Lee didn’t bother responding when Tarin spoke again, but with his help moved into a fully sitting position and then pulled her knees as close to her as she could, her eyes on Tarin’s the entire time. Lee could feel her body starting to panic because of how long she had been out of breath like this. But with Tarin’s hand on her back, his eyes looking straight back at her, gradually Lee was able to slow her breathing down and start feeling better.

”I’m fine,” Lee finally said, though her voice was quieter than normal. ”It didn’t even really hurt. I just could not catch my breath.”

”You’re just lucky that thing actually stopped and didn’t keep attacking you when you were down,” Robert said.

For the first time since Tarin had gotten to her, Lee looked away from him. ”Really Robert?” she asked as she looked up at him. ”Even after all of this, still? And ‘that thing’ is Tony, and he’s still here even though you can’t see him.”

Suddenly an idea occurred to Lee and she looked back at Tarin. ”I know Tony doesn’t feel pain, but can spirits get hurt or injured?”

Once Tarin confirmed that no, they couldn’t be injured because they were already dead, Lee nodded as she climbed back to her feet. ”Bring Tony back? I have one more thing I want to demonstrate,” she said to Tarin.

It worked. Lee followed his directions and as Tarin sat there by her, rubbing her back she slowly started to catch her breath.

Lee described the feeling and Tarin nodded, ”Happens when you get hit in the sternum.” he said, tapping the middle of his chest with his free hand. ”Messes something up with the muscles that help you breathe.”

”I thought you said you didn’t fight.” Rachel said.

”I did say that.” Tarin said, then Robert spoke up. Because of course he did.

There was going to come a day and a time when Robert was going to say one thing too many and Tarin was going to lose his temper. The realization was a bit dubious and probably something to think about later, but for now Lee seemed to have things under control. And she wanted to know if a spirit could get hurt or injured.

Tarin shook his head a bit warily as he looked at Lee, ”No, but I think maybe you should be done for today…what if you’re actually hurt…”

But Lee was already getting to her feet and asking Tarin to bring Tony back. That combined with the questions she just asked had Tarin looking over at the spirit who just shrugged, then nodded.

Stepping back, but not leaving the ring, Tarin channeled his power into the spirit again, sighing as the he winked back into existence.

”Ugly fall boss. Ready for round three?”

Rachel didn’t understand how Tarin knew more about this particular thing than Lee did considering Tarin didn’t fight. And Lee knew that Rachel was going to be left in the dark about it no matter how many times she may end up asking because Lee knew Tarin would never tell her.

Tarin was legitimately worried that she might be hurt. ”I’ll be fine, Tarin,” she told him earnestly. ”I’m doing one thing, and Tony won’t get the chance to touch me.”

Lee then turned to look at her siblings. ”Keep in mind, this is after all of the energy I’ve already used sparring today.”

Shaking her hands, trying to loosen some of the muscles that were still tensed from having the wind knocked out of her, Lee turned to where Tony had appeared in the ring. ”If you want to call it a round three,” she replied, taking a couple slow steps forward. Not close enough to be within reach of Tony. ”It's going to be over fast.”

Taking her time to form a fist as perfectly properly as she could to hopefully avoid hurting herself as she did this, Lee took a breath in preparation. She then rushed toward Tony faster than anyone present had ever seen her move, throwing a punch up toward Tony’s face with all her strength.

Lee knew that she was strong when she had a lot of energy. To the point that every time she fought, she was actually holding back on the strength of her blows. Even when she was moving faster than should have been possible for her, even in Columbia, Lee had held back her strength.

For the first time, she didn’t.

And Lee just stood there in shocked surprise as she watched Tony literally flying backwards from the force she had just unleashed.

Apprehensive was an excellent word for what Tarin was feeling as Lee assured him that she was fine and that what she was planning wouldn’t involve Tony being able to touch her.

Dammit, he’d been right. All of this had been to prove something to Robert and Rachel. This one more thing just to prove to them what she could do.

Tony was back now and talking to Lee, but she was making a fist and making her way towards the spirit, speaking along the way.

Tarin took another step back and then Lee moved. She moved so fast that it became obvious that Lee had been holding back this entire time. That she was probably always holding back. Lee threw a punch then and despite his larger size, Tony was literally flying across the gym.

Three stunned faces looked at Lee as they stood in the gym and Tarin let the connection with the spirit drop as he climbed to his feet. No lasting damage.

”Uh Lee…” Tarin said, moving over to where she was standing, ”That was amazing…and I think you made your point.”

Indeed, Rachel was openly gaping at where Tony had been a few moments before. Robert, on the other hand, was staring at Lee like he’d never seen her before.

Tony had gone flying when she'd hit him. Not like Robert had the day that he'd tried to physically drag her out of the shop. Yes, Robert’s feet had momentarily left the ground, but if he had gone as far as Tony just had, Robert would have either hit the wall or gone out the window.

