Disclaimer: I do not own anything that does not have my name written next to it in pretty pink pen. I only own my own fictional characters, this include my OFC Nicola Andrews and her family. I also do not own any of the songs used to write this story…except on CD.
Reviews etc. are always appreciated and adored.
Summary- "She always said you were her knight in shining armour." Mia appeared from nowhere, her face stained with tears as she looked down at the car. Leon looked up at her and his face fell. "I'm so sorry, Le. If we hadn't…" She started to sob again and Leon stood up pulling the girl into a hug, pressing a kiss into her hair. "Hey Mia, it wasn't your fault, baby."
Oh my gosh! Felt so loved! I was sick all day yesterday and it made me feel so much better when I got all your lovely reviews! Love Ink, Ava, Mrz Letty Ortiz-Toretto, Tfatfreak207 and Gingermegs- You guys are amazing! And I'm so glad you are still loving the Vince and Lala jibes- they're heaps fun to write. Let me know what you think of this chapter and be honest because I have put a great deal of thought into this story line and this chapter is kind of a pivotal point so you need to be honest! And oh yeah you guys rock!
Playlist -
When we were Kids – The Galvatrons
Diva – Beyonce
E.T – Katy Perry
Chapter Ten – And you held her arms around you
Nicola watched Leon leave through the front door of the garage and pushed herself up in the chair to make sure he'd gone. Rolling the chair away from her desk she stood up, gripping the desk for support until she was sure she could stand. The crutches lay beside the chair and she shook her head in defiance. She'd been on them for two weeks, everyday she got up and tried to walk without them and so far she was doing alright. So after letting go of the desk she slowly made her way for the door on the far side of the garage.
Using the walls for balance and gripping the edge of anything she could find, wincing when she left smudges on the bonnet of a Beamer, she made her way to the door and without giving herself a chance to back out she swung the door open. The light from the garage bathed the small room in a dim light and she could make out the outline of a car. Stepping over the threshold she flicked on the lightswitch and stared at the crumpled car that sat in front of her.
The Mustang was missing it's drivers side door, which lay on the ground, feet away and the whole side was crumpled. Nicola was frozen as she stood in front of the car. It was amazing she'd survived. The windscreen had shattered on impact and was filled with tiny web-like cracks. Finally taking a deep breath she stepped forward, her fingers grasping the roof of the car, the only smooth surface on the entire drivers side.
The beige leather bench seats were covered in brown streaks, a large brown handprint was on the headrest behind where her head had been and she realised it was blood. The handprint was Leons from when he'd lifted her head to check she was breathing.
"La?" She knew his voice, she'd know it anywhere and she could suddenly remember the panic on his face, the rose tint to her vision. "La? What are you doing in here?" Turning around she saw Leon standing in the doorway looking at her with an intense worry in his eyes.
"I had to see it." Nicola replied quietly and turned back to the car. "I didn't think it would be this bad." She said as she tasted salt in her mouth and realised she was crying. She felt his warm hand on the small of her back and she turned around to pull herself into his chest. "They said the baby survived the crash right?"
She saw Leon flinch and suddenly realised that the whole thing had been harder on Leon than she'd ever thought.
"You saved it. When the first car hit you, you wrapped your arms around your stomach to stop the impact. That's why there were so many cuts on your arms." He said quietly as they both stared at the car, her arms still wrapped tightly around his waist.
"I told you it was cursed." She said after a minute. "The Charger too."
"What happened to the Charger and this…La, they had nothing to do with any curse." He sighed and she felt his chest expand beneath hers. "This was all just peoples stupidity. Mine being the biggest contributor." He said and Nicolas jaw twitched at the admission but decided against saying anything about it.
"I notice the cops haven't come around, I thought they would have seized everything." She said quietly and Leon looked down at her.
"They were left with nothing. There was no money and Brian bailed so there was no evidence." He said quietly and she looked up to meet his eyes.
"How do you know?" She asked quietly.
"They pulled Mia and me in for questioning just after it happened."
