Disclaimer: I don't own Fast and the Furious.

Rating: Strong T

Warnings: None really.

A/N: Thank you for reading, reviewing, adding this to your alerts and favorites. Sorry for the wait, but here we go

Chapter Ten: Of Truths and D-Days

Waking to someone beside him was still something Dom had to get used to, but if it was waking to Rayne he certainly didn't mind. Her soft warmth pressed snuggly to his side, leg thrown lazily over his sometime during the night and soft breath escaping her slightly parted lips as she slept soundly. It was unfair the way the woman stirred his heart no matter what she did, especially after the confession the night before. The strength she possessed was outstanding and made her even more attractive to him.

Damn, I'm going soft, Dom couldn't help chuckle to himself, as he grudgingly tried to maneuver around her so he wouldn't wake her. Now, some had sneaking away down to a science, but he'd never been one of them. Sure, he slept with many woman but he always made sure it was one who understood what she was getting into to, avoiding the 'hit and run' situation. So, his attempt failing wasn't at all surprising.

"Should I be worried that the first thing I see when I wake up is you hovering over me?" Rayne asked, managing to get in her wit despite being half awake and trying to stifle a yawn.

He grinned, "I don't know. It depends on what you were thinking when you asked me that," completing his escape from the bed.

"I was thinking a particularly sexy good morning, but since you're running –"Dom's mouth swallowed the rest of her words as he covered her mouth with his own. It wasn't the first time he'd kissed her, but she doubted ever getting used to what he did with his mouth. The way his lips moved over hers was slow and teasing, like he had all the time in the world –effectively send those lovely chills up and down her spin. His hand finding its way to her calf and sliding higher did nothing to fire up her brain cells.

If there was something he liked about kissing Rayne, it was the fact that she made a simple kiss seem like the sexiest thing he'd ever experience. He liked the way she enjoyed being kissed nice and slow, returning everything she received in kind. The little sighs and moans she released when he did something she particularly liked did nothing for his control. He could have tried going further than just caressing her leg, but he didn't want to risk his sanity –he didn't doubt she would stop him just when the going got good. Tugging at her lower lip with his teeth, he broke the kiss to pepper smaller kisses across her jaw; "Sexy enough?" he breathed the inquiry in her ear, earning a small tremble of anticipation from her.

"Something tells me that, if I answer it will just add to your ego, Toretto," her response witty, despite the breathlessness in her tone.

Any other woman would have moaned a 'yes' or asked for more, but this was Rayne and she still had the ability to surprise him by doing or saying something out of left field. "Why can't you let a guy win?" kissing her bare shoulder where the shirt her fallen.

"You have enough race chasers worshipping the ground you walk on, you don't need me to be another fan girl do you?" she countered, with a smile. "So, where's my breakfast?"

"Waiting in the kitchen for you to make it," he easily replied with a smirk, going in search of a towel so he could get his day started. Ideally, he joining him in the shower would have made it an even better morning, but he really didn't want to deal with her sass again.

She had to laugh, because he got her with that one. It almost too easy avoiding the large pink elephant in the room as they were doing currently, but the night before needed to be addressed. Her breaking down and confessing wasn't one of those things she could just brush under the rug and ignore. She doubted Dom could forget it either even if he hadn't broached the subject. "Dom…" she began, getting his attention. "I just want to say –to say thank you and…sorry."

"Sorry?"

"Breaking down on you," she clarified, playing with the loose threads of the blanket trying to calm her nerves and not think about the past. "Putting you in that situation when it really wasn't something you should have been involved in."

It figured she would want to retract her confession and opening up, since she was that kind of woman –never letting anyone in. He'd dealt with it before with Letty, but Rayne Cassidy took it to a whole 'nother level he didn't know existed. "I asked and you told me, I don't see what you are apologizing for. Or is it that you didn't want to tell me?"

