Alright . . . here's another massive update for this story . . . Maybe. Thanks for the reviews (midnight) and all of the people who have fave or alerted for it. I know this version of Johnny B seems odd but i had to make him seem at least a little menacing or it just doesn't work, you know? And yes, Castlebeck is going to start popping up more and more. On with the show . . .
Valuable Info and Cookout Catastrophes
Memphis sighed, looking over everything he'd been able to pull together on Johnny B's boys before shaking his head. He had no issue with the guy before he'd shot two of his friends . . . and with what Ripley drove he could almost understand going after it. They didn't know she was a boost so it would be fair game. But from what he was seeing and hearing it would've been anyway. At least for this other crew.
Johnny apparently ran more than just cars and boosts. He also had his fingers in prostitution, trafficking and dealing . . . but he wanted to move firmer into their world. Which would've been fine. There was more than enough to go around . . . But Johnny didn't see it that way. He wanted it all . . . So they were going to have to be extra careful.
He reached out, picking up the card Ripley had given to Otto. This worried him more than a wannabe gangster. Rip was good at reading people-and working them when she had to be- and she'd warned all of them that this Castlebeck wasn't the typical bumbling uniform that occasionally ran across them. He wouldn't be easily dissuaded or deterred . . . and he wasn't going to be bought off like so many of the others. He was a good, honest cop that wanted to do the best at his assignment . . . which made him fucking dangerous . . .
He stood, stretching as he made his way downstairs. Ripley had no clue how lucky she really was to have thought quick enough to get to the police. Hell, he doubted that even he would've noticed the car . . . but the girl was borderline paranoid when it came to planning-trying to cover every contingency before even committing to an idea- so it wasn't really shocking she'd gotten away. Her amazing ability to get Castlebeck to buy that she was just some scared, little girl however was.
Kid deserved an Oscar . . .
He and Sway had been at her apartment with her almost a week after the theft, Sway helping her go through the classifieds and car ads to try to find something close to replacing the Testarossa. She'd decided she didn't want another Ferrari after this fiasco . . . and while Sway was heartbroken over it she'd agreed. And they'd begun their search for the newest car . . . But when a knock on the door brought both of their dark heads- something Ripley hadn't been too happy to hear she'd needed to do- up, he'd known something bad was about to happen.
And as the newly crowned chocolate curled girl had opened the door, he'd known why. Roland Castlebeck was probably Donnie's age and had the same easy going gait as their friend. But his eyes reminded Memphis of Atley or even Sphinx. He was watching and cataloging everything that went on as soon as he'd seen the two unexpected people. And it was only Ripley's easy going smile and insistence that he come in and visit that had set the man completely at ease.
Memphis had watched Ripley blush when the cop-a newly shielded detective of all things- commented on her hair. And she'd laughed and shrugged, flipping the now shoulder length curls over her shoulders before smiling at him again.
He could still hear her grinning, timid voice talking to the man . . . and Castlebeck's responses.
"Oh! I just wanted a change . . . I'm always doing something to it . . . Do you like it?"
He'd nodded, reaching out and tugging on a big loose curl before answering her.
"It looks good. Its got a lot of other colors to it though . . ."
She grinned and nodded, talking to him as she'd leaned against her counter. And Memphis knew that Sphinx would skin this man alive if he ever saw them together. Because he was far too casual with the girl . . . and even though he could tell it was nothing but being friendly the other runner wouldn't care. Otto had told him about the incident at Sphinx's apartment with Atley . . . and how he was just preparing himself for the inevitable.
"Yeah, there's some red, gold and caramel . . . so it isn't too dark. So, is this a social visit? Do you want something to drink?"
Castlebeck had declined, holding out a small piece of paper with her claim number and case information to turn into the insurance before telling her that they hadn't been able to find her car. She'd sobered then, her smile falling and Memphis was amazed to watch her practically transform from laughing and giggling to insecure and almost terrified before their eyes. No wonder she and Frank had gotten the other car. Together the two of them were almost unstoppable . . .
