It was Bull's idea originally. After a long and unusually stressful year it was good to have an opportunity to relax and have a good game of baseball only, this wasn't regular baseball. Shuttle baseball, was, as a general rule, not played by humans. It was faster, it was harder, and people were just a bit too squishy to be playing it. Not that it stopped the astronauts from trying.

To even the odds a bit the teams were mixed. Columbia and Atlantis were on the Blue team. Discovery and Endeavor on the Red. Currently, the score was tied, with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Bull was at the pitchers mound but stepped back when Discovery came to the plate. Only a shuttle could hope to match the reflexes of another shuttle.

The first throw went wide and Discovery didn't bother to swing. "What was that, Collie?" She asked.

"You wanna play with the big boys right?" Columbia replied.

"Don't let her intimidate you, Discovery." Endeavor called.

"You've got it next sweethearrt." Reggie said.

"Bring it on, cupcake!"

Columbia chuckled, winding up for another throw.

"Never laugh at a women with a large bat." Discovery said, swinging it back.

"Gotta know how to use it first." replied the catcher behind her and she stifled a snort

"Come on people are we playing ball or what?!" Bull called, starting to pace. In a quieter voice he added "Man I hate playing with girls!"

"I love playing with girls." Jack muttered to Atlantis who giggled.

"Watch your line Bull, she likes to pull it. Watch your line. Get deeper in the hole. Deeper! Deeper! There you go." Columbia ordered.

"Don't even try it pal." Jack muttered to Zek who was shifting on his base.

"Zig zag says I make it." Zek said.

"Make it a case and you're on." Atlantis replied as she moved farther outfield to be ready for her sister's ball.

Columbia threw a perfect curveball and Discovery swung fast. As expected, the ball landed close to Atlantis but not close enough for her to grab. She quickly scooped it up and tossed it nicely to Jonas.

"Watch your base!" Bull shouted and Jonas threw it to Jack who couldn't quite get it in time. Zek was off and running!

"Aww man!" The catcher fumed.

Zek passed third as the ball was passed to Bull who threw it impressively but not impressively enough. Zek crossed the home plate just as the ball hit home.

"Safe! He's safe!" The umpire shouted!

"No way, see!" The catcher protested, holding up the ball as proof. His foot was pressed firmly on the plate.

"Nope, he got there first!"

"Aww man!"

"What happened." Columbia asked.

"You missed the ball!" Bull replied.

"What do you mean I missed the ball? It went over my head, you were supposed to be behind me." She protested.

"Man I love team sports." Jack said as Atlantis picked him up with her cargo arm and set him down gently on her back.

"Columbia you need to make up your mind. You want me to play the line or to back you up." Bull said.

"I said I wanted you to play the hole, not the damn parking lot!" She replied. "You're still supposed to back me up..."

"Columbia, you missed the ball." Bull said simply. "Live with it!"

"Live with it, right." She huffed.