"I just…" she trailed off when the right words failed her. It was partially true that she didn't want to tell him about it, to drag him –and her–deeper than they already were. Telling him about the accident was fostering a personal bond that would likely be shattered soon.

The way she trapped herself in a web she weaved herself, was so pathetic it was almost sad.

"Trusting isn't easy for you too," he supplied, knowing she was the same way when it came trust. Even he was battling his defenses being with her, but it seemed his were a mere hill compared to her mountain. Things were complicated and it was just the beginning.

She chuckled humorlessly, "You could say that." He didn't know the half of it. "But, either way thank you."

-~*+*~-:-Fast and Furious-:-~*+*~-

"So you and Rayne is a definite thing," Letty stated, not really asking because the kissing she'd witnessed that morning –unfortunately –confirmed it. Now, she'd witnessed many skanks and hussies walk in and out of Dom's life, but never a woman he looked at the way looked at Rayne. Even she hadn't been afforded the blind affection he gave the chick. But, she got it –partially. Cassidy was a fairly good woman and ordinarily, it would be a good thing for Dom, but there was just something off about her and that's where the problem lay. O'Conner had been the same way, so color her cautious with the bitch.

Dom could see where this was going and he was in too good a mood to hear it. "Lemme guess, you have something to say about it?"

"Dom, you've already made your decision. Nothing I say or do at this point will change it, so I won't bother saying anything," she contradicted knowing Dom was practically immovable once he made a choice. "Just hope she doesn't screw you over."

He understood her reservation, since had the some as well –once bitten and all that shit. Half the time he questioned it too, starting something with Rayne with a million question marks surrounding her, but he just couldn't help himself when it came to her. Yeah, he also hoped he didn't get bitten in the ass for his choice. "How many cars have we finished?"

"Blaze's three will be done as soon as we finish the electrical systems," Letty answered, easily slipping into business and leaving all talk about a certain brunette behind them. "Drake is bringing in his 2 later on today, meaning back to work for me."

"Let?" he called out to her, stopping her at the door. "Thanks for looking out."

A small chuckle escaped her, "Someone has to." With the way he was taking in the strays someone really had to look out for him, might as well be her like it's always been.

-~*+*~-:-Fast and Furious-:-~*+*~-

It was about 9 in the morning when a bright red '10 Toyota Corolla, sitting on black 5-spoke Giovanni rims with red brake pads peeking through, rolled into the garage with Maya at the wheel.

"Damn Baby Girl, your brother sure knows how to spoil you?" Rome whistled, eyes taking a tour of the car. After the mini vacation, he'd wondered how much the Cassidy's were really worth and it seemed that they were simply rolling it if baby girl rolled around in two cars.

Maya just laughed, "It's not mine. He's just let me borrow it for my Art project." All it took was some serious kissing up and bush baby eyes and he gave in, even if it was without a smile. But then again, when did Kane smile? "Got space for her?" she inquired, seeing the rather crowded work area.

"You'll have to talk to Dom about that," Letty informed her, from under a hood finally coming up for air to eye the car properly, "Sweet ride."

Maya smiled brightly, greeting the woman with a kiss on the cheek knowing she wouldn't mind despite her hard exterior. "Thanks Let," already spotting a small smile playing on the woman's face. "And don't worry I'll let him know," throwing a playful wink in the Latina's direction, sashaying toward Dom's office.

"What happened to the BMW?" Dom couldn't help ask when the smiling teenager came busting through his door. He'd seen her driving in the Toyota instead of her trademark BMW.

"'Hi', to you too," her smile not faltering because she had to ask for a favor, "It's with Kane, he should be here any moment to pick me up –school and all that jazz. But, I'm here to ask –"

"Park it in the spraying room, so it doesn't get in the way."

Maya smiled even brighter, "have I told you how awesome you are?"

…

Kane liked speed, but not his baby sister driving like that, so when he pulled up outside DT garage, his face was impassive as always, but his sapphire eyes were storming with unhidden anger. His steps however, weren't hurried as he entered the garage filled with about three cars in various states of repair with the workers busy at work, the Corolla being the only one untouched.

