(M) Beatrice & Spud: Home Run.

[Spudmuffin]

Temperance had managed to entertain herself that day up until it was time for practice to start. She had basically grown up on a baseball field because her dad had been coaching since she could remember and now she actually worked for the team. It was almost a dream come true, except for the fact that she was in school at the same time working for a Sports Management degree. She had learned the ins and outs over the years just by following her dad, and now her all-time dream was to be able to coach against him, or maybe even with him.

Her long, brunette hair had been pulled back into a ponytail and she had shorts and a tank top on. She had gotten to the field early and she was throwing balls into the outfield. It was something that she had done before, sometimes even after, practices. It was a good stress reliever and she enjoyed every minute of it. In all honesty, if she could have made it on a professional team playing baseball, she would have kept up with the sport without hesitation, however, she had been forced into fast-pitch softball since there weren't any professional teams for women in baseball.

The lengths of her throws had varied depending on the power that she had put behind it, some of them went to the boards surrounding the field, and some had barely made it past the bases. She found it was good practice to vary the lengths of her throws for when she had to throw it from base to base, she knew exactly how she had to throw it and how much time it would take to get there.

[Beatrice]

Leo made his way to the locker room to get change. Another day of practice. Another day of hard work. Not that he mind. He loved to play baseball since he was a kid and he have to admit that he's really good at it. If he was in the mood he could hit the ball so strong that all of his teammates, including him would be able to achieve consecutive home runs.

Once he was done changing into his usual practice clothes he closed his locker and moved out with the bat in hand. The other followed him. They we're going to play again today and he's in the mood to make them gasp in awe at his skills. At least he wants to but they always did anyway. He chatted with his teammates before finally reaching the field and they decided to split the teams into two. One on the defense the other on the offense. How else would they play if there is no opponent? He was placed in the offensive team. The others whine but he could care less.

He saw Temperance but decided to ignore her. For some reason he never got along with her. He just don't like dealing with her. That's all. Since this is just a practice and the coach is still not around he could make his teammates cry first. He loved the thought. But before that, he need to get her out of the way first. She might end up being hit by the ball or obstruct his running space and he don't want that.

[Spudmuffin]

Temperance had noticed the team starting to make their way onto the field and she took that as her cue to get off. She sighed a little bit and shook her head, tossing the ball in her hand back and forth a moment before making her final throw with it, getting it out to the fence of the outfield. A satisfied smile had crossed her face and she instantly started cleaning up the field, ridding the extra balls to make sure the grounds were safe.

Most of the guys on the team were nice to her, sometimes even flirtatious, but mostly, they had treated her like family, especially the older ones. She sighed a little bit as she made her way around the field, gathering all of the balls. When the infield was done, she made her way to the outfield and started to gather the balls that were out there. She was disappointed that she hadn't been able to get the workout she was aiming for, but there was nothing she could do. She could only use the field when it wasn't being used, and now it was almost time for them to practice. "I should have gotten out here earlier." she muttered to herself.

[Beatrice]

After he saw Temperance moved out of the infield he felt relieved that he doesn't have to go to her and actually tell her to move. He assumed she got the cue. The group that was on the defensive side started to go to their respective positions. The game starts and everyone became focused on each of their own task. When his turn came, he was confident that it would be another home run.

The defense team tensed. He could feel in the atmosphere. But he's here to play not to scare. When the ball came he hit it with so much force that could break the ball into pieces but gladly, it didn't. He made a run for it and his other teammates. They manage to get consecutive points. The game continued on, again. Not giving any chance to the opposite team.

When it was his turn again, he hit the ball. The problem is, it went out of the end field straight towards Temperance who was just in the outfield. 'Shit!' He cursed under his breath. He got too fired up. "Temper! Get out of the way!" He called out to her alerting her. He wished that she won't get hit. He still cared. Everyone in the team was alerted.

He really is careless.

[Spudmuffin]

She had been minding her own business as she heard one of the many nicknames she had. When she had looked up, she was about to move out of the way, however it was too late. The ball had already flown so far, and she had no chance of getting out of the way before it had struck her head. Luckily, the way it had hit her wasn't too hard. Her thick ponytail had softened the blow immensely.

