Andrew’s confident ‘brb’ and wink surprised her. Angry or not (and guessing by the tell-tale ears he was still angry) Andrew didn’t seem the cocky type. Perhaps it was simply his opponent getting under his skin. Regardless, she nodded blankly, she wasn’t mad enough at Vinci to want to harm him (he seemed more annoying than actually dangerous) but she recognised the need to have it over and done with here and now, and she found herself agreeing to Jorge’s yelled support with a nod. Shouting out herself seemed rude, and she suspected drawing attention back to herself would be a foolish thing to do at this point in time.

Like vultures closing in the other inhabitants of the gym made their way to surround the ring. Verdy frowned, but most of the snatches of conversation she caught seemed to favour Andrew as if not the winner, at least the better man. She needed no convincing, the two were total opposites, while one was chivalrous and currently wanted her for nothing more than a friend, the other had so far proved himself as pushy and unable to take ‘no’ for an answer.

These men had been observing apparently, on the days before her time, when it was only Jorge and Andrew boxing, and even they couldn’t definitely call the match. She caught a brief glance of the man who had called Jorge away and frowned again. He didn’t look remotely abashed that his distracting Jorge was greatly contributory to the match apparently about to begin. Someone shifted beside her, and her view of the man was blocked, so she turned her attention back to the two in the ring.

The silence, despite the number of spectators was unnerving. Anyone would think no match had been fought here in an age, there was no screaming, and other than Jorge’s encouraging call what seemed an age ago, no calling of encouragement to one or the other boxer. It took a moment, but when the blood in her ears began to pound she realised that the reason it was so quiet may have been because everyone else was holding their breath too. Silently, she resumed the routine of in- and ex-haling as the fight began.

At first it seemed to be mainly moving, no punching. But finally there seemed to be real fighting, fists were brought up to do what the ought, and she found that at some stage she had snatched Jorge’s arm and was squeezing it so tightly the poor fellow was probably beginning to loose circulation. She couldn’t bear to tear her focus away from the fight to remove her locked fingers, though, and she was wearing a mixture of fear and hope for a relatively clean fight.

Under other circumstances Andrew might have smirked at Vinci having to literally look up to him. If nothing else his height and reach were not to be ignored. Vinci on the other hand had a major power advantage over him in addition in more experience. Though he was angry enough to turn loose on the man he had to keep his cool. If he lost his reason and flailed wildly the fight would be over before he could even begin.

Vinci danced around him like some sort of grinning devil. He darted here and there but didn't strike. Andrew kept his guard up and solid the whole time. Never once did he allow the man to have his back. Though someone more experience might have been able to read Vinci Andrew couldn't. At least, not until he actually made his move. A punch to the right came in far too slowly and softly to be anything but a feint. Andrew knew those well enough.

Vinci was going to do exactly what Jorge had warned him about. Andrew barely managed to block attack. As much as he wanted to lash out Andrew kept calm. He needed to play this conservatively until he could accurately gauge what Vinci could do. Then he could start really fighting. Of course blocking was part of that estimation so after a few second's lapse Andrew tossed a flurry of punches at the other man in quick succession.

The death grip that Verdigris had on his arm was sudden but he did not shun her away. She watching the fight with just as much intensity as it happened in the ring. He could not blame her for being a little anxious about the situation. Andrew, according to them, were good friends and the last thing that anyone wants to see is their good friend get pummeled in front of them. But Jorge had to have faith in Andrew. Not that he felt that Verdigris didn’t think the kid could do it, but he was sure she was simply worried for her friend. Jorge knew Vinci though. He knew the ins and outs of the man’s technique, or lack thereof. The man was a cheap shot artist. He ducked in and exploited any opening. There was no honor in the way that the man fought, Jorge knew that…

He also knew that Andrew had a good reach on the man, though.

“That’s right Andrew! Keep your guard up! Let the man dance!!” Jorge shouted in encouragement.

The rest of the men and women that had gathered to watch were silent and simply watched as the scenes unfolded. Vinci was busy showing off and tried to stick Andrew with cheap shots, a move they ALL knew too well. Yet nobody said anything to the man before. Not because of how scared they were of him, even the though the man did have a terrifying temper, but out of pity. Rochester would always be nothing more than a jockstrap, they all knew that so they let him be.

This time, however, most of the fighters in the ring were watching Andrew with the same intensity that Verdigris did. They had seen the kid, they knew his moves, and they knew that there was something harsher ready to be unleashed. Whether that would result in a win or lose for the boy, they did not know, they just wanted to see it and hopefully teach Vinci a lesson.

