A/N: This is my first time writing anything it a few years. I went back to school to start my career and now I finally have some more free time and inspiration to do some creative writing! I just finished ALOTO and it was SO FUCKING GOOD. I hope they get another season. Anyways, this is my take on how the team would come back and how things would go. May get a little spicier in later chapters.

-X-

"I don't know where I'm headed. You changed my whole life."

"You opened me up again, Carson."

"See you next season?"

"I wouldn't miss if for the world."

-X-

Carson fidgeted with her necklace, lost in her own thoughts. The sky was streaked with oranges and pinks as the sun dipped below the horizon. It hadn't technically been that long since she had left Rockford, since she had seen Greta, pushed her up against the siding of the house, kissed her goodbye with all the passion and fire and love that she could manage without crying. It technically hadn't been that long, only a few months, but it felt like an eternity.

She could still feel the electricity of Greta's touch, the way she played with the necklace around Carson's neck, brushed the hair off of her face, caressed her cheek with the back of her hand. She could still feel her heart racing, feel Greta's pulse against her palm, her breath on her face. She could smell her perfume and shampoo, see the want in her eyes, the caring, the passion. She could still see her walking away, the last fleeting glance. She could hear her voice still. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

And then of course, she could hear Charlie's footsteps behind her. Could still see the flowers fall to his side, the shocked, disappointed, hurt look on his face. Carson could still feel her heart sink. Could hear her own voice calling out after him, could feel herself walking towards him.

Her eyes snapped open, trying to stop herself from remembering any further. She pulled out her journal and began writing.

Dear Greta,

She paused. She wanted to be able to find the right words to say, express herself without rambling again.

I hope you're doing well. I haven't heard from you in a while. Charlie and I –

She stopped. What should she say? Nothing. It was hard enough to explain anyways. She pulled the paper out of the book and crumpled it up, shoving it deep into her pocket. Her fingers brushed something else. A hard piece of cardstock. Carson turned her back to the window of the bus, checking to see if anyone was watching her. Her seat near the back offered her some privacy, and no one else had decided to sit next to her. She pulled the card out gingerly, recognizing her own writing, slightly smudged from the fabric of her pocket. But the most important thing on the card was still there, crystal clear.

The red kiss on the corner was pristine. Carson smiled, gingerly running her fingertips over it, feeling the electricity dance from her fingers to her cheeks and through her body. She smiled softly and tucked it back into her pocket, making sure to button her pocket to secure it.

Dear Greta, she began again.

I hope you're well. I miss you. Is New York everything you dreamed it would be? Are you mayor yet? Currently, I am sitting on a bus to Rockford. I'm excited about the new season. I hear Jo is still with the Blue Sox. I can't blame her. She is still their best hitter, from what I hear.

I know you said you would be back for the season, but I'm sure you're busy with everything in New York. If you're not mayor by now I bet you're some high up executive with very important meetings everyday, a really nice place – maybe even your own car by now with a driver.

Carson stopped, smiling softly to herself.

I just haven't heard from you in a while. I hope you'll be in Rockford soon. My bus is just pulling in now. Send me a letter when you get a chance. Okay.

Yours truly,

Carson

Carson reads the letter over before folding it and carefully pressing a quick kiss on the back of the page. She carefully puts it in an envelope, sealing it, and the writing the mailing address onto the front. The bus's brakes start squealing, signaling the end of line. Carson gathers her bags, quickly moving towards the front of the bus.

The sky lost all of the vibrant colour it had and was replaced by dark blues fading into black with the twinkle of stars high above. She turned and started walking the familiar route back to the house of the Rockford Peaches. She was a couple days earlier than what had been asked of her, but she couldn't wait to get back. As she walked, she dropped the letter in a mailbox, feeling her heart flutter as she imagined Greta opening it.

It took her fifteen minutes to walk the rest of the way to the house, her heart racing more and more with each step. She began counting the steps, how many right turns she took, how many left turns until she was standing on the sidewalk right outside. The house looked exactly the same. Blue siding, white door, same curtains too.

Carson noticed a quick movement from the front room, then suddenly the door flew open and out ran Shirley and Maybelle, screaming and tackling Carson in a hug.

"You're back!" Shirley screamed.

Carson stumbled back slightly, laughing. "O-of course I am. Did you think I wouldn't be?" she asked.

"No of course we knew you'd be back, we're just so excited to see you!" Maybelle responded. "Come on, grab your gear and get inside. It's chilly out here!"

Carson nodded, pulling her bag back onto her shoulder and following the other two women in. "Is – uh – is anyone else h-here yet?"

Shirley closed the door behind them as they crossed the threshold of the house. "Lupe and Esti got here this morning. And Jess made it down from Canada earlier this afternoon. But I think Lupe and Jess are going out somewhere in a little while."

Carson nodded, "Okay, yeah. Th-that's good."

"Good? Come on, that's great coach!" Maybelle exclaimed. "Oh and Sarge Beverely is here too of course."

"Woah, wait – coach?" Carson asked. "I thought we were going to have a real coach this time."

"Well Mrs. Shaw," a familiar voice came from around the corner. "Mr. Baker and Mr. Baker Jr were so impressed with the show that the Peaches put on last season, that they decided to keep most everything with the Rockford Peaches the same."

"Uh, Sarge," Carson said, moving into the kitchen. "Um, it's Carson, just Carson now – please."

"Well, if we're just going by first names, then it's Beverly." The older woman said.

Carson nodded. "Um, most everything?"

Beverly nodded. "Most of the girls will be returning. There are a few who have not yet responded, but we are still holding out hope that they will return for the season. And we will be switching up room assignments."

Shirley nodded, glancing over from Maybelle to Carson and back. "Maybelle and I are sharing a room. I hope that's okay with you Carson."

Maybelle chuckled softly. "When Carson hears who she's supposed to be rooming with, she'll be fine. Come on Shirley, lets go leave coach and sarge to talk business."

Carson smiled softly. "Good to be back?" Beverly asked her.

Carson nodded. "Yeah. Really good," she turned back to face Beverly. "Wait, who am I rooming with?" she asked.

Beverly's posture straightened slightly. "Well I have you in with Ms. Gill," Carson's face lit up. "But she has yet to arrive, or even confirm her attendance this season."

Carson smiled. "She'll be here. I know it."

The sound of footsteps came racing down the stairs.

"Coach!"

"Hey COACH!" Two voices called in unison.

Carson peaked her head around the corner to see Lupe and Jess come barreling at her.

"Welcome back coach!" Lupe said, giving her a quick hug.

Jess smiled, cigarette tucked behind her ear, hands in her pockets. "Hey, Lupe and I were heading out to the bar, you want to join?"

Carson looked back at Beverly, who just smiled knowingly and nodded, taking her leave into the sitting room. She looked back at Lupe and Jess, nodding. "Yeah. Let's go."

-X-