Speed watched the replays of the footage from the Ice Rally. Trixie was sleeping, and he had the volume on the television set very low. She would be discharged tomorrow, but he wanted to see if there were any clues as to who had shot her in the footage. Every time he saw the bandage on her shoulder, Speed got angry all over again. And scared. Trixie had been shot, and could have died.

He was so focused on the footage, Speed did not notice that Trixie had awakened and was watching as they showed the finish line.

"But I thought you said you won, Speed," Trixie said softly.

Speed turned to her and smiled. "I did."

"Unless you painted the Mach 5 while I was out, it looks like Plugger Sparks crossed the line in front," Trixie said, raising her eyebrow.

"Oh, you meant the Ice Rally!" Speed said, acting as if he were surprised.

"Of course, I meant the Ice Rally, Speed. What other race have you been in lately?" Trixie asked in exasperation.

He took her hand and looked at her. "You. You were my race, Trix."

Trixie just looked at him, confused.

Speed smiled at her, then took a breath. He was about to tell her something he'd never said. "After you got shot, that race didn't matter. You were all that I could think about. All I cared about was getting you to safety, Trixie. You are more important to me than any race, any title. If I lost you, they'd mean nothing." They were dating, but Speed had never told her how important she was to him. "Trixie, I almost lost you. Do you understand what that would do me?"

Trixie shrugged. "You'd find someone else. A lot of women find you attractive. And…"

Speed interrupted her with a kiss. He whispered, "But they're not you, Trix." He took looked down, then back up at her. "You understand how racing is in my blood."

"I know that, Speed," Trixie said, softly. It was one of the things she'd learned to live with. Speed's racing was dangerous, but it was his passion. The next race was always what he was chasing, never her. She kept up with Speed. He did not wait for her.

Speed looked at her intently. "I don't think you really get it though. I didn't either, to be honest. Not until a couple of days ago. Then I realized something." He paused and looked at her, a small smile playing across his lips. "Trix, you are irreplaceable. You're in my heart. You are what makes my blood race."

Trixie looked at him in total surprise, a blush creeping into her cheeks as she stared into his eyes. She did not know what to say to him.

Speed took her hand, and then leaned forward and kissed her on the lips before backing up and sitting back down. "I don't know that I could go on if I lost you."

Trixie was stunned. She knew how she felt about him; and sure, they were dating; but Speed had never ever said anything like this before. She sometimes wondered if she was his girl just because she was there, and comfortable, and didn't put any pressure on him. Trixie was in a constant state of insecurity around Speed. He was not one to really express himself to her. He never had. But she could have no doubt about his feelings now. "I…."

Speed grinned. "Now, you need to rest some more if you're going to get out of here tomorrow. And I need to watch this footage so I can…." He suddenly stopped.

Trixie raised an eyebrow. "So you can what?"

"Please just get some rest, Trix," Speed said softly, avoiding her question.

"I will, once you tell me what you're looking for. Maybe I can help." She looked at him. "I can watch footage and rest at the same time, you know."

He turned to her, frowning. "I'm trying to see if I can see who might have sh—" Speed's voice broke and he looked away. "Shot you," he whispered. The look in his eyes surprised her too.

"Oh, Speed," Trixie murmured softly. "Are you all right?"

He just smiled and reached out for her hand. "I am now, Trix."

Trixie nodded. "And have you seen anything?"

Speed shook his head. "Not yet. I don't know who, or why."

Trixie smiled wryly. "I think it was pretty obvious 'why', Speed. They wanted you out of the race." She looked down. "And they got what they wanted. So, Plugger Sparks won?"

"Yes."

Trixie frowned. "Plugger Sparks has always seemed like a fair racer. So the question is: was he supposed to win or did he get in someone else's way? Or did they just want you out of the race and not care about the outcome?"

Speed looked at her.

She continued. "What's so important about it? You've already qualified for the Prix. The prize wasn't really that big. So what was important about this race?"

"I don't know, Trix." He stood up. "Why don't I go get you something to eat?"

"I'm not really hungry," Trixie said as she leaned back against the pillow. She was trying to think, but soon was sleeping once again.

