Calla Lily

Chapter 12

Calla was in the gym trying to work off all of the extra food she'd been eating. She had enjoyed taking Loki, Steve and James out to explore her favorite parts of the city. Somehow, when her brother and Bruce joined an outing, they always ended up doing something crazy. Tony could be such a bad influence but she still loved him.

When James entered the gym he froze when his eyes landed on Calla. She was working out in a sports bra and shorts, he had to make himself look away. 

Calla noticed James when she stepped off the treadmill, "Hey James. Want to spar with me" she could see the hesitance on his face, "Please. I promise to go easy on you" she smirks at his expression. 

James walked over to the mat, he wasn't sure about this but he wanted to see how good she was. "Okay but put Jarvis on alert just in case" Calla smiled but nodded.

Facing each other, James wasn't sure how she talked him into this. When Calla came at him he had to move quickly to block her. He was surprised at how fast she was. She even blocked his hits. He didn't want to put his full power behind his hits, he didn't want to chance hurting her. James was impressed with how well he was keeping up.

Calla knew he was pulling punches. She was determined to get him to let loose, it would be good for him. When she managed to take him down, she smiled down at him. 

James was surprised when his back hit the mat and he was looking up at Calla on his chest. Seeing her smile, he smirked, flipping their positions. The squeak that came from her started him laughing. 

"You sounded like a bunny" James joked, he had been told how she got her nickname and thought it was hilarious. 

"He told you!" James laughed, helping Calla off the floor. 

"He may have mentioned it, I need to see photo proof to get the full picture though" Calla glared at him.

"I'll get him" Calla muttered, looking up at James, she batted her eyelashes. "Want to go another round"

James nodded, "I can do that"

"Good, don't pull your punches this time. I want a real workout" she smirked when his eyes widened. 

When they started to spar this time, Calla went at him harder. James had no choice but to return it. She wasn't going to let him go soft on her again. Neither noticed they had an audience watching. Thor and Steve watched the two spar. Steve had sparred with her and knew she was good, could hold her own. Thor was cheering them both on, he knew Lady Calla was a strong warrior. 

When Calla missed her step, James took the opening and put her down. Both were breathing hard and would be sore later. Their attention went to Thor and Steve when Thors cheers rang out.

"Lady Call, I would like to spar with you soon" Thor said cheerfully. 

Calla let James help her up, she smiled at Thor. "Give me a couple days and I will gladly spar with you" The two left the gym, Calla needed a shower.

"I didn't hurt you did I" James asked when they were in the hall. He had gotten into the spar and forgot to pull some of his punches.

"No, I promise. You didn't hurt me. I would actually like to spar again" Calla smiled up at James. Patting his arm, she turned and entered her room.

~~~~~

James felt like a whole new person. All of the work Tony and Bruce had done on his arm made it feel like it was always there. Calla had helped his head, all of the memories were still there but not the guilt that he shouldn't feel. He realized, after many had told him, it wasn't his fault, it was Hydras. He was a victim as well.