Authors note:
Firstly, I would love to thank Chris R. for helping create this story, for the character of Chris F, and for just being an awesome person. I hope this is everything you hoped it would be.
This story has been a fair amount of work. What started out as a short story, sort of grew out of all proportions in to my longest ever work.
I am sorry there is hardly any sex in the 20k words... actually that's not true, there is a hell of a lot of sex in it. Possibly more than any two of my other stories put together. So I will stop procrastinating and let you get on with the story.
*
ATM
The Graduate
"Are you sure about this one?"
The question drew True's attention away from the rugby match for a split second. "Yes."
True's secretary, Paula Robinson, winced as the figure they were watching performed a hard tackle. "Seriously? Are you sure it won't be a little rough?"
A smirk crossed True's pale lips. "Ye of little faith." She answered. "If you knew anything about this sport you would see what I do."
"Meaning?" Paula asked impatiently.
"The tackle could be far harder." True informed her. "Watch as the number three goes in for the tackle, at the last second the momentum halts and weight shifts from front foot to rear. That takes the impact out of the tackle, and speaks of a fear of hurting people."
"Well, you're the boss True." Paula acknowledged. "Although I don't get this game at all, football I understand but not this."
True smiled at the comment. "Paula, rugby is the sport of hooligans played by gentlemen, whereas football is the sport of gentlemen played by hooligans."
"Whatever." Paula sighed in reply.
True Martin, with the help of a few select aids, ran a very exclusive course. Not something you would find in the local papers, or on flyers attached to car windscreens. In fact, you wouldn't find it advertised anywhere. The clients were drawn from information databases, pulled from forums and advice lines run by True's employees. The clients were always female of body, regardless of gender identity, and had struggled with coming out as who they were. They were selected very carefully, more often than not without even knowing they were being observed. If quizzed about her
modus operandi
, True would admit it was a little like stalking, but upmost secrecy was needed to prevent any identities being discovered, her own, or more importantly, the clients.
The observation of the selected clients was second nature to True. She had been an officer in the British Army before transferring in to the elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment. She had worked as an intelligence gatherer and field agent in several different warzones and on home soil in anti-terrorist operations, she had developed an ability for blending in to crowds so easily, she had earned the nickname
The Predator
after the alien in the film of that name. Unluckily, her career had ended when she was hit by a drunk driver whilst she was crossing the road, the impact broke her leg in multiple places and she spent over a year learning to walk again. After surviving three tours in Afghanistan without a scratch, the irony was real.
The idea for running the course had been born from when True had come out as gay. In her line of work, she hadn't had a great deal of time for relationships, and really only came to terms with the fact that she preferred women, when she had a very intense affair with Belinda a fiery redhead physiotherapist, that sadly lasted less time than it took to regain the full use of her leg. Left with enough savings to live comfortably, a bag full of questions about life and a space in her heart that needed filling, True signed up to a string of gay singles website, only to find out that there were a lot of sites more concerned with taking her money, than actually finding a fresh out of the box woman a loving partner.
With a little help from friends she had made through her career, True set her own company up. It began catering specifically to just gay women, but as it took off, it was expanded to many differently defined target groups, subsequently, True realised that there was a need for a place for youngsters to get good advice about how to deal with sexual and gender issues in confidence. She hired a couple of professional advisors and began to help those who were in need, via a specialist forum funded by her dating company.
With a better and more reliable source of relationships, over the course of a couple of years, True delved deeply in to the world of lesbian sex, finding out exactly what she enjoyed and didn't. Sadly, even after many partners, True never found the one special person to share her life with. With that pain buried deep, she became determined to make sure younger women had the confidence to find their special someone, and she embarked on a new venture.
The couple of web developers that had built her site, put together search parameters to sift through the user databases and analyse those in most need. From there True would personally collate information on each possible candidate. When one had been selected a careful program of observation was carried out to confirm the prospective client's suitability, then an email was sent out inviting the prospective client to a meeting to discuss the prospect of spending a short time being taught ways to survive the world, and the pitfalls that love could bring.
