Robin did snivel and blinked when Abigail said that she forgave them. They nodded that they understood that it must have been a rather freaky experience. Then a smile broke on their face. They touched the back of their hands to their eyes to dry them before actual tears formed.<br/>"It's ok," they said when Abigail apologised for having dumped on them.<br/>"I understand and I suppose I kind of deserved it."<br/>They smiled again and stood up.<br/>"Lunch then," they said and followed Abigail across campus, about half a step behind her so they could occasionally sneak a subtle glance at her rear moving from side to side as she walked.<br/><br/>At the Student Union Robin picked up a bacon and cheese burger with fries, a large serving of mixed salad and a bottle of Mountain Dew to wash it all down with. They sat down opposite Abigail and listened to her continue the conversation from her office while they unwrapped the burger.<br/>"What do I think of him?" they asked and studied their burger for a few seconds before lifting the top bun to add some of the salad to it.<br/>"First of all, yes I do believe he was sincere in wanting to understand how to give you more pleasure, to make you feel more ... appreciated, as a woman, as a person and perhaps most importantly as his wife."<br/>They took a bite of the burger, chewed, swallowed and followed it with a sip from the bottle.<br/>"Friday night was probably a huge shock to him with all the things you told him, not to mention how hard you fought for him to release me into your custody. I don't think he has ever noticed that side of you before, if indeed you have shown it to him."<br/>They paused and let the words sink in while focusing on their burger for another two bites.<br/>"It was probably also a big eye opener for him and I think that is why he sought me out for advice. I don't think he suspects anything other than you being my teacher and I your student, if perhaps a slightly special one. No, he came to me because he truly wants to save your marriage, not just to keep up appearances but because he truly does love you. He just needs a bit help in understanding exactly what that means and from what you said it seems you too need to figure that out, what it is that attracts you to him, what that deep emotional bond consists of. It could of course be because you have children together but I doubt that is more than a fraction of the reason."<br/>They paused again and smiled at Abigail before picking up the fork and spearing a big mouthful of the salad.<br/>"This needs dressing. Think about what I said and I'll be back in a few."<br/><br/>Robin got up and walked back to the salad bar and while trying to decide which dressing to choose they took out their phone to check the message that had arrived while they were in Abigail's office. They suspected it was from Xavier reporting back from how the night had gone and indeed it was.<i>It didn't work worse than before. SOS!!! </i>Simple, to the point and reeking of desperation. But in a way it had worked. It had just worked a little too well if anything. Perhaps that wasn't what he needed to hear though because the truth that they had been intimate with his wife might simply convince him that his marriage was over and that his wife and the mother of his children was about to leave him for a student and on top of that for a student he probably perceived as female.<br/><br/>It was at that moment when their mind subconsciously deciphered the three capitalised letters at the end of his desperate cry for help, Save Our Souls, that it dawned on them that they both needed to be saved, sort of. Neither of them would be happy, whether they stayed married or got divorced, unless something changed. They both loved each other even if neither of them could explain what it was about the other they loved, at the same time they were wearing on each other and neither of them was happy with their relationship. The plan Robin came up with right there and then as they reached for a container of blue cheese dressing and another of melted cheddar for their fries was perhaps extreme and if it failed it would make things that much worse but at least Abigail seemed open to something far beyond the social norm.<br/><i>We'll talk when I get back from Wichita!  </i>they typed back to him without any further explanation and returned to Abigail.<br/>"When it comes to whether there is hope for your marriage or not I dunno. I suppose it all depends on both of you really. He is willing to change, or at least make a serious attempt at changing, but he also needs to feel that his efforts are being appreciated, y'know?"<br/>They drenched the salad in dressing and took another mouthful of it.<br/>"I do have an idea though but it is a bit ... I dunno ... out there."