(A/N): Thank you to the guest reviewer - as per your wishes, I've made the next chapter about the next Jody episode where she gets taken to the police station. Hope you enjoy!

The balls of her feet were burning as she hopped from foot to foot. Her eyes were trained on the pads in front of her, and she jabbed at a regular pace to the heavy beat of the music in the background. Boxing had become more than just a hobby.

It was her life.

With Tyler gone, she knew she had something to prove to herself. And this Under 18's tournament might have been the last chance she got.

Next year, she'd have reached adulthood without any solid achievement or title to her name. The stress that she felt right now, on top of her looming exams and prospects of college courses was keeping her wide awake at night, not to mention the fact that her recent experience with Luke - had only gone to show how much she needed to grow up. And quick.

"Lovely footwork, Jackson."

Jody tried not to grind her teeth at the sound of the familiar voice. Her.

"Are you boxing or tickling him? Where's the power in your jabs?"

"Go and bother someone else, Gemma!" Jody replied, breathing heavily.

Jody never asked to have a mascot. And trust me, this girl was by no means out to help her. The first day Gemma had arrived; her sole goal was to get on Jody's nerves, make her feel less than. It was classic Elektra talk except this time, Jody couldn't keep being the bigger person. Not when she just wanted her own space.

"Chill out, I'm just messing with you..." came the unbothered reply.

"Well don't. I'm trying to get picked for the tournament and you're putting me off!" Jody replied, swapping her feet over. Clearly Gemma didn't get how important this was for her.

"You really think you're going to get picked?" Gemma quipped.

"Why not?"

"My nan is a better boxer than you!"

Jody threw one last jab with her trainer before turning to Gemma.

"What is your problem with me?"

"Nothing, I just think it's cute you want to get picked. Break a leg, Jackson."

Jody watched her sidle off back to her corner of the gym and took a glance around to where the tournament scout was. She noticed him glance at her and write something on his clipboard before moving to another area.

She couldn't afford to rest; she needed to step up her game.

Her eyes scanned and scanned but... nothing. All those weeks, all those hours she'd put in and still nothing to show for it. She bit back her tears and turned around just as May-Li entered with a couple of the littluns.

"I've not been picked."

She noted the wave of sympathy that passed over May-Li's face; realising exactly how many times she'd seen that same look before. She was the pity case, the kid who couldn't get a break. And what was worse, Jody was starting to wonder if maybe she'd never get a break.

"There's always next time..."

"For the under 21's, you mean?"

May-Li sighed before launching off on her usual motivated tangents about how far Jody had come but it was no real use. Jody had felt ready. This was supposed to be her time and yet despite everything, she'd lost again.

"Yes! I made it, again!"

Jody turned around as Gemma approached her grinning ear to ear.

"Unlucky Jackson, you shouldn't have got your hopes up."

Her blood was boiling, it was all Gemma's fault to begin with! Her mind hadn't been in the right state, not when she had someone taunt her skills for days on end. Who did Gemma think she was, treating her like she was some kid to get pushed over?

"I'm going to talk to coach, okay?" May-Li offered as Jody dejectedly decided to go and collect her things from her locker. She felt like breaking down but she'd shed so many tears over the past few days that all she was left with was sheer frustration.

Why her?

She couldn't even think about if Tyler was here because he wasn't. Things were so different now, everything was changing around her and she couldn't catch a break.

"Jackson. Huh, should've tried out for the under 12's..."

"Shut up, Gemma."

She leant over to pick up her belongings but Gemma's foot kicked it out of the way. Jody glanced up irritated as fuck.

"Why so tense? Trash-talking is part of the game, you should try it. Or are you too much of a wimp?"

Jody stood up; she couldn't just take this on her shoulder.

"Look, I'm not scared of anything, least of all you."

"Could've fooled me you box like a faint breeze. Then again, weren't you trying to get all anorexic a while ago?"

Her eyes widened; the whole fasting malarkey when she'd wanted to look like the other boxers in the gym, that was before Gemma had even arrived. How did she know that?

"Mind you, I don't think it's worked."

Gemma's eyes drifted up and down Jody pointedly and she wasn't going to have any of it.

"Pathetic..."

Gemma shoved her out the way, but not before Jody saw red.

"Just fuck off!"

A silence ensued when she realised what she'd almost done. Jody glanced at her right fist which had collided with the locker, right next to Gemma's ear. One wrong move and...

"Are you mad? You could get banned for that!"

