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Message-ID: <39217asstr$1036894202@assm.asstr-mirror.org>
From: Shalon Wood <dstar@pele.cx>
User-Agent: Gnus/5.0808 (Gnus v5.8.8) Emacs/21.2
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: {ASSM} Prudence, TX Population 1276 2/? (Mf, cons, rom, teen, oral)
Date: Sat,  9 Nov 2002 21:10:02 -0500
Path: assm.asstr-mirror.org!not-for-mail
Approved: <assm@asstr-mirror.org>
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories
Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d

#insert <stddisclaimer.h>

Feedback welcome.

This is a collaboration between my wife and I. We've got well over
another 150K ready to be massaged into fiction format and sent out.

===========================================================================
	She moaned, parting her lips beneath the kiss, returning it
with passion like he'd never, ever felt before.

	Mark finally, reluctantly, broke the kiss. "I won't fuck
you. But I'll make love to you. Are you on the pill?"

	"Yes, for years now."

	Mark stood up. "Not here. Upstairs, in my bedroom."

	She stood with him, reaching back to take his hand as if she
were afraid he wouldn't follow on his own.

	Mark led her up the stairs, to the bed.

	Kristen smiled, suddenly shy, and sat on the bed.  "What do
you want me to do?"

	Mark placed a finger against her lips. "Shhh." He unhooked her
bra, caressing her breasts gently. Her breasts were perfect, soft,
round globes tipped by deep red nipples already crinkled with
excitement.  She gasped and closed her eyes, arching into his touch.

	Mark pressed against her chest, urging her to lay down, and
his hands moved down to her pants, unfastening them, pulling them
down. She lifted her hips to help him, and he discovered she was
wearing just a black lace thong underneath. He tugged the thong down,
gently, placing little kisses at the crease of her thigh. 

	"What -- what are you _doing_?" She reached down, tugging on
his arms. "You don't have to do that, really you don't."

	He looked up at her, smiling. "But I _want_ to, Kristen. I
enjoy it." He seems puzzled. "Hasn't anyone ever done it to you
before?" He shook his head at her denial. "Wow. Teenagers _are_
idiots." Kissing her gently on the soft mound right above her clit,
he asked her, "Please?"

	Looking totally bewildered, she just nodded, and then gasped
when she felt his tongue flick over her clit. The look of surprise on
her face delighted him, and it took less than a minute for her to
come. When she did, the expression on her face was one of total, utter,
complete amazement, making him feel that doing this was worth the
risk. Any risk was worth it to make her feel this good.

	When she returned the favor, he realized just how good her
experience had made her; he'd had lovers deep-throat him before, but
never one who could take his full length down her throat and _keep_ it
there for almost a minute before having to breathe. He came almost
immediately, as she swallowed with his cock down her throat, and
thought he'd never be able to reproduce the pleasure.

	When she got him hard again less than five minutes later, he
discovered he was wrong. 

	She was totally insatiable, and every time he thought that
there was no way he could get hard again, she proved him wrong. He
lost count of his orgasms, much less hers, but several hours later she
was finally laying curled up to his side, looking like a satisfied,
sleepy, well-fed cat.

	"Wow," Mark said, looking at her. "That was..wow."

	Kristen giggles and cuddles closer.  "Yeah.  I agree.  Lots."

	Mark said, again, "Wow." He had *never* felt anything like
that before.  It was orders of magnitude more intense than his
previous experiences. "Is it _always_ like that with you?"

	Kristen shook her head quickly. "Oh, *god* no!  I meant it
when I said I agreed.  That was amazing. And most guys give out after
three times at most." She sighed happily.

	Mark searched for some way to convey how he felt, finally
settling on a totally inadequate, "Wow." Looking at her curiously,
"Haven't you ever had anyone go down on you?"

	She looked embarrassed. "Well, once, sort of, but not very
well I guess.  It didn't feel like *that*, anyway."

	Mark tried to stretch, fighting weak muscles. "I liked it." He
sighed.

	Kristen grinned.  "I noticed." At his sigh, she suddenly
looked worried. "Um...are you mad at me?  For talking you into this?"

	Mark shook his head. "No! I mean, I shouldn't have, and it's
dangerous...and I don't regret it in the slightest. But I was right."

	"Right?  Yeah, I guess so, we really shouldn't have.  But I
just...I needed you."

	Mark shook his head. "I meant I was right about once not being
enough."

	Kristen blinked.  "Oh," she said, very quietly.

	Mark said, "That was...wow."

	"You can...I mean, anytime you want to...however you want to
do things is fine with me."

	Mark looked at her worriedly. "I'm just...I don't want to get
caught. So we have to be _real_ careful."

	"Whatever it takes.  No one would expect me to *hide* that I'm
fucking someone," her voice is bitter, "and they don't particularly
expect me to have the brains to do so.  That will help."

	Mark kissed her, gently. "Hey. None of that. No
bitterness. Ok. How easily can you sneak out here without being seen?"

Kristen shrugged. "Pretty easy.  You just go on outside and make sure
there's no cars coming, and I can just head back down the road.  There
was no one out when I started this way, since it was so early, so no
one knows what time I came here.  And I take long walks all the time,
all over the place."

	Mark nodded. "Still...we need a reason for you to be coming
out here, if anyone finds out." He looked thoughtful. "Have you ever
done starscapes?"

	"Starscapes?"

	Mark nodded. "Yeah. C'mere." He rolled over, staggering to his
feet.

	Kristen stretched, groaning a bit.  "Okay."

	Mark walked over to his computer, pulling up some of the
better shots from his telescope, including one really spectacular shot
of Saturn.

	"Oh!  How pretty.  Just like Star Trek!"

	He grinned.  "Like that?  Just a second."  He opened a
web-browser and pulled up shots from the Hubble.

	She stared. "Oh, wow, are those *real*?"

	"Yup. The Hubble telescope. How would you feel about sketching
some of these, maybe painting them when you've got some experience?"

	"Um...I'd love to, but we haven't started oils yet or even
acrylics, and I've been scared to experiment with them.  I don't even
know where to *start*."

	Mark nodded. "So start out by sketching them. Some of
these..." He pulled up several moon shots, "Would work fine in
charcoal."

	She nodded, "Yeah.  I'm not sure how that would give me a
reason to be here, though.  I have a computer and internet access at
home.  Well, Dad does, anyway, and he doesn't mind me using it when
he's not."

	"But you don't have my telescope, or these shots. Not all of
these are from the Hubble."

	"Oh!  I see." Her face fell. "But wouldn't people still talk
if I came out here alone, no matter what for?"

	Mark nodded. "That's our excuse for keeping the visits
secret. We just say that you didn't want people to talk about me when
I was just trying to help you, so we kept it quiet. We only reveal
this if someone finds out. Of course, you _will_ need to do some
sketching every time you come out."

	She grinned wickedly. "I suppose it'd be bad if I sketched
*you*, huh?"  She ran a hand down his bare hip.  "Like this?""

	"Probably. Well, for ... how old are you exactly, anyway?"

	"Um.  I'll be fifteen in January.  We'd be okay if we were in
Mississippi."

	Mark chuckled. "But we aren't. So two and a half years, then."

	Kristen said, her voice small and soft, "You really think
you'll still want me for that long?"

	Mark looked at her, swallowing. "Yes." The words came out
hoarse. "I...you...affect me like no one ever has."

	She smiled shyly.  "Even though I've been so...you don't mind
how...um...experienced I am?  I mean, when you have time to think
about it?"

	Mark said, "No, I don't mind. I'm not a virgin either, you
know."

	Kristen giggled.  "I wasn't ever a virgin, technically."

	"What do you mean?"

	"I've been on the pill since I was 11, before I started having
sex, cause of some female problems.  One of the things the doctor
found when he examined me was that I didn't have a hymen.  He said it
was no big deal, and a lot of girls didn't have one, especially if
they do a lot of horseback riding or gymnastics and things.  So I
never was a virgin."

	Mark grinned. "I see. So...was this enough?"

	"Um...well, I wouldn't object to more.  But it's not
overwhelming right now.  I can still think straight." She smiled.

	"Better than when you usually have sex? Could you actually
tell someone no now, if you wanted?"

	She nodded rapidly, "Way better.  I...think so.  I wouldn't
tell *you* no, but anyone else, knowing what a difference there is, I
think I could."

	He smiled in real pleasure. "Good! Kristen, I don't have a
problem with you sleeping with whoever you want to, but it should be
because you _want_ to, not because you can't control yourself." He
hesitated. "Um...do you usually use protection?"

	She blushed, looking at the ground.  "I usually...it just
doesn't occur to me.  It's so urgent, and...well, I'm on the pill.
But I get an exam every six months because of my problems.  And a lot
of the guys do use condoms now because they know...you know."

	Mark said, softly, "I'm sorry. Could you...for me...make sure
you do from now on? I'd hate to see you catch something that, well..."

	"I will.  You don't want me to stop?"

	He took her hands in his own. "I want you to do what makes you
happy. If you want to sleep with someone, do. But if you _don't_
really want to sleep with them, promise me you'll at least try to say
no. Have sex with people because you want to, not because you _have_
to."

	She looked at him, open and vulnerable. "I...I'll try.  But
it's so hard sometimes.  And they'll be really mad if I start saying
no now."

	Mark's lips tightened. "If they try to force you..." He
hesitated for a moment, thinking, then grinned. "Tell them you think
that you might be pregnant, and if they force you you'll swear it's
theirs." The grin widened. "In court. Suing for child support."

	Kristen nodded.  "That'll work for a little while."

	"I'd suggest talking to the counselor. I assume she knows you
were promiscuous, right? Tell her you are trying to change that, but
you're afraid that the guys won't take no for an answer."

	"Um.  Mark...that wouldn't work." She looked seriously
embarrassed.

	"Why?"

	"I can't talk to *her*.  I just can't."

	"Why not?" he asked.

	"She...I said that girls don't ask often.  But not *never*.
And I did try to talk to her once, and...anyway, afterwards she called
me a demon and said that I should go to the church and beg to be
cleansed and that I was never to come in her office again." She hugged
her arms around her ribs miserably.

	Mark frowned. "Ok. Who _could_ you talk --- wait a moment. Did
_she_ ask?"

	Kristen nodded.  "That's what I said."

	Mark's voice rose with each word. "And then she _dared_ to
call _you_ a demon? Why, that...that..." Kristen flinched, and he
visibly calmed himself. "I'm not mad at you, Kristen. I'm mad at
_her_. What we've done wasn't abuse. What she did _was_."

	"It wasn't that bad, Mark.  It really wasn't.  I think she
just panicked, really, and was looking for a way to justify herself.
Like, 'she must be a demon, else she couldn't have tempted me to sin
like this.' "

	He shook his head. "Kristen, I want you to do something for
me. Compare how you felt about yourself before we made love to the way
you feel now. Do you feel better, or worse?"

	"Better, I guess."

