A/N: I'm not really sure what this chapter is.

The sun beat down heavily on the playing field as cops, CSI's, firefighters, and EMT's geared up for their Fourth of July baseball game. Normally there would be two separate games, but budget cuts meant that many civil servants didn't get the holidays off, so the two games were combined this year. Adam had been roped into playing outfield and was hoping that he would never have to be at bat, while Lindsay had carefully avoided Danny for two days while he organized the team, and was now looking forward to sitting in the sun and watching everyone else play.

"Mama lookit over there, it's Austin!" Levi said excitedly, pointing at Danny's girlfriend. "Could we sit by her?"

"Yeah sure. Give Adam his mitt."

Levi tossed the borrowed mitt at him then dashed off to the bleachers, clambering up to the top where Austin was sitting.

"Hey, don't get hurt out there okay?"

"Linds, I'll be fine."

"Make sure to drink enough water."

"I know."

"And the sunscreen, put more on at some point."

"Yes mom."

Smirking, she put the mitt on him correctly and gave him a smile before heading towards the bleachers.

"Hey Linds," Austin greeted, raking her hair away from her eyes.

"Hey. Why aren't you playing?"

Austin sighed and held up her right leg, which was encased in an ankle brace.

"The sewer grate and I didn't really get along. I'm in the boot for two weeks."

"If you were out there playing, you'd probably end up in one by the end of today anyway."

"Don't believe every story Danny tells you."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"So how was Montana?"

Lindsay sighed gently, chewing on her lip. She knew Austin well enough to know that she wasn't just asking about the hearing, but not well enough to know how much information she'd had in order to ask the question. Figuring playing dumb was safer, she answered as best as she knew how.

"It was fine. I still don't trust Josh but I don't think he's going to skip out either. Levi likes having a special call every week and it hasn't seemed to be a bad thing yet. Time will tell."

"And what about you and Adam?"

"You're very blunt, has anyone ever told you that?"

"Not if they knew what was good for them. You and Adam? No guy flies all the way across the country just to-"

"I know. We're just… dancing around it for now."

"For now?"

"It's pretty clear that we both know where it's going but neither one of us are ready so we're just letting it lie for now."

"I predict that once you two finally get it together, it will be a year or less before you get hitched."

"Way to freak me out."

Austin smiled and put her injured foot up on the bleachers in front of her.

"So, you want to bet on this game here?"

"I don't know. I think our loyalties lie in the same place."

"I bet Flack gets hurt by the second inning."

"I give him until the third."

"Deal."

They shook on it and sat back to watch the game while Levi stood up next to them and cheered, especially when Stella hit a homerun. There seemed to be a difference of opinion between Danny and Flack at one point, which Mac had to step in and referee, but for the most part, the game was going off without a hitch.

Both sides agreed on a half time after the fourth inning, and Levi begged to go down to the dug-out to check on the team. Promising that she wouldn't be in the way, she hopped down the bleachers and ran across the dirt, pigtails flying behind her. Spotting Adam on the bench she smiled and climbed into his lap, patting his face seriously.

"Mama says to tell you to drink some water," she reported. "I am here to make sure you do."

He smiled and kissed her cheek, then showed her the half-empty water bottle.

"Good enough?"

"Mm-hmm. You are a very good outfielder. You even got a grass stain! That means you played hard. How come your hand has blood?"

"It's not used to the glove. It's okay, it happens."

"You want a band-aid? Mama keeps some in her purse. I will go get you one."

Before he could protest she ran off, coming back several minutes later and sitting down next to him, pulling his hand into her lap.

"These will cover those blisters so they don't get more hurt," she explained, opening one of the Strawberry Shortcake band-aids. "And this one will cover the one that already got hurt. There! Now you are as good as new. I could be a nurse."

"Thanks Doodle," he said, ignoring the snickering that the rest of the guys were doing. "Throw those wrappers away."

"Okay. Anyone else need a band-aid? No? I'll go ahead and head back to my spot now. Good luck dudes and dudettes!"

Giving Adam one last kiss on the cheek she left the dug-out and climbed back up the bleachers.

"I sure like baseball," she declared, putting her sunglasses on. "Such a nice thing to watch after a long week. Do you like baseball mama?"

"Pretty well."

"Maybe I could play it sometime, when I am older and not scared of the ball. You like baseball Austin?"

"I love baseball. Maybe Danny and I could take you to another game sometime."

"Okay yeah! I like the cheering part most of all. Ooh, they're playing again!"

She stood up and watched the game, clapping and hollering every time someone hit the ball, whether it was their team or not, but about lost her voice when Adam was up at bat.

