PREVIOUSLY...

Todd waits for what feels like hours before he finally hears the sound of Tea softly snoring in the other bed. Knowing that she's asleep, he rolls over and looks at her. For a long time, he watches her before he falls asleep himself.

*******************************************************************************************************

chapter 81:

[Hours later, Todd awakens to the sound of Tea calling out for him in her sleep again. She sounds distressed. He knows that she's having another nightmare.

He arises from his bed and quietly approaches her bed. With the morning light filtering through the flimsy curtain on the small room's only window, he has a fantastic view of her face which is at the edge of the bed. He kneels down on the floor beside her and carefully studies her face as her nightmare continues playing in her mind.]

Tea: Todd? Todd?

[Todd places his hand on the edge of her bed but doesn't touch her. He moves his face closer to hers so he can better hear, and understand, her mumbling as she searches for him in her dreams.]

Tea: Come back. I'm sorry. I love you, Todd.

[Todd feels himself freeze. His breathing stops for a moment. Everything stops as his mind tries to deal with the panic.

Run or stay? He doesn't know what to do. He wants to do both but he feels unable to do either.

Todd continues staring intently at Tea's face as tears begin to escape her eyes.]

Tea: You never loved me. You could never love me.

[As Tea continues crying, she awakens to an excruciating heartbreak that is too overwhelming for her to take any time thinking about her surroundings. She just knows that so much pain is surrounding her, she feels swallowed up by it...incapable of escaping it.

When Todd's hand lightly touches her cheek, she panics. Her eyes quickly open, scared to discover who's with her. When she sees Todd's face in front of her, she doesn't know how to react. She feels lost. She knows that she just woke up from a nightmare but she has no memory of what it was about. She also has no idea why Todd is on the floor in front of her. She's not even clear if he's real or a figment of her imagination, placed there to comfort her in a moment when she clearly needed his presence. Maybe she's still asleep and this is all part of a convoluted dream.

As Todd tilts her face and leans forward, Tea's breath stops as she waits. She expects him to disappear just as his lips are about to touch hers.

As his lips make contact with hers, though, he doesn't disappear. She closes her eyes, hoping that this isn't her mind playing a torturous trick on her.

She savors the feeling of his lips lightly pressed against hers. His touch is so gentle...so loving. It makes her feel more cherished than she ever imagined possible.

After a moment, and too soon for Tea, Todd ends the kiss and begins to pull away from her.

Tea's hand quickly grabs onto the front of his shirt with all the strength she has.]

Tea: Wait. I don't want the dream to end yet. Stay a little longer.

Todd: This is no dream, Delgado. When are you finally going to learn that if I'm around it can't possibly be a dream?

Tea: Todd? Is this real?

Todd: Do you need more proof?

Tea: Yes.

Todd: Then get up and get ready. We'll hit the road again. You'll know it's real when you spend the next sixteen hours stuck in the car going nowhere with me. No one could dream something that boring...not even you.

Tea: We can't drive for sixteen hours.

Todd: Why not?

Tea: We need time tonight to make out. I'll be wearing one of your shirts, remember?

Todd: Now, you believe you're awake.

Tea: Even if I'm not, I want what you promised me we'd do tonight.

Todd: I don't remember promising.

Tea: Are you still upset about last night?

Todd: I'm totally ticked, can't you tell?

Tea: You didn't kiss me like you were ticked.

Todd: That's how I kiss when I'm ticked.

Tea: I don't think so, Todd. About last night...

Todd: Forget about it. Let's just deal with whatever we have to deal with today.

Tea: I was talking in my sleep again, wasn't I?

Todd: You don't know how to shut up...even when you're asleep.

Tea: What was I saying?

Todd: You don't know?

Tea: No.

Todd: Good. Let's get ready.

[Todd tries to stand up but Tea continues to hold onto his shirt.]

Todd: Delgado, it's morning. We have to get in the car and drive. This is what we do. This is our life now. We can't stay here and continue doing this stuff.

Tea: We could if you wanted to.

Todd: We'll do stuff tonight. Now let go.

Tea: What did I say while I was sleeping?

Todd: Why would you want to know that?

Tea: Because, it must have been something bad for you to refuse to tell me.

