Part 7-A NEW DAWN

The sun was sparkling on the pristine white cinder of the outside of Pondview Hospital as the dark haired young man pushed a wheelchair bearing a chestnut haired girl to the low slung white race car parked at the entrance of the building.

"Speed, this was totally unnecessary. I'm perfectly capable and able to walk, it's been two days since the operation," Trixie protested as he wheeled her to the passenger door of the Mach 5.

"Sorry, Trix but you weren't going to walk all the way out here. You know the hospital staff wouldn't allow it, it's against hospital policy," Speed answered laconically. He continued pushing her toward the car.

"Yeah but I could have. I feel fine, really. You're making way too much out of this," she said peevishly

"Remember you had a choice. It was either this way or I was going to carry you. You chose this way, so live with it," Speed pointed out as he took her belongings from her to put in the trunk. Mom Racer had brought a few things to her the day after the surgery. Speed opened the trunk, tossed the bag in, closed the trunk and came back to assist Trixie into the car. He lifted her and placed her gently in the seat, making sure she was okay than closed the door.

"Yeah, but you're treating me like I'm some kind of fragile china doll that can break easily. I'm not, you know."

Speed leapt into the driver's seat and inserted his key to start the engine. He turned and grinned engagingly at Trixie as he responded, "Well, you're my doll so I'm gonna make double sure you stay in one piece." He shifted gears and the Mach 5 roared away.

Trixie was regarding him in a thoughtful manner as they drove along. He turned and glanced at her inquiringly. "Something wrong?"

She shook her head and turned to the front. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something different about Speed, something strange but not unpleasant. Like he was feeling different about her, about them. He seemed to be driving differently as well, with a carefulness that was evident even more so than his usual cautious law-abiding manner. They stopped at a traffic light.

"Speed?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Uh, can we talk?"

Speed gazed at her with a smile as the light changed and he accelerated. "You bet. What do you want to talk about?"

Trixie sighed as she weighed the wisdom of sharing what she had experienced with him. It was true that they shared deep convictions and beliefs and had discussed them at length but she began wondering if it would be a folly to tell Speed about her talk with the Angel of Death. She smiled at him a tad brightly as she replied, "Oh it's nothing. You taking me to your house?"

Speed nodded, "Uh-huh. Where else?"

"Well, I do have my own home, you know," she pointed out.

"Yeah, I know but you'll need someone around to help you recuperate. So we all thought that you coming home with me was the best solution."

Trixie sighed in resignation as she just gazed out the window uncommunicatively.

Speed took note of her attitude and asked, "What's up, Trix? You seem to be a bit reluctant to come home with me and you seem uncomfortable. What'd I do wrong?"

Trixie turned and regarded him with a tired smile. "You didn't do anything, Speed. It's just me, I don't want to be a burden to your family."

"But you know that for the last year you've been like one of the family so it's only natural that you stay at the house," he reasoned.

"But, you all have done so much for me the last year. I can stay by myself and take care of myself," Trixie insisted.

Speed abruptly pulled the Mach 5 over to the side of the road and shifted the car to park. He turned to face Trixie completely. "Okay, Trixie, talk to me. What's eating you? You wanted to talk before so let's talk," he said with a bit of irritation.

Trixie sighed and looked at him. He gazed back, waiting for her to speak, biding his time. She bit her lip in consternation. "You think we could go to a quiet, private place?"

Speed studied her intently but her expression was inscrutable. "This sounds really important. Well, okay. Let's drop your stuff off at the house and then we'll go for a ride to our place to talk. I have some things I want to say to you anyway. I'll make sure Spritle and Chim Chim don't stow away before we leave so we'll be sure to be all alone." He turned and shifted to pull back out into traffic and they continued to the Racer house silently.

When they got to the house, Speed cut the motor and directed her. "I'll go bring your stuff inside and be right back so stay here. Unless you need to go inside." He eyed her meaningfully.

"No I'm okay. I'll wait here," Trixie answered, catching the drift. She turned her head and studied her fingers nervously.

Speed sighed as he exited to go to the back of the Mach 5 to open the trunk and get her bag. He was a bit put off by her uncustomary reticence but decided that discretion was the tack to take considering her strange mood. He took his key and locked the trunk to make sure that his intrepid little brother and monkey pal wouldn't try to hide inside to spy on him and his girl. Speed headed inside letting the front door slam.

Mom Racer was sitting on the sofa in the living room, serenely knitting and Pops was reclined in his easy chair serenading her with his snoring. Spritle and Chim Chim were on the carpet playing with his toy race cars and this was the scene Speed walked in on.

