A/N: Hey guys, new chapter. I hope you like it. Just to let you know we have like three or so chapters until things really heat up with Vince and Mary. Can't wait.

Tread Marks Chapter Eleven:

And I Didn't Mean to Keep Hitting Him

Getting out of the garage without arousing Mia's suspicions turned out to be harder for Mary than she had originally thought. Finally, claiming that she had a meeting for her senior project, Mary was able to head back to the fort around four. Although Vince's Maxima was parked in the driveway she didn't see him as she carried in arms loads of groceries. Running over to her house to shower and change out of her dirty work clothes Mary blow dries her hair and put on a forest green dress with a flare out skirt and Mary-Jane heels. Throwing a black headband on to keep her hair out of the way Mary hurries back to the fort to start cooking. Sliding in the front door Mary makes her way into the kitchen looking at her menu, which she had scribbled down earlier in the day on the back of a Taco Bell receipt.

After donning an apron Mary decides to start on the dessert first so she gathers all ingredients that she'll need for the Red Velvet cake. She measures out the dry ingredients and mixes them together before moving to the coco powder and the red food coloring. As she is mixing them into a blood like substance the basement door opens and a brunette woman comes through seemingly startled by Mary's presence in the kitchen. With her shoes in one hand she offers Mary the other to shake before bolting out the back door. Staring at the motionless basement door Mary resumes mixing, although more aggressive now than before causing splattering of red coco powder onto her apron and arms. Not bothering to wipe them off Mary continues mixing; her eyes keep flicking back to the basement where Mary knows Vince must be. He appears in the doorway soon after dressed only in loose fitting jeans. When he notices her in the kitchen his face blanches and after a moment he opens his mouth to say something. Purposely turning on the handheld mixer to drown out the sound of his voice Mary pours the coco concoction into the rest of the ingredients. She can see that he is saying something but the old mixer effectively covers any other noise. When it becomes apparent to Vince that Mary can't hear him he stops talking to glare at her. Switching the mixer off Mary uses her free hand to slide the spatula along the edges of the bowl.

"Mary," Vince starts but Mary flips the mixer on again. She watches his arms cross over his bare chest in annoyance all the while noticing that his hair is wet from a shower and that there is a bead of water rolling its way down his abs. "How…" he says when she flips the mixer off only to have her start it as soon as he speaks. She smirks over the counter at him as she mixes the batter even though it is no longer necessary. Walking towards her he rips the cord to the mixer off the wall effectively silencing it. "It's mixed. How long have you been here?"

"I don't know twenty minutes?" Mary says snatching the cord out of his hand angrily.

She ejects the utensils from the mixer glaring at him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Cooking for Mia's birthday," she says tossing one of the utensils into the sink. While emptying the batter into the pan Mary brings the other utensil to her mouth licking off the vestiges of the cake batter. "Don't tell me you forgot?" Looking up at him she notices that his eyes are glued to her mouth which has resumed licking off the left over batter. Fighting to remain unaffected by the wanton look she holds the utensil, still partially covered in batter, out to him "Want some?" Now it is her turn to watch him lick the batter off. Feeling heat rise up to her face she distracts herself by putting the cake in the oven and setting the timer. "I take it you did forget." He only grunts as she tosses the dishes into the sink and grabs the ingredients for the marinade. "Men," she mutters looking over her shoulder at him taking in the too distracting image of his naked upper half. "Since you're here wanna help?"

"I don't cook," he says leaving no room for an argument. Laughing she shakes her head while he takes a seat at the table. Watching her as she moves round the kitchen chopping and mixing things he can hear her humming to herself. A plate containing a sandwich and chips appears in front him before he even realizes that he is hungry. Mary returns with a Corona before dancing away to take the cake out of the oven. The delicious smell of the cake wafts over to him and he thinks he likes her in his kitchen. He could get use to a pattern of sex followed by food if only the cook would be the one in his bed too. She is looking at him expectantly and he realizes that she's been talking.

"Huh?" he grunts.

"I said that I take it that was your friend sneaking out earlier, that or we've been robbed," she says not looking at him.

"Something like that," he says finishing off his sandwich. Laughing she tosses an empty carton in the recycling next to him.

"I didn't catch her name before she darted out of here," Mary observes.

