As Jacob and Rachel hit the road, I couldn't help but choose the greatest driving song ever to accompany them. Hope you're still hanging in there with me - we've got a long way to go yet!!!

Soundtrack: Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen

"Don't run back inside, darlin' you know just what I'm here for

So you're scared and you're thinking that maybe we ain't that young anymore"

Now she knew he needed some medical attention.

"Jacob, how about we make a stop at the hospital. Let them check you over properly". He didn't speak. Just sat there on the footpath, his eyes closed, face turned towards the evening breeze.

Rachel saw the paramedic she had spoken to earlier making his way over to them. She got to her feet and spoke to him quietly. "Is there a chance of concussion or shock?" she asked. "It's just, well, ……..".

"Maam, we've checked him out thoroughly. He's lucid and coherent, pupils are fine, blood pressure, pulse, everything. He was firmly held by the seatbelt and his face & head show no signs of a blow, so we really have no reason to suspect a concussion".

"But," Rachel said worriedly, turning to look at him sitting on the footpath, "but he wants to go to the sea".

The paramedic shrugged, "well it is a warm night, bit of a drive though" he laughed.

"Excuse me Dr Hood, but I'd just like to check you out one more time before we let you leave. If you could come back to the ambulance, we'll just give you another once over just to be on the safe side".

Jacob got to his feet and walked with the paramedic back towards the flashing lights. Rachel watched him. There was no limp, no sign of weakness in his step. She was trying to rationally assess his condition but couldn't help but notice his broad shoulders in his cotton t-shirt and the sexy motion of his butt in his faded jeans. A shiver ran up her spine and she suddenly felt cold despite the warm wind. "What was she doing? What was she thinking?"

She picked up the blanket and the empty coffee cup from the footpath and made her way over to the ambulance. "All's fine Dr Hood" the paramedic was saying to Jacob as Rachel arrived. "I'd be a bit careful about the beach though," he said. Jacob glanced quickly at Rachel with raised eyebrows. "Don't want you getting lost in the dark. Maybe a quiet night at home would be the best thing".

"Thankyou, thanks for your help". Jacob shook the paramedic's hand warmly and turned away from the ambulance, striding quickly into the night. Rachel hurried to catch up with him.

"Hey", she called, "wait for me, the car's over here".

"It's fine," he said, not looking back. "I'll get a cab. I have somewhere I need to go".

She caught up with him and put her hand on his back. "Wait Hood, don't be silly" she said breathlessly.

"Silly!" He stopped abruptly and turned, eyebrows knitted into a frown. "Explain 'silly' to me Rachel. I am going to the beach. If you don't want to come with me, that's fine. But I'm going."

"That's fine, that's fine Jacob, I'll take you wherever you want. Just come to the car." She guided him to the left in the direction of her parked car and she felt the tenseness in his forearm. "Do you need to go home for anything first? Is there anything I can get you?" They reached the vehicle and he climbed in. She noticed a slight wince of pain as he did up his seatbelt. "Jacob…….."

"I'm fine Rachel" he said quietly, "I can't tell you any more, I'm fine. Just give it a rest".

They stared silently out of the windscreen for a few minutes, the tension in the car high. Finally he spoke. "Bethany, Bethany Beach."

"But that's…………"

"It's 130 miles Rachel, should take us no more than 3 hours. Traffic will be good at this time of the night. We'll be there by 11.00." He leaned his head back on the headrest and closed his eyes.

"Bethany Beach - in Delaware?" she said.

"Yes. Bethany Beach. In Delaware."

With a silent sigh, she programmed Bethany Beach into her GPS, started the engine of the SUV and they set off. Jacob was right and traffic was mercifully quiet, so they made good time. She played her music quietly and he slept. Rachel was glad she'd packed an overnight bag, although he obviously had nothing. She wondered to herself how long they would have to stay, why he wanted to go there of all places. So much for their night of passion. "I don't think it was ever meant to happen," she admitted to herself. "It was a really, really bad idea".

"I'm sorry Rachel." The sound of his voice in the darkness jolted her back to reality. She turned her head quickly and found his eyes focussed on her face. "I'm sorry for making you do this, but you'll understand when we get there."

"Jacob, I'll take you anywhere you want. You know I will," she replied softly. "As long as you're ok."

"I will be" he replied and they finished the rest of the journey in silence.

It was just on 10.55pm when they pulled into a car park just off Coastal Highway and the vast Atlantic Ocean came into view. Glistening silver in the light of the full moon, they sat and watched the gentle waves roll in.

"It's lovely, isn't it?" Rachel said finally, hoping that he wasn't going to tell her to turn round and drive back to DC.

Jacob stared silently ahead, his face bathed in the moonlight that was streaming through the windscreen. "Go back out onto the road" he said. "Take a left, and keep driving 'til I tell you to stop". He reached over and put his hand on her thigh. "Keep driving Rachel. There's somewhere I need to take you. Somewhere you need to see."