Author's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews! You guys are awesommme! And btw, you should all check out Sons of Anarchy on FX, Wednesday nights at 10. It's excellent. :)

After watching Han's taillights fade into the darkness as he and Lindsey drove away, Brian returned to the group of people gathering around Hector and Johnny. As Johnny noticed him approaching, he called out, "So we gonna do this?"

Brian looked at him coolly, then shook his head. "Naw, man, I'm gonna have to head out."

Disbelief flashed across Johnny's sallow face, but was quickly replaced with anger. "What the fuck? You put up two G's. This was your fuckin race."

Brian shrugged. "Sorry, dude. Something came up," he dismissed indifferently, backing away from the group and nodding to the team.

Brian began to turn, and Johnny yelled out, "Don't fucking walk away from me!"

Brian shook his head again, continuing to walk away. Dom stood up straighter, taking one look at Johnny's wide and bloodshot eyes and hearing warning sirens going off in his head. Johnny took one, two advancing steps toward Brian, pulling back his fist as he moved.

"Ay, Brian!" Dom shouted, nodding to Johnny as his buddy sent him a quick look.

Brian instantly whirled around, instinctively throwing an arm up to block the incoming blow. Johnny dropped low and rushed at Brian, throwing all of his weight into his shoulder and tackling the former cop to the ground. The two tussled on the pavement for a few moments as the crowd gathered around them, until Johnny gained the upper hand and clipped Brian's jaw forcefully.

Brian's eyes watered, distorting his vision. He almost missed the familiar glint of light reflecting off a silver blade in Johnny's right hand.

Mia let out a strangled cry when she spotted the knife, grabbing onto Dom's arm. "Dom, stop him!"

Johnny pulled the knife up and brought his arm down violently, plunging it toward Brian's stomach. Brian felt a burning sensation as the blade swiped through his thin gray tee shit, and he panicked. His hand surged upward, catching Johnny's wrist in a tight grip. Using strength he didn't know he had, he twisted Johnny's arm back, holding it at an unnatural angle. The peroxide blonde crack addict cried out in pain, letting the knife clatter to the ground, and Brian used his advantage to flip Johnny off of him. He stood up instantly, then pulled his shirt up to check the gouge on his stomach. Thankfully, it was only a flesh wound, and he let it go as Dom rushed to his side, reaching down and grabbing Johnny by his collar and hoisting him up.

"Look here motherfucker," Dom ground out, placing a large hand on Johnny's neck and squeezing. Hard. "You're fucking with the wrong people, but I'm a nice guy, so I'm gonna tell you what you're going to do," he said slowly and clearly. "You're gonna get your shit, and you're gonna get outta Echo Park. Next time I see you around here, you're gonna have to deal with me. And don't you even think about coming anywhere near one of mine. I'll make you wish you were never fuckin born."

Dom released him roughly, shoving him away. "Now leave, bitch."

Johnny smirked, rubbing his sore neck with one of his hands. "Whatever, man. You think you're so tough, huh? I got people that'll make you cry like a little girl," he shouted, backing away. "Watch yourself, Toretto. Your ass is mine," he warned, climbing into his car and speeding away.

The team gathered again near their cars, all looking a little shaken. "Well, that's where he's wrong," Letty commented offhandedly, looking at Dom. "Your ass is mine."

-X-

The cool night breeze whipped the water below in murky circles as Lindsey climbed up onto the fence, perching herself on the top rail under a streetlight. Han followed her slowly, crossing his arms and leaning them on the rail beside her. She was angled, half of her body facing the water, where her attention rested.

Finally, she looked at him closely. "What do you want to know?"

He sighed. "Enrique Gaines knows who you are," he explained. "And he said that all this shit that's happening to you? It's intentional. Someone's got it out for you. He said this'll only stop when they kill you or when you help them."

She gaped at him. "What?"

"Any idea what you did to piss Gaines and his people off?" Han asked, raising an eyebrow. "Cause I'm telling you; these guys are serious shit," he promised, looking her in the eyes.

She nodded slowly, not breaking his stare. "Yeah," she said softly. "I know."

He shook his head. "Wanna tell me what's up?"

"I told you already," she began. "I used to get in a lot of trouble. My mom worked at a garage called Mac's Mechanics… forever. She died when I was fourteen, and I took over her position. My dad and I were low on money, and we couldn't really pay the bills," she revealed slowly.

He nodded. "Okay."

"This guy, Will Harrison, worked at Mac's with me, and he was… pretty into me," she explained with a smirk. "He was nineteen, and hot, and had a really tight car," she shrugged. "So I went out with him."

