Acknowledgements:
Omi as always
The BTN8rs - with apologies
The Numb3rs dot org crew - since I did the whole alphabet inspired by their challenge
Disclaimers:
"A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend" - Willow, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I do not own any Numb3rs characters nor do I have any rights to
anything related to the TV show Numb3rs. I plead fair use and claim
only my own writing and characters.
The ball floated in the air before him: a nice fat slow pitch just ripe for a home run.
Don could taste it, he could feel it coming.
The ball came and he swung, he connected and the ball went sailing.
He was already running when he realized something had felt wrong about the hit. He watched the ball sail into right field and as he approached first base he knew it wasn't going over the fence.
The right fielder didn't make it in time to catch it, but he did make it in time to throw to second base.
Don had enough time that he didn't have to slide into second, but attempting third base wasn't even an option.
It'd been a double - a solid double.
Not a home run.
He managed to score after two singles by his teammates and they won the game, but Don just couldn't shake how that hit had felt when the ball and bat connected.
It wasn't there... That elusive ingredient he knew he needed to have to be not just good but great. It wasn't there and if it wasn't there now, it was never going to be there.
He was uncharacteristically silent on the trip home and when he finally got back to his apartment he sat down on his couch and reached for a manila envelope on the coffee table.
He'd sent for it weeks ago, more out of curiosity than anything else. He'd done his research, he' talked to friends who worked in law enforcement and they all encouraged him to go for it - that it was something he'd be good at and likely enjoy.
Don picked up a pen and started filling out his application to join the FBI.