"You should have told me." Nicola said, squeezing his waist and he wrapped his arms around her in return.
"It had nothing to do with you La. You just got caught in the middle." He placed a kiss on her forehead and looked at the door. "You walked out here without your crutches?" He asked.
"I tried, there are a few smudges on the hood of the Beamer, sorry."
"Ugly fucking car anyway." He muttered and helped her back out the door, flicking off the lights and closing the door as they walked back into the office, helping her sit down before standing back and looking at her. Her long brown hair had been straightened that morning or during the night, and she'd French braided her bangs off her face and had a small plait going halfway around her head, the rest of her long hair falling loose. It was such an unusual look for her Leon mused as she lifted her pale legs up onto the desk and he leant back against it.
"I can get rid of the car if you want?" He said, crossing his arms across his chest and taking in her teary eyes.
"No, no it's my Dads car- I'll fix it, one day." She said quietly and looked through the large window to the Charger still sitting near the wall. "What are you going to do with that?" She asked.
"It'll stay there until Dom and Letty come back." He replied as he looked over his shoulder at the tarp covered car.
"Leon?" He turned back to face her, "I don't think they're coming back." She said sadly and Leon shook his head.
"They're coming back, La. They have to come back." Nicola felt a pang of sadness in her chest at the look on Leons face. After everything, they were still Leons family.
"Okay." She replied quietly. "Look how pale my legs are!" Trying to change the subject. Leon glanced down at her legs and smiled slightly, they were very white. "I need to lie in the sun for about a month." She growled and dropped her legs off the table, pulling herself closer towards the desk and looking up at him. He stared back at her like he wanted to say something but instead let out a loud sigh and stood up.
"I've got to go down to Harry's, you think you can stay out of trouble until then?" Leon asked and Nicola nodded. "Alright I'll see you later." He turned around and left the room and Nicola knew she'd hit a nerve.
The day Nicola came out of the hospital with no crutches, Vince and Leon were there to greet her, both sweeping her up into their arms and spinning her around with excitement.
"Okay, guys! Put me down!" She squealed and Leon placed her back down on the ground and looked down at her, a proud smile on his face.
"And you thought you would never walk." Leon said quietly.
"Well la-di-fucking-da, give yourself a pat on the back, Nostradamus." She teased and poked him in the ribs, making him laugh and loop an arm around her shoulders. Nicola linked an arm through Vinces and they walked toward the red DT pick-up truck. They looked like the happiest of friends and as Nicola looked between her two now best friends she realised she was happy.
"You're riding bitch, Kitten." Vince said as he opened the passenger side of the truck and gestured to the bench seat. Clambering up into the truck Nicola slumped into the seat as both Leon and Vince climbed in on either side of her, their large frames making a tight fit.
"I feel like going out! Lets go out and get drunk like we used to!" Nicola said as Leon pulled out into the street and chanced a look at her.
"You've been without crutches all of five minutes, La and you want to go out?" He asked incredulously.
"I've been walking without them for ages now. And besides I feel fine." She rolled her eyes at Leon before rolling her head around to look at Vince. "What about you, princess? You want to come out with the big kids?" She teased.
"I will drink you under the table, missy." He said, jabbing her in the side with his forefinger. "Come on Leon, we'll just go to Jimmys."
"Yeah come on Leon." Nicola whined, a large grin on her face.
"Someones gotta keep you two out of trouble." Leon replied, a grin on his face as well.
"Trouble? Pfft, never!" Nicola replied and glanced back at Vince shaking her head. "Can you believe this fool?" She pointed her thumb at Leon and Leon used his free hand to poke her in the side. "Whats with all the poking!"
"What did you double your breakfast of bitchflakes this morning?" Leon asked, cocking an eyebrow at Nicola and she felt a pang of sadness. In all the moments, when she was having fun and they were friends, why did he have to look at her like that?
"Fine, y'all can stay home." She said and Vince let out a cry of rejection.