	"How did you feel about yourself when you walked out of her
office, compared to when you went in?"

	She looked down. "Worse, but it wasn't because of the sex.  It
was because she was so ashamed of it afterwards."

	"Exactly. Now, you need to take control of your life,
Kristen. What do _you_ want to do about it? Keep in mind that she's
supposed to help the people who come to her. Do you want to leave her
in that position?"

	"I don't think she'd ever do it again, Mark, I really don't.
And everyone else I talked to...I asked about her before I went to
her, so that I could find out if she'd freak out...just loved her.
K...someone told me that talking to Ms. Angie kept her from killing
herself once."

	Mark frowned. "Hmm. How long ago did this happen?"

	"Last year, right before the end of school."

	"So it wouldn't be too unlikely for me to have, say,
'overheard' you discussing this with someone, which would give me a
perfect excuse to lay into her and make sure she _doesn't_ do it
again, wouldn't it?"

	Kristen shook her head quickly. "Oh, Mark, no.  That might
make her suspicious." She swallowed. "I *can* tell *her* no, I know I
can."

	Mark sighed. "But I don't want her to get away with it. She
hurt you -- I know. I'll wait outside, in the hall,
doing...something. I'll think of something. If she pressures you, _or_
if she just starts calling you a demon, you rush out -- saying
something about not wanting to sleep with her *again* loud enough for
me to hear. Then there's no reason for her to be suspicious, is
there?"

	"But I don't want to talk to her again!  She won't bother me
if I don't come to her office."

	Mark sighed again. "I know. But you need to talk to _someone_
about this, someone who's not me. If she apologized, and _meant_ it,
would you have a problem talking to her? Since the others seem to like
her so much?"

	"Why?  I'm okay, I'm not suicidal or anything.  What could she
do, anyway?"

	"Give you advice on handling the guys who don't want to say
no."

	"Oh.  I forgot about that," she said. "I...don't know.  Let's
see if it *is* a problem first, okay?  I really don't want to talk to
her again."

	Mark nodded, slowly. "Ok. I'm not going to make your decisions
for you."

	She smiled, relieved.  "Thanks.  I know it's cowardly, but...I
just wasn't expecting that."

	Mark squeezed her hands. "It's not cowardly, Kristen. I have
to admit I'm not happy with her getting away with hurting you, but
_you_ were the one hurt, and _you_ are the one who needs to decide
what you want to do about it. Not me."

	"I think it really was just...an aberration. Not the way she
really is.  Maybe she's been fighting being gay all her life and has a
thing for redheads and having one come into her office and confess to
being a nympho was just too much for her and she just snapped when she
realized what she'd done." She stopped to take a breath.

	Mark smiled a little. "Maybe."

	Kristen smiled happily. "Anyway, so, I can come back again?
Really?"

	Mark nodded. "I'd _love_ you to."

	Kristen hopped up and kissed him enthusiastically, and he
returned the kiss, with predictable results.

	An hour or so later, Kristen was tying her shoes.  "I'll tell
them the party tonight is on."  She hesitated, then asked, "Will I see
you tonight?"

	Mark hesitated. "I...shit. I'd love to say yes, but is there
any way to do it safely?"

	She though for a moment. "They'll expect me to be with Kevin,
since it's his birthday, but...well, Kevin drinks like a fish and
usually passes out.  Everyone else will leave me alone.  I'll
just...go home with Kevin and then sneak back.  He won't remember
anything, and the others will just think I spent the whole night with
him."

	Mark nodded. "Then yeah. I'd love to see you tonight."

	Kristen smiled beautifully, then shook her head.  "I guess I
can't keep stalling.  I better go.  I don't want to, though."

	Mark kissed her, very gently, on the lips, and she sighed. He
smiled at her. "I'll be here. Go."

	"If I must..." She slipped out the door.

				 ***

	The party was loud, starting up around 9, but it wasn't *that*
loud.  Kristen slipped in his front door around 12:30.

	"The party's still going, isn't it?" Mark asked.

	"Kevin's getting a really high alcohol tolerance. It took
forever for him to soak up enough to be safe." She stretched. "Yes,
but it'll be winding down soon.  "

	"Kevin's at home now?"

	Kristen nodded. "Tucked safely in bed with a bottle of
gatoraid sitting on the bedside table."  She glided into his arms and
kissed him.  "And I didn't."

	"Didn't want to?" he asked.

	She shook her head. "Not with a half-drunk, clumsy boy.  And I
didn't want to come to you with...I wanted to wait."

	Mark smiled, kissing her, running his hands over her body.

	This time she seemed even hungrier, as if waiting was almost
more than she could do. Luckily, he had taken a nap, because when she
finally passed out, the darkness outside the window was tinted with a
faint pink.

	He woke up alone around noon to the sound of water
running. Following it into the master bathroom, he found Kristen in
the shower. "Kristen?"

	"Yipe!  You startled me.  Who did you expect?"

	Mark grinned. "Just checking. Want some company?"

	She smiled, "Mmmm...what a nice idea."

	He climbed into the shower with you. Running his soapy hands
over her body resulted in a predictable response, which she was more
than happy to take advantage of. Only that once, though, because she
_did_ need to get home and do her homework. She kissed him gently
before slipping out the door and heading across the fields in the
direction of her house.

				 ***

	The next day at school things were...odd. There were a lot of
little squabbles in the hall, as if  everyone were on edge. Around 11,
he had to separate a couple of the senior boys who were outright
brawling in the hall.

	"What's going on here?" he asked, as he physically separated
the two fighters.

	Sullenly, one of them answered. "Nothin'."

	Mark marched them towards the principals office. "What started
it?"

	"Nothin'."

	Mark stopped. "Yes, something _did_ start it. Now talk."

	"He's a prick."  

	"Yeah, well, you couldn't find your ass with both hands." The
second boy glared at the first angrily.
	
	"Oh, yeah?  It's your fault."  

	Mark asked, "What's his fault?"

	"Nothin'."

	"Tell me." Neither of the two were in either of his classes,
and he didn't really recognize them.

	"'s nothin'.  We're just messing around.  Sorry we got carried
away."

	Mark shook his head, unmoved. "You were fighting in the
hall. I don't have a lot of leeway here. But if you'll tell me --
honestly -- what you were fighting about, maybe I'll talk to the
principal first."

	Unaccountably, the boys both blushed.  "'s a girl," the first
mumbled.

	"And? What was his fault?" Mark asked.

	"She's mad or somethin', and it's his fault." The first boy
pointed at the second.

	"It fuckin' is *not*!" 

	"What do you mean, she's mad? And why would it be his fault?"
Mark raised an eyebrow at the first boy.

	"He was the last one who---"  

	"Shut *up*!  You're gonna get her in trouble."

	Mark eyed the two. "Spill."

	"Yeah, I'll spill.   Kevin's an asshole, that's the problem."  

	The second boy turned to face the first, angrily. "Fuck you,
David!  I *said* I didn't do anything!"

	"Yeah, well, maybe *that's* the problem."  The first boy
clenched his fists, seeming ready to resume the physical level
fighting.

	Mark put a hand on each shoulder. "What. Is. The. Problem? Is
she not talking to you or something?"

	"Uh. Yeah.  Not to anyone.  She's mad or something."

	"She just stopped talking to everyone?"

	"Uh.  Sorta.  She's stopped...uh, she's just not being
as...social...as she usually is.  Kevin *obviously* hurt her feelings
or something." David glared at Kevin.

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "You aren't being honest here. What
aren't you telling me?"

	Stubborn silence from both the boys.

	Mark said, "Kevin?"

	"Whut?"

	"Tell me."

	"No can do, teach.  D'rather be expelled." He looked as if he
meant it.

	Mark pursed his lips. "Nothing will be done to the girl
involved. I promise."

	"No, Sir."

	Mark suddenly raised an eyebrow, as something came to
him. "Wait a minute. Yesterday was your birthday, wasn't it, Kevin?
You're 18 now, aren't you?"

	"Uh, yeah.  You gonna let me off with a warning since it was
my birthday?" Kevin looked hopeful.

	Mark shook his head. "I've heard all the rumors, you
know. This is about Kristen, isn't it?"

	Total silence.

	"What, did she start telling you all no or something?" Mark
asked.

	Their mouths dropped open.  "How the fuck did you know that?"

	David slapped his hand over his mouth.  "Shit."

	Mark said, "You told me. You aren't as good at dodging
questions as you think you are."

	"Fuck.  We're screwed." Kevin looked ready to pass out.

	Mark glared at them. "And, quite frankly, maybe I should tell
the principal to go _harder_ on you. I don't _care_ what her
reputation is, she is _not_ some sort of community property, and you
two ought to know better. I don't care if she's slept with you a
thousand times before, if she tells you no, that's it. You don't go
beating someone else up. Maybe she's tired of having people talk about
her the way I've heard them talking, did you ever think of that?"

	The boys flinched.  "Dude.  You don't understand."

	"Make me. You've got a couple of minutes before I have to have
you in the office. Talk fast."

	"Look, no one would *force* her.  S'okay if she wants to say
'no', and anyone who doesn't get that is in big trouble.  But she
never *has* and she's saying no to *everyone*.  And she looks like
she's sick.  So something's wrong.  And maybe Kev didn't do anything,
but he was the last one with her before she went all weird, and we all
fucking want to know what happened!" 

	"Man, I didn't do anything, I swear.  She was *fine* last
night.  Happy and everything." Kevin tossed his hands in the air.

	Mark escorted the two into the teachers lounge, motioning for
them to sit down on the couch, and sat down on a chair across from
them. "Ok. That makes more sense. Look, I don't know if her reputation
is accurate or not, but from the way you are reacting, I suspect it
is. Ok, fine, I can think of two possibilities off the top of my head
that would make her start saying no. So can you, if you think about
it."

	"Yeah.  Someone hurt her or she's sick." David replied, a
worried look on his face.

	"Almost. Either she slept with someone who was...contagious,
or she's worried about one of the consequences of sex." Mark waited to
see if they'd get it.

	"Uhh...oh fuck." David turned pale, matching Kevin's face.

	Mark shook his head. "No, that comes about nine months
earlier."

	"But she's on the pill!" Kevin protested.

	Mark sighed. "It's not perfect, you know. Sometimes it
fails. I know of one case where a woman cut her husband off after
having her fourth kid. He'd had a vasectomy, she'd had her tubes tied
and was on the pill, and they used spermacide and condoms."

	"Fuck.  That would explain why she's so pale and shit, too,
wouldn't it?" Kevin asked.

	Mark nodded. "Now. You need to think about something. We could
be wrong. We could be right. We could be right, but it's a false
alarm. But _something_ has happened to make her rethink things. What
are you going to do if she decides she wants to be celibate, or wants
to go steady with someone, or something? What are you going to do if
some of the other guys _don't_ want to take no for an answer?"

