I wake up, face down on a bed. If they gave me any pain killers, they ain't working.
"Sonya?"
"I'm here, Jessie." I turn my head toward her voice, whincing.
"You OK?"
"I scraped my head. Nothing serious." I look into her eyes. She's been crying.
"How bad is it?"
"It's not. You'll be punching bags again in no time."
"I guess I fucked up."
"You did fine."
"I can't fight tonight."
"Don't worry about that. They'll be other chances at that ring." I see Raiden appear behind her.
"Well, Jessie . . ." Before he can finish, Sonya spins around.
"HEAL HER!"
"What makes you think I can."
"DON'T FUCK WITH ME, SPARKY! DO IT!"
"She did this to herself, Sonya."
"YOU DID THIS TO HER WHEN YOU BROUGHT HER HERE! HEAL HER!"
"You know I can't interfere in the lives of mortals." I watch Sonya grab his robe, and pin him against the wall.
"LISTEN UP, SPARKY, AND LISTEN GOOD! IF YOU CAN BRING HER HERE, YOU CAN DAMN WELL HEAL HER! NOW DO IT, OR I WILL PLANT MY FOOT SO FAR IN YOUR GODLY ASS, IT WILL GIVE YOU A TRACHEOTOMY!"
"I thought you didn't have time for her, Sonya."
"I made time. Heal her." Raiden laughs, as Sonya lets him go. He walks over to me.
"You still want to fight?"
"Yeah." I feel him run his fingertips along my back. I push myself up, the pain gone.
"She's healed, happy now?"
"No, I'm still gonna kick your ass for bringing her here."
"She volunteered to come here. Now, it's not safe for either of you here." I get up.
"I got that impression from the guy with the SKS."
"I'll transport you both to her world. You should both be relatively safe there."
"You OK?" I ask, looking at the bandage.
"I'm fine. Let's go," Raiden opens the portal, and we walk through. Oh, man, ANYWHERE but here would've worked, "Where are we?"
"My apartment." I said, as the portal closes.
"Nice. Do you PAY to live here?"
"295 a month, utilities included."
"You're getting robbed."
"Tell me about it." She picks up the Sonya Blade action figure on my PC, as I check the caller ID.
"Is this me?"
"Yeah, that's you."
"Did I get the kung-fu grip, too?"
"And the real working rocket launcher."
"Oh, lovely." I chuckle, hitting play on my machine, as she sits the action figure back on my PC.
"Jess, this is Marcus. I haven't seen you around in a few days. Don't forget, you've got a championship fight on Wednesday at 4:30."
"Shit! Sonya, what's the day today?"
"Wednesday, I think." I look at the clock on my VCR.
"Good, then I still have two hours." I go to my bedroom, and change. When I walk back out, I find her looking at the MK book.
"This her?" She points to Kerri Hoskin's picture.
"Yeah."
"She's beautiful."
"You should meet her. Those don't even come close to doing her justice."
"You told me."
"I've got a fight of mine own to get to. Wanna come?"
"Sure, why not," She follows me out to my motor scooter, "Nice. Did it come with two AA batteries, or did you have to buy them yourself?"
"Hey, it's this or the bus."
"The bus doesn't sound so bad right now." I grin, handing her the helmet. We ride to the convention center with less than thirty minutes to spare.
"Yo, Blade, where the hell you been?" She looks around for anyone that she recognizes.
"Sorry, running a little late."
"A little late? Marcus is having a conniption," He looks past me, "Who is that?"
"A friend of mine."
"Damn, hook a brother up, girl."
"Later. Marcus, conniption, remember?" The security guard cuts us off, looking at Sonya.
"He can wait. Damn, what's your name?"
"Nadda."
"Nadda?"
"Nadda chance in hell." We walk past him.
"Now that was cold."
"Hey, I'm married, remember?" I walk into the locker room. He's right, Marcus is having a conniption.
"WHERE THE HELL . . ."
"Hey, Marcus." He stops yelling, and hugs me.
"Jesus, girl. Brian said you'd been stabbed. You don't call."
"I'm fine. It's healed."
"Where have you been?"
"Well . . ." Sonya steps in, quickly flashing her badge.
"She's in protective custody."
"Who are you?"
"Detective Carter, FBI."
