Tales of Rockford

Gwyn smiled and waved over at Tate as he left his house with what seemed to be an entourage of people. It was a pretty impressive sight and that was just him on his own as he was ready for a fight and he had a towel thrown over his shoulder.

She chuckled as he called her the girl next door. ' If only he knew. ' she chuckled to herself as she was far from the typical girl next door type and hardly that innocent. " Oh sure, I would a ride. " she said with a a cheeky glint in her eye as she walked towards him giving up the search for her own keys.

She looked over at Candy who was dressed in a fur coat which was rather odd given the weather and the fact that no one had worn fur coats like that since the nineties unless they were in a porno. Gwyn desperately wanted to say it out loud and call this Candy girl out on her looks but she didn't want to cause drama on Tate's first day in the neighborhood.

She saw Willow and she waved at her and smiled. Grace had been excited about school for once in her life and she instantly liked Willow for that reason alone. " Hey Willow." she smiled as she joined the group that seemed to be led by a billowing man who was smoking a cigar in the front of the man.

" Wow is he always so warm and cuddly. " Gwyn joke smiling at Tate excited and a little nervous about what she was about to see at this fight. " Thanks for inviting me Tate, I have never been to a fight before. " she said ignoring Candy for now but keeping a close eye on Willow who had her nose stuck in her phone probably texting Grace.


" Today was the best day of school ever! I am actually looking forward to class tomorrow! " Grace text back smiling to herself as she sat in the kitchen making a start on her homework while her mother brewed her concoctions.

" So Grace, what do you think of the new neighbors? " Rosalina asked pulling some leaves off a plant hanging from a ceiling and adding it to one of the pots. She was curious about the new neighbors seeing as both her girls were quite taken by members of the family.

Her girls were her life and she had always been terrible over protective of them and with all of the bad omens Rosa had been seeing she had to ensure that her girls were safe.

“Whats she doing? Why is she coming with us?” Candy asked Willow, Willow smirking as she put her seatbelt on
“Careful candy you might set the lawn alight with that glare” she replied, ignoring Candy’s possessiveness when it came to flirting with her cousin. She hated Candy purely because unlike the other promotions girls that hung with the fight club, she was snotty and uptight, high maintenance and well...generally just a bitch.
Candy mumbled under her breath as she turned to face the front, Hector equally grumpy as they sat in the front though as Tate would later explain to Gwyn, Hector only ever had one emotion and that was grumpy.
When Gwyn waved and said hello to her Willow waved back in slight amusement, glad to see Gwyn had looked somewhere else then at Tate. It wasn’t often a tongue wagging woman would acknowledge her unless they were one of those types to play the ‘oh you live with your little cousin she’s so sweet’ angles.
“Hey” she replied before returning to her cell, smiling at the reply from Grace
“Your sister is sitting next to me in the car, If she comes home crying later on tonight because of Tate i apologise in advance” she tapped send, making sure no one else had seen her message.
“Ah don’t worry about Hector, he only does grumpy” Tate smiled, letting Gwyn jump in the van between himself and Willow. Climbing in he wrenched the door closed, earning a “watch it, these bloody things aren’t cheap you know” from Hector as he grinned at Gwyn and winked.
“Pleasures all mine” Tate nodded with the same grin, Willow feeling like she needed to puke at the line.
----- Skipping ahead a little----

The ride the club had been short, a local match not too far in the industrial part of the town. The car park was gravel, though one could only tell from the dust picked up behind cars. The rest of the parking lot was full of people and vehicles, every man in his dog and in this case that was in a literal sense. In the car on the way over, Tate had scurried through his bag to find the gloves he wanted afraid he might have left them in a box in his Ute. Eventually he managed to pluck them from the bag and sat comfortably for the rest of the ride, trying not to stare at Gwyn like a weirdo.

“This is so awkward” Willow had sent to Grace, watching candy discretely via the side mirror as she mocked Gwyn. The girl definitely had a chip on her shoulder.

