Twilight is still not mine. And this is still not beta'd, so please forgive any unsightly errors. If you see any, do let me know.

Chapter 7: The Not So Lazy Sunday

"Boxing gave me the opportunities to grow into the person that I am today." ~ Alexis Arguello

Sunday found me cursing Jasper and his tactical efforts to rid me of my bad habit of over-thinking. I was sore. More so than I could ever remember feeling in the last five years since moving to Seattle. My ass was tender to the touch and walking the flight of stairs that separated the bedrooms from the living room and kitchen was a painful endeavour.

As I eased my way down the stairs slower than Grandpa Swan after his hip replacement, I wanted to call Jasper and bitch at him for the suffering he caused me but I didn't have his number. That was probably a good thing. I didn't want him to laugh at me, or worse yet, feel apologetic for his methods, thus taking it easier on me when we would train the next day. I knew I wouldn't be going for my morning run today. I needed to rest and prepare myself for whatever Jasper had planned for our next session. The extent of rest and preparation involved my tender tushy, one couch, and a marathon session of The Big Bang Theory, all three seasons, only allowing breaks long enough for sustenance.

Opening the fridge to make breakfast, I realized I was going to have to be more creative than the guys on Iron Chef; there was slim pickings in the way of breakfast foods, or anything edible for that matter.

My options were not very appetizing to say the least; it was obvious I had been far too preoccupied in my Jasper-centric daydreams to remember to grocery shop at any point during the last week. I had a few lemons, two eggs, orange juice, a block of what could have been marble cheese-although the mould was making it difficult to be certain, a questionable jug of milk, some pathetic looking mystery meat, and at the bottom, Emmett's favourite beer surrounding my bottle of Cherry Whiskey and a brand new bottle of Kettle One Vodka tucked in the back waiting for a special occasion. Since I did not subscribe to the thought that somewhere it was 5pm, I closed the fridge, deciding toast was the safest option.

Turning to the bread box, I was even more disgruntled to see the lonely end bits of the loaf were all I had left for bread. I hated the end pieces, they were never full-sized and seeing as I wasn't normally fond of crust, those pathetic looking wannabe slices of bread were out of the question. I felt like a scavenging seagull, desperate to locate a single edible piece of food amongst a landfill of trash and waste. I was even willing to consider one of the meat pancakes from yesterday, hamburger be damned.

As I made my way to throw out the offensive crust-bread, there sitting on the counter, in all its plump, juicy, red glory was the apple Jasper had given me yesterday. The Pink Lady. I was still uncertain if Jasper had done anything to the piece of fruit. But I was also verging on desperate for something to eat to stave of the hunger pains until I could get to the grocery store.

I was being dramatic and I knew it. Surely Jasper didn't poison the apple. However, if he had, I hoped it wasn't too far off the Sleeping Beauty mark and he would be forced to kiss me awake. Highly unlikely. I was becoming delirious, channelling Disney cartoons and trying to apply them to my situation. That shit didn't happen in real life and I definitely wasn't in a fairy tale waiting for my happy ending.

After peeling off the sticker and washing it, I stared at the apple in a silent debate, quietly humming the stupid song to that stupid television commercial "Don't you put it in your mouth". I realized I was beyond help as I sang aloud, "you could get sick. Ick! Real quick. Ick!" I rolled my eyes at myself for being suspicious of a piece of fruit. Looking a potential coma or possible death in the eye, I bit the bullet and apple in one satisfying chomp.

My taste buds sang.

I may have moaned. Loudly.

I felt like Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Did that make Jasper my serpent? Hmmmm? I didn't give that train any time to speed down the tracks as I took another bite, losing myself in its tantalizing taste.

It was delicious. Crisp skin gave way to firm, juicy flesh with an explosion inside my mouth. And the taste? A perfect combination of sweet with a slight tartness at the end. Johnny Appleseed would be proud of this apple. Perhaps I was a little crazy. Perhaps I could blame my new-found obsession for Pink Lady apples on the fact that I was practically starving when I woke up, but I couldn't say for certain. What I could say for certain was that I would be picking up more Pink Ladies when I ventured to the grocery store. They were the first items on my list of things to get.