Todd: It was pretty hideous, Tea. It's the kind of stuff that should never be repeated.

Tea: Tell me what I said.

Todd: If I kiss you again, will you drop this?

Tea: That bad?

Todd: You want the kiss or not?

Tea: Fine. I'll take the kiss. I wish you would tell me what I said, though.

Todd: It really wasn't anything. It was just a lot of babbling. I think maybe you were begging not to be forced back to that boredom you called your life when I wasn't around.

Tea: Fine. Don't tell me.

Todd: You don't believe me?

Tea: My life was boring without you. That part is definitely true. I know that there's something more to whatever I said, though. I can tell. But, I will let it go if it bothers you so much to tell me.

Todd: Good. Now, let go of my shirt. I'm using the bathroom first.

Tea: Not until you kiss me.

Todd: I already did.

Tea: I want another kiss, Todd.

Todd: And then you'll want another...and then another...and then...

Tea: I will, Todd. I never want to stop. And, tonight, I want to spend the whole night in your arms. We can kiss and touch until we're both too exhausted to continue.

Todd: That takes about ten minutes, right?

Tea: I expect a lot longer than ten minutes.

Todd: Too bad.

Tea: Let's stop talking about this now and kiss me good morning.

Todd: I've never understood why people say that -- good morning -- those two words should never be placed together.

Tea: Kiss me, Todd...if you want to.

Todd: I want to.

Tea: You do?

Todd: If I kiss you, we can get the hell out of this dump.

Tea: Then hurry up and kiss me.

Todd: Maybe I should brush my teeth first.

Tea: You just kissed me and it was fine. It was better than fine.

Todd: You were just waking up. You didn't really know what was going on.

Tea: I knew and I wanted it.

Todd: That's why you faked all those tears, huh? You were just trying to get a kiss out of me?

Tea: I wish I had been faking that. It felt horrible.

Todd: If you're going to insult my kissing...

Tea: I was referring to the way I felt when I woke up and you know it. Your kisses are...

[Todd stops Tea from complimenting his kissing by bringing his lips back to hers. They kiss more passionately than a few minutes earlier, but still gently and lovingly.]

chapter 82:

[Later the same morning after leaving Nebraska and entering Wyoming...]

Tea: Todd?

[Todd doesn't respond.]

Tea: Todd?

[Todd continues ignoring her.]

Tea: Relax, Todd. It's okay. You can speak to me. I won't ask you anymore about what my nightmare was about or what I said. I also won't try to discuss anything that happened last night that led to us sleeping apart.

Todd: Well, why didn't you tell me that before? We could have been yacking this whole time. You know how much I love conversation this early in the morning.

Tea: We don't have to have any long discussions. We certainly don't have to have any deep conversations right now. I don't think I'm up for it right now anyway.

Todd: Good.

Tea: Could we stop and have breakfast soon, though?

Todd: If we wait a few hours, we could have lunch instead.

Tea: That's too long to wait.

Todd: You're not going to give me a lecture about breakfast being important, are you?

Tea: No lecture but I do feel lousy. I need to eat something.

Todd (concerned): Is something wrong? Is it the baby?

Tea: How could it be the baby when I'm not pregnant?

Todd: Do you know that for a fact?

Tea: Stop at a drugstore. I'll get a snack and a pregnancy test and we'll both be satisfied.

Todd: You spent all that time at that drugstore last night. You didn't...

Tea: I wouldn't get a test behind your back, Todd. You will definitely know if I ever buy one.

Todd: Yeah. I noticed the bag in the trunk didn't have one.

Tea: You checked?

Todd: I was looking for a candy bar.

Tea: Well, you could have asked me. You didn't have to snoop around, going through bags. And, in case today is a paranoid day...

Todd: Every day is a paranoid day.

Tea: Well, just trust me this once. I didn't buy one.

Todd: I know. And, I was really in the mood for one with almonds.

Tea: I was referring to a pregnancy test not a candy bar. I'm trying to be serious, Todd.

Todd: So am I.

Tea: If we're going to continue waiting for nature to give us this answer, we still have more time to wait. Unless, you want to...

Todd (interrupting): No. We don't have to speed it up. This is survivable the way we're doing it.

Tea: Good. Now, I need food so I can survive.