Mia was the first to notice the tall man enter the garage, rather it was hard not to notice him with his imposing height that probably towered over even Dominic, and undeniable handsome in a clean cut way. When those assessing eyes finally landed on her, who was the only one paying him any attention; she was frozen for a few moments, pinned by the straight intense stare of stormy, blue eyes. "May I help you with something?" she asked, when she finally recovered from the shock of his eyes, her legs feeling like jelly as she approached him, even if she was a grown woman and in a stable relationship.

"Yes, I'm looking for Maya," Kane answered once she was close enough, he could see it clear in her eyes that she was wary of him. He guessed it was warranted, he wasn't in the best of moods.

The next to notice was Vince, whose protective hairs were sufficiently ruffled by the guy staring at Mia like he wanted to start something. Not on his watch. "And you are?"

"Kane Cassidy, her brother," he answered, not wanting unnecessary confrontation which the guy looked willing to start if he so much as looked at him the wrong way.

Mia had expected something different after all of Maya's quips about her oldest brother. She'd expected him to be bulker, meaner she guessed, but he wasn't any of those things. Imposing, with an impassive expression on his face, and eyes that could stop any one in their tracks if he pinned them on a person too long and an unsmiling mouth, but still not what she expected. "She's –"

"You know K, the sun won't stop shining if you smile when meeting people," the teenager bubbly voice sounding from deep in the garage, appearing with Dom right behind her.

Mia's eyes couldn't help slide back tentatively to Kane's face to view his reaction to the statement, but there was none. His face remained completely unmoved as he answered. "You could drive slower," then finally raising an eyebrow in unimpressed challenge, which would be barely visible if you didn't look close enough.

"Are you serious?" Maya asked, not believe he was pissed at her driving. He wasn't exactly Mr. Granny Speed and he wanted to comment about her driving?

Kane knew he was in for a challenge, but he wasn't going to deal with it in front of audience. "Just get your things."

"Well, if you aren't going to introduce yourself, I'll do it," noticing the fact that her brother hadn't even bother with formalities. "Everyone Ebenezer Scrooge over there is my brother," purposely ribbing him, which got her nothing –not surprising. "Kane, that is Mia and Vince," pointing out the two closest to him. "That's Letty and Brian," pointing them out, both assessing her brother critically. "And this is Dominic."

She was trying to push his buttons for some reason he didn't know, but he wouldn't get roped in by his 17-year-old sister. "It's nice to meet you all," he offered, sincerely despite the apprehension at his presence from all directions. "But, we need to hit the road," eyes falling on his sister. "Now, that you're done being cute, get your things. I'll be in the car," Walking out without a backward glance.

Throughout the whole sibling exchange Dom had tried matching the indifferent man and Rayne and couldn't see it. Rayne was about expression, this guy however was blank, not showing any emotion–not even anger at Maya's cheek. Not a smirk or frown, just nothing. He'd always thought Maya had exaggerated about his inability to smile, but that seemed to be an understatement.

"I know what you're thinking: Rayne and Kane, makes no sense?"Maya commented, after grabbing her bag like her brother had instructed. "But, he hasn't always been so severe." It was true he'd been broody for as long as she could remember, but it was only after the accident that he became even more stoic and removed.

Letty was the first to speak, once the rev of the car disappeared down the street. "So, that's the ex?" Even she couldn't wrap her head around that one. I mean, seriously? The guy was eye candy, she'd give him that but, he lacked a personality. How the hell could the chick go from that to Dom? There was just no connection at all.

-~*+*~-:-Fast and Furious-:-~*+*~-

It was just fact that even if she'd finally made a decision regarding the article by deadline day, people were still going to end up hurt by it. So, it was with that mind that she prepared for the day, ready for the worst.

