She sat in her Jeep staring out at the hundreds of cars that were assembled before her. All of them were well oiled machines that could go from 0-60 in less that it took to bat an eye. She wanted everything that came with racing: the money, the rush, the sex, but most of all she wanted the respect. Girls weren't exactly respected in the racing world but she was soon going to change all that. She shook herself out of her trance and stepped out of her Jeep. She looked up and caught sight of a familiar face and smiled.

"Hey girl!" Mia practically ran to her and threw her arms around her neck. "Are you here to race tonight?"

"Hey Mia, no not tonight I got the jeep." She motioned over her shoulder to the copper colored Wrangler. "Besides, I gotta get the car running better before I bring it out."

Mia laughed and hugged her again. "Why won't you let us see it?"

She doesn't have time to answer before her name is yelled and she's tackled from behind.

"Carla you made it just in time. Dom's gonna let me race tonight!" The young boy pulled her to her feet and jumped up and down.

"Easy Jesse." She shoved him away and dusted herself off. "Who you up against?"

A sly grin came across his face as she asked the question. "Hector."

"What? No way. I thought Hector was trying to go legit?"

"He was but he needs some extra cash so he's gonna try to score some tonight. He figures he can beat me but little does he know that I have secret weapon." He grinned at her again.

She smiled back. "That booster ain't gonna take a lot of beating so don't push it." Her smile dropped as she made the warning clear.

"Don't sweat it. I got it covered."

She was about to warn him again but Jesse's name was called and he ran quickly to the starting line. Carla saw Dom leaned inside the window and figured he was giving Jesse the same warning she just had. As soon as Dom was out of the way she saw the flag drop and they were off. Jesse and Hector were the only ones racing tonight and she watched with nervousness as they flew further away. They were neck and neck till about half way and them Jesse pulled ahead. He kept gaining and Carla found herself chewing her nail nervously.

"Pull back Jesse or you're gonna blow the pistons." She was talking out loud and when he passed the finish line and she saw smoke boiling out form under the hood she took off at a dead sprint towards his car.

By the time she got there Jesse was already out of the car with his hands on his head pacing. When he saw her run up he dashed to her and started to ramble nervously.

"Oh shit Carla. Dom's gonna kill me. I knew I shouldn't have done it but I couldn't stop. I had to make sure I won. Oh god, oh god."

"Jesse calm down." She popped the hood and smoke encircled her. "Oh crap Jesse. You really screwed up this time."

Just as she was about to assess the damage she saw a huge figure walk quickly towards them.

"What were you thinking Jesse?" A very deep voice boomed and the anger in it could not be missed.

"I swear to God Dom I didn't mean to. I wasn't thinking…" Jesse tried to justify but Dom cut him off.

"That's right, you weren't thinking. This is exactly what I told you not to do. You had it in the bag Jesse you didn't need to push it." Dom's voice kept growing angrier.

"Chill out both of you." The force in Carla's voice caused both of them to snap their heads in her direction. "It's not that bad. Only minimal damage to the headers and there's a small crack in the oil tank. That's what all the smoke is."

Jesse looked at her with a smile that thanked her for saving him from Dom's lecture and she smiled back at him. She saw them both walk over to look under the hood and she moved out of there way and back towards her Jeep. Right now all she wanted was to go home.

"Carla wait!" She turned and saw Mia running towards her. "There's a party at the house. You stopping by?" Her eyes were pleading for her not to say no.

A long sigh escaped Carla and she smiled at her friend. "Alright but just for awhile."

It looked like hundreds of cars were parked outside the Toretto's. She sighed again before she steeped out of her jeep and walked up the front porch steps. She heard the loud bump of the music and pushed the door open. The scene in front of her was no different form any other time she had come to the house. Leon and Jesse were lying in the floor playing playstaion, Dom was leaned against the wall with a corona talking to some girls, Letty was glaring at him from across the room, and considering she couldn't see Mia she figured she was either in the kitchen or in her room.

"You look good."

She turned towards the voice and saw Vince leaning on the wall beside her. He gave her a slight smile.

"Thanks Vince." She smiled sweetly at him and walked further into the room. She went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a Snapple. She didn't feel like drinking tonight

"I need to talk to you now Car." A deep voice boomed behind her. She turned and saw that it belong to Dom.

She twisted the cap back on her drink and followed Dom out back. He stopped by the house and she did the same. She leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms. "Can I help you?" Her voice was matter-of-fact.

"You can start by losing the attitude." He gave her a solemn look that told her he meant it. "I found the turbo you had Jesse get you. I sent it back."

"You what?" Her voice was rising and she could feel the blood rushing to her face. "Why did you do that? It took me forever to save up that money." He tossed her an envelope and she knew what it was without looking at it. It was the money for the turbo. "Why Dom?"