"Hi everybody," he announced as he dropped Trixie's bag off in the front hall. He turned to hurry back out but Mom's question stopped him. "Speedy, where's Trixie?"

"Uh, she's in the car, Mom. We're goin' for a ride, okay? See ya later," Speed called but Spritle and Chim Chim jumped up and ran to the door.

"Oh boy, it's a groovy day for a ride. C'mon Chim!" the youngster and chimp tried to race out the door but Speed grabbed them both.

"Sorry, Spritle but me and Trixie are going alone. We want to spend some time together and you can't come along," Speed said adamantly.

Spritle began to protest but Speed closed the door firmly and dashed down the stairs to run to the Mach 5. He vaulted over the side and started the car to back quickly down the driveway while Trixie eyed him quizzically.

"What's the matter, Speed. Why the big rush?" she wanted to know.

Speed brushed a hand back through his hair as they drove away. "Spritle wanted to come so I closed the door on him before he could whine his way into coming with us. I think that neither one of us wanted him to come."

Trixie nodded, "I love Spritle but I want to talk to you alone, Speed. I hope he understands."

Speed responded, "He had no choice. I made sure of it." Changing the subject he asked, "Are you hungry? 'Cause I sure am."

Trixie replied, "Uh-huh. Let's get something to eat at the drive-in. I had a couple of days of hospital food and could really go for some real food."

"You've read my mind," Speed said and headed for the drive-in.

After they ate, the atmosphere between Speed and Trixie had lightened up so he took her around some of his favorite roads around town. As they drove along, Speed mused on how much had transpired during the last week. He couldn't help thinking that if things had gone differently, Trixie would be gone instead of sitting in the seat beside him. The thought had made him feel a chill so he tentatively reached a hand over to squeeze hers to reassure himself that she was still with him.

Trixie in the meantime had been studying Speed surreptitiously as they rode along, admiring his strong yet classically handsome profile. She shuddered slightly as she thought about the fact that she had almost died and would have never seen Speed again. The thought had filled her with a desolate feeling and when he reached to take her hand, she clung to him with both of hers. Her action made him look at her with an expression she couldn't read as they continued driving wordlessly along.

Speed pulled onto the road that led directly to Lake Icy Chill and then proceeded to cruise up the road to arrive at what he and Trixie often referred to as "their place." It was a place where they had their deepest conversations and shared their most romantic moments. It was mainly secluded and very private.

Speed slipped the Mach 5 into park and killed the engine. He turned himself to Trixie face to face as she gazed up at him. "Here we are. It's quiet, peaceful and we're all alone. So talk to me, baby, what's on your mind?"

Trixie sighed and reached her hand to gently run her fingers around the contour of his cheek and jaw. He captured her hand and said, "If you keep that up, it's not talking we'll be doing. So come on, tell me what's bothering you."

She sighed again and spoke, "We've been through a lot this week, haven't we?"

Speed nodded slowly. "Yeah, that's putting it mildly."

Trixie put her head down. "I'm sorry I caused you so much worry." Tears began to flow.

Speed's heart began pounding. He reached his hand gently to wipe at the tiny warm rivulets running down her petal soft cheek. "No, don't apologize, baby. I'm just so glad you're okay. At one point I thought that I was gonna lose you and I can't tell you how terrified I was. The night your heart stopped, I was petrified, I'd never been so scared in my life."

"That's what I want to talk to you about, Speed. And please don't think I'm crazy as I tell you this because it really, truly happened," Trixie said clutching both his arms desperately.

"Trixie, I could never think of you as crazy. You've got better sense than me any day. So c'mon and tell me. What happened to you?"

She took a deep breath and began, "Speed, remember when my heart stopped?"

Speed replied, "How could I forget? That was one of the darkest times of my life."

Trixie went on, "Well, I saw what happens just before we die." She watched for Speed's reaction but he just continued to have his eyes riveted to her so she continued. "I got to meet the Angel of Death."

"The Angel of Death?"

Trixie nodded, "Uh-huh. He's the angel that brings us to heaven. Anyway, he met with me and talked to me about you."

Speed's eyes widened. "About me?" he asked, incredulous.

"Yeah. He told me it wasn't time for me to die yet because of you. He said that if I did leave you, you'd turn your back on God's will for your life."

Speed studied her intently and inquired, "And what's that?"

Trixie replied, "What you've been doing. Racing and being a role model for young people. Helping to fight evil and corruption. And helping those less fortunate."

Speed leaned back to absorb all she said. He ran his hand through his inky locks as he stared into the distance, pondering the words. "Wow," he breathed. He then turned to her and asked, "What else did he say?"

