Ginny is wide awake long before daylight shines through the windows of her hotel suite. She knows Mike will probably be pissed that she stood him up last night, but she had needed to think. So that's what she'd done. She had turned off her phone and laid around listening to music and just...thought about every damn thing.

And now it's morning and she's still thinking. She can't stop thinking.

She thinks about Mike and how much he's grown to mean to her in three months. She brushes aside her childhood crush because that had been about an image - a poster on her wall - a series of stats on the back of a baseball card. The real Mike is so much more than the contents of her junior high scrapbook.

The real Mike Lawson is, well… REAL. He's strong and confident. He's loyal and hard-working. He's funny and supportive. He has a laugh that drives her crazy - a smile that warms her from the inside out. He works hard and he plays hard. Yes, he can be growly and short tempered, but he's so much more than that.

The truth is that Ginny has a hard time imagining her life without Mike in it. She doesn't even want to try.

But the teammate thing is an obstacle that looms as big as Mount Everest. Can they move forward with this - whatever this is, and keep it quiet? Clearly secrecy is possible, but won't be easy to achieve. How would it work? She's not sure. What if they wait? Mike will probably retire in a year. Can they wait a year?

She remembers the way he had taken her - the way her world view had shrunk to just them - to the sounds they made and the way his touch had felt like electricity against her heated flesh.

No. Waiting doesn't seem like a valid option.

Ginny turns her mind to Noah. He was a nice guy. On paper, he had been everything Ginny should want. But this wasn't paper. This was real life and here, in real life, Ginny wants Mike. She wants his bum knees and grouchy silences and long-winded speeches. She wants his laugh and his sparkling eyes and the way he listens. She even wants the beard. She wants all of him.

Nervous, but determined; Ginny picks up her phone and finds his number. She hits the button by his name before she can second guess herself.

"Baker?" He sounds sleepy.

"I'm sorry. I woke you."

"S'okay. What time is it?"

She glances at her nightstand and winces. "5:30. Sorry. I didn't even look at the clock. I can call you back later."

"No need. I'm up. Hey. Missed you last night."

She can hear him yawning into his phone and she pictures him half naked and rumpled and her body shudders slightly. "I'm sorry I didn't show. I just wasn't ready to talk."

"Hey, Rook. It's okay. I told you, no pressure. I meant it. Besides, Blip and I had some beers and we worked through some stuff we needed to talk about."

"The trade?"

"Yeah. He was pissed about all of that and with good reason. Hell, he might still be pissed, but we're headed in the right direction."

"I'm glad."

"Me too. He's a good friend."

They sit in silence for a beat. Ginny finally speaks, her words coming out in a rush. "So, I stayed up most of the night, thinking. I've decided you were right."

"You should probably write that down somewhere for future reference," he says with a chuckle.

She rolls her eyes, but relaxes. "And there he is."

"I was always here, Rook. Always here and I'm listening. Talk to me. What are you thinking?"

She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "I lied to you about Amelia. I wasn't just upset that you were talking about me. I was jealous that you were with her. Really jealous."

"I know."

"What?"

"I know because I felt the same way when you started talking to Livan."

"All we ever did was talk."

"It didn't matter. Still drove me crazy. And Noah? I hate that guy. I want to beat the shit out of him, but he's got more money than me. Probably a better lawyer."

Ginny chuckles in spite of herself. "You wouldn't have really hit him."

"Oh, I would have, but he's freakishly tall and I was tanked. Wanted to hit him more than I've ever wanted to hit anybody, but I was sitting on the floor and he was way out of my reach..."

"I never thought I'd be glad you were a drunken trainwreck that night, but I am."

"Yeah, well. I'm just saying that I understand about how you felt about Amelia. Not sure that it makes a difference, but the thing with her and I - it never meant anything."

"I really don't want to talk about Amelia."

"Okay."

"But we do need to talk about Rachel. I know that meant something."

She can feel his sigh through the phone.

"Tell me what's going on with her?"

"Nothing ever again. It's over."

"You're sure?"

"Completely. Obviously Rachel and I have history. We were together for a really long time. I thought she was the love of my life. When she cheated on me, I was destroyed. I spiraled out of control. It took me a long time to crawl out of the pit she put me in and even once I was out of it, I still thought I loved her."

Ginny's chest constricts. This hurts so much more than his fling with Amelia had. "And, now?"

"After your interview, she told me that she and David broke up. She looked at me in this way I'd been hoping to see for so long and part of me felt relieved."

"What about the other part?"

