things you said when we were working out

Boxing was Jaz's thing. Dalton preferred martial arts and sparring. But she was still healing from a few of the more grisly wounds from being taken and boxing would be easier on her battered body. So he held the sandbag while she punched out all of her frustration. He was always impressed with Jaz, but he found himself even more impressed with her now. He didn't even know that had been possible.

He'd had to leave her behind last mission. He knew she'd hated it. He'd hated it too. But if she wasn't as ready as he trusted she was and something happened to her...

He'd just gotten her back. He wasn't about to lose her again.

So, for her sake, he needed to have that official word from the higher ups. She hadn't brought it up again when they got back. He assumed she'd made peace with it Either that or making him hold the sandbag was her secret plot to punish him and any minute he'd get an "accidental" punch to the face. He'd momentarily forgot to brace the bag and she'd punched as his gripped faltered. The bag flew back and hit him in the face. He stumbled back but quickly caught himself.

Jaz let out a short startled laugh before biting her bottom lip and stifling it. "You okay, Top?"

She'd laughed. He'd only heard her laugh once since Tehran. He enjoyed the sound too much to even care about his pain or the fact that he'd just mildly embarrassed himself.

"Pride's a little hurt," he with a self deprecating chuckle. "Otherwise good."

Once she was sure he was okay she laughed again. Longer and louder this time. "I'm sorry," she said through her uncontrollable laughter. "I thought you had...the bag. But god your face when it hit you," she paused and took a deep breath before laughing even louder. She doubled over with her arms on her knees for a moment and then straightened as she caught her breath. "Oh god, that was classic."

He gave her an embarrassed smile and crossed his arms over his chest. He chuckled and rolled his eyes at her. "I may have embarrassed the hell out of myself but I'm glad you're enjoying it at least." He actually really was glad for that. Things had been so heavy around base lately, it was nice to feel light. If not totally humiliated.

She unstrapped the gloves. Using her teeth to pull at the Velcro on one hand. An action which definitely did not pull his focus to her lips, he told himself as he forced his eyes downward for a moment. Once she had the gloves off she ran a hand over wide smile and massaged her cheeks.

"Oh god, I laughed so hard that my cheeks hurt. Haven't done that in a while," she admitted with a much softer laugh. "Thanks for that," she said with a cheeky grin.

He shook his head but gave her a playful little bow. "Glad to be of service. No matter how humiliating." He sobered a little as he brought his eyes to hers. "Just to hear you laugh."

She smiled affectionately at him and didn't shy away from his gaze. "Yeah?" She asked. "So, are you gonna make a habit of embarrassing your self now just to make me laugh?"

This time he laughed and then shook his head at her. "Hell no. Absolutely not."