Chapter 4

"Niles?" She asked quietly, leaning her head up against the window, looking out.

"Yes?" He replied, sighing in the process.

"I think the bumper to bumper traffic just got a whole lot worse."

"What are you talking about?" He asked, and looked at her like he was crazy.

Just then, he looked up ahead, and all he saw were bright, red, brake lights.

"Crap." he muttered.

"Uhhh!" She groaned, and leaned her head back. They were at a complete stop.

"Stay here." He commanded, and unbuckled, opened his door, and stepped out.

He stood on the side step of the Ford Focus, and looked on. People miles ahead of them were getting out of their cars. So, he got back in a took the key out of the ignition.

"What are you doing? We could start moving any minute."

"Wrong. The brake lights go on for at least six miles. And everyone's getting out of their cars. You might as well unbuckle."

"Alright." She sighed, and unhooked her seat belt.

"So..." He began, "Wanna play a game?"

"What kind of game?" She eyed him suspiciously.

"We could play Truth or Dare, Would You Rather, or Spin the Bottle." He replied.

"There's only two of us." She replied to his idea of spin the bottle.

"I know." He replied with a wink, and a little smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

Oh my..... He did not just imply what I think he did. CC thought.

"Alright. Well, I think Truth or Dare is a little too daring for us, don't you think?"

"I suppose you're right. So, Would You Rather it is then?"

She looked ahead of them to see if any cars had started moving. No such luck.

"I guess so. How do you play again?"

"Well, I ask you a question like would you rather eat a spider or a worm, and then you answer. Then you do the same to me."

"Okay."

"Got it?"

"I think so. You start."

"Okay...." He began, trying to think of a good one. "Would you, CC Babcock, rather forget who you were, or who everyone else was?"

"Hm...." She thought for a moment and then replied, "I would rather forget who I was."

"Why?" He asked, concerned about the sad look on her face.

"You never said anything about having to give details."

"C'mon play along."

"If I forgot who everyone else was, I would be all on my own, with no memories at all. But, if I forgot who I was, it would be like my childhood never happened. And I would still have people to care for me. At least, I hope." She smiled a little smile.

"Alright. Your turn."

"Okay. Would you rather never leave my side for a whole month while I was in a coma in the hospital, or only visit me once before I died?"

"I would rather stay the whole month so you'd live." He replied easily.

"Okay, your turn."

"Would you rather be handcuffed to me for a whole year, or be married to me for two?"

He was a little worried with her silence, he thought maybe he'd crossed the line. He was about to apologize when she answered.

"Handcuffed. As much as I would like to still have my freedom, despite what you might believe, I refuse to marry for anything but love. So, that leaves me with being handcuffed to you for a year."

"Who said we wouldn't marry because of love?" He asked, and he knew he was crossing that line now.

There was silence for a moment, and he watched her stiffen. Then, she started to look uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry. That was out of line, I.... I just got caught up in the game..... and you assumed.... and I'm...." He trailed off, still looking at the stiffened, silent CC.

Then, she laughed. "Niles.... that isn't it. I..... I have to pee."

"Oh." He replied, embarrassed.

"It just kind of happened suddenly." She shrugged, uncomfortable.

"Okay, well..... uh......" He took off his jacket. "Here." He said, and handed it to her.

"Niles, I don't think this will help, I mean, it could absorb okay, but I don't really feel comfortable-"

"That's not what it's for!" He interrupted, "Roll it up into a ball and put in under your jacket. Then, button your jacket up."

"Why? You want me to suffer, and look fat at the same time!? Did you bring your camera or something?"

"Just do it! Then, get out of the car, and follow me." And, with that, he got out and walked around to her side of the car.