Chapter 5

"Life In MC: Past and Present"

"And it's a hot one today in Metro City. Expect temperatures to reach the upper nineties by mid afternoon. City health officials advise everyone to drink plenty of water and stay inside if you can. In other news…"

"Damn Cody, Myrna never mentioned to me that it got this hot," complained the Asian youth as he turned his attention away from a black and white television on display at an old pawn shop. His spiky hair was completely drenched in sweat and dripped onto his grey tank-top. "How can you guys stand it?"

"You get used to it," his partner replied, standing at an intersection waiting for the light to change. A low-rider with blaring rap music drove across the intersection, the music fading away to the sounds of the slums. A younger black couple were arguing kitty-corner from where they were standing while a Latino male in baggy clothing walked his pit-bull across the street.

Dion eyed the strange animal with slight hesitation. It definitely wasn't type of dog that was common in Japan. With a soft buzzing sound, the traffic lights changed and the duo of Cody and Dion crossed the somewhat busy intersection.

"This place sure is rundown," the foreigner murmured, trying not to let the slew of locals hear what he was saying. Despite the piercing heat, many locals were still outside going about their normal routines.

"The slums are the oldest and poorest area of Metro City. This particular area of the slums is called Norwood Park. Metro City had its roots here and spread out. Old pictures from history books used to depict a well-manicured neighborhood, but years of neglect due to the city's past mayors turned it to what it is today."

Cody slid his way past two boys playing soccer on the sidewalk pavement. Their eyes caught a moment's glimpse of him as they continued their game. The boxer didn't pay much attention to them.

"I didn't grow up in this precise area of the slums, but the atmosphere and level of danger were still the same. Drug cartels, gang crews, prostitutes hanging out underneath streetlamps, kids didn't grow up here; they were thrown into the harsh reality that if they even looked at someone the wrong way, you had better run to safety or fight for your life. If you fought, well, you hoped that you were stronger than your opponent." The boxer grew silent and Dion reflected on what he said.

"I guess it would be an understatement to say you had a rough life," his partner simply stated with somewhat of a forlorn expression.

"I didn't have a choice on learning how to box. I had to know if I wanted to survive," he explained, stopping in front of a dark brick apartment complex. Cody turned to Dion with a look of firmness. "Running will only get you so far in this city, and sooner or later, there'll be at time where you won't be able to run fast enough." Dion widened his eyes at the statement while the ex-hero opened a metal door into a somewhat shabby apartment dwelling.

"Is this the place?" asked Dion. Cody simply nodded, as he stepped onto a broken piece of tile.

"When Vet was young, he knew how to swindle information out of people, but he didn't know a jab from a cross. When I first laid eyes on Vet, he was running from a couple punks. I guess he bit more than he could chew and had no choice but to run. He was around ten at the time and his pursuers had to be at least in their early twenties," he started explaining to Dion, ascending up the staircase. Paint chips littered the steps along with dust and spider webs.

"At first I couldn't understand what he was saying. He spoke little English, but when I saw the two guys closing in, I knew what he was getting at. I was nineteen or twenty at the time and back then, I normally wouldn't have gotten involved. My mentality was: I had to fight for my survival at a young age, why shouldn't he? But then, I sort of felt sorry for the kid. There was no way he could've taken on his pursuers even if he did know how to fight. I could see tears starting to form in his eyes and I really don't know what came over me, so I beat up the punks for him."

The boxer stopped briefly on a staircase landing, looking toward the next floor that came into view.

"He was ecstatic and started hugging my leg. My Spanish was limited, it still is, but I heard something along the lines of watching my back and information. I didn't quite understand what he meant at the time and if that wasn't enough, I gave him some boxing lessons once or twice a week after that. I didn't feel right just letting him walk away defenseless. In the months that followed, he'd meet up with me once in awhile, and sometimes told me to watch my back, because someone had a bone to pick with me. Sure enough, I found myself is some sticky situations where if he hadn't warned me, I probably wouldn't be here today."

