Uh...this story was on my mind for a while. I just finally decided to write it. It shouldn't be long, I can't really see it even going up to five chapters.

Kurt watched the cars path through the city as they neared the finish line. Someone-a person unbiased about who should win-had hacked into the city's security system, allowing the others to watch the race from above. He had only been with the Teku for about a month, and wasn't quite fully interested in who would win. As far as he was concerned, the Metal Maniacs wouldn't quite affect his driving style. Well, Taro Kitano might. But he was the only one.

Though, he from the races he'd seen Tone drive in, the guy was pretty good. And this Tork Maddox was a challenge. Shifting his weight, Kurt began to think that maybe these Maniacs could present a satisfying challenge. That was something he hadn't had in a long while.

He turned his gaze in the direction of the oncoming cars. Nolo, Tone Pasaro's kid brother-who was oddly a lot like Kurt's own brother, Markie-had gone a few houses down to watch their progress. The poor kid was worried about the race. Kurt knew that the Teku and Metal Maniacs were...how should he put it?...ah, yes, enemies. But, he didn't see how that would do anything to the race. According to Karma Eiss, the Maniacs weren't exactly the cleanest people around, but they raced clean.

With a sigh, he turned his attention back to the race. A yawn from behind made him turn around. He couldn't help but smile at the tired face of his younger teammate. "Past your bed time, Surfrat?"

Vert Wheeler glowered at him. "I was up to late last night."

Kurt chuckled. "Nice. Next time, stay home, your yawns distract me."

Vert threw a playful punch at the older man. They were on good terms. Better terms than Kurt was on with Markie.

An explosion sounded-they heard it before it showed up on the screens. A loud gasp was heard from the other spectators. A car squealed to a halt as it turned a corner, and before most of them realized who it was, Karma could be seen running as fast as she could to the crash site. It wasn't long before others were dashing after her.

As people rounded the corner, blazing flames leaping up, in, and around the crashed vehicle came into view. Tork had reached it before anyone else, and was currently holding Nolo down. The teen was practically kicking and screaming, trying to escape the man's iron grip, in hopes of reaching his brother. But it was clear to everyone there. Tone Pasaro was dead. No one could've survived that explosion.

Karma was leaning against a street house, a hand covering her mouth as she watched in silence, shocked at the image before her. Vert had also stopped, actually dropping to the ground, also stunned at the sight. By now, a few people tried to pry Nolo away from the scene, but he kept clawing his way toward the demolished car. Kurt ran forward and forcefully picked the Latino up, carrying him to one of the houses.

Kurt and a few of the more present-minded persons yelled at the bystanders to get as far away from the car as possible. Taro actually had to run and physically move people farther away. Sirens could be heard in the distance. The big red trucks were barreling around the corner when the car exploded again.

People instinctively threw themselves down, with hands covering their heads. Kurt pushed Nolo down, covering the teen with his whole body. Clinks of metal against asphalt could be heard as small pieces of the car rained down on them. When they stopped, Kurt sat up, pulling Nolo to a sitting position as well. They were both gasping as they watched the firemen do their job, and heavy streams of water spouted strongly from their hoses.

Kurt kept an arm around Nolo's shaking shoulders, and it took him a minute to realize that he wasn't trying to get away anymore. Somewhat alarmed, he looked over to see glassed over eyes, and an emotionless expression.

'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`

The garage was silent. Shirako Takamoto was slouched on the couch, looking at his playlists, though seemingly unsure of what to do. It was past three in the morning, and they were still all in the garage under the apartment Tone used to share with Nolo and Shirako. The young Japanese man had long moved out from his parent's to do his racing more 'conveniently.' Though, after today, Kurt knew that Shirako was going to have doubts about ever racing again. That happened often after a racing tragedy like this.

Vert was working at his car. The vehicle didn't need any work at all, but the blond was doing it anyway. He had checked the oil a dozen times already, and the transmission. His muffler had been looked at and tweaked so much, Kurt wasn't sure the engine would be able to make a sound after that. It was clear that the teen didn't know what to do with himself. He was as jittery as a bird, and made quick, jerky movements like one.

Kurt and Karma were seated next to each other at the island in the small kitchen area of the garage. They were watching everything in silence. It was hard on Karma to accept what just happened. In the short amount of time he knew her, Kurt had never seen her this emotional. She had cried for an hour, albeit silently. She shivered, and Kurt handed her his jacket, which she accepted gratefully. They never got along very well, and Kurt had a feeling that this was going to be a rare moment between the two.

"I'm worried the most about Nolo," she confided quietly, wrapping the big jacket around her much smaller frame. "He was too calm about it when we all got back."

