Disclaimer: I don't own anything Numb3rs, it's all property of CBS and whatnot, so don't sue.

Chapter 20: Choice of Recovery and Remembering Words from the Past

Ghost let out a sigh as he stood in the training room, Samurai sword in hand, poised for action. He was waiting for the machine to shoot out his first clay target. Unlike his two fellow operatives who were recuperating by sleeping their heads off, Ghost's choice of recovery was training.

The first clay disc came shooting out to the left, with inhuman speed, Ghost's samuari sword sliced it in half before it hit the wall and crumbled to pieces.

And so, for the better part of two hours, Ghost spent his time destroying flying clay disc in rapid succession either with his sword or with his fists and legs. They were in Russia and the plan was to sneak into Ukrainian land by means of the underground.

It had been a few days since they had all passed the Torture Survival Program. The taser burns and numerous bruises and cuts were healing up nicely, not that Ghost really worried about them, they were a minor annoyance.

" You're gonna work yourself into an early grave you know." Came a familiar female voice.

" Thank's for your concern Mikaila." Said Ghost with a small smile as he turned to see Mikaila Gordon standing in the doorway.

She looked as beautiful as always, warm caramel skin, deep hazel eyes, and her long african braided hair tied in a loose pony-tail. She had on a black tank-top and sweats, she looked ready for a workout. An added bonus, she had a sheathed Samuari sword in her hand.

" Mind if I join you?" She asked with a smile.

"Help yourself." Said Ghost as he got ready for the next volley of targets.

Mikaila quickly stood next to the seasoned CIA Operative and unsheathed her sword just in time to knock away a clay disc that was careening towards her.

And so, the twooperatives hacked away at the clay targets that bomarded them. Mikaila took secret glances at the man beside her. Ghost body moved gracefully as he twirled his sword, or unleashed his fist, or a barrage of kicks at the targets, taking out every single one that came his way.

" This is getting boring." Growled Ghost once the barrage had ended and the machine beeped, signaling that it was out of clay ammunition.

A calculating gleam filled Mikaila's eyes as she thought of a way to spice things up.

" Heads up!"Cried Mikaila as she lashed out at the man beside her with her sword. Ghost had been anticipating this move and easily blocked the attack.

Ghost felta tiny quirk of his lips as Mikaila attcked him again and he easily blocked that attack as well.

And so the sparring started. Mikaila was an excellent sword fighter but she knew all too well that she didn't stand a ghost of a chance against her opponent.

After Ghost had blocked the last attack from Mikaila, he unleashed his own furious barrage of slashes, jabs, cuts, and several other moves. Mikaila let out a tiny yelp as she was forced backwards until he back hit the wall.

Ghost smiled before he lashed out with his sword and sent Mikaila's blade flying, the blade imbedded inself into the far wall. Mikaila found herself pinned with a gleaming Samurai sword dangerously close to her jugular.

" Nice tryMiki." Smiled Ghost before he withdrew his blade from where itwas poised for a killing blow.

The mocking way Ghost had said these words made somwthing inside Mikaila snap. She glared at Ghost as the curly haired man turned to leave, sheathing hissword. He stepped away, aking for the training room door.

Mikaila seized her chance and scampered across the room towrench her sword out of the wall and then barreled towards Ghost.

" Yaaahhh!" Screamed Mikaila as she lunged at Ghost, ready to slash into the man.

Mikaila's blade made a deadly arch as it closed in on it's target.

Ghost suddenly turned, his sword still sheathed. The CIA Operative merely stepped to the side, Mikaila's blade missing him by a hair. Ghost smirked as he lashed out with a single hand, coming down to knock Mikaila's sword outof her hand once more, this time using a viscious judo chop to her arm.

Mikaila's sword was sent crashing to the floor and Mikaila found herself staring at Ghost with wide eyes as Ghost tightened the hold he had around her throat. Mikaila was in deeper awe at just how fast this man had disarmed her and subdued her, all in a matter of seconds. She was now at Ghost's mercy, she knew full well that he could snap her neck witha mere flick of his wrist if he wanted to, he was that powerful.

Mikaila felt the tiniest tendrils of fear as she gazed into Ghost's bottomless pits for eyes, what she sawscared her, theyfilled with amusement and aloofness.

" Like I said, nice try but please, don't attack using the cowards way, you're better than that Miki." Said Ghost, his voice devoid of allemotion as he released his hold around the woman's throat and wordlessly walked away, leaving Mikaila both stunned and ashamed of her own weakness.

As she stood there alone with only the sound of her own breath keeping her company, a far off memory flashed across her mind. Ghost's voice echoed through her mind.

" Remember my beautiful friend, we are CIA, we can't afford to get angry or scared, it's the difference between life and death. One more thing, don't ever attack me from behind, there's a good chance you'll end up dead."

Mikaila hung her head at these words ringing through her mind.

" I'm sorry Ghost." She whispered to air.