It was while I was grocery shopping that Emmett called demanding to know my whereabouts and not so subtly inviting himself over for supper. It was nothing new for us.

"So, what are you making us for supper?"

"Supper? Who said I had any plans on eating supper with you tonight, hmmm?" sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"Of course you are eating supper with me just like you always do on Sunday nights."

"How come it's always me that cooks?"

"Cause you don't like Hungry-Man dinners," he chuckled.

"Right. Any requests, then?"

"Nah, whatever is fine."

"Alright, but it's not gonna be anything special. I've got a hot date later this afternoon-"

"Hot date?" Emmett interrupted me. "Man, did he not listen to a word I said?" he finished in a mumble to himself.

"'He' who, Emmett? I was talking about Sheldon and Leonard," I stated as I worked my way through the aisles filling my cart.

"I was talking about Whit-wait. Who are Sheldon and Leonard?" he asked sounding a little relieved.

"The Big Bang Theory, Em. Sheldon and Leonard are characters on a TV show. If you would've let me finish, we could have avoided this strange turn down Awkward Avenue. What's the big deal if I did have a date anyway?"

"Oh. Well, nothing's wrong with a date, I guess. I just don't really remember the last time you dated a guy, you know? If you wanted, I know a guy…" he trailed off. I needed to change the subject, my lack of social life was not the type of conversation I wanted to be having in the middle of the grocery store, or anywhere really. Emmett was like my brother; aside from the few guys he attempted to play matchmaker with, we didn't really talk about dating. Rather, he talked about dating but it was always his dating, never mine.

"Emmett, I date. And, you are not setting me up, I don't care what you say he looks like or what drives or how much money he has," I stated, knowing full well my last date was over six months ago and he had been the one to set it up. But it wasn't my fault Emmett's suggestions for appropriate male companionship couldn't hold my attention long enough to warrant a second date.

"Really? When was the last time you went out?"

"It doesn't matter. Look, it's my turn at the checkout. Come over whenever, I'll have supper ready for 5, OK?"

"Sure Bella, talk to ya later." I hung up, not bothering with my own goodbye. Emmett knew me well enough to know I wasn't mad at him, just annoyed.

I was confused by what had just happened. Emmett usually saved those types of conversations for when we were in a vehicle or some other confined space so I couldn't avoid him with my deflecting methods. But his reaction to the possibility of me having a date he didn't set up was a strange one. He usually had to bring up my lack of social life and all but bribe me to go out with him or get me to go on a double date with his latest conquest and some guy he knew. I didn't see the big deal. I was focused and worked hard, I didn't have time to spend getting to know some guy only to be disappointed when he turned out to be lacking. I didn't want to have to work for something that should come naturally. Nor did I want to have someone jealous by the amount of time I spent with the other guys at the gym or my closeness with Emmett. That issue had been a real bone of contention for a couple of guys, they didn't understand a person could have a best friend who was the opposite sex.

I suppose it didn't help things that I didn't really make time or put in much effort when it came to dating. The way I saw things, I was 25 and still young; if I happened upon someone interesting I'd see where things went. If not, there was plenty of time for dating after I made it to the Olympics.

Throughout my internal debate I had managed to unload my cart onto the conveyor belt, pay and had pushed the bagged groceries half way to my SUV before I forced myself to think about what I would be making for supper. Debating on whether or not I should have just picked up some Hungry-Man dinners for Emmett and let him make of it what he wanted.

Definitely not, those things left a terrible after smell in the house once cooked, along with the even more rancid, gaseous effect they seemed to have on Emmett. Chicken Parmesan was a much safer dinner option.

Because Emmett had a sixth sense for knowing when a meal would be ready regardless of the time I had planned to have it ready for, he arrived at my townhouse just as I was spooning the marinara sauce over the breaded chicken and adding the parmesan cheese.