	"Uh...man, we'd kick their asses, that's what!  She's a good
girl, Teach.  It's not like people think.  She just likes sex a lot.
But if she doesn't want to, then she doesn't want to.  Yeah...she'd be
hard to give up.  I mean, it's like *magic* or something, but we're
not monsters you know." David said angrily.

	Mark closed his eyes and sighed in relief, then opened
them. "Boys, you don't know how glad I am to hear that. In the school
I went to, there was a girl who was known for being, well, easy. She
got pregnant, and had a miscarriage. But she decided she didn't want
to have sex any more. Some of the guys didn't take no for an
answer. I'd hate to see that happen to Kristen. You might keep your
eyes and ears open, and if you hear anyone who doesn't get it...drop a
word in their ear. Let them know that Kristen has people willing to
stand up for her right to choose." He looked intently at Kevin. "You
swear you haven't slept with her since you turned 18?"

	"Uh...probably not."  He seemed very embarrassed.  "I don't
really remember the last part of last night, but it doesn't seem real
likely, y'know.  But man...if she asks me to, I swear to god, I don't
think I could tell her no."

	Mark nodded. "Ok. So you haven't slept with her since you
turned 18, that means you are in the clear, legally. And I'm not
asking what you would do if she asks. I _don't want to know_, got me?
Just like I'm glad I never saw any underage drinking the other night."
He stood. "Since y'all _were_ honest, I'll talk to the principal while
y'all wait outside. I can't promise anything, but I'll do what I can."

	"Thanks man." Kevin looked relieved.

				 ***

	Mark left the two sitting outside the principal's office,
closing the door behind him. "I think we've got a problem."

	"Oh?  You mean our two young boxers?  Sometimes I wish we had
a football team so these fellows could work out some of that
aggression more acceptably.  Talk to me." The principal, David Ward,
sighed. 

	Mark sat down, looking vaguely embarrassed. "I'm going to
assume that any rumors I've picked up on in two weeks you are familiar
with."

	"Probably.  It's not really appropriate for a teacher to be
indulging in gossip, however, Mark." Dr. Ward looked at him sternly.

	Mark shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I assume you
know Kristen's reputation? Apparently, she started telling guys 'no'
this morning, out of the blue. That's why the two were fighting --
apparently David thought that Kevin had done something to hurt her. If
her reputation is accurate, things could get fairly ugly."

	The principal raised an eyebrow.  "Are you seriously proposing
that one fourteen year old girl, no matter how promiscuous, could
seriously disrupt the entire school just by withholding sexual
favors?"

	Mark nodded, levelly, meeting the principal's eyes. "Yes, I
am. If all of the guys blame each other for causing it -- we could
have a lot of fights. I haven't been gossiping, but from what I
overheard, it sounds like she was sleeping with pretty much the entire
school. If just a quarter of the guys blame someone for this, and go
after them..."

	"Shit.  Well what do you propose we do about it?"

	Mark sighed. "I don't know. I really don't. But I thought you
should be aware." He hesitated. "As far as David and Kevin go, I'd
like to ask you to go easy on them. David didn't go after Kevin
because he was mad that Kristen told him no, he went after him because
he thought Kevin had hurt her. I can't condone fighting, but...at
least it was motivated by concern for someone else."

	Dr. Ward sighed deeply.  "Yes.  Perhaps...perhaps we can come
up with something to get their attention, direct
their...energy...elsewhere.  I've had something in mind for a
while...Ah well, in any event, thank you for letting me know."

	Mark nodded. "In their favor, they are going to try to make
sure no one...refuses to take no for an answer."

	Dr. Ward sighed again.  "We *so* did not need this right now."

	"I know. I know. "

				 ***

	The two boys didn't get in a *lot* of trouble; they merely had
to stay after school the rest of the week to clean up.

	He didn't see Kristen until fourth period freshman chem. The
boys were right.  She did look unwell.  Pale and tired. Mark frowned a
bit, wondering if there's any way he could get away with speaking to
her privately.

	There were lots of curious looks at her from the rest of the
students, as well. Some friendly and concerned, some belligerent., some,
particularly from a couple of girls, smugly superior.

	Mark decided to bite the bullet, and when class was over,
asked Kristen to stay behind for a minute.

	Kristen stood in front of his desk, plainly visible through
the open door but blocking any view of him.  "Yes, sir?"

	Mark asked, quietly, "Are you ok? You look...sick."

	She smiled.  "Yeah.  I'm just tired. I guess it was a....long
weekend."

	"Are you sure? Do you need to see the nurse, and maybe go home
early? You really do look bad." He looked at her, concern evident on
his face.

	She said quietly, almost a whisper, "Mark, I'm okay.  I
really am just tired and maybe I have a bit of a stomach bug or
something.  Don't worry."

	Mark nodded. "Ok. By the way, David and Kevin were fighting
this morning. David thought Kevin had hurt you last night."

	"Oh, dear.  Poor Kev.  He's *so* harmless.  I'll have to make
sure they know better.""

	"Yeah. I hear you've been telling _all_ the guys no."

	Kristen looked at her feet.  "Yeah."

	"Are you ok with that?" he asked.

	"Um...I'm the one doing it.  It's not easy, but...it feels
good to be able to."

	Mark smiled. "Good. I'm glad you are happy." He hesitated. "By
the way, when I talked to David and Kevin, I brought up the question
of 'What if someone doesn't want to take no for an answer?' Their
answer was 'We'll kick their ass.'"

	Kristen smiled in return.  "Yeah, they're sweethearts."

	"So if you do have problems...they'll help." He looked at the
clock. "You'd better get going."

	"Why?  It's lunchtime."  She grinned, obviously teasing.

	Mark swallowed, forcing down the sudden lust that blossomed at
her words. "Kristen, I'd love to. But I'm weak, and it's probably not
a good idea to tease me here."

	Kristen bit her lip.  "Um.  Okay.  Later, then?"

	Mark grinned. "I hope so."

	Kristen smiled sweetly.  "I better get lunch, then.  I'm
*starving* today.  Too much exercise I guess."

	Mark swallowed, watching her as she walked out, wondering if
her butt twitched that much normally, or if she was teasing him.

				 ***

	The rest of the day was similar.  Kristen stopped by his room
on her way out.  "I left my chem book in my desk, Mr. H.  I didn't
want to leave it, specially since Dad called and said we've got to go
to the city tonight.  It's a long drive and I might as well study for
the test on Friday."  She looked very unhappy and slightly shaky as
well.

	Mark frowned slightly. "Are you ok, Kristen?"

	Kristen swallowed hard.  "Yessir.  I'm just really tired.  I
did *not* want to spend five hours in the car tonight."  Her eyes made
it quite plain that she had other plans, and just what they were,
though she didn't really look up to such plans.

	"Well, I'm not sure you'd have been up to anything else, so
maybe it's a good chance to rest."

	Her bottom lip trembled just a tiny bit.  "Yeah.  I guess."

	"Perhaps you'll have some free time tomorrow afternoon," he said.

	"I hope so.  I tried to talk him into letting me stay home,
but he says there's someone he really wants me to meet.  And he's been
dating someone, so..."  She shrugged, her voice very strained.  "Have
to make a good impression on any future step mom, y'know."

	Mark nodded. "Well, I'll see you in class, then. You'd better
get going."

	"Yeah.  C'ya." She didn't bounce at all on the way out.

				 ***

	Around 8 that night, he heard a knock on his door. He'd
invited his students to come over and use his telescope if they
wanted, and Kayla and one of the boys had taken him up on his offer.

	Kayla was at the door.  "Steve called and said he couldn't
make it.  He's gotta baby sit."

	Mark said, leading her around to the back where the telescope
was, "That's too bad. I think we're going to have good conditions
tonight. The scope is back here."  

	"Cool.  Nice setup."

	Mark nodded. "It cost me quite a lot, but it is _definitely_
worth it."

	"I figured it out, y'know."

	"Huh?"

	She looked at him with a half amused, half exasperated look.

	"What?" he asked.

	"Let's see...the boys have Kristen ask you about the party
because they know that no one with a dick is likely to tell her no.
She lets them know it's okay and then *goes straight home* and stays
there until it's time for the party.  Where she doesn't even dance,
just sits with Kevin, filling his cup every time it gets nearly empty.
No one sees her most of Sunday.  Then today she starts telling guys
no. And Kevin said that you looked like you might kill him and David
if you thought they weren't gonna take 'no' for an answer."

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "Really."

	"Oh, don't *even*!  Please." She glared at him.  "*I* am not stupid."

	"So what exactly are you saying?" he asked.

	She sighed.  "I don't know.  Just...be more careful, huh?"

	"Tell me what you think you know?"

	"Kevin and David between the two of them have the IQ of a
small, sedimentary rock.  Some of the other guys might have been more
difficult." She glared at him again. "Look, you're being insulting,
you really are.  It's obvious you had sex with her.  Why that made her
decide to stop having sex with all the other guys, I don't know, but
maybe you're just really freakin' *good* in bed or something, worth
being faithful for."

	Mark didn't react. "And how would you feel if I _had_ had sex
with her?"

	Her face became totally unreadable.  "Your business.  And
hers, of course.  I *told* you I think it's a stupid law.  It's not
the brightest thing you could do, but...I understand the temptation."

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "You do? You understand just
how...maddening she is?"

	Kayla laughed.  "I'm not gay, if that's what you're asking.
But I *do* see the reactions, and she is very pretty."

	He sighed. "Do you think anyone else figured it out?"

	"I doubt it.   Not yet, anyway."

	"Good. Hopefully...I'm trying to be careful. I hadn't honestly
expected her to start telling the guys no, but I'm glad she did." He
raised a hand. "Not because I insist that she be 'faithful', or
anything like that, but because I want her to have sex because she
wants to, not because she _has_ to. I'm afraid she's very close to
being addicted to sex," he said.

	"With teenage boys?  That's like being addicted to snorting
baking soda.  There's nothing *there* to be addicted to!"

	"She told me that she couldn't bring herself to tell them no,
even though the sex wasn't very good. That sounds like addiction to
me."

	Kristen sighed.  "Or a severe psychological problem.  A lot of
girls have trouble saying 'no', y'know.  Lots of times it's just
insecurity."

	Mark said, "Sexual addiction _is_ a psychological
problem. But...she's managing to say no now. I'm just hoping that it's
not just because she thinks I want her to."

	"Why?  If she doesn't enjoy it, I'd think you'd be *happy* to
give her a reason to help her say no.  Besides, do you really *want*
her to keep fucking the whole school while she's sleeping with you?
We get diseases even in hicksville, y'know." She looked at him
expectantly. 

	Mark shook his head. "I want her to say no because _she_ wants
to say no. She needs to make her _own_ decisions. I'll give her
advice, I'll make suggestions, but the decision has to be _hers_, not
mine. Do you understand?"

	"Okay, then...do you want her to *want* to say no?"

