Chapter Text
The sizzle of bacon and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fill the kitchen as Lucy and Kate prepare breakfast. Lucky sits attentively at their feet, his tail wagging in anticipation of any scraps that might come his way.
“So, are you ready to lose today?” Lucy teases, flipping a pancake with a flourish.
Kate snorts, pouring coffee into their mugs. “In your dreams. The FBI is going to wipe the field with NCIS.”
“Oh really?” Lucy raises an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Care to make a little wager on that?”
“You're on,” Kate grins, leaning in close. “What did you have in mind?”
Lucy pretends to think for a moment, then smirks. “How about... winner gets to choose our next date night? And I mean everything—the restaurant, the activity, even what the loser wears.”
Kate's eyes widen slightly, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Everything, huh? That's quite the stakes. You sure you're ready for that?”
“Oh, I'm more than ready,” Lucy replies, her voice low and playful. “I've already got some ideas in mind. Hope you're prepared to dust off that little black dress I love so much.”
Kate leans in closer, her breath hot against Lucy's ear. “Bold of you to assume you'll be the one choosing, babe. I've got a few surprises up my sleeve too.”
Lucy feels a shiver run down her spine. “Game on, Whistler.”
As they sit down to eat, Lucky rests his head on Kate's lap, giving her his best puppy dog eyes.
“No way, buddy,” Kate laughs, scratching behind his ears. “No pancakes for you.”
"So…" Lucy begins, swallowing a mouthful of pancake covered in maple syrup, "which team is Lucky going to represent today?"
Kate looks thoughtful. "Well, he's got my charm and your competitive spirit. How about we let him be the impartial mascot?"
Lucy grins. "Perfect. He can be the official cheerleader for both teams."
Kate agrees, leaning in for a quick kiss. "And he’s definitely wearing the bandana you bought him."
Lucy's heart fills with affection. "Aww, look at you. Such a softie for our boy."
"Don't you dare tell anyone at the FBI," Kate mock-threatens. "I have a reputation to maintain."
Lucy mimes zipping her lips. "Your secret's safe with me, Special Agent Softie."
The softball field is bustling with activity as agents from both agencies warm up. Lucky trots alongside Lucy and Kate, sporting a rainbow bandana that reads, “I Love My Moms.”
“Alright, time to crush the competition,” Lucy winks at Kate, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
Kate rolls her eyes fondly. “Just remember, babe, all's fair in love and softball.”
As they part ways to join their respective teams, Lucy can’t help but admire how good Kate looks in her FBI jersey. She’s so distracted that she nearly walks into Jesse.
“Earth to Lucy,” Jesse chuckles. “You can ogle your girlfriend later. We've got a game to win.”
Lucy feels her cheeks flush. “Right, sorry. Let's do this!”
From the announcer's booth, Ernie's voice booms across the field. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual NCIS vs. FBI charity softball tournament! I'm your host, Ernie Malik, and joining me today is our four-legged commentator, Lucky!”
Lucky barks enthusiastically, settling down on a chair next to Ernie.
The game starts off intense, with both teams evenly matched. Lucy takes her position as catcher, while Kate's pitching keeps the NCIS batters on their toes.
“And it's a strike!” Ernie calls out. “Looks like Agent Whistler is bringing the heat today!”
Lucky lets out a supportive bark, tail wagging with delight.
As the game progresses, Lucy steps up to bat, facing Kate on the pitcher's mound. Their eyes lock, a silent challenge passing between them.
“Well, well, Agent Whistler,” Lucy calls out, tapping the bat on home plate. “Let's see what you've got.”
Kate smirks, winding up for the pitch. “Hope you're ready, Agent Tara.”
The ball leaves Kate's hand in a blur. Lucy swings, connecting with a satisfying crack. The ball soars into the outfield, and Lucy takes off running.
Suddenly, a blur of fur darts across the field. Lucky leaped from his seat next to Ernie and started racing after the ball.
“Looks like we have an unexpected player on the field!” Ernie announces, laughter in his voice.
Lucky snatches the softball in his mouth, the large ball comically bigger than his mouth. With his tail wagging, he races back towards Kate, struggling slightly with the oversized ball. The sight of him trotting across the field, barely managing to grip the ball by its threads, has everyone in the crowd cheering. He finally makes it to Kate and drops the slightly slobbery ball at her feet, looking immensely proud of himself despite his awkward retrieval.
The field erupts in laughter. Kate tries to maintain her stern FBI demeanor, but her twitching lips betray her amusement. She bends down to Lucky, whispering loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Nice assist, buddy. But next time, let's try for the FBI team, okay?” She gives him an exaggerated wink, scratching behind his ears as the crowd's laughter grows louder.
In the commotion of Lucky's impromptu field appearance, Lucy had managed to round the bases and score. As an FBI agent escorted a very pleased Lucky back to the announcer's booth, Lucy grinned from home plate, still catching her breath. “Good boy, Lucky! Best distraction play ever!”
Kate playfully rolls her eyes at Lucy. “I can't believe I just got outsmarted by my own dog.”
“That's our Lucky,” Lucy laughs, “always keeping the game interesting!”