After that, Castlebeck had only stayed a few minutes, introducing himself and Memphis was thankful Ripley had thought to give him only their first names and fake affiliations. And that they'd been able to play it off well enough that the man had bought it.
But even now, as he stepped into the main portion of the garage and went to look for Sway before she head off to do whatever with her friends tonight, he knew they would be seeing more of the cop. And, as he stepped into the bay just in time to find Sway tossing spare parts at Frankie while Ripley and San laughed-cling to one another as they tried not to fall- he just prayed that the man wouldn't cause too much damage. These people were crazy . . . but they were his family . . . and he would hate to see anything happen to them.
Donnie watched Ripley bounce in the front seat of his Jaguar, a barely contained ball energy as they made their way to the last car on their list. Ripley had, in the aftermath of being boosted, decided that while she wanted another nice car she was going with something a bit more common than either of the ones she'd had before. Which is what led her to all but parking the Aston at Otto's and her begging him to come with her to go and collect the newest car.
She had the money on her to pay for one out right, seeing as in she'd cashed the insurance check for the Testarossa and-after squirreling away half- decided to use it for this. He sighed, slowing as they pulled into the front drive of the older garage. He had a feeling that this one would probably be a bust but he was trying to be hopeful. Every car she'd seen-from the sparking 68 Mustang GT Fastback to the 76 Corvette Stingray- had all been fine . . . but something was just off about them. And Ripley was set on listening to her gut about this car.
Something he could understand . . .
He parked, watching her tear out of the car and towards the main garage. Doug had-when they'd stopped by to pick up a part for Otto- told her about this place and that he knew the owner had few mints stashed back that people had abandoned and he'd rebuilt to resale. And that he would put in a call and give a good word for her. It was a nice gesture and Ripley had agreed that they would investigate . . . Now he just hoped she hadn't worked herself up into a frenzy over nothing . . .
He moved quickly, following the girl as she made her way inside and asked for the owner. The worker nodded, directing them to the back office . . . and Donnie was amazed to see that it was Nigel Highpost sitting behind the desk, lit cigar between yellowed teeth as he smoked and talked on the phone. Nigel watched them for a few moments, before setting the receiver back in its cradle . . . and standing to extend his hand to Don.
Who shook it before pulling him into a tight hug; patting his back. Well, hell this might just be worth something after all . . .
Ripley looked from him to the other man, obviously confused as they talked . . . but she just waited.
"Well Hell, Astricky. I had no clue Doug was sending you! I woulda rolled out my best!"
Donnie laughed, shaking his head as he adjusted his hat. Nigel was an older boost towards the end of his career . . . and had been running an almost purely legitimate garage for the past ten years. Only really running when he absolutely had to. He'd just had no idea that he'd set up shop here . . .
"Well, it technically isn't for me . . . Its for her. Nigel Highpost, meet Ripley Guadimus. She's the one wanting to look . . ."
Ripley smiled, extending her hand as the man grinned down at her. He looked her over and Donnie knew that Nigel was seeing the same thing he had. Both of them had known Ed-though Nigel had definitely known him longer- and he knew the older runner would want to see how much of her father was in her.
"Eddie's little girl? Hell, last time I saw you, you weren't even to my knees! Now you're almost grown!"
His grin fell as he sobered, nodding to her once before he shifted on his feet and ran a hand over his reddish blonde hair. And Donnie watched the lines set into Nigel's face a bit deeper-hinting at his age more than before . . . and he suddenly realized that he'd missed how old the man was becoming. Hell, Nigel had been running for almost ten years when Otto and Ed had started up . . . and been gearing down to retire when he'd started teaching him everything he knew before shipping him to Halliwell.
"I was sorry to hear about your old man, sweetheart. I never expected your dad to go down like that . . . especially with your mom . . . You ever need anything-or want to start digging for answers- then you don't hesitate to come here. You're always welcomed . . ."
