Disclaimer: Still don't own anything. Let you know if that changes.

Authors note: Hey! Just wanted to say a special thanks to mypinktutu and misspink for being my very first reviewers! U guys rock!

Authors note 2: I am not from America, so if I screw up with place names or anything, just point it out to me and I will endeavor to fix it!

Chapter two:

I woke again in a soft bed. As I groggily looked around I found myself wearing a soft nightgown, my multiple cuts covered and thick bandages on both ankles and my right wrist. Once I was done examining myself I looked up to find the two guys I had seen earlier and three other men, along with two women talking softly but intensely in one corner.

"Hello?" I queried weakly. They all looked up at once, and then looked to the big man who I remembered to be Dom. He was obviously the leader of the group.

"Hey. How's you feeling?" he asked. I grimaced.

"Like I got worked by a four tonne elephant." I replied. There was a couple of nervous chuckles.

""What happened?" I asked, gesturing to my bandages and stuff. One of the girls, a dark haired beauty who had been leaning against the only blond man walked forward.

"I'm Mia – Dom's sister. We got our doctor to come and take a look at you. He said that both ankles and your right wrist are severely sprained, if not broken. You have a possible concussion, bruised ribs and more bumps and bruises than you can count. He gave us some painkillers and said to take you to the hospital if anything got worse, or if you were worried about anything." I nodded slowly, regretting it when there was a rush of pain in my head.

"Ow. Thanks Mia, Dom, all you other guys…" I trailed off when I realised that I didn't know the other's names.

"Oh, sorry about that – I'll introduce you to everyone." Mia exclaimed. "This is Jessie – he's our computer wizard" she pointed to the wiry young man I remembered vaguely from earlier. "this is Leon" she pointed to one of the two dark haired men, "and this is Vince." She pointed to the other, more built one, who I had been eyeing since I had fully come to my senses. "they're both mechanics who race. The blond is Brian – we're training him up, and that leaves Letty, who does everything the boys do, better" Letty laughed and slapped hands with Mia while the men grumbled good naturedly.

"It's nice to meet you all – I'm Riss" I stated, giving the shortened version of my name I thought would be more appropriate given the settings.

"Where do you live?" Brian asked.

"I have a bed sit on Forsheim road" I answered.

"Do you have someone to look after you while you heal?" Dom asked. I felt a stab of pain at the memory of how alone I was, but decided I didn't want to make these nice people feel responsible for me, so I answered

"Yeah, me and my neighbour are real tight". Dom looked at me assesingly.

"V, I want you to drive Riss to her house and get her stuff. You're moving in here. Don't try lying to me Riss – it's just not an option." I nodded meekly.

"Mia, do you have some clothes you can lend her?" Dom asked. Mia nodded, and told everyone to clear out after Dom informed Brian and Leon that they would be taking the trailer to my work, to salvage what they could of my Civic while I told my boss what was going on.

As Mia gently helped me dress into some drawstring longs, socks and a rib singlet, she told me about the team, the café and the garage. She could see the longing in my eyes when she spoke of the team and commented

"You know, Dom meant it when he said you're moving in. He likes you, and that means that even when you're better he will let you stay here. I do need someone to help me in the store after all. But if you don't wanna join the team, just say and he'll set you up somewhere." I smiled bitter-sweetly.

"To be a part of something like the team… well, it's a dream" I stated slowly "I just can't really believe it's all happening to me." Mia laughed good naturedly and gently brushed my hair for me, gathering it into a plait as we spoke.

"It's funny how things work out, isn't it!" She exclaimed. I agreed wholeheartedly.

