EDIT: OH SHOOOOOOTTTT! GUYS! I FORGOT TO TELL YOU! In order to protest against SOPA -a law that wants to ban sites like Facebook, Twitter, FANFICTION- the internet will be 'closed' tomorrow. So, there probably won't be an update. :( Lo siento (sorry!). Just...bear a day without me, lol.

A/N. *falls out of chair* …

….

….

ARE YOU ALL NUTS? YOU MADE ME FEEL GUILTY FOR NOT UPDATING MONDAY! I almost started crying because you all gave me these awesome reviews…and I don't update the same day. 11 friggin' reviews…including mine…in one day, that is, (I'm talking about Monday night)…That's…whoa. You really want chapters! Thanks you guys! I'm sorry I didn't update again yesterday –I saw all the review alerts after dinner and I couldn't upload this in time. But…thanks you guys, thank you so much. :D I'm so happy I got a fanfiction and, and…oh no, I'm going to start crying again…

AT CAT: Waahh? Sage is pretty much Puck (I mean, an older and a little more mature Puck)! Because this story seems Puck-deprived, I wanted to make someone who would fill in his shoes while he was gone. But I'm sure by the end of the story, he won't be so creepy-ish.

I might disappear next week. My Duke TIP test is on the 28th of January, and I need time to study for it. This test is really important to my parents and I (my siblings play no participation in this, haha) so I hope you all understand.

AT ZIA MIKAL: Sorry I got your hopes up, then you realized 'Ch. 23' wasn't a chapter...but now it is! ^^ I stayed up late writing this. My mom thought I was doing my homework (actually, I am -.-).

(Oh, and that shout out I talked about in the A/N. Ch 23 will come in tomorrow's update. ^^)

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR GETTING ME INTO THE NEXT ROUND OF TBSGS2011! As promised, a five-day-update's coming up in the week of Feb. 2 (around that ^^). But…

Would you like a 6-day-update instead?

Then get me into another round? Please? :3

Aside from that, here's chapter 23!

Chapter 23: The Basics of Fighting

"Teaching me how to fight?" I responded, raising my eyebrow.

"That's what I said... you aren't that bright are you?" Sage responded.

I ignored him, turning to Mr. Firay. He gestured me towards him. I moved around Sage and walked up to him.

"Why do I need to know how to fight?" I asked him. "I mean, I know some basics but..."

"In case something like the other night happens and for some reason I'm not there to save you," Mr. Firay explained, flicking my forehead. "I don't want to see you get seriously injured because of me."

"I'm not sure if fighting against them is the smartest idea though," I responded honestly. "Won't it just give them more of a reason to come after me?"

Sage scoffed. "They have reason enough already. Haven't you got into a mix with them twice already? Just knowing you know Matt is enough for them."

I frowned. That's what they said about Wendell when I had told them to leave him alone the other night. What kind of people were these gangsters? Why did they hate Mr. Firay so much?

"Mr. Firay," I started, looking up at him.

"Matt," he corrected me.

"Matt," I said, frowning. "What exactly did you do to make them hate you so much?"

Mr. Firay suddenly tensed, his fists tightening. "I told you already, didn't I? I left the gang."

"That's obviously not the only thing you did!"

"It is, now shut up about it."

"I'll shut up when you tell me the truth!" I argued, stepping in front of him. "Just tell me."

"Drop it, Daphne."

"No!"

"Yes, now let's go," Mr. Firay ordered, putting a hand on my shoulder, and pushing me forwards.

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me," I responded boldly.

Mr. Firay rolled his eyes. "Sage, grab her and take her out the back. I'll go meet you at my house."

"Will do," Sage responded, appearing behind me and grabbing me. "Let's go, kid."

"No," I said firmly, keeping my ground. "I want to know why they hate Mr. Firay so much and why, otherwise I'm not moving anywhere."

"Matt," Sage corrected me, putting his hands on my waist. "Now let's go."

He suddenly hoisted me off my feet and over his shoulder. I gasped, flailing my arms wildly. Sage chuckled, placing a hand on my lower back to keep my steady.

"Let me go!" I demanded, struggling against him. "This could be considered kidnap! Matt!"

Mr. Firay looked at me with an amused expression. "Yes, Ms. Grimm?"

"Tell him to let me go!"

"Will you willingly come along then?"

I hesitated, scowling at him. "Yes..."

