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Chapter 7
"Wake up," Heather's eyes fluttered open as someone shook her roughly.
"Huh...?" She blinked up at the hazy face of Crawford and rubbed her eyes to help clear her vision. "Brad...?"
"Crawford," He snapped and glared at her as he stood up again.
"What is it?" She sat up slightly and combed her fingers through her hair.
"Schuldig and I are attending a business meeting today and I'm leaving you with Nagi and Farfarello," Crawford adjusted his glasses and Schuldig waved at Heather from where he was leaning in the doorway dressed in a stylish white suit to match Crawford's.
"And you want me to make sure that Brittany and I behave while you're gone?" Heather waggled her fingers at Schuldig and yawned into her other hand.
"Yes, Nagi will instruct you if you are breaking any of my rules or if you are required to do any tasks while we are gone," Crawford went to get his jacket from the coat rack.
"When will you be home?" Heather crawled out of her sleeping bag and sat on the edge of her couch-turned-bed.
"Around dinner time," Crawford put his hand on the inner door's knob and turned to give Heather a final glare as he opened it. "By the way, if any stranger inquire about guests staying at your residence you know nothing about us."
"Well duh," Heather stretched and waved good-bye casually, "that's the first rule of keeping strange assassins at your house."
"Schuldig, I would thank you to keep your oversized mouth closed on some specific information," Crawford growled at Schuldig who put his hands up in mock-defence.
"Ja, ja, boss. I'll watch my tongue," As Crawford stepped out the door Schuldig shot Heather a dangerous warning glance and she slapped her hands across her mouth. ::Keep your mouth closed, Liebchen. If he finds out how much you know it's all over for you.::
::I forgot! I can't believe I forgot...:: She looked panicked as she realized just how close she'd come to slipping.
"Just watch your step," Schuldig flashed her a predatory smile as he left the double-meaning hanging in the air and followed Crawford.
"God, what a crappy start to the morning..." Heather stood up and wrapped her arms around herself as she walked to the bathroom. "At least Brad will be gone today..."
*****
Half an hour later Heather and Brittany were showered, dressed, fed and bored. Nagi was playing Myst quietly, Farfarello was dozing and listening to some of Heather's brother's music which he had found rather to his taste, and the two girls were sprawled on the couch flipping through the channels.
"That's it! I'm phoning Cara," Brittany reached over Heather for the phone.
"Crawford would not like that," The phone floated out of her reach and over to Nagi's outstretched hand.
"But.... Crawford doesn't have to know," Brittany smiled innocently at Nagi. "We'll make sure they're gone long before dinner and then he won't care."
"No, that is against the rules. You haven't asked him," Nagi set the phone on the computer desk.
"He didn't mind too much yesterday, and Nicole and I still have work to do..." Heather gave Nagi puppy-dog eyes. "Pleeeaaaaseeee, Nagi?"
"I don't care, if he is angered it is your fault," Nagi didn't move as Brittany ran over to grab the phone.
"Thank you, Nagi!" She gave him a quick hug and rummaged through the bookshelf by the couch to find a phone book.
"If you like I'll make you chocolate-chip pancakes for lunch, how does that sound, Nagi?" Heather smiled from where she was on the couch.
"Whatever you like," Nagi turned back to the computer.
"No, I want to know what you like," Heather walked over and hung over the younger boy's shoulder.
"Chocolate-chip pancakes will be fine," Nagi stiffened at the close proximity of the older girl.
"Just fine?" Heather raised an eyebrow as she looked down at the blue-haired youth.
"Nice, Chocolate-chip pancakes would be nice," Nagi corrected himself and hunched over the keyboard.
"Okay, I'll go make them!" Heather gave Nagi a quick hug. "You need to lighten up chibi-kins or I'm gonna make you go paint balling with me." She bounced off to the kitchen to start cooking.
"Why do you even pretend to care?" Nagi mumbled to himself as he continued to play.
*****
Schuldig smirked as Crawford parked behind a red car above the house. "Those other two are back again."
"I know," Crawford picked up his briefcase and got out of the car.
"What are you going to do about the girls if you dislike their disruptions so much?" Schuldig stepped out of the car.
"I believe I have a plan," Crawford smirked slightly.
"Oh really?" Schuldig raised an interested eyebrow. "Care to share?"
"No," Crawford walked towards the door. Schuldig smiled evilly and followed.
*****
"Oh shit they're back early!" Heather was looking out the window beside Nagi.
"I warned you, it is your own fault if you get into trouble," Nagi had been idly flipping through channels but now moved back to the computer.
