Are we there yet?"

Shaw rolled her eyes. "Gen, we just got on the freeway."

"Yeah but that's what kids like me are supposed to say." Gen smirked from the back seat.

"There are no kids like you."

"That's why you love me."

"You have a point. Root, what do you think about us trying to make it all the way today? We can or we can stop at dinner time and get a room in Winslow."

"Winslow, Arizona?…. Such a fine sight to see… A girl my lord, in an Escalade (?) slowing down to take a look at me." Root's voice wasn't Glen Frey, but it wasn't half bad. Shaw smiled and winked at her co-pilot.

"There's an interesting hotel there, the La Posada- built in the 1920's. There's a lot of history there, it has a museum. The rooms are named after Hollywood legends. We can stay there, then hit "Standin On The Corner Park" in the morning."

Root reached over and caressed Shaw's shoulder. "Sounds like a plan, Sam- do we need to call ahead?"

"Actually, I kind of reserved two rooms for us last week when we planned this. I'm glad you're agreeable since I had to pay in advance."

"Two rooms, Sameen…" Root drew out the name, dripping with innuendo. "I assume one is for Gen and Bear?"

"Ewww… jeez I can't even say 'get a room.'" Gen teased them from the rear seat. She was in seventh heaven with Bear sitting at her feet wagging his tail in contentment.

As the miles flew by Gen and Root both disappeared into their own virtual worlds while Shaw let her own playlist pass the time and the miles. As Van Morrison trailed off and Joe Cocker began, both Shaw and Root started briefly, then looked at each other.

"We have…." Root began.

"…. a number." Shaw finished.

"Shit." This from both. Root looked down at her laptop and began furiously hitting the keyboard. After about thirty seconds, she looked over at Shaw.

"They're GPS coordinates, about 15 miles southwest of Winslow."

"That's convenient. Nothing else? Maybe you should ask her?"

Root smiled adoringly at Shaw's use of the pronoun.

"I will, Sam, but you know she only lets us know what we need to know. I know it can be infuriating, but I still trust her."

"I can't believe I'm saying this Root, but so do I." Shaw's mouth turned up slightly and she shook her head.

"Can you hear me? OK, do you have anything more? We do have Gen with us."

Both could hear the response. You have time to check into your hotel, then leave Gen and Bear when you head for the rendezvous. Shaw's mouth turned back down.

"That's it? You realize neither of us have dealt with a number since Root woke up. Is this going to put her at risk?"

"Sam, stop… please."

"No, your machine wants to understand us better, well this is an opportunity. I will go to hell and back for you and Gen, but I'm not cleaning up someone's mess just to keep some accountant from draining his boss's accounts if it puts anyone at risk."

Ms. Shaw, there are lives at stake- and while I don't know exactly how many, it appears to be over a dozen.

"Shit." Shaw looked over at Root who was calmly gazing back at her, expressionless. As Shaw's resolve began to fade, she smiled faintly at Root and nodded. Root's face came to life and she smiled lovingly at Sam, then leaned over and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"I figured you would come to the same conclusion I did. I do want you to know something- if you had decided the other way, I'd have backed you."

Sameen looked over at her love, saw she was serious and got a lump in her throat. Swallowing, she smiled and said,

"I really want to apologize for ever doubting your priorities. The only excuse I have is that all this feelings stuff is new to me.

"I love you."

Root looked over with a brilliant smile and shining eyes. "Ditto."

"Would you two stop with the sappy stuff please? All we need right now is 'Unchained Melody' playing and I'll need a barf bag."

Shaw glanced back at Gen. "I have it on my playlist."

"Noooooo, please no." Gen's smile gave lie to her words. If truth be told, she loved Root and Shaw's relationship. Her life had never seemed more perfect.

"So what's the plan with this number you've got?"

Root turned toward the back seat.

"We are going to check into the hotel, leave you and Bear and head to where our all-seeing friend wants us to go. I'll let Harold and Lionel know what's up before we get to Winslow so they can cover any unforeseen circumstances."

Gen was way too smart to miss that.

"Wait a minute, you mean if something happens to the two of you don't you." Gen's face darkened.

Root jumped in. "Gen, we do things that are dangerous at times. We are very good at what we do, but stuff happens. We are just being careful."

"I don't think I like this, can't I go with you?"

"No!"

This from both of them. Shaw decided to have a try.

"Gen, this is what we do- and it's no different than if we worked for the cops or the fire department. We have to sometimes take risks and while everything should be fine, we also have to plan for a worst-case scenario.

"We'll be fine. We are, after all the best in this particular business."

"Plus Gen, Sam and I have fought against the best the Government has to offer and they've yet to beat us, this will be a piece of cake."

Root had no idea how wrong she was.