Her mouth dropped open, this was bad. She'd thought that after the whole incident with Luke that she'd managed to stay calmer again - often venting to Sasha whenever things got bad, instead of bursting in the moment.

Grabbing her things off the floor, she made haste to get out and fast as Gemma continued quipping something about her having bad aim. She needed to calm down. She needed to go home now.

"Jody, I spoke to your coach and he says you're doing really well. You've only been training for a year and he's really impress..."

"Okay, can we go?"

She continued speed walking in front of May-Li as the littluns followed. May-Li suggested something about getting ice cream - any other time Jody would've loved the idea, but she was too shocked to think about that.

All she wanted was to go home and cry into her bed.

"Did you get into the tournament?"

"I was thinking we could go see a film later, your pick..."

"Jody!"

"Come have something to eat..."

All she wanted was her bed. She bounded up the stairs past the intriguing glances and nosy remarks and headed to her room, shutting the door just as Max opened it. She pressed her lips together and clenched her fist.

"Your glove."

She grabbed it from him before chucking it on the bed, not initially noting that he was standing a little further away from her.

"I won't tell anyone what happened."

She frowned, seriously did he have to rub it in her face that she didn't get into the tournament? Realising she'd spoken aloud, he shook his head.

"No..."

"You know what, I don't care. Leave me alone and get out."

"But..."

"Go!" she shouted, as he scurried down the stairs. Slamming her door, she fell onto her bed tears pricking her eyes but not falling. What was there to get emotional about anyway?

Then she felt the pain.

Her knuckles had been bruised raw; it was clear for anyone to see. Great. Now she couldn't even forget about it! Rubbing her face she realised she needed to act quickly to get the swelling down.

Ice.

Sighing, she decided to head out of her room trying to be as casual as possible. She could've waited until the kitchen was clear but it was easier to just grab some ice and leave. It wasn't a big deal right?

I mean, she'd come back from the gym and needed some ice on her head to cool down and rest. The perfect excuse.

Entering the kitchen, she kept her head down and mouth shut. The kids were preoccupied with Scott doing some sort of magic trick. Grabbing a tea towel she collected some ice and made her way back up the stairs, no questions asked.

However, after a few minutes of pressing the ice firmly against her knuckles, wincing at the pain she realised that this wasn't something that would disappear quickly. Her mind hadn't even begun to process what she'd done.

Would Gemma tell anyone?

Jody bit her lip; if Coach found out then she would be banned forever. A stark realisation hit her. All those times she'd gone boxing, thinking it'd helped her anger. If anything it'd made it worse. It'd given her ammunition.

And this had happened.

I mean, what had May-Li been thinking? Yes, she loved boxing now but thinking a girl with anger management just needed someplace to exercise all her anger, was flawed thinking!

Her phone rang as her heart skipped. Who was it?

TYLER CALLING...

Any other time, she might've picked it up. But not today. Not now. Declining, she reached for the ice again as May-Li knocked on her door.

"Jody, I need you in the office."

"Can I just have five minutes to myself?"

"Now. Please."

The look on May-Li's face said it all. Jody took a breath and followed her down the stairs, feeling a strange sense of de ja vu. Tyler and her 'relationship' had been something which they'd tried so hard to hide but that was nothing compared to this.

"I've had a call from the boxing club about an incident between you and Gemma."

"What incident?" Jody kept cool.

"She's accusing you of assault?"

"What?"

"She said you punched her in the face!"

Jody's eyebrows leapt up... this was bad! And she should've known that Gemma would blow everything out of proportion.

"She's lying!"

May-Li inhaled sharply before walking to the other end of the office, trying to piece the event together.

"What happened when you went to get your stuff from the locker?"

"She tried to wind me up, but I never hit her!"

"Was anyone else around?" May-Li asked. Jody seriously hoped not.

"I don't think so."

May-Li shook her head as Jody realised there was more to this.

"I'm really sorry Jody. Coach has suspended you from the gym until further notice..."

"What?"

All of a sudden she felt faint. This morning, she'd felt so hyped and ready and now everything was going to shit. What was the point in doing anything any more? What was worse was Coach had believed Gemma instantly. The girl who'd tormented her gym sessions was doing everything in her power to make sure Jody couldn't live her life the way she wanted to.

Missing out on the tournament was one thing but this? This was evil.

"I didn't even get to defend myself! That's not fair!"

"Jody, calm down!"

"No! Why can't anyone just give me a fucking break? I can't..."

"We'll go to the club and talk to Coach okay?"

"Like he'll believe me? He's sided with Gemma now!"

