A/N: So, I'm pretty much in love with this couple right now. They're easy to write, adorable to deal with and although I might change my mind later and be cussing them into oblivion, right now they're quite favorable and I always enjoy writing favorable characters! J
Thanks to everyone for your reviews and support! It keeps me going as much as Modo and Charley do!

Chapter Two: Road Trip

Snow was just starting to drift from the low hanging clouds as Charley pulled her blazer up to the score board. The sun wasn't entirely up yet, leaving the mid-morning darkness to linger which had been nearly impossible to wake up to. As difficult as it had been to get out of bed, the trip from Chicago to Ashland, Wisconsin was a long one so she hadn't really had a choice in the matter. She'd debated leaving later in the day so that she could just crash when she got to her parents but with Modo coming along and the chance for someone to slip into the garage under the radar to give her last minute work, leaving early had made more sense.

With a yawn, she started to turn the blazer off when a movement from the scoreboard caught her eye. Modo was making his way over to her, a bag slung over his back. He'd wisely chosen to put a jacket on before leaving which made Charley smile. She remembered nagging them continually to wear warmer clothing as the weather started to turn and they hadn't listened to her, assuring her that "big strong mice" didn't need extra clothing when they had a layer of fur to keep them warm. They'd seriously underestimated a Chicago winter.

"Hey, big guy," she greeted affectionately as he pulled the door open, tossed his bag in the back seat and slid into the warm confines of the blazer.

"Mornin' Charley-ma'am," he returned with a smile.

"You sure you want to leave 'Lil Hoss here? I can run home to hook up the trailer and we could bring her with."

"Appreciate it, but we had a little heart-to-heart last night. She'll be alright. Besides, not like I'd have much of a chance to take her out with all the snow up that way."

Charley hummed in response, sliding the gear stick into reverse and backing out into the street. Wisconsin had been hit by a storm a week or so back that had been large enough to make the news. Her parents had been snowed in for two days and electricity had gone out in half the town of Ashland. Though power had been restored after only a few hours and the community had easily survived the two days, the snow had stuck around.

"I was going to stop for coffee before we leave town. Did you want anything?"

Modo reached down, adjusting the seat to give himself more leg room. "I sure wouldn't mind gettin' something to eat. Can I use your phone?"

Charley frowned. "Um, sure," she said, digging in her purse where it rested on the consul between them. She handed it to Modo and watched as he awkwardly dialed a number and hit send. He settled back in the seat, his fingers drumming his thigh restlessly as he waited.

The phone rang several times before someone picked up and the drumming stopped.

"Hey Throttle, it's Modo. Yeah…I'm…not there. Took Charley up on her offer to spend Thanksgiving at her parent's. Yeah…I did. Well…no, but-." He sighed as Throttle cut him off, his voice slightly raised but not to the point that Charley could understand what he was saying. "It's a week, Throttle. Listen, she was lookin' for some support and figured if you two were gonna be idiot's about it, I sure wouldn't mind stuffin' myself with turkey and pumpkin pie while you guys eat left overs and watch re-runs." He took a deep breath and set his jaw before continuing. "I'll be careful. You two just stay out of trouble while I'm gone so I don't have to high-tail it back to pull you out of it. And quit fightin'. I know, Throttle…I know. Okay. I'll check in. You guys have a good Thanksgivin'."

He disconnected the call and handed the phone back to Charley, releasing a deep breath and sagging into the seat as he did so.

There wasn't another word spoken between them until they were on the freeway with the furnace blasting hot air, the smell of coffee and various pastries surrounding them and music playing softly from the speakers. The sun had, by that time, drifted into the horizon and the snow glittered as it cast its rays over the passing landscape.

"So," Charley started cautiously. "You didn't tell Throttle and Vinnie you were coming with me?"

Modo didn't bother opening his eye but she saw the tiny smirk pull at the corner of his mouth. "No, ma'am."

"Can I ask why?"

"Two full grown men arguin' about spendin' the holidays with someone's family," he muttered, turning his head to look at her. "Didn't feel the need to interrupt a pointless argument. Not when it could wait till morning."

"Not when it could wait until you'd already left?"

He shrugged his massive shoulders. "Serve's 'em right. They could have asked if they'd have gotten outta bed instead of bein' lazy."

Mirth bubbled up within her, making it difficult not to laugh outright at his easy-going commentary. But that was Modo's way – always laid back, always calm unless given a reason to be otherwise. He was the gentle giant of the three renegade mice which made it so easy to be around him.

For what seemed like the millionth time she'd received his phone call, Charley felt a rush of gratitude that it had been Modo to step forward and offer to come with her. She'd implied that Vinnie or even Throttle should, given the confusion of her relationships with both of them and her uncertainty with where she stood. That was the right thing to do, wasn't it? Approach the people you had a semi-romantic yet entirely confusing bond with? But neither of them had offered.

She didn't necessarily need the emotional support, though she couldn't deny that it would be nice to have it. There was no particular friction that would make the holiday unbearable. Just…uncomfortable. Like her mother constantly commenting on Charley's single status and her working instead of having a social life. Or her father's off handed remarks on how she hadn't finished college. Or her sister annoyingly flaunting her lavish lifestyle and romantic conquests with men who lined their pockets with gold. Or her aunt and uncle who were so uptight that they made spandex look comfortable.

Her brother would be there to offer some semblance of normalcy, though with his estranged wife recently out of the picture, much of his focus would probably be on his six year old daughter, Katrina.

And there would be Modo.

She glanced at him and smiled. He was completely relaxed, his large frame stretched out and his hands folded loosely over his chest. Something nagged her, distant but insistently – something that left her feeling flushed and extremely aware of herself as a woman. Whatever it was, she brushed it off. "Hope you're not falling asleep on me, big guy. I was hoping you'd take over so I could catch a nap."

"Just let me know when, Charley-girl."

An hour and a half later he was behind the wheel and she was slowly drifting off, lulled by the road passing under them and Modo's deep baritone accompanying the radio.