Disclaimer: I own nothing. Cept the Original Characters. Everything else is Lionsgate.

Authors Note: I am so glad this story has been a hit. I hope you can all find the time to review.I love hearing feedback, ideas, questions, comments, or just a friendly this was amazing or why rip my heart out like that! haha. Flailing is encouraged.


Mending The Heart

Chapter 2

"We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone - but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy."- Frank Kane

Elizabeth sat in Colts office and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Not actually believing that he would be agreeing to this.

"So you're saying I should let him train? Forgo the boxing and let him do this MMA."

Colt stood up from his desk, "I'm saying you should least give it a chance. Liz. The kid can always go back to boxing. If he has an interest in MMA, let's see where it goes. What's the worse that could happen?"

Elizabeth snapped her head forward and gave him a death glare. "Have you forgotten I work for a county hospital? I can give you detailed accounts of the many MMA fighters I have encountered over the last few years."

"Liz he's a kid. He's a good kid." Colt pressured, "He is a little lost right now. What's wrong with him exploring different outlooks?"

He sat in front of her on his desk, "You want him to end up back with Rowley?"

Elizabeth stood up and shook her head, "God. Don't even say that. It's just. Colt," She sighed, "That's my baby brother."

Colt nodded, "I understand that."

"Good," She nodded, "And what about this Tommy character? You sure you can't train him."

Colt rolled his eyes, "I have my hands full already, don't worry Tommy's good. I trust him."

Elizabeth bit her lip, "He isn't just some meathead that is going to beat the shit out of Mark right? He knows his stuff?" She questioned nervously.

Colt bit back a laugh and just nodded "Tommy's one of my best fighters. I wouldn't have anyone else train him. You know that."

Elizabeth nodded, "Of course, and I trust you. Completely. Just…Can I talk to Tommy? Is he here?"

Colt nodded and stood up from his desk and walked out the door yelling for the guy. Couple seconds later, he was standing with the two in Colts office.

"So you told Mark he could be an MMA fighter?" Elizabeth busted out, getting straight to the point. Tommy just laughed and raised his hands in defense. "I just told him with a little work he could probably fight."

Elizabeth clicked her tongue in annoyance and just shook her head in frustration, "Because that's not what he was dying to hear, a top MMA fighter telling him that he has potential. Just bury that down in the dream boat, not actually consider it."

"Look, the kids got talent."

Elizabeth sighed, "I know. It's just. Mark has responsibilities. He has…issues that keep him grounded. School is priority over fighting. Is that understood?"

"Crystal." Tommy nodded.

"Good. And if he is over this, over fighting, over cage and wants to go back to box. Then he is free to do so. He's a kid. You can see when limits are at the breaking point. I am trusting you to know when enough is enough."

"I will." Tommy promised.

Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief, "Good because if I hear any word you step out of line, I will come down here and I will kick your ass."

Tommy couldn't help but laugh and slap Colt on the back, "She's got some balls Boyd, she most definitely is her fathers daughter." Tommy smirked.

Elizabeth just shrugged, "I protect what's mine. I trust you Tommy. I want your word."

Tommy looked her up and down, her demeanor showed she was serious, "Sure I'll train baby Philips." He answered, "Can't promise anything but that I can make him a fighter, and I will make sure it's done right."

Elizabeth accepted his words and reached into her purse. She got out her checkbook, but Tommy stepped forward and shook his head.

"Don't-" Tommy began, Colt raising his eyebrow next to him, "I don't need payment Elizabeth. Seeing as I am the single-hand possibly of destroying the Phillips boxing legacy by this, might as well do it for free."

It was the first time she smiled in the entire meeting, "Great. Makes me feel tons better." She replied with a hint of sarcasm that had him smiling as well.

"So." She clapped, "Let's discuss schedules."

40 minutes later she noticed the clock on the wall, "Crap! I'm late. Well," Grabbing her belongings, "Thanks for the reassurance Boyd and thanks for the promise to not kill my brother Mr. Conlon." She stuck her hand out and Tommy shook it giving her a nod. She excused herself from the room and began to descend the stairs.

Mark was waiting for her at the bottom.

"Well!?" He pressed as they walked through the gym.

"Well what?" She teased.

Mark groaned, "Liz! What's the verdict?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I'm late for work and we gotta go. So if you want the details about when Mr. Conlon is going to start training, then I suggest you follow me and get your ass in the car."

Mark threw a fist bump and cursed with excitement. Elizabeth turned at his choice of words and he stopped as nodded. But not before turning and giving the guys up top thumbs up.

They watched amused from above, "Hmm pro bono?" Colt spoke up, "That's not like you Tommy. Figured you would want the extra cash."

Tommy shrugged, "I know what it's like to struggle, and she's your friend. Besides the kids a pistol, figured make it easier on her that way."

"Sure. Easier." Colt slapped Tommy on the back and walked away. "Get back to work Conlon I'm not paying you to stand around a look pretty."

-break-

"You gotta be quick Mark," Tommy warned, "The other guy isn't going to wait around for you to make a decision." He shoved the young boy back rough, "He's gonna come at you fast and he's gonna hit hard.

Tommy smacked him with his glove and Mark ducked before kicking the padding Tommy held at his stomach.

