[highways]

[scurlock]

They're going to New Mexico.

It may not be in his time, or even his universe - he won't know until he gets there, and he checks a few details - but they're going to New Mexico.

He can hardly sleep, the night before. He feels...wired. It's almost like he's had a few cups of coffee and a few bowls of the chocolate cereal that Bar tends to tempt him with now and again. He's got his bags already packed (the duffel and a backpack that Kate probably stole from Bill's closet or something) and he's ready to go. He and Kate went to the store earlier to grab anything that they needed.

(Even if it feels a bit strange to be traveling back to New Mexico without a weapon on his person, he has to deal.)

He wants to be there, now. But they're not leaving until tomorrow. It'll come soon enough.

If only he could sleep.

But he can't. He glances over at the small bedside table and spots the iPod that Kate left on the table, earbuds coiled loosely beside it. After a moment's hesitation, he grabs it, settles the buds in his ears, and hits the 'MENU' part of the clickwheel.

She told him how to use it, and after a minute or two of fiddling with the technique (and the volume) he's listening to the music. Skipping what he doesn't like - but most everything gets a chance - he makes his way through the list on 'shuffle'.

(Blissfully unaware of anything going on down the hall.)

Before he falls asleep, he decides to ask Kate about two artists: Elton John and Billy Idol.

----

The next morning finally comes and after a shower (and a breakfast that doesn't involve the smoke detector) they're on their way to the airport in Columbia.

Of course, since Bill has a truck, it means that their bags are riding in the bed and the three of them are sitting up in the cab. Bill's driving, of course - which means that Kate is in the middle and Doc on the right side.

He's trying to focus on the other occupants of the truck.

But the road and all the other vehicles on it...they're just interesting.

"So how long 'till we're there?"

Are we there yet, Bill?

Comments

[scurlock]

He thinks a minute.

"Well...the only thing I can think to compare it to is the Pony Express. In the 1860's, they'd make twenty-five a week, but that was hard and dangerous work. You had to be young and skinny and they preferred you bein' an orphan so nobody would miss you if somethin' happened."

Then he shrugs a bit.

"It was fair pay, Tunstall was a good boss. Treated us like family, rather than just hired hands."

[justdidntseeit]

"And adding room and board to that makes it an even better arrangement."

She hooks a lock of hair behind one ear, her elbow brushing Bill's upper arm.

"The ranch must've been pretty big to handle a contract from the government."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"Not bad at all."

Bill nods in agreement with Kate, trying to adjust a bit to give her more room in the middle.

"How many were there workin' 'long with you?"

[scurlock]

"There were originally five of us core boys. Myself, Richard," he shifts a little closer to the window, giving Kate as much space as he can. "Charlie, Steve, and Chavez."

A pause.

"John hired McKloskey right after we picked Billy up - literally, he drew on John and I while hidin' in a stock pen, he'd been runnin' from the Sheriff, rather'n have me shoot him we threw him in the back of the wagon and headed back t'the ranch. John had a thing for...hard cases, suppose you could say."

A smirk.

"Given that I tried to steal half his horse herd and he offered me a job, it wasn't surprising. There were others too, seasonal hands, but it was the core group'a seven that worked year round."

[justdidntseeit]

Bemused, "You guys, I don't need that much room."

A beat.

"Unless this is your way of telling me I'm fat."

As she listens to Doc, she quirks an eyebrow.

" -- how many horses is half a herd?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"No, course not." Bill shakes his head, glancing at Doc.

"Just tryin' to make you comfortable is all. It's a bit of a tight fit. But, not 'cause you're fat. Just the truck is small... ish. That's all."

Realizing he's rambling like a fool he shifts his attention from her and focuses on passing a semi.

[scurlock]

"Y'ain't," he adds, shaking his head. "Just makin' you comfortable."

He glances at Kate.

"Well, it depends on the size of the herd. I was tryin' to make off with twenty or so, at the time. He had horses on the side - cattle was his main business."

[justdidntseeit]

"I know," she says, dropping a quick kiss against Bill's shoulder and trying her best not to laugh outright at the twin reassurance.