She nodded, and Donnie wondered what Nigel had heard to make him word it like that. And apparently Ripley had caught onto it as well . . . but she let it slide with a bashful smile and started another conversation.
"Well, actually I need a car . . . That's why I'm here . . ."
He grinned, reaching out and tugging her into his side as he slung his arm over Donnie's shoulders; aiming them towards the doors.
"Well then, let's see what ol' Nigel has laying around . . ."
Ripley looked over the Chevelle hungrily, running her hands down the hood. The car was gorgeous . . . and had been immaculately restored. The engine in the 66 SS 396 was showroom ready, glistening and shining even in the lower light of the garage. And she knew, as she traced the two pristine white Le Mons stripes nestled against the deep, glittering paint that she'd found her car . . .
She turned, grinning to Nigel and Donnie as they chatted; laughing and shooting the shit like old friends. Because that's exactly what they were. She'd found, in the three hours she'd been breezing through the garage and the back storage buildings that Nigel had been one of the few boosts that had helped Donnie learn his trade. And that-while he'd shown Atley a thing or two a few years later- Don was always one of his favorites.
He'd kept in touch until a few years before and now both were happy to see and reconnect with the other. Especially since it was pretty apparent that Nigel wasn't in the best health. The occasional hacking cough spoke to years of smoking . . . ad the pale, almost sallow color of his skin told her he was far sicker than he'd let on when Don had asked how he was feeling.
She knew, with the knowledge that Don had gleaned from being married to an EMT-and helping pay to put her through the damned program- that he was aware . . . and neither were going to say a word.
If Nigel didn't want to tell them they wouldn't push . . .
She moved, crossing back to him as he turned to her grinning; lighting a new cigar before coughing.
"I'll take her . . ."
He nodded, motioning to the back office.
"Oh good. I'm glad she's getting a new home . . . Harper back there is too damned pretty to rot away out here. Too fast too . . ."
Ripley stopped, brow raised.
"Harper?"
He nodded, winking.
"Yep. Color of that car is called mocking bird blue. Its such a deep blue it looks black until its in the right light . . . and I started calling her Harper after that. Name just seemed to fit."
Ripley grinned, glancing back at the car before nodding. Harper . . . she liked it. She turned back, smiling as she followed him.
"Well, I'll be sure to take care of her . . ."
Sway sank into the picnic table at the rear of Otto's, trying to keep herself from skinning Helen alive. With everything going on, they'd decided to postpone celebrating the fourth until today . . . and when Kip had begged to come Helen would only consent if she could be there as well. Which is what led her to having to dress like this for her sanity.
She'd swung by Ripley's early in the day to try to mellow out . . . and the girl had been getting dressed for the grill out herself. It seemed that she had an ongoing bet with San and Frankie that if she wore a dress to a function-not a sanctioned boost or in from one of the random parties she would occasionally attend- that they would help her get Atley back for some grand thing he'd done weeks before. Now, she knew what the grand thing was-the whole open conversation about her and Sphinx's nonexistent sex life- but the idiots just thought he'd pulled some massive prank on her and she wanted revenge.
So she was browsing through the back of her closet, going through the dresses to find one she didn't mind being at the garage in. And when she'd mentioned that Helen was coming Ripley had offered to let her see if she wanted to borrow anything. She'd declined at first but as she'd started to see dress after dress pass her by she'd finally consented. So now, she was sitting here in the borrowed garment and she had to admit that while it wasn't her style it was pretty. The sundress was long, coming to just past her knees with the bright mustard yellow rays of raw-edged grosgrain soak through slotted cream colored cotton, coaxed into a flouncy party skirt by an underlying crinoline. Something she'd never even knew existed until Ripley had pushed it at her . . . But with that and the light matching cardigan-that covered all but the two tattoos on her forearms- and the light natural makeup Ripley had attacked her with, Helen couldn't pick at the way she was dressed.
Hell, with her hair pulled into the high curling ponytail and the plain white sandals on her feet, she looked more put together than Helen did . . . a definite first. And that was the only thing make the whole debacle bearable. Well, that and watching Sphinx with Ripley . . .