"Neither did I," he says. Scoffing she tries to move away from him but he grabs her wrist without thinking and pulls on it sending her off her balance as she is pulled back to him. Landing basically on top of him she just looks at him before he finally says "She's not a friend and it's hardly important," he says referring to his bare acquaintance with the woman who had just left. She pulls her wrist out of his hand but doesn't retreat just chews on her bottom lip in contemplation. Sighing her hands move to his arms where the white bandage still covers up his wound.

"How's the arm?" she says changing the subject because, as Dom made sure she knew, this is the kind of stuff he did. And it didn't bother her, boys are boys, but she just wants to do that stuff with him. She digs her nails into his shoulder looking at the bandage until he finally answers.

"Better," he says. "Especially when you're not clawing at it," Vince says and she blushes moving her hand off him. Taking his empty plate he watches as she returns to preparing dinner. Instead of leaving he sits at the table watching her and engaging her in conversation as she works, not wanting to leave.

"Oh my god thanks," Mia says enveloping Mary in a hug when she walks into the house, which smells delicious and is covered in streamers that Vince had reluctantly helped her with.

"Happy Birthday," Mary says. "Should be done in a couple minutes. Go change its your party can't have you looking like that," Mary says pushing her upstairs before ushering everyone else out to the backyard where the table is covered in food and Vince sits hungry and impatient. Mary grabs the last couple of dishes and heads outside.

"It looks great," Mia says as she joins them, dressed in a simple red dress. Dom takes his spot next to her kissing her on the forehead and wishing her a happy birthday.

"Well I couldn't let you cook on your birthday," Mary says sitting next to Vince.

"We would have ordered pizza," Jesse says indigently.

"Then I am especially glad I cooked," Mary jokes before urging everyone to dig in. The wolves, also known as men, dive in ransacking the plates as the girls watch in terrified amusement.

"Did you starve them all day?" Mary asks Mia who shrugs before grabbing some for herself. The night progresses with boisterous laugher and embarrassing stores about Mia being told much to her annoyance and their amusement. After a round of presents Vince leans in to whisper to her, as he had been doing much of the evening while everyone chattered around them, saying that he was ready for cake. "That's not really up to you," she whispers back.

"Come on you didn't let me get any all day," she replies causing Mary to shift in her seat at his close proximity and his words although she doubted that he meant that as a double entendre, especially since he did get some today just not from her… unfortunately.

"Fine," she relents and excuses herself using Vince's should to lift herself off the bench where she is crammed between Jesse and Vince. Skimming her hand across his shoulder as she walks by she goes into the house returning with a red cake decorated in cream cheese frosting and an array of candles. A chorus of Happy Birthday is followed by the cutting up of the cake. "Worth the wait?" she asks Vince after he takes his first bite biting back a groan in delight.

"Yes, it so delicious I shouldn't even be having it," he says taking another bite.

Mia's party had lasted well past midnight and it had been past two when Mary finally crawled into bed. When her alarm went off the next morning she was sorely tempted to go back to sleep and skip the school day but this close to the end of her high school career that wasn't a great idea. Plus, Vince had offered her a ride as she had left the fort yawing and complaining about having to wake up early. Dressing, Mary bothers to put extra effort into her appearance trying on three tops before deciding on a red tank with black lace to go with her jeans. Vince is coming out of his house by the time she is locking the door behind her. "Morning," Mary says cheerfully despite the fact that she is not a morning person. Vince, who she knows isn't one either, just glares at her while getting in to the Maxima. Following suit Mary shuts the door of the Maxima behind her not bothering to buckle up as Vince wheels the car out onto the street. He continues driving in silence with his hair sticking out in about ten different directions, a rumpled shirt, and eyes that look like they are half way back to sleep. Mary makes herself comfortable trying not to fall back asleep herself as she enjoys Vince's driving.

"Hungry?" he asks pulling into a Mexican drive through.

"Yes, I haven't eaten," Mary says leaning closer to Vince to read the menu through his window. Trying to decipher the burrito menu, which is tucked in at the bottom, Mary falls forwards setting her hand on his thigh to steady herself she says "I'll have the chipotle breakfast burrito." Blushing she mutters "sorry" as she leans back and moves her hand off him. He makes quick work of ordering and soon they're cruising down the highway as they eat. "So is this your version of cooking me breakfast?" He just glares at her over his burrito. Laughing she opens a packet of hot sauce and splashes some on her food before applying the rest to Vince's. "You should be glad I have less than two weeks of school till graduation cause I could get use to this."