"There's no sides..."

"I hate this!"

She left the office just as the phone began to ring, just as everyone had gathered by the living room wondering what was going on. There was never any privacy around here!

"Had a good listen, yeah?" she scoffed, grabbing her coat.

Sasha frowned worriedly. "Are you okay, Jody?"

What did it fucking look like?

Shaking her head, Jody made her way out of the house not caring that everyone could see. She needed air. She needed space. She needed...

Her legs stormed up a familiar road - she didn't know much about Gemma except that she had this little gang of friends out near the skate park. Word was, that they didn't exactly do much skating though.

What Coach saw in Gemma, Jody had no clue... but the gym was somewhat of a refuge for troubled teens in that sense.

Making her way down, she caught Gemma's flashy coat in the crowd. Normally she'd be hesitant to shout out to anyone, but Jody only had one thing on her mind. She needed an explanation.

"Oi Gemma!"

She moved towards them with as confident of stance as she could muster.

"Why did you tell Coach I hit you? I've been suspended!"

"Actions have consequences, Jackson."

"Just tell Coach you lied! I never hit you..."

"But you wanted to, right?"

"No! I..."

"Say sorry then!"

Jody stumbled, why did she have to apologise? All she'd done was react, she'd never tried to stir anything up - that was all Gemma.

"Don't they teach you manners at the orphanage?" Gemma continued.

"It's not an orphanage."

"Whatever, someone dumped you... clearly they don't care either!"

Jody faltered, wondering if maybe Gemma was peeved off about something. I mean, she never acted like this with anyone else... no she just had to single Jody out, but why? Now it all seemed to make sense.

"You got a problem with me being in care?"

"I mean fair play, I couldn't handle it if you were my kid either so..."

Jody clenched her teeth together, "You don't know anything about me."

"I know you're a wimp who can't control her anger. What a cliché!"

Gemma walked off back to where her friends were. Jody noted them all having a laugh together; realising that no matter what Gemma said - those losers would always have her back. She didn't know the first thing about what it meant to always have to look out for No.1.

"You better watch yourself, Gemma."

She swirled back around.

"Is that a threat?" she asked, eyebrows arched, "Maybe this time you'll follow through..."

Jody felt her fist clenching by her side and felt the bruise of her previous scrap sting. She couldn't go there. Not again.

"Just stop lying about me!"

Somehow she made it back to the DG in one piece. Her hand was stinging like mad now but the ice was all gone. Taz was making some stupid drink with them. Sasha asked her over to join them, but she didn't need anyone on her case right now.

In her room, she sat on the edge of her bed blowing gently onto her knuckles. It stung but for some reason it was helping her anger subside a little. Her fingers scrolled through her contacts. She'd declined Tyler multiple times but only because she didn't know what to tell him.

He wasn't here to help, anyway.

Her thumb paused by Luke's name. Although she knew that he wouldn't be happy with what she'd done, he knew about anger management better than anyone. And if anything, he could help her not end up the way Kingsley did.

She had a house trip arranged a while back. May-Li and her had visited Luke's place a while back and it'd been really good. Outside of work, Luke could definitely cheer her up any time of day with his rapping skills.

Her month at the call centre had been really good and she'd managed to keep a solid balance between that and boxing. And all for what? For her dreams to be taken from her in one horrible moment.

She was regretting everything now - she wished desperately that she hadn't snapped like that. But it just happened. All of May-Li's advice about counting to ten, the boxing... it had been pointless in the moment. She'd well and truly lost it.

A knock came at her door and she quickly hid her bruised knuckles in her sleeve.

"You don't have to tell me what's going on today, but I'm here if you wanna talk."

Sasha.

"I'm fine," came the reply.

Jody ducked her head; everything was failing so miserably and she'd run out of things to be angry about. It was all just so pointless.

"You're not fine. Come on, what is it?" Sasha asked, shuffling a little closer to her friend. She'd caught Jody rummaging for ice in the fridge earlier and though something came to a mind, she'd kept her mouth shut.

She would hear whatever it was from Jody.

"I just feel like I'm running in circles."

Sasha noted how Jody kept her eyes trained on the floor. She'd never seen Jody this low before and the look on her face - it was like there was no hope anymore. She stayed silent as Jody continued.

"Every time I think I've got a handle on it, something else comes to test me and I lose it again. And then everyone's there pointing there fingers, 'Jody's lost it again!' just like she always does. How am I meant to do anything, when they always think the worst of me?"

