"You didn't have to do this, I would have been fine with a cheeseburger like last night."

Gabriel Gray and Lulu Oswald were seated in a restaurant, still in Montana. They had been in Montana now for two days, this was there second night.

I know, Gabriel said, but I have heard good things about this place.

The restaurant décor was impressive, nothing like the outside, filled with oil stains in the parking lot. The booths were red with vertical stripes in reds, blues, greens, and whites for your back. The tables were an elegant wood finish. The wallpaper was filled with cowboys, Native Americans, cactuses, coyotes, rolling hills, ribs, chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, and big glasses of beer. The lighting was dim and intimate, except in the bar where the latest baseball game was being aired.

Gabriel had ordered the steak with a side of mashed potatoes, Lulu had ordered the same.

Things had not been the same since the night Gabriel had whisked them away. Lulu tried to put on a brave face for herself, but when Gabriel would get close to Lulu he would hear her heart accelerate in fear. Much the same as the night he sped away on the freeway. Her heart would pound, and pound, and pound in every corner of his ear.

Gabriel had tried to go on normally, attempting to make small talk when he could, but Lulu would just go on watching TV. He knew it would be easier to explain to her all that was going on, she of all people would understand. But he had a terrible fear that she would leave him, and he couldn't bear to have another person do that to him, not if he could control the situation a little longer. But if she did leave him, he wouldn't stop her.

Gabriel looked at Lulu as she blew bubbles in her drink. She was wearing the Don't Mess With Kansas shirt, jeans, and her hair was full of flyaways. But it suited her. Gabriel had decided long ago that she could make anything look good, especially Salvation Army wear.

"Gabriel, when are we leaving?" Lulu asked.

She knew it was a bold question, but she figured it way okay since it wasn't directly related to the situation.

Gabriel was surprised at Lulu for speaking up.

I don't know, he said, soon--probably tonight.

Lulu nodded, "And where are we going?"

Gabriel didn't know what to say. He could hear her heart pounding quickly. She was using her straw to move ice cubes in her plastic mug. He could see her fingers trembling slightly. Lulu looked into his dark eyes and blinked before looking away. Even under the dim, washed-out lights Gabriel could tell Lulu was blushing.

Are you afraid of me, Lulu?

Lulu shrunk back into her seat. "I'm trying not to be. I just want some answers."

Gabriel didn't understand why she would still be truthful with him. After all that has happened so far, she still hadn't lied to him. Gabriel appreciated that more than anything.

I'm sorry I can't tell you certain things, Gabriel said, I'm trying to protect you. I was thinking tonight we'd drive to North Dakota and stay there for a day or two. That's all I have so far.

Lulu nodded, expecting to get more out of Gabriel.

I want to tell you more, Gabriel began, and it's not that I don't trust you, I'm just scared.

Lulu sighed, "Of what? You have me thinking the worst possible things of you."

Gabriel looked at his lap, then back to Lulu's eyes.

They might not be too far off, he said.

They ate their dinner in silence, Gabriel paid the check and they went back to the motel room to pack their things. It was incredibly awkward for both. Lulu failed in getting any answers that mattered and Gabriel was ashamed that he couldn't share his life with his closest friend.

As Lulu was folding her shirts into a white trash bag she wondered if it was a mistake to stay with Gabriel. She didn't even know if she had a choice to leave, but she was sure that she couldn't simply abandon Gabriel. She would feel too much pain and regret. It wasn't just because it was her best friend, it was also because she thought this man to be so wonderful. She wanted to know who he really was, to help him, to love him. But it was becoming increasingly difficult to do that when he wouldn't let her in.

"I'm a virgin," Lulu said.

Gabriel was trying to a find a sock when she spoke. He was sure he heard her correctly.

Okay, was all he said.

"I wasn't a planned baby. My parents were married, but they only wanted one child."

"For the longest time I wanted to be in a band, I wanted to drop out of school."

"When I was twelve I cut my hair to my ears and only wore boy's clothes because I didn't want to become a woman."

"I was mugged in Seattle when I was seventeen and I still have a scar from the man who tried to stab me."

"I don't like getting my picture taken, but sometimes I wish I did so if my kids ever find old pictures they could see what I looked like as a teenager."

Gabriel came over to her and turned her around. He sat her down on the bed and sat beside her.

I know what you're doing, but Lulu, I can't, he told her.

"Nothing? You can't tell me anything at all?" she sounded desperate now.

It's easier if I don't, Gabriel began.

Lulu stood up quickly, twisting her body to face Gabriel.

"How could this possibly be easy for either of us? I have no idea why you took me from my family, my job, and my home. I don't know why the hell were in fucking Montana in a motel somewhere or even why the fuck we're headed to North Dakota. And you won't tell me why, to what? To protect me? Fuck that, all you're doing is pissing me off. I don't know who you are Gabriel, how do you think that makes me feel? I'm terrified of you."

Gabriel was about to reply to Lulu, but he heard a familiar voice not five miles away.

Get your things, Gabriel demanded.

"What?" Lulu said.

We have to leave.

"Did you hear anything I just said?"

Yes, Gabriel said as he was grabbing his trash bag full of clothes, and--I'll tell you, on the way. But right now we need to leave. If they find me--I just rather you know the situation then see what happens.

"But who's coming? How do you know?" Lulu asked as she and Gabriel were getting into the car.

Gabriel turned the car on and could hear the voice getting closer. He quickly lowered the brake and put the car into reverse. He swerved out of the parking lot so fast that he left marks on the black pavement.

When Gabriel got back onto the freeway and felt relieved, but for only a minute. Now he had to explain everything. He looked at Lulu.

She looked at him in worry as she was letting out short breaths of air, her back against the window.

Put your seatbelt on, Gabriel told her softly.

"Sorry."