CHAPTER 2 "You two all packed?!" Dom yelled from outside the house. He was loading his stuff into the trailer on Tori's bed. They were all planning on using the trailer to sleep in at race wars. In the two weeks that Mia and he had grown to know Tori and Tai, Dominic had never felt closer to anyone before in such a short time except for his former friends now on permenent vacation in Mexico. And lately it was a blessing to have such friends...and more because of all of the trouble the last few years of his life had been giving him. Now here he was again, nearly four years later, racing again at Race Wars. He could still remember the last time like yesterday. After Jesse had stormed off....what had ended of him... "Alright, got the stuff. Ready to go, Dom?" Tori asked as she and Tai came out of the house. Tai darted around her and jumped up into the trailer. She had agreed that this one time he could sit in the trailer while she and Dom drove the cars. Tori was taking the RX-7 which pulled the trailer and Dominic was taking his own Supra behind her. They had all agreed to sleep in the trailer. Tori said she would share her bed with Tai and Dom could sleep on Tai's bed, but Dom insisted the floor with his sleeping bags was fine and Tai completely disagreed for his own personal reasons to which Tori just sighed and mumbled 'men'. Taking the bags from here and coming out of his trance of thought, Dom lifted them up into the trailer, automatically laying them beside his in a neat fashion. Tai pulled the bags closer against the side of the camper and smiled at Dom who smiled back before closing and securing the camper door and making sure the canopy was securly fastened. Then, patting the side of the trailer loud enough for Tai to know they were ready to leave, Dominic got in his Surpa and started it up. Backing out far enough for Tori to pull out, he waited until she had the car and the trailer in the street completely before reving his engine and speeding up around to the left side of her car. Pressing the down button on the automatic window he leaned over. "Alright, you just follow me, ok? Try and stay close, people on the highway can get pretty bitchy around this time of day." he grinned. It was actually morning, just after 7am and they were leaving to get there by 10am when the races began. Tori laughed and rolled up her window, switching on the air conditioner and watching as Dominic sped up in front of them with easy movements. He was so at ease in his car. She followed him down the various to the nealy empty highway. During the three hour drive, the road got more crowded,but Tori stayed up with Dom and the two took the offroads to get to the races. Dominic showed off by speeding up to around fifty down the stretch and stopping quickly at the gates. He got smiles from the gate guards who handed him a wrist band and took his admission money before letting him pass. Tori pulled up and rolled her auto window down. She took the arm band and started to hand him the money. "Oh, that guy ahead of you payed already." the guard smiled to her and waved her on through. Tori drove on with a look of shock. "That man, I swear." she laughed. Pulling the car up backwards into a trailer parking area, she quickly got out and unhooked the car as Dominic made his way over from his parked car. Once the trailer was unhooked from the car, Tori hopped back in the car and parked it beside Dom's, then headed back toward the trailer. By then he had opened the door and Tai had eagerly hopped out, helping Dominic pull out the 6 foot canopy stretch onto the ground. Tori started pulling out the hook ups and plugging up water and sewage along with a few other electrical wirings. The announcment came not an hour later, just after everone had settled that the quarter mile races were beginning. Patting her hand on Dominic and Tai's knees, Tori grinned. "That's my call. See you guys in a few." Tai stood up along with Dom. "Are you kidding? We're going to watch you!" he grinned and ran off to the sidelines excitedly. Dominic laughed and shrugged walking after him as Tori laughed and headed off to check the car, then get in line. *** Tori reved up her engine, looking to the meters, making sure everything was in working condition when she hear a whistle from beside her. Looking up and over she spotted the grinning face of Angela. 'Oh great' Tori thought, 'I have to race her.' "Like I said before, Good luck cause your gonna need it!" She yelled then laughed as she rolled up the black tinted window of her blood red Dodge Viper 2001. She also pumped her engine and turned back to switch on the little NOS tank in the back. 