Once hector had parked the van the group had unloaded, Tate walking with Gwyn so she didn’t disappear in the crowds of people. There were a few who had noticed him and tried to speak though Hector did a damn fine job at shooing people away. Willow followed close behind though already as she often did, she had plugged her ears under her headphones. Candy had already gone off from the group but it was warranted as she had to be strutting in the ring in under fifteen minutes and so with reluctance she let Tate go on his way with the new girl.
“I have to get ready before i get in to the ring so Willow will be able to show you were you ladies can sit, and I will try and see you right after unless you know, someone just so happens to get the better of me.” He told her, though confident there was no chance of that happening. He was up against a bloke who had a fairly good record but he was no shining hero by any standard. Hector had exclaimed the bout to be “extra preparation for a title shot”

Gwyn slid into the van and sat happily beside Willow. She gave her a playful nudge as she didn't look overly happy to be going to this fight. She hoped that she could make it more barely for her.

Hector barked about the door and she chuckled a little as he didn't even acknowledge the strangers presence in his van. " Well nice to meet you Hector. " Gwyn called out jokingly not expecting any response from the man.

When Tate said that the pleasure was all his so had so many cheeky retorts but she didn't want Willow to feel awkward so she just smiled and nodded edging more towards Tate then Willow.


Grace chuckled when Willow apologized in advance for her cousin somehow possibly making her sister cry in the future. Her sister was sweet of course but Willow had no idea how much of a bad ass her sister could be when the situation called for it.

" Don't worry Willow, my sister can handle herself. I apologize in advance if she gets in the ring and knocks your cousin out. " Grace chuckled away to herself as her mother asked her opinion.

" I really like them. Willow seems cool and Gwyn and Tate seem to be hitting it off. " She mentioned not wanting to go into much more detail then that and so she changed the subject. " What potions are you mixing? " she asked knowing that taking an interest in that would distract her mum.


Rosalina stirred and with her back turned to Grace she raised an eyebrow at the mention of Gwyneth and this Tate hitting it off. Rosalina still had a bad feeling about the new neighbors and she had yet to figure out what it was.

But Grace suddenly took an interest and to Rosalina that was more important for now. " Grace you should know this by the ingredients I have put in already. " and the lecture began.


Stepping out of the van it was like another world as people tried to approach Tate but thankfully the grumpy guy managed to keep most of them back. Although it was hard not to notice a few flashes of the camera's as they walked.

Gwyn of course noticed Candy mocking her. She had no idea what the hell her issue was or why she had taken suck a disliking to her but it was water off a ducks back to Gwyn. Although the temptation was there to make spots break out all over her body but she restrained herself, just. Needless to say Gwyn was glad to see her leave before them.

Tate stuck close and Gwyn kept an eye on Willow not wanting her to get lost in the crowd. " This is crazy. " Gwyn commented thinking that this is what celebrities had to put up with on a daily basis.

Tate explained that he had to go and Gwyn was glad to have Willow for company and hopefully she could explain how things worked around here. " Well good luck Tate... oh here. " she said pulling up here charm bracelet and she rummaged through her varies charms and amulets to try and find one that would suit the occasion.

" Take this. " she said holding up a golden charm that had a blue Earth in the center with a lightening strike through is and a moon and a bird surrounding it. " It's called Archimedes Medallion, it will bring you strength during the match. " she smiled. " It will hopefully save you a trip to the hospital. " she chuckled and then headed towards Willow, feeling responsible for her.

" Lead the way Willow. You are going to have to help me out here because I am new here. " she said placing a hand on her arm hoping Willow felt comfortable with her seeing as they would be spending so much time with each other this evening.

