�Although�� I mused as my fist skimmed Teal�c�s temple, �That doesn�t mean that fighting can�t be fun as well.�
A quick jab heading straight for my nose jerked me out of my thoughts and I quickly dropped to my haunches, feeling the rush of air ruffle my hair as the hit missed, before lashing out with a sweeping kick. It didn�t surprise me when Teal�c stepped back to avoid it and I grinned as I leapt upwards with uppercut straight to his jaw taking advantage of his unbalanced state. What did surprise me was that the blow, muffled by the protective padding that framed his face, only caused him to take another small step backwards to gather his balance instead of knocking him to the ground like it was intended. Before I had even a split second to refocus I was headed for the soft matting and I rolled backwards instinctively as I landed before back flipping a pace away in a vain attempt to put a small distance between myself and the unfazed Jaffa. Unfortunately, the Jaffa�s sense of balance wasn�t the only thing to catch me unaware as he covered the distance between us with one powerful stride and I desperately launched into a pre emptive spinning kick, cutting off his potential attack and following up with a series of rapid roundhouse kicks, alternatively aiming for his temples and kidneys but repeatedly meeting only the dense muscles of his forearms until he finally realized my rhythm and caught my foot mid-flight in his large hands. I must have spun at least five or six times before I met the matting once more and I rolled to the side, only hearing the �clump� as Teal�c�s fist met the soft cushioning and not my face. It only took my opponent two seconds to pull himself back up to his full height but my hand, open palmed but tensed, was already heading straight for the back of his neck. The speed with which he spun and blocked the attack was once again surprising but this time I didn�t allow it to catch me off guard. Kelownans are fast learners you know. Instead I weaved to the side and struck out with a backhand of my own which the Jaffa blocked with an open hand. The sound of my hand hitting his palm resembled that of a whip cracking and I could hear the sounds of sympathy as the various spectators cringed at the noise. Who they were sorry for however I didn�t have time to think about as a flurry of punches were thrown at my face and chest and even my advanced eyes struggled to keep up with where the next hit was heading. I knew, even as I kept stepping backwards that I needed to get on the offensive but it was all I could do to deflect the blows coming towards me, let alone seek an opening among them and I gritted my teeth in frustration as I crossed my forearms above my head in desperation. I could feel each hit land against my arms and I knew, even though the Jaffa was attacking with nowhere near his full strength that each one would leave a mark. It was only as I saw a fist heading through the gap in my guard that I finally relaxed as I clamped my hands over the top of it and dragged the Jaffa downwards and towards my thrust kick. I wasn�t sure whether the gasp that followed had come from Teal�c, the spectators or myself but as soon as I heard it I knew my blow had connected. And before I had chance to debate it further I felt the wind knocked out of me and I was plummeting to the ground, rolling not of my own accord but with the momentum of Teal�c�s counter and I was relieved, even though the fight had been fun, to hear Doctor Janet�s voice in the gymnasium.
�Okay, boys, that�s enough for today.�
I groaned a little as I rolled onto my back and as I opened my eyes I saw Teal�c�s hand suspended above me, this time thankfully not as an attack and I grinned as I clasped it with my own and allowed him to pull me upright again.
�That was most enjoyable, Quinn.� He stated and I could tell from the look in his usually unreadable eyes that he meant it.
�Yeah�� I agreed, trying not to wince as he clapped me on the back, �It kinda was, wasn�t it?�
�Indeed.�
The reply caused me to grin and I felt a guilty satisfaction to notice that the Jaffa was holding himself rather stiffly as he walked away.
*-*-*
�Nice one, Quinn�� I turned at the sound of Colonel Jack�s voice and was alarmed to see him scowling as he walked towards me accompanied by Colonel Murray. �Now he�s going to be sulking for months.� He continued but it was only when he broke into a grin that I realised he was joking.
�I only managed one hit.� I mumbled, happy with his praise but, at the same time disappointed with the outcome of the training. �I would�ve got the crap beat out of me on Kelowna for loosing like that.� I spoke quietly, more to myself that anyone else but I didn�t miss the reactions of the Colonels stood before me and I bit my lip thoughtfully. �Not that anyone here could kick my ass.� I proclaimed arrogantly in an attempt to lighten the mood despite the fact I was only half�-convinced that someone wouldn�t take my statement as a challenge.
�I think your boy�s picking up your attitude.� Colonel Murray smirked as he elbowed Colonel Jack who simply grinned sheepishly.
�I�m teaching him well.� He replied and I laughed.
�You�re a bad influence.�
I couldn�t help but grin at the sound of Sam�s voice and I stared at the floor shyly, wondering if she had watched me fight and, for some reason more importantly, wondering if she was as impressed as Colonel Murray and Colonel Jack were acting.
�That was amazing, Quinn, I didn�t know you could fight like that.� As I stared into Sam�s eyes I was sure she was being genuine and I broke into a shy smile.
�You�you really think so?� I asked and the Major nodded.
