Training Day
Some days the dragon eats you…
Xander watched as Chen passed the road to Ari’s and soon turned right off Mulholland and onto a service road.
“Isn’t this a closed road?”
“Yes, but not for us.”
“So, what’s down here?”
“A reservoir. And where we train outdoors with small arms. Ari’s film production company owns it.”
“Oh,” Xander replied, surprised at the idea of shooting rather than hand-to-hand combat.
Chen pulled up to a maintenance building and put his black Jeep Cherokee SRT-8 in park. “Today’s schedule is as follows: Small arms training for two hours, then we head back to Ari’s for tactical class for an hour. We will break for lunch, then we will work on hand-to-hand until 4:00 PM.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
With a nod, Chen was out of the Jeep and had the back open. He held out an ammo box to Xander, then paused. “How is your wound?”
“Much better. I’ll be fine.”
Chen handed him the ammo box and a handgun case. He pointed up a dirt path. “Up there is a large oak tree; you will see where to stop. Keep an eye and ear open for rattlesnakes. If you see or hear one, just stand still until you locate it, then back away slowly, understood?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
Xander began up the dry dirt path, passing a bunch of low scrub bushes and a firebreak.
Across the firebreak stood a massive old oak tree.
He walked across the dry, dusty fire road and saw a picnic bench under the tree.
He placed the gear on it and peered down a path into a small canyon.
There he saw small tables lined up and, across from them, he saw target stands at varying distances.
Chen came up carrying a gun case, a small cooler, and rolls of targets. “Let’s head down.”
Xander followed him and watched as he set a longer case down on one table and pointed to an adjacent table. Xander followed his lead and placed his case down.
Chen jogged across and began setting up a line of targets, then he was back.
“Please open your case.”
Xander unlatched the black metal case and saw a mean-looking handgun with several magazines and cleaning tools. “Haven't ever seen a handgun like this.”
“FN Five-seven. Our standard sidearm, and used by many European agencies. Fast round, very little recoil, twenty in the mag.” He set it in Xander's hands. “You bought the one you're holding.”
“What about my .45?”
“Best keep that one at home. We want you familiar with this one. The .45's good for home defense, along with this.” He gestured to the rifle case. “Benelli M4 shotgun, folding stock.”
Chen walked him through the FN's function and stripped it twice before letting Xander try it himself, then handed him shooting glasses and ear protection.
They spent the next hour firing both weapons and the next half hour disassembling and cleaning.
Once back in the Jeep, Chen smiled at Xander. “Your groupings are good and you are a fair shot. I believe that, once you become accustomed to your new sidearm, you will be formidable.”
“Thank you, Chen. Your insights are amazing. I don’t think I could have done even half as well without your instruction.”
“My pleasure.”
Chen’s boot flashed up and stopped a mere inch away from the side of his head. Xander was amazed at how long Chen kept his foot there, balancing on one leg.
“Damn, that was fast,” Xander gasped and watched as Chen slowly placed his foot back down. It reminded him of an old Van Damme film.
“Don’t move,” Chen replied and proceeded to fire off various types of kicks at his head at lightning speeds.
When Chen finally stopped, he wasn’t even breathing hard. Xander just nodded his head in admiration.
“So, this time I will slow down a little and we will begin.”
Without pause, Chen’s booted foot came flying up.
Xander stepped in toward Chen, trying to unbalance him and catch his leg.
It didn’t work, as Chen’s leg snapped back and Xander found himself being thrown.
He extended his rollout as far as he could, came up, and found Chen’s foot snapping toward his head.
He stepped in again, skipped trying to catch the retreating foot, and, instead, tried to grapple Chen.
The man was like air and slipped away. Xander spun to find Chen’s foot flying back into his face.
This time he moved in the direction of the sweeping kick and got hold of Chen’s leg.
When he nearly had control of Chen’s leg, he found Chen spinning in his grip and Chen’s foot gone from his hands.
Before he could counter, Chen open-palm punched him hard on the left side of his chest. He moved with the ‘push punch’, dissipating the impact.
