CHAPTER SIX
Two weeks had passed at the training facility and Mike was fairly happy with the progress the recruits were making. Most of them were beginning to excel at the different areas that they were teaching. He had continued to bounce from group to group but found he was spending the majority of his time in the gym watching Second Place teach hand to hand combat.
He had also found himself thinking about her more and more. All his attempts to get to know her better had been rebuffed and he was frustrated. He still didn't know her real first name. He knew he could go back and look through her personnel file, as her legal name would be on the contracts she signed, but he was determined to get her to tell him. Tex was also refusing to tell him, saying if she wanted him to know, he'd know.
Today found him leaning against the gymnasium wall with arms crossed over his chest, watching as she worked with the group of recruits with Knight in it. Mike tended to stay close by when this group was with Second Place. The kid still had his cocky attitude and Mike didn't trust him. The kid was pissed that a woman could beat him so easily and thoroughly.
As the time progressed Mike noticed that Second Place was holding back less and less when it came to sparring. It amazed him at how she could move, her speed and grace. What she lacked in size and strength, not that she wasn't extremely strong for her size, she made up with quickness and intelligence. Most of the time she beat her opponent because she knew what they were going to do before they did.
Her time with this group was nearing its end and Mike was debating moving on to the next trainer or spending more time watching her. He knew this infatuation was getting out of hand, but he couldn't help himself. The outer doors opened, and Mike looked up to see Tex coming towards him.
Mike pushed away from the wall and walked in that direction. It was the end of the week and there was only one more group switch for today. Tex was coming to give him his assessment of the groups.
"Admiral," Tex said in greeting. Mike nodded.
"What's the word this week, Tex?"
"Well groups A, D, and F are all on high marks. B, C, and E have a few that need a little extra kick. I suggest pulling those recruits out and working them this weekend instead of full leave for them."
"Make a list and get it posted tonight. Anyone on the list has half leave for the weekend not full."
"I'll get on it," Tex said his attention drifting to Second Place. "How are things going in here?"
Mike looked at Tex. There was something in his tone that caught Mike a little off guard. Tex stared at him and smiled.
"She's a great instructor. Most of the recruits are getting the hang of it."
"You've watched this station the most. Anyone you think needs a little extra polish?"
"A few. I'll get you their names for the list."
"Aye, Admiral," Tex said with a smile. They both turned to look as Second Place was about to spar with Knight. "Ooh, this could get interesting."
"Let's hope it doesn't. That kid has some serious attitude issues."
"I've noticed. And it's not just with Second Place. Though it does seem to be worse because she's a girl."
"Hardly a girl," Mike mumbled, and Tex gave him a wry look. Mike ignored him. Mike was more interested in the look on Knight's face.
"Oh, shit," Tex mumbled, and Mike looked at him alarmed as he looked back at the two sparring.
Mike watched as Knight wasn't holding back, but Second Place was holding her own. The student still hadn't out witted the teacher. But there was something smoldering in Knight's eyes, and he went in for a vicious blow. Their rule for now was minimal contact, no real blows. Knight swept out and took Second Place's feet out. She landed hard on the mat but was up again in seconds, tagging Knight lightly on the side of the head with a foot.
The kid sneered and went straight in with a shot to her ribs, not holding back. Second Place was expecting for him to pull the punch and instead took the full brunt of his strength. She went down again, and Knight leaped down and straddled her hips, and pinned her shoulders to the mat. Mike watched as the kid said something to her and Second Place's face flared with anger.
"Oh hell," Tex said as he scrambled over to the mat area. Mike moved in behind him just as Second Place bucked and flipped Knight off of her. He wasn't expecting her to be so strong and he landed with a thud on the map. Second Place was on her feet before Knight, but he sprang up closely behind.
She stopped holding back and Mike felt his gut clench. This was going to be bad. She was furious and already annoyed with the kid's cocky manner. Second Place started to wail on the boy, and he was not fast enough to defend himself. Mike saw blood erupt from his nose, and then she was smashing a fist against his lips.
"SP!" Tex yelled but Mike rushed past his friend and caught Second Place as she spun around to hit Knight again. The kid was falling to the mat and Mike latched a firm arm around her mid-section and lifted, moving as swiftly as he could towards the gym wall. She fought him fiercely and his grip almost slipped twice. He took a couple blows from her and grunted, but he didn't break his hold on her.
Once he had her sandwiched between himself and the wall, he applied gentle pressure. His arm hurt but he wasn't going to let her go. He needed to get her to calm down as he could feel the anger rolling off her. He applied a little more pressure and put his mouth next to her ear.
"Second Place, you have to calm down," he whispered gently. "Breath with me. In. Hold. Out. Again," he said softly, slowing his breathing. "Match my breathing. In. Hold. Out. I need you to calm down."
He felt her breathing slow and she stopped fighting him. He continued to regulate his breathing talking to her softly getting her to match him. He had no idea how long it took and was grateful that Tex took initiative and cleared the rest of the recruits and took Knight out for medical assessment. It was just the two of them in the gym.