"FBI? Oh, God, Jessie, what did you do?"
"She didn't do anything. We're just interested in making sure she's safe."
"Safe? From what?"
"That's classified."
"OK. Jess, uh, get ready."
"My fight gear here?"
"Yeah, in the locker. You sure you're OK? We can cancel this right now if you're in trouble."
"I'm fine. Agent Carter is taking care of it."
"Right." He steps outside.
"Thanks."
"We should've told him the truth. He'd never believe it," She cracks up, "Blade?"
"Hey, I get to be as close to Sonya Blade as I can hope to be for a couple of rounds when I fight."
"You know, Jessie isn't a bad person to be."
"Yeah, that's what everyone keeps telling me."
"They're right." I go into the stalls, and change. When I come back out, she cracks up again.
"What?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all." She can't stop laughing.
"I'm glad you're amused." I tuck the OD green T-shirt into the black shorts.
"You really fight in that?"
"Yeah."
"Remind me to take you shopping again. That's not gonna cut it."
"The outfit?"
"No, the lack of an outfit." I laugh, as Marcus comes back in. He starts taping my hands.
"You been practicing?"
"Yeah, in a manner of speaking. I'm ready."
"You'd better be. She's ready for you."
"Don't sweat it, I own her."
"Don't be so cocky. She's not going anywhere. You've got eight rounds. Don't try to take her out early."
"Will you calm down? I know what I'm doing."
"Who's the champ?"
"Blade."
"Who's the best?"
"Sonya Blade." I look at her. She rolls her eyes, shaking her head.
"She been boring you with that Sonya Blade shit, too?"
"Yeah, you could say that."
"Why she holds herself to the standard of a fictional character, I'll never understand."
"Because she's the best. Period."
"No, she isn't."
"Ms. Carter, you will NEVER convince her of that. She's not real, Jess."
"She is to me." I throw a couple of punches, trying to adjust my hands to the tape.
"I swear, if she wasn't my best student, I would've had her committed by now for that Mortal Kombat bullshit."
"Chee, thanks."
"You're welcome." I follow him out, throwing some warm up punches and kicks. Marcus hands me my overcoat, and a black BDU hat.
"FIRST THE CHALLENGER! WEIGHING IN AT 194 POUNDS, WITH 24 WINS, 5 LOSSES, 10 WINS BY KNOCKOUT, JESSICA "THE BLADE" REYNOLDS!" I throw the overcoat and hat on, and walk out, to a mixed reaction. I kneel in my corner, making the sign of the cross.
"God, I usually don't ask for this, but, please don't let me loose today." I make the sign of the cross, and get back up, throwing more punches, as my opponent walks out. We go after it. I've never been this nervous about a fight before. On the other hand, when's the last time I fought with my hero watching from my corner? She goes down hard in the third round. As soon as the ref counts ten, I go over to check on her.
"Damn. Good fight." I help her up, as she wipes the blood from her face.
"Pretty good yourself."
"I want a rematch."
"Anytime, and I mean that."
"I'm gonna hold you to it."
"Anytime." I shake her hand, as the ref drapes the belt over my shoulder.
"Keep it warm for me."
"Wanna go now?" She hugs me.
"Not tonight." We both walk out to a standing ovation. I sit on the bench, taking the bloody tape off my hands, and catching my breath, as Sonya and Marcus walk in.
"BEAUTIFUL! YOU WERE GREAT!"
"Great? I think I broke her nose."
"WHO CARES! YOU'RE THE CHAMP!"
"Who cares? I'm the champ. Yahoo." I toss him the belt, and go to the bathroom. I take a shower. I hate blood on me. I can live with almost anything else, but I HATE blood. Especially someone else's. If I hurt myself because of my stupidity, the blood's a reminder not to do it again. If it's someone else's it's a reminder I'm just like them. I HATE THEM! I change back into my clothes, and walk out to find her and Marcus still waiting.
"You don't look happy."
"I'm not."
"Well, this should cheer you up," He hands me a check, "Fifty grand, kid. Go buy that Harley you wanted!"
"Go check on her. Make sure she's OK."
"You tapped her nose. She'll live."
"Please, Marcus?"
"Everybody's fucking mother. You know how to kill a buzz, you know that?"
