SOS To the World

Chapter Four

The Workout

I arrived at the dojo on time just as I do to everything. Adam greeted me at the door with a quick explanation as to why it would just be the two of us. It seemed Rocky had been roped into helping Jason set up the nursery for the baby, and wouldn't be able to make it to the workout.

A thrilling jolt ran up and down my spine. I was going to be alone with Adam. What exactly was it about him that made me like him so much? I knew the answer. I'd just never taken the time out to contemplate it. He was similar to me in a lot of ways. He was quiet, but made sure his voice was heard. He was peaceful, but didn't completely rule out violence as long as it was the last resort. And he seemed to be one of few men with any chivalry left in him.

If that isn't my type, what is?

After a little small talk we hit the mats. Or, well, he hit the mats, literally.

A part of me felt bad for mercilessly pounding him match after match, but I was not going to go easy on him just because I have a certain amount of feelings for him.

"Can we . . . take a break?" He said with ragged breaths. A grin spread across my lips as I nodded in agreement. I threw a towel across my shoulder as we headed to the benches.

"Jason said you were good, but he didn't say you were this good." Adam said flashing me a tired smile. "Forget being a college professor, you should come here and teach some classes with me and Rocky."

"I actually thought about starting a dojo when I was younger, but my parents thought academic pursuits were more practical. They produced a greater percentage of success, if you know what I mean. And I do love teaching. I just don't love teaching the kids at the Peace Conference. Those kids are too smart for their own good. They already know everything that I try to teach them." I told him with a soft smile.

"So, did you call that guy Rocky told you about?" He asked me with curiosity.

"Yeah, just this morning actually. I have a meeting with him this afternoon. He says there are several openings in the technology and science departments."

"Wow, well good luck with that, It would be nice to have you back in Angel Grove." He said to me with a gentle smile.

"Thanks, and trust me I would love to be back in Angel Grove. Being in Switzerland keeps me out of the loop on all ranger news."

"Kim told me that your secretary never gave you any of our messages." He said nodding in understanding.

"She probably had no idea what any of you were saying. I swear, she can speak every language but English." I said while I shook my head.

Adam cleared his throat, and bit his bottom lip. He looked as though he were about to ask a difficult question.

"So, do you have anybody special in Switzerland?" He asked awkwardly. My eyes grew wide and I nearly choked on my latest gulp of water.

"As in a boyfriend?" I asked trying to confirm that he was asking what I thought he was asking.

He nodded and nervously wiped his hands on his pants.

"No, all the males at the Peace Conference think they are God's gift to the academic world or something of the sort. I doubt any of them know what the word humility means." I said with a roll of my eyes. He chuckled and focused his eyes on the floor.

"Well, as long as you're not seeing anyone, I was wondering . . . if you would like to go out sometime." He said never allowing his gaze to leave the linoleum.

"You mean like a date?" I asked him in shock.

"Yeah, but its okay if you don't want to, I mean I was just wondering-"

"I'd love to." I interrupted quietly. His head snapped up as his vision focused on my face.

"Really?"

I nodded slowly in response, and he visually relaxed allowing a smile to grace his features.

"So, then tomorrow around three? Is that okay?" He asked me with excitement. I smiled brightly in return.

"Perfect"

"Hey! I thought you two were supposed to be working out!" A voice yelled from the dojo's entrance.

"We were, we just stopped to take a little break." I said with a wink as we turned to face Rocky.

"Hey man," Adam said in greeting as Rocky approached, "How did you get out of helping Jason set up the nursery?"

"I didn't get out of it. We gave up. Kim doesn't know exactly where she wants everything yet so she's gonna think about it for a couple more days." Rocky said in a bored tone. "How has the workout been going?"

"It's been great." I said with an energetic smile.

"Yeah, really great" Adam said as he flashed me a grin.

---

Adam and I decided not to tell any of the others about our date. They would all raise a big fuss, and there was no point of that until we saw how things went the next day. It was very possible that things wouldn't work out for us, and we didn't want to cause any awkward situations.

So I managed to survive an entire shopping trip with Tanya and Kimberly without revealing my plans for tomorrow. We stopped to eat at The Angel Café where the man from Angel Grove University was supposed to meet me. Kimberly and Tanya were going to hang around until he arrived.

"So what do you think he'll look like?" Tanya wondered out loud.

"Probably some old fogy in a dusty suit. I bet he'll have a British accent and a ridiculously bad toupee." Kim said with a laugh.

"Well, you're right about one thing." A British accent said from behind us. We turned to see a tall, dark haired, broad shouldered man standing behind us. He looked no older than the three of us, and had ridiculously handsome features.

"Oh. My. God. I am so sorry . . ." Kim said urgently.

"It's no problem, trust me that's not the first time I've heard myself described that way." He said with a good-natured laugh, "Now which one of you ladies is Trini Kwan?"

"That would be me." I said as I stood up and extended my hand for a shake.

"Well, Trini, we're gonna let you get to your meeting now, Call the house when you're done and one of us we'll come and get you, okay?" Kim said with a grin and a wink.

