tennis slash - Smart People (18)
Title: Smart People (18)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, Evgeny Korolev, Thomaz Bellucci, Roger Federer, Tim Henman
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. Richard and Rafael are geniuses who are roommates in a suite, though they’re different as could be. Inspired by the movie Real Genius. This chapter: word spreads about the state of Federer’s office; Richie gets Andy to make a move regarding Rafa; Ernie finds an unexpected way of bonding with Marin.
Chapter 18 - In Disguise
Marin enters the lecture hall for chemistry and there’s an odd buzz in the air. Professor Federer is pacing back and forth at the front of the room, waiting to start lecture.
The guy in front of to him says for anyone to hear, “I hear someone stole the final exam.”
People who have just wandered in turn to the guy. The person next to him exclaims, “What?”
“Federer’s office was destroyed. The thieves stole important papers and,” pointing to the professor, “he’s freaking out. Maybe we won’t have to deal with finals even because of being traumatized.”
Marin looks behind him, as others tell versions of that same story. He spots Evgeny and Thomaz five rows back. While Evgeny just appears to be waiting for class, Thomaz seems awfully interested in his notes.
There is no mention by Professor Federer about his office, though he does seem to lose his place in his notes several times. After class, Marin rushes up to Evgeny and Thomaz and blurts out, “Okay, time to spill.”
Evgeny says, “What?”
Marin looks around, sees nobody nearby and says, “Bellucci is guilty. Did Richie cash in those favors?”
Both turn to the Brazilian, who sheepishly replies, “It does involve that but it was actually Roddick who planned it out. Richie never said a word about it. I don’t know what Roddick’s issue with Federer is but I guess the professor has made a few enemies. Anyway, Roddick said that Leo and I were paying up now.”
Marin doesn’t buy that Richard isn’t involved for a second but that’s a question to ask in the suite. For now, he wants to know, “Did you take anything?”
“A stack of journals that were in the bottom drawer of his desk.” Thomaz looks away from Marin when he continues, “The top one had your name on it.”
“What did it say?”
“Look. You don’t want to know…” Thomaz shakes his head, looking away from Marin’s inquisitive look. Evgeny looks back and forth, trying to piece together what they’re talking about.
Marin says slowly, “Please, Thomaz. Leo has a big mouth. So tell me before I hear third-hand.”
“Each journal had the name of an honors student. You were on top…” Thomaz pauses, wanting to remember the exact wording. “He wrote that you were afraid of change. Anything that messes up the status quo cracks your fragile world. You are expected to act a certain way and you don’t know how to defy expectations.” Thomaz shakes his head. “I don’t know what his deal is but I’m sorry.”
Marin holds onto the back of the nearby seat. Hearing about Federer analyzing weaknesses as speculation from Richard, a rather paranoid source, is one thing. Knowing definitely Federer was really doing that regarding several people, including himself, quite another. "Unbelievable," he mutters, staring down at the ground.
Evgeny shakes his head. "That is shady. I've heard little comments about Professor Federer but... this isn't like writing in a personal diary, it's downright clinical." He stops as he notices Marin's reaction, then places a hand on his shoulder as he asks, "Are you okay?"
On a different day, this particular gesture would be a moment of victory. But Marin now knows he is an idiot and he needs to get away from them before he gets further embarrassed by this mess. "Yeah, uh, I have to get going."
For the first time all semester, Marin skips his Calculus class, opting to return to his dorm room.
* * * * *
Ever since the talk in his room with Rafael, Andy has suspected Richard will attempt a fix-up. That noted, this is definitely not what he pictured: Richard holding a turquoise, yellow and black sleeveless tee from Rafael’s closet and trying to get Andy to wear it.
Andy has to get to the bottom of this scheme. “How exactly does this achieve what you think I need?”
“Remember when I cornered you in the bathroom?” Andy glares at him, which seems to be enough confirmation. “Well, Rafa has no idea of the complete effect and you need to push the work you’ve done to the forefront. He’s crushed on you before but we don’t know if that’s still the case. You do this once and either he, one, begins to think of you that way again, or two, he has no interest but you made an attempt and it wouldn’t harm your friendship.”