"Um... Damn..." Heather winced as walked back to the kitchen and stirred the stew.
"Should we go out the back?" Nicole asked.
"No point," Heather sighed. "They've seen Cara's car and it would take to much time to grab your stuff and run out the basement. Besides, she and Brittany are still in the backyard with Youji."
"I guess..." Nicole checked the vegetables steaming on the stove.
"Hello, Minna-san!" Schuldig called cheerily as he entered the house. Heather worriedly peeked around the corner to check on Crawford's mood and Schuldig smirked at her.
"How does he look?" Nicole asked from behind Heather.
"Sadistic..." Heather sighed again.
"Great," Nicole added her sigh to Heather's.
"Heather, come here," Crawford walked into the dining room and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Um, yes?" Heather looked down as she walked towards Crawford.
"I did not give you permission to invite them over again," Brad stated flatly.
"I am sorry..." Heather fidgeted a little under his harsh gaze.
"And who are you to say what she can and cannot do in her own house? I see no problem with having us over again while you were out, Mr. Crawford," Nicole stepped up behind Heather and glared at Brad.
"I am the person in control of the situation and your lives," Crawford said coolly. "I would think that that would be a good enough reason to listen to my rules."
"Well it's not! Stop making her feel so upset you bastard, she's been trying hard to make your stay here comfortable," Nicole intensified her glare.
"Nicole, please stop..." Heather stepped in front of her.
"Since you two seem to be the rulers of this little pack of females I will punish you both," fixing his glasses Crawford gave both girls an evil glare.
"No, leave her out of this," Heather stepped in front of Nicole.
"Heroics get you no where but the graveyard," Schuldig grinned at Heather.
"Nicole, while you are in my proximity you will serve as my secretary, getting me things and helping when I ask," Brad cut of her protests by continuing. "If you choose not to comply Schuldig will 'encourage' you mentally to obey."
Nicole gave Brad a hateful look and pushed Heather out of her way. "Look you-"
"Heather, you will fulfill the same role for Schuldig as he will have more responsibility as of now and be required to do quite a bit of work," Brad began walking towards his desk pushing the girls out of the way.
"You come back here, you're not allowed to do that you jerk!" Nicole followed Brad and began ranting at him.
"Well, that was more entertaining then I anticipated Bradley," Schuldig grinned and moved to Heather.
"Get away from me," Heather hissed and backed away from Schuldig.
"Now now, why don't you be a nice little lap dog and play along?" Schuldig's smiled widened. "I wouldn't want to have to use force on you now, would I?"
"Yes you would..." Heather gave him a dirty look and moved back to the kitchen. Schuldig smirked and followed.
"Shut up and sit down!" Crawford's glasses flashed threateningly as he yelled at Nicole and loomed over her.
"Yes Crawford..." Nicole promptly sat and was quiet.
"Better," Crawford sat down at the desk and flipped open his laptop. "Now bring me a coffee, one sugar one cream."
"Hai..." Nicole moved to do as she was told, sparing Brad's back a nasty look.
"Aren't you supposed to be working??" Heather asked Schuldig as he stole a taste of the stew.
"Not until Brad finishes getting me some info," Schuldig grinned at Heather.
"Wonderful..." Heather batted Schu's hand away and went back to cooking.
"Here," Nicole set the coffee down as roughly as she could without spilling it and moved to the living room. Crawford merely took the cup and sipped at the hot beverage as he worked.
"Don't you want me around you more?" Schuldig suddenly had his arms around Heather from behind and was pressed up against her back. "Wouldn't you rather have me closer?" He purred seductively and nibbled on her ear.
"Ah!!!" Heather squirmed violently out of Schu's hold and tried to run to the living room.
"I know you would," Schuldig was suddenly blocking the doorway and gently gripping her chin. " I can see it in your mind," He smiled and slowly leaned his face down towards Heather.
"I-I don't want you anywhere near me!" Heather tried to pull away but he grabbed her around the waist and held her close.
"You're lying," Schuldig grinned, "that's a bad habit to get into."
"Leave her alone Schuldig," Brad turned and glared at the redhead.
"If you insist Crawford," Schuldig released Heather and backed off. "I know you would much rather have me doing this to you though," Schuldig sent Heather a rather graphic image of him and her in a more than intimate position and smirked.
"Don't touch me!" Heather started to cry and fled to her room.
"You're a sick fuck, Schuldig," Nicole pushed him out of her way and headed towards the stairs.
"Oh you're one to talk, I'm not the one who likes doubles," Schuldig smiled as Nicole froze and gave him a look that could turn fire to ice in milliseconds.
