That night Maura stood in her closet and surveyed all of the athletic garb she possessed. The jacket and knickers she wore for fencing were immediately ruled out as too bulky. Her delicate leotards were more utilitarian, but not appropriate for outdoor use. That left her with her running clothes or her speed skating attire. Maura reached for the phone and dialed Jane's number.

"Hey Maur, what's up?" Jane asked as she picked up the phone.

"Well I was contemplating what to wear tomorrow and was hoping to get your opinion."

Jane rolled her eyes and tried to keep the smile out of her voice when she replied, fighting back the urge to ask, 'What are you wearing?'

""What are your choices Maur?"

"Well I have narrowed it down to my running or my skating attire." Maura stated.

"I guess I would say running." Jane said, but then thought better of her answer. "Wait Maur, are you one of those who wears only spandex to run?" Maura's silence was all the response Jane needed. "Yeah, scratch that. This skating stuff, no pads or glittery costumes, or anything like that, right?"

"No Jane, I neither figure skate nor participate in ice hockey. My skating clothes are completely functional and constructed to allow for free movement, and optimal forward momentum. It is actually quite interesting how the fabric..."

"Ok, ok, I get it, it sounds fine." Jane cut Maura off, not wanting to sit through a fifteen minute lecture on the weave of sporting attire. After all she was only there as a body and a bench warmer. "I'll meet you at the field at eight."

The following morning Jane was feeling excited at the prospect of actually giving Grant a run for his money. This year they actually had some decent players and had managed to practice a bit before the tournament. She was still pissed at Grant for finagling Crowe onto his team. Sure, he had been assigned to Narcotics for part of the prior year, but it was not like he was really working there. He was on limited duty on a desk assignment while he recovered from botched Lasik. It was a cheap excuse to get him on the team, but Crowe was all too happy to jump ship if it meant being on the winning team. Jane was all that much more determined to kick their collective asses.

Jane lounged on the bleachers with her coffee waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. After her most recent run in with Hoyt, she had promised herself that she would try and appreciate life a little more, and this morning she was appreciating the the sun as it warm her body in the early morning air. She stretched out and closed her eyes, breathing in the rich aroma of grass and hot earth.

A shadow fell across Jane's face and she opened her eyes to see who was interrupting her peace.

"Good morning Jane." Maura's voice floated through the air as Jane sat up, eyes trying to adjust to the bright light.

"Hey Maur." Jane smiled. The doctor was just about the only thing that could make the moment more enjoyable, that and a fresh cup of coffee.

"Coffee?" Maura set a steaming cup down next to her friend, then joined them on the bench.

"Wow, if your not a cyborg you are certainly a mind reader." Jane hungrily reached for the proffered beverage. It was at this point that Jane actually registered what Maura was wearing, and promptly forgot about the coffee. "I thought you said you were going to wear skating clothes. What is that?" Jane flicked her hand at Maura.

"It is a body suit, used by speed skaters to reduce wind resistance, while providing optimal range of movement. It is constructed of..."

"Really Maura?" Jane was appalled but at the same time she couldn't help but notice how the suit accentuated the doctor's body. She wanted to chastise her friend for being so completely out of touch, but instead

"What? I specifically inquired as to the appropriate dress code for this contest and you assured me that this would be...fine I believe is the word you used." Maura used irritation to cover the fact that she was afraid that this day's efforts would be another failed attempt to assimilate to the social norms of her peers.

Jane saw the worry in Maura's eyes and moved quickly to fix the problem that was entirely of her own making.

"Nah, you look fine. I just don't think everyone is taking the game that seriously, that's all." Jane moved closer to Maura and bumped the woman's shoulder with her own. "I mean, aerodynamics? We are lucky if half these guys can calculate their overtime rate."

Relieved, Maura leaned into Jane. "Okay, you had me worried there for a moment."