Champion's return (CLOSED)

[milkmaiden38]

Katie-Marie

I walked over and picked up the wrapped package on Peter’s desk. I placed it in my bag as I answered his question.

“I think the water is good. It is on the same system which is used to make the coffee. I can buy bottled water, if you have a concern. The problem with my place, is it is very small. Basically, I can read a book, or sleep. The cooking area is small too. But if I’m on this diet, I’m not going to be cooking that much.” As I was explaining the problems with my apartment to Peter was started to realize it was not a problem, but an advantage. “Now that I think about, the size of my place might also be an advantage. I can focus on training and not get distracted. The place is so small, it is a good reason to get out and come to this gym.” I explained to Peter.

I grabbed the contract paper and also put it in my bag.

“What do you think? Should I start looking for a new place to live?” I asked him

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

"That will be up to you if you feel that you can do your meal prep and get enough sleep at your current digs then I'd say go with it. If you feel that it is placing too much of a strain on you, I have a place available for you. Bachelor's flat, rent-free, cycling distance from the coffee shop and the gym."

I smiled, "If it sounds too good to be true, I only offer it to you because it is a flat adjacent to my own house. That is the only drawback I can think of because the cycle is included in your rent."

I got up and walked to the door, motioning for her to follow me, I headed out into the gym, making our way around the equipment, "I know that a lot of people in your situation would wonder why I am being so generous. You know my professional career, but how much of the time before that do you know about?"

I waved a hand, "Rhetorical question, I never shared anything about my past. My father passed when I was young, leaving us with only a house, my mother had to work two jobs to put enough food on the table and to pay utilities. I left school and started to work, doing odd jobs here and there, the same story you have heard before and seen in the movies. They just never show how really bad things can get, how you fight to survive just one more day."

We paused, watching a trainer and a client working the battle ropes, before moving on, "I got into a scuffle with a man, he beat the hell out of me, afterwards, the foreman came to me and said that he wanted me to talk to an old buddy of his. I went to this friend, who owned a boxing gym, a hardnosed old trainer who told me if I want to learn, I will need to work for him as well."

I stop at the heavy bags, tapping my left fist against one, "I decided that I wanted to learn, little did I know that the foreman sent me to this friend of his because I took a beating and kept getting up and coming back for more. The old man's name was Robert Bruce, you might have heard about him. He was tough on me, I felt like I would die each and every day at the start, but then suddenly I realized that I didn't hurt as much anymore and that there was always a bit more money left over at the end of each month. Robert treated me fairly, he paid me wages for my work and charged me nothing for his time and effort put into the training. People like Tony's father who gave me water or juice when he knew that I needed it, all helped me to get to the top. I did my part, I paid my dues, but without people giving me a chance in life, I would never have made it any further than an uneducated man working for minimum wages."

I stopped at the main boxing ring, climbed up the steps, and motioned for her to join me, we stepped into the ring and I moved over to the center, "This became my second home, here I could express myself. Outside of this ring was a different life with different rules, I studied when I wasn't training or fighting, I got my high school certificate, I went further, I studied to be able to stand here and tell you that I will do my best to train you, not by repeating what Robert did to train me, but to use my knowledge and experience to train you to the best of my abilities. So why do I want to do this for you? Why do I do this for anybody else who walks into my gym?"

I smiled slightly, "Because everybody needs a helping hand every now and then, especially when they are down. I know how it feels to be down Kate, I know the self-doubt and the huge monsters of depression and shame when you are drowning in an ocean of guilt. I know that you love this sport, I could see your happiness when you were participating in it. Right now, you are not happy, oh I know that you are feeling better right now, having started your journey back. But unfortunately, we both know that there will be tough times ahead and those are the times that you need to remember, we are doing this together for you."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Should I stay or should I go?

“Peter, that was a beautiful story. You are an amazing person. It seems like you are making a difference in multiple people’s lives.” I replied. Truly inspired by his personal triumphs and generosity. "Thank you for trying to help me" I added.

