Jeremy 065; Patterns
Jeremy meets with Jackson Buttons.
Time for Jeremy to follow up on one of those decisions from last week's chapter.
After sitting in Jackson's outer office for ten minutes he was beginning to feel the effects of his active weekend. His eyelids were getting heavy and his mind once again wandered to Sarah Greenwood. A few deep breaths and a bit of rolling his shoulders barely reinvigorated him. Glancing to the receptionist and her open disapproval of Jeremy showing up without an appointment did noting to energize him either.
He tried focusing on his work but the pull of the female dominant was becoming irresistible in his mind. Looking up at Jackson's lizard receptionist and some more deep breathing exercises made even less difference.
He marveled at how fast his body was sliding into a sexual rut. The predicted five years of this were going to seem long and grueling. Jenna had always warned him it was going to be bad and incredibly distracting but this was becoming more than he thought one could handle. It certainly didn't help that Jackson's lizard looked remarkably like General Ferris. He could feel the signals that his body was more than ready for the night's appointment at the floor.
Jeremy closed his tablet and stood as the door to Jackson's inner office opened. He watched as the fox walked out with a smaller vixen at his side. The female seemed somewhat familiar to Jeremy as she glanced at him and held eye contact for more than a second. There was a sense of recognition in her eyes as well.
Jackson smiled at him and with a nod to the lizard said "Jeremy, good to see you again. I'd like to introduce my granddaughter, Julian." He looked back down to the vixen with a smile. "Julian, this is one of my proteges, Jeremy Dawn."
She smiled up at Jeremy and said "We've met."
"Yes, at the academy. You were the first to join in and help tutor people." Jeremy replied smiling back at the vixen.
Jackson seemed surprised. "Really?" Jeremy glanced at him. The fox seemed at a loss of what to say.
"Yes, I'm sure I mentioned the tutoring sessions. Julian helped expand it so that it would likely stay in place after I left."
"You're too kind. I may have helped out in tutoring a few people but Jeremy was the one that made it what it is." The vixen stated. She was staring up at him and seemed to have more than a bit of casual interest. She held eye contact for a second before her eyes started traveling over the rest of him. Seeing her interest while she stood next to her grandfather made Jeremy more than a bit uncomfortable.
Jeremy looked to Jackson hoping to hold the male's attention away from Julian's interest. "I'm just the one that started it. By the time I graduated there were a dozen others also tutoring."
The fox smiled back at him. "Perhaps, but remember, I was at your ceremony. The dean seemed to credit you with more than just tutoring people."
Jeremy looked away from the fox at the praise. When he glanced at the vixen he'd caught her staring at his crotch. As her eyes came back up to his Jeremy felt situation become even more uncomfortable. "Um, well, thanks but I still couldn't have done it alone." He almost stammered as Julian started smiling up at him. Jeremy was able to keep his ears from dropping in embarrassment. She was clearly not troubled at having been noticed checking him out. He on the other hand was even more appalled at his body's response to her interest.
Looking at Buttons he hoped the fox hadn't noticed the depth of their interaction. Jackson smiled to his granddaughter "You're almost as bad at taking compliments as he is."
Julian laughed. "I don't think its the compliments thats making him uneasy." She said smiling at Jeremy again as her eyes traveled down once again.
Jackson hummed meeting Jeremy's eyes as he looked to him. His smile forced Jeremy's ears down in embarrassment. The male had to have noticed her interest in him. If his sense of smell could catch her arousal then so could Jackson's.
"Well, thanks for coming to see me, Punkin." Buttons said as he took a single step toward the door.
Julian caught the hint and with one last smile at Jeremy and glance south said "Good to see you again, Jeremy. You too, Gran'." she added looking back up to Jackson. Jeremy watched as she made her way to the door. Her obvious and open interest in him had stirred something in him in return. He desperately hoped his change of scent wasn't enough for the reynard standing at his side to detect. A moment later he was forced to acknowledge he couldn't have failed to notice.
Jackson sighed and said, "Come inside. I have a feeling we have a lot to discuss." He turned to his receptionist and said the classic "Hold all my calls."
