[The knowledge that Pierce knew who he was the whole time and that he fell for the man's seemingly harmless demeanor rubbed a raw spot against Steve's pride. He should have known. He should have sensed the man's ill intentions from the start, but even when he was talking to him now, he couldn't pick up any hostility. And that made it all worse. The fact that Pierce still seemed so mild and at ease in front of him meant that he couldn't be up to anything good.

And there was nothing Steve could latch onto. No reason to act. He kept his position, preventing the man from moving by him.]

Exactly what kind of training are you experienced in? I can't imagine anyone would expect you to do what you did today on a regular basis.

[He wasn't about to underestimate the man, but Steve could tell that part of his victory had been good fortune. Pierce wasn't planted there for combat.]

What do you want?