“I’ll try to pay you back, when I can.” I told him as I looked into his eyes. “One thing you will not need to worry about is me falling backward. I’m not going to let that happen.” I told him. In hindsight, I sure wish I had not said that. I would fail that promise a few times.

“I think I’m going to stay in my current place and see how it works out. Then if it is too hard, I’ll take you up on your offer.” I explained. “I’d better get going and see you again tomorrow.” I said as I walked out of the gym.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

I watched as Kate-Marie made her way from the gym, then turned, walked back to the ring, and stood there, looking at it. It was the last ring I had fought in, that was probably the only time in my life that I actually was lavish. I knew I still had that one last fight left in me, I wasn't that old.

"Regrets boss?"

I glanced at April, she had her hair back in a ponytail and was dressed in jeans and a loose shirt, "No regrets, just that old yearning. To fight that one last match."

We stood in silence for a while, her arm slipped around my back and she gave me a hug, patting my stomach with the other hand, "You know that we will support you in any decision you make right?"

I chuckled and returned the one-arm hug, "But you would also tell me to listen to my own advice and continue to do what I do best and that is to train the next champions?"

She grinned at me and patted my back, "Exactly. I am off, see you tomorrow."

I nodded, "Give my love to the kids."

"As always," she laughed and walked out. I walked through the gym, checking that everything that wasn't used, was in order. A few hours later, when the last of the staff had left, I locked up and went home.

The next day

I walked into Tony's at my regular time, sat down at my table, and took off my cap, setting it down on the table.

 

[milkmaiden38]

More Trouble

I was sore, but in a good way, from the training the night before. I had eaten the food as directed, and it was not my favorite, but not bad. What the food was doing for me I was not sure. But I felt more alive this morning than I could remember. I might not like eating the food, but the after affects were great.

The morning had gone quickly, and Peter showed at his regular time. I brought over his coffee.

“Here you go.” I said as I placed it down. “I can’t wait for tonight. I’m sore, but in a good way.” I told him. “What did you want to eat?” I asked. Before he could answer, something I did not expect in a million years happened. Max Lanning walked into the coffee shop.

“Hello Kate” He said in a lustful way. My back was turned so I thought it might be Bob again, messing with me. But I noticed Peter’s eyes narrowing in anger, and I knew it was not Bob. I turned to see Max. He was slimier than normal.

Max was my old manager. He had made a lot of money off me, and had moved in on the fighting scene in a big way. He was a short, fat man, who wore a gold-plated coins on his watch chain. Those coins fascinated me. It was so much like the man, all front and polish, but underneath about as cheap as they come.

His top shirt buttons were open showing off his chest hair. It was not sexy, it was creepy. The guy was a slime-ball. I did not know it at the time, but the crowd around Max was a bunch of crooks, gunmen, and leeches. He had used lots of dirty tricks to promote his fighters. Paying off referees, judges, even timekeepers. He also bet against his own fighters and asked them to take a dive. To this day, I’m still wonder if some of the fights I won, had been rigged. It is a horrible feeling, not knowing.

After my second lost to Stacy Quade, he dropped me like the plague. He also took all my second-place winnings. My contract was written, that he was paid first, after expense. The expense ate up most of my second-place winnings, the rest went to him. I was screwed.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I asked.

“Now Kate, we use to be lovers. Is that anyway to talk to me?” He asked.

“Fuck Off, Max.” I said. Peter stood up behind me.

“Hedeon The Destroyer, Max Lanning" Max said sticking out his hand to shake it with Peter. Peter did not take it. Max pulled his hand back.

“I can see the rumors are true. You are training again. I came by to see if you needed a manager. I’m willing to squeeze you into my harem” Max offered “This time the contract will be more fair. I got the connections and I can get you the fights… and wins” he winked his eye when he said wins. “that you need to set you for a run at the championship.”

Before I could tell him to fuck off, Peter stepped in front of me.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

"You had your say Max. I will give you this first and only warning, Kate-Marie is under contract as of last night. As she is now my client and also part of the Hedoun Incorporated Group, any further contact you make with her in regard to her future with the group will be seen as an enticement to breach the contract. In that case, you will be held liable for expenditure as well as loss of income and unlike you, we do not fight for small amounts."

