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Chapter 7 – Fighting Lessons

Tony bounced on his feet in the boxing ring. He was wearing head gear and boxing gloves with a Van Halen t-shirt and shorts. "Come on then, Lewis. Let's see what you got!"

Lewis climbed into the ring wearing head gear and boxing gloves, too. He looked down at the gloves. "These are strange. Why do you wear these?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "So you don't get hurt as bad. I guess. I have no idea. Just. Shut up and fight man."

Lewis shook his head and looked around the ring.

Legate, Logan, Ashena stood on the side of the ring. Next to them, Genie sat on top of a table and was in charge of ringing the bell. Lance and Licis laughed as Lewis walked out into the middle of the ring towards Tony. Jake and Jack laughed at the entire situation.

Lewis looked at the boxing gloves. "I don't think I'm going to wear these. They feel like a child's toy."

Tony held out his hands, "Dude. Be polite and ask me if I give a shit before you tell me that."

Lewis rolled his eyes.

Tony pointed at Logan. "Watch this kid. See, he's going to attack me. You have to block his punch or avoid it."

Lewis stood with his gloves on his hips. "This is stupid."

Tony stopped and became serious. "Damn it, Lewis. Come on. Gene. Hit the bell."

Genie rang the bell.

Lewis shook his head. "You attack me. I'm sure I'll hit you. I don't want to hurt you."

Tony sighed. He punched at Lewis several times, and Lewis easily avoided or blocked each punch. Tony was surprised. "Alright. And see Logan, you make connection with your opponent like this." He tried to hit Lewis again, only to be blocked. Lewis shook his head.

Jack laughed, "Yeah, show us how that works there, Tony? I'm not getting it."

Lance laughed, "This is great. Doc' is missing this."

Licis smiled as he crossed his arms, "Hell, Lewis. Give him one."

After a few moments, Tony was frustrated. "Okay. New plan. I'm going to get some water, then I'm coming back up here to kick your ass. Done playing with you."

Lewis nodded his head. "Alright. I've been warned."

Tony got out of the ring and took off his head gear. "He's like a ghost. Are you phasing on me?! Is that why I can't hit you?"

Lance and Licis laughed at him. Licis mumbled to Lance, "Some things never change. I've never known anyone to really hit him."

Lance smiled and held up one finger. "Rose has got him. She's really good."

The Doctor walked in, "Alright, guys. Sorry, I'm late. Where are we?"

Jake smiled, "Tony was attempting to hit Lewis. That was entertaining."

The Doctor looked up in the ring at Lewis. "How did he do?"

Lewis shrugged his shoulders. "He's not bad. He didn't get me, but he kept me dancing."

Tony shook his head. "He's too kind. I'm regrouping."

The Doctor noticed how much Tony was sweating. "You are done. Hang back for a bit."

Tony collapsed in the chair facing the ring. "I'm good with that. Damn."

The Doctor jumped up into the ring.

Jack held out his hands. "What? No gear?"

"You don't have gear when you are really fighting. Logan. Get in here."

"Step into the church." Tony yelled.

The Doctor looked over at Genie. "Genie. You're in charge of the bell like usual, right?"

Genie smiled, "Yes, Daddy. If you are going to fight Lewis again, my money is on him."

Lewis laughed as he pointed at her, "That's my girl!"

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "I leave her alone with you lot for what….18 minutes?"

Lewis took off his head gear and offered it to Logan. Logan politely refused and stepped inside of the ring.

Jack pointed at Logan, "You?! You are the one who's going to teach him to fight? Really?"

Jake smiled and crossed his arms. "I can't wait to see this. I've seen him fight. He's not bad. Not as good as Rose, but…"

The Doctor stood up and held out his hands. "I've never seen her fight. Really? Everyone says that."

Jake exhaled impressed. "Trust me, mate. You do not want to be in a fight with her."

Tony pointed at the Doctor. "That's good marital advice there, man."

The Doctor shook his head. "Alright. Logan. Fighting. This isn't something you are going to learn in a day. Keep that in mind. Okay, first. Everything thinks about fists. That's important, but don't underestimate your feet. You can push your opponent away from you and be further away from them when you fight."

Logan nodded his head. "Alright."

Lewis teased him, "Is that why you aren't wearing shoes?"

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "I changed. You don't need to wear shoes to fight."

Tony stood next to Legate. "Monkey fighting doesn't require shoes."

