Chapter 16: Rebirths

"G'mornin' Gregg."

Gregg looked up from his desk where he was doing his best to re-immerse himself in finalizing his lesson plans. Classes resumed in less than two weeks and he'd been so preoccupied with saving the dig and satisfying other ... urges ... that the summer just flew by leaving him to finish his other 'homework' at the last minute just as he was sure many of his students would write their papers.

"Morning Chad. Man, you look about as tired as I do. Didn't you get any sleep?" The memories of last night's post-party activities with Heather still haunted him. 'Did Heather really swear herself to me? Did I swear to her? And if so, what kind of slavery is it when she made me swear that SHE was MINE?' It was all backwards and confusing, and just not something his brain could digest at the moment.

"Well, no, not really. I was up late with Charli"

Gregg's eyebrows shot up.

"Now don't go getting any ideas. We just talked and listened to music."

"Just listened to music?"

Chad hesitated, but couldn't stifle his grin. "Okay, okay ... I kissed her goodnight too. She's really quite amazing. And unlike you, she actually appreciates good music when she hears it."

Gregg positively beamed with happiness. Since finishing work at the dig, Chad had become his closest friend, which was odd given that just months ago Chad was his student ... and not even his best one. The more he thought about it, the more Gregg was seeing some of the ripples caused by the birth of his powers. Besides the obvious physical changes in himself: strength, endurance, a ridiculously high sex drive, and the near doubling in size of his then-average-sized penis; there were other effects in other people. For starters, Chad had become a more serious student. His book retention had increased astronomically. Gregg knew for a fact that at the dig, the poor guy couldn't remember a historical date to save his life ... now history was all he seemed to read. He was always the jokester, always the charmer, but now there was a certain seriousness, almost a 'loyalty' to him that couldn't be explained by any over act of his power ... or lust for Heather. He'd followed her around like a puppy dog at the dig (as did all 'The Boys'), but since christening their special relationship, Chad acted in a lot of ways more like her brother than a some-time lover.

Gregg didn't know Emily from before the accident, but since returning to him in the States, she was like a perpetual motion machine ... and not just in the bedroom. Her energy was infectious. More than once when he was exhausted, just a touch from Emily would be enough to recharge him, so to speak.

And of course, Heather. She was always his best student, often translating his academic talk so The Boys could understand. In a lot of ways she really ran that site, at least the human-aspect of it. Like every other male on the planet, perhaps he fell in love with her at first sight, but it wasn't until he was lying in the hospital bed with her by his side that she really captured his heart. But did she always accept multiple partners before meeting him? Or was that some aspect of the power? And what was with this emerging "slavery" issue? First Laura, then (maybe?) Heather. He honestly hoped that Heather didn't, in fact, pledge to be his slave during their role-play last night. The dreams and the visions that had haunted him since earning his gift repeatedly hinted that that would not be a good thing ... then again, NONE of the visions ever had much good to say.

"Gregg? You in there?"

Gregg looked up to see that Chad was still there. His musings had taken over his brain and once again he found himself lost in his head. "I'm sorry, I zoned out there for a minute ... I didn't get much sleep last night either. What'd you ask?"

"It's not important. What's that in your hand?"

Gregg looked down and realized that he was fingering the business card that Deuce Mackinaw had given him. He didn't remember picking it up and quickly put it back inside his desk. "Oh just the business card of some guy that wants to sit in on the intro class from time to time. I couldn't see the harm." Gregg remembered only snippets from his conversation with the eccentric Englishman with the straggly black hair and overcoat. What stuck most in his mind was the man's weird sense of humor. Like his name. Deuce X. Mackinaw ... the man thought it was particularly funny, and yet Gregg was at a loss as to why. Still, something told Gregg that figuring out that particular joke just may be important someday.

"Gregg!!"

"Sorry, I did it again." Gregg rubbed his eyes vigorously in an attempt to focus. "Look, apparently I'm just not much of a conversationalist today. I'm sorry. But hey, I'm glad you and Charli are hitting it off. She's a great girl and could use a friend like you."