I looked at Max for a few moments, "I also know that you are using Jeff to scout talent for you and that is how you learned about Kate being back in training. I have no problem with that since Jeff knows his job and does it well, my clients also know what they have and where they stand with me. But after what you have done to Kate for money and left her when she needed you the most, robbing her of years of her life and living with pain and the constant fear that the wrong move could paralyze her? I will draw the line at you thinking you can slink back into her life right now."

I stepped closer, crowding him, "If you EVER think that I will not know that she quits her contract because of you and not of her own violation, I have gotten to know her during her time working here. Something you didn't do since she was left in your rearview, so believe me, I will know. And Max, I may not own this place, but if you know what is best for you, you will not show up here again when I am here. The sight of your face turned my coffee sour and I love my coffee."

Max opened his mouth to say something and I glanced at the sign at the door which stated: Right of admission reserved, enter at own risk. He turned to look at the sign, and turned back to me, about to say something again. I brought a hand up to run it over my beard and then closed it into a fist, he started to back away then.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Demons

“Never give an opportunity to a demon. It will overpower and devour you.” I had heard that said once. I was not going to let Max back into my life. His promise of connections and wins was, as I know now, all bullshit. If I had any doubts, Peter slammed the door closed on Max.

“Kate, don’t let this man manipulate you.” Max said as he backed away from Peter. “Think for yourself”

“Max, you are a fucking slime ball, NOW FUCKING LEAVE.” I said as firm and as loud as I dared.

“Fine” he replied as he walked out. “But you will come crawling back to me, bitch” He said as he got in his car and drove off.

“Thanks” I said to Peter as he returned to his seat. “Is it a problem that he knows I’ve started training again?”

“No” He answered firmly

I smiled. That answer was what I needed to hear. “What sandwich can I get you?” I asked

“I haven’t decided, but you can reheat my coffee” He suggested.

The rest of the day was good and I return to the gym that night. I knew my muscles were still sore, but that was what training was all about. After a while, your muscles got use to the training and were not as sore. But the first few weeks sucked.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

It was interesting to see the change in Kate, even though she kept on doing her work, there are a few days where she struggled visibly and I had to admit, even though I had been training before she started to work out, a few days I also felt a bit tender. The cardio and speed training was going well and with the new diet and her staying mostly away from drinking, there was a clear difference taking place.

"I want you to talk to Tony tomorrow."

We had finished a rather intense training session and were standing at the entrance, "The doctor called and there's an opening for your checkup, she wants to get a full test done before confirming that the surgery can be done. So you will need the day off on Friday."

I looked at her and smiled slightly, "Things are starting to kick off now, you can still pull out if you want to."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Kate

“I’m committed” I answered as sweat dripped off my face. Then I realized I had made a small pun and laughed. “Committed to this course of action, not like committed to a mental institution”

Peter grinned “Anyone in this profession needs to be committed”

I laughed at his counter pun. “I’ll get Friday off. Tony owes me big time.”

Peter nodded.

Friday’s exam

"So, what's the plan?" I asked Doctor Amy Chin as Peter sat next to me.

"We need to run a number of tests. First, we'll get a basic brain and neck scan. Once that's done, I'm going to get a few x-rays, and inject a chemical in your neck. Then we’ll re-scan you to see if there are any other breaks or weak bones. Afterwards, we can talk." She explained

"Anything dangerous?" I asked

"No, the injection can cause some discomfort and must be done carefully. But there is almost no risk" She said with confidence.

“Almost no risk?” I asked sarcastically

"Kate, trust me. I know what I'm doing. If I thought there was any chance that anything bad would happen to you, I wouldn't do this." She said

“She is the best” Peter added.

I nodded in agreement “Let’s do it”

"Okay, we can't have any metal in the scanning room so you're going to need to get changed. Peter, can you step out” She asked him. He nodded and departed.

