Chapter 14 I Mighta Pinned Ya, But I Didn't Win Ya

Barney's

Neither said a word, but Lee had visibly relaxed by the time Ava had reached her thirtieth lap. She smiled at him when she caught him staring and went back to jogging around the boring edges of the gym as she listened to her music. When she reached three and a half miles she did her cool off stretches and Tai Chi. She added a few of the techniques he'd been showing her and he smiled proudly. He let up on the bag just as she put her shoes back on. She smiled and nodded to him before heading out the door and upstairs. After a good soak, she decided she was too lazy to put too much on and headed to bed without even crawling under the covers.

Lee soon followed and headed to the spare shower. He found himself once again on Barney's couch wishing a job would pop up.

The next morning saw another mighty breakfast with little fanfare before Lee and Ava were once again training in the gym. He was having her practice his techniques on him, but unfortunately he was a bit distracted for the day.

"Come on Ava," Lee said in that husky British voice that made Ava's knees tremble, "Try to get just one hit on me and we'll call it a day."

Ava huffed and threw a punch that he easily slipped to the side of, "If you weren't frickin' Jet Li I might be able to!"

Lee chuckled deeply as he dodged another punch. He caught the next one she threw and she wiggled a bit as she pouted. He looked down to watch the sway of her hips before realizing she'd swept the leg she had farthest from him towards his legs. He felt his legs give out underneath him and the breath forced out of his lungs as he sharply met the mat.

She gasped before rushing over to him, "Are you okay!?"

She leaned down and he reached up to pull her down as well. She squeaked as she fell on top of him landing somewhat comfortably. She raised herself to her knees straddling his waist as they both tried to regain their breath.

A slow grin spread across her face making his heart thump harder, "Does this count as a pin? Cuz I totally have you pinned right now."

He barked out a laugh and bucked his hips a bit, making her gasp at the unintentional sensations he caused. He grabbed her waist and spun them around so she was the one now pinned to the ground with her wrists pinned above her head with one of his hands.

"Not quite Darling," he said huskily as he seemed to dip his head down.

Her heart throbbed so hard she thought her head was going to explode as his head continued to dip as if he was going to kiss her.

Oh my gosh! IS he going to kiss me?! She thought as her eyes widened.

He closed his eyes and sighed heavily before pulling back and getting himself under control. A disappointed look appeared on her face and he reluctantly straightened a bit to kneel before her after releasing her wrists. He'd caught the disappointed look, but was unsure if now was really the time. He was confused about Lacy and Ava had just gotten out of an abusive relationship. Were either one of them ready for anything different at the moment? He shook the thoughts out of his head before focusing back on Ava. She sat up as her breath steadied.

"I think we're even with pins right now," he said quietly before getting up and heading off to the showers.

Ava watched him leave with confusion. Why did he almost kiss her? Wasn't he and Lacy together? Maybe they'd broken up and that's why he was back? The thought made her heart stutter again and her eyes widen. Was he actually interested in her? He'd become a good friend while she'd been here and she felt closer to him then even the ladies.

Cold shower. She needed a cold shower and a good romance book to take her mind off the enigma of Lee Christmas.

For the next few weeks the routine continued on. Lee and Ava trained and worked out almost every morning. Occasionally one of the guys or Luna would workout with them and show Ava something new. Luna was a big help since they were both about the same size. Ava might've been a little shorter, but it helped to know she had to raise her fists up a bit because of the average man's size.

A call came in during one of their sparring practices. Barney was leaning back against the wall shouting out his input as he reached down for his phone.

"Ross here," he said roughly into the phone.

He listened for a few minutes making Lee and Ava take a timeout. Long conversations hinted at work to Ava. Barney looked up at Ava as he talked.

"How long we talkin?" he asked causing her face to drop a bit at the realization this was a time consuming job.

She'd gotten quite attached to her routine with Barney and Lee. Barney had even started telling her stories about her mother from when they were younger. She'd heard a couple of them but they were interesting from his perspective as well.

"Alright," Barney said before clicking his phone off.

"Job?" Lee asked.

"Job," Barney said nodding, "You wanna call everyone for me?"

"Sure thing Boss," Lee said before heading out of the room to make some calls and text Lacy about him being out of town.

She had yet to apologize and this time Lee wasn't gonna be the one to do it.

Barney looked back to Ava and sighed heavily, "First time in a LONG time that I don't want to go, but I have a team to think about."

"I understand," Ava said smiling sadly, "I mean I'll miss you guys, but I DO understand that this is not just a job to you guys. You love this kind of thing and it pays really well."

"You're okay with the job?" he asked curious.

"You do what most can't and I have to admit that even tho I find myself a little fearful for you guys… I know you have it handled. I'm actually pretty proud of what you guys do."

Barney's eyes widened the more she had talked. When she stopped he simply pulled her in for a large bear hug causing her to squeak in surprise. Usually she initiated the hugs.

"I have the best damn daughter in the world," he said into her hair.

"And don't you forget it," she said sternly causing him to laugh before she pulled back a bit and looked at him warily, "No seriously… when you see the new bill for those special tools you let me order… don't forget you think I'm awesome."

He laughed roughly and shook his head before heading out of the gym, not realizing Lee had overheard her acceptance of what they do. The team would stop by later that night since Barney would have the files needed by then.

A white man with a mostly bald head had arrived. Ava was introduced to Mr. Church and she rose a brow as he gave her an obvious once over.

"Keep your eyes above the neckline Church," Barney growled, "That's my daughter you're eyeballin'."

Church's eyes widened as he looked between Ava and Barney, "Well I'll be damned."

Barney glared at the man with his arms crossed. He waved him back towards the door since he already had the files. For a first time impression, Ava admitted she wasn't impressed with Church at all.

Barney got down to reading right away. Ava looked on curious but understood it was better not to now what they were doing. All she wanted to know was the general location. She snuck back to her Candyland and started pulling things out of the piles still on the floor. She'd made a small dent, but she could probably keep herself busy for the next couple years with the sheer amount of junk in the room. From trash to treasure she always thought.

She turned on her newly installed sound system and picked an upbeat song to get her in the mood as she yanked out her screwdriver and started undoing panels.