Disclaimer: "I told you, I don't carry a gun." "It's true, Jeff's a lousy shot." 1

A/N: Sorry for taking so long on this one, but my connection crashed yesterday. However, I have updated today for your viewing pleasure. Just don't expect any more updates for this story for a good while.

Sapphire: That's right! You still have to finish out the stupid arc for the story I'm in!

Ryder: And when do we get to leave? I want to see who it was I bound up.

Rs7: If you will all be patient, I will get to it as soon as I can. For now, this takes priority. To the rest of you, enjoy the chapter!

Learning to Breathe

Chapter twelve: Handgun Havoc

After breakfast, Zartan gathered Shadowatch once again to practice with handguns. Although some got the hang of it easily, the majority of the team needed some corrections.

"Your stance is too narrow, Thunderbird." Zartan critiqued. "Have your feet at least shoulder width from each other."

"Don't make us have to measure you, Sharra." Atlantis teased.

"This isn't working." Lady Mastermind grumbled as she got to her feet. "I keep falling over."

"You're leaning too far forward." Zartan said. "Vampira, you seem to be doing the same so why don't you pay attention."

"Can we put the guns down?" Golem asked.

"Is your finger stuck in the trigger again?" His brother asked.

"Maybe." The dark haired boy grinned sheepishly.

"Lovely." Zartan groaned. "Just lovely."

"I'll get the cold water." Chaos sighed.

"Grab some butter while you're at it!" Atlantis said. "We'll need it!"

"What were you going to show us?" Lady M asked.

"The proper stance to take when shooting." Zartan explained.

"Sounds fun." Vampira quipped.

"Can I demo?" Andi asked. "It would look easier if I did it anyway."

"Fine." The instructor sighed. "You demonstrate, and I'll teach."

"Okay." The blue-eyed blond nodded. "Do I just strike a pose our wait for you to tell me what to do?"

"No, just stand like you're going to shoot someone." Zartan replied.

Andi nodded and braced herself, gun pointed in front of her.

"This is what we are looking for." Explained the assassin. "Your feet should be spread apart with one about three inches in front of the other. To compensate for recoil, place your weight behind your knees."

"Won't that throw off our balance?" Kristen asked.

"Balance is not the primary concern." Zartan said.

"What is?" Neal asked.

"The person shooting at you." Andi supplied. Afterward, she fired three shots into the target, each round landing in the "chest" of the paper man. "Any questions?"

"No." Neal shook his head. "None here."

"Your mother teach you that too?" Kristen asked.

"You think my dad is really the type to use a gun?" Andi raised an eyebrow.

"Point." Regan shrugged.

"Try it again, Reg." The blue-skinned teen said. "Remember, feet apart, weight behind the gun."

"I'll try." Regan winced. She stood behind the firing line and held the gun out in front of her. Closing her eyes, she pulled the trigger and waited for the recoil. She felt it, but didn't fall over. "Did I hit it?"

"No." Zartan said. "But at least your stance is improving."

"Man, you do not want to know what happened in the kitchen!" Bryan exclaimed as he rejoined the group.

"Can you just get Mitch's finger off the trigger?" Andi groaned.

"Sure." Bryan said. "Give me you hand, bro."

"You think he'll set it off?" Kris asked.

"No doubt." Andi answered.

"I do not think cold water will work." Neal commented.

"And Zartan's going in to help." Regan started.

BANG.

"Owwww!"

"You okay?" Andi shouted.

"My foot!" Zartan shouted.

"That's a no." Kris quipped.

"Class dismissed!" Zartan shouted. "How did I know that this would happen sooner or later?"

1) Name that Movie!

Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Review, and I will get back to you about it.