Your encounter

Diana takes a deep breath and looks at her secretary. "Miss Holliday, I think with all that's happened, we're done for the day. See you in the morning."

The white haired woman looks at the young headmistress for a moment, her face a stoic mask, but her eyes flickering to you for a moment before answering. "Of course headmistress. Have a good evening."

You and Diana exchange some small talk as the secretary shuts down her computer and puts on her coat. She nods at both of you as she leaves the office. Diana looks at you and takes a deep breath.

"What happened earlier," she says quietly. "Between us. In your office. It can't happen again."

You look at her quietly, noting the tautness of her face.

"Diana..." you begin.

"Dean Hawkfeather, I think we should keep this professional. We had a moment, as human beings sometimes do. We are two people, two attractive people I might add, who are working together under some pressure. Under such circumstances, things sometimes happen. As it did. I'm saying it can't happen again and I'm depending on you to do your part to ensure that it does not."

You look at her silently for a moment, gathering your thoughts.

"We are professional Headmistress. We are also humans. There is no reason we can't be both."

"No reason at all Dean Hawkfeather," she replies, a faint flush colouring her throat. "We just can't...demonstrate...demonstrate..."

"Our affection?"

"Our...whatever it was we demonstrated," she says with a little hesitation in her voice. "I'm serious about this Ky...Dean Hawkfeather."

"Very well Headmistress," you say, your body falling automatically into an at ease position as you answer her, your voice taking on the neutral tone of military obedience. She looks back at you, her face still faintly flushed.

"You look like you're about to salute me Dean Hawkfeather."

"You are my superior Headmistress, and you have issued a valid command."

"We are not the Marine Corps here Dean."

"No Ma'am. We are not. Despite you addressing me as 'Marine' in my office a few hours ago. When you were critiquing my technique."

Her flush deepens and a hint of a smile quirks the corner of her mouth before she regains her stoic expression.

"Things are said in the heat of...of the moment, Dean Hawkfeather. Things perhaps better left unsaid. As things are sometimes done in the heat of the moment. But that moment, for us at least, is and shall remain in the past."

"As you say Ma'am," you say in the same neutral tone. "Will there be anything else?"

She holds your gaze, her eyes clouded with conflicted emotions, the flush still on her throat.

"No Dean, that will be all. Have a pleasant evening."

"You too Ma'am, good evening," you reply as you step to the door and leave her office.