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			DAMSELS UNDER GLASS: THE SERIES
			Charlie's Belt-2 by DUG Guest Author OMDOM99 © 2001
			E	P	I	L	O	G	U	E
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Margo rose from her desk and met Elke in the center of the office. "Come on over here. I want to tell you how impressed I have been with Charlie's accomplishments over the past several weeks!" Margo led the Lycra clad fitness instructor to the leather covered couch. "I don't know how you did it, but you succeeded! The Bug has completed her dissertation and passed her orals with flying colors! I have her diploma on my desk."

The statuesque blond smiled mysteriously. "All she needed was a little motivation… Of course, your incorporation of the Piezo-electric beads into the chastity belt played a major role."

Margo returned the smile and grasped Elke's hand. "What ever it was, it really worked. We now have another Ph.D. on the letterhead and Dr. Paretsky can apply her creative skills to our needs without further distractions."

Elke rose from the couch grinning. You always knew you could count on me. Oh, by the way, I am acting as a ‘personal fitness trainer’ for Charlie's assistant, Jenny Lovell.

"Fitness trainer?" Margo asked lifting an eyebrow. "You couldn't have ulterior motives, could you?"

For a minute, the athletic blond looked a little awkward "Well, I do think she would make a perfect addition to the ‘Inner Circle.’ But I understand the policy and I'd never do anything to compromise our activities. It's just that she seems so right for the part…"

Margo rose and placed a friendly arm around her shoulders. "I know that. Let's investigate this opportunity together." She smiled warmly. "You do the preliminary work up and we'll develop a special qualification test."

"Okay," Elke said as she walked purposefully out the door. "I'll let you know when I get to the latter stages so you can personally observe her reactions."

Margo waved good-bye and then spoke in a cheerful voice. "Eve, is Charlie available?"

"Yes, Margo." Eve's voice replied. "Would you like to see her?"

Margo walked back to her desk and looked down at the framed diploma. "Yes, thank you. It's time I congratulated her on her Doctorate."

After a short pause Eve replied. "She is on her way and should be there in five minutes."

Almost to the second, Charlie bounced breathlessly into the office.

Margo walked over to the attractive young woman and shook her hand warmly. Charlie looked a little apprehensive when she was ushered over to the couch.

"Bug," she said warmly. "We are so proud of you for finishing your Ph.D.. You have no idea how much your accomplishments mean to me and to the entire TESSERACT family."

Charlie grinned sheepishly. "Well, I am sort of happy that it's all behind me. There are so many things going on here that I want to get involved with." She fidgeted restlessly on the couch. "I guess I just needed to focus myself."

Margo rose gracefully and walked to her desk. "I know that it wasn't easy and that you put in a lot of work." She paused, looking back at her delighted protégé. "You deserve a reward. Is there anything that you would like for a graduation present?"

A strange look came over Charlie's face and she hesitated for a moment before answering. "Now that you mention it, there is something I've been wishing for…" The sentence seemed to hang in the air as the feminine elf lowered her head and looked up at Margo through her thick eyelashes.

Margo picked up the large, framed graduation certificate. "What have you been wishing for? Name it."

Charlie smiled and tucked one booted ankle under her on the couch. "Well, do you remember that time when Elke tied you to that work out machine and made you…"

Margo quickly interrupted. "I'm not likely to forget!"

"Also," Charlie continued in a plaintive tone. "While you were in Queensland, Elke forced me to endure some very stringent teasing."

"That was by my instructions." Margo emphasized.

"No, I mean in addition to the day you had to leave, several days later…"

Margo stared at her intently and smiled. "I think I can see where this is going. I take it you're looking for a pay back?"

"Exactly!" Charlie blurted. "I want to be able to tease her like she has been teasing me… I mean us."

Margo frowned momentarily. "You're not interested in causing pain or discomfort, are you?"

"Pain, no—discomfort, yes, but not the painful kind." Charlie responded leaning forward.

"And you want me to help you capture her?" Margo said, beginning to like the idea.

"No, I think I can handle the capture part, but I wanted to clear it with you first because I was thinking about a whole day of fun and games." Charlie grew more animated as she continued. "If you're interested in joining the fun, I would welcome your expertise and advice. The only thing is, I would rather not involve Kat. You know how she feels about Elke…"

Margo walked over and handed her the diploma before answering. "Yes I do. OK, you have my approval for your graduation present. I want 48 hours advance warning to minimize schedule conflict and to coordinate her absence with other activities."

Charlie jumped to her feet and clapped her hands. "Oh thank you, Margo. Thank you!"

"One other thing…" Margo said. "I want Eve to be fully aware of your plans. I may decide to participate in your little game depending on the scene. But I want no surprises, understand?"

Charlie shifted restlessly. "I understand… But wouldn't some of your senior staff have access to the information?"

"Good point." Margo replied. "Eve let's restrict this information to Charlie and me only."

"As you wish, Margo." Eve replied.

"By the way, Eve." Margo added. "Charlie may be able to use one or two hints about Elke's vulnerabilities. Please give her the benefit of your expertise."

Charlie was almost bouncing up and down as she ran over and hugged her boss. "Thank you, thank you. I don't know how to repay you!"

"Don't worry, Bug." Margo said with a knowing smile. "I'll think of a way…"

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Chapter 2

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