They had been on the road for about two hours when Alex began moving around in the seat, about to wake up for real this time. It suited JJ perfectly, as she was starting to get in the mood for a coffee and a bite to eat. She poked Alex's side gently.
"Morning, sweetheart. Can I say happy birthday without getting my head bit off this time?"
"You know, you could have just gotten me breakfast in bed, that would've been a nice enough present…" Alex said and stretched. "Where are we going?"
"Road trip. To the West."
"Specify."
JJ laughed.
"Not that far West, and not that straight West either. I thought since we both had a bunch of vacation days to use, we could take the opportunity to go to Kansas City and visit your family."
Alex's face was completely expressionless. JJ frowned.
"So… not a good present, huh?"
Alex sighed.
"JJ, I love you… and I love my family… and I see them just the amount of time I'm comfortable with."
"I'm sorry… I thought you'd like it."
Alex smiled.
"It's the thought that counts."
"Yeah… and that was a bad thought, obviously."
JJ chewed her lip. It wasn't that Alex was going to sulk the entire trip now (at least if JJ refrained from waking her up too early again), but JJ's intention was to make Alex happy, not indifferent.
"Okay, scrap that idea," she said.
"It's a fine idea," Alex said. "I don't want to argue. It's a fine idea, and by the time we get to Kansas City I'll be prepared to see dad and Scott."
"No, no, I'm not trying to be passive-aggressive about it. I mean it," JJ said, and her eyes sparkled. "Scrap that idea. Let's go on a real road trip and do something crazy."
"Like what?" Alex said.
"I don't know, any ideas? You're the birthday girl."
"So you keep reminding me," Alex sighed, but she couldn't help smiling. "Alright, let's get into trouble."
"That's the spirit!"
"But first, I need coffee, or the only trouble I'll get into will be with the Sandman," Alex said and yawned again. "That looks like a good enough stop, pull over."
"Are you sure? It looks kind of sleazy to me," JJ said hesitantly.
"I know. Because stopping here would be crazy, wouldn't it?" Alex said and grinned.
"You think you're gonna out-craze me that easily?" JJ said and pulled over.
"Oh no, I'm sure you have a lot more craziness within, but we've got to start somewhere," Alex replied.
Of course, JJ couldn't argue with that.
