A/N: To all my reviewers: THANK YOU SO MUCH! You guys keep me going; I love to hear what people really think. What parts they like and don't like, the feedback is priceless. Keep it up please!

Running-Wild22 – I'm sorry, but I can't let them keep the money, I'm having way to much fun torturing the shit out them! Mwahaha! Hope you can forgive me :)

And without further adieu… ch 6.

---Chapter 6: Secrets---

"We have some decisions to make guys, actually Mia… it's mostly on you," Leon said over breakfast one day.

"What are you talking about?" Vince said between chews.

"Well, Brian stopped over here a few days ago and clued me in. First of all he's the reason we're not all rotting in jail right now, whatever he said, five-o seems to have left us alone so far,"

"So Dom can just come back then right?" Letty chimed in, hoping he would say yes, knowing he would say no.

"Sorry girl," he shook his head, "have you seen the news? Anyways, secondly, we touch that money and the deals off. We go to jail for the next five to ten, at least."

"What! Thats fucking bullshit! Why can't we keep it? They can't prove shit!" Some food flew out of Vince's mouth as he yelled.

"I guess they're watching it… I mean it's not exactly like we're the intellectually elite here! I mean Jesus Christ… who ever said hindsight is 20/20 was dead on, we had a fuckin retarded plan and it's really no wonder it backfired. Plus your blood is all over that semi. The truck driver saw your face. They have two Honda Civics with yours, Dom's, Letty's and Jesse's prints all over 'em and they can link those cars to all the hijackings, they don't need Brian's testimony, they have more than enough to put us all away! They're just screwing with us. When a bunch of grease monkeys like us start walkin around dropin a whole bunch of money, people start to get suspicious… "

"We'd be in Mexico spending that shit! We worked hard for that money, how do we really know they found it?"

"They're the government; they probably know when you take a shit,"

"Not that the whole neighborhood doesn't…ewe," Letty mumbled and Mia giggled in response. Leon smiled and then continued.

"You really want to take that chance? How much is your freedom worth. Because its just money man… we can make more,"

"He's right, don't be greedy, we got to keep our lives… be grateful," Letty said quietly, but it shut Vince up, he knew she had a point.

"Ok, so what about me?" Mia spoke up.

"Mia… we're all gonna leave, just because that's the way it is, not that we're too excited but, you don't have to come… you got school and stuff,"

"Fuck that, I'm coming too… you said it yourself Leon, we're all each other's got right now, and you guys are my family I'm coming,"

"Ok then," Leon nodded respecting her decision, and quite frankly being happy about it, "now you gotta decide what to do with the house, the shop, and the store,"

Oops. She hadn't thought about that.

"You don't have to do it right now… but we gotta keep moving things along… oh and Jesse's funeral is on Friday, so wear something nice," the other three were surprised at how cavalier he was when he said it. His dead best friend was being put in the ground for the rest of eternity and he acted like he had just informed them of a lunch date.

With that breakfast was over and they went on with the rest of the day. Leon went about fixing up some things around the house, namely the bullet holes in the front, and the holes he made in the bathroom.

It was another hot day. Leon stood outside fixing holes, drenched in sweat, shirt tucked on his back pocket. Mia walked out of the house, dressed for the weather. As she walked past Leon couldn't help but comment on her especially short shorts.

"Nice shorts," he smiled at her. She smiled back.

"Nice shirt," she responded, he kept smiling his charming smile, shook his head and went back to work.

Vince was around back when he saw Mia walkup to her car, so he jogged out to meet her.

"So I fixed the driver's side lock, you said that it wasn't working," he smiled at her.

"Yeah, I noticed, thanks Vince," she looked at him with a sad smile. She almost pitied the man in the sling.

"Oh. Ok. Where you goin?"

"I just need to clear my head," she said as she slid into the front seat.

"Ok, drive safe then," he pushed her door shut and then she sped off.

Driving made her feel free, she was, after all, a Toretto through and though.

"Drive safe? Fucking idiot. Could I be less suave?" He said to himself as walked over to Leon, "You need a hand bro?"

"Sure, grab that thing I keep tipping it over," Leon pointed to a can of something. He knew Vince wanted to feel helpful, so he gave him a job, even though it was useless.

"I'm kinda worried about Letty… she's not …Letty," Vince said with concern.