Speed watched her for a few minutes, then placed a kiss on her forehead, then went back to watching the footage. He squinted at something in one of the play backs. It was not what the camera was focused on, but in the background, Speed saw one of the racers get grabbed and pulled off. Another driver took control of the vehicle, while the driver was dragged into a warehouse.

Speed went over to the phone beside Trixie's bed and dialed a number he was all too familiar with. Inspector Detector.

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As Speed waited for Inspector Detector and Racer X to arrive at the hospital, he ran his fingers lightly through Trixie's hair, watching her sleep. She was not fully recovered from her injury, and it would take a while. He worried about their transcontinental flight home, and how she would do with that trip. Mom and Pops had already taken Spritle and Chim Chim home. Sparky had flown with them, taking the Mach 5 with him so he could prepare it for the race next weekend.

The TransAfrican Race was next weekend, and Trixie was supposed to navigate, and Speed was not sure if either of them were ready for that. "Oh, Trixie," he whispered. "What are we going to do?"

"Speed?" Inspector Detector said as he entered the room, Racer X right behind them.

Speed glanced back at Trixie to make sure she had not stirred, then stood up. He walked over to the inspector, and they left the room, shutting the door behind them.

"Inspector Detector. Racer X," Speed said as a greeting.

"I got your call. What is it?"

Speed nodded. "Have you got any leads yet on who did this?" he asked the Inspector.

"No, Speed. I haven't. My men have been looking, but they haven't turned anything up."

"Has anyone reported that Grant Bane is missing?" Speed asked. Bane had been the driver Speed had expected the most competition from on this race.

"What?" Racer X asked. "What makes you say that?"

Speed looked at the two of them. "I've been watching the footage of the Ice Rally that's been being replayed, and one of the clips actually showed it."

"Speed, I'm certain we would have noticed that."

"Not if you were paying attention to the interviewer talking to Mr. Carmichael about the engineering of the new motor from CarMichaelangelo. The one in the car driven by Plugger Sparks."

Inspector Detector and Racer X looked at each other, then indicated to Speed to go on.

"In the background, watch in the left corner near the warehouse at the back. Bane was driving by in the background. Someone jumped into his car and took control. And someone else dragged him into a warehouse. Bane's car stayed in the race. I usually hang back until the initial jockeying is finished on rally races. There's always a lot of wrecks, and I don't want to get involved in that. Once you get out of that mess, it's really easy to take back the lead. I know Bane got to the ice cave before me. But I don't remember seeing him leave."

"What are you saying, Speed?" X asked.

"I think the men responsible for taking out Bane also arranged to be in that cavern to shoot at Trix."

"Thank you, Speed. I'll look into it," Inspector Detector said.

Racer X nodded. He looked at Speed. "How is Trixie?"

"They are releasing her tomorrow."

X looked at him. "That's not what I asked. How's she doing?"

Speed shrugged. "She's putting on a brave front, but I think she's scared and hurting."

"Sounds like Trixie." Racer X paused. "Would you mind if I went in and checked on her?"

Speed shook his head, and opened the door. Racer X went in with Speed right behind him. X didn't say anything, but he did reach into his pocket and pull out a small card. He handed it to Speed. "If you ever need to contact me. For anything. This is my number. You take good care of her, Speed. That young lady is the best thing that ever happened to you."

"Believe me, X. I know that. If anything ever happened to her…." Speed started.

Racer X indicated a chair and Speed sat down. X sat down. "You ever wonder why I wear a mask, Speed?"

"Yeah."

X looked at Trixie. "Because of that. There are people I love who would be in danger if my enemies knew who I am."

"What about your friends?"

X smiled. "What you don't know, you can't reveal." Then he turned serious. "You've got enemies, Speed. Because you're good, you're a threat."

"How am I supposed to protect the ones I love then? They already know who I am, and I'm not ashamed of it either!"

"By being aware that who you are puts the ones you love in danger, you can protect them."

Speed nodded.

"Trixie navigating for you next weekend?"

Speed shrugged, but before he could answer, a softer voice responded, "You bet I am!"

"Trix! I thought you were resting."

"I am, Speed. But I'd rather be in that car with you than waiting at the finish line, worrying," Trixie insisted.

Racer X laughed. "You have spunk, Trixie. I have to hand it to you." He looked seriously at her. "But, there are not many drivers, or navigators, who would be able to enter such a grueling race as the TransAfrican just a week after being shot. If you're not up for it, you could put Speed in danger."