Andy would think Richard can tell how horrifying this idea is to say out loud. He says blankly, “No.”
“One time and I will not pursue this any further afterwards.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I promise. Maybe you do this, nothing happens with Rafa, and you consider actual dating. You don’t even have to leave the suite dressed this way. Just enough for him to finally get the message.”
Andy lets out a loud sigh, then reluctantly holds his hand out for the shirt. “As long as you drop it with the comments after this.”
“No need to beat a dead horse. Rafa probably got over you anyway.” At Andy’s glare, Richard adds, “A deal is a deal. After he sees you in the outfit, I promise to stop.”
* * * * *
When Ernie returns to the room, he is stunned to see Marin in bed, book in hand but the blanket over his head. Ernie says, “When did you turn into Murray?” having seen the Scot do that numerous times when he and Novak were joking around on the other bed.
Marin grumbles, “From what I’m hearing, Andy is turning into Rafa so why not? At least then I would be good at soccer.”
“Are you getting sick?” Ernie sits on the floor next to Marin’s bed and feels his forehead. “Hmm, no temperature. Are you sick like I’d pretend to be when my dad had a business trip and I’d want him to stay another day?”
“What?” Marin wonders if Ernie realizes he slipped and said something meaningful about his childhood.
“You’re faking it.”
“I never said I was sick. I just didn’t go to afternoon classes.”
Ernie’s mouth drops. “Really? Wow. I’m rubbing off on you?”
“No, it’s not… what do you want? Don’t you usually annoy Novak around now?”
“He’s hanging around Janko a lot lately, which in turn has him spout philosophical nonsense when I’m watching Adult Swim and nobody needs that buzzkill. I’m heading to the Russian suite for a poker game. We need another player but Novak and Andy are doing... I don’t want to know but Andy looks ready to bolt whatever’s going on so even though it involves dealing with Dinara, he just might… can you play?”
“I’ve played with my brothers. Won a few dollars.”
“Would you… never mind. You won’t do it, even if I front you the money and you can keep any winnings.”
Ernie only says it as preparation for getting Andy to join him, knowing he would easily win money off the likely-drinking Russians. So he is taken aback when Marin shoots up from bed. “I need to take a chance. I’d love to play.”
* * * * *
“Can I talk to you in the conference room?” Richard was heading to Professor Henman’s office but he looks over his shoulder at Professor Federer. He nods, then turns the other way and leads into the room.
Federer shuts the door behind him, then leans against it. “Did you really think I wouldn’t know that you wrecked my office?"
Richard sits on the nearby desk, palms down on the table, as he tries to figure out what’s going on. “I’m sorry - what?”
“You’re the only one who would demolish an office to disguise the fact you were seeking journals about my honors students.” Federer takes three steps toward Richard, menacing stare making him worry. “You are needlessly paranoid, absolutely convinced that I’m out to ruin you. So you do anything in your power to ruin my good name.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Someone broke into your office?”
The professor growls out, “Don’t lie to me, Richard. It took a few hours to go through the carnage, determining the journals were the only items missing. Of course you read them, misinterpreting my notes to make everything seem like I’m doing a study.”
Richard furiously shakes his head, trying not to beg when he says, “No, I didn’t do anything to your office. Please believe me.”
“You are not believable. This will prove to be just another chance to show the department that. You are fortunate I haven’t yet named names to public safety. I can easily get you suspended for such an offense, if not outright jail time for breaking and entering.”
“You have no proof. You will do anything to ruin my credibility, including throwing accusations around. I did not do this and you will be found out!” Richard’s fingers curl along the edge of the desk, tightly holding on. “You will not screw me over again!”
Federer stands in front of Richard, placing his hands on either side as he makes his point clear. “I have done nothing to you. You got in over his head in college. It is that simple. You might have realized that if you had any friends who could have helped you adjust to this new experience, instead of relying on me.”
