Tick Tock Part One - Hickory

The First Session

Reed's breaths came in gasps as he flipped Miller over his shoulder. He was surprised he still had it in him as the younger man's back hit the mat with a loud thud that echoed in the large hall. He bent over apologetically as he pulled Miller to his feet. Miller bent over, holding his ribs with a wince as sweat glistened on his dark skin. This was why people didn't spar with Gavin Reed, and when they did, they soon remembered why they'd stopped. Miller was experiencing that regret right now. Reed just didn't know how to limit his strength.

"You really don't hold back, do you?" he groaned as he straightened up and accepted Reed's fist bump. He could hold out a little longer. Reed gave him a smirk that answered his question immediately. It was a cocky look that let him know that he had been holding back. Miller swallowed nervously as he crouched and circled again. They both looked for weaknesses, eyes darting this way and that to mislead one another. The unexpected sound of a flipping coin acted like a trigger that launched them together in a tangle of grasping hands and flailing limbs. It wasn't exactly graceful, and it didn't follow any rules, but it was top tier street fighting.

These were old skills. Skills Reed had picked up in his youth while running the streets. You had to know more than knives and guns if you wanted to survive in a gang. You needed to know even more if you wanted to be a beat cop. Miller grunted as Reed's fist sank into his solar plexus, doubling him over and allowing him to bring his elbow down between his shoulder blades. He dropped like a rock, feebly tapping the mat in a weak show of surrender and staying down for a while as he caught his breath.

"Now I remember why I stopped doing this." Miller rolled onto his back with a small wheeze, watching Reed's lips quirk as he bent over to catch his breath. It was a fair point. Miller was one of the softer ones, willing to give him multiple chances no matter what shit he pulled. So long as he was never cruel or malicious towards people, he was pretty much okay with it. He'd pouted for a few days over the whole almost shooting Hank's android thing, but he got over it. Hating androids was pretty common these days. It was something many officers still shared.

"Think you can walk?" Reed teased as he helped him to his feet. Miller nodded as he held his tender ribs. It was a good workout, but he was going to be sore for a few days at least. This wasn't what he'd had in mind when he'd entered the gym. He'd just been looking to heft a few weights, maybe spar with the punching bags for a bit. Unfortunately, Reed had come in wound up and spoiling for a fight.

"Detective Reed," Connor piped up politely. Reed rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue, levelling a displeased look at the unassuming android. He hated that. They'd made him so plain. So feeble looking. So unassuming. He was like a flytrap. Built to lure people in with that sweet voice and those puppy dog eyes, and right when you least expected it...Wham! He packed more of a punch than the whole damned SWAT team!

"What do you want, plastic?" Reed asked gruffly, not bothering to hide his disdain as he headed over to the small bench and grabbed his towel. He wiped off his damp face and shoulders before uncapping his water bottle and chugging a few gulps. Miller eased himself down on the bench, still holding his sore ribs as he drank his own water and looked between the pair.

"Captain Fowler sent me to remind you about your session with Dr Marr. It is due to start within the next half hour." Reed hushed him sharply, eyes darting around the mostly empty gym. The last thing he needed was for his co-workers to catch on to the fact he was seeing a shrink! He scowled at Connor resentfully, watching him tilt his clueless head. Phcking androids!

"Are you a detective or a secretary?" he quipped with a scoff, taking a seat beside Miller, who decided he was just going to ignore whatever happened in the next few minutes, provided no one was seriously hurt. That was the good thing about Miller. He wouldn't judge and he wouldn't gossip. Connor didn't rise to the jibe, though the yellow LED and slight furrow of his brow told him he was thinking about it. "What are you going to do, Tin Can? Carry me to my appointment?" Reed sighed as he cracked his shoulders. Connor didn't think the loud crunch was a healthy sign.