Ripley had pulled on a very pretty vintage styled dress from the back of her closet and the stoic boost had stayed by her almost religiously after he'd shown up from work. The dark navy color of the dress looked almost black . . . with a multitude of tiny songbird on the branch silhouettes that scattered across the soft plush cotton. But the adorably pleated modified sweetheart bodice-which made the dress strapless and shoulderless, showing of the girl's long neck and arms as well as her cleavage- finished with the dashing citron satin sash had to be Sway's favorite thing. Because the hint of green made Ripley's eyes seem impossibly blue . . . while the colors combined made her tan seem darker.
She'd forgone makeup, just letting her hair hang in wild curls around her face and shoulders while she'd donned citron ballet flats . . . which only brought her to about Sphinx's chest when they'd been standing side by side. And made the two of them look almost too damned cute for words. Sphinx was still dressed for work in his dress slacks and shoes, and even with him shedding the shirt in favor of the black tee shirt and his suspenders he looked pretty at home against Ripley in her vintage wonder.
Sway grinned, watching Ripley roll her eyes as she sank into the spot left for her between Atley and Sphinx. Actually, Atley had stolen her plate and drink and set it beside his before turning to glare at Frank and San as they'd called for her to sit with them. And Sphinx had all but led Ripley to the table by the elbow, refusing to let her out of his sight. She glanced at both of them, brow raised before she finally crossed her arms.
"What if I wanted to sit beside Sway, huh? What if I didn't want to sit with the two of you . . .?"
Sphinx rolled his eyes before sinking into the seat beside her, picking up a rather juicy wing and biting into it before ignoring her all together. And Sway knew that the second he took the second bite-and Ripley's left eye started to twitch-that the resulting fight was going to be great. It was pretty funny to watch her bicker at him while he would respond nonverbally . . . but nowhere near as funny as watching him start to give in a bit more until he finally just nodded or walked away. And it just proved to Sway that it was still possible to argue when one of you refused to speak. And that Memphis owed her about $500 when he finally noticed it.
Ripley went to speak, to rise to the bait Sphinx was obviously tossing out when Kip's voice caught her attention. She turned, listening to the boy talk on and on as Sphinx sighed, eating a bit easier than he had before as his shoulders seemed to relax. And Sway was hard pressed not to cackle at the sight. She knew that the odd friendship between the two was just that but the man looked so much Memphis or Otto just barely skating by some massive argument that she couldn't keep the smile from her lips.
"Ripley?"
"Yeah Kip?"
"Where's your Ferrari . . . I thought you had a Testarossa . . ."
Sway watched Helen perk at hearing that, eyeing the girl with a calculating look before turning to smirk at Memphis as he sank into the seat beside her. Directly across from his mother and Kip. She tried not to glare as Helen turned to her before turning to Ripley, obviously interested in the answer. Ripley however just shrugged, eyeing the woman cautiously as she reached over and stole a boneless wing off Sphinx's plate. And, as he looked down at her with a brow raised she answered the boy.
"Sphinx ate it."
The man rolled his eyes, reaching across and liberating a wing to account for the one she stole before returning to his own plate. Eating just as zealously as the other men. Kip however just looked at him, shocked before rolling his eyes and leaning across the table more to talk with her.
"Uh-huh. Seriously?"
Ripley grinned, laughing as she reached across and ruffled his hair before sinking back into her seat. And Sway was aware that the girl slid closer to Sphinx as Helen looked her over again.
"I got rid of it . . . But I got a great Chevelle to replace it . . . A 66 SS 396 . . ."
Kip looked up at Memphis and herself, obviously excited to hear about the girl's newest acquisition . . . even if he didn't know everything about it.
"That's a really good car, right? I mean, but isn't that kind of big for a girl?"
Memphis laughed, ruffling Kip's hair as Helen seemed to sour upon hearing about the newer Chevelle. But Memphis didn't give her time to get any worse as he looked across to Ripley with a wink. And Frankie and San started to chuckle at his next statement. Only to fall quiet when Sphinx stopped mid-bite to glare at him.
