AN: Well.. umm, not much to say except, I don't own the fast and furious franchise. Or any of the actors or characters from the film (which.. in my opinion, is totally unfair). This is a reasonably long chapter, which - I guess was due, after that last one - but still, I implore you: Please review : ) . I can't write when I think people aren't really out there...
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Chapter V: Bienvenido a Miami
The drive to Miami had been long, tiresome.. lonely. But had given Brian time to think. To ponder.. and to practice what to say to him. What to say to Roman when they came face to face. The more he thought about him, the more he missed him and the more it seemed right that he was in Miami. He'd arrived the night before, and gotten himself a dingy cheap motel room, complete with cockroaches, paper-thin walls and 'active' next door neighbours. Somehow he'd managed to sleep through the most of it, waking well into the morning to the sounds of the couple next door... STILL going. Brian sighed, listening to the guy announcing the same thing over and over, he rolled his eyes 'just GO already' he thought to himself, glancing at the clock. 10.00 am. Brian was almost reluctant to get out of bed.. if he got out of bed, he'd have to get going, he'd have to visit Rome and maybe, just maybe Brian was afraid. Afraid things might have changed, afraid Roman wouldn't recognise him. Surely that would never happen. Him and Roman had been like brothers back in the day, but this was now... did 'back in the day' still matter? Only one way to find out.
Brian forced himself to get out of bed, lazily sauntering across the room in baggy track-pants hanging low below his hips. He looked over at the wall, and applauded loudly when the neighbours finally 'went' and stumbled towards the bathroom for a much needed shower.
---
It had been hard to track Mr Roman Pearce down. He'd moved around a lot, and his records weren't very complete - and Brian hadn't wanted to search for him through the cop files, in case it bought up any of his 'colourful' history. Finally, a mobile phone company had come through for him. Mr Roman Pearce had bought himself a cellular phone, and provided his details like a good citizen... well it had been a 'care-of' address, but that was as good as place as any to start.
Brian checked the map and found the street was right on the waterfront. He nodded to himself, "Nice one Rome.. you got a place near the water, just like you wanted." He said aloud to himself, gazing at the diagrammatic representation of the city. Brian had to laugh to himself at that, one of Romans primary reasons for getting a place near the water - 'chicks in bikinis!' he could practically hear Romes cheeky voice as he thought about it. A smile pushed at Brians lips - he couldn't wait to see him.
Brian found himself speeding through the city streets, scanning the road signs and glancing down at the map in the passenger seat beside him. The road would be on the right any minute... Brian looked around, where the hell was it? He glanced into his rear view mirror, noticing the street sign behind him. He looked left and right quickly, then yanked the steering wheel hard, flooring the gas pedal. The tyres squealed as if out of surprise with lost traction, and he stayed in limbo for a few moments before the rubber gripped asphalt again. The car bolted suddenly and he completed a rather undignified and completely illegal u-turn across 4 lanes of traffic. He slammed on the brakes, and pulled left quickly down towards the street he was looking for. It was a sparsely populated warf area. Brian frowned, maybe Rome had given false details - it didn't look too promising. Until he saw it. His jaw dropped slightly. Like a mirage in a desert, a jewel in the Nile... or a mass of street cars parked elegantly along the Warf front. Cars that rivalled any of beauties he had come across at Race Wars back in L.A. He slowed and pulled to a stop beside a white Toyota MR2 Spyder, it glistened seductively as if begging Brian to touch it. He exited his own vehicle, feeling completely out of place with a car that was almost 30 years old, and completely underpowered. But no one was around to see him... they obviously weren't far away though - he could hear the sounds of a party in full-swing not too far away. Music, yelling, girls squealing, and the revving of small engines.. something like jetskis Brian guessed. He walked along the line of cars, and stopped in his tracks. There in front of him was a true racers garage, a huge warehouse had been converted into one of the most state-of-the-art workshops he had seen. This was nothing like the Torettos garage. This was flash.. and panache. Up along the top of the building in flaming letters it declared TEJ'S GARAGE, and down the side it announced all the services they provided: Suspension, Customisation, Body Kit Application, Spraying, Parts and General Servicing. There were more, and even better looking cars parked right outside the garage front, a completely custom Acura NSX, parked beside a Dodge pickup that had a matching paint job glittered beneath the burning Miami sun. Brian felt himself salivating. This place would be like a haven for Rome. Brian felt home already. Aside from the fully done-up cars around, there were cars that had taping on them - obviously in prep for paint jobs and body kit fitting, motorbikes and even a speed boat leaning up against the far wall.
