A/N: [Edited and revised] On a roll getting some of my stories updated tonight so I wanted to get one of my favorite OC's updated as well. Silver was the first OC I put to paper, even if it took me a while to actually post the story. I just wanted to give a word of warning about this chapter. Near the end it will delve into a little bit of a controversial topic. There is no judgement or harm intended within this story. It was unavoidable considering all Silver has been through and sets the stage for some things later. Just want to remind everyone that this is a fictional story. Silver is a fictional character and the experience or situation in this instance was not real. Silver's opinions are that of a fictional character and it doesn't matter what my own are. As Forrest Gump would say...that's all I have to say about that.

Chapter 9 - Fights

"We'll catch up to you guys in a just a bit." Eric said with a frown and held me back from walking out with the others to head back to the training room from lunch.

I could practically feel his anxiety levels creeping back up and he had taken the demeanor of Leader Eric that he so very rarely wore, or could manage, around me. Gripping my hand he pulled me with him to a corridor that looked unused and then into a room that looked even less used. When he had the door closed he pulled me to him and held me close.

I wrapped my arms around him and held him just as close. I close my eyes and breathe him in as I listen to his heartbeat.

"I love you Eric." I say simply as I run my hands along his back, rubbing along the muscles and his spine.

He releases a slow breath but then presses a kiss to my forehead and breathes me in. "I love you too. Gods, I will be so glad when this shit with Arrow is done Silver. I know I am being way too fucking ridiculous about this. I am completely unprepared on how to handle this shit baby. All my logic is screaming at me that I am being a dick and way too emotional. The other part of me is saying I just need to go rip him apart rather than let him near you." He growls that part out.

I can feel it in him, that war going on. He knows I will be fine. I may get hurt but it wouldn't be serious. The other part, that completely animalistic side he has always had, says that no one should be laying a hand on me.

I get it though because I am sure if the roles were reversed I would be feeling the same way he is right now. "I understand Eric. We belong to each other and you want to protect me; need to protect me. I feel the same way. We just have to remind each other that we not only fight for each other but beside each other. We are a team. You felt that when we were sparring right? That it was like we were made to do that?"

He leaned me back and I could see the answer in his eyes and smile. He sighed and nodded. "I did. It almost felt like I had gained use of a limb I didn't know I had been missing. Maybe that is part of why I am having such a hard time with this and with Arrow. We have an even worse history than Four and I did and a lot more physical. The thought of you in that ring without me there by your side is what is getting to me."

I nod with my own sigh. "You won't be in the ring with me but you will still be beside me. You will know if I really need you to step in but even just seeing you there will help me. I would say that I don't want you to be there if it will hurt you too much to be but I am going to be selfish here. I want and need you there."

He quirks an eyebrow at me. "Like there was any other fucking option Silver. Me not being there wasn't happening at all. I am just as selfish here because I know I am putting you through all this stress by my own worry. I could avoid the fights or mask my feelings but I can't and won't do that either."

Having said what we both needed to say we also felt the need to show each other what we both felt. The kiss and embrace was filled with it all. Worry, love, hunger and the absolute belief that we belonged together. The way our bodies, mouths, hands, breath and heartbeat melded together just proved that beyond a doubt for us.

Neither of us wanted to pull away but we made ourselves finally. Holding my hand tightly, we walked to the training room.

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Alex and I were mirroring each other in how we were holding our bodies, our facial expressions and the way we would bounce on our feet every once in awhile. My eyes were darting back and forth between Liam and Cinder, as they faced off.

She was doing good, really good actually, but the fight as going long and they almost seemed to be evenly matched. I knew she had more, that I had shown her more. I also knew she was debating on pulling it out now against Liam or if she should wait for one of her later and possibly even harder opponents. I will admit I was torn as well as to what she should do. She could use it now, get ahead in the points for the scoring on this fight, but possibly reveal moves that could be countered later by Jason who was a worry. Or she could just continue on and if they needed to they could call it a draw. If it went on too long and they saw both were giving it their all, the instructors said they would call it before the injuries got too bad.

Right now I could tell her ribs were hurting her and he had gotten a few good ones on her jaw. She was keeping out of range for the bigger blows though and that was good.

"She has to decide soon, Alex." I mutter lowly to him. We had moved away from the instructors. They knew, of course, that I had been working with her and Rose. I don't know that they were thinking she wasn't giving it her all because she honestly was. It was ok to preserve moves and not bring them all out.

He sighed and nodded. "It isn't in her to let it come down to a tie though Silver. Much like you in that respect."

"If that happens…." I trail off as we both see that it was happening.