"Just give her some time, shes trippin ya know? Dom hasn't called in a few days and I know what's naggin in the back of her head… is he gonna call again? Or just disappear and leave us here…"

"He wouldn't do that," it was Vince's duty as the best and oldest friend to have Dom's back no matter what. But after everything that had happened even he was starting to wonder what was going to happen.

Later that day in a part of town that wasn't too far away…

Brian lay on his couch just waiting to see what the great state of California had in store for him. He watched TV, Jerry Springer, the occasional Maury; he was shocked when he heard a knock at the door.

"Mia… hi," was all he could think to say

She smiled at him, he hadn't shaved in a while, but those eyes were still the same, big, blue, and deep as the sea.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" she pushed past him into the living room.

He was thrilled to see her but his surprise was more overwhelming.

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?"

"I went to see Harry, he's such a fuckin fish…I just wanted to see you… say thank you maybe," she looked up into his big blue eyes. "Brian you saved our asses, we owe you,"

"not really,"
"yes really, if you weren't there the same shit still would have happened, except worse, Vince would be dead, my brother would be in jail, Letty would probably be dead too, and Leon would be right beside Dom in the slammer, and if I wasn't in jail too I'd be all alone…" she trailed off with tears in her eyes.

"Wait, why would you be in jail?" he probed, she realized her error and her eyes went wide, "you were in on it? Weren't you?"

She nodded, yes.

"Most of them barely graduated high school, so I have to do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of money management and stuff…" she looked at the floor, ashamed of her behavior, "but I guess I didn't hide the money that well…" Brian regarded her, almost unable to imagine her being in on it. Mia a criminal?

The room was quiet for what seemed like an eternity.

"I was… I am really into you Mia, I wasn't just doing that to get in with your brother; I hope you know that. I should have come to you but…" she interrupted. Thankful he had accepted her guilty truth.

"Don't…I know… I was just really pissed off, about everything. Its just all so fucked up, it wasn't your fault though." He nodded in response and after a momentary pause he spoke again.

"So… you want a beer?"

"yeah." She smiled at him, basking in his charm.

The two fell in to their old routine: chatting and giggling. They both had a hell of a time. She needed a break from the anguish the house pushed on her. And he enjoyed the company and time away from contemplating his dim future. Hours passed and they both forgot about the time.

"Shit! I gotta go! The boys are gonna be pissed," Mia rushed around trying to find her purse and keys.

"Why would they be mad? They haven't killed me yet, so I'm assuming that they don't hate me that much,"

"Look, they're just sensitive, and they probably haven't eaten yet, so I have to go but," she kissed him on the lips, not passionately, just to say: I'll see you later, "call me," she smiled mischievously as she ran out the door.

Brian stood stunned for a moment. She was like a force of nature, blowing through his life and making a mess. But he didn't mind the mess.

Leon was sitting on the couch drinking a beer, staring blankly at the TV when Mia walked in the door.

"Where the fuck were you?" Leon looked over at her with a smirk on his face.

"Sorry, I lost track of time… did you guys eat?"

"Its 1:30 in the morning, yeah Mia, we ate. Vince, and Let are passed out, have been for a while,"

"So why are you still up?"

"I don't sleep so good these days… but you didn't answer my question, where'd you go?"

She pondered for a moment, should she tell him? Would he be mad? Why would he be mad? They were just screwing around. It was fun though… really fun. A smile crept across her face.

"You were with O'Connor huh?" he smiled at her.

"Am I that easy to read?"

"Pretty much, have fun?" he chuckled and started to walk up stairs.

"Yeah…Don't tell Vince,"

"Why?"

"Look things with me and Vince are just… really complicated ok,"

"Mia the man communicates in grunts sometimes, that isn't exactly the sign of a complex mind, ok, what are you talking about, complicated?"

"I just don't wanna make him feel bad, everything is just so shitty, ya know,"

"With all that shit he's on I don't think he feels much of anything these days," he continued his assent.

"So are you gonna tell him?"

"No more secrets," she heard him mumble as he stumbled up the stairs.

She stayed down stairs for a while thinking. She thought about Brian; it was fun. So why was she feeling guilty? Screw Vince. Why did she care? Mia walked up stairs, changed into pajamas and climed into bed with Letty and Leon. They had all been sleeping in the same bed since Vince and Letty had come back from the hospital. It was a comfort thing.