"Yeah, she is a great girl. She's been pretty tight-lipped about her past, but from what I can gather, she'd have to be pretty amazing to have grown up as she did and not be totally damaged in some way..."

Chad was about to go on about Charli's qualities, but the presence of someone in the door derailed his train of thought. It wasn't everyday that an Omega Xi came knocking. Chad looked from the beautiful blonde in the doorway to Gregg and back again. Likewise, Laura was looking at Chad, but her eyes seemed to be pleading for his discretion.

"I'd introduce you two, but ... do you know each other?"

Chad answered "yes" at the same time Laura answered, "no."

Chad's smile barely hid his contempt. "Well, I believe we met in passing ... At a party. To be fair, I'm guessing a lot of people know you ... or of you ... especially those of us who, at least for one night, were considered 'Very Important People.'"

Laura gulped at the reference, but didn't reply. It was Gregg who responded. "Yeah, okay ... whatever that means." Both Laura and Chad turned to Gregg wearing the same expression of disbelief that he'd never heard the reference. With a less tired mind he could have probed either of them to get the answer, but as exhausted as he was, he opted not to try. "I'm sure one of you will explain later. For now, Chad, here are some extra copies of the apartment key to hand out. Heather should be awake by now, if not already gone to work. I'll leave it to you to get things set up."

Chad put the pile of folders he was carrying down on the table and took the keys. "I thought I'd do some filing here before heading over."

"No, that's okay. Leave those, and take the other boxes over to the apartment. You might as well get started on that. Laura here has generously volunteered to pick up some of the slack with your time divided so."

Chad's look of amazement was almost identical to Laura's. Of all the things she imagined ... hoped ... Dr. Walters would have her do ... filing was not one of them...

Chad's face broke into a huge grin. "Okay Gregg, if you say so. I'm sure you could teach ... Laura? ... Sorry, I didn't get your name the last time we met ... Anyway, I'm sure you could teach Laura what should be put where..." The double entendres made Laura blush, which surprised Chad. Knowing what he knew about the Omega Xis, he didn't think they were capable of blushing.

Picking up the boxes in the corner, Chad bid farewell to Gregg with an amused shake of his head.

Gregg watched his friend leave. Laura stood stock still watching him, waiting for a command. She'd arrived wearing shorts, an Omega Xi t-shirt and tennis shoes. Over her shoulder was a gym bag.

Gregg pointed to the door and Laura immediately kicked out the door stop, letting the heavy oak slam shut, sealing them in his nearly sound proof, windowless, concrete-walled office. "Did you bring it?"

Laura gulped and opened her bag. She pulled out something wrapped in a towel and handed it to Gregg. Gregg unwrapped it and revealed the nearly meter-long pledge paddle. It was made of a heavy dark wood, carefully lacquered with a list of signatures running down its length. "Who are these all people?"

"After our term as a pledge, we become 'neophytes.' One of the required tasks to become a full-member is to get the signatures of all the active members. Many of them only sign when you've 'proven' to them you're worthy. We also need two XO alums, two members of the faculty, and one administrator."

Gregg looked down the list of names. He didn't recognize any of the names except for the one at the bottom ... the college's President. At one time, Laura was especially proud of that particular accomplishment ... but right now she just felt dirty under Gregg's studious gaze.

"Hmm ... I'll have to reevaluate my assumption that you were lazy..." The barbed comment stung, but no more than she felt she deserved. "Okay, come with me." Gregg stood and began pulling the files that Chad left into his arms.

"Where are we going?" Laura blushed and clamped her mouth shut tightly. It wasn't her place to ask.

Gregg was either too tired to fully embrace the role, or just didn't care. "Down to the archives. You'll love it. It's dark, dusty, and may even have mice. It's kind of an academic dungeon." Laura paled.

The question she desperately wanted to ask was being held back only by the most determined of efforts. Gregg walked around her and opened the office door. "I meant what I told Chad. You're going to do some filing ... but just in case you need some motivation ... bring your paddle."

Laura didn't know if she should smile or cry. Carefully wrapping the paddle as if it were some precious artifact, she placed it back into her bag. The paddles were never supposed to leave the house, and she'd be punished severely if any of her 'sisters' saw that it was not hanging above her bed.

