One Shot, One Chance

Chapter Two (Proofread needed)

Left jab, Right cross, Left Hook, duck, front kick, grab, left knee up... Lucas chanted in his mind as his arms and legs followed suit. He leaned into the heavy bag and took several deep breaths, leaning against it. After a bit, Lucas moved away from the punching bag towards the bench where his stuff was resting. Wiping the sweat off his chest and face, he took a large drink of water from his jug.

The gym was quiet at this time, and it was just the way he liked it. He could release the tension, the frustration, after an investigation. Most agents went out to a local bar to unwind, but he would instead work out.

"What a surprise to see you here... " a sarcastic voice with a thick southern drawl stated behind him as the door closing echoed in the gym room.

Lucas groaned internally without turning around. "Shaw. Isn't there a recruit you should be harassing?" He said as he draped the towel over his neck before unwrapping his hands.

"Actually no, you and I have some unfinished business. That was a dirty stunt you pulled tonight; you put everyone's life at risk by not following procedure." He spat as he finished clenching his fists.

Lucas sighed, "Shaw, sometimes you have to improvise, your precious rulebook doesn't cover every scenario, nor will it stop a bullet. Well, it might consider its thickness. Those books are by desk jockeys who have never been in the field. " Lucas tried to keep his voice calm..." Sometimes the book will get you or others killed." He could see Shaw bristling as he turned and started to move past the man.

Shaw sniffed, "This isn't Iraq Griffin, it's not a jungle, or whatever else forsaken battlefield you grunted through. It's Washington DC ..." he went on. "It's civilization... there are rules here..people here matter... "

Lucas stared back at Shaw, dumbfounded as he interrupted. "A bullet is still a bullet. Stick with the trainees in the simulator and your rule books. I will handle them in the field and teach them how not to get killed when your rulebook fails them." He sometimes wondered in what world Shaw lived in because some of the things the man said were the epitome of stupidity. Lucas wondered how Shawn still managed to be in the Bureau.

"The bad guys don't follow the rule book, and I'm not fighting you over this Shaw. I'm tired, it's been a long week, and I am going home. " Lucas stated, moving past him, his bag strapped over one shoulder. He could see the rage in Shaw, but he hoped the man would control it. He wasn't in the mood to deal with it. Shaw had received the same hand to hand training that Lucas had, but Lucas was also a Marine. He had been able to take their FBI instructors during training without any problems. Fighting Shaw would be a joke.

"Afraid Griffin?" He taunted through clenched teeth.

Lucas stopped dead in his tracks, processing the words then looked at his watch 0545. Had he been up for 37.. 38 hours? He'd lost track of time. "Me?... Afraid.. of you?" he laughed, in hindsight maybe he shouldn't have. Months of recon, undercover work, paying off the scum of the streets, plus a sting that went semi south, and the man dared to taunt him.

Lucas ducked back to avoid the fist flying towards his face. He took a couple of steps back, dumping his things on the floor. " Shaw, I don't feel like beating you again," whining as Shaw moved. He was still lost from his work out and secretly admitted this would be better than punching back... mostly.

Shaw didn't respond just kicked at him again, ignoring the men and women, slowly coming in for their workouts before their shifts slowly collecting around them.

Lucas quickly moved back from the kick and walked back towards the blue, sparring mats in the middle of the gym. His eyes trained on Shaw the entire time. He kept his focus on Shaw, tuning out the couple voices he recognized. Hands up in a defensive position, legs apart, he watched and waited. Shaw was fresh and still had the energy to burn, looks like he had gotten a good night's sleep.