"So how come he didn't warn you about Jessica's disappearance?" asked Dion, climbing atop the last step.

"Well, when he was around fourteen or so, he got into trouble with the law for stupid shit and spent two years in juvie. The thought crossed my mind about visiting him, but I decided it was best that he get through this on his own. If he could survive, then he'd be alright in Metro City. Sure enough, Vet was released two years after, which was around the same time Jessica went missing, so he probably had no clue about my situation."

The ex-hero pounded his fist a couple of times onto an old, wooden door. A metallic clicking sound came from the opposite side, as the door slowly creaked open.

"Geez esse, you don't have ta…" The heavily accented voice quickly faded away; the expression on the teenager's face was that of complete and utter shock.

"Hey Vet. Long time no see," greeted Cody.

"Whadaya doin' here homes? You a wanted man," he said quietly, poking his head out of the doorway and looking around the hall. His gold chain dangled in front of his white, sleeveless shirt.

"Tell me something I don't know," the boxer grumbled.

"No one followed you, did they?" he asked, still scanning the perimeter. "Jump in here before yous get seen. There be punks here who'd like nothin' better than to get a few bucks turning your ass in."

Cody and Dion made their way into the small apartment; it wasn't much cooler inside than it was out. The hardwood floor squeaked under the weight of their feet as they walked across the living room. With one last good look around the hallway, Vet locked the door behind them.

"Have a seat dawgs," Vet said bringing the electric box fan a little closer to his guests. He plopped onto his brown couch as Cody sat down on a wooden armchair near the couch. Dion opted to stand, looking around at the somewhat dated apartment. "Who's the chink?" the shorthaired teenager questioned, eyeing Cody's partner in his grey tank-top and blue jeans suspiciously.

"WHAT?" the Asian exclaimed. His face turned red and his fists clenched tightly. Cody let out a long breath, closing his eyes.

"Relax," the boxer said in a reassuring manner. His spiky-haired partner backed down, but continued to stare at the clean shaven Hispanic in front of him. "This is Dion. He's my partner from Japan."

"Aight, he's cool then," he said in a mild manner. The young foreigner simply put his hands in his pockets, looking the other way, disgusted.

"Hmph! I ain't no chink," Dion thought to himself angrily.

"So, how've you been Vet? It seems that you've been doing well. I see you've kept up on your boxing," Cody assumed, taking notice of Vet's well-defined arm muscles.

"Yep," the teenager grinned. "Still remember what you taught me, plus I had this coach while I was in jail," he said, throwing a couple of jabs and hooks in the air. "Enough about me though, whadaya you doin' here? Last I heard you busted out of jail. I was like 'oh schnapps! I can't believe it'."

"It's a long story," Cody simply put. "I've been hiding out in Canada for the most part."

"Canada? It's too cold up in that mug, that's why you back here, huh?" he laughed. "No, for realz, why you back here in the hood?"

"This is why." The ex-hero threw a small envelope on his lap like a Frisbee. "I received these two nights ago." Vet caught the envelop in midair and looked at Cody with curious eyes; the same eyes that popped open upon looking at the bruised pictures of Jessica.

"Damn dawg, this is your girl," he burst out loud, looking at each of the photos. "Fuck homes, if only those pinche wedos at the police station would've checked out my story, maybe you and your lady wouldn't be in this mess," putting the pictures back and throwing them onto the small coffee table in front of him. Cody's expression lit up.

"Speak to me Vet. What are you talking about?" the boxer said, leaning forward on his chair. "Could it be possible?" he thought. "Did Vet know what happened to Jessica?" The Mexican boxer just grimaced.

"That knife with ya girl's blood on it…it was planted. You were framed," Vet put simply, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Give me the details," Cody immediately intervened. Vet took a deep breath.