Brian continued walking along the garage front, the sounds of music and yelling grew louder.. and the sweet smell of clear water, something like freedom. Brian continued on, and was met by a large group of people, standing in groups, talking, laughing, dancing and drinking. Almost all the girls were clad in bikinis, of varying degrees of 'barely-there', while most of the guys were in swimming shorts and wife beater singlets, or shirtless. Brian looked down at himself, jeans, boots and a plain grey t-shirt. He looked completely out of place again, and suddenly wondered if he'd made the wrong decision coming here. Surely not... Rome was here. Rome would look after him. Brian walking slowly along the board walk towards a relatively smaller group of people.. all of them girls. "Uhh.. excuse me?" he stuttered as he walked up behind them.
The girls turned, regarding him with unimpressed looks. A redhead in a tiny silver string-bikini looked at him suspiciously, "Yes?"
"Um, I was wondering if, by any chance you knew of Roman Pearce?"
The girl laughed, "Do I know OF him?" she laughed again, almost in a mean way. "Of course I know of him... who doesn't?" she raised an eyebrow at Brian.
Brian swallowed slowly, "Well... uhh, do you know if he is here today?" he gestured around at the swarming mass of people. A throng of people pushed past Brian, heading further up the board walk, closer to where the real action was. Brian briefly looked over at the two jet-skis ripping up the water at full speed. A cheer went up in the crowd, as one of the riders went flying off the jetski. "OH F*CK... Sarah wiped out!" the redhead screeched.
Brian looked over at her, but she was talking with her group. "DAMN.. looks like we owe Tej some money!" the blonde beside her spoke up.
"AGAIN! When's your dumb ass gonna learn girl? You gotta stop betting with Tej!" another blonde spoke up, laughing.
Brian stepped a little closer, "Uhh, sorry to interrupt, but, do you know if Rome is here today?"
The redhead looked back at Brian, and cracked into amused laughed, as did the rest of her group. "is here TODAY?! When is Rome NOT here!" they all laughed again.
Brian sighed, wondering if there was any effective way to communicate with them.
"Gimme that cash.." a guy with cornrows interrupted the girls, a wide grin on his face as he held out his hands.
"Tej.. you always taking my money.. aint you got nothing else to do?"
"Well.. aside from tapping ass? Hell no." he laughed at his own joke, wriggling his fingers, "C'mon.. you love it." He took the money from the girls, who giggled stupidly at him, ogling his huge gold chains and rings.
"Excuse me?" Brian tapped Tej on the shoulder.
Tej turned to regard him with a lifted brow, the look on his face clearly read 'who are you punk?'.
"I was wondering if you could help me." Brian continued.
Tej burst into uproarious laughter, "Me! Help you? I aint that qualified." He looked Brian up and down, a sneer on his face.
Brian frowned, "I'm looking for Roman Pearce."
The sneer disappeared from Tejs face, and was replaced with a frown, followed by a curious look. "Why? And who the hell ARE you?" he demanded, he folded his arms over his chest, then released them again when someone walked past to hand him a small wad of cash. Tej quickly counted it, then assimilated it into the rapidly growing pile in his fist, then returned his gaze to Brian.
"My names Brian.. I'm an old friend of Romes. We grew up together, in Baristow."
Tej eyed Brian thoughtfully, he was having a hard time picturing his buddy Roman hanging with this white dude.