Lee was still staring at the place where Tony had been climbing to his feet as he disappeared when she felt Tarin approaching. But she didn't look at him; Lee continued looking at the empty space in front of her.

“I’ve never…” she whispered once she felt that Tarin was standing beside her. ”Not with the strength. Wow.”

Unconsciously as she stood there, Lee was shaking her hand slightly, opening and closing her fist as though it was sore.

”Well.” Tarin said when Lee said that she’d apparently never hit something that hard before, ”Now you know what that’s like.”

Reaching out, Tarin took Lee’s hand. It was good that she was opening and closing it, and good that she had gloves on, but bones could only take so much force. Tarin didn’t know much about this though, like he kept saying, he didn’t know how to fight. ”Is your hand okay? Your wrist?” He said, working at gently getting her glove off.

”I think that’s probably enough for today.”

Sparing a quick glance to Rachel and Robert, who still seemed to be recovering, Tarin said, ”But I think you made your point.”

Lee let Tarin easily take her hand, not even noticing at first that he was taking her glove off. And he was asking if she was ok, asking about specific parts.

”My knuckles are sore,” Lee told him, her voice low enough that Robert and Rachel wouldn’t hear. ”But my wrist is fine.”

Lee stood there letting Tarin do whatever inspecting for injuries he was going to do. This time, Lee could admit, it was completely warranted.

And he pointed out that he thought that she should be finished for the day. Lee nodded. ”I know. I wasn’t planning on doing anything else after that.”

As Lee stood there, her eyes slowly drifted back over to where Tony had disappeared. It really was amazing how far he had gone. He might have been a spirit, but when he was corporeal he was heavy.

When Tarin mentioned that she had made her point, Lee finally looked over at her siblings. Who still looked to be quite shocked. ”Good. It’s about time.”

Her knuckles were sore…

Tarin got Lee’s glove off and dropped it to the floor while he looked at the knuckles on her hand. Nothing looked outwardly wrong, Lee had been opening and closing her hand, maybe she was just bruised?

”I guess it’s fine? Do you want to get it checked out?”

Tarin shrugged, but kept Lee’s hand in his as she agreed that it was time to be done.

Rachel and Robert were still standing close by and while they still seemed stunned they weren’t just openly staring anymore.

”Can we all please agree that no further demonstrations are necessary?” Tarin said, looking at Rachel and then Robert. ”Ever.” Of course Lee would continue to spar and train as much as she wanted, but Tarin still had a feeling she’d been pushing herself harder than necessary today to prove a point and that’s how people got hurt.

Rachel just nodded. Robert frowned for a moment, shaking his head.

”No, I think that’s more than enough.” Robert said, ”Let me know when Kevin is back in town and has time.”

He turned like he was going to leave and Tarin sighed a little bit at how utterly disappointing Robert was, but Lee’s brother stopped and turned.

”All other things aside…That was impressive. I’ll remember.” and then he really was leaving.

That seemed to shake Rachel out of her stupor and she rolled her eyes as Robert made his way to the doors. ”What is wrong with him?” she asked as she approached the spot where Tarin and Lee were still standing.

”I’m sorry Lee…” she said, ”I keep on saying and asking and doing the wrong things…but I’m sorry.”

Tarin was now asking if she wanted to get her hand checked out. Lee thought for a moment before shaking her head. ”I think I’m probably fine,” Lee told him. ”But if it gets worse, I will get it checked.” Then Lee gave him a playful smile. ”Plus, I do have Dr Brooks to fuss over me, don’t I?”

At least everyone seemed to be in agreement that she wasn’t going to have to do any more demonstrations to prove she was capable of what she said she was. Hopefully that would make things easier moving forward.

And Robert was ready to leave, simply wanting to be told when Kevin was home and had time. Lee hadn’t expected Robert to be happy, but she’d expected something more than…this.

But then he turned and did actually say that what she’d shown them was impressive. That was a bit of an improvement, though Robert really was leaving without actually saying good bye.

Lee shook her head when she heard Rachel speak. ”Honestly, if I knew the answer to that, everything would have been sorted out years ago.”

Then Rachel was apologizing, and Lee gave her a small smile. ”Thanks, Rach,” Lee responded, not sure what else to say.

Tarin had to roll his eyes just a little when Lee insinuated that he was fussing. Even if she was teasing, this was a bit different than the last match that had been incredibly benign in comparison. Still, he shook his head, ”As if you’re likely to follow doctor’s orders.”

Lee had agreed to get her hand checked if it got worse though, and Tarin supposed that was the best he could hope for.

Tarin thought he could probably have written a book about the things that were wrong with Robert Smith, but Lee and Rachel seemed to be content to say they didn’t know and move on with things.