The door swings open and Professor Henman pokes his head in, spotting Federer first. “Hey, Roger. We need to have a meeting tomorrow about…” He feels the tension in the room and realizes the position they’re in, then barks out, “What is going on?”
Federer states, “I know who broke into my office. I’m trying to get Richard to confess.”
Henman looks back at Juan Carlos and Feliciano, both trying to look around Henman’s body to get a glimpse of what’s happening. He says to them, “We’ll talk about the lab work tomorrow. See you then.” He closes the door, then says, “I was going to wait until tomorrow to approach this but you’re impatient. I don’t know who’s behind the break-in but it’s not the one you’re threatening.”
Federer steps back then turns to Henman. “Excuse me? You do not believe his nonsense.”
“It’s not that. I had an interesting conversation with a former student of yours. Does the name Andrew Roddick mean anything to you?”
Federer lets out a sigh. “I’ve had thousands of students. The name is vaguely familiar but do you expect me to remember…”
“He had a fascinating tale for me. Apparently, he claims that you two have had sexual relations and you continue to harass him. Upon discovering your vandalism problem, he was my prime suspect, especially since I wasn’t sure how much to believe of what he was saying. So I went through his story, looking for something that could be proven or disproven. Then I remembered he mentioned a recent encounter between you and him that transpired in the lobby of the lecture hall and went back to public safety about their cameras in that building. On the footage, I saw your hands on him and Mr. Roddick visibly cringing. My guess is he wanted payback. I recognized a witness who could probably recall exactly what you said. Care to explain that?”
Federer stuffs his hands in his pockets, muttering, “That guy comes out of nowhere. It was an ambush.”
“You promised to raise his grade if he gave in to your advances.” Henman glances toward Richard, then continues, “The person who broke in clearly saw something weird regarding some journals and dropped them outside my office. I’m finding them a very interesting read, especially when you get to hypnotizing them to reveal embarrassing stuff. I’ve always wondered why Mr. Nalbandian abandoned the program with one semester to go but I digress. I’d like to speak to you about the contents, tomorrow at noon in my office. Until further notice, you will not meet with any current or former students from this program, including Richard.”
“I cannot believe this!” Federer exclaims. “Richard is…”
“A victim of your manipulation, most likely. You have quite a lot of explaining to do so be prepared, Roger. I believe you’re supposed to be doing a lecture in five minutes so you’d best not be late.”
Professor Federer shakes his head but obliges, pretending nothing that had been said could faze him as he exits the room. He stops as he notices there is an audience but doesn’t say a word as he turns toward his office.
Henman notices that reaction and steps out of the room, seeing Juan Carlos and Feliciano eavesdropping, and barks out, “Did you not hear me when I said ‘Class dismissed’? Do you want to write an essay about not following dir-” He stops speaking as the snoops rush to the exit, giving a wry smile at his power in that moment. Henman says as he’s shutting the door, “I’m sorry he ambushed you.”
“It’s to be expected.” Richard tries to keep his voice steady but so much has happened in the past few minutes and it’s overwhelming even getting those words out.
“No. You don’t deserve any of that.” Henman walks toward the table and looks down. There’s more that needs to be said. He turns to face Richard as he states, “If I’d asked you with Mr. Federer around if you knew Andrew Roddick, you would have lied and said no. Once I recognized Marin Cilic as the witness, something told me to keep watching. Then you appear and have an argument with Mr. Roddick, which had him storming out.”
Richard yelps, “I seriously didn’t do this! He…”
Henman cuts him off. “I believe you there. I do think you’ve spoken to either Mr. Cilic or Mr. Roddick about Professor Federer at some point and… well, Roger is wrong when he says that nobody cares regarding you. Mr. Roddick said that the only reason he was coming forward - well, besides graduation - was that there was this guy and he wanted to fix the problems they were having…” He notices Richard in wide-eyed shock at that information and he softens his voice when he asks, “He’s more than an acquaintance, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Richard answers, then shakes his head as he realizes how bad this will get for Roddick. “I messed up and he still… he’s going to be in big trouble.”