"Hey! I said I was in!"
"Well V and I will have a great time without you." She cocked her eyebrow straight back at him and Leon laughed.
"Like that's even possible."
Four nights later, after much protesting from Leon about giving it time, Nicola and Steph stood in front of the pool table, beers in hand as they leant against the same pool cue and watched Leon and Vince take each other on.
"You suck!" Steph yelled at Leon and stood back throwing a triumphant grin at Nicola who took a long sip of her Corona. Stephs usual unruly red hair was hanging loose around her shoulders and she wore a tight black tank and short torn denim skirt, a pair of slouchy black leather boots were on her feet and she used the toe of them to push against the back of Leons knee to make him fall into the pool table and turn around to glare at her. "What?" She questioned and Leon just shook his head at the red-head. He glanced over at Nicola who was swaying slightly as she sipped on her beer, one hand in the pocket of her torn denim cuttoffs, her green button up shirt hugging her curves perfectly and the tailored sides showing the flesh of her hips.
"Come on beat him already Leon." Nicola said. Leon hit the cue ball easily and it bounced off the opposite side, before shooting back and knocking the black eight ball into the corner pocket easily.
"Oh yeah!" Leon shouted as he hi-fived Nicola and they both stuck their tongues out at him.
"Just like old times." Vince rolled his eyes and held his pool cue out to Nicola.
"How about you show us your expertise?" He asked and Nicola cocked an eyebrow at him, taking his cue before looking behind him to see two other guys walk over to the pool table.
"You girls want to play doubles?" The two beachy looking guys asked as they glanced between Nicola and Steph, oblivious to the two large men that they'd arrived with. Nicola shot Steph a look and smile mischievously.
"Sure, I don't really know how to play though." Nicola said innocently and the guy with sandy brown hair stepped up to the table and threw her fox smile.
"It's alright, we'll teach you how." He said flirtatiously as Nicola leaned against the cue and rose and eyebrow.
"Lets make it interesting." Steph intercepted and leant against the pool table showing off her best assets much to Vinces dismay as he stalked over to stand beside Leon and cross his arms across his chest as he watched the two girls. "How about we make a bet?" Nicola and Steph exchanged a look of agreement and the two guys smiled.
"Alright, we win, you both have to go out with us." The sandy haired one eyed Nicola up.
"And if we win- two hundred bucks, each." Steph said, biting her plump lip for effect.
"Four hundred bucks?" The other blonder one said, his blue eyes narrowing.
"Like I said- interesting." Steph replied and the two males shared a look and nodded at the girls.
"Alright, which of you lovely ladies is going to break?"
"I will." Nicola said and threw Leon a knowing look. He just shook his head at her and looked over at Vince who was still smarting over Stephs flirting. "I have to hit the white ball right? Where do I put it?" Nicola asked as she went towards the head of the table and held up the white ball. The sandy haired one that was watching her, walking over and taking her hand, placed the ball down on the line, as Leon tried to repress the urge to jump the table and punch the guy.
"There I think you have it now." He said as he turned his head to Nicola and she nodded before aiming the cue and with great finesse hit the cue ball into the triangle of colourful balls, sending one into the far corner of the table.
"Oh, that's good right?" She asked as she stood up and Steph walked over to her.
"I thought you were meant to get the black one in?" She said as Nicola handed the cue.
"Oh shit, really?" Nicola threw Steph a confused look as the sandy haired guy walked over, cue in hand and chose his spot at the table.
"Thanks guys." Nicola said sweetly, twenty minutes later as the two boys dished out the cash to the girls.
"You totally hustled us right?" The blonde one asked and Steph winked at him.
"Wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart." The two girls walked back to Leon and Vince who had watched the whole thing, a look of amusement on their faces as they were hustled by the two sweet looking girls.
"Gosh, I haven't done that in forever." Nicola said as she picked her beer off the table beside Leon.
"We still got the moves, girl." Steph said grinning as Vince wrapped his arms around her possessively and Nicola rose an eyebrow at Steph who shrugged. Her and Vince had been affectionate in the privacy of their own house, but never in public.