“Please change into this” She said pointing to a hospital gown.

“Okay” I replied as the doctor headed into the control room and began to get everything ready.

About a minute later I walked into the scanning room dressed in the customary patient's gown. I laid down on the bed, which was slowly rolled into the scanner. It took about 30 mins and then they rolled me out.

I tried to read the doctor’s face, but she showed nothing.

"Okay, no need for the x-rays, I saw what I needed in the scan. We can go ahead with the chemical inject." She explained

A nurse went to a table that had been set up in the room and grabbed a small vial. The doctor injected a needle into the vial and filled the syringe. At the same time, the Nurse applied a numbing agent to my neck.

Then the doctor came over.

“Bend your head down…” She ordered. I did “Good” she said as she firmly grabbed my head. I noticed the nurse was also holding my down. “This is going to sting a bit”

Then she injected the needle into my neck. IT HURT LIKE FUCKING HELL. But I did not move an inch.

“Ok, you did good, most patients scream when I do that” The doctor said

“No, only a slight bit of discomfort” I answered with pain in my voice, and tears streamed down my face.

Doctor Chin laughed “Sorry, but most patients freak out if I’m too truthful”

They rescanned me for another 30 mins and then we were done. I changed and returned to her office, Peter was there too.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

I watched as Kate-Marie came in, she looked as apprehensive as I felt, she sat down and we both looked at the doctor.

"This was a life-threatening injury, you received the basic care on your injury and that was it. There's no sign of follow-up care or any further treatment."

"It is because her manager left her in the hospital to fend for herself."

Amy sighed and shook her head, "Well there's been some repair growth and scar tissue that needs to be addressed, it will take at most three surgeries, during which time you will only do prescribed exercises."

I nodded, "I will make sure she does them."

"Since Peter brought you in, I am sure that you want to box again, so for the first few months you will do no sparring, no impact training and you will place no strain on your neck. If you abide by this, you should see a success rate and full mobility to your neck of 90 to 95%"

Amy held up a finger, "I know that you will do the best you can Peter, but if she is not under your supervision 24/7, I want to hear it from her own mouth, I want to know that she understands that I will not be working on this injury if she will not co-operate."

We looked at each other and I grinned, "Well, you heard the doctor, you're not staying with me so you will have to take the punch if you don't listen to the doc."

Kate-Marie looked at me and nodded, then she looked at Amy, "I understand."

Amy nodded, "Your first surgery will be on Monday, you are free to do conditioning training, but no impact, we are going to have to treat your neck like china until it's been repaired and healed."

After leaving, I took Kate to a restaurant for lunch, as we sat in the booth looking out on the bustling traffic outside, I asked her, "Still think this is worth the hassle?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

Kate

“I’m starting to have my doubts?” I said reluctantly. Peter’s face froze after hearing my answer. However, it was the truth. Three f-ing surgeries! Total bullshit. That was bad, but the part that was really bothering me was “you will need to treat your neck like china until it's been repaired and healed."

How the hell can I do that while training to fight? I needed to start sparring. I needed to get my timing back. My moves and counter moves. Physical training was fine, but that does not make you a fighter. I needed to get in a ring. I WANTED to get in a ring.

There was one other doubt that was creeping into my head. Chance. Anything can happen at any time. Some asshole might come into the coffee shop and try to rob it again? Max might send some goons over and rough me up. I sure would not put that past him. Damage to my neck can happen even when care is taken.

“Peter, what do you think? What would you do in my place?” I asked.

He was getting ready to tell me I had answer this one for myself.

“I know what you are going to say. I will answer this for myself… but I want to hear what you would do in my place.” I asked

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

"If you know, why ask if only you want to hear me say it?"

I smiled slightly, "The only thing I would want to know, is if I can get back in the ring and fight. I would tough it out and be as careful as the doctor had said I should be as long as I can get into the ring and ply my craft."

I looked out at the traffic, "If I can take a guess, you want back into the ring. And I can not blame you for wanting that. Even I feel sometimes that I should give it one more go."

