<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">“That sounds fine,” Jaxon agreed. That was about the time he ate dinner anyway. Only this time he wouldn't have to cook any of it. That came as a welcome relief, especially since he'd be eating something different. Jaxon's cooking skills were quite simple, usually consisting of under-seasoned meat, bland veggies, and a simple carb. He wasn't one to complain, but Jaxon liked good food. <br/>
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Jaxon looked over to Gabriel when he inquired about his name. <br/>
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“The name he came with was way too long, so I shortened it. I prefer all my dogs' names to be one syllable, and something sharp so I know I can have their attention quickly,” Jaxon explained. The next question that followed was not one so easily answered. Jaxon didn't look to Gabriel and instead shifted, uncomfortable and trying to find a suitable answer. <br/>
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“I went wherever they had a need of me, and I'd been in it a long time. It's still a mess. Lot's to clear up, but the Afghan president wants us out. Hopefully, I won't be gone from it long. I don't really think I'm made for civilian life,” Jaxon went on, trying to hint at the touchy subject matter without fully airing all his dirty laundry. <br/>
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As the events unfolding with the dangerous stranger, Gabriel might have had more insight into why Jaxon needed time away. <br/>
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Jaxon had given fair warning. He'd told him not to move at them like that again, and this young man went one step further by putting his hands on Gabriel. He didn't need any more answers from the young man he'd driven home, though he didn't fully grasp who this man was to Gabriel. It didn't matter. None of the behavior Slater was displaying was called for, no matter the situation. <br/>
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Gabriel was nursing a bloody face, going on about how they needed to leave. Jaxon had only stood to assess the situation. This was a belligerent individual, but no worse than threats he had disengaged in the past. It didn't occur to him to run. You did not turn your back to an enemy with a gun pointed your direction. <br/>
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“Get in the truck,” Jaxon ordered Gabriel. Kiv was lunging up on his haunches watching the man just as closely as his owner. The gunshot sent both of them into a different mode, and Jaxon was transported back to his time during the war where he didn't have the luxury of contemplation. Only instinct.<br/>
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Jaxon let Kiv go, sending him with a sharp command of 'Attaque'. This was what the animal was trained to do. To assess as he was, and disengage a dangerous situation. There was never any time to think of the danger to the dog. It was those hesitations that got someone hurt, but Kiv did not hesitate. There were reasons they used Malinois so often in the military. They were easy to carry for a soldier, being that they only weighed sixty pounds on average. On top of that, they were a great deal faster than the German Shepherd. They were fearless, and Jaxon knew the average individual wouldn't have been able to get a proper shot off in the fraction of a second it took Kiv to reach his target, especially with a shotgun. Slater tried to readjust his sights for close range, but suddenly the dog was much too close. He managed to get a shot off, but above the dog, and at nothing in particular. Jaxon had gotten out of the way of any predicted trajectory and moved closer to where Gabriel was.<br/>
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“<i>Tenir!</i>” Jaxon shouted, meaning 'hold'. Kiv had been trained to go after the forearm that was holding an object, in most cases that being the enemy holding some sort of weapon. It was no different in this scenario and Kiv grabbed hold and held on, even as Slater howled and tried to pry him off with his other hand. When that failed him, he tried to switch his hand holding the rifle, to use this as a blunt weapon against the animal, but once again Kiv was too fast. He'd been trained to anticipate the movements of the assailant, and he switched his hold to the other arm so that the weapon couldn't be used properly. This time Slater dropped the rifle and Kiv gave a vicious shake that brought him to his knees. Slater couldn't shake him, even as his fist connected with Kiv's side. That was the capability of a properly trained dog with a high drive. Nothing was going to pull him off until Jaxon gave the command. <br/>
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Jaxon rushed to it right after he'd been disarmed, pulling the dog off with a command of '<i>Hault'</i>, his command for release. Jaxon kicked the rifle away. Slater's arms were bloody but just because the dog had let go didn't mean he was done. He hauled Slater up to bring his fists down upon him, fury bleeding through any other rational thought. Kiv was worked up, barking like mad as Jaxon proceeded to beat Slator bloody with no intention of stopping. He was too in his own head, the noise bringing him back to a different time.</span></span>