�I wouldn�t say it if I didn�t mean it.� She said earnestly and I nodded, believing her, revelling in her praise for a brief moment.
�I should probably go and see Teal�c, I hit him a bit harder than I meant to�� I concluded after a thoughtful pause and Colonel Murray smirked;
�I think you should take a shower.� He chuckled and I blushed. My heart beat had already returned to its resting rate and the rush of adrenaline was still masking the pain � it was easy to forget that just five minutes previously I�d been out of breath and sweating.
�And for once we agree.� Colonel Jack piped up and I pouted jokingly.
�Alright, alright.� I laughed as I walked away, muttering just loud enough for them to hear, �You�re the ones who wanted to watch me fighting in the first place��
*-*-*
I�d been in the locker rooms before of course but I�d never realised quite how BIG they were. I suppose that�s one way of admitting that, after drying myself off and getting changed, I was lost. When I had first arrived at the SGC I had always memorised every journey and all the possible exits and escape routes but, as I�d grown more relaxed, I�d grown out of the habit somewhat.
�Better get back into the habit, Twenty Three if you�re going to be going on missions now.� I scolded myself, snapping out of my thoughts when I heard footsteps behind me.
�You are not heading in the direction of the exit.�
I was both relieved and embarrassed to hear Teal�c�s voice and I laughed nervously as I turned to greet him.
�I was�I was looking for you.� I stammered out. �I wanted to check you were alright after�um�� I trailed off, subconsciously pointing to my jaw and Teal�c raised an irritated eyebrow.
�I am fine.� He replied shortly and I flinched back a little, relieved when his stern gaze softened as he continued speaking, �I was�surprised at your level of ability.�
I grinned at the Jaffa�s reluctant praise. �That was almost a compliment, Teal�c.� I joked and I saw Teal�c�s lips twitch slightly.
�Perhaps�� He intoned and I sighed, it was hard enough figuring out the Earthling sense of humour, at least they actually smiled when they were joking. Giving up on figuring out Teal�c�s Jaffa jokes for the moment I turned my mind to more pressing issues.
�Do you want to get something to eat?�
*-*-*
�You two haven�t killed each other then?�
I laughed at the absurdity of Colonel Jack�s statement as I took a seat beside him at a commissary table, ice cream cornet in hand. The idea that I would attempt to kill Teal�c was ridiculous in itself but the idea that the Colonel could think I was capable of such a thing after watching the sparring match made his statement even more ironic.
�Don�t encourage them.� Doctor Janet mock-scolded from across the table and the Colonel�s eyes widened in mock-surprise.
�Are you kidding? That was the best fight I�ve seen in ages!� He enthused.
�Do you not mean, the best fight you have seen since we last attended Jello-wrestling, O�Neill?� Teal�c cut in and Colonel O�Neill smirked leading me to guess that he at least understood Teal�c�s sense of humour and I made a mental note to ask him about it later. From the look on Doctor Janet�s face however, she didn�t find it funny.
�Jello-wrest-�
�You are not discussing this with him, Jonathon O�Neill.� Doctor Janet cut me off, glaring angrily at Colonel O�Neill and then turning to Teal�c when he opened his mouth. �And that goes for you too, Teal�c.�
�Alright, alright...� Colonel Jack sighed before turning to face me and winking. �Tell ya later.� He whispered and I grinned even though I was almost sure Doctor Janet was only pretending not to have heard.
�Sure.� I mouthed back as I finished the last mouthful of my ice cream.
�But that�ll have to wait.�
I smiled and turned in my seat when I heard Major Carter approach from behind but my happy expression quickly turned to a frown of confusion and suspicion when I noticed the leather collar and lead in her hands. I could hear the Major talking but her voice was muffled and I was suddenly to hot.
�Are you gonna walk, slave, or do I have to drag you?�
�Please�� My voice is less than a whisper, the pain of my broken ankle taking the pain away. �My leg��
�Quinn?� I could hear what sounded like a hundred voices talking at once and the room seemed to be moving as I grabbed onto the table for balance.
�Oh man�Twenty Three, what the Hell is that?�
�What have they done to you?�
I sink to my knees even as I hear my team mates rushing towards me.
�It�s tight.� I want to tell them, as my tingling, almost numb fingers fumble uselessly at the fastening of the collar round the back of my neck. �I can�t breathe.� I try to explain but all that comes out is a choked cough and I pitch forward, caught in Forty-Six�s arms. My vision is white around the edges but I can feel Seventeen�s hands tugging desperately at the leather, trying to put some space between my throat the collar and I panic when nothing happens before taking in a gulping desperate breath of air as I feel a blade slide between the leather and my skin and the collar falls harmlessly to the ground.
�I don�t understand.� I wanted to say, wanting to sort the situation out calmly and rationally like I�d learned to but I was too preoccupied with the fact that I was, for some unknown reason, heading towards the floor and I couldn�t seem to stop myself.