“Oh cheers, not sure if i can wear it in the ring but ill definitely have it on until then” Tate replied when Gwyn presented him with the charm, slightly amused at her faith in good luck charms. Hector patted him on the shoulder as he passed him and Tate nodded to the girls as he passed Willow a hundred dollar note and an expression Willow knew all too well, the play nice expression.
------------
At least Grace had faith in her sister, reassuring her that Tate wasn’t going to do quite the damage Willow figured he would, though she was still hesitant to say the least. She had put her headphones on but she could lip read from Tate enough to pull them back off since he had referred Gwyn onto hanging with her. Hector went off with Tate to the locker rooms while Gwyn approached and walked with Willow who now glanced up at her as she placed her hand upon her arm.
“No worries, it’s pretty boring really” Willow shrugged, glancing at the entry doors. ‘do you drink? Coz there’s a bar with like wine and stuff” she offered, taking lead and reaching back to offer for Gwyn to hold her hand in order to get the both of them through the door crowds without losing each other. She had seen the way Candy had mocked her in the car and for a moment wondered whether Gwyn was okay; perhaps she could bitch to Gwyn about Candy though unlike her cousin, Willow was overly sceptical of most people and cautious.
Once they had gotten to the door persons, Willow spoke to the events manager, showing her a small id card which she had been given when she first attended with Tate. She mentioned the plus one entry and soon she smiled at Gwyn, leading them inside and to the second floor.
--
The venue was an old gym which had been converted into a nightclub and fight club. The building was made up of three levels, the first being the base level which held bar and food facilities as well as a lower level seating area around the hexagonal ring. The second story was a split between standing and seated round tables, several bars and eateries included. The third and final floor was furnished with offices. The locker rooms were in the basement which provided plenty of room for the fighters and the rooms for their promotions teams to prepare for events.
While the crowds filtered into the venue, Hector busily read through the usually waiver documents while Tate sat on the massage table, getting the final check over from the clubs doctor and wrapping his hands. He was prepared to get in for the fight, feeling in good spirits and determined. His opponent stood in another locker room, doing the same with his own group whilst on the second floor the house band (a local cover band) kicked off the evenings event with their music.
Willow enjoyed the band starting up and headed upstairs to where the usual people from Tate’s gym were often found.

Gwyn smiled knowing that her and Grace's charms had been a point of ridicule in the past but then had they only known the truth they would not of been so quick to dismiss it. But seeing Tate take the charm without question meant a lot to her. Maybe he was just doing it to be polite and not offend her but she hoped it would bring him strength in the fight.

Gwyn smiled down at Willow as she took her hand and led her through the crowd. She was happy for her to take the lead as Gwyn had no idea where they should or shouldn't go in terms of seating. She knew very little about any sport and she didn't want to cause any kind of faux pas. " Boring? Nah, I am already excited. " Gwyn chuckled seeing that Willow was dragged to these things rather then enjoying them.

" Drink? Honestly, not that often but I wouldn't say no to a beer. " she smiled having never been a heavy drinker. She never liked the feeling drunkenness gave her but she didn't mind the odd beer, especially now she wasn't driving.

They entered the building and Gwyn was pleasantly surprised by the set up inside. It was more sophisticated she had imagined. Movies had made her believe that fights either took place in massive arena's or in underground fight clubs. This was so.. civilized. " I'll be honest Willow, I was not expecting this. " she chuckled looking around taking in the atmosphere. A band was playing keeping the crowd entertained till the fight began and Gwyn looked around for a table.

" Ok Willow where do you want to sit? Or we can stand if you prefer? " she asked excited and smiling at those she walked past. There was of course looks from men as Gwyn was a new face and not a bad looking face at that but Gwyn never let it get to her head. She just smiled and stayed focused on Willow whom she felt responsible for now they were alone and Gwyn was a natural big sister, she took people under her wing.

“thats cool, i’ll ask eddie to get you one” Willow commented, looking around for said Eddie before eventually spotting him on his way back with a tray of empty glasses. She looked comfortable as she approached him more so because she had known eddie since she had started living with Tate. The older man gave her a one armed hug while he slid the tray onto the bartop with his other hand, nodding and glancing to Gwyn before heading off to get what willow had asked for. She took minimal time to dart back to Gwyn’s side shrugging as Gwyn mentioned not expecting what she saw.
“don’t jinx yourself, once the fights start it can get pretty rowdy, if something happens occasionally a fight in the crowd breaks out but the security is usually pretty ontop of things. We get to sit ring side for the match, our seats are the green ones in the front down there” She pointed and explained. “Hector sits with us because we are like the support crew, kind of like in a car race where the driver has a big crew t look after the car and stuff” she tried to explain in terms that they both understood, hoping Gwyn did. The fights about half an hour away, the first fight is like a small match and then Tate fights at umm....about seven?” Willow explained

Gwyn was excited as she looked down at the ring where the fight would be held. It still seemed a little strange that men would actually sign up to beat each other up in a public ring but she respected it. It was after all an Olympic sport. Willow returned with her drink and she smiled. " Thanks hun. " she said affectionately finding herself taking a liking for the girl, especially if her and Grace were getting close.

She took a drink and then looked at Willow with surprise. She thought they were settling in where they were for the night. " We are going ringside? " Gwyn didn't know how to feel about that. On one hand it was pretty exciting to be getting front row seats but then she worried about having to watch Tate get punched that close up.