“Well, no.” Henman is deep in thought as he formulates a way to keep that from happening. “The way I see it, the break-in itself cannot be pinned on anyone as there’s no physical evidence, even as I suspect Mr. Roddick either did it or his friends did while he was talking to me. Federer can huff all he wants about pinning blame for the raid but I am more concerned about the journals’ content. At some point, I’m going to have to meet with those he wrote about but I have to be careful with that, speak to the board first about how to proceed. I have a lot of reading to get done before that meeting.” He’s deep in thought as he heads for the door, throwing in, “We’ll deal with the lab work in tomorrow’s lecture.”
Henman has at times been Richard’s lone ally in the chemistry department. Even so, Richard is stunned his advisor is even attempting to keep Roddick from trouble regarding the break-in. He calls out, “Thank you, sir.”
“No problem whatsoever.”
* * * * *
Rafael stops in his tracks when he opens the door to the suite and sees Andy sitting on the couch. He’s wearing one of the outfits Rafael wears for their morning workouts and, based on Novak watching from the bean chair, there has to be a larger meaning to this.
When Rafael doesn’t move, Andy grudgingly stands up, hands in the pockets of white shorts that on Rafael fall below the knee but look shorter on him. “Wanting your opinion on this new look. Obviously, I’d buy my own clothes but Richie thought it’d be easy enough to test using your stuff.” Not looking his way at all while saying that.
Rafael asks cautiously, “What are you doing?” It’s not just the clothes that make Andy seem off. Rafael doesn’t remember seeing him so nervous around friends. It could just be because he’s been forced to wear this outfit but maybe not. He looks to Novak, who is trying to hide a smile, then says to Andy, “Can we talk in my room?”
When they’re in Rafael’s room, Andy says, “You don’t like it? I know that Novak is normally the one with the impersonations so maybe I’m doing it wrong.”
Rafael leans against the door, watching Andy fidget while standing in the middle of the room. “What did you say to Richie that he could use against you?”
“That has nothing to do with…”
“You said somewhere in the middle of that serious talk about how you ran off your mouth to him.” Rafael plays a hunch and continues on, “Is it the same thing you said to Robin when you wanted me to think you were flirting with him?” He pushes off from the door and walks closer. “You were drinking both times, as I recall.”
“No, that is silly. It is so stupid but they gravitate to the weirdest things…” Andy trails off as he sees one of Rafael’s hands resting on his hip. “What are you doing?”
“There’s something else… do you know I watched that video of you and Marat at least twenty times? At first I claimed it was to hear what you said but it was so much more than that.”
“Well, the video is mesmerizing. Marat has that effect.”
“I don’t deny that may be true,” Rafael moving closer, his hand slipping under Andy’s (actually, his own) shirt. Andy looks up in confusion, the words not matching the action. “But he has nothing on you. I wanted to be in his position in the video, Andy. I began thinking Marat or, worse, Robin was your type and that’s what had me lash out like that.”
Andy turns his head slightly, peering at Rafael as he pieces together what’s been said and done. Once he seems assured by the conclusion, his eyes brighten and he breaks into a smile. “I see,” he says, then raises his hand to Rafael’s shoulder and leans in for a quick kiss. Andy lingers near Rafael’s mouth afterward as he hisses out, “They’re not my type.”
Rafael chuckles, then retorts, “Despite what I may be showing, I am not my type so don’t ever wear this again. While the makeover clothes worked fine, you look so uncomfortable.”
Andy laughs at that, then replies, “I would be more than happy to agree. One thing though.” He breaks from Rafael’s grasp, then balls his hand into a fist and hits the door with one loud bang.
Novak yelps, “Damn it!” as he must have had his ear against the door.
Andy answers, “That’s what you get for listening.” He is about to say more when the fire alarm goes off. He shakes his head, then says to Rafael, “Postponed.”
