Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy.

Note: I credit LadyVader completely for introducing me to the fact that Eames would make the perfect drama teacher if he weren't out forging.

September Starts

Walking through the crowded hallways as he kept an eye out for trouble, of which there was never really any shortage of, the most feared math teacher at Symposium Academy spoke to no one and no one spoke to him. Students made way for him and bullies, truants, and the improperly attired slithered away and out of his sight, knowing that unlike most of the other teachers Mr. Gordon would be on them like a bird of prey spotting a wounded sparrow. There was no point in trying to reason with or talk back to him, that only made your coming fate that much bleaker. And going to the principal got you nowhere because he had been friends with Mr. Gordon since they'd attended the academy together when they were students. You could bitch about him all you wanted to Mr. Cobb and he'd always say he'd talk to Gordon but he either never did or Mr. Gordon just didn't listen to him.

So either way you just didn't mess with Mr. Gordon.

Many of the girls and a few boys all agreed that it was unfair that one of the worst teachers in the school would also be one of the best looking. He was also the youngest male teacher at the school, but he acted over twice his age and was so serious that seeing him smile in class was considered a newsworthy event. It was such a waste of prime male to their way of thinking, though he was considered perfect by the few girls intelligent enough to shine in his classes.

But those same students were slightly cheered by the fact that the new drama teacher at their school was a sexy British fox who not only grinned but still had his accent to boot. Around the academy numerous teenagers could be heard bemoaning the fact that they hadn't taken the subject and many were messing with their schedules in the hopes of getting into one of Mr. Eames's classes before it was too late. Not only would they be getting a chance to be around the hot new teacher, but it was drama so it had to be a bird course. The arts generally were, they reasoned, unless you were in the higher grades and had Miss. Page for a teacher. She wasn't as bad as Mr. Gordon but she made you work your ass off too if you wanted good grades in her class.

Everyone agreed that the two would be a match made in heaven…or hell depending on who you asked.

)

"And here he comes." Ariadne Page murmured under her breath, rolling her eyes at her friend expressively as she turned her attention back to him. "I swear, if I hear one more of my students go into a rant about how hot that guy is and how easy the arts are I'm going to get violent. And not only do I have access to a sharp, pointy objects, but I have a kiln. They'd never find the bodies." Grabbing one of her carrot sticks and taking a slightly vicious bite the art teacher chewed and swallowed before continuing her rant. "And I can't even get mad at the guy because it's not his fault he's British and we dumb American girls always find that accent so attractive."

"They have to have something going for them, the accent is the best they can manage." Arthur Gordon pointed out dryly, not bothering to glance over as the newest teacher to enter their fair establishment was whole heartedly welcomed to a nearby table in the teacher's lounge/eating area.

Ariadne laughed. "His teeth aren't bad, and you have to admit he is pretty yummy looking."

"I've seen worse."

"Arthur, you work in the math department. Of course you've seen worse."

A corner of his mouth tipping up in a short half smile Arthur had to agree that his friend had a point. He was the best looking man the math department had to offer. The next man closest to him in age was pretty much old enough to be his father and looked it. Not that looks should be important, but realistically Arthur knew that when he'd first come to teach at the school his class numbers had jumped not because the students of the school had suddenly become more interested in math, but because they'd wanted a young, good looking teacher who they had unwisely assumed would be easier on them.

Within weeks he'd not only lost most of his additional students, but some of those who'd originally signed up but weren't required to take the classes in question.

Mr. Eames was likely going to keep all his new and old students from the gossip in the school's halls.

"So does that mean you'll be going after him?" Arthur asked, genuinely curious but trying not to show it too much least she become suspicious. After all, if she intended to go after the new drama teacher then he'd have to check the guy out to make sure he was good enough for her since he seemed fated to be fond of women with horrible taste in men. Or at least a habit of falling for men who in the long run did them more harm than good.

Hence the fact that he couldn't remember the last time he'd dated either. Men, by and large, were just no damn good.

A considering look on her face Ariadne thought about it and then shook her head. "No, a little too…charming for my tastes. I've only talked to him a couple of times so far but I got the feeling that he's one of those guys with a really charming veneer that he puts on for the masses. Dating is hard enough without spending hours trying to figure out a guy who doesn't want to be figured out. Dealing with hormonal teenagers five days a week is more than enough work, thank you very much."

