There was something to be said for JV Introduction Camp. Or Intimidation Week as the players called it. Tim hadn't had to go through it – he had been pulled up in the middle of his JV season so this strange week of shadowing the Varsity – he hadn't had to live through it from the other side. He leaned back against the fencing that surrounded the field and watched as the JV players were put through a Varsity work out. It felt strange to be there in workout clothes and not be out there running, sweating and generally plotting how to be the first one to the shower after practice. He shook his head and nudged Seven pointing to a few of the more lackluster players out on the field.

"If that one doesn't trip over his own feet…"

Matt just chuckled and shook his head, "Worst part – I think he's sober Riggs…."

Smash leaned over from the other side of the fence, "He IS sober and in 3…2…"

"BOOM." Tim completed the sentence as the player tripped over his own feet and went down hard. The three starters shared a smirk as they heard Mac tear into him, "And just like that he gets the full Varsity experience boys…"

Smash grinned, "No, it's not the complete experience yet Riggs…."

"S-Smash has a point Riggs. I mean, they haven't been told yet that they are all one. Or that they need to have fun out there." Matt pointed out, "Cause we all know doing suicides in the summer in Texas – that is a BLAST."

"Awww….QB1 is mocking the system Riggs."

"I know 2-0. Looks like our boy is growing up."

"You know that I think? I think that I am going to be throwing a lot of passes to people who aren't the two of you. That's what I think." Matt said with a roll of his eyes, "W-Why are we standin' out here anyway – can't we do this from somewhere else?"

"I vote…" Tim was cut off by Smash.

"Riggs, we ain't doin' this from Smitty's. Not everythin' is better with a beer. Besides…"

Tim shook his head, "An' here I was gonna say the film room. I am REFORMED Williams. REFORMED. Ask anyone."

Smash leaned forward and shared a look with Matt and then they both looked at Tim, "Where is the six pack Riggs?"

"Yeah Riggins – where is it."

"I am telling you….REFORMED."

Three hours later the team leaders were sitting on the fifty yard line, drinking the beer that Riggins had stashed in the ice bath in the trainer's room. The pads and the showers a distant memory, the JV players long gone and with them the press and the coaches – leaving the three team leaders, a twelve pack of beer and the field – Matt looked around and shook his head, "Guys, wanna run some plays?"

Tim was already up and moving, "I dunno QB…can you throw after a few beers? Playing while buzzed is a skill that has to be learned over time."

"I hate to say this – but Riggs has a point Matty. I mean – he did invent the drunk tackle." Smash went and got into position, ignoring the salute that Tim was giving him for his commentary.

"Hell, if your gonna fall down anyway might as well take some defensive ends with ya." He took his stance and then charged Smash, getting him right before the endzone, "That the best you got Williams?"

"C'mon Matty – give me somethin' to work with here….you can't be lettin' Riggs have it that easy."

"At least you admit you're easy Williams…"

Matt grinned and shook his head, "Ya walked into that one Smash."

The running back looked from Tim to Matt and shook his head, "We corrupted him Riggs…"

"About damn time."

"Set…."

At midnight the trio headed off the field, their beer can tower gone. There had been another beer run about nine. There had been plays called and balls thrown. But there had been a camaraderie that hadn't existed last year. A bond of sorts. If asked about it – Tim and Smash would roll their eyes and Matt would just grin.

"So, the dance is a casino." Tim looked at the tickets and the picture frames that went along with the tickets, before shooting Julie a LOOK, "Taylor, I think that this is above and beyond here. That's what I think."

"Well, you are the one who went and made a bet with me – and lost. So, this is JUST what you need I am thinking."Julie said as she sipped on her drink from her side of the sales table, "C'mon, it's just for a few hours. You will survive Tim."

"Do you know what I have been through lately? Do you know that I have to deal with JV players CONSTANTLY? Do you know how aggravating they can be?" He turned his attention to the small group that had appeared in front of the table, "Well, hey there. Y'all ready to make some memories?"