It was weird that despite the fact I was in an enormous amount of pain, I was actually happy, and excited for the first time in a long, long time. I barely knew the crowd I was now apparently a part of, but the things I did know – they were kind to strangers, Mia was what I would consider perfect best friend material, oh, and all the men were absolutely gorgeous – made me want to join the tight knit group. I was nervous. That was kinda a given when I – a private schooled, horse riding, bookworm whose only experience with men was gained through a friendship with my old pas de deux partner from ballet – was so different from the fast living set television always associated with street racing. I suppose all I could do is hope for the best. After all, it wasn't like it could be any worse than it had been, living in that damp bed sit and working in that shit-hole of a diner.

When I was ready Mia told me to stay put and went to get the guys. The fact that both of my ankles were severely munted meant walking wasn't really a comfortable option for me, so I had to wait. Dom had said that he would have avoided me going out when I was in so much pain, but he knew, hell, we both knew, that stuff wouldn't hang around long where I lived, and if there was to be any chance of me getting the pay my boss owed me, I would have to go to work today and claim it. Preferably with a muscley guy to back me up. Mia returned with Vince a couple of minutes later. He had showered, his fresh black singlet and worn jeans enhancing his hugely masculine appeal. He was sexy, that was for sure! Vince explained that he would carry me to the car, and then we would convoy with Brian and Leon to get my Civic, before goi ng and getting my stuff from my flat. I nodded slightly in understanding.

"I don't know how to go about this" he stated when everything was sussed out "How about you put your sore wrist across your chest and I'll pick you up. Tell me if it hurts and I'll put you down." Vince suggested. I did as he said, wincing at the pain of being moved, but finding it to be much less that I had expected, as Vince handled me like the most delicate china.

"You O.K?" He asked. I answered affirmatively and he gently carried me down the stairs and through the large house to a car parked just outside the door.

Being in such close proximity to Vince as he carried me literally turned my brain to mush. The combination of his rugged good looks, his strength – so clearly displayed in his effortless carrying of my considerable weight – and his scent, which teased my nose with the musky aroma of raw male, pushed all of my buttons, and I found all pain I was experiancing dulled by a full on lust attack. Vince placed me in the front seat of an immaculately cared for car, kitted out in dark blue, with racing decals down both sides. Once I was seated he carefully put the seat back so I was comfortable before tucking a duvet around me and placing several pillows under my damaged ankles.

"Wow. I feel like some kind of china!" I joked. Vince smirked an attractive half smile.

"Just wanna make this trip more comfortable than your last one." He explained. I smiled brightly.

"Thank you. And thanks for taking me to sort all of this out" I stated gratefully.

Vince shrugged it off.

"It's nothing"

The trip to my work took 15 minutes, and was a bit rough on my sensitive ribs and head, but I could tell that Vince was being careful to drive as smoothly as possible. As soon as we reached the car park I pointed out the sorry shell of my poor car to Leon and Brian, and then set about loading it up. Vince helped me out of the car and then slipped a strong arm around my waist, holding me up so, even though I was basically walking, there was very little weight actually on my ankles. During the drive we had decided this was the only way we could do this, since he couldn't exactly carry me in, it would be bad enough that I looked like I had been abused.

My boss, Stan, or "the fat slob" as I thought of him, came up to me and started yelling the minute I stepped inside the door.

"You are two and a half hours late missy. I don't take that kinda shit. Clear your locker, I never want to see you again" he bitched. Ironically, this was exactly what I wanted him to say.

"Gladly, now if you'll just give me the money you owe me I'll never ever come here ever again" I replied flippantly.

"What the hell are you taking about? You can't quit on me like that!" he exclaimed outraged.

"But you fired me" I stated innocently "I don't want to waste anymore of your time so while you grab my money, I'll get my stuff." I finished, and directed a smirking Vince towards the staff room and my tiny locker. Remembering something I poked my head back through to were the Fat Slob was staring at the door, gaping like a fish

"And today was my day off anyways"

As soon as we were out of sight I sunk onto a bench and breathed heavily in my attempts to avoid the waves of pain from my damaged ankles, ribs and back. Vince quietly talked me through the pain, getting directions to pack all of my stuff up, then escorting me back though the café, and insuring, in the way that only a well built young man can, that I got all my money.

