The next few days were mercifully uneventful, allowing Jess and Roxy to get back to their usual routine. Work provided a welcome distraction, with everyday tasks to focus on. Yet that constant undercurrent of stress was still there, beneath the surface. Jess tried to ignore it, along with the thought of the next arrangement, but neither was something that could be ignored forever.

Jess had expected them to keep skirting around the elephant in the room with their typical terse exchanges of conversation, although the bowl of questions helped somewhat. Instead, one morning, Roxy brought up a subject she'd mentioned a while back. Self defense training.

With a nod, Jess approached the training area. "Yeah... I'm still up for that if you are," she replied, recalling the swimming session, how it had helped both of them work off tension. "And I have to say, those moves of yours... They're impressive."

"I am. I think it could be beneficial for you to know that you can defend yourself from something." Roxy answered honestly. It wasn't likely they would be physically attacked but it was better to be prepared. "I was trained as if I was going to be the heir. It was important that I be able to defend myself if the need arose. As the head of an empire is always going to have enemies. Or so my father has always said." she had heard rumors of heirs being used for ransom. She hadn't wanted to be risk being in that position. She had been willing to do what was necessary to be as strong as she could be.

Jess bit the inside of her lip. "Let's hope we don't have to use this," she said. "But best to know these things... And to have each other's backs." It wasn't just enemies of the business who were the problem. She thought back to Maxwell, how utterly terrified Roxy had been of him, how he'd looked at and spoken to her. Jess didn't know what had gone on in the past between them, besides the marriage arrangement, but with two people knowing defense skills... She could only hope people like that would be less likely to cause issues.

She took her place beside Roxy, all too aware of her lack of experience. What stance should she even take? A blush crept across her cheeks. It was stupid, she knew Roxy wouldn't judge her, but considering the anchor's skill and strength, Jess couldn't help that squirming feeling of self-consciousness. Relax, she reminded herself, it'll be fine. If she messed up, at least they'd both have something to laugh about, which could be what they needed.

"So," she asked, "which moves are best to start with?"

Roxy studied Jess. No one had had her back. She had been expected to stand on her own. She didn't know how to feel about it. As much as Jess was a part of her life. She was hesitant to trust the empath completely. Some of Jess' feelings came from the bond they shared. So they weren't really Jess'. They could vanish once the bubble was fortified. For now she was going to focus on the here and now.

"Let's start simple. Make a fist." Most people thought making a fist eas easy. Technically it was something that every could do. However if you wanted to fight or really deliver a punch there was a specific way to make a fist and throw the punch to make the most impact. In order to defend herself Jess would need to know the best way to deliver each punch and kick. The more the empath knew the better she would be able to defend herself. [url][/url]

Jess winced inwardly at Roxy's skepticism, that initial silence, that scrutinising look. She'd hoped to make the anchor more comfortable, and connect better with her, but it wasn't working quite yet. Had agreeing to the training session been the best choice, or would it make matters worse? Not that she could blame Roxy for taking time to trust others. Especially someone she was stuck with, when she valued her freedom.

The first thing Roxy instructed her to do was make a fist. An easy action by the sound of it, but Jess suspected there was more to it than that. "How's this?" She held out her hand, curling her fingers into a fist. Was it too tight? Too loose? Not positioned correctly? Unsure of what stance to take to best throw a punch, she pulled back her arm slightly. "Is this it? I'm going to guess it isn't so simple as it seems."

"First your thumb should cover the first to fingers." Roxy reached out and adjusted Jess's fist. It was important that the empath knew how to do things right."Clich your fist as firmly as you can. Then make it as flat as possible. Try to hit your target with the first two knuckles." She explained. She showed Jess what she meant. She didn't want the empath to hurt herself if she had to defend herself.

"Keep your arm as straight as possible. If you have a chance brace your legs. It will help." Roxy explained. She showed Jess what she meant. She planted her feet and punched the back as hard as she could. "You can start with gloves. It will take some time for your body to get used to the impact. It will hurt for awhile." She warned Jess. She didn't want the empath taken by surprise when she hit the bag.

Jess blushed. Not because of embarrassment, but because of Roxy's surprisingly gentle touch on her hand. A sign that the distance between them may finally be starting to close, or so she hoped. As instructed, she clenched her fist tight, tilting her knuckles forward. "Is this better?"

She studied Roxy's stance as she watched her throw a punch, once again awed by the sheer force and finesse of the move. Once it was her turn, she donned a pair of padded gloves and spread her feet wide, positioning her fist as the anchor had explained. She braced herself, not just physically but mentally - even if it hurt, it was better than being defenseless. "Here goes..." Drawing her arm back, she slammed her fist into the bag. Even with the warning, the sting of the impact made her yelp.

"Ok, I see what you mean. But still." Massaging her fingers, Jess gave a faint smile. "No pain, no gain, huh?"