Closing the door behind her and following Gregg down the staircase, more than anything she hoped he was kidding about the mice...

Chad hopped out of his car and trotted up the walkway toward Gregg's apartment. Already outside waiting for him, or for anyone with a key at least, was Charli. Watching him approach, Charli still couldn't believe that last night actually happened. And now with his arms filled with the two heavy file boxes, his muscles bulging, Charli couldn't help but remember the dreams that filled her head when she finally fell asleep after getting kissed goodnight. Chad's good looks and well-built physique were the epitome of everything she had taught herself to hate as being "cookie-cutter" and "90210." He was supposed to be out of her league, and yet, her body quivered with the memory of his sharp metal-music mind, his witty banter, and his gentle, loving kiss.

"Charli?"

Charli snapped out of her reverie to find Chad standing just before her with the apartment keys dangling off one of his fingers, waiting for her to take them and open the door. She blushed embarrassedly, having been caught staring at him. Charli let him in and followed him up the stairs, his tight jeans threatening to once again derail her thoughts. Once outside Gregg's apartment door, she put the key in the door, but before she could turn it...

"Charli?"

She looked up at Chad, fingers instinctively moving her hair back behind her ears. "Yeah?"

Chad smiled and leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. Charli couldn't resist and laid one hand on his bulging bicep — the part of her said looks were trivial being shoved into a quiet corner of her mind. The kiss was only broken when the heavy box began to slip. "I think we better get this inside before we have a mess to clean up!"

They slipped inside and neither was prepared for what they saw. Standing in the middle of the room, completely naked except for the towel around her head, Heather was facing away from them, headphones in her ears, singing along with some pop tune that neither of them recognized. Heather's slow pelvic grinding was an incredibly sexy sight, but any sexy thoughts were dashed by her complete lack of singing ability. (Honestly, could you enjoy a porno movie while listening to a cat getting strangled?) Charli was frozen, as much in embarrassment as a newly discovered lust. Chad came to everyone's rescue by clearing his throat loudly. Heather gasped, turned, and screamed before realizing who was there. In a flash, the towel at her head was yanked down to barely cover her torso. Heather's face turned a few shades redder than her hair and she ran back into the bedroom, her naked ass giving one final flash.

Chad was wearing one huge grin. Charli, feeling a sense of duty as a woman frowned and slugged him in the arm.

"What was that for?" he asked, finally putting down the boxes.

"For not averting your eyes, that's what for."

"Well, it's nothing I — " He almost said it was nothing he hadn't seen before, but stopped short, not sure their new relationship was ready for that level of honesty.

"Nothing you what?"

Chad was saved from having to make an admission by Heather's return, this time with a full-sized bath towel around her body. "Nothing that any red-blooded male wouldn't want to look at!" Charli could tell that something was being covered up, and not just Heather's amazing chest. But before she could protest, Heather started giving orders. "Chad, do you have anything left in your car you need to bring? Okay, why don't you do that." When Chad exited, still grinning from ear to ear, Heather turned her attention to Charli. "Sorry about that ... you're both early. You ... well, nobody ... was supposed to see that. Anyway, don't be too hard on Chad. Remember, he's a good guy ... one of the best. He just has a handicap."

Charli looked worried, unable to figure out what could possibly be wrong with him.

Heather couldn't maintain her serious façade any longer. "It's true, he has a handicap ... he has a penis!"

By the time Chad came back upstairs, both girls were still in tears, laughing, both refusing to say what was so funny.

Unfortunately for Chad and Charli, it was all business after that. Charli set up her laptop on a table in the corner and Chad began unpacking files. Heather put on a pair of jeans and an ESU branded t-shirt that would have looked plain on anybody else, and then left for her other job. It was beginning to get on Chad's nerves that every time he caught Charli looking at him, she'd start breaking down into another giggle fit. Still, he couldn't help but smile at seeing her laugh.

Jim was the next to arrive and once again Chad was tagged for physical labor. Up the stairs came surplus monitors, printers, a small copier, and a fax machine. Just as things started to get set up, Rivkah arrived with bags of food. "I may not have a lot to contribute to this party, but at least I could make sure you're all well fed!" Chad considered making a Jewish grandmother joke in E'dan's absence, but considering how hard she punched, he thought better of it.