No money was asked for this service, it was just True's way of filling her empty life and hopefully helping others out.
True had already chosen the latest candidate out, the number three of the rugby team they had just been watching, otherwise known as Chris F. Listed as non-binary, in their early twenties, interests were playing rugby, cycling and kayaking.
Paula had her reservations, she apparently thought that the broad shouldered prop looked a little too strong and possibly overzealous, but True was an exceptional judge of character. She could see the gentle creature that dwelt inside.
The final whistle blew and the match ended, Chris's team won by a narrow margin.
"Draw up the paperwork, and send the invite." True instructed. "And when you do the interview, don't let your judgment cloud your mind. Trust me on this one."
Paula sighed and nodded then gave the surveillance team instructions to stand down as True left the stadium.
***
Day 1
True Martin waited at the arrivals gate, the plane had already landed and Chris would soon appear. She checked her reflection one final time, as with everything in her life, she had planned things to the finest detail, and the first impression was important one to make. She smoothed her light grey rain coat down over her trim figure, for a forty-eight-year-old she was confident that her body could belong to a much younger woman. Her blonde hair was cropped short and the suit she wore under the rain coat was immaculately cut to suit her figure.
The first few passengers began to emerge in to the arrivals area, and True held up a small sign with the name 'Chris F' printed on it in bold lettering. She casually slipped her free hand in to a trouser pocket, pushing the right side of her coat back, to allow a view of her suited body. Every action was made purposely to plant an image in to her client's mind before any words were exchanged.
She spotted Chris before Chris spotted the sign. Again, pre-planned, as True knew who to look for, whilst Chris was looking for someone holding a sign in a crowd of people holding signs.
The rugby player True had watched didn't look like the person whose eyes searched the crowd. The confident power of the tighthead prop had been replaced by a shy looking person. The same well-muscled shoulders filled out a comfortable looking charcoal grey suit, cut more for a male than a woman. A crown of dark brown hair in short soft curls angled down the back of Chris's head, to just off the collar of a plain white shirt. The sides, above Chris's ears, were buzzed short and a zigzag line was shaven in to the hair to replicate an EKG display.
The similarities in their clothing wasn't coincidental, True had been sent a message showing what Chris had worn to travel, and dressed to match. It was all part of the process to set the client at ease and boost confidence.
As in the pictures True had studied, it was the eyes that stood out, a soft blue grey that spoke of intelligence and thoughtfulness. True smiled, happy that she had made the right choice of someone to help. She manoeuvred the sign around casually to ensure Chris spotted it. The easy grin that graced Chris's mouth made True smile wider, and she lifted her sunglasses up to allow their eyes to meet, confident her deep brown eyes would also help put Chris at ease. She knew that they looked honest and caring. They had always been one of her most useful features.
As Chris approached, True lowered the sign and offered her hand, she didn't want to overwhelm anyone on a first meeting, so always settled for a handshake. A Chris responded with a firm but not overpowering shake. Another good sign of innate gentleness.
"True." True introduced, as she stepped in a little closer and placed a light kiss on Chris's cheek.
"Chris." Came the reply, the voice softly edged with an accent.
"Are you comfortable with English." True asked politely, even though she knew Chris spoke fluent English. Just one more reassurance to create a bond.
"English is good." Chris replied warmly, although True did pick up on a slight tremor that could be nerves, or possibly sexual frustration she mused. Time would tell.
"I thought we could get a bite to eat on the way back, if you're hungry that is." True informed with an easy manner as she escorted Chris out of the airport and to the waiting car.
"Cranberry juice with ice for me." True told the waiter after Chris had ordered iced water. "What would you like to eat Chris?"
"Would it be okay if I had the Tikka Masala?" Chris asked after glancing the menu over.
True's heart skipping a beat at the polite request, and returned the question with a warm smile. "You can have whatever you want Chris, while you are here, I will try and provide anything you ask for."
The waiter nodded as he scribbled down the order and turned to True the unspoken question in his eyes.
"And I will have the lemon sole please." True requested.
They waited quietly for a few moments, neither speaking, but True watching Chris taking in the pleasant restaurant.
