When Perfect Meets Crazy

20 - You arrested who now?

"You're unusually aggressive today." He panted, retreating under the force of my blows.

"I'm feeling aggressive today," I bit out, catching him in the side with perfectly aimed kick.

He stumbled backwards, clutching at his side even as a smile spread across his face.

"You're also unusually careless today," he pointed out and to illustrate his point, he dropped into a crouch and swept my feet off the floor in one swift well calculated move.

I fell with an audible thud, the air escaping my lungs in one whoosh.

"Ahh." I grimaced, rolling on to my side as I waited for the pain to subside.

I filled my lungs with a deep breath and braced myself for the pain that would come with getting up.

"What's wrong?" Deputy Parker asked, offering me a hand up.

"Nothing." I slapped the hand away, forced myself to my feet and fell into position. "Let's go again."

He blinked, one part surprise and two parts amusement blossoming on his face. "Really?"

I responded with three quick consecutive blows. All of which, infuriatingly enough, he dodged.

"Something is definitely up." He grinned, dancing just out of my reach. "I don't think I've ever seen you this keyed up."

"Well, enjoy your front row seat." I hissed before launching myself at him.

How infuriating.

I was on the mat again in less than two minutes.

"You're being sloppy," he stated, helping me to my feet.

I scowled.

"And for the love of God, your footwork is better than that. Stop giving yourself away and stage your attacks better," he added, falling to sparring stance again.

"I did not come for a sparring lesson. I came to vent so thank you, but kindly lay off the advice," I snapped, baring my teeth in a snarl.

As soon as the words were out, as soon as my brain really processed what I said, I sighed, slapping a boxing gloved hand across my face.

"Dammit." I raised my face skyward, roughly brushing away the tendrils that had escaped my bun. "Sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't--"

"Hey," he said, his lips curing upwards in a smile. "I'm not offended. Calm down."

I looked at him. Really looked at him. At his short blond hair, his electric blue eyes, his pretty boy jaw and the fond, open smile on his lips.

There was no hint of malice anywhere on him.

I smiled back, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little.

"So what's been going on with you?" I asked.

"The downtown robbery case has the whole station on edge and recently we busted some members of an illegal gambling group. They bet on unsanctioned boxing matches but, other than that, it's been pretty quiet at the station," he answered. "Want to go again? And maybe tell me what's bothering you while we're at it?"

My brain completely stopped processing his words after 'they bet on unsanctioned boxing matches.'

A sudden chill took hold of me.

"Unsanctioned boxing matches?" My voice sounded far away and hollow to my ears.

I prayed he wouldn't notice.