private Close Encounters of the Past (Private with Dynamo Pad)

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

"You know? It's kind of funny. I can imagine that Manehattan has bad traffic, but I could never expect to see Canterlot having traffic. Granted, I've been to Canterlot before. Although, it was only for a video game tournament. Most of the places I visited in that town were within walking distance. It's pretty convenient when you don't have to worry about driving." He chuckled, before nodding on the plan. "Okay and sounds good. Is your house close to this building, or is it a little far away?" He wondered as she lead him towards her boss's office. "It might be a little difficult. Seeing how it looks like Princess Celestia and Luna get a lot of requests and visitors. I know that Twilight isn't taking over Equestria for quite some time, so we may still have a chance. It would be better to get rid of the factories altogether. It would save both the residential areas and the environment if the company were to move these factories." He says, looking around at what the police hub had to offer.

-At the house-

"Now I'm beginning to wonder if you fell asleep on purpose whenever we watched movies together." She giggled, but shook her head. "I still think that's sweet, but you're right. It was like I had my own blanket whenever you fell asleep." She says, getting into the passenger's seat, before closing the door and buckling up. "Definitely Sugarcube Corner. This way, we'll get to know of the news right away. Since our kids were so set on wanting us to know what's going on. Afterwards, we'll go and enjoy the movie. Once we decide on what movie we'll be wanting to see, of course." 

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet nodded "Honestly, it is a little bit of a drive from here" she says and nods "And they do, how-ever I am sure that they'd willingly see me, even if I'm retired now." she would say, wiggling her tail, "I have some unfinished business with them anyway" she would then look at him "Enough about that though, we're nearly there" she says as they arrive at the top of the stairs and made their way towards her former boss's office.

-In the car-

"You never complained before, even when it was a good movie, or one of our favorites" Devin smiles,"I guess I just have a short attention span, or maybe I just love cuddling up to my best friend" she smiles with a giggle and then nods "Sugarcube Corner it is then, and seeing as how keen our kids were, it must be something big and really special"

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

Dynamo nodded as he had a vague idea of the distance from the police hub to Scarlet's home. "I guess your boss might be surprised to see you, but at the same time maybe not. Seeing how they gave you the call that you're officially retired." He raised a curious eyebrow at the mention of business. "Unfinished business? What kind of business was unsettled? I hope everything is okay. I guess my Scarbunny always laughs in the face of danger." He chuckled slightly, nodding as the two made their way towards the top of the office that was her former boss.

-In the car-

Gentle rolled her eyes as she giggled at her friend's remark. "Okay, you caught me. I admit that it was disappointing to see that you would fall asleep. I always felt bad that I had to spoil some parts of the movie that you fell asleep in at the movie theater. Granted, we always rented the movie after it was released on DVD, but still. I would say the latter option, but you were always one for action/adventure movies. I can vouch for that as the fight scenes in some movies are pretty good. Given that they have good build up to the fight and excellent choreography." She smiles and nods, while feeling a little nervous in her heart. "I just hope it's good news. The four of them seem to have gone through a lot and I guess I just want peace. Our kids did sound really happy, so it has to be some good news, at least."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

"Well I still have to collect my severance pay and my retirement gift, so he wouldn't be too surprised to see me" she giggles a little and nods "as for the unfinished business, it's basically just that, collecting my pay and gift, then taking my things out of the office" she says with a smile, wiggling her tuft of a little tail. "And Scarbunny? Is that a call to the new fire starter for the new Pokemon games that are coming out? Scorbunny?" she asks with a giggle "guess I can be a bit fiery at times"

-In the car-

Devin smiles and nods "It's okay, and it is most likely that I love snuggling up with you" she says, gently holding the mare's hand in her paw "I must say, I've slept so much better since moving in with you and sharing the bed with you" she smiles at her warmly "I guess, other than you being my best friend, it's because I've missed Scarlet so much" She smiles a little more "I'm sure it's good news"

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

Dynamo chuckled as he nodded in agreement. "That's true. Seeing how the boss would want to call you to his office in Manehattan, after all. I just hope everything is okay. I always feel worried if I go into the boss's office. I always try to stay out of trouble when working at my job. I'll make sure to help you collect everything from the office and load it back to the car." He smiled sheepishly as she brought up the upcoming Pokemon games. "You've got that right. It's the fire rabbit Scorbunny. I just noticed that your name almost sounds like the Pokemon name. I have no doubt that you can be fiery at times, but only because you've got a passionate heart when you've got a goal set in your mind."