Todd: It's not that bad, Delgado. A little hunger builds character.

Tea: No, it builds pain if I don't eat.

Todd (concerned again): Is this part of that thing that had you vomiting all over the place the other day? We'll stop in the next town we come to that has a hospital.

Tea: I'm not going to a hospital. I already made that clear. No hospitals...no doctors.

Todd: Why are you so scared of hospitals all of a sudden?

Tea: Just drop it.

Todd: Hey, that's my line.

Tea: Well, I guess you've been rubbing off on me. Speaking of rubbing...

Todd: Don't even try it, Delgado.

Tea: I was just going to mention the sunblock I bought yesterday.

Todd (not believing her): Yeah, right! You expect me to believe that's what you were thinking about with an intro like that?

Tea: Well, that's what I'm thinking about now. You really should put some on.

Todd: I figure if I get a really bad sunburn, it would be a good thing.

Tea: Why would that be good?

Todd: Because, you'd insist on taking me to a hospital. And, while we're there, I might just happen to mention certain symptoms that a certain stubborn female is making me suffer through and worry about.

Tea: You're worried about me?

Todd: I'm worried that you'll slow up this trip.

Tea: Right.

Todd: You're not going to vomit again, are you? I don't want to waste time buying a new car right now.

Tea: Don't worry. I don't think I'll be sick. I just really need to eat something and then I'll be fine.

Todd: Okay.

Tea: Thank you, Todd.

Todd: Did you have to ruin the moment we were having?

Tea: By thanking you? I do appreciate how sweet you are to me sometimes, Todd.

Todd: Well, cut it out before I'm the one who starts vomiting.

[Soon, they enter a small town. Todd chooses a small diner for them to have breakfast at.

Minutes later they're both heartily eating.]

Tea: Todd?

[Todd grunts while continuing to shove food into his mouth.]

Tea: We could spend the night here.

Todd: In this restaurant? The grubs okay but...

Tea: I mean in this town.

Todd: We've barely driven today.

Tea: But we are in Wyoming now. You wanted to be in a different state every night, right? Well, this is a different state.

Todd: What would we do for the next eighteen hours before it's time for you to go to sleep? I don't think this town has that much to do.

Tea: We could find something to do that would occupy our time...in a pleasant way...in a pleasurable way.

[Todd groans at the flirty smile on Tea's face.]

Todd: Delgado, I'm trying to eat. Cut it out.

Tea: Come on. It's not that repulsive, is it?

Todd: No. It's not repulsive.

Tea: Good. I'm glad you're at least willing to admit that.

Todd: It can wait, though. I need at least another twelve hours to get in the mood.

Tea: Well, I don't know about you but the thought of another twelve hours of driving doesn't turn me on all that much.

Todd: Since when? I thought everything...

Tea: Not quite, Todd. Although, if you're involved there's always a very good chance that I will be turned on.

Todd: Could we not talk about this when we're in a crowded place like this?

Tea: What crowd? There are only two other diners besides us and they're on the other side of the room.

Todd: Yeah, well, maybe they have good hearing.

Tea: So, they'll hear how incredible I think you are. I could get on the table and make an announcement in case they haven't already heard me.

Todd: Seeing you jump up on a bar and make a fool out of yourself in public once was enough.

Tea: When have I ever done that?

Todd: Don't try to deny it. I was there.

Tea: Where?

Todd: You know, no one will take you seriously when you declare how you're through with users and losers if you then immediately take up with corrupt cops.

[It takes a moment for Tea to recall that moment from her past that still causes her embarrassment and that she wishes had never occurred. And, thinking of Todd possibly having witnessed it makes it even worse.]

Tea: Club Indigo? You were there?

Todd: I was thirsty.

Tea: I didn't see you. No one saw you. Were you hiding behind a potted plant?

Todd: I was about to walk up to you, take you in my arms and dance with you but when you started insulting the losers you've gone out with...poor Kevin...I stayed out of sight so no one would mistakenly think that you were referring to me.

Tea: You were planning to dance with me?

Todd: Yep. One of those dances where you're really close to the other person, too. I think you would have enjoyed yourself. Too bad you blew it.

Tea: You know what this means, don't you?

Todd: You're about to start yelling at me for spying on you?