"In the kitchen," I called as I placed the pan under the broiler and strained the pasta.

"Smells good, Cricket," Emmett said, standing next to me as the hot steam billowed up from the draining noodles.

"Thanks. As usual, your timing couldn't be better." I turned from the sink to check the chicken and pulled out the garlic toast. "Grab some drinks while I finish this up, OK?"

"Yeah, sure. Yeeeeooowch!"

I looked over to see Emmett doing a cross between the potty dance and the Hokey Pokey. He was currently shaking his right hand all about. I couldn't help the bubble of giggles that erupted.

"What the hell? You tried to sneak a noodle, didn't you?" my voice was anything but stern as I watched him try to soothe the burn.

"No!" he lied around the fingers her was desperately blowing on.

"You didn't? Then how did that noodle, right there by your foot, get there?" I gave him a knowing look before nudging him in the direction of the fridge. "Drinks, Em. I only gave you one simple task, try not to hurt yourself when you pop the top to your beer."

"Har, har." I knew he was only joking around by the half-dimpled smile I could make out as he ducked down to grab two beers. I quickly finished preparing our supper without further incident.

We carried our plates into the living room, sitting side by side on the floor squished on one side of the coffee table just like we used to do when we were younger. I turned on the next disc of Big Bang Theory from where I had left off earlier. We ate in relative silence as we watched the show. Emmett gave me until after I had taken our plates into the kitchen and brought him another beer before deciding he wanted to play twenty questions.

"So, how did you think your session with Jasper went yesterday?"

"It was alright, I guess. It's hard to tell at this point, since I don't really know him. He didn't hold back that's for sure."

"Yeah, I noticed your ass was getting reacquainted with the mat," he forced a smile at me as he took a long pull from his beer.

"Gah, I know. My ass still hurts. I don't remember the last time I fell that much."

"Oh, I remember a time when you and the ground were practically inseparable, but that was before you started boxing," he chuckled.

"That's exactly what I mean, it's been so long since I was that clumsy girl constantly tripping over a crack in the sidewalk and falling on her face. I mean, I get what he was trying to do, now. But at the time, I was pissed, Em. I nearly took his head off," I shook my head as the memory of Jasper's eyes meeting mine danced around my thoughts.

"Yeah, what made you stop? If that was me, you wouldn't have hesitated for a second before landing the shot."

"I don't know, really. It was like I was blinded by my rage toward him. He just kept knocking me down and didn't let up. Finally, when I managed to avoid more than one of his shots, I wanted to give him a taste of my annoyance and let my aggression loose. But…" I let my thought trail off, uncertain of what I wanted to say next and uncertain of whether I wanted to face the real reason why I had stopped my attack.

"But you didn't. That's what I didn't understand. Even Jimmy didn't know what got into you."

"Jimmy was watching us?"

"Of course, you're one of his favourites. Why wouldn't he watch your session with Jasper? At one point, we were all watching."

"Really? I hadn't noticed." Emmett was watching me carefully as I mulled over his previous admission. I was usually so aware of what was going when we had the group sessions. But yesterday, my focus had been solely on keeping upright, everything else at the time was inconsequential. Was I losing my edge or was I simply changing perspectives? Was that also a part of Jasper's plan when he set out to break me of my strategic thought process? Or was it an unfortunate side-effect?

Jasper had created so many questions and left me without answers. However, there was one tid-bit he had revealed to me before we started sparring that I could get an answer on.

"Em, what do people call me?"

"Umm, they call you Bella?"

"No, not my name. I mean, you know how Jasper is The Major? Do people call me something that I don't know about?"

"Oh. Let me think." He was stalling for time, I could tell by the way he picked at the label on his beer.

"Come on, Em. Just tell me."

"Alright," he sighed and rubbed at his jaw. "Keep in mind, I've only heard it-I've never actually used the name. I know how you feel about them."

