Chapter 20
Open mouth... Insert fist

Kim picked up the two shiny brass knuckles and look at the card tied to them.

Happy Birthday Kim Jared

They were very heavy even for brass knuckles but just trying them on she knew they were custom job, The whole thing had to made out of mech armor that was polished to a fine finish and the rings had a rough cross hatching on the tops to increase the chance that the strike would crape the skin and leave a permanent mark. To top it all off engraved on the side of both of them was an Atlas in front of two crossed shotguns.

Kim: You made these?

Jared: Yeah I started making it as a birthday present for me but since yours was coming up I changed the design a little and made them for you.

Kim: I... I... don't know what to say no one has ever given me something like this.

Jared: Just keep them with you.

Kim: You said that you started these on your birthday when was that?

Jared: Two weeks ago and no you don't need to worry about it only I celebrate it.

Kim: Thanks Jared.

Both of them lost themselves in thought as they drove through the afternoon rush hour traffic.

Jared you are strange man.

Kim you earned them just by sticking with me... and this is the best thanks I can think of. I really hope you like them.

They stopped in front of a well kept concrete building which looked like an old bunker turned into a club. A flickering neon light that spelled out Valhalla club hung over the door.
Jared lead the way in as they walked into the dimly lit room, everything inside was either a light stained wood or dark crimson. A waiter approached and led them to a corner table, once making their order they waited.

Jared: Now that I think about it this may not be the best of choices.

Kim: Why do you think that?

Jared: Well even right now look at who's at the bar right now, we got Ricardo and his girls just to name one and the rest of the Steiner powerhouses... all under one roof.

Kim: You're thinking they might be pissed from the match yesterday.

Jared: Pissed is a under statement if we weren't in here then they would take this chance to rough us up some.

He smiled and finished his statement.

Jared: Or at least try to.

Kim: Yeah between you and me it would not look good for them.

Jared: Well... looking at this from the big picture I would be the hammer breaking through the opponents guard and leaving them open for you to come in with a flurry of punches and kicks to finish them off, yeah in hand to hand I we would make a very lethal duo.

The two quietly laughed to themselves until their order had arrived that's when all hell broke lose.

Ricardo had noticed who was sitting in the corner. He and his fours girls that hung from his arms approached with several other Steiner jocks bring up the rear, up close Ricardo looked like your average Latino about 5'8" with a moderate build but his face showed that he was not the type to take kindly to losing especially to a rookie wanna be.

Ricardo: Get out of here rookie you and your little slut don't belong here or anywhere on Solaris especially after the stunt you pulled in the last match.

Jared was very annoyed at the fact that he called his friend a slut but he wouldn't let slip the dogs of war yet, no he would try to get out and let Ricardo make the first strike.

Jared: Look I go where ever the hell I please so let off about that also I would like you to apologize to my friend here for calling her a slut.

Ricardo snickered at first then burst out laugh his head off soon followed by his comrades. At the bar an old man looked on silently with the bartender.

Duncan: Well it was worth a shot to get out using words.

Bartender: Yeah it was but I fear today is the day we break our fight-free streak.

Once he was done laughing Ricardo snapped his hand up and instantly silenced the others.

Ricardo: Look here rookie I don't have to apologize to anything or anyone, if I say she's a slut then she is a slut a rather attractive one but still a slut.

Jared was weighing the pros and cons of ripping this guy's throat out and pros were fast looking better.

Kim had enough of staying quiet and snapped back.

Kim: And what do you call those dolls hanging off of you?

Ricardo: They are my girls and if you are lucky I might honor you with a chance to become the fifth but of course I would have to see what I might get.

Jared's hand slipped under the table and rested it self on one of his pistols.

I can't kill him but I will sure as hell pistol whip his sorry ass!

His train of thought was broken when Kim stood up and approached Ricardo looking straight in his eyes.

Kim: Oh ok I'll show what you would get...

Ricardo opened his mouth to say something when out of nowhere he saw a flash of polish metal.

What the fucking hell?!

Kim brought her brass knuckled fist straight to Ricardo's jaw knocking out a few teeth and dislocating the jaw bone itself. He fell back dragging down the four girls still hanging on to him.

Kim: That's what you would get. You people get your own jaws off the floor and get him out of my sight or do you want a piece of me?!

The Steiner's didn't take long to gather Ricardo and his fallen teeth and make good on their escape.

Once they had left Kim returned to the table and finished their meal. Soon after walking outside she lightly kissed Jared on the cheek.

Kim: Thanks again for the knuckles they hold up well.

Jared was dumbfounded at the sudden action could only stammer out.

Jared: Uhh...err...no problem Kim.

Kim: You are really confused aren't you?

Jared: Yes I am very confused.

Kim put her hand on her hip where a brass knuckle rested tucked safely into her pocket.

Kim: Well don't get any idea's or otherwise you'll get a dislocated jaw too.

Jared: Hey you know me I keep my eyes up, hands at my side, and my mind in neutral.

Kim giggled until they had gotten inside the hummer and started home.

Kim: For a 17 year old guy you don't act it.

Jared: If I acted my age then I would be dead along time ago. The same I'm guessing applies to you as well.

Kim didn't answer directly as she looked out the window at the bustling nightlife that made up Solaris.

It sure does...it sure does. Portia was right neither one us act our age why... because we have too, hell it's practically hard wired into our minds. But now I don't think I mind not acting my age with someone like Jared around. At least he understands why I act this way.

Jared was running through the events leading up to the one punch fight and asked himself.

Is it just me or does it just seem like I'm the only person around here who treats her with any degree of respect?

They pulled into their usual parking spot and once inside their apartment Jared fell asleep on the couch and Kim who managed to reach her room before falling face first into the seemingly endless depths of her feather soft bed and remembered the moment she made contact with Vecci's face and left him something to remember her by.

A decent day overall.

Next Chapter
Victory and Rumors