Legate chuckled. "True."

"Ugh. Anyway, Logan. Thing number two. Use your elbows. When you are in a fight, it's normal to expect a punch. You can even tell which hand it going to throw a punch by watching your opponent's feet."

Logan shook his head. "Wait. What? Watching their feet?"

Lewis looked surprised.

The Doctor pointed at Lewis. "Am I wrong?"

"I've never thought of that. Show us an example."

The Doctor put his head down. "Right. Logan, punch me. Really try to hit me. Don't worry you might connect. It's alright. I'm going to look at your feet."

Logan took a deep breath. "Alright."

Watching only Logan's feet, the Doctor blocked every punch that he took at him.

Tony was impressed. "Alright, Doc'. That's a neat trick."

"It's not a trick. It's basic knowledge." He insisted. "Alright, Logan. The main thing you want to do in a fight, is to subdue your opponent. It's either you or them usually. No room for second place. Alright?"

Logan nodded. "Right. Okay."

"Think. What are some ways that you can make a person stop attacking you?"

"Knock them out?"

"How?"

"Hitting them hard?"

He shook his head. "That's telly. That is much harder to do in real life. Well, humans have a neat little thing. It's unique to them though. There is a …. Ummm…. junction box of nerves on the side of their neck. You're familiar with Star Trek and the Vulcan Neck Pinch Spock does that knocks people out?"

Logan smiled, "That's real?"

He smiled, "Yeah. It's right there. Under your ear. Just on one side. Usually the left. If you press your neck, you'll feel where it gets uncomfortable. You can punch someone there, and it will overload their mind. They will pass right out."

Lewis looked at the Doctor. "Man, is that even true?"

"Of course it's true. Jack! Come here."

Jack protested, "What? No! I believe you."

Jake laughed at Jack.

The Doctor groaned and shook his head. "Damn it."

Tony had heard enough. "New plan. Show him what we worked on, Logan. So he sees you're not a complete idiot. He's not bad, John."

Logan looked nervous. "Alright. Gear?"

"I'm not wearing gear. You can put it on if you want." The Doctor insisted.

Lance laughed, "He's afraid it will mess up his hair."

They all laughed.

The Doctor looked back at Genie. "Don't listen to this madness, Genie."

Genie was laughing with them.

Logan put on head gear, but kept his gloves off. "Alright."

The Doctor could feel how nervous Logan was. "Hang on. Tony. Get back up here and fight this guy. I can see better if I'm not getting hit."

Tony nodded his head and put back on his head gear. "Alright. Kid! Let's do this." Tony jumped back inside of the ring.

Genie rang the bell and yelled, "Go Tony!"

Tony smiled proudly and pointed his glove towards her. "My girl!"

Logan punched at Tony who blocked it easily. He swung with a roadhouse punch, which Logan dunked to avoid.

Tony danced around. "Kid, you have five brothers?"

"Six." Logan corrected him.

"Don't you guys fight? Imagine I'm one of them. What would you do?"

Logan nodded his head and slid across the mat, tripping Tony and pinning him down on the mat.

Genie rang the bell. Tony was laughing when he got up. "Why are we worried about this guy?"

Jack had already worked it out. "New plan. Everyone fights. We can learn from how someone defends and attacks. We'll put the Doctor in the ring. If he hits you, you're out. If you hit him, he's out."

The Doctor bit his lip. "Alright. I'll do that."

Jack added, "But, he has to wear a lead lined stocking cap."

"What?"

Jake laughed, "So you can't read anyone's mind."

"I can't do that unless I'm touching anyone anyway." He insisted.

Jack smiled, "Ah…. No matter. It makes it fair. You have to wear it over your face so you can't see, or hear anyone in your mind."

Genie laughed, "It will mess up your hair, Daddy."

They all laughed at her.

"You lot have corrupted my daughter. I hope you are proud of yourselves." He complained as he climbed into the ring with Logan.

Jack tossed the lead lined stocking cap up to him. He started to put it on his head and then stopped.

"Hang on. I'm telling Rose what I'm doing. She might get upset if I just disappear." He put it on his head and then pointed at Logan. "So, Logan is first?"

Lewis rubbed his hands together excitedly. "And! You have to tell us who you think it is, too."

The Doctor groaned, "Why did I come in here? I could have stayed in my suite with Rose. We could be….." He bit his lip and growled.