However, she had still blacked out and fallen to the ground, dropping the bag of baseballs that she had gathered. Her body lie limp on the soft green grass of the outfield and she was almost in a coma like state. She couldn't move anything, but she was fully aware of what was going on around her. It was only a matter of time before her father would show up and find his daughter laying in the outfield.

[Beatrice]

"Damn." Leo had to curse. He immediately took his head protector off his head and threw the baseball bat to the side. He went out from the infield and ran to where Temperance was lying. He cradled her in his arms and checked her head. It has a red blot on it. Oh her father is so gonna kill him. "Hey, could you guys bring me some ice?" He asked over to his teammates. "You are so dead man. "One his teammates said to him. "I know!Sheesh." He carried her limp body over one bench and laid her there.

He tapped his palm over her cheeks gently. "Hey, Temper can you hear me. Wake up." He said then rubbed his hair vigorously as she didn't respond to his call. "Listen, I'm sorry so wake up will you? Do you really want your father to kill me?" He was talking to an unconscious person and surprisingly he didn't find it weird. One of his teammates came back and handed to him ice cubes in a cloth. He held it over Temper's blotted forehead. He just hope she wakes up sooner than later before her father comes and butcher him for hitting his daughter with a baseball ball.

[Spudmuffin]

Temperance couldn't do anything but lie there as the male had walked over and picked her up before walking her over to the bench and laying her down.

There was a sudden deep voice and a figure walking toward them, "What are you guys doing on the bench? You should be ou-..." It was clear that he had seen what was going on. "What in the hell happened?" he asked as he quickly made his way to his daughter's side. He looked up at Leo and narrowed his eyes, "Did you do this or did someone else?" he asked, the anger clear in his voice.

Temperance had slowly started to come around as Leo had put his hand against her cheek, however, she had to force herself to move a little bit faster and get up before her father killed one of his best players. Her bright blue eyes slowly opened and she blinked a few times, "Dad...no one did anything..It was my fault." she said, knowing that it was an obvious lie, but it was better for all of the players if she lied at the moment. They had enough stress to follow through and play their best for the sake of their jobs, they didn't need more put on them because her dad assumed what had happened. "I was throwing a ball up in the air and I missed once and it hit my head."

[Beatrice]

Leo felt guilty that Temperance had to lie for his sake. It was his fault really. She didn't need to cover up for him. He would accept the punishment for his carelessness and act as a man. He scratched the back of his head uncomfortable of his situation. He should juts keep his mouth shut and let her take care of it. Because well, since she does her best to cover up for him, he should just accept it and not waste her efforts. He's ready to make it up to her in a way or another.

He looked at Temper with earnest and sincere eyes that says, 'I'm sorry and Thank you. I promise I'll make it up to you somehow.' "A-Are you alright now?" He asked and tried to keep his voice as even as possible. He can't let coach know that he's guilty of something or Temper and he would suffer the consequence. The former being asked of why she's covering up for his fault and him getting into a tight position. He really need to thank her.

[Spudmuffin]

Her father had listened to her, happy that his daughter had actually woken up. However, he couldn't help but worry, "Are you alright?" he asked before looking around at the team, before his eyes settled on Leo, "I'm sorry guys, you were only taking care of her." he muttered before looking down at his daughter once more.

Temperance nodded a little bit in response to her father's question. She then looked over at Leo as he asked and nodded again, "I'm fine...My head hurts but I'll be alright. I'm not bleeding or anything." she said as she took a deep breath and slowly sat up. It wasn't long before she was laying down on the bench again, "Go practice, you guys need it."

[Beatrice]

"Y-Yeah. If you say so." He scratched the back of his head feeling awkward and a little guilty. He nodded at his coach and turn to leave. But before he could completely get away from the two he stopped in the middle of his track. Then he turn to Temperance and called her. "Temper,"he started," can I talk to you later? After practice?" He waited for an answer. But then decided against it. "Never mind."

He turn to leave. Maybe he could catch her when it's time to leave and talk to her for a bit. The practiced resumed and he tried not to show off. He picked another ball and held it in his hands. He tried squeezing it then he hit his head with it. "Ouch." His teammates called for him. "Leo! What are you doing? Get on the field now!" He turn back to the ball. "It hurts." Then he turn to his teammates. "Yeah. Be there!"