" A pit crew huh? You're telling me that Tate can screw that big head off. " she laughed at her own joke and hoped that Willow would see the funny side too. " Well I am looking forward to it, I just hope it isn't to gruesome. The movies always make it look so bloody. " Gwyn said not sure what to expect but hoping it was more civilized then her expectations.

Gwyn seemed to be pretty cool considering she had first taken the lady to be like all the other stale women who Tate slept around with, appreciating the fact that she actually made an effort to speak to Willow. The joke prompted Willow to laugh rather loudly, giving some of the other blokes about them a ‘what’ look when they gawked at the sudden outburst of her giggles. After all, Willow seldom spoke let alone laugh at events.
“C’mon lets go sit down...” Willow told Gwyn
***
The announcer stepped into the ring, the lightweight match over when one of the opponents had KO’d the other guy with a right hook, rather skilful from the looks of things.
Willow had hardly been paying attention, instead pointing out certain people to Gwyn and describing who they were.

When Tate was announced the speaker system broke out over the crowd, Tate’s theme song the heavy tune of Walk by Pantera. He wore a black robe to the ring, hands already wrapped firmly with black hand wraps and knuckle gloves. He was barefoot following protocol, and as he stepped into the hexagon ring through one of the side which was designed to slide open. Hector and another young man walked behind Tate, the young man taking the robe when Tate slipped it off and continued to stretch as he was announced, listening to the vibe of the crowd. His torso was bare and he wore long fighting shorts which were styled black and gold, Kingston written in calligraphy on the side. Viewing the crowd as the announcer spoke via the mike, Tate spotted Willow and Gwyn, giving them both a small wave. Hector sat beside them with a bucket, towel and drink bottle, speaking to another young guy who was there to assist at the end of each round, handing Tate what was needed.

Gwyn followed Willow down to the ring and kept a close eye on her. The big sister in her didn't like the idea of her being here on her own. Dare she sound like her mother and say it wasn't a great place for kids but Willow seemed at home here and she seemed to be able to handle herself. So Gwyn would keep her opinions to herself as it was none of her business.

As they took their seats Willow began to point out the various officals and competitors. Gwyn paid as much attention as she could but seeing the light weight match made her wince at times. Part of her had hoped it was like wrestling on the tv, fake, but the loser from the last match was well and truly out for the count. She had considered casting a protection spell on him, but if she did that there would be consequences. So she had to trust that no real harm would come to him.

The announcer introduced Tate and music began to roar along with cheering from the crowd. Gwyn smiled and clapped along with the crowd as Tate emerged in the long black robe. There was no denying there was a certain allure to watching him de-robe and expose his naked torso. She blushed a little and smiled to herself. It was the furthest she had ever gone on a first date with a guy, if this could even be considered a date.

She waved back and continued to clap along with the crowd. She had to admit that she was growing excited to see him in action. She had seen some stuff on the internet when she googled him but seeing it live was a new experience and she couldn't wait. She just hoped Tate didn't get to injured.

Both competitors bounced on the spot as each worked to remain focused, soon meeting in the middle as the referee explained his expectations of the rules. Whilst this occurred the venue music played overhead, Candy and two other promotions girls walking the outskirts of the ring in their leather bikini outfits. The referee made the rules clear before both competitors tapped gloves, the music dying away before the bell rang, signalling the commencement of bout.

The opponent Jimmy Barnell was a stocky bloke with a solid jab, his guard up though loose as he bounced from foot to foot. Tate matches with his own stance however he moved more agile then his opponent. It took mere seconds before Barnell moved in and started a grapple move against Tate. Tate fought for leverage, kneeing Barnell towards his chest as Barnell grappled for an opportunity to bring Tate to the ground. In the background Hector shouted though he could hardly be heard over the crowd as cheers and leering began. Willow watched the fight intensely sitting straight in her chair as she looked into the ring, watching as Barnell managed to drive Tate down to the ground, the two grappling still.

Tate managed to reverse the control on the grapple, rotating around so that Barnell was against the ground and sliding Barnell into an arm bar. The crowd elevated in volume as Tate leaned back, applying force to pull Barnell’s arm. The referee moved in to judge over the moves but Barnell somehow managed to get out of the armbar, elbowing Tate in the face.