"My mom had a Suzuki GSX650. It was her pride and joy, and she taught me how to ride it when I was like, eleven," she grinned. "And I was good. Will took me to the races one night with it, and I loved it. That's where I got in most of my trouble at. I've been pulled over for reckless endangerment like three times. Paid like, over 1,500 in tickets before I got my license. But I had a brother who was a cop and I made enough money to cover the electric bill for the rest of the year in one night," she mused. "So my dad kept pretty quiet, and I kept racing."

"You started out racing bikes?" Han questioned, a little surprised.

She nodded. "You think I can race cars?" she asked with a smirk. "Then you should see me on a motorcycle."

He smirked back. "We'll see."

"Anyway," Lindsey refocused her thoughts. "Will introduced me to a lot of people, and for a while he was a really great boyfriend. But he spent most of the time stoned," she rolled her eyes. "And eventually he started turning into a jackass. He started hanging out with these guys, and he changed. I guess that's where Gaines comes in?" she suggested.

"I don't remember meeting anybody named Enrique," she said, a furrowing her brow as she searched through her memories. "Will usually hung out with this guy named Ryan. They started running shit for some dude named Darren. I met him a couple times, he freaked the shit out of me," she mumbled, more to herself than Han. "They transported all kinds of shit. Mostly money at first, but eventually they were drivin drugs and weapons and stolen car parts and everything around for this guy. It probably wouldn't have bothered me so much if Will hadn't started doing most of the drugs, and carrying the guns, and using the stolen parts," she clarified.

He nodded. "Understandable," he commented. "What kind of drugs?"

"I don't care about weed," she snickered. "I've smoked plenty. But meth and coke and shit? That's not cool. It makes you kinda crazy, and that's how Will got. He ran through all the money he made from Darren when he bought drugs from him. He couldn't pay his bills. So he stole from me," she revealed grimly.

Han glanced at her sharply. "That's bullshit."

"I thought so," she replied, grinning. "But he was kind of stupid. He told me about all the runs and shit he made, and half the time he let me ride along. So one night, I parked my bike pretty close to where he was dropping off a shipment. He and the guy he was delivering to stopped to smoke some crack in one of their cars, and just left the money sitting right there. Two briefcases full of twenties. So I picked one of them up and took off, then called the cops and told them what was going down."

Han's jaw dropped. "You did what?"

She shrugged. "Will owed me, and at the time that money was in his possession. Technically he owes them… Darren I guess? Anyway, Will owes them money, not me. And to this day Will thinks the police just happened upon him," she explained. "I don't understand how they figured out it was me that ratted Will out. And I don't know if they know I took that money."

Han stood stoically, leaning his weight against the railing, and remained silent for a few moments. Finally, he spoke. "That's not good."

"Yeah," she agreed. "Figuring that out."

"You know I have to tell Dom and Brian about this?" he asked. "We need to come up with some kind of solution to this…"

"Clusterfuck?" she supplied, tilting her head.

He smirked, chuckling lightly. "Yeah, that'll work."

She shrugged seriously. "I guess I don't have much of a choice."

"You don't," he replied gravely. "Against anybody else, I'd admire your balls, but with these people?"

"I know," she responded, looking at him closely. "You talk like you know a lot about them," she commented.

"I do," he said simply, straightening up. "We should probably head back to the fort and see what's up," he suggested, pulling his keys out of his pocket. "Let's go."

-X-

That night, Dom, Brian, and Han were seated around the kitchen table in Han's apartment, drinking Coronas and discussing the current predicament. Lindsey was in her own apartment across the hall, watching TV.

"I don't know what to do," Brian concluded finally, sighing heavily and looking around the table.

Dom nodded, understanding his frustration. "I wish I could be more help, but I don't know these people very well."

Han studied them both closely, then sighed, interrupting. "We need to find out what they think she owes them," he shrugged. "The only way to get them off this is to get them their money."

"Why can't they just let it go?" Brian cried out, running a hand through his hair irritably.

"Because," Han answered slowly. "Money is all these people care about."

"So, we just let her go talk to them?" Brian countered. "That sounds like a fuckin pile of shit waiting to happen…"

Han shook his head, adamantly answering, "No, she can't."

Dom was watching the interaction with deep interest, eyebrow raised. His focus was mainly on Han, and the Asian was beginning to notice. Finally, Dom cut in. "Han could go."

Han closed his eyes, cursing under his breath. Brian frowned. "No, that's not necessary," Brian replied. "I'll go."

Han snickered. "Oh yeah, that'll work. Ex-cop bustin up in their business? I don't think so," he refused. "I'll do it. I know how to handle these people."

Brian shook his head. "I can't ask you to do that."

"You're not," Han replied instantly. "I'm offering, alright?"

Han stood abruptly, reaching into a drawer near the stove and pulling out a small box and something Brian couldn't make out. He lifted his chin up at the pair remaining at the table, then crossed the living room quickly, pulling open the sliding glass door and stepping out onto the balcony.