"It didn't feel the way I thought it would. It was comfortable but I realized I'd moved on. I wanted to be somewhere else. With someone else."

Ginny feels suddenly nervous and isn't sure she's ready to hear what he has to say. "It's Salvi, isn't it?"

Mike barks out a laugh. "You know it's you, Rookie. Just you."

Her body feels warm as his truth calms each of her fears. "Okay, Have you talked to her?"

"Yeah, I called her after I sobered up. She had already figured it out. Asked if I'd told you how I feel yet."

"Oh. What did you say?"

"Told her I was pretty sure you had figured it out. What about Noah? Is he…" Mike sounds pained. "Is he important to you?"

"He's a nice guy and I'm sorry if I hurt him. Listen, can we not let Noah be a factor here? I screwed up."

"If we can also toss my Rachel relapse, I'll never mention his name again."

"Done."

"So, where does that leave us?"

Ginny tone is teasing when she answers. "I don't know. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned this before, but I don't usually date ball players."

"Yeah, I think I heard something about that." he chuckles.

She can't help but laugh with him. "Maybe I'd be willing to stretch the rules a bit for you."

"I'd like that, but only if we keep it quiet."

"Don't want anyone to know about us?" She teases but there is an element of hurt in her voice.

"No, Ginny. I want to shout it from the rooftops. I want to take out a full page ad in the Union Tribune, but I don't want anyone thinking you didn't earn your place - that you got special treatment."

"Fucking me on that barstool felt pretty special."

He laughs. "That's not what I meant, but I'm glad you thought so. We're gonna be doing a lot more of that. In fact, come over now. I'll send a car."

"I have to pitch today, Old Man. Raincheck?"

"Raincheck."

"So we're doing this?" She asks, her voice a whisper.

"Yeah Rook, we're doing this."

An hour later, Ginny sits in a cafe a few blocks from the Omni. She picks at a cinnamon roll with her fork while she waits for Amelia Slater to arrive. They need to talk and then they probably need to decide if they can still work together.

The bell on the door rings and Ginny glances up. Amelia looks perfectly put together in her tailored suit and impeccable hair and make-up. Ginny reaches a hand up to tame her curls, feeling a flash of insecurity.

She nods toward Amelia, her expression serious and her stomach a ball of nerves. She has a lot to say and feels that Amelia's response will make or break their relationship. "We need to talk."

Amelia sits and orders coffee from the waitress before facing her client. "Yes. We do." she tilts her head curiously. "You're mad at me about Will, right? I am sorry about pushing you on that, but I'm only looking out for your -"

Ginny holds up a hand. "Just stop. Okay? I've heard it all before. Is this restaurant a bad idea? Maybe it is. I don't know, but he's my brother. He's been with me since the beginning. He's family. He's the only family I have left."

Amelia purses her lips and nods curtly. "Okay. I'll stop pushing you about Will, but there is one you need to know."

Ginny braces herself, motioning Amelia to continue.

"There is no kitchen equipment, Ginny. Never was. He used that money to pay off a big debt to his bookie. That's all I'm going to say. You should talk to Evelyn. She's worried, Okay? This isn't just me being a bitch."

Ginny cocks one eyebrow.

Amelia shrugs with a little smile. "Okay. It's not all me being a bitch."

Ginny takes a steadying breath. "So, he's stealing from me for real?"

"If it helps, I don't think he wanted to. He felt cornered. I think he owed some bad guys a lot of money. He probably thinks he'll be able to pay you back."

Ginny closes her eyes. She's not stupid. She knows that Will has a problem with gambling. It had come up a few times before she got called up. She had hoped it was behind them. "I'll talk to him."

Amelia nods, satisfied. "Okay, now we need to talk about the other thing."

"What other thing?" Ginny asks, but in her heart, she knows. This is going to be about MIke.

Amelia pulls up a web page on her smartphone and shows it to Ginny. "Eliot has been doing all he can to keep this under wraps but unless I can come up with a good explanation for why he was lurking in your hotel, your thing with Mike is going to be public."

Ginny stares wide-eyed at the screen on Amelia's phone.. It's Mike - drunk elevator Mike - looking miserable and lost, surrounded by a bevy of laughing bachelorette party goers. She licks her lips nervously and schools her features before meeting Amelia's eyes. "What does this have to do with me?"

"He was in your hotel elevator, Gin. And this isn't the only picture. He was there for a long time. People know you live there."

"I'm not the only one who -"

"Save it. At least two of the people he met in that elevator claim he was talking about you, saying he was looking for you."