-In the car-

Gentle smiled as she felt Devin taking her hand into her paw. At the mention moving in, the periwinkle unicorn raised a playful eyebrow. "Now who says that you moved in with me? I remember you always calling and asking if you wanted to have a sleepover. I know I could never turn you away. Plus, it was nice being able to be next to my best friend." She chuckles, before placing her hand upon Devin's knee. "I know how much you've missed Scarlet. I remember telling you almost every day that she would return. Given that I wanted to give my son hope that he'd see his best friend again, as well." She smiled warmly at the female rabbit and nods. "You're right. Whatever the news they have to tell us, then I know we'll be there for each other."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet smiles at Dynamo "Thanks babe" she says, nuzzling him before they arrive at the door, knocking and given the go ahead to enter. As they walk in, Scarlet smiles "Hey boss, I'm here to put in my retirement forms, collect my last pay and the gift you mentioned" she says, as her boss looks up from his desk.

"Ah, yes miss Scarlet, good, good" he says, accepting the retirement forms and stamping them before filing them "We're sad to see one of our best leave ,but we understand you need to have a change of scenery" he says, handing her the check with her last pay and then a small gift wrapped box, "We wish you all the best for the future, oh and when you're done with clearing out the office, just lock up after yourself and put the keys in my pigeon hole" he says, as Scarlet nods.

"Thanks boss, I'll be sad to leave as well, but now that I finally have had closure on what happened in my past, it is time for me to move on" she says, accepting the check and box, before turning to Dynamo "Come on dear, time to leave"

-In the car-

"I appreciate that Gentle, I truly do" she says with a smile and nods as they park outside the bakery and she gets out and stretches "Well then, are we ready to hear what this news is?"

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

Dynamo smiles as he hugged the female rabbit and returned the nuzzle. "You're welcome, honey." He says, waiting as Scarlet knocked on the door and was allowed to enter. As he followed Scarlet, he watched as both the female rabbit and her boss had talked to each other. He stayed quiet and stayed a few feet back, so as to not be in the way. As she was given her retirement gift and last pay, he nods with a soft smile as he followed her out of the office. "It was nice to meet you sir." He called out to the boss, before closing the door behind him. After catching up with Scarlet, he smiled as the two made their way towards her office. "Your boss sounded like a nice guy. I know that looking in these cases sound dangerous and all, but it seems like he really cares about his employees."

-In the car-

"It's no trouble and I can say the same thing to you. I remember you were there for me after I told you about my husband. Ever since, you've always been there for me as the best friend I could ever ask for. I really and truly appreciate everything, Devin." She says as Devin parked outside of the bakery, before Gentle made her way out of the passenger side. "You've got it, my friend. Time to find out what this news is all about. The suspense has been getting to me." She stretched, before walking alongside Devin towards the bakery. The periwinkle mare smiled as she wrapped her arm around Devin's shoulder and held her close with a grin.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet smiles and nods as they make their way to her old office, "Oh he does, he understands that the work is not only demanding but dangerous" she says as she unlocks the office door and walks in "Books in those boxes please dear" she says as she gets her old files and puts them together, putting them in a box to take home with her.