Tea: No. Your punishment is even worse, Todd.

Todd: Forget it, Delgado.

Tea: You owe me a dance, Manning. One where you hold my body tightly against yours. We'll buy a portable CD player and some romantic CDs.

Todd: No way.

Tea: We'll dance as a warm up to...

Todd: It's not gonna happen. Besides, you're just looking for an excuse to shop some more. Forget it.

Tea: We do need some new CDs for the player in the car anyway. You threw the only ones we had out the car window on our second day.

Todd: Well, I got tired of them. Songs get irritating when you're forced to listen to them more than twenty times in one day.

Tea: So, we'll get some more. This could be fun, Todd.

Todd: Fun? You consider torture to be fun?

Tea: As long as I'm in your arms, I know I'll be enjoying myself and I think you will be, too.

Todd: You keep this up and we'll be having separate rooms tonight.

Tea: Todd...

Todd: Want to try for separate hotels?

Tea: We don't have to dance tonight but we will dance during this trip. It's part of my dream now.

Todd: Don't you mean nightmare?

[Tea drops the subject, knowing that they will be dancing, if not tonight then soon. Todd watches the smile on Tea's face, knowing he will dance with her. He knew if he mentioned it, she would push him into dancing with her. His plan worked but he has no intention of letting Tea know it's something that he's wanted to do again with her since the last time they danced together on their wedding night.]

chapter 83:

[After finishing breakfast at the small diner, the former spouses return to the road.]

Todd: So, you feel better now that you ate like a pig?

Tea: I did not...especially compared to you.

Todd: What? I barely ate.

Tea: Are you sure you're not pregnant? You've been eating like you're expecting triplets.

Todd: Well, at least we know that I just have a hearty appetite. You...

Tea: What about me?

Todd: You always did know how to scarf down a plateful but now...

Tea: Now you think it's because I'm pregnant instead of the possibility that I have a hearty appetite like you do. Although, I don't even come close to you. And, the combinations of food you choose. And, all the junk food. And...

Todd: Okay. I get it. We'll eat separately from now on if I'm grossing you out.

Tea: Actually, I enjoy eating with you.

Todd: Yeah, I could tell back there when you looked at me like there was something wrong with me putting a little jelly on my toast.

Tea: Well, you had already smeared several packets of butter onto it.

Todd: So?

Tea: It looked disgusting.

Todd: It tasted great. You shouldn't really talk about my food anyway after you ate that stuff that looked like someone had vomited in a bowl and then served it to you.

Tea: It was oatmeal, Todd. And, it looked fine.

Todd: Whatever.

[Several minutes of silence pass as they continue on their journey.]

Todd: So, are we done fighting about breakfast?

Tea: Sure. What would you like to fight about now?

Todd: I don't know. You're the one who starts all of our fights, not me.

Tea: Well, if neither of us can come up with a different topic to fight about we could fight about that since it's clear that you are the instigator in all of our fights.

Todd: No, you are. I'm the one who will stop talking to you if you tick me off again.

Tea: That's another problem we should discuss. You can't just stop speaking to me whenever we disagree about something or you're uncomfortable with the topic.

Todd: Watch me.

Tea: Stop the car.

Todd: Forget it.

Tea: I mean it, Todd. Stop the car.

Todd: If you need to vomit or do the bathroom thing, we'll stop, but I'm not stopping just so you can yell at me in your preferred standing position.

Tea: Actually, when I'm with you I prefer to be lying down...with my mouth...

Todd: Flirt all you want, Delgado. I'm not stopping this car.

[Tea reaches her hand out. The instant Todd feels her hand on his neck, he swerves to the side of the road and quickly stops.

He immediately turns to her and starts yelling.]

Todd: Don't you ever do that to me when I'm driving.

Tea: I just wanted to get your attention. And, I wanted you to stop and now that you have...

[Todd immediately steps on the gas and, after quickly checking for other vehicles, returns to the road, going at a much faster speed than before.

Several minutes later...]

Tea: Slow down, Todd.

Todd: Shut up.

Tea: I don't want us to have an accident and I don't want you to spend any of our time on this trip together in jail.

Todd: That wouldn't happen.

Tea: We both know that with the mood you're in, if a police officer stopped you for speeding right now, you would end up arrested...or shot.

