Part thirty-three

Weeks later, Jennyanydots was seeing bustling down the halls of the school, waving little hellos to students she knew or that she recognized by face as being regular customers. She had a glow about her that only a pregnant queen could have and she puffed a little as she came to Skimbleshanks' chemistry class. Class was, of course, in session, but Jenny couldn't help but watch through the cracked door as her tom walked around playing with dangerous chemicals.

Skimbleshanks, unaware of the audience, was demonstrating how to heat sulphuric acid. Carefully, he was watching the thermometer with his assistant of the day, Pharrasophatees. Both were wearing large protective goggles and big white lab coats. For extra safety with the chemical they were using, Skimble had gloves on as he wiped some steam off the thermometer.

"Now, if ye let the chemical heat up te beyond 72 degrees, it'll explode in ye faces. I don't want te be takin' anyone te the hospital now, so be careful when yer working with it…" Pharra tugged on her teacher's lab coat, an apparent signal that the chemical was properly heated, and Skimbleshanks quickly whisked the small beaker off the flame. Diligently, the brown-point Siamese carefully turned off the flame, and then the gas.

"Alright, ye'll be doin' a lab on Wednesday about this chemical, so be prepared. Remember te get yer lab sheets filled out, as well as yer hypothesis papers regarding the assignment on the sheet I'll give ye as ye leave. Ye all can pack up now." Moving to his desk, Skimble caught a flash of orange, black and green out of the corner of his eye. Glancing up, he smiled when he saw Jenny chuckling at him. He motioned her inside, and pulled his chair out.

"Now lassie, I'll be right with ye as soon as I get this assignment to me students." He kissed her gently and moved to the door so he could hand out the assignment sheet.

When the last student was out the door, the orange tabby pulled off his goggles and gloves, placing them on the corner of his desk. Easing his hip up on the desk, he regarded his fiancé with a smile.

"Ye always are so beautiful." Smacking his knee gently with a chuckle, Jenny patted her still mostly flat belly, as she was two and a half months along now.

"And you are always as randy as ever. If I didn't think that someone would walk in, I'd have you take me into a supply closet again." Cringing at the memory, Skimbleshanks rubbed the back of his neck.

"Te be perfectly honest lass, I'd take ye on me desk if I didn't think I'd get in trouble again. Old D didn't take too kindly to the rumors going 'round the school about a teacher in the janitor closet." Jenny smiled up at Skimble, tilting her head back and puckering her lips.

"Then how about just a kiss then, love?"

"Aye, I could do that." And he did; a slow, long and sensual kiss. The orange tortoiseshell purred gently as Skimble pulled back and licked her lips.

"You know, that's just playing dirty. Now I want you to bend me over your desk, getting in trouble or not…" Patting her cheek, Skimble winked at Jenny.

"I know me dahlin', but I have to go down to Old D's office and get me some more printer paper. I think I've been killing more than a few trees for me class, but I need te have the assignments and such printed because not all the students copy things down when I put them on the board." Stopping to help Jenny out of the chair, which she protested a little bit, Skimbleshanks pulled her against him and kissed her soundly.

"I'll come by the shop after I'm done for the day. You can close up early and we'll make up for this…" Chuckling, Jenny patted Skimble bum affectionately as they walked to the door.

"Randy old goat…"

Mistoffelees stood with Alonzo, Coricopat and Cassandra, waiting for Jemima to come out of her English class. The smaller black and white tuxedo danced in one place, looking anxiously at the clock every few minutes. Cassandra watched in amusement, but Coricopat and Alonzo seemed to be in a heated discussion; heads together. Pulling back, the lean calico tom seemed mildly disturbed; his ears pressing back against his head and his upper lip twitching. It was one of the only times anyone saw him agitated and it wasn't a good sign.

"I tell you, Tantomile has been very odd lately! It is Munkustrap's doing, and I know it is!" Shaking his head, the black and white tom looked at Coricopat pointedly and shrugged.

"You know I won't be able to change your mind, so why don't you just ask Tantomile what's up?" Snorting, Cori shook his head.

"'What's up' is such a low phrase… we use our intelligence when we are talking, and we do not belittle ourselves by using small catch phrases. It is quite annoying to hear someone walk down the hall and saying something such as 'sup' to other people." Lip quivering in annoyance, Coricopat turned hot sulphur eyes to Cassandra when she cleared her throat. Her blue eyes were hooded, something she did quite well, but her expression was far from pleasant.

"Before you go and basically tell someone that they are unintelligent, you might stop to consider the possibility that your sister does not want you interfering with her life. She is her own person, Coricopat, whether or not you are her twin. I know you love her, just as I love my cousin Exotica, but I cannot run her life because she has a mind of her own. Talk to Tantomile if you wish some answers, but do not take your anger and frustration out on other people." The venom and ice in her tone seemed to get through to Coricopat because he deflated and looked up at Alonzo with a slightly dejected expression on his face.

"Forgive me, Alonzo. I truly meant no insult to you. I must go find Tantomile now…"

"There's Jemima! See you guys later!!!" Mistoffelees shot off, leaving Cassandra and Alonzo against the wall as students started to pour out of classes. Chuckling, the black and white tom gathered the slender Burmese queen against him, nuzzling her cheek.

"Remind me never to piss you off…" With a demure smile on her face, Cass turned blue eyes to her boyfriend.

"Do not piss me off." Kissing her, Alonzo chuckled.