Tony held out his hand. "Please. Children are present."

Lewis laughed as he climbed into the ring. The Doctor sighed and pulled it over his face. "Alright. Whatever. Wait. Why are we doing this?"

"Educational purposes." Jake insisted.

The Doctor stood in the ring with his hands on his hips and the cap on his head. "Alright. I'm ready."

Lewis held his hand up to Logan. He then walked over to the Doctor and threw a punch to his chest. The Doctor caught it, grabbed his hand with both of his and twisted his arm. Then he quickly brought up his foot and pushed him away. Lewis fell on the mat.

All of the room cheered.

Ashena smiled, "Wow! Who was that?"

The Doctor said. "That was Lewis. He was taking it easy on me. Thanks, Lewis."

Lewis pointed at Jake. Jake nodded and jumped into the ring. Jack smiled and said, "Alright. New guy. Ready?"

The Doctor stood in the ring. "Yep. Feels like….. Jake."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Now how do you know that?"

"He's light on the mat."

Jake danced around and the Doctor's head followed him. "Can you see through that thing, mate?"

The Doctor replied, "No. It's completely black."

Jake continued to dance around and jumped at the Doctor several times. The Doctor never flinched.

Rose slipped into the room. She put her finger over her lips to tell everyone not to say anything. She stood next to Jack and Tony, watching the fight.

The Doctor complained. "Jake. I'm going to go to sleep over here. Are you ever going to try to hit-"

Jake attempted a roundhouse kick to the Doctor's head. The Doctor blocked it, turned his body, brought up his fist and stopped right before he punched Jake in the face.

Jake was stunned. "I'm out!"

"Sure?" The Doctor asked.

"Yeah. Thanks for not breaking my nose. I'm alright." Jake insisted as he left the ring.

All of the men laughed at Jake's reaction.

Jack jumped in the ring.

The Doctor began to bounce. "Oh! Yes! This is Jack. Let's go!"

Jack laughed as he bounced on his feet. "How you feeling, Old Man?"

The Doctor laughed, "Oh. Don't worry about me."

"I don't want to beat up the elderly. Sure your old bones can take this?"

He laughed again. "I'll be fine."

Jack rushed the Doctor and grabbed him around his torso. The Doctor stepped into his stance and while holding Jack, he fell backwards on the mat taking Jack with him. Once they hit the mat, The Doctor hit Jack in the chest. "He's out! Bring me someone else."

Jack stood up. "Damn it!" He smiled and pointed at Rose. Then pointed for her to go in the ring. Rose smiled and shook her head.

The Doctor stood with his hands back on his hips. "Come on. Logan? Legate? Tony?"

Tony laughed, "Tempting, but you told me to call a day, man."

"Yeah, I did. Damn. Lewis. Come on and let's do this again. Don't take it so easy on me."

Lewis put his finger over his lips.

Lance smiled, "He's already left."

"Shit. Who else is here?"

Jake was trying to silently talk Rose into getting into the ring.

Tony laughed, "It's too bad Rose isn't here. I hear she's really good."

The Doctor laughed from under the stocking cap he still wore on his face. "Everyone says that. I've never seen it."

Tony smiled at Rose and pointed for her to get into the ring.

Lance asked, "What do you think? Do you imagine she really is that good? Or is it just because she's a woman?"

The Doctor shook his head. "I have no idea. I've never seen her fight. It's probably because she's a woman, though. I don't know. Don't tell her I said that. Granted, I've been in fights with women. They can be….scary. I bet Rose is a scary woman to fight. Genie, don't tell your Mum I said that. She's perfectly lovely. Actually, you can tell a lot about a woman by the way she fights."

Jack laughed, "Yeah. If her hands are wrapped around your neck, she's probably not happy with you."

The Doctor pointed towards Jack's voice. "True."

Rose put her hand on her hip and bit her lip. Jack, Jake and Tony laughed under their breath.

"I mean, yeah. A woman can fight….but…..I'm not sure. She …. I don't know. She's always been too nice. I don't know." He said.

Tony nodded his head. "So, are you saying that you wouldn't fight her if she came in here? Is that it?"

"No. Well. If she wanted me to. I'd like to see what she could do. I mean, I know she's trained a lot of agents. But, I've seen them fight. It wasn't that impressive."

Jack covered his mouth and nearly fell over laughing silently.