By the time everything was unpacked, Chad had to leave for lacrosse practice. It'd be a grueling workout, especially considering how tired he was from lugging everything up the stairs. He was going to get pushed especially hard since the season opener was this weekend.

A few hours later, Chad was jogging through campus on his way back to the apartment. He'd showered at the frat house after practice where he left his car. Running up to Gregg's office, he was a little surprised to find the door open, Gregg at his computer, and Laura armed with a highlighter and a label maker at the small table in the corner. Her hair was pulled back and folded in on itself to make a half-sized pony tail and she held a pencil tightly between her teeth.

"You actually were serious about having her do filing!?" Both Laura and Gregg looked up. "I thought that ... well ... never mind."

Gregg swung in his chair to face Chad, his smile not doing much to hide his chagrin. "Turns out that our Laura here is not very good with paperwork ... even with the proper encouragement..." Chad followed Gregg's quick glance to the corner of the room. Chad spied the pledge paddle and then noticed how Laura wasn't sitting comfortably in her chair. Laura turned beet red knowing Chad had figured it out. It was one thing to be humiliated by Gregg ... it was another for him to bring his assistant into it ... still, if that's what he wanted. Strangely, it seemed to excite her.

"So, rather than have her make a bigger mess of our files, she's going through our receipts and categorizing our expenses. The business office has been on my case to process those anyway. I figured that if there was one thing she understood, it's money."

"Okay Gregg. I won't keep you two from ... your work." Chad's respect and admiration for Gregg was boosted by his seemingly effortless taming of an Omega Xi. It was one thing to get one to talk to you ... it was another to get one to sleep with you ... it was quite another to get one to do menial labor for you. As far as he knew, there were no known documented cases of that last one.

"Anything you need brought over while I'm on my way?"

"No, I think there was enough in those boxes to give you guys a good start."

Giving Laura one more knowing look, Chad headed out whistling a nameless, but happy tune. When he was out of ear shot, Gregg turned to his new assistant. "Why don't you go also. You've done enough for one day. Laura wanted to argue that she could stay, but having been given her command, she sadly began packing up her things. When she reached for the paddle, Gregg intercepted her. "I'll just keep that here for now."

Laura smiled weekly, excitement and fear battling for control of her consciousness. "Same time tomorrow?"

Gregg nodded and Laura beamed, practically skipping out the door.

For the remainder of the day, everyone seemed to be pretty well self-motivated. Gregg returned to the apartment after reviewing his lesson plans for the first few weeks of class. At "Headquarters", what everyone had affectionately dubbed his apartment, things were buzzing. Heather was making copies of documents to bring to Professor Whyte tomorrow, including samples of correspondence so she'd know how to phrase her legal-ese, and copies of some sketch blueprints. It turned out that her husband worked as an architect and could hopefully lend some ideas on how to incorporate the dig into the existing building plans without having to demand major structural changes.

Chad and Charli were working side-by-side: Chad scanning pictures and Charli making the first 3-D renderings of the site. Thankfully Gregg and his team were meticulous in their measurements. The two metal-heads were connected to each other via earphones and periodically they'd break into simultaneous air-guitar or air-drum solos.

On the couch, Emily was listening intently to her own mp3 player. When she offered an earbud to Gregg, all he heard were wet raspy noises. "What kind of music is that?!?"

She did her best not to look disappointed, but when she replied, "They're recordings of different lung sounds one would hear through a stethoscope. Charli let me use her computer to transfer it from the disk to this ... much more convenient."

"Why on earth... ?"

"It's part of their nursing program. Rather than waiting for someone with a disease to come in so we can all take turns and listen, now we can practice identifying them. Besides, given how much text books, lab supplies, dissection kit, and this cost ... I better do well in school." It went unsaid that there were undoubtedly faculty who were waiting for her to fail, given the questionable circumstances of her last-minute admittance. Anything less than an 'A' would be viewed as suspect ... and then even the 'A's' would probably raise some questions. It was only then that Gregg realized that Emily was dressed in deep purple surgical scrubs. It wasn't quite the traditional nursing outfit he'd come to know in Tunisia, but still, seeing her dressed like a nurse again instigated a quasi-Nightingale effect and began some familiar stirrings.

