Author's Note: Thanks for all the support for this—here's the building to the main plot as Speed is forced into making a difficult decision that affects Trixie, the baby, and the team. I promise to update in a timely manner after completing my work this weekend.
AT THE BRINK OF DISASTER
The sun was rising slowly, turning the black of the dying night into hues of periwinkle and rose, canopied over Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Communist China had recently opened the capital and all of Tibet to modern transportation and roads had been built, linking the Roof of the World with other cities throughout China. In its quest to join the modern world, Lhasa offered itself as a venue for a Formula 1 race that also opened it up for tourism. But reform came slowly as it still was a place that was deeply rooted in spiritual enrichment and therefore remained set apart. The Himalayan Mountain Road Rally was an attempt made to shed the isolationist tag that the commonwealth had worn for centuries.
In a modern high-rise hotel, in a fourth floor suite in the bedroom, the first rays of the dawn sun playfully crept through the drawn bamboo shade at the window and made its way to shine on the entwined couple on the bed still slumbering. Speed blinked his cobalt orbs with a frown as the streaming sun coaxed them open. He yawned as he rolled in closer to his wife, spooning himself against her as his left arm slung possessively over her rounded belly, his hand over the smooth, satin-covered globe.
Speed yawned again as he drifted between sleep and wakefulness, then a tiny flutter that got slightly stronger rippled against his hand. He smiled gently as he relished the sensation of the unmistakable movements of his child, nestled deep within Trixie's womb. He spoke silently to the baby.
Hey, good morning, little one. I see you are already taking after me, huh an early riser he grinned as he pictured the tiny growing life inside. Don't get too excited in there or you'll wake up Mommy. She needs her rest so she can get you here safely.
He went on, You really have quite a kick there, kiddo. Wait till I teach you some of the fighting styles and moves your Uncle Rex taught me, you're gonna be one tough kid. And when grandpops gets a hold of you, and teaches you some wrestling moves you'll be a force to be reckoned with.
Speed then thought about if the baby was a girl and changed tact. And if you're my little girl, sweetheart, I'll do everything in my power to protect you and keep you safe. You need to know that you and your mother are my life, I love you both with every fiber of my being. His arms tightened around Trixie as she sighed in her sleep. That's right sleep, angel. Get all the rest you can, we have a big day in front of us. I want us to be at our best for the race. He yawned and dropped back to a light sleep.
About three hours later high clouds taking what feeble warmth there was and giving the air a definite chill obscured the bright sunlight. Speed and Trixie in warm jackets were at the temporary pit stalls that were erected for the event for the field of racers. They were standing beside the Mach 5 as Sparky was submerged beneath the raised hood, making pre-race adjustments. Trixie was silent as she was feeling a bit achy, and she began to worry but said nothing to Speed.
The crack mechanic was busy making the necessary turns with his trusty screwdriver on the carburetor, the master cylinder, and checked the electrical system. He came up from under the hood with his thumb and forefinger in an okay gesture.
"She's ready to roll, Speed," Sparky announced cheerfully as he wiped his hands clean and closed the hood with a bang. He regarded Trixie dubiously as she stood beside Speed quietly, her hand on her rounded abdomen and her expression veiled. "Trixie, I can be Speed's navigator if you don't feel up to it."
Speed immediately turned to his wife. "Are you feeling okay, baby? Would you rather skip the race?" He took her arms and examined her closely. "You do look kind of pale. It's chilly, are you dressed warm enough?"
Trixie felt the intermittent slight ache of cramps but she smiled reassuringly at her husband. "I'm fine, Speedy. Really, I can still do the race with you."
"Okay, if you say so." He leaned down to kiss her as he continued, "Then we'd better head to the driver's meeting. See ya later, Spark." He waved at Sparky as he took Trixie by the elbow and guided her to the main tent where the drivers and their navigators were gathered. . . .
After the meeting was concluded, Speed and Trixie were in the Mach 5, readying themselves for the race ahead. Helmet on, Speed continued to gaze with uncertainty at his spouse, his own trepidation growing at her apparent reticence; since the meeting she had said little, very uncharacteristic for her.
"Trixie?"
"Yeah, Speed?"
"Are you sure you're all right? You've been awful quiet." Speed frowned as he gazed directly at her, raising his visor. "You aren't yourself."
Trixie sighed and was opening her mouth to reply when a tall shadow loomed over them, blocking what little sun there was.
"And what do we have here? The Formula 1 champion and his lovely wife, eh?" a deep sardonic voice intoned. The handsomely Nordic visage of the driver, Gunnar Strippe leaned indolently into the cockpit of the Mach 5 as Speed regarded him sourly.
"What are you doing here, Strippe? Shouldn't you be at your car, getting ready for the start of the race?"
Strippe grinned at the couple. "Just making a friendly gesture to wