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]

"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."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"I think you an' me got different ideas of fun."

[noteasytobepink]

"What, you don't think skinny dipping sounds fun? Or shocking people who use too many table implements?" What planet was he from?!

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

Bill made a show of thinking about it, then shook his head.

"Umm... no. I'd rather not get arrested in my birthday suit, an' I don't need folks lookin' down their noses at me for my table manners."

[noteasytobepink]

"Bill..." she said, serious as she could manage. "...I'm not sure we can remain friends with an attitude like that."

Beat.

Gigglefit.

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Maybe not, if you're gonna be gettin' me into trouble," he agreed, then joined her in laughing.

[noteasytobepink]

"Me? Never! I'll make sure to never, ever tell the Sheriff, who needs a sterling rep, when I'm going swimming naked or tweaking high browed types until they cringe...."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Hey, the sheriff don't know can't hurt you."

He gave her a shrug and a wink.

[noteasytobepink]

"And even if I tell him I can always say I was joking." Innocent smile! INNOCENT! "Can you tell when I'm joking?"

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

He studied her a moment, then shook his head.

"Not really, no."

Same innocent smile.

[noteasytobepink]

"And so the sheriff will be kept safe and ignorant of my wilder actions!" She reached up lazily to poke his nose. "My friend Bill on the other hand..."