"I only hate names if people give them to themselves, especially if it's only being used as a scare tactic."

"Yeah. I wonder how Jasper got The Major?" Emmett wondered aloud.

"Good question, but you are getting off topic," I gave him a pointed look.

"Right. It's mostly the guys that call you it, but I've heard a few girls too. Especially the ones that you really lay into and beat senseless."

"Just tell me already," I huffed in annoyance.

"The Flying Swan."

"So it's true then? Why would they call me that?"

"What? You already knew?"

"Yeah."

"Then why did you bother asking me?" Emmett looked at me, confusion written over his face.

"I didn't trust the source, but figured if I asked you, I would be able to tell if you were lying to me. But why do they call me that?"

"Think about it Bells. Aside from your fight with Lauren, you haven't lost a match in two years. And the girls in your weight class drop like flies when you fight them. You practically emulate Muhammad Ali's 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee'. Except they've used your last name for effect. You're quick, your feet never stop moving and you don't give anyone a chance to rest when you attack them. Do you get it now?"

"I think so. What do you think? I mean, do I fly around the ring like the others seem to think I do?"

"I think…I think this is one nick name the boxing community has gotten right. You attack your opponent with a finesse and grace that only a swan is capable of exuding. You dance around the ring sometimes with such speed it kind of does look like you are just hovering above the mat. So, yeah, I think you are The Flying Swan."

I didn't know what to say. I always considered myself the analyst of the two of us. It seemed Emmett did his fare share of watching me and assessing my style and kept his ears open, much like I did for him when he fought. I usually made sure to let Emmett know my thoughts or pointed out things I saw for him to work on. He hadn't told me anything.

"Why didn't you tell me I had this reputation?" I felt like he was withholding information. He left me out on a little island, marooned with nothing but my own opinions and no way back to the mainland.

"I know how you are Bella, you don't like the attention. You are in boxing for the rush and the excitement it gives you to pound on someone. Not for a popularity contest. Tell me, if you heard someone calling you that, would it have pissed you off? Definitely, and it would have only resulted in more attention when you lashed out."

He had a point. Emmett was my human shield. He protected me as long as I could remember, going all the way back to second grade when one of the other boys on the playground put bubble gum in my hair. He chased him down and made him say sorry and then made him confess to our teacher. Then wiped my tears as I cried at the idea of having to cut all my hair off. He even held my hand and told my mom what happened when I was too upset to speak for myself.

Emmett was still protecting me. However this time, I was needing protection from myself. I leaped of the couch and flung my arms around his neck in a tight hug.

"Thanks, Emmett. I understand why you didn't tell me." He kissed the side of my head and squeezed back.

"No problem, Cricket. I'm always watching out for you, even when you don't know it."

Somehow, I knew he wasn't just talking about our previous discussion. However, I was too tired to dig for any more information as I slid out of his arms and sat back in my seat on the couch.

"No more boxing talk, I want you to tell me about that hot blonde girl the tall geeky guy keeps insulting," he smiled as he pointed to the television still playing The Big Bang Theory DVD I had put on while we ate supper.

"Sure Emmett," I returned his smile as I got up to put in the first disc of season one so we could properly begin his education of geeky goodness.

I know, no Jasper this chapter, I was sad about that too...but I assure you he will very much be in next chapter. Tell me what you think.

Oh, the commercial Bella was singing is a Canadian commercial but you can find it on youtube it you aren't familiar with it. It's quite annoying and entertaining at the same time.

Thanks for reading and thanks to those who review and all of you who have this story on alert and fave...I adore you all!

One last thing, donations are now being accepted for the Fandom for Preemies fundraiser. I've contributed a oneshot for it and have seen the pdf file, there is over 1200 pages of fantastic reading from 100+ authors. $5 is all it takes for the pdf to be yours! Please see my profile for the link to the Fandom for Preemies blog and how you can donate to the March of Dimes.

~TheFaintHeart