beyondtheline | I sure like the feeling of an endless road

[She doesn't know why she's afraid of cops. She could kill them in an instant if she wanted to. But she can't control the way she freezes up and goes timid in front of them, can't stop her fingers from curling into the back of Johnnie's jacket. Cops are bad news, especially ones that have been called specifically to find them.]

I -

[Her voice shakes a little, and she figures that goes along just fine with how she's trembling.]

I'm okay. Johnnie's my boyfriend. We were just stopping before heading back home.

[The light stays focused on the both of them, and the cops look to each other before slowly making their way in toward them.]

Why don't you come with us, honey, and we'll get you looked over. Johnnie can follow us to the hospital.

[That makes her panic rise up even more, and she shakes her head. It's becoming hard to control her emotions, and she has to try so she doesn't accidentally blow these guys up and cause a lot of trouble.]

No! I don't want to go to a hospital. I just want to go home.

[One of the cops makes a sympathetic sound and moves in close enough that he can reach out to grab Chrissy by the arm and gently pull her into the open. She stumbles along but does give a little tug to try and pry her arm free. He doesn't relent his hold on her, not even when he notices her shaking like a leaf. His partner keeps his flashlight on Johnnie as she's looked over.]

Come on, then. Let's get you back to Ed before you two worry him sick.

[Ed? They're on a nickname basis with the guy? Gross. Chrissy gives a harder tug of her arm as the cop that's holding her starts walking. She goes along with him for now, but glances back at Johnnie with a look that's asking how he wants to handle this. The method these two are clearly using is separating them to try and get a resolution.

As soon as he notices his partner forcibly escorting Chrissy over to the car, the other cop looks Johnnie up and down.]

Your daddy said you crashed your bike right into his house. Got that girl's nose busted up somehow. Her parents are probably up worried sick about her. Want to tell me what you're doing with her out at this hour, son?

[The smart thing to do would be to play along, to go with them. Easier to get away from his dad again than the cops.

But "smart" doesn't describe how Johnnie is feeling right now as his anger boils up at the cop manhandling Chrissy like that. She's fucking terrified and she's probably seconds away from snapping and sending these two bastards into a fucking black hole where they deserve to be - but he doesn't want to make her do that, she already pulled them here, and who knows how much it puts her through to do this shit. A nosebleed is just a nosebleed, but there's stuff under the surface he bets neither of them see.

So he catches her glance back at him, but it's just a fleeting look. He doesn't have the patience to plan or any big ideas here. He has a loaded gun tucked away in his jeans that's definitely illegally acquired, a whole lot of stolen jewelry in the bike, and zero desire to get in a cop car. They don't play nice and give free rides, they'll search his shit, he knows this. He's already some kind of suspect for some stupid bullshit crime they've made up in their heads and they'll pin it on him whether they have evidence or not because it's what cops do.]

She didn't do nothing. Let her go.

[Cops play by dumb rules that they make up on the fly but he's pretty sure they can't force her to go with them if she's not under arrest. Johnnie, meanwhile, he plants his feet and doesn't budge. He's not answering that question.

The cop facing him sighs and he feels so fucking patronized by it, but he keeps his hands steady, rather than clocking the guy square in the jaw.]

You come with us back to your daddy's place, or you come with me to the station, son, those are your choices. I'm asking nicely, here, I don't mean to be unreasonable. Come on, now.

[He beckons, takes a half-step back like Johnnie might just be talked into coming to the car if he's nice enough. It's that or the handcuffs. There's enough that's fishy here where he sees plenty of reason to break those out if it comes to it.]

No. He's the one who hit her.

[Now that's a blatant lie, but Johnnie says it with absolute conviction. If nothing else maybe it'll confuse these two bastards for long enough that they slip up. Fuck it, if they have to fight these two off and bail, he's ready for it. He's itching for it.]

[She's being ushered into the backseat of the cop car, but she's able to hear Johnnie say that. Her eyes go wide and she promptly turns to sit silently in the seat because she isn't sure she can lie to a cop. She's more likely to burst into tears, which would be a problem.]

Now why would he call us if he's the one who hit her?