The blonde just watched him turn on the charm, and shook her head. He could say whatever he wanted – they had sold three times the tickets with him sitting at the table. While she thought it was a commentary on the school and the town and how they viewed the team and its players – it was also raising money for things that weren't football related. So she figured it was a win-win. She smiled her patented 'coaches daughter' smile at the other students and handed over their picture frames. Then she turned her attention back to Tim.

"Right, because y'all don't like lording it over these guys that y'all are already Varsity AND starters AND have State rings. Cause I know that of ALL the students in this school – you Panthers are the MOST humble of them all." She started digging in her purse for a scrunchie and when she didn't find one settled for two pencils to stab into her hair to keep it in place and off of her neck.

"But see the thing Jules? We DID win state. That is now somethin' the rest of these guys have to live up to. You think if we take it easy on them that they will have a shot in hell? F-" He stopped at the sight of Tami standing in front of the table, one brow up and her hands resting on her hips, "Freak no?"

"That's what I thought you were gonna say Tim, 'cause you know how I feel about foul language at school. Especially from a leader like yourself, so I thank you." She grinned as she took a look at the sales sheet, "VERY impressive you two. I am proud of you. Now Tim I will see you tomorrow after practice won't I?"

The fullback honestly was confused, he looked from mother to daughter and then back again, "Ma'am?"

"To help set up – we need someone tall, with good upper body strength, someone who owes me a favor and…" Tami paused when she saw the shoulders droop, "Great. See you there!" And with a wave of her hand she was melding back into the crowds in the hallways.

"You know that you are doing this with me don't you. I sure as hell…"

"Are you crazy? I am watching Gracie. I got a free pass."

"Taylor – there are times I really don't like you."

"Well, if you weren't so freakishly tall or could tell my mother no…"

"Who CAN tell your mom no?"

"…"

"See? Now open up another box of the ugly frames, I see basketball players heading our way."

Twenty minutes and a six sets of tickets later she was once again left alone with Tim Riggins and her thoughts, "So, you have that big Chem test coming up right?"

"I do….and I am feeling pretty damn good about it too. I am feeling a B at least on this one."

Julie just gave him a look, "Your write ups have all been C's…so that is where I will stick you."

"Another bet – c'mon Taylor. Really?" Tim shook his head chuckling, "Alright – I'll nibble on this one. Whatcha wanna bet?"

"If you hold true – which is STILL better than what you were doin' – you have to let the school paper do that interview for the sports special edition." She grinned at him, "You know you REALLY wanna anyway."

"An' if I get a B or better – you have to be my morning run buddy for the off season." He gave her a cocky smirk, his eyes twinkling at her.

"I don't run Tim. I dance. I occasionally speed walk. But I don't run."

"If you're so confident in my lack of Chemistry then there shouldn't be an issue huh?"

Julie thought about it for a few moments and stuck out her hand, "You have a deal."

"An' right over left and down…." Tim called out as he led warm ups for an early Saturday practice. He was not in pads – none of them were. This was just a 'fun' practice. So it would be like a pickup game. A way to let the JV guys have some fun before they were sent back to JV – Varsity liked it because it was like a pickup game. No pressure, no pads, no constant scrutiny from…anyone who had ever set foot in Dillon. He stood back up and grinned at the players, "Alright ya'll ready to play some…I think it's ultimate Frisbee – isn't that it Williams?"

Smash grinned and shook his head, "Sounds good to me…"

Coach Taylor just shook his head, "Will you two just go join your teams – C'mon Saracen, and can't you control those two huh?"

Matt just shook his head and jogged over to the sidelines chuckling. Controlling Smash and Riggins? Yeah no – that was WAY above his pay grade. He waved when he saw Julie over by the sidelines, glaring daggers at Tim, "Hey Riggins – I think Julie has an issue with you bein' alive at the moment."