"I promised your brother that I wouldn't let that happen to you and I'm not gonna break that promise."

All the anger she had came pouring out of her at that moment and she shoved his chest as hard as she could. "Fuck you D!" That was all she said as she rushed down the yard to her Jeep. She wanted out of there and she wanted out now.

She drove a little faster than she should have. The Jeep went up on two wheels a couple times around some curves she was sure of it but she didn't care. She wanted away from Dom and if it meant rolling her Jeep in the process she didn't care. She hated him so much. Ever since Doug's death he'd treated her like she was still 9. When she bought the Jeep he lectured her about it's instability in curves and when he found out that she had kept Doug's car he flipped out. He refused to get her the parts she needed to fix it up so she had to sneak around him using Jesse, Mia, Leon, and Vince. They would get her the parts she needed and hide them from Dom. She was almost done too. All she needed was the turbo and she would be ready.

She pulled up to her house and secured the top up on her Jeep. It didn't look like rain but she didn't want to chance it. As she walked into the garage she flipped the switch and light flooded the room. She stared at the white cover for a few seconds before she pulled it off. As soon as she saw its shiny black body a smile came to her face. "Hello baby." She leaned over and traced her fingers down the side. It was the epitome of beauty in her mind and she wanted nothing more than to sit behind the wheel as it flew across the finish line. Her smile quickly faded however when she heard the rumble of exhaust outside. She covered it back up and exited the garage careful to lock the door behind her.

"You can't walk away from me like that Car." She didn't need to look at him to see that he was pissed. "And you can't talk to me that way either."

She kept her back to him took deep breaths trying to calm her anger but it didn't help. "I'm not a child Domonic. You can't treat me like I'm 9 forever. I'm not gonna let you hold my brothers death over my head. I'm not him Dom. I'm not gonna make the same mistakes. I hate to tell you this Dom but if you don't get the parts I need I'll find someone else." She turned and faced him at this time being sure that he knew she wasn't kidding.

He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. "No one's gonna get you what you need Carla. They all know how I feel about you racing and they know that there will be serious hell if I know who got you anything." He continued to watch her as his words slowly sank in. She looked both hurt and pissed off. He hated seeing her mad at him but he wasn't about to let her get hurt.

"Leave Dom. Leave now." She turned to walk in the house but a firm hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"I'm not done talking to you yet."

She couldn't take it anymore and she blew up. "Well I'm done talking to you! I hate you Dom. I hate you more than anyone in the world. I loved my brother, more than you and it hurts me worse than you could ever know but I'm not gonna run away from racing because of what happened to him. You stand there and tell me how dangerous it is yet you go out every night and do it. Don't preach to me Dom, I refuse to listen." She shoved his hand off her shoulder and stormed into the house slamming the door behind her.

He watched the door slam and continued to stare at it for a few moments longer. He hated it when she was mad at him but this issue wasn't open for discussion. He was by Doug's side while he lay on the street chocking on his own blood. He held his hand while he told Dom to look out for Carla. He made him promise not to let her get mixed up in the racing world, made him promise not to let her ruin her life like they had. It killed him to hear her say she hated him but as long as she was safe he was happy.

He walked back to the car and got in. He sat for a few more minutes watching the light in her window. She was right when she said she wasn't 9 anymore. He watched her grow from the freckle faced, curly headed nine year old to the beautiful women he saw tonight. She had long curly red hair and a wonderful figure. He didn't know exactly when the transformation happened but when it did it caught them all off guard. He constantly had to remind Leon, Jesse, and especially Vince that she was off limits. Even Letty was jealous of her. She glared at him every time he talked to her and she was hardly friendly towards her. The light in her window flipped off and he started the car and drove home. He would wait till tomorrow before he tried to get back in her good graces and from the conversation they had just a few minutes ago it wasn't gonna be easy.

She woke up around 7 the next morning. She didn't have to be at the garage till 9 but she had some business that she needed to take care of. She grabbed a quick shower and threw on pair of jeans and an old t-shirt. She walked to her Jeep and jumped in but instead of heading over to the garage she went in the opposite direction. If Dom wasn't gonna get her the parts she needed she would find someone who would.

Her heart was pounding in her chest as she waited outside the gate to a very large house. She checked her watch for the four hundredth time. He was late and she was growing impatient. Without warning there was a loud buzzing noise and she was surrounded by three black crouch rockets. Her body tensed but soon relaxed when she saw who was under the dark helmet.

"Hello Carla. Long time no see." He gave her a cheeky grin that made her skin crawl.

"Hello Johnny. Do you have my stuff?"

He laughed and walked closer to her. "That's what I like about you Carla. Always to the point." He tuned around and grabbed a medium sized package from his cousin Lance and held it out to her. Before she could take it he snatched it back quickly. "Where's my money?" She handed him the envelope and he smiled handing her back her package.

