The first of the re-vamps arrives! Hope you like the improvements. This has always been one of my favorites of my shorter pieces! I always enjoy random musical inspiration in the middle of the night…Don't you?

BTW, of course, neither Matchbox Twenty nor Mutant X belong to me. It's a sad existence, but I survive!

Brennan dozed against the passenger door. It was late, and his companion had hardly provided any real conversation in the past hour or so. He sighed. His love life really was depressing. He and Nickie had actually made it to the 'relationship' phase of their relationship, but almost immediately they'd started falling apart. Granted, she wasn't a bad date- they'd had their share of fun, but lately there was just something missing. This would probably be their last little road trip.

Brennan nodded to himself. After this, it was over. It just wasn't fair to either of them to keep pretending. His decision made, Brennan opened his eyes to stare out the window at the few road signs they passed. The car's headlights illuminated one that read 'Rest stop... 3 miles.' Out of nowhere, Nickie slammed on the brakes and pulled to the shoulder. Brennan jolted upright, looking for what ever had startled her.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

She stared straight ahead at the steering wheel, biting her lip in frustration. "What's wrong?" she repeated. "This is wrong, Brennan. You, me, us. It's just wrong." She glanced at Brennan, making note of his somewhat startled expression. "Look, while you were sleeping, I started wondering, you know- what you were dreaming about. And you know what? I realized I just didn't care." She laughed a little. "And I mean, hell, let's face it! That's pretty much a blatant sign that it's over. And, well, I didn't know if I'd have the nerve to end it if I didn't now…" She looked at him quizzically. "Brennan, are you even listening to me?"

He wasn't, actually. He'd stopped listening about the time the intention of her little speech first became clear. It was over. It was actually over. He didn't know whether to be grateful or hurt.

Her next words regained his attention almost violently. "Look, just get your things and get out." He stared at her in shock. It was the middle of the night, and they were in the middle of nowhere. She was actually telling him to get out of the car?

"You want me to leave right now?"

Without looking at him, she nodded. "Yeah, I do. You know, all the time we've been together, I never felt like you ever focused on me." She laughed bitterly. "You didn't even pay attention while I was breaking up with you." She finally looked at him straight in the face. "Just get out." She reached over to open the glove box and pressed the button inside, opening the trunk. "Goodbye."

Brennan didn't say another word. In a way, she'd been right with her accusations. That fact kept him silent, as he slowly opened the door and got out of the car. Almost the instant the trunk had closed, Nickie sped off, leaving him on the darkened highway. Hefting his duffle, Brennan started walking the three miles to the rest stop.

There yall go! The second part shall follow soon!
Oh...by the way...if you were wondering which song it was...

"Rest Stop" by Matchbox Twenty

Just three miles from the rest stop

And she slams on the breaks

She said I tried to be, but I'm not

And could you please collect your things

I don't wanna be cold

I don't wanna be cruel

But I gotta find more than what's happening with you

And if you'd open up the door

She said, while you were sleeping

I was listening to the radio

And wondering what you're dreaming when

It came to mind that I didn't care

And I thought- hell, if it's over

I had better end it quick or I could lose my nerve

Are you listening- can you hear me

Have you forgotten?

Just three miles from the rest stop

And my mouth's too dry to rage

The light was shining from the radio

I could barely see her face

But she knew all the words that I never had said

She knew the crumpled-up promise in this broken down man

And as I opened up the door...

She said, while you were sleeping

I was listening to the radio

And wondering what you're dreaming when

It came to mind that I didn't care

And I thought- hell, if it's over

I had better end it quick or I could lose my nerve

Are you listening- can you hear me

Have you forgotten?