"When I got outta juvie, I wanted to talk to you…about personal shit. Then I found out they holding you fa' murder. I didn't believe that shit, ya know? So I talked to some of my homies and did some searching around. A few weeks later I was standin' face to face with the punk who put that bogus knife at the scene. I had to beat it out of him, but he spilled la lata de frijoles," explained Vet as he once again began punching the air. "Well, at least half the lata, he didn't have much in the first place."

"So who was he?" questioned the inquisitive boxer.

"It won't do ya any good man. He got capped a couple days after beating it out of him, supposedly by the people who hired his ass. Anyways, so I jet to la policia with the news I had. Damn gringos didn't give me the time of day. Why would they? A teenage Mexican who got out of juvie with stuff on the mayor's daughter? They just told me to get lost."

"Crap. That's just like them, but I'm here now. Who did the guy work for? I need something to go on if I want to find Jessica." Cody stared at the Latino as if he never seen one before. Dion finally sat down on the hardwood floor. He had to admit that the tidbits were getting interesting. Vet simply turned away.

"Sorry dawg, I don't remember. See, when the cops wouldn't listen to me, I tried going to see ya in jail to tell ya in person, but those fuckin' guards told me you weren't allow visits. I tried phone calls and mailing letters and my English ain't so good, but they didn't work. Nothing did. After a few weeks, I…I gave up man. Hey it was juvie, but if I could survive, no doubt you could.

The teenage boxer paused a moment.

"I prayed that something would change 'cause you being in locked up, man that just ain't right. Then I hear you busted out, but I figured you were long gone and that was the end of me trying to talk to ya. Since then, things have changed in my life, know what I'm sayin'? I'm sorry Cody. You saved my life and this punk couldn't save yours." Vet stared out of the few solitary windows he had in his apartment.

"Listen, you're not a punk and I'm not dead yet. You have chance to make it up," the boxer said consolingly, staring at the teenager's face. Vet's eyes suddenly glanced back at Cody's.

"What are you talkin' about homes?" he asked inquisitively, placing his hand underneath his chin.

"I need to you to ask around about Jessica and get some info on the Mad Gears," the boxer explained. Immediately, Vet waived his arms back and forth.

"Whoa, wait a minute, wait a minute. Look dawg, I don't do that shit no more," he protested. A look of confusion appeared the face of Cody.

"What are talking about? You're better at getting info than the city investigators at the police station. Come on Vet, you can't leave me hanging," the ex-hero pleaded.

"Cody man I'm sorry, ok? Things changed since you been away. I wanna help, but I…agh! You know how it is, don't ya?" Vet asked.

"No, I don't," the boxer responded. He could tell he was hiding something. "Why won't you help? What are you trying to hide?" Vet simply stretched his arms atop the couch in a disgruntled manner looking in the opposite direction of Cody and his partner. Disappointed, Dion stood up from his seating spot.

"Let's go Cody," he motioned. "This spic can't help us," he continued saying with a hint of spitefulness in his voice.

"Spic?" Vet jumped from his couch, standing straight up. "Who you callin' a spic?" he yelled.

"The same spic who just called me a chink," Dion retorted advancing a few steps closer to Vet.

"Guys, cool it," Cody said in a raised voice from his chair. He didn't like the way this was going.

"Yo you better check yourself right there or I'm gonna send your Bruce Lee ass back to China," the Mexican teenager barked, stepping over the coffee table. He stood a few inches in front of the Filipino foreigner, staring him down with his fists clamped together. They both stood at the same height with nearly the same physique, although Vet had a little more muscle mass to him.

"Tch! I'll tow your ass back to the pepper fields before you even get a chance!" Dion hollered back only inches from the teenager's face. The two youngsters continued to stare at each other down with their chests high and arms tense like two roosters in ready to be put in a cockfight.

"Break it up you two," Cody shouted, pushing both of them forcefully away each other. "And grow up while you're at it or I'll beat both of your asses."

"Punk, I don't know what it's like livin' in China or Japan or whatever you from, but livin' here in MC ain't the same," Vet continued to argue, pointing his right index finger a few inches from Dion's nose.