	Mark nodded, then paused. "Yes and no. I want her to say no
when she doesn't want to, but I _also_ want her to feel free to say
yes if she _does_ want to."

	"You do realize that sentiment would get you tarred and
feathered around here, yes?" she asked.

	Mark said, "What, wanting her to say no?"

	"No, not minding if she doesn't want to."

	"Oh. Yes, I do. I wouldn't be talking about this to anyone
else. I wouldn't be talking about it to you, but," he shrugged, "You
obviously already know."

	Kayla was quiet for a moment, then spoke soberly.
"Look...okay, so Kristen and I aren't real close.  I don't think she
has any close girlfriends.  But I kinda like her, and I've always felt
sorry for her cause of how those bitches can be...anyway."  She paused
for breath.  "Anyway, look, just be careful, okay?  I mean, not just
so you won't get caught, know what I mean?  She's a sweet girl, but
frankly, she's messed up in the head somehow."

	Mark asked, casually, "So you don't think I'm horrible
child-molesting scum?"

	"Nope.  But don't make me change my mind, is all I'm saying.
I think you could be really good for her.  At worst, you won't be any
worse for her than anyone else.  But...if she's saying no because of
*you*, that means you've got a serious hold on her, y'know?  That sort
of thing makes it real easy to hurt someone if you want to."

	Mark nodded, soberly. "I know. I'm not going to hurt her, not
if I can help it." He paused, thinking. "You know, I kind of think you
are wrong. I don't think she's messed up in the head, with the
possible exception of being addicted to sex. I think she's simply got
an absurdly high sex drive. She didn't seem to want the sex just to
be, well, close to someone, and she doesn't seem to have the self
esteem problems that a lot of promiscuous girls do. Some, but not to
that degree."

	"Well, in that case, it might be controllable with hormones or
something."

	Mark nodded, thoughtfully. "Of course, there's no way I can
take her to a doctor for it, I _really_ doubt her father will,
so...for another couple of years anyway."

	Kayla snorted.  "You never know with her dad.  Talk about a
weirdo."

	"Oh?"

	"Oh, not like *that*.  He's just...different, is all.  Onetime, she 
forgot her lunch money, right?  Well, instead of sending lunch money, 
he had his secretary bring her a pizza...from Parkerton, an hour and a 
half away.  For Christmas last year, he gave her cat.  Kristen is allergic 
to cats.  So he took the cat to the city for laser hair removal without 
telling her.  He just has...weird...solutions to things." She shook her head.

	Mark chuckled. "I see." He falls quiet for a moment. "What do
you think of the counselor?"

	Her voice was guarded.  "Ms. Angie?  She's great.  She tries
really hard to help kids." Kayla watched him out of the corner of her
eye.

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "Why do you sound like that?"

	"Like what?"

	"I don't know. Like you don't trust me all of the sudden."

	"Um.  Look...what have you heard about me?"

	"That you are a good student, that you are brilliant...I
already know that you are mature for your age. Why?" he asked.

	"Okay.  Never mind then.  Let's just say she helped me through
a difficult time a couple of years back, and I didn't think it had become 
public knowledge." She played a curl of her hair that had come loose, 
twining it around her fingers.

	Mark stared at her for a second. "Wait. Are you the one that
suggested that Kristen talk to Ms. Angie?"

	"I didn't suggest it, but she did ask me if I thought she
should."

	Mark hesitated. "The one who was considering suicide?"

	"She *told* you?"  Her voice cracked.

	Mark shook his head. "No. She didn't. She mentioned that
Ms. Angie had talked one of the students out of killing themself. I
didn't know it was you until just now." He looked at her. "I'm glad
you didn't."

	"Yeah.  Well.  Me too."  She sighed.  "But she did, so, yeah,
I like her."

	Mark stared into space, trying to decide how much to trust
Kayla. He didn't want to break Kristen's confidence, but he _needed_
to talk to someone about it...and he didn't have anyone else. "How
much?"

	"A *lot*, okay.  She has a bit of a religious hang-up, but she
doesn't push it on us.  She really helped me."

	"Did Kristen talk to you after talking to Ms. Angie?" he asked.

	"No, not really.  Why?" She looked at him curiously.

	Mark struggled for a moment. "If I tell you something that
Kristen told me, can you keep it a secret? I need someone else's
opinion, and there's no one else I can talk to."

	Kayla sighed.  "Man, if I can't keep a secret, you are so
fucked anyway."

	Mark chuckled. "Good point. Very good point. Kristen _did_ go
talk to Mrs. Angie. It ended in Mrs. Angie throwing her out of her
office, calling her a demon, and telling her never to come back. Oh,
and to go to the church to beg to be cleansed and forgiven."

	"WHAT?!  I do not fucking believe that.  That's just flat out
impossible." She stared at him in disbelief, half-standing.

	Mark looked at her. "Apparently she was as unable to control
herself as I am, and it freaked her out."

	"But..she's not...I mean, she's *married*." Kayla seemed
bewildered.

	Mark nodded. "To be honest, I'm not upset about her being
tempted, or even giving in. It's the way she treated her afterwards
that bothers me.

	"Uh.  Yeah.  That's way out of character.  I really cannot
believe she'd do that, no matter what happened."

	Mark said, "You said she had a religious hang-up. If she
believed that what she did was wrong...well. I could see it. I'm just
worrying about others who go to her for help."

	"I really don't know what to say, Mr. H.  I really don't.
It's just so...strange." She spread her hands, helplessly.

	"It bothers me, in part because Kristen doesn't have anyone to
talk to about this other than me. I mean, she couldn't talk to someone
about _me_, but she could talk about the other part...but she's not
willing to go back to Ms. Angie." He sighed.

	Kayla sighed in response.  "Kristen doesn't *talk*, Mr. H.
Not to anyone.  I don't think she knows how, poor little thing."

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "She talked to me. Didn't seem to have
any trouble doing so. I wonder..."

	"Okay, maybe it's just girls she won't talk to.  Maybe because
she doesn't have a mom." She shrugged.

	"Maybe. Or maybe it's because most of the time
she's...distracted."
 
	Kayla took her glasses off and rubbed her eyes, sighing.

	"You ok?" Mark asked.

	"Yeah.  Headache.  Look, I'll see if she'll talk to me.  She
knows I'm not a hostile presence, anyway.  But I won't make any
promises."

	"Thanks." Mark frowned slightly. "Want some aspirin?"

	"No, but I would take a ride home.  I rode my bike out here,
but...it's seriously fucking dark tonight." She waved her hand at the
dark yard around them.

	"No problem," Mark said, helping her up.

	Her house was one of the smaller ones in town, and all the
lights were still on.  When the car pulled up, an older woman stuck
her head out the door.  "Kayla, that you honey?"

	"Yeah, Mom, it's me.  I'll be in in a minute, okay?"   

	"Okay honey...do you want to bring your young man inside?"  

	"Mom!  This is my teacher, remember I told you, the one with a
telescope?"

	"Oh, sorry dear." The head retreated.  

	"Sorry about that.  My mom's a bit scatterbrained and doesn't
see real well, but she won't wear her glasses."

	Mark chuckled. "That's ok. Maybe she should get contacts?"

	She smiled, and he realized she was actually quite pretty
without *her* glasses. "She did.  She kept getting them mixed up and
wrong side out and shit."

	Mark laughed. "I'd probably be the same way, if I could even
bring myself to put contacts in." He shuddered at the thought.

	"Oh, I dunno.  I'd kinda like some.  Mom said I can have em
for my birthday next month." She smiled again. "Anyway, thanks for the
ride.  And don't worry, I'm not gonna blackmail you into being my
'luuuuuv slave' or anything."

	Mark grinned back at her. "Wouldn't work if you tried. I
refuse to be blackmailed. You get much further with me by just being
honest and asking than by trying to force me. Drives people nuts,
sometimes."

	"Specially here.  G'night." She pulled her bike out of the
back and trotted up the walkway.

				 ***

	Mark's dreams were even worse now that he _had_ slept with
Kristen, and he woke up wanting her terribly. He spent the time before
her class anxiously waiting for her. When he saw her, however, he was
shocked; she looked worse than the day before, tired and drawn, and it
seemed as if she'd lost ten pounds or more. Once again he asked her to
stay after class.

	She just looked at him tiredly.

	"Are you ok?" he asked.

	She said, dully, "I don't know, Mark.  I...I think I'm sick or
something.  I'm so tired, and I eat and eat and eat but I'm still
*starving*."

	Mark tried to think of something which could cause her
problems. "Um. I don't want to scare you, but...are you late, at all?"

	"Uh...No, not at all.  I'm not due for another week.  And I
didn't miss *any* pills, I never do!  Oh, god...I couldn't be, not
*now*." She looked as if she might cry.

	"I think it would be a very good idea for you to get a test,
though. That might explain things."

	"Oh no.  Oh, fuck fuck fuck.  I will. I'll go right after
school."

	"Kristen, it'll be ok," Mark said.

	"No, it won't!  If I am...it could be anyone's.  Why *now*?"

	"Does it _matter_ whose it is?" he asked.

	She shook her head. "No.  At least if I don't know whose it
is, they can't make us get married.  They'll expel me, though,
permanently."

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so. That's highly
illegal. And if they try, well, someone might anonymously hire you a
very good lawyer. Assuming someone can't talk their college roommate's
dad into doing it for free."

	"He'll probably send me to boarding college in Switzerland or
something after the baby's born, anyway.  No way he'll let me keep
it." She sounded sad.

	"Why not?"

	"They won't let me stay, Mark.  They won't let me stay here
after this.  There's no way.  They hated me enough to start with." She
looked at Mark, close to tears. "It would embarrass him.  He doesn't
like to be reminded of my...habits. And I *promised* I wouldn't get
pregnant."

	Mark said, "Your father is the only one who can make you
leave. We'll deal with that if it comes up. The school doesn't have
any say in it. But at this point, we don't even know if anything has
happened."

	"You know how this place is.  They might not legally be able
to get rid of me, but there'd be...accidents.  I'd fall down in the
hall a lot.  There'd be notes in my locker.  And other things."  She
took a deep breath.  "You're right.  I might just have the flu."

	Mark shook his head. "I suspect that if you talked to Kevin
and David, you'd have a number of bodyguards. But you'll know after
school."

	She nodded. "Right.  Shit, I'm scared.  "

	"Calm down. It'll be ok."

	"How, Mark?  If I am, how can it possibly be okay?" She
swallowed. "I don't want to be sent away.  Not now."

	Mark paled slightly, swallowing past the lump in his
throat. "What if you weren't an unmarried mother?"

	Kristen looked at him wide-eyed.  "Mark, no.  Everyone would
think it was yours."

	He shrugged. "I can live with that, if it keeps your life from
being ruined."

	"So you'd just ruin your *own*?  No.  No way.  I won't do that
to you."

	Mark shook his head. "It won't ruin my life. Might even make
it easier."

