Stern Men Always Finish Last

Chapter 3

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PREVIOUSLY

"Mr. Blackbourne?" Stay calm Owen. "Yes, Ms. Sorenson?" "When was the last time you got a good night's sleep?" And boom goes the dynamite.

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Ok Owen, turn this around. "Miss Sorenson, we are still talking about you now. Changing the topic may work on the others, but you should know better than to try that with me." Turning my back to her, I let her stew on the comment for a few minutes and conceal my bout of yawns. But when I look back at her face, she looks very smug with herself. What have you done now, Sang?

Surprisingly, she gives nothing away and we complete our discussion on her kiss with Mr. Lee. Lucky bastard. I still haven't had one of those. Glancing at the clock, I see that there are only 5 minutes left until the bell rings and I feel like I have won the battle. That is until the door opens and my best friend comes bouncing in with mischief in his eyes. He catches my gaze and the silent conversation confirms my suspicions. SANG SORENSON YOU RATTED ME OUT! And to Sean of all people!

Turning on her only to find her smile firmly in place she hands me her phone to look at.

Sang: Dr. Sean, have you seen Mr. Blackbourne today?

Sean: Why no, Pookie. I've been stuck in the nurse's office keeping the hellions alive. What's going on, Pumpkin? Is everything ok with Mr. Bossy Pants?

Sang: Mr. Blackbourne doesn't look like he has slept in days. Can you come by the music room and take a look at him?

Sean: Of course! I'll be by during class. But don't tell Owen. I want it to be a surprise. ;-)

Mercifully, the bell rings and I had her back the phone. "We will talk about this later in the office, Sean. Miss Sorenson, I believe you are wanted in history."

As soon as Miss Sorenson exits Sean turns on me. "So, you thought some concealer and powder would mask what you are doing to yourself? You can't keep going like this Owen! You need to find some way to lessen your work load and get some sleep or I'll put you on sick leave. And don't think for a second that I won't do it. Need I remind you about the poison oak incident?" You just did.

I managed the rest of the day without another run in with my family and promised Sean that I was going to go home, eat something, and sleep until tomorrow. I know better than to defy him as he'll probably track my phone. While the sleep helped my recoup some of my energy I know that I'm still not back to 100%. I don't have a mission on Tuesday and I get some decent sleep again. Wednesday and Thursday are mission days for me and I'm back to 2 hours a night. No rest for the weary. There are missions scheduled for the rest of this weekend and I'm itching to get through them and back to bed on Sunday. At least I will be able to sleep again then.

Friday arrives and I'm down to the last 15 minutes of class when I'm cornered by my best friend and one Miss Sang Sorenson.

"Ok Owen, here is what is going to happen now." I begin to interrupt when Sean cuts me off. "Oh no! You don't get to speak right now. You don't get to protest. You have been out the last two nights on late night missions and did not sleep like I prescribed. I'm the doctor here, remember? I know best on these things! So you get the following punishment and I don't want to hear another word about it! You, my friend, are going to go home after school and you are going to stay there until I come for dinner. And don't you think for a second about making dinner tonight, I'm taking care of it. And I even promise not to cook. Once you are at dinner, we will discuss the rest of your punishment. However, I can tell you that the missions you have planned for this weekend, that you tried to hide from us I might add, have been shifted to the others and there will not be another word about it. I've already arranged it all and Pookie is here as my witness. Pookie will report back to the others at lunch that you have been given the news of your prescribed time off. Won't you, pumpkin?"

She has the audacity to giggle before she replies "Of course Dr. Sean. I'll remind them that you prescribed bed rest for the weekend." Et tu, Miss Sorenson?

Well, hell. "Fine, Sean. I'll see you after your shift this afternoon. And Miss Sorenson?" I arch a brow at her.

"Yes, Mr. Blackbourne?" She beams at me.

"Don't think I have forgotten your role in all of this. We will discuss your traitor status later." I give her my best stern face and watch as she squirms and blushes. Ah yes, the desired reaction. But then she glances at Sean and squares her shoulders and returns to face me holding my gaze. However, nothing could have prepared me for what comes out of her cheeky mouth next.

"Of course, Mr. Blackbourne. I'll accept whatever punishment you give me." She practically purrs her response. And damn if she didn't give me a coy smile. Are you flirting with me, Miss Sorenson? Two can play that game. And don't think I can't see you smirking, Sean. I'll deal with you later.

"Yes, well we can discuss your punishment later. Class is almost over." Yes, we'll discuss this later; when it's just the two of us. Alone. Well, maybe I'll let Sean in on the discussion so I can watch as whatever he has planned backfires on him. I give Miss Sorenson and Sean my best millimeter smile and point her towards her backpack.

The bell rings and Sang throws her bag over her shoulder and rushes to the door but quickly glances back at Sean and I. "I'll see you after school Dr. Sean. Have a good weekend, Mr. Blackbourne." And then she scurries out the door without waiting for a reply a large grin plastered on her face.

Turning on my friend, "What game are you playing now, Sean? And why is Miss Sorenson going to see you after school?"

A/N: Next chapter will be chapters 2 & 3 from Sean's point of view. The good doctor has some cheeky things to say about his best friend's predicament. Then we'll get to the weekend with Mr. Blackbourne. Maybe a Sang POV thrown in there for good measure as well.