PLAY BALL
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Saturday came and everyone met at Flannigan's. Everyone was ready to root for the Orioles, except Sam who was a die hard Yankee fan. Webb hadn't arrived yet and Sam was talking to Paddy. The rest were discussing the suspicions they had. Something was going on between Clayton Webb and Sam Danaher; that was the $64,000 question. Each one of them had picked up on something, from the fact that neither really mentioned Saudi Arabia to the incident on Valentine's Day.
"Ok, is everyone here?" Sam asked as Webb walked in.
"All present and accounted for." AJ replied.
They broke into groups of 5 and went to different cars. Harm took, Mac, Ashlyn, Gunny and Webb. AJ had Meredith, Bobbie, Sturgis and Sam with him and Bud and Harriet took Tiner and Coates with Little AJ. They arrived at the parking lot, made their way to the transport area and took the shuttles to the stadium.
"These seats are incredible." Gunny said, as they sat right behind the dugout.
"Aren't they," Sam smiled. "I just wish they were on the 3rd base side, that way we would be behind the visiting dugout."
"Oh Sam, if Giambi is playing first this is better." Ashlyn laughed.
"So Sam, are you a Yankees fan or a Giambi fan?" Mac asked.
"Both. But if they traded him, I would not follow." Sam said.
"Why are you a Yankees fan?" Harm asked.
"I was born in New York." Sam replied.
"You don't have an accent." Bud said.
"That's because at 6 months, we moved to Puerto Rico and at 2 years, we moved to London, and at 4 we moved to Iceland and so on and so on." Sam laughed.
"Wow, you lived in London?" Harriet asked.
"Three different times," Sam replied.
"You must know all the great places." Harriet said.
"She knows places you can't imagine." Webb slipped.
"What?" Everyone said turning to him.
"I said I bet she's lived in places you can't imagine." Webb corrected quickly.
Gunny, Tiner and Ashlyn just looked at each other.
The game began and everyone was surprised to see Ashlyn and Sam so involved. Ashlyn was screaming her head off at calls she felt were lousy. She completely floored Gunny when she told the umpire what he could do with his whisk broom.
During the 5th inning, Harm and Webb went to the concession stand to get food for everyone. While they were waiting on line, Harm took the opportunity to chat with Webb.
"Something you want to tell me about Sam Danaher?" Harm asked.
"She's a reporter." Webb replied.
"Why did she invite you to the game? I thought you barely knew each other." Harm questioned.
"I don't know what to tell you, Rabb." Webb stated.
"She's cute." Harm smiled. "You're single, she's single."
"Rabb, don't play match maker for me." Webb warned. "Being a yenta doesn't work for you."
"I was just observing." Harm said.
They got the food and returned to their seats, which had been rearranged. Unbeknownst to Sam, who was engrossed in the game, everyone had shifted down one seat. This left a seat on the end, which Harm took, and the seat between Little AJ and Sam on the other end, which Webb had to take.
"Enjoying the game?" Sam asked.
"Did you arrange this musical seating?" Webb asked.
"Don't flatter yourself, you really are pompous." Sam snapped.
"Back to being difficult I see." Webb replied.
"No, I just can't believe you would think I would do that." Sam stated. "You're not all that."
By the 7th inning stretch, everyone was having a blast. Little AJ had more souvenirs, courtesy of everyone, than could be imagined. They joined in for a rendition of Take Me Out to The Ball Game and cheered when the replay board welcomed The Navy JAG's. As the ninth inning began, the game was tied at 3; the Yankees were at bat with 1 out; Soriano, Jeter and Williams loaded the bases. Giambi came up to bat and Sam sat with her hands covering her mouth and nose. The first pitch was thrown and the ump called a strike.
"Are you blind?" Sam yelled. Everyone turned and looked at her.
The second pitch was thrown and another strike was called.
"You have got to be kidding me." Sam screamed jumping up.
A time out was called and Sam was standing shifting her weight back and forth on either leg as though she was pacing. "This is a fix, this is unbelievable. That last pitch was low and outside." Sam said to no one.
The group just looked at her and laughed.
"Does she always get like this?" Gunny asked Ashlyn.
"She's calm right now." Ashlyn laughed. "She takes calls against Giambi and the Yankees very personally."