She smiled as she looked at the brand new turbo in her hands. "Pleasure doing business with you Tran."

"Believe me beautiful. The pleasures all mine"

"Where the hell is she? It's not like her to be late Dom?" Jesse's leg was bouncing uncontrollably as he watched out the garage widow for the familiar orange Jeep.

"Take it easy Jesse." Dom's tone was a bit agitated considering Jesse was starting to annoy him. "She'll be here." Even thought Dom wanted to believe she would come walking in with that trademark smile of hers he knew it probably wouldn't happen. Even if she did show up today he knew she wouldn't be her chipper self. More than likely she would be just as pissed as ever.

"Oh shit." The tone in Vince's voice mad Dom rise immediately from his chair and walk over to him.

"What is it Vince?"

"Listen Dom, I think you need to sit down ok. You getting all pissed isn't gonna help the situation." Vince tried to stop his over sized friend from looking out the window but it was useless. He barely put up an effort in shoving Vince out of the way.

She pulled up in front of the garage with a huge grin on her face. When she saw Jesse and Vince staring out the window wide eyed it only made her smile grow. She opened the door and shut it, taking her time to get inside. She wanted to gloat and when she saw Dom burst through the door before she could open it her smile only got bigger.

"What the fuck is that?" He screamed at her pointing to the car she just exited.

"That's a 1969 charger. I would think you of all people would know what it is Dom. I mean you are supposed to be this big car guy and…"

"Cut the shit Carla. Why'd you bring it?"

She smiled and leaned back on the hood. "I wanted to show you what I've been up to for the last ten years."

"Where'd you get the parts?" She could tell he was becoming frustrated.

"People." She paused and let the anger in him grow. "Names aren't important."

"Give me the keys." He held his palm out to her but she only slapped it away.

"Fuck you. This was my brother's car and since he left all his possessions to me then that makes it mine." Her smile faded as her anger swelled at his command.

"Fine Carla, you wanna drive it that's fine. Considering that talk we had last night you and I both know you won't be racing it." He smiled a little knowing that without the turbo she wouldn't be able to keep up.

Her anger consumed her now and without thinking she lifted the hood. "I told you Dom. I'd get the parts somehow."

She watched as his smile fell when he saw the engine under the hood. Everything was new and supped up and he even saw a brand new turbo and a NOS line. His eyes shifted from the car to her. "Where'd you get that?" His tone was peaceful but she knew that it was only the calm before the storm.

"That's not relevant." The second the sentence left her mouth he had her pushed against the garage wall. His face was only inched from hers and she could tell he was beyond pissed.

"I said where did you get it? You and I both know it's not the one that you had Jesse get." He shook her forcefully knocking her head against the wall. As long as she'd known Dom he had never hurt her. He never raised a hand to her and when she felt the pain in the back of her head she was muted with fear.

Vince watched through the window as Dom questioned Carla about the car. He kept his distance from the two while they argued but when he Saw Dom pin her against the wall he moved quickly outside.

"Dom let go of her." Vince quickly pushed himself between the two making sure that Carla was safely behind him.

Dom heard her whimper after Vince separated and his anger quickly melted away. He knew he shook her to hard and he hated himself for hurting her. "Shit! I'm sorry Carla I didn't mean to hurt you." Before he could continue she cut him off.

"If my brother were alive he'd kill you." The words hissed out of her mouth and she saw the way they made Dom cringe.

The words cut him like a knife. She was right. He had known her brother all his life but if he were alive to see him hurt her like that he would have no mercy on Dom. What are you doing? You were supposed to watch out for her not injure her. He stepped back and watched as she pushed past Vince and into the garage.

She stood in the bathroom staring at her reflection in the mirror. He blue eyes were slightly red from crying and her curly red hair was sticking out in every direction. She raised her hand to the back of her head but winced as soon as her fingers touched the bump. She could feel something warm on her finger tips and knew that it was blood. She ran cold water over the rag in her had and then rung it out before she pushed it against her damaged skull. When she looked up and saw his looming figure in the doorway she almost passed out.

He watched her face turn pale when she saw him standing there and he felt like an even bigger jerk. "I brought you some ice." He handed her the bag and she snatched it from his hand as quickly as possible. "I'm sorry C. I lost my temper and I shouldn't have." He watched her jaw clench as he spoke and he knew he was gonna get a mouth full but when she didn't say anything he took that as his sign to leave.

When she finally got herself cleaned up she went in the garage and started changing the oil in a 1998 Explorer. She was so engulfed in her work that she didn't even notice Dom and Vince looking under the hood of her car.

"Look at this shit D. It's top of the line. She must have had to save every penny she's ever made. No wonder she never goes out." Vince was completely fascinated with the scene that lay out before him.

