"You'd be surprised. I've found that the toughest, meanest lookin types are usually the ones with a low pain tolerance." He shrugged. That just had to be the way the world worked. The smaller guys were used to being picked on, used to pain. It was just the universe's way of evening things out. Turning back towards Jo he offered the younger woman a wry smile. "You say that now... but the future's gotten awfully cold. They don't focus on the body's amazin ability to heal itself anymore. Everything's done with a machine. I have a dermal regenerator that'll get rid of your scars. I have an osteo regenerator that heals broken bones. Happens in a matter of minutes. My patients are back on their feet in twenty-four hours. Mark my words... some day I'll be as obsolete as these dinosaurs are supposed to be and my grandkids will be tellin stories about the horrifyin days when doctors roamed the Earth." He paused and shook his head. "Just do me a favor and pretend you don't know how old I am. Claims like that would work better if I were older."
His smile faltered slightly at her explanation. It was an experience no one should really have to deal with and he could see why it might be frustrating... especially when one of those people all but insulted your abilities. "I'm sorry that happened. Maybe we should just make you a pamphlet to hand out. We'll call it 'Mirror Universes and You: A Guide to why I Ain't Dead and You Should Shut Up'." He teased, trying to lighten the mood a little as he waved his hand in the air as if he were readint the title off an invisible marquee. "Don't let it bother you, Jo. You know you're better than what he was implyin. As long as you know yourself then it shouldn't matter what one person says. Maybe he's just the oddball out of his alternates and comes from a universe where everyone's a dick." It was probably unlikely but they could always hope. There really was no reason for anyone to doubt Jo.
He turned his attention towards the mats and let out a sigh. She was right, the best way to defend yourself was with a partner. He wouldn't have to worry much about the the punching bag hitting him back. "Aw hell... it won't be the first time I got my ass kicked by a girl." He laughed. "Course, the last one wasn't quite as pretty and I had to call her sir." Starfleet women were tough. He assumed the same could be said about Jo. He honestly tried not think of her as anything but a friend. Leonard had horrible luck with women and the last thing he wanted was for Jo to hate him like so many others seemed to but he couldn't deny that there was a level of attraction though.