"Hey Tej.. what's the taking?" a familiar voice called loudly from behind Brian, with each word the voice got louder and louder.
Tejs eyes moved off Brians face, and looked behind him, he grinned and held up the huge wad of cash in his palm. "Plen'y plen'y" he fanned it out and shook it back and forth, with a devilish grin.
"You know I want my piece right?" the voice got closer behind Brian, followed by cocky laughter that was oh so familiar to Brian. He couldn't believe it. Roman Pearce... Rome.. he was right behind him.
Brian turned slowly, greeted with the huge crowd behind him.. but they were just details. In the forefront of it all - Romans large, muscular form, clad in jeans and an open, sleeveless shirt and huge charismatic smile on his face; revealing his perfect white teeth.
Then his teeth disappeared from sight as Romans smile faded. His eyes set on Brians. Then hardened. "What the.. f*ck?" Rome breathed, staring at Brian.
"Rome." Brian smiled happy to see his old buddy.
Rome looked back at Brian through narrowed eyes, "Only my homeboys call me Rome." He seethed, and pushed past Brian and stalked down the board walk.
Brian frowned, what the hell was going on? This wasn't what was supposed to happen!
"Rome!" Brian shouted, pushing through the crowd, following after his old friend.
Roman didn't turn.. didn't slow.. didn't do anything.
Brian walked faster, "ROME!" he lowered his voice to a growl, glaring at Romes back. That made him stop. He turned on his heel in one swift, graceful movement; regarding Brian with anger flashing in his eyes.
"What the f*ck are you doing here?" he growled back, equally as low.
Brian frowned, shifting his weight from foot to foot, "Man.. I'm here.. to see YOU. Why the hell else?!" he demanded.
"You came to see me?! You bought your ugly white ass all the way out to Miami to see ME after all this time?" he shouted, starting to lose control. His fists curled and uncurled at his sides.
"YES! I came all this way to see you Rome. Just to see.. MR ROMAN PEARCE!" Brian spat, getting annoyed, he stepped forward to Rome a bit.
"Well... now you've seen me.. you can just turn your ass around and go back home. Pig." He seethed.
"It aint like that Rome. I'm here to see you because you're my boy... look can we just go somewhere else and TALK for a bit?!" he gestured helplessly, throwing his hands out at his sides.
"I aint your boy Brian. GO. HOME." Rome warned, he inched forward.
Brian sighed, shaking his head, "What the hell kind of welcome is that?! Don't deny me Rome, you know we got WAY BACK!" he looked at Rome indignantly, disbelieving his arrogance.
Roman grit his teeth, and couldn't hold back any longer. BAM.. one powerful right hook connected straight with Brians jaw, and he dropped him like a stone.
Brian lay sprawled on the boardwalk, in shock. He hadn't even had time to brace himself, let alone make some kind of defence against Romes quick right hook. Brian lay stunned for a second then jumped to his feet, heading straight for Rome.. a rage building up in his blood.
Rome grabbed him by the shirt, and pushed him back then pulled him forward - making his head snap back violently against his neck, making him disoriented. He pulled him closer then delivered a left hook against his cheek, then released him. Brian stumbled back, then tightened his own left fist and lashed out at Rome. He fist just connected with Romans cheek when his foot hit against the side of the board walk, throwing him more off balance. That was all Rome needed, he swung his other hand round and knocked Brian off balance sending him sailing off the side of the board walk. He landed with an ungraceful splash, and disappeared beneath the murky surface. A moment later he broke the surface, coughing and spluttering, treading water urgently to the sound of everyones laughter and 'you got knocked the f*ck out' comments, among 'ooohs' and 'GO ROME's. Rome stepped forward and leaned his face out of the edge of the board walk, looking down at Brians pitiful appearance. Brian spluttered and spat water from his mouth, trying to catch his breath, he raised his weary face to look up at Rome.
"Welcome to Miami." Rome spat, then turned on his heel and stalked down the boardwalk. Leaving the madness in his wake.
