OC watched as Lexa worked out on a punching bag. "Girl, shouldn't you save some of your strength?"
Lexa leveled a look at her. "I'm trying to get a actual workout today."
OC raised her hands. "Aiight."
The ring bell rang and Lexa looked over to where the referee was waving at her to take her place inside the ring. She walked up with OC following her. She got in the ring and saw the look on Original Cindy's face. It was anxious and fearful.
"Don't worry OC. It's going to be okay." she assured her. Lexa turned and faced her first opponent. He was tall, a little on the skinny side but in all, Lexa regarded him to be slightly handsome despite the scar running down his shoulder ending at half way down his arm. The referee walked out of the ring and rang the bell. The two began to circle each other.
The man who Lexa dubbed as Scar started off with a feigned right but followed through with a left. Lexa dodged it easily bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet. She moved around and under his next punch bringing her close to his ribcage. She gave him three quick jabs then swept her right foot behind his knocking him down. He sprang back up to his feet and charged at Lexa.
She stood still and let him come to her. Then, in a motion too quick for him to see she punched him in the face and watched him go down. The man did not get back up. The ref rang the bell signaling the end of the match and Lexa walked over to see Original Cindy. The girl's look on her face was slightly more relieved. "Ya was toying with him." She accused.
"Nah, I just didn't think it would look right for me to take him out with the first punch." Lexa said shaking her head. Original Cindy didn't look like she believed her. The bell rang again and Lexa moved back into the middle of the ring.
Her second opponent was also tall but on the heavy side. She decided to call him Flabby. Flabby had watched the previous fight and decided that power was going to be the key to taking her down. She dodged most of his punches but one caught her in the stomach just as Alec and Max walked in with Vin right behind. Her back was to them but it didn't stop her from hearing Vin shout her name.
~!~!~!
It had felt like forever but when they finally arrived at Two Golds the sight that met them wasn't a pretty one. A tall guy had caught Lexa with a punch that was hard enough to knock out her breath. They could see her gasping for air. Vin called her name and started to the ring but Max grabbed his arm. "You have to let her do this herself." He started to shake her hand off but Alec quickly grabbed him also.
"She's never going to think we trust her unless we let her fend for herself. She got herself into this and now she needs to get herself out."
Vin nodded but they could tell he didn't like it one bit. Original Cindy spotted them and walked over. By now Lexa had recovered and was dodging Flabby's blows. This time when Flabby threw a punch at her she stepped to the outside of it and grabbed his wrist. She twisted and pulled at the same time and put the man off balance. She swept his legs out from under him landing him on the mat. She went down with him still holding his arm and maneuvered it behind his back in an arm lock. She waited for him to give up and only when she applied a great amount of pressure did he do so.
The bell was rang giving her a two minute break. She walked to the corner where she knew the others were waiting for her. Original Cindy had cautioned Alec and Vin against harsh words but that didn't stop Vin from saying. "Are you crazy? Do you know you are risking exposure?"
"I know what I am doing 'big brother' I don't need a keeper. If you don't like it leave." Vin just stood there stunned by the venom in her words. She walked back to face her next opponent.
This one was about Alec's size, built a little heavier though. It didn't hurt that he had the same color hair and eyes as Alec but that was where the similarities ended. The more Lexa looked at him the angrier she got. It wasn't a far stretch for her to imagine that it was him she punched and kicked with such anger. The man had obviously been trained in martial arts for he anticipated her moves. She kept moving at half speed and this time, she was toying with him. She wanted Vin and Alec to be worried. If they were going to treat her like this they should realize she could take care of herself.
Vin was still stunned at the words Lexa had shot at him. They had never fought or said words like that in such anger. Sure, they had, had spats before but never fights. He was beginning to get worried about her. He could see some of her anger slip away as she fought and began to relax.
Lexa finished up her opponent with a quick kick to the temple. He was out cold before he even hit the mat. This time Lexa didn't even bother coming back to her corner. Her next opponent stepped in. He was her size but moved with a familiar grace. He was obviously a crowd favorite, he turned in a circle with his arms held out to his sides and the crowd roared. Lexa gasped when she saw the barcode tattoo on his neck. A piece of hair was covering the last part so she couldn't see the last digits.
