"Backseat drivin'," Billy-Ray muttered. That was all he needed. The Texan's next words held the kind of frustrated annoyance anyone adopted at being told what to do by someone less adept at it than they were. "If you think you can take over, be my guest. Hell, if you can take over, I'll even let you decide where we go. S'long as it's not a Gaol." The pair began moving, slowly at first, then steadily picking up speed; and just before the strain of traveling so quickly overtook him again, the Texan managed to shoot over his shoulder, "and I got plenty of stamina."

Some things, apparently, never changed. Even across alternate realities. That was encouraging.

~~

Father O'Reilly nodded solemnly, following Solomon's gaze to the crucifix in front of the altar. He knew this might not even have anything to do with God. Forgiving other people was an act nearly everyone found almost impossible to achieve, but for some, the difficulty doubled when it came to forgiving themselves. Solomon was clearly a man who didn't forgive easily. Why should he expect any different from the people and beings around him?

It would take time. But Father O'Reilly had faith that, in time, the forgiveness would come. Because, for one thing, Solomon had belatedly added the word 'yet' - perhaps without even realising it.

Unfortunately, Father O'Reilly had been using this opportunity to help himself just as much as Solomon. Now that the distraction was over, he couldn't help his thoughts wandering back to the meeting that now seemed more inevitable than ever. And he couldn't quite stop himself asking a question that would likely leave him feeling even more apprehensive than before, no matter what the answer. "How long do you believe this... stand-off will take?"

Maybe it would help distract Solomon, instead. That could be some good.