"Are you sure about this?" Fox asked for the tenth time that morning, not sure it was in her best interest. The way she looked at Dom wasn't something to dismiss or ignore, and telling was bound to get her hurt. She was his best friend, his sister, his family and he would understand Dom's anger, but his priority was Rayne –he didn't want her hurt, even if it was her own making.

Was she sure? Yes, but her nerves were on edge. Both Edgar and Dom's reactions were wild cards. Anger was likely to be a common factor with the two, but how angry was the question. With Edgar she was likely to lose her job if he wasn't feeling generous, and with Dom she was going to lose him. "Can't turn back now," was her reply. "I can't continue playing keep away with the truth. It needs to stop."

"I'll be here –"

"If I need you, I know," she completed, knowing his words before he said them. She didn't need his coddling. Don't get her wrong, she loved her best friend and appreciated him but he protected her a little too much. "But, I'll have to do this alone."

He knew arguing was futile, when Rayne was determined so he grudgingly conceded defeat. "Like always, huh?" he teased, knowing she was stubborn when she had a set mind. "Call me after and we can make pancakes and maybe ice cream." Knowing it was her comfort food.

"You've got yourself a deal," kissing his cheek, she then watched him walk into Cass before driving toward her fate.

-~*+*~-:-Fast and Furious-:-~*+*~-

Edgar felt like a giddy child on Christmas morning, seeing the elusive brunette with article in hand. And here he was worried she'd stiff him after months on working on it. He could practically hear the ka-ching of a cash register, because they would surely be rolling in it.

"You had me going there for a while, but I knew you've come through," Edgar smiled, mentally rubbing his hands in anticipation.

Rayne wasn't all that sure he'd be too happy once he read it, and hesitated handing it over to him. Should she even hand it over, was one of the traitorous thoughts running through her mind as Edgar looked at the folder expectantly even though she was holding onto it for dear life. "Mr. Styles…"

"Mr. Styles?" Edgar repeated skeptically, "You really want a raise, don't you?" Whenever Rayne used honorifics instead of 'Eddie', she wanted something. "First let me read your article and we'll talk figures if it's golden."

She knew she was stalling, trying to come up with more excuses when she had nothing. So with conviction she didn't really have, she handed it over and waited for the fireworks.

Now, when he opened the folder he had expected a title, paragraphs, concept layout ideas, maybe a few pictures but, it wasn't any of that. It was a formal letter addressed to him, with a nice big reference followed by the word Resignation. "I'm I missing something?" Edgar asked, not understanding it at all.

"I figured if you were going to fire me after what I have to say, I should save you the time and resign," she stated, finally gaining a bit of confidence in her decision.

He sighed, feeling exhausted even if it was 9 am on a Friday. "Let me guess, you don't have an article for me."

"No –"

"And you didn't think to inform me of this before now?" Edgar's temper steadily rose after every word he uttered. "I asked you if you could handle this and you sat there and said you could, or were you just feeding me a lie to sate me from hounding you?"

Rayne knew his anger was warranted and didn't fault him for it. "You are right, which is why I have enclosed the concept I had been talking about the last time. It has layout ideas, schedules on how the articles should flow to gain the best results. Terminology used, 'best in…' sections. What should be asked, what shouldn't –"

"Tell me you're playing me," he let out a soft disbelieving chuckle that was less than humorous.

"I messed up big time, I know but I promised you an article and this layout," she explained. "I haven't delivered on the article, but that was the layout. There is more to it, that I will send you by email for approval."

'You're fired' was on the tip of his tongue, it was the first thing his mind thought of, but there was this nagging part that reminded him of all he would lose firing her. She was a walking bank of concepts and back up ideas, and losing her wasn't in his best interest, but facts were she'd failed terribly at an assignment he'd forgone may others to give to her and it was a disappointment.

"As much as all arrows point to you being on the unemployment train, I don't have the luxury. Rei and Naomi had requested weeks in advance for you to do the interview and I'm sure your brother's loyalty shouldn't be tested," it wasn't a lie, but true fact. Rei only agreed to the interview if and only if, Rayne conducted it; so, no dismissals if he wanted that exclusive interview. "You leave Friday, and Ethan will be head on this. Concepts will be run through him. Are we clear?"

