A Strong Family Chapter 7: Planning, a speed racer fanfic

Chapter 7: Planning

By lunchtime Racer X was still at Speed and Trixie's house. The two men were discussing different ideas as a plan to get Trixie back. It seemed Speed would definitely have to stay in the race and lose. If he didn't, Trixie's life would surely be over. The Masked Racer figured that during the race would be the best time to rescue her but Speed wanted to be more involved. He didn't want to be in a race while Racer X was saving his wife's life. Both men tried to ignore the fact that they didn't know where she was yet. It was certainly somewhere they didn't know about. Disturbing them from their thoughts was a knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" Racer X whispered to Speed.

"I don't know," Speed said moving to the front door. He was just about to look through the peep whole when the person on the other side of the door spoke.

"Come on, Speed. Open up," Sparky said impatiently. "You know we should be practicing!"

"Shoot," Speed whispered walking back over to Racer X. "I was supposed to meet Sparky today to practice after I met with you. Sometimes he goes a little over board when he wants me to practice before a big race."

Again Sparky exclaimed loudly, "I'm not leaving, Speed. So open up. I know you're here because both of the cars are."

"He's not going to leave," Speed said upset. "I know him like a book. Plus he has a key to get in here incase of an emergency." Even more worried Speed said, "Zain might hurt Trixie if he knows I spoke to him."

"No he won't," Racer X whispered back. "That's why Zain told you not to tell anyone. He knows you will be around certain people like your mechanic and your family. He just wants you to keep quiet about Trixie being missing."

Speed thought about it and realized that Racer X was right. "Okay. You may be right but I can't face Sparky right now. I don't think I can hide the way I feel."

"Then don't," Racer X said. "Go lay on the sofa face down."

"What?" Speed asked as if he thought the Masked Racer was crazy.

"Just do it," Racer X demanded as he pointed to the sofa. "Pretend to be sleeping."

After continuing to knock and not getting an answer, Sparky then started to rattle the doorknob.

"Sparky is very persistent today," Racer X said looking at the front door.

"What about the mess?" Speed asked looking at the broken lamps that he had just recently pushed into a pile. Though the broken things looked better that way it would still say something was wrong to Sparky.

"Just do what I say," Racer X said. "Forgive me for whatever story I make up. Now…face down on the sofa."

Speed just looked at the Masked Racer for a couple of seconds and then he spread out on to the sofa. He stuck his face into a pillow pretending to be asleep.

Racer X then unlocked the door and moved to the side so he wouldn't be seen.

Sparky heard the door unlock and wondered why Speed or Trixie didn't just open it. Slowly he let himself in and then closed the door.

"Hi, Sparky," Racer X said making the mechanic practically jump out of his skin.

"What are you doing here?" Sparky asked with his hand over his fast, beating heart. "You scared me to death. I didn't see the Shooting Star out front."

"I…drove Speed home in the Mach 5," Racer X said before thinking of a reason why he would have done that.

A second later Sparky saw Speed on the sofa face down. "You drove him home? Is he okay?" he asked with an inquiring face.

"Uh...he just passed out," Racer X said sitting down in a chair across the room from Speed.

"Passed out?" Sparky asked sounding unconvinced.

The Masked Racer wanted to slap himself for what he was about to say but it was the only thing he could come up with in a couple of seconds. "Yes. I told him to slow down on the drinks but you must remember the time you took him out and he drank too much."

Sparky remembered that it was when Speed and Trixie had broken up. Poor Speed had literally fallen about ten times that night. "Yeah. Speed was hilarious that night."

Racer X forced a smile; still mad at himself for saying that his now distraught, little brother was drunk.

"Now I know why there is a pile of broken...stuff over there," Sparky said pointing to the broken lamps. "He probably did it. Right?"

"Yes. He was a little off balance," the Masked Racer said now glad that he used the drinking excuse.

"Trixie is going to kick his butt," Sparky said laughing just before turning serious again. "Where is she anyway?"

Racer X knew that her car was out front. "Uh…her old flying instructor needed her to... help him at the airport so he insisted on picking her up."

"I thought she stopped flying while she was pregnant."

"She did," Racer X said realizing that this was harder than he had thought it would be. "The instructor just wanted her to give some new flyers some tips."

