Toretto, at first sight

Chapter 2 Taylor's POV

After watching them load the car into the cargo plane, Brian and I boarded our flight. I stared out the window and watched as the cargo plane took off ahead of us. Being behind the wheel of that car brought back so many memories. Memories that I tried so hard to forget.

When I was 17 I got involved with a street racer named Jason Boyd. I fell head over hills. Not just for him but for the whole lifestyle. I loved the adrenaline rush; the speed was such a thrill. It was the best feeling in the world. But I couldn't handle playing second best. It didn't take long for me to realize that Jay would rather race then be with me. I just wish I could've realized it before I found myself pregnant at 18.

Jay didn't want to deal with the responsibilities that came with being a father. I was three months along when I finally told him. We had been fighting for about four days and then one night it got physical. I told him I was pregnant and hoped he wouldn't hit me again but I was wrong. He said he didn't want the baby and punched me in the stomach. I have never hated anyone as much as I hated him when I lost that baby. He hurt me so much and I started to hate every thing he stood for.

Shortly after that, I joined the police academy and was recruited into the FBI. About a year and a half later, I had the honor of busting Jason for drug trafficking. He didn't last long in prison. About six months after he went in, he was found face down in the shower. He had been raped and stabbed fourteen times in the back. It was the single most enjoyable moment of my life when I found out he was dead.

I haven't thought about Jason in a long time but there was something about Dominic Toretto that reminded me of him. Toretto has that same look in his eyes. I can tell he lives for this shit. That high you get when the adrenaline courses through your veins. But as I sit here looking at his picture, I somehow find myself intrigued.

I shook off the feeling and turned to look at Brian. He was sitting there staring at my picture of Mia. "She's beautiful." I stated as I leaned over, looking at the picture. "Yeah, she is. But I hurt her. All I can see is the pain that was in her eyes when I told her I was a cop." He said, rubbing the picture of her face, and then added, "I wish I had never taken that case. She wouldn't be in this mess, if I hadn't come into her life."

"She'll forgive you Brian. She's an amazing girl." I said, placing my hand on his arm, and then added, "You know, she never left Jesse's side when he was in that hospital. She was there every day. No matter how bad it was, the things he did, she was still there for him."

Brian put the picture back in my file, "How is Jesse? He really is a great kid." "He's fine. He's actually running Toretto's garage. He's convinced that Dominic is going to come back for him. Your old friend Hector has been helping him with the cars."

"So Tay, how do you know so much about Jesse and Mia?" Brian asked. I let go of his arm and turned back around in my seat. "At first, I started out trying to get info on Toretto. I figured if anyone knew where he was it would be Mia. But she has this way about her that just draws people in. We started hangin' out and soon became friends. For the past four months, she's been like a sister to me. You know, it's hard for me to believe that she is Dominic Toretto's sister."

"If you knew Dom, it wouldn't be so hard to believe. I guess it runs in the family." Brian said with a laugh, then added, "You know, Mia once told me, when I asked how their team came to be. She said Dom was like gravity, everything just gets pulled to him." "Even you." I pointed out as Brian looked down to the floor. "That's exactly what she said. I didn't want to believe that Dom was responsible for hijacking those trucks but I think some part of me knew all along." He paused and looked me straight in the eye and continued, "Taylor, Dom's really not that bad of a guy. But this isn't going to be easy. He'll go back for his sister but when it's over…Tay, you'll have to kill him to take him down. I'll do my time but there's no way Dom will go back to prison!"

"Oh, that's what I forgot to tell you. You see, Benny Tran is big time! We have been after him for a long time. I told them, when they asked me to come get you two, that I wouldn't bring you back just to watch you rot in prison. The bureau is going to cut you a deal. You help us get Tran and they make your past indiscretions disappear, but it's not too likely you'll ever work in law enforcement again."

"Are you kidding me? They're just gonna let Dom and me go? I can't believe it. Oh my god, that's…" I cut him off, "Hold it big brother! I said 'your' past indiscretions. Not Dom's."

His expression changed in the blink of an eye, "What? They can't do that! They can't just cut me a deal and lock Dom up!" "Look Brian, you let a wanted man go, on your own accord. Toretto was robbing cargo rigs and stealing millions of dollars worth of electronics. There's a big difference in you and Toretto!"

"I don't care what you think of him Tay, I know Dom and he doesn't belong in lock-up! He did some stupid stuff, I know that and so does he, but he's not the common criminal you think he is!" He was trying to convince me but I wasn't having it. "Alright Brian, that's fine. Just drop it." I said, trying to let it go but I couldn't. I turned back toward him and continued, "I can't believe, you of all people got sucked in by this street racing punk! You are so much smarter then that Brian. Dominic Toretto is not the saint you make him out to be!" "Tay, you have to give him a chance. When you meet him, it won't take long for you to understand what I am talking about. You'll see!"

"Fine Brian, then I guess we'll see." I said and turned back around in my seat. I could feel the frustration turn to anger but not because of Brian, it was because of Toretto. I couldn't wait to prove Brian wrong!

We were both silent for the remainder of the flight. Brian and I have very few things in common but the stubbornness runs in the family. I knew he wasn't going to give up trying to make me like Toretto and he knew I wasn't going to give up trying to convince him Toretto was the bad guy.

When we were finally back on the ground and walking through the cargo hanger, Brian finally broke the silence, "Are you gonna ignore me forever or are we gonna talk about what we're gonna say when we find Dom?" "Well I would prefer ignoring you but since someone's life is at stake, I'll put if off until later!" I stated with a glare and he put his arm around my neck as we walked toward the waiting car. "Now that's the baby sister I know and love!" He said, planting a wet kiss on the side of my face.