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Just in case you didn't catch it "Bienvenido a Miami" means "Welcome to Miami" in Spanish. Count that as your foreign language component for the day : ).
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Chapter V: Bienvenido a Miami
The drive to Miami had been long, tiresome.. lonely. But had given Brian time to think. To ponder.. and to practice what to say to him. What to say to Roman when they came face to face. The more he thought about him, the more he missed him and the more it seemed right that he was in Miami. He'd arrived the night before, and gotten himself a dingy cheap motel room, complete with cockroaches, paper-thin walls and 'active' next door neighbours. Somehow he'd managed to sleep through the most of it, waking well into the morning to the sounds of the couple next door... STILL going. Brian sighed, listening to the guy announcing the same thing over and over, he rolled his eyes 'just GO already' he thought to himself, glancing at the clock. 10.00 am. Brian was almost reluctant to get out of bed.. if he got out of bed, he'd have to get going, he'd have to visit Rome and maybe, just maybe Brian was afraid. Afraid things might have changed, afraid Roman wouldn't recognise him. Surely that would never happen. Him and Roman had been like brothers back in the day, but this was now... did 'back in the day' still matter? Only one way to find out.
Brian forced himself to get out of bed, lazily sauntering across the room in baggy track-pants hanging low below his hips. He looked over at the wall, and applauded loudly when the neighbours finally 'went' and stumbled towards the bathroom for a much needed shower.
---
It had been hard to track Mr Roman Pearce down. He'd moved around a lot, and his records weren't very complete - and Brian hadn't wanted to search for him through the cop files, in case it bought up any of his 'colourful' history. Finally, a mobile phone company had come through for him. Mr Roman Pearce had bought himself a cellular phone, and provided his details like a good citizen... well it had been a 'care-of' address, but that was as good as place as any to start.
Brian checked the map and found the street was right on the waterfront. He nodded to himself, "Nice one Rome.. you got a place near the water, just like you wanted." He said aloud to himself, gazing at the diagrammatic representation of the city. Brian had to laugh to himself at that, one of Romans primary reasons for getting a place near the water - 'chicks in bikinis!' he could practically hear Romes cheeky voice as he thought about it. A smile pushed at Brians lips - he couldn't wait to see him.
Brian found himself speeding through the city streets, scanning the road signs and glancing down at the map in the passenger seat beside him. The road would be on the right any minute... Brian looked around, where the hell was it? He glanced into his rear view mirror, noticing the street sign behind him. He looked left and right quickly, then yanked the steering wheel hard, flooring the gas pedal. The tyres squealed as if out of surprise with lost traction, and he stayed in limbo for a few moments before the rubber gripped asphalt again. The car bolted suddenly and he completed a rather undignified and completely illegal u-turn across 4 lanes of traffic. He slammed on the brakes, and pulled left quickly down towards the street he was looking for. It was a sparsely populated warf area. Brian frowned, maybe Rome had given false details - it didn't look too promising. Until he saw it. His jaw dropped slightly. Like a mirage in a desert, a jewel in the Nile... or a mass of street cars parked elegantly along the Warf front. Cars that rivalled any of beauties he had come across at Race Wars back in L.A. He slowed and pulled to a stop beside a white Toyota MR2 Spyder, it glistened seductively as if begging Brian to touch it. He exited his own vehicle, feeling completely out of place with a car that was almost 30 years old, and completely underpowered. But no one was around to see him... they obviously weren't far away though - he could hear the sounds of a party in full-swing not too far away. Music, yelling, girls squealing, and the revving of small engines.. something like jetskis Brian guessed. He walked along the line of cars, and stopped in his tracks. There in front of him was a true racers garage, a huge warehouse had been converted into one of the most state-of-the-art workshops he had seen. This was nothing like the Torettos garage. This was flash.. and panache. Up along the top of the building in flaming letters it declared TEJ'S GARAGE, and down the side it announced all the services they provided: Suspension, Customisation, Body Kit Application, Spraying, Parts and General Servicing. There were more, and even better looking cars parked right outside the garage front, a completely custom Acura NSX, parked beside a Dodge pickup that had a matching paint job glittered beneath the burning Miami sun. Brian felt himself salivating. This place would be like a haven for Rome. Brian felt home already. Aside from the fully done-up cars around, there were cars that had taping on them - obviously in prep for paint jobs and body kit fitting, motorbikes and even a speed boat leaning up against the far wall.