[Still, the way the kid says it seems like he genuinely believes it. So he's confused, and isn't really sure what to think.]

Go on and get your bike and follow us back to the house. We'll sort things out there.

[He can tell that Johnnie isn't going to be a willing participant in any of this, so he figures adding some extra incentive might be helpful.]

We can either do this the easy way or the hard way. And I don't know about you, son, but I'd prefer it if she didn't have to see you in handcuffs. I don't want to upset her more than she already is.

[Back in the car, Chrissy isn't speaking to the cop that's questioning her. She's told him her first name, but that's about it.]

How old are you, sweetheart?

[That question makes her turn her head so she can look at him, but she doesn't say anything.]

Sixteen? That looks about right.

[She turns her gaze downward and refuses to answer. He sighs and reaches over to pat her on the shoulder like he's comforting her.]

Don't you worry. We'll make sure he doesn't get near you again.

[It's obvious he's talking about Johnnie and not Ed, and that's what sets Chrissy off into pure upset. Tears come to her eyes and she shakes her head, and tries darting out of the backseat.]

Johnnie!

[Her control slips as panic settles in, and she's thankfully knocked out of it as the cop grabs her by the arm and puts her back in the car and shuts the door. He's had enough of these kids already, and they haven't gotten them anywhere near being back home yet.]

[Fuck. Fine. They'll need to get away from the cops somehow and it seems like cooperating is the best way to do that, if they'll just drop them off and leave. Probably it won't be that easy though, they'll probably have questions, especially with him blaming Papa for Chrissy's nosebleed.

Fuck. Well, no winning this one.]

Yeah. I'll follow.

[Man, what the fuck is he going to do, though? Well, no time to plan. They're going to have to deal with whatever happens as it happens. Johnnie hops on his motorcycle, gets the engine started, and suffers the slow drive back those few blocks.

The cop car pulls up in his Papa's driveway, and Johnnie parks the motorcycle on the curb but doesn't immediately hop up to go join them all. If he has to bail, he wants to already be on the street.

And there's his stupid asshole father, waiting, ready to open the door right as one of the cops gets out to knock, while the other offers her a hand out of the back seat and holds the door for her like pigs can be gentlemen or some shit.]

Evening, sir. We found them just down the street.

[Papa looks from Chrissy to Johnnie, the tiredness in his eyes showing. It's late. Or early. This isn't how he wanted to start the day.]

Thanks for looking after them, officer. Johnnie, come on over.

[Johnnie bristles, and very nearly stays exactly where he is. But he takes a second and a half to think on it, then hops off and slowly strides toward the door. He's a lot of things right now - pissed off, for sure - but he's no coward.]

We told you we were on our way. What the hell more d'you want, old man?

[On the short ride over, she learns that the cop that had his hands on her is named Harry and the other is named Marv. Which is a stupid name, but whatever. They make promises that they're going to lock Johnnie up so he can't hurt her or something, and so the second Harry escorts her out of the car she's pulling away and making a beeline for Johnnie.

Her arms wrap around him on impact, and she clings to him even as the cops approach and try to pry her off of him.]

She's real worked up, Ed. Won't tell us anything, though.

[Marv looks over to his partner trying to pull the girl off of Johnnie. She's doing a really good job of clinging to him. Maybe she's not afraid of the kid after all.]

The thing is, Ed, your boy told us that you're the one that hit her. Is that why she's so upset?

[Something clicks in her head, and Chrissy decides she's had enough.]

I'm upset because you keep trying to take me away from Johnnie and he's the only one I trust! He'd never hurt me. Ever. He's nothing like his dad.

[Does that count as her putting the blame on good old Ed? She doesn't care. She just wants the cops to leave. She also wants to make sure Johnnie's dad hears this next part, so she pulls free from Johnnie's arms on her own accord and turns to look him right in the eye.]

He grew up to be a good man. He protects me. Takes care of me every single day. He makes sure I'm safe. I'm never afraid of him.

[Johnnie catches Chrissy without breaking his gaze locked on his dad, whose face is currently contorting under some influx of confusion and anger himself at the false accusation.

