I have, at last, finished the academy series and can tell you there are another 16 chapters to come.
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St. Luke's Academy
Chapter 22
Time Flies
True to his word, Toby did his year at the academy before returning to university to do his doctorate. At about the same time Chas got the invitation to be best man at Jesse's wedding. The telephone conversation that followed was all you would expect from old and loving friends.
"I presume you will be bringing Toby, Chas, that's why I set the date for school holidays.
"That's very thoughtful of you Jesse, yes, of course Toby will be with me."
"Good, because you will be staying in my apartment while you are here and if you were alone I might be tempted to make love to you just one more time before I settle into a monogamous marriage."
Chas was stunned, but tried to make a joke of it.
"Even with Toby there, that shouldn't be a problem. He would love to get his hands on your monster."
A noticeable gulp at the other end of the line, and then laughter.
"Yeah right, friend, I guess we'll have to see, won't we?"
The trip was amazing. Jesse had a beautiful apartment near the university campus. He and Dianne lived together already, but she would stay with her parents during the pre-wedding period. They were wealthy business people and their home was stupendous with acres of rolling lawns where the wedding and reception would be held.
Jesse didn't have the pleasure of Chas and Toby in his bed before the wedding, but they did have a load of fun. Both Englishmen impressed the hell out of Jesse's colleagues when they learnt of their positions.
"Come on Chas, no way could you be head honcho of a major educational establishment, and sorry Toby, Dr. Evans! I don't think so, I have seen high school boys looking older than you."
By the end of the week most had rescinded that thought. Toby's knowledge base was definitely at Doctorate level and Chas always spoke with such authority that they had to believe he was in a high powered position somewhere.
Jesse and his new bride took off on their honeymoon. Direct flight to Paris and Chas and Toby flew back to England at the same time.
"We'll come and see you on our way home Chas."
"Looking forward to it, have a great time."
Life in the Hockney/ Evans household returned to the equilibrium that Toby's last stint at Uni. had brought. That was when Chas fully returned to normal, realising that now Toby had every opportunity to be unfaithful if he wanted to be and he would never know, exactly the same as things had been for the previous three years of University time.
"What do you find so amusing all of a sudden Chas?"
Smiling at his lover, Chas told Toby his thoughts. Both men had a good giggle about that and to Chas's surprise, by the time he had finished giggling he was in bed being made love to. This was still such a rarity that Chas luxuriated in the feelings that Toby could expose when the normal roles were reversed.
Steve and Jim were regular dinner guests because Toby loved to cook and these two were probably their closest friends along with David Balfour, who was not such a regular visitor because he was more reserved and solitary. Chas knew why, David still carried huge emotional baggage in the form of Luke Matthews.
Although it affected him in only a minor way, the next big development was a visit from Dr. Rawlings to discuss with Chas the proposal for another two academies.
"The problem I have in my own mind Charles is that although I am delighted with Luke Matthews, as I know you are with Jim Kirby, I'm not sure I want to let them loose with a new academy each."
Chas still had a quick mind when analysis of a situation was needed.
"Why don't you stagger the openings by six months, or a year and one of us oversee the other's deputy like Jesse did with me. I oversee Luke while Jim continues as principal here with, say, David Balfour as designated deputy to take over when Jim is gone, and then I do the same with Jim, but in all honesty, Sir, I think Jim could handle a new academy without any help from either of us."
"Well done Charles, I agree. Luke is very good, another compassionate man who is not afraid to use extreme punishment if he thinks the results will justify it, but he is less experienced really in terms of aggressive leadership."
Further discussion and Chas realised he had just committed himself to a long stretch away from Toby.
"Where are the new academies going to be, Sir?"
"The first one will be near York. I think you should supervise that with Luke. I would suggest four days every week there and then you can spend a long weekend here using one of those days to just check everything is fine with Jim Kirby."
Chas realised why the Dr. had set it up this way.
"Thank you, Sir, I wasn't looking forward to a long spell away from Toby."