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, Evgeny Korolev, Thomaz Bellucci, Roger Federer, Tim Henman
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. Richard and Rafael are geniuses who are roommates in a suite, though they’re different as could be. Inspired by the movie Real Genius. This chapter: word spreads about the state of Federer’s office; Richie gets Andy to make a move regarding Rafa; Ernie finds an unexpected way of bonding with Marin.
Chapter 18 - In Disguise
Marin enters the lecture hall for chemistry and there’s an odd buzz in the air. Professor Federer is pacing back and forth at the front of the room, waiting to start lecture.
The guy in front of to him says for anyone to hear, “I hear someone stole the final exam.”
People who have just wandered in turn to the guy. The person next to him exclaims, “What?”
“Federer’s office was destroyed. The thieves stole important papers and,” pointing to the professor, “he’s freaking out. Maybe we won’t have to deal with finals even because of being traumatized.”
Marin looks behind him, as others tell versions of that same story. He spots Evgeny and Thomaz five rows back. While Evgeny just appears to be waiting for class, Thomaz seems awfully interested in his notes.
There is no mention by Professor Federer about his office, though he does seem to lose his place in his notes several times. After class, Marin rushes up to Evgeny and Thomaz and blurts out, “Okay, time to spill.”
Evgeny says, “What?”
Marin looks around, sees nobody nearby and says, “Bellucci is guilty. Did Richie cash in those favors?”
Both turn to the Brazilian, who sheepishly replies, “It does involve that but it was actually Roddick who planned it out. Richie never said a word about it. I don’t know what Roddick’s issue with Federer is but I guess the professor has made a few enemies. Anyway, Roddick said that Leo and I were paying up now.”
Marin doesn’t buy that Richard isn’t involved for a second but that’s a question to ask in the suite. For now, he wants to know, “Did you take anything?”
“A stack of journals that were in the bottom drawer of his desk.” Thomaz looks away from Marin when he continues, “The top one had your name on it.”
“What did it say?”
“Look. You don’t want to know…” Thomaz shakes his head, looking away from Marin’s inquisitive look. Evgeny looks back and forth, trying to piece together what they’re talking about.
Marin says slowly, “Please, Thomaz. Leo has a big mouth. So tell me before I hear third-hand.”
“Each journal had the name of an honors student. You were on top…” Thomaz pauses, wanting to remember the exact wording. “He wrote that you were afraid of change. Anything that messes up the status quo cracks your fragile world. You are expected to act a certain way and you don’t know how to defy expectations.” Thomaz shakes his head. “I don’t know what his deal is but I’m sorry.”
Marin holds onto the back of the nearby seat. Hearing about Federer analyzing weaknesses as speculation from Richard, a rather paranoid source, is one thing. Knowing definitely Federer was really doing that regarding several people, including himself, quite another. "Unbelievable," he mutters, staring down at the ground.
Evgeny shakes his head. "That is shady. I've heard little comments about Professor Federer but... this isn't like writing in a personal diary, it's downright clinical." He stops as he notices Marin's reaction, then places a hand on his shoulder as he asks, "Are you okay?"
On a different day, this particular gesture would be a moment of victory. But Marin now knows he is an idiot and he needs to get away from them before he gets further embarrassed by this mess. "Yeah, uh, I have to get going."
For the first time all semester, Marin skips his Calculus class, opting to return to his dorm room.
* * * * *
Ever since the talk in his room with Rafael, Andy has suspected Richard will attempt a fix-up. That noted, this is definitely not what he pictured: Richard holding a turquoise, yellow and black sleeveless tee from Rafael’s closet and trying to get Andy to wear it.
Andy has to get to the bottom of this scheme. “How exactly does this achieve what you think I need?”
“Remember when I cornered you in the bathroom?” Andy glares at him, which seems to be enough confirmation. “Well, Rafa has no idea of the complete effect and you need to push the work you’ve done to the forefront. He’s crushed on you before but we don’t know if that’s still the case. You do this once and either he, one, begins to think of you that way again, or two, he has no interest but you made an attempt and it wouldn’t harm your friendship.”
