Desptite Flint's attempts at making her relax that night, Lady Jaye had a hard time falling asleep. She tossed, restless, her mind focused on the next morning's fight. Some time in the middle of the night she finally fell into a fitful doze. The alarm awoke her with a start, and she nearly rolled out of bed at the loud buzzer.
Flint gave her one last kiss and held her for a moment. "You'll do fine. Don't get worked up over this. It's not really that big of a deal."
She returned his smile. "I know, but I'm sick of having to prove myself to him. If I can do well enough today, maybe he'll leave me alone."
He shook his head. "Or he'll never let you live it down. Just do your best." He kissed her forehead and they rose to dress. Lady Jaye was sure to wear her lightest and most comfortable sweats. She took a few calming breaths, and they headed to breakfast.
Everyone stared at her when they walked in. She felt like there was a spotlight on her as she took her food and sat down. Cover Girl and Scarlett joined them immediately at the table. "Just so you know," Cover Girl told her, "We're rooting for you."
Lady Jaye rolled her eyes. "I would hope so. You're just lucky it's not going to be you out there today."
"Am I ever," she replied with a big smile. "Being beaten senseless by Beach Head is not my idea of fun. But, you know, whatever works for you."
Scarlett checked her watch. "Okay, you've got an hour. What are you going to do while you wait?
"Any suggestions?" Lady Jaye asked hopefully.
"Well, taking a booster shot of steroids is out of the question… you should probably go to the gym early and limber up."
Lady Jaye nodded and stood. "Good idea. Flint, care to join me?"
"I've got a little paperwork to do. But I'll be there a few minutes before you start. I promise." He gave her hand a squeeze and took their trays back to the counter.
Scarlett watched him leave with a considering look. "You'd better watch it or Beach Head is going to get jealous," she told her friend with a laugh.
Lady Jaye shook her head and left.
The gym was eerily silent, although someone had had the foresight to place several chairs around a central mat. The stereo was also set up, and she checked to see what CD was in the system. She couldn't help but laugh when she saw that it was the soundtrack to "Mortal Combat."
She stretched and did a few jumping jacks, then automatically went into the series of moves Snake Eyes had had her practice over and over again. She felt almost calm by the time the other Joes started to trickle in to find their seats.
Her eyes narrowed as she noticed that most of them were carrying hand made signs and banners, though they kept them hidden from her view. Scarlett and Cover Girl came in, too, and she saw that they were wearing matching t-shirts. Lady Jaye walked closer to see them and burst into laughter. Across the front the shirts read: "Friends Don't Let Friends Date Beach Head." They smiled in unison and turned around. The backs of the shirts read: "Flint and Lady Jaye 4Ever."
Lady Jaye smiled and leaned in to whisper, "How did you figure that out?"
Scarlett smiled coyly. "Oh, please. You and Beach Head?"
"Yeah, we didn't believe it for a second," Cover Girl added. "Besides, we live right down the hall—don't you think we've noticed who comes in and out of your room?"
Lady Jaye blushed a little and told them, "I'm glad you know. Beach Head and I have a little side bet going about who gets to reveal what truth about our pretend relationship. And let's just say I really really hope I win today."
The girls laughed and wished her luck, turning to find seats in the rapidly filling room. Lady Jaye paced nervously for a few minutes, but finally Flint arrived. He walked over and put his hand on her shoulder. "Ready?" he asked.
She took a deep breath. "I think so. The crowd makes me a little nervous, though."
"You've sparred in front of all of us at one time or another. Don't think about it."
Lady Jaye nodded. "Thanks for the support, anyway. Wish me luck."
He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. "Good luck," he smiled. Cover Girl and Scarlett hooted their approval, and the other Joes whistled and shouted.
"You trying to make Beach Head mad?" Shipwreck yelled. "Don't influence the results!"
"Yeah!" Alpine added. "Distracting Lady Jaye isn't fair either!"
He shook his head and gave her one last smile. He sat next to Duke, who had saved him a seat in the front row. Duke handed him some papers, and he placed them under his chair. Lady Jaye had no time to wonder, because Beach Head finally walked in. He looked calm and arrogant. He removed his outer shirt, leaving just a plain white t-shirt with his BDU pants to fight in. He also took off his balaclava, which surprised her. He walked to the mat, and Duke stood to give instructions.
"Okay, I realize everyone is really worked up about this, but let's keep from overdoing it. No punch, kick, or hold is against the rules, but don't fight to do permanent damage. Just take it easy on each other, please. Lifeline is just outside, but I'd rather not have to call him in here. I need each of you able to do your jobs after this." He handed them each their gloves and padded footwear. "I've decided on four rounds of ten minutes each."
Duke stepped back toward his chair, but before he could blow the whistle, Shipwreck and Alpine held up the banner they had carried in. On it was a badly drawn stick figure woman who was very well endowed. The banner read: "Go Sugarboobs!" Beach Head glowered at them, then turned to look as Scarlett and Cover Girl cheered, "Go, Lady Jaye!" He saw their shirts and his eyes narrowed even more.
