Disclaimer: I own all the OCs, so please don't take them! Other than that, enjoy!

CHAPTER ONE

Brian slammed the doors to Dr. Norton's office open with a violent force.

"Am I late?" Brian asked, looking around the room. He spotted Dr. Norton in the corner near a desk reading files.

"Almost," Norton said, looking up at Brian. "I was just about to go in the lobby. Glad you finally showed up."

Brian was out of breath from the quick race to his pre-made appointment with this guy. He studied Norton as he approached him.

He was a solid black car of the early '40's, with a low, soothing voice that made him sound older than he was.

Brian remembered why he didn't want to be here when he started looking at all of the awards and plaques Norton received over the years of being a psychologist.

He grunted in resentment. There was no way that Brian, of all cars, would be talking to a shrink.

He spoke before Norton could, "Let's get something straight. I'm not your friend, so don't talk to me like you know me. Second, don't treat me like all of your other patients. I'm not psycho like they are."

Norton laughed, "Dave told me you'd say that."

"Dave says a lot of things." Brian shut off his engine, "Let's get this over with, I've got a meeting with Mr. Harris down at the track in exactly one hour."

Norton shut off his engine as well, "Dave scheduled you here for one hour. The longer you keep complaining, the more time you have with me."

Brian tightened his mouth, "Fine, what are we doing today?"

"I've got a list of names here, and when I call them out, give me one word to describe them. Then tell me why you choose that word."

Brian thought about Norton's attitude, curious as to why the man would tolerate his. "Alright," Brian said looking him up and down, "Read them names you've got."

Norton smiled at Brian's subtle protest. He gathered the papers and began. "Dave." Norton said, then looked at Brian.

Brian looked from Norton to the ceiling. "Peacekeeper, and if that's not one word, too bad, because that's what he is."

"Care to elaborate?"

"No, but since I have to, Dave's the peacekeeper simply because he's always fixing problems. Whether at work, or at home. He deals with everyone's nonsense, and still has time to deal with his nagging wife, Joanna."

Norton laughed slightly, "What's he like?"

"Well, aside from his erratic driving--"

"Erratic, how?"

Brian was a bit stunned that Norton had the nerve to interrupt one of his patients. But then again, they had an agreement stating that Brian was not one of his patients. Brian continued, "Dave's either on the gas or on the brake. That's why we don't let him lead our little group."

"Why is his driving so erratic?"

"It's apparently all the stress that's dumped on him. After managing four companies each day at work, he comes home to our problems."

"Go on."

"And on top of that, he's been trying to get me to stop drinking these past four years, and every time he doesn't get through to me, he feels like a failure."

"Dave told me that you two often have fights, is that true?"

"Of course, but that's just testosterone..."

Norton listened to the way Brian had said that and remembered what Dave had told him over the phone. "Are you sure that it's not something from the past?"

Brian looked at him with a stone cold stare that seemed to cause Norton some uneasiness. Norton knew he had struck a nerve, he was going to bring this incident up later. He quickly changed the subject, feeling the tension fill the room. "So, you and Dave fight. Are you aware just how much you effect him when you do?"

Brian closed his eyes, feeling the guilt after all the years of putting Dave down. When all he's ever done was try to help him get through his own crucial problem. "Yes, yes I do know how much it effects him, and how it adds more stress." Brian said, opening his eyes to see Norton writing something down.

Brian didn't say anything he didn't have to say. He tried to keep most of his thoughts to himself.

Brian remembered that night when Dave told him he had stayed awake every single night since he started drinking to make sure that he came home safely from the bar.

Now Brian really felt bad, wasn't a shrink supposed to make you feel better?

Brian sank where he sat, Dave was a true friend, and his all this time. It was then he realized that Dave had raced with him and the boys down at the track to be free. To escape all his problems, his last hope for freedom was to feel the wind rush by him. Never again would Brian put Dave down.

"Joanna." Norton said.

Brian took his gaze off the wall in front of him, snapping back into reality. "What?"

"The next name, Joanna."

"Oh, her," Brian thought a minute. "Moody," He said flatly.

He looked at Norton for approval to continue. Norton gave him the go ahead for him to do so, and Brian began. "She's moody all the time, with a slight case of road rage. She doesn't take kindly to stupidness either."

Norton began to write and waved his tire at Brian for him to keep talking.

"She's a good car at heart, but her and Dave both got married before either knew what they were looking for in others. They also got married too young, they both settled down way before they ever wanted to, and it really cost them." Brian said, thinking about how they got married at the end of their first year.

