So you honestly think you can do it?

I saw her break the column of bricks with just her hand and it genuinely made me wonder what was I thinking when I challenged her.

"I still don't get what exactly you're doing here." she turned towards me. She was sweaty and wearing a pony tail and dressed in her karate uniform, black belt and all.

"I thought you could give me a lesson. I mean, I know some basic fighting skills due to the INTERPOL training, but it would be nice to get some karate training too. I thought it would be interesting."

Caroline gave me a solemn look. It was at these moments were the ever so fashionable "poodle" looked the least like her self and I was sure her true nature came out. Carol was always dressed almost as impeccable as me (not LIKE me, I'm still the best dressed; I'm the fashion connaisseur). Now she looked like a plain tomboy. Even her C cup breasts were concealed behind the uniform.

"Karate isn't something you just want to learn, you know?"

"I know. It's a long time discipline. I just want some basic lessons. Everyone has the right to self-protection, no?"

She stared at me. "You're talking to me about RIGHTS and KARATE, the two things I know about the best." she shrugged "I guess I don't have a partner today and you'll have to do."

I nodded. "Alright."

She grabbed a set of nunchucks.

"You're USING NUNCHUCKS on ME!?"

"Obviously not, unlesss I wanted to kill you. I'm going to swing them around as I explain some basics points to you." She cleared her throat. "You have various things to your advantage. You already have basic combat skills, you're an archery champ, which allows you to find your certain, BUT, you don't know what your strength is."

"Yes... I'm continously being told that." I said, every word dripping with sarcasm.

Caroline laughed. "Well, not in THAT sense. I meant... in karate you must know two FUNDAMENTAL things... what is your enemies weakness and second, what is your strength. IF you can exploit them using the correct technique, you'll be fine. So..." she swung the nunchucks. "Come get me..."

I blinked, then immediately rushed towards her and kicked, jumped, evaded, punched, moved, did everything I could to hit her, but she blocked every one of my attacks with the bloody nunchaku.

"OWWWWWW!!" my hands and legs soared.

"You have good technique, but I can see you coming. I can read your movements like a book. You did not study my weakness. Now, take a minute and think about what just happened."

It didn't take me too long to realize that as she blocked with the nunchaku she was left partially open on the side that wasn't blocking. If I was fast enough I could at least beat her to it....

It took me about two hours to finally get what she meant and manage to hit her. Her technique was very different to mine. While I moved in straight and individual movements, she was able to perform an incredible amount of combos. I was stunned. At the end, she took a bottle of water and sprayed it over herself.

"That was some great exercise."

"You're incredibly good at it." I stared at her. I knew she was a champion, but I guess you never really relate the ever spotless and feminine Caroline Richardson with karate.

"I'm good at many things, Lucille Marie. You'd be surprised." She sat next to me.

"Is it true you dumped Leo in order to go for the tweetie title?"

"Technically yes!" she laughed

"God... are you really that competitive?" I asked, very much amazed "That you would give up your relationship in order to win the race? Isn't that rather... unscrupulous of you?"

She reclined against the floor, placing her arms behind her head. "I will always love Leo, and he will love me. But I know he's had something for Katzereine for a time now. I rather we not be in a relationship when anything happens. I'll give it to you, I don't like the idea, but you should allow a person every bit of liberties before tying him down."

I smiled down at her. "You really adore Leonardo, don't you?"

"With my whole heart and soul, until death due us part and eternity ends. I adore him. If I have to kill or lie for him... I'll do it. And if anyone gets in our way, I will destroy them. Destroy them like God they had wished they had never been born or imagined. He is mine and he forever will be."

My eyes widened. "For a second there, you had the same maniac look as Ashley..." I laughed.

"Well, we ARE cousins. And she feels the same way about Rink."

"Does Leo feel the same way?"

She smiled, and it was a knowing, age old smile. "Yes, he does."

And as if having being called he appeared before us; he was wearing a slight frown. "You're wet." He told Carol.

"It's the effect of suddenly seeing you." she smirked offering her his arm so as to help her up.

His frown instantly disappeared and was replaced with a sly smile. He took his hand and helped her up. "You know what I meant, Caroline." He held her close to him and they smiled at each other.

"Wait!" I stared at them "I thought you two had broken up?"

"So?" We're still living together and having incredible sex as always. No compromise." Carol smiled

"You two are... incredible..." I shook my head, slightly smiling.

"Of course we are..." Leo smirked "... it's us." and Caroline stared aghast as he had stolen, intentionally, the words out of her mouth.

---

After all that mushy mushy love and karate practice I felt soar and drained. It was exhausting to say the least.

I arrived home, fed Lilo and Nemo and then threw myself on the sofa. I had 19 messages: 3 were from Sammy, 2 from Eric, 2 from Chrissy, 1 very strange and surprising message from Ashley, 4 were from models from the studio, and the rest were requests orders for upcoming events.

I decided to return Ashley's. As one could've imagined it was all about how they need an urgent wardrobe and if I could do it. I accepted and hung up.

Next, I phoned Eric.

"Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.... how's my beautiful and extra gorgeous big sis doing?"

"I'm good, but jeez, you can't imagine what I was up to..." I told him all about my day.

"You being as smart as you are, did you think it was smart going up against Carol inside her own territory?" he laughed.

His laughter was contagious. "Yeah. That was pretty stupid, but it was very very entertaining. I can't deny I had tons of fun!"

"Luce, you have fun placing with sticks and stones."

I flushed slightly. "Well... maybe I do..."

He laughed even more. "That doesn't make it wrong. You're just too cute, sis. Did you know that? I can't imagine just how entertained you get with Lilo when you let her out."

He was blatantly laughing at me. I crossed my arms. "Ha-Ha-Ha. Hey, you spoiled little brat... I have something to ask you."

"What?" and it sounded like he had been laughing so much he had tears in his eyes.

"Do you think I'm a hypocrite?"

"Hell no! Why would you say something like that?"

"Well, two people have said it to me already and well, I don't think so, but i'm not going to be attacking myself either, you know? You're always too honest with how you think."

"Lucille, I AM honest, and even though I love you crazily, I'd be honest with you. You're not a hypocrite, and if someone's calling you that maybe it's out of jealousy. You know how smart and sexy you are? Well, if they can't compete with you they'll try to hurt you. Don't mind them. People are supposed to love people they way they are. If they can't accept you, fuck them good."

"You're assuming these people were women... what if I told you they were men?"

"A real man wouldn't call a woman A HYPOCRITE and if he did, show 'em to me, cause I'll kick their ass until they're yelling for their mommy."

I laughed. "You do know how to make me feel better."

"But I will tell you this. You can't expect everyone to like you. You might be willing to make an effort and meet halfway with the people you meet, but others might not be wanting to do that effort. It's not bad that you like people and that you want to get along with them, but not everyone agrees to that. Inevitably, people will not like you. You shouldn't be discouraged by this. All the contrary, stand on your two feet proudly. You're a Delton!"

I smiled into the phone. "And I'm very proud to be one."

"So don't change. I love you, sis."

"I love you too, bro."

"Good. So... would you like some pasta for dinner? I'm thinking of taking your baby out for a ride and we might just go visit you at Milan."

"It sounds like a wonderful idea. I'll get dressed."