Jorge, on the other hand, had every hope that Andrew would win. He watched as the kid expertly blocked an oncoming sucker punch and that immediately filled him with some sense of relief. Andrew had at least listened to him and was taking his advice on how to take this man out. He could do it…he just had to be careful…

****

Vinci felt his gloved fist meet the kid’s arm and that already threw him off. He wasn’t expecting his punch to be so easily deflected. But instead of mulling it over, the man danced back and stayed light on his feet as he brought his fists up. He was beginning to think that maybe the kid was not going to be so much of a pushover anymore. But, be that as it may, he could not dwell on it for long. He could take the kid out, he knew he could, he just needed the right opening, to wear the kid down until he could offer up something, anything for him to exploit with a barrage of punches…

But that plan would quickly be copied.

As he recovered from his failed punch, Vinci barely had time to get his guard up when the kid came after him with his own flurry of punches. They were unfocused and a little off center than they should be, but as he felt them connect with his arms, he felt the power behind them. Damn that kid was strong! He felt the bones in his feet jostle every time his guard was hit to the point that he had to finally sidestep.

Unfortunately that move was a half second too slow. As he moved aside, he felt that he dropped his guard too soon and one of Andrew’s punches slip in and connect solidly with his chest. Vinci half-spun as he continued to step aside, growling as he felt the hot pain radiating up through his body. Breathing heavily, the man shook away the feeling and once more focused on the kid. He had to end this…before the kid got any more confident.

So while the kid was still turning to face him, Vinci was quick to dash in and aim several blows towards his midsection to knock the wind out of him…

Jorge’s shout made her look again at the man bouncing around and she smirked. It did look like some form of silly dance, either that or the movements of a brightly coloured bird trying to attract a mate. Feeling slightly less ill she pried her fingers from Jorge’s arm and glanced around at the ever silent crowd. They looked expectant, and not particularly worried about the outcome of the fight. Surely with the manager nearby and so many onlookers it couldn’t sour into something more sinister than a fight.

Andrew’s movement from the defensive to the offensive as the first real punch was blocked effectively didn’t surprise her, but the speed and power of his punches did. He really had been holding back at the heavy bag, and far more than she had guessed. Well, that explained his biceps. Not that she had been looking, of course not-

Andrew’s punch which made its mark provided a welcome distraction from the smug thought process and she hissed in appreciation of how much that must have hurt. Something about the sound of leather connecting with skin made her crinkle her nose. That would be a bruise in the morning, and was probably feeling like someone threw scalding coffee at his bare chest right now. She wasn’t too worried for him though. The sooner he was hurt enough to call it quits, the better.

Although she wasn’t quite sure of the rules or even if there were any in an unofficial match like this since there didn’t seem to be an umpire of any kind, she was sure that either boxer could call it off if they hurt too much. Judging from the look on both faces though it didn’t seem likely.

Before Andrew really moved to where the shorter man had scuttled to, he was scuttling to somewhere else. He was fast, she noted, but he seemed to be doing a lot of work for not much result with the movement and the constant bouncing. Eventually, he would tire, which would mean he would want to get the match over with as quickly as possible, rather than waiting it out to take the opportunities as they came he would have to create his own opportunities. Somehow she suspected he know that.

A grin, more vicious than any seen on his face in public, pulled Andrew's lips taut. He'd hit the posturing buffoon! His flurry of punches had forced the man into a sidestep and Vinci had hesitated just long enough to take a blow to the chest. However before Andrew could put his guard back up after the attack Vinci struck. A single punch slipped through knocked the air out of his lungs as well as forcing him back a step. After that though Andrew was able to block the rest of Vinci's assault.

It took several precious moments for Andrew's breathing to return to normal. The blow to the stomach had had him gasping for air. It wouldn't be a good idea to take another blow like that. He needed to get back in there. At least throw one or two more punches. He had to give Vinci incentive to attack. The more Vinci moved and punched the quicker this fight would be over. He couldn't keep up the attacks forever.

Andrew moved in and feigned a matching blow to Vinci's stomach. He quickly follow it with a punch aimed for chest and then another at the side of the head. With those three blows given Andrew backed off and put his guard back up. If he had to take the man apart piece by piece rather than wearing him out he could do that too.