Rachel apologized to Lee and Tarin thought that it was a good start and was glad that Lee seemed willing to accept the apology. Actions spoke louder than words though and only time would tell what the apology actually meant.

Rachel smiled though and shrugged, ”When I’m wrong, I’m wrong…” she said, then looked back and forth between Tarin and Lee. ”But when I’m right, I’m right.” she added with a smirk.

”I should go too though.” she said, ”You’re sure you’re okay? she said.

Tarin rolled his eyes and shook his head when she brought up Dr Brooks. Kind of like he was thinking she was complaining about that. Which is not what she had meant.

”But I have been getting better at asking for help,” Lee said softly as she looked up at Tarin. Lifting her other hand up, Lee grasped one of Tarin's, giving it a slight squeeze.

At least one of her siblings was able to admit that they were wrong, Lee thought. Though the annoying part was that she also tended to brag when she was right.

Lee rolled her eyes at Rachel when she pointed out that she’d been right. ”Yeah yeah, Rach, I know,” Lee replied. ”Somehow you knew before anyone else even had a clue. But you were still wrong about all the dates you tried to set me up on over the years.”

Rachel wanted to know, again, that she was alright.Lee nodded as she looked directly at her sister. ”Yes Rachel, I’m fine. I promise. Plus, Tarin is excellent at making sure I take care of myself properly.

“But yeah, I’ll see you soon, ok?”

”Much Tarin agreed with a smile as Lee pointed out that she was getting better at asking for help. He had been half teasing anyway, he thought as Lee took his hand and held it.

Rachel was talking again and Tarin had to laugh and shake his head when she pointed out that she’d been right about them. That fact still seemed to aggravate Lee and she made sure to point out to Rachel that all her past meddling had been wrong.

Rachel just shrugged though and continued to smile a highly self satisfied smile as Lee assured her sister that she was fine and that even if she wasn’t, Tarin would make sure she was taken care of.

Lee agreed that she’d see Rachel soon and Tarin had to be glad that things seemed to have worked out the way that Lee wanted them to. Sure, Robert’s reaction could have been better, but he was who he was and more progress had been made.

As Rachel made her way towards the doors to the gym, Tarin looked down at Lee, ”You were really good today.” he said, ”Every time I’d think maybe Tony was going to get the upper hand, you’d just reassert yourself. Only a couple of scary moments too…” That first hard toss, the punch that Lee had barely dodged, the fall at the end when she’d had the breath knocked out of her. Still, Lee had been nothing short of incredibly impressive.

” You need to cool down, or are you about ready to go too?”

Lee smiled back at Tarin when he agreed that yes, she was getting better at asking for help. Lee was glad, even if she teasingly complained, she had come to appreciate what he’d been doing to help after situations like this.

It really didn't take Rachel long at that point to head out, leaving the two of them. Still holding hands.

It really was kind of weird; Lee knew that she had done very well that day sparring with Tony. And even she had been surprised, shocked, and impressed with just how strong the last punch had been. When Robert and Rachel had talked about how impressive she’d been, Lee had just been glad they were finally realizing what she’d been telling them for years.

But for some reason it was completely different when Tarin said it. A slight flush starting to cover her cheeks, Lee let go of Tarin’s hands and bent down to pick up the glove that he had dropped. ”Thanks,” she said as she stood back up, glove in hand.

”Nah, I think I'm good to head home,” Lee told Tarin. ”I do need to get ice soon, after all.”

The funniest things made Lee blush sometimes, Tarin couldn’t help but think as Lee let go of his hands and bent to retrieve her glove from where he’d dropped it on the ground a little while before.

Lee had to have known that she’d done well today, anyone would have been pleased with how that sparring match had gone. Still, Tarin supposed, having someone point it out was different than personal acknowledgement…and she was awful cute when she blushed like that.

Regardless of how well things had gone, Lee was right, she did need to start icing soon. At least she was thinking about it as second nature now instead of having to be told or fussed to. ”Good plan.” he said, ”How are you doing energy-wise?” surely Lee had accomplished at least part of her task there.

Lee was just turning to make her way back to her gym bag when she heard Tarin asking her how her energy levels were. Lee’s head tilted slightly as she thought, her sore hand slowly working at getting the other glove off.

”If you hadn’t already gone running today, I should have no troubles going with you,” she said thoughtfully. ”But I also shouldn’t have any trouble sleeping tonight.”

By this point, Lee had reached her bag and she packed her equipment away. Though, she realized, she really should have used her left hand for that punch. It wasn’t that her right hand hurt, but it was definitely quite sore as packed everything away and zipped up her bag. It would have been much easier if it wasn’t her dominant hand.

Slingin her bag over her shoulder, Lee grabbed her water bottle and straightened up. ”Especially if we just have a quiet evening at home tonight.”