Note: I think this is going to be a multi chapter effort.
I didn't expect it to run on the way it did.
The original concept was a simple one-shot,
but Cho seemed to have his own ideas.
Cho's Sun
Chapter 01
(Getting to Know You)
His eyes snapped open and he realized that it was bright and sunny. Smiling, he arched his back, supporting his weight against the firm bed on his heels and head. He relaxed the bridge, brought his knees to his chest and snapped to an upright position, executing a quarter turn to his left and placed his bare feet on the cooler hardwood floor. Cho stretched, did a few simple Tai Chi movements, stood, and fell face forward on the floor, catching himself on his hands. From this position, he did fifty quick pushups and bounced erect, not even breathing hard.
He walked to his window and pulled the curtain aside, the bright morning sun making a lean and muscular silhouette of his form. Since he slept only in briefs, the definition in his back, triceps and quads was obvious. This was not a weight lifter's bulked up body. This was the hard leanness of a gymnast or, as in fact, a martial artist.
Cho smiled again. Sunday was usually his favorite day of the week. CBI could occupy most of the normal work week, but normally did not make too many demands on the weekend. Saturday was his chore day and he did stay busy almost all day. He volunteered at a youth center and the taught, for pay, a class on Krav Maga, at a local gym. After shopping and eating, the day was mostly gone.
The path he chose around the lake in Discovery Park was about two miles. He adjusted the small gun, in its concealed holster, inside the band of his sweat pants. Regulations dictated that he be armed and have his badge 24/7, but he hated it. While regulations did say he had to be armed, they did not specify the weapon, other than "in possession of a fire arm". His compromise was to select a very small two shot .25 caliber derringer. Up close, its little hollow points could be devastating, and it was very easy to conceal.
Setting off at an easy jog, he enjoyed the briskness of the morning air. Odds were it would get much warmer, soon. This was a good time of day, he thought. Seventeen minutes later he returned to his starting point and sat down next to the bike trail. His body was vibrating with energy and he felt good. "A good day to be alive," he mused.
He heard someone jogging towards him and turned to face that direction. A very pretty young Asian was approaching, using an easy gliding gate that indicated she was not working all that hard, just enjoying the experience. She was wearing cut on jeans – very cut off, and a sports bra. Her midriff was lean, showing a "four" pack, and her arms and legs showed good definition. He followed her with his eyes as she passed, turning to keep her in sight.
She saw his interest, and felt his eyes on her as she passed. She abruptly stopped and turned to face him. He was fascinated as her long black hair extended from the speed of the turn. She was wearing in pulled back, in a pony tail, a good style for jogging. "You see something you like," she asked with an edge of hostility and wariness to her voice.
Cho liked the fire in her eyes and the strength of her attitude. Nor did he miss that she was carrying a small canister of pepper spray in her right hand. "Yes, Ma'am, I do," he said rising slowly. She took one step in reasonably concealed display alarm. "Did you just do a two mile course?"
His nonthreatening attitude and the technical question allayed her concern, somewhat. "Yes, I was taking it easy and only turned in a 14:30. I have things I need to do today, so I didn't want to burn out this early."
Cho smiled. "You were more energetic than I. I loafed along at 17 minutes, but I don't compete. I just do it for fun and to stay in shape."
For the first time she smiled and Cho was sure that his heart skipped a beat. "I don't really compete. I do five and 10K races for fun, but I'm not serious. I usually come in in the top 10 or 15, but some people are so serious it scary!" She smiled.
Cho laughed. "Yes, I've known a couple like that. They do hate to lose."
She smiled and stuck out her hand. "I'm Lee Sun-Hi. My friends call me Sunny." She grinned.
Cho Smiled and shrugged. "I'm less traditional. I'm Kimball Cho and my friends call me Cho."
Sunny smiled. "I don't blame them." They both laughed.
"I'm going up to the Taco Bell and refuel my body, want to join me?" Sunny look at him hopefully.
Cho was stunned. He'd been wondering how to really meet her and her she was offering to spend time with him. "Sounds like a plan," he said deadpan. "The body must be fed."
The Taco Bell was less than a mile away, and they took their time, chatting about what they enjoyed doing. They were entering the Taco Bell. Sunny had just informed him that she worked in a hospital as an aid and was getting ready to graduate from college, when a group of rowdy teens came boiling out of the door, pushing and shoving. One pushed Cho, and much to his surprise, found himself tangled in the legs of another one of his buddies, who had been going to accost Sunny. They went down in a heap, and somehow their two friends became entangled and joined the pile of squirming cursing humanity.
Cho held out a hand to Sunny, saying, "Our Nachos await."
She smiled, took the proffered hand and they went in to order.
oOOOo