Andy would think Richard can tell how horrifying this idea is to say out loud. He says blankly, “No.”
“One time and I will not pursue this any further afterwards.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I promise. Maybe you do this, nothing happens with Rafa, and you consider actual dating. You don’t even have to leave the suite dressed this way. Just enough for him to finally get the message.”
Andy lets out a loud sigh, then reluctantly holds his hand out for the shirt. “As long as you drop it with the comments after this.”
“No need to beat a dead horse. Rafa probably got over you anyway.” At Andy’s glare, Richard adds, “A deal is a deal. After he sees you in the outfit, I promise to stop.”
* * * * *
When Ernie returns to the room, he is stunned to see Marin in bed, book in hand but the blanket over his head. Ernie says, “When did you turn into Murray?” having seen the Scot do that numerous times when he and Novak were joking around on the other bed.
Marin grumbles, “From what I’m hearing, Andy is turning into Rafa so why not? At least then I would be good at soccer.”
“Are you getting sick?” Ernie sits on the floor next to Marin’s bed and feels his forehead. “Hmm, no temperature. Are you sick like I’d pretend to be when my dad had a business trip and I’d want him to stay another day?”
“What?” Marin wonders if Ernie realizes he slipped and said something meaningful about his childhood.
“You’re faking it.”
“I never said I was sick. I just didn’t go to afternoon classes.”
Ernie’s mouth drops. “Really? Wow. I’m rubbing off on you?”
“No, it’s not… what do you want? Don’t you usually annoy Novak around now?”
“He’s hanging around Janko a lot lately, which in turn has him spout philosophical nonsense when I’m watching Adult Swim and nobody needs that buzzkill. I’m heading to the Russian suite for a poker game. We need another player but Novak and Andy are doing... I don’t want to know but Andy looks ready to bolt whatever’s going on so even though it involves dealing with Dinara, he just might… can you play?”
“I’ve played with my brothers. Won a few dollars.”
“Would you… never mind. You won’t do it, even if I front you the money and you can keep any winnings.”
Ernie only says it as preparation for getting Andy to join him, knowing he would easily win money off the likely-drinking Russians. So he is taken aback when Marin shoots up from bed. “I need to take a chance. I’d love to play.”
* * * * *
“Can I talk to you in the conference room?” Richard was heading to Professor Henman’s office but he looks over his shoulder at Professor Federer. He nods, then turns the other way and leads into the room.
Federer shuts the door behind him, then leans against it. “Did you really think I wouldn’t know that you wrecked my office?"
Richard sits on the nearby desk, palms down on the table, as he tries to figure out what’s going on. “I’m sorry - what?”
“You’re the only one who would demolish an office to disguise the fact you were seeking journals about my honors students.” Federer takes three steps toward Richard, menacing stare making him worry. “You are needlessly paranoid, absolutely convinced that I’m out to ruin you. So you do anything in your power to ruin my good name.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Someone broke into your office?”
The professor growls out, “Don’t lie to me, Richard. It took a few hours to go through the carnage, determining the journals were the only items missing. Of course you read them, misinterpreting my notes to make everything seem like I’m doing a study.”
Richard furiously shakes his head, trying not to beg when he says, “No, I didn’t do anything to your office. Please believe me.”
“You are not believable. This will prove to be just another chance to show the department that. You are fortunate I haven’t yet named names to public safety. I can easily get you suspended for such an offense, if not outright jail time for breaking and entering.”
“You have no proof. You will do anything to ruin my credibility, including throwing accusations around. I did not do this and you will be found out!” Richard’s fingers curl along the edge of the desk, tightly holding on. “You will not screw me over again!”
Federer stands in front of Richard, placing his hands on either side as he makes his point clear. “I have done nothing to you. You got in over his head in college. It is that simple. You might have realized that if you had any friends who could have helped you adjust to this new experience, instead of relying on me.”