Her three friends also saw it and Alec said " He better hope he doesn't hurt her bad, I would hate to have to kill him." His hands were clenched tight. Original Cindy looked at Max and she explained "He's from Manticore. Obviously Lexa's not the only one thinking to make money off of our genetic gifts." she gave Alec a pointed look.
The two in the ring fought furiously. Their punches and kicks moved almost too fast for the crowd to see. They were talking but it was too low for Max, Alec or Vin to pick up.
~!~!~ ~
Another Manticore escapee was the last person she had expected this guy to be, but he certainly gave her the workout she was looking for. She blocked a kick of his with her leg and threw a quick jab to his unprotected side. She could feel a couple of ribs break under her hand.
"Damn girl. What's your problem?" her opponent asked.
"You. I came here looking to get away from "home sweet home" and I get a glaring reminder." she responded.
He looked at her strangely, "Home sweet home?" then his face took on a knowing look. "I knew you fought too well. What's your designation?"
"My NAME is Lexa. And yours?" she said with venom.
"Riley."
While Riley had been talking Lexa kicked out at the back of his knee and he fell flat on his back . He kicked out at her ankles bringing her down with him.
"You are really intent on winning aren't you?" He said smiling.
"I have some money riding on this fight. I don't play around with money." she said as she rolled and kicked him in the stomach. She quickly flipped up onto her feet.
Riley wheezed as he caught his breath and stood up. Lexa was already in a fighting stance as he assumed one. He threw a right hook which she ducked under bringing her body close to his.
"So how about dinner? I'll buy with the money I win tonight." he asked cockily
"Sorry sort of seeing someone. Besides you're going home broke." She replied. She kicked him in the knee again this time dislocating his kneecap. He fell to the floor once again and she leaned over him and punched him hard once in the face knocking him out. The bell rang and she was declared the winner.
~!~!~
When the bell rang Original Cindy stood up. Max asked "Where you going?"
"Original Cindy is going to go collect our winnings."
"She bet on this!" Alec exclaimed.
"Yeah suga. You don't think she did it just for the fun did ya?"
"Looks like you are two of a kind huh Alec?" Max stated more than asked.
Vin said nothing. He just sat there watching Lexa finish up her details, collecting her prize money and such. He still couldn't believe she had said what she had to him. She was the closest person to him and ever since they had come here things had changed between them.
As Lexa approached her friends she felt almost hesitant.
She had come here to work out her own demons then talk to them after.
She regretted what she said to Vin but at the time she had been mad.
When she reached them she said a simple hello.
For a moment they were all quiet, unsure what to say. Original Cindy came back with the money that they had won. "Girl, anytime you up for another round you let Original Cindy know."
"How much did we make?" Lexa asked with a small
smile.
"Three large apiece suga." She said handing Lexa her share. She pocketed her own.
Lexa turned to Vin. "I'm sorry about what I said. I was mad. You know me, I fly off the handle."
He forced a small smile. "I know, it's okay." He gave her a quick hug.
"I know how to make it up to you. We can use the money I won to put toward those bikes you wanted to buy. It may take a while to get them but it's a start." She said quickly.
"I don't think it's going to take that long to get those bikes." Max said.
"What? Why?" Lexa asked confused.
"Max! This is my surprise! You already got your turn." Alec said. He grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.
Once outside he led her to the trio of bikes. "Surprise! This one is yours." He patted the seat of the red bike.
Lexa shouted "No way! You got this for me?" Alec nodded and smiled. "Thank you!" She threw her arms around his neck.
"I take it you like it. Does this mean you owe me a kiss?" He asked
She pulled away from him and said "For a bike like this I owe you sexual favors." She laughed at the stunned look on his face. She leaned over and kissed him softly. "Thank you." Lexa whispered softly against his lips. He hugged her and said "No problem."
They climbed onto the bike and headed for Vin and Lexa's apartment.
***
To Be Continued.. If you want.