"Yeah, sure." I said with a nod.

"It's nice to finally meet you Ms. Kwan, and you have charming friends." He said with a smile. "I've heard so much about you from Rocky that it is wonderful to get my chance to meet you."

"Oh well, thank you very much." I said as my cheeks flushed lightly.

The rest of the interview went almost the same way. He would ask me a question, and when I answered he would flatter me mercilessly. And despite my self I couldn't help but be drawn in. Here was this incredibly educated and handsome manwho he was paying me compliments. He seemed to be doing his fair share of flirting too.

"Well, I must say this is the most fun I've had on an interview in quite a while, and I am almost certain there is a position for you at the University. Perhaps we could discuss this further over dinner sometime?" He asked at the end of the meeting.

Wow, that's two guys in one day. How come I was never this popular in High School?

"I, umm . . ."

What should I say? I don't want to be rude, but at the same time I didn't really want to date him either. Yeah, he seemed nice, but I just kept picturing Adam's face. I hope that doesn't become a permanent habit. It's kind of distracting . . . but nice at the same time.

"Can I get a rain check?" I asked hoping that will suffice.

"Of course, just say when." He told me with a bright smile.

"I'd better call my friends and tell them we're through here." I said as I began rummaging through my bag for my phone.

"I don't think you'll have to." He told me with his gaze focused on the window next to us.

"Why's that?'

"Because there is a man headed in our direction. I'm assuming he's a friend of yours"

And sure enough walking through the door and toward our table was Adam. A wide smile spread across my face as I saw him.

"Hey, Kim said you might be done with your meeting about now, andinsisted that I come and pick you up" He said with a smile almost identical to mine.

"Perfect, I was just about to call." I said as I realized introductionswere necesary, "Adam this is Brian Thomas, Brian this is Adam Park."

"Nice to meet you, Adam" Brian said as he shook Adam's hand. "I hope you know how amazing of a woman your friend is. I'm hoping to steal her awayfrom the Peace Conference, and maybe steal something else as well." Brian said with a wink in my direction. I smiled awkwardly in response.

Why did he have to say that in front of Adam? I could see Adam tense up out of the corner of my eye.

"Believe me, Brian; I of all people know how special Trini is."

That sounded kind of threatening. Was Adam jealous?

As Brian pulled away from the handshake I saw him discretely rub his hand, and I grinned. Adam was jealous. Jealous of a man I've known for barely an hour. It was really flattering actually. I could feel my grin growing into a smile.

"So, you ready Trini?" Adam said his gaze still lingering on Brian.

"Yes, and thank you for lunch, Brian. It was wonderful." I said as a grabbed my purse and stood up.

"Not a problem at all, Ms. Kwan." Brian said awkwardly as he averted my eyes. Apparently he received Adam's message loud and clear.

As soon as we were inside Adam's Excursion I began laughing uncontrollably. I don't know why, but rethinking through that scene made me laugh. Adam, of course, noticed this.

"Something funny?" He asked seriously.

"No, not really. It's just that I've never seen the jealous side of you before."

"Jealous? Who said I was . . .?"

"Oh, come on, Adam, you squeezed the guy's hand to death."

"Okay, so I was jealous, but can you blame me? I mean look at that guy, and then look at me. In a competition for you who do you think would win?" He said dejectedly.

"What are you talking about?" I ask suddenly becoming serious again. "You won. As a matter of fact I don't even think a competition is necessary. Besides I thought what happened back there was cute. It makes a girl feel good to know a guy wants to keep her around that badly."

"Any guy who would let you go that easily is stupid." He said with a little bit of a blush forming on his cheeks.

"Thank you, Adam." I said as I felt a blush spreadingacross my own cheeks as well. The rest of the drive was spent in a comfortable silence. We seemed to both be contemplating what was happening between us. I sighed as we reached Kim and Jason's. Before I could exit the car Adam stopped me.

"Trini, wait." He said with nervous urgency.

As I turned his lips came crashing down on mine. It was a surprising, but pleasant turn of events. That kiss deepened and resulted in more kisses. It was like we couldn't get enough of each other. Eventually, we regained our self control. We pulled apart and I forced my self to face frontward. I cleared my throat, and licked my lips.

"Maybe we should save some of that for tomorrow." I said in shock.

"I think you're right, don't want to get too carried away." He said quietly as he got out of the car, and came around to open my door for me.A smile ran across my face as I observed his swollen lips and disheveled hair.

"You think that they will notice?" I asked him as we began walking toward the house.

"Notice what?" Heresponded in a clueless tone.

"That our lips are red and puffy and our appearance is less than tidy."

Adam stopped and observed his appearance then looked back at me.

"You know what?" He said, "I don't really care."

"And why not?" I asked him curiously.

"Because I have a feeling that we're going to last a little while." He said with a smile as we began walking again . . .with my hand in his.

---

The end! Well, what do you think? Originally it was going to be a lot longer, but this just seems to flow better than what I had written on my plan sheet. I like this story and I hope you do too! Thanks to my readers and reviewers! Keep it up!

angellwings