Chapter 4 : The Net Is Amazing
Two voices whispered in the dark office.
"I know I've seen her before. Something is off."
"You sure ? It ain't that you're sore because she wants Jesse instead of you ?"
"Nah, I know something ain't right about her. You know any eighteen year olds who can fight like that? Drive like that ? And she just appeared outta nowhere."
"Alright. Let's look into it. Don't tell Jesse though. Fire up the laptop. Let's see what she's not telling us. We don't want another Spilner." A computer engine whirred to life, and clicking of keys filled the room. A few hours and Coronas later.
"Oh my god!"
******************************
"Hello ??"
"Hey Aaliyah. How's it going girl ?"
"Jesse. Its going great. What you up to ?"
"Not much. Hey we're having this barbeque thing tonite, the whole crew is going to be there. I was wondering if you'd like to come?"
"Are you asking me to out Wizard?"
"Yah, kinda grade school isnt it?"
"Nah, I'd love to come. Maybe you could show me some of your 'programs' ", the smirk easy to hear in her voice.
"Uh..sure..I mean if you wanna..I mean I do..but..I..oh hell" Jesse stuttered. She laughed at his shyness.
"4 o'clock a good time ?"
"Perfect. See yah later sexy."
"Bye Wizard". Aaliyah hung up the phone and flopped back onto her bed. She hadn't meant to become attached to him but she couldn't help it. He was cute, what was she saying, he was hot. Sure he wasn't buff like Dom, but he definitely had a body. She sighed. She couldn't shake the image of Leon starring at her out of her mind. He looked familiar. Maybe he knew. He couldn't though. She shook her head at the thought. She glanced at the clock on her night table, it read two o'clock. She jumped off the bed and hurried to the shower. She knew she had lots of time, but she wanted to take extra time getting ready, she wanted to look good for him. Maybe he wouldn't care what she had done.
********************************
Later that afternoon, everyone lounged in the backyard. Dom working the grill, while Mia and Brian worked in the kitchen. The two were practically inseparable, Dom couldn't remember a time he had seen his sister happier. Letty, Leon, Vince and Jesse were argueing about the latest Grand Tourismo game for the PS2, taunting each other, placing bets on who could beat who. Things were just starting to get out of hand when Aaliyah pulled up. She walked down the path with a huge smile plastered on her face the moment she caught sight of Jesse. Jesse was about to pounce on Leon when he saw her. She looked amazing. She wore loose, dark blue, low-rider jeans, and a red halter top that matched her hair perfectly. Her silver belly chain was visible against her bare stomache. Her hair was pulled back and up into a clip, with a few strands hanging loose, framing her face. He ran up to her and pulled her into a hug lifting her up and swinging her around, causing her to squeal. Her cries caught Dom's attention and he finally turned away from the grill. A grim look crossed his face.
"Vince, watch the grill, will ya? Leon go help Mia in the kitchen. Jesse, help Letty set the table." The team scrambled to do their tasks.
"Aaliyah, come with me. I have some ideas for detailing I want to show you in the garage. " She wordlessly followed Dom into the garage. As soon as the door shut, Dom had her slammed up against the bent-up Charger.
"Thought you could screw with us, huh?" Dom demanded. Aaliyah shook her head in fear and tried to back away from Dom knowing she was busted.
"Backroads ? Friends ? Tough neighborhood. Yah fucking right. Now spill!" He yelled at her, right in her face. She placed her hands on Dom's chest and shoved him back, as hard as she could. He moved back a few inches, his cold eyes never leaving hers. She just glared at him until he backed down and she could move again.
"Alright you wanna know the truth. I'll tell you the goddamn truth." Dom just leaned back, crossed his arms and starred at her intently.