Mr. Firay chuckled. "Sure you will. Go on Sage. And watch your hand."

Sage laughed. "Okay."

Sage left the room with me in tow. I struggled to get out of his grasp. He chuckled at my fruitless attempts.

"What is up with adults thinking I can't walk by myself?" I growled, giving up.

"Technically, I'm not an adult."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty," Sage responded simply.

"That's close enough. You can be considered an adult at eighteen,' I told him, looking around to make sure no one was in the hallways.

"But technically, you're considered an adult at twenty-one, and you can drink at that age."

"Why does that matter?"

Sage laughed, turning a corner in the hallway. He looked behind him for a second, and then put me down. "What Matt doesn't know won't hurt him, so don't run away."

"I won't run away," I responded, frowning slightly.

"Good, now hurry, I want to beat Matt to his house."

Sage grabbed my upper arm and began jogging out of the building. I stumbled along, trying to keep up with him. His strides were longer and quicker, so I had to basically run to. We came to what I assumed to be his car, and he gestured for me to get in and buckle. I did so, and he got in, and not even five seconds later he was peeling out of the parking lot.

I looked over at Sage warily. "Don't tell me..."

He grinned back, shifting gears. "We are so going to beat him."

Fifteen terrifying minutes later, we pulled into Mr. Firay's apartment's parking lot. Sage pulled into a parking spot and shut off the car. I stayed seated for a few moments, one hand still gripping the cup holder, the other holding onto the dash.

"That... was scary," I finally said, turning to look at Sage with wide eyes. "You drive like a maniac! I'm pretty sure we were over the speed limit the whole time!"

"I took back streets," Sage responded with a wave on the hand.

"It's still dangerous!"

"We are fine!"

My door suddenly opened and I turned to see Mr. Firay frowning down at us.

"Daphne, what's wrong?"

"I am never driving with Sage again," I told him, swinging my legs out the door so I could get out.

Mr. Firay chuckled, moving out of the way. I heard Sage sigh deeply behind me.

"How did you get here so fast?" he huffed, crossing his arms. "I swear you left after us."

Mr. Firay smirked. "Who used to win all the street races?"

"Street races?" I gasped, looking between the two.

"Forget it, let's go inside and get started," Mr. Firay said, brushing me off. "I have somewhere to go at five."

The three of us trooped inside, and then up the stairs to Mr. Firay's apartment. He took out his key and unlocked the door, gesturing us inside first. I went in eagerly. It was my third time being to his apartment, but it was still just as exciting.

"Daphne, make me some coffee," he ordered.

I turned to him with a skeptical look. "This is your house."

He raised an eyebrow. "And?"

I scowled at him for a moment, but went to his kitchen anyway. I didn't even know where the coffee was!

"Stupid teacher," I muttered, opening the pantry and locating the can of coffee.

Five minutes later, I returned to the living room with three steaming mugs of coffee. I did my best to keep my smirk hidden as I placed Mr. Firay's cup in front of him. I added an extra little surprise into his. I went back into the kitchen to grab the container of half and half I found in his fridge and the sugar jar.

I watched as Mr. Firay poured unnecessary amounts of sugar and half and half into his cup. A habit I know found sort of cute. I blushed, looking down at my own cup and putting a few carefully measured spoonfuls of sugar. When I looked back up, Mr. Firay was raising his cup to his mouth.

I couldn't help the smirk from spreading to my face as the cup pressed against his lips. He took a long drink, and to my surprise and disappointment, didn't even make a face. He let out a sigh and placed the cup back on the ground. When he caught me staring he raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

I frowned. "Nothing..."

Surely the tobacco sauce and salt I added to his cup would have made some difference. Or was he just sucking it up because he didn't want to let me know he'd been tricked?

Suddenly there was a gagging to my right and I looked to see Sage looking at his cup in disgust. He looked at me, his eyes narrowing.

"Just because I drove fast in the car doesn't mean you have to poison me!"

I gaped at him, trying not to laugh, but at the same time feeling bad. "I'm sorry! I don't know."

"Ugh," he groaned, covering his mouth. "I think I'm going to be sick... I need some water to wash this taste away."

He stood up and went into the kitchen. I heard the running of water and the clink of a glass being taken from the cupboard. I looked at Mr. Firay who was innocently sipping his coffee. I sighed inwardly and picked up my own, taking a sip.

