Sonya was the last one to join the others for breakfast in the formal dining room. In her hands were two black briefcases. Liu was first to greet her followed by Kung Lao and Cole. Kano immediately asked her about the briefcases.

She handed them to the mercenary, "I'm a woman of my word."

Kano placed one of the cases on his lap and popped it open, "Bloody hell, Girlie!" He removed one of the stacks of big bills and carefully examined it, "You actually fuckin' paid me!"

"Of course I did, I wasn't bullshitting you." She noticed the confused look Cole was giving her and discreetly winked at him when Kano turned his attention back to the money.

"I had me doubts but I hate to admit, I was wrong. It was good doing business with ya, Blondie!" He nodded and grinned as he closed the briefcase.

With a shrug she stated, "It wasn't as bad as I thought. Where's Nary?"

Cole said before he took a sip of coffee, "I spoke to her a few minutes ago. She's talking to her brother, he had to cancel their call last night."

Kano interjected, "Speaking of the good ol' Doc," he turned to Liu and Lao, "which one of you Chippendale boys is fuckin' her?"

Sonya looked at him and groaned with utter disgust while Cole almost spit out his coffee. Lao scowled as he quickly reached for his hat but Liu grabbed his arm and shook his head.

Liu calmly explained, "That is very inappropriate to say and gross, Nary is like a sister to us."

"And she's way too good for you." Lao said with a protective edge to his voice.

"He's right, she's way beyond being out of your league!" Sonya said then started digging into her omelette.

Cole gestured to everyone with his right forefinger, "What they said."

Kano remarked, "Oh you tossers can fuck off, she clearly fancies me!"

The doubt on Lao's face and in his voice was obvious, "You've mistaken her kindness for attraction. She's polite to everyone, you're no exception."

"Mate, you're a monk, what the fuck do you know about attraction?"

He tipped his head forward, "I've known her longer than you have so I'm speaking from a place of knowledge and experience. She respects herself and wouldn't share her bed with a man like you."

Sonya chimed in, "And unlike your past girlfriends, she doesn't swing around on a pole, she's not inflatable and she doesn't charge you by the hour."

Almost everyone laughed at her comment, save for Kano.

"First off," the Aussie pointed to Sonya with his fork, "there's no shame in paying for pussy. Sex work is honest work. And second, you all didn't see us yesterday, she really likes being around yours truly."

"Wow, I always knew you were obnoxious and cocky but delusional? That's a new one!" Sonya said a moment before she took a sip from her glass of orange juice.

Cole interjected, "Nary also comes from a really good, respected and successful family. And you're not exactly the kind of guy she can bring home to meet mom and dad."

Confused, Kano asked, "What in the bloody hell you are jabbering on about?"

Cole said to Kano, "Nary is a Stokes, as in Stokes' Sweets."

His deep blue eyes grew large, "Da fuck? She's a lollie princess?!"

After Kano dropped off the money in his suite, he entered the hallway just as Nary exited her dorm.

"Good morning, Kano," she smiled at him. "How was breakfast?"

"Not bad…although it was missing something."

"Really? What?"

"A good ol' lollie!" He smirked.

Her face scrunched up as she huffed, "It was Lao, wasn't it?"

"Actually, it was pretty boy Cole. Why didn't you tell me?"

She folded her arms and briefly looked away, "Because you give everyone annoying nicknames and I went through school being called stupid ones based on my family's business. I didn't want to go back to that, OK?"

He pulled his head back not expecting that answer, "Eh, fuck those kids. And besides, everyone here are tossers. I call you the best names because, well…you're-you're sweet."

"Oh-um, thanks," she flashed him a grin and brushed a strand of her dark hair behind her ear.

Kano awkwardly cleared his throat then asked, "…Got any other secrets I should know about?"

Nary confessed, "I do. I also have a dragon marking."

His eyes lit up, "Talk about burying the fuckin' lead! Where is it?"

She scoffed while she began walking, "There's no way in hell I'm showing you."

"Why the fuck not?" He kept pace with her.

"Because unlike Cole and Sonya when you 'see' something you use your hands. And you're also a flirt."

"Oh come on, I can behave meself." He couldn't fight the sly smile that touched his lips.

"Hmm, I'm still gonna pass. Now, we both have jobs to get to. I have to take care of sick people while you have to have your ass kicked by Liu and Lao." She smirked at him.

He folded his arms as they walked out of the champions' wing, "Very funny, Peaches. And ya better stick to your day job, cuz' you'd make a shitty comedian."

"Right back at ya."

A brief chuckle came from him, "Is that all you got, Dollface?"

"Of course not but I don't have the time right now. Anyway, I'm making dinner tonight in the lounge at seven, don't be late." She told him before turning towards the infirmary.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Love." He answered while watching her walk away.

A deep frustrated groan came from Kano after Liu Kang managed to effortlessly flip him onto his back and onto the pit's sand. When Liu offered him his hand, Kano knocked it away and got onto his feet by himself.