After 3 weeks of training, Tommy had found out Mark was a fucking monster. The kid had this raw natural talent and put that to work fast. The only problem, Mark had a problem with authority. So training was always push and pull.

"Hey!" Tommy yelled hitting the kid again. "Focus or someone is going to knock your lights out." Mark just growled and threw a couple punches that Tommy easily blocked and countered.

And hour later Mark was on the bench exhausted. Tommy watched him from the ring and didn't feel sorry for him, kid worked hard and he earned the pain. Meant he was doing it right.

Tommy unwrapped the tape and crawled out of the ring. He stood in front of Mark and acknowledged him. "Nice work on the counters, still a bit early on the release though. We also gotta work on putting for force into your kicks but you'll get it."

Mark rested against the wall and nodded. "Jesus. I thought boxing was difficult. It's been what 3 weeks. Shit Tommy. I feel like I wanna die.

Tommy smirked "That's called success kid."

Mark laughed and just shook his head, "Man all I want is my bed and a giant piece of pizza. But I know all I'll get tonight is a 2 page essay and some protein shake you keep making me eat with a salad."

Tommy shrugged, "Diets Important, you knew that going in. And can't really talk bout education. Dropped out at 16 to take care of my ma before joining the corps."

"Wish I could do that." Mark admitted, "Drop out. Fight for a living. Elizabeth would hear nothing of that though. Doesn't matter, I'm her ward till 18, and if I don't get straight I am back in Juivie."

Tommy nodded and sat down, "Colt mentioned you had some trouble-"

Mark shrugged, "Just fell into the wrong crowd. Stupid stuff. Ya know?"

"All been there." Tommy agreed, he stood up and kicked the kid in good fun, "Now rest up and eat something. We got 45 min left before your sister gets here."

Mark groaned, "Why do I feel like the next 45 min are going to suck."

Tommy tossed him a towel, "You can quit anytime remember-"

"Shut up," Mark snapped. Tommy just shrugged, "Hey, not my time." Mark just watched Tommy walk away and took out a power bar and inhaled it. Getting ready for whatever Tommy had next.

-break-

Elizabeth had arrived early to the gym. Instead of waiting in Colts office she just sat around on some random bench in the gym reading a magazine as she waited for Mark to finish changing. Willing to admit though she did look a tad bit funny in scrubs just waiting, but she didn't care.

"Hey doc," one of the guys called from the ring, "Care to check me over?" he winked.

Elizabeth just ignored him; she didn't need to waste her energy.

The guy continued and stepped closer to the ropes around the ring, "You deaf doc, I'm talking to you."

Elizabeth turned the page, "I wish," she muttered. Normally one or two guys would try to talk to her whenever she came around. Most knew better, she could handle herself but some of the meatheads; they were quite intimidating so she normally kept to herself.

When the guy crawled through the ropes and walked over to her, she stilled and waited to see what he would do.

"I'm talking to you," The guy spit out, "It's polite to respond."

Elizabeth sighed and looked up from her chair, "Look. If my silence wasn't an answer, then let me be clear. No. I would not like to talk to you, frankly I don't even want to look at you."

His buddies laughed and he stepped forward, "You little-" Suddenly Tommy was there, walking between them.

"Problem here?" Tommy asked looking over to Elizabeth. The guy stepped back and put his hands up in defense. "Just talking Tommy. Just talking."

He walked away and Tommy walked over to Elizabeth, "You ok," He asked with a tenderness she had trouble believing came from this man.

"Course," She laughed it off, "It was nothing I couldn't handle. If I had a problem with meatheads I wouldn't let my brother in here." She shifted awkwardly. "So…where is the kid anyway?"

Tommy smirked and pointed behind him, "You know Mark."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "I swear. The kid spends more time worrying about his looks than I do. Jesus. We are bout to be in a car for the next 30 min, who the hell is he going to impress."

Tommy shrugged, "Never know." He stepped over to the desk and began to shuffle some papers around and she got a good look at him. He was fresh from a sparring session, most likely with Mark. Tommy had a towel over his shoulder, but it didn't hide the sweat that masked his forehead. She took the moment to look at the ink he had on his body, she was curious about what they meant. She would never ask out of embarrassment though, she didn't need any attention to why she wanted to know.

"Hey sis," Mark spoke up walking over to them, breaking her stare. She smiled and laughed when she saw her brother. Freshly showered and combed hair, she was grateful he felt the need to wash after training but there was no need to prim and pamper.

"Jesus, what were you doing in there?" She teased, "Is your hair that important."

Mark shrugged, "The ladies love it." He dropped his locker keys on the table. "See you later Tommy."

"Night." Tommy said looking up from the desk and waved, "Safe driving Liz."

Elizabeth saluted Tommy, "Always," She took Marks bag from him, seeing the exhaustion on his face, "Come on kiddo, let's go home." Mark had no objections.

Elizabeth she buckled her seatbelt and Mark got settled next to her.

"You know next time Liz, he might catch you staring."

Elizabeth ignored him and turned her key in the ignition, "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Mark just laughed, "Sure. Don't worry sis, secret is safe with me. And if it makes you feel any better, I always catch him staring at you."

Elizabeth blushed and refused to speak not daring to touch that subject the entire ride back to the house.


Authors Note: Review :D? Questions, comments, concerns. Hope you all enjoyed it!