Ed looks at Johnnie, at Chrissy, and then at the cops.]

I never - a good man doesn't lie.

[Johnnie snorts.]

You are so fucking full of it.

[The police look unsure as to what to do here - caught between letting these three handle this, or maybe bringing them all in. But Johnnie's father sees them about to ask more questions and shakes his head.]

Sorry to trouble you, officers. Thanks for bringing them back. I need to talk to my son. Johnnie, come on inside. Please.

[Johnnie breathes in a slow breath through his nose, gives Chrissy a squeeze, then takes a tentative step forward. He has no interest in talking, he just wants the cops to fuck off, but that's a good enough reason to cooperate for now.]

Fine. Okay? Fine. I'll come in. Long as those two clear out.

[Okay, so they're going inside. That's probably going to be fine. Chrissy spares a final glance back at the cops before she follows after Johnnie into the house. His dad shuts the door behind them and clicks the lock, and she hopes that's signal enough for the idiots outside to get the hell out of there.

She's giving this reunion five or ten minutes tops before they're leaving again.]

Why don't you go use the bathroom to clean up.

[Ed suggests, gesturing over to the hallway on the right.]

Second door on your left. Take all the time you need.

[She nods and heads that way, but rushes to wash her face and rinse away all the blood so she can get back as fast as she can. There's no way she's missing much of the conversation that's going to be happening. She comes back about a minute later, curiously watching the two to try and get a read on how things are going.]

Is everything okay?

[Johnnie glances toward the door Chrissy takes to go clean herself up, then decides, what the fuck. Now he's inside, there's no point standing by the door like some kind of scared child. He's going to swagger on inside and make himself comfortable, like he owns the place. He can be confident and fucking pissed off.

As he helps himself to a seat at the kitchen table, he also takes stock of the place. It's a decent house, small, furnished plainly, could have some real potential, but he sees the unwashed dishes piled up by the sink, and the occasional scattered bottles and cans. As much as Papa seems to want to pretend he's cleaned up and responsible now, that really doesn't look like it's completely true. Must have a job that pays well enough, must be able to function at that job, and then what, he comes home and drinks every evening until the next day? Fucking pathetic, and nothing new.

Ed sees his eyes wandering, of course, and settles into a chair at the table himself.]

So, are you going to tell me the truth about why you showed up here tonight?

[Johnnie rolls his eyes as he rests an arm on the tabletop.]

I didn't want anything from you. I really didn't fuckin' mean to smack into your house. Fuck, I mean, I just knew you lived around here somewhere but I wasn't even gonna stop by, I was on my way to San Francisco. It was an accident an' that's the fuckin' truth, okay? I didn't even know this was your place until you came out an' fuckin' yelled at us.

[That's both the truth and not the entire truth all at once, and Chrissy goes to sit in the chair next to Johnnie's despite the temptation to climb into his chair with him. This is his father, she can control herself for at least ten minutes.

Ed watches her as she sits down, and rather than addressing anything Johnnie's just said he decides to try and keep the peace.]

So, are you two serious?

[She realizes he's talking to her more than Johnnie.]

Oh, I'm Chrissy. Me and Johnnie have been together for...oh gosh, about four months now, I guess.

[Ed takes this in and slowly nods in response.]

So you're not married.

[That makes Chrissy laugh, and she gives Johnnie a small nudge beneath the table.]

No, not yet.

[Is that a vague enough answer? She hopes it is, because she's not elaborating any. This guy just isn't going to get what she and Johnnie have together. There's no way.]

What, you're gonna take a fuckin' interest now?

[Honestly, the only reason Johnnie doesn't storm off immediately is to give the cops plenty of time to decide they're not wanted and to clear out. If they're still parked out there taking notes or some bullshit, he doesn't want any part of it.

But really and truly, fuck this asshole for deciding to ask questions now or whatever this bullshit 4 am interrogation is.

Ed raises his hands in a pleading sort of gesture.]

My youngest son drops in out of the blue and you don't expect me to ask questions? I'm just trying to understand here, Johnnie. I'm not your enemy.

[Johnnie snorts, clenching a fist.]