The two shared a look of complete understanding. School had started three days ago and they were still getting back in the groove after a blissful summer devoted to themselves and their pastimes of choice. Nobody who wasn't a teacher ever seemed to realize how exhausting it was to parent other people's children for hours on end. If they were the parents they'd have some control and real say over their students' lives and behavior, but often times they were basically just well paid babysitters for rich, spoiled brats with entitlement issues and parents who donated regularly to the school to keep their children that way.

Movement nearby caught Ariadne's attention, the woman looking over for a moment and then back at Arthur, the look on her face saying it all.

Giving her a 'what can you do' look Arthur turned and watched his 'best friend' come towards them, obviously intent on talking to him about something. Dom had his official face on which meant it was business, but not too serious since if that were the case he'd have been called to the office for a private conversation. So most likely his friend needed another 'little' favor from him, one that was school related.

"Dom."

"Arthur. Ariadne." The school's principal gave the latter a charming smile. "I just need to talk to Arthur for a sec and then he's all yours again, I promise."

"What can I do for you?" Arthur asked, knowing Ariadne wasn't above making some snide comment, principal or not. She often acted like he was her little brother to protect, even though he was older than she was.

Grabbing a spare seat Dom sat down and gave his best friend his most charming, 'you know you want to do this for me because you love me' look as he explained his reason for coming over to chat. "As you know we have a new drama teacher to go with the new theatre slash auditorium I practically had to sell my soul to the school board for. Obviously they're expecting the expense to benefit them so Eames and I have hatched the idea of putting on small plays at the end of each month. Nothing overly elaborate, but a way to get the families of our students here and handing over money we always seem to be needing while giving something in return so that they don't complain too much."

Not wanting to think about Dom's manipulative skills, and wanting as little exposure to them as possible, Arthur cut to the chase. "What do you need from me?"

Lips twitching in amusement over having his prepared speech interrupted and ignored Dom did as asked since he did need Arthur's agreement on this and he knew he wasn't exactly in his friend's best books at the moment. "The older members of the board don't like Eames. They especially don't like the idea of him being alone after hours here at school with teenage girls. Nothing he or I said could change Myron's opinion, you know he thinks everyone's mind is as dirty as his, and the rest of them always go along with him when his mind is set." And then a knowing grin crossed Dom's face. "But he is a fan of yours."

"You want me to talk to him for you?" He wasn't terrible fond of that idea. He was even less fond of Myron Gates.

"No…I want you to play chaperone."

Arthur stared at his friend. "What?"

"Just for a couple months, the practices will be right after class and only for a couple of hours. It will only be three times a week and you can bring your laptop or grade homework or whatever, you just have to be around so that I can tell the old farts that a responsible adult they trust is there making sure Eames isn't seducing the girls who will be throwing themselves at him from the looks of things." Reaching out Dom put a hand on Arthur's shoulders. "Come on, we both know it won't interrupt your social life or anything, and it would be really good for the school."

"What does Mr. Eames think about this?" Ariadne asked while Arthur processed what was being asked of him. Again. Her friend wasn't a doormat where their principal was concerned, but Arthur let Dom talk him into doing way too many things that only seemed to benefit Dom. Though helping out the drama department wasn't too terrible, Arthur might even enjoy it if he'd let himself. Which he probably wouldn't.

"Actually, he seems to find the whole thing rather amusing. Brits have odd senses of humor apparently."

Rubbing the back of his neck Arthur considered the pros and cons of the situation while his two friends discussed British humor. He didn't want to spend six hours every week at school watching the drama club, but on the other hand he'd been roped into helping Dom wheel and deal for the theatre auditorium and he hated the idea of all his hard work and financial contributions going to waste. And he did always have plenty of work to do after school, students didn't realize how much homework they made for their teachers, which he could certainly do while playing chaperone. Apparently he wouldn't have to participate in any of the drama activities, which would have been a serious con, and he could use this as leverage on Dom should he need to later on since this was something Dom couldn't tell him he'd 'volunteered' to do. And at the end of the day it was less of a headache to just give in than it was to try putting up a fight knowing Dom would get his way in the long run. One should always pick one's battles and in the grand scheme of things this was a relatively painless favor to grant.

"Fine. I'll do it."

"I knew you would." A triumphant gleam coming into his eyes Dom squeezed Arthur's shoulder and then got to his feet. "First practice is on Monday, right after school. I'll tell Mr. Eames to expect you. Thanks, Arthur, I appreciate it."

