Shooting range: Saturday afternoon

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

First thing Jack did was post the rules --

SAFETY RULES:

· TREAT ALL GUNS AS IF THEY WERE LOADED

· KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO FIRE

· BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S BEYOND

· ALWAYS WEAR HEARING AND EYE PROTECTION

· NEVER USE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS BEFORE OR WHILE SHOOTING.

· CHECK IN ALL WEAPONS BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE RANGE.

--with the extra care he always showed when a particular person was with him. Satisfied with its placement, he started getting out the safety gear.

[ooc: the gun range, she is open, but Jack's thread with Cedric locked to them, thank you.]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Moving smoothly, he flicked off the safety, raised the gun as he shifted his feet, sighted and fired, putting the bullet right through the centre of the target. "It's easy," he said, lowering the gun. "Want me to go again?"

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"If I say yes, I'm never going to try," he said. "Let me do it this time."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Okay," he said quietly, flicking the safety on. He stepped back, leaving room for Cedric, and offered him the gun. "It is loaded. The safety is on, but that doesn't matter. Keep it pointed at the ground or down range at all times. And I know you know this, but I'm going to keep telling you."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

He made himself take a deep breath before reaching over and taking the gun from Jack. And then he closed his eyes and took another breath.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I just need a minute."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack rested his hands on Cedric's shoulders, standing close behind him. "Take all the time you need, Cedric. You don't have to do this."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"No, I'm all right," he said and he was now that he'd calmed himself down. "All right, tell me if something I do is wrong."

He positioned his body in the alley and slowly raised the gun, pointing it at the paper target.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack moved back and studied him, nodding, because it was pretty close to perfect. "Together, though," he reminded him, stepping close again to put his arms around Cedric, carefully folding his hands over his where they were gripping the gun.

"Line up the sights with the target; when you're ready, take the safety off and squeeze the trigger. I'm not going to interfere, I'm just going to be here. And relax. You're not going to get hurt."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"I am relaxed." He wasn't but after another moment, he was. He did what Jack said, lining up the sight and staring down it for a moment before unclicking the safety.

It was now or never. He pulled the trigger quickly, so he wouldn't change his mind and took the shot. It wasn't the best shot, not very accurate but still.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Good!" Jack let his hands fall, moving away. "Very good. That was smooth and you didn't jerk back at the recoil. And you hit the target. Want to try again?"

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"All right," he said and then, "This time on my own."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"This time on your own." Jack moved away, close enough he could still keep a close eye on Cedric, but enough so Cedric would know he really was on his own for this shot.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

He took another breath and raised the gun, concentrating on not tensing up and gripping too hard. After a moment spent relaxing himself, he aimed the gun, clicked off the safety and fired.

Still not very accurate but he was hitting the target.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I think if you lift your hands a little, shift your left thumb down a bit, you'll get a better result," he called, staying where he was, even though he wanted to be over there, with Cedric. "How are you feeling?"

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Like I think I'd like to stop," he said. "Just for a moment."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack was there in an instant, holding out his hand for the gun. "Of course. Let's sit down, take a break for a minute."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

Cedric slipped the gun over to him and smiled. "I'm all right, really. I just need to collect my thoughts."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack checked the safety, then set it down. "You're doing great, Cedric," he said, reaching out to touch him. "Thank you for doing this."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly and said, "It's not that bad. It's just something I never saw myself doing."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I know how that feels." He smiled, feeling oddly proud. "I think you're going to be good at it, though."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"I doubt it but that's kind of you to say," he laughed.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"It's not kindness," he said smugly. "I'm just that good."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

He laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "I think I might be done for today."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack reached over and nudged his ear protectors. "Then you can take these off. Free your head, and I'll clean up the gun."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Oh, right." He slid the ear protectors down around his neck and took the glasses off, folding them in his hands.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack did the same, then stepped forward, resting one hand against his chest. "I'm proud of you, Cedric," he said, with a small smile.