My gaze returned to her, "Even without the injury it would still have taken months before I would have allowed you into a ring for just sparring, let alone fighting. I have told you from the start that this will take time and that statement still stands. Just remember if you wish to stop, you are free to do so. If you wish to go through with the surgery and then quit, you can do that too."

I leaned back into my seat, "You can also decide to stick it out and trust the process. There are reasons why I do things this way and it is up to you to decide if you want to trust me or not."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Kate

“That make my decision easy. I trust you, so I will go through with the procedure.” I said back to Peter. He frowned a bit at my answer. “I’m doing it because I want to. AND because a good friend is helping me. That friend is you” I said with a smile. Just in case he thought it was someone else.

“And?” He asked

“And I’m also sticking with the process.” I added with a smirk. I was not sure about Peter’s process. I really wanted to get back in the ring sooner. I had found it was the only way to get my timing right. But Peter was a champion and I was not. I needed to listen to him. I took another bite of my sandwich as we both thought for a moment.

“I’m a bit worried about staying at my place after the surgery. I’m worried about complications or conflicts now that Max knowing where I live. Is your offer for a place to stay still open?” I asked. “I’ll pay rent and it will only be for the time my neck is recovering.”

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

I shook my head, "God, you can be stubborn. I told you that you would not pay any rent if you take me up on the apartment. But I understand your situation, so how about this? I will talk to Tony and if he agrees, the first month of your surgery schedule, you take leave, I am sure that even he knows that you have medical and annual leave even though you never took it before. During that time, you can come to stay in the apartment and come work at the gym, you will still go through your normal training and we will introduce a bit of speedball and reaction training."

I took a sip of my drink, "After the last part of the surgery, you should be out of the woods, then you can decide what you want to do from there. You can stay at the apartment and return to work at Tony's, or you can move back and carry on with your current agreement."

I chuckled, "Or, you can always stay at the apartment and quit the work at Tony's and become an employee at the gym."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Kate

“I’ll take what is behind door number one, Bob Barker” I said to Peter.

“The first option?” He asked to make sure.

“Yes” I answered with a laugh

Two weeks later

I had gone through the first two surgeries and things were looking up. Peter’s apartment was awesome, and a LOT bigger than my old place. I was really getting into great shape. I was starting to think my demons were TKO’d. I found two quotes from John Milton’s Paradise Lost which I taped on the back of my door, so I could read them as I left the apartment to workout.

“Abashed the demon stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss”

“All is not lost, the unconquerable will, and study of revenge, immortal hate, and the courage never to submit or yield.”

I really imagined my demons standing there, looking at me, and feeling sad. They did not control me anymore. Oh, I don't feel any remorse for them. Fuck Them. The second, quote speaks for itself. My will power had been tested and it did not break.

My neck was still sore, and I was following the doctor’s and Peter’s orders. Peter was right at the start when he said I would start to hate him. I did not hate him, but I hated the process. It was really starting to chafe me. But the quote about will power helped and I was sticking to it.

Lastly, and I can’t believe I’m saying this… but secretly, I missed making coffee and sandwiches. Two more weeks and I might be able to go back to the coffee shop. YEAH

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

I had to admit that it was quite interesting to have somebody living in the apartment which I had previously used as a storage area since nobody actually used it. A new face at the gym also garnered some interest and Kate drew a bit of a following. She used the bicycle to get to the gym, which of course worked perfectly for me, the more cardio I could get into her daily routine, the less roadwork was needed. So far I still used the pool a lot to cut out any jogging and the bicycle helped with the little to no impact training.

I waited for her to secure the bicycle and when she came in to start the day, I threw her a towel, "Get dressed, we're starting weight training today. You're starting to look like a fish from all the water." I gave her a grin and walked away. Ten minutes later, she met me at the free weight section, "We are going to start small, just get you used to train again and of course, I want to make sure your form is correct."