The next morning Mia woke earlier than everyone else, she decided to make a trip to Brian's since the previous night was such a blast. Vince heard someone rustling around downstairs and it woke him up. He listened for a few minutes and when he heard keys jingle he wondered who was going out at that hour. He slipped on jeans and a button up faster than should have been possible and darted downstairs just as the front door closed. Then he saw her through the window.

Vince couldn't help it; his curiosity got the best of him. There was no way he was going to be able to shift his car, so he grabbed a bike out of the garage in record speed. He could ride a bike with one arm. Even though it was too small, it was pink, had and had noise makers on the spokes. He started to pedal as hard as he could. It was a good thing she was actually obeying the residential speed limit for once or he would have lost her in an instant. But he rode that bike until he thought his legs would catch fire, and finally she parked.

He hid behind a dumpster and watched her pound on the door.

Who the hell is she looking for? Is she on drugs? If that's a drug dealer I'm gonna… his train of thought was interrupted when he saw Brian open the door.

What the FUCK!

She walked inside and the door slammed shut. He couldn't believe his eyes. He ditched the bike and crept a little closer, peering in the window. And what he saw lit a fire under his ass.

Leon and Letty were sitting at the kitchen table playing cards wondering where the hell everyone was. Vince burst through the door winded from his bike ride home.

"Go fish," Letty said with no enthusiasm. And Leon drew up a card.

"Holy shit you guys, you wanna know what I just saw?" Vince ranted as he stormed into the kitchen.

"Why are you so sweaty?" said Letty as she looked at him with disgust.

"Vince… did you ride that bike?" Leon said looking out the window and the cycle in the driveway.

"Wasn't that Mia's when she was like…14?" Letty said with a smirk.

"What? Yeah… goddamn it, this is important! I just followed Mia and…"

"Oh Jesus, you're following her now? Don't you think you've taken your obsession a little too far now?" She interrupted and Leon chuckled.

"Fuck you guys! Her and the buster are screwing around!"

Everyone in the room paused. Letty was shocked, not only because Vince had taken his Mia infatuation to a new low, but at Mia's behavior. Leon had no idea how to respond because he had figured as much, but never thought anyone would find out. And Vince had just run out of things to say.

"Are you sure?" Letty finally muttered.

"Um, no Letty, you're right, they're probably just playing naked bored games… like Risk, yeah that's it they were playing naked-Risk, thank you for opening my eyes to that possibility," Vince snapped with sarcasm then paused, "what are we gonna do?"

"Nothing Vince, leave her alone," Leon spoke in a serious tone.

"What? Why?"

"People do strange things when they are in pain, and we owe him… so we can't fuck him up,"

"FUCK! I hate that you have a conscience!" Vince stormed out of the room.

"That is kind of fucked up though, don't you think?" Letty looked at Leon with her big brown eyes. He only shrugged. "She should have told us… she's been acting kind of strange lately anyways though…"

"Haven't we all," he replied as he picked up his cards, "got any twos?"

It was a few hours longer before Mia returned to the house and was unpleasantly surprised to find the others awake.

Letty walked up to Mia and took a huge whiff of the air around her, "smells like…sex!"

Mia jumped at the accusation. Oh shit.

"What?"

"Don't play dumb Mia, we know you were preoccupied with a certain boy in blue," Letty raised one eyebrow and called Mia out. Mia went from stiff to limp and a sad smile spread over one side of her face.

"You got me… how'd you know?"

"Vince has officially gone off the deep end… anyways, what the fuck Mia? Its not that you were with him that bothers me… its just… don't you think we've had enough liars round here lately? People sneakin around and keeping secrets. Now you gotta be one?" she shook her head in disappointment.

"Letty, I'm sorry! I… I knew you guys would be pissed, and I've about had with all this goddamn drama, I'm just sick of everything being so shitty,"

"Me too, but… let us be pissed off! You're a big girl Mia, get over it, we're not always gonna be thrilled about you decisions… but we'll always have your back… I just don't get it,"

"I'm sorry… I just can't stop screwing up…" she muttered.

"What do you mean?"