Kung Lao spoke, "That's it for today's training. Nary's making dinner tonight so we need to wash up."

"Speaking of, why doesn't Doc fight with us?" Kano asked.

Liu explained, "She does her training early in the morning. Hours before either of you are awake."

Kung Lao added, "And her arcana doesn't need to be discovered therefore she requires less time in the fight pit."

Cole questioned them, "What did you guys have to do to help Nary find her arcana?"

The Shaolin monks shared a serious look until Liu said, "She's been a martial artist for more than half her life. Her physical abilities weren't the issue but she eventually persevered."

Based on their reaction, Cole decided not to press the issue any further.

Kano stated, "Really, that's all you're telling us?"

"Yes, because it's up to her speak about her experience not us." Kung Lao placed his hands on his hips.

"Calm down mate, it was just a question." Kano replied.

Liu said to them, "We shouldn't keep her waiting."

As he moved closer to the lounge, Kano caught the appetizing aroma of dinner. The moment he entered the lounge he was hit with a familiar smell and yet he couldn't identify its source. On the long dining room table were six place settings where each plate was covered by a silver dome cloche. In the kitchen, Nary was removing a baking pan from the oven.

"Kano, you're early!" Her smile was warm while she started to set down the pastries on the cooling racks.

"Come on Buttercup, you already know how I am with punctuality." He answered when he sat down at the breakfast bar.

She nodded, "Right, I stand here corrected. So, these are raspberry custard tarts but they need to cool so don't even think about touching them!" Her eyes narrowed as she pointed at him.

His lips slightly curled up after he leaned his face over the pastries, "I'll behave and holy shit these smell fantastic!"

"Thanks. It's a family recipe. Here," she handed him a bottle of beer.

He read the label, "Victoria, not too bad. Need a hand?"

"No, I'm good but thanks." She placed everyone else's drinks on a tray and started heading towards the table.

He followed her, "I gotta say, I'm shocked that a princess like yourself knows how to cook. I've met plenty silver spoon idiots who didn't know shit."

"What? You think I grew up with a live-in wait staff?"

"Did you?"

She reluctantly admitted, "Yes but my parents taught us how to take care of ourselves and to not always rely on others. That's your seat."

Kano sat down next to her and reached for the cloche, "Oh come on!" He shouted when she slapped his hand away

She protectively held down the cloche with both hands, "We'll eat when everyone gets here."

An annoyed huff came from him, "Don't tell me your one of those idiots who says grace before every meal?"

"No but it's rude to eat before all of our guests have arrived."

"All right I'll wait…if you show me your little marking." He wiggled his brows.

After a beat, she let go of the cloche, "Fine, help yourself."

He smirked, "Wow, you really don't wanna show me?"

"Nope!"

"Mmm, it must be somewhere naughty then, I'm right, aren't?"

"No, it's just private."

"Which is fancy speak for naughty."

She rolled her eyes, "No, it's private not dirty. Now eat your dinner."

The amused expression on his face slowly faded away once he removed the cloche and saw two meat pies on the plate. After a beat he slowly grabbed one of the pies, brought it to his nose and inhaled before sinking his teeth in causing the crispy crust to crack. A long moan came from him at the scrumptious taste of the crust, gravy, steak and onion. Then a flood of fond memories came rushing at him causing a lump in throat and his eyes to water.

She watched his reaction and was taken aback, "Kano, are you all right?"

He coughed and wiped his eyes with back of his hand, "Uh yeah, it's all this…shitty cave dust, it's in my throat and eyes."

Even though he gave her an opening to tease him, she passed on it, "So, how does it taste?"

For a minute, he considered being sarcastic, "It's pretty fucking great! It tastes like the meat pies from-..."

"Keith's Pies."

His head leaned back, "You've been there?"

"My ex-boyfriend, James, his uncle owns the place and gave me some recipes, on the condition that I never reveal them to anyone else. Anyway, we spent our first spring break together visiting his hometown and I met his family."

Before he could continue their conversation, everyone else entered the lounge. Nary told them where to sit.

"Dinner smells really good. Thanks for cooking Nary." Cole smiled as he sat across from her.

"Tell me about it, I couldn't get here fast enough-Kano, are your eyes red?" Sonya asked after she took her seat, it was on the other side of Nary.

He opened his mouth but was cut off.

"His allergies are acting up. Drop by my office and I'll give you some pills for it." Nary told him.

"Thanks, Doc." He gave her a small yet grateful nod along with a grin.

Liu like everyone else was satiated and slumped back in his seat, "Nary dinner was delicious. Why haven't you made those pies before?"

With a shrug she replied, "I needed to change things up and it's been some time since I've made pies."

Cole offered, "Do you need help with the dishes? It's the least I can do."

She waved him off, "That's sweet but there's a dish washer. All I have to do is rinse them. You guys need your rest."

Kano chimed in, "Besides, I'm here to lend a hand."