"Yeah. See ya, Marcus." He hugs me, almost strutting out, as I put the fight gear and belt in a gym bag.
"You had me convinced you were poor with that apartment."
"I am. Come on, I'll show you." We get on my motor scooter, and ride into the slums. I stop in front of a run down building.
"And you worry about where I live?"
"Hey, I don't stay here." I walk in, to the sound of kids playing. I love that sound! Sonya follows me, as a woman rounds the desk.
"JESS," She hugs me, "YOU HAD US WORRIED SICK!"
"Why are you worried about me? I'm deadly, remember?"
"You're full of shit, I remember that. You bring a friend to us?"
"Nah, she was in a car accident."
"Uh-huh."
"Ms. Cathy, this is Sonya. Sonya, this is Ms. Cathy. She runs this place."
"Most people call me Cathy."
"Nice to meet you."
"Any friend of Jessie's is welcomed here."
"Ms. Cathy, I got something for you." I pull the signed check out of my pocket, and give it to her. She unfolds it, and her eyes go wide.
"JESS, I CAN'T TAKE THIS!"
"Sure you can."
"Jess, honey, this is fifty thousand dollars. You can't give away this much money!"
"Sure I can. Look around. You need this more than I do." She takes the check, and puts it in her pocket, sobbing.
"You are gonna qualify for sainthood with this one," She hugs me, crying, "I was wondering how we were gonna keep this place running. You're a godsend."
"Me? I'm Satan's kid sister. I'm running late, Ms. Cathy. I'll see you around." I hug her again, and walk out, Sonya following me. We ride back to the apartment. She collapses on the loveseat.
"OK, I'm confused. You just gave away fifty thousand dollars. Why?"
"I don't like blood on my hands."
"What? You tapped the girl's nose. It wasn't worth fifty thousand dollars."
"It's not her blood."
"I'm confused."
"I'm not talking about it."
"You're crazy. That was fifty thousand dollars. Do you know what that money could do?"
"It's going to provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and their children. That was a battered women's shelter. The busiest and most under funded in the city."
"That still doesn't explain why you gave away fifty THOUSAND dollars."
"Because I don't like blood on my hands."
"Marcus is right, you do need to be committed. Sane people don't sign over a fortune."
"They do when it doesn't belong to them."
"What?"
"Oh, what the hell. You already think I'm crazy. I made a mistake a few years ago. I'm still paying for it. I work at burger world for my cash, and Blade gives her prize money to the shelter."
"Why? What mistake is this costly?"
"I walked out when someone needed me. Moved to Pittsburgh to start a new life. Yeah, more like to get away from the old one. So, when I started fighting, I took the name Blade. Blade rocks. She's awesome. Jessie is a worthless coward."
"Look, I don't know what your problem is, but I'm not gonna sit here and listen to you slam yourself. I don't know who that Jessie was, but I'm getting an idea of who this one is. You're no coward. A coward doesn't back down a psychopath with a nine millimeter to save a stranger's life. A coward doesn't run headfirst into a burning building to save someone's life. You saved my life, Jess. I'm not listening to this shit. You're better than this."
"No, Blade is better than this. Jessie's a piece of shit." Before I can react, she slaps me hard across the face.
"Say it again." I sit next to her, shocked, holding my stinging face. Not like I would have touched her anyway, though. A portal opens, and we step through, finding ourselves at Charlie's. When we walk in, he looks at me, and laughs.
"I told you not to set her off. I'm just surprised you're not bleeding," Sonya snatches her bag over the counter, and storms to the bathroom, "What did you say to her?"
"The same thing I told you. The truth."
"You're idea of the truth and the actual truth are two very different animals. And, if I want to keep breathing, I wouldn't try to sell that shit to her again." I sip the coke, still holding my face.
"I think you got a point." Sonya walks back out, and hands the bag to Charlie.
"You done talking stupid shit?"
"Yeah."
"Good. How's the knee?"
"I keep telling you, it's fine."
"At least you're not limping as bad as you were, so that's a good thing."
"The knee does what it wants, when it wants." Jax walks in, and immediately hugs Sonya tight.
"Damn, partner, take it easy."
"You scared the shit out of me. You OK?"
"I'm fine, it's her you need to worry about." Jax hugs me.