Trixie lowered her head and answered demurely, "He told me that it was God's will for me was to stand by you and do everything I can to support you as you accomplished your task."

Speed then gently took her chin in his fingers to raise her head and meet her eyes. "And what was your answer?"

"I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yes, you are. And I'm so very thankful to God that you are. When I thought you were dying, I mean, words just can't describe how I felt, Trix. I felt like someone had ripped my heart right out of me. I even came out and beat the crap out of the Mach 5. I blamed it and myself for killing you. I was even going to quit racing 'cause it had too many memories of you with me."

"Oh, Speed," Trixie whispered.

He continued, "I just wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole. Then Racer X came over and helped me get a grip on myself."

Trixie remarked, "He's always there at the right time. I'm glad he was there for you."

"Yeah, me too." Speed sighed and leaned back again as he commented, "Well, I guess it's clear for both of us then. We need each other to keep doing our jobs."

"Speed, what else did Racer X say?" she wanted to know.

Speed turned back and gave her a bittersweet smile. "He told me some things about the way I handle things, our relationship included."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. He told me that the special woman in my life should never, ever feel that she's less important than others. And it made me realize that there have been times the past year when I've done and said some things to prove that I've taken you for granted. You've always sacrificed for me and supported me no matter what and when I was at the brink of losing you, I realized how meaningless my life would be without you."

Now it was Trixie's turn to turn and mull over what Speed just said. As close as they were, there were times they acted almost embarrassed about their feelings for each other. And there were other times that they even distanced themselves from each other, making the appearance of them being just friends. But then there were times when they knew that there was nobody else for either of them.

She sighed as they sat there momentarily lost in their individual reveries. She was filled with the wonder as she thought about what Speed confessed to her. She had no idea that his feelings for her ran so deep. He had said once that he was in love with her but at times was so preoccupied with his racing and his heroic deeds that she felt ignored or at least unnoticed. But his declaration had proven those impressions to be snap judgements based on her own pique. She reached over and squeezed Speed's hands, which were clutching the steering wheel as he was staring in the distance with a thoughtful frown marring his sculptured features.

Speed, meanwhile, was deep in thought about what Trixie had shared. That she had actually been close to leaving the earth was unnerving enough but to discover that their lives were entwined by divine will was amazing. He had always sensed that there was something about her that drew him to her even when there were other beautiful girls clamoring for his attention. But each time she seemed to outshine every heiress, princess, or other girl. And she was the most unspoiled, unselfish, and loyal girl he'd ever known besides being delicately beautiful. He shook himself from his trance and met her sea green eyes gazing softly at him and he returned her tender regard.

"I love you, Speed," Trixie said in a hushed, shy tone.

Speed's eyes became infused with warmth as he answered gently. "I love you too, Trix. And I promise you, you'll never have reason to doubt that again. I'm sorry that you ever had to."

Trixie smiled a sweet smile that was so enticing Speed leaned over to gently capture her lips in a slow kiss that deepened as their mutual passion kindled. Speed teased her mouth open as he tasted her sweetness, burying his hands in her silky curls. He continued his tender assault like a starving man afraid his only meal was about to be snatched away. Trixie was overwhelmed by Speed's fervor but she too responded in kind, keeping pace with him tit for tat.

They finally broke apart to catch their collective breaths. Speed inhaled deeply and then spoke. "There was something else Racer X told me that's related considering what you told me. It's something I want to, no I need to tell you, Trix."

Trixie gazed at him quizzically. "What?"

"He told me that I have 'a racer's soul' and that racing's my destiny." Speed stated. "And the more I've thought about it, the more I realize it's true. When I race, it's like I'm in my element." He lowered his head in shame. "And that's what I have to tell you. If you hadn't made it, I would've still raced but it would definitely never been the same. We've shared so much I'd always feel you beside me even if you were gone."

"Oh Speed, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," Trixie answered. She grasped his arm to get his attention. "But if I had died, I would've wanted you to go on. What you do is too important, God made me see that. So it's your duty to keep racing and being the decent, straight and virtuous man you're destined to be no matter what."

Speed grinned and ran his fingers gently on her cheek in a caress. "And it's up to you to keep me on the straight and narrow when my faults show themselves. You keep me grounded when I get too impulsive and act before thinking."

Trixie nodded, "We both have our jobs to do and we have to do them together."

Speed patted the side of the Mach 5. "And here's where we have to do them. All three of us a whole."

Speed and Trixie both sat quietly as their individual resolves, like the next race, stood before them. They linked hands ready to face the future, whatever it held.

END