Wheelsy AU ~ Tire changing

[noteasytobepink]

"You know Bill..." Clarice drawled cheerfully. "When you said you wanted to show me the nearest 'city' I thought you meant we'd actually get there." She took her hat off and fanned herself with it, the ballcap doing little to stir the hot, damp air, but at least it was better than glowering.

"And yeah, that really does look like dry rot in the spare there. Never seen it in a tire before but I've seen it in other materials..." She wasn't even sure why they had headed out. A better bar where no one expected him to fix their problems? A place she was suppose to get fitted for a civilian aid uniform? Who knew!

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[noteasytobepink]

"Well, boots are always useful as I'm sure you're aware." Being a solid country boy and all. She wiggled around until she coudl use his side as a pillow and went back to staring at the sky.

"That's...good." Sort of. "It's the real difference between heroes of the moment and real heroes Bill. Heroes of the moment have one drive, one single thing keeping them from breaking down during a single crisis. Real heroes can do it, every damn day if necessary, because it needs to be done."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

He lifted his arm without thinking, giving her room to lay against him, and tucked his hand behind his head.

He continued to look up without really seeing the clouds as he considered her words.

"I don't really know which kind I am." He didn't really like being called a hero, but his actions fit the definition, he supposed.

"I do what I got to everyday doin' the Job, but it's not a crisis day in an' out."

[noteasytobepink]

"Yeah, you're a cop." And many cops were heroes, but not all. "I hope you don't have to find out really. You're a good guy, you deserve a quiet life if you want one." She was big on people leading the lives they wanted.

"Cops deal with the small, day to day problems. Heroes handle the giant stuff, and if you're lucky your world doesn't get big stuff too often."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

Looking down his torso at her, he asked, "What sort of life would you want? If you could choose?"

[noteasytobepink]

She tilted her head sideways to look at him and thought that over. "I don't know," she admitted at last. "Vigilante rebel and hero are what I know, what I'm good at, and what I understand. Not much call for that in most lives and I don't know if I can pick up a whole new skill set."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Well y'seem to be doin' alright here," he pointed out.

"All the things you been through an' done, I'd say you're the one deserves a quiet life, if that's what you wanted."

[noteasytobepink]

"I don't know," she chuckled easily and reached up to poke his side. "A girl gets used to a very high energy life...not sure I could handle permanent down time."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

His stomach jumped with the poke.

"Hard t'meander down a country road when you been on the Autobahn, huh?"

[noteasytobepink]

"Hey, I can slwo down a little, I just can't stay that way I think! I'll get lost..." A little like she was now.

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"How much longer do you think you can manage?" His tone was still easy, but he was asking to really know; and he was a bit worried about her answer.

She'd been stir crazy from the day he met her, so he expected it wouldn't be long before she was well and truly done with this place, and he'd be sad to see her go.

[noteasytobepink]

"A year, maybe two?" She offered after another long moment of thought. "I haven't had down time in a long while and as long as I get to help somewhere I should be okay?"

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"That long, huh?" It was really longer than he was expecting.

"You really are doin' a great job with things here. I know it ain't savin' the world, but I really do appreciate it." Just so she knew.

[noteasytobepink]

"Even I know healing and sanity takes time, Bill." She gave him a slow, sweet smile because, well, she was telling nothing but the truth. "I may get antsy, but sheer restlessness should take a good while." Provided she was even on this world that long!

"And no, it's not saving the world," she agreed. "But sometimes saving or helping one worthwhile person is just as good. You're a wonderful person by the way. You put up with me really damn well. I know Doc was worried about how long you could bear another person in your house but he's stop talking about it every time I go in."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Antsy ain't so bad. I think antsy we can deal with. Trips like today outta help that some."

He liked her smile, and returned it.

He opened his mouth, and was halfway into a headshake to deny her words, but then changed his mind. For once, he'd accept the compliment.

"Thank you. I kind of got that feelin' from the Doc. Didn't seem like he was waitin' for a bomb to go off the last few times I've seen him."

[noteasytobepink]

"Trip like this? Well, yeah, it is nice isn't it?" And when they finally got up they might even continue into town and get a dinner and beer. That would be fun wouldn't?

She wasn't in a rush though.

"He likes you Bill, an he worries about you. He's been smiling the last few times you've come in to see him and it's not just the 'getting to go on a vacation' thing soon. By the way I'm sending him to Aruba. Nifty huh?"

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"It sure is." Getting to town was still a plan, but he was in no rush, either.

"Yeah, he's a good guy." One Bill didn't mind so much when it came to the worrying about it. The Doc wasn't the type for pitying looks, he was more the blunt matter of fact man.

"Aruba is really a place?"

[noteasytobepink]

If they got into town too late for little diners they'd have burgers at a bar or maybe catch a movie. Time was kinda flexible like that!

"Apparently. I've seen pictures well enough to get him there and back. In fact we went there last appointment so he could make hotel reservations. He can afford a much nicer hotel since he doesn't need to buy airplane tickets." She grinned, happy to be able to help really. "It's hot and sunny there. Beach weather."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Huh, wow. Well that's nice for him. I'm sure he'll be one of those old guys on the beach in black socks an' a loud shirt."

Bill laughed, jiggling Clarice a bit.

"I always thought Aruba was like Fantasy Island. Now I'm wonderin' if Fantasy Island is real, too."

[noteasytobepink]

"Nah, he seems like a 'show off for the ladies' type you know? You no socks, certainly no shirt. Maybe a tasteful black bathing suit though." She giggled and lifted a hand to her hair to test how wet it was. Still damp, but Bill's shirt was helping draw some of the water out! "Thinking about you and you be alone and such has made him a bit of a romantic. That I think he's finally stopped mourning his wife." Maybe anyway. Dating again was a good step!

"Fantasy Island? Seems like a park or something instead of an actual island. Or a theme park on an island."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"I could see that," he chuckled. "I don't want to see it, but that just might be what he does."

His next chuckle was a little more dry.

"Well I'm glad I could be an' inspiration, I guess."

He really was happy for the Doc, and it was good that he was getting over things.

"Fantasy Island was a TV show, actually. I don't remember much about it, though. Just that there was a midget, an' a plane."

[noteasytobepink]

"Well, he'll probably take pictures so you'll get to see it if you really want?" she offered cheerfully. "And you're less an inspiration and more of a person who got him thinking along the proper lines? He isn't doing it because of you, but thinking about you helped him think about himself?" If that made any sense?

Ah, television. "We could see if it was a real island I guess?"

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"No, I get it. An' I'm glad the doc is gettin' out an' doin' better."

Going back to Fantasy Island, "Nah, from what I remember that place was pretty exclusive. No sense goin' if they're just gonna give you the boot. Besides, that little midget guy was a bit weird. So was the other dude."

[noteasytobepink]

"Hey, you're just good medicine." Clarice chuckled and stretched her arms up over her head to drape across Bill's middle. He was not getting away from compliments hahahaha!

"Ooo, exclusive is easy. You ignore anyone who tells you you don't belong and teleport anyone who lays a hand on you!"

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

He gave a shrug, not denying the compliment this time, either.

"Well I can't teleport. I also don't know how much fun I'd have at a fancy party. Barbeques an' bon fires are more my speed."

[noteasytobepink]

"The fun of a fancy party is making your own fun despite scheduled or acceptable activities." She grinned. "Like eating with only one fork or skinny dipping in the pool."