Disclaimer: I own nothing. Cept the Original Characters. Everything else is Lionsgate.

Authors Note: probably one of my favorite movies I was late to discover. Never got to see it in the theaters so I was super excited to get it on netflix. Then I was hooked. Need more Tommy Stories out there!

Mending The Heart

Chapter 1

"The heart is the only broken instrument that works."- T.E. Kalem

Tommy wrapped his knuckles and got ready for some time with the bag. He had some paper work to finish for Colt but that could wait till later, Colt didn't care as long as whatever needed to be filed was done by payroll. Working for Colt wasn't a high paying job, not that he really needed it, but it felt good to keep busy. Focus on training and fighting than dealing with family issues yet to be resolved.

Sure he and Brendan were speaking, same with pop, just some wounds need time.

He walked out of the office upstairs and made his way down the steps, only to find some punk warming up. Kid couldn't be more than 15 or 16, Tommy thought. He watched the kid move and anticipate the next counter. He had a solid right hook, definitely knew what he was doing.

The kid showed some great potential.

When the leg spun and knocked the bag Tommy wondered what the kid could pull off in the cage. Kid was a boxer no doubt, but it didn't mean he couldn't learn.

Probably could handle himself well.

Dropping from the steps Tommy walked around the bag.

"Hey Kid," Tommy spoke behind him. The kid refused to turn but responded, "Look I'm almost done," The kid lashed out, "I got a session with Dennis in 10 min, then she's all yours."

Tommy smirked and looked away before shaking his head, "Dennis huh? That's a nice jab you got there, who taught you how to box?"

The kid stopped and rolled his eyes, "Dude I'm trying to train, can you just back the fuck off."

'Little shit' Tommy smirked, he moved around to face the kid who hadn't looked at him yet.

"Simple question." Tommy pondered.

Backing off the kid raised his hands in frustration, "Dude just leave me the- Oh shit."

Tommy raised an eyebrow, kid finally recognized him.

"You're Tommy Conlon." He stuttered.

Tommy nodded.

"Last time I checked," He handed the boy a water bottle, "You watch MMA?"

The kid took it gratefully and downed it nodding, "Fuck yeah. That shit is intense."

Tommy looked around and crossed his arms, "Ever been in a cage?"

The kid shook his head, "I stick to the ring, and cage really isn't for me. Did some amateur stuff but it never went anywhere."

Tommy shrugged, "Too bad. Little coaching, add some steps, that right hook of yours could be doing some serious damage."

Tommy began to walk away but the kids voice followed. "You think so?" The kid asked hopefully, "You think I could fight cage one day."

Tommy looked the scrawny kid up and down and smirked, "Wouldn't be wasting my time here did I didn't think so. Anyway. See ya."

-break-

Tommy took a break from his training and watched the mystery kid walk around the gym before he settled in the corner and set his bag down. Tommy walked into Colts office and knocked.

"We running a daycare? Kid seems comfortable" Hs asked Colt, nodding to boy on the floor below. Colt laughed not looking up from his desk.

"That's Mark." Not even needing to look at whom Tommy was talking about.

"Family?" Tommy questioned. Colt shook his head, "Nope. Family friend. Sister works as a nightshift nurse down at County. She needed some help out; he was getting into some trouble. So, I offered to let him come here, kids a natural boxer."

Tommy grunted, "No shit. I watched his lesson. You teach him?"

Colt snorted, "Shit no. That's natural. He's Bruisy Phillips kid."

Tommy shocked for a second looked at the kid below doing some homework, "Damn. Bruisy Phillips?"

Colt looked up and nodded, "The one and only. Trained by the pops himself."

Crossing his arms Tommy just shook his head. Shit, his dad was a legend in the 'Burgh.' The kid had some real talent. Tommy wanted to see what he could use it for.

-break-

Elizabeth pulled into the parking lot at Colts and hurried out. It was around 830, her shift had ended a bit early, and so she was grateful that she wasn't picking up Mark too late. Slamming the door shut she ran into lobby. No one was at the desk and Elizabeth groaned; she just wanted to grab Mark and go.

She walked past the empty desk and looked for her brother, she just saw guys working out.

"Can I help you?" Someone spoke behind her. Elizabeth turned and stared at the man who approached her, he was attractive, but he was just like the rest of them.

"Colt around?" She asked annoyed, not wanting to talk to some meathead. The guy smirked and shook his head, "He's out. I work for him, I'm Tommy." He held out his hand. Elizabeth hesitated before shaking it.

"Elizabeth," She commented before letting go, "I'm looking for my brother," She brought up her hands, "He is about this tall, teenager, probably running his mouth."

Tommy couldn't help but laugh, "Mark's in the office," He pressed down on the intercom and spoke into it, "Kid get your ass up here, your sisters here."