The atmosphere in the gym grew with the music. Gwyn looked down at Willow and gave her a nervous smile. She hoped that the match would not be to bloody. She wasn't a supported of violence, but then this was a sport and they signed up for it.

The match was about to begin and Candy walked around the ring in a leather bikini much to many a man's delight. Gywn smiled and tried to cover her contempt for the girl. How could someone who paraded around half naked be so judgmental towards her. But Gwyn would never let her know it got to her, she was beyond those silly school girl jealousy's.

The bell rang and Tate and his opponent went at it. The sound in gym was almost deafening as different fans shouted for their favorite. The atmosphere was incredible and Gwyn got absorbed in it, clapping and shouting for Tate. That was until she gasped seeing the elbow connect with his his and her hands covered her mouth. That had to hurt and she only hope that he hadn't broken his nose. One hand left her mouth and

The blow to his face left Tate momentarily starry eyed, his eyes watering from the jab. He was quick to get to his feet, his opponent having been separated by the referee on a warning. Quickly shaking off the dizziness Tate refocused, the referee stepping out of the way before Barlett moved back in for another grapple. Only Tate sidestepped at the last moment, stepping low and upper cutting Barlett taking an opportunity as Barlett’s guard faltered, Tate bringing up his leg and getting a kick shot to his opponents kidney area. Barlett threw a punch and used his other hand to catch Tate by the leg after the kick shot, moving in and swiping Tate’s leg out under him.

Tate knew Barlett had him, knowing that he had to gain an advantage again. He landed on his back but managed to pull Barlett down with him, grappling again into a triangle hold using his legs. The previous elbow to his face had split his brow open, the blood smeared as the two grappled. Barlett struggled to try and regain the advantage but Tate used his leverage and the strength in his legs to increase the hold on Barlett.

It was a long ten seconds before at last Barlett tapped, his face flushed since Tate’s hold had cut his air supply to a minimum. Hector had shouted a little more victoriously when the bell sounded, the promotions girls coming out once more whilst Willow cheered and clapped loudly, whooping at her cousin with a grin. Tate released Barlett before both got up from the ground, moving to their corners as the trainers scrambled into the ring to each competitor.

Gwyn watched Tate fight on and wondered how he could keep going after a blow like that. She could only presume that the move wasn't allowed as the opponent seemed to be told off by the ref for elbowing him in the face.

She went back to clapping along with Willow and supporting Tate as they battled on. Tate skillfully manage to get his opponent in a headlock as blood oozed from his wound. Gwyn spotted it and she frowned leaning down to talk to Willow. " He's bleeding. " she said concerned. This might of been a normal hazard of the job but Gwyn was worried.

Tate's competitor started hitting the ring and the bell rang indicating he must of given up. Gwyn cheered as the round ended and Candy and her fellow .. well she didn't know what they were called. Walking billboards? Tate went to the corner of the ring and Hector and some others began fussing over him. Gwyn hoped they tended to that gash first.

" What happens now? " Gwyn asked. " Is there another round or did that tapping mean he gave up? " Gwyn was just showing how inept she was when it came to the sport but she was eager to learn as much as she could so she was grateful for Willow.

“good observation” Willow laughed when Gwyn pointed out that Tate was bleeding. She figured Gwyn wasnt used to seeing fights which wasnt unusual, just that Willow was rarely around anything else. “it only looks bad” Willow tried to reassure Gwyn though she went back to hollering when her cousin managed to triangle hold Barlett.
Yeah!” Willow yelled, perhaps the most vocal she had been since arriving in Rockford. She looked at Gwyn when she asked her what was happening.
“That’s it, Tate managed to get the guy to tap out, it means Barlett loses” Willow explained, shouting to be heard over the crowd at first and then the club music which cut in, The referee waiting for a few minutes before meeting with both competitors. Tate reached across and shook Barletts hand, having a word with him before the three gentlemen stood side by side in the ring, an overhead announcements from the speaker blasting amidst the music
“Your winner..KIIIIIINNNNGGGGSTTTTOOONNN” the speakers boomed, the ref raising Tates arm in the air as Tate waved off to the crowd before the competitors were able to leave the ring, Tate heading through the crowd back the way he had come.
Willow clapped for a moment before turning to Gwyn once more to fill her in “After the fight they will see a doctor or talk to the trainers and such, shower and then they can come into the main area again, Tate will come and see us when hes done” She told her

Gwyn beamed as Willow explained that his opponent tapping out meant that Tate had won all together rather then just the round. " That's brilliant! " Gwyn exclaimed clapping and hollering as the referee held his arm up in the air.