"They don't always think that!" Sasha exclaimed.

"So why do I always have to keep defending myself to everyone?"

Sasha frowned and spoke honestly. These days, she realised that her one role as a friend of Jody's was to give her the honest truth especially when no one else had really spelled out to Jody what she could be like.

"Look, you can be pretty hard to be around sometimes. And I know what you're saying but you can't always blame others for your actions."

Jody stood up contemplating this; except she had something else on her mind. A suspicion if you like.

"Sash, do you believe that saying... that the apple don't fall far from the tree? Do you think some things really do run in families?" she asked curiously. Jody always knew she bore an uncanny resemblance to Kingsley.

But what else might she share with him? With Mum?

"Sometimes. I think I'm more like my mum than I'd like to admit; impulsive, stubborn... but I know that if I ever have a kid, I wouldn't treat her the way she treated me."

Jody glanced at Sasha in agreement. Maybe she was placing the blame on Kingsley and her Mum... sure, she might've inherited some of that Jackson blood sometimes who someone is has nothing to do with where they come from.

It's a choice they make.

Choices...

She'd gone back to the call centre and had offered to work for a month with no reward. That was a choice. Except, this one wouldn't be so easy. Her mind shifted, she felt a sense of peace instill over her.

Kingsley had made bad choices.

A memory cropped up - one where he was cradling her to sleep. He told her a story about princesses and dragons, knights in shining armor to protect her forever and always... he was nicer then. Kinder.

He was in prison now.

Maybe he'd change.

Maybe she would.

The idea didn't seem so bad anymore.

Sasha glanced over at her friend confused. She noted the hand which Jody had been covering with her sleeve ever since she'd come back from the gym. Sasha knew for certain that it wasn't looking good. Although, she still didn't really understand why...

"Jody?"

"Sasha, give us a minute please."

May-Li entered the room and Sasha left somehow feeling a lot more worried than she'd felt before. Jody asking about her family, talking about running in circles... this was a lot more serious than her usual flashes of anger.

It was like she'd stopped fighting altogether.

She'd heard all that May-Li had said. And for the first time, it had properly sunk in.

Gemma had gone and told the police that Jody had been threatening her, and it'd gotten back to May-Li. Her options now were to attend the police station voluntarily or get arrested.

She didn't have a choice.

But maybe, she did. Give her side of the story. Explain what was going through her head. The only problem was, she wasn't sure if she could. It was Gemma's word against hers and her reasoning wasn't the best.

Sasha watched on with the rest of the DG as the police car pulled away. She'd protested but May-Li and Scott were both being very secretive as to why the police wanted to speak to her.

This wasn't a usual DG dilemma - there was something more to this, she just knew!

She'd made herself as silent as possible, not even able to look May-Li in the eyes as she got taken into the statement room. May-Li was trying to reassure her, saying that the truth would come out and that she would do everything in her power to keep Jody out of potentially going to Secure.

Except Jody knew better. Gemma would press charges despite everything and it wouldn't wind up favourably. She hadn't expected to leave the DG like this.

May-Li left the room as Jody stared out the window. A car slowed to a halt down the road. A pigeon cooed on the grass outside. Everything was still continuing like nothing had happened.

But it had happened for Jody.

The door creaked open again and Jody whirled around surprised to find May-Li smiling.

"You're free to go! Max saw what happened and said you never hit Gemma. She dropped all accusations once the witness came forward, how's that eh? I don't know what was going on the girl's mind though, it's despicable to accuse someone of hitting you - I mean..."

"May-Li stop."

Jody felt close to crying but not out of happiness. She'd been so ready to head to Secure. So ready to start a new life... and now, things had gone back to normal just like that.

"It doesn't feel right."

"What do you mean?" May-Li asked confused.

Jody glanced at her carer knowing that she would be disappointed. But she was ready for it now. If anything, she deserved it.

"I wanted to hit her. I tried but I missed and hit the locker instead..."

May-Li glanced at Jody's hand which she held out in front of her. Her knuckles were purple and red and it looked seriously painful. She reached out to hold her hand but Jody pulled away ashamed.

"I got lucky. Only because of everyone else though... not me."

May-Li had never seen Jody this low before. She was disappointed, yes, but it didn't make sense. She thought that Jody would confide in her about this.

"I didn't want you to think I was becoming Kingsley."

"You aren't!"

"Yes I am! He was in and out of prison's all his life and here I am. Following in his footsteps. I've never tried to hurt anyone before and I almost did. That's exactly the sort of thing he does."