"Sure, they've threatened for divorce, but Dave always makes it work somehow. One of Dave's other duties is dealing with that woman. Dave's got himself into a difficult situation right now. He's rich, real rich, and anyone he'd ever consider marriage with would most likely be a fraud, only wanting him for his money."

"Are you saying that Dave doesn't love Joanna?" Norton asked.

"No, he really does. It's just sad that Joanna might not love him. She only smiles when she's not around him. Every Thursday night, Dave goes to a 'rich cars club' and that's where he goes to relax. It's mainly Englishmen from across the sea, bragging about how rich they are and what they own."

Brian sighed long and hard, "Dave hasn't had time to relax in four damn years, and every time he tries, something goes wrong. That scares me, actually. I worry about him, and the fact that he's about to run into a dead end makes me more worried..."

Brian felt even more worse about his friendship with Dave. Knowing he wasn't helping him through all this commotion, and wondering if Dave thought about all of this before.

"Before we get carried away, let's move on down the list of names." Norton suggested.

Brian sighed again. He was thinking about what else could possibly make him feel miserable about his bad choices in his life. Dave was now his main concern, and he was going to do everything he could to make Dave's life easier and more livable for him.

For a brief moment, Brian thought about giving up drinking, then laughed loudly.

Norton looked up from his papers at Brian. "Care to tell me what was so funny?"

"Not really..."

"Okay, next name?" Norton asked him.

"Sure..."

"Hudson." He stated, then looked back at Brian.

Brian smirked, "Loyal."

"Strong word."

"Hudson's loyal not only to me as a best friend, but to his girl, Laura."

"Pretty name, Laura." Norton stated.

"I always thought that too..."

The two sat there a minute, then Norton cut in. "Back to the subject."

"Oh, right. Hudson's a great guy with a lot of potential. He's got a great starting career, and has his future in his focus."

"What's his job?"

Brian was hesitant, "Fabulous, Hudson Hornet..." He said rather quietly.

Norton's eyes lit up, "Really? How do you know him?"

"You're looking at his trainer."

Brian wasn't comfortable talking about racing outside of the headquarters or without the team.

"What an honor, I had no idea."

Brian smiled and decided to get clever, "Back to the subject."

Norton chuckled, "Of course..."

"So anyways, what else could I say about Hudson to make him look good?" Brian said thinking out loud. "For one thing, he's extremely shy, but all in all, the perfect guy for Laura. He's very delicate with her."

"Why delicate?"

"He doesn't push her, and makes sure she's always happy. Sort of like Dave does, but more successful."

Norton laughed again, "Anything else you'd like to say about Hudson?"

"Sure, why not. He's fantastic, made best friends with him fairly easily. It took me a while to come around, but he was persistent in being there for me."

"What do you mean it took you a while to come around?" Norton asked.

That awkward silence came back, and Norton figured he had struck the same nerve again. Brian decided not to be a jerk this time, "Hudson's a good guy with a bright future. He doesn't let anyone take advantage of him. He's got a lot to learn in life, but I made him tough and he can only advance. Next?"

Norton looked at his list of names, "Laura."

"Dainty." Brian stretched out his choice of word to show that he meant it. "She's very dainty, and never does anything rough. She's considerate, with tons of friends that love her. She's still cautious around our rowdy group of friends, but I can tell she's going to be around for a long time. I doubt Hudson would do anything to screw up the good thing that he's got... I have to admit, they make a great pair, and hopefully they'll have future plans."

"So you want them to continue their relationship?"

"Most definitely. They're talking all the time, and haven't fought once."

Brian hoped that Norton wasn't asking about Laura and Doc just to pry into a celebrity's personal life. Doc was well known by the end of 1953, and everyone wanted to know more about the couple.

"Alright, next name is James."

Brian shot back an answer immediately, "Sarcastic." He wasn't slow with the follow-up for the word either. "He's rude sarcastic most of the time, and is always pissing someone off."

"Does he make you mad?"

"Not really, I usually have some snappy comeback to shut him up. There's not much to tell you about him that would be of interest."

Norton began to write as Brian thought.

