Courtney crept quietly downstairs the next morning. She was feeling more angry now then hurt. She should've known not to trust men even if they promised to be different. She pulled out different things from the fridge and started cooking. It was so early that no one was around. She had always found that cooking distracted her enough not to think about anything but what she was cooking. It had always worked back at home and now it would work here. True she didn't even have to stay here, she could leave whenever she pleased but she didn't have anywhere else to go.

"Smells good in here," Vince said walking an hour later in causing Courtney to jump. "Whatcha cooking Blondie?"

"A mix of everything," she mumbled as Vince walked to the bench. "Want some coffee?"

"Sure,"

Courtney put on the coffee pot and reached up to the top cupboard to grab a cup. The problem she was a little too short. Vince came up next to her and got a cup down for her.

"Thank you,"

"Are you okay?" Vince asked as he passed her the cup. "You seem a little off,"

"I'm fine,"

He leant against the bench and looked her.

"Really? Because it doesn't seem so,"

She sighed.

"Why did he have to tell you guys? I asked him not too," she mumbled.

Vince paused and looked at her confused.

"What do you mean?"

Courtney sighed and leant against the bench.

"I heard him tell you all about me,"

Vince shook his head.

"No he didn't. Look Blondie, Dom never lies and never breaks his promises. Believe me when I say that he has told no one about you and your past,"

Vince had started called her Blondie as a joke but it stuck. He saw her as his little sister which was really sweet. She never had an older brother or someone older to care for her before. It seemed that the whole team was looking out for her and it was a really great feeling not having to look over her shoulder ever five minutes.

"But you know?"

"I worked it out, I was in a gang for a while. I saw your marks,"

Courtney realised that was why Vince had taken to her because they had a similar background. She let out a sigh of relief as she heard Vince's words. Dom had kept his word and no one but Vince knew her dark, terrible secret – well part of her secret.

"Thanks Vince,"

He simply nodded to her as she poured him some coffee.

"Morning," Dom greeted walking into the kitchen.

"I've got a couple of jobs to do in town," Vince told them, which was code for I'm going to go see Hayley and do not bother us till after lunch preferably at dinner. "I'll see you later,"

Dom nodded his goodbye and wrapped his arms around Courtney. He kissed her cheek as she swatted him away.

"You'll get burnt if you're not careful,"

He leant against the bench and watched her. She had calmed down but still had a lot of cooking to finish off.

"The girls mentioned last night that they want to have a welcoming party for you,"

"For me? Why?"

"Because you're a part of this family and I think they'll looking for a reason to take you shopping and have to a party,"

"That means money, I can't let you waste your money on me,"

"Too bad because I'm going too,"

She smiled to him.

"You shouldn't but thanks,"

"God is it morning?" Rome grumbled walking into the kitchen with most of the team following him.

Courtney laughed and poured everyone a cup. She served up breakfast and like normal most packed it up for take away.

"Courtney what are you doing Friday night?" Mia asked hopping up to sit on the bench.

"Mia," Dom warned sitting down beside Courtney at the table.

Courtney looked from Dom to Hayley and shrugged.

"Nothing, I think,"

"Good, because how do you feel if we had a party on Friday night?"

"Oh, I um,"

She looked to Dom for help.

"Maybe it's too soon," Courtney murmured under her breath.

"Mia maybe we can go out to dinner or something instead," Brian put in grabbing a piece of toast.

"Or hit a club?" Summer suggested.

Mia lit up like a Christmas tree and Courtney swallowed. Dom chuckled under his breath as Courtney looked like a deer caught in the head lights.

"That would be so cool!" Summer exclaimed.

Mia agreed and Courtney began to worry.

"What about Saturday night?" Mia suggested. "We take you out shopping on Friday and Saturday afternoon we can doll you up and go out clubbing on Saturday night,"

"Oh,"

Dom nodded as she turned to him.

"Okay," she said quietly.

Mia squealed excitedly and clapped her hands. She quickly started organising things with Summer who called Hayley as Courtney quickly crept out of the room. Dom noticed and left Mia and Summer to scheme and went to follow Courtney.

"Hey,"

She turned to him and gave him a small smile.

"What's on your mind?"

"I've never been to club before," she lied but she wouldn't tell him the truth.

"So?"

"I don't know how to dance like the girls there,"

Dom laughed causing Courtney to turn away from him embarrassed.

"Hey, I didn't mean to laugh," he said pulling her back towards him. "I could show you something on Saturday night,"

She smiled at him as Mia came in following Summer who was practically jumping for joy.

"Dom, beloved friend and practically my older brother,"

"Get to the point Summer,"

She grinned and Dom rolled his eyes.

"You can get my card on Friday; no sooner. I know what you girls are like when you get a hold of any source money whether it be cash or card,"

The girls chuckled as Summer nodded.

"Thank you Dom,"

The girls left them to go get ready for work and Dom followed their lead. As it was Saturday the garage would only be open a couple of hours but the girls would have to work all day. The girls worked in different places and Courtney was yet to find out where exactly.

Soon Courtney was alone. She sighed but got to work anyway. By lunch time she realised that they would need groceries and soon – her little food feast this morning hadn't helped things. Sitting down on her "favourite" chair, she began a list of all the food she would need. As she wrote the list out she had the idea to make a menu for each night. Lunch could be left over's or sandwiches but dinner could be planned.

Courtney finished the list and put the paper on small coffee table. As the coffee table top was clear glass, Courtney could see old photo albums. Curious, she pulled out the one on top of the pile and curled up on her seat. Before opening the album, she settled down on the couch. She had never had photos of her family or even herself but as she flipped through she found that Dom and Mia had had a close family growing up.

The albums were full of photos of Dom and Mia and (it seemed) nearly everyone that entered into this house. Courtney couldn't help but smile and giggle at the photos of them growing up, of crazy parties (that had probably ended badly) and of family celebrations like Christmas.

Courtney had never felt so cheated as she did at that moment. She never had birthday parties or Christmas presents or even a family get-together. But rather that focus on that she focussed on the photos. She turned the page and froze. It was a picture of Letty sitting on Dom's lap. She swallowed; if Dom was Letty's boyfriend, where was Letty and why wasn't she here?


Finding Home


Letty drove slowly into the small town. She was hoping that Courtney was still here. It had been months since Letty had left but as she drove around she found nothing had changed. She needed to find Courtney and get her and Lucas the hell out of here. She supposed she could always take them back to the team. Letty wanted to give them both a chance at a better life.

Letty pulled up at a small house and stopped the car. She pulled the keys out and locked the car. It would take a few days to settle in but she was going to locate them as soon as she could…


Finding Home


Author's Note: So this is a shortish chapter but I hope you like it. There is still a long way to go on this story but stay with me please. Please tell me what you think.