She jumped in excitement clapping along with the crowd who went wild. Tate and Hector took their leave leaving through the crowd and Gwyn was grateful for Willow's explanations. She wouldn't of had a clue if it weren't for her.

" Well, what do you want to do till he gets back? Are you hungry? We can grab a burger or a hotdog if you like. " Gwyn said thinking that they had some time to kill before Tate would reappear. She imagined that it would take some time for Tate to get seem to and looked after by the doctor. Not to mention there would be interviews and photos waiting. She wondered if she would see Tate again tonight now he had won.

“Oh burgers sound good” Willow replied when Gwyn offered, smiling before she thought for a moment and finally figured Gwyn wasnt the kind of woman to go talking about what they had said to eachother
“Don’t mind that Candy girl, she’s an idiot” Willow mentioned, knowing Candy had been giving Gwyn the evils since she met her. She went with Gwyn back upstairs to grab a burger as they had talked off, killing a bit of time before at last Tate appeared, wearing his singlet and jeans, his hair spiked up and still wet from his shower. The split over his brow had been taped by the onsite medic and he had been given the all clear. He had only been held up after initially walking into the main area of the club but the VIP upstairs made it easy for him to hang out without the hassle every two minutes. When he finally appeared he wandered up behind Willow, hugging her and rubbing the wet from his hair on her as she wriggled and whined
“Ewwwww cuz thats gross!” Willow grumbled, Tate laughing and pulling over a chair between Gwyn and Willow, sitting down
“Hey, how’s the food?”

Gwyn walked with Willow, again very protectively to make sure not to lose her in the crowd. Gwyn chuckled when Willow tried to reassure her about Candy. Gwyn thought she was sweet to do so. " Don't worry Willow, girls like Candy always get back what they put out into the world. " It was something that Gywn truly believed in and was apart of her Wiccan heritage although she tried to downplay it and make it sound more like karma to avoid awkward questions.

Gwyn ordered herself and Willow some burgers and fries and some onion rings for good measure in case she was hungry. She imagined with moving and with school she probably hadn't had a decent meal that day. Although Gwyn couldn't be sure the highly processed meat and food deep fat fried in oil was considered decent but it would do for now. She could leave over some home made food later on in the week to help in her own way.

Gwyn saw Tate coming and said nothing as he sneaked up on Willow and she laughed as Willow wriggled. It was strange to see Tate go from this hard, fighting boxer to this playful affectionate cousin. It caused her to smile a little. " The foods not bad, you want some fries? " she asked placing her basket of fries between him and her. " Congratulations on your win Tate. " she smiled taking a sip of her coke through her straw. " My lucky charm must of worked. " she said with a cheeky smile, the kind of smile that said I know something you don't know.

Willow was pretty glad with Gwyn’s answer regarding Candy, at least someone else would understand what an idiot the woman was. She thanked Gwyn and tucked hungrily into her food before her cousin had snuck up.
“Ewwwww cuz thats gross!” Willow grumbled, though glad that Tate had arrived. She wasnt entirely sure what she would have talked about for too much longer.
Tate picked a few bits of onion fries from willow as she swatted at his hand before deciding to accept and share with Gwyn, nudging Willow with a chuckle
“oh my gawddd” He mumbled with a mouthful, “sweet sweet grease” he commented as Willow chuckled, knowing that Hector always got in between Tate and junk food when he was training before a fight. Though when things were done Tate always enjoyed pigging out often with his younger cousin at the local kebab shop.
“Cheers, I reckon it did most of the work too” Tate replied to Gwyn taking note of her expression. There was an allure about her but he just couldn’t put his finger on it .
“nice punch in the face” Willow mumbled in between bites, Tate rolling his eyes
“this one’s so supportive”
(time skip if you want to)

Gwyn chuckle when he said that the charm had done all the work. It was funny how regular people always thought that a lucky charm would do all the work for them. But Tate appeared to have the skill to actually back up the effects of the charm.

" Oh I don't know about that, you threw a pretty good punch. " Gwyn said dipping a fry in some ketchup and taking a bite. She laughed at the cousins dynamics. They were almost like brother and sister. It was sweet really. Gwyn gave Willow a wink in support, girls had to stick together.