It was like watching two gladiators battling it out for their freedom or for the general entertainment and pleasure of the Roman citizens that sat around and watched. Everyone there was silent, very few mumbling a syllable, much less any concrete words. The fight had all of their attentions as each of them saw faults and praise for each fighter. Andrew was tall, good arm reach and possessed a lot of power, the downside was that he was inexperience and made a large enough target for any man to hit. Rochester Vinci on the other hand, was quick and knew how to exploit, but he was also a hot headed and with a mouth much bigger than the actual skill he possessed. Both of these characters were titans and the fighters all around, including Jorge and his other trainee, Verdigris, could only watch eagerly to see how the whole thing was going to play out.

Vinci was both pleased and disappointed with his move. Only one of his punches connected, and while seeing that look of pain flash across Andrew’s face made him grin, it did not last long. The rest of his follow-ups were blocked. It was like the kid had some impenetrable shield that Vinci could only fruitlessly pound against. He then watched as the kid staggered back and the meter maid knew that this kid was attempting to get his air back.

Quickly he began to close the gap, to try and get another shot in before the kid could fully regain himself. But, swifter than what he was anticipating, Andrew flew back and him with another combination of his own…

Feign…Dodged…

Chest punch…Blocked…

Face pu-! Ow!

The punch was solid. Vinci, too busy with his swagger and ability of reading and blocking every other one of Andrew’s attacks could not raise his defense quick enough. He watched the scene unfold, almost as if he were having an out-of-body experience. Vinci saw his stance, saw him raise his arms up to defend, but quicker than all of that was the punch that Andrew landed. It came like a missile straight out of a launcher. That red gloved, shiny, padded fist erupted straight for his face and it as all Vinci could see it. It eclipsed his vision in red, then black…then white hot pain followed by the push.

Vinci staggered, unable to support himself in the open air as he much taller, much stronger twenty something struck him with what could only feeling comparable to having a brick thrown at one’s face. His mouth sucked in air as he stumbled backward, until finally he found himself leaning against the ropes of the ring for support. But those wouldn’t do. One knee fell the ground as the other shakily kept his foot planted. The spider web of pain that coursed over his face was so painful that he was sure the kid had punched a hole in him.

He needed a minute…just a minute to catch his breath…he’d tear that kid apart…he had-

Slump! Vinci fell onto his back, exhausted in the ring…

As Andrew gasped for air she held her own breath and bounced on the balls of her feet nervously. She knew very little on the rules of boxing, but she was determined that Andrew should win, no matter the technicalities of why Vinci might have reasonably been the victor. The silence was almost creepy, but she refused to be the one to break it, settling rather for her nervous bouncing.

She couldn’t, however, contain the squeak when Andrew’s glove connected with Vinci’s face with an impressive slapping sound. Her bouncing ceaced as the shorter man reeled back, trying to regain the balance which had been lost. Her fingernails were digging into her palms as he leant against the ropes (was that allowed?) As one knee hit the floor her knuckles flew to her mouth where she clamped down on them firmly to refrain from squealing.

As his back hit the floor she could no longer restrain herself, and with a confused mixture of squeal and question she bounced again and shook Jorge’s arm frantically, her palms released from the deathly grip of her nails, his bicep, less so.

“That means we won? We won?!”

Yeah, take that creepily silent gym. Now with the silence broken it was permissible to once again resume the usual noises reserved to places such as this. She felt a tiny bit disappointed that she hadn’t put money on Andrew to win, but relieved that the uppity young man had been put in his place. From the look of him he’d be staying in that place for a while at least, and probably would leave it with a serious shiner.

Vinci went down. Verdy shouted that they'd won. Andrew stood in the ring with a surprised look. He hadn't expected to win that easily. It seemed that either Vinci wasn't nearly as good as he'd thought or he was better than he'd thought. Either way Andrew climbed back out of the ring now that Vinci was laying on the floor of the ring trying to recover. Once he was out of the ring he moved back to Verdy and Jorge's side.

"Easier than I thought he'd be."

Andrew rolled his shoulders backward one at a time. The match had served its purpose. Vinci would be quiet for a bit and hopefully leave them alone. Additionally, Andrew wasn't nearly so angry now. As such he smiled a little as he stood there with his two friends in victory.

"So back to practice now Jorge?"

After all that ruckus Andrew was quite ready to get back to practicing. Now they'd be able to do so without interruption. Another upside, that he'd just thought of no less, being that hopefully Andrew's performance in the ring would ensure that no one here would be that rude to Verdy again. In that respect the match was well worth the hassle.

