The drive was calming and nice. The wind was cool as it blew into the car, and it was just you and Bruno in the car driving around. You felt relaxed, feeling the wind hit your skin. You had already ridden miles away from town, and now you were going through the hills in Bruno's car.

   " We'll have our picnic somewhere around here. "

   " Fine with me. I trust you. "

   " I would hope you do by now. "

   " I do. "

   " And I trust you. "

Bruno placed one of his hands on yours and kept the other on the wheel. 

   " Put your hand back on the wheel. I don't wanna die today. "

   " I try to be romantic. "

   " You're just picking the wrong times. You can hold my hand when we're not in a moving object. "

   " In that case we're here. "

Bruno pulled the car over to the edge of the road and slowed down before parking. You got out of the car while Bruno got the picnic basket out. You looked in front of you and saw an empty field with trees here and there. The grass wasn't tall, and the temperature made it perfect for a picnic. Bruno went to the side you were standing on and grabbed your hand.

   " Let's go. If we walk a little ways then we can find a few trees in the field. "

You nodded and allowed him to pull you into the field. You walked beside him and found a tree to sit under. Bruno opened the basket and pulled out a checkered picnic blanket, and he set it on the ground. He patted the blanket down and set the picnic basket on top of it so the wind wouldn't pick it up. He gestured for you to take a seat, and you sat down beside him. You helped him pull out drinks and the food inside of the basket. When they were all set out on the blanket, you started eating the sandwiches and foods in front of you. It was all delicious, and you enjoyed your time eating and talking with Bruno. You talked about everything at that moment. He opened up about what was going on a work a little more than what he told you originally, and you talked to him about college and what has happened on campus since Christmas. 

   " So, tell me why you're going to work so early and leaving so late? "

   " I think I've told you already but people from higher up are coming down and observing us closer than usual. I guess they're trying to fill in a position for someone somewhere or they're looking for someone to promote. With their eyes looking over every detail of our reports and breathing on our necks everyone is working harder to show them they're doing their job correctly. "

   " Shouldn't they have been doing that already? It's their job, they should be doing it. "

   " Yeah, and they're just now realizing how much work they haven't finished or completed. So, when they realize they need me to sign off on things because I'm the main detective in the force here, they shove all of their papers in my hands. And when I tell them I can't sign them, they get frustrated. "

   " What kind of stuff are you signing off on? "

   " If they followed procedures right, if the task was completed, and if they got it signed within the year it happened. "

   " Most of them weren't? "

   " Right, and when they realize this they have to write the report all over again, with any new information, and then I can sign it because if I don't sign it then that means the case is still open or unsolved. "

   " So, they have to update it with new information because it remained open for so long. "

   " Yeah, it's stupid but it has to be done. I don't make the rules I just make sure I'm doing my job and everything goes smoothly. "

   " You need to transfer. "

   " I know I should. This isn't really the best police force and my skills could be used somewhere else, but for right now I'm just. . .trying to get through the state coming in and observing us. Maybe after they leave I'll transfer. No one but me is doing their job and it sucks because it could get me in trouble eventually. "

   " I'm sorry. "

   " Don't apologize. You haven't done anything. "

   " I"m sorry for your situation. You should be treated better than that. "

   " Thanks, I appreciate it, but it's life. RIght now I'm just waiting for the state to leave and then I might transfer. "

   " What if the state gives you the promotion? "

   " That would be a miracle. Usually, I go to the crime scene and investigate what could have happened, and develop theories. Once I've done those two things then my job is over and then other people take over, leaving me to only sign that the case is over. "

   " But I thought you were supposed to help find the criminal or the suspect. "

   " I am, but the system we have here shoves me aside because they constantly belittle my position. But don't worry about me, everything will work out and I'll be out of here after this is over. "

   " Good, you can find some place to work that's better. "

Bruno nodded and reached for the last sandwich half that was on the plate, but you grabbed it and took a bite from it.

   " Hey, I wanted that. " He said, pouting.

   " You snooze you lose. "

   " That's just mean you know. Do you treat Maria like this? " He asked in a teasing tone. 

   " Yes, we act like this to each other. It's our friendship. "

   " I feel sorry for Maria. "

   " Ouch!  Make me feel like the bad guy here. "

You stood up from the picnic blanket and held the sandwich in front of him. He reached out to grab it, but you pulled your hand back and started taking a few steps backward.

   " If you want it, come and take it from me. "

   " You said so. "

Bruno stood from the picnic blanket and took a few steps towards you to get the sandwich from you. You continued to back up and keep the sandwich away from him while taking a bite from it here and there. At one point, you turned and started running, but Bruno followed after you, laughing.

   " Why are you even chasing after me? The sandwich is already halfway gone. "

   " Because it's fun to run around. "

   " You have the body of a man but the soul of an energetic child. "

   " You're telling me. " 

Bruno eventually caught up to you and put his arms around your waist, and pulled you into his chest, trapping you from running. You stuffed the rest of the sandwich into your mouth so he couldn't finish it off. 

   " Hey! " Bruno laughed, seeing you stuff the sandwich into your mouth. 

You swallowed the food and chuckled at Bruno's pouting expression. Above you, both the clouds were coming together and growing darker. A few drops of rain started to drop from the dark clouds and hit the ground. You felt a few drops hit your arms, and you realized it was going to start raining.

   " Looks like it's about to start raining. Should we pack everything up? "

   " Yeah, let's pack everything up and drive home. I'll make you some hot chocolate and we can watch some movies at the house. "

   " Sounds good to me. Let's go pack up. "

Bruno walked back to where your picnic stuff was and put everything back in the picnic basket. He took the basket and walked to the car to put it inside while you folded the picnic blanket. The raindrops started falling more frequently, and by the time Bruno made it back to you, it was pouring.

   " Let me see the picnic blanket. "

You handed him the picnic blanket, and he unfolded it. He covered both of you with the blanket so you wouldn't get so wet from the raindrops. He handed you one end, and you took it, holding it above your head. Bruno held the other half above his head, and you both were covered.

   " Well, we should have brought an umbrella. "

   " I told you! "

   " I don't remember that conversation. "

   " You don't remember a lot of things. "

   " Hey! That's just rude. "

Bruno put his free arm around your waist and started walking to the car. He opened the door, and you slipped inside the vehicle. Bruno shut the door and walked to his side, getting in and throwing the picnic blanket into the back seats. He started the car and rolled the windows up, and made sure all of the openings in the car were closed. He turned around on the road and started heading back to town and go home.