" My name really is Aaliyah and I am 18." Dom nodded for her to continue. " I wasn't born in LA, I was born in New Mexico. My mom was hooker and a druggie. I took care of myself for as long as I could remember. I boosted cars and lifted stuff when I was 14, and got busted. They sent me to juvie, where I met this guy, Troy. He said he was gonna help me. He taught me all about cars and introduced me to street racing. At first I was just his cheerleader, but then one night he was drunk and needed me to drive so I did. I must have impressed the shit outta him cuz next thing I know, he's teaching me all this shit. NOS, double shifting, car amplifiing. The whole nine. That's when he introduced me to his gang. I quickly became a part of it. They taught me to fight and race and I helped them boost shit. Well one race, this guy gets pissed at me for kicking his ass in the race. I had scored ten grande off of it. He was about to lay into me, but I kicked his ass literally. Thats when Troy turns on me. He was pissed, I'm winning all this money and wants in on it, and I refuse. So he jumps me with a few other guys and a knife. They were holding me down, while he got on top of me. He punched me a few times and said he was gonna teach his bitch a lesson, that's when I saw the knife. I kneed him in the balls and rolled back, getting away from the other guys. They ran at me, but I kicked the one guy's knee out and broke a few of the other one's ribs with my Doc Martens. They had enough and took off, but I didn't notice Troy behind me. He locked his arm around my throat and was gonna knife me, but I threw my elbow back knocking him off. We circled and grappled for the knife which I managed to grab. He made a move to come at me again, so I stabbed him in the stomache. He pulled back and lunged at me again, so I just kept stabbing him. Somebody must have called the cops, because next thing I know, they cuffed me and threw me in a squad car. They left me alone to go check on bleeding Troy, so I kicked open a door and made a run for it. I hid until I knew they were gone. Then I hopped into my car and sped off. I came to LA because I knew no one would ask questions, and there was racing here. I knew I had a chance. I heard about you, and your team and I knew I had a chance of making it big. So here I am".
She flopped back completely spent. Dom stood there wide eyed.
"Well shit girl, you done it all." Dom said, amazed.
"You gonna kick me off the team, turn me in ?" she questioned, suddenly panicked.
"Nah, I ain't gonna turn you in. I've been there, I got my break, so I'm giving you, yours. Just don't start pulling any of that shit now. Got it ?" She nodded her head Realization kicked in and her attitude returned.
"How did you know?" She demanded.
"Leon tipped me off. He remembered seeing you at a Race Wars we were at in New Mexico, hanging with your crew. He remembered what bad asses they were and worried we had a repeat of history."
"I thought I recognized him. So you gonna tell them ?" she asked, motioning distractedly to the team outside
"Well Leon already knows, thanks to the net. I told you it was amazing what you could learn. The rest of them is up to you, I ain't gonna say a word, neither is he. But I suggest you spill because secrets don't sit well with them. Now let's head back out before they get worried we be rebuiding an entire damn car out here."
With that he headed out the garage, waiting at the door for her. She sighed knowing this was gonna be tough but she knew she had to do it. Later though she decided, one on one she would tell them. She walked out and forced a smile.
**************
The team was seated around the massive picnic table, heaped with food.
"Hey you two, where yah been? We thought we were gonna have to send a search party after yahs." Leon joked. Aaliyah smiled and took her seat next to Jesse, beside Letty. Dom sat at the head of the table.
"Alright let's eat up," He boomed, reaching in to grab the chicken, which caused everyone to start laughing. He had been caught by his own rule.
"Aight Poppy, you know the rules, you gotta pray, " Letty managed in between giggles. Dom rolled his eyes and lowered his head. Everyone followed suit.
"I thank God for NOS, for family and for new friends, for overnighted parts from Japan, and especially for Race Wars. Amen."
"Amen." Everyone echoed, and then piled their plates high with food. They were all laughing and joking around when Brian interrupted them.
"Um, guys..I have something I'd like to ask, if you don't mind." Everyone shut up and focused on him as he stood and took Mia's hand. He then knelt in front of her and reached into his back pocket.
"Mia, I know we have been through hell, but I love you more than I have ever loved anything in the world." He said, before pulling out a small box and opening it to reveal a beautiful silver ring with a large, heart- shaped, solitaire, diamond on it. " Will you please marry me ? " Everyone just starred in shock.
"Yes, I will." He slid the ring on her finger, and jumped up and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Everyone cheered for them, even Dom. They all settled down again and resumed eating when Mia interrupted them.
"Umm...well I guess now is as good time as any. I have some news for you all. " She started as she stood up and smiled at everyone.
"I'm pregnant !" Forks dropped, clattering to the table. Everyone was frozen in shock. Mia just continued to smile at them, nodding her head.
TBC
***********************************************************
Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter, I hope it was a little less boring then the other ones. Thanx to everyone for the great reviews and continued support. As long as you're liking it I will keep writing. So keep reviewing !! =0)
Two voices whispered in the dark office.
