In The Army

|ass kicking & letting go

-Monday of week 5-

They crowded around one of the four giant circles of sand at the training grounds next the obstacle course as Calum shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Listen up, privates. I'm going to give you a block of instruction on today's hand to hand combat training. This," he held up a five foot long pole with, what looked like, cylindrical pillows on either end. "Is called a pugil stick. That," he pointed at the ground towards a pile of helmets that resembled something a hockey player would wear. "Is the protective gear you need to wear. Sergeant Finn and I will demonstrate offensive and defensive maneuvers using the pugil. You will watch. You will learn. Everyone will then pair off and spar with a fellow soldier. Sergeant Finn?" He held the pugil out to Cody who already had his helmet on.

Laura tried to pay attention as the pair moved through different stances in slow motion, simulating defensive blocks, offensive parries and thrusts to different parts of the body in order to debilitate an enemy. It was of no use though; her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the betrayal she'd suffered through after phoning Andrew. She cried through the night even though Raini did her best to console her. They'd been going together for nearly four years now. Four years and all it took was her being gone four weeks and her slut of a cousin sank her claws into him.

Raini leaned in to whisper in Laura's ear. "This is just like watching American Gladiator." She heard Laura snort. "With those giant Q-tip looking thingies?" She was trying to help get her friend's mind off her break up.

"Ssshhh, I don't want to get in trouble for talking." She quickly glanced around for any sight of Ross. There he was, going about the other sand circles unloading equipment at each of them for today's training exercise. She watched as he bent over to pick something up but the second her eyes traveled to his bottom, Raini elbowed her. "Huh?"

"They're almost finished." Raini saw where Laura's attention had drifted to. Oh, she didn't know it was on Ross's backside, but she didn't want her friend to get caught staring off in the distance when she was supposed to be watching the other two Drill Sergeants.

"... all of it. Pair off and go to the circles. We'll be watching and helping." Sergeant Finn bellowed. "I want to see some real fighting here. You can't hurt each other with the pugil so feel free to whack the snot out of your battle buddy."

"Come on, let's go first," Rani smiled excitedly and dragged Laura's to the circle farthest away from Ross's. He never picked on her too much, but his cruelty towards Laura, especially the things he'd said to her last night had her hating him just as much as Laura did.

As the minutes wore on, everyone rotated, taking turns, trying their best to get the better of their opponent. Laura found it surprisingly fun, but Sergeant Finn had most definitely lied. It did hurt when you were hit hard enough with the funny looking sticks. There were Drill Sergeants at each circle, periodically stepping in to correct where the recruits were doing things wrong, some even went into the circle and sparred with them.

Laura felt her mood lift somewhat, especially when Sergeant Green stepped in to spar with her. He said she 'hit like a girl' so when she was finally able to get in a decent shot to his torso, everyone laughed when he whined, 'owwww' at the top of his lungs.

Ross looked in Laura's direction every now and then, watching, waiting for just the right moment. When the crowd of soldiers laughed as she got the best of Green he knew it was time. He quickly strode over to where they stood, watching as Laura handed off her equipment to the next soldier. He had almost reached her when she suddenly turned around and ran smack into his chest, sending her sprawling on her ass four feet in front of him.

"Oooomph." It felt like she'd run into a brick wall. Looking up to see what she ran into, she was met with those all too familiar pair of begrudging brown eyes and a single eyebrow raised at her in amusement.