"She is pretty good," Sparky had to admit. Still sounding suspicious, he asked, "So why was Speed drinking, and why in the middle of the day?"

"That's my fault," Racer X said folding his arms.

"What do you mean?" Sparky asked folding his arms as well.

This was another one of those times that the Masked Racer was glad that he had a mask over most on his face. Sparky couldn't see his what am I going to say look. "Well...I saw Speed at the track earlier and he told me that Trixie's hormones had her driving him crazy. I told him I'd take him out for a drink to loosen him up."

"Oh," Sparky said moving his eyebrows together as he thought about it. "He never said anything like that to me. All I can remember him saying is that she's going to make the world run out of ice-cream."

The Masked Racer hoped Speed wouldn't be very angry at him for what he was about to say. "Trixie's hormones have her acting very differently. She actually told Speed that she didn't want him to race anymore."

"What! I can't believe that!" Sparky exclaimed in pure shock.

Shaking his head yes, Racer X said, "She said he was losing his touch and that she could beat him in a race any day."

"No way!" Sparky replied trying to imagine it. "She is Speed's biggest fan."

"Not right now," the Masked Racer say surprised that Sparky was really buying this story. "I think her hormones have taken over her mind."

"Now I know why you took him to get a drink," Sparky said not being able to stop himself for smiling. "I just wish I would have been around."

"I wish you could have been around too to help," Racer X said playing along.

"Forget the help," Sparky said smiling. "I would have loved to have seen him getting wasted."

The Masked Racer wasn't surprised by Sparky's remark.

Suddenly turning serious, Sparky said, "He better snap out of it. That big race is the day after tomorrow or maybe I can just get Trixie to drive since she's so confident that she could beat him.

Racer X was silent for a few seconds not listening to Sparky anymore. "Yes. I'm glad you are here," the Masked Racer said meaning it as he leaned over putting his elbows on his knees. "I need to talk to you, and you have to pay close attention to everything that I am going to tell you."

"Okay," Sparky said back just as serious as he sat down in a chair across from Racer X.

"Like you said, the race is the day after tomorrow. It's going to be a long day."

Sparky wasn't quite sure what he meant by that. The race wasn't expected to take all day.

"Look, Sparky. I had a long talk with Speed and he is somewhat stressed out with racing and the pregnancy..."

"And the Zodiacs," Sparky threw in.

"What? What made you say that?" Racer X asked wondering if Sparky had an idea about what was happening.

"One of the drivers, Ben, was at the track today. He told me he wasn't surprised not to Speed."

"Oh…he did," the Masked Racer said feeling himself getting angry. "Did he say anything else?"

"Just that they were going to win," the mechanic said standing up to leave. "I told him he was crazy and that there was no way that they could beat Speed."

"Wait, Sparky," Racer X said standing up with him. "I was going to tell you more about Speed being so upset."

"Yeah, right. Tell me more about Speed being wasted," Sparky said excitedly.

"Listen, Sparky. When you see my...what I mean is when you see Speed's father, don't tell him about this."

"No kidding," Sparky said rolling his eyes. "Pops would blow a serious gasket."

"Also, don't tell him that Speed didn't practice today. Let him think things are fine with him and Trixie."

"I'm sure Pops will see him tomorrow," Sparky said nonchalantly.

"Pops probably won't see Speed practicing tomorrow. I hate to say this but Speed's not so determined to win this race since he's so worried about the baby coming."

"Wow," Sparky whispered sounding somewhat depressed himself. "I never thought I'd see the day that he didn't care to win."

"I told you that Trixie's pregnancy has him a bit nervous."

"I guess especially after what she told him about not wanting him to be a racecar driver," Sparky said clueless to what was really going on.

"Just remember to let his family think everything is okay. He doesn't need the extra stress of them wanting to know what's wrong."

"I got it," Sparky said thinking he was so smart. "Let Pops think that Speed practiced and don't let the rest of Speed's family know that Trixie thinks she's a better racer than Speed."

"Right," Racer X said sorry he ever started that.

As Sparky was leaving, he turned around and said, "Racer X. Please remind Speed when he's feeling better that I'm not the one who took him out drinking this time."

"Fine," Racer X said. "Oh…one other thing."

