Second chapter and as always, I don't own anything so please don't sue. However, please review!

Enjoy.

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Chapter 2

I shouldn't be this happy, it's not right, not when dad is missing.

I like having her back though.

She's sat right in the middle of the back seat, her arms spread out along the back of the seats smiling her pretty little head off, just like she used to.

I've got the windows open and the wind is making her hair fly around all over the place.

She's looking back at me now, and I rev the engine making the Impala shoot forward and she laughs, making me smile like an idiot.

I wish she hadn't left. These last 8 years have been the longest 8 years of my life. Would've been nice if she'd stuck around though.

The sun is starting to set and it's reflecting off of the Impala's hood and right into my eyes so I pull down the sun visor and an old crumpled photo falls out and blows into the back. She's smoothes it out and smiles.

Yeah, it's been a long time.

I hear an old, familiar song on the radio. Sophie must've heard it too 'cos she's leaning up out of her seat and twists the volume button all the way up so it's pumping out of the speakers. She's smiles at me and her eyes are all sparkly. She leans against the back of my seat, resting her head against the back and wraps her arms loosely around my neck.

Yeah, it's nice to have my Sophie back again.

She starts fiddling with the charm around my neck and I can hear her breathing getting deeper. She's falling asleep.

"Hey, no falling asleep Soph. If the driver can't sleep, passengers don't sleep" I say jokingly.

"I'm not tired" she protests, retrieving one of her hands from around my neck and pushing her hair behind her ear.

She leans forward and rests her chin on my shoulder.

"What time is it"? She asks.

She smells nice.

"Uh, 8:35" I say, looking at the dashboard clock.

"Hmm" she says, fidgeting in her seat. "I think we should find a motel and go and get a drink".

I look at her in the rear view mirror. Her eyes still sparkly and she's smiling that smile that she knows I can never say no to.

"Okay" I say, surrendering immediately. "My butt is starting to go numb anyway".

I take a right off of Route 70 into Oakley and I find a motel almost straight away.

"Oooh, this one" she says excitedly. And I'm smiling, again, as I pull into the parking lot.

Turning off the ignition and getting out of the car I'm thankful we stopped, my butt really is starting to go numb!

She climbs out of the back and pulls her ancient yellow duffel bag, that's still covered in sequins and butterflies, out of the back.

"Still pulling credit card scams"? She asks looking sideways at me, raising an eyebrow.

I smile and wink at her; she rolls her eyes in disapproval.

"How about you let me get this one"? She offers. "I won't be able to sleep if I know the room is paid for with scam money". She finishes shaking her head, pulling her sequined purse from her back pocket.

"Goodie-Too-Shoes" I whisper with a smile. She hits me in the arm.

"Ahhh"! I yell dramatically, throwing myself against the side of a parked Toyota pick-up.

She's smiling.

"Drama queen" she shoots back, tucking her hair behind her ears.

"Hey, you're the one that went all Superman on my ass" I tease, throwing my arm round her shoulders and we try and compose ourselves as we reach the reception desk.

"Have you got a room available"? She asks the old man behind the desk, a polite smile playing on her lips. She taps her foot silently on the floor and I try and hide another smile. She never could keep still.

For the first time since I picked her up I actually look at her. Man she's grown up! Her hair is longer and redder than before, she, well, she's hot! Not that she wasn't before, I've always thought she was prettier than the average it's just, well; I hadn't really paid that much attention. Not that her being hot will change anything, I mean, she's still Sophie.

She catches me looking at her and a small blush rises in her cheeks.

"What, thought I'd still be a gangly 17 year old"? She asked laughing.

"Well, yeah" I said and before I could make a smart ass comment the old man returns with the room key.

"Thanks" she says, taking the key and handing the man her credit card.

"Common mister, we're in number 7" she says walking toward the other end of the parking lot.

"So, now that you've realised I'm a girl does that mean you're gonna be a gentleman and carry my bag"? She asks, smirking.

I roll my eyes, trying desperately to hide a smile and take her bag from her shoulder.

"Hmm, I could get used to this" she says smiling.

"Don't push your luck princess" I say, making her laugh.