Trixie was appalled. "I'd never!"

"I'm just telling you that you need to be honest with yourself, and Speed, about what your abilities are, my dear. You may be ready. But if you're not, there is no shame in letting someone else take the hot seat for that race," X said to her.

Trixie stared at him, defiantly. "I just…I mean it was only a little—"

X interrupted her for a dose of cold, hard reality. "Trixie. There was nothing little about what happened to you. Someone tried to kill you, and nearly succeeded. You need to understand that. And you almost died. Speed barely got you to a hospital in time. You're a strong young lady, but do not overestimate your abilities. And do not try to push yourself beyond your limits." When she still looked unsure. "If Speed were in the position you are, I guarantee Pops would hide the keys to the Mach 5 and lock him in his room to make sure he did not race next weekend." X frowned. Trixie was also not willing to accept that she had almost died. She was blocking that out of her memory.

Speed laughed. "Yeah, I think he would do just that." Pops was focused on Speed's career, but he was even more focused on his well-being. "Trix, I'm worried for you too. But I really need for you to let me know if you're not 100 percent sure, okay? I'm not going to replace you just yet for the TransAfrican, but I do want you to know that I won't think any less of you if you're not up for it."

With the two men staring at her, Trixie nodded silently, trying to hold back the tears. She did not want to miss out on the TransAfrican and she didn't want to be a burden to Speed, or for him to think she was weak. Trixie had made it a point of pride that she kept up and never complained to him about pushing her limits.

Speed leaned over the bed and pulled Trixie to a hug. "I know I don't think I've ever told you this, but I love you. And nothing is going to change that. Even if you never wanted to navigate for me again, I would still love you. Got that?"

Trixie nodded, tears flowing even more freely now. "You love me?"

"I love you," Speed repeated.

Trixie smiled. "I love you too, Speed."

Racer X smiled. "I think I'll leave you two alone now. Speed, you take care of her."

"Oh, I will, Racer X. Trust me on that!" Speed said.

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Inspector Detector watched the footage that Speed had told him about, paying close attention to the CarMichaelangelo Motors interview. Sure enough, in the background he could just make out what Speed described. Soon the inspector and a unit of his men were investigating the warehouse where Grant Bane had been taken. As they entered the warehouse, they found the body of the deceased driver.

No one had reported Bane missing, which was even more concerning. Either his crew was in on the job, or there were more missing people than he realized. This case had just gotten much bigger. Inspector Detector and his men went to the hotel where the Bane crew had been staying, and asked if they had checked out. The concierge shook his head. "No sir, they decided to stay a couple of days after the race. They are scheduled to leave Thursday. Would you like me to ring their room?"

Inspector Detector shook his head. "No. But I do want the room number." Soon his team was on the way to the eighth floor. They knocked on the door, but got no response.

"I don't like it, sir," one of his men said.

"Nor do I, Charles," Inspector Detector said. They forced the door, and found the Bane team. Clearly, they had never left the room. Breakfast had been served and was poisoned. "Explains why no one reported Bane missing. Clearly, whoever did this also shot Trixie."

"Racer is lucky that that is all that happened. I wonder if he was the one they were aiming for and just missed, or if they meant to kill her instead of injure her," Charles said. "So, where is Car 86, and who was driving it? It never came out of the Ice Cavern."

"No, it did not come out at the race route, but those ice caves are a maze, which was why the navigator was so important. That could be why they shot Trixie, not Speed. They wanted the Mach 5 intact, and thought he'd continue on without her guidance, or figured they could take him out when he stopped."

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"Speed Racer was a DNF at the Ice Rally, boss. Just like we promised."

The sinister figure remained in shadows as he looked towards his associates. "Yes. But I wanted him finished." The man looked back at the footage. "However, I do believe we have found Speed Racer's Achilles heel."

"Whaddaya mean?"

The figure pointed at the screen, which was showing footage of Speed Racer hovering as medics removed Trixie from the Mach 5, and racing towards the medicopter without even a second glance at his car. "It appears that Speed Racer's navigator is someone of great importance to him. I believe that, with a little assistance from her, we can neutralize Speed Racer for good."

His associates laughed.