The door swings open and Professor Henman pokes his head in, spotting Federer first. “Hey, Roger. We need to have a meeting tomorrow about…” He feels the tension in the room and realizes the position they’re in, then barks out, “What is going on?”
Federer states, “I know who broke into my office. I’m trying to get Richard to confess.”
Henman looks back at Juan Carlos and Feliciano, both trying to look around Henman’s body to get a glimpse of what’s happening. He says to them, “We’ll talk about the lab work tomorrow. See you then.” He closes the door, then says, “I was going to wait until tomorrow to approach this but you’re impatient. I don’t know who’s behind the break-in but it’s not the one you’re threatening.”
Federer steps back then turns to Henman. “Excuse me? You do not believe his nonsense.”
“It’s not that. I had an interesting conversation with a former student of yours. Does the name Andrew Roddick mean anything to you?”
Federer lets out a sigh. “I’ve had thousands of students. The name is vaguely familiar but do you expect me to remember…”
“He had a fascinating tale for me. Apparently, he claims that you two have had sexual relations and you continue to harass him. Upon discovering your vandalism problem, he was my prime suspect, especially since I wasn’t sure how much to believe of what he was saying. So I went through his story, looking for something that could be proven or disproven. Then I remembered he mentioned a recent encounter between you and him that transpired in the lobby of the lecture hall and went back to public safety about their cameras in that building. On the footage, I saw your hands on him and Mr. Roddick visibly cringing. My guess is he wanted payback. I recognized a witness who could probably recall exactly what you said. Care to explain that?”
Federer stuffs his hands in his pockets, muttering, “That guy comes out of nowhere. It was an ambush.”
“You promised to raise his grade if he gave in to your advances.” Henman glances toward Richard, then continues, “The person who broke in clearly saw something weird regarding some journals and dropped them outside my office. I’m finding them a very interesting read, especially when you get to hypnotizing them to reveal embarrassing stuff. I’ve always wondered why Mr. Nalbandian abandoned the program with one semester to go but I digress. I’d like to speak to you about the contents, tomorrow at noon in my office. Until further notice, you will not meet with any current or former students from this program, including Richard.”
“I cannot believe this!” Federer exclaims. “Richard is…”
“A victim of your manipulation, most likely. You have quite a lot of explaining to do so be prepared, Roger. I believe you’re supposed to be doing a lecture in five minutes so you’d best not be late.”
Professor Federer shakes his head but obliges, pretending nothing that had been said could faze him as he exits the room. He stops as he notices there is an audience but doesn’t say a word as he turns toward his office.
Henman notices that reaction and steps out of the room, seeing Juan Carlos and Feliciano eavesdropping, and barks out, “Did you not hear me when I said ‘Class dismissed’? Do you want to write an essay about not following dir-” He stops speaking as the snoops rush to the exit, giving a wry smile at his power in that moment. Henman says as he’s shutting the door, “I’m sorry he ambushed you.”
“It’s to be expected.” Richard tries to keep his voice steady but so much has happened in the past few minutes and it’s overwhelming even getting those words out.
“No. You don’t deserve any of that.” Henman walks toward the table and looks down. There’s more that needs to be said. He turns to face Richard as he states, “If I’d asked you with Mr. Federer around if you knew Andrew Roddick, you would have lied and said no. Once I recognized Marin Cilic as the witness, something told me to keep watching. Then you appear and have an argument with Mr. Roddick, which had him storming out.”
Richard yelps, “I seriously didn’t do this! He…”
Henman cuts him off. “I believe you there. I do think you’ve spoken to either Mr. Cilic or Mr. Roddick about Professor Federer at some point and… well, Roger is wrong when he says that nobody cares regarding you. Mr. Roddick said that the only reason he was coming forward - well, besides graduation - was that there was this guy and he wanted to fix the problems they were having…” He notices Richard in wide-eyed shock at that information and he softens his voice when he asks, “He’s more than an acquaintance, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Richard answers, then shakes his head as he realizes how bad this will get for Roddick. “I messed up and he still… he’s going to be in big trouble.”
