Title: Unnecessary Roughness (7/11)

Author: Romantique

Email:

Classification: Eric/Tami Pairing.

Rating: M for suggestive, non-explicit adult themes.

Summary: After accepting the District's offer of Head Coach of the East Dillon Lions, the new contract continues to test Coach Taylor's patience and his pride.

Disclaimer: Friday Night Lights fan fiction occurs at the end of Season 3 and is a Prequel to Season 4 which has yet to air.

Legal: These characters do not belong to me. I'm just a fan and have not made a dime. Please email me to obtain permission to post.

Lions Coaches Offices

East Dillon

July 10th

11:30 a.m..

Some best laid plans never come to fruition. Eric suspected such was the case with Zach Backov. With no time to cry over spilt milk, he had already moved on to fight the next fire ... the District was further cutting all non-essential budgetary items and that included fees for state league expenses. He called to set up a meeting with Buddy Garrity for later in the afternoon, after a meeting with his coaching staff. Saracen and Riggins agreed to attend the coaching meeting to give their feedback to staff after the first week of the clinic.

While he was on the phone with his wife, he was interrupted by a parent who wanted to see him. Eric didn't mind meeting Lion parents; unlike Panther parents, he had seen so few of them.

"Honey, I need to go. There's someone here to see me. I'll call you this afternoon after I meet with Buddy," Eric said as he disconnected his phone.

A middle aged man with light hair was waiting just outside Eric's office door.

"C'mon in," Eric said sharply, as he stood from behind his desk. "Hello, I'm Coach Taylor," he extended his hand.

"Nice to meet you," the man said with a heavy accent. "I'm Ivan Backov, father of Zach." The two men shook hands.

"Oh, sure," Eric smiled at the connection. The physical resemblance was remarkable. "What can I do for you, Mr. Backov?"

"Call me Ivan, please," the man said. "First, I want to thank you for teaching Zachary how to drive. That was very kind of you to help him."

"You've got a fine young man there, and I was happy to help him," Eric smiled, knowing that wasn't the reason for this father's visit. "Next week will be our last week of lessons, and then, it will be time for him to take the test to get his license."

"His mother and I are very grateful, Coach Taylor." The man nervously nodded his head and then became silent to collect his thoughts. "Zachary tells me he's no longer welcome on the team. He was very upset."

Eric grimaced. "We had a very serious discussion about his plans for the future while I'm tryin' to assign positions for the new season. We talked about his plans for college against my needs for the startin' quarterback position," Eric tried to choose his words carefully. "Based on what he told me, he's not a good fit for the startin' quarterback position, but I never told Zach he wasn't welcome on this team. If that's what he thinks, that's incorrect. I'm sorry if he misunderstood what I said."

"I don't think the misunderstanding was with you, Coach Taylor," the man shifted his weight onto his other foot. "It was with me. I had a talk with my son last night. While I do need him to work at the store, I don't need him to work any certain shift. Our work is work; it's always there. Zach is a good boy, and he doesn't want to worry or burden me, so he tends to keep things to himself."

"I understand, Ivan," Eric shook his head. "I have a daughter who does the same thing. She tries to stay out of the way."

"I don't want my son to be a lawyer unless that's what he wants. My wife and I moved here so our children could have the freedom to be whatever they choose. Now, at age 16, I don't think Zachary really knows what he wants to be. But he knows he loves to play American football."

Ivan paused for a moment.

"Do you think he has the talent to pay ball?" the father asked, steeling himself for the answer.

Eric looked down and then back up. "I think he's got a good arm. He's not the fastest, must agile quarterback I've ever seen, but we can work on that. Besides workin' on his runnin' speed in practice, I was thinkin' that Zach could benefit from fencin'."

"Fencing?" Ivan asked.

"Uh, you know, sword fightin'?" and Eric acted out a sword fighting motion with his hand. "It's good for honin' movement, readin' defense, and improvin' reaction time. I was going to suggest this to Ivan after he finished the driving class. I have a friend who could teach him. In fact, there are several players who could benefit from fencin'."

Eric paused. "So, are you tellin' me you and your wife would be fine with Zach devotin' more time and effort to playin' football for the East Dillon Lions?"

Ivan smiled. "Yes! We even talked about closing the shop on Friday nights so we can come and watch Zach play. Everyone at the mall closes anyway on Friday nights for football."

"Yes, they do," Eric smiled. "This is somethin' Zach really wants to do?"

"Not only does Zachary really want to play ball, but so does his younger brother, Michael. He's a sophomore, big kid," Ivan informed the coach. "He would also like to try out for the team."

"Well, that's wonderful. We're practicin' next week, Monday – Thursday at 2:30. Have Michael come by on Monday. We could work with him next week, see how he does," Eric again smiled.

He further explained, "Also, I need for you to understand that the team already has a QB1. But he's a senior, and he will be graduatin' and leavin' the team. I'll make the transition when it's good for the team."