"What?"

"Do not tell anyone, and I mean anyone that I was here," Racer X demanded. "You haven't seen Speed talking to me in weeks. Understand?"

Sparky shook his head okay not about to argue with the Masked Racer.

"Let yourself out," Racer X said moving away from the door.

After the door closed, the Masked Racer walked over to it and locked it. "Good," he said. "Sparky should take care of Pops and hopefully your Mom too."

Speed was still lying face down on the sofa.

"Speed," Racer X said walking over to him.

Speed still didn't move. Fatigue had actually taken him over; knocking him into a deep sleep that he very much needed. And the Masked Racer decided that he wasn't about to wake him up. He was too glad that Speed would be out of his misery for at least a little while.

After a few minutes the Masked Racer decided to leave his younger brother a note saying that he'd be back later. He then left out the back door and headed to the Shooting Star and then to the track.

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Later at Speed's parent's house, Sparky was there working in the garage.

"Sparky," Pops said sounding a bit aggravated. "Did my son practice today?"

Remembering what Racer X had said, Sparky answered, "Sure. He did great." Hating to lie, Sparky was glad when Mom Racer walked in interrupting their conversation.

"Honey," she said to Pops. "I think I might run to Speed and Trixie's house to see how Trixie's feeling."

"She's not home!" Sparky exclaimed. Calming down, he added, "Uh…I mean…she's at the airport helping one of her old instructors."

"What!" Pops exclaimed very upset. "She had better not be flying!"

"She…she's not. She's just helping teach or something like that," Sparky said telling himself not to slip up about Speed being passed out on the sofa at his house. Sparky surely didn't want to have to answer to Racer X.

"Oh…" Pops said calming down. "Speed and Trixie drive me crazy enough sometimes. I don't mean to over worry about my grandchild already."

"Honey," Mom Racer said walking over to him, "You know Trixie would never endanger the baby. I'm sure at this very moment she's being careful."

At that very moment Trixie was in her temporary prison, lying on the bed in the windowless room.

Breaking the silence was the key in the doorknob. She expected to see Tim walking in but it was Conrad. The tall, bald headed man walked in and showed no concern for her as he demanded, "Get up."

Trixie had already sat up when the door was opening so now she scooted to the end of the bed and carefully stood up.

"Mr. Zain doesn't want you to eat dinner alone. He wants you to eat with him."

Trixie was somewhat surprised but didn't say anything.

"Hurry up," Conrad said moving so she could walk through the door.

"I'm moving as fast as I can," she spit out. Under her breath she whispered, "I'd love to see you move fast at eight months pregnant."

"What!" Conrad asked in anger.

"What's going on here?" Tim asked appearing in the hall.

Trixie was actually glad to see the short, stocky man. She knew he wouldn't let Conrad hurt her.

"Zain wants her to eat with him," Conrad said walking past him.

Tim was somewhat surprised but then looked at Trixie and said kindly, "Mr. Zain is being nice to you."

"Come on," Conrad screamed from the hall.

Trixie wanted to yell, I'm coming you stupid jerk, but she only rolled her eyes. She soon entered a small dining room, which was on the right side of the den. There were only two chairs by the table.

Conrad left to go tell Zain she was in the dining room, while Tim pulled out one of the chairs for Trixie to sit down.

At first Trixie was a little skeptical about taking the seat but realized that she didn't have a choice. Looking at Tim, she asked, "Who's the cook?"

"I guess telling you won't hurt," Tim said. "The cook is Mr. Zain's younger sister. He's been taking care of her since she was a child. They lost their parents in a fire and she hasn't spoken since the accident."

Zain suddenly appeared and Tim excused himself.

"Trixie," he said sitting down. "I hope you will enjoy dinner tonight."

A large woman; Zain's sister, came into the room and placed a sliced turkey on the table between Trixie and Zain.

The woman didn't speak but kept coming back with more food such as cheese macaroni, peas, corn and warm bread. The woman then loaded up each of their plates.

Trixie had to admit it smelled good but she felt weird sitting there with her kidnapper. "Are you being nice to me before you…get rid of me?" she asked bravely.

With a smile, Zain said, "I don't plan on killing you anymore if that's what you mean. So don't worry yourself with that baby growing inside of you."