Brian looked back at Dom. "I don't know about this, man."

"Don't worry about it," Dom dismissed. "He knows it's the best decision and he wouldn't have it any other way. It just brings up some uncomfortable situations for him."

Brian nodded. "Alright, whatever," he conceded, standing. "I'm headin back to my place. Wanna grab another beer?"

Dom shook his head. "Naw, man, I'm on my way back to the fort. I'll catch you tomorrow at work."

Brian made his way out of the apartment, and Dom stood as well. Instead of moving toward the door, however, he followed Han and stepped out onto the balcony. The Asian man was standing, back leaning against the brick wall bordering the sliding glass door, and casually smoking a Black n Mild.

Dom snickered. "Thought you quit that shit."

Han shrugged, inhaling the cigarette again. "Kind of."

Dom moved closer to the edge of the balcony, placing his hands on the railing. "You know you don't have to do this? You don't owe anybody, and it's gonna get you in some shit you've done good to leave behind."

Han nodded calmly. "I know. It's the only way to get this girl away from them though," he said distantly. "She can get her shit together before she fucks everything up like I did."

Dom frowned. "It's gonna be hard for you to be around that activity without wanting a piece of the action, Han."

"Yeah," Han replied simply.

Dom studied him. "You think she's worth it," he commented.

Han shrugged. "I don't know her."

"But what you do know of her," Dom countered smoothly. "You think she's worth the risk."

Han remained silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I think it's not as big of a risk as you believe it is," he remarked. "I've been on the wrong side of a gun a few too many times now. Ready to settle down a little," he continued seriously.

Dom snickered. "White picket fence, 2.5 brats, and a Chihuahua named Pedro?"

Han smirked. "Hell no," he replied. "Just ready to commit misdemeanors instead of felonies," he clarified with a grin. He returned to his seriousness in a heartbeat, however, as he continued. "And I don't know Lindsey well, but she's…" he paused. "She's dynamic. And I know the only way to help her from getting in too deep is to pull her out myself."

Dom winced. "I think I've made you babysit her too much."

"Nah," Han denied. "She needs some… educating," he finished with a grin. Taking one last draw from his Black, he put it out against the brick wall and tossed it over the railing. "Want another beer?"

"No," Dom replied. "I'm headin out. You should get some rest," he advised. "You got a big couple of days coming up."

-X-

The next morning, Han was locking his apartment up behind him when the O'Connor's door swung open. He pocketed his keys as he finished, then turned around to see Lindsey leaning against the door casing. As his eyes traveled down her frame, he raised an eyebrow, and his mouth formed a smirk.

"Good morning, Britney," he greeted sardonically.

She glared, glancing down at her pleated uniform skirt, which was thankfully acceptably short, and the fitted white button down she'd left untucked. The uniform was completed with a pair of knee socks and black Mary Jane shoes.

Lindsey pouted. "Shut. Up."

He smirked. "School?"

She rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately."

"Brian taking you?" he asked.

She frowned. "Again, unfortunately."

He grinned. "I'll drop you off."

"You don't have to," she replied, surprised.

He shrugged, but remained silent. "I guess if you don't mind," she responded slowly. "We should talk anyway."

"Oh, never mind," he shook his head. "I don't want to give you a ride anymore," he continued, grinning and turning to walk down the hall.

"Shut up!" she said again.

"I'll meet you at the car," he called back, descending the stairs as she went back into her apartment.

A few minutes later, Lindsey climbed into the passenger's seat of his NSX-R and he peeled away from the curb. They remained silent as he navigated the streets for a few minutes, until finally Lindsey spoke.

"You don't have to do it, you know," she remarked.

Han smirked. "What, drive you to school? I'll let you out here and you can walk the rest of the way."

"Ha ha," she replied, rolling her eyes. "You know what I mean."

He nodded. "Yeah, I know."

She looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. He sighed. "I know I don't have to, but I'm gonna anyway."

"Why?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Need some excitement," he responded. "Shit's getting boring."

She shook her head, but didn't press the issue. "Well, then thanks I guess," she said offhandedly.

He nodded as he pulled into the crowded high school parking lot, catching the attention of every student gathered around their cars. Their eyes remained glued to the impressive black Honda sports car, waiting to see who climbed out.

"Looks like you're making quite an entrance," he commented, nodding to the waiting crowd.

She grinned. "Yeah, well, that's how I roll," she shrugged. He smirked, and she continued. "We have to finish my car pretty soon so I can drive myself, though. Don't want these assholes thinking I can't drive a badass car on my own, you know."

He nodded his agreement. "What time does this shit end?"

"What, school?" she asked, and he nodded. "Two fifty."

He nodded. "I'll pick you up at three."

Please let me know what you think! Review!

And hmm... How does Han know all about Lindsey's predicament??