'No need for the larger ones, she thought, 'this is gonna be a breeze'. Turning up her stereo on the song 'Ready to go', Angela gleefully bounced slightly in the seat, gripping the steering wheel in anticipation. Tori on the other hand was now nervous as all hell and she knew that could cost her this race and Dom's two grand he'd loaned her for the race. She knew he wouldn't care about the money, but she did. It had cost all of them togather two thou to get into the Race wars for each car racing. That took enough off her hide as it was. Sighing in frustration, she turned on the small NOS tanks that Dom had reinstalled behind her seat. A sudden knock on her window made her jump before moving the window down to reveal Dominic's smiling face. "Jumpy today? Whatever could make you jumpy?" he laughed and leaned out of her swat range. "Listen, " he said leaning against the rim of the window and slightly inside the car, "Angela just does this to make everyone nervous-" "Well it's working." Tori groaned, looking over to him. "Tori, "he took her chin in his hand, "don't let her get to you. Angela is very predictable. She may seem like a bitch now, but if you win, she'll be pissed for a minute and then respect you the rest of her life. So win, Tori. Do it for yourself." he grinned and before she could protest leaned in kissing her quickly on her lips. Tori sighed as he left. He was right. She needed to win. She would win. She will win. Feeling herself start to pump up, she let her windows roll up and gripped the steering wheel watching the flagger as he waved his arms to signal the two to 'be ready'. Moments later the flags went down and the two cars, Tori's and Angela's burnt out, taking off at top speed. Down the quarter mile stretch the two sped, even with each other. Angela looked over angrily and pushed her first NOS, as did Tori who seconds before the end pressed her second release and gave out a whoop as she sped past Angela and the finish line. Angela watched as both Tori and hers cars came to a stop and she sat there a moment, not moving before getting out and walking toward Tori's car, which was farther stopped ahead that hers. Tori was leaning against her car, her eyes shut thanking whatever god or goddess was up there she had done it. "Well." Angela started, bringing Tori to look up at her. "That was refreshing. Never been beat so quickly before. I must say I'm impressed. But one of these days girl, I'm gonna beat you. "She smiled. Tori laughed. "You can try." "What'd you say your name was again?" Angela asked, sheilding her eyes and moving closer to stand beside Tori as Dominic and Tai made their way out to the finish line. "Tori. Tori Whitton." she grinned and took Angela's hand again. "and your Angela. Don't believe I got a last name..." Angela smiled. "Cause I didn't give it to you, but it's Mooreland." "Good to properly meet you." Tori laughed to which Angela gave a her own answering laugh. "See? I told you she was harmless." Dom laughed and greeted Tori with a hug. "Congrats. Won your first Race War race. That rarely happens. " he smiled into her hair as he lifted her, spinning her once, making her laugh before setting her back on her feet. "Hey folks, I'm gonna need ya'll to move your cars for the next race k?" the end flagger said before walking back to his post. The four got into their respective group cars and drove back around. Tori parked the car in the lot not far from the races beside Dom's for the later racing time before heading back around to the trailer and hopped inside with Dom, leaving the door open. Tai stayed outside the trailer, watching the racers as they drove up to the line to begin their quarter mile races. Tori had flat out refused his request to try the races, saying it was too dangerous and he wasn't ready. Yet she and Dom raced. He didn't get it. Sitting down in a wicker lounge chair, Tai sighed under the heat of the sun even though he was under a sheild. The temperature was an extra ten degrees or more due to the amout of hot metal and pavement roasting out in the sunlight. Looking back to the cars speeding down the quarter mile he stood, leaning against a canopy post. These were the races where you simply drove up with your wrist band and..... Tai looked over suddenly, remembering that Tori had layed her wrist band on the table just outside the door. If he could get to it.... *** Dominic jumped off the step to the ground just outside the trailer. He had offered to go get Tori, Tai and him a drink because of the heat and there was a pretty cheap Pepsi machine around the corner from the trailer parking. The moment he stepped out of the trailer to ask Tai what he wanted, he realised the boy was missing. Walking around the trailer, he called out for the kid. "Tai? Tai where'd you go to man?" Looking around the grounds he suddenly spotted Tai's RX-7 that Tori had used to race heading in line for the races. Gasping he turned to look back toward where the car had been parked beside his and sure enough it was gone. Turning to the table beside the trailer on instinct, he realized that Tai menat to use Tori's band to get into the races. Dashing out toward where the cars were lined up, he saw he didn't have much time as Tai was only three away from racing. Darting between the cars and people, accidentally almost tripping over some trash a few times, Dominic finally made his way to the car and came skidding to a stop on the other side of it, banging on the roof of the car. Tai jumped and rolled down the window, sighing in frustration as he saw Dom there. "What the hell do you think your doin?!" Dom yelled over the reving of the cars in front and behind of Tai's. "What does it look like I'm doing Dom? I'm racing! Look, Tori's never gonna let me race unless I show her I CAN race! This is my chance Dom!" "Your chance?! To what? Get killed?!" he asked, moving with the car as Tai pulled up. Looking up he saw there was now only one car in front of Tai, waiting it's turn, then he was stuck. Sure enough there was no way that he could get out