"Watch the face." He laughs, letting me go.
"You got a minor BAA, didn't you?"
"BAA?"
"Yeah. Blade Attitude Adjustment. You OK?"
"Yeah."
"Her back was barbeque."
"I thought it was fine."
"I lied."
"Damn, you sure you're OK?"
"Yeah, Sonya threatened to give Raiden a tracheotomy if he didn't heal me."
"She must like you." Sonya slides the earpiece in.
"Partner, how's the wig?"
"It's fine."
"Sonya, please, let me go solo tonight."
"You're my responsibility. I better check this wig." She walks over to the mirror, and adjusts it.
"What, you don't trust me?"
"Not on this, partner. The last time you told me everything was fine, the back of my dress was open."
"Well, how fine you look then would depend on the angle you're standing, Blade." Sonya flips Charlie off, straightening it out.
"By the way, Jessie. If you slam yourself again, they'll have to wire your jaw shut."
"Yes, ma'am."
"And she means that, kid." Satisfied with the wig, she leads me outside. The first night of the tournament was uneventful, thank god.
"See, nothing to worry about." Sonya pulls onto the interstate.
"I just don't want them recognizing you."
"Let me worry about that. This is my job. I've been doing it since I was 18. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
"I trust you. It's me I don't trust."
"You just fight, I'll handle the rest." We get out at Charlie's, Jax waiting for us.
"You two OK? I lost contact when you went in."
"Yeah. She breezed through the matches."
"I told you, girl got skills." Jax gives me a high five.
"She's pretty good."
"Just pretty good?"
"OK, pretty damn good."
"Good enough to fly solo?"
"I'm not that good. I'm getting changed." Sonya goes inside, as I light a smoke.
"Charlie told me what you did."
"What did I do?"
"Having him wire the money."
"What money?"
"Jamie's my daughter. Thanks."
"For what?"
"OK, be that way. But, I'm gonna give you a piece of advise. Don't try to buy my partner's friendship. The mint doesn't make that kind of money."
"You are WAY the fuck off base."
"I thought you didn't do anything," Hey, WAIT A, "GOTCHA!"
"You're an asshole." He laughs.
"Maybe, but I gotcha!" Sonya walks back out in jeans and a t-shirt, and a leather jacket.
"Nice jacket."
"Thanks."
"I'm gonna have to get one of those."
"Sorry, Jessie. Team members only."
"Well, THAT sucks." I said, laughing, as the portal opens. We walk through, and Sonya sits back on the loveseat, as the portal closes.
"So, what do you do on your world to relax?"
"Usually watch movies or surf the net."
"Sounds a little boring."
"I told you, I don't have much going on."
"You got that movie around here?"
"Which one?"
"The one that convinced you I'm superman."
"It's super WOMAN, and the game convinced me of that," I turn on the VCR, and hit play. She watches it, "Well?"
"It's an entertaining movie."
"Didn't
happen like that, huh?"
"Not even close."
"Can you beat Shang Tsung?"
"Are you kidding? I had my doubts about Liu beating him."
"You can beat him." She laughs.
"Jess, reality check. He's five hundred plus years old, a shape shifter, a soul stealer, damn near immortal, and the master of well over a hundred different fighting styles. I had a couple of scrapes with him. I was lucky to make it out alive."
"You're a better fighter than he is."
"I'm flattered you think so, but you're wrong."
"No, I'm not. You're the best."
"No, I'm hungry. You got anything edible in here?"
"I know where to get the best dogs in the world."
"OK, show me." I take her to the hot dog shoppe. As soon as I walk in, Brian jumps the counter, and hugs me.
"ARE YOU OK?"
"You were that worried?"
"Worried sick," He sees her over my shoulder, "Is that . . ."
"Yeah."
"Well, I see why you're walking on air. I'm Brian." He hugs me closer.
"I told her I'd bring her to the best restaurant in the city."
"And you brought her HERE? What do you guys need?"
"HEY, FAT ASS! Who's the babe?" I see Chuck at the counter. Why couldn't this asshole be off?
"A friend."
"I doubt it. Nobody that hot would hang with a loser like you." I can feel my temper rising. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 . . .
"I'll field this one," She whispers, walking past me, "Hey, hot stuff."