Exiting to the bathroom before he embarrassed himself, Gregg left everyone to their work. Heather joined him in the bedroom after he finished, molding herself to him and giving him a big kiss. It was as if she hadn't seen him for days. "Missed you."

"So, how have the kids been behaving?"

Heather giggled at Gregg's joke. "You would have loved it. Emily comes running in with her arms full of stuff she bought at Loyola and jumps into Chad's arms causing him to drop a pile of papers. Then she nails him with a huge kiss. Chad looked like he'd just been molested ... especially with Charli watching the whole thing. I'm glad I was there! I called Em into the kitchen and explained things to her ... about Chad and Charli. She was mortified! What was it she said? Oh yeah, 'First Gregg, then E'dan, now Chad! Are all the good ones taken?'"

"Oh, so you know about Chad and Charli?"

Heather couldn't have looked at Gregg with anymore pity. She patted his cheek affectionately, but her eyes said, 'you're cute, but you're slow.' "Anyway, we went back into the living room and Charli was clearly frosty, so I pulled her in here and soothed her, explaining that they're just good friends and happen to be close ... I don't think she's buying it. Say what you will about her ... but she's got some of her 'cop' father in her. She'd make a great detective. So anyway, I invited the two of them over this Friday for a girl's night. Hopefully Charli will see that she can trust us. You and Chad are on your own."

"What about E'dan?"

"You mean 'what about Rivkah?', you devil." Heather's sly smile gave no indication of jealousy or anger. "They're both going to be up at their 'farm.' Besides doing whatever research E'dan does with those cows, apparently they're planning to spend some quality time with E'dan's research assistant. I guess Rivkah wants to do some field work of her own with the gal. I don't know if that poor girl realizes what she signed up for by lusting after E'dan. Still, I can't wait to tell her she missed an opportunity to have all three of her favorite guys all to herself." Heather's report was getting her excited and it took an effort of will to push herself back from Gregg and get back to work. It didn't help that Gregg was kissing her neck and fondling her ass at the time.

Pushing his own desires to the back burner, Gregg rolled up his sleeves and joined in the fray. It was only day one, but so far the people he was counting on to get him through the last remaining days of summer weren't letting him down.

The next three days went by in a blur as everyone settled into their tasks-at-hand. Gregg and Heather were typically both gone in the mornings — Gregg to his office to try to get the last of his lesson planning done before school started and Heather to the Admissions Office. Laura was always at Gregg's office door waiting for him, but to her dismay, the rest of the week involved only paperwork ... not even a spanking just for fun. So intent was Gregg on his own work, that it was as if he barely noticed her ... and for the most part, that was the truth. For an Omega Xi, not being noticed was almost as bad a punishment as one could give!

Headquarters was abuzz with activity. Despite the amazing food that E'dan and Rivkah provided, most everybody worked through their meals. And despite the grueling work, Gregg often had to force people to leave at 9pm. He couldn't be prouder, but neither did he want to monopolize everyone's time. On Thursday Emily started school, but she gave Gregg her email account password so he'd have instant access to whatever tidbits her father would send. Luckily for Gregg, the man felt so guilty for neglecting his daughter while she was within him in Tunisia that he worked extra hard to help her friends. It was only when she asked to return to the States that he realized he'd practically ignored her during her visit.

Friday night, Emily swung by Headquarters to pick up Charli for their "Girls' night." Emily couldn't resist teasing by announcing, "Oh yeah, we'll do each other's nails, and try on sexy lingerie, and then have a big naked pillow fight!" While Gregg's, Jim's, and Chad's eyebrows all rose in interest, Charli just groaned in horror. The look of relief on her face was priceless when Emily said she was kidding, and all the men's eyebrows fell in disappointment. But Charli was able to get her revenge: When Emily pulled out two DVDs to choose from for the night, "Pretty in Pink" and "Texas Chainsaw Masacre", Charli picked her favorite.