of it. A man with a metal clipper came over to the car, ignoring Dom and taking a look at the band on Tai's wrist before waving him on to let the flagger know this one was ok to go. "Dom, get back." Tai said lowly. "Tai-" Tai leaned out the side of the window, jerking on his buckle once more to make sure it was secure. "Forget it Dom, your not talking me out of this one. So just STEP BACK." Tai growled before rolling up his window, ignoring Dom's protests completely. Dominic, seeing that Tai isn't going to listen to him and has indeed already gotten into the races, runs toward the silver trailer that Tori was in. Apon reaching the trailer, Dom threw open the door and rushed inside, nearly scaring Tori into a heart attack. "Fuck, Dom, what was that about! You scared me!" Tori said, spinning on her heels with a cold look in her eyes. "Tai is out on the race field. He's up next. I think he's really gonna race. Just thought you might want to save his ass." he said, huffing from his mad dash to the trailer. "WHAT?!" Tori yelled, dashing out of the trailer to rush towards the drag track. The engines of the cars reved as the prepared, then the two racers sped off at top speed as the markers arms came down, signaling the start of the quarter mile race. Tori ran to the side lines where the crowds were forced to stop and screamed out at Tai's car as it went racing by only ten feet from her. Tai, she could tell, saw, but couldn't stop now even if he wanted too. He had placed nearly a thousand on this one race. Most of their money. Dom grabbed Tori's arms to keep her from jumping over the rope as she struggled to get to her brother who was speeding away at a high rate. His grip was tight and he held her close, lest he loose her to the crowd or the security guards. "I'm gonna kill that boy." he heard her murmer as she calmed down, watching the cars get closer to their destination. Tai took a quick look over at his opponent as he sped up. They were nearly to the end. Neck and neck. Now was his chance. Pressing down on the valve release, he let loose with the first tank of NOS, knowing that was all he needed. The car jolted and picked up tremendous speed as it waifed passed the other and over the finish line. Letting out a tremendous whoop, Tai let the car slow, then applied the brakes till he came to full stop. Stepping out of the car, he watched in amusment as the loser slamed his fist into the steering wheel of his own car. Jumping up in excitment, Tai laughed and smiled as he saw his sister and Dominic coming toward him. His smile faded as he saw Tori speed up and the look on her face one the said 'You are so dead'. Jumping, he ran behind his car as his sister came around the other side. "Come 'ere Tai. Get your ass over here or I swear to God...!" Tori dashed after Tai, chasing him around his RX-7 , swiping for him on every turn. "Tai, damnit, stand still. I'm not going to kill you." she yelled. Finally giving in, Tai slowed to a stop in front of Dominic who had a 'you made a big mistake' smirk on his face. He quickly realized his mistake as Tori came around the back of the car and smacked him up the backside of his head, then got in his face. "Do you have any idea how many years you've just taken off of my life! Tenty one! One because he", points to Dom who puts his hands up in defense, "scared me shitless jumping into our trailer and the other twenty because of YOU! Do you realize how worried I was! You could have killed yourself! You've never done anything like that, you could have lost control!" she yelled. "But I didn't! I told you! I know what I'm doing. I've been watching you for so many goddamned years, I should know by now! You've been teaching me, so how could I have failed! I won! That's the point!" Tai yelled back. "He's right. He did win after all." Dom started to put in. "Shut up, Dom!" Tori yelled before turning back to her brother. "That's not important. Winning is not everything! If I've taught you anything, it should be that!" "If you've taught me anything, it's that winning is everything! Especially in the race!" Tai yelled before stalking off to grab his prize. Tori looked taken aback for a moment before standing and walking away, no expression on her face. Sighing, Dom followed them as Tai's car was pulled back to the after center for them. *** Tai plopped down in the lawn chair watching as the other cars started their own quarter mile drags. He paid no attention to his sister who did the same to him before walking back into their trailer and slamming the door shut. Dominic came up and placed a hand on his shoulder, patting it lightly before walking to the trailer. Cautiously opening the door, he peered in, suprised to find her sitting on the bed looking out the window at Tai, silent tears running down her cheeks as she watched her brother wallow in his anger. Dom sighed to himself, knowing how a sibling could nearly kill your nerves. Walking over to her, he sat on the bed, catching her attention. She quickly turned to him and wiped her tears. "He just makes me so crazy sometimes, ya know? I mean, I try I really do, but he takes these things so carelessly. One of these days I just know he's..." Tori again broke down in useless sobs and Dominic pulled her against him, running his hand over her hair as he too looked out the window at Tai. "Guess he feels he has