Inspiration could be an actual pain, a horrible thing like the smell of rotten cheese that could instantly wrinkle a nose. Oh, it could be nice and kind on occasion, a best friend even, but then it'd turn into a dramatic diva that left at the tiniest disrespect, as having been left waiting because picking groceries couldn't be ignored any longer. And dear baby Jesus, could it hold a grudge. A single inspired idea was put on hold and then Mrs. Inspiration would go all torture by leaving the image but stealing the correct words.

Being a writer could turn sour very quickly.

And so, great novelist Melinda May left her apartment with a serial killer expression on her face. She'd reached the most important moment on her latest book, the scene she had been waiting for months to write, but then she had realized her fridge and stomach were equally bare. She'd had a very hard call in her hands, for she knew her inspirational guest could turn twitchy by being left behind in an empty office and could suddenly decide to leave, but she was aware that hunger was a distraction and a hindrance to creativity.

She'd gone searching for food and boy had she regretted it. She felt so stupid, she should have called some place for takeout or something, and tamely obey Inspiration's input. But no, she'd gone to the market where every single person in the city had seemed compelled to going shopping too and then two hours later, upon returning to her place, she'd been received by Inspiration's cold shoulder. She had never in her life regretted something so much as having picked her stomach over her writing that very day, not even doing those blasted interviews that threw her in the middle of the public's eye. Why in God's green Earth had she left herself get charmed by her Agent to do them, she would never know. She was a privacy lover, was that so hard to remember?

But anyway, she needed a change of scenery. There was a huge gorgeous park three blocks from her apartment and today would be the day she'd visit it. It was a weird thing, she loved how the place looked from the street but she'd never actually taken the time to go. So she'd now find a big comfy tree and would try to sweetly stroke Inspiration enough as to get into its good graces again.

She huffed. She needed to meet new people. Humanizing concepts was really not a good sign of sanity.

Oh, but it was a beautiful day. The sun shined brightly and she loved it, and it also wasn't too warm due to the egregious breeze running about. The grass was deliciously green and its sweet smell started to do its magic by easing her frustrations away. Coming had been a good idea, she decided. Kites flew high, kid's laughter filled the air, and a sweet elderly couple put a smile in her face. The lady had dropped her hat, her husband fumbled to pick it up and then placed it carefully back in her hair and promptly blushed when she kissed his cheek as a thanks. Observing people was an infinite source of ideas, aha-moments seemed to be friendlier when she paid attention to her surroundings.

But it wasn't all that easy, the resentment was still fresh in Inspiration's heart. Sitting with her back placed against a tree, May's eyes restlessly brushed through the scenes before her but nothing seemed to tickle the words back into action.

She was just moodily erasing another disgraceful paragraph in her laptop when a something startled her bad. A hard hit on the ground next to her, a bump in her leg, and she was jumping out of her bones with a heart attack soon coming.

-Oh, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?- A voice distressedly said.

Just as she was trying to comprehend what was happening, a man clad in a baseball uniform appeared in her sight, completely freaking out as he got down to her level. His eyes were a glorious shade of blue and the sheer kindness of them left her speechless for a second.

-Are you alright? Did it hit you too hard? The field's fence isn't very high, I'm so sorry!- He said anxiously.

-What?- she kicked herself for the stupid answer. God, he was handsome.

-The ball I hit, it came all the way here.- the guy worriedly said.

He'd reached right near her ankle and there was now a baseball in his hand. Oh. So that was what hit her…

-I'm okay.- May said, pushing herself to focus. It wouldn't do to make a fool of herself in front of the first gorgeous guy she'd talked to in years.

-You sure? These things can give a mean punch.- He scowled as he quickly scanned her for any sign of injury.

-Yeah, totally, I'm fine. It just scared the living lights out of me and bumped my leg. Really, didn't hurt.- May said, as she inspected her laptop. She didn't mind the slight ache in her leg as long as the artifact and her novel were safe.

-I'm so sorry, really. Is there anything I can do for you?- The guy said concernedly.

-No, I'm okay; truly.- May said, as she tried to stand up. The man gave her a hand to help her up, closely watching her reactions.

He gulped, for the first time taking a good look at her. He found her eyes to be mesmerizing and her hair waved elegantly with the air. She was very pretty.

-You got nice hands.- He blurted, and closed his eyes like innerly kicking himself.

May smiled, he was adorable.

-Thanks. What's your name?-

-I'm Phil, Phil Coulson? I, ah… I play for the major leagues, but dropped by to play with the kids today. They love it and I love it, being with them it's so refreshing, and the fence should be higher, really, there's a kid who pitches like a pro, I should have been more careful, and I'm babbling and I'm sorry, I should really go back now.-

The guy looked mortified, pulling his cap over his face with a groan, but May just chuckled.

-It's very nice to meet you, Phil. I'm Melinda May.- she simply said, but he gasped and quickly rose his cap to be able to see her.

-Melinda May? The writer? Oh, God, I'm such a fan! Your latest action novel, The Triskelion, completely blew my mind!- He said excitedly, totally on fanboy mode.

-Oh! Ah, well, thanks.- she said bashfully.

-No, really, you're awesome!- Phil looked at her like she had fell from the sky God send.- how do you come up with all that stuff?-

She smiled surprised but charmed. She loved to speak about her writing process, though guys usually back off whenever she brought it up, especially... Quickly brushing away that thought, she decided to tame the answer.

-Ideas just bump me sometimes.- she cryptically said.

-Awesome.- he smiled, little hearts practically appearing in his eyes.

He seemed eager to know more, but someone then called his name and turning they saw a bunch of little faces pressed against the baseball field's fence.

-I got to go.- Phil said regretfully.

-Well, it was quite a pleasure to meet you, Phil.- she smiled.- it certainly made my visit to the park interesting.-

-Let's just hope next time I don't scare you to death.- Phil grinned, and nodding his head he began to walk away.

Few steps later though, he turned and find her still looking at him, the craving for more he had was also written in her face. He bit his lip and spinning the ball in his hand, he gathered whatever bravery left in him.

-Do you like baseball? I have a game tomorrow.- he dared ask.

-I have no knowledge of baseball whatsoever.- May said embarrassed, but taking a step forward.- you think we could change that for lunch?-

Phils eyes widened and he smiled as if Christmas had come early.

-Even better!- he said.- You have a pen?-

May searched a bit in her purse, and emerged victorious seconds later. She watched him writing in the ball that had caused all the happy fuss, and kind of melted with the sweet smile he gave her along with the items.

-I'll be home after 7, if you feel like talking.- he said grinning, and with that he climbed the hill to the field. The kids surrounded him cheerfully and he seemed overjoyed for it.

May's eyes dropped to the surprisingly heavy ball in her hand, exploring the sewing engraved in it and the hand writing he had plastered in the white leather. A casual "Phil" and his phone number tickled her imagination quite nicely.

Sitting back to her previous position, she discovered a nice and warm fluttering in her belly. She reached a definite verdict: coming to the park had been the actual best decision ever.