Kurt nodded, glancing at the stares that led to the upper floor. As soon as they had all arrived at the Teku garage, Nolo had stalked silently up the stairs, and when Kurt went up to check on him, he found the younger man changed, and asleep on his bed.

"Yeah," he verbally agreed. "I think it's going to take a while for it to sink in."

A 50 cent song interrupted any further conversation, and they both saw Vert's phone vibrate on the work table beside him. The blond glanced at it, but didn't bother to pick it up. Karma frowned worriedly at Kurt, who got the message and walked over to the phone.

He glanced at the caller id. "Your dad's calling."

Vert jerked violently at the sound of Kurt's voice, though it was low and gentle. He swallowed. "Yeah, he's probably wondering where I am."

Kurt sighed and pressed the small device in his hand. Vert smiled weakly in response and answered. A short conversation ensued, and it was obvious that Vert needed to head home. He mumbled a few things, and fished around in his pockets before coming up with the keys. When he did have them in his hands, he just stared at them. "I, uh...I guess I'll just go, um, go home."

Vert looked up at the older man, almost asking for permission in doing so. Kurt nodded, "Yeah. Here, I'll drive you."

Vert nodded slightly, though he apparently didn't fully understand what Kurt had just said to him.

Kurt looked back to see Karma gently nudge Shirako to a point of movement, and she guided him to the stairs, obviously telling him to go to bed. She turned back to Kurt, who himself was leading Vert to Slingshot. She walked toward them as Vert was sitting down in the passenger seat.

She paused right in front of Kurt, but didn't say anything. So he talked for her. "Are you going home?"

She nodded.

"Do you need a ride home?"

She shook her head.

"Will you be fine, though?"

She nodded, looking him straight in the eye. "I think I'll go to my sister's. I can stay there for a while. Just so I don't have to be alone."

Kurt was becoming a little unnerved at the looks they were giving him; as if asking for permission to do what they just said. So, he nodded again, "Okay. That's a good idea. Call me if you need anything."

Karma nodded again, hesitated as if she was going to say something, and then closed her mouth. Taking off the jacket, she handed it back to Kurt, murmured a thanks, and went to her own car. The man watched her drive off before getting into his own car, closing the car-as it were- and starting his own engine. Before driving out though, he took one last look at Vert. The teenager was sitting quietly beside him, staring unseeingly at his hands, which were folded neatly together in his lap.

The whole drive was quiet, and Kurt had to shake Vert's shoulder gently to let him know that they had arrived home. They both exited, and Kurt led him to the door. Major Wheeler was apparently waiting for his son to arrive, as he opened the door to let him in, the stern look on his face betraying the fact that a lecture had been awaiting as well. But that gaze quickly softened into a look of worry as he saw the looks on both the driver's faces.

Vert walked in the house, passing his father and heading straight for his room without saying a word. The military officer and turned to watch his son go, studying him carefully, looking for some sign of injury. When the blond had disappeared, Maj. Wheeler turned to Kurt.

"What happened?"

Kurt shifted his weight. "The leader of the street racing team we're on crashed and died tonight."

The major nodded understandingly. "What happened?"

Kurt shrugged. "I'm not sure. I think he took a turn wrong, and couldn't correct it. There were only two drivers on the street when it happened. It was a legal race, the roads had been blocked off."

The older man nodded again, then looked back to the directions of his son's room. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

They exchanged evening farewells, and Kurt drove back to his own apartment. He was crawling into bed when his cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Kurt? It's Karma."

He sat up. "Is something wrong?"

"Well..." she hesitated. "Not exactly. I'm just really worried about Nolo. Could you spend the night there? I don't want something to happen."

Kurt rubbed his eyes. The kid wasn't liable to do anything crazy yet. Shock and denial had set in. Kurt could see it. He would know, too, since he had seen it happen to a lot of drivers. A buddy-a teammate-just crashed and died on the track, and they absolutely refused to believe. They would go on living for a few days as if nothing ever happened. Nolo was acting the same way. But, Kurt could understand Karma's concern.

"Sure. I can do that."

"Thanks so much!" He could hear the relief flood into her voice as she said it.

"No problem. Good night."

"Good night."

Kurt changed into a comfortable pair of jeans, and a light sweater. On his way out, he grabbed his pillow, and then a few changes of clothes. He figured it'd be a good idea to camp out there for a little while. It wouldn't be good to have two, teenage, grieving guys stay alone. Not with what just happened. Neither of them would quite know what to do. Especially not Nolo, when he 'awoke' from his shock.

The garage was quiet and dark when he arrived, and the apartment upstairs was the same. Kurt chose the apartment's living room to set up shop, and within moments was asleep, resting for the next days events.

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