Batting Cages

A little girl. Crack. The cooler. Crack. Carrying her off the dock. Crack. Going back to her office, crying. Crack. This was all Casey remember after that first day on the squad. She didn't possibly think that she could handle what was being thrown at her. She was one to wear her thoughts on her sleeves, but not her emotions. She thought she had come to terms with the fact that keeping it all inside was not an option anymore. She had befriended Olivia, and they talked about everything. But along came Alex, and she went right back to keeping it all to herself. Not only could Casey not let her emotions out around Alex, she couldn't even talk to her without taking ten minutes to come up with enough courage to answer.

Casey continued to smash the balls that were coming toward her. At first she didn't notice that Alex had walked up behind her and was watching her. But after a few minutes, she sensed that she wasn't alone anymore, and turned to find Alex watching, forgetting that the last thing you should ever do in a batting cage was stop watching the machine. The ball however, didn't stop and hit Casey on her shoulder.

"Oh, Casey! I didn't mean to… I'll go find some ice."

Casey sat on the bench outside the cage, and Alex came back with the ice. Casey winced as she placed the ice on her shoulder, where there was a huge red welt.

"I'm so sorry Casey, I didn't mean to distract you."

Casey shook her head. "S'ok, I know better, I should never have shifted my attention away from the machine."

Alex smiled. "You know, I think that's the longest sentence you've said to me since I've gotten back."

Casey shifted, obviously uncomfortable with the truth Alex had just stated.

"You know Casey, I really want to get to know you better. How about dinner and a movie. My place. Tonight at eight?"

Casey thought for a moment, not sure what to do. She didn't want to make Alex feel uncomfortable if she still couldn't manage to put a sentence together around her.

"Please Casey."

Against her better judgment, Casey nodded. "What should I bring?"

Alex shook her head. "Nothing. I'll take care of it. What kind of movie would you like to watch?"

Casey shrugged. "I like any kind of comedy, I'm always up for a good laugh."

Alex smiled, and nodded. "Comedy it is then." She pulled the ice away from Casey's shoulder, and examined the red circle that now marked her arm.

"That ball got you good, it must hurt."

Casey laughed. "Oh well. It happens. Another battle scar to add to the collection."

Alex laughed, and checked her watch. "I'd better get going, if I'm going to get everything ready. I'll see you tonight ok?" She got up and started to walk away, but turned around and walked back to Casey. "You're going to need my address aren't you?"

"Kinda," Casey replied. Alex pulled a piece of paper out of her briefcase and jotted down what Casey assumed was her address, and handed it to her.

"See you later!"

Casey put the piece of paper in her pocket, picked up her bat, and headed back into the cage.