrong". 

Bouchet: "Do I"?

Erin: "Yes you do. He came onto me. I told him that I wanted to do better on my exams and I wanted his help so he told me to come by his office. When I got there I was ready to get the help I asked for but instead of helping me he started telling me how attractive I am then asked me if I had a boyfriend. I told him I was uncomfortable and that I just needed his help with math. That's when he told me that I really wasn't there for help. I was there for him". 

Bouchet: "I see". *pause* "Well Ms. Lebeau, I have to tell you that I know it didn't go that way at all so I'm giving you one more chance to be truthful". 

Erin: "I don't know what you're talking about. That's what happened". 

Since Erin didn't take this chance to be truthful as she was encouraged to, Dr. Bouchet takes out the recorder and as he hits the button for it to play his eyes stay on Erin in a very serious manner as he has no tolerance for someone who not only breaks the rules but also isn't truthful. When the audio begins her eyes lower and as she realizes what's happening her eyes widen slightly and she gulps because she now realizes that she's been caught in a lie. She can't even look up at Dr. Bouchet whose eyes haven't moved from her as he observes her reaction. The audio ends and after a pause Dr. Bouchet asks in a firm tone, "you still wish to stick to your story"? Erin doesn't have a response because of course there isn't one so she just brings her focus back to him...

Bouchet: "All you had to do was be honest with me Ms. Lebeau. There are already consequences for behavior such as this and lying about it just might have made those consequences worse". 

Erin: "What consequences"?

She asks that question in a snooty way which doesn't sit well with Dr. Bouchet so his response to her is not only firm one but also one of annoyance... 

Bouchet: "This will be presented to the board and we will decide exactly what but effective immediately you're no longer in the Calculus class taught by Dr. Bourgeois. You are also required to not initiate any contact with Dr. Bourgeois and that includes refraining from going to his office. You can continue to attend your other classes and you will be notified of the board's decision once one is reached. You're dismissed".  

Erin stands to her feet and storms out of his office in a rage. Dr. Bouchet is unmoved of course because she violated a rule, blatantly lied about it and to add insult to injury she didn't take any responsibility in the matter whatsoever so as far as he's concerned if the board's decision is expulsion he will support that decision. He moves quickly to schedule a meeting with them and hopefully a decision is reached within the next few days as this requires immediate action...

*****

The remainder of Laurent's day went smoothly and after teaching his last class of the day he retreated to his office as normal to grade papers which he tries his best to do while he's on campus instead of at home so it doesn't interfere with family time. He's grading the last exam when his office phone rings. It's Dr. Bouchet and Laurent tenses up as he's unsure and mostly nervous about what he will be told regarding their meeting...

Bouchet: "Dr. Bourgeois, I met with Ms. Lebeau earlier and I have to say it was very disappointing. She wasn't truthful and even took it so far as to say you came onto her". 

Laurent: *deep sigh* "That doesn't surprise me. Now I'm really glad I recorded her". 

Bouchet: "That was a very wise thing to do because there would have been no way to prove what happened since two different accounts were told". *pause* "Now I know that you didn't want too harsh of a punishment but because she lied about it and didn't take accountability for what she did the board could very well choose expulsion". 

Laurent: "I understand and I'm oki for that". 

Bouchet: "Good and as previously stated, I will keep you updated". 

Laurent: "Thank you again". 

Bouchet: "You're welcome". 

Laurent releases the call and just as he told Dr. Bouchet, he's not at all surprised about Erin trying to blame him. Larry even thought she would and he was correct. It's nearly nauseating that she would try to name him as the aggressor but the incident is in the hands of where it should be so she will receive the punishment that the board sees fit. His focus turns to the time and the girls will be out of school soon so he begins packing up to leave. Their smiling faces are exactly what he needs to see and will for sure bring him to his happy place so with his briefcase in tow he walks towards the door then turns the light off before stepping out. The entire hallway is fairly quiet as most professors are also leaving around this time and after locking the door he begins walking towards the elevator. He's almost there when he suddenly gets a feeling that he's being watched or even followed so his walking slowly comes to a halt and his face softly scrunches into confusion before turning around. All he sees is the long hallway. He stands still to listen for any noises and when he doesn't hear anything he just shrugs it off then proceeds to the elevator. The ground floor also meets him with mostly silence though he doesn't get the sense that he's being watched now so he just proceeds towards the exit. It's been a tiring day so he figures it's all in his mind and once he's in the car he places a call to his love to inform him that he will pick Ayden up after picking up the girls from school. He makes a vow to himself that he won't think about this and his focus will be solely on his family...