"Ya wanna know why I don't do that shit," he continued angrily, "fine! A year ago, a homie put in the word to some hotshot that I can get info on anybody. So he came up to me with a deal. I give him the goods on a list of people he had and he gives me a G. I couldn't say no to an offer like that, and the list of people were easy 'cause they a bunch of whacks who were trying to form new crews now that Mad Gear was out."

Vet walked toward his round dining table, while Cody and Dion remained standing in the living room, listening intently.

"The guy was true to his word. I got my grand and it helped me and my girl through some hard times. Some months later, those guys on the list started disappearing, one by one. I knew what happened, but I didn't think about it much," he said somewhat sadly.

"A girlfriend?" Cody asked with a smile. "I didn't know…"

"You wouldn't know," the teenager butted in, cutting him off. "We met a couple of weeks after getting out of juvie. Anyways, one of my homies caught word that the same guy was trying to cap me, you know, tryin' to clean up all the leaks. I skipped town to lose some heat. Thought things would be cool in a week, but this guy knew how to get around. I got me a call saying they shot up my girl."

Vet put his hands atop the table, leaning against it. He had his head down so no one could see his tear. Dion rubbed the back of his neck, looking the other way, feeling somewhat guilty. Cody just shook his head, listening to Vet's words.

"I raced back to the city," gazing out the window. "I didn't want to believe what I heard, but it was true. Her padres didn't speak to me no more. Mis papas didn't want nothing to do with me since I went to jail. Only people I have left es mi abuela and my boy."

"What?" asked Cody with a look of surprise. The teenager turned around facing Cody.

"I have myself a son now," his eyes turning red. "That's why I don't do that shit no more. I don't want the same thing that happened to my girl happen to him. He's only one, but that won't stop these putos from getting him, ya know? I got a regular job now. It's only grilling burgers and junk, but it puts food on the table and pays the rent. I also been saving up a lot of money at a bank 'cause I wanna get him out of this hellhole. I wanna get us far away from Metro City as possible. I don't want my son to have to 'grow up' here. I don't want him to go through the same shit I did. C'mon Cody, we both know how it is bein' a kid and livin' here."

"I guess I can't argue with that," Cody said glumly.

"You don't know how it hurts me to say I can't help the person who saved me. I owe you my life, but not my boy's. If there was a way to make sure he and my abuela were safe, then I'd go straight to fight for ya side by side, get info, whatever, but…I can't risk it man." Vet pulled a dining chair and sat sideways, resting his forearms on his knees.

"He has a point," added Dion. "Maybe it's better if we leave him out." Cody thought for a moment. He didn't want to leave empty-handed. Suddenly, his expression lit up.

"What if I told you that I could get your son and grandma out of Metro City without spending a penny?" the boxer asked teasingly.

"Right, I'd say what world you dreamin' in holmes," the teenager responded, not even looking at his guest.

"I'm serious," stated the ex-hero as he quickly stepped to where Vet was sitting. He crouched to floor at eye level with Vet, causing the teenage boxer to flinch back. "If I was able to get them out of the city to a place no one would recognize them, would you help me out?"

"For free?" asked Vet.

"Free," the boxer responded.

"Well, yeah dawg, of course. Pero I'd like to see how you'd work that miracle."

"Let's go Dion. We've got work to do," ordered Cody, unlocking the door and walking out. Dion took two steps, but hesitated slightly.

"Uh, hey man. Sorry about calling you a spic. If I knew that you…"

"Nah dawg, we're straight. You didn't even flinch when we stood eye to eye, that tells me you can back up your shit. I started it anyways, so we cool," replied Vet. Without further word, Dion left the apartment in chase of Cody.

As Dion ran down the stairs, his partner was already outside the front door. Cody intended to waste no time. Dion was once again greeted with loud bass music and raw heat.