"I know I've seen her before. Something is off."
"You sure ? It ain't that you're sore because she wants Jesse instead of you ?"
"Nah, I know something ain't right about her. You know any eighteen year olds who can fight like that? Drive like that ? And she just appeared outta nowhere."
"Alright. Let's look into it. Don't tell Jesse though. Fire up the laptop. Let's see what she's not telling us. We don't want another Spilner." A computer engine whirred to life, and clicking of keys filled the room. A few hours and Coronas later.
"Oh my god!"
******************************
"Hello ??"
"Hey Aaliyah. How's it going girl ?"
"Jesse. Its going great. What you up to ?"
"Not much. Hey we're having this barbeque thing tonite, the whole crew is going to be there. I was wondering if you'd like to come?"
"Are you asking me to out Wizard?"
"Yah, kinda grade school isnt it?"
"Nah, I'd love to come. Maybe you could show me some of your 'programs' ", the smirk easy to hear in her voice.
"Uh..sure..I mean if you wanna..I mean I do..but..I..oh hell" Jesse stuttered. She laughed at his shyness.
"4 o'clock a good time ?"
"Perfect. See yah later sexy."
"Bye Wizard". Aaliyah hung up the phone and flopped back onto her bed. She hadn't meant to become attached to him but she couldn't help it. He was cute, what was she saying, he was hot. Sure he wasn't buff like Dom, but he definitely had a body. She sighed. She couldn't shake the image of Leon starring at her out of her mind. He looked familiar. Maybe he knew. He couldn't though. She shook her head at the thought. She glanced at the clock on her night table, it read two o'clock. She jumped off the bed and hurried to the shower. She knew she had lots of time, but she wanted to take extra time getting ready, she wanted to look good for him. Maybe he wouldn't care what she had done.
********************************
Later that afternoon, everyone lounged in the backyard. Dom working the grill, while Mia and Brian worked in the kitchen. The two were practically inseparable, Dom couldn't remember a time he had seen his sister happier. Letty, Leon, Vince and Jesse were argueing about the latest Grand Tourismo game for the PS2, taunting each other, placing bets on who could beat who. Things were just starting to get out of hand when Aaliyah pulled up. She walked down the path with a huge smile plastered on her face the moment she caught sight of Jesse. Jesse was about to pounce on Leon when he saw her. She looked amazing. She wore loose, dark blue, low-rider jeans, and a red halter top that matched her hair perfectly. Her silver belly chain was visible against her bare stomache. Her hair was pulled back and up into a clip, with a few strands hanging loose, framing her face. He ran up to her and pulled her into a hug lifting her up and swinging her around, causing her to squeal. Her cries caught Dom's attention and he finally turned away from the grill. A grim look crossed his face.
"Vince, watch the grill, will ya? Leon go help Mia in the kitchen. Jesse, help Letty set the table." The team scrambled to do their tasks.
"Aaliyah, come with me. I have some ideas for detailing I want to show you in the garage. " She wordlessly followed Dom into the garage. As soon as the door shut, Dom had her slammed up against the bent-up Charger.
"Thought you could screw with us, huh?" Dom demanded. Aaliyah shook her head in fear and tried to back away from Dom knowing she was busted.
"Backroads ? Friends ? Tough neighborhood. Yah fucking right. Now spill!" He yelled at her, right in her face. She placed her hands on Dom's chest and shoved him back, as hard as she could. He moved back a few inches, his cold eyes never leaving hers. She just glared at him until he backed down and she could move again.
"Alright you wanna know the truth. I'll tell you the goddamn truth." Dom just leaned back, crossed his arms and starred at her intently.
