Feedback: genxlisa@interl.net Disclaimer: Don't own Midway, New Line Cinema or anything else associated with Mortal Kombat. Thanks :) WARNING: There are a couple of objectionable phrases in this story. If you aren't comfortable with two or three bad words, I wouldn't read this story. But thanks for giving it a try :) Mortal Kombat: A Different Interpretation (5/?) by: Tara Depp Johnny sighed and moved his jaw slightly. The crowd of people began to disperse. Only one man stayed behind. He looked around nervously before approaching Cage. "Uh, Mr. Cage?" the man asked. Johnny turned to him, looking quite angry. "What?" The man held out his hand. "My--My name is Connor Ryan. I've been a huge fan of yours since Fury Fighters II." Cage shook Connor's hand. "Nice to meet you Connor." "Yeah." Ryan echoed. "I was just passing by when I saw what was going on and then I saw you--- I had to stop by and say hi. You're, like, one of my heroes." Johnny smiled a little. "I'm still your hero even after a woman beat me up?" "Of course." Connor said. "It was only one punch and I admire how you didn't hit back. Most of these guys here would attack anyone or anything that gave them trouble." Johnny looked around the small encampment. "How long have you been here Connor?" The other man shrugged ."About five hours or so. I just got done eating and listening to this guy talk about the tournament. Only settled into my quarters a few minutes ago. Where are you staying, Mr. Cage?" Johnny paused. He really wanted to go stay with Sonya but if he even tried that--- "Connor, how many people are to a--- um, hut? Do you know?" "Two." Connor reported. "Okay." Cage said. The egotistical part in his brain said to go to Sonya, just so she wouldn't have to spend the night with some creep. Quickly, the logical part of his brain said to stick with this Connor guy. But when does a man ever use logic? "Well, Connor, I think I'm going to try patch things up with Sonya. I'll see you around!" Connor grinned as Johnny waved and walked away, searching for Sonya. Cage certainly didn't know when to give up. Ryan walked away as clouds covered the sky and thunder rolled in the distance. Sonya Blade viewed the small hut she had found. It nicely furnished with two single beds equipped with nice night stands next to the mattresses. There was a bathroom behind the main room which had all the comforts of home. Also, two kerosene lamps burned over the top of the door, sending bright light rays into the room. She closed the door behind her as raindrops began to fall and walked over to the nearest bed. The other bed was sitting vertically against the other wall. Her bed was across the room from that one. She only hoped that she wouldn't have to share the hut with someone else... who was bound to be a man. Of course Johnny would always be welcomed but after what she'd done to him, it would be out of the question for them to ever converse again. She pulled her feet up under her and relaxed her mind. She let her memory wander back to the good old days before the army or all the pain she had caused people she'd cared about. But all the memories of home and safety weren't surfacing in her mind. Sonya shook her head and her shoulders sagged. She couldn't concentrate on anything when her thoughts of her treatment of Johnny. Blade knew that Cage hadn't deserved the punch she'd thrown at him or the sore jaw. Once again, she'd driven away a potentially meaningful relationship. That was just like her. Driving away people she loved---- "Dammit." she whispered. *Love* It was a word that she didn't use often. Sonya refused to believe that she was in love with Johnny Cage. Sure, he was handsome and sounded like he meant well but--- Out of the blue, there was a knock at the door. Sonya cautiously neared the entrance. She hesitated before opening the door. "Who is it?" "Santa Clause." came the muffled reply. Sonya smiled and opened the door. Standing outside was Johnny Cage. He was drenched to the bone and shivering but wearing a shy smile while holding a small suitcase like bag. "Johnny---" she started but decided to invite him in first. "You're soaked. Please come in." Cage moved inside, rubbing his hands together for warmth. "Thanks." She shut the door and began toward the bathroom. "I'm sure there's some towels in here." Johnny threw his bag down on a bed that was sitting vertically against one stucco wall and tried not to drip water all over the carpet. Sonya returned with two large towels and Johnny accepted them graciously. She tried to make conversation. "I thought you lost all your bags." Johnny shrugged and toweled his hair with one towel while sitting on the other. "So did I. But, while I was searching for you, someone returned it. Good thing I put those little name tags on the handle." Sonya smiled a bit but after a second the smile faded. She sat down on the bed next to him. "Johnny, I'm sorry about punching you. It was a stupid thing for me to do." Johnny raised one hand. "I shouldn't have tried to spy in to your life. We barely know each other and I inquire about personal matters. Plus, I did say some very mean things." Sonya nodded solemnly. "We both made some stupid mistakes. How about we just make up?" Johnny grinned. "I like the sound of that." Sonya returned the smile. She extended her hand to him. Johnny looked at her palm and gave her a strange look. Cage said, "I think that this calls for something a little stronger than a mutual handshake." *Stay calm* Sonya told herself as her heart rate picked up. "Excuse me?" Johnny held out his arms to her. "Come one. Give Johnny a hug." "But your shirt is all wet." she complained. "Then I'll take it off." Johnny decided and swept his shirt over his head to reveal a nicely sculpted chest. "Better?" Sonya had to nod. "You know," continued Johnny. "My pants have been are sort of starting to chafe. Mind if I take them off too?" "God, no!" Sonya exclaimed. "If you want a hug, here!" She quickly threw her arms around him as his muscular settled around her smaller frame. They stayed like that for a few moments until Sonya pulled away, feeling embarrassed. She quickly stood up and started for her bed. "We should... um, get to bed. Tomorrow's going to be an important day." Sonya said distractedly, rubbing the back of her neck. Johnny just stared at her. "Sonya you don't have to be afraid of showing your emotions." "I've already told you--" she started, turning away from him. "You told me that you don't like to empty your soul to another being. I do understand that, believe me. But showing emotions and pouring out every detail of your life are two very different things." Cage said, standing to stress his point. Sonya turned around. "Johnny, I don't want to fight. It's late and I'm tired. So, if you'll pardon me, I'm going to prepare for bed." She was half way to the bathroom when Johnny said, "You're going to sleep in that?" Sonya looked down at her long black shirt and black pants. "It's the only thing I've got." Johnny opened his bag and tossed a shirt at her. Sonya caught it and looked at it. It was a Tee-Shirt from a celebrity baseball game with the name JOHNNY stitched on the front and the name HOLLYWOOD STARS on the back. She looked at him gratefully. "Thanks." Cage followed her with his eyes until she had disappeared from site. Getting her to return his feelings wasn't going to be as hard as he thought it would be... but, he could be wrong. TO BE CONTINUED... BE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT :) ~Who's there that makes you so afraid you're shaken to the bone. You know I don't understand you deserve so much more than this. So don't tell me why he's never been good to you - don't tell me why he's never been there for you. I'll tell you that why is simply not good enough. So just let me try & I will be good to you. Just let me try & I will be there for you. I'll show you why you're so much more than good enough...~ --- Sarah McLachlan "Good Enough" from the CD, *Fumbling Toward Ecstasy*