 

-At the bakery-

Devin smiles and wiggles her little tail and walks in with her "Pinkie? Cheese?" Devin calls out "We're here"

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

As they made their way to her old office, Dynamo nods as he listened to Scarlet's explanation. "I guess he would add in that this job isn't for the faint of heart, right? Has there ever been cases that can't be completed? Either by difficulty, or by how scary the job can be? I know my mom used to watch Ghost Adventures, but she told me that some of those cases were too much to solve." As the door to her office was unlocked, the two stepped in, while Dynamo turned on the light switch. He looked around and saw an organized room, with some cases placed around. "Not a bad office space you've got, Scar. It looks like you were always on point when it involved these jobs." He says, nodding as he began to help places the books in the boxes she described. It took a couple of minutes, but Dynamo had managed to sort the books into a couple of boxes. "Okay. That should be it. Do you have everything else you need, before closing up the office?" He asks, using a levitation spell to hold the boxes in a magical grasp. At the same time, he held a box in his arms, so as to not overexert himself.

-At the bakery-

At the mention of their names, Cheese had stepped out of the back and walked to the front counter. "Oh! Miss Gentle and Miss Devin! Welcome to the bakery. Pinkie and I are so happy that you were able to make it. We have a very big surprise for you two to hear. However, I think we should wait until we get the whole group to join us." He says, cupping a hand around his mouth. "Hey, Pinkie. I need you at the front counter, please. We have a couple of guests and a big request to complete." He made sure not to yell, so as to not wake up their daughter. "I remember hearing that our kids wanted us to stop by. I just hope nothing had happened. You didn't perhaps forget anything when you all stopped over, right?" Gentle asks, while trying to figure out what it was that Pinkie and Cheese were keeping from her and Devin. 

Edited May 18, 2019 by Dynamo Pad

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet nods, putting some more things into some boxes "You could say that, but yes, there were some cases that I just couldn't solve" she would say, placing her boxes on the desk, looking around the office and nodding "Yes, that is everything, come on, lets get all this to the car, then head on over to the hotel" she says, then looks at the time "Or in second thoughts, I think we can just escape rush hour if we head home now"

-At the bakery-

"Coming Cheese honey!" Pinkie calls out from the back, carrying Cupcake in her arms. She smiles when she sees Devin and Gentle "ah Gentle Step, Devin, wonderful" she smiles as she goes to stand next to Cheese, Cupcake crawling out of her arms and into Cheese's, "So, we have some wonderful news"

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

Dynamo frowned as Scarlet had sounded disappointed from the failed cases. "I'm sorry to hear that, but I guess some cases are just meant to be unsolved. I'm just glad that you were safe and that we found each other again." He says, looking around to see that they had found everything. "Okay. We can either put these things in the back car, or in the trunk of the car. Afterwards, we can head over to the hotel." He says, before stopping as she changed her mind on the plan. He looked towards the time and began to understand what she had meant. "When you mentioned about heading home now. Did you mean back home in Ponyville, or to your old home where you lived with your aunts? I wasn't sure as I remember you said you had some things in your old room to bring with you. If the traffic becomes too bad, then we can always stay the night with your aunts. What did you want to do, hon?"

-At the bakery-

As Pinkie made her way out from the back and towards the front of the bakery, Cheese smiles as he saw Pinkie carrying Cupcake in her arms. "Aw. I thought I had managed to get Cupcake to take a nap. I guess she had an idea of what's going to happen. Given the fact that Miss Gentle and Miss Devin are present." He says, Gentle smiling as Cupcake crawled into Cheese's arms. "Oh, she's so precious. You have such a wonderful daughter. Please don't keep us in suspense. What's this wonderful news?" She asks, Cheese looking from the mother's over to Pinkie. "So, shall I let you do the honors, my cotton candy?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

"We'll head on over to my aunts' place for the night, I'm sure my mom's already called or texted them, so they'll be expecting us" she says, beginning to carry some of her boxes down to the car and putting them in the trunk "You okay there hon?" she'd call out, "I can carry some more of the boxes, you know"

-At the bakery-

Pinkie giggles "oh no, no, no" she giggles again "Nothing bad dears" she says, bouncing around in excitement "and the new is, drum roll please" she says Cheese happily obliged "Cheese and I have asked Dynamo and Scarlet to be little Cupcake's godparents, and they said yes" she says excitedly.