"Yes, Zach explained that you are paid to win games. That's good for you and the team. I understand," Ivan nodded.

"Very good," Eric continued to smile and extended his hand again. "Thank you so much for stoppin' by, Ivan. And tell Zach I'll see him tonight at 6. It's my turn for the lesson tonight."

Shaking hands, Ivan said, "I will. And also, I would like to offer you and your wife a 10% discount on all dry cleaning and alternations for the season. It's our way of thanking you and your wife for the driving lessons."

"Well, thank you. Because of regulations, I can't accept a gift, but my wife could. With two daughters at home, I know my wife would really appreciate it," Eric explained.

"Yes, for your wife," Ivan nodded to show he understood.

"You're welcome to watch the practices, any time," Eric said, as the two men parted company.

Eric grabbed a quick bite to eat before going to his next meeting. It was nice for him to have Saracen and Riggins at the meeting. They brought an honest insight into the way the East Dillon staff had been operating for years. Some of the way they had been training their players was good and effective, but as with any program, there was always room for improvement. The two young men were able to point out these areas in a very non-threatening way. At the end, Eric gave an outline of goals for the following week of the clinic.

After the coaching staff meeting, it was time for Eric's meeting with Buddy Garrity. Eric met him at a diner in East Dillon where they could talk without the presence of Booster ears. Eric ordered a cold glass of milk and some fresh berry cobbler, while Buddy just wanted coffee.

"How are you doing over at your new home?" Buddy tried to keep it light.

Eric took a bite of the cobbler. "I have enough work to do for the next 20 years," Eric smiled. He had to be careful how much information to impart to the Panther's number one fan.

"How are Tami and the girls?" Buddy asked.

"Everyone is well, doin' just fine," Eric answered. "How about Lila and Pam and the kids?"

"Well, I'm getting the kids for the month of August. That's exciting. And Lila is with Riggins most of the time," Buddy rolled his eyes. "Of course, that will change when she has to get ready to leave for Vanderbilt."

"How's the car business farin'?" Eric asked his friend and sometimes, adversary. He took a good slug of the milk.

"It's going to be a slow go through the end of this year," Buddy said, drinking a cup of coffee. "Booster funds are at an all time low, too. After the government stimulus runs out, I just hope my dealership can hang on and ride this thing out. I had to let 2 more sales persons go last week. And you know, they're on commission … no overhead. There aren't enough sales to spread among the other sales representatives."

"Buddy, what's gonna happen to East Dillon?" Eric cut to the chase, holding his fork as a pointer. "The District is broke. Athletics is becomin' no different than the arts and music. When it comes right down to it, athletics is expendable."

Buddy agreed. "That's true of athletics, but not of football, at least not in the great state of Texas," he proclaimed.

"Well, then, where can I find my very own beer distributor, and I don't mean Joe McCoy, either," Eric asked as he stabbed his cobbler with the fork.

Buddy nodded. "Did you know that son-of-a-bitch is pulling an all-time profit in this recession? Oh, yeah. People don't let go of their beer. In fact, they're drinking more than ever!"

"I'm serious," Eric said, in between bites. "I need the private sector to pony up some cash for East Dillon, or we might as well just forget the whole damn thing. No offense, but 'as is,' I have no use for the 'Boosters.' They have shown me no good faith; they have no credibility with me, anymore. And now with this schizophrenic East Dillon/Dillon split loyalties crap, I can't rely on anything that contains the Boosters' thumbprint."

"I hear you, Eric," Buddy again agreed. "I have to walk a fine line with them because of Joe McCoy. He's proven time and time again he can't be trusted to serve anyone's interests except his own."

Buddy was quiet for a moment. "You know, some in town still say the same thing about you. You've still not been forgiven for leaving the Panthers to go to TMU. It was seen as being strictly self-serving."

That remark hit a raw nerve in Eric. He dropped his fork. "I knew that's what this was all about. Buddy, why the hell did you insist on bringin' me back? My family and I would have been on easy street, but instead, I have become the whippin' boy for a town that would rather sell its soul to the likes of an outsider like Joe McCoy than do the right thing by their own kids."

In turn, Eric hit a raw nerve in Buddy. "I insisted on bringing you back because I love football. You love football. You and I may have our differences, Eric. But the one thing we both have in common is that we love football," Buddy was sincere. "Now, you know I'm shooting you straight on that point."

"Well, you see, that's where you're wrong. I don't know any such thing," Eric had a vein in his neck popping out. "I know which side of this divide I'm on. Which side are you on, Buddy? Which side?"

"Eric, you know I'm on your side," Buddy said, his eyes narrowed.

Eric pursed his lips and shook his head. "No, Buddy. So long as you play both sides down the middle, you are in Joe McCoy's hip pocket. And some would see that as bein' strictly self-servin'."

Grabbing a ten dollar bill out of his pocket, Eric threw it on the table. "You have yourself a nice day," Eric huffed.

Buddy Garrity held his tongue as he watched one of his few friends walk away.