Todd: I'd outrun them.

Tea: Well, that would be great. We could both end up in jail...or the hospital...or dead.

[Todd again pulls over to the side of the road and stops.]

Todd: What the hell do you want from me?

Tea: Well, back there I was hoping for a kiss but, frankly, I'm not particularly in the mood right now.

Todd: This is all because of some stupid kiss?

Tea: The kiss wouldn't have been stupid but this argument certainly is.

Todd: You started it.

Tea: Then let me finish it.

Todd: Fine. Go ahead.

Tea: I forgive you.

[Todd looks at the smile that's taking form on Tea's face and almost smiles himself.

He calms down and returns to the road, driving closer to the speed limit.]

Todd: Why do I put up with you?

Tea: I don't know. Why do you?

Todd: Clearly, I really am insane.

Tea: Do you like me?

Todd: You just couldn't keep from starting another fight, could you?

Tea: Why would that question cause a fight?

Todd: Let's just have some silent time until we stop for the night.

Tea: You expect me to be silent for six more hours?

Todd: We've got at least another fourteen hours of driving left today.

Tea: I don't think so.

Todd: Take a nap...for about thirteen hours and fifty minutes.

Tea: Well, that would leave ten minutes. That's so sweet that you want to spend ten minutes talking to me. I'm so touched that I think I'll give you my undivided attention for the rest of the day.

Todd: Give your attention to that pack of dogs over there.

[Tea looks out the window in the direction Todd indicates.]

Tea: You mean those sheep?

Todd: Is that what they are? I thought they were just an ugly type of dog.

Tea: Someday I'll get you on a farm, Manning. I'm sure it would be quite interesting to see you milk a cow.

Todd: That's one dream you're never going to have come true so forget about it.

Tea: Will you make my other dreams come true?

Todd: Fine. You can buy some CDs.

Tea: So we can dance?

Todd: No, so I can put some music on when I want to ignore you.

Tea: We could turn the radio on.

Todd: No way. It might be that square dancing stuff again.

Tea: Todd Manning at a square dance...that I want to see.

[Tea starts laughing so hysterically at the vision she's conjuring up in her mind that her laughter is contagious and causes a slight smile to appear on Todd's face.

They continue driving, enjoying being with, and teasing, each other as they continue their traveling adventure.]

chapter 84:

[As they continue driving through Wyoming, Todd turns north, surprising Tea.]

Tea: So, we're not going to Yellowstone?

Todd: Did you need to?

Tea: No. I just thought that you might be taking us there next.

Todd: We're not tourists, remember?

Tea: We're not?

Todd: Well, not like those pathetic ones that go from one tourist trap to another.

Tea: You enjoyed Mount Rushmore, didn't you?

Todd: It was too crowded.

Tea: I didn't think so. Compared to the crowds I assume they normally get, I think we probably got lucky.

Todd: Yeah, well, it was crowded to me.

Tea: Anything more than just the two of us is crowded to you, isn't it?

Todd: Fine if you'd rather not be alone with me, we'll do the tourist stuff. We'll go to Jellystone, if it's so important to you.

Tea: It's Yellowstone. Wait. Jellystone? Isn't that on a cartoon? One of those ones you and Starr enjoy so much, right? Which one?

Todd: Don't you know?

Tea: I didn't watch a lot of cartoons when I was a kid. Most of the ones I know are the ones you and Starr forced me to watch.

Todd: No one forced you.

Tea: Well, sometimes the only way I could spend time with you was if I watched horror movies or cartoons with you. I even considered reading comic books at one point so we'd have something in common that you'd be willing to have a conversation with me about.

Todd: We could go to a comic book store and I could get you started, if you're still interested.

Tea: You want to go shopping?

Todd: Buying comic books isn't the same as shopping for girl stuff.

Tea: Maybe I could borrow one of yours. I know you have some in the trunk. You know, I've never actually read a comic book.

Todd: Never? What planet did you grow up on?

Tea: The planet of no money as a kid and no interest as an adult.

Todd: Well, if you're not interested, why would you want to read one now?

Tea: So, we'll have something in common...something to talk about.

Todd: Somehow you manage to do plenty of yacking with us having nothing in common.