We started with light weights, which would have felt like an insult, but I pushed her to do so many repetitions, that at the end both of us had trembling hands and were glistening with sweat. I sat down on one of the benches with her, both of us sipping water as we regained our breath, "Hope that makes you feel better, you've been acting like a horse who is chomping at the bit to get out and run."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Kate

“Feel better?” I asked as I tried to make my sore muscles move. True to his word, Peter had made me lift, push, pull & shift weights all over the place. Not heavy, but lots of reps. Sweat was coming out of every pore on my body. I was wet, exhausted and ready to go home.

“I’m sorry I gave you the idea I was some filly ready for a run!” I said exhausted. Then I laughed “Ok, I guess you read me pretty good, i did want to run. But after tonight, I think I can wait.” I took and drink of water.

I had been trying to build up the nerve to ask Peter over to my apartment for dinner. It was not a date, it was more about company, making food, and of course coffee for someone. I really had no one else in my life right now. I knew so little about Peter, I wanted to get to know him better. I also did not want it to get weird between us. I was so tried from the weight training, that my internal resistance to this idea was gone. So I asked.

“Peter, changing the subject. I was wondering, if you’d be interested in coming over to my apartment, which is your apartment, for dinner. It is not a date. I just would like to thank you for everything, and see if I can make something other than a sandwich you like to eat?” I giggled at my own sandwich joke. “If there is some trainer-boxer rule that I’m breaking by asking, please forget I asked. Also, I don’t want things to get weird between us. This is just two friends getting together for dinner.”

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

I chuckled, "Oooh, wanna take your trainer on a date huh? I can promise that I will not go easier on you if you show me a good time with fine dining and good company."

I let her squirm for a bit before I continued, "As far as I know there's no rule, written or un-written which prevents us from sharing a meal. It would be a pleasure and an honor to have you cook for me, you can even take it as a cheat day and break away from the diet. I promise to not run you ragged the next day."

I got up, and motioned for her to follow, "A good sandwich goes a long way, so I might even be happy with that."

We walked toward one of the sparring rings, "So since you want to get into the ring, let's get inside one."

I knew that she was tired and her muscles would basically be screaming for mercy, but I believed that just getting into the ring will silence her body, even if it would be only for a moment. "Take your guard."

We stood next to each other, fists up, "Now, duck and weave, use fluid movements," I showed her and since it is such a basic move, she fell in with me almost immediately. Soon we were moving around the ring, ducking and weaving the whole time. I knew it looked stupid and simple looking from the outside in, but to me, it was about imagining ducking repetitive blows. It kept you flexible and was a very deceptive cardio exercise. We stopped when I noticed Kate starting to lag a bit, her movements starting to get sluggish.

"Alright, that is enough for today. Any more and we will start to breed bad habits."

 

[milkmaiden38]

The Dinner

I had fresh zucchini, tomatoes, lettuce greens, green beans, oregano, parsley, and basil from the local farmer’s market. And I had picked up some late season raspberries. I prepared white-sauce cooked chicken to go with the salad. I picked up a hand selected a white wine to accompany the meal.

I wore a low cut, flowing blue dress. The dress reminded me of something from Greek mythology. It came up and fastened behind my neck leaving my shoulders, back, and arms bare. The neckline plunged to my cleavage. There was a gold band that encircled my waist. While the dress was daring, it didn't expose anything. Formal and a little sexy, but not too sexy. I had the dinner all prepared and the table set. I made sure that the portions were small so that he wouldn't feel I was cheating too bad on my diet. It was still light outside, but I decided to light the candles anyway. I hoped they would create the kind of atmosphere that I was looking for. I got out my good china and set the dining room table according to Emily Post's etiquette guidance. Everything was prepared, all I had to do was serve the meal.

Peter appeared at my door at five to six. He was going to knock, but I saw him coming and I opened the door before he had a chance.

“Expecting my arrival?” He asked

“Sorry, I’m just excited to be entertaining” I said as I was a bit over eager.

He just smiled. He was dressed in a sports jacket, button down shirt and slacks. He looked great. His huge chest really stretched the shirt. But given how big he was, he looked great.