Tony turned to Rose and pointed forcefully towards the ring. "Get your ass in there!" He told her quietly.

Rose took off her trainers and pulled herself into the ring. The entire room cheered. The Doctor nodded his head. "This is Jake. Back for more?"

Jack laughed, "He sure is. Give him hell. He's decided to not go so easy on you."

Rose pointed at Jack and smiled. She held up her hand to Jack to tell him to wait a moment.

Jack and Tony spoke, "Oh, hang on a bit. Jake's doing something."

Rose took off her ear rings she had just put on a few minutes before and handed them to Tony. He nodded his head. "Right, Doc'. Jake's having to work up his nerve. He's going to kick your entire ass. Hope you have your insurance paid up."

Rose rolled her eyes at Tony's remark and walked around the Doctor in the ring.

He laughed, "I feel like I'm waiting for a tiger to strike."

Tony laughed, "Oh, remind him he said that later. Is anyone filming this?"

"Nobody better be filming this!" The Doctor insisted.

Lewis nodded as he held up his phone and mouthed. "Pete will love this."

Rose stood in front of the Doctor and punched him in the head, he blocked easily.

"Ah. Come on, Jake. I knew that was coming." He teased her.

Jack slapped the mat from the side. "Come on! Kick his ass!"

She swung her fist, then her elbow toward him. He stepped aside quickly.

Still wearing the stocking cap and blind to who he was really fighting, he said, "Now that was impressive. Interesting combination there. Was that an elbow? See, Logan. Elbows. Use them."

Logan laughed, "Yes, sir. Noted."

Tony stood behind Genie. She held the bar for the bell in her hand and was yelling, "Come on, Daddy!"

Rose walked around. The Doctor stood still and put his hands back on his hips. "I can hear Genie. Is no one else cheering for me?"

"Nope." Tony said simply.

Rose started to punch him, gently, around his head. He blocked each one easily. As she walked him back, she swept his leg and knocked him to the ground. He landed with a loud thump.

Surprised, he spoke as he covered his head, "See, Logan. You need to keep your head covered and protected from a strike."

Rose punched him lightly in the stomach and then in the ribcage.

Tony pointed at him. "I'm counting that. He's hit."

Jack laughed, "Lucky punch. Keep going."

"Keep going?! The hell?!" He protested.

He grabbed Rose's wrist with his hand, "Jake?"

She jumped on top of him and he flipped her over on the mat. Rose grabbed the t-shirt he was wearing and twisted it around his throat, choking him. He tapped the mat and she let him go. He coughed as he caught his breath. He quickly pulled the lead lined stocking cap off of his head and looked to see who it was he had been fighting. As soon as he saw it was her, he lay down on the mat dramatically and coughed again. "Woman. Why do I worry about you so damn much?"

The room erupted in cheers. Jack held his hands above his head and shouted, "Woo!"

Genie rang the bell. "Yay, Mummy!"

Rose laughed at him as she stood up and offered him a hand up. "You know, you talk a lot of shit for someone who falls in the floor every time he puts his pants on."

He bit his lip and laughed at her. "You're right. Hey, alcohol was usually involved in that."

Rose looked at him, "Right."

He covered his face and laughed, "No. Damn. New plan. Rose is going to show Logan how to fight." He stood up and rubbed his face. He looked at Rose in complete disbelief. "Really?"

Rose shrugged his shoulders. "You were warned."

Jake laughed, "And she really took it easy on you, mate. Logan. Rose will handle your training. Then you can kick the Doctor's ass."

He rolled his eyes as he leaned in and kissed her lips. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Rose smiled, "No. I don't remember you hitting me. That was fun. Who's next?"

Jack was still laughing.

Tony shook his head. "Sad man."

"Be my guest. Fight my wife. She will kill you." The Doctor told Tony as he got out of the ring.

Genie laughed at him. "Mummy is scary."

He picked her up and playfully fussed at her. "And you knew it was Mummy I was in the ring with and you didn't tell me. You rat!"

He kissed her cheek as she giggled at him.

Lewis, Legate, Logan, Licis and Lance were all standing together laughing. The Doctor held a hand out to them. "Dare I ask how much money?"

Lewis shook his head. "Oh, you don't want to know."

His bracelet lit up and Friday spoke. "There is call from Peter Tyler for you."

"I'll take it in my suite. Geez. Rose, don't hurt anyone." He called as he left the room.

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