The flirtatious rivalry between Lucy and Kate continues to heat up, turning the game into their own personal dance of wit and charm. During Lucy's next at-bat, Kate decides to up the ante with some tactical distraction.
“Hey Luce,” she calls out, flexing her arm and striking a pose on the pitcher's mound. “Like what you see?”
Lucy nearly misses the pitch, her eyes fixed on Kate's form. “That's cheating, Whistler!” she shouts back, but her grin gives her away.
“And it seems Agent Tara is having some trouble focusing,” Ernie comments. “I wonder why? Lucky, any thoughts?”
Lucky's answering bark draws laughs from the crowd.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, it’s Kate's turn to bat. Lucy crouches behind home plate, trying to focus on the game and not on how good Kate looks in her batting stance.
“Now batting for the FBI, Special Agent Kate Whistler,” Ernie announces.
Kate steps up to the plate, eyeing Jesse on the pitcher's mound. “Don't go easy on me now, Boone,” she calls out.
Jesse grins, twirling the ball in his hand. “Wouldn't dream of it, Whistler. Ready to strike out?”
Lucy crouches behind home plate, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Come on, Jess, right down the middle. I've got a perfect view from here.”
Kate throws a playful glare over her shoulder. “Eyes on the ball, Luce, not on me.”
Jesse winds up and delivers a fastball. Kate swings hard, but the bat whooshes through empty air.
“Strike one!” the umpire calls.
Lucy, momentarily distracted by Kate's form, fumbles the catch. The ball bounces off her glove and rolls away.
“Lucy!” Jane calls out from second base. “Stop flirting and focus!”
“Yeah, Lucy! Your catcher's mitt seems to be the only thing not catching anything right now!” Kai yells out with a mischievous grin.
Lucy sticks her tongue out at her teammates before turning her attention back to the game. She tries to concentrate, but finds her gaze constantly drawn to Kate's confident stance at the plate, a mix of competitive spirit and admiration swirling in her chest.
“Strike two!” the umpire calls.
Kate takes a deep breath, focusing intently on Jesse's next pitch. As the ball leaves his hand, time seems to slow down. Kate's bat connects with a resounding crack that echoes across the field.
“It's going, going…” Ernie's voice rises in excitement. “It's gone! Agent Whistler hits a home run!”
The crowd erupts in cheers as Kate rounds the bases, a triumphant grin on her face. As she approaches home plate, she catches Lucy's eyes and winks.
“Better luck next time, babe!” Kate says sweetly.
Lucy shakes her head, trying to hide her proud smile. “Don't get cocky, Whistler. The game's not over yet!”
As Kate high-fives her teammates in the dugout, Lucky's enthusiastic barks are heard over the crowd's cheers.
The game continues neck and neck until the final inning. With two outs and bases loaded, it all comes down to Kate at bat and Lucy catching.
“This is it, folks,” Ernie announces, his voice filled with excitement. “The moment of truth. Lucky, what's your prediction?”
Lucky let out a series of short, excited barks.
“Couldn't have said it better myself,” Ernie agrees.
As Kate steps up to the plate, Lucy crouches into position, their eyes lock in an intense gaze.
“Give me your best shot, Whistler,” Lucy challenges, a glimmer in her eye.
Kate grips the bat tighter, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Oh, it's on.”
The pitch comes in fast, and Kate swings with all her might. The crack of the bat connecting with the ball echoes across the field.
“It's going, going…” Ernie's voice rises in anticipation. Lucky's barks grow more frantic.
The ball soars high, arcing towards the outfield. It hits the top of the fence, bouncing back into play. Kai races to retrieve it as Kate rounds second base, heading for third.
“Agent Whistler's going for it all!” Ernie shouts. “This could be the game!”
Lucy crouches at home plate, ready for the throw. Kate is flying around third as Kai launches the ball towards home.
In a split-second decision, Kate dives into a slide. The ball and Kate reach Lucy simultaneously. In a tangle of limbs, Kate crashes into Lucy, sending them both sprawling in the dirt, Lucy’s helmet falling off.
“She's out!” the umpire calls.
Despite the out, Kate finds herself grinning as she lay atop Lucy, their faces inches apart. “Well, hello there,” she says breathlessly.
Lucy laughs, her arms instinctively wrap around Kate. “Trying to sweep me off my feet, Whistler?”
“Is it working?” Kate asks, her eyes twinkling.
“Maybe,” Lucy teases, leaning up to steal a quick kiss.
Ernie's voice crackles over the speakers. “And in a dramatic finish, NCIS wins! But folks, I think we're all winners after witnessing that... uh, heartwarming display of sportsmanship.”
As they help each other up, brushing off dirt, Kate leans in close. “So, about that date night you're planning…”
Lucy grins, “Oh, it's going to be unforgettable. Hope you're ready, Special Agent Whistler.”
Their moment gets interrupted by Lucky bounding up to them, barking happily and wagging his tail.
“And here comes our MVP!” Lucy laughs, bending down to ruffle Lucky's fur. “The real winner of today's game.”
As they head home, tired but happy, Lucy can’t help but think that in this game of love and softball, they had all come out victorious.