Let's get the fight on!


Becky clenched and unclenched her fists as she faced the faded red punching bag in front of her; it hung from the popcorn ceiling of the SHIELD facility's gym and had patches of material stripped off, revealing the white stuffing within. Becky longed for combat with a living opponent, but she knew it would take time for her beau to warm up to the idea. For the moment she was pleased that he was teaching her in this matter at all.

Of course it was a little difficult to focus on her training whenever she looked into Steve's crystal blue eyes, or observed his muscular arms that glistened with moisture. He was always so intense whenever it came to physical combat, with his face contorted in concentration as he instructed Becky.

"Remember, the power of your punch starts from the feet up," reminded Steve didactically. "Think of your arm as a mere means of directing your punches."

"Right, got it," replied Becky.

"Keep your eye on the target to maintain accuracy."

"Okay."

"Rotate your upper body as you're going into the punch. Don't overextend your arm."

"Yeah."

"And don't forget - "

"Steve!" admonished Becky in exasperation. "I love you, but will you just let me have a go at it already?"

"All right," sighed Steve in a resigned voice.

"Thank you," responded Becky.

Becky inhaled deeply, and slowly exhaled. Clearing her mind of all else - including how unbearably attractive Steve looked in his workout gear - she began her series of punches and kicks against the punching bag. The stuffing went flying, but that only encouraged Becky to increase her blows as beads of sweat started to form on her pale forehead. She grunted every time her knuckles came into contact with her opponent and her eyes flashed in the excited frenzy of endorphins. Steve watched her in disbelief as the intensity of her efforts builded and builded on top of each other like a tower of blocks. With a final drop kick, Becky's foot made a resounding thud against the battered punching back, and there was silence. Steve began to applaud despite himself, and handed his girlfriend a washcloth to wipe the perspiration off her forehead.

"You did great," complimented Steve.

"Do you think Natasha and the rest of SHIELD will accept me?" asked Becky, beaming at the obvious pride she saw in Steve.

The brightness in Steve's expression quickly faded, making way for the usual stern, commander face. Becky never liked seeing that face.

"Becky, we talked about this," said Steve. "You're not becoming a SHIELD agent." Becky pouted, but Steve wasn't about to let that pull one over on him this time. "The deal is that I train you, and Tony will stop hassling me."

"Oh yeah?" said Becky haughtily as she put her hands on her hips. "What say do I have in this so-called deal?"

"Hon," addressed Steve in a gentler voice, "I'm just trying to protect you."

"You're sounding more like my parent than my beau."

Steve scoffed. "Well how else should your beau be acting?"

"How about acting supportive? Geez Steve, do you want me to stay a cafe waitress forever?"

"Of course not."

"Don't I have any rights? Or is that too modern for the man out of time?"

Steve's nostrils flared, and Becky knew that she had probably gone a step too far; however, she was too angry herself to really care at the moment.

"You want rights? Fine!" said Steve in exasperation. "Go ahead and do whatever you want. Don't worry about getting my approval anymore."

"I never wanted it!" blurted out Becky.

Becky's eyes widened as she processed her unintended outburst; she hadn't meant to say that at all, but it was too late to apologize. Steve had already stormed out of the room, and Becky was certain that he would not - nor should not - come back crawling on his hands and knees. He truly was angry with her this time, and she deserved it.

"What have I done?" Becky whispered ominously.


Aw shucks, it's their first fight. To be continued...