Trixie wasn't sure whether to believe him or not but was glad that he at least said he'd spare her and the baby's life. "Speed just has to lose then you'll let me go. Right?"

"That's the plan," Zain plainly said but having something different in mind.

After finishing their meal they remained at the table. They hadn't said a thing while eating.

"I enjoyed your company today while watching your husband's racing techniques on TV," Zain said just before taking a sip of his wine. He then stared at Trixie and said, "You really are a beautiful woman."

"I'm also a married woman," Trixie said longing for her husband.

"Oh, yes," Zain said putting the glass down. "Speed always seems to be the root of all of my problems."

Trixie looked at him with the look of death on her face. Her husband certainly never caused anyone problems. He only helped people.

"Is Speed a good husband?" Zain asked curiously.

"Yes," Trixie answered. "I love him very much."

"Yes, yes," Zain said folding his arms and resting them on the table as he rolled his eyes. "Are you a good wife?"

"I'd like to think so," Trixie said wondering where Zain was going with this.

"I'm sure you are," Zain said smiling. "I just think that maybe Speed doesn't deserve you."

At the race track Racer X was in luck since he saw the reason he had gone there in the first place. His reason was to speak to Ben, the Zodiac driver.

Ben was driving pretty well but then Racer X drove on to the track and passed Ben up like it was nothing. That was something the Masked Racer and his brother had in common.

Within a few minutes Ben and the Masked Racer pulled over in the same area. "Nice driving," Ben said but not sounding happy.

Racer X jumped out of his Shooting Star and leaned on it. "How come that doesn't sound like a complement?"

"So you do talk," Ben said sarcastically as he got out and leaned on his car as well.

The Masked Racer only shook his head yes.

"I didn't know you were going to be in the race," Ben said hoping he was wrong.

"I'm not," Racer X said. "My only competition would have been Speed Racer anyway."

"Oh no he wouldn't," Ben said wishing the Masked Racer wouldn't hadn't brought Speed up.

Not wanting Ben to think he was trying to get information about Speed, Racer X said nothing. He just hoped that Ben would start talking about Speed.

"So you won't be in the race?" Ben asked somewhat relieved.

"No. I think I'm finally tired of the whole thing."

"Really," Ben said surprised; glad that some of the competition might be quitting and he got an idea. "You should be on a team instead. That would be different."

"A team?" Racer X asked thinking this was working out better than he could have ever imagined. "Like your team, the Zodiacs?"

"Why not?" Ben asked with a wicked smile. "Zain, our leader likes you. I think it's something about the mask."

The Masked Racer told himself to act uninterested so he jumped into the Shooting Star ready to pull off.

"Wait," Ben said walking over to him. "You should talk to Zain before you just quit your career."

Racer X turned his head toward Ben not saying anything.

Ben knew Zain would be thrilled if Racer X was convinced to meet him. "Think about it. It would be different and I'm sure Zain wouldn't care if you still wore the mask."

Racer X only shook his head no.

"Do you talk to anyone more than a minute?" Ben asked sounding upset.

"Where is this…Zain?" the Masked Racer asked calmly.

Ben felt his pulse race, but acting as calmly as possible, he said, "He's working on a project at the moment."

The Masked Racer then started his car as if to say forget it.

"Wait," Ben said nervously. "I know you think he must live around here and he does, but he's renting a place at the moment."

"Must be nice renting a camp," Racer X said hoping that Ben would take the bite.

"No. It's far away from water." Ben hadn't a clue of what he had just given away.

"I'm not interested," the Masked Racer said and then he sped off.

When Racer X returned through the back door of his brother's house, he was carrying a bag full of fast food. "I see you cleaned up," Racer X said to Speed after closing the door and seeing that the pile of broken stuff was gone.

"After I woke up, I hoped I had just had a nightmare. Your note reminded me that Trixie being gone is real. I didn't know what else to do so I cleaned up," Speed said sitting on the floor and leaning against the den wall.

Racer X looked at Speed and saw that this whole ordeal had really brought his younger brother to his knees. It's astonishing what love can do. "Here," Racer X said tossing Speed a hamburger wrapped up in plastic paper.

Speed just barely caught it and then just looked at it.

"Eat. I have some good news."