Title: Extra Innings

Author: wolfmusic218

Summary: Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

Author's notes: Since I've been having so much trouble getting through the sequel to Tactics, it was suggested I start something new. A one-shot, they said. Something to get your mind off of your block, they said. Yeah. I didn't have any ideas. Well, Fleeterberry knows I love baseball and a throwaway comment she made on Twitter one night got the...um...ball rolling (insert cymbal crash here). 45 pages and 15k words and counting later...

Somewhere in the middle of writing, I showed it to a couple of people to get their opinions. Smut, they said. It needs smut. This story wasn't about that, I said. We don't care that you don't like writing smut, they said. They're a bunch of troublemakers, those girls, let me tell you.

So, Chellero (oh yeah, I'm totally calling you out, you little cheerleader/stalker, you. You kept me goin', sis!), Maddsgirl75 (the original "it needs smut" Smut Queen), PiscesChikk (for the neverending support!) and Fleeterberry (who started this whole thing to begin with), this one's for you. I really do love you girls for all the support/help/chats/etc, even if you are the Banes of My Writing Existence. ;)

XXXXXPOIXXXXX

Four months earlier

"Why are you doing this?!"

"It's the only way..." Reese started to turn, but Carter grabbed his arm, spinning him around.

"The only way for what? You know we're better when we work together." The desperation on her face and in her voice almost cracked the wall he'd put up around himself. He knew she would argue, but hadn't expect this level of anger from her.

He covered her hand and squeezed it gently, lifting it from his arm. When he let it drop to her side, his face became a mask - impenetrable. "Not this time. No. The only thing that will happen if we continue to work together is you will lose everything you've worked so hard for. I won't allow that."

"You won't allow? You bastard. When did you become my keeper? When did I lose the ability to have a say in my future?"

He stepped into her space and, for a moment, he let the mask drop. "You've always had a say. But this time, I'm taking that away from you. You know that the two of us...that...us working together...being seen together...it's nothing short of career suicide for you...or even worse. There are too many people asking questions. The search for the Man in the Suit isn't over, you know that. There are eyes on you now, too."

"Damn it, John. Don't do this, please. We can get through this. You've always said you have my back. Well, let me have yours; let me help."

He stepped back, shaking his head. "No. I can't...I just can't."

"Why? Tell me why..." He could see tears welling in her eyes, but knew she wouldn't let them fall in front of him. It wasn't her way.

He paused for a second, steadied himself. Then, as if a decision had been made, his mouth turned up, the smile never really reaching his eyes. He reached out and cupped her jaw with one hand. "Because you've always been more than just an asset, Joss."

At that revelation, he turned on his heels and stalked away, purpose in his stride.

TBC