Everyone except Nary gave him the same shocked and confused look but Sonya spoke, "You know that she's not paying you, right?"

"Hey, I'm a nice guy, everyone loves me – now all of you fuck off."

Kung Lao remarked, "You're so polite."

Sonya dryly stated, "Yeah and a real prince charming."

Nary interjected, "Guys we're fine, now go have a good night."

They reluctantly obliged and wished her well before leaving the lounge.

While she and Kano collected the dirty dishes, he asked, "So, you made these for your shitty ex-boyfriend, James?" his tone was derisive.

In an annoyed voice and face to match, she said, "I did and James is a great guy; we're still friends to this day."

They made their way over to the sink while he replied, "If he was such a prince then why is his dumbass an ex?"

She turned on the sink's faucet and glanced down before answering, "He wanted to get married and have a family after graduation. I didn't."

A scoff came from him," That still makes him a dumbass."

"It doesn't. We both deserve to be happy but our visions of it…they were different. But I'd lying if I denied having second thoughts after graduation."

When she handed him two rinsed plates, he could see traces of melancholy in her dark eyes.

"Earlier this year, he and his lovely wife had their third kid. I'm happy for him, he's living his dream. So, stop giving him shit." She pointed at him.

He placed the plates in the bottom rack, "All right, but I still think any man who doesn't choose you is a fucking idiot."

"Kano, you met me yesterday."

"So?"

"So, you don't really know me."

With a cocky grin he bragged, "Bullshit. You're smart, you don't act like a spoiled brat despite your upbringing, you don't hesitate busting my balls, you can cook, you're sweet and you're a fuckin' beauty!"

She held back a grin while handing him two glass cups, "Not bad, but there's more to me than what you listed."

"Like?"

"I'm not gonna show you all my cards."

"Not even a little peek?"

"I've already told you about my ex. Why don't you show me one of your cards?"

"Then pick one, Love."

"Was Keith's Pies one of the places where you and your mates hung out?"

He looked into her kind eyes and didn't hesitant, "No, actually, me-uh, me Mum brought me there on Sundays. And meat pies were one of the few things she made that didn't taste like utter shit." He said with a small scoff.

She chuckled and saw the warm smile on his face reach his deep blue eyes.

"It feels like ages go. I was ten when she died, fuckin' cancer."

"I'm sorry you went through that…what about your Dad?"

His shoulders lifted then dropped, "The bastard left before I was born. It was us and my Uncle Jack."

She saw him look away and clear his throat, "I should visit Australia again. I really liked it there."

"You should and I'd love to be your personal tour guide." He winked at her.

A slow huff came from her, "Really Kano?" She handed him a tea towel then turned on the dish washer.

"Oh come on Sweetheart. It's the least I can do for the pies and you gave me one of my favorite beers." He dried his hands and kept up with her while they left the lounge.

"I did those things because I like making those around me feel comfortable and content. I'm not trying to get something from you, so you don't owe me anything. Not every gesture or relationship has to be transactional."

"Darling, I've been around long enough to know that everything comes with a price."

"Well, that's not how I see things. Tonight, was simply a friendly gesture."

"Really?"

"Yes and nothing more."

"All right, so as a friendly gesture why can't I show you around my hometown?"

"Because Sonya told me what you asked Liu and Lao during breakfast." Nary folded her arms.

He shrugged, "Guilty. But in fairness to me, I asked Aladdin and Kung Pao that question because I didn't want either one to burn or slice me apart for flirting with you."

After they entered their living quarters, she said, "Smart move but like I said last night, you shouldn't waste your time flirting with me. You're here to train and find your arcana."

The corners of his lips turned upward as they neared the end of the hallway, "Who says that I can't do both?"

"Kano, let me put it this way…" In her best attempt at an Australian accent, she said, "Oi you Dickhead, stop trying to get into me undies!"

He burst out laughing and after a few seconds he caught his breath, "That's precious and really terrible, Sunshine! I don't sound like some drunken English tosser!"

Her full lips formed into a closed mouth smile before she stated, "I gave it the old college try but my point still stands."

"Princess, you just wait until I really turn up the charm," he stepped closer to her. "You'll find me irresistible."

She let her eyes linger on his handsome face and slightly leaned in. It was then he realized just how captivating her eyes were. Her plump dark pink lips looked so soft and luscious.

Her lips were at his right ear, "Kano, the only thing in this temple that finds you irresistible…is your right hand."

He closed his eyes as he felt her breath caress his ear and breathed in her sweet scent.

Nary backed away, "I'll see you in the morning."

"Bloody hell you're a tease!" Kano kept his eyes on her while she closed her suite's door. Frustrated and turned on, he couldn't help but chuckle.

After she locked the door, Nary leaned against it and cupped her heart. She released a sigh of relief before stripping out of her clothes and taking a very cold long shower.

Kano freed himself of his clothes and walked into the shower stall. As the warm waters streamed down his toned body, he thought of Nary and imagined that his hands were hers.