TITLE: Give Her Ten

AUTHOR: mmmh-Hot-Sauce

RATING: R ... May become NC-17 later

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these characters, well, maybe one or two, but as for the rest of them, they are property of ME

SPOILERS: Completely AU

SUMMARY: Tara is the Captain of her College Crew Team and with the help of some friends, they look for new recruits.

FEEDBACK: I would be grateful for any and all comments.

CHAPTER 3

"Alright ladies, doing good. You're all half way there," Tara coxed as she walked around the ergs, inspecting the girls as they powered through there 2k workout. "Kate, keep your split time low," Tara pointed out as she stepped to the side of the girl's erg. "I don't want to see it over a 2:10."

Stepping back to the front of the room so all rowers could see her; Tara started to cox them through their last 500 yards. "Remember, fast arms away." She said with a demonstration, pulling her arms to her chest then pushing them forward in a straight fluid movement. "Don't forget to go slow up the slide; this is your chance to catch a breath."

She watched for a few more seconds as the three women in her charge continued to erg with all their might. "Alright everyone, in two, I want a power ten." She said as she started to walk around the room again, inspecting the girl's posture. "Ready? One … two. Power ten! Nine! Eight!..." she continued to count every stroke until she got to one.

"Almost done. This is your last leg of the race. This is your warm up, I want to see everything you got! In two I want another power ten to cross your boat through that finish line." Tara directed, her face red from yelling out commands.

Just like before, Tara counted down the power ten with every stroke made. Once everyone's meter read zero, she instructed them to get a drink and walk around so their legs don't cramp up. Two minutes later, Courtney, the coxswain of the J.V boat and Xander, the captain of the men's team, walked into the room with their group of rowers trailing behind.

"How's it going in here?" asked Courtney as she approached the varsity team.

"Doing pretty freaking good," Faith chimed in as she took sips from her water bottle. "It'd be better if we had a coxswain though so our Captain slash stroke seat can erg with us."

"Still no luck?" Xander asked, although he already knew the answer.

"Not in the slightest." Tara said, defeat evident in her voice. "

"Hey, don't be all gloomy," Xander said as he mocked punch the blonde on the shoulder. "I'm sure someone will come along."

"Let's hope," Tara grumbled as she walked away. Standing in the center of the room she called for all the rowers to circle up so that they could stretch and cool down their bodies.

"Hey, you wanna grab some food?" Faith asked as she buried her hands deep inside the pockets of her sweatpants.

"Sure," Tara responded as she cocked her head sideways to look at the brunette. "So, are you going to go to class tonight or are you gonna ditch again to go to the bar?"

"I don't know," Faith said with a smirk, as she pretended to contemplate the question. "Are you gonna take notes for me?"

"Don't I always take notes for you?" Tare retorted with a raised eyebrow.

"You know I can't read my own hand writing." Faith said with a pout as she jogged up the short flight of stairs leading into Swenson Hall, the cafeteria located directly to the left.

"Nobody can read invisible hand writing Faith," Tara said sarcastically as she opened the door leading inside, gesturing for her friend to step in first. "That's why they call it invisible."

"Watch it Maclay," Faith warned as she handed over her I.D. card to the cafeteria worker, the employee swiping the plastic card and handing it back as the brunette sauntered into the dining hall.

"So, are you going to class tonight?" Tara asked from her reclined positioned on her own bed as she watched Faith gather her shower supplies.

"I don't know T," Faith said as she grimaced, her facial expressions instantly telling Tara everything she needed to know.

"Faith, we have this class once a week." Tara said with dismay. "Do you plan on skipping it every week?"

"No, not every week." Faith said honestly as she flung a brown towel over her right shoulder. "Just often."

"You're unconceivable, you know that." Tara said as she shook her head dismissively.

"I don't know what that means … but, uhh, okay." Faith replied with a cheeky grin as she flung their door open. "See you after class."

"Oh, I'm actually heading to the gym after class," Tara hollered out, causing Faith to stop walking.

Turning around and leaning in the doorway, "You're gonna go back to the gym? You need to get a new hobby babe. We were there for two hours this afternoon. Why don't you come to the bar with me? Who knows, maybe you might meet some nice chick."

"Tempting, but I rather work out." Tara said back, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "I don't really feel like I did much today. What with coxswain everyone and all."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Faith asked as she repositioned her basket of shower supplies against her hip. "I can cox you through your 2k."

"You don't have to," Tara said modestly. "Go have fun."

"Nah, man." Faith waved off. "We're a team. Were you go I happily follow."

"Thanks Faith, I'd appreciate that." Tara replied, her smile beaming.