Mia shook her head in response and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry let… I just needed an escape, I can't breathe here…"

"I know…me either," Letty reached up and hugged Mia tightly, "so was the uniform hot or what? I mean I know you guys did some role playing," Letty teased. Mia pushed her lightly in response and rolled her eyes as she laughed a little.

"You better talk to V, he's hell bent on stabbing something," Mia nodded.

She thought about what she would say to him, and she would have to talk to Leon too… she knew that look in his eyes.

"Hey creepy," Mia said quietly to Vince as she approached him in the back yard. He was sitting at the picnic table smoking when she came out. He didn't want to look at her. He knew he had no right to feel what he was feeling, but that couldn't stop him.

"Vince look at me," he turned at looked at her with no apparent emotion on his face, "I owe you some explaining," he turned his head to look straight forward again and clenched his jaw in irritation. She took a deep breath before beginning, "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have tried to hide him from any of you guys… I just didn't want to hurt your feelings, I know you are really into me Vince and I totally take advantage of that sometimes," He nodded in agreement, still staring straight ahead, "and I shouldn't. I really owe you a lot… when my dad died…" his head snapped toward her so fast it almost came off, she sniffled, "and Dom went away… there you were. You took care of me… helped me deal… held me while I cried and when I couldn't sleep at night… helped me get emancipated… and a million other things that helped me through that shit… I now find myself in a similar situation… I'm trying so hard,"

Vince reached out his good arm and grabbed her hand. Tears were now streaming down her face.

"Don't cry," he wiped away a tear from her cheek with his thumb, "if you need me I'm here… but if you wanna deal on your own… I get that… whatever makes you happy… even if it's the buster," he got up and walked back in the house still trying to simmer his temper a bit.

Evening descended on the city. Things around the house had calmed and it was just passed dinner. Vince was dozing on the couch and Letty was on the porch reading a hot rod mag. Leon walked into the kitchen covered in grease. He had been stripping the last Civic in the garage. He planned to sell it off in parts, less suspicious that way. He proceeded to start washing up.

"Hey can't we talk?" Mia approached him from behind.

"Sure princess, what's up?" he replied, not really listening.

"Like… in private," she uttered, knowing he wasn't listening. He heard that though. And immediately paused and looked at her, then shook his head and whispered,

"I don't want no sloppy seconds girl," he went back to scrubbing his hands.

"Don't flatter yourself… just listen ok?"

He finished cleaning up and noticed and unconscious Vince, and highly preoccupied Letty. He nodded for her to follow him up stairs. They went in to Dom and Letty's room, the room Let, Mia and Leon had been sharing. He perched on the edge of the bed uneasily. What was she about to say?

"So… you're ok with the Brian thing right?" She blurted out, not really having thought that one through.

"Are you serious?" he raised his brows. Was that what she had pulled him in private for?

"Yeah… I just wanted to make sure you weren't mad… or jealous?" He tried to keep from laughing.

"Jealous of that fool? HA! Please,"

"We messed around and it was way fun, and I just wanted to make sure that you didn't think it was more,"

"well don't flatter yourself miss thang," he retorted, "sorry… that came out mean… your right… it was fun… but Mia, the only reason I touched you was because you were begging for it… sorry… that came out mean too… you're a beautiful girl, woman… and…" she cut him off before he said another stupid thing.

"Ok so we were just messing right? No feelings and shit?"

"Right… what made you think other wise?"

"Sometimes, you just look at me …"

"Like you're hot? Cause you are. What? I'm not entitled?" he joked. She rolled her eyes.

"Ok… thanks Leon, you're a good man, you're gonna make some lucky lady really happy one day," she leaned over and kissed him sweetly on the cheek then left the room closing the door behind her. Leon fell back on the bed with his hand over his heart and sighed. He knew she'd bought his lie.

How could you let yourself start to fall for her you damn fool… he thought as he lay in the silence.

They thought they had been so careful. That no one would ever find out about their little… affair. But in all of their sneaking around and covering their asses they had forgotten to close the bedroom window; it faced the same direction as the back porch. It was hotter than hell in the summer and so it easily slipped their minds. But their conversation was not about to be forgotten by Letty anytime soon.

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A/N: I tried my hand at a cliff hanger… it could go either way on that one. Let me know what you guys think of everything PLEASE!