A/N - ok guys so this is a one-shot that will quite possibly turn into something more when i have time but anyways it was written for Comingsummers as a prize for a triva question I had on one of my chapters for Fire in the Blood. So Comingsummers I hope you like this!

Here is the prompt she gave me:

what happened after Tommy yelled at his dad in the casino, and before he found him yelling about Moby Dick in their room. I've seen a few interpretations of that time, and I'm interested to see what you do with it.
If you feel like it, throw an OC in for good measure!

Disclaimer- I own nothing I just like to play in the sandbox!

FUCK! Tommy thought as he sat there in front of the slot machine after Paddy had stalked off. He knew he had been hard on the old man but he was trying to pry into things that weren't any of his god damn business. Tommy sat there for a little while trying to fight back the demons that he was facing. He finally decided to just go work his frustration out in the gym. He stood up and strode through the casino like a lion tensed to strike making his way to the hotel's gym as quickly as possible. When he walked in he grabbed his gloves out of his gym bag and started pounding into the bag; trying to let all his anger go.

He was still punching the bag an hour later, and he failed to notice when a petite woman, with long dark curly hair, walked into the gym. She stood there watching this man beat the shit out of a bag and couldn't quite remember why she had come to the gym in the first place. She was mesmerized by the power this man wielded. Tommy suddenly felt eyes watching him and he swiftly turned around to see who had interrupted his impromptu workout. As he turned he saw a small woman who looked young but also had an age to her that he couldn't quite place. She gasped loudly when he turned, suddenly afraid of what the fury in his eyes might mean. When he saw the scared look in her eyes he immediately softened, took the gloves off and held his hands up.

"'msorry. Not gonna hurtcha." He spoke softly and calmly.

"It's ok. I shouldn't 'ave snuck up on ya."

She had a gentle voice and Tommy found himself wanting to know more about this mysterious girl who had walked into a gym at 2:00 am. He stepped closer to her slowly.

"Whatcha doin' here at 2 in the mornin' anyway?"
Tommy asked as he drank some water for the cooler.

"I don't actually know really. I just need to get away from my friends; you know get some peace and quiet. I didn't think anybody would be in here this time of night."

Tommy nodded he could defiantly understand the need to get away.

"What they do that made you need to get away?"

Tommy wasn't exactly sure why he was still talking to this girl; but something about her had him intrigued.

"I'm just not really into the whole clubbing thing."

She said softly. Tommy thought there was probably more to the story.

"What bout you? Why're you beating the shit out of a punching bag at this time of night?"

Tommy was surprised he wasn't automatically angry with her question. He didn't like when people tried to pry into his life however for some reason he found that he actually wanted to tell her. It scared him. He had never met someone he felt this connected to.

"I can tell you but it's a long story. Do you have time?"

The woman looked as if she was deciding wether or not it was safe to stay and listen to his story. Finally she nodded her head.

"Yeah, why not."

"'kay. Let's sit over there."

He said while pointing to a wall that had a bunch of rolled up mats piled against it. They both walked over and sat on the floor with their backs against the mats. Tommy had his legs stretched out straight with one foot resting on top of the other, while the girl sat cross legged.

"You look familiar someway..." She stated as a question and statement in one.

"Yeah well that's probly cause I'm a fighter in Sparta." Tommy huffed.

"That's right! Tommy..."

"Riordan. Yep that's me. So anyway, to explain why I'm punching a bag at two in the morning you've gotta know a few things 'bout me."

Tommy then told her about his childhood. About Paddy and how he hit his Ma. How he pushed him to do better in wrestling. About leaving and Brendan staying. About his Ma getting sick and having to watch her die. About joining the Marines and meeting Manny and their friendship. About Manny dying and the promise he'd made him. About deserting. (He knew he probably shouldn't have told her that but he found that he trusted her for some reason.) He continued to tell her about coming back home. About those boys in the tank. About finding Paddy was sober. About training. About Sparta. About how Brendan was also in Sparta. About their talk on the beach. And then finally he got to why he had come to the gym that night.

