The pitlane was awfully quiet at Sunday afternoon. Kenshin knew that it was time to think everything over because once the lights are green, anything could happen. The tension was unbearable to those who didn't really understand what it meant to go out to the track. Most people assumed that racers just wanted to win and nothing else mattered. In reality, those men only wanted to be better, be faster than they'd been the last time. And they kept in mind that they were playing with their lives every time.

Kenshin sighed. He felt alone this time. Usually the knowledge that Kaoru was beside him helped to relax. She wasn't with him now, though. He didn't blame her for her decision, he was the one who had hurt her. his jealousy and possessiveness… Kaoru had had enough and the man admitted that she was right.

Patting his racecar, he left the pit and went to their vans at the back. He spotted her and smiled at the sight. Kaoru was sitting in her Yaris Sport's opened trunk, curled up. She was listening to her iPod and read a book.

The racer also noticed that she couldn't concentrate and that made him satisfied a little. So he wasn't the only one who struggled because of her decision.

"You should be at the pit." Kaoru took off her earphones. Her voice sounded neutral yet her eyes reflected worry. She was easy to read.

"I know. Just wanted to see you…"

"That's rich, coming from you." The woman laughed nastily. " If I remember correctly, you were the one who sent me away."

"I didn't mean it, I was stupid… Forgive me?" Kaoru was well aware how hard it was for the way too proud man to admit his wrongness. Still, he's words had hurt her and now she wasn't really sure where they were going with their relationship.

"I can't… give me a little time, ok? It still makes me cry at night…"

Kenshin bent his head. "I'm sorry…I'm jealous and during the season we don't have enough time and I'm scared. There are guys wating in line to get you."

"You are stupid, Himura Kenshin." She hit him with her book. "I don't give a flying fuck about those idiots! If you forgot, I grew up in the pit, I could've chosen any other man but I chose you. Think it over."

He wanted to say something but the race-call filled the air. Kenshin smiled sadly and bent his head to the side. "Will you still talk to me while I'm out there?"

She nodded slowly. In the last ten laps, he needed her to help him concentrate on something other than his tiredness. She would help him with that.

And she did. An hour later Himura Kenshin was rushing toward his cup without a problem when he asked for Kaoru.

"Hey. Are you all right there?"

"Yes. A bit tired, that's all."

"You always say that but when you finish you celebrate until dawn." Kaoru chuckled and he smiled as well, remembering their nights together.

"You are at fault, my dear. You make me forget my fatigue easily."

"Flatterer."

"Yeah. Does it work?"

"Doesn't it always?"

"Kaoru…"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you…"

The next moment, the camera showed as Kenshin's car was uncontrollably speeding towards the wall at the track's sharp turn and crashed into the hard block. The car's front wrinkled up easily, like it was made from plastic. The only thing that remained somewhat whole and unhurt was the cabin around Kenshin. It was comfort though, because the racer didn't move.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru tried to call him in a trembling voice. She got no answer, not even the second and third time, not when she was shouting.

The safety car and medical car were on the track. Kaoru was watching with wide eyes as they managed to pull Kenshin out. The next minute when his helmet was finally off, the man lifted his arm and showed a thumb up with a grin on his face. Unfortunately when he wanted to get up, his right leg gave out. It was fractured but it wasn't open.

Kaoru opened her mouth to cry silently, then her own shaking limbs gave out and she collapsed to her knees in relief.

"Thank god…"

The mechanists and engineers hugged each out in the garage too, some were laughing hysterically. Kaoru looked at them, smiling at the picture. They wouldn't have been happier even if Kenshin won the race.

"Kaoru…"

"Kaoru." Her eyes widened when she heard the oh so familiar voice through the radio.

"Kenshin"

She heard him chuckle and in a second, her fright turned into anger. " You freak, you just took 20 years from my life!"

"Just 20?" He asked.

"Don't joke, Himura, I thought you died!" The woman cried and began sobbing into the radio.

Kenshin tried to comfort her from the distance with little success. In the end, he sighed loud. "You were really worried…"

"Of course I was worried, you jerk!"

"So that means that you'll marry me?" Kenshin asked in a lazy, playful tone.

"You hit your head Himura! Is this the time to ask that? You are sick!" the woman shouted.

" You still haven't answered, Kaoru. So?"

" I love you."

" I know that. But will you marry me?"

"…yes."

"I can't hear yo-ouch! Man, can't you be more careful, that hurt! 'sides, I'm trying to propose here and I missed my answer…" she heard him argue, probably with a doctor. " Sorry, Kaoru, but the guy here wants to kill me instead of saving my leg." The racer explained. " What did you say?"

" YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSS"

She heard slight muttering. "Now I need a doctor to save my eardrums as well…"

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