	"Yeah, right." She took a deep breath. "I'm calm now, it's
okay.  You don't now how touched I am by the offer, but...no.  I won't
let you do that."

	Mark said, softly, "Certain laws regarding age don't apply if
you are married."

	"Yes, but if you're trying to marry someone because they're
pregnant, then it's obvious that sex was taking place before the
wedding. And they would definitely *fire* you, Mark." Despite her
words, there was a huge smile on her face.

	Mark smiled. "But if no-one knows you are pregnant...maybe
they would, maybe they wouldn't. I might be able to do a bit of
fast-talking. Look. Let's not worry about it now, ok? We'll worry
about it after you know."

	"Okay."  She smiled angelically. "Oh, Mark, you're so *sweet*!
I can't believe you did that, I really can't.  I wish I dared kiss you
right now."

	"I know. Later." His eyes linger on her soft, kissable lips.

	"I really *am* starving.  I've got to get something to eat.
Later.  Definitely later."

	He grinned. "Go get some food."

				 ***

	That afternoon, he heard that she'd passed out in gym
class. He spent the rest of the day worried about her, wishing he had
a valid reason to leave early and check on her. Rumors ran
rampant. She had AIDS. She was pregnant. She was bulimic. She was on
drugs.

	Mark packed up and got out of the school as fast as he could
after the last bell rang. He wanted to go to her house and check on
her, but he couldn't figure out a way to get away with it, so he went
home, worried.

	The phone rang almost as soon as he walked in the
door. "Hello?" he answered.

	"Mark?  It's me."  She sounded exhausted.

	"Are you ok?" he asked anxiously.

	"Dad's secretary took me to the clinic in Parkerton.  They did
some tests.  I'm not pregnant.  And I don't have anything, either.
They think it's just a virus." Her voice dripped with relief.

	"That's a relief."

	"And Dad's in Dallas for the rest of the week.  I'm alone
here.  I want to see you, but...I don't think I can make it to your
house.  I'm so tired, and my stomach *hurts*."

	"I think I'll go for a walk. Maybe I'll end up close to your
house," he said.

	Kristen giggled tiredly. "I'll leave the back door unlocked."

	"Ok. See you in a little while."

	He set out for her house, cutting across the fields and the
woods. It took him half an hour to get there, and he found the back
door unlocked. He slipped inside. "Kristen?"

	"I'm in here Mark," came from the living room.

	He followed the voice, gasping as he saw her lying on the couch. 
She looked _dead_.  Gaunt, skin and bones.  Her hair was limp and lifeless, her
skin dry and pale.  She looked over thirty.  A hard thirty, at
that. 

	"Shit, Kristen!"

	"Mark...oh, god, is it that bad?  I've been scared to look in
a mirror all day." Her voice trembled.

	Mark nodded, reluctantly. "It's...you look dead. I think you
could use some pampering."

	"I'm sorry.  I knew I looked pretty bad." She tugged the
blanket up to her neck.

	He tugged it back down. "You don't need to hide."

	"Let me, please?  I don't like being ugly."

	Mark stroked her face. "How about I give you a bath? Would you
like that?"

	"You...still want to *touch* me like this?"

	Mark nodded. "Yes." He kissed her gently.

	"Oh, *Mark*!"  She kissed him back, hungrily.

	"Are you up to it?" he asked.

	"Oh yes, yes, yes!  Please!"

	Mark slipped his arms under her, picking her up. "Where's the
bathroom?"

	"The good one is upstairs."

	She weighed basically *nothing*.  Well under a hundred pounds.
He was certain she wasn't this light Sunday. Mark carried her to the
tub, starting a nice, _hot_ bath. It was a big tub, on the order of a
honeymoon-suite jacuzzi bath.

	As the tub filled, he began to undress her. She shyly shook
her hair down to try to cover herself, and he brushed it
aside. "Please, don't hide."

	She glanced over at the big mirror over the sink, flinched.

	Mark began kissing his way down her body.

	Kristen sighed.  "I missed you last night.  It was *not* fun.
Dad's girlfriend hated me."

	"Oh?" he asked, nibbling on a nipple.

	Kristen shrugged.  "She just did.  She stopped smiling the
instant I came back from the bathroom and he introduced me.  Oh!  That
feels so good..."

	Mark made his way down to the crease of her legs.

	"Mmm...that makes up for it, though."

	Mark went down on her, with the serious intent of making her
come before the tub filled. She leaned against the counter, her legs
buckling.  It did *not* take long before she came.

	Mark stood up, hard as a rock. "Do you want to before the bath?"

	"Oh yes...so bad...please now?"

	Mark slipped inside her, and Kristen shivered and wrapped her
legs around his waist, clinging tightly to his chest, her little
tongue licking at his nipple. He didn't last long inside her, and she
screamed when he came in her, her nails digging into his back, then
going limp in his arms, nuzzling gently against his chest.

	He noticed that she looked noticeably better.  More color,
better skin-tone.  The dark circles under her eyes were
smaller. Getting an idea, he dropped to his knees, going down on her
again, reaching out to shut off the water.

	"Oh!  God, Mark!  Are you sure you want to do that
after...Ah...mmm..."

	Mark licks from asshole to clit and back, and she shuddered as
he licked inside her, licking her clean, pushing her to orgasm --- and
not stopping there.  When her legs couldn't hold her up any longer, he
supported her as she slid to the floor.

	Kristen squealed, writhing on the floor, squirming around and
taking his cock in her mouth.

	Mark paused long enough to tug her head off of him. "Just
enjoy. I'm doing this for you. You can do me later."

	She whimpered.  "But...I want to...please let me."

	"Well...if you really want to. But you don't have to, you can
just enjoy my tongue." He went back to licking her.

	She didn't do a very good job of cock-sucking, getting
distracted by orgasms until she finally gave up and just kind of lay
there, twitching.

	Mark continued eating her until he simply couldn't continue,
until his tongue and jaw simply refused work any more. He looked at
her, seeing no change.

	Kristen eyed him hungrily and started crawling in his
direction when he twitched his cock, managing to squirm around and
start licking his balls. He moaned as she nuzzled him, licking the
delicate bit of skin between his balls and ass. 

	He stiffened as she wrapped her hand around his cock, stroking
it expertly. Her tongue teasingly inched closer to his asshole.

	"Oh, please..." he whispered. "Oh, GOD. Please."

	Kristen moaned and slid her other hand between her legs as the
tip of her tongue circled his asshole. She licked softly across his
asshole, lapping at it with her soft, soft tongue, as her hand worked
his cock.

	Mark jerked convulsively, already on the edge, as Kristen slid
the tip of her tongue inside him, flicking it in and out rapidly. He
shuddered and came, cum spurting into the air and landing on her. She
moaned deep in her throat, burying her fingers in her cunt as she came
as well.  She let her head fall back and lay there, her attitude a bit
uncertain.

	He stared at her. Aside from looking slightly nervous/scared,
she looked quite a bit better.  Her skin had lost that loose, papery
look, and her eyes were bright again.  Her hair had regained it's
shine and bounce.  She still looked thin and pale, but it was
impossible to miss the difference. "Kristen, stand up and look at
yourself in the mirror."

	"Um...why?" She looked worried.

	"Just look."

	"Mark--" She stopped herself, just shaking her head and
standing up.  "Okay.""

	"What were you going to say?"

	"I don't know.  Nothing I guess."  She looked in the mirror.
"Hey, you're good for me.  I'm not so ugly anymore!"

	"No, really, what were you going to say?"

	"I...um.   I don't know."

	Mark ran a hand along her leg. "You are physically impossible,
you know. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it. You improved more
than is possible in thirty minutes."

	Kristen giggled.  "I feel better, too.  Again?"

	Mark just pointed his cock straight up, not saying anything.

	Kristen squealed happily, pouncing on him. Once they finished,
she looked just as she did before she got sick.  No trace of her
illness remained.

	Mark stared. "My god."

	She said, lazily, "Mmmm.  Don't think god approves of this
sort of thing, lover."

	Mark shook his head. "Look at yourself now. I'm sorry, I'm
terribly sorry."

	"Huh?  Why, Mark?  I'm not even bruised.  You're not rough at
all!"

	"Look at yourself. You look perfectly healthy now. The only
conclusion I can draw is that somehow you _need_ sex, and I talked you
into...well, starving yourself."

	Kristen laughed. "Oh, sweetie, that's impossible.  It was just
a little virus.  Maybe the exercise helped me work it out of my
system."

	Mark shook his head again. "You have more _flesh_ than you
did. Yeah, it's impossible, but so's a ghost."

	"Mark...a ghost is one thing, but I'm not anything like that."

	Mark sighed. "I know. But...I can't explain it, but it's too
coincidental to ignore. And it would explain why you are so horny all
the time."

	Kristen ran a hand down her now smooth skin, looking worried.
"I know it looks odd, but I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation."

	Mark shrugged. "I don't know. But I think maybe completely
stopping was a mistake. I guess you'll know by this time tomorrow,
though -- you were looking bad after less than 24 hours last time.

	Kristen looked upset. "But...I don't want to keep being a
slut!"

	"Then pick out two or three guys you _do_ want to have sex
with. Or girls. _You_ decide who you sleep with."

	"I don't want them!   I really don't."

	Mark sat up, resting his cheek against her stomach and hugging
her. "It's ok. There's not _any_ of them besides me?"

	"No.  It's just...different.  I don't know how to explain."
She frowned, looking miserable.

	Mark held her tight. "Just try."

	"I still got turned on at school.  I still wanted sex.  But I
didn't want to do it with them.  Not really.  And I knew that if I
did, it wouldn't do any good...I'd *still* want it.  It wasn't worth
it."

	Mark sighed. "I don't know what to do. I certainly can't do
this with you at school, and I don't think we can count on being able
to do it even every other night."

	"You *really* think I'm some sort of sex vampire Mark?"

	"I don't think I'd put it like that -- I certainly don't feel
drained. Well, no more than I normally would after coming three times
in an hour."

	Kristen sighed.  "Then what?"

	"I don't know. I mean, I certainly wouldn't _object_ to
sleeping with you every night. I just don't think we can do it."

	"It's okay.  Hey, it might be a good thing.  They won't *want*
to sleep with me if I look like zombie-girl," Kristen said.

	"No, it's _not_ okay. It can't be healthy for you." He stood,
helping her into the tub."

	She slid into the hot water happily.  "Mmmm.  I feel fine
now, so I can't see that it hurt me, really."

	"Yes, but I'm not sure you'd have survived another day or
two." He slid in behind her and began rubbing her shoulders. "None of
the guys or girls would be worth it if you...trained them how to
please you?"

	"I don't know *how*.  I mean, they try, and I try to tell
them, but it just doesn't *work*."

	"Ok, what do I do differently?"

	Kristen blushed.  "Everything! But I don't know what
specifically. It just...feels better when you do it."

	Mark sighed. "This isn't good, then. Or..." he paused. "I'm
not quite sure how to ask this. Do they actually care about you, or
are you just someone to have sex with?"