--- Time Jump ---

The car ride back was much the same as it was going but here was a much more relaxed atmosphere seeing as there was a win under Tate's belt.

Gwyn sat with Willow again and Willow and Tate reminisced about past matches. Gwyn was taking an interest in the sport. She figured that having them as neighbors would mean seeing a lot more of that sort of crowd hanging around his house so she wanted to learn more should she end up meeting them. They would at least have something to talk about.

The van Hector was driving pulled up and Gwyn waited for Willow and Candy to step out before she did. She wanted to speak to Hector. She figured a grump like him could of used all the kindness he could get. " Thank you Hector. I appreciate the ride. " she said sweetly. She said it when they were alone so it didn't seem for Tate's sake or insincere. She did appreciate the ride and she had to think that Hector wasn't as grumpy as he appeared, at least not completely.

She stepped out the van and glanced over to her house. All seemed to be quiet. Her mother's study light was on and Grace's bedroom light was on. " Thanks for the company tonight Willow and thanks for inviting me Tate. " she smiled completely blanking Candy.

Tate and Willow had spent a good portion of the night teaching Gwyn all of the rules in the cage matches, picking fun at each other and later on talking more about the matches Tate had previously fought in. Candy had sat in the front quietly skulking and glaring in the mirror at the three in the back as they talked and laughed. Hector was his usual self, grumbling and mumbling over simple things right up until he had pulled into the driveway at Tate’s home.
“My room better be in the same condition i left it!” Willow announced as she jumped out of the van, figuring that someone would have been in there while they had been at the fight.
“oi!” Tate shouted, as Willow waved “sorry Bye Gwyn!” willow corrected herself before waiting, Tate shaking his head while he leant over and roughly thumped Hector on the shoulder “Cheers mate i’ll talk to you tomorrow” he mumbled, dragging his duffel bag with him while Candy had snatched up her purse and phone.

Hector was indeed a grumpy man though when Gwyn thanked her his usual red cheeks dulled in comparison to his usual flustered anger, the old man looking shocked at her kindness.
“I err well...your welcome....now....errr get out of my ccar so i can leave” Hector bumbled, sounding grumpy but genuinely confused. The women Tate was often seen with were not the kind of innocent sounding females this woman appeared to be. Once she had done so, Hector reversed his van out, rolling off down the road without so much as a wave, his usual tone quickly back in order.

“Thanks for making it less boring” Willow cheekily spoke up as Tate gave his younger cousin a sideways glance, spotting Candy as she stormed inside the house and tying not to find it too amusing. He didn’t care all too much for Candy, even Willow knew that Candy was another piece of ass her older cousin had a habit of banging when he got the ‘itch’.
“Thanks for coming, sorry i didn’t get more time with you” Tate replied, Willow quick to disappear and save herself the dreaded exposure of one of Tate’s smooth lines.

Gwyneth chuckled as she had clearly taken Hector by surprise and didn't delay in getting out of the van. " Bye Hector. " she said as she heard Willow bidding her farewell. " No problem Willow. Thank you for holding my hand tonight. " she smiled at her. Willow had been a great help tonight and Gwyn was certain that without her she would of been completely lost.

Willow made herself scarce pretty quickly leaving herself and Tate alone for what seemed like the first time. " Don't worry about it Tate. I enjoyed myself and Willow is a sweet kid. " she said tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She felt slightly awkward now that they were alone, having only really enjoyed his company amongst others.

" Anyway, it's not everyday I get asked to fights. It was an eye opener. " she chuckled looking back at her house where she knew her mother was probably waiting for her to come home. " Well, I should probably get going. I have work in the morning. If you need anything, you know a cup of sugar that kind of thing just let me know. " she smiled hesitant to leave just yet. It would be an understatement to say that she could be swayed into hanging around if he asked.

“yeah when she’s not too busy being a ratbag or a teenage bitch” Tate replied but he didn’t spend more than that as he turned back to Gwyn, his bag slung over his shoulder. The offer of a cup of sugar prompted a smile and keen laugh from him as he glanced at her house and back
“Well I can’t say I’m disappointed that you aren’t able to stick around but i guess if you ever need anything yourself, perhaps need me to take a look under your car hood sometime “ He replied smoothly, though the mechanic reference was more so directed to what was under her own clothes rather than her car.