"Oh, god."

"Yeah. Like I said, we need a story we can spread."

Ginny stares at the table, listlessly pushing away the cinnamon roll. "Rachel Patrick."

"What? Mike's ex?"

"Yeah. She was staying there too. Mike was with her in her room."

Amelia's eyes go wide. "Oh."

"Can Eliot work with that?"

Amelia nods. "Yeah, I think we can make that work." She reaches out and puts a hand on Ginny's. "Are you okay? I was sure you and Mike -"

"I'm fine. Mike is fine."

Something in her tone causes Amelia to lean back and reconsider. She tilts her head thoughtfully. "No. I wasn't wrong. Rachel Patrick may have been in that hotel, but he was a mess because of you. The people talking about meeting him - they weren't wrong. You two finally -."

Ginny shrugs, not meeting Amelia's eyes. "What do you mean 'finally'?"

Amelia chuckles, throwing dollars on the table and standing. "I think it's been you for a long time. Even when he was with me, he wasn't really with me. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, maybe. I don't know. Are you going to tell me it's a big mistake?"

"No, but I'm here if you need me. Okay? Not just as your agent, but also as your friend, if you'll let me be one. You know I really do only want what's best for you?"

Ginny feels relief wash over her. "Yeah, I know.

"I do have one suggestion."

"I'm listening."

"Eliot will put out this fire, but if you and Mike get caught together… Eliot can only do so much. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, we have to keep things quiet."

"Beyond quiet, Ginny. Your goal should be complete radio silence right up until one of you isn't a Padre anymore."

She gets to the park a little early and heads to the gym for a run on the treadmill. It's one of the things she likes to do to loosen up before a game. She sees Mike. He's in the middle of a conversation with Sal, but he glances her way. A lot is said in that moment when their eyes lock and hold. She nods and smiles as she walks by. It's a small smile – almost shy.

The relieved grin he flashes her way in return makes her heart pound and her belly quake.

"You ready for the Mariners, Baker?" he asks over his shoulder.

"I'm always ready. Wanna go over pitchers before?"

He shrugs, all innocence. "Yeah, sure."

Ginny feels a lightness in her step as she starts up the treadmill. They'd both acted completely normal in there. Maybe she and Mike can do this. It will have to be secretive, but Blip and Evelyn are on their side, and Amelia will help if she can.

Ginny and Mike are adults. Professionals. They can compartmentalize, can't they? Work is work. Play is… Well, play is play. She grins as her speed increases. Yeah, they can do this. She's sure of it.

This is a good day.

She's only been on the treadmill for fifteen minutes when her phone rings. It's Will returning her call. She hadn't planned to talk to him til after the game, but before she can suggest he call back later, he's already excitedly talking a mile a minute. Evidently it's a good day for all Bakers.

"Slow down. Slow down. What's going on?"

"G, you won't believe what just happened. I got a call from The Boys and Girls Clubs of North Carolina."

"Okay?" Ginny comes to a stop, wipes her face with a towel, and tries to focus on her brother's nonsensical rambling. "Why did they call you?"

"Only because they heard I'm an amazing mentor and that I have been known to help groom professional athletes in their prime."

"I'm not following."

"They want me, Ginny. They want me to help kids. I guess they heard about all those years I hung around with you and dad and helped."

To say she's surprised is an understatement, but Ginny smiles tentatively at the cheer in her brother's voice. "So, they offered you a job?"

"Not just a job. It's big, Ginny. Really big. I'll be planning programs for underprivileged kids who have shown that they have athletic ability. It means that I have to leave the restaurant idea behind for now, but I'll give you and the Sanders all your money back, so no problem there. The Club is even giving me a moving bonus so I can cut you a check before I leave today."

A weight lifts from her shoulders as the realization dawns. This job offer solves all their problems. Blip and Evi will get their money back and she won't have to confront Will about the missing money. Amelia will be thrilled. "Wait, you're leaving today?"

"Yeah, just after the game. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can get started."

Ginny's smile fades as she disconnects the call. This job offer feels a little too good to be true, and she wonders what strings Amelia had to pull to make it happen.

Mike is on his way to the locker room to get ready for warm ups when Al yells for him to come into the office. Oscar and Buck are sitting around Al's desk. Al looks irritated. "Oscar wants to shut Ginny down. Says she's over her pitch limit. You agree with that?"

Mike feels blindsided. He's done nothing but think about Ginny for days, but none of thouse thoughts had been about her pitch count. He shakes his head. "Hell no. She's not done." But even as he says it, Mike feels doubt creeping in.