It was like her patience had snapped and her posture and bearing became even more lethal. She launched into the series of kicks I had been working with her to build up more strength to be able to pull off. They themselves caused damage to Liam but more importantly they threw him off. This let her go in with some choice hits to his head and throat, bringing him down and disorientating him.

I saw her throw a quick glance to us and we both gave subtle nods. The plan was to not give him time to recover. So with quick pressure point hold to make sure he didn't get up, it gave her time to launch into a spin kick and knock him out. The group as a whole had decided we wouldn't concede. That either we went to knock out or the match was called by one of the instructors.

We all said no hard feelings and we would give it our all. So Cinder was doing just what we said and Liam was out. Andrea called her as the winner; Alex and I moved forward quickly. Alex to Cinder while I went to Liam to start appraising him.

Four moved in with me and we worked to bring him around. It took a few minutes but we got him up and then I looked him over frowning. "Liam, can you follow my finger?"

I asked as I moved it in front of his eyes, looking at his dilation and coloring. When I was done, I sighed and nodded. "Yeah, he needs to go see Sal. It won't be severe but I can say it is a safe bet he has a small concussion. She is most likely going to call him done for the day but he should be good for tomorrow."

Four shook his head with a smirk. "You know she is just going to use this to push for you taking that offer up again."

I give a sideways smile and nod. "Yeah I know. And I am thinking about it along with the other thing. Like I said, I want to talk to Eric."

With a nod Four and I lift Liam up. "Emmett, help Silver get Liam to the clinic. Then get back here pretty quickly. You are up after this next one. Cinder are you good or do you need to go?"

Cinder looked at me and I could tell she was going to say she was good. I narrowed my eyes and Alex shook his head. I huffed and then grumbled. "I will be bringing something back for you then Cinder and I don't want any fucking arguments."

"I wouldn't dare." She said seriously shaking her head. That caused laughter around us as Emmett and I walked Liam out of the ring then to the clinic.

"Are you sure I will be able to fight Silver?" Liam asked worriedly and still dazed a little.

I looked him over and nodded with a smile. "Yeah Liam. Your head is too fucking hard to be put out of commision for long." I joke with him playfully.

He chuckles and nods. "Well to hear my brothers tell it, they said they even dropped me a few times when I was a baby. So I guess that must be true then."

"Oh that explains soooo much Liam." I chuckle as I say this, again joking. Liam had an awful sense of humor and most of his jokes were so bad you had to laugh just because of how terrible they were. But he was also the comic relief when things were getting tense.

He mock bristled and then looked over at me. He tried to flash his copy cat Uri smile. "Hey. I am getting better."

Emmett snorted and shook his head. "Yeah. Master Uri is teaching young Liam here the ways of the force. Living with the two of them is a fucking riot let me tell you."

I had to laugh at that because he was being so sarcastic about it. Uri had Liam, Emmett and Jason staying with him and I can imagine that it must get annoying with Liam and Uri in the same house.

We finally made our way to the clinic and Sal bore down on us, her eyes narrowed. Then her eyes went to me and I knew she was wanting me to give her the rundown on my thoughts.

With a sigh and Emmett's smirk I fill her in. "Taken out by spin kick to the head. It took about ten minutes to bring him around. Eye dilation and reaction suggest slight concussion. He should be good for tomorrow but you are going to want to keep him out for the rest of the day in fights knowing you."

Her lips thin and she motions one of her nurses over to gather Liam and then looks to me. Her eyebrow is quirked and I know it is already coming. "You know what I am going to say, Silver. We could really use you."

I nod and make sure Liam is steady as he is helped away. "I know what you are going to say but my decision will affect more than just me. I would like time to think about it and talk it over with Eric."

Her face softened a little at this and she patted my cheek. "As long as you aren't rejecting it out of hand and thinking about it Silver, I can live with that. Even if the decision isn't what I would like." She sighed and looked to make sure Liam was in a room. "How was Cinder?"

I growled in frustration but shrugged. "She wasn't bad but too stubborn to get checked out further. I am guessing some deep bruising to the ribs and jaw. If I could get some cream and a few pills. Maybe a ice pack. Fuck it, why not just set me up with a damn kit." I gritted out when I look over at Emmett, knowing he will refuse to come in too.

Sal laughs and nods. "We can do that. Anyone else Silver and I wouldn't even be allowing this…."

I nod and smile. "You know I won't let someone refuse if it is too bad, Sal."

She scoffs. "Well everyone but yourself. But that is ok because I know I have a few good watchdogs to make sure that doesn't happen."

She gets serious and worried and I reach out to hug her. "Max, Eric, Tate and Four will make sure it doesn't get bad Sal."

Sal squeezes me and growls. "I don't give a shit if it is bad for HIM Silver. In fact I might just love it. But it better not be the other way around." She orders me.