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

"Okay. I wasn't sure if we were still going to visit your aunts' place, or stop by a hotel for the evening. I hope they were notified. Otherwise, we'll be dropping by unannounced." He chuckled, carrying some boxes down to the car, before he helped place the boxes in the trunk. "Eeyup. I'm okay, sweetheart. If the boxes aren't heavy, then you can throw them out the window. I'll make sure to catch said boxes in my magic. That way, it'll make carrying the boxes not as complicated." He says, while continuing to load the boxes into the trunk.

-At the bakery-

At the mention of no bad news, Gentle sighed happily as she placed hand over her heart. No words were needed to be said by Cheese. As said earth pony went over to the conveniently placed drums on the far corner of the room. As Pinkie explained about the supposed good news, Gentle gasped slightly as she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "So, are you saying that Cupcake will be our granddaughter?" She smiled softly, before the smile grew into a grin. "Devin. Did you hear that? We can finally be grandmother's like we always talked about." She cheered as she pulled her best friend into a tight hug.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet thought for a moment and nodded with a smile "Alright, sounds good to me dear" she says as she climbs up the stairs, "Yeah they are pretty light, nothing fragile either, so if you stay down there and I'll throw them down so you can catch them, it'll make things quick" she calls from her office window. She holds up the first box and smiles "Ready?"

-At the Bakery-

Devin giggles giddily and wiggles her little tail "Oh my gosh, I..this is amazing!" she hugs her best friend back, just as tightly. "This is wonderful news" she says before she was let go by Gentle in the not so gentle hug she was given, and going over to little Cupcake. She smiles down at her and gently tickles her tummy "Hello sweetie, looks like you'll definitely be seeing a lot more of your nana Gentle and myself"

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

Dynamo nods as the female rabbit started to climb up the stairs once more. "Thanks for the warning, babe. At least I won't have to worry about anything if a box drops to the ground. I wouldn't want to break anything that was fragile and/or important on accident. Just make sure to throw them down one at a time. I'll let you know when I'm good for you to throw another box down." He smiles, keeping the trunk and back door of the car open, before giving his girlfriend a thumbs up. "I'm all set, sweetheart!"

-At the Bakery-

Gentle grinned as Devin had returned the embrace. She wanted to jump around in joy with her friend over the news, but she didn't want to become overly enthusiastic. "Now I can see why our kids were set on having us stop by. This is best news I've heard in a while. Aside our kids reuniting and becoming a couple, of course." She giggled as she saw Devin go over to Cupcake. The periwinkle unicorn walked over to Pinkie, before enveloping the pink earth pony in a hug. "Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of the family, Pinkie. Devin and I can promise that we'll make sure to watch over Cupcake when we can." Cheese chuckled and grinned in agreement. "It's no trouble and we really appreciate this, you two. We couldn't think of anypony better to be our little Cupcake's godparents. So, it's only fair that we should ask you both to be her grandmother's."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet smiled as she lifted up the first box, tossing it down, allowing Dynamo to catch it with his magic and put it in the car before repeating the process until the office was empty of all of her possessions. She locks the door to the office behind her and then goes to leave the key in her former boss's pigeon hole and then goes to the car. "Alright that's it, thanks for the help love, let's get going to my aunts' house." she says, getting into the passenger side.

-At the Bakery-

Devin smiles "You could say that again Gentle. First my daughter returns, and not only is reunited with Dynamo, but they are now dating and also little Cupcake's godparents" she says, cooing at the little filly. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

As Scarlet had tossed down the first box, Dynamo managed to catch said box in a levitation spell. He then loaded the box in the back of the car, before continuing the process of catching boxes. At the same time, he would occasionally place the boxes in the trunk of the car, so as to not stack any heavy boxes on top of one another. As he placed another box in the car, he didn't see the last box falling down, until said box hit him in the head. The belongings had fallen out of the box, while Dynamo crumpled to the ground. "I-I'm okay! The box fell and broke my fall! Oh, look at the time. I've got to go. Ta-ta." He says, a dazed expression upon his face, while wondering what had happened.