"I think I'm ready to go home." Vince said and Nicola and Leon looked away as he ran a hand up Stephs leg making her giggle.
"Yeah, come on Catalano, I'll share my winnings with you." Steph said as she stepped out of his arms and looked at the other two.
"See you later, guys." Nicola said and Steph smiled, winking as she dragged Vince away and left the two exes standing there looking at each other.
"You want to go home?" Leon asked and she nodded.
"Yeah, that would be nice." She leant against his side as they made their way to the carpark and as he opened the passenger door of the yellow skyline Nicola stopped and looked up at him, standing under the street light, his dark hair combed back and his green eyes twinkling in the dimness.
"You alright?" He asked and taking a deep breath Nicola nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Once at home, he handed her another beer and they fell onto the couch, flicking through the channels until they came across a game of basketball. Nicolas attention wasn't really on the game, all she could think was that Leon was sitting not even a metre away from her. She tensed at the feelings that were coursing through her body, the same ones she'd been getting for months, every minute that she spent alone with him.
Nicola looked up from her beer and caught Leons eye. She bit her lip quickly and turned away telling herself to stop the thoughts that were running through her mind. She put the beer down and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to ease the tension.
"Something wrong Lala?" Leons husky voice made her eyes dart up to his again, their emerald green depths still asking the question.
"No I'm fine." She muttered, the heat crawling her way up her neck and she took a deep breath and stood up to walk away. As she walked past him, his hand reached out and snagged her wrist. He tugged her to face him but she lost her balance and fell on top of him, kneeling on either side of him. Both of them just sat there staring at each other as she straddled his lap.
Finally Nicola let her heart win out and leant down to catch his lips in hers. She felt Leons hands come to rest on her hips, his thumbs grazing the skin between her shorts and her tank top. She moaned his name into his lips and using his hands he pulled her closer to him sending fire burning through her veins. Her fingers went up to the nape of his neck and she tugged gently at the hair, making his head loll back and she placed hot open mouth kisses along his neck. It elicited a deep growl from his throat and Nicola grinned in triumph as she nipped at his ear lobe before crashing her lips down on his again, her tongue instantly demanding for entrance.
"La." Leon groaned as her fingers groped at the fabric of his shirt, pulling it up his chest, her fingers running up smooth caramel muscle as she went. Suddenly there was a hand on her wrist and every thing came to a sudden stop.
Their chests heaved as they stared at each, communicating with their eyes. She knew Leons were asking her if she was sure she wanted to do this.
"I want you." She leaned into him and tugged on his shirt again, but Leons hands gripped both her wrists and pushed her away.
"Please La, don't. I don't want to hurt you." She rolled her eyes at him and shifted her hips, knowing the movement would drive him mental. She had three years of knowledge to help her win this fight, but Leon also knew her, better than anyone in the world and there was a small niggling in her brain that told her he was right, but she ignored it, pulling her arms from his grasp and pressing her lips to his again.
He finally gave in, groaning again as she pressed her hips down on his hard and his mouth fell open giving her tongue access. Her fingers set to work pulling his shirt off and once she had it discarded she reached for her own, pulling it over her head quickly. Leons hands came up to cup her face as he placed sweet tender kisses on her lips and her eyes caught the black ink on his wrist. Her lips pulled away from his as her fingers grazed the letters of her name and Leon looked down to his wrist.
The overwhelming pounding of her heart only increased as she traced the letters. Forcing herself to drop her hand she turned back, her hazel eyes crashing with his green. There was so much need in them that spurred Nicola on. Leons hands went down to her thighs as he stood up and carried her towards her bedroom where he placed her down gently on the bed and crawled over the top of her, his breath hitting her lips, his hair flopping in his eyes and Nicola reached up to brush it away.
"Are you sure?" He asked so gently and Nicola nodded.
"Yeah, I am."
A/N: OMG! REVIEW x