"If you touch her again I will rip you limb from limb," Nicole told Schuldig in her coldest voice. "And that goes for all of the girls here," Nicole quietly made her way down the stairs to begin convincing Heather to unlock her door.
"My Brad, none of these girls seem to like me very much," Schuldig sprawled on the sun room couch.
"I wonder why," Brad said sarcastically.
"Do you think it's my hair?" Schuldig grinned. Brad just shook his hair and didn't bother to dignify the question with an answer.
***** The next Morning *****
"I'm leaving Crawford," Heather finished putting on her shoes and grabbed her book bag.
"Good, I have enrolled Nagi and Schuldig in your class, they will be accompanying you today," Crawford was sitting on the couch reading the provincial newspaper.
"You what...?" Heather nearly dropped her keys.
"They are now in your class, if you do not leave now you will be late," Crawford didn't even look up as Nagi joined Heather by the door and Schuldig walked out of his room putting on his coat.
"Fine," Heather decided it wasn't worth resisting Crawford's orders. "You will have to care for Youji as Brittany is already at school."
"He will be fine on his own," Crawford flipped the page.
"See you later Crawford," Schuldig pulled Heather out the door and Nagi followed quietly.
"Let go of me!" Heather jerked her hand back.
"As you wish," Schuldig grinned and walked to her car.
"Nagi, I would prefer if you sat in the front seat," Heather unlocked the driver's side door and climbed in.
"Hey..." Schuldig complained as he was pushed away from the passenger door.
"Deal with it or go back to whine at Brad and make us late," Heather started the car as Nagi got in and Schuldig grumpily climbed into the back seat.
The drive down to Trail was quiet as Schuldig decided that harassing Heather was a bad idea after Nagi saved them from one run-in with the cement barriers on the side of the road where there was a steep drop off. When she finally stopped the car in the college parking area she was about ready to ask Nagi to throw Schuldig out of the car on the way back up the hill.
"Am I that irritating?" Schuldig threw Heather a self-assured smirk as he walked towards the building entrance.
"You tell me," Heather picked up her bag and walked beside Nagi.
"You will have to behave in class or you will be kicked out Schuldig," Nagi finally spoke as they ascended the elevator to the floor where their class was located.
"Oh I will," Schuldig walked to the room and adjusted his sunglasses before calmly walking inside.
"Schuldig?!!" Ken's surprised cry was backed by startled sounds from Omi and Aya as Heather walked into the room behind Nagi.
"The one and only," Schuldig inclined his head to the three Weiss sitting in the two tables on the near side of the room.
"Good morning Nicole..." Heather walked to the table the other girl was seated in and sank into the chair beside her.
"I take it our favorite cold bastard had a hand in this?" Nicole inquired dryly.
"Yep," Heather sighed.
"Had he been keeping his hands off of you?" Nicole gave Schuldig a dirty look as he preened in front of the table Aya and Ken were sitting at and enjoyed their enraged helplessness.
"Hands but not mind," Heather noticed that Nagi was still standing by the door. "Nagi, come sit in front of us," She smiled and Nagi walked over and sat down in the chair in front of Nicole.
"Ah, you must be the new transfer students!" Mr. Manning walked into the room and set his pile of books on the table. "Which of you is Schuldig?"
"I am," Schuldig moved to sit by Nagi.
"Very good, then you must be Nagi?" Mr. Manning smiled at Nagi. "I believe you're the youngest student I've ever taught, yet still the marks your guardian showed me are very high. I expect good work from both you and Omi." Nagi nodded and got out a notebook and pen.
"This should be fun," Schuldig smirked at Heather as he took another notebook and pen from Nagi's bag.
"Where is Youji this morning?" Mr. Manning took not of the empty space beside Omi.
"He is sick," Ken replied smoothly. "He came down with a very bad case of the flu.
"Oh, that is too bad," Mr. Manning sighed. "Omi I will expect you to take him the notes and work he misses until he returns.
"Yes, Mr. Manning," Omi smiled at the teacher. "I was planning on doing that anyway."
"Alright then, today we are going to start studying Ecology," Mr. Manning began to write on the white board at the front of the class and everyone began to copy down notes.
::You can't escape me even here, you know,:: Schuldig smirked mentally at Heather as she tried to concentrate on the class.
::Fuck you, if I can't pay attention in class I'm going to tell Brad on you!:: Heather hissed back in her mind.
::Brad can't do anything if I don't let you tell him,:: but Schuldig slid out of her mind and left her to worry as she tried to pay attention to class.