Al leans back and points at Oscar. "He has some kid with charts and numbers - says Baker's gonna get hurt if she pitches much more. What do you think, Mike?" It is clear from Al's expression that he wants Mike to call 'bullshit' and end the conversation quickly.

Mike's gut twists. Ginny would hate getting pulled but she'd sure as hell hate getting injured more. He's really only watched her this one season and can't personally say what she's capable of this far in. "Maybe we should ask Blip. He's the only one who's watched her play a full season before."

Al calls in Blip and Mike asks what he thinks.

Blip sighs. "Well honestly, I think she's running out of gas. Losing steam. Her pitch speed is lower. She's a born gamer, so she hides it, but yeah. I think she's done."

Oscar stands up. "Not done. Not quite yet. Charlie says she has to start today, but we keep her innings limited."

Blip nods. "For the long term good of the team, this should probably be her final outing of the season."

Al sighs. "Damn it. She's gonna be upset. I hate when girls are upset. Sometimes they cry."

Buck shakes his head. "You're not supposed to talk about her like she's a girl. Remember?"

"Yeah. Whatever. Better call her in here. Gonna have to break the news."

Mike holds up a hand. "I can talk to her."

"You sure?" Al asks, clearly relieved.

Mike nods. "Yeah. I'm still team captain, aren't I?" He walks out of Al's office and Blip falls into step beside him.

"Hey, Mike?"

"Yeah?"

"You asking my opinion and not just telling Al yours? That was a real captain move, right there. I know this isn't going to be easy on her, and by extension, you. Anyway, I wanted to say thanks. And I hope things go okay with you two, whatever happens...you know, assuming whatever happens keeps you both on the team and nobody's heart gets broken."

"You're preaching to the choir, Blip. That's what I want too."

"Sounds good, Cap."

Mike grins at him. "So you and me - we're good, right?"

"The best."

"Hey Baker,I need to talk to you." Mike closes the door to Ginny's closet and leans against it.

She smiles happily when she sees him, but the smile fades when she sees how serious he looks. Her brow furrows. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"They're shutting you down. Today is your final start of the season."

"What? No! They can't do that."

But they can, and Mike explains to her what Oscar and Al had said. He doesn't single out Blip for giving his opinion but he's there for her when she yells and kicks the locker and he's there for her when she takes a deep breath and calms down. "I don't want this to be my last start, Mike. I swear to you that my arm is fine."

"I know. I know." He puts his hands on her shoulders, kneading the tense muscles there.

"It's fine," she says again.

"I know, Baker. I know. Your arm looks fine too." Mike runs a fingertip slowly down her bicep. "And feels damn good."

Ginny's eyes go wide and the corner of her mouth tilts upward. "Mike?"

"We need to warm up for the game, right?"

"Yeah?"

"I have this great idea for that - " He leans in and his lips ghost across hers. He's showing her what he wants but not pushing.

She tilts her chin up and her lips brush his in response. The kiss is soft and light, but swollen with promise. "Need to not be doing this here," she says against his mouth. "Remember?"

His arms slide around her back. "Yeah, I know. It's a terrible idea." He licks into her mouth, tasting her and exploring slowly.

Ginny feels desire rise within like a flame as she sinks into his arms. She sighs into the kiss, but pulls away with a jerk when the door to her private room opens.

Al is standing there, looking sheepish. "She cried, didn't she?" He walks in, shaking his head and wringing his hat in his hands. "I'm sorry, Baker. This wasn't what I wanted, but I have to do what's best for the team. We need you healthy next year. You understand that, right?"

Ginny tries to maintain a straight face. "Yeah, Al. It's okay. I understand. I was just, you know, upset at first but Mike helped me get through it."

Mike coughs in an effort to hide his grin.

Al narrows his eyes and looks back and forth between them. "You two are being weird. Don't be weird." Then he turns and heads toward the door. "Get dressed and then go throw some pitches before the damn game starts."

"Okay, Skipper," Ginny says.

Al glances over his shoulder. "Baker, it's your last start of the season. The stands are full of people who are here to watch you and Lawson do your thing. So, you know - get out there and do it."

As the door shuts behind Al, Ginny and Mike look at each other. They don't speak, but she nods and he reaches out, squeezing her fingers.

It's time for them to do their thing.

A/N No beta. All mistakes are mine. There will be one more chapter – that's where you will find the smut and the happily ever after, etc. The final chapter is written. I'll post it in a couple days. Leave a comment if you have a moment.