A/N: I decided that since I made fun of Peter last chapter, it was only fair to tease Neal some in this one. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If you think my work even compares to that of the amazing Jeff Eastin, you have problems.

Warning: None.

Word Count: 946

Happy reading!

"A Yankee's game?"

"Neal, it's baseball. Everyone loves baseball!" It was a typical Saturday afternoon; warm, sunny and cloudless. New York City had never seen a more beautiful June day. Neal had been on his way out the door to the park (perfect weather for sketching outside) when Peter called and asked-no told him he was picking Neal up in ten minutes and to dress for the stadium.

"You just happened to have an extra ticket?"

"No, Elizabeth and I were supposed to go together, but she got an emergency call from work." Neal looked at their tickets in his hand that he'd been unconsciously turning into an origami tulip. Peter followed his gaze and rolled his eyes.

"You should've at least made a glove or something."

"How long is the game?" The Taurus was stopped at a red light and Peter turned to face the passenger seat, giving Neal an incredulous look.

"Have you ever been to a baseball game before?"

"No."

"The game ends whenever the ninth inning is done." The car behind them suddenly honked loudly, making both men jump. "The light's green, Peter!"

"I see it."

"Then why didn't you go?"

"Shut up." He paused. "Never?"

"Nope. My mom wasn't really into sports, and you know about my dad."

"What about uncles? Grandparents?"

"Oh, look. We're here!" The area around Yankee Stadium was packed and Peter had to find a nearby parking garage. They showed their tickets to the entrance and wove their way through the mobs and up stairs to their bleacher section. Peter led Neal to an empty spot and they sat down just as the first pitch was thrown.

"Peter, our tickets say row fifteen, this is seventeen."

"No one really cares where you sit for bleachers. Someone's probably in our spots," he responded without taking his eyes off the field. The first two pitches were strikes but the batter managed a home run on the third. Neal winced as the fans reacted, loudly.

"Is it always this crowded?"

"Yeah, but more so today since they're playing Boston."

"Why would that matter?" Peter stared at him.

"Do you know anything about baseball?" he asked, half-smiling. Neal shrugged.

"Three strikes you're out."

"The Red Sox are the Yankees' greatest rival."

"Who's up now?"

"Away always bats first." Neal gave a look of realization.

"So that's why everyone was upset when that guy got a homerun." Peter nodded slightly, his attention already back on the players. The pitcher struck the next batter out, earning him a few claps. A tall guy-John Lackey according to the board-came up to the plate next.

Neal tried watching the plays, but he couldn't see Peter's-and evidently half of New York's- fascination with the sport. By the top of the second inning he grew bored with pretending to be absorbed in the game (Peter definitely was) and decided to practice his observational skills on the people sitting around them. When the food and drink vendors came through Peter bought a hot dog and Coke, but Neal passed. Stadium food didn't look very appealing.

In the bottom of the sixth based yet again on the giant TV sets scattered throughout, Neal had given up long ago on trying to keep up with things on his own) the score was 9-4, Yankees. Most of the crowd was obviously pleased by this fact, and Neal found him self being content just to be in the upbeat atmosphere. He still wasn't too sure about everyone loving baseball as Peter had said, but it seemed like a nice enough family-and-friends activity. The seats could be cleaner (Neal was grateful he'd worn one of his few pairs of jeans) but considering all things, he was actually happy he'd came.

"Hey, Neal, did you feel a rain drop?"

"What?" Something cold hit is arm and he heard Peter groan. Within seconds, the players were clearing the field and a black covering was being pulled across it. "Is that a tarp?" Peter nodded. "But it's not even-" Neal was unable to finish his sentence as it started pouring. Almost as fast as the teams had run off the field, fans began jumping from their seats and hurrying for shelter, Neal and Peter included.

After twenty minutes of waiting in hopes for the rain to stop, the game was announced postponed. On the drive back home Peter was in a less-than-chipper mood. Neal wasn't sure if it was more out of the fact that the game was rained out, or that his car seats were getting wet from their damp clothes.

"Well, at least they got through six innings," Neal said in an attempt to start up conversation.

"Yeah. This probably doesn't help your opinion of baseball, does it?"

"It wasn't so bad, I guess. I'd still rather be at a Van Gough exhibit or something of the sorts, but this wasn't the worst way to spend a Saturday." Neal almost regretting saying that when he caught sight of Peter's 'I told you so' expression.

"You know next Saturday they're play-"

"No thanks. I'm good."

"You sure?"

"Yup, positive." Peter spent the remainder of the drive pondering ways to drag Neal to a basketball game.

A/N #2: I am in no way a Yankees fan (Boston, rivalries never die) but this chapter wouldn't have worked as well if they weren't winning. Who else LOVED the episode last night?