"Hey, wait up," he yelled loudly, but the boxer continued walking. The young Filipino sprinted down the sidewalk. This time, he made sure no one was in audible range before talking. "So like, really, how are you going to work that miracle?" he asked softly.

"You have to work with the resources you have," responded Cody, as he briskly crossed the intersection.

"What, you know someone giving away a free place to live outside of Metro City?" the young Asian mocked.

"But of course," the boxer said confidently, stepping down into the subway terminal.

"Who?"

"You're looking at him," Cody responded.

"Yeah right, you have a house outside the city?" his partner asked, trailing behind him on the stairs.

"Out of country to be more precise, as in Canada," he remarked.

"Canada? You heard the guy's remark about Canada. He's not going to buy that."

"When you have a kid, your thoughts and opinions change. You do things so that your kid can have a better life, just like Vet explained. I think he would take any opportunity of his son having a better chance at life, even if it was moving to a different country," he pointed out, pulling a quarter from his pocket.

"Who you gonna call?" asked Dion, watching his partner inserting the quarter into the payphone.

"Ghostbusters," he said jokingly.

"Huh?"

"Lucia. C'mon, don't tell me you never heard of that line," punching in the inspector's work number.

"Hey, I'm not old like you," the Asian chuckled.

"You better watch your mouth. This old guy can still kick your ass," he warned, listening to ring tone on the other end of the line.

"Metro City Special Crimes Department," a girl's voice came through."

"Lucia?" the boxer simply asked.

"Hey C.T., what's up?" she began.

"C.T.?" Cody wondered. "Why is she calling me that? Hmm, maybe there are sharks in the water."

"I did a background search for Roscio…and only one person that I could find that matches your description goes…or went by the name of Roscio Wilkins. He was a federal agent for the CIA who supposedly was killed in an undercover sting operation," she stated.

"Good job Lucia, what was he going undercover for?" the boxer asked.

"That information wasn't disclosed. Finding information about federal operations is next to nothing. That's pretty much all your going to find out about him. I'm still working on that list of cities and this massive report by Dion's parents is going to take me weeks to uncover," complained the inspector.

"Just keep at it Lucia. Speaking of information, you're not going to believe how much info Vet had," he replied. He looked around the littered kiosk as sporadic citizens came through and from the turnstiles. Dion kept watch directly behind his partner, keeping eye for anyone suspicious.

"Hmm, did you get any new leads?" she went on to question.

"Yes and no," the ex-hero replied. "That's the reason I'm calling you. I need another favor from you."

"Should I run?" the inspector teased.

"Ha ha," Cody remarked sarcastically, twisting the coiled, metal telephone chord. "Listen, I'm on a payphone. Meet me back at St. Clair Park, 7:00 yeah?"

"Should I bring my legal pad and pencil?" the inspector chuckled.

"Just be at the park, same place like last time. Seven o'clock. See you there."


"So what miracle do you want me to perform this time?" asked Inspector Morgan. A short outburst of laughter shot out of Dion, slapping his thigh in the process. "From your friend's expression, I'd say a big one," she continued, taking a seat next to the wanted fugitive on a park bench.

Cody glared at his partner with a cold look, causing the youthful Asian to face the other way, rubbing the back of his neck. The boxer then turned to Lucia.

"Just bear with me. Here's what we found out from Vet. When he got out of juvie, he did some searching around, about how and why I was being locked up. Through his own investigating, he found out that I was framed. The knife that was found at the supposed scene of the crime was planted there and he knew who the main guy behind it was"

"What, who?" questioned Lucia in a loud voice, moving to the edge of the bench.

"That's the problem. He doesn't remember anymore. Vet tried going the police with the info, but you know how discriminatory some of those assholes can be at the station," crossing his arms. "They wouldn't give him the time day. He went on searching for ways to notify me, but all of his attempts failed.

"He forgot? I find that hard to believe," a skeptic Lucia told Cody.

"I know Vet and he's always been truthful to me since I met him as a kid," the boxer pointed out. For a moment, no one spoke. A refreshing breeze blew past, giving them a blissful moment from the humid weather.