He felt her body relax but she didn't try to break his hold yet, so he indulged and continued to hold her between himself and the wall. It was selfish but he was enjoying the feeling of her body pressed into his. He fought the urge to kiss her neck, not knowing how she'd react, afraid she'd turn and kick his ass. He really needed to get a handle on those emotions running through him. Finally, he heard her speak.
"I'm calm now. Sorry," she mumbled. Mike stayed put for a moment longer, soaking up the memory of this before he gently relaxed and slowly released his hold on her. He sat down on the nearest piece of gym equipment and watched as she continued to stand facing the wall. He could see the frustration in her body language, and she seemed to be favoring her ribs.
"Are you okay?" Mike asked gently. He was fighting the urge to move back to her, to hold her. He knew that it wouldn't be received well in her current state.
"Yes," she said then winced. This time Mike did stand and walk up beside her, leaning his shoulder into the wall. He looked down at her.
"You're hurt. You should be checked out by the medical staff."
"I'm fine," she gritted out and Mike closed his eyes.
"It's okay if you're not," he said softly. "No one will think less of you."
"I lost my cool. I'm sorry. I never should have let that asshole goad me."
"It's okay. He's a prick and deserved it," Mike said. He was actually a little bit happy she had put the little prick in his place. He just hoped she didn't hurt him too badly.
"He's been pushing me the last two weeks, thinking he could take me." She said. "Then today, he didn't pull his hits like he was supposed to. That pissed me off. I was letting him score some just to boost his fucking ego."
"I wondered how he got you so good in the ribs," Mike said, wanting to reach out and touch her, knowing it was the wrong time. She looked up at him and he saw the pain and anger in her eyes. He sighed.
"Then he…" she started but didn't finish. Mike could see she was running the memory through her mind. "…said something that pissed me off."
"What did he say?" Mike asked. He knew from the look on her face she wasn't going to answer him, but he had to ask anyway."
"Something inappropriate, and it pissed me off. Am I in trouble?"
"No. It'll get written up as a training accident. If Knight throws a tantrum, I'll have Tex fix it."
She nodded and he could see some relief in her eyes. He wished he could smooth away the other emotions in her face. He looked at his feet. He needed to get a handle on whatever he was feeling for this woman.
"My next group will be here soon," Second Place said as she turned away from him. He went to touch her shoulder and stopped himself.
"No, you're done for the day. Go back to the barracks and calm yourself down the rest of the way," Mike said softly. "I'm dismissing for the day." She nodded slowly, still facing away from him. He was about to leave her alone when she turned to face him.
"Thanks," she said with a forced smile. He cocked his head to the side.
"For what?" he asked wondering why she was thanking him.
"For stopping me from killing him," she stated matter of factly, and he believed every word she said. He nodded slowly, as they stared at each other for a long moment.
"My pleasure," he said softly, and he meant it. She smiled a half smile and then walked away from him, leaving the gym. Mike sat there for a little longer, calming his own nerves and system. Finally, he knew he needed to get back to running the facility.
His first stop was the base infirmary. He checked in the see the medical staff had fixed Knight up as much as possible. Tex was still standing over the kid, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, a glare on his face. Tex saw Mike and walked over.
"He's got a broken nose and a broken tooth. Med team doesn't think they can save the tooth, so they'll cosmetically fix it. The broken tooth ripped a nasty gash in his lips, three stitches to close it up. He's got a lot of bruises, but they think that's all it is. He's on observation for now," Tex relayed to Mike.
"Kid got lucky," Mike said. Tex nodded.
"Kid was lucky you and I were there. Quick thinking grabbing her like that. She hurt you?" Tex asked. Mike hadn't really stopped to assess his own injuries. He knew his ribs were sore, but not broken. His arm hurt but he figured it was just a pulled muscle or a deep bruise.
"Nothing serious. I sent her back to the barracks. Spread the word we're done for today. Get that list out and we'll pick up the extra work tomorrow. Let the rest have R and R."
"You got it, Admiral. Second Place, okay?"
"I think so. She'll have some sore ribs, but I don't think anything else, other than she's mad at herself for losing control like that," Mike said. Tex nodded.
"I'll check on her when I'm done," Tex said. Mike nodded. He knew it would be better received if he let Tex do that rather than he show up personally.
Mike left the infirmary and let the other instructors know to knock off for the day. Then he went back to his office and filled out the incidence report. He knew he needed to get both Knight's and Second Place's accounts, but those could wait. He found Tex and had him fill out a witness statement then told him to get the witness statements from the other members of the group. That handled he went to the mess hall and grabbed some food to go.
He went back to his room for the night and ate alone and tried to relax a little. His brain was stuck on Second Place though and all he could think about was her body pressed against his. These past two weeks had only increased his interest in the woman. It was more than an infatuation now. The more he was around her the more he wanted to be around her. It had been a long time since a woman had held his attention like this.
It was getting late, but Mike couldn't sleep. Like most nights, the later it got the more active his memories got. Tonight, the memories of his lost family and thoughts of Second Place, were mingling together. He knew he needed to work off some energy, so he changed into workout gear and headed to the gym. The good part about the hour was that it was most likely deserted. But when he got there, he was surprised to see it had one occupant. He stopped in the doorway and contemplated staying or not when he realized the other person was, Second Place.
To Be Continued…