"I just got out of drivin' Mia I aint driving you too," Vince growls referring to the fact that Mia's term just ended.

"That's cool. I'll just borrow the Maxima, thanks for offering," she jokes. Not dignifying her statement with an answer they finish their food in a comfortable silence sharing his dish of hash brown fry things. Thinking back to the last time he drove her to school only leads her to remember Dom blowing up at Vince thinking that something inappropriate had happened. And nothing had happened then or now much to Mary's annoyance. 'Not that I haven't thought about it once … or twice,' she thinks glancing over at him. 'Granted I could always do something about that.' Vince had hardly spoken to her for a week after that had happened and Dom would be furious if anything actually did happen. Knowing that if she caused a rift between Vince and Dom sooner or later they'd realize that she was the real problem and she'd be without a home again; she wasn't willing to risk it. Plus Vince would hate her for fucking things up with Dom.

"Mary," Vince says pulling her out of her ponderance. "We're here."

"Huh?" she says looking around to see that they are parked in front of her school surrounded by students. "Oh." She gathers up her stuff but doesn't move instead turning to him. "Hey V?" she asks to which he gives her an I'm-already-looking-at-you-so-what-do-you-want-look. "Remember last time you dropped me off?" she asks and he glances down at her chest and she laughs. "Hey at least I'm dresses this time."

"I remember I had a better view last time," he says causing Mary to blush. "At least now I don't have to listen to Dom bitch me out," he says. "Might have been worth it though," he says before adding "get out of my car it too fucking early." Chuckling she opens her door.

"Thanks for the ride," she says leaning forward to grab his last hash brown fry and exiting the car heading towards the school. Turning back she can see Vince through his window, tattoos and all. Giving him a wave she retreats into school passing Melanie who is looking at Mary as her friends' laugh, not that Mary noticed.

The first half of Mary's school days was uneventful and mundane except for the fact that Melanie, whom Mary's sum interaction with consisted of a group project in freshman year and Vince almost hitting her car the day of the SAT's, kept staring at her. When Mary glances up from taking notes in English and catches her staring for the third time Mary begins to get suspicious and annoyed. Wanting to go and ask Melanie what the fuck she wants Mary instead stays in her seat not wanting to cause a scene. However, as luck would have it, Mary didn't even have to ask. As the dismissal bell rang signaling the start of the lunch hour Mary gathers her stuff up and heads out into the hallway. When she hears her name being called in the crowded hallway she turns outside the cafeteria to see Melanie standing there with another girl whose name Mary can't recall.

"Mary, how are you?" she asks in a sweet voice.

"Good, you?" Mary asks wondering where this is going but giving her the benefit of the doubt.

"Who was that who dropped you off this morning?" she asks genuinely curious.

"A friend," Mary says defensively. Although Melanie is a generally nice person Mary remembers that she has a reputation for hanging out with anyone who has a sliver of a dangerous image. She had even dated the schools 'drug dealer' who was really just the son of a pharmaceutical CEO who took his work home with him.

"Interesting."

"It's not really your business," Mary snaps back angered by Melanie's gleeful expression, which looks like she just found her new way to piss her father off or something. Melanie's expression falls off her face at Mary's retort.

"You asked how I am; truthfully I am worried about you."

"Why?" Mary asks cautiously.

"I've been worried since you moved to east L.A." she says surprising Mary who wasn't aware that anyone here knew about her move. "But honestly I didn't think you would have jumped into bed with a gang banger."

"Do you even know what a gang banger is?' Mary asks amused.

"Yes!" Melanie says indigently. "I just think it's sad you had to stoop so low for a boyfriend,' she says causing Mary to laugh.

"Is this going anywhere because I'm hungry?"

"Don't tell me you like those people," Melanie scoffs. "But who knows you probably feel right at home with that trash."

"Excuse me," Mary says dropping her bag on the floor and clenching her fists at her side.

