It's a Spy vs. Spy World

Chapter 30

*****Well guys thats all ive got stockpiled for now, hope it wasnt horrible! Also i hope that can tide you all over until the new year because im going to be pretty busy for the next couple weeks as i suspect many of you will be also. Happy holidays everyone and i promise to write more in 2015!*********

 I wasn't the slightest bit nervous. Video games were not my strong suit but hand to hand combat; most definitely. And I most certainly would not lose to Rick again. I took the half hour to change and stretch out my limbs then I made my way to the training area. Bridget kept pace with me, "Are you sure you want to do this Jess? You and I both know Rick isn't ready to take you on." I looked at her.

 "Hey, he didn't turn me down. And besides its not like I'm going to seriously hurt him..." I then mumbled low enough that I hoped she didn't here, "...that much." she sighed but refrained from talking me out of the fight any more.

 When we reached the training area I wasn't surprised to see quite a few people there, word travels fast around HQ especially when all of us are cooped up in here with nothing better to entertain ourselves with. Rick hadn't arrived yet and I figured that the twins were trying to give him their variation of a pep talk. So instead of waiting around doing nothing for the five minutes I had left to wait I taped up my hands and talked to Hattie.

 Just then Rick showed up, only there was something different about him. I couldn't place it at first but as he made his way through the gathering crowd of our fellow students an to the mats where we'd be fighting it dawned on me. There was no visible different about him it was only that he looked...confident. I was somewhat shocked. Most days when he walked towards these same mats to face me as we trained he always looked weary and nervous but not this time. He didn't seem uneasy at all. I wondered what that was about. What had the Phoenix twins done to him?

It was a nice change and I wondered if it was because he was actually confident in his abilities or just getting better at concealing his true emotions. It didnt really matter though because either way the fight was on and I left Hattie's side and walked up to him.

 He didn't even look up when I appeare beside him as he taped his hands.

 "Well you look confident Ricky. I have to admit its a nice change." I told him and he didn't need to look up at me for me to know he was smirking.

 He only responded once he was finished with his hands, "You know what Jessi, I think I realize something. I have nothing to lose so I should jut go for it." I smiled he was right and if this was the attitude he needed to be able to accomplish himself as a real spy in training then so be it.

 I turned and strode to the middle of the mats, "Then let's get this started." he got up from his bench with a grin and joined me in the center. Hattie as always was first to claim the reffing spot and came to stand between the two of us. She told us her silly variation of the rules and then counted down to the begginning of the fight.

 It would only end when one of us gave up and I was planning in that being Rick and quickly. Although his new confident swagger seemed to make me think twice about how quick this match would actually be.

 The start was slow. We both knew it was stupid to make the first move so we circled each other slowly sizing one another up. This would definitely be good. I was bore of waiting though and decided to strike. I threw a quick punch to the right side of his jaw which he easily dodged but it was a feint. Realizing this to late cost Rick a painful punch to the gut. He doubled over in pain but only for a moment. I had taught him how to absorb that type of blow to lessen his recovery time and it had paid off. I enjoyed seeing his improvements. He did not take the offensive though when he recovered, instead deciding to remain on the defense and wait. Smart choice, but I wasn't going to make it easy for him. I bombarded him with a quick rally of punches, glancing blows that he blocked sharply. I couldn't break his guard and decided to switch tactics.

 The people gathered around watching we're silent as they watched Rick hold his own against me. However he still had yet to get a hit in on me and I could see he was tiring of blocking and dodging. I swung low and he caught my fist and pushe me back, hard enough to cause me to stumble back. His first offensive move. Now the game was really on. His confidence had risen when he'd unsettled my balance and he took a few quick jabs at my midsection, but like him I was swift to block. He was attempting to overwhelm me with punches and I knew he had something else coming, so when the corner of my eye noticed his leg rising it was almost like I was seeing it in slow motion. I knew it was coming and stopped blocking his fists the moment it was inches from making contact with the side of my body, and forced him backwards until he fell to the ground. At this point I knew he was tiring as was I. Immediately when he was down I dropped to pin him and keep him there but he had a burst of strength and threw me off him. I was surprised at his moment of strength and thudded onto my back. Rick was quick to pin me down and I squirmed in his grip for a brief second befor realizing he didn't have my legs restrained properly. A rookie mistake. I pushe up with both feet and flung his body over my head. He slammed to the mats and grunted in pain. I rolled and jumped up not wasting anytime. Rick also got up but he was losing steam fast. The rest would be easy. He charge me but I was prepared and threw him back to the ground hard. He stayed there.

 "And Jessica Fawkes reclaims her title as supreme ass kicker, that sucks at video games and video games only." rory or Blaise or whichever announced before patting Rick on the head as he lay on the mat. Rick groaned.

 Everyone slowly left, having gotten what they'd expected but still unsatisfied. I reached out my hand to pull Rick up and noticed that he was smiling even though he has lost.

 "I'll give you a rematch anytime Ricky." I told him as he pulled himself to his feet.

 "Hey I gave you a run for your money there Jessi." he sounded so excited and it was contagious.

 "You've gotten pretty good Rick." his hand was still holding mine and I dropped it when I realized this. "Of course that's all due to me." I smirked and he chuckled.

 "Thanks." we walked together making our way back to the dorms. He was sweating and I teased him about it. He just threatened to hug me and tried to do so but I pushed him away. "So what do you say I let you beat me at that stupid video game to make up for me kicking your ass on the mats." I offers and nudged his arm.

 "'Let' me win?" he scoffed, "Yeah right. I smoke you at that game. You totally suck."

 "Do not!" I replied indignantly, "My controller was just on the fritz is all."

"Want to bet on that."

 "You're on"