“Well, no.” Henman is deep in thought as he formulates a way to keep that from happening. “The way I see it, the break-in itself cannot be pinned on anyone as there’s no physical evidence, even as I suspect Mr. Roddick either did it or his friends did while he was talking to me. Federer can huff all he wants about pinning blame for the raid but I am more concerned about the journals’ content. At some point, I’m going to have to meet with those he wrote about but I have to be careful with that, speak to the board first about how to proceed. I have a lot of reading to get done before that meeting.” He’s deep in thought as he heads for the door, throwing in, “We’ll deal with the lab work in tomorrow’s lecture.”
Henman has at times been Richard’s lone ally in the chemistry department. Even so, Richard is stunned his advisor is even attempting to keep Roddick from trouble regarding the break-in. He calls out, “Thank you, sir.”
“No problem whatsoever.”
* * * * *
Rafael stops in his tracks when he opens the door to the suite and sees Andy sitting on the couch. He’s wearing one of the outfits Rafael wears for their morning workouts and, based on Novak watching from the bean chair, there has to be a larger meaning to this.
When Rafael doesn’t move, Andy grudgingly stands up, hands in the pockets of white shorts that on Rafael fall below the knee but look shorter on him. “Wanting your opinion on this new look. Obviously, I’d buy my own clothes but Richie thought it’d be easy enough to test using your stuff.” Not looking his way at all while saying that.
Rafael asks cautiously, “What are you doing?” It’s not just the clothes that make Andy seem off. Rafael doesn’t remember seeing him so nervous around friends. It could just be because he’s been forced to wear this outfit but maybe not. He looks to Novak, who is trying to hide a smile, then says to Andy, “Can we talk in my room?”
When they’re in Rafael’s room, Andy says, “You don’t like it? I know that Novak is normally the one with the impersonations so maybe I’m doing it wrong.”
Rafael leans against the door, watching Andy fidget while standing in the middle of the room. “What did you say to Richie that he could use against you?”
“That has nothing to do with…”
“You said somewhere in the middle of that serious talk about how you ran off your mouth to him.” Rafael plays a hunch and continues on, “Is it the same thing you said to Robin when you wanted me to think you were flirting with him?” He pushes off from the door and walks closer. “You were drinking both times, as I recall.”
“No, that is silly. It is so stupid but they gravitate to the weirdest things…” Andy trails off as he sees one of Rafael’s hands resting on his hip. “What are you doing?”
“There’s something else… do you know I watched that video of you and Marat at least twenty times? At first I claimed it was to hear what you said but it was so much more than that.”
“Well, the video is mesmerizing. Marat has that effect.”
“I don’t deny that may be true,” Rafael moving closer, his hand slipping under Andy’s (actually, his own) shirt. Andy looks up in confusion, the words not matching the action. “But he has nothing on you. I wanted to be in his position in the video, Andy. I began thinking Marat or, worse, Robin was your type and that’s what had me lash out like that.”
Andy turns his head slightly, peering at Rafael as he pieces together what’s been said and done. Once he seems assured by the conclusion, his eyes brighten and he breaks into a smile. “I see,” he says, then raises his hand to Rafael’s shoulder and leans in for a quick kiss. Andy lingers near Rafael’s mouth afterward as he hisses out, “They’re not my type.”
Rafael chuckles, then retorts, “Despite what I may be showing, I am not my type so don’t ever wear this again. While the makeover clothes worked fine, you look so uncomfortable.”
Andy laughs at that, then replies, “I would be more than happy to agree. One thing though.” He breaks from Rafael’s grasp, then balls his hand into a fist and hits the door with one loud bang.
Novak yelps, “Damn it!” as he must have had his ear against the door.
Andy answers, “That’s what you get for listening.” He is about to say more when the fire alarm goes off. He shakes his head, then says to Rafael, “Postponed.”