	Kristen looked embarrassed.  "Um.  I guess.  I mean, they like
me I guess.  Sort of like a pet.  They wouldn't want to see me hurt,
but they wouldn't grieve forever without me."

	"Rather than a fascinating person who just happens to be the
hottest thing I've ever seen. Maybe that's the difference."

	Kristen smiled softly at him.  "Have I told you how sweet you
are yet? Why don't turn around and let me wash your back?"

	Mark kissed her shoulder. "Ok."

	Kristen did her very best to stop him from worrying about it,
and Mark let her. Kristen fell asleep around 2 a.m., curled up on his
chest; neither of them had remembered to eat. He tucked Kristen in
bed, and headed back to his house.

				 ***

	Six a.m. came way too early. Coffee helped, but he still
thought wistfully of calling in sick before finally getting
dressed. As it was, he ended up late.

	Hurrying down the hall, he was treated to the sight of one of
the larger boys, a burly junior destined to drive a truck, chew tobacco, 
and wear his dirty jeans beneath his beer belly by the time he was thirty, banging on the door of the girl's room.  "I know you're hiding in there.  
C'mon out!"

	"_What_ is your problem, mister?" Mark asked, fixing him with
a glare.

	"Uh...my girlfriend is in the bathroom and won't talk to me."

	"Oh? Who is it?"

	The student screwed up his brow in an effort of extreme
cogitation.  "Uh.. It's a secret!"

	"Really."

	"Yeah, that's it.  She dint want anyun to know we were goin'
steady."

	Mark knocked on the door of the typing classroom, asking the
teacher to come out.

	"Is there a problem, Mark?" the teacher asked.

	"I'm not sure. Would you please go in the bathroom and ask the
girl inside if she's going out with Dirk, here?"

	"Uh...Mr. H, that's okay.  I don't wanna embarrass her."

	"No, no, I insist." Mark said, looking at the typing teacher
significantly.

	Ms. Smidt narrowed her eyes.  "Dirk Johnson, what *are* you up
to?"

	"I just had a fight with my secret girlfriend, Ms. Smidt.
She's shy, she don't want no one to know we're in luv," Dirk mumbled
miserably.

	"Well, he was banging on the door of the bathroom. I don't
think this is acceptable behavior," Mark said.

	"Sorry, Mr. H.  I won't do it agin.  Please, kin I jus' go ta
class?"

	Mark shook his head. "I don't think so."

	"Secret girlfriend, huh?  Dirk, that is so...son, I...oh!"
Ms. Smidt pushed through the door.

	"Why'd ya hafta go and get her fer?  I wadn't hurtin'
nothin'.  I jus wanted ta talk to her."

	Mark just shook his head. "Dirk, that's simply unacceptable
behavior."

	"Man.  As if *you've* ever had any woman troubles.  Shit."
Dirk slumped miserably against the wall.

	Mark laughed. "Dirk, I could tell you stories...like the
girlfriend who finally discovered she was a lesbian. I've had 'woman
troubles'."

	Ms. Smidt was in the restroom for several minutes, and looked
even more pissed when she came out.  "You can go to your class now,
Mr. Hasseran, I'll take Mr. Johnson to the office."

	"Aw, *man*!"

	Mark nodded his head to the side. "Just a moment, Ms. Smidt."
He stepped over to the side.

	She nodded and glared at Dirk until he docilely moved down the
hall to wait for her.  "Yes?"

	Mark lowered his voice. "What did the problem turn out to be,
in case I have to fill out a report?'

	"Nothing surprising.  I'm sure Dirk would *love* for the young
lady to be his girlfriend, but she is not, and I know this for a fact,
and she confirmed it.  She *did* go out with him more than once, but
was in *no* way his steady girlfriend.  Unfortunately for Dirk, she no
longer wishes to go out with him at all.  This is her choice.  I don't
think his little neanderthal brain was quite up to grasping that."

	Mark sighed. "Wonderful. What _is_ it about this week? I
assume you heard about the fight on monday, yes?"

	She raised an ironic eyebrow.  "Which *one*?  There were
lots."

	"David and Kevin. Though at least in that case, David thought
Kevin had hurt Kristen. I can't fault him for protectiveness, but he
went about it the wrong way."

	She sighed.  "Yes.  The poor girl's sudden urge to keep her
legs closed is causing much confusion in our walking hormone pool.
Still...it *is* her choice, and by damn they *will* respect that, or
I'll horsewhip the lot of them!" Sarah Smidt was about 65 and looked
like the kind of little grandmother who bakes cookies and knits, but
underlying the outward appearance was a core of solid spring steel.

	Mark fought a smile. "That's pretty much how I feel. I gave
the two of them a pretty severe dressing down. That's actually why I
got you here; I was afraid it might be her trapped in there."

	"A likely guess, but it doesn't really matter *who* the little
fool had trapped in there.  It is unacceptable behavior no matter
what."

	Mark nodded. "Yes. I wanted to make sure that she knew that
she _does_ have support, trying to make this...change, I suppose is
the best term. If you've got Dirk in hand, I need to get to class. If
it _was_ her, however, you might want to mention to Dirk that he
should probably avoid David and Kevin. Seems they are planning to 
make sure everyone takes no for an answer."

	She snickered.  "Or maybe I wouldn't.  Dirk has a thick
skull."

	Mark smothered a smile. "Well, it _would_ get the message
through. Probably. I've got to go." He waved, and headed to class as
the tiny elderly woman took the hulking jock by the elbow and
started marching him down the hall.

	His students teased him about being late.  The unavoidable
joker asked if he had a hot date last night or something.

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yes. With Callisto."

	General laughter.  "Woah...cool.  Xena's hotter though."

	Mark grinned. "Actually, I'd prefer Gabrielle, but that's not
important right now. Your homework _is_." With a fair amount of
grumbling, the class settled down.

                                 ***

	Kristen was looking strained by fourth period. Her face was
drawn, and she looked tired. Mark didn't _ask_ her to stay behind, but
hoped she knew she could.

	She hesitated at her desk when the bell rang, fussing with
her books. Mark waited until the room was empty before raising an
eyebrow.

	Kristen bit her lip.  "I...think you were right."

	"Oh?"

	She swallowed.  "I feel so...*awful*.  I can't wait, I just
can't."

	"Do you need to find someone and...you know?"

	Kristen nodded, her lip quivering.

	"Kristen, it's _ok_! Maybe David, since he was so worried
about you Monday?"

	Kristen buried her face in her hands.  "I'm so sorry."

	"Why? What are you sorry about?"

	"*Being* this way.  I don't want to. "

	"Kristen, you are how you are, and there's nothing to be
ashamed of. Consider this...oh, McDonalds fast food -- maybe not
really what you want, but it will do." He lowered his voice. "I never
asked you to be monogamous, you know."

	"I know.  But...I feel like such a slut.  I don't want you to
think you're just...just another fuck."  She was almost whispering,
too.

	"Kristen, I _know_ I'm not. You do what you need to -- and
_please_ don't feel guilty, ok? Enjoy yourself. How did you feel about
David wanting to defend you monday?"

	"It was sweet.  Like a big brother, kind of.  Well, not a
*brother*, of course, but you know what I mean."

	Mark nodded. "So go and drag him off -- _discreetly_ -- and
enjoy yourself. Don't feel guilty, ok?"

	"You're sure it doesn't bother you?  You're not just saying
that so that I won't feel bad? If you really don't want me to, I
*won't*."

	"It doesn't bother me at all, Kristen. Remember, when we first
got together, we didn't know you _needed_ it, and I didn't mind
then. I'd suggest, oh, publicly thanking him for standing up for you,
hugging him, and slipping a note in his hand. But promise me one thing
-- explain to him that you are trying to _control_ when you have sex,
so that he understands, ok? Don't just leave him confused."

	"Okay.  I will.  I...I've got to go.  Thank you." She grabbed
her books and hurried out of the room.

				 ***

	He saw her in the hall after lunch.  She looked better.
Rumpled, but better.

	His classes that afternoon went fairly well. Things seemed to
have settled down somewhat.

	Kayla waited at her desk after the last bell rang, until the
room cleared out. Mark raised an eyebrow at her.

	"Can I talk to you for a minute?

	Mark nodded. "Sure."

	Kayla came up to his desk and opened her algebra book, bending
close as if asking him something about the book.  "You okay?"

	Mark raised the other eyebrow. "About what?"

	"If I say 'lunchtime', will you pretend you don't know what
I'm talking about?"

	Mark shook his head. "Yes, I'm fine, though I was hoping she
could keep people from noticing. Actually...it should be good
conditions for viewing tonight. Would you like to stop by and borrow
the scope for a little while?"

	She raised an eyebrow.  "Looking for a friendly witness?"

	"More like someone I can discuss the impossible with."

	"I might.  Depends on the family.  If I can at all, I'll be
there around 8."

	Mark nodded. "Thanks. And just so you know, I had to reassure
her it was ok several times. I had a good reason for doing so,
though."

	"I can't *wait* to hear it.  It's bound to be good."

	Mark chuckled. "You won't believe it."

	"I can believe *that*.  I'll try to make it."

				 ***

	When he got home, all the lights were on, and there was a pot
of coffee on the counter. He hadn't left coffee in the pot that
morning. Looking around, the house was empty, and all the doors and
windows were locked. Finally, he just shrugged, chalking it up to the
ghost.

	About 7:15, there was a knock on the door. When he answered
it, Kayla stood on the doorstep.

	"Sorry I'm early.  Mom was heading into town and offered me a
ride.  Did I...interrupt anything?"

	Mark shot Kayla a dirty look. "No. Want some coffee? I think
the ghost made it."

	"Touchy, touchy.  And I'm not sure it'd be a good idea to
drink coffee made by a ghost.  *What* ghost?  And did I not interrupt
anything because you had a fight, or what?"

	Mark shook his head. "The house appears to be haunted, but she
seems friendly enough. And no, we didn't have a fight. I'm not sure
why she hasn't called tonight, unless she's tired and recovering. Have
a seat."

	Kristen sat on the edge of the couch.  "Um...why *she* hasn't
called?  You didn't call her?"

	Mark shook his head again. "I figure that's not a good idea,
you know? Dangerous." He sighed. "Though I don't suppose I could get
you...?"

	"She didn't tell you her dad's out of town til the weekend?
It's just the two of them in that big ol' house.  She's the only one
who *could* answer the phone."

	"Unless he came home early. Yes, it's paranoid. I _am_
paranoid about this; do you blame me?"

	"Um.  Dude, you shoulda asked.  He *never* comes home early.
Late, yeah.  Early...nuhuh.  Never.  She *did* tell you, then?"

	Mark nodded. "Excuse me for just a moment?"

	"Yeah."

	Mark quickly dialed Kristen's number.

	"Hello?" She sounded as if she'd been crying.