Nodding Arthur watched his friend take off and then looked over at Ariadne questioningly. "Do you think I'm going to regret this?"

She smiled a little as she shrugged her shoulders. "Time will tell. Though I'll admit, I can't wait to see what YOU think of Mr. Eames."

Well that sounded ominous.

)

Strolling down the hallway like he owned it Eames naturally took in his surroundings and everyone he passed, having always been the type to observe everything for possible future use. A skill all actors should develop if they ever wanted to be serious about what they did. And the work was one of the few things he was always serious about, usually. That he found himself acting as a drama teacher at a preppy school for rich kids was a joke on him as far as he was concerned but if he was going to get the scratch he needed it seemed like an okay job for a year.

And now he was on his way to meet the man who was apparently going to be babysitting him until the school board decided he could be trusted around the nubile teenage girls in the drama club, Eames thought with an amused little smirk. He'd considered pointing out that he was gay but then they'd just be worried about the boys instead so he'd kept his mouth shut and let Cobb do the talking.

Coming to a stop in front of the correct door Eames glanced through the door window, looking towards the front to check out his chaperone, who he'd yet to really meet or talk to. He'd seen the man around the school, and had very briefly been introduced to him on the first day, but that had been a quick handshake and an even quicker exchange of names after the first assembly. All he really knew about the chap was that he taught math, was younger than him, and was supposed to be one tough teacher.

Interesting looking bloke, handsome with just a hint of cute around the edges, Eames thought with the smallest of smiles as he observed the man writing something on the chalk board. The slicked back hair aged him, but he was willing to bet that when the other man's hair wasn't gelled the man looked younger than he actually was.

The bell ringing Eames wisely moved away from the door since apparently students stampeded out of this classroom when it was over. He waited several beats to be sure they were all out and then headed inside, strolling up to the other man who was in the process of erasing the board.

"Am I interrupting?"

Looking over Arthur took in his visitor in one quick sweep, noting that the man's shirt collar was crooked right away. Against his will he also took note of broad shoulders, a killer smile, and beautiful, compelling eyes, but pushed all those thoughts aside and went back to what he was doing like he hadn't noticed anything.

"It's not interrupting if your business takes up less than ten minutes of my time. What can I do for you?"

Oh yeah, he could definitely see why the guy was so bloody popular, Eames thought dryly as he shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. "I just wanted to drop in and say how much I appreciate you agreeing to help out so that I could keep my position here. I'd imagine our principal would have replaced me here if I couldn't direct the plays he's hoping for."

"You're welcome."

"So do you have any interest in the theatre, or are you just doing this as a favor?" Eames asked, being the overly curious type. He'd watched his boss talk the other man into helping them out earlier and had been intrigued by the vibes between the two men. Cobb hadn't struck him as gay, but the two were close even though they struck him as fundamentally different types. The man before him was the straight shooter type, he'd bet the bank on it. Cobb on the other hand was a right slippery bloke, he was already watching his step there, just in case.

Setting the eraser down Arthur absently dusted off his hands as he turned to face the man squarely. "I have zero interest in helping you with your plays if that's what you're asking. I agreed to help for the sake of the school."

Yup, definitely a tell it like it is sort. "I see."

Thinking to dismiss the man now that the situation was made clear Arthur lifted an imperious brow questioningly. "So was there something else?"

Clicking his heels together Eames saluted the man with formal solemnity and precision, ruined by the gleam in his eyes and the smirk curving his full lips. "No, Sir."

Arthur's eyes flashed a little in response. "We'll get along better if you just do your job and leave me to my own devices, Mr. Eames."

"Ah, but I can see teasing you become a favorite pastime, Mr. Gordon." Eames countered with an even wider grin. "You look like it would do you some good."

The temperature in the room dropped drastically.

Which was both impressive and intriguing, Eames decided as he studied the man with a great deal more interest now. There was just something about guys like this that impelled him to push them, just to see what happened when they broke. They always broke, he could be amazingly annoying when he wanted to be. And okay, sometimes he did it without even trying according to every member of his family. Either way, seeing who Arthur Gordon was under all those cold shields would definitely make the next while a whole lot more interesting.

Figuring he'd pushed enough for a first real meeting Eames gave a very polite good bye in his opinion and then turned to leave, almost at the door when the other man said his name. Curious, he turned and watched the other man come towards him, an intent look on his face.

Damn his perfectionist tendencies, Arthur mentally fumed as he reached out and without a word or asking straightened the man's collar for him.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."