"Okay, so where does the favor come in?" the inspector inquired, stretching out her right palm. Cody shifted on the bench, facing her.

"I need Vet on our team, but he won't help unless he was sure that his son and grandma are in a safe location outside of Metro City. He's afraid that someone my hunt them down like they did his girlfriend. Don't you guys have some sort of witness protection program, where you can relocate people out of the city for safety reasons?"

"Well, we have a program for inspectors and agents to relocate their immediate family within an eighty mile radius of the city, but…you have to work in the Special Crimes Department in order to participate in it. Witness programs are only used for court cases, so unless this Vet guy is a witness for a trial, it won't work for him," she explained, brushing back her short, blonde hair with her fingers.

Cody hunched over, trying to think. One way or another, he had to get Vet on board. In his mind, he's too valuable an asset on the road to finding Jessica.

"Hire him," the boxer blurted out.

"Hire who, Vet? Eh, I…suppose that's possible. How old is he?" Lucia questioned.

"He's eighteen, going on nineteen. The kid is smart and he'd make the perfect undercover agent. He's been trying to make life better for his kid; he needs the money," informed Cody.

"Eighteen, Cody that's young," she protested. "And I'm sure he doesn't even have a high school diploma since he's been in juvie."

"Young? Tch, the police department in my town has been trying to recruit me since I was fifteen. Still haven't accepted their offer yet," Dion noted, listening to their conversation this whole time.

"C'mon Lucia, how many people who work in that building do you honestly believe have high school diplomas, let alone elementary school diploma," the boxer criticized, pointing in the general direction of the Uptown district. "Heck, at one point in time the city hired anyone who was even brave enough to become one. The bear essentials to becoming an undercover agent are street smarts, fitness and intelligence. Vet has all three of those.

"I'd like to help you, but this isn't going to work. And do you know why this isn't going to work; because Mayor Haggar has to approve all this." The ex-hero just lowered his head upon hearing those words. "Haggar is changing things," Lucia continued, trying to look into Cody's eyes. "He's honesty trying to make this city better, you know that. I can tell you right now he's not going to favor putting an eighteen year old without any experience out on the field, regardless of his or her abilities or willingness to help.

Lucia quickly glanced the other way, her expression flustered.

"Do you realize how much it would hurt his career if something were to happen to your friend?" she asked, quickly turning around to face him.

Cody slowly got up, not looking at either Lucia or Dion who were still seated on the bench. He hesitated, but he knew he had to say it.

"I'm going to see the mayor in person tomorrow," he said, looking straight ahead.

"What!" shouted Dion.

"Cody, are sure that's a wise decision?" Lucia immediately replied after Dion, standing up and placing her hand on the boxer's shoulder.

"We don't have a choice," he argued, turning around. "No solid leads have come up yet from the documents; Damnd doesn't know jack and all other former Mad Gear members are nowhere to be seen. Sooner or later I won't be able to hide and play undercover; it's only going to slow me down." The boxer paused for a moment. "Besides, Haggar has the right to know about the condition of his daughter and eventually, I won't be able to hide from him."

"I thought you were crazy for letting her know you were back in the city," pointing to the inspector, "but now I know you're wacko. Why don't you just walk in there with handcuffs and ask them to take you back," Dion commented.

"I know it sound's like a long shot, but you guys have to trust me on this one. Once Haggar sees the fact that Jessica is still alive, what her current condition is and the fact that Mad Gear is behind this, he's gonna have to cut me some slack.

"Maybe you're right," added Lucia.

"Vet is the only one right now with the know how of putting us on the right track. I think once Haggar realizes that he can get his daughter back home quicker, he'll forego the fact that he's only eighteen," he finished, pacing around the bench. Put me down on the appointment list to meet with Haggar, but use the name Rick Foster. I think a surprise is in order."

"Okay, but I still think you're still putting yourself at high risk," the inspector added.