Brian continued walking along the garage front, the sounds of music and yelling grew louder.. and the sweet smell of clear water, something like freedom. Brian continued on, and was met by a large group of people, standing in groups, talking, laughing, dancing and drinking. Almost all the girls were clad in bikinis, of varying degrees of 'barely-there', while most of the guys were in swimming shorts and wife beater singlets, or shirtless. Brian looked down at himself, jeans, boots and a plain grey t-shirt. He looked completely out of place again, and suddenly wondered if he'd made the wrong decision coming here. Surely not... Rome was here. Rome would look after him. Brian walking slowly along the board walk towards a relatively smaller group of people.. all of them girls. "Uhh.. excuse me?" he stuttered as he walked up behind them.
The girls turned, regarding him with unimpressed looks. A redhead in a tiny silver string-bikini looked at him suspiciously, "Yes?"
"Um, I was wondering if, by any chance you knew of Roman Pearce?"
The girl laughed, "Do I know OF him?" she laughed again, almost in a mean way. "Of course I know of him... who doesn't?" she raised an eyebrow at Brian.
Brian swallowed slowly, "Well... uhh, do you know if he is here today?" he gestured around at the swarming mass of people. A throng of people pushed past Brian, heading further up the board walk, closer to where the real action was. Brian briefly looked over at the two jet-skis ripping up the water at full speed. A cheer went up in the crowd, as one of the riders went flying off the jetski. "OH F*CK... Sarah wiped out!" the redhead screeched.
Brian looked over at her, but she was talking with her group. "DAMN.. looks like we owe Tej some money!" the blonde beside her spoke up.
"AGAIN! When's your dumb ass gonna learn girl? You gotta stop betting with Tej!" another blonde spoke up, laughing.
Brian stepped a little closer, "Uhh, sorry to interrupt, but, do you know if Rome is here today?"
The redhead looked back at Brian, and cracked into amused laughed, as did the rest of her group. "is here TODAY?! When is Rome NOT here!" they all laughed again.
Brian sighed, wondering if there was any effective way to communicate with them.
"Gimme that cash.." a guy with cornrows interrupted the girls, a wide grin on his face as he held out his hands.
"Tej.. you always taking my money.. aint you got nothing else to do?"
"Well.. aside from tapping ass? Hell no." he laughed at his own joke, wriggling his fingers, "C'mon.. you love it." He took the money from the girls, who giggled stupidly at him, ogling his huge gold chains and rings.
"Excuse me?" Brian tapped Tej on the shoulder.
Tej turned to regard him with a lifted brow, the look on his face clearly read 'who are you punk?'.
"I was wondering if you could help me." Brian continued.
Tej burst into uproarious laughter, "Me! Help you? I aint that qualified." He looked Brian up and down, a sneer on his face.
Brian frowned, "I'm looking for Roman Pearce."
The sneer disappeared from Tejs face, and was replaced with a frown, followed by a curious look. "Why? And who the hell ARE you?" he demanded, he folded his arms over his chest, then released them again when someone walked past to hand him a small wad of cash. Tej quickly counted it, then assimilated it into the rapidly growing pile in his fist, then returned his gaze to Brian.
"My names Brian.. I'm an old friend of Romes. We grew up together, in Baristow."
Tej eyed Brian thoughtfully, he was having a hard time picturing his buddy Roman hanging with this white dude.
"Hey Tej.. what's the taking?" a familiar voice called loudly from behind Brian, with each word the voice got louder and louder.