"Although, there was this one time he convinced Dave and everyone to help me stop drinking. It had been two nights that I had been totally sober, and the third, we went out for a night on the town. I was forced to order something I didn't want, while everyone else got themselves something they had been craving. James was last to order, and what does he order? One of my favorite drinks! I watched him drink it with a gleam in his eyes that told me he ordered it on purpose... I couldn't tell if he was trying to be smart or not, but I sure let him know otherwise. I waited for the waitress to leave before I popped James on the hood and knocked his glass away."

"Did you feel bad about your actions afterwards?"

"Yeah, I wasted good liquor."

Norton wasn't surprised by Brian's answer. From what information he had gathered about him, he could tell that he was that kind of car. "Okay, before you get mad about James, shall we move onto the next name?"

"Yes, please…"

"How about Mason?"

"Quiet."

"Okay, tell me more." Norton told him.

"There's not much to tell you, he's very quiet. He does his job without complaint, and doesn't question anyone or anything. He stays out of your way, and he doesn't need anyone's help until he's working in the team on race day. He's very independent, and all he needs is a drink at the end of the week to keep him happy."

Norton wrote some more notes down while Brian talked. "Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard him talk! Sad, huh?" Brian said, trying to be amusing.

"He sounds simple."

"He is, and very dependable."

"I don't think we can talk anymore about him. We're coming up on the last name here..."

Brian had waited anxiously to hear that name today in this session.

"Sadie." Norton finally said.

Brian had an immediate response, "Perfect."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, she's perfect in every way. Words can't describe how perfect she is." Brian questioned his last statement about Sadie. "Actually, words could describe her, but they wouldn't do her justice..."

"I'm taking it that she's yours?"

"Hell no!" Brian blurted, correcting him, "I wish!"

"Information?"

"I'll just sum things up for you: we both like each other, but agreed not to go out."

"Why?" He asked, just out of curiosity.

"We have our own reasons..."

"Not compatible?"

Brian looked at him like he was stupid, "What part of the word perfect don't you understand? I said we had our reasons, isn't that enough? You're lucky I've told you as much as I did, you're lucky Sadie convinced me to come here today. Otherwise, you'd be sitting here alone, prepping yourself for one of those psychos waiting to talk to you outside your door."

"Good point," Norton said playing along, "Thanks for sharing that information with me."

Brian didn't like that he was getting sarcastic, "Hey," He said, turning to face him, "Don't push it."

Norton knew he had gotten far with Brian today. He had been successful far passed he imagined. Norton looked up at the clock behind Brian. "Well, I don't want you to be late for that meeting of yours with Mr. Harris. Your hour's up, you're free to go."

"Gee, didn't know I was being interrogated." Brian said heading for the door. He had uncovered more about himself than he thought he would. He had a lot to think about tonight at the bar.

As Norton was heading back to his desk, Brian turned around. "I thought I should say thanks. You know, for listening to me."

Norton turned back to acknowledge his comment. "Well, it is my job." They smiled, "I'll see you back here Wednesday..." Norton said, continuing to his desk.

Brian lost his smile, "What do you mean Wednesday? I thought this was a one time thing?"

Brian drove closer to Norton's desk as he got behind it. "I wouldn't have asked for so much information if I didn't plan on talking about it later. Now that I know about your home life, I know what to talk about during our next session."

Brian exhaled sharply, "Fine, see you Wednesday."

"It was a pleasure meeting you Brian, have a good day."

Brian turned around to leave again, then came back to Norton. "Oh, one more thing--"

"You can't make up your mind whether or not you want to leave, can you?"

Brian sat there in front of Norton's desk with a blank expression, "Second interruption..."

"I'm sorry, go ahead."

"Tell Jack Frost out there to stop shaking. It's not cold."

"That's Monty, he has a condition." Norton informed him.

"Just make sure I'm not the one to fix his condition..."

"Get going, I'm sure Mr. Harris is a busy man."

"He is, but he's never to busy to talk to me." Brian turned to leave, this time he was going to.

He was at the door when Norton added a final comment, "You may not know this, but Dave's probably the one who saved you from yourself years ago."

Brian stopped where he was, just inches from the door. A chill went through his crankshaft at the mere thought of what Norton knew and meant by that. He hoped that he didn't know too much about him.

Brian didn't look back, instead, he remained where he had braked with his eyes shut tight. "Goodbye, Dr. Norton." He said softly.

Brian pushed his way through the doors and slowly exited.

Norton looked down at the list of names he had read to Brian that afternoon. As the double doors swung shut, Norton's eyes went down the list towards the last name. There had been a name not mentioned in the session. Norton had purposely not called it out, that name was Colton.