Time grinned over his shoulder at her and waggled his fingers, "No, she has an issue with my Chem test grade." He jogged over to the sidelines, "Somethin' wrong Taylor."

"You got an A-." She put her hand on her hips and GLARED at the full back, "An A freaking minus."

"Why yeah, yeah I did. So I will be seeing you at five then for our run." He smirked, "Unless you are backin' out?"

"Oh, no you don't. I am NOT goin' back on my word." Julie threw her hands up in the air, "Congrats on the test – but FIVE am. REALLY Tim?"

"Blame you guys for that one. I was fine bein' an underachiever till y'all came along."

Tami looked up at her daughter as she flopped down into the chair in front of her desk, "Mom, we need to go shopping. It seems I need running shoes."

Tami froze at her desk and then looked up at her daughter like she had grown an extra head, "You need what there sweetie?"

"I need running shoes. Tim got an A minus on his chem test." Julie stated as if that explained everything. When her mother just blinked at her like she had lost her mind, Julie sighed, "There may have been another bet involved. I said he wouldn't get higher than a C. He said he really thought he had it. So now I am his morning running buddy. For the off season."

Tami grinned and leaned back in her seat, "Tim got an A minus? Tim Riggins."

"All on his own." Julie grinned sheepishly, "It's pretty damn amazing when you think about it – if I wasn't so mad about the running thing I would be pretty damn proud."

Tami started to gather up her things and was already reaching for her purse, "I think we need to get you some running clothes too sweetie because you can't run in what you currently have." She went around her desk and pulled Julie to her feet, "I will say this though, if I had known that all I needed to do was to dare Tim Riggins to get him to actually live up to his potential? I would have had an easier year last year."

Julie got her to her feet and followed her mom out to the car, "See – there are times when I do know what I am talkin' about mom."

Tim watched as Julie came out of the house right on time, five am, the next morning, "Look who remembered."

"Yeah yeah yeah….my dad took great pleasure in wakin' me up this morning. You football guys are evil. Who the hell is up this early to RUN."

"It's Texas, it's cooler to run now than later." Tim shook his head with a chuckle, "All stretched out?"

Julie nodded, "I don't run but I am not that blonde." She followed him down the street, no sound in the quiet morning other than the sound of their shoes hitting the pavement, a soft cadence. It was a slow pace, he was obviously holding back for her. She had seen him run on the field and during practice. She knew those legs of his were able to go a lot faster than this.

But here they were – plodding along. She had to admit it was rather peaceful at this time of the morning – more than likely because most people were sane and were still fast asleep at this time of the morning. Or were just getting up, she looked over at Tim and shook her head, "I never would have pegged you for this."

Tim shrugged, "I like the quiet. I like that not everyone an' their mama is out and about and in my way." He looked over at her, "An' a little running is good for a hangover, you can sweat out the booze. Sure, you tend to throw up, but who hasn't?"

Julie rolled her eyes and dug in a little deeper, "Why am I not surprised with you. Alright Riggins. Let's get this run over with."

Tim grinned wickedly at her, "You think you are up to a full out run hmmm?"

Julie knew she was asking for it. Really she did. She knew that saying yes was like signing a death certificate for her legs and possibly her lungs. But still she heard herself say, "Bring it."

An hour later she was on Tim's back as he carried her up into the yard, "Y'know Taylor I didn't think that when I said 'running buddy' I meant 'pack mule'."

"An' I didn't think that you wanted us to run all over hell and back."

"It was two miles…" She could hear him trying not to laugh as he jogged up her driveway and deposited her on the front steps. She turned and smacked him.

"Y'know what Tim Riggins, I think you don't think I can last the entire off season."

"I KNOW you can't last the whole off season."

Julie narrowed her eyes at him and sniffed, "Well, we will just have to see about that." And with that statement and went into the house and closed the door, leaving him shaking his head on her doorstep. Then he turned and started the run home.