Roxy nodded once Jess made a fist the way she showed her. It was much better than the original. Not perfect but that took time. Eventually Jess would find a position and form that suited her best. She watched as the empath but the gloves on. That should buffer the blow some. She watched watched Jess throw the punch. It wasn't bad. She gave the other woman a half smile when Jess yelped.

"That's what they say. Your form isn't bad. Once you find your balance you'll be able to hit faster. For now I would just hit the bag a few times. Build up slowly." She encouraged. It was something she hadn't had the luxury of doing but she refused to push Jess as hard as she had been pushed. Jess had nothing to prove. She was just trying to learn to defend herself.

Jess flexed her fingers, the pain subsiding. She'd feared Roxy would judge her on some level, but thankfully the anchor hadn't. Instead, she'd returned the smile - even if it was just a slight one, it showed a different side to her. And there was no scorn. Only... a twinge of envy? From what she knew of Reginald, Jess couldn't imagine Roxy had been able to train at her own pace like this.

"Yeah... I guess we've all gotta start somewhere." Making a fist with her other hand, she braced her legs. She knew Roxy wouldn't think poorly of her, but for some reason, that didn't stop the sensation of butterflies in her stomach. A sensation she was pretty sure was her own. As reassuring as Roxy's smile had been, it had only made that fluttering feeling stronger.

Trying to ignore it, she struck the bag again, this time with only a grunt and a wince at the flare of pain. "Nice try bag, but you're not gonna get the better of me," she said with a playful chuckle before shifting her stance and punching with her other fist. "Take this!" Trying to lift the mood was her go-to response to stressful situations, even if success wasn't guaranteed. At the very least, it could break down the tension a little more.

"How was that?" She looked Roxy's way for feedback on her technique. "Did I teach it a lesson?"

Roxy smirked and shook her head as Jess pretended to attack the punching bag. She watched the other woman. Not judging her but studying her movements. She was looking to for ways to help Jess learn how to defend herself. The problem was she hadn't ever taught someone. She wanted to do it right. It was important that Jess could survive her world. Because she would always in her world. Even if it was only on the edges.

"I think it's learned it's lesson. At least for today." She assured Jess. She was glad that the other woman had enjoyed the training. It wasn't much but Roxy felt like it was a solid start. "You should practice at least once a day. The more you do it the more natural it will become." She could throw a punch without thinking. It was important that defence become automatic. If you had to think about it you would be too late for it to do you any good.

Jess removed the gloves, rubbing each hand in turn. Despite the stinging in her reddened knuckles, she responded to Roxy's words with a chuckle. "Yeah. I mean, you really know how to teach it a lesson, so thanks for showing me." Aware of Roxy's self-doubt, she kept up the attempt to lighten the mood and bolster the anchor's confidence. In different ways, they were both learning, and supporting each other.

"Uh so..." She thought over the weekend's swimming session, how it had helped Roxy work off pent-up stress and anger. "I know it isn't much, but after work, want to look into sports or exercise groups?" A public swimming pool probably wouldn't be a good idea, as she doubted Roxy would be comfortable in swimwear around several people, but there had to be some activity that would help both of them relax. She'd be happy to look up local options later. "Anything in particular you want to try?"

"You're welcome." Roxy didn't know how good she had been at teaching but at least Jess had a basic idea of how to make a fist. That information could be beneficial in the future. Roxy raised an eyebrow when Jess asked if she wanted to look into an exercise group or sport. "I don't think I'd be comfortable exercising in a group." She pictured them doing yoga or aerobics. She couldn't think of an other group exercises. Neither of those things were her speed. "I used to do MMA fighting but I don't think you'd be comfortable there." She couldn't picture Jess in a ring or even on the floor watching a fight. The other woman wasn't the type to enjoy those kind of things. "This is enough" She indicated to her set up. "is enough. It allows me to stay in shape and work off my anger." She assured the empath. She was mostly happy with her life.

Glancing towards the setup as Roxy gestured, Jess smiled. "Yeah, funny how vigorous exercise can actually be pretty relaxing." While her fingers still stung, it had done her good to experience the benefit herself, and had been a valuable bonding experience. A simple, routine-driven life would be ideal for both her and Roxy - that was, if they had that luxury. The thought overshadowed the calm mood she'd built up.

Quickly, she picked something else to focus on. "As for MMA fighting... Uh yeah, probably not my kind of thing. Being in the ring myself, that is. But if you want, I'd be happy to watch." While she'd gladly root for Roxy, and watch her doing something she enjoyed, the only possible problem would be her ability. Would all that excitement from the spectators and fighters overwhelm her? Hopefully by then, the shield would be a little stronger.

"We'll see. Down the road." Roxy comments with a shrug. She knew it would be awhile before Jess could handle even a practice match. It was her fault. Emotions were her weakness. She didn't know how to handle them. Growing up she hadn't been allowed to express them. She had been expected to be strong enough to deal with them the same way adults did. Most of her life she had been known as a calm but tough person. Until her father turned his back on her and tried to force her to marry Maxwell.

