Good Right Hook

Set right after Natalie and Evangeline's fight… John isn't the only one to hit the gym.

Chapter One

Natalie followed Officer Kelland throw the grimy door with a roll of her eyes. "Please tell me why this is necessary again?"

Kelland grinned at the red head next him. "Get out some of those frustrations." He playfully jabbed at her jaw. "Can't be turning the squad room into a brawl fight unless there is gonna be mud involved."

Natalie glared comically at her co-worker as she fiddled with the straps of her black tank top. "I don't think Susan would like that."

Kelland approached the desk, drumming on the metal. "What my wife doesn't know won't hurt her." He jested back.

"Yeah right." Natalie said, wondering for the thousand time why she was there. Kelland had made the suggestion and Bo had agreed and the next thing Natalie knew she was at Llanfair changing and Kelland was driving her out of the way to this dump. "And tell me again how you got Uncle Bo to let us both off work?"

"Simple." Replied the blonde cop. "I told him I was helping his niece. That's some nice little pull you gotta there."

Natalie's face darkened, remembering acutely the sting from Evangeline's words, and wondering idly if that what the Buchanans still thought of her, someone to feel sorry for. "Yeah, I guess."

Kelland took in her sadden cerulean eyes while mentally kicking himself. He liked Natalie. She was great at her job, sure as hell made his life easier, and she knew how to make the best coffee, too bad every time she left Lt. McBain was always in such a sour mood. "Hey. I didn't mean it like that. You're good at your job, Natalie. Everyone loves you."

"Not everyone." She replied.

"So what happened today, not good but its over. You just stay out of Ms. Williamson's way-"

"Stay out of her way?" Natalie cried. "What about her staying out of my way? She comes down there on purpose just to cause problems and I'm supposed to stay out of her way?"

Kelland rocked back on his heels, quietly taking in Natalie's tirade with a humoring patience. "You're not gonna smack me, are you?"

"Funny." Natalie bit back. "I should for dragging me out here but Susan would never let me hear the end of it if I sent you home black and blue so I won't. For now."

"Good. Now come on, let's get you signed up, Tiger." He grabbed a form from the desk and slid it over to the voluptuous woman beside him.

Natalie took out a pen and began filling out the paperwork. "I can't believe I'm doing this." She grumbled. "And what sorta gym is named Rourke's anyway?"

Kelland just laughed at her fusing. "A real man's gym meaning there just might be someone here not afraid of fighting you."

Natalie sighed. "Its not the fighting that frightens them off. It's all the rest."

It wasn't the job that got to John; it was all the rest- Natalie, Evangeline, his brother, Father's day. The only thing that got to him about the job was when it got personal and this Killing Club killer now had developed a yen for Natalie.

His jabs became quick and hard as the image flashed in his head of Natalie dead, her snow white skin with a bluish tint as she lay still on a slab in the morgue. No, he wouldn't let that happen. No one else he love would die, no matter what he had to do, no matter if he had to smash her heart he would not lose her like he lost his dad and Caitlin.

"Hey!" Rourke called, approaching and steadying the bag that John had been pummeling. "Take it easy there. You okay Johnny Boy?"

John took a step back from the bag, wiping the sweat off his brow with his wrapped hand. "Yeah." He lied. He hadn't even realized how hard his hits were until Rourke stepped in, just like he didn't know how strongly he felt for Natalie until the words came pouring out of his mouth.

Rourke sent John a disbelieving look. "Any chance you wanna tell me about it?"

John sent him a weary smile. "It's gym, Rourke. Not a shrink's office."

"Rourke!" A dark hair trainer called his boss. "Gotta fresh meat here!"

Rourke groaned with a roll of his eyes. "Newbies. Everybody and their brother are out here since that Russell Crow movie hit the Cineplex."

"Good for business."

"Yeah but bad on my ulcer." The old trainer appraised John with a sweeping glance. "Hey, Johnny, why don't you go get yourself some water? I even got one of those mini fridge's in my office."

John forced a smile; it was obvious he was trying to help. "Yeah, I just might have to take you up on that."

Rourke smiled. "Good."

"Good." Kelland coached. "Now try again." Natalie sent two more quick jabs into his padded hand. "Better, now you're getting the hang of it."

Natalie wiped a stray hair from her face. "Somehow I don't think Uncle Bo would want you teaching me how to fight."

"Wouldn't be so sure about that. Kinda scared us all at the station with that stupid bait thing." Natalie ducked her head trying not to think of the anger and passion in John's eyes when he found her. "I thought Lt. McBain was gonna put a fist through the wall."

"I don't wanna talk about John." Natalie quickly cut in. "So show me again how I should turn my wrist."

"Like this." Rourke interrupted from behind Natalie, placing his large hand on her slender one. Natalie followed his motion. "Not bad for a beginner." He commented before smiling at Kelland. "Hey Officer, long time no see. Take it you and Susan hit a rough patch." He gestured with a nod of his head towards Natalie. "Gotta tell you, not smart to teach the new girlfriend how to throw a decent punch."

Kelland laughed. "This is Natalie. We work together."

"Do you?"

"Yes." Natalie glowered at his implication.

"Okay then, sweetheart. Tell me what I can do for you?"

Natalie was about to tell him where he could shove his sweetheart comment when Kelland stepped in. "Natalie got into a bit of an encounter this morning. The Commissioner and I thought it might be prudent to let her blow off a little steam."

"A brawler, eh?" Rourke grinned as Natalie glared at him. "Well you came to the right place, sweetheart. Come on. Let's get you some gloves for those pretty little mitts and then I will introduce you to this guy I know. He can really teach you up."

Natalie turned to Kelland. "I'm steam free. I promise."

Kelland just chuckled. "It won't be that bad. Who knows you might even enjoy it."

Natalie rolled her eyes at that but followed the two men anyway. "Fat chance."