The short walk to Jackson's inner office felt like the climb to the gallows to Jeremy. The fox shut the door behind himself and crossed to the large desk. Jeremy followed watching the fox. Jackson was acting as if none of what had happened had caught his attention.
Relaxing somewhat Jeremy took the opportunity to again look around the office. It was much like the fox's condo. Every wall was lined with dark wood and filled with bookshelves. The furniture looked every bit as comfortable as in Jackson's condo. His desk went above even that impression. Every inch of the sides was carved with intricate scrollwork and stained to match the walls in a deep rich color that only brought out the beauty of the wood grain.
Jackson stopped at the front corner of his desk and half turned to Jeremy and watched him take in the scene. "I've been expecting you to contact me, but first, how's the family?"
Jeremy had taken his backpack from his shoulder and paused to look at Jackson. "Fine. Actually we're expecting a new addition any day now."
Jackson smiled. "Hope everything goes well then." He said as he leaned back to rest against the side of his desk and cross his arms over his chest.
Jeremy took a few seconds to dig the notebook out of his pack. Stepping up and handing it to Jackson he said "I've been thinking on what you've written in here."
The fox took the book in paw. "Right to business." He said with a smile and set the book on the desk behind him. Looking back to Jeremy he recrossed his arms and added "So, I'm guessing you have a few questions, or maybe a couple dozen."
Jeremy looked the fox in the eye seeing the same appraising look returned. "A couple dozen. I'm really not sure where to start, other than to ask if you really want someone as young as me to be the lead on this."
The reynard stared at him for a fews seconds. "That's a loaded comment." He said uncrossing his arms. He gestured to the chair half a pace to Jeremy's right. "Have a seat." he said as he crossed in front of Jeremy to sit in the other chair in front of the large desk.
Jeremy sat in the chair feeling his body slowly settle into the overstuffed comfort. Setting his pack at the side he looked over at Jackson. He'd slid his chair to the side a bit to better face him and was settling in as well. "So, I do understand where you are as far as your stage of maturity. Have you been in contact with Jenna Sandoval?"
Jeremy couldn't help himself from looking at the floor in embarrassment. "Yes, I'm, I guess I'm part of her crew for now."
"Good, she's helped a great many dominant get through this part of their lives. For now its important to keep your libido somewhat under control."
Jeremy felt his ears fold down even as his head lowered in shame. His world was turning upside down. Everything he'd planned on was slipping out of his control. Not even PATOMES could slow the inevitable surge of his body as it thrust him into his time of need. "I'm sorry for how I reacted to your granddaughter." He felt at that moment he'd ruined every chance he'd had with the fox. His mentorship was surely at an end all because he'd had a physical reaction to his mentor's offspring.
"Stop. At this point in life you have very little control over that aspect of your body. But enough of that. Jenna can help you in that area better than anyone, as I've said. I'm sure you're here for other reasons."
Jeremy had come with so many questions, until the incident in the outer office. Now all he could think of was the upcoming session later in the evening. He could guess his body was still letting the other male know where his mind was. He was finding it almost impossible to bring his attention back to the meeting. Jeremy finally managed to look up at the male.
Seeing the reynard's face he knew he'd been forgiven, and perhaps much more. He'd come to realize he would have to choose one dominant to primarily be under mentorship with. As such he would also have to acknowledge that were he to essentially be under the control of another he'd choose one with the character of Jackson Buttons. "Sir, questions aside, I'll do everything I can as much as I am able considering whats happening to me for, as you said the foreseeable future. I also understand that this would place me in a position under your authority for as long as you'll have me.
Jackson nodded. "You understand this is going to be more than just a few years of effort. If you're really on board, its likely to be something that'll take up most of your time and energy for the foreseeable future."
"I can't promise to follow your plan to the letter, but if you'll accept me I'd like to take up the challenge. Having said that, I also understand and accept that as well."
Buttons snorted his humor. "I knew you were smart enough to understand that. Good to see those books I recommended had the right impact." he said as he sat back in the chair. His body seemed to relax a bit. "You also know how much help you'll have?"
"You mean Gakota, and those in the bureau?" Jeremy asked.
"More than that. Once words starts to get around what we're doing you won't have to worry about recruiting. They'll be knocking on your door in droves."