	"Hey, love. I was just informed by a little birdy that your
dad _never_ comes home early so it'd be safe for me to call. You ok?"

	*sniff*  "*That's* why you didn't call?"

	"Yeah. I was hoping you'd call...you want to come over?
There's someone else here right now, but later..."

	"Oh thank god.  I thought you'd changed your mind.  When can I
come?  Um...who's over there?"

	"Kayla. She knows about us. Figured it out more or less
immediately."

	A tiny little, "Oh."  Then a second's pause.  "She won't tell
anyone...I know she won't."

	"Oh?"

	"I can't tell you, Mark.  I just know she won't tell
anyone. We've talked before, and if you keep her secrets, she'll keep
yours.  And I think she feels sorry for me, anyway."

	"I think I know what you mean. She and I had a long talk the
other night, about Ms. Angie." There was silence on the other end of
the line. "She pretty much agreed with you, so I'm more comfortable
with your solution now."

	"You *told* her?"

	"I had to talk to someone, Kristen, to make sure I wasn't
making a mistake. And as she pointed out, if she can't keep a secret,
we're both screwed anyway. I wouldn't have, otherwise."

	"I...I wish you hadn't."

	"I'm sorry, Kristen. Did I screw up? Once I figured out about
why she went to see her, I thought it would be ok."

	"I really didn't want anyone to know.  Especially since she
turned out to be right."

	"Kristen, don't talk like that. You are _not_ a demon, ok? And
I'm sorry. I should have waited and asked you if it was ok."

	"Mark...do you know what a succubus is?  I did some research
online...it's a demon that feeds on sex."

	"O-kay. Why don't you come over, and we'll talk about it with
Kayla?"

	"Okay, if that's what you want," she said, hesitantly.

	"Is it okay for me to tell her what we discovered last night?"

	"I don't know...what if she reacts like Ms. Angie did?"

	"Kristen, I really doubt she will. "

	"I'm just scared, Mark.  This is a bad place to
be...abnormal."

	"Kristen, Kayla's the smartest person in the school. I think
she knows what it's like."

	"There's a difference between being disliked and being evil."

	"Kristen, if she can't keep a secret we're screwed anyway."

	"Screwed, yeah, but not dead." Mark could hear the trembling
in her voice; she sounded *truly* scared.

	"She didn't freak out when I told her about my ghost, anyway."
He paused. "Ok. Look, I'll take care of you. One way or the other. I
promise. Whatever it takes. Remember yesterday at lunch?"

	"I said I wouldn't let you do that...Mark, ask her about the
Wilsons.  I'm on my way, but it'll take me a while to get there.  I
don't want to talk about this on the phone."

	"Ok. I...love you."

	"Mark!  I...oh god.  I'll be there soon." She hung up.

	Mark hung up, and sat down across from Kayla. "She said to ask
you about the Wilsons?"

	Kayla went pale.  "*Why?* What could that have to do with
anything?"

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "Spill."

	She took a deep breath, her expression growing angry.  "The
Wilsons moved to Prudence a couple of years ago.  An average couple,
except that they were pagan.  Wiccan.  You can probably guess the
reaction of this town to that."  She waited for his answer.

	"Not good."

	"You could say that.  This place tried everything it could to
drive them away, but they didn't want to go.  The land had belonged to
her family for generations, just none of them had ever been able to
afford to live there in ages.  She loved that house.  They thought
people'd get used to them, see that they were just normal folks and
nothing to be afraid of.  That didn't happen.  It didn't have *time*
to happen." She swallowed. "Their house burned down four months after
they moved down here, with both of them in it.  No one saw anything.
The fire department said the fire was started by a cigarette.  Neither
of them smoked."

	"Son of a _BITCH_!" He looked worried. "No wonder she's
scared."

	"*Why?*"

	"I...Shit. I'm sorry, Kayla, but I can't tell you. Not until
she gets here and says whether it's ok or not."

	"Mr. H., then should she really be walking around alone in the
dark?  If it's something related to the Wilsons..."

	"Right now, she and I are the only ones who know. I understand
why she's afraid to let me tell you, now."

	She sighed.  "Fine.  Then tell me what you were going to tell
me when you asked me to come over."

	"I can't. This is what that was about. I'm sorry, Kayla." He
looked at her. "Look at it from her viewpoint -- she has to decide
whether to trust you with her _life_."

	She shook her head.  "You were going to tell me *before* she
told you it was okay?  And you didn't call her after you told her she
could sleep with someone else?  Are you *sure* you're not a teenager?"

	Mark chuckled. "Well, available evidence would
indicate...although I _wanted_ to call her. If I'd known it was safe I
would have."

	"She probably thought you'd changed your mind about it after
she did it."

	"She did. I wish I'd known it was safe."

	"Then you told her you were at home with another girl.  Dude,
you are not doing so hot tonight."

	"I told her that _after_ I asked her to come over, you know."
He was sitting on the edge of his seat, obviously anxious for Kristen
to arrive.

	Kayla laughed.  "Oh, fuck!  Hopefully she doesn't think you
invited her over for a three-way then."

	Mark blinked, then buried his head in his hands. "Oh, gods. I
didn't even think of that. I hope not. Can I go back to bed and start
the day over?"

	Kayla grinned.  "Nope, sorry.  One timeline is all you get to
live."

	Mark sighed.

	It was a couple of miles from Kristen's house to his, almost
three by the roads.  It took her about half an hour to get there, but
finally Kristen knocked softly on the back door.

	Mark opened the door, letting her in.

	Kristen smiled hesitantly at him.  "Hi."

	Mark closed the door behind her, then kissed her. "I wish I'd
known it was safe to call."

	Kristen melted into his arms.  "I told you my dad wouldn't be
back this week."

	"I was afraid he'd get back early."

	"And he wouldn't notice you calling anyway.  Lots of guys
call, he doesn't recognize their voices, and he never *goes* to the
school.  He doesn't care who calls me."

	"Oh." Mark kissed her again.

	"Mark...seriously a minute...of all the people who could find
out, my dad's not that bad.  "

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "You have _got_ to be kidding."

	"Well, he *might* be upset, but I really don't think he'd
care.  He doesn't care about any of the others."

	"Uh..." Mark said, looking skeptical.

	"Honey, he *hates* teenage boys.  Says they're a waste of
air."

	"I'd still rather not risk it, though."

	"I know.  I just...didn't know you weren't going to call."

	Kayla was grinning at Mark, as if to say, 'I told you so'.

	"I'm sorry," he said, stroking her cheek.

	"It's okay.  It was silly, I should have called *you*.  I
wasn't thinking straight.  Oh!  Hi Kayla." Kristen blushed brightly,
obviously having forgotten that the other girl was even present.

	"Come sit down." Mark sat on a chair, leaving room for her to
sit on his lap.

	Kristen looks at him slightly uncertainly.

	"Oh, go *on*, darlin'.  I *know*.  It's okay.  He's been
worrying for the past half hour because he fucked up."  Kayla still
sounded amused.

	Mark made big puppy-dog eyes at Kristen.

	Kristen murmured, "You were worried?"

	Mark nodded. "Yes, I was."

	Kristen sat and snuggled down into his lap.  "Stop worrying."

	"You forgive me?"

	"Anything."

	Mark kissed her.

	"O-kay.  Before we all drown in the syrup here, why were we
talking about the Wilson's?"

	Mark looked at Kristen. "She told me about them. That's...well, 
it's fucking scary."

	"You see why I don't want anyone to know?"

	Mark nodded. "I can understand. On the other hand, I already
_have_ trusted her with my life, more or less."

	Kristen nodded, slowly.

	"Kristen, whatever it is, I don't fucking *care* what the
people in this pissy little town might think.  I *liked* Karen Wilson.
I'm not going to give the fuckers anything else to use against you,
hon.  Trust me."

	Kristen took a deep breath. "Okay.  I...*we* just figured it
out yesterday.  After I got sick at school. You were there in gym
class, right?"

	"Right.  You looked like total shit.  Freaked everyone out
when you passed out like that."

	"She looked worse when I went over to her house last
night. Like she was almost dead. She'd lost at least ten pounds," Mark
said. 

	"We think it happened because...well, because I didn't have
sex in too long.  I didn't want to with the guys, and Mark and I
*couldn't*, not at school, so I just went without, and I got sicker
and sicker."

	Kayla blinked.  "And so when you did have sex again?"

	Kristen blushed.  "I got better.  I looked *bad*, Kayla.  I
don't know how he was *able* to have sex with me like that.  It must
have been like screwing a corpse." 

	Mark didn't say anything to that, just nodding.

	"Got better.  Like, how?"

	"Mark saw how it happened..."

	"Like, she put on ten pounds in the space of an hour. Like,
her hair went from falling out to this in the space of ten minutes. It
was..." He blushed. "It seemed to happen when I, um, had an orgasm. It
didn't seem to matter how many she had."

	"No way it could just be the...fun...perking her up?"

	Mark shook his head. "No. I could see her ribs...even under
her breasts."

	"Fuck.  Like a vampire or something.  They'd freak.  They'd
totally freak. No *wonder* she was scared!"

	Mark nodded. "Yeah. Although I don't feel drained at
all. Almost the opposite. Um, eight times in four hours, on Saturday?"

	Kayla's mouth dropped open.  "No fucking way.  If you could
bottle that, you'd make a *fortune*."

	Mark laughed. "And then that night...and then last night, um,
how many times, love?"

	Kristen blushed again.  "I...don't know.  I lost count."

	"I think it was eight or nine. Yeah, nine, I remember,
because...well, never mind. And it's a three or four to one ratio for
her."

	"And you don't feel any bad effects?  Though honestly, someone
would have noticed by now, if there were any, I guess." Kayla seemed
fascinated. 

	"Nope. I feel great. Well, I was exhausted this morning, but
that's because I didn't leave her house till 2, and I had to get up at
6:30." He looked thoughtful. "Actually, that ratio was more like more
like 4 or 5 to one, because I spent a half hour just...never mind."

	"Um...okay, I have to ask this.  Do you think that whatever
she is is what *caused* you to be so attracted to her?  Sorry, Kris,
but if it's like super pheromones or something, we need to know.  I
mean, you're risking serious jail time for this, man."

	"I think it is." Kristen looked at the ground, refusing to
meet their eyes, and a finger twisted in her hair.

	 Mark nodded. "It's possible. I've never been this attracted
before. On the other hand...there's more than just that."

	"Mark...that's what I wanted to tell you on the phone, but I
couldn't.  I don't think you can help yourself, like Ms. Angie
couldn't help herself.  I think I found what I am." She still didn't
lift her eyes.

	"What?"

	"I think I'm a succubus.  She was *right*.  A demon that feeds
on sex.  Of *course* men...and some women...would be attracted to me.
And the more problems it would cause them, the more attracted they
would be.  Maybe that's why my dad stays in town so much.  You never
had a chance."

