Summary: Sometimes, love isn't enough—not when a hate that runs to your very soul nearly consumes you; not when, sometimes, you just can't let go of the past. She hates street racers, and he's only a bitter, angry shell of who he used to be. The odds are against them…but maybe, just perhaps…they're really just what the other needs…if they can get past their past demons, that is.
A/N: Follows after the fourth installment with only one difference being Dom got his clemency at the end and it's been a year after that, and he's still angry and bitter, thus making him a darker Dom...maybe. The first part being lazy on my part, I know, but it works. So, consider it AU, then. I don't normally dabble in fanfiction any longer, but I'm looking for a break from my serious works. Light and quick—just a break.
Bittersweet
Never Think Never
May 1st,
Never in a million did I think I'd be here, in this position—never.
A month ago, I was just plain, simple, timid Emily Bradshaw—just a normal 20 year old with serious social issues and paranoia from Kodiak, Alaska, come to L.A. to attend UCLA to major in English with a full scholarship, and to, more importantly, take care of Edwin—best friend extraordinaire—who had been diagnosed with cancer. It had been a big move, especially with me being barely out of high school and all, and never having been one to venture from the known very often. I told you, I had issues—that, or I was just a coward, one. Either way, it didn't matter, now. I had done it, despite my head screaming not to. And it had been fine…until now.
And now…
Now, I was wondering if, maybe, I should have listened to my head and stayed home.
Where it was safe.
Where it was safe and I wasn't currently failing my classes.
Where I wouldn't be in a hospital.
My life wouldn't be in complete chaos right now, and my heart and head wouldn't be torn apart.
And I would have never met Dominic Toretto—the liar, the bastard, the scourge of my life right now… The guy that somehow had wedged his way into my life, or had let me in his—one or the other. Either way, I hated him. And I wish I had never met him…I think, which is maddening enough as it is.
Either way, though, I didn't stay back home.
I'm here, and without any idea of what to do, now.
Typical. Biggest decision of my life, and I have absolutely no flippin' idea of what to do now. Just figures. I'm out, though—before I start the bitter diatribe I'm so prone so…and to face the man standing at my door. Crap.
—Emily
Part One--Fin.