to prove something to you. That he's not little anymore. That's how guys are. I'm pretty much the same way with Mia, but I don't know what I'd do if I lost her either." Dominic tried to comfort her fears, but knew she had to face the risks her brother took sooner or later. He understood the fear that she was going through having gone through the same with Mia, but also he knew he couldn't know it as well. He had friends to help him watch over her and she had been around them all the time during the years of training and learning. Tai however was Tori's only family. If she lost him, she lost everything that was worth living for. Tai was her life. It had to be tough. Squeezing Tori tighter in his grip, Dominic sighed, letting her know in his silent way that he wasn't going anywhere. Tori pulled away from him after a few moments and looked up into his soft brown eyes. Dominic stared into her own blue ones and searched, seeing her emotions through the pools. Unable to help himself, Dom leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers, hearing her sigh as he moved closer after a moment. Her hand ran up his arm to his back and on up to his neck, pulling him in closer to the kiss. Tori felt like she were drowning in the kiss, loosing herself in the one man in all these years who wasn't intimidated or run off by her. Noone had ever gotten this close before and she'd be damned if she would loose the chance now. She felt his hands in her hair, pulling her head closer as he let his tongue gently flow into her mouth to dance with hers for a moment before they both reluctantly pulled away. Leaning her head back to look into his eyes again, Tori smiled. "Thank you, Dominic. Don't know what we do without you here. Tai and me." "You two would be fine. You've raced before-" "But not like this. This is different. And with Tai out there now.....I need you around, amazing as that is, me needing anyone. I never thought I'd need anyone's help, anyone's friendship. Never thought I'd need anyone period. But here you are, and here I need you. I don't think I'd even know where to begin if we were alone in this." she said turning her head close to his chest to look back out at her brother who now stood near the edge of the canopy not far from the trailer, watching others race. "He's so young, but he's so old. Does that make sense?" Tori turned to look back up at Dominic. His smile was all the answer she needed as he ran his hand along the side of her face through her hair. "Yeah. I get ya." he said before kissing her again. "We'd better get back out there. The half mile races are coming up and I entered for that. And I know you did the same." Tori said taking his hand and pulling him with her to the door to the outside. He pulled her into his arms for one more brief kiss before they opened the door and made their way out into the sunny day, shades pulled down to shield their eyes. Tori came to stand beside her brother, neither looking at the other, but both knowing the other was aware of them. Tori sighed staring out at the racers walking, racing, talking....they were all so excited. Noone had a clue of the domestic problems of each other or of one anothers lives. "I'm sorry." The words sounded so loud in her head, but in reality they were barely loud enough for Tai to hear. He heard them though. His head fell and he stared down at the dirt, kicking at it. "Yeah, well...." he started. "No, Tai, I'm serious." Tori turned toward her brother, her bare arm rising to place her hand on the faded white pole holding the canopy up from the campers edge. She looked at him through her dark sunglasses, lowering her face so he could see her eyes, then raising them again, "I'm sorry. I should have thought about what I was getting you into. I didnt' think when I brought you along." "I had nowhere else to go. And I wouldn't have gone anywhere even if there were a place. I always wanted to stay with you. Your my family, Tori, that's why I came." Tai said, turning to her, suddenly looking much older than Tori remembered. "But I shouldn't have exposed you to this shit so early. I mean, damn Tai, your 15 and already your winning races. That's scary. Your supposed to have your whole life in front of you, but when you do this, what I do...you put your entire life on the line along with everything else." she sighed. "I know that Tor, but I don't care. It's worth it, for the speed, for the rush I get everytime that dial hits 90 and up, I feel like I'm the most powerful person in the world. Like noone can touch me. Hell, I don't even care about the money anymore, it's just the race. And you. That's all I need anymore. Without you two, it's not worth anything to be around." Tai said before walking into the trailer for water, shutting the door behind him. Again Tori was struck by what he had said. She had thought it was about the money for him. She had told him that was what she was in it for. And at first it was......but then...it just became the speed, the adrenaline. Everything else but the race and Tai was nothing to her. And now that Dominic was in her life, she had three things to live for. She completely understood what Tai meant when he said that otherwise it wasn't worth it. She knew he was ready...and that was the hardest part to come to terms with.
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