Hooooly @#$^, this thing was a space car. No key? He grabbed the handle, and, lo and behold, there was an unlocky sound, and he opened it right up.

Was he going to survive this car? He looked nervously to Shelby before climbing on in and looking down at where the ignition would be.... Nothing. There was a button off to the side that said 'START'. He slowly reached out and pushed it. It yelled at him for not having his foot on the break.

He tried again, with his foot on the break. It said it was on. "Shelby, the engine ain't kickin on. Is this thing okay?"

He poked at some things to try and get the engine to start, and started to go misty eyed at all of the information he was getting; there was a GPS thingy, an eco monitor, what ever the heck that was, average mileage, a lane monitor, heat and cooling diagnostics, sound calibration, bruetooth connection, and so, so much more. He couldn't find out how to get the damn engine to turn on. He looked down at the gear shift.

The gear shift was missing. "Where... How do you shift it?" He looked around somewhat panicked as the car was beginning to thoroughly defeat his psyche simply by existing. There was no speedometer. Why was there no speedometer?

What even was the world anymore?

She giggled as she buckled in and her dad wedged himself in the back. "It's a Hybrid. The engine will kick on when the battery needs to be recharged." She leaned in to poke at the display, until it showed what she was talking about.

"Use that knob to shift from park to drive, and reverse." one of his long arms pointed out the shifter just below the display. Colin was having ball with it.

Once shifted from park, the screen would light up. Reverse would show the backup cam as well as annoyingly persistent beeping, drive would show a different display.

"It's gonna be different getting used to it, but you'll see its not that different."

"It had the best safety ratings!"

This was. This was a lot.

No gear shifty lever. It was a knob. No starty uppy revvie engine. It only turned on to charge the battery. Still no #@$^ing speedometer.

He slowly, hesitantly put it into reverse, eyeing the backup cam for a moment, and then looking to his fiance in the passenger seat. He didn't need a backup cam, he could feel everything they might back into. He was his own backup cam. He would have to find a way to turn it off. Maybe Mirror could show him. If they could figure out the X-Jet they could figure out a Prirus, right?

Well, it was a free car, and he was still thankful, super thankful, but he was gonna need a while to figure this thing out.

Maybe some MacDronalds would make him feel better.

"Drivethrough." He stated plainly after having backed out. Once he was facing the right way, he glided soundlessly out of the mansions front gate.

***Fin***

They were going on a road trip. Technically eloping, if the shiny rings on her finger had anything to say about it.

It was Saph's first timeout of the state, and she wanted it to be special. Her dad would be coming along for the drive down and flying back up so that they could have a typical honeymoon. Five days for the trip down, two days in Vegas, and a week taking their sweet time back.

She made sure to pack all the necessities. Socks, underwear, anti-nausea tools, power cords, her camera. Sooo many pairs of yoga pants and loose half dressed to accommodate her growing belly. She helped Saph pack as well, expertly stuffing all of their gear into one large suitcase.

The day of the trip came fast and they swung by to pick up he dad from his new place. A medium sized house in a nicer area of the city. He was already establishing roots, too. Many of the locals were endeared to him already.

After she crammed her father and his bags in, they were back on the road. She'd worked with Saph to get a good playlist ready for the trip. Heck, she'd even gone out an get an actual license so she could help drive if needed... not that either of them would let her.

As they headed out of town, she found herself leaning back in her seat comfortably. One hand resting on her belly, the other on the middle console entwined with her Fiance's. Her dad in the bad, her mom's ashes in the glass heart around her neck. She felt content. It had been a long time since that feeling had crept up.

--

The first stop of the trip was Washington DC. She demanded a picture of her giving the double-bird-salute to the Congress building, and also a picture of the Lincoln Memorial... and she tried her hardest to get Saph to do something funny with Colin in it.

She was torn between going to the National Gallery of Art, or the Air and Space Museum. She ultimately chose space, because it would be more entertaining for everyone... and she wanted a goddamn picture of herself in a shuttle replica!

And, of course, she had to take Saph to the National Spy Museum.

