"We need another body for Homicide." Korsak called to Jane across the squad room with his palm over the receiver of hid phone. "Or we forfeit."

Jane looked slightly panicked as she surveyed the room. It was the end of the day, and there were few people there. She had hoped that this year was going to be different, that this year they might actually have a chance to win, and now to forfeit on a technicality made Jane mad. Every year Grant got ringers to play for Narcotics and other units either lost interest in playing in the softball tournament, or just plain lost. Jane was going to be damned if Grant won the cup again this year because Smitty's wife went into labour.

"Tell him we will be there ready to play" Jane called out, knowing Grant would not go for it. Korsak simply looked at her incredulously.

"He wants the names Jane."

Jane panned the room again hoping something new would have materialized to solve her problem. As if by divine providence, Maura stepped off the elevator and crossed to Jane's desk. Jane looked at Korsak, whose look doubled in incredulity.

"Homicide needs a body Maur," Jane said, as Maura sat down. "You are off tomorrow, would you please help us out." Jane implored, trying to muster her best dejected look.

"You need a body from the Morgue? For what?" Maura was taken aback and having trouble making sense of Jane's request.

"No," Jane smiled, realizing her mistake. "We need another person to play on Homicide's Softball team. We have enough to cover the field, but the rules say we have to have eleven players show up tomorrow morning, or we forfeit, and Smitty's wife just went into labour."

"Can't you just postpone the game?" Maura asked, innocent of the competition and vitriol surrounding the tournament.

"Just say you will do it and I will make it up to you."

Maura had realized in recent weeks, that she was thoroughly incapable of denying the detective anything. All Jane had to do was ask and turn her soft, beseeching eyes onto the doctor, and she could have anything. This time was no different.

"Oh, ok, I guess it would be interesting to take part in such an exercise of camaraderie and athleticism." Maura agreed.

"You hear that Grant!" Jane yelled, so that Korsak wouldn't have to repeat the message through the phone. "Isles is our eleventh name, you are going to have to actually beat a real team to win the cup this year." Jane was triumphant. "Thanks Maur, and I mean it, I owe you, and I will do what ever you want to make it up to you."

Maura squelched the entirely unprofessional thought that shot to her mind and changed the topic of conversation. "So what should I wear to a softball game?" Maura asked earnestly?

"Well I don't think we will be able to get Smitty's shirt from him, so just wear what ever."

"Now Jane, that is not an answer. I really would like to know what is considered appropriate for this type of athletic event. If I don't have something than I will have to go out and purchase it tonight." Maura crossed her arms to support her point.

"First off, it's a softball game, not an athletic event." Jane kindly chided. "And secondly, please don't go out and buy anything. You wont have to play so your role is going to be to cheer us on, ok. Really, what ever you have will be fine." Jane smiled at her friend and wondered why it was that everything this woman did, however peculiar or infuriating, Jane found down right adorable.