"I'm just saying ew…" Melanie replies. "That man looked so haggard and let's face it worthless." Without thinking Mary launches herself at the other girl and they both topple to the ground to the sound of Melanie shrieking as Mary's fist connects with Melanie's face. Trying to get Mary off of her Melanie manages to drag her nails down the side of Mary's face breaking the skin. "Bitch!" Melanie yells kicking her in the stomach before Mary's punches land twice more. Mary goes sprawling across the floor as someone pushes her off the other girl. "The bitch attacked me," Melanie cries.

"You're the fucking bitch," Mary growls standing up only to totter backwards as a sharp sting explodes on her cheek as someone back hands her painfully. Trying to ignore the pain Mary knees the boy who'd just hit her in the balls before punching him in the face a moment later. Once again Mary is pulled away from the fight but this time by Mr. Sampson, a history teacher who Mary's never had as an instructor, who firmly separates the two groups. The boy it turns out is Garth Mathews, a boy she has biology with and, who is currently asking Melanie if she is okay in a nasally voice as he holds his nose. Mr. Sampson grabs Mary by the arms and marches the three of them to the principal's office.

"Sit," Mr. Sampson tells Melanie and Garth pointing to the chairs in the lobby while knocking on the door. Once they've been granted access Mary is escorted in and sat down in the chair in front of Dr. Kevin Douglas the principal. Mr. Sampson regales the principal with his account of the fight, which starts when Garth pulled her off Melanie.

"Have them call their parents to come down so I can talk to them," Dr. Douglas says dismissing the teacher. "Miss Kane are you okay?" he asks once the door is closed.

"I'm fine," she says even though her head has been pounding since Garth slapped her.

'I'll suppose we'll have to call your mother."

"Sir?"

"Oh yes right I forgot about your situation," he says then spends the next couple of seconds typing on his computer. "However, it seems she is the only emergency contact we have for you and I really have to speak to a guardian of some kind in this situation even if you are 18." The scratches on her face have started bleeding and it is not helping to stop the tears or the urge to hit something else. She'd rather get expelled than call her uncle and she can't even remember the last time either of her grandparents left the house. Stuck in a corner she really has only one option and it just so happens that he is the second person she really wants to see right now. The first… well she'd hate to see what Vince would do if he saw her in the state she was in, all bloody and bruised. Once she explains the situation Dr. Douglass reluctantly agrees and only then because of her 'unusual situation' as he puts it. "Really Miss Kane you're the last person I thought would be fighting in school," he says solemnly.

"I know Mr. Douglas, I am really sorry."

"Why don't you explain what happened," he asks. She tells her side of things leaving out the specifics of the insults Melanie threw at her. The pounding in her head increases causing nausea to roll around in her stomach as she talks. "I see," he says when she finishes. "But that is no excuse to attack another student."

"I understand sir," she says even though if she could go back she would do it over again. After another chastising comment he escorts her back out to the lobby. "Miss Delaney can you get some ice for Miss Kane?" he asks his secretary. Garth makes a gurgling sound of indignation while he holds several napkins to his nose, which Mary is glad to see is bleeding. "Ahh and for Mr. Counts as well. Your parents on the way?" he asks to which Garth and Melanie nod in the affirmative. Shaking his head he says "I'll talk to you all individually once your parents arrive" before heading back into his office and shutting the door. Smirking at Garth Mary digs around in her purse, which is somehow sitting on the chair, for her phone. Walking to the far side of the lobby Mary punches in a number and hits send.

"Dom, it's me," Mary says once he picks up and her voice wavers as she holds back more tears.

Holding a bag of ice over her cheek Mary glares across the room at Garth, who is asking Melanie if she is okay for the 10th time. As Melanie sincerely replies that her eye, which is swelling, hurts for the 20th time Mary fights the urge to hit her again. The door to the office swings open to reveal Dom, dressed in jeans and a muscle tee shirt stained with grease. Never so happy to see him Mary says "Dom" as she jumps up. After giving her a tight hug he moves the ice out of the way to look at, what Mary assumes is, a bloody and bruised version of her face.

"Miss Kane," Dr. Douglass says holding the door open for them. Once it closes he offers his hand to Dom. "Mr…"

"Toretto, Dominic Toretto," Dom says shaking the other man's hand before they all take their seats.

"Thank you for coming. And so quickly, I am usually waiting for hours. I understand you're Miss Kane's boss?"