"But would he feel bad about wanting to hurt someone? The way you do?" May-Li asked sitting down next to Jody.

Jody fumbled for an answer.

"Maybe. I guess not..."

"No. And that's what makes you different. Jody, I've known you longer than anyone at Ashdene Ridge and yes... you're volatile, but that's not all you are! You're smart, caring, talented, hard-working... and those are exactly the things that run in our DG family. That's where you get that from, okay?"

Jody looked at May-Li, properly this time. She didn't know what she'd done to have someone like her supporting her. But from May-Li's clear gaze and warm smile, she felt loved more than she'd ever felt.

Something told her that she wasn't going to make the same mistake again. And if she did, she would reap the consequences for it.

They left the police station together just as Gemma made her way up the steps. Jody decided to put things right.

"I'm in trouble for wasting police time with a false accusation," Gemma explained. "I'll be out of your hair for a while now..."

"I owe you an apology," Jody stated properly. "I shouldn't have tried to hit you or threaten you. And I might not agree with your tactics but you're a good boxer and... I should be trying to learn from you. Instead of starting fights."

Gemma seemed taken aback by the sincerity of Jody's apology. This was new to her. She'd been winding up Jody but maybe they both just needed to chill things down, stop the trash talk and just focus on themselves for a while.

"Well, it takes two to fight. Fair play, Jackson."

They walked back to the house in silence, a lot had happened that day. Maybe too much. As they reached the house, Jody turned around to May-Li.

"I'm sorry about today. Sorry I lied..."

"You did the right thing in the end," May-Li replied. "Although, you are grounded for a month and your suspension will be reviewed after the tournament. Okay?"

"Okay."

Jody watched May-Li stride back towards the house before calling her back.

"I... I think I need help. For my anger, um... I thought boxing was helping but..."

May-Li smiled before returning to Jody. She knew that admitting the need for help was a big deal for any troubled teen but it meant a lot seeing Jody take the initiative for her own behavior.

Anger was something that she'd also had trouble with in the past; and seeing Jody now more accepting of help was encouraging. She would grow up to be a strong woman indeed.

Taking Jody's hands into hers she smiled.

"I'll look into some anger management classes. I can get you on a course if you like."

"Thank you."

May-Li smiled.

"I'm proud of you. Getting help, it isn't easy. And I have every faith that you'll feel all the more better for it."

She entered the house again, hearing the noises of the kids in the living room. She wanted to disappear and hide her face in her room again but for some reason, it didn't feel right. No, she owed an apology to everyone.

And a massive thank you to Max.

If it wasn't for him - she would almost certainly be in Secure.

They turned around as she entered expectant and waiting. Everyone here, her age or younger... since Tyler had left, they all looked up to her now. And she'd let them down.

"I'm sorry I've been a nightmare today. I... tried to hurt someone today. Just spiraled out of control. Max, thanks for speaking up. I'm not proud of what you saw me doing and I'm sorry for shouting at you. I get it, if you don't want to be around me for a bit but I'm gonna work hard to not lose control like that again. Hope I can earn everyone's trust back."

She glanced around the room, everyone silent and waiting. Max walked towards Jody as everyone followed suit, embracing her in a silent hug of solidarity. There were a lot of emotions in the air but she knew that regardless of what she'd been like, she was loved by everyone.

She needed to remember that. She needed to stop the cycle.

"You alright?"

Jody glanced towards the office door noting May-Li peer in and stick a thumbs up. She smiled shortly before returning to the call. After the events of yesterday, May-Li decided to actively create some time for Jody to speak with Tyler. Everyone in the DG was on their best behavior and trying to be as cheery as possible to keep Jody's mood light.

She felt worse than she'd ever felt but a little lighter knowing that she had their support.

"Not really."

"Why?"

She glanced at the screen before her as Tyler kept his eyes on her. She could sense his worry from here.

"Stuff's happened. Um... I'm not proud of it, but..."

May-Li watched the girl talk from inside the office, noting the way Jody wrung her hands together, gulping down deep breaths to avoid crying all over again... it wrecked the carer to see Jody so torn up, but it was the first step of a process of realisation.

Not long after she knew that Jody would be straight back on her feet.

And she couldn't wait for that day to come.

(A/N): Hey! Hope you enjoyed this chapter; I actually got a little emotional writing it. The episode is done really well too. I'm not sure if anyone has any other ideas for chapters to come. I was thinking about maybe some Luke and Jody chapters but we'll see.

Please leave a review and thank you!