-At the Baker-

"Now that's a party just waiting to be created." Gentle says, returning the smile as Cheese's eyes widened. "Did you say a party?! That's a brilliant idea! We can even plan it out and have it at the next group get together. Being able to celebrate reunions, all the good news and just being all together as a family." He grinned, while hoping Gentle and Devin would approve of the idea towards the party.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet giggles "Sorry about that babe" she says, picking up the things and putting them back into the box and the box into the car "Guess I thought you were ready for the box" she says with a giggle and then smiles at him "alright dear, lets go" she says.

-At the Bakery-

Devin smiles "Definitely sounds like a plan" she says, smiling at everyone "Well you've got parties to plan, and Gentle and I have a movie to watch and snuggle up to" she says, gently taking Gentle's hand in her paw.

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

As Scarlet was picking up everything that had fallen to the ground, Dynamo sat up and tried to gather his bearings. "It's okay sweetheart. I thought I was prepared to catch the box, but it flew out of nowhere." He chuckled as she placed the box back into the car. "Thanks for the help and okay. Let's get going to your aunts house." He says, closing the trunk and back door, before moving back towards the driver's seat. As he buckled up, he made sure that Scarlet was sitting next to him, before staring up the car again. "Can you put in the address for your aunt's house, if that's okay? I'm still new here in Manehattan, so I wouldn't want us to get lost. Especially with how we are trying to avoid any and all traffic." He chuckled as he smiled sheepishly.

-At the Bakery-

"It sounds like the preparations are already set. Seeing how there's plenty of time, before the next movie and TV marathon you all had last night." Gentle smiles as she felt Devin take her hand into her paw. "Devin's right about that. It was nice seeing you three again, but we really have to get going. We wouldn't want to be late to our movie." Cheese nodded in understanding as he waved to the two. All the while, still holding Cupcake in his arms. "We understand and we're just happy to tell you the good news. We'll let Dynamo and Scarlet know that we told you. Have a good time at the movies, you two lovebirds!"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet just giggles as she puts in the coordinates for her aunts' house "It's a little out of the way, but it's nice" she says, sitting back and relaxing a little, looking at the large sum on her severance check "Well, guess I was pretty valuable to them" she chuckles "We'll need to stop by the bank tomorrow, I don't think it'll be open right now" she says, also looking at the gift, which was, instead of a watch, was a set of beautiful jewelry "Trying to turn me into a more girly girl too, I see" she rolls her eyes and laughs.

-At the Bakery-

Devin smiles, giving the two party planning ponies one more hug "It was wonderful to see you two again, and yes please do tell them,  they were quite eager for us to hear the news, and now I can see why" she giggles "Alright, come on Gentle dear, lets go, we might have some time to get some goodies before the movie starts" she smiles, hugging the mare closer.

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

"I can imagine the house being nice because it's out of the nightmarish roads that's known as the Manehattan city, right?" He chuckled along with her as she put in the coordinates to her aunts' house. "I'm guessing with how you were able to take on cases that most other's wouldn't. It really shows how much time and effort you put into your job. I can imagine they'll miss you, but they'll never forget you, Scar. What will you do now that you've retired? Find another job, or will you take up something you've always dreamed of accomplishing?" He wondered as he started to drive off towards her aunt's house. He nodded in understanding at stopping by the bank early the next day. "I think the jewelry was really nice. Do you think they knew that you have a boyfriend, or did some try to ask you out from time to time? Also, I don't know. I know you were a bit of a tomboy when you were younger, but you always did have that girly girl nature to you, as well. It made you different from anyone we knew and I really liked that about you." He says with a soft smile and chuckle.