"I came as soon as I heard," Dom says. "She's family."

"Well it seems that Miss Kane started a physical altercation with one of our female students which was then interrupted by Mr. Counts who then assaulted Miss Kane in return all this happened after the girls were having words," Dr. Douglass says diplomatically. Mary resists the urge to bury her head in her hands, if only to avoid injuring herself more. "Lancaster Academy isn't in the business of reporting these matters to the police and after much thought, and due to Miss Kane's impeccable record for the last four years, I have decided to let you walk at graduation after a five day suspension starting today." Mary, who hadn't even realized that she might not walk at her graduation ceremony, is more than grateful for the offer even if the suspension will be on her record.

"Thank you," Dom says seeming to notice her thankfulness.

"I assume you know your assignments for the next week because you are not allowed on the premises for the entirety your suspension," Dr. Douglas asks to which Mary reassures him is the case. "I would hate for you grades to fall even more Miss Kane. Looks like you may have been eligible for the Valedictorian ship if it weren't for this term's grades," he says looking at the computer. "I must ask you Mr. Toretto if anything is okay at home," Dr. Douglas says unable, it seems, to comprehend that Dom is in fact not her parent, which Mary assume is due to the fact that he is always dealing with them.

"Everything is good. Might make her stop working so many hours," Dom says looking over at her.

"Great," Dr. Douglas says standing up. "Miss Kane we'll see you Wednesday for you last two days of classes, and do stay on your best behavior." Leading them out of the office and into the lobby he bids them goodbye then retreats back into his office. Melanie and Garth are still sitting there but the secretary is gone and when Garth notices this his face pales as he takes in Dom's large figure.

"Up," Dom says pointing at Garth who quickly complies. "Wallet." Mary almost laughs when he hands over his wallet so quickly but remains silent watching the exchange. Taking out Garth's ID Dom looks at it for a moment before saying, "Deacon Street, nice neighborhood. Touch her again and I'll be stopping by." Gently grabbing Mary's arm Dom leads her through the empty halls. "Fighting?" he asks once they're in the parking lot.

"I'm sorry Dom," Mary says looking at the ground while they walk.

"I was just going to say that you sure did a number on that boy," Dom says and she looks up shocked. "Probably shouldn't say this but nice work. Get in. You can tell everyone what happened. Wanna go to the garage or home?"

"The garage," Mary says even though she wants to spend at least two hours in a shower and likes the word home the urge to be around the team is stronger.

Mary sits in the Dom's car, even after Dom had gotten out, once they've parked at the garage. Dom turning to look at her walks back over and opens her door. "Come on they won't bite. In fact I'm sure Letty will be proud," Dom says grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the car. "Don't even get me started on how many times she got suspended."

"Dom where the fuck have you been?" Letty says as soon as Dom walks in. "You just booked it out of here without a word."

"Seems someone pissed Mary off at school today," Dom says tossing his keys on the table.

"Damn girl," Letty says her hurrying over to sit on the couch in the garage. "Mia!" Leon and Jesse both abandon their work and come over too as Mia walks in complaining that she has customers but stops when she sees Mary.

"Mary what happened?" Mia asks grabbing the first aid kit out from a cupboard.

"This girl at school was being a bitch…" Mary says trailing off unsure how to describe the events leading up to her introduction to violence.

"It's like looking in a mirror," Letty says wrapping her arm around Mary affectionately.

"Let me clean the scrapes," Mia says moving a hot rag across her face to get the dried blood off. "Didn't they even take you to the nurse?" Mia asks shaking her head. "They won't scar they aren't deep at all." When Mia presses a little harder Mary filches and moves away. "Your whole cheek is bruised she did a number on you."

"You should see her," Mary laughs allowing Mia to continue working on her. "Black eye and everything," Mary says as Letty grins over at her.

"Next time pick a fight you can win," Leon says looking at her cheek which is turning a dark purple.

"I did!" Mary says laughing although the movement hurts. "Although I think she did get one good kick in my ribs hurt. I won," she says proudly pushing Leon playfully. "How was I supposed to know her boyfriend would backhand me?"

"What?" Leon yells as the garage doors open and Vince walks in bitching about having to get lunch and carrying a pizza. When he catches sight of her Mary's whole stomach drops because he really looks like he is going to kill someone.