Oh yeah, like hell you aren't. You know what, though? Don't you dare fuckin' apologize for "not being there" or some shit. We didn't need you anyway.

[Her poor baby, he really hates this. Chrissy's heart aches for him, and she reaches over to rest her hand at his knee and rub the area a little. She's here for him, even if she isn't sure what to say to his dad. She wants to be polite, but she also wants to say fuck that guy and just leave.]

I think you need to understand that the way you treated Johnnie, his brothers, and their mom when they were kids means they may never forgive you. You put them through hell, you know?

[Ed glances over at her, surprised she knows so much about things. They must be serious if she knows the other boys and their mama. It's like she's a part of the family already. He doesn't say anything right away, too busy thinking about how this girl fits in with the family he left behind. Chrissy takes advantage of the opportunity and keeps talking.]

You can't just beat your wife and expect everything to be okay just because you think enough time has passed.

[She leans forward as she says it, a perfectly polite smile on her face. She never was able to confront her own parents about the abuse they dealt to her for seventeen years. Here and now, she's able to confront Johnnie's monster. And that's therapeutic for her somehow.

Ed's about three shades paler and looks like he might be sick.]

I'm not going to apologize.

[He looks to Johnnie, his eyes pleading.]

I know what I did was wrong. But I'm a different man now. And I want to be there if you'll let me.

[Shit, that's a dick move. Chrissy hurries to grab hold of Johnnie's hand and gives it a tight squeeze.]

Bullshit.

[Johnnie stands abruptly and slams his hands down on the table - one part intimidation, one part trying to keep himself from crossing the last two feet it would take to hit the guy himself.]

If you were different we woulda heard from you before tonight. You woulda shown up, said a real apology, paid us all back for every fuckin' year you put us through before and after you got dragged out the front door. Hell, even that wouldn't do it, but it'd be a start. 'Course, you won't do that 'cause you're fuckin' scared, I know it.

[As he should be. Johnnie is managing to keep his anger entirely verbal. He's not so sure Alex and Dale would be so kind.

Ed flinches back from the slam of the hands, still not recovered from what Chrissy said and now dealing with this all on top of it. But being labeled a coward? Too far. He clenches his jaw, a spark of anger of his own in there somewhere as he finds words for a reply. The look in his eyes is one that reminds Johnnie of Dale, really. It's more familiar than anything else has been so far.]

I fought for this country. You can call me all kinds of things, Johnnie, but I'm no coward. Watch your tongue.

Bullshit.

[This is going to bad places really quickly. She doesn't mean to be overwhelmed by the anger in the room, but seeing a man she doesn't know get so angry makes her skin crawl. She hops up to her feet and worries her hands together, trying to ground herself. The last thing she needs to do is give in to her rapidly mounting emotions.]

I gotta go outside.

[She whispers to Johnnie, and her tiny hands ball up into angry little fists as she hurries out the front door. The cops are gone, thank fuck, and she's able to go over into the driveway to pace and try to get herself to calm down. The nerve of this guy to talk to Johnnie like that, after everything he put him through!

She knows that making his dad explode on accident would essentially be a hard end to their relationship, and he'd probably hate her forever. So she has to do whatever she can to stay calm and in control.

Back inside, Ed and Johnnie are having a stare down. He's not going to say something until Johnnie does. It's taking all of his restraint not to reach across the table and slap the boy for being such a little shit. He opens his mouth to speak as the sound of the front door draws his attention.

Chrissy comes back into the room looking close to tears, and she's not all that confident as she looks between the two men.]

Johnnie? I think we should go. Before someone gets hurt.

[She means his dad. She doesn't want to hurt his dad, and doesn't think he wants to hurt him either.]

Yeah. Let's get the fuck out.

[Before he does something stupid, like breaking this dude's jaw. It's so tempting but it would definitely make the situation worse. The cops would be back for real, and not so easy to get rid of.

And speaking of, Chrissy suggesting they should go after she went outside must mean the coast is clear. Johnnie straightens up, only to lunge at Ed again - just a step forward, just a threat, just to remind him to stay the fuck back and keep his hands and stupid words to himself.

