Title: Unnecessary Roughness (10/11)

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.

East Dillon High School

Practice Field

July 13th

2: 30 p.m.

Tim Riggins arrived at practice on the warm, Monday afternoon, pumped and ready to do some hard hitting. He hadn't had the opportunity to let off steam on the football field in months and had to admit to himself that he really missed it.

The Baskov brothers arrived at practice on time. The three waited for Matt Saracen.

"Did you start your weight training?" Riggins asked his young charge, Michael Baskov.

"Yeah, I started Saturday night. I'm pretty sore, to tell you the truth," the young man almost complained.

Riggins looked over at the young man. "When you're sore, drink lots of water. And work out some more to keep everything loose and fluid. Don't miss a day of your workout schedule.

"After a few weeks of working out, you'll feel so good. Working out is almost like a high."

Michael's older brother, Zack, chimed in, "Yeah, he's right. It gets easier pretty fast. Just keep at it."

"Hey, Seven!" Riggins yelled across the field upon seeing Matt walk towards the field. "It's about time!"

Matt rolled his eyes. "Sorry, man. I had to pick up a prescription for my Grandma, and it wasn't ready."

"We don't wanna hear about your troubles." Riggins grinned at Saracen, "Let's play ball!"

Today, Saracen played receiver to Zach Backov's quarterback. It was Riggins job to sack Zach, and Michael's job to defend Zach from Riggins. Over and over again, Riggins went after Zack with an intensity that neither Backov boy was expecting. And after each play, Saracen would give instructions and adjustments to Zack, as Riggins would do the same with Michael.

The two grads worked these young boys out. When they were through, they told the younger players to work out before going to bed, drink plenty of fluids, and get some sleep because tomorrow would be a repeat of today.

Slowly, painfully, the Backov boys walked off the field.

"Damn, that felt good," Riggins smiled at Saracen who remained out on the field. "Love it!"

"You don't think we were too rough on them, do ya'?" Sarancen asked.

"Naw," Riggins shook his head. "It's good for them. It's better we hit 'em hard than an opposing team." Riggins bent over to gather up his gear. "See you tomorrow?"

"I'll be here," Saracen answered.

County Sheriff Station

July 13th

4:00 p.m.

After a weekend of soul searching, Eric decided he needed to do something about Jesus Coronado, but he wasn't sure exactly what he needed to do. It was something he couldn't bring himself to talk to his wife about, at least not yet. Then, he decided he couldn't handle it on his own. After practice, he drove to the Sheriff station before he changed his mind.

"Hey, Sheriff Clarke," Eric extended his hand out upon being allowed to meet him at his office.

The Sheriff smiled and extended his hand as well. "How are you doing, Coach Taylor?"

"I'm just fine," Eric answered. "Um, could I speak with you? Outside? It'll just take a few minutes."

"Yeah, sure. Just let me tell my deputy I'm stepping outside," the Sheriff said.

Once outside and away from the building, Eric began talking in a hushed tone. "Can I speak to you as a friend lookin' for some advice, and not as the County Sheriff?"

"You mean off the record?" the Sheriff crossed his arms in front of him.

"Yeah, I need some professional advice, but it has to be off the record," Eric nodded, his tone was very serious.

"If a crime has been committed, I can't promise because I'm legally obligated to report a crime," the Sheriff was very forthcoming.

"As a teacher, so am I," Eric stated matter-of-factly. "I honestly don't know that anything has occurred. But I've been given a heads up that somethin' might."

Sensing Eric's unease with the whole conversation, the Sheriff suggested. "Why don't you speak to me as if it is a hypothetical?"

"Good, because that's really all it is at this point." Using his hands, Eric went on. "What if I told you that I have a player who is very likely usin' illegal drugs, and that he or his associates may be sellin' said drugs at school?"

"We know there's been some activity over at East Dillon," the Sheriff shared. "I see the position you find yourself in."

Eric looked the man straight in the eye. "I don't know anything first hand. I don't want to know," Eric put his hands in his pockets and looked down. "For many reasons, I don't want to be involved."

"And yet, you're here," the Sheriff commented.

Eric began to feel really uneasy. He felt he had too much to lose to get any more involved. He sighed. "Just forget it. I really don't know anything." He began to turn and walk away.

"Hey, Coach," the Sheriff called and walked towards him. "I'm satisfied a crime has not yet been committed. I give you my word I'll keep what you tell me off the record. Why don't you tell me what you know?"

Eric looked very angry. He wasn't angry with Sheriff Clarke; he didn't want to be in the position he found himself. Taking a deep breath, he gave the Sheriff the gist of what he thought he knew. "There's a bar, the Roadhouse. I hear there's a gang called the Cobras who hang out there on Friday and Saturday nights. And I hear they use meth at the bar, and they sell meth at the high school."

"We know the Cobras." The Sheriff put his hand on Eric's shoulder. "I take it you heard this from a reliable source?"

"Uh, yeah," Eric felt beads of sweat pop up on his forehead. "But I can't tell you who told me. I honestly don't believe the person who told me is involved with drugs."

The Sheriff, looked at the Coach in the eye. "You said hypothetically, one of your East Dillon players was involved. Is that true?"

Eric clamped his mouth shut and shook his head. He sighed again. "Once again, I don't know anything for certain. But yes, I heard it's our Kicker, Jesus Coronado, and his older brother, along with some other gang members."

After a beat, the Sheriff looked Eric in the eye. "I'm glad you came to talk to me," the Sheriff shook his head. "You did the right thing, Coach. I'll take it from here."

No matter how much Eric put up a strong front, the look in his eyes showed he was shaken. He shook his head and said, "Like I told you, I do not want to be involved."

"Understood," the Sheriff said. "We never had this conversation. You try and have a nice rest of the day."

East Dillon High School

Coaches Office

July 16th

4:00 p.m.

End of practice activity was going on in and out of Eric's office like a revolving door. As the players finally made their way to the showers, Riggins and Saracen came into Eric's office to touch base with him.

"How's it goin' with the Backov brothers?" Eric looked up from the mound of paperwork sitting on his desk? "Do you think the younger one can earn a spot on this team?"

"He's tough," Riggins said. "I've thrown everything I have at him, and he keeps showing up for practice. He's tenacious. I got to give him that."

Eric was surprised to hear the word, tenacious, come out of Riggins' mouth.

"Hey, Coach," Saracen interrupted. "Riggins and I were wondering if you could use our help with these two beyond tomorrow?"

"Are you serious?" Eric looked up into the faces of these two young men. "Yes, I sure could use the help. Hell, I wish I could pay each of you somethin' for your help, but the money just isn't there."

Riggins shook his head. "Coach, you don't owe us anything. If anybody owes anybody, it's us who owes you."

Eric clenched his jaw. "Neither one of you owes me a damn thing. But could I use your help?" he raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, I sure could, for as long as you're willin' to give it."

"We'll let the Backov brothers know the bad news," Riggins smiled and gave a laugh. He was enjoying this.

"Alright then," Eric extended his hand to each of them to shake. "I'll see you both tomorrow."