He was leaving the city he'd called home for 35 years. To elope, and see the rest of the country. It was long overdue, and completely overwhelming. Heck, he was still getting used to driving the space car!

Even so, with his girl's hand in his, and that goofy man in the back, everything really seemed like it was going to be just fine.

And it really was. They'd gone to a lot of places, and he got to see a lot of things that he'd never even thought of. For some reason Shelby saw iy fit to flip off the capitol building; Saph didn't follow politics so much, so he figured it was probably justified. He leaned against the lincoln memorial while her dad flitted with angels so that it could look like he was picking its nose. They went to a freaking space museum, and he learned more about the planets, some of which looked nothing like Shelby had painted them, and they saw replicas of real life spacecrafts.

He always wondered what space would be like. He'd even watched a good amount of viewtube on what would happen if you went into space without a suit and stuff. No one seemed to really agree, just that it would be bad and your blood would evaporate.

They ended at the spy exhibit, and Saph geeked out hardcore. Gadgets, man! He could have used so many of these when he was acting as the Judge! Not that it mattered a whole lot... Part of him wondered if he could kinda get back into it... Maybe not as violent as in the past, but... Shelby seemed open to it, and he got so much done when he maybe sorta broke due process a bit.

AAAAANYWAY, cool spy photo op with a pre-made background? Heck yeah!

She laughed at him a lot for geeking out because usually, that was her racket! When her dad started trying to barter with the staff about some of his older gadgets, she saw it fit to call it a day. The found a decent little hotel along a popular route and spent the rest of the day resting by a pool and sleeping in a huge kingsize bed.

In the morning it was back onto the road with breakfast to go. Niagra falls was next on the list, and her dad was driving. She'd forced him to swear a vow of secrecy about the stop. Once they got close though, it was hard to keep it a secret any longer. After a hike from the parking lot to the viewing area, which she had to tap out of and be carried for the remainder, she headed or the railing that overlooked the falls. It was a lovely day, bright and clear. The light caught the mist curling up from below, casting rainbows across the expanse. She prepped her camera, before giving it to her dad so he could take a selfie of the three of them. Having a tall person around had its uses!

"New York is right over there!" She shouted over the roar of the falls, and pointed across the expanse.

The trip was great, the hotel was great, the sleep, or lack thereof, was great.

The Niagara falls were loud.

He almost didn't hear Colin chip in that he was afraid he might get a niagraine as he set Shelby down at the veiwpoint.

He couldn't help but stare at NYC from the vantage point and sigh. All of his life. Every experience, sans a couple of trips to strange deserted islands and crazy mutant utopias had been in a place he could close one eye and cover with his thumb.

That really put his life in perspective. He looked back to his soon to be wife and smiled. It had been a lot of shit to carve through, getting to where he currently was in life... But he had to say, he'd do it all again a thousand times... He never thought he was meant for this kind of feeling.

There wasn't an accurate word for it, but content would do.

Well, off to the next spot!

They made it to their next destination in record time now that Saph was driving again. Ohio wasn't as fancy as DC, that was for sure... but there were still things to Marvel at.

in particular, she deemed the West Side Market worthy of some time. The place huuuuge, and packed to the brim with vendors. She dragged Saph around for a while, finding a pair of bejeweled skull sunglasses that she seriously needed in her life. Her father found a huge foam hand with #1 Grandpa emblazoned on the front.

After they finished up at the market and had lunch, it was off to the next destination. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! Shelby was a huge fan... until she realized they held North Americas largest collection of Pirates. She spent her time in those exhibits hiding behind Saph like the coward she was, especially when a Gorilla named JoJo took an interest in her from the other side of the glass.

Gah! She hated monkeys!

Colin took most things in stride. He was that kinda guy. Saph's driving, though, was tough for anyone to just take in stride. During his time as copilot he slammed the invisible breaks like four thousand times before he fell asleep and open mouth snored the rest of the way to the next destination.

The gruff mutant got a bright pink shirt at the market that said '"That's what" -She' on it, which he thought was hilarious.