"Why you so surprised Vince?" He turned to stare him in the eye. "You and Jesse are the ones that have been getting them for her."

Vince was speechless for a few seconds while he let the words sink in. He knew Dom was furious with him for helping her. "Dom I never got her nothing like this." He motioned to the NOS line. "The biggest thing I ever got for her was a carburetor."

"I know Vince but did you know Jesse got her a turbo? That's why she was so pissed last night because I told her I sent it back."

"If you sent it back then what's it doing in the engine?" Vince pointed to the very powerful turbo that sat in front of him.

"That's not the one. This one is top of the line. The one Jesse got was shit." Dom leaned in to inspect it more closely. "Hey V. Do you see any serial numbers on this thing?"

"No, but I see where they've been sanded off." Before he could finish Dom was already opening the garage door.

She heard the door open and when she looked up she saw a very upset Dom. She backed slowly against the car and waited for the worst.

"Where'd you get the turbo Carla?" When she didn't answer it only made him more pissed off. "There are only three people who jack parts around here and that's Hector, Edwin, and Tran. Now I know for a fact Hector and Edwin didn't get it for you cause they know how I feel so that only leaves one option open." He glared at her while she looked down at her feet.

"It was Tran." The words came out barely above a whisper.

"Jesus Christ Carla! What the hell are you thinking? If you get involved with them they're never gonna let you out." He tossed his hands on his head and turned away from her. "How much did it cost you?"

"He wanted seven grand but told me I could have it for four. It's a hell of a deal D and you know it." She looked up at him now and for the first time she saw disappointment in his eyes.

"You think he just knocked off three grand cause he wants to be generous. Open your fucking eye's Carla. He's gonna come for the rest of his money and he'll get it one way or another. You preach about wanting to be treated like an adult and here you are acting like the naive little kid you really are." He growled at her.

She didn't answer him she just pulled off her overalls and grabbed her keys. She shoved past him and walked quickly to her car. She could hear him yelling at her not to leave but she paid no attention she just hopped in and drove off towards the sunset.

"SHIT!" Dom screamed as he watched her car speed away. Now not only did he have to worry about her racing but now he had to worry about what Tran wanted with her. He knew from experience that Johnny didn't cut three grand off a buy because he was feeling generous. He knew Carla was connected to Dom and he had to be using her.

"No more Tran. My debt is paid." She stood outside an old warehouse and stared stone faced into his eyes. "I don't wanna be a part of this anymore."

He looked at her and clenched his jaw. "I've been more than kind to you Carla. That turbo I practically gave you is top of the line. This is the least you could do to show your gratitude." He reached out his hand and softly caressed her cheek.

"If Dom finds out I'm dead Johnny and you know that. He already knows about the turbo and he's not happy." Her voice was full of worry.

He took her face in his hands and forced her to look into his eyes. "He's not gonna find out and if you don't do this job for me than your gonna have bigger things to worry about than Toretto." He's voice was hard and cold. "Incase you forgot love, you still owe me three thousand now if you can't pay me I'll take it another way." He pulled her face to his and lightly grazed his lips on hers.

She shuddered when his lips meet hers. She tried to push him off but felt someone restraining her arms. "Alright." Her voice was shaky and fearful. "I'll do the job."

He smiled down at her and then let her go. "I need you to pick this car up on Hollywood Boulevard." He handed her a slip of paper.

She read what car he needed and almost passed out. "Are you serious? This is a Shelby Mustang; if I get caught I'm dead."

He just smiled. "Then I suggest you don't get caught."

She stared at it out her window for what seemed like hours. It was just sitting there out in the open for anyone to jack. 'Just do it already. The longer you wait the more likely you are to get caught. It's just a car, just an engine, four wheels, and a body.' She sighed and slipped out of the jeep sneaking towards it. She was just about to pick the lock when a voice rang out behind her.

"She's a beautiful machine is she not?"

She turned around and saw a man in his early 40's smiling at her. She was speechless.

"It was my dad's and when he died he passed her onto me." He looked at the car and placed a hand on the hood. "You really shouldn't be out here all alone. A pretty little thing like you could get into a whole heap of trouble. Do you need some help or something?"

"Ah, no I was just ah, looking at your car." With that she basically ran back to her Jeep and took off back to Tran. 'Now here's when the real trouble starts.'

"What do you mean you couldn't get it?" Tran's voice was starting to rise.

"I mean I couldn't get it. I started to but the guy came up behind me. What was I supposed to do Johnny?"

He growled at her and then punched the wall beside her head. "I told you that if you didn't pay me back that I would get what I'm owed one way or another." He put his hand around her neck and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "What do you think we should do with her Lance?" He looked around to his cousin who was smiling.

"I can think of a few things." Lance smiled at her and took off his jacket.