Gwyn chuckled at his comment about Willow but thought that Willow was far from anything resembling a bitch. Then again, she didn't seem the shy quiet type either and Gwyn knew far to well what on behind closed doors, well you could never know.

She smiled a little more hearing that he was disappointed about her leaving. She thought for a second that she might stay, go in for a few drinks maybe. But Candy seemed to be hanging around and Gwyn genuinely had work tomorrow. So he figured it was better to leave him wanting more.

She giggled at the mention of looking under the hood and blushed ever so slightly to show she understood what he was getting at. " Don't worry you will be the first one I call, if it ever needs a service. " she said with a cheeky smile. " I'll see you Tate. " she said beginning to walk away. She had no intentions of looking back but then she remembered the charm. She turned around but continued to walk backwards as she spoke. " Oh and you can keep the charm. " she said and then headed to her house smiling like a school girl as she thought of that night.

****Two weeks passed****

The afternoon was going so slow Willow swore the clock on the wall in French had actually ceased to function. She didn’t want to hag or glag out sounds this afternoon and it showed as she sat with her headphones close enough to her ears to hear the tracks playing. The last two weeks had proven to go well since arriving at Rockford high though she had gotten into a fight with one of the bitchy girls already. Though there was some light at the end of the tunnel with Grace for an awesome friend and even a good looking guy who seemed to be taken with her. That part of things however was top secret, the kind she didn’t want certain people like her cousin to find out even though she was giddy that Matt Blythe had asked her out for ice cream one night next week.

Tate had spent the last two weeks unpacking every box in the house, between working on cars to keep money rolling in and playing host to a plethora of friends who had never seemed to leave since the day they had moved in. By the time a week had passed he had eventually managed to get just about everyone out of the house, though it had taken two fights with Candy to get her to leave with the belongings she had scattered about in his bathroom. The last thing Tate Kingston needed was Candy trying to tie him down.

The morning was a blur of work and phone calls, the garage door open with two of his customer’s cars in pieces for some major work to the motor on one and the other needing the gearbox replaced. The sun was high early noon, the temperature much higher than the weatherman had announced the night before. So by the time the clock had hit one o’clock, Tate had called it a day at work and retreated to the backyard to workout, stripping off his shirt and tucking it into the belt loop of his jeans. There were a few times he had spotted someone looking over the fence from the neighbours yard when he was working out, though he had never let on that he had spotted Gwyn in particular out of the corner of his eye. He may have however put on a little more of a show then his usual plain workout. After a good half hour of weights Tate hit the path from his backyard and took a run into the state forest, using his usual tracks.

The sun shone down on Gwyn as she had spent the morning in the garden growing the necessary herbs and plants her mother had requested. She must of been planning something with the local Coven as there was an unusual number. That or she was planning on making a lot of potions.

But the work was easy with Tate working out in the yard. She had a pair of denim shorts on and a white tank top. Her hair was up and a bandana kept it out of her face and provided her head protection from the sun. Tate however was bare chested and she felt like he was taunting her, teasing her with glimpses. They had been dancing around each other for 2 weeks, flirting, making little comments, making sure they got flashes of each other but it had not gotten any further.

Gwyn was going against her better instincts and giving him some space to settle in. The last thing she wanted was ot have a fling with the neighbor and have it end badly, making it awkward for everyone. Tate took off into the forest behind them. Gwyn often spotted him running as part of his training. She had other reasons for going into the forest and today the need for Juniper berries would make her go on a scavenge. Her's had not ripened yet.

She grabbed an old fashioned wicker basket and exited the property through the gate they had installed in the back. She knew the woods well, she had grown up in them and she knew exactly where to go for the berries. She wondered if she would see Tate running, if they would strike up a conversation.

She shook her head and told herself how bad she had it. She was infatuated with him but it was difficult to get close to him with the constant flow of people coming in and out of his house. She didn't have to walk long before coming across small blue berries.

She knelt in front of the bush and carefully picked them starting to fill the basket. She knew they were poisonous so she was careful not to do something silly like lick her fingers. Then she felt a strange sensation run down her spine. A sixth sense, like someone or something was watching her. She looked around but couldn't see anything. " Tate? " she called out wondering if he was playing a prank on her. All was silent until she heard a twig snap to her left and her head shot to view what had made the noise and she gasped.