"For now this is enough." She had learned to deal with her anger. She had to so it didn't destroy her. She refused to allow her father to take anything else from her. She had worked too hard to build this life on her own. She was going to fight for it. "I'm going to head downstairs."Roxy said as she grabbed one of the towel she kept in the work out area. She wiped the sweat off.

There it was again, a twinge of guilt from Roxy. "I mean I'd gladly come along," Jess reassured her. She didn't want to take that hobby away from the anchor, who'd already made enough sacrifices, although right now it'd probably be more than she could handle. And if it did prove too much for her... She knew Roxy well enough to know she'd blame herself. "But yeah, might be best to wait a while."

She took a towel and wiped the sweat from her forehead, freshening up as Roxy did. Best to be well presented for work, put up a facade of normality, no matter how troubled life outside of business hours was. "Well, all we've gotta take on now are car repairs and paperwork," she joked, following Roxy into the garage. If only they had a surefire way to face the real challenge ahead.

Roxy headed down and opened the garage. She refused to think about the future. She would deal with it when it happened. Her father would cause problems but worrying about it would only stress her out. She refuse to give her father that kind of power.

The morning was quiet. She worked on rebuilding an engine that an older man has brought in. It kept her mind busy. She loved complicated jobs. The harder she had to work to get the job done. She had little doubt she could get the engine working again. While it was old it wasn't badly damaged. Most of the parts she could rebuild or replace. It would take most of the day. Which was fine because she had only one other appointment

Around noon she set the engine aside and stood up. She stretched."Ready for lunch?"

There weren't many customers, or much paperwork. Which, for many people, Jess imagined would make for a nice relaxing morning. Not for her, though, as it meant there was little to keep her mind occupied. In between the few tasks she had, she browsed the internet for instructions on martial arts techniques. Reading about them wasn't the same as practicing, but it kept her distracted, and the information would hopefully be something she could apply.

The morning ticked by slowly, and when the clock finally read noon, Roxy asked about lunch. "Yep, sounds good," Jess replied, shutting down the computer and following Roxy to the cafe. As always, she tried to ignore the men trailing them, but they were a constant reminder of the situation.

They stepped into the cafe's comforting atmosphere, one of rich coffee smells, friendliness, and relaxation. Or at least, it would have been a comfort if not for the worries plaguing both of them. No sooner had they ordered and sat down than Jess' phone pinged. The text she read brought mixed emotions, entirely her own.

She raised her eyes from the screen. "Hey so, Mom's asking if we'd be able to spend the weekend with her," she explained. "Is that ok?" It meant Roxy wouldn't have to deal with her father, at least for this week, but it'd mean more secrets to keep under wraps. Surely her mom had spoken to Reginald by now, and Jess wondered what she must think of him - had he earned her trust, or had she figured out something was off?

Jess forced herself to focus on other subjects. If they spent the weekend away, it would be a good chance to put the bowl of questions to use.

Roxy did her best to push her worries to the back of her mind. The there was little point in wasting energy on it. She forgot that Jess could pick it even when she was ignoring it. She knew how to ignore things. Especially things she didn't or couldn't deal with. The walking to the cafe helped stretch her leg. It was good to move after being still for so long.

"Of course." Roxy agreed easily. It was only fair. She was curious about Jess' family and see how they lived. It would be nice to get away from her life. She was sure by now her father had reached out to Jess' mom to smooth things over. No doubt the woman thought she had been a rebellious teen or worse that she was an angry adult who didn't know how to move on. Either way it couldn't be worse than the weekend at her Father's house.

Picking up on Roxy's relief, Jess smiled. "It'll be a nice break." Not that a break would fix matters, she thought as she replied to her mom, but it'd be some reprieve. Or so she hoped. The next message that popped up on her phone cast that into doubt.

"That's great! Looking forward to seeing you. But, look, I'm going to be honest. Roxy's dad was talking to me the other day, and he said a few things about her... Please tell me, are you sure you're ok? I do hope she's treating you well, and please let me know if there's a problem."

Jess grimaced. Quickly arranging her features into a mask of composure, she typed up a reply, trying to convince her mother everything was ok. It wasn't, of course, but not for the reasons her mom thought. Hitting the send button, she bit back a sigh. Roxy wasn't the one at fault here. Yet if Jess mentioned who the real culprit was, there'd surely be consequences.

Roxy knew that Jess' mother had talk to her father. It sounded like he had made her sound dangerous. Either mentally or psychologically. It didn't matter. The woman was clearly worried about her daughter. Roxy didn't blame the woman. Jess wasn't in the best hands. The empath hadn't gotten the best match. She couldn't change the past. Her father would cause problems until he got what he wanted. He wanted an empath. He was convinced that having an empath would protect the family business.

They left after she closed the garage. She called a cab for them. She wasn't looking forward to the questions Jess' mother was bound to ask. There were things she couldn't and wouldn't explain. That would only add to the woman's worry. Roxy added it to her list of things she couldn't do anything about. She was prepared, or as prepared as she could be, to be disliked by Jess' mom.