	Mark shook his head. "I can buy the 'feeds on sex bit'. I
doubt the 'demon' part. But where do you get the idea that the
attraction would increase with the chance of problems?

	"From what I read about it.  It's not just sex itself..it's
the emotion and energy generated by it.  The stronger the associated
emotions...and with sex, guilt and fear are easiest, the stronger the
charge.  That's why it's so much more..." her voice took on a bitter
edge, " 'filling' with you.  Because it's so risky for you, and you
felt guilty about it.  "

	Mark turned her to face him, kissing her softly. "Kristen, I
_didn't_ feel guilty about it. At all. I'm worried about getting
caught, yeah. I think maybe what makes it good is -- I'm not taking
from you, I'm giving to you."

	"Mark...I *trapped* you.  Like baiting a hook for a fish.  You
were the perfect food. It's not real.  it's *making* you feel things."

	Mark shook his head. "Does it matter? Maybe that was it at the
beginning, but not anymore. I'm not just using you for sex, Kristen."

	"Mark..."  She blinked back tears.  "It explains *everything*.
It's trying to make sure you don't get away."

	"Does it _matter_?"

	"*Yes!*"

	"Why? I feel the way I do, no matter what the reason is."

	"It's mind control.  It's making you do things, feel things,
that you normally wouldn't."

	"How do you know?"

	Kristen frowned.  "Mark...god...how likely is it that you'd
volunteer to marry someone you'd only known a week?  That you'd
think--" She swallowed hard and looked away.

	"That I'd think what?"

	Kristen finished sadly, "That you'd think you were in love
with her?"

	"As to the first, I don't know. As to the second...not that
unlikely. Have you considered that maybe you just speed up what would
have happened naturally, and amplify it?"

	"Mark, I'm a parasite.  And I don't think it would have
happened naturally.  You've got a Ph.D in chemistry *and* physics.
Art is my only really good subject.  There's no way someone like you
would normally fall for the school slut.  No way.  Not if you had a
choice in the matter."

	Kayla had quietly slipped into the den a few moments earlier.
Vaguely, they were aware of hearing typing sounds.

	Mark's jaw tightened. "A parasite, hm? Would you kindly tell
me what exactly it is you take from me?"

	"Sex.  Energy.  Time.  Attention.  Your *life* if people find
out."

	"And all of these I think are well worth the trade. _HELL_,
Kristen, most guys would _kill_ to be able to come 9 times in one
night, much less still be able to function on four hours sleep the next
day. I invite you to contemplate another word, Kristen: symbiote."

	"And how much energy do you have to offer someone else, Mark?
There's no way you can find a *real* woman while you're feeding me.
And a couple of days, yeah, you can do it, but how long could you keep
it up before collapsing in exhaustion?"

	"Kristen, I had sex with you _nine times_ last night. There is
_no_ way I should have been able to function today. Instead, I'm just
totally exhausted. Think about that." He kissed her again. "And you
_are_ a real woman, Kristen.-

	Kristen hung her head.  "Mark.  Oh, Mark.  You don't
understand.  I don't want you to love me because I forced you to!"

	"How do you know I wouldn't have fallen in love with you
anyway? It happens. You see it in the papers when they get caught."

	"I don't know.  Neither do you.  There's no way to know now."
She looked at him through tear-filled eyes.

	"Exactly. So don't _worry_ about it, ok? Let's just accept
what we have."

	"You told me, 'it should be because you want to, not because
you can't say no.' Doesn't the same apply to you?"

	Mark nodded. "Yes. But you don't understand -- I don't _want_
to say no. Whether I could or not -- and I could, simply by completely
avoiding you -- is irrelevant."

	Kristen sighed.  "I don't want to say no to you either.  Not
to anything.  But...I think you should go to church and get baptized
or something."

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "No."

	"If you could break the...the spell or whatever, even for a
little while, then you *could* choose."

	Mark frowned, slightly. "This is really important to you?"

	"It really is."

	"Ok. Go in the other room for a few minutes."

	"O-kay." Kristen seemed confused, but was willing to go along.

	Mark closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind of
distractions, and to eliminate Kristen's influence on him. He brought
to mind some of the things he'd studied briefly in college, before
deciding that the physical world was all there was -- a decision he
was rethinking.

	The physical distractions faded.  The slight tap tap of the
keyboard in the den was the last thing to go, leaving a peaceful
silence.  He felt very relaxed, very perceptive.  But he could not
totally get her from his head.  It felt like a part of her was tangled
up with him, and to separate it would cause great pain to him, and, he
somehow knew instinctively, to her as well.

	He focused on that, trying to make himself _aware_ of it, of
what was him and what was her, and of the influence it was having on
him. After a few minutes, he was able to identify which feelings were
his, and which were generated by the power he could vaguely sense
coming from Kristen. Everything was his, aside from the lust...and
some of that was his.

	Finally he was satisfied. Her power might have caused him to
actually act on his feelings, to actually cross that line, but it
didn't create the feelings in the first place.

	He nodded, and stood as he opened his eyes, going in the other
room to find Kristen. She was waiting in the kitchen, sitting at the
table destroying a paper napkin.

	Mark kissed her. "You didn't force me. I was able to...kind of
sort out what was me, and what was you. The only thing coming from you
was the lust. Part of the lust. I think maybe what you do is let your
partner feel your desire."

	"How?"

	Mark shrugged. "I have no idea how you do it. Not a clue. But
you did _not_ force me to do it. Maybe...maybe you provided the
impetus to _act_ on my desires, but you didn't _cause_ the desires."

	"I meant, how do you know?  What did you do?"

	"Oh. I..." He fell silent, trying to find a way to explain it
in terms that would make sense to her. "I tried to figure out what
felt like _me_, and what felt like _you_. If that makes sense. I know
what I did, I'm just...I don't really know how to explain it."

	Kristen swallowed.  "Okay.  I'll accept that for now, until we
know more.  I wish you'd find a priest or something, but it'll do."

	"Here.  Learn more."  Kayla thunked a stack of paper on the
table.

	Mark blinked, looking at the paper.

	"I don't think you're a succubus, hon.  They're born in hell
and your birth-certificate says New Jersey.  Pretty close, but not
quite the same thing.  I think you're a psychic vampire.  A pretty
specialized one, but definitely still a human. Probably an empath,
too.  Projective and receptive.  It'd be a survival trait.  But it's
not *evil*, it's just there."  

	Mark nodded, slowly. "That would make sense. Although..." He
struggled to find a way to put the feeling of her being tangled up
with him into words that made sense. "It kind of feels like part of
her and part of me are...tangled together? Entwined? Like it would
damage _both_ of us if I tried to separate us. Ring any bells?"

	Kayla blinked, then looked sad for a moment.  "Um.  Yeah.
It's probably not related though.  Don't worry about it, just don't
try to fight it."

	"Um, tell us?" he asked.

	"Oh, there's lots of things.  Could just be fate, y'know?"

	Mark raised an eyebrow. "Kayla..."

	"I'm serious.  There are a lot of possible explanations.  Look
for it yourself, if you want to.  Here's a chunk of good literature
about psivamps and the ethics of being one. "

	"Then why'd you look so sad when I asked?"

	"Huh?  Oh, I was thinking of something else.  Don't be nosy."

	Mark gave her the Look.

	"Anyway, look...I'll cover for you, okay?  Kristen will *have*
to feed, and frankly, you're safer than all those idiots at school.  I
was *there* yesterday when she collapsed."

	"Kayla..." He looked at her, seriously.

	"It's okay, hon, don't you worry about a thing.  I am now
officially your alibi.  I just developed the most *intense* interest
in astronomy, y'know."

	Mark glanced at Kristen. "It's a trick. It's all part of her
plot to blackmail us into being her -- what was the phrase, Kayla? Oh,
yes, 'luuuv slaves'." He smirked.

	Kristen giggled.  "You sound like Dirk."

	"Oh, *yuck*..that was an image I did *not* need.  Dirk the
luvslave."

	"Ewewwwwwwewwwwwewwww," Mark said. "Excuse me. I have to go
bleach my brain now."

	Kayla grinned.  "So see, what I'm going to do is go outside
and play with the telescope for say, the next three hours.  Then my
sweet young teacher that my mother likes so much is going to drive me
and my new best friend Kristen home.  He'll drop her off first, of
course, since her house is closest."

	"I see." Mark looked amused.

	"That way he's *never* alone with her, of course, and no one
is going to worry about him being alone with *me*, so everything is
spiffy."

	"Of course. Unless somebody decides we're holding wild
perverted orgies." He grinned.

	"Hah.  Yeah, right.  Not with me.  Someone like Katey, or
Sheri, yeah, but not Kayla the weird little dyke-geek.  You're safe."

	"Uh...I'm going to ignore that logic before my head
explodes. You have fun with the telescope."

	"You betcha.  Try and keep it down."  She bounced off, still
grinning.

				 ***

	They pulled into Kristen's drive around midnight.  She looked
around, making sure there were no cars coming, and then leaned over
and kissed him.  "Good night, Mark."

	"Night, love."

	She squeezed his hand and slid out of the car.  "Night
Kayla...thanks again."   

	"Night, Kris, see you in class."

	Mark pulled out and headed towards Kayla's house.

	Kayla hopped over the seat into the front and buckled the
seat belt.

	"Listen, thanks for covering for us."

	"Earlier from now on, though.  Can't skip school.  I'll go
over to her house tomorrow to do homework, and we'll both come over
'at night'."

	Mark nodded. "That will work."

	Kayla yawned.  "Hope so." She looked out at the
road. "Mark...don't tell *anyone*.  I know she was all over the idea
of you telling a priest or something...but *don't*.

	"I don't plan on it, Kayla. I think that with what you figured
out...she's more comfortable with it."

	"She's *not* evil.  If you're evil, You don't worry about being
evil.  But she still feels guilty.  She might act kinda stupid for a
while, until all she works out all this in her head just right."

	"I know. I tried to get her to think in terms of symbiosis,
rather than parasitism, but...She'll come around. Look, I can't tell
you how glad I am you're helping."

	Kayla sighed. "Yeah, well, I'm not that cold-hearted a bitch.
Any idiot could see that she loves you and is in serious freakin'
pain.  I'll help if I can."

	"Thanks. I just wish there was some way I could repay you."

	"You could have sex with me."

	Mark laughed. "Yeah, right."

	"Sorry, couldn't resist.  Just wanted to see your reaction."

	"Dangerous to make jokes like that, you know. What if I'd had
a heart attack and swerved off the road? Thought you were serious?"

	Kayla sighed dramatically.  "Please.  No one *ever* thinks I'm
serious. Probably because I rarely am.  There's my house.  With the
lights on and the sprinklers still going even though the yard and
street are flooded."

	"Yes, but I don't know you that well, yet. I could have
thought you were, and _then_ what would you have done, hm?"

	"Who knows?  One timeline per person, remember?  Night."

	"Night."

                                 ***

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