I do not own CSI

"I guess I'm not going to finish my bucket list. But at least I'll get to see some pretty country."

"You don't get it do you?" Jason interrupted. "If you weren't this important I would have killed you ages ago. I've killed people before."

For the first time since their conversation began, Carmen became silent. Her head was bent in deep thought. She stayed like that for another hour. As Jason took a ramp into another highway he felt guilty for saying what he said to Carmen. He felt no consolation in the silence like before. It was a little haunting she was certain she was going to die, but wasn't depressed.

Instead, she was acting like a tough tomboy without a care in the world. He sometimes wished he didn't have a care in the world. He wished that they were normal and could be friends.

While Jason was thinking this, Carmen felt sorry for Jason. She could tell he had the potential of being a good person, but something was holding him back. She felt a raw wound that hadn't healed for many years. Something still ate at him.

Carmen could see through his front. Knowing he was deep down a kind person she felt more at peace. That could possibly be why she could talk to him. He didn't feel threatening. Not only did she want to meet one more person before she died, she wanted to help Jason.

Carmen pushed those sad thoughts away and brightened up. The last few days of living should be spent being happy.

"I'm bored."

Jason replied, "What can I do?"

"Entertain me. As the host you need to keep me entertained."

"Hello, I'm driving. This isn't a tea party."

Carmen waited a few dramatic seconds before saying bluntly, "You're boring."

Jason's eyes flashed with anger. "Are you like this all the time with your friends?"

Carmen shrugged. "They aren't kidnappers, are they?"

She smiled at Jason. He didn't return the gesture.

"You don't laugh a lot either. That was a joke, just so you know—since you didn't laugh."

Jason muttered, "Whatever," before turning on the radio. "There's your entertainment."

Carmen started fiddling with the radio stations for music she liked. Until it was time for lunch Carmen switched from pop, country, and rap music constantly. By the time they pulled into the first pit stop Jason had the last song still playing unintentionally in his head when he turned the car off. As he unbuckled his seat belt, he shook the tune from his mind.

"I'll be filling up the car."

"I'm hungry," Carmen told him before he left.

Jason pretended not to hear her as he went to fill the car. After filling the gas tank, he walked in to the store beside the gas station and bought two water bottles, two slices of pizza, and peanuts. The only reason he was getting food was that he was hungry too. When he was waiting in line a mounted TV was above the cashier on the wall. They were still talking about Carmen's disappearance.

It was there that it dawned on him that they had to ditch her old clothes. The first T-shirt he saw he grabbed, not paying attention to the size. Once he paid he hurried to the van. Carmen had her feet up on the dashboard looking out the passenger window.

"Put this on." Jason threw the shirt at her ash he got in.

"Kentucky," Carmen read on the shirt. "At least there's nothing embarrassing on it."

"Hide your real clothes in the back."

"Wait, you're making me change in the van?"

"I won't look." Jason said as he stared at the wheel. "Van's got dark tint to the windows."

Carmen flushed pink as she got in the back of the van. She threw her tan coat at Jason.

"Hold this up between the two seats."

Jason did as he was told. Fabric rustled as Carmen put on the Kentucky shirt. Soon she was finished and they resumed the road trip. As Carmen buckled herself in, Jason noticed the navy blue shirt was baggy on her. The sleeves went down to her elbows and the bottom of the shirt ended at the middle of her quadriceps.

"Thanks for the shirt." Carmen added in, "Extra large fits me like a glove."