"I know," the boxer simply replied. He took a long, deep yawn. "Come on Dion, let's go back to your cousin's. I'll see you tomorrow Lucia, and…thanks for all your help, it means a lot."

"Yeah, no problem," she answered back. Cody and Dion simply walked away.


Dion lay flat on his back on his cousin's bed with his hands behind his head. It was around two in the morning and Cody was fast asleep on the living room couch. Unfortunately, Dion couldn't do the same. He'd been having difficulty sleeping for the past couple of days, preoccupied with many things. The Filipino martial artist stared at the ceiling, illuminated softly by the street light outside.

He flipped on the switch of the small table lamp next to him, feeling a bit restless. Clad in nothing more but a pair of yellow basketball shorts, he slide of the bed and stretched out his back. Dion could hear his spine cracking softly as he stretched. The room was somewhat humid due to the fact that the air conditioning unit was located only in the living and dining areas.

Balancing his weight on his left foot, Dion brought his right knee up to his chest. Slowly, he extended his foreleg up beyond his head and leaned the sole of his right foot against a nearby wall. He could feel his leg muscles stretching as he began hopping toward the wall, allowing his right foot to slide higher and higher toward the ceiling until both his left and right legs were flush against the wall.

The young fighter stood there against the wall for a good minute or so, releasing the stress from his thighs. Despite the unorthodox position, Dion felt quite comfortable. Sliding his right foot off the wall, he walked a few steps toward the middle of the room. He quickly let out a back kick, in perfect form. Pausing for a moment, Dion executed it again, following through with two left jabs, a right elbow and an axe-kick.

The martial artist caught a glimpse of himself in one of the sliding mirror doors. He stared at his reflection for a few seconds, disappointed in what he saw.

"I wasn't there to protect you Myrna," he thought to himself. "Hopefully now I can make a difference." He suddenly initiated faster combos, each blow getting more aggressive then the last. The youth twisted his body and finished with a roundhouse kick, but as his body turned, he noticed Cody watching him from behind in his white T-shirt and blue shorts. Freaking out, the Filipino accidentally kicked a picture frame from his cousin's dresser.

"Cody, I'm sorry," Dion said in a nervous tone. "I…I didn't mean to wake you up," he replied, picking up the picture from the ground.

"It's alright," the groggy boxer replied, his eyes squinting to adjust to light emanating from the table lamp. "I had gone to the bathroom and saw the light on over here. Thought I check out what you were doing."

The boxer made his way to Myrna's bed sitting on the edge. Dion took a seat as well, holding the picture in his hands. He looked at it lovingly, seeing a picture of Myrna in a cream dress and himself in his high school graduation robe.

"May I take a look?" Cody asked. Dion quietly handed him the picture. Cody grinned slightly. "This is a nice photo. So what's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm sorry?" Dion answered back, not sure of his partner's question.

"Something's bothering you. Those moves you were pulling off weren't you," he said, looking at Dion's face.

"I don't know what you mean," he responded, looking down at the ivory-colored carpet. "I've been studying those moves since I was a kid."

"I mean the manner in which you performed them…with so much anger. I've seen you fight enough to get your general sense of style. I can tell you're hiding something," Cody glared. Dion looked away; he knew he wasn't getting out of this one.

"There are problems that I'm facing…and it's going to affect the way I live my life, but it's a personal thing. I like you and all Cody, but I don't think I'm ready to tell anyone yet. Not even Myrna knows about this, and I tell her everything."

"I guess I'll have to accept that for now. Personal things are personal things, but just to let you know, you can talk to me whenever you feel like. It's not good to keep these emotions wrapped up when you're engaged in a fight." Cody's mouth slow opened wide, letting out another deep yawn. "Alright, it's back to bed for me. See ya in the morning."

Cody walked out of Myrna's bedroom and into the living room. Dion shut off the lamp on the nightstand and snuck back into bed. He stared at the ceiling and blew out a huge breath of air.