Cleveland wasn't bad. It was strange to walk around in a city that was so different than what he was used to, yet in some ways the same. He had a deliciuos polish boy sandwich, and had to hold back the jokes that came to mind based on the name... Heh, the thought of a catholic priest walking in and asking for a polish boy was even more entertaining than his new shirt.

When they got to the pirate monkey zoo exhibit, Saph raised an eyebrow as his lover hid behind him. "What? They're just like... furry us's. I mean, that one's even playing with his pirate hat!" Why did they even bother dressing them, anyway? The monkeys in the exhibit just threw the costumes off and pooped on them for the most part... Wait, how did they even get them on?

He asked a random employee, who answered with a solemn, but determined look on his face. "devotion."

He shrugged and looked back to Shelby before moving on to the next display, and further onto their next destination after.

Demons. That's what they were. Her dad patted her hair while cooing about how adorable her phobia was. She kicked him for it.

They stayed in town that night. A much smaller place, but still nice. Shelby moped about not being able to use the hot tub while the men enjoyed it. Colin told horrible jokes to Saph to cheer her up. It was all good fun!

The next morning they were on their way to Springfield, which was the next suggested stop on the map. They passed cornfields and wheat fields and corn fields.

And more corn fields...

more and more corn.

Ah! Tiny gas station!

The artist stepped out to stretch her legs and pee, then grabbed snacks for everyone. The guy behind the counter had a corncob pipe and a straw hat.

Someone on the porch was playing the banjo. She laughed nervously and decided they didn't really need to stop in Springfield anyway.

New Mexico!

They were in different terrain now. Scorching temperatures, no green in sight, buzzards circling overhead. There were caves to explore, old native structures to visit, and hot air balloooons! You get one guess for which one excited her the most. Colin excused himself due to a fear of heights, leaving the lovebirds by themselves. These particular balloons you could operate yourself after a quick lesson. Before she knew it, they were up in the air.

Desert stretched out on all sides. She leaned back in Saphs arms, nestled against his chest, and took it all in.

Colin had exhausted literally every corny pun in the book. Saph certainly wasn't all ears at this point, but schucks, at least he was out of stalk. He hated to admit he might think them funny, but there was a kernel of proof to it.

With middle America behind him, they were faced with end endless browns and gritty yellows of the desert. Hmm, Saph admitted he preferred a more city-like backdrop, though the greens of the more mountainy areas they'd passed had also appealed to him. The desert? Not so much.

Still, the hot air balloon ride was a cool experience. Saph wasn't the least bit afraid of heights. He could practically freaking fly. He reminded himself to give Colin a hard time for the phobia, but for now it was best to enjoy the ride.

"Jees. It's a great view, huh... I would probably propose to you right now if you hadn't beat me to it." He chuckled, and leaned against the side of the basket, looking out into the endless wastes and holding her gently. "This is gonna be pretty great, isn't it? All of it."

"It already is." She tilted her head back to look up at him. "It can only get better from here."

A while later they landed, and it was onto the next destination. Colin spent the rest of the drive red-faced and grumpy from Saph harassing him about his fear of heights. Shelby kicked off their third karaoke rendition when 'Sand Man' rotate back through the playlist, as they headed through San Bernardino toward a very popular Scenic drive. The 'Rim of the world' highway. They stopped for gas and picnic food a ways back, so when they inevitably found a good spot to pull over she broke a blanket and the food out.

Lunch was almost over, with her and Colin deep in an argument about what elevation they were currently sitting at when an uninvited guest lumbered out of the woods toward their food. Shelby just about wet herself at the sight of a huge brown bear, scrambling for cover behind her superhero fiance. The animal padded closer, before stopping a few feet away and planting its giant butt on the ground. Beady brown eyes glanced from one face to another.

"Hey!" Its jaw opened slightly, and a voice came out. The bear waved a large, clawed paw. "How you all doin', ay? Don't get a lot of tourists who stop for long." It had a Canadian accent. Shelby stared at it incredulously from her safety spot.

A big black nose took a few long sniffs from the air. "Is that apple pie? Can I have a slice?"

When the bear fiasco resolved itself, they were back on the road. The net destination was Vegas, after five days of traveling across the states. Shelby left Saph to drive, while Colin snored away in the back.