Besides, Bill's hips are the widest in the cab.

Her eyes move to Doc again.

"Twenty? Were you trying to make off with all of them by yourself?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He settles the truck back into the lane in front of the rig and gives a quick smile to Kate, glad to be reassured.

Glancing across at Doc he gives a look that says 'you didn't' but kind of has the feeling Doc actually did try and make off with that many horses on his own.

[scurlock]

"I had one other fella helpin' me, he skinned out when we got caught. Never heard from him again, and I got myself a job outta the deal. Not a bad shake at all."

He gives a one shouldered shrug.

"Man'll git shot for bein' a horse thief in most parts. I was...I was fresh off ridin' with a gang outta Missoura, broke as hell and didn't really give a damn what happened. Tunstall gave me a second shot at things, I cleaned up my act..."

[justdidntseeit]

"And became the outlaw with a heart of gold," Kate finishes with a small smile, attempting brevity to keep the conversation (and Doc's memories) from slipping into talk of Tunstall's death.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"Too bad for him he lit out," Bill notes, wondering if what Doc says after happened to the other guy.

He smiles at Kate's words and nods.

"You sure did luck out, but you've come a long way since then, too."

[scurlock]

"Yeah I have. I've been real lucky."

He reaches up and rubs the back of his neck lightly, smiling as he glances out the windshield and eyes the traffic - still not too heavy.

[justdidntseeit]

Because you're still alive.

Kate bites the inside of her cheek for a moment, then offers a quick smile.

"So lucky, in fact, that you can play DJ until we get to the airport."

She nods toward the radio to illustrate her point.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Doc has been really lucky, and when he thinks about it, Bill realizes so has he.

Focusing more on the road as the amount of cars around them starts to increase he nods to Kate's words.

"Go for it."

Smiling, he reaches out to turn the radio on and leaves it to Doc to find them something to listen too.

[scurlock]

He hits a few buttons - some are on commercial break, and others are just not interesting - the familiar strains of Rebel Yell fill the cab.

(At a bearable volume.)

"Oh, this reminds me." He glances at Kate. "You have this on your pod music thing. Who is this again?"

He fell asleep listening to some of his other songs - the name is lost on him.

[justdidntseeit]

She can't help but laugh a little.

"Billy Idol. You like him?"

(She's doubly amused because she's fairly certain Bill can't stand his music, but she can't remember for sure.)

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill does his best not to wince or make a face at Doc's choice.

He'd been hoping for country but he can bear one song on the radio.

If he has to.

[scurlock]

"I just like the music more than his voice."

(That and the lyrics sound like something he'd only consider singing while drunk, as improper as they are.)

"But there was one other..."

Doc snaps his fingers.

"Elton John. I liked him - I like piano. And he can play a mean one, Christ."

[justdidntseeit]

With a sideways glance, she catches the look that flashes across Bill's face and stifles a chuckle; his knee gets a brief, sympathetic squeeze.

"He's fun."

(Though she can't listen to "White Wedding" without thinking about Marie.)

"And Elton John is great. If you liked him and what he can do on piano, you have to listen to Billy Joel and Carole King -- they're on the iPod, too."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

The sympathy is appreciated and he gives Kate a smile in return.

"Elton John is all right," He allows. "I like his slower songs better'n the wild ones. Costumes are a bit much."

[scurlock]

"Costumes?"

The current song changes into commercials and a promise to be back after the break - Doc flips it to the next station in line. Bill's in luck, because it's country.

[justdidntseeit]

Kate glances at Bill.

"Is it the sequins? The ruffles? Or the feathers?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"All of it."

He shakes his head.

"When he performs in front of people he wears these really crazy outfits. Just... wild stuff."

He doesn't even know where to begin to describe it.

"Put it this way, I'd rather be a moose for Halloween than wear what this guy does."

[scurlock]

"Sounds like some'a the workin' girls you find in Vegas."

He mentally winces - there's a lady in the car.

"You were a good moose," Doc offers. "I mean...for a moose." He glances over at Bill. "You didn't trample anyone."

That's all he's got, really, on the moose-front.