"Yeah usually but Ripley is Sphinx's unofficial girlfriend . . . and he drives a Chevelle Malibu so they had to have the set, you know?"
Ripley raised a brow before glancing over at Sphinx-who glanced at her and shook his head slightly- before both rolled their eyes in unison and reached to grab the same piece of chicken off of his plate. Sphinx glared down at her as she shrugged up at him before he finally sighed and motioned for her to just take it. Which made her beam up at him and-after breaking it in half- extend the larger portion for him to take. He looked down at it questioningly before rolling his eyes again and leaning down, grabbing the chunk of meat with his teeth. He turned to Atley as the other boost spoke, chewing twice before swallowing. And Sway knew that she wasn't the only one that was amazed at their little show . . .
But, as Sphinx turned from Atley to smirk down at Ripley-who blushed up at him prettily before smiling back- Helen chose that moment to pipe up . . . and ruin the sweet moment between the two. And cause Memphis to glare at his mother.
Christ did she not ever learn?
"Aww! Aren't they sweet? Why can't the two of you be sweet like that? Honestly, Randall I don't see how she could be his unofficial anything with the way they act together . . . But if they aren't then why aren't you with her? She's seriously a better match . . . and Sarah seems far better suited to him . . ."
Sphinx looked over at her, face darkening as he glared while Ripley reached out and placed her hand on his bicep; leaning into him as he glowered at the woman who was still oblivious . . . And Sway knew the only thing keeping him in his seat and from tearing the woman apart was the girl anchoring him to his seat.
Memphis however just turned to them, shaking his head before he looked to his mother.
"Please don't start, okay? Sway and I are fine the way we are. We like the way we are . . . and you really don't need to harass either one of them . . . Please, Mom?"
Helen sighed exasperatedly, rolling her light eyes skyward before nodding once. And no one said a word when Sphinx stood to disappear back into the garage . . . or when Ripley followed him a few minutes later. But Sway knew that if the woman spoke out of turn again when they got back then one of the two was going to gut her. She didn't know which one. Sphinx was this raw, primal force of violence and indifference while Ripley was a lion playing at being a housecat . . . And neither liked to be pushed . . .
She sighed, looking to Kip as he grinned and flicked potato salad in Frank's hair. At least the little one was good for something . . .
Ripley stepped into the back work bay, making her way towards Sphinx slowly. He was bent over one of the stations, shoulders hunched as he glared at the counter in front of him. And she knew that if Helen Raines were anyone else she'd be dead and spread across the state already. The sheer tension and anger rolling off him screamed that . . .
She sighed, stopping right behind him and waited a few long moments before she finally just went with her instincts. She reached out, wrapping her arms around his waist and laid her head against his left shoulder blade; kissing the area before resting her cheek over where she knew his unfinished tattoo was. He stiffened before his hand came to rest over hers . . . and for what seemed like a small eternity they just stood there together. She could hear the sounds of the cookout outside, the laughter and conversation picking back up after a small lull . . . and with the natural sounds of the garage-the building settling, papers rustling in the breeze from the open doors and the radio playing softly up in the office- and the light pouring in through the windows above their heads she wasn't sure she would ever find anything so peaceful again . . . save the water . . .
Eventually he moved, pushing away from the station to turn in her arms but she didn't let him go. She just rested her cheek against his chest and sighed as his arms wound around her shoulders; tugging her tighter to him. She had no idea exactly what about Helen's little comment had caused this but she didn't like it. Not at all. She looked up at him, reaching up to cup his cheek as he leaned into the contact and closed his eyes.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded once before opening his eyes but she knew he really wasn't . . . and when he dipped to press his forehead against hers she was proved right. He never let her touch him much at the garage-with a handful of exceptions- and she was suddenly worried for him. Her other hand came up and cupped his face, forcing him to look at her as she stretched to her tiptoes.