My eyes widened and I gagged instantly, doing my best to swallow the bilge in my mouth. Mr. Firay looked at me curiously, a smirk slipping onto his face. I blushed and looked away.

How he had managed to slip whatever he did into my drink- it tasted like mustard; oh, har, har, har- I didn't know, but I wasn't going to let him have the glory of tricking me. I wouldn't let him know.

Five seconds later, my resolve dissolved and I rushed to the kitchen, grabbing Sage's water out of his hand and quickly taking a sip, gargling and spitting it out.

"You don't screw with the master," I heard Mr. Firay's voice float into the kitchen.

I lowered my head in defeat. He'd gotten me.

"Right, so show me how to make a fist," Mr. Firay said, when we were all settled with fresh cups of coffee ten minutes later.

I frowned, holding out my hand. I clenched my fist, tucking my thumb between my middle finger and pointer finger. Sage snorted, bowing his head in silent laughter. I frowned at him.

"What?"

"Daphne... how did you manage to punch those guys before with a fist like that?" Mr. Firay said with a sigh.

"This is how I was taught back in Ferryport Landing!"

Neither men seemed to catch that; Sage was busy laughing and Mr. Firay was shaking his head. "Come here." Mr. Firay beckoned me with his finger.

I moved myself over to the other side of the couch, where Mr. Firay grabbed my hand, unclenching it. I blushed slightly at the contact, but tried to shake it away quickly. Mr. Firay folded my fingers into a fist again, and then placed my thumb over my over my pointer and middle fingers.

"If you tuck your thumb, it will be easily broken," Mr. Firay informed me. "Even if it's someone like you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Punch me," Mr. Firay said.

"What?"

"Punch me," he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Surely you know what that means."

"I do, but why?" I responded, looking at him crazily.

"I want to see how hard you can punch. Do it, you won't hurt me, I promise."

He stood up and then forcefully pulled me to my feet. I scowled at him for a moment, yanking my arm out of his grasp.

"Well, you asked for it."

Using as much force I could I brought back my arm and then brought it forward, aiming to land a forceful hit on his chest. Before my eyes could catch what was happening, Mr. Firay blocked my fist with his hand in ease. I blinked as he curled his hand around my fist.

"Well, you have some force," he commented, releasing my fist.

I pulled my hand back and frowned at him. "Teaching me how to fight won't help me win against whoever I'm fighting if I lack some skill." I hadn't taken classes with Mrs. White for…years now. And there weren't any real good classes that I found in New York. Sue me for not practicing!

Mr. Firay looked at me in surprise for a second, and then his face turned serious. "Daphne, I'm teaching you how to defend yourself and be able to make a getaway. I don't want you even trying to take on anyone, that's too dangerous. If you aren't able to contact me, call Sage, or even the police if you have to."

"Whoa, no, I can't get involved with the police. My mom will flip!"

"It's better that than you dead," Mr. Firay responded in a hard voice.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "So what are your tips for running away then?"

Mr. Firay's face softened and he nodded his head. "There's a few key things to know if they try to attack you while fleeing- which they undoubtedly will."

Sage rolled his eyes and propped his feet up on the coffee table. "I still say we just let her fight them."

"I'd be killed," I stated, frowning. "I don't even want to delude myself into thinking I could take on a gangster..."

Mr. Firay nodded, sending a glare at Sage. "The most important thing is keeping you safe."

"How much do you know about fighting?" Sage cut in, looking at me curiously.

" I've watched a few movies," I responded, furrowing my eyebrow. "I know right hooks, left hooks, uppercuts..."

Sage looked impressed. "Anything else?"

Oh! How could this have possibly slipped my mind? "I took Karate for awhile when I was younger. It was a self-defense class with Snow White back in Ferryport Landing. Um, I took the classes when I was probably around the age of seven, up until I moved here.."

Sage looked at me in surprise then to Mr. Firay. "Why didn't you just say that in the first place!"

I stared at him in confusion. "What difference does it make? I haven't practiced it in years! That won't help me now!"

"The point is that you know some things, which means we only have to give you some advice the deals with fleeing or defending!"

Mr. Firay cleared his throat. "Speaking of which, may I get started now?"

Sage grinned and nodded. "Aye, aye, sir."

"Let's start with punching. If you feel the need that you have to fight back, and by have to, I mean have to," Mr. Firay started, putting emphasis on his words, "aim for the nose and lips."

