[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

[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.

[justdidntseeit]

"Well, he plays Vegas a lot -- "

And then Kate's laughing as her eyes flick to an approaching sign; they're more than halfway to Columbia.

Matter-of-factly, "He was a lying moose."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"Vegas is a good place for him."

He laughs at Doc's attempts at being nice about the moose thing.

"I tried. Moose ain't the most graceful animals ever."

Especially after lots and lots of beer.

Glancing sideways at Kate he shakes his head.

"I was not."

[scurlock]

"Least you wasn't a prairie dog."

He mutters it quietly, shaking his head.

[justdidntseeit]

To Bill, "Yes, you were. A lying, leering moose, after I got stuck in that dress and those heels -- "

A pause as she looks over, mostly swallowing a laugh.

"I'm sorry I missed that, Doc."

That, and seeing Bill in raccoon form.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"I didn't," He denies then reverses, "I mean, I did but, I didn't... I was tryin'... it wasn't my fault."

Switching his attention to Doc in the hopes of getting the subject off of him he laughs a little.

"I'm sure bein' a prairie dog wasn't all that bad, Doc."

[scurlock]

"Bar dressed me up inna little kerchief and cowboy hat, and I nearly got eaten by a bird of prey, and ended up hiding with Guppy - who was a rabbit, by the way - behind a couch."

It wasn't all that bad, just...not the best.

He scratches the side of his jaw absently.

"I liked bein' a raven better, even if my throat was sore for a few days after."

Plus, Jack bought him booze.

[justdidntseeit]

"Raven?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

And Bill's plan is a success because it's all about Doc now.

Smart enough not to ruin it by opening his mouth Bill keeps quiet and let's Doc do the talking and explaining.

[scurlock]

"Poe's Raven, specifically."

A beat.

"All I could say was 'Nevermore', and woke up in the rafters the next mornin' with a sore throat and a hangover, wearin' all black and missin' my boots."

[justdidntseeit]

" -- I think I got off easy as Marilyn Monroe, then."

Paaaaaaaaause.

"Sometimes, I wonder if the Landlord's insane or just sadistic."