I grabbed his jacket and hung it up as I said “thanks for coming tonight.”

"You’re welcome, and something smells good” He commented.

“Have a seat and I get us some wine” I told him

“Wine?” He asked with a slight frown

“One glass… It’s not Vodka” I replied as I went to go get it. I had vowed not to drink anymore vodka during my training.

He was behind my chair as I returned from the kitchen. I put the wine glasses in the right place, and then he pulled my chair as I went to sit in it.

“You are a real gentleman!” I said with some surprise.

“Manners are important” He said as he sat down.

We talk for while about the training and fighting. It was very pleasant. When the time was right, I said “Time for me to get the dinner”

I brought out the salad and the chicken, roasted zucchini, and green beans. I put a little garnish of parsley on the side.

“This is a beautiful salad." He commented.

"It's all fresh, from the farmer’s market." I told him

"And the chicken looks wonderful." He said

"Well, you like my sandwiches, so I hope you like this too. It's my own recipe that I invented. I wanted to make you something special." I told him

"Not only a fighter and coffee brewer, but a chef too!" Peter kidded me.

“Just shut up and eat it” I kidded him back

He placed her hand on my arm, "Do you have any idea how nice this is?"

I was smiling as tears rolled down my cheek. “Peter, you have done so many thoughtful, caring things for me I feel like royalty. You saved me." I explained

“Not yet” he said

I grabbed his hand and squeezed it, "Thank you." I added

"You are most welcome." He replied

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

This was much better and nicer than anything I have expected. I had known that she can make food, but this was much more and even better than anything I could have expected. My mother, who was a very wise woman, always said that if you wish to know about a woman, look at how she prepares her food and set her table. And what Kate had done here just to entertain me, showed me more about her than I had already known. I know that I had worked her hard, that the last stint in the ring would have been enough to put anybody down and yet here she was, she was tired, that much was clear, but still she was her sparkly, cheerful self.

After the meal, I helped her to clear off the table and for dessert we sat on the couch, sipping coffee. I had known a lot of trainers and dietitians who were against coffee, but for myself, I never found anything wrong with it, especially in moderation and it was gladdening to see that Kate shared that view.

"I see that you have a quote or two to help you stay on track," I mentioned, motioning towards the door.

 

[milkmaiden38]

The Quotes

“Oh those things” I replied with a bit of embarrassment “they’re nothing”.

Peter said nothing, but his eyes told me not to stop and explain.

“Oh, ok” I sighed in resignation. “I found two quotes from John Milton’s Paradise Lost. I just kind of felt they spoke to me. The one about the demon pined his loss… I have a few demons in my past, and I think I’m getting rid of them. It makes me happy to think the demons are pissed I'm escaping”

I took a sip of coffee before I continued “The second one is about never giving up. That even when you have nothing… you can still have your unconquerable will power. I use that one when you are pushing me… in training” I explained. “Or when I think about reaching for the vodka bottle” I added.

“Do you have quote you use for training or... life?” I asked

 

[TertiusHuman]

Peter

"I don't actually have a quote, but I do have something that I like to repeat when things got really hard and tough when I was down or on the point where it felt like I could not carry on."

I looked down at my cup and then spoke that mantra, "Ye ne preklonyus', ya ne slomays', ya ne upandu, ya ne ischeznu."

For a moment I sat in silence, lost in the memory of how many times I had used those words to encourage myself, "It is lyrics from a song, I think you will know it, "I will not bow, I will not break, I will not fall, I will not fade", the last part was just to encourage myself to make a name for myself so that I will leave a little piece of myself behind."

I looked at her and smiled, "I might have something that you can put up there, something that has a lot to do with facing your past, and don't laugh, I will make you run to the gym."

I chuckled at my joke and finished the coffee, "The key to happiness is allowing ourselves to not feel bad or guilty for feeling it, and letting it be contagious."

 

[milkmaiden38]

“The key to happiness is allowing ourselves to not feel bad or guilty for feeling it, and letting it be contagious."