Ethan wasn't all that bad, "Yes." Short answers, to prevent foot-in-mouth syndrome was the best.

"This doesn't mean you're off the hook Cassidy," he reminded her, throwing the file on the desk. "This just means, I'm pissed and I don't want to see you for a couple of days until the compulsion to fire you leaves me completely." Yes, he still had urges to throw her out on her ass, but her ass was a valuable one to the magazine and he couldn't afford losing her, "Hand Ethan that as well and run the concept by him. It will be the next and only thing you'll be working on once your back. Understood?"

"Understood," she confirmed.

"Well get out of my sight before that compulsion decides you are more liability than asset," he prompted, massaging his temple hoping for no headaches. "And Cassidy," he added once she was at the door, "Don't make me regret this."

-~*+*~-:-Fast and Furious-:-~*+*~-

Every step she took toward DT felt heavy, heart pounding even harder despite her legs being stable. A few nights ago, he'd comforted her heck, she'd slept in his bed selfishly seeking it and now she was going to shatter all the progress they'd made, shatter what he thought of her and destroy anything they could have probably had, but it was the right thing to do. The alternative wouldn't be right, because it would be living a lie, always keeping something from him would have been tiring.

"He's in his office," Letty announced, hearing distinct clicks of heels on the concrete floor that didn't belong to any racer they knew, meaning it was probably her 'favorite' person in the whole world –Rayne. She wasn't one to pretend to like someone, if she didn't like someone she showed it to the person's face. Rayne she didn't like, because she was a wild card, a Spilner-is-a-undercover-cop type wild card, but it was obvious she made Dom happy so she wasn't going to do anything.

Yeah, she was likely going to get her face punched by the Latina after her confession, but she deserved it playing with subterfuge the way she did. It took her a few moments than needed to raise a fist and knock on the door to gain his attention. Her heart sank further when he gave her one of his smirks and slow once over. "You busy?" she asked with an uncertain smile.

"Depends on what you have in mind to distract me," he replied, his intention clear in his eyes. Things had been going better than he'd expected –Slow; slower than he'd ever taken them with a girl, but there was a first time for everything.

She took a breath stepping further into his office, "the truth." Her eyes somehow managed to keep his gaze, even if she had no right.

"Okay," he leaned back further in to the chair, more serious than he was moments ago, her expression warranted it. He'd wanted her to tell him for months and realized pressuring her wouldn't make her talk, so he let it go. But he was ready to listen, with an open mind. "I'm listening."

Rayne wasn't trying to gain sympathy points with how she began, but maybe if she explained her reasoning he'd somehow understand her and forgive her. "It's probably obvious to you now that I didn't get back to street racing again for kicks," she could already see dread covering those beautiful, intense eyes of his, but he remained quiet and let her continue. "When I first came back in, a part of me hated it. Hated what it had taken from me, and as much as I thought I was doing it for better writing assignments, I was doing it because I wanted a little revenge."

Dom didn't want to jump the gun and accuse her of things he didn't know yet, so he remained silent and let her go on. He'd judge when she was done.

"Revenge blinds you sometimes, and you ignore your own natural instincts no matter what they are saying," she went on, knowing with every word she spoke, they were steps to losing him. "So, even if the right thing would have been telling you from the get, I didn't know what or where this was going," moving her hand between them, to indicate she meant them. "Anyway, I guess you're waiting for me to get to the point and I should," she sighed, gathering all her emotional strength to reveal the rest. "I work as a writer for M Magazine, and the reason you could say I came back was because, my editor wanted an exposé about the LA scene and I agreed. Wasn't planning on trying to get to know anyone, if anything I just wanted in and out –get the story, get a promotion and go on with my life." To be honest she was surprised he was still sitting there silently, listening to her, but she took it as a cue to continue. "After the accident all I had seen was the bad, and I forgot about the some of the good points. I know it sounds cliché, but you and the team were those good points and what I've done to you … I don't expect forgiveness."