Stepping in to grapple again, he found himself being thrown to the mat once more.
“Halt!” Chen called out as Xander rolled away.
Xander was panting and stood, waiting for instructions.
Chen walked up to Xander and looked at him for a long moment.
“Your anticipation of attacks is credible, but your Aikido training is hindering you. You have so few attacking forms in that art that you keep trying to use what few Judo moves you know for your attack. You know other arts like Iaido or Kendo; use them.”
Xander was suddenly confused, as he had no cutting weapon. Chen saw the confused look and took a moment to let it sink in.
Xander figured it out and tried to imagine striking without a stick or sword, but with his hands, which meant he had to close in on Chen.
Without warning, Chen fired off a kick. Xander leaned back, and with his hand, he accelerated Chen’s foot in the direction it was traveling.
It allowed him to step in close as he brought his fist down toward Chen’s neck.
He should have known better… he found himself on his back, his arm in a lock and Chen’s fist in his face.
“Again.”
This went on for the next twenty minutes.
Xander couldn’t contact or even unbalance Chen.
He was about to give up when he remembered something.
Xander heard “again” and he closed in as Chen’s foot was coming up.
He blocked the attack, lunging forward with his shoulder into Chen.
With shock, he saw Chen was knocked backwards.
“GOOD! Excellent!” yelled Chen. Then he held up his hand. “We will stop on that positive…” he said, smiling. “Sumo?”
Xander nodded, out of breath. “Yeah…” he panted.
“Good chi energy on that attack.”
Xander nodded his thanks, still panting.
Chen walked up to him with concern on his face. “How is your wound?”
“I think it’s okay.”
“May I see it?”
Xander shrugged, unbuttoned his gray police-style shirt, and opened it. He watched as Chen examined his chest wound.
“No offense, Xander, but it looks like a little old woman’s puckered lips,” Chen chuckled.
“Yeah… I guess it does.” Xander laughed in return.
“You were fortunate.”
“More like stupid. I always seem to panic when it comes to Halo.”
Chen nodded. “We will have to work on that.” Chen gave him a wink with a smile. “I best get you home so you can rest up… before Halo returns from work.”
Xander couldn’t help but return the smile. “Thank you, Chen.” He gave Chen a slight bow in respect. Chen, in turn, dipped his head to Xander.
“How did it go?” Athena asked excitedly.
Xander groaned heavily. “Chen is like Jackie Chan and Jet Li combined. I could barely touch him. Thank God he was slowing it down!” Xander laughed.
Athena laughed along with him at the thought of her dad chasing Chen around. “So, you’re going to make dinner tonight?”
“Yes!” Xander smiled happily. “How does Keftedes me Avgolemono with a Greek salad sound?”
“Oh yeah!” Athena smiled. “Need help?”
“Sure, but let me wash the stinky off me first.”
Athena held her nose at his remark. “Yes, please!” she giggled. “I’ll chop up the onions for the meatballs.”
“Thanks!” Xander chuckled and made his way up for a long, hot, and glorious shower.
Athena made the Greek salad as he prepped the Greek-style meatballs, prepared a rice pilaf, and started the egg-lemon Avgolemono sauce.
He heard the new driveway detector sound off, and he and Athena quickly washed up and rushed out the door to greet Halo.
Xander waved Theo off, hurried to Halo’s door, and opened it. As soon as he did, he leaned in and kissed her surprised lips.
“Wow! I think I can handle this type of greeting every day!” Halo laughed.
With a smile, he helped Halo out. With a quick glance to JJ, he nodded to her, then whispered into Halo’s ear, “Hey, Athena and I made dinner… we have enough for guests?” Halo nodded happily with a whispered, “Yes!”
Xander leaned further into the Rover and spoke to Theo and JJ. “Athena and I made more than enough food. We would like to invite you both to dinner.”
He watched as Theo smiled at JJ and she beamed right back at him. JJ nodded happily at Xander and to Halo.
