A routine is finally building. Good days happen more than bad days. Viola can do her work at home for Omga’s, go into The Pit three times a week, check-in at the hospital as scheduled, and go to Cyclone on schedule. Things are finally falling into the rhythm of a plan! Viola gets a little breathing room that eases her mind about the new area; well mostly.

It happens a couple of times. Viola notices it but is not ready to ask yet. People are not eager to speak directly to her anymore. They are all whispering to each other and chuckling as she moves by. The gossip habit is turning to her!

She fidgets her toes in an effort to hide her nervousness; being the new meat in town is bad enough but everyone, everyone, in the gym always seems to drift together while she is being couched by Steven. As if it is a rare eclipse or astounding event for them, but she only knows a little bit about them. Regardless it still causes something to knot up inside her, no matter what Steven says.

Steven is a very encouraging and in-tune trainer. Always seems to catch on when the pain set in and could tell to push. But he catches on to what wasn’t normal pain and does not push. Even stopping her a couple of times when she shouldn’t push through. Viola is sure she shot him many dirty looks over the training. For some reason, she is always an angry exerciser. Even Athena leaves her alone while she is training; not even a hello. He takes it all in stride though.

Till one day she goes to clean up before leaving to hear one of the guys break out a taunt, “Ooooooh. You got it bad!” She glances out of the locker room hallway to see them picking on Steven.

‘Steven?’ she wonders. She watches them tease and push each other a bit before deciding to finish getting change without listening in further.

When Viola does leave for the day Steven has one of the other guys, Josh the redhead, in a headlock messing with his hair. They all just wave goodbye without changing positions. The others laugh at his reaction. After a moment Steven lets Josh go. “Come on. You finally started lifting again. Why not?”

Steven just grumbles. Raph, the heaviest and tallest of all the men, shoulder bump him. “Don’t ya think she’ll like it?” He sees Steven tenses up. “Come on. She comes here. She must love big guys!” he encourages.

“I can find out,” Athena offers.

“That might be a bit far but come on~ Maybe she can get you pumping again! Think you’ve only puffed for a while,” Josh cheers coming back around and poking Steven’s shoulders.

“Cap, it’d be great to have you back at the parties,” Raph encourages adding onto Josh’s suggestion.

The bell over the door rings as a delivery driver comes in signaling everyone to go back to their routines. Steven goes to his office. Athena follows closing the door behind her, “Hey. I really can ask her.”

He smirks, “No. I should talk to her.”

“Ya sure?” Athena doesn’t want to push because all she knows about Steven’s history is not so lucky when it comes to women.

“Thanks, Athena,” he says with a soft smile. He knows she is just trying to help. She shrugs as she leaves the office. Steven’s hand starts rubbing his chin. Doctor Clarke’s letter plays in his mind. He is not sure how Viola sees him; if Viola likes him as a person, trainer, friend, or even at all. But bringing her into the bigger fold is not something he takes lightly, especially after what happened last time. His hand slides over a small box in his center desk drawer taking out a small remote, “Pumping..”

The next day does cause an abrupt change.

People are very eager to see Viola and any instant she is not with Steven someone tries to talk to her. Turning her situation completely on its head from yesterday. Athena scares most of them off when Steven steps out for a minute. “Thanks. That was getting weird,” Viola acknowledges.

“Bunch of weirdoes,” Athena mostly chastises the group. She turns back to Viola, “Hey you want to get some lunch after this? I’m free today.”

Viola checks her phone, “Sure.”

Athena makes sure not to take Viola to the Bull’s Pit, just in case she would not talk in front of her other employer. Instead, Athena takes her to a bar, which Viola notices everyone is already cheering; welcoming Athena back. Even the bartender comes over with her drink already in hand. It only takes one drink for Athena to start on her topic; asking Viola which ‘team’ she plays for or if she is chasing anyone at the moment.

Viola’s eyes roll as she refuses to drink anything there. But it only took one question- “Did you ever chase anyone?” to get Athena going. Turns out she is a very vocal, easily drunk, and eager to share anything woman. Turns out the woman that loves to cry. A development Viola is not ready for as she tries to figure out what to do with the new drunk. ‘That is a one-eighty,’ Viola thinks as she watches Athena drink more.

The staff help get Athena to the car; leading to the longest drive home Viola’s ever had. The short walk between Viola’s car and house drains Viola’s reserves. Viola dumps Athena in the bathroom tub closest to the door. She takes a few minutes to catch her breath. After some convincing Athena unlocks her phone. Viola finds a name she recognizes and calls Raph from the gym, while still dealing with Athena who is mumbling about ‘the oh so pretty home’.

Raph comes to Viola’s house to pick Athena up. This is his first visit so Viola tries to give directions but Raph makes it in record time. When he comes in, he spots boxes down the hallway. They talk about unpacking a little bit while trying to get Athena out of the tub. While she makes a lot of progress with her boxes on her own it is not as much as Raph expects considering how long she’s been there. “One room at a time, on the good days,” Viola finishes with a light cough.

“Oh yeah, your chest thing. How bad is that?” Raph asks while propping Athena up.

“Flare-ups now and then but I’m getting used to it. Knocks me out for days when it acts up though,” Viola tries not to complain as she explains. It always feels like nagging in her mind even if she is ready to fall asleep standing.

Raph and Viola have not spoken much before but he could tell when someone did not want to talk. “Oh. If you need anything you can call any of us. Just like she could have,” he offers as the drunken woman on his side swings wildly. Raph and Viola exchange numbers as Athena begins to wander around. He finally persuades her to get into the SUV. “Better take her home. Later Vi,” Raph says before getting in his SUV.

Mr. Marrigold comes over after watching Raph leave. He is curious about the SUV in the driveway. Viola quickly explains but mostly asks, “Can you could help me with a couple of plans?” He smirks.