Tejs eyes moved off Brians face, and looked behind him, he grinned and held up the huge wad of cash in his palm. "Plen'y plen'y" he fanned it out and shook it back and forth, with a devilish grin.
"You know I want my piece right?" the voice got closer behind Brian, followed by cocky laughter that was oh so familiar to Brian. He couldn't believe it. Roman Pearce... Rome.. he was right behind him.
Brian turned slowly, greeted with the huge crowd behind him.. but they were just details. In the forefront of it all - Romans large, muscular form, clad in jeans and an open, sleeveless shirt and huge charismatic smile on his face; revealing his perfect white teeth.
Then his teeth disappeared from sight as Romans smile faded. His eyes set on Brians. Then hardened. "What the.. f*ck?" Rome breathed, staring at Brian.
"Rome." Brian smiled happy to see his old buddy.
Rome looked back at Brian through narrowed eyes, "Only my homeboys call me Rome." He seethed, and pushed past Brian and stalked down the board walk.
Brian frowned, what the hell was going on? This wasn't what was supposed to happen!
"Rome!" Brian shouted, pushing through the crowd, following after his old friend.
Roman didn't turn.. didn't slow.. didn't do anything.
Brian walked faster, "ROME!" he lowered his voice to a growl, glaring at Romes back. That made him stop. He turned on his heel in one swift, graceful movement; regarding Brian with anger flashing in his eyes.
"What the f*ck are you doing here?" he growled back, equally as low.
Brian frowned, shifting his weight from foot to foot, "Man.. I'm here.. to see YOU. Why the hell else?!" he demanded.
"You came to see me?! You bought your ugly white ass all the way out to Miami to see ME after all this time?" he shouted, starting to lose control. His fists curled and uncurled at his sides.
"YES! I came all this way to see you Rome. Just to see.. MR ROMAN PEARCE!" Brian spat, getting annoyed, he stepped forward to Rome a bit.
"Well... now you've seen me.. you can just turn your ass around and go back home. Pig." He seethed.
"It aint like that Rome. I'm here to see you because you're my boy... look can we just go somewhere else and TALK for a bit?!" he gestured helplessly, throwing his hands out at his sides.
"I aint your boy Brian. GO. HOME." Rome warned, he inched forward.
Brian sighed, shaking his head, "What the hell kind of welcome is that?! Don't deny me Rome, you know we got WAY BACK!" he looked at Rome indignantly, disbelieving his arrogance.
Roman grit his teeth, and couldn't hold back any longer. BAM.. one powerful right hook connected straight with Brians jaw, and he dropped him like a stone.
Brian lay sprawled on the boardwalk, in shock. He hadn't even had time to brace himself, let alone make some kind of defence against Romes quick right hook. Brian lay stunned for a second then jumped to his feet, heading straight for Rome.. a rage building up in his blood.
Rome grabbed him by the shirt, and pushed him back then pulled him forward - making his head snap back violently against his neck, making him disoriented. He pulled him closer then delivered a left hook against his cheek, then released him. Brian stumbled back, then tightened his own left fist and lashed out at Rome. He fist just connected with Romans cheek when his foot hit against the side of the board walk, throwing him more off balance. That was all Rome needed, he swung his other hand round and knocked Brian off balance sending him sailing off the side of the board walk. He landed with an ungraceful splash, and disappeared beneath the murky surface. A moment later he broke the surface, coughing and spluttering, treading water urgently to the sound of everyones laughter and 'you got knocked the f*ck out' comments, among 'ooohs' and 'GO ROME's. Rome stepped forward and leaned his face out of the edge of the board walk, looking down at Brians pitiful appearance. Brian spluttered and spat water from his mouth, trying to catch his breath, he raised his weary face to look up at Rome.
"Welcome to Miami." Rome spat, then turned on his heel and stalked down the boardwalk. Leaving the madness in his wake.
-----
Just in case you didn't catch it "Bienvenido a Miami" means "Welcome to Miami" in Spanish. Count that as your foreign language component for the day : ).