"I know Charles, your relationship with that young man has reached a large number of influential ears as well as most of my student body."
Chas was shocked, he had no idea that the grapevine was so active up and down the ladder.
"It will probably be about a year before the first one is completed, so can I suggest that you effectively hand over here to Jim so that he can move into his new academy unsupervised?"
Chas loved that idea. The extra free time he had would allow him to work on some of his own ideas. It would also be fun to watch David settle in to the Vice Principal's job. The best part of all would be telling them both that their dedication was now going to pay off.
When the Dr. returned to St. Mark's, Chas called Jim to his office.
"Sit down Jim, I have a proposal for you."
Jim couldn't resist a comment like that.
"Well, Mr. Hockney, you quite turn a lady's head with something this unexpected."
Chas realised the double meaning of his comment and joined Jim in a fit of the giggles.
"I'm serious Jim. How would you like your own academy?"
That comment brought Jim back to earth with a bump.
"Are you serious Chas?"
"Absolutely. If you want it, you are to take over here for one year, working the same routine I did with Jesse towards the end of my two years as VP. For about half that time I will be away supervising Luke Matthews doing the same thing at another academy. When Luke is settled in and the new one is ready for you, you will go straight in unsupervised and I suggest, if David Balfour is a good VP to you here that you take him with you as VP of your academy and I will take another one."
Jim was almost speechless. When he could string two words together again he replied.
"I don't know what to say Chas. Of course, I'll take the job, but how on earth am I ever going to show my gratitude to you. VP here at 28, my own academy at 31. I'll owe you for the remainder of my life."
"Rubbish. You have got both positions on merit. I'm just delighted that I'm the one that could make it happen for you."
"I see a downside to this plan Chas. I'm going to lose you and Toby."
Chas looked bemused.
"I know, I don't get much of either of you sexually, but just being able to be with you so much is a great feeling, you know I love and lust both of you guys."
Jim laughed to cover his embarrassment at this admission but Chas knew he was serious.
"I'm flattered Jim, and I know Toby will be. You are special to us as well. I know when you leave and take David with you there will be a big hole in our lives."
No more to be said really, the rest was just the mechanics of the handovers.
David next and the conversation was much the same. David was delighted to hear that Luke would get his own academy as well but his sadness showed through as well, mentioning the man he loved and would never have.
"My biggest problem, I'm sure David is going to be finding another head of science to replace you. Have you any suggestions or do we advertise the position?"
"I'll have to think about that one Chas, give me a little while."
Unbeknown to Chas, David talked to Toby about this new event.
"Toby, in two years time I am leaving here to be VP of another academy with Jim Kirby as Principal. Chas wants me to suggest a new head of science. You should have your Doctorate then and could take the position on merit despite your youth. What do you think?"
Toby looked aghast at David for ages before replying.
"Crikey David, I never even thought about it. I had already decided I didn't want to do research after my doctorate so I was a bit lost, but this. I'm way too young to be able to take a head of department's job."
"Rubbish, Chas was department head at 23, VP at 26 and Principal at 28. You would be 24 if you took the job."
"Yes David, but I'm not Chas, and without belittling Chas's achievements, the Sciences are a bigger challenge than Phys. Ed."
"Ok, but think about it. I'm not going to actively look for anyone else until you give me a definite no."
Toby was hugely flattered by the offer and discussed it with his Professor at Uni.
"Toby, stop and think. How many science graduates in your year were better than you? How many of the present doctorate course are better than you? How good were your results at St. Luke's compared to the other science teachers, including David Balfour who is an excellent academician?"
Luke was not immodest but he patently wasn't an idiot either.
"But this is a major job Sir, it carries such importance for the boys at the academy."
"Yes, it does Toby, and that's why you should take it if you are convinced you don't want to do research. Take it for five years and then come back here as a professor and do it again at degree level."
Convinced, Toby went back to David.
"I'll take your job David, but once again, don't tell Chas until you have to."
Deed done and David kept stalling with Chas until he couldn't any longer. It was nearly a year, the new academy was almost ready for Luke to take it under Chas's supervision. He summoned David.