~evening~

After arriving home Laurent gave the girls their customary afternoon snack before they got started on their homework that he and Larry typically allow them to work on their own, which they do well, but they're always nearby if they need help. Homework was checked and cartoons were watched until Larry came through the door so cartoons became an afterthought. Ayden also gravitated to him and he entertained their precious bundle with Laurent joining in until the time came to prepare dinner. On the menu is a family favorite of classic spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs are usually sliced into smaller pieces to make it easier for the girls to eat but they love being little helpers which is not only fun for them but it also enhances the overall quality of family time. They each stand on their personalized stepping stools then with clean hands and rolled sleeves they smile as they help out. The cooking part over a hot stove they couldn't help with of course so after washing their hands they were sweetly instructed to play while Larry and Laurent cook. As Larry is brushing garlic butter on what will be homemade garlic bread he talks to his love...

Larry: "So what happened today baby"?

Laurent: "I saw the dean and he listened to the tape. He called Erin to his office to talk to her for what happened and the next step is to meet with the board who will decide what happens". 

Larry: "I don't think she will stay there". 

Laurent: "Well at first I told him that if she can stay in school to finish getting her education then she should but just take the class another semester with a different teacher but she lied. She said it was me who tried to come onto her and she just wanted my help".  

Larry: "I knew she would lie and I'm happy she was caught in that lie". 

Laurent: "Me too bebe. The dean said that since she lied she made it worse so the board might expel her and I told him I'm fine for that".  

*brief pause*

Larry: "I'm proud of you baby". 

Laurent: "Why", he asks softly. 

Larry: "You did what you needed to do but I also think it was nice that you didn't want her to get expelled if it wasn't necessary". 

Laurent steps over and places his hand gently on Larry's back as he kisses his temple...

Laurent: "Thank you my love", he whispers. 

Larry: "Welcome", he whispers back. 

They go back to preparing dinner and change the topic of conversation, which was how Larry's day at work went, until dinner is ready. They make plates for the girls first then Laurent sweetly calls out for them to come over and have their seats at the dinner table. Ayden switches from the activity saucer he's been in and having fun with to his high chair. He's eating what the family is eating only it's smashed to where he can handle it and he enjoys it a lot. As they eat the girls are happily sharing what they did in school. Then the phone rings so Larry stands up to go over and answer it while Laurent smiles as he continues listening. He heard Larry answer the phone but he looks in his direction when he hears, "hello" for the second time and becomes confused. Larry eventually hangs up and he looks just as confused because whoever was on the phone didn't say anything. He begins walking back over to the dinner table and his eyes go straight to Laurent's who's still looking at him in confusion. They don't discuss it since they're with the kids but it was certainly odd. They just brush it off then go back to eating. Well, Larry does. Laurent is still bothered by it. He then thinks back to when he was leaving campus and had the feeling of being watched. Now he's beginning to wonder if these two things are connected. Perhaps it's Erin playing some kind of sick, twisted game or it's payback for not only recording her but going to the dean. He doesn't want to believe that it will get that far but he's just unsure. He shakes it off and goes back to focusing on his family. When dinner is done he and Larry clean the kitchen as normal. While he typically tells Larry everything he decides against telling him about his eerie feeling earlier and the mystery phone call. He doesn't have anything concrete to go on though it really is a huge coincidence that both of these things happened after reporting Erin. The rest of the evening goes by as normal as they spend more time with the kids and when the time came for their nightly baths Ayden has his first as he's the first one to be rocked to sleep. They each give the girls their baths and into their pajamas then instructs them to brush their teeth. They kiss them good night and while Larry takes off for the bedroom to get ready for bed Laurent tells him he will be in soon as he wants to make sure the house is secured. He checks the doors but he also checks all the windows too. He goes into Emma's room as quietly as possible as he's sure she's asleep then over to the window but is surprised when he hears that sweet voice asking...

Emma: "What are you doing papa"?

Laurent: "Um, papa's just making sure the window is closed so the outside air can't get in". 

Emma: "To keep the monsters away too"?

Laurent softly chuckles at her adorable innocence as he walks over. He bends down to kiss her forehead then he whispers...

Laurent: *smile* "Yes my love. To keep the monsters away too". *pause* "Now go to sleep, oki"?

Emma: "Oki papa", she replies softly. 

She closes her eyes so he quietly leaves to go over to Kaylee's room who appears to be in a deep sleep. He goes over to the window to make sure it's closed and locked...but before he walks away he looks out into the night. The street is quiet and all the homes are dark. He looks down the street then turns his head to look down the other end before facing forward...thinking and ultimately hoping that things won't take a major left turn from here... 

--------------------------- 

A/N: So, what is everyone thinking? Larry knew she would lie. Did anyone else think the same? Also, did she follow him then got his number and placed the mystery call? Sound off in the comments! Love you guys. :)