"Did Webb say anything to you?" Mac asked Harm.
"Not a thing." Harm replied.
"I just think this is a bit odd." Meredith commented looking at the two.
The next pitch was a foul ball and was shot directly at the group. Webb caught it and handed it to Sam.
"Maybe I should give this to Little AJ." Sam said.
"No Sam, he has enough stuff." Harriet laughed. "Besides, Mr. Webb gave it to you."
"Thank you." Sam said and smiled at Webb.
The next pitch came and Giambi knocked that ball back to New York.
"Yessssssss!" Sam yelled, looked at Webb and said, "Gotta love that man and his bat."
Little AJ not fully understanding, looked at Webb and asked, "Are you batman?"
"No, AJ I'm not." Webb replied confused.
"Here," Little AJ said handing Webb his bat, "Batman!"
"Thank you, but this is yours." Webb replied even more confused.
"Miss Sam says she loves batman." Little AJ replied. "Mama said Miss Sam is with you."
"OOOOO," Ashlyn said with her eyes growing wide and tried to stifle a laugh.
"Out of the mouths of babes," Meredith commented.
"That's not exactly what I said." Harriet replied mortified.
"That was a great shot." Sturgis said, seeing the awkwardness, tried to change the topic.
"Yeah, it was amazing." Bobbie added.
"You think the Birds will come back?" AJ added.
"I have to go to the bathroom." Sam said.
"I'll go with you," Ashlyn stated.
"Me too," Coates said getting up.
The three went to stand on line, Ashlyn was actually nervous about saying anything.
"What the hell were you people discussing?" Sam asked.
"Nothing," Coates said.
"Are you involved with him?" Ashlyn asked.
"No." Sam snapped. "He's not my type."
"Sam," Ashlyn said.
"What?" Sam asked.
"Was he the crutch?" Ashlyn asked.
"I told you, I don't have a crutch." Sam said rolling her eyes.
"You're lying." Ashlyn laughed. "I can always tell."
"Believe what you want." Sam said, shaking her head.
"Are you in love with him?" Coates asked looking at Sam's face.
"Ashlyn, do I fall in love?" Sam laughed.
"No, you have sex; you don't have time for love." Ashlyn mocked.
"There you go. Can we end this now?" Sam said.
Ashlyn and Coates just looked at each other. What ever was going on, Sam wasn't going to tell them.
By the time the line moved up the game had ended and the group joined them on the concourse.
"Sam, I'm very sorry. Little AJ misunderstood me. I was just saying that we are all couples, it would be cute if you and Mr. Webb were together." Harriet tried to explain.
"It's fine," Sam smiled weakly.
"How about we all go back to Flannigan's?" AJ suggested.
FLANNIGAN'S PUB
"So have you set a date yet?" Bobbie asked Mac.
"Yes we have." Mac smiled. "August 23rd."
"Where are you having it?" Harriet asked.
"Annapolis, where else," Mac answered.
"You must be so excited." Ashlyn stated.
"Yes I am." Mac said. "What about you and Gunny?"
"I don't know, I hope so," Ashlyn blushed.
"You never know." Bobbie said.
"That's right you never know. You and Sturgis could be headed that way." Harriet said.
"Harriet, we just got back together." Bobbie stated.
"Ashlyn I have to ask, is there something between Sam and Clay?" Mac asked.
"She says no, but I think she's lying." Ashlyn laughed.
"I guess we are just going to have to include them in everything, until they admit it." Harriet said.
"I don't understand why she is being so tight lipped." Ashlyn said.
"It must be Webb's influence." Bobbie laughed.
Across the bar the men were talking about the game and Little AJ was running around the dance floor with Sam. The jukebox was playing 'Rainbow Connection' and Sam was dancing around with Little AJ, who was giggling as she twirled him around.
Some
day we'll find if, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
"Again," Little AJ laughed.
"Let's wait a bit." Sam laughed and put him down. She had decided to make the best of a very odd situation. She went to the jukebox, selected a bunch of different songs and announced. "Come on people, let's have some fun."
"Here she goes." Ashlyn laughed.
"No bar dancing." Gunny light heartedly warned Ashlyn.
"Killjoy," Ashlyn laughed.
AJ and Meredith excused themselves and left. Harriet and Bud said that they needed to get Little AJ home and they also left. The first song that played was The Beach Boys' 'Surfer Girl'.