"I'm sorry David, but if you haven't found a new teacher to head the science department I am going to have to advertise it. I can't lose Jim and you and not have a department head in place."
"I agree Chas, and subject to your approval I have a young Doctor with proven instructional ability, a first class bachelor's degree and by the time you get him I'm assured by his professors he will have a doctorate as well."
Chas wasn't slow, the description fitted to a T.
"You are going to recommend Toby aren't you?"
David grinned and nodded.
"I'm sorry David, I appreciate your recommendation, but Toby will only be 24, that is way too young, and with so little experience I can't take it."
For the first time Chas heard David Balfour swear.
"Don't be bloody stupid Chas. We know his instructional ability, his science knowledge is greater than mine, he commands the respect of all of my department, and most of the other teachers in this academy. It doesn't matter that he is your lover, or that he is only 24, he is absolutely ideal for this appointment and you would be mad not to take him. You might even want to consider him for the VP job as well."
Chas was speechless, he had never even considered Toby for such an important appointment.
"Very well David, I will consider it. Put a notice up in the staff room will you. I want to see all members of staff there at 6 tomorrow evening."
When David left Chas hugged himself. He would love to offer that appointment to Toby but he was going to make sure no hint of nepotism be attached to it.
The next evening, in the staff room Chas addressed all members.
"Gentlemen, as you know David Balfour is going to become vice principal here for a year, starting next term. At the end of that time we are going to need a new VP and a new Department Head for the sciences. David's recommendation for head of science is my partner Toby, when he has completed his doctorate. I'm wary of appointing such a young man to that position, in fact at present I have vetoed it. I am however going to take a vote. I want all non science teachers to have one vote, and all science teachers two votes, and vote for the department head. I will take your votes into consideration when I make my decision. You have to understand that I can't be totally impartial when considering Toby because of our relationship but it is important that I retain the loyalty and support of all of you, hence this unusual step."
There wasn't one member of staff that didn't respect Chas for this decision. They all realised how difficult it was for him.
Everyone filled in the slip that Chas had presented them with, and while Jim conducted a normal staff meeting Chas counted them. He was blown away. Every vote from the science teachers was for Toby and about 75% of all other votes were the same. Chas shook his head in wonder and when the meeting was finished and everyone was just socialising Chas asked.
"Is Toby really that good as a scientist, and as a teacher?"
"Chas, the boy is brilliant, the depth of his knowledge is amazing, and his instructional technique is awesome."
Everyone nodded in agreement and then Jim nearly brought the house down.
"Add to that, the cutest guy in the world, how could we all not want him?"
Chas reckoned that was it then. He just had to find a new VP now. He couldn't wait to get home and confront Toby.
Toby saw it as soon as Chas walked into the kitchen where he was preparing dinner.
"Alright, who has been giving you a good time today then? Is he cute?"
"Mmm, yes he is Lover and I know I am going to love him for the remainder of my life, particularly when I have him with me at the academy every day."
Toby stopped what he was doing and looked hard at Chas.
"Tell me, this sounds serious."
"Oh it is, I took a vote on the appointment of a new head of department this evening. 100% of the vote from his department teachers voted for him and 75% of the remainder of the staff did as well. If he accepts the appointment I promise I will make love to him as often as he wants me to and sleep with him every night that I can."
Toby hadn't caught on yet and looked crestfallen, who was this man that Chas was going to make love to and sleep with at every opportunity.
"The appointment is for next year and it's Science."
Toby clicked then, grinned, and threw himself into Chas's arms, almost burying him in kisses.
"Really, truly, you're going to give me it?"
"Yes, my Love provided the Authority don't veto it, and I'm sure they won't."
"Oh Chas, that is a huge responsibility. Do you really think I can handle it?"
"Of course. I was prepared to veto it until the vote and David Balfour's powerful recommend swung me. I thought you were too young."
Toby got the huff then, but not seriously. Chas knew he wasn't serious when he could breathe again after being made love to like never before.
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