" My name really is Aaliyah and I am 18." Dom nodded for her to continue. " I wasn't born in LA, I was born in New Mexico. My mom was hooker and a druggie. I took care of myself for as long as I could remember. I boosted cars and lifted stuff when I was 14, and got busted. They sent me to juvie, where I met this guy, Troy. He said he was gonna help me. He taught me all about cars and introduced me to street racing. At first I was just his cheerleader, but then one night he was drunk and needed me to drive so I did. I must have impressed the shit outta him cuz next thing I know, he's teaching me all this shit. NOS, double shifting, car amplifiing. The whole nine. That's when he introduced me to his gang. I quickly became a part of it. They taught me to fight and race and I helped them boost shit. Well one race, this guy gets pissed at me for kicking his ass in the race. I had scored ten grande off of it. He was about to lay into me, but I kicked his ass literally. Thats when Troy turns on me. He was pissed, I'm winning all this money and wants in on it, and I refuse. So he jumps me with a few other guys and a knife. They were holding me down, while he got on top of me. He punched me a few times and said he was gonna teach his bitch a lesson, that's when I saw the knife. I kneed him in the balls and rolled back, getting away from the other guys. They ran at me, but I kicked the one guy's knee out and broke a few of the other one's ribs with my Doc Martens. They had enough and took off, but I didn't notice Troy behind me. He locked his arm around my throat and was gonna knife me, but I threw my elbow back knocking him off. We circled and grappled for the knife which I managed to grab. He made a move to come at me again, so I stabbed him in the stomache. He pulled back and lunged at me again, so I just kept stabbing him. Somebody must have called the cops, because next thing I know, they cuffed me and threw me in a squad car. They left me alone to go check on bleeding Troy, so I kicked open a door and made a run for it. I hid until I knew they were gone. Then I hopped into my car and sped off. I came to LA because I knew no one would ask questions, and there was racing here. I knew I had a chance. I heard about you, and your team and I knew I had a chance of making it big. So here I am".
She flopped back completely spent. Dom stood there wide eyed.
"Well shit girl, you done it all." Dom said, amazed.
"You gonna kick me off the team, turn me in ?" she questioned, suddenly panicked.
"Nah, I ain't gonna turn you in. I've been there, I got my break, so I'm giving you, yours. Just don't start pulling any of that shit now. Got it ?" She nodded her head Realization kicked in and her attitude returned.
"How did you know?" She demanded.
"Leon tipped me off. He remembered seeing you at a Race Wars we were at in New Mexico, hanging with your crew. He remembered what bad asses they were and worried we had a repeat of history."
"I thought I recognized him. So you gonna tell them ?" she asked, motioning distractedly to the team outside
"Well Leon already knows, thanks to the net. I told you it was amazing what you could learn. The rest of them is up to you, I ain't gonna say a word, neither is he. But I suggest you spill because secrets don't sit well with them. Now let's head back out before they get worried we be rebuiding an entire damn car out here."
With that he headed out the garage, waiting at the door for her. She sighed knowing this was gonna be tough but she knew she had to do it. Later though she decided, one on one she would tell them. She walked out and forced a smile.
**************
The team was seated around the massive picnic table, heaped with food.
"Hey you two, where yah been? We thought we were gonna have to send a search party after yahs." Leon joked. Aaliyah smiled and took her seat next to Jesse, beside Letty. Dom sat at the head of the table.
"Alright let's eat up," He boomed, reaching in to grab the chicken, which caused everyone to start laughing. He had been caught by his own rule.
"Aight Poppy, you know the rules, you gotta pray, " Letty managed in between giggles. Dom rolled his eyes and lowered his head. Everyone followed suit.
"I thank God for NOS, for family and for new friends, for overnighted parts from Japan, and especially for Race Wars. Amen."
"Amen." Everyone echoed, and then piled their plates high with food. They were all laughing and joking around when Brian interrupted them.
"Um, guys..I have something I'd like to ask, if you don't mind." Everyone shut up and focused on him as he stood and took Mia's hand. He then knelt in front of her and reached into his back pocket.
"Mia, I know we have been through hell, but I love you more than I have ever loved anything in the world." He said, before pulling out a small box and opening it to reveal a beautiful silver ring with a large, heart- shaped, solitaire, diamond on it. " Will you please marry me ? " Everyone just starred in shock.
"Yes, I will." He slid the ring on her finger, and jumped up and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Everyone cheered for them, even Dom. They all settled down again and resumed eating when Mia interrupted them.
"Umm...well I guess now is as good time as any. I have some news for you all. " She started as she stood up and smiled at everyone.
"I'm pregnant !" Forks dropped, clattering to the table. Everyone was frozen in shock. Mia just continued to smile at them, nodding her head.
TBC
***********************************************************
Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter, I hope it was a little less boring then the other ones. Thanx to everyone for the great reviews and continued support. As long as you're liking it I will keep writing. So keep reviewing !! =0)