All around the room, other signs and banners were being held up as everyone declared their sides. Lady Jaye smiled as she realized that, bet or no, most of the team was pulling for her. Beach Head noticed it too, and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. He didn't really care how popular he was with his teammates, but he wished that someone other than Leatherneck was cheering for him. Even Snake Eyes was holding up a sign that said, "Go LJ!" He growled to himself. He didn't care.
The two contestants faced each other as someone in the back cued up the stereo. The first beats of "Mortal Combat" started as Duke began the match.
Neither of them moved for a moment. They stood, assessing each others' readiness. Beach Head lunged suddenly and drove a fist toward Lady Jaye's stomach. She stepped to the side and felt his fist brush the front of her shirt. She countered with a jab to his elbow while his arm was extended, but he bent with the blow and tried to kick her instead. Her block got up just in time, and she was able to throw another punch, this time at his head.
He moved out of the way and came in for another kick. Instead of blocking, Lady Jaye stepped closer and brought a stiff arm across the front of his chest. She leaned into it, and Beach Head fell backwards and rolled upright again immediately. Lady Jaye quickly shook off her shock at getting in the first good blow and went into a defensive crouch. She dimly heard cheering in the background. Beach Head came at her with a series of punches, the last of which hit her solidly in the hip. Her counter blows were blocked, but they stopped his attack at least.
Thanks to Scarlett's training, Lady Jaye was expecting the next kick, and was already moving under it even as he started. He caught on to the move, though, and aborted the kick, turning it into a long step forward instead. He moved fast and threw his weight against her, catching her in the shoulder and knocking her down. She rolled to the side and just missed the fist aimed at her sternum. This time the crowd booed, and Beach Head scowled. Lady Jaye leapt upright and brought an elbow toward Beach Head's jaw, but he ducked and swept at her feet with his arm. She fell again, but he backed up a step and stood, giving her time to do the same. The crowd was screaming, but she blocked it out.
They circled and feinted for a minute, and Beach Head started with the same tactic as before, throwing another punch at her stomach. She moved back and caught his arm in her hands, grabbing his wrist and arm, bending it at the joint. She pushed back on his elbow so that it was lifted above his shoulder and shoved. He fell on his back, unable to keep his balance. Someone whistled and yelled, "Go, sugarboobs!"
Duke blew the whistle and Lady Jaye stepped back, suddenly aware that she was out of breath. She heard Flint yell from the front row and turned to him. He held up a sign that said: "Lady Jaye 287 Beach Head 1." He also had a huge grin on his face, and she found herself smiling in return.
She knew that Beach Head would alter his defense now, and that she had to switch tactics. The first round she had surprise on her side, but now he would be watching for those moves, and she doubted they'd work again. She'd done well, even if she hadn't definitively won. Three more rounds to go.
Lady Jaye could tell right away that she had lost her advantage. Beach Head stalked her warily, waiting for an opportunity. She made the first move this time, aiming a kick at his midsection. He blocked it easily and punched; she swung an arm up to block and his other arm came around her side and hit her right in the kidney. She lurched forward as he turned to follow, and just managed to duck under the next two punches. She grabbed his ankles and lifted with her shoulders at his knees, and he rolled over her back and onto the mat.
They recovered at the same time and squared off again. Beach Head threw a series of punches, and Lady Jaye backed in a circle, not letting them land. She counter punched, and he blocked hard enough to bruise her forearms. She guessed he would switch to kicks next and was already stepping forward when his leg came up. His thigh met her side as she grabbed the front of his shirt and swiveled to the side. He fell to the mat but simply kicked up from a prone position, catching her in the thigh. She stepped back as he rose, swinging up at her stomach.
She admitted she wasn't much better at blocking than she had been before, and that throws were her strongest point. Of course, with Beach Head landing on the fairly soft mats, it wasn't doing any damage. Lady Jaye decided it was time to switch to more punches of her own. She no longer stepped back from his blows, but blocked and counter punched with a fury. Unfortunately that turned the tide back in his favor, as it meant strength mattered again. He quickly saw that she was struggling, and increased his pace.
By the time Duke signaled the end of round two, Beach Head had scored several hits, and Lady Jaye was wincing at the pain in a solid ring around her ribs. She had landed a few blows herself, though, and was pleased to see him rubbing his shoulder where she had gotten in a particularly good one.
She looked over to Flint. His sign now read "Lady Jaye 312 Beach Head 67." She shook her head at him but gave him a wink. She saw that Ace was walking around the room, marking things down on a clipboard, and wondered if the odds had changed much.
Scarlett waved to get her attention, and when she looked over, the redhead said in sign language, "Don't forget the secret move." Lady Jaye nodded. She hadn't forgotten, but Beach Head hadn't started to fight dirty yet, and she didn't want to be the one to start. Unless she had no choice.
She finished her water and worked her shoulders, ready for round three.