And so despite whatever protests or pleas or promises may follow, Johnnie turns his back and makes for Chrissy, and for the front door, which he slams closed behind him once they're both outside. He's unusually quiet as he strides his way toward the bike, hops on, and turns the radio full blast.

It takes him a few seconds of driving before he snarls and slaps at the handlebar as a pathetic little way of letting out his anger.]

I shoulda fuckin' punched his face in for that bullshit. I can't believe him!

[She stays quiet for a little longer, letting him vent. All she does is rub at his back and be there for him. It's hard to verbalize what she was so upset about, but he's given her a good opening.]

I was afraid I was going to lose control and kill him on accident or something. Does he really think he can just act like nothing ever happened? He's delusional.

[A kiss is pressed to the back of his neck, and she leans forward to more fully recline against him and hold on. She has a feeling he's going to drive faster and faster, just so they can get far out of this stupid city.]

You're better than he is, you know. You could've beat him up. You should've beat him up. But you didn't.

[Johnnie has no idea where they are, of course. A neighborhood like this in the east bay? Could be fucking anywhere. But for now, he's picked a direction and is just going to drive. They'll see signs for something eventually. Getting away is what's important.]

Yeah. Yeah, fuck him. Man, he's fuckin' lucky it's me he tried that with, that's all I gotta say. He got off easy. You saw he's missin' a thumb, right? That was Alex.

[Alex, always protecting them. Fuck. Maybe he should give Alex a call. Or Mama. Someone, to warn then in case Papa decides something really stupid like trying to call them after this incident, trying to spin it somehow in his favor - not that any of them would believe a word out of that bastard's mouth.]

Maybe you should try calling him. I bet he's still home.

[She's so, so grateful for Alex. He's always protecting everyone, but especially his family. If he had been here tonight, she's not so sure Ed would be alive right now.]

Let's drive until we get a few towns away and then we can find a gas station and use the payphone.

[They run the risk of potentially ending up in another time completely, but at least for right now they seem to be in 1967. It shouldn't be too hard to get ahold of Alex.

Driving for another fifteen to twenty minutes has her pointing out an approaching gas station, and she waits for him to park before hopping off. There's thankfully pay phones right outside the building, and she reaches into her pockets to find some coins to hand over to him.]

I'm gonna try finding a bathroom while you call your brother. I have to pee so bad after being so afraid and then angry.

Yeah yeah, go on.

[The drive has calmed him down some, thankfully. He tugs her in for a quick kiss, full of appreciation even if it's brief, then lets her go so he can grab the phone and lean back against the wall of the booth.

His timing is good - Alex picks up. Home before dawn.]

Hey man, you got a minute? I got a story for ya.

[Because this definitely requires some context - the storm, Chrissy pulling them through time and space and all that darkness, the cops. It's all important for Alex to understand exactly why Johnnie ended up at their dad's doorstep.

Somehow he can feel through the phone not just Alex's anger, but also a feeling of waiting for the other foot to drop. But it never comes.]

Yeah, so we just fuckin' bailed after the cops left. I couldn't handle hangin' around there another second, I woulda made him lose a few teeth.

[Alex exhales, on the other end - a sound like an angry bull thinking about charging horns-first.]

Fuck. You should've. He deserves it.

[Johnnie nods, as he watches for Chrissy to come back out.]

Yeah. Yeah, he fuckin' does. But he's apparently buddy-buddy with the cops now or some shit. Didn't wanna make a shitty situation even worse.

[Chrissy emerges from the back of the building, looking a lot less tense now that she's peed. Seeing Johnnie on the phone has her jogging over, and she waits for him to finish before taking the phone out of his hand so she can talk to Alex.]

Hey, Alex. Maybe you should tell your mom Ed might reach out. I think us showing up really freaked him out, and I don't know if he'd try to talk to your mom about it.

[Alex sounds really pissed off, but agrees to talk to her in the morning. She thanks him and wishes him well, and he tells her to watch out for Johnnie.]

Yeah, we'll keep an eye on each other. Just like we always do. I love you, Alex, okay? Be safe.

