Author's Note: Thank you, so much, to the nicest people, leaving such great words of encouragement and advice. I was ready to give this up. But the truth is, we are all faced with long months of waiting for hope of a renewal, and this little fan corner is all we have to keep us going. Bawson all the way. I have some ideas of continuing the story.
Smiling goofily at each other, Ginny and Mike exited the break room, blind to the fact that not all of their team mates had left the house. Blip came along the corridor, bag in hand. From where he was standing, they must have seemed a bit weird, but he had gotten used to their banters and the smiles shouldn't strike him as too suspicious. Or so Ginny hoped when she saw him approach.
"Yo, Blip, why so late? Wouldn't Ev be expecting you? " Ginny managed to say lightheartedly, teasing her friend.
"You are one to talk, what is up with you always being the last one out of here? And weren't you supposed to have dinner with us and your brother tonight?"
"Shoot, I was going over the hitters and prepping for Sunday's game and Mike here was helping me figure out a …" she realised she was overdoing the explanation.
"Mike, huh. Back less than a day from not being gone at all and all is well already." luckily Blip was too angry at Mike still to notice her grasping for words.
"Hey, man. Sorry that I disappointed you. Can we talk about this whole thing?" Mike genuinely wanted to make things right with his best friend.
"Sure, you wanna talk. Let's talk. First, you pretend you know nothing about going to another team, then you personally pick a winner, and almost go, not caring about any of us… And when some contract detail gets in the way and the whole thing falls through, you come back, as if nothing has happened. Captain once again. Easy for Mike Lawson, hey. Are we supposed to feel lucky to have you, as a safety net for you to fall to when your big ring plans failed?" Blip didn't hold back.
Mike felt the guilt, and knew his friend was right on all counts. Only, his reason for choosing to leave in the first place had less to do with rings and wins, and more with the fact that a week ago he felt like the grumpy old man he thought Ginny saw in him. And having realised he had feelings for her, he felt he had to run away from any doomed entanglement, fast. That was a week ago. Today, after the hot kiss just now, he was in the clouds. Kind of, with a feeling of guilt for Blip's words. And a slight but growing feeling of guilt for entangling Ginny in something in the very beginning of her shining career. Suddenly the glow in his eyes flickered away.
"I am sorry, Blip. For the whole thing. I never meant to hurt you and the team, and I am a lousy captain, true. But I promise I care, and I will make it up to you." his shoulders slumped a little, and Ginny almost wanted to hug him to make him feel better. "Anyhow, rook, nice job today. I guess you have a dinner to go to, huh."
"Yeah, she does. And this time, Mike, you are not invited. " Blip was obviously not over the grudge he was holding.
"I understand." he looked at her apologetically and she nodded in understanding.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow, old man." she smiled reassuringly.
"Training, first thing. I have a reputation to uphold, and Blip here won't let me off the hook easily." he smiled, too. Without any other explanations they had agreed this evening's failed plans won't affect their newfound agreement.
"Sure thing."
"Let's go then." Blip commandeered less hostilely. But was already walking ahead, taking the lead. Ginny looked behind her shoulder to nod at Mike. Her expression was one of toughness, but her eyes seemed sad. He wanted to take her in his arms, and instead had to see her get away.
This was not going to be the end of this evening, he was determined.
Sorry for the delays, busy weeks lately. Next up, Mike is expected to make an unexpected appearance.