Elizabeth heard a door slam and could see from the back as her brother made his way down the steps and jogging over to her.

"Hey you." She acknowledges, Mark gave her a nod. Tommy wanted to laugh, the kid was young but he towered over his older sister.

"Hi Liz." He stood there awkwardly before Elizabeth smiled and motioned to the door leading outside

"You all set?" She asked, Mark nodded and shifted his bag on his shoulder. "Yeah lets go."

She flashed a smile to Tommy, "Thanks again."

Tommy nodded, "No problem." He shifted his gaze to the brother, "Later kid."

Mark gave him a tired smile, "Bye Tommy. See you tomorrow."

Tommy would have recognized her anywhere. Elizabeth Phillips was just as known as her father. The ringside beauty of the arena they called her. She was only a teenager then, but the name stuck. She was still beautiful. Elizabeth, her mother and brother all went to every match Bruisy had. When Bruisy won the World Title, it was Elizabeth, just 18 in the photo at the center, hugging her father. Proud and strong. It was rotten luck just a week later he would be killed along with his wife in a drunk driving incident.

He watched the siblings through the glass. Elizabeth wrapped her arm around her brother and stood up to ruffled his hair a bit. He playfully shoved her away and she laughed before kicking him. Tommy couldn't help but wonder what that was like, a happy family. Maybe he would know someday.

-break-

Elizabeth placed the pasta on the table and watched as Mark took a scoop for himself. He passed it to her and she smiled and got herself a serving.

"So how was Colts?" She asked taking a small bite. Noticing Mark wasn't too interested in dinner.

Mark shrugged, "It was alright"

Elizabeth laughed, "Alright? What did you do? Didn't you have a lesson with Dennis today?"

Mark rolled his eyes, "I TRAINED, we had a SESSION. I don't need lessons, I am not some amateur."

Elizabeth laughed, "Touchy. Ok, how was the session. What did he say? Think you can compete?"

Mark nodded, "He told me within a couple of months I will be good enough for a real tournament."

Elizabeth nodded, "Good. But you know the rules, any Ds or Fs and you can't compete."

Mark nodded, "I know Liz." He played with his food for a second before taking a breath and looked at his sister.

"That guy you met tonight, Tommy-" He began, "Tommy's an MMA fighter. One of the best."

Elizabeth took a sip of her water and shrugged, "I care? Colt runs an MMA/Boxing gym. Probably has a lot of those guys around."

Mark looked at his sister before speaking up, "He says I may have what it takes to get in the cage."

Elizabeth stopped chewing and brought her napkin to her face and closed her eyes before setting it down, "Mark-"

Mark spoke up, "Liz hear me out-"

Elizabeth shook her head in frustration, "The judge said NO fighting. You are already hanging on by a leash. If anything were to happen-"

Mark stood up and banged his fist on the table, startling Elizabeth, "This isn't like that!" He shouted, "I'm not getting into some fights on the streets or hanging out with Rowley and his crew ok! Tommy is a professional fighter! He fights in SPARTA and Professional matches. Those aren't back alley beat downs! Besides," He pleaded to her, "I would be at the gym, not getting into trouble."

"Mark" Elizabeth whispered, "You have no reason to raise your voice at me, I just said-"

"I know what you said," He countered, "You are saying no. This isn't fair, you aren't my mother, and you shouldn't be able to make these decisions. I'm almost an adult-"

"You are 16 years old Mark." Elizabeth hissed, "And I am doing my best along with Gran to keep this family together." She tossed her napkin on the table, losing her appetite; "You have NO right to talk about making decisions, when the last few you made got you in jail. Who had to bail you out huh Mark? Tell me."

He stood there silent. Elizabeth nodded, "Right. Me. So if you have any plans on getting a job soon, or paying rent, or paying the bills then by all means make your own decisions. But as long as you live in my house, you will respect me and follow my rules. Do you understand?"

Mark nodded; Elizabeth took the plates from the table and walked into the kitchen.

Mark followed behind her guilty.

"Liz…" he spoke up, "Liz I'm sorry."

Elizabeth shook her head, "Don't be sorry, just…Mark try for me ok? I'm trying and I can't do this alone."

He nodded, "I know."

Setting the dishes in the sink she turned to face him, "If you want to train for MMA. Then I need to know more ok, Colt offered to help you box, he has to be on board for this. Then we can talk?"

Mark smiled and ran over to his sister and lifting her off the ground in a giant hug.

"Thanks sis." He whispered and set her down before walking away. Elizabeth smiled and watched him retreat. Glancing over to the fridge she the picture of her once completed family. She sighed, wishing for the better days and went back to cleaning.

Authors Note: So what did you think? Review!