"Go Adam! Whoo-hoo! You can hit that ball! Pretend it's a bad guy's face!"

He turned and made a face at her and she giggled, sitting back down to watch.

"I sure love that silly guy," she mused. "Uh-oh, that's a strike."

"It's okay, he's probably just a little rusty."

"That's another one."

"Yeah, he's swinging too soon."

"That pitcher just striked him out! That's unfair!"

"It's okay, we're still a few runs ahead. Besides, the strike out distracted the rest of the team from what Flack is doing."

"What's he doing?" Levi asked, leaning over so she could see. Austin reached over and pulled Levi into her lap, pointing down at the field.

"He's leading off. He's going to steal third."

"Steal it? Where's he going to take it?"

Austin chuckled and shook her head.

"It means he's going to run to third now instead of waiting for someone to hit the ball. It's not really stealing, that's just what it's called."

"You have lots of knowledge."

"Yes I do."

"Ooh, that slide probably hurt a lot. Think he needs a band-aid?"

"If he does, he'll come find you."

"Mama, I am still a little hungry for something to eat," Levi said, getting up from her spot on the ground. "Can I have something else?"

"Honey, just let your tummy settle for a little while and then we'll see."

"Okay. When are the fireworks going to start?"

"In a few minutes."

"You and me have never, ever watched fireworks together, mama. Never ever. You always were workin' and I watched with grandma and grandpa."

"Yeah, this will be our first one," Lindsay agreed, pulling her daughter into her lap. "Your very first Fourth of July was also the very first time you slept through the night. I didn't want the fireworks to wake you up so we just cuddled up in bed together all night while everyone else partied."

"I like that story. Sometimes I really miss that little apartment we lived in. When it was just you and me."

"I miss it too."

"I like where we live now too. Mostly I am just glad that it is you and me together no matter where we go."

"Me too."

"I need to get up and get my wiggles out real quick."

She hopped down to the ground and stretched then took off running in a large loop around the area that everyone had staked out to watch the fireworks. After a few minutes she returned, brushing her hair out of her face and hopping from foot to foot, trying to decide where to sit.

"Austin could I please sit on your lap? You don't squeeze me like mama and Adam do."

Austin chuckled and nodded.

"Sure kid. Come here."

Levi grinned and climbed into her lap, sitting back contentedly with a sigh.

"Know what?"

"What?"

"I think me and you should have a club. Because we both have boy names."

"Oh yeah?"

"Mm-hmm. Where did your boy name come from?"

"I think my parents pulled it out of a hat."

"Oh, that's silly. Did people think you were a boy? Before you got long hair?"

"Maybe, but it was because I dressed in my brothers clothes."

"I wish I had a brother," Levi sighed. "Named Bradley."

"Why Bradley?"

"Because it sounds like he would be a very nice boy and we would be good friends and play together a lot. Yeah, I would like a brother. Not a sister. She would steal my clothes and then I would not be mama's number one girl anymore. So I would just like a brother. Hey mama, could I have a brother?"

"No."

"Okay then. Austin, when you are a mama someday, will you give your girl a boy name?"

"I don't think I'll do that."

"Oh good. I think girls should have pretty lady names. I like my name but I wish I had another one to be called. Anyway, are you excited for fireworks?"

"Sure am."

"Me too. I like watching things explode."

Austin laughed and tugged on the ends of Levi's hair. She'd never been comfortable around kids, even her niece and nephew could make her nervous. She'd never been the mothering type or thought herself to have any nurturing instincts whatsoever. But right now, this felt okay. Normal even. There was something different about Levi, something disarming. Wondering what it was got her nowhere, and self-examination had never been a favorite pastime of hers. Better to just go with it.

"It's starting!" Levi said excitedly after a moment. "Hold onto your hats folks!"

Lindsay rolled her eyes but smiled at her daughters enthusiasm, hoping for the hundredth time that she would never lose it. Sighing, she dropped her head down to Adam's shoulder for a moment, just wanting a connection with him. He gave her hand a squeeze and they moved slightly away from each other, trying to keep their attraction in check. It wasn't easy and the more time they spent together, the more they both wanted to let things play out, but the both knew how irresponsible that could be. The only solution was a little distance, but neither one of them wanted that either. Maybe in time they would come up with something that would satisfy both needs, but right now, they were just making do.

"Hey Linds?"

"Hmm?"

"Next year we should go down to the waterfront, watch the show there."

"Next year?"

"Yeah. Never hurts to plan ahead."

It wasn't the fireworks that put the twinkle in his eye and she smiled. Planning ahead never hurt anyone.