Three: don't fight me now (cause you might need me later)

Present Day

[Clarke]

I snapped out of the memory from six months ago. I hated thinking about that night, mostly because it always left me so sexually frustrated, but also because I had never felt such an instant deep connection with anyone and I thought maybe he might have reciprocated. Clearly I read that wrong. Shaking off the negative thoughts spinning in my head, I glanced out of the office window and took a sip from my water bottle. More fighters had shown up at the gym and were now training in the rings, and at the weight benches, which meant I probably had to go back out there and do my job.

As I stepped out of the office, I noticed that Bellamy and Roan were no where in sight. Roan had probably returned to his and Raven's mechanic's shop for the rest of the afternoon. Lincoln was training some new young fighters, it looked like they were working on different types of take downs. I hung around and made sure everyone was okay, checking a few fighters for concussions and sprains, as the day went on. I stayed until Lincoln closed the gym, and the day ended quite uneventfully. Finally, a well deserved evening to myself! As I was about to head out the front door, Lincoln popped his head out of the office.

"Clarke? Can I see ya for a second before you leave?" Lincoln asked me.

"Yeah sure!" I replied making my way back to the office.

Lincoln glanced up from the papers scattered across his desk, "So as you know, this Sunday will be Bellamy's biggest fight to date. If he wins this, he will be one fight away from going pro. Potential sponsors will be watching him like a hawk. I'd like for you to come with us. The fight is only two hours away, and it would be good to have a medic with us, who knows him. To be honest, I think he could also use any extra support right now too. The gym is his family, so if we could all be there for him, I think that would be the best. "

I sighed, and glanced down. I really didn't want to disappoint Lincoln. He was such a great boss and I wanted to do as much as I could for him. And I need the extra cash too. But I didn't know how to break it to him that Bellamy and I couldn't stand each other. "I can come with you, Lincoln. I know having a medic there might help. But I don't know how much support I would be. And I doubt Bellamy would even want me there. You know we don't exactly get along very well." I trailed off.

Lincoln smiled, "I think everyone's noticed that Clarke. But it will be good for him whether he wants to admit it or not. So you'll be here tomorrow for your regular shift, while we're getting ready for Sunday. And then we leave early Sunday at 7:00am. Thanks for agreeing to come. Glad you can make it."

"Yeah no problem. Bye Lincoln, see ya tomorrow!" I turned and headed out of the office. Well, I guess I only deserve one evening to myself. UGH what the hell was I gonna do. Bellamy Blake was bad enough in small doses throughout the week. I was going to need a lot more than sleep if I was going to have to deal with him for two full days.

[Bellamy]

2 days later

Adrenaline rushed through my veins. Bad sign. Too much adrenaline too soon and you could wear yourself out early.

I shouldn't have picked a fight with Clarke on the way here, and I now just wanted to hit something really bad. But this Adam guy was a pro and brute force wasn't gonna win me this fight against him. I had to focus.

We touched gloves, signaling the beginning of the match and I immediately went for the hit to the jaw. Damn. That was a rookie move. The guy didn't even budge, like he'd never been knocked out before. I eased back, trying to bide my time and gauge the situation, but I lost it and charged him throwing punch after kick, all of which Adam calmly blocked.

I was running out of energy and fast, but I was so keyed up I just couldn't stop throwing punches. That was when I let myself get right in the line of fire and I took a punch straight on the nose. Shit that hurt! That was gonna leave a mark.

"C'mon Bellamy, MOVE!" Lincoln shouted from the sidelines, knowing something was distracting me.

I shook my head, dazed from the hit. That was when Adam tried to take me down to the mat. But remembering my footwork, I was able to dodge him and deliver a solid roundhouse kick to the side of the head. Adam hit the side of the cage hard. Finally contact! He pulled himself up back to his feet, although he was definitely more unstable. He came back at me, his fists thrown up near his chest, and just as I blocked a potential hit to the gut, his left fist flew right to my fucking throat.

It felt like all the air escaped my body in one shot. Son of a bitch, the pain was incredible. I clutched at the side of the cage and the ref came over to check if I was okay. I waved him off, not wanting Adam to win on a cheap, dirty and not to mention illegal hit. As I stood there trying to catch my breath again, I noticed Clarke standing beside Lincoln and looking at me, wide eyed and full of concern. Shit, I couldn't blow this.

"Are you okay, bud?" the ref asked again, as he raised his hand to call the match.

"Wait, I'm good," I rasped. Full of renewed determination, I spun and leapt back at Adam. I led with another kick and managed to corner him against the fence. I didn't let up my momentum and I attempted a takedown, but Adam was a little stronger and managed to flip us. That was when I heard the crunch in my shoulder and felt the searing pain down my arm.

Even still, I managed with some leverage in my other arm and my legs to get him in a chokehold. He finally tapped out and the ref rang the bell. The crowd leapt to its feet, a loud roar ringing through the arena.

I lay on the mat grinning, but breathing heavy and hard from exertion, with my shoulder throbbing already and slowly turning blue. Lincoln and Clarke rushed into the ring the moment the fight was called. I thought they would've been happy or relieved what with the fact I won my first big league fight. Lincoln's face was full of concern and Clarke was staring at my shoulder, looking worried. She glanced at Lincoln and gave a small shake of her head, her face falling as she examined my shoulder more closely.

My grin slowly faded, I didn't understand their reaction, "What? What's wrong?"

Clarke glanced at me, eyes almost full of tears. I was confused, I'd never drawn that reaction from the princess, "We need to get him to the ER," she said, "Now."