With a salute and a smile after she pulls away she shakes her head moving off to go get me everything for a kit. Emmett had already left to head back to the training room. It didn't take long for her to get everything together but while I was waiting I did check on Liam. From his curtained off area he gave me a thumbs up letting me know he was good and that I was right. Sal brought me the kit and I left back to the training room.

"All that is for Cinder?" Eric asked as I walked into the room towards Cinder who was sitting on a bench watching Jared and Lex.

I shake my head. "No I asked her to just put a kit together for me for those stubborn asses like Cinder that refuse to go be seen."

Eric smirked and leaned close to me. "Like you have room to talk Silver."

I elbow him playfully and shake my head. "You either Eric."

He shrugs still smirking and sighs. "Well, best go see to her then. It looks like this match is going to be over pretty quickly though. Lex is looking to be who will win it.

"I already knew that was going to be the case. Jared isn't bad, Lex is just better and has had more time to be prepared." I mutter but move off to Cinder.

Eric had nodded his agreement and went back to watching the match.

"Alright Cinder. Off with the tank. I am going to rub the cream on you and strap on a few ice packs to your ribs. I have some pills for you to take as well." I command her softly and sit beside her on the bench.

She just smiles at me and follows along with it. "Alex is after Emmett and Jason."

I nod and frown. "I know. He will be fine Cinder. We both will be so don't start stressing. If Jason isn't hurt you face him."

She sighs and nods. "I was trying not to use that combination too soon."

I shrug and smile. "You didn't use it until you really needed to Cinder. You need to make every fight count here. You two were evenly matched just going on the moves you were using. I would have done the same thing, even Alex would do the same thing. It isn't in us to just let it be a draw or have the instructors call it."

I said this as I was working on her then handed her the pills and her water bottle to take them with.

"It felt like there was something building up in me that just took over Silver. I haven't ever felt it before. Do you know what I am talking about? It wasn't like rage, just like my body knew it could do more and just, took over."

I smiled as I started to put everything back up. "My brothers and I call it a warrior's instinct. I guess that isn't far off the mark. Sometimes my entire being seems to be ruled like that. You know my whole issue with pain meds or when I am around someone that makes my defenses raise. It is like that with me. Don't be scared of it because it is something that can help us. It can be the difference between life and death Cinder." I say that last bit quietly and she nods sadly.

I had told her and Rose about my experience. It was after a particularly brutal training session I had put them through. I was pushing them hard because I wanted them to know they are capable of more. Especially Rose, she needed to know that just because she is smaller, that it didn't mean she was any less capable.

"Is that kind of what happened during the attack?" She asked softly too.

I nodded "And if I think about it, it is what happened after I was first dosed. Maybe if I had listened to that and not wandered off on my own, or called for help, things might have been different." I sigh and pull my knees to my chest and lay my cheek on it but still look at her. "I don't regret not doing it though, Cinder. Is that fucked up?"

She frowns at me and shakes her head. "No. Not when I know the reason why. She came from it and I think I would say the same thing Silver. I hope I would anyways. I can only wish I pray I would be even half as fucking brave and good about that whole thing. I don't know many that would choose to have kept her. To carry a child that was forced on you in the most violent way but look at it as a miracle and not as the trauma."

I can't help but to frown in thought. "I wouldn't think less of any woman that made that choice, you know. I get it more than anyone. A woman that made that decision wouldn't be any less because that is just as brave a choice as the one I made. After something like that Cinder, just waking up and carrying on is a brave thing. Everyday, all the little decisions that seem so trivial and normal to everyone else, they become these monumental things to someone recovering from any type of trauma like that. Emotionally but also mentally, it is just so fucking exhausting. So getting up and showering is a victory. Then you move on to another one, deciding to step outside of your house for the first time in days, weeks, months…." I trail off and shrug. "So I would never say that my choices were the only choices that are right. I am me and I deal with things in a completely different way. My experiences, my support system, my heart and soul are different than you or anyone else's. How can my decision be the same as someone else that is completely different than I am in those respects?"

Cinder smiles softly at me and with what looks like wonder in her eyes. "Because anyone else would judge. I can't even say that I wouldn't. Maybe that is because I haven't gone through it, but I don't think that is the whole reason. I just think that is what makes you amazing Silver. You are all that is good, fierce, loving and brave and I thank fuck I can count you as a sister."

I blush and then laugh as she pulls me close to her for a hug. "I am glad to have you as a sister too Cinder."

We both sigh and stand when the match ends. I grab my kit and head to the ring when I see Jared out on the mat. Emmett will be up next and we both move to at least watch that match from nearby.

My fights looming in the not too distant future.