by me
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: FAKE!!!!
Summary: Glavine apologizes to Marc for yelling at him and I talk about
hockey.
Notes: Tommy really did yell at Marc on the field after the error that
would've been the third out. As for the hockey stuff...the Stanley Cup
really was at Shea stadium that day, and the announcers did talk about it.
They also mentioned that Glav's teammates in the minors used to call
him "Gretz".
Glavine looked around the smoky New York bar quickly. Most of the guys were
monopolizing the pool tables, but Tom found his target in the back. He
moved purposefully and sat across from him. Marcus didn't acknowledge
him. "Hey, Marc."
The second baseman looked at him. "Hi."
"You ok?"
"Yep."
They were quiet for a long moment. "I'm sorry," Marc finally muttered.
Tom sighed. "I shouldn't have said what I did on the field. We all make
mistakes. And I was your age once."
Marc smiled slightly. "What did he threaten you with to come down here and
apologize to me?"
"He has no bargaining chips. I'm giving him back massages."
"Seriously. This was unnecessary. I'm a grown up. I can handle criticism."
"Yeah...I just didn't feel right about it."
"Tommy, you no that nothing you could do could make me lose respect for you."
The pitcher avoided his eyes. "You've been playing really well, though."
Marcus sighed and rested his forehead against the tabletop. "I don't know
what's wrong with me. I don't understand why I can't fucking play defense.
I work so hard, and it's just not helping."
"Marcus-"
"I only make errors when it matters, too. I mean, what have I cost you so far?
Four runs and two wins? You could be 4-0."
Glavine reached over and patted his head affectionately. "You're ok, kid. Just
relax." He paused. "Get laid or something."
"Hey, just because you get sex whenever you want doesn't mean it's easy for
the rest of us."
"Kid, I think that if you wanted sex, you could find it."
Marc sighed. "Right."
"You'll be ok, kid." He stood up and stretched, starting to walk away.
"Hey, Tommy?"
"Yep."
"Thanks."
"Yeah," Tom smiled, exiting the bar and heading for their hotel next door.
Greg was waiting on him. "Took you long enough."
"That just made me feel worse. He's very down about this."
"He's ok. He's hitting."
"Yeah." He sighed, and Maddux put his arms around him.
"It wasn't your fault. He's hard on himself."
Tom leaned back against him, sighing. "So I should stop worrying about it?"
"Yeah." He kissed Tom's neck softly and pushed him towards the bed. "Get some
sleep."
"Come with me. You're starting tomorrow."
"Yeah, ok." Neither of them moved from the comfortable embrace. Finally,
Glavine twisted away and started getting ready for bed. After a moment,
Maddux did the same.
"Guess what's going to be at Shea tomorrow?" Tom murmured softly once they
were in bed.
"A crowd?" Greg replied.
"The Stanley Cup. They're bringing it in from the Hall of Fame to prepare,
since New York and New Jersey are in the playoffs."
"Oh. Do you ever...think about what it would've been like if you'd played
hockey?"
"No. What's the point? I don't play hockey. I've had a great baseball career."
"Never? Never gone to a game and thought about how it could be you out there,
flying on the ice? I know you loved to skate."
"I did," he admitted, still speaking softly. "Skate and score. I really loved
to play."
"So you can't tell me you never think about it."
"I...well. During the postseason, especially. You know...every year, I watch
the playoffs, watch the Stanley Cup finals. And I can't help but wish I
was there, lifting the Cup over my head."
"It must've been a tough choice to make."
"You know, the thing I think about most...I've won a World Series. And I still
wish that I could win the Stanley Cup. But if I were playing hockey, I
can't imagine that I would fantasize about winning the World Series."
Maddux was quiet for a minute, his hand trailing through Glavine's
hair. "Wow...that's kind of...maybe you should've played hockey."
"Nah. I'd never have met you."
"You never know..." Maddux let his voice get dramatic and sarcastic. "Maybe we
were destined to be together!"
Glavine hit him on the arm. "Dork," he said affectionately.
Maddux just smiled. "Yeah, yeah."
"I'm going to sleep now."
Greg kissed him and settled down, his arm still around the other
pitcher. "Good night."
"Good night."