"What's wrong . . . If you don't tell me I can't fix it. And I want to fix it, Sphinx . . . Please . . ."
He shrugged, glaring at the doors as they heard the laughter from the others pick up again. And she sighed, shaking her head at him.
"Don't worry about her . . . because I sure as hell don't. Hell honey she probably doesn't even realize that I almost gutted her ass a few months ago . . . So do you really trust her opinion? I mean she hates the girl that loves her son unconditionally . . . that's pretty fucking stupid to me . . ."
He smirked, some of the dark humor leaking into his eyes as he let out a dry chuckle. And she grinned, sighing as he started to look more himself. She'd never seen him look so damned vulnerable and she hated it.
"If it makes you feel any better I'll give you her head on a platter . . . Sure Memphis would be pissed at first but he'd get over it . . . Eventually . . ."
He chuckled again, making her continue. And she didn't mind that his arms moved down to take purchase on her hips as she spoke . . . or that he dipped a bit closer to listen to here, bringing their noses to almost touch as she leaned up and into him.
"And just think . . . Memphis won't ever be pissy unless he and Sway are arguing again . . . and they usually only argue nowadays because of her . . . So that would alleviate the biggest issue. We could live in peace and harmony. Just boost and surf and work at the morgue and here . . . It would be great . . ."
He nodded, dipping even closer as he spoke to her softly. And she grinned, leaning into him as she chuckled.
"Sounds like it . . ."
She nodded, brushing her lips over his briefly before she began again. And she shivered as he chuckled, tugging her tighter as one of his hands came up to brush her hair out of her face.
"Oh I know it would be. Hell, I could even teach you to surf . . . after we teach you to swim . . ."
He shook his head, dipping to bring his lips to hers as he spoke again.
"I'm sure . . . and when would these swim lessons begin? Before or after this grand murder?"
She shrugged softly before tilting his face down to hers a bit more.
"Anytime you wanted. We could ditch this . . . go start now if you wanted to . . . Because that woman will die if she speaks to you again . . ."
He looked over intensely for a moment before shrugging his brows and nodding once, rubbing his cheek against hers. That made her giggle at the bare hint of stubble.
"Eww! You need to shave, Sphinx . . . I can't stand hair."
He chuckled, rubbing again as she shrieked, trying to get away . . . only to be held in place as he laughed at her darkly. Right before he stepped away and pushed her towards her Chevelle. She shrugged, grabbing his hand and drug him behind her before tossing him her keys with a grin.
"We'll be back for your Baby Blue . . . but let's go grab our suits and we can just drive down to the beach. Relax for the rest of the day. You do have a swim suit right?"
He rolled his eyes, dipping to get into the Chevelle before he turned to her. And Ripley felt her breath catch as he leaned across the console and caught her face in his hands; looking her over before he let her go. And when she glanced up to see Helen and Kip moving back to the back of the building-stopping once they saw them in the car- she knew why he'd stopped. She snorted, leaning across and planting her lips against his firmly; cupping his face before she went to move back after a few minutes. And when she looked up to see Helen flush and scurry back-pushing Kip in front of her- she grinned at him, winking.
"I don't give a fuck about what her or anyone else has to say. You and I are just fine the way we are . . . we work and we're good together . . . and if they think something else is going on then let them. But she doesn't decide who I am or am not worthy of. Or you . . . you got that?"
He blinked before grinning darkly at her, nodding once as he reached out to push her hair out of her face again. And she swatted his hands away as he tugged a curl.
"Oh quit whining! I know you miss the long blonde . . . It can go back in a few months . . . But for now it has to be this color."
He nodded, cranking the engine and pulling out of the lot. And she suddenly wondered how well he actually knew how to swim. He'd admitted-while they were watching Jaws right before she moved-that he wasn't very good at it. And she was suddenly afraid that she might need to buy him swimmies . . . until that image made her laugh. God Sphinx in swimmies . . . that would be blackmail worthy . . .
I'm a dork running on very little sleep and loads of caffeine so ya'll just bare with me, okay?