"Now you boys be good while we're away!"

Charli did manage to break free from Emily's grasp long enough to give Chad a kiss goodbye and slip him a package. "That's your homework for tonight. Make sure the Professor watches it!" Jim bid everyone a good weekend and exited with the girls.

With a slam of the doors, the office was suddenly eerily quiet. Chad turned one of the monitors around to face the couch while Gregg turned on the oven to heat up some frozen pizza. "What's our homework?"

Chad unwrapped the package. "Ha! She told me about this. I guess she's decided it's time for you to earn your Chicago Citizenship!" Gregg poked his head out from the kitchen to see what his friend was talking about and Chad held up a DVD of "The Blues Brothers."

Gregg laughed and came out to look at the DVD case. He looked up at his friend and in all seriousness asked, "You really like her, don't you?"

"Yeah EP. I do." Chad's term of affection ("El Professor") still warmed his heart. It was what everyone at the dig called him. But, it was with a bit of sadness that Gregg realized that the entire summer had gone by and he hadn't gotten a word from David, Brian or Adam. He wondered what those guys were up to! "There's far more to her than meets the eye."

"I know, Chad. I know."

"I just hope Heather and Emily don't try to do anything too ... pink ... to her."

Both men started laughing at the image of Charli wearing pink. Chad opened the fridge and sighed. "What kind of office is this? No beer!" It didn't even occur to him that Chad only turned twenty this summer and was a student no less. Gregg just didn't see him as such. Chad was his friend — his student, then his assistant, but his friend first.

Gregg was about to offer to head down the block to pick up some, when he had a better idea. "Chad, where's the phone?" Chad tossed it over, a questioning look on his face. Gregg opted not to answer, preferring to remain mysterious, only giving his friend a sly wink.

Gregg's little plan was making him feel positively villainous. All he needed was a top hat, a cane, and a handlebar mustache and he'd look the part. The phone rang four times before someone on the other side answered. "It's me..."

Laura was doing her best to enjoy the atmosphere of the exclusive restaurant's décor. It was a credit to her "training" from Omega Xi that her date didn't pick up on attitude. 'Why would he? He's only sixteen after all.'

Earlier that week, one of her regular clients called and set up this dinner for his son who'd just turned sixteen. He paid generously and knew that Laura was the perfect choice to usher him into manhood. Once the idea of two income streams coming from a single client was appealing, but right now it was all she could do to keep her food down.

The boy across from her knew what was in store for him and barely was able to keep his manners in check. Part of the evening's lesson, per his father's orders however, was to behave like a gentleman. The guy actually held some affection for Laura, and made it clear that if she was upset by his behavior, there'd be hell to pay. He had no intention of ruining his 'partnership' with the sexy coed because his son behaved like an ass.

Still, the kid's not-so-subtle efforts to increase the speed of the meal to a quicker pace were not working. He'd polished off his steak in minutes, but Laura was enjoying the torture of taking her time. It was petty, but it was her own little bit of revenge. So, while she sliced miniscule bits off her scallops and made a tantalizing show of enjoying them in her mouth, Junior over there was helpless to do anything but watch. That said, he was certainly enjoying the view. Laura was wearing a light silver dress held up with spaghetti straps. It clung to all the right places and was cut very high on the hip.

Just as Laura was putting another sliver of food into her mouth, her cell phone started vibrating against her leg. It was held against her thigh with a garter. She hiked up her dress to see who it was, Junior being none the wiser. Normally she wouldn't answer it, but the caller ID flashed the one number for which she'd break all her rules.

Answering the phone, Junior's face turned to a pout. Rather than having him give a bad report to daddy, she slipped off her shoe and extended her long leg so her foot pressed gently against his crotch, moving up and down. Immediately his pout disappeared and something began pressing back against her foot. 'That'll keep him quiet.' " ... Is there anything else you want?" she said hopefully into the receiver. " ... oh ... are you sure? ... No, no problem ... Yes Mas-" She looked at the stunned boy across from her who was thoroughly enjoying his foot-job. "I mean, yes sir. Right away."