[It's the first time she's verbally said that she loves him, and he really isn't sure how to handle it. He knows she means it in the familial sense though, and the exhale he gives in response is warm and amused. The phone is handed back to Johnnie and she leans over against the nearby brick wall. The sun will be coming up soon enough. She's able to take in the glow on the horizon and notices how crappy this little town they're in looks.]

[Johnnie says his goodbyes and hangs up, and then goes to join her, standing there and watching the horizon. It's not a terrible thing to do for five seconds while his brain calms down and catches up. He lights himself a smoke for lack of anything harder on hand.]

Okay. Where the fuck are we, even? What's -

[He turns to look at the gas station sign. "Marv's Gas 'n' Go". Great, not helpful. Gas stations should all be named after towns for his convenience.]

Okay, well. I know he lives in Oakland, or somethin' close enough to Oakland to call it that, but that don't really help, 'cause we went for a while. Lemme gas up the bike while we're here, an' then maybe we drive around until we figure out where we are an' what we wanna do next. But I gotta offload the sparkly shit before we get stopped by cops again, y'know. Just in case. So... Look for signs, look for a pawn shop.

[Just, in a minute. After he finishes the cigarette. They can't pay for a motel room without cash anyway, but after all that, he's sure not tired.]

[When it seems like he's had his fill of the cigarette, she holds out her hand so he can pass it off to her. She just needs one or two drags to take the edge off her nerves.]

There has to be a pawn shop somewhere in a place like this. We'll find one, don't worry.

[But there is a little concern on her part. If they don't sell any of that stuff, then they'll be out of luck as far as food and hotels go. They don't need to stay indoors, she's fine sleeping outside. Her head turns as she slowly exhales smoke, and she passes the cigarette off to him.]

Hey, I just wanted to say sorry again. For pulling us here in the first place. We probably should've just stuck out the storm and tried to make it through it, huh?

[He takes the cigarette back to finish it off, then flicks the butt to the ground and stuffs his hands in his pockets.]

Oh, I dunno. That coulda been real bad. I don't think a canyon's a place to be caught in one a' those, we woulda been blown up into the sky with all the rest of that shit. Mighta met the stars.

[Which is nowhere near as romantic as it sounds.]

Don't apologize. We're here, not hurt, not extra-dead, so it worked out just fine. Life ain't always fun but we make it through so we can have the good times, right?

Yeah. That's right. Everything will be a lot more fun from here on out.

[His outlook makes her smile, and she grabs hold of his shirt to pull him in close for a slow kiss. It's nice and sweet, and leaves her grinning as she lets him go and they head back to the bike.

She goes to try and get the gas started, but realizes she's never pumped gas before in her entire life and ends up just taking the nozzle off the pump and holding it out for him to take.]

Maybe if we rest enough we can go out dancing before we find some places to steal from.

[They did just go out with Cid and Angel, but it's been a while since they've been out just themselves to go dancing. This time they won't drink so much so they can show everyone up. That would cheer them both up.]

[Something about her standing there waiting with the hose in hand makes him chuckle, and he comes to retrieve it so he can fill up the tank.]

Yeah? Like tomorrow night, you mean? Sounds nice.

[She's doing her best to help cheer him up, and it's working. She's too damn cute for him to stay mad for long. They left his Papa in the dust where he fucking belongs and there's no point dwelling on their meeting when it's just going to make him feel pissed off again. He'd much rather look forward to a night of dancing.]

Y'know, something we oughta try sometime is keepin' some stuff from this time, or even earlier, an' sellin' it in the future to an antiques place. Find the right dealer, I bet they'll pay top dollar for somethin' they think is real old but somehow in perfect condition.

We'd be real time bandits then.

[The idea makes Chrissy grin, and she decides to reward him for being so smart by pressing in close to him. Sometimes it's nice to just exist in the same space.]

Let's pick out the junkier stuff and sell it at the first place we find. But save the expensive looking things for when we land in the future. We'll have to make it there eventually.

[Her fingers tap at his chest as she speaks, and she laughs a little as she imagines them rolling around in piles of money. Maybe they could even make out on top of it. Yeah, that'd be fun.]

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