I do not own Bates Motel.
But, in some ways, I do own a Dylan. And I love him so much.
Yeah, Whatever
Road Trip
"Seriously? Norma must have freaked!"
Emma shook her head casually, aimlessly playing with the fingers on his right hand with her delicate ones.
"No, actually she was really nice. She made me eat toast and drink orange juice to sober up before I went home."
Dylan shook his head, even as he kept fierce concentration on the traffic ahead of him.
"I can't believe you were stoned!"
Emma grinned, not yet able to laugh with the sensitivity of her staples.
"Gunner said it would be fun!"
Dylan rolled his eyes, shifting smoothly into the left lane as a van veered in from the right to avoid stepping on the brakes too hard and jolting Emma.
"Now I really wish I could have fired him."
Emma squeezed his fingers with her own.
"He didn't know any better. He'd never had a bad trip."
Dylan scoffed.
They were quiet for a moment.
Then Emma spoke dreamily, gaze distant.
"There were just so many steps."
Dylan tried to keep a straight face but cracked back up into a chuckle after a second.
"Oh, man, I wish I could have seen it."
Emma smirked at him.
"You saw me on morphine after surgery. That's more hardcore."
He glanced over at her.
"You're hardcore. You're a frickin' warrior."
She beamed and he winked at her.
They drove on in silence for a few minutes.
Dylan was throughly enjoying his time with her.
He felt very lucky to be the one bringing her home from the hospital.
It had been Emma who had suggested it in the first place on one of their many bloodclot defeating walks.
"Hey, I was wondering, uh, if you would be willing to drive me home when they release me next week. Dad needs to get going on renting or selling the house so we can move to Seattle soon."
What? Seriously?
"Yeah, sure."
Hell yeah, that'd be great!
Just you and me for a couple of hours in the truck.
In traffic.
With staples.
Oh god.
"Yeah, yeah, no problem."
He had felt anxious while Emma presented the plan to her dad.
"If it's okay, I thought Dylan could drive me back next week. So you could get started on moving us to Seattle."
Will DeCody's sharp blue eyes stayed still in his daughter for a long moment.
She did not squirm, obviously used to this sort of consideration.
Then the man whose daughter had barely skimmed Death on more occasions than he could count slowly swiveled his hawk gaze to Dylan.
Who resolutely stood firm in his stance as the Doer of Whatever Emma Wanted.
And Will, the man who watched over his daughter as closely as he could, fought for her continued existence, and always known someday he would have to let her go, spoke.
"Sounds like a decent plan, then. Dylan, you promise to drive over anyone who gets in your way?"
Yeah, I have before.
Ouch.
"Dad!"
Will Decody shrugged.
"I just want to make sure you'll be safe."
Dylan nodded, serious as a heart attack.
Or a double lung transplant.
"I'll take good care of her. I promise."
Will Decody looked back and forth between the two of them and without only slightest hints of resignation and more than a little pride in the two young people before him, nodded.
"Well, suppose I'll head on down to the cafeteria and let you two make your plans then."
He kissed his daughter's cheek unashamedly.
Glanced at the still nervous Dylan.
Then with a wan smile, left the room.
"Do you think he's okay?" Dylan asked after a minute.
Emma smiled fondly at the door.
"Yeah. It's a little weird for him for me to depend on someone else but it's good. It means I'm not about to die."
Then at him.
"Plus, he likes you."
He tried to unsuccessfully stamp down a growing smile.
"Really?"
Emma nodded.
"Yeah."
And couldn't resist hedging a bit.
"Well, that's good."
Emma grinned in a secretive way.
"Yeah, yeah it is."
And then they had shared a private smile together.
Maybe a chaste kiss or two.
So now here they were, barreling down city streets at what Dylan was pretty sure was breakneck force.
But what only turned out to be the speed limit.
A little small talk, exchanging glances.
Then Emma spoke.
One, small request.
"Okay, Dylan Massett, if you care about me at all . . ."
Yes, I love you.
". . . you will . . ."
Anything.
". . . find me a real cheeseburger."
Huh?
"And fries."
What?
"And a coke."
He blinked.
Oh. Well, that's an easy one.
"I just need a real cheeseburger. I'm so sick of that hospital food."
Her chauffeur nodded..
Your wish is my command.
And then he followed the signs to the nearest Burgerville.
"I'll pay you back," she reassured in a sincere tone that still dumbfounded him.
What?
He didn't even bother to respond, just gave her a look explained there would be no consideration of that statement.
And left her in the truck to procure non hospital sustenance.
Plain cheeseburger, fries, coke.
They sat in the parking lot in the truck as Emma was not yet ready for public engagements.
Coke, icy, cold, and sugary.
Food, hot and juicy.
At her first bite, she sagged with joy.
Eyes slipping closed in rapture, throat eliciting a small sound of visceral appreciation.
And Dylan stared at her, eyebrows slightly raised.
An amused smile touching the corners of his mouth.
Not sure if he should be present to witness . . .
Wow. That must be quite a cheeseburger.
I wish I was that cheeseburger.
. . . such a private event.
And trying to ignore and subsequently derail the subtle tightening in his groin area.
Not now. I have to drive. And be responsible.
Oh, she's taking another bite.
Thankfully for him and regretfully for her, Emma could not stomach more than a few bites.
"It's not that big a burger," she complained, sounding slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I wasted your money."
Dylan rolled his eyes, previous amourousness abating.
"Emma, please-"
She shook her head.
"Well, I don't want you to think I plan on being a mooch now that I'm not dying."
Dylan shrugged.
"You're not dying. You can be anything you want to be."
She grinned fondly at him.
"This is burgers, Dylan, not life."
He gave her the most serious look he could muster.
"Burgers are life."
He couldn't hold the fake sterness for more than a few seconds.
And they both laughed together.
"Thank you for being here with me."
He nodded casually.
"My pleasure."
I love you.
And then they continued their trek south toward White Pine Bay.
Just a bit of silliness and fun that I hope you enjoy too.
Thanks to DinahRay and Lana Brown for reviewing! :)