More Training

"You'll have to run a little faster than that Serena. Otherwise you'll never catch me!" Mark yelled as he ran across the beach from me. It was day three of my training and I still hadn't caught him. I didn't know how he expected me to catch him anyways. It was blazing hot outside and I wasn't much of a runner. On top of that, I was wearing sweatpants that I had cut off at the ankles, a white t-shirt and some tennis shoes. My hair was up in a messy bun but was damp from all the sweating.

"Mark…can't we take a break?" I told him as I slowed down into a jog.

He stopped running and looked back at me, flashing that irresistible grin he always wore. He so wasn't playing fair wearing some black basketball shorts with a white beater. He had sunglasses on his face as usual and a black bandana tied around his head. The sun only teased my senses more as it shined on him. I tried really hard not to let it all get to me…but…well…you know.

"You want a break already?" he asked as he folded his arms over his chest. "I hope you won't be asking your opponent that question in the ring."

I sighed as I finally caught up with him. I bent over and placed my hands on my knees so I could catch my breath. "I'm so out of shape."

"Oh don't worry, you'll be in good shape once I'm finished with you." He told me as he took a step towards me.

I looked up at him with a smile, "Can you be finished with me for today? We've been at this for hours now and my thighs are killing me."

He laughed, "Did you stretch like I told you to this morning?"

I glanced in another direction, "Of course I did…a little…"

He shook his head, "Come on, let's go back to the house."

I nodded and then followed him to the house. When we were close enough to the back door, I decided to take a chance to get him back for my misery. I walked a little faster and then smacked his butt before taking off into the house.

"Oh you little bitch…wait until I catch you!" he said as he started chasing me.

I giggled and looked back at him, "Always be aware of your enemies…they can attack at any time."

"Good girl…now you better take your own advice and be aware of your new enemy…" he said as he ran towards me. I stuck out my tongue and darted for the living room. I was about to head for the steps, when my legs decided to give out on me. I fell to the ground in the living room still giggling when he came in.

He shook his head as he placed his hands on his hips and looked down at me. "You are so going to pay for that."

I sighed and rolled onto my back, "Oh yea?"

"Yes…no one smacks my ass and gets away with it." He said.

I rolled my eyes, "Oh please, you're all talk."

He raised an eyebrow at me and then got down on his knees next to me. "I'm going to let that one slide little girl."

I laughed as he reached up on the couch and grabbed a pillow. "Here lay your head on this."

I nodded and put the pillow under my head, "What are you doing?" I asked, becoming somewhat alarmed when he started to reach for my leg.

"I'm going to help you stretch. You're hamstrings need it." He said as he reached down and gently lifted my leg to his shoulder. I fought off my smile as my mind forced me to think some rather naughty thoughts about him but this whole scene was really hot to me.

"Let me know when it hurts," he said as he slowly began to press my leg back towards my head. His eyes locked with mine for a few moments before I giggled and looked away. He chuckled and shook his head, still slowly pushing my leg back. I was surprised at how far my leg went before it actually started hurting.

"So are you excited about making a return?" he asked.

I nodded, "Yea, it's been awhile since I seen my friends and I think I'm ready to prove that I'm more than just a pretty face."

He chuckled, "You're telling me…I can already see that you're more than that."

I smirked, "Well thanks."

"No problem," he said. "You know your brother is really proud to hear that you're doing this."

"Really?" I asked.

He nodded and then gently put my leg down before moving to the other one, "Yea, he thinks this will be good for you."

I sighed thinking about the last time I spoke to Steve. Man was I bitchy…"I need to call him. I was so horrible to him last time I talked to him."

He sighed and then put my leg down, "Yes he told me about that. He's not mad at you though."

"He isn't?"

"Nope, he just wants you to be happy Serena. That's what we all want for you." He said.

I sighed and sat up, "Yea but you know something Mark…every time I feel like I'm getting close to being truly happy, something happens to ruin it. Why do you think that is?"

He shrugged, "I'm not sure but I do know how you feel."

"Really?" I asked as I pulled my legs up to my chest.

"Oh hell yea, when I started dating this girl named Michelle back in college, I thought I we were the happiest couple in the world…"

"What happened?" I asked.

He sighed, "I went to see her at her dorm because she told me she'd been sick for a week…and I walked in on her and some other dude screwing around."

I gasped, "Oh my goodness Mark…I'm so sorry."

"It's cool, she just made me realize that I deserved better you know? Someone that loves me for me."

I nodded thinking about my experience with David. Though he did cheat on me…I did still feel like I cared about him. "I wish I knew what that felt like…" I told him as a tear fell from my eye.

He glanced at me, "It's alright Serena. I'm sure one day we'll both find someone that truly loves us."

I smirked to myself, wanting to tell him how I could see myself with him but something told me that now wasn't the right time.

"What's on your mind?" he asked out of the blue.

"Hm? What do you mean?" I asked.

He smiled, "Well you always look off to the side when something is on your mind…so what is it?"

I shrugged, "Nothing much,"

"Oh no you don't, I know there is something there." He said. "Remember you don't have to hide anything from me. We're besties."

I giggled knowing he was right but there was no way I was going to tell him what I was thinking. I didn't want to run this man out of my life due to my silly thoughts so, I chose to keep them to myself.

"I was just thinking about how you've been there for me so much in the past few months and yet I was so scared of you before."

He smiled, "What can I say…I didn't exactly treat you like the princess that you are when we first met."

I laughed, "That's true, but I'm glad we met anyways."

"Good, I'm glad too."

After talking for a few more hours, he decided to get up and cook some dinner. I had gotten in the shower to help relax my sore muscles and to get rid of all the sweat on me. As I was washing I couldn't help but wonder if Mark even had deep feelings for me like I did for him. I mean yes, he was flirty but…did he like me on the level that I liked him? I really wasn't sure, but I knew I would get my answer eventually.