I stared at him, blanking in surprise. "What? Why? The head is where it'd hurt-"

"You could easily break the smaller bones in your hand or collapse your knuckle," Mr. Firay explained. "Especially if you're a girl. I don't know how Snow White taught you, but the nose is the best spot. The temples, then the throat, and moving lower aim for the kidneys."

I raised my hand like we were in school. Mr. Firay's expression became amused for a moment and he smirked.

"Yes, Ms. Grimm?"

"What do I do if my hands are... unable to be used?" I said, wording my sentence awkwardly. "Like if they were holding my arms or something."

"Kick," Sage responded simply. "You're a girl. It should be in your nature to kick violently if some man has his hands on you when it's not wanted."

Mr. Firay nodded. "Kicking is correct. However, don't aim for the head."

"Why not?"

"They may be aiming to kill you, but I highly doubt you want a murder on your hands."

My eyes widened slightly, and I shook my head. "No..."

"Good because killing someone never leads to good things, right Matt?" Sage added, nudging Mr. Firay in the shoulder.

Mr. Firay shot him a glare before rolling his eyes. "Everyone knows that."

I frowned. "Yeah..."

"If you fall on the ground, roll," Mr. Firay said, turning his attention back to me again. "Trust me when I say, they will not hesitate to kick you will you're down... or stomp on you."

I winced at the mental image in my head. "Will do..."

A phone ringing suddenly pierced the silence and Mr. Firay stood up abruptly. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID.

"I'll be right back," he muttered, glaring at the phone before turning and going out into the hall way.

Sage and I exchanged curious looks, but I shrugged it off. Mr. Firay always seemed to be chatting to someone on the phone. And he usually didn't end the call in a good mood. Sage patted my shoulder.

"I don't know about you, but I think Matt should just stick to teaching Biology. His... quote-unquote teaching about fighting isn't very good in my opinion."

"Eh," I muttered not in agreement, but not in disagreement either.

"Tell you what, I'll teach you some things on my own," Sage offered. "So you'll be better prepared. But you can't tell Matt."

"Why not?"

Sage smiled slightly. "I don't think he'd be happy about it. He's such a mother hen when it comes to you. I don't think I've seen Matt this worried over anything."

I looked down at my lap. "Like a mother worries over her children, huh..."

Sage abruptly started laughing, and ruffled my hair. "No. A man worrying for someone he cares about."

I blushed and shook my head. "Not in that way!"

Sage smirked. "Oh, so you like him 'in that way'?"

"I don't love him!"

"Whoever said I was talking about love?" Sage responded, his smirk growing wider. "This is just too cute. You guys will make a great couple!"

I blushed harder and glared at him. "It's obvious he doesn't like me like that."

"I think he does."

"You're stupid then," I told him.

I did not want to get my hopes up. And after all, I was still a high school girl while he was an adult.

"You don't know him like I do," Sage responded. "I think you'd be good for him... especially because of how his life has been like up until now."

I looked back up at Sage, who was frowning now. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that-"

The door opened and before I realized what was happening, Sage pulled me into a deep hug. I blushed, trying to get away.

"What are you doing?"

"Making him jealous."

I heard footsteps across the floor, and then they stopped behind me. I swallowed nervously, trying to slide my way out of Sage's grasp.

"I was gone not even five minutes, and you throw yourself on here?" Mr. Firay asked, grabbing my shoulders and forcibly yanking me away from Sage.

I stumbled and fell back into his chest, blushing once again. Mr. Firay steadied me before letting me go. I looked up at him and he threw a disapproving look to Sage.

"Can I trust you to take her home? Or will you attack her in the car?"

"I might," Sage said with a smirk on his face.

"I don't have time for this," Mr. Firay snapped, glaring at the man. "Yes or no."

Sage sighed. "Yes. What's got you all hyped up? A date?"

Mr. Firay smirked. "Something along those lines..."

Sage blanked and I froze.

Mr. Firay had a date?

A/N. Oh my gosh! I did it! WHOOHOO! Screw Johnny Tremain –making you guys happy is awesome! ^^ So yeah! Whatever I said in my A/N. above should be remembered down here.

Also! Thanks again for getting me into another round of "TBSGS2011" by Elli! Keep the votes coming and the 5-day-update can change to 6-day-update. ^^

Chaoo!

~Lara