"So you wanna do an Elvis wedding, or a classic priest one?" She paused for a second, pondering. I think there may be a superhero here that's technically a minister. 'Hombre Fantastico'!" She giggled at the pictures of the yellow, spandex wearing hero on her phone.

Their route actually went past Vegas, because Shelby really wanted to see some sorta scenic route in Cali. Saph didn't mind. Everything they'd seen so far was beautiful. It was hot as all getup around here, but they had the AC in the car, which was pretty nice.

They stopped for a picnic on the way, settling down in a scenic overlook. It was nice, though still hot. He wiped sweat from his brow as he tried to find a way to bring up that they were high up here, and Colin should be careful, but was interrupted by an actual bear.

A bear. Saph was on his feet, crowbar in his hand and ready to beat the crap out of a giant ursine mammal. He'd fought worse. Hell, he'd beat the crap out of a tiger once. This was close to that, right?

The bear started talking... In a canadian accent. He knew the accent, he lived close enough to recognize it. The bear sat and asked for food. He stared blankly, and looked over to Colin. Oh jees. He was about to pun.

He couldn't bear not to say it. He asked if the talking animal was going to eat with his bear arms... The polite canadian laughed it off, and they shared a pie. It was just about the most bizarre moment of the trip so far, but at least they got a lot of hilarious pictures out of it. They'd gone for a picture story in which they encountered a wild bear, fought it off, got cornered, and colin defeated it with a sheet of loose leaf notebook paper while Saph was KO'd and Shelby cowered.

It was a good boost to the father in law's ego after the height thing.

After they got their laughs in, Vegas was next. Saph gave in to getting married via Superhero. He wasn't familiar with the guy, so it would be interesting, right? All that mattered in the end was that they tied the knot!

Hombre Fantastico was 90 years old.

They got to a little-themed chappel where costumed villains greeted them. Shelby was given a blue and white costume with an eye wrap and a cape. Saph was decked out in purple and black. Tights didn't look all that different from spandex. Colin got roped into being a sidekick, though the green and red costume didn't quite fit him.

They said their short pre-prepared vows with a hunched retired superhero hovering a few feet off the ground between them, with giant neon POW and BLAM signs hanging in the background.

A cringe-worthy memorial photo was taken with Hombre Fantastico trying to jokingly kiss the groom. Shelby laughed herself to tears the whole way until their next destination while changing her Bookface profile picture to their new wedding photo.

She had splurged on a hotel in Vegas for the both of them. The place wasn't even that expensive, but she had made sure to nab them the room with a view and a very comfortable bed.

Her dad spent one more day with them hitting up all of the casinos within walking distance, before catching a flight home... and then they were by themselves. Their official honeymoon commenced. She treated him like a king the first night with something special she had planned and room service so they wouldn't have to set a single toe outside. The next day she left it for him to decide what to do and simply followed along happy, intentionaly accidentally showing off her ring to pretty much anyone with working eyes.

They had the rest of the week at their disposal. They could do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. All the time in the world.

Oh Jees, this guy was old as dirt.

Dirt looked at him, and was all like 'Woah, slow down there Old timer'

Still, Shelby looked cute in her costume. Saph inquired about taking it home, maybe. It was possible, for a fee. He slyly slipped the money to them after the ceremony. And oh, what a ceremony it was. It had everything, including villains interrupting half way through, choreographed couple punches to defeat them, and a 90 year old man trying to kiss him with tongue.

The last part he could have done without.

But that was it. They were officially man and wife.

They caught some shows, they had some laughs, and he carried her through the threshold into the hotel... Partly because she didn't want to walk anymore. Time honored traditions aside, he proudly presented her super hero costume, and prompted a very heroic fade to black.

By the time they left, Colin had spent all of his trip budget trying to win big at the casinos, and boarded his plane with a grumble.

They were free for a week of... Doing what ever.

They checked out of the hotel room, and climbing into the car, where he looked at her with a slight smile, and reached out to hold her hand.

"Where we goin now, my beautiful wife? Off into the sunset?" It was mid-day.