Tea: Now that I think about it, I wouldn't want to waste our driving time reading when we could be discussing our feelings and when we stop for the night, I'd rather make out with you than use up any of our time together reading.

Todd: Fine. You can borrow my comics.

Tea: That's okay.

Todd: I'm surprised you haven't gotten one of those books with the naked people on the cover, yet. Or, do you have one hidden somewhere?

Tea: How could I hide anything when you search all of my belongings on a daily basis?

Todd: I cut back to every other day.

Tea: Well, thank you for respecting my privacy...every other day. Besides, I don't even know what you're talking about. What books with naked people on the cover?

Todd: You know, the kind you were always reading back when we were married.

Tea: I read law books mostly.

Todd: What laws were being covered in that one that had the guy with no shirt and the chick had her hand on his chest? Although, that probably describes the covers of hundreds of the books in your bedroom.

Tea: It was not hundreds.

Todd: Thousands?

Tea: Maybe we should rest our voices for a while.

Todd: Sure, now you want to shut up.

Tea: Do you want to discuss romance novels? Or, maybe we could discuss you invading my privacy by going into my private bedroom and going through my things.

Todd: Private? It was in my house.

Tea: Okay. We'll exchange reading material. I'll buy a romance novel for you to read and I'll read one of your comic books. We'll see who enjoys their reading experience more.

Todd: That would be no contest.

Tea: I know it wouldn't.

Todd: Oh, please! You think some stupid book about whoever licking whatever would have any chance against a comic classic?

Tea: That depends. What exactly is whoever licking?

Todd: Silent time!

Tea: Too late, Todd. You brought this up. I want to know what's being licked.

[Todd doesn't respond.]

Tea: Maybe you could show me tonight.

[More than a minute passes before Todd responds.]

Todd: I don't know.

Tea: I was teasing you, Todd.

Todd: I know but tonight could be a bad idea. Maybe we should cancel our plans.

Tea: I don't want to. I've been looking forward to it.

Todd: I know. That's part of the problem.

Tea: I'm not expecting...

Todd: Well, what are you expecting?

Tea: To enjoy myself with you.

Todd: You think that would be enjoyable?

Tea: If I'm with you and you're touching me, and holding me, and kissing me...I know I'll enjoy myself. How far we go is up to you.

Todd: Sure, put all the pressure on me.

Tea: I could make that decision, if you prefer.

Todd: I can't trust you.

Tea: I hope that you can, Todd.

Todd: You know what I mean. You get carried away when we do stuff.

Tea: Because I'm doing it with you. I'm still shocked, frankly. I thought that my chance to be this close to you, to do these things with you, was over. Actually, I felt for a long time like I never really even had the chance to begin with. We were always interrupted or one of us pulled away before we ever went very far. Except our wedding night. That night, I thought...

Todd: You thought what?

Tea: Maybe we shouldn't talk about this right now.

Todd: You thought we'd go all the way, right?

Tea: Would we have?

chapter 85:

Todd: If our wedding night hadn't been interrupted...

Tea: Yes?

Todd: You're probably glad we stopped.

Tea: You don't believe that, do you?

Todd: You probably celebrated.

Tea: Yeah, I celebrated by spending the night in the hospital.

Todd: You probably figured that swallowing a bunch of smoke was safer than...

Tea: Than what?

Todd: Are you hungry? You want to stop and get something to eat?

Tea: We just ate.

Todd: You want me to go west and head for that Jellostone place?

Tea: It's Yellowstone. It really is okay with me if we don't go there.

Todd: You're sure?

Tea: There are only a few places that I'd definitely like to go, if you're okay with it.

Todd: Like where?

Tea: Well...the grand canyon.

Todd: It's just a hole in the ground tourist trap.

Tea: Maybe we could find an area that isn't frequented by most tourists.

Todd: Maybe. Where else?

Tea: Where we go doesn't really matter that much to me. I just want time with you, Todd. We could be alone in this car. We could be at a crowded tourist trap. We could be in a small room in a run-down motel. We could be in a fancy suite in a luxurious hotel. We could be in a small town that takes only two minutes to drive through. We could be in a metropolitan area. Everywhere is a place that I want to be as long as you're in that place with me. And, there is nowhere that I would want to be if I'm not there with you.