“Theo, I made Keftedes me Avgolemono.” He saw Theo’s dark eyebrows rise.
“Very nice! Long time I have not had that,” Theo replied.
“Ella!” Halo called out to them all as she gave Athena a hug at the door. She slipped her hand into Xander’s. As they entered the kitchen, she breathed in the rich aroma of Greek food.
“Oh my, smells so good! What did you make?”
“We made Greek-style meatballs with a rice pilaf, an egg-lemon sauce, and a Greek salad.”
Halo smiled happily at Xander, then turned to JJ, who was standing very close to Theo. Watching JJ talk quietly with Theo made her heart feel good. She saw Theo’s hand briefly touch JJ’s and watched as JJ leaned her hand closer to Theo’s. Then Theo spoke to Xander.
“Xan, would you like I help and the women can relax together?”
Xander smiled at Theo. “Efaresto, Theo. I would like that.” He turned to Halo. “If you want, get freshened up and we will serve you three out on the patio.” Halo’s smile said it all.
“Deal, but I get the cleanup,” the women demanded in unison.
As the women left to get freshened up, Xander had Theo fry up the remaining meatballs while he made the very delicate sauce.
Theo began speaking Greek to Xander with happiness in his voice. “Back home in the old days, my father would have threatened to kill me if I helped the women cook!”
Xander chuckled and replied in kind. “Ha! I understand that. When I was with Evie, I couldn’t even touch the stove. The thing is, I like to cook for friends…” He watched as Theo smiled and nodded as he pulled a batch of meatballs out of the hot olive oil.
“Yes, I like cooking for friends as well,” Theo grinned.
By the time Halo and JJ came downstairs and outside, Athena, Theo, and Xander were waiting on the patio next to the large marble table. Halo and JJ gasped at the white-clothed table and all the food, wine, and tableware displayed before them.
JJ elbowed Halo. “I think I can REALLY get used to this.”
“You know it, girlfriend!” Halo laughed.
Theo and Xander helped the women to their seats and sat opposite them, while Athena sat at the head of the table. The food was passed around, and soon JJ and Halo were swooning over their meal.
As the women left for kitchen cleanup, Xander held up his glass of wine to Theo. “Thank you for the help and the hint with Chen.”
Speaking Greek, Theo replied, “Thank you for the invitation and a delicious dinner. It’s been years since I had that. So… how did it fare with Chen?”
Xander began laughing. “In a real fight, I’d have been dead ten times over. He is just so fast, and my attacks are lame. I did manage to knock him back once on a fluke.”
Theo nodded approvingly. “Simo is the only one who can defeat Chen. Eleni sometimes can barely hold her own… Jessie is getting there. Gunnar and I can never win against Chen. He really is that good.”
“Simo can handle Chen? Wow…”
Theo laughed. “Don’t think because Simo is so big he can’t move. That man has always been fast, and talk about strong? I’ve seen him pick up and move a big refrigerator by himself…”
Xander felt his mouth come open and spoke in English. “Wow. I sure am happy he didn’t come after me that night!” Xander laughed.
“Who was going to come after you?” Halo said, coming up behind Xander with JJ in tow.
Theo laughed and switched to his broken English. “Simo! Sit and I will tell you the story.”
Halo sat close to a blushing Xander and held his hand.
Theo smiled, stood up, and pantomimed himself walking like Xander did. “Xan come up from road, it was dark.” Theo started limping in place with a big smile. “I see Xan walking slow, like he hurt. Then Simo sneak up behind, and I see Xan spin and then Simo is flying in air.”
“I got lucky,” Xander chuckled.
Theo laughed and sat back down. “Look good to me. You get respect from Simo for that.”
Xander shook his head, embarrassed, as Halo leaned in and wrapped her arm around him. “Hell, I could hardly even touch Chen… it was all pure luck.” He laughed.
Theo held up his wine glass and everyone else followed suit with their own. In his broken English, he spoke, “To good friends, food, and wine! Stin igeia mas!”
“Stin igeia mas!” everyone replied with a laugh.