"So then I yelled at him, said some things I didn't really mean and told him to fuck off. Afterward I just needed to let off some steam and since I can't spar with anyone this late the bag was the best option."

Tommy sighed. He had never been this open with anyone. The woman just sat there. She wasn't quite sure what to say. This man she barely knew, who obviously was very damaged and also very capable of being dangerous, had just told her his whole life story.

"Wow. I'm not sure what to say."

"You don' have to say nothin'." Tommy said quietly.

"Whydcha tell me all this? I mean, I just met you and you don't even know my name!" She asked.

Tommy smirked at her and shook his head.

"I don't know. I just feel like I can trust you. I feel like we got a connection or somethin." He paused. "What's your name anyway?"

She smiled slightly, "It's Leighton Gallagher."

"I'm glad I've met you Leighton Gallagher." Tommy said softly

"As am I Tommy Conlon." She replied.

They sit there looking at each other both feeling as if they could see into each others souls. They were then interrupted by Leighton's phone buzzing. She sighed and look at the thing.

"It's my friends they've finally made their way back to the room." She said sadly.

"What time is it anyhow?" Tommy asked as he stretched his arms above his head.

"Oh fuck. It's 5:15. Shit we've been here for 3 hours." She exclaimed.

She then burst out laughing and Tommy joined in. The pair sat there laughing until they fell over. By that time it was 5:25 and Leighton had 5 more texts and 3 missed calls.

"I better go before they send out the search squad." Leighton said softly.

Tommy nodded his head and stood up. He extended his hand to help her off the floor. Once she stood up she held his hand in hers. They stood their hand in hand looking at each other. They moved slightly closer together and Tommy felt her thumb massaging his hand. Leighton took a deep breath and lifted herself onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. She felt him gasp and then his hand on her back pulling her closer to him. Her hands went around his neck playing with the hairs at the back of his neck. They kissed until they both were gasping for air and when they did pull apart it was only slightly, Tommy leaving his forehead against hers.

"Wow!" Leighton whispered.

She felt weak in the knees; that was quite possibly the best kiss of her life. She sighed as her phone buzzed again.

"I've gotta go." She whispered.

Tommy nodded his head.

"Come to my fights today?" He asked softly.

She looked up at him surprised. "You want me to come watch you fight?"

He nodded.

"Why?" She couldn't understand why he would want her there.

"Please, just say you'll come. I want you there." He whispered softly as he placed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Ok. But I don't have any tickets."

"I'll get you some."

Tommy pulled her face up to his and kissed her again quickly before giving her one of the biggest bear hugs she'd ever had.

"Give me that damn phone of yours." He said in what she assumed was a playful growl.

Leighton dug around in her pocket for the phone and pulled it out. She passed it to him and he started typing quickly. When he finished he handed it back and she saw he had added himself as a contact complete with his address in Pittsburgh and hotel room number.

"You live in Pittsburgh?" She asked.

He nodded and she smiled.

"Me too! Not far from you actually!"

Tommy smiled. "Good then it will be easier to keep in touch after this."

Leighton smiled and nodded. She gave him another quick peck and then turned to leave. Tommy watched her leave and decided to go jump in the shower and then head up to the room. When he got upstairs he saw he had 2 texts from a number he didn't know.

The first said:

Hey Tommy this is Leighton. Thanks for keeping me company! XOXO

Tommy smiled at this.

The second said:

Good luck today! I'll be there! XOXO

Tommy's smile got larger as he the second text. He then phoned up the annoying girl who had introduced her self on the first day they got there as J.J. Riley's assistant. She answered and he gruffly told her he needed her to put two tickets for his fights tonight on hold at will-call for Leighton and when she confirmed he hung up. As he was walking back to his room he texted Leighton about the tickets and got a great with a smiley face. He grinned as he unlocked his door and stepped in. The second he was inside he heard crashing and shouting. He knew immediately that Paddy had fallen off the wagon. He sighed and walked over to the door to the adjoining room.

A/N-

alrighty so I hope y'all liked that! I think I will definatly continue this at some point it may just take me a little bit!

Thanks again to everyone for reading! Please review they are fabulous!

HardyGirl528491