Lucky Charm

Frank had seen many things in his time, many, many things, but he honestly hadn't expected to see one of his star fighters stride into the gym carrying a petite blonde woman over his shoulder. Jack was due to fight in less than an hour and usually, Frank liked to ensure his fighters were there at least two hours before, but he tended to let the Irishman off with that rule due to the unpredictability of his day job. That didn't mean he could wander in late with an extra person over his shoulder like an accessory, however. Frank blinked in surprise as the blonde slapped Jack's shoulder and Jack simply took it with a grin.

"Jack, what the hell?" Frank stepped forward slightly. "You're late and why've you kidnapped a woman?"

"My case overran." Jack defended himself lightly. "And this is my lucky charm, Nikki." He hoisted the woman off his shoulder and into his arms instead, ignoring the glare she sent him, Frank noticed. "Remember that last fight I won? The one last month?"

Frank nodded. That fight had been memorable in that Jack had seemed particularly focused, driven, like he had something to prove or something on his mind he needed to sort out. He'd practically flown through the rounds before rushing off back to his changing room in elated spirits. "I remember. A lot of people made a lot of money off you that night."

"Well, that's because Nikki was here. And I need to win again tonight, so I've brought her with me." Jack finally set her on her feet, grinning wildly.

"I told you, just put me on a keyring." Nikki grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

Frank shook his head, half exasperated half amused. Of course Jack would do something like this. "It's nice to meet you, Nikki." He told the blonde sincerely. "I'm Frank. I run these fights and this gym."

"It's nice to meet you too Frank." Nikki smiled at him before turning to Jack with an eye roll. "Did you really have to pick me up and carry me out of work?"

"Yes." Jack smirked. "Frank, which changing room am I in?"

"Four." Frank let out a chuckle as Jack started propelling Nikki in the direction of the changing rooms. He'd hold out his final decision on the outcome of the night's fight, but so far he wasn't adverse to the blonde's presence in the gym if it brought out that side of Jack.

…

Frank grinned as the final bell went and Jack stood victorious. It really did seem as though the petite woman he'd carried in was his lucky charm, for she definitely appeared able to influence Jack into the right mindset for complete and utter victory. Which really only increased the amount of money changing hands in the bets for the fights and increased the revenue his venue got as both a gym and a fight venue. He glanced around, but he couldn't see the woman anywhere, so instead he made his way over as Jack exited the ring on his way back to the changing rooms.

"Where's your lucky charm?" Frank queried.

Jack smirked, taking a large gulp of water. "Who, Nikki?"

"Yeah, the one you carried in over your shoulder."

"I left her in the changing room. She doesn't like watching me fight but she'll patch me up if I ask nicely enough." Jack smiled knowingly at Frank's confusion. "She's a doctor, so she knows what she's doing."

"You don't half know the oddest people." Frank shook his head, a little amused that Jack's lucky charm just also happened to be qualified to patch him up as well. "You can bring her to any matches or training or whatever, especially if she gets you winning like that all the time."

Jack grinned. "Thanks Frank."

"Jack? No more kidnapping her from her work though, okay?"