So, this is a faster update than usual, but there has been an increase in readers and hopefully they like it enough to keep reading (and possible review?) The Present Day story line is going to be picking up and I have big plans, but I also like to include snippets of Chloe/Alek in their "glory days". Hopefully you like how I present them. Enjoy!

Six Years Ago: A College Party

"One does not want to be on the other side of Chloe King's claws," I thought to myself as I pushed my way to the front of the crowd to witness her take a swing at a Frat boy twice her size.

Poor guy, didn't know he had just provoked one of the most highly skilled martial artists in the San Fran area. Of course, part of me was seething because that guy had the audacity to hit on my girlfriend, but another part of me was beaming with pride. We had just perfected that move last week, with the right angle of the wrist on impact, that hit could render the receiver unconscious. However, it takes a highly skilled individual to throw such a punch. But Chloe was just that good.

The guy who had just been knocked on his ass let out a moan, meaning he was just too big for a one hit knockout and causing Chloe to raise her fist for the next blow. That's when I jumped to action to grab her back swung arm, the boy was already humiliated.

"Woah, woah Chloe, how about a little break," I stepped out of the crowd and circled her wrist, tugging her to me and away from her war path to try and calm her down.

She whipped her head around to give me a furrowed brow look, "Did you see what he did to me?" she asked in contempt.

"No, and I will not argue that he most certainly deserved that, though I will pose the point that he is not worth your time," I tried to reason.

"I agree with that statement, but I still think that guys like him need to be taught that grabbing a woman's ass is never ok, it just so happens my fist was the lesson," Chloe replied coolly.

I attempted to suppress the small rage fire growing inside my chest. Though I had been called a "player" in high school and probably made too many off handed comments, I still highly respected women and grabbing them like a piece of meat was wrong. Especially when that woman was my girlfriend. I knew Chloe didn't like it when I got jealous, but there would always be a part of me that would seethe any time another guy looked at her. Which was extremely reeled in considering I used to have to watch her dates with Brian from the rooftops, but for her sake I buried it.

"And you were right in doing so, love, but he's already on the ground…"

Just then our Mai senses picked up the mutterings of Frat Boy #2 who was helping his friend up, "That's right, you better keep that leash short," he was glaring at where my hands were holding Chloe's, "the little bitch."

Of course, other people in the crowd would have never heard his appalling comment over the party's roar, but I instantly tensed, preparing myself to knock the second one's face in. I went to make my move and surprisingly found the roles reversed as Chloe tightened her grip on my hands. I looked at her face in question to see her smirking.

"Guess someone needs a refresher course, together?"

I smirked in return with a slight nod. The reasons to love this girl just continued to pile up. "Together."

Present Day: The Apartment's Gym

Chloe's punches were a thing to be feared, which is why she always started her attack with her balled fist. It was effective and if executed correctly, the fight would end early. Luckily, I knew that and ducked as she threw the first punch.

I reacted quickly, knocking her extended arms and moving in to try and hit her exposed side. Only Chloe was also too fast for that, twisting away in a back flip. Wow. The sparring continued to be a fast paced, fend for your life, but utterly delightful.

Much like the fight on the rooftop, the two of us fighting appeared to resemble an intricate dance more than a fight. Each move was filled with power but grace. Passion but calm. Eventually, Chloe has just fast enough to swing and made contact with my stomach, knocking the wind from my lungs momentarily. I held up my hand as a yield sign.

Chloe took a step back and wiped the sweat from her brow, "Ok… so where have you been for the past couple years?"

I looked at her with a smirk, "how do you know I haven't been here in the city?"

"Because you're in the guest room, so really, Alek, where?" she replied with just as much snark.

Basset, nothing got past her. "Colorado. The Mai Camp as a trainer. Jas wanted me to visit for the week, because, well I bet you can guess why."

She nodded, of course she knew. It was her birthday yesterday and it was a hard day on all of us. Chloe turned away and crossed to the weapon's wall. She picked up two bo-staffs and tossed one to me.

With the air back in my lungs, I stood with the stick, ready to spar again. I raised my eyebrow to question the choice of weapon. The staff was one of the first weapons I taught Chloe to use all those years ago in the park. That lesson was the first time I could recall her almost complimenting me. I wondered if she remembered that moment too.

But never mind my sentimental feelings, what was it about Chloe that brought that out in me anyway? I didn't have time to question anymore as we began our second round. The clacking of wood echoed throughout the gym as strike and strike was blown. Finally, I executed a quick turn move that broke Chloe's grip and kicked the fallen weapon from her, holding mine against her throat.

"Yield." she gasped.

"Where did you learn to fight like this?" I asked.

"Would you be offended if I don't say you?" She grinned.

"I know it wasn't me. I'm good, but you're… you're something else"

"After India, I trained in Tibet with the Ba Warrior Pride for almost a year," Chloe admitted with a smile.

I had to consciously remember not to drop my jaw. The Warriors of Life were one of the most secretive but deadly groups of Mai in the world. In fact, most people though they were a myth, a legend of glory, said to descend from the original guards of Basset herself.

"They're real?"

Chloe grinned even wider, nodding her head. "Yeah, they are. Not much, just a small temple in the shadow of Everest, but Alek, it was amazing to learn from them."

I paused to imagine such a place of instruction and myth. An unsettling feeling filling the room since the sparring had stopped, once again Chloe and I were easing back into a place of emotion not conducive for our current situation.

I broke the tension by kicking up the staff from the floor and tossing it back to Chloe. "Moving on," I stated the most even tone I could manage, "begin".

Round Three:

"Did you ever try and find me?"

"I wanted to, but I knew you didn't want me to, so I didn't."

Round Four:

"Have you died again since India?"

"Yes."

Round Five:

"Why did you come back?"

"It was time to, as Basset showed me."

Round Six:

"Why did you leave San Fran?"

"There was nothing left for me here."

Round Seven:

"Have you seen anyone since I left?"

"Yes."

Round Eight:

"Have you seen anyone since you left?"

"…yes."

I nearly walked out of the gym.

I mean, I should not be that mad since I had also had relations with another Mai since Chloe walked out. A serious one at that. But I had the right to! She's the one that left, and had broken my heart.

Was still breaking my heart with every moment that she was here and we were not together. I had been trying to fill the void in my chest, only with Chloe here again I knew that would never be possible.

But I did not leave the gym, instead I fought with a new-found vigor, surpassing any of the previous rounds with a force I did not even knew I had. Within minutes Chloe was pinned to the mat.

Round Nine:

"Do you still love me?"