The Deep End (Frank Adler/Gifted Fanfiction)

"Milestones" *NSFW*

NSFW Warning: This chapter contains sexual content.

Joey sat in the reception area outside of the principal's office and tried not to feel intimidated like she had been when she had been a little kid. She'd been a student of Howard Elementary School a million years ago and it was uncanny how not much had changed. Unfortunately, the familiarity of the building brought back all of the feelings of shame and dread that she'd gone through whenever she'd gotten into trouble as a kid.

Joey hadn't been a particularly bad kid, but growing up as Mitch Clauson's daughter had very few upsides. Joey had never received the benefit of the doubt growing up and had had to shoulder the majority of the blame if she were ever involved in any kind of mischief. It hadn't been fair, but Joey tried to remind herself that she wasn't in trouble (this time, at least) and that she was here for Mary.

Frank would understand what she was trying to do, Joey told herself. He had to. Afterall, it had been him that had fought so hard to give Mary a normal childhood and they both had agreed that it was very noble goal and it was that goal that had her sitting there in her old elementary school with her stomach in knots.

After listening to Mary lament over her limited social life, Joey's plan was to see if she could get Mary enrolled back into the elementary school in a very limited capacity so that she could take part in all of the social events that took place during the school year.

It seemed like a great idea, to Joey at least. School plays, clubs, sports teams, dances, bake sales, prom, homecoming and Christmas concerts. They were all great memories and milestones from her own childhood and teenage years and she really didn't want Mary to miss out on any of it just because the little girl, that had stolen her heart, was gifted and was already attending college level classes.

Joey nervously played with her fingers in her lap and tried to convince herself that she was doing the right thing, but she knew that she should have spoken to Frank about it first. But in her defense, Joey knew all too well how Frank's handsome face would turn sour and annoyed when he spoke about his past dealings with Mary's former principal, Miss Davis. From what he had told Joey, Principal Davis had been a small minded nosey woman that believed that she was far more important than she actually was and lauded her authority over anyone she deemed beneath her.

Based on their history, Joey knew that if Frank had met with her to discuss Mary's enrollment, he would surely lose his cool and insult her in some way, and that wouldn't do Mary any favors. Joey loved her sexy smartass and admired how little Frank cared what people thought of him, but those qualities weren't going to help her in this situation. Besides, this might all blow up in Joey's face and the principal might laugh her out of her office. If that were going to be the case, Joey would rather be privately humiliated. It was worth a shot though, Mary deserved to have the best childhood possible and nothing ventured, nothing gained.

The school's receptionist, a kind middle aged lady, gave Joey a sweet smiled from behind her desk and Joey smiled back and took a deep breath. The lady must have sensed Joey's discomfort and asked if she would like coffee or tea as she waited.

"No, thank you, I'm okay." Joey sweetly smiled. "I just have to remind myself that I'm not reporting in for detention."

The lady puffed out a soft laugh and Joey smoothed out her dress and inspected herself for dog hair for the fourth time since she gotten into the school. Between Gus and Frank's two cats, pet hair had become a recent problem.

Frank really likes this dress, Joey thought to herself and felt a pang of guilt squeeze at her heart when his handsome face drifted into her mind. She really hated going behind his back and had to do a gut check and remind herself that she was doing the right thing....she hoped.