Rayne waited a beat, watching him for any anger, any reaction but it wasn't pronounced as she'd expected. If anything he was too calm, deathly calm like the air just before a storm. Only the smallest twitch of his jaw was all she got, so she went on filling the increasing tense air filling the room. "Today was my deadline," she took out the folder placing it on the table, with a faux silver flash drive hanging from a simple silver chain, placed atop it. "I didn't –"

"Get out," he interrupted his deep voice, barely over a whisper sounded deceptive calm, but that was not even close to what he was feeling. From the top of his head, he could come up with the best thing to describe himself at the moment –a fool. A big frigging idiot. Hell, he'd been through the same bullshit with Brian and the signs were all there, but he'd ignored them and he was the idiot who'd been tricked twice. She'd used them, him, to get a scoop on a damn story! Played him like a frigging chump.

She could feel the confusion, anger, betrayal and host of conflicting emotion radiating from him even from the short distance that the desk separated them. Dealing with someone with so little in terms of emotional range like Kane, made it clear for her to see and despite knowing that following his directive was in her best interest, she wasn't inclined to follow. "Dom –"

"Rayne, if you don't want me to say something to you that I'll regret, get out," his voice still that deceptive calm he was not feeling, eyes shutting because seeing her was doing nothing to shut the stupid light glaring in his mind. Hearing her voice, was like another stab in the back, because let's face it even if he'd gone into it with his eyes wide open, he'd began trust her words.

His large hands were curled into fists so tight, it made the veins of his arm stand out prominently, eyes shut because he could barely look at her. If she was male, there wouldn't have been calm, and she wouldn't be conscious. "I know this means nothing, but that is the article and I thought you might want –" she didn't even finish her statement before the storm broke. The explosive anger he was holding back finally exploded as he grabbed the so-called article and sent them flying out the door. The rustling of papers sounded especially loud in her ear as the folder sailed frighteningly close past her, along with the flash drive. Out of instinct her eyes shut, against the scary bellow of his voice and sudden actions.

"That's what I think," he spat, unable stay calm after she tried talking him into reading her article. Was she a frigging sadist or something? "Now get the hell out." He should have cared about the fact that she'd been startled by his action, but, damn it. His mind was thinking too many things at the moment, his heart wasn't feeling all that right and her presence wasn't doing anything for either of them.

When her eyes finally opened, after her heart stopped beating a mile a minute her lower lip couldn't help tremble, and a single tear escaped her eye which she quickly wiped away knowing any tears she shed wouldn't be taken with any compassion –contempt maybe. "I'm sorry," she finally let out, the anger in his eyes terrifying her, not of physical violence, but of the emotional damage she'd inflicted.

"Don't show up here, again." He spoke, just before she reached the door making her pause for the slightest moment but she went on, not sparing another second. The finality of his words enough motivation for her.

Vince, Brian and Letty had all stopped working, Brian the only one trying to stop the brunette by calling her name as she rushed past. Minutes later, all that could be heard was screeching of tires as the car disappeared down the lane.

It wasn't the time to approach Dom, they all knew, but Letty wanted to know what the fuss was about, picking up the folder that had been thrown out of the office moments before. The cover was simple with words that made Letty wish she's stopped the woman from fleeing so she could throw a punch at the bitch herself.

Fast Lane: LA's underground

By

R. Cassidy

A/N: The picture starting from top (left to right): Dom, Rayne, Kane, Nix, Letty, Vince. Middle (left to right): Marisol and Nicole. Bottom (left to right): Fox, Maya, Rome, Brian, Mia and Tej . As always…

Reviews would be lovely, helps me know what you think. Constructive Criticisms is welcomed, because it helps me improve. Flames …"to each, his own".