"That's for you, Ethel." Sam laughed.
Gunny and Ashlyn got up and started dancing. Webb was about to leave as well when Coates stopped him. She wanted to make sure he stayed.
"Mr. Webb, we never did get to finish our dance that time." Coates smiled.
"You're right." Webb said and they went to dance.
"Come on Sam," Tiner said.
"Jason, Jen is really good for you." Sam smiled. "Don't screw it up."
"I think you take the cake on that." Tiner said, not knowing where his boldness was coming from.
"Excuse me?" Sam laughed.
"Tell me the truth." Tiner begged. "Is there something?"
"Sort of, it's hard to say." Sam whispered. "You repeat that and I will kill you."
"I won't," Tiner smiled. "We keep each other's secrets."
"Jason, I'm so glad you shot Victor." Sam laughed and hugged him.
The tempo changed and We Are Family blasted throughout the room.
"Oh, it would be wrong for us to sit during this one." Bobbie laughed. She, Sturgis, Harm and Mac got up and joined the group on the dance floor. Ashlyn and Sam were thoroughly enjoying the song and hugged each other each time the words, 'I've got all my sisters and me' was sung. Webb quickly left the dance floor. This was not his kind of music. He sat back and watched them all dancing, they were such good friends, and they really cared about each other and loved each other, like a family. I just don't get it. He thought.
After a few more songs the tempo slowed to Billy Joel's 'She's Got A Way'. All the couples joined together, Sam not having a partner walked off the dance floor and went to the bar.
"Paddy, give me a shot." Sam said and she lit a cigarette.
She's got a way about her, I don't know what it is
"You really should think about quitting." Webb said.
"Maybe one day," Sam replied.
But I know that I can't live without her
"If you quit now, I'll kiss you." Webb said.
"That's supposed to be an incentive?" Sam laughed.
She's got a smile that heals me, I don't know what it is
"Come here red." Webb smiled.
"Red?" Sam laughed.
"You are a redhead." Webb smiled and kissed her. In front of everyone not caring who saw or who knew.
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
"Are you nuts?" Sam said breaking the kiss and looking around.
"Danaher, I get it." Webb said and tried to kiss her again.
"Webb, cut the crap." Sam said, taking a step back. "What the hell are you thinking?"
"Danaher, you're embarrassed." Webb laughed.
"No I am not; I am amazed… ruining a perfectly… a perfect arrangement... I mean really now… kissing me… in front of everyone… How moronic can you be…? You're such a jackass… what if someone saw…? I mean… how are we going to… your tongue in my mouth… what if someone?" Sam stuttered.
She liked the kiss, a lot. However, she did not like the feeling it gave her, it was romantic and passionate, like the other night. She wasn't used to this; she was used to unromantic encounters.
"Danaher, you're babbling." Webb said, cutting her off.
"Webb, I do not babble." Sam said.
"Oh please Danaher, you're a brook." Webb laughed and kissed her again.
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her any way
Everyone saw the two kissing at the bar and looked at each other with the "I knew it" glances.
"Doc, take a look." Gunny said tilting his head in the direction of Webb and Sam.
"They have the right idea." Ashlyn said and kissed Gunny.
"Let's go home." Gunny said.
"I don't need to be told twice," Ashlyn laughed.
ASHLYN AND GUNNY'S
Ashlyn and Gunny left without saying a word to anyone. Saying good bye would take too long and they wanted to be home. They barely made it in the door, when Gunny took Ashlyn in his arms and kissed her, deeply.
"Wow where did that come from?" Ashlyn asked.
"You know who else had the right idea." Gunny said.
"Who?" Ashlyn asked.
"The Colonel and the Commander," Gunny said.
"Were they kissing too?" Ashlyn laughed.
"No, they're getting married." Gunny said and smiled.
"Victor, what are you saying?" Ashlyn asked completely stunned.
"I'm not saying, I'm asking, will you marry me?" Gunny said.
"Oh my god," Ashlyn said. "Yes, oh my god."
"This ring has been burning a hole in my pocket all day." Gunny smiled as he slipped it on her finger.
"I can't believe this." Ashlyn said. "I have to call Sam."
"Call her tomorrow." Gunny said and led her to the bedroom.