"Ewww, get off me you dork!" I shrieked wiping my face then elbowing him in the side. I pulled out of his grip and walked over to the desk to sign for the car. After retrieving the keys, I walked back over to Brian, standing next to the car. He was staring down at the car, lost in thought. "So what is it with you and this car? Where did you learn how to trick out a car like this?" I asked, interrupting his thought.

"I picked up a few things a long time ago but after spending so much time with Dom, I leaned how to do a little fine tuning. You know, Dom had a car just like this. I put these decals on before realizing they were exactly like his. But his car wasn't Blue, it was…" I interrupted, "Red."

"How did you know that?" He looked surprised. "We found where they were stowing the cars they used in the hits. We impounded three cars that were later identified as Leon's, Vince's, and Letty's. The judge signed a warrant for us to locate and impound Toretto's car as well. It was tucked away, all nice and neat at DT. When I walked into that garage, it was love at first sight. One thing about Dominic Toretto, he has amazing taste in cars!" I said as I climbed into the driver seat. I could tell Brian wasn't used to taking the passenger seat but he climbed in anyway.

"Are you ready for this?" Brian asked and I could sense the hesitation in his tone. I guess I understand it. He wasn't sure how Toretto would act when he saw him again. "Bro, I'm as ready as I'll ever be!" I responded as I backed out of the hanger. Before we even made it out of the parking lot, my cell phone rang.

I pulled the car into a parking space and answered the phone, "Yeah?" I knew it was the bureau calling with more info on Toretto. "Are you sure about this?" They had a location for me to check out. "Tonight? Ok. Is Toretto supposed to be there? Alright, I'll check in with you tomorrow. And Captain, don't call me, I'll call you!" With that I hung up the phone and looked over at Brian, "That was Captain Lopez, there's a race tonight, here in Baja. The informant said it would be easy to get in with them. We have to go get changed and head to this club!" I handed Brian the paper I wrote the name down on, and then continued, "No one knows if Toretto has anything to do with this race but they said if he was here and if he was racing; he would be there!"

We pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the hotel. It didn't take long for us to get changed and ready to go. I knew I couldn't show up dressed all conservative, good thing I thought about that when I was packing. I had decided on a pair of leather pants; black with blue flames up the side with a matching blue spaghetti strapped tank that showed just the right amount of skin. I threw on my heavy black combat boots and was ready before Brian was.

He walked out of his room and looked at me, lifting one eyebrow, "I know you ain't wearing your hair up! You gotta let that shit hang. Remember, we want to get their attention. And what's with that get up? You look like you've been to one of these races before."

"Well I have. More then I can count." I stated as I pulled my hair down. It hung down past the middle of my back. I had to agree with him about the hair, I always thought of it as my best feature. I knew it would get some attention.

I ran my fingers through my straight, brown locks and I caught Brian staring, "Ok, what is your problem? I may look good and all but I am your sister." I laughed at the scrunched up face he made. "Oh, you are so funny! I just see certain things that remind me of Mia. I think I'm losing my mind." Brian answered, trying to force a laugh. "Brian, I know. People used to say Mia and I look a lot alike from behind. And no, you're not losing your mind, you're in love! Stop blaming yourself for all of this. Dom had problems with the Trans long before you came along. Benny Tran is fucked up in the head and unfortunately we can't even blame Dom for that one!" I said as we walked out the door.

"So, you gonna let me drive or what?" Brian asked as we stood in front of the car. "Are you kidding me? I am responsible for this car, not you and I'm not stupid; I know you have a lead foot!" I answered as I got back behind the wheel. He got in and shut the door, "Oh, so you plannin' on being the one to race it too?"

"You know it!" I exclaimed as I spun the tires, pulling out of the hotel parking lot.

A few minutes later, we were pulling in at the club. The sign read, 'El Loco'. I parked the car just outside the crowd of people lingering around other tricked out cars. I found myself enjoying the feeling of everyone admiring the car as I watched from inside the dark tent of the windows. "You think they like it now, just wait til these guys see you get out of the driver seat." Brian said with a smirk.

"Do you see Toretto out there? I wish we knew what he was driving these days." I said, ignoring his comment. "Wait a second, he left in my car. I mean the car I lost to him. He could still be using it. It's an orange Supra. But I don't see it." Brian said, trying to see through the people starting to crowd around the new car in town.

I took a deep breath and opened the door and stepped out. I heard the 'ohhs' and whistles coming from the guys standing around the car. "This your car?" I head the question come from behind me. "I'm driving it ain't I." I stated without turning to meet the deep voice. "Question is, how well can you drive it?" He said as he stepped around in front of me, looking me up and down.

I gasped as I tapped the window for Brian to get out. As I heard the door open, before Brian came into view, I answered his question, "Well, I had a pretty good teacher." I said, pointing to Brian as he rose from the car. I watched the large man's eyes grow wide as he met Brian's gaze, "Well, well, well! If it isn't Officer O'Conner!"

"That's 'EX' Officer O'Conner! How's it goin' Dom?" Brian asked as he made his way around the car. I stood there staring at the massive man standing in front of me. I watched the shocked expression leave his face and it was replaced with a smile, "Should have know you'd find me." He said as he shook Brian's hand and turned his gaze back to me and then added, "So, who's your friend?"

"Oh, she's no friend! Taylor, this is Dom! Dom, this is my sister, Taylor!"

"I didn't know you had a sister. Nice to meet you Taylor." He said as he reached down and took my hand, lifting it to his lips. I wanted to pull away but for some reason, I couldn't make my hand move. After he kissed my hand, he slowly released it and I managed to regain my motor skills. I wiped the back of my hand across the leather of my pants and responded, "I'm sure it is." I paused and looked him up and down, then continued, "So, you're Dominic Toretto? That's funny…I thought you'd be….bigger."

More to come…