It was a good quote and joined my other two. That was three weeks ago. I had completed the last surgery and was training at full speed now. I had managed to maintain my focus, but tonight... I lost it.



I’m not sure why or what caused it. I want to blame peter for pushing me too hard... but that would be wrong. Well, you will see for yourself, as I explain what happened.



“Dodge, Kate!" Peter yells. "You know how to dodge!"



It's been a long Saturday, with hours of sparring in the boxing gym. I was exhausted. Sweat was pouring down my face. My hair flopping in my face, plastered in pieces to my forehead.



I grunted in response to Peter. I tried to dodge another punch from Jo, but I was too slow again, and Jo's fist glanced off the top of my head.



"Fuck," I mutters under my breath.



"Kate”



Jo had a smirk on her face, the arrogant piece of shit. She was still light on her feet, dancing around the ring like a ballerina. I just threw my hands up and walked away from Jo to the edge of the ring.



"I'm done," I announced, getting out of the ring.



"What!" Peter asked



"We've been at this for hours! I need a break."



"Kate, you need to power through.” Peter instructed



I climbed out of the ring and grabbed a bottle of water, dumping it on my hot sweaty face with a huff. Jo watched almost laughing.



“Loser” Jo said



"Jo!" Peter yelled. "Drills!" He pointed to the bag



Jo sighed, dipped out of the ring and headed to the punching bags for conditioning. She was exhausted too, but she did a better job of hiding it. She powered through the drills.



“Kate, join me in the office when you are done drinking” Peter told me. Then he walked to his office.



Jo knew he was gone and came over to harass me. “Lazy Ass” She said



“I want a five minute break after hours of conditioning, and I'm a lazy ass," I scoffed. "Whatever."



"Don’t whatever me! I’m going to kick your ass!” Jo threatened



"I'll beat your ass, bitch” I retorted



And that was when the fight started. Jo got in a few hits in, but when Peter came in the gym, he only saw me punching the shit out of Jo. I was really kicking her ass.

 

[TertiusHuman]

"That is enough."

I knew that the people surrounding the two knew better than to get involved as Kate was in full swing and would have struck out at anybody. At my words, Jo stopped trying to fight back and just covered up. I walked closer and grabbed hold of Kate's hand as she pulled it back, just as expected, she struck out. Luckily she was not where I wanted her to be yet, but the hit still had enough power behind it to rattle my teeth.

Sure I could have dodged, I could have blocked, but I needed a shock factor and I knew that this would shock Kate enough to snap her out of it. It did.

There was a shocked silence from everybody, I let go of her hand and reached up to rub my jaw, flexing my jaw a bit, "Go shower. When you are done, you will go to my office."

I watched as she got off of Jo and trudged away, I leaned down and helped Jo to her feet, "You pushed her."

Jo nodded and gave a slight smile, "Could have warned me that she's a cracker."

I gave a snort and started to unlace her gloves, one of the trainers brought a medical kit over with ice packs, "I needed to have her totally lose it, if you knew that she'd explode, you would have held back."

Pulling her gloves off, I let the trainers take over to tend to her, luckily the damage was superficial and nothing too bad, the one good thing about boxing gloves, they took away the sharp edges of the human hand. I went to the office and took a seat, it was a planned event, and I wanted to see where Kate was mentally, and to be honest, she was not ready. She could get into the ring yes, but she just proved that if she got frustrated, she would lose it and just start swinging, which was not what I wanted from her. I needed her to think and focus, even when she was dead tired.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Kate

I took a shower and thought about what happened. I felt terrible. I attacked my sparing partner and hit Peter. Fuck, I had hit Peter. What the hell?

I toweled off and put on my street clothes. Then I took a deep breath and walked toward Peter’s office. I did not know how to act. Part of me want to play the tough chick and tell him off. Another part of me wanted to just sit there and take the ass chewing and say nothing. The last part of me wanted to tell him, I fucked up and want another chance. As I walked into his office, I had not decided which approach I would take.

“Peter, I’m sorry. I fuck up back there. I still have things to learn. I can do better.” I said and then I sat down.