Jorge watched in surprise as Vinci went down, his face make a solid connection with Andrew’s fist. Even the detective was surprised to watch the other officer eat the surface of the ring that hard. He was wide eyed and grinning, until he felt the nails and tight grip of Verdigris digging into his arm. His wince was visible as he glanced back to the girl and watched as she excitedly called the fight even before anyone else was able to judge it.

>> “That means we won? We won?!”

“Yeaaaagh,” he groaned as he reached down and very carefully removed her hand from his arm. It hurt but still he could not help but chuckle after her very enthusiastic response. “Yes, that means Andrew won,” he laughed.

He shook his head with a grin as he watched Andrew standing there, looking just as surprised that he had not been pummeled in the fight. Jorge had to admit, he had faith in the kid, but he was sure that Andrew would have been just a tad more hurt than he appeared to be now. But he showed some tremendous skill in the ring because having watched Vinci before, he knew the man did not take prisoners. He was a cheap shot artist and did everything possible to ensure some type of victory. But Andrew did well holding his own. He took a few hits, but for the most part he knew what to do without Jorge having to shout instruction at him. Also maybe the kid really had some strength in those arms. That made Jorge further appreciate the fact that he was not the one in the ring facing down Andrew.

Apparently this sentiment was shared with the rest of the group that was gathered around the ring. Everyone had fallen into a deathly silence. Those that had originally been rooting for Vinci only stared at Andrew in awe, and the rest of those gathered…well…they too stared at Andrew in awe. This would be legend told throughout this gym for eons to come, or at least until the end of the day. The kid was impressive, they all accepted and could share that from now on.

>> "So back to practice now Jorge?"

“You’re the boss,” Jorge chuckled as he glanced around at the rest of the watchers. Everyone seemed to not want to get on the kid’s bad side and immediately skirted away as he made his way back to their training area.

It also seemed as if no one wanted to so much as glance at Verdigris, but less than leer at her. Again, this did not surprise the detective, considering how that was what caused this whole ruckus in the beginning. So with a wink and nod to fellow boxers who looked at Andrew in an impressed manner, he moved past them all and gently ushered Verdy along with him. He had to wonder if this is at all what the girl had imagined for the day, that her “friend” would be up in a ring defending her honor from some meatheaded meter maid, sore because he was shot down for a fun time. Only in New York, he had to admit as he patted Verdigris on the shoulder.

“Let’s say we get you back to the heavy bag, before we make Andrew angry and he turns all green and muscular or something,” he chuckled as he nodded to the kid. He finally stood before Andrew and crossed his arms over his chest, his expression showing he was just as impressed as everyone else. But…instead of offering the kid praise, he instead offered advice. “We need to work on your footwork, as well as teach you how guard your left side a bit better. Could have been a lot worse out there, kid.” he said as he moved around to continue giving instruction to Verdigris. He really did not have to praise or tell Andrew how proud he was of his skill back there. His expression said all of that.

Verdy pried her fingers back off Jorge’s arm, or out of really, and grinned. The fight was over and Andrew was totally unharmed as far as she could tell. At least he didn’t look like any of the punches that had connected had done him any real damage. Perhaps a bruise or two that would show up later, but nothing much more. She nodded in agreement with his statement on the ease of his win, she knew little about boxing, but she had expected it to go on for at least five to ten minutes…

No matter though, it was over and all was well.

The silence that had prevailed had not broken with her excited outcry, rather it had intensified and most of those who had been watching were looking at Andrew with a mix of amazement and disbelief. There was no spontaneous cheering, no clapping of his back. In fact on more than one face she saw a hint of suspicion, as if he had somehow cheated his way into the winning position.

Noone seemed willing to meet her eye however, and she turned back to her friends as Andrew made the suggestion that they return to how they were and Jorge agreed. She smiled as he continued, Andrew didn’t seem the type to get big-headed, but Jorge was there to keep him in line if ever his cranium threatened to swell, or turn green.

They moved back to their training area with no problems and she slipped back on her gloves and moved to the bag to continue the interrupted training session as Jorge took a moment to coach Andrew on some of the details of the fight… The break in routine hadn’t eased the burning in her arms much, in fact it seemed intensified by the movement away from and return to the bag and she groaned inwardly as her tired muscles began moving once again. She dared not slack off though, with Jorge turning his attention back to her. She felt the strange urge to prove herself after Andrew’s victory, and she blamed the testosterone she had absorbed from the air of this gym, and focused on keeping her stance good as the punches left her via protesting biceps.