Jeremy looked at the notebook still sitting on Jackson's desk. The questions had all come back to him at the comment. "So, you really are the one that initiated the mentorship program, all for this, to find a dominant to lead the Bureau away from Nicholson."
Jackson stared back at him surprised. As if copying Jeremy from earlier the fox took a deep breath and sighed it out. "Yes, I've been searching for a suitable young dominant for decades."
"Thanks, I'll do my best." Jeremy said once again a little embarrassed by the implied praise.
"I'm sure you will. I'm sure you also have a great many questions." Jackson said.
"Yes, but now that I've committed to this I think maybe its best to make an appointment. I'm sure you have better things to do at the moment."
Jackson smiled and stood. "Good. I do appreciate it. I do have a full day ahead." He picked up the notebook and held it out to Jeremy. "Take this too, its yours now."
Jeremy stood from the chair and stared at the book a second realizing the implication. Taking it he looked at the fox. "Thank you, sir."
He smirked. "Don't thank me. You're going to be working harder on this than you've ever done with anything before." Buttons said as he stepped toward the door.
Jeremy nodded and followed him. "I guess I'll adjust, I have before."
"Yes, and from the reports I've read you did exceptionally well." The fox said as he opened the door.
Jeremy followed him into the outer office. He saw the disapproving stare of the lizard as she examined him before looking to Buttons.
"Karsia, let me know immediately whenever Jeremy needs to see or talk with me. He's going to be working very closely with me on an important project."
"Yes, sir." she said with a glance to Jeremy. Her attitude had instantly softened. It made Jeremy wonder how much the previous attitude was an act. His association with the lizards of Chile had given him the impression they were as a whole very accepting.
"Also, schedule him for dinner with me this Friday evening." He ordered. Turning to Jeremy he added "We'll start going over some of those details then."
"Yes, sir." Jeremy said almost in unison with Karsia.
The fox smiled and nodded to Jeremy before turning and walking back into his office. Jeremy stayed to confirm the appointment time with his personal assistant. She made it clear he was to be on time even though the reminder was unnecessary. She even managed to speak with him in a friendly manner. He made his way out of the building and headed toward his apartment.
Jeremy knew his mind should have been on his meeting with Jackson at the end of the week but all that came to him was the appointment in a matter of hours. His body was still telling him just how ready he was to perform that night's assignment.
Sam was still at the apartment when Jeremy got back. His brother had chosen another of his books and was reading it on the couch. Jeremy made a quick snack out of leftovers and sat next to him. Sam put the book aside the same time Jeremy finished his snack.
"Eric should be back soon. Are you going to be around for dinner?"
"No. I'll be at work for most of the night." Jeremy replied looking over at his brother. Sam nodded and looked down at the book in his paws. He looked disappointed. Jeremy watched his brother closely for a few seconds.
"Is everything alright?"
Sam looked at him for a second and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm okay. Its just, well, we've already talked about this." He said as he stared at the book in his lap.
"Yeah, we've talked about it, just remember I'd do anything I can to help."
Sam looked up at him and smiled slightly. "I know, family."
Jeremy repeated "Family." with a bit of a sigh. His brother was obviously feeling defeated and there was little more he could do about it. He suspected Eric wasn't helping. Sam had been holding up well under the stress of looking for work up until their brother had moved back in with them. He was tempted to ask but he also knew Sam wouldn't say anything either way. They sat in silence for several minutes until Sam started chatting on another subject.
By the time Jeremy left for The Floor his brother seemed to be in much better spirits.
* * * *
So, I don't think I ever explained Celebration Day. If I have then lets go over it again. In Jeremy's world there as very few observed holidays. Celebration day is the one holiday where everyone goes all out. Its pretty much a worldwide event. Centered around the first day of Spring it would be to us Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving and every other holiday wrapped into one.
Everyone takes the week off from work, if they are able. For Celebration Day itself almost everything is shut down except for vital services which are staffed at a bare minimum. For the day its all about savoring the time off with family. The rest of Celebration Day week is where the typical recreational services are stressed to the limits. Those CD venues are typically restaurants and hotels. And the Thirteenth Floor. The Bureau is typically also what would tend to be considered on call.