As we drove to my old flat Vince saw the pain etched on my face. There was an almost unbearable throbbing from my ankles which seemed to leech its way up my legs to my chest where it merged with that radiating from my chest, and in turn my injured arm and aching head.

"You're staying in the car. I'll pack everything" he ordered. I knew I couldn't do that – my papers were just all out everywhere. I had to explain that little thing to them, but experiences from my childhood made me hesitant, not wanting to rush into a position where I might be hated for my wealth, or worse, used.

"I've gotta come up though – there are some things…" I trailed off, embarrassed about not being able to fully trust Vince, a guy who had been nothing but nice to me.

Vince stared at me solidly for a minute, taking in the expressions that I tried so hard, but never succeeded to hide and then nodded.

"We've all got secrets…" He got out and then came around to my side of the car, stating

"I'm carrying you though" before gently lifting me into his arms.

In the end I need not have worried – Vince barely glanced at the papers and photo albums as he swept them into my battered suitcase. He did however pay attention to my underwear draw, lifting an eyebrow at what I had named my "naughty panties" – a practically unworn dark blue lace g string with a matching push up bra – an eighteenth birthday present from a couple of the maids who had worked at the house until I had been forced to sell.

"Well, well, well" he drawled lazily, causing me to blush furiously. I hated the fact that I always blushed. Vince didn't take it any further though, instead dropping the underwear into a duffel bag and moving to the next draw down.

When an array of badly worn pointe, demi-pointe and soft ballet shoes were revealed, surrounded by a mess of tights and leotards, I got another look, but of a different kind.

"You dance." He stated. I didn't see any point in denying it.

"I did until the money ran out" I answered. There wasn't anything else to say, so Vince quickly emptied the draw into another bag and closed everything up. The part of me that was vain nearly cried at the sight of all my worldly possessions fitting into two average sized duffel bags and a suitcase. A small part of my brain reminded me that I wasn't to forget the Civic. I mean, sure, it had no wheels, seats, lights fittings etc etc etc, but it was a damn good body… I sometimes think my brain is too sarcastic for its own good.

Vince helped me into the car, the aching which I had fought back by sheer willpower while the packing was being done finally overtaking me. It was a measure of the extent of my injuries that I was proud of myself for making it all the way to the house before passing out – the pain of being lifted, even as carefully as Vince did, too much for my abused senses, sending me into deep unconsciousness.

I woke nearly a full 12 hours later, feeling remarkably stiff and hungry. As I stirred I became aware of a presence in the room – Vince.

"Hey" I croaked. He looked up from the performance car magazine he was studying and returned my greeting.

"You feelin o.k?" He asked. I went to nod my head before feeling the tight pinch in my neck and letting out a groan.
"All my muscles are tense" I whimpered.

"I'll go get Mia and we'll get you into a hot bath. That'll make you feel more human, then we can see about getting you fed." Vince suggested. It was amazing how sensitised I was to Vince's every nuance – I had barely a ½ day's awake time in his presence and yet I was already noticing that he talked more around me than he did the others.

"That sounds sooooo good!" I enthused weakly, the apathy of sleep having yet to have worn off. He smiled wryly and touched my forehead lightly on his way out the door. I felt the touch like a brand. Damn, I was falling for Vince. I internally cringed. I had fallen for Vince. The logical part of my mind which still wasn't sure about this whole throwing yourself at the mercy of strangers thing was cringing away from the thought as though horrified, but deep down inside I felt just the gut wrenching excitement that only an attraction to the opposite sex could bring.