"Hey yourself, baby." He looks her over.
"Who are you?"
"The man of your dreams." She laughs, leaning on the counter, looking him over.
"You look REAL good so far," She unzips her jacket, sliding it off, revealing her tight T-shirt. I think his eyes are gonna pop out of his head, "Is it always so hot in here?"
"Anytime I'm working, baby," I laugh. How lame is that line again, "See, fat ass? Your friend's got taste." I can't WAIT to see this!
"You know, I need some air. The heat is just too constricting in here. You wanna come?"
"Brian, I'm on break." I watch him come around the corner, and walk out with her.
"WHAT THE . . ."
"Just give her a minute." Five minutes later, she walks back in alone.
"Brian, you need to do something about that alley. It's a serious safety hazard."
"I bet. What'll it be?"
"My usual."
"And for you, Ms. Blade?"
"I'll try those dogs she was raving on."
"OK. Be back in a second." Sonya and I sit at one of the tables.
"What did you do?"
"Handled it."
"Thanks."
"We're even," She sees the MK3 machine, "Give me some change." I hand her some quarters, and she goes over to the machine.
"You sure you want to do that?"
"I survived the real thing. This is a video game. How hard can it be," I stand next to her, as she plays, "God damn." She said, laughing, as the CPU player does a fatality.
"Not that easy, is it?"
"Not with those laser beams and shit."
"Here, watch a pro." I drop my quarters, and play, as she watches. This is the first time I've actually been AFRAID of loosing. I pull out every special move I can think of how to perform. She laughs, as I pull off the fatality.
"Laser bolts from my wrists and fire from my fingertips. What's next, lightning bolts from my ass?"
"Nah, that's Raiden." She laughs, sitting back down, as Brian brings us the food. Damn, he's making himself scarce. I really missed him. We'd just started eating, when Chuck walks in, covered head to toe in garbage. I bust out laughing, as she looks back at him, and smiles sweetly.
"So, was it good for you, too?" HAHAHHAHHAH! FINALLY!
"Sorry bitch."
"Go home, Chuck. The smells chasing away customers." Sonya gets up, grabs his throat, and pins him against the glass beer cooler.
"Now, let me explain a few things. Most women, REAL women, aren't impressed by a little limp dick that tries to overcompensate for his lack of assets with a big mouth. I hear you slam her, or any other girl, for that matter, and I will make this look like a vacation in Tahiti, you understand?"
"Who the hell are you?"
"Would you
believe Sonya Blade?"
"You're crazier than she
is." She lets him go.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"Well, FUCK YOU!" She makes a move towards him. He makes a mad dash for the door, as she sits back down.
"I always hated guys like that."
"I can tell." We finish eating, as Brian walks up behind me, hugging my neck.
"You back?"
"Not yet."
"Please be careful."
"Why are you so worried?"
"I need a reason?"
"Well, don't worry yourself." We walk out, and head back to the apartment.
"You should be nicer to him. He likes you."
"Yeah, right. He's got girls hanging all over him. Why would he want me?"
"Who knows, but he does."
"You must be tired. Take the bed."
"I'll take the loveseat."
"I sleep out here normally. Take the bed."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm positive. There's a couple of nightshirts in the back, if you wanna change."
"Thanks." She closes the door behind her. Is she right? He is REAL cute. Why would he want to be with me? He can get any girl he wants. I can't believe he's that worried about me. Damn, is she right? I pick up the phone, and dial a number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Brian."
"Jess, I'm getting slammed. I'll call you back."
"Don't bother."
"Jess . . ." I hang up. Damn, Jessie, what are you, stupid? How could you even let yourself think you might have a shot at him? I wake up, to find Sonya on my PC.
"It's password protected. How'd you get on?"
"Easy. You're gonna use something you'd remember. Sonya Blade was your PC password. Your internet was Brian. You like him too, huh?"
"It's a solo thing, trust me."
"Bullshit. You should see the way he looks at you. He looks at you like Johnny looks at me."
"You are seeing something that isn't there." She signs off, and shuts it down, as the portal opens.
"Oh, I don't think so. I think you don't give yourself enough credit." She says, as we walk through, finding Jax waiting for us.
"You two ready?"
"Yeah, let's do it."