-At the Bakery-

"It was wonderful to see you two again and we pinkie promise to let them know everything." He says, going through the pinkie promise song/chant. Gentle giggled at the action, before returning the hug from Devin. "We'll have to go and get some treats? Do you have a place in mind to get some goodies before the movie begins? If not, then we could always get some treats here. Although, wouldn't it be bad to bring in some outside treats to the movies? I remember always being told at the theater to only take the treats they sold. I guess the place didn't want to try and clean up a big mess of food and drinks, or something like that." She says as she shrugged her shoulders.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet smiles and nods "Its in the countryside, so it's nice and quiet" she says "I often took my work home, so I could concentrate on it better in the peace and quiet" she says, giving him a nod "Oh yes, I will always have that boyish nature to myself, but I do enjoy dressing up and wearing some jewelry from time to time" she says to him "I suppose they thought I'd appreciate the jewelry more than a Rolex" she chuckles "Can't say I blame them"

-At the Bakery-

"It's more about their profit, I think" she says "As they sell pretty much the same things you can get at the supermarket, just at a bit of an inflated price" Devin says "It's their way of covering for their cheap movie tickets" she says, rolling her eyes.

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

Dynamo continued to concentrate on driving down the road, while listening to Scarlet's explanation. "I guess there wasn't much around to distract you from your work. So, I also guess that your aunt's let you work on this job in peace, as well? Did they ever help out from time to time, or were they like our mom's in not knowing anything?" He wondered, before nodding at her remark. "Oh, I remember that one time for your birthday. I think I got you some clip on earrings. I wasn't sure if it was a good gift, but my mom kept telling me that you would love them. I just had to trust my mom on that idea and I remembered you wouldn't stop wearing the earrings." He chuckled, before smiling softly. "It was really sweet as it showed me that you liked me back then. I guess they wanted to make something special for you as you've been a great worker in the field of investigation. I would take the Rolex watch, but if I knew them. I would say they'd give me something video game related." He chuckled as he started to see the house was appearing on the GPS.

-At the Baker-

"I guess it's the theater's way of saying that their food is better than any food in the supermarket. Either that, or it's like you said about wanting to make a good profit." She shook her head as it all made sense now. "I wouldn't say that the movie tickets are cheap. They seem to be pretty pricey nowadays. Especially if there's a movie that's only playing in 3D, then the movie tickets go up in price. I can say that 3D movies are good from time to time, but some movies I want to watch regularly. The glasses hurt my eyes after a while." She says, exiting the building and making their way towards the car.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Scarlet smiles and nods "They do let me work in peace, and they have sometimes helped me with cases, especially if they knew or were close to the client or clients" she says with a smile, "And I remember those earrings, I actually still have them, they're with my keepsakes from when I was little" she says and looks to him, chuckling a little "And yes, they probably would have had you figured out and give you something video game related.. After all,figuring ponies out is part of the job"

-At the Bakery, in the car-

Devin nods "Not to mention watching things in 3d hurts my neck" she says and nods "We'll just get snacks at the cinema, it's easier than having to try and sneak things from outside" she says "I wonder what movies are showing"

[Dynamo Pad 11,384]

@Lady Moonspell

Dynamo listened to Scarlet's explanation, before nodding in understanding. "It's nice to know that your aunts' have helped you from time to time. They seem really nice from what you've told me about them. I guess since the three of you didn't live in the city, then that means that the clients and other residents all knew each other very well? It makes me happy to hear that you kept those earrings. I guess it was both something to remember me by and a special gift." As they stopped before a red light, Dynamo looked to the female rabbit and chuckles. "I guess it would show that the group would do well in their field of work. Sort of how like you know me very well. I guess I'm kind of an open book, or something like that. Although, I'm wondering about something. Did you do the same thing when it comes to giving me a keepsake? I might have to check and see if I still have the keepsake in my room." He wonders, driving once more as the street light turned green.

-At the Bakery, in the car-

"I'm not sure how a 3D movie can hurt your neck, but I'll take your word for it. I guess staring up at the screen for a long time would be the answer." Gentle shrugged her shoulders, before nodding. "That sounds good to me. I'll probably get popcorn and M&M's and you're right. We wouldn't want to get caught bringing in food and then getting kicked out." She giggled and wondered what movie they could see. "Hmm...I think they are showing the Prince of Egypt again. I think it was an anniversary movie special, so they're playing the movie in theaters for a certain amount of time. Want to go see that?" She asks, opening the door to the passenger's seat and stepping into the car. After taking her seat, she buckled up her seat belt and closed the passenger door.