All my senses were muddled when I started to come to. It took me a while to focus clearly in the dim room. I was sore all over and I didn't really want to move. I could hear voices in the distance, smell fresh flowers and I had a thin sheen of sweat on my body. Taking a deep breath I manage to sit up and the pain in my stomach was immediate. It felt like fire at first before I slowed down my breathing and exhaled slowly. I had no shirt on and my ribs were wrapped up, as well as my head. Feeling the wrap I could tell it wasn't damp so there was no bleeding, or it had stopped recently. The only pain was a mild throb.
"How are you feeling sugar? Took a pretty hard hit to head when you fell there."
Looking up I see a woman who could have been my grandmother standing at the door. She had long grey hair pulled back into a bun and was in the midst of taking off gloves. From what I can see she had been doing her yard. I start to stand but fall right back down to the bed with a groan and hiss, as I smother the curses about to leave my mouth. "Oh don't you try and move sweetie, those ribs are a bit bruised. Dominic and his damned temper!"
Snapping my head up at her comment I open my mouth to comment when the voices in the distance cease and I hear footsteps approach. She walks into the room and grabs a cup off of the table next to me and places a straw inside of it before handing it to me. Taking it thankfully I take a huge sip. My mouth is dry and parched. She checks the wound on my head with her gentle hands. It was when she was doing that that the footsteps stopped. Looking up I saw a set of boots and as my eyes traveled north I took in the sight of Dominic Toretto. He was standing in the doorway, with the same menacing look he gave me earlier with his arms crossed. His grimace at me turned into somewhat of a smile when he looked at the dainty old lady as she came from behind me. Walking up to him she pinched his cheek.
"You haven't been attending to that poor flower Dominic. See if I give you anything else to nurture. You can fix a car, but can't keep a simple flower alive. Stand up straight and stop looking at that poor boy like that. He's in enough pain as it is." Looking like a scolded child he stood up straighter at her command. I recognized her as one of the old ladies from across the street earlier. Her eyes held wisdom and strength and her small voice commanded action. Listening to her scold him, I began searching for my shirt. My rustling caught her attention as she turned. "Set tight dumpling and I'll get you some food, you been down for quite a while." Patting Dom's shoulder she sent me a smile and walked away.
I fidgeted under his glare, not liking being this exposed at all. Finally finding my voice I raise my chin to him, "Where's Rome?" I didn't want to ask a dumb question about how I got here because being knocked out it was obvious that I didn't walk. He stared at me and I didn't think he had any intention of talking.
"Whatever Dom, forget I asked for your help, forget I came, forget it all." It was a battle but eventually I stood up. My steps were slow but I managed to make it almost to the door. His expression never changed and if I hadn't been paying attention I wouldn't have heard him come up to me. Grabbing my arm he assisted me and we made our way down the hallway and around a corner until we got to the kitchen. Our journey was slow and by the time he helped me sit down I was out of breath and exhausted. Across from me sat Rome with a big shit eating grin on his face. He had a plate full of food in front of him and looked like he belonged.
"Fuck you man." He just grinned harder and took a bite of his mashed potatoes. The bandage pretty much made me sit up straight or I would put pressure on my ribs. I had forgotten about Dom for a minute but when he cleared his throat my attention was brought back. I hadn't been much for words so I was going to wait for him to speak. I had said my peace; it was up to him to decide. "So, what was so big you had to come dig me up for? Huh? Either you're desperate, or you're dumb." Through his still chewing teeth I heard Rome mumble, "Both." Already irritated and in pain I shot him a look and he went back to eating. This shit with the feds was something we both needed, I needed. I didn't plan on running anymore and I knew more than anything he was tired of this shithole, no matter the garage, or nice old ladies. This wasn't L.A., this wasn't home.
"The feds are onto some big time dealer. Custom's got it set up in Miami, dude named Verone. All we got to do is drive. They want us to grab some money, and drop it and stay under the radar of the locals tagging him. Simple in and out. They got an agent on the inside, wary of him, but we should be good. It'll take a week tops. You and Rome are just dirty enough to not have a problem, and you're the best damn drivers I know. "
He looked as calm as he had before I spoke and it irritated the hell out of me. Suki does the same thing when she's mad and she's three times smaller than Dom. In fact I think I'm more scared of her than him. Rome had finally finished his plate and pushed it away. The little old lady came in at that time and began to tidy up and fix me a plate. She set it down in front of me and then walked over to Dom and smacked him on the arm. "Don't be rude Dominic answer the boy! For goodness sake, all this time you've been here, you'd think I'd taught you some manners. And sit down!"
She was one hell of a spit fire, reminded me of Mia and her mothering of the team. The thought sobering me immediately I look at his now sitting form. "All I'm asking is a chance. We clear our records, get a clean slate. It's a win, win. After this if you want nothing to do with me, then so be it, just think it over before you say no."