Todd: You're getting kind of sappy here, Delgado. You're gonna be bursting into tears soon. I haven't recovered from the last time yet.

Tea: I won't cry. About this morning...

Todd: Let's just forget it.

Tea: I can't. I really appreciate that you were there for me. It hurt so much and I needed you to be there, to give me hope that maybe someday it won't have to hurt as much.

Todd: Life hurts.

Tea: Does it have to?

Todd: Mine always has.

Tea: Did it hurt you when our wedding night was interrupted?

Todd: Sure.

Tea: Really?

[The serious aspect of their conversation becomes too much for Todd so he seeks a way out.]

Todd: Yeah, it hurt. I think I pulled something hefting you out of that stupid cabana trying to save your life. And, that's after you forced me to heft you in there to begin with.

Tea: Right.

[Tea knows that Todd feels like he needs to distance himself and end their serious conversation.

She allows the conversation to end and the silence to begin, knowing that it's becoming too serious for her, too. She's feeling too emotional, too close to revealing deeper feelings than she thinks he's ready to handle...maybe deeper than she's ready to admit right now.

She has no idea that hours earlier, while talking in her sleep, she revealed that she loves him. He knows it, though. He can't forget it. His mind has been continuously replaying that moment for him...the sound of her voice speaking those words is still clear as he listens to them again and again in his mind.

He knows that he loves her. He hates it but he does know it. He also knows that Tea's probably figured it out or at least suspects it. She did say in her sleep that she didn't think that he had ever loved her but he knows that can't be true. That was just part of her nightmare. She was always good at reading him...too good. He knows that she can see inside him, into that place where he hides his feelings from everyone else. Not from her, though. Somehow she always knew when he was bluffing about his feelings before. She always called him on it so she must have known. He knows that she can still see through him. He hates it, but it is Delgado so maybe it's safe...probably it's safe, but he still hates it.

For hours they continue traveling silently. Even when they stop for lunch, they sit at the same table facing each other and speak a few words but avoid any long, meaningful conversations.

After they've returned to their car and have been driving again for a while, the silence becomes too much for Todd. He finally decides to put an end to it.]

Todd: You still awake?

Tea: Yes.

Todd: I wasn't sure.

Tea: I'm awake.

Todd: Okay.

[They continue on for several more miles. Todd's frustrated that the strained silence is still there. He made the first move towards returning to conversing with each other and Tea didn't jump in and take over the conversation task the way she's supposed to...the way he always counts on her to do.

Tea is surprised when Todd slows down and directs the car toward the side of the road.]

Tea: Is something wrong?

Todd: Yeah, something's wrong?

Tea: What?

[Todd doesn't answer. He gets out of the car and walks around to her side. As he approaches, she opens her door and gets out.]

Tea: Was it one of the tires? I didn't feel anything.

Todd: You sure about that?

Tea: Well, some bumps, of course. This isn't the best road.

Todd: Delgado...

Tea: Yes?

Todd: You're gonna make me do this, aren't you?

Tea: Do what? You haven't told me what you think is wrong yet.

Todd: Don't you get it?

Tea: Get what?

Todd (frustrated): Forget it.

Tea: What?

[Todd walks back to his side of the car, disappointed that he didn't get the kiss from Tea that he was hoping for. He's also not thrilled that their awkward silence will be continuing.]

Tea (confused): What, Todd? I don't understand.

Todd: Get in the car, Tea.

Tea: Not until you explain this to me.

Todd: Never mind. Just get into the car.

Tea: No.

Todd: Tea...

Tea: Why are you angry at me?

Todd: Because you won't get in the car.

Tea: Explain to me why we stopped and I'll get in the car. Well?

[Todd waits a moment, trying to convince himself not to respond...not to give her that power right now.]

Todd: I had the stupid idea of kissing you but I'm over it now so get in the car.

[Todd quickly gets into the car himself and closes the door. Tea doesn't move. Todd lowers the window.]

Todd: Delgado...

[Tea's only movement is to turn around so her back is leaning against the car.

Tea waits for Todd. Todd waits for Tea. Two stubborn people on a sparsely populated road, each waiting for the improbable -- the other person to give in first.]

to be continued...