The air was heavy with moisture thanks to the early morning rain. It had just stopped raining but she felt pretty unsettled. Turning around the corner she sped through streets she knew by heart. She could even count the number of steps required to get to the warehouse even.

She opened the door after looking around for anyone following her. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she stepped inside and carefully closed the door behind her.

Foss's fist came at her head when she least expected it but she still managed to move out of the way just in time. She felt the air from his fist on her cheek. She quickly dropped to the ground to sweep his legs from under him but he jumped over her leg. His follow-up kick hit her directly below the sternum, attempting to drive the wind from her lungs. As she fought for breath, she jumped up and started a counter attack of jabs, punches, and kicks and soon had Foss backing up. She didn't break a sweat but she felt quite warm thanks to the rain coat she had on.

This was something he'd never yet done: engage in true hand to hand combat with the element of surprise. She knew he was good but she used her roiling emotions to drive her faster. Soon her punches blazed and he was clearly struggling to deflect all her blows.

Like any competition, she always fought with everything she had. She connected with his arm, then to his upper body twice, and finally brought her hand to his throat. She never lifted him or squeezed. This had just been another test.

Between labored breaths, he smiled at her but she didn't return it. He was breathing hard but she was surprised when she was breathing heavier than normal. Remembering the kick he had landed she berated herself for having let her guard down. Catching her breath, she said, "Sorry for letting you hit me. It won't happen again."

His smile transformed into a thin line. "That strike would have incapacitated almost anyone. You didn't let me do anything. I did."

She replayed the battle in her mind's eye. It was clear to her. "Sorry Foss, but I left myself open after my failed leg sweep. I could easily have caught or deflected your leg with my free hand but I didn't."

His iron exterior belied the adrenaline still coursing in him. "Why are we arguing? I landed the first kick in weeks even with the element of surprise, and you're telling me you allowed me to hit you?" His voice grew soft, "Would you allow a real opponent to potentially knock you out? Are you getting soft on me?"

Although his words were clearly meant to incite a reply, she said nothing. She felt terrible; last night had been so unexpected, and Declan had been so mean after her kiss had ended… Despite her strength, her training, tears threatened at the back of her eyelids.

She felt Foss's emotions change as she struggled with herself. She gasped a sob when he gave her a hug. It was a side of Foss she'd never imagined. He cared.

***

Kyle woke to strong feelings of sadness. Had he dreamed it? After several seconds the feelings persisted and he noted their source. Their connection was growing; he could see it posing a problem for Amanda. His brow furrowed as he pushed the feelings away. They lessened considerably and he sighed. Because it was still early – only 4:31 am – his eyes closed again.

Just before falling asleep to the smiling image of Amanda playing piano, he resolved to see Jessi at or after breakfast, or maybe he'd text her instead. He felt the piano's notes caress him and lull him to peaceful sleep.

***

"After I kissed him, he swore at me!"

"Tell me exactly what he said, Jessi." They sat on training mats, both nursing a coffee but neither really taking many sips.

She shared the bitter words exactly as they'd been shouted. Foss's expression never changed. She revisited her memory as she continued speaking in the present.

***

"I thought we were friends, why the hell did you kiss me like that?" Declan said, clearly furious.

The strong feeling of passion from Kyle was passing, subsiding into glowing embers. She could also feel fear. When she didn't answer right away, Declan growled in frustration. "You might not have realized this Jessi but I was following that girl out the door! We were going to have sex! Lots of sex!"

She'd opened her mouth to reply, to defend herself, but strangely felt powerless.

"Do you want to have sex with me too? That's what I want right now, not some innocent puppy love, or light grinding. I don't want a tease; I want release damn it!" He growled again and stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

***

When she finished retelling the scene Foss looked at her intensely. "Do you like him?"

She scoffed, "I don't care for him right now; I want to punch him."

"Well don't. You could easily kill him." She dismissed the obvious comment. He looked at her in a fatherly way, in a much friendlier way than Brian Taylor ever had. "Kyle would never understand."

The truth hurt, even if she'd already known it. If she did something drastic to any of their friends or family, she could easily envision Kyle holding her responsible for a very long time. He'd leave her alone, regardless of their emotional connection.

Foss interrupted her thoughts. "I don't understand why you kissed Declan. You knew he was leaving with her, what made you do it?"

She felt shy to admit this. "Kyle was feeling a strong surge of passion right at that time. I felt it, saw Declan, and," she stumbled with the words, "and, just had to kiss him. I couldn't help it."

Foss appeared concerned. "I know you can sense each other but since when do you feel each other's feelings?"

"I've felt his for a long time, but yesterday his emotions became very strong." She realized her error. "No, the first time I felt it was two nights ago – two nights ago he enhanced his sense of smell and has since been having a really tough time with it."

"Yes I know. Do you think your emotions go back to him?"

"I don't know, I guess they might."

"We need to know for sure Jessi." Foss stared at her.

She really didn't know but guessed that he might. But if it were the case, wouldn't he have been worried this morning by her breakdown? She was now sure. "No, he either doesn't feel my feelings at all or they're barely noticeable as mine." When Foss probed further, she added, "He would have been here by now if he had."

He nodded and seemed to pause. He pulled out his cell phone and looked briefly at the screen; he'd received a message. Some emotion flashed in his eyes as he read the message. He seemed careful not to allow her to see it. She understood his nature: a man of secrets. She didn't intrude.

He pocketed his phone and calmly suggested, "Could you break the connection?"

"What?" She had certainly heard him – her brain didn't allow her to be oblivious like most people could be, especially when troubled – but she could scarcely believe he'd even asked. It was like asking her to make the sky pink. She relished her connection to Kyle, it grounded her. It influenced her decisions, her behavior.

"Only until he controls his new ability. You can even tell him you'll do it beforehand so there won't be a surprise."

She overheard his phone receiving another message but he either didn't hear it or ignored it.

He got up and gave her his hand. "Think about it. Let's continue your training. Jump to the top of the wall and climb down – but your left leg is totally useless, you can't use it."

She smiled as she crouched and easily jumped to the top of the wall as instructed. This would be fun.