Mia arrived and helped me into the bath where I soaked, blissfully, nibbling on the plain ham and cheese sandwiches she had provided, until the water got cold. I felt bad about being such a burden to everyone, so I didn't call out as I had promised to do, instead levering myself out of the bath and grabbing a towel from the towel rack. I was just congratulating myself for managing to dry myself off, and squirm into underwear when a sudden dizzy spell lead to me tumbling to the floor. Needless to say the swear words that erupted from my mouth were… colourful. There was a knock on the door, then Vince's worried voice exclaiming

"You o.k. Riss?" I groaned as I tried to get up, and failing that, weakly replied

"I fell". It took Vince the whole of three seconds to open the door, taking two steps into the room before seeing me on the floor. In contrast to his speedy reaction, his perusal of my underwear clad body took an eternity. I felt a blush covering my cheeks at his greedy inspection, until he seemed to shake himself out of it, squatting down in front of me and asking if I was hurt.

"Nope, I just got a bit dizzy… I'm o.k. now" I replied, starting to feel embarrassed. With my bruise marred body I was hardly a pin up, that was for sure.

"How's about I carry you back into the bedroom" Vince suggested.

I nodded weakly, my cheeks now fiery red with shame. I felt like such a dork.

Vince carefully lifted me into the bedroom and sat me on the end of the bed before handing me into the track pants and singlet I had planned on donning. I slipped the singlet over my head and pulled it on, then placed my trackpants carefully over my damaged ankles before looking at them quizzically and trying to figure out a way to get the pants over my hips.

"Wanna hand?" Vince asked. I nodded and Vince helped me to my feet, an arm around my waist holding me up while the other helped me to tug the elastic waist band over my hips. Struck by my close proximity to Vince and not thinking entirely clearly I commented

"Now I thought boys only ever wanted to get the pants off girls" before realising what I was saying and slapping a hand over my mouth. Vince laughed at that, slipping a second arm around my waist and pulling me close to his body.

"Are you suggesting something Riss?" He asked with a grin. We both froze as our eyes caught and held.

"Maybe…" I replied in a slow drawl, dropping the eye contact shyly.

Vince leaned forward and kissed me, a gentle, but not wholly chaste kiss, his tongue smoothly meeting mine. When air became a problem he pulled back a little, his eyes quickly covering my face, searching for something.

"Are you O.K. with this?" he asked, gently tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ears.

"It feels right" was all I could say in reply, before we slipped back into the easy familiarity of breath sharing as lips met.

It took me stepping my weight onto one of my injured ankles, and the pain that that caused, to snap us out of our little oasis of sensation.

"Ow" I mumbled. Vince instantly backed off, resupporting my weight.

"You should be in bed" he stated. Somehow though, his kiss ruffled state and gravely voice made that sound a little more raunchy than I knew he had intended it to be.

I raised an eyebrow.

Amusingly, he turned slightly pink around the base of his neck.

"I mean…" he started before catching the glint in my eyes and growling playfully.

"You're messing with me" He stated dryly.

"Guilty" was my statement. He laughed and kissed me again. I was just returning to my happy state of kiss befuddled happiness when there was a creak at the door and a gasp.

We broke apart abruptly, glancing up at Mia who had just walked in, and was staring at us with a mix of surprise and happiness on her face.

"I knew it! When did this happen? Are you together?" Mia gushed excitedly, a wide grin spreading across her features. I didn't answer, giving Vince my best "it's your call" look and sinking to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Mia, you didn't know it, 10 minutes ago and well, yes. Now scram" Vince growled, managing to reply to all three of Mia's statements in under 5 seconds. His abruptness did not phase Mia however – she barely even blinked, her grin still in residence on her face. Vince made a vaguly threatening gesture and she giggled and fled the room.

Our conversation once she was gone was very simple

"We're together?" – me, curious.

"Yes" - Vince, certain.

"Okay." – me.

"You need to have a rest now." - Vince, commanding

"Okay." – me, suddenly realising that, yeah, I was tired.

"I'll come and get you for dinner" – Vince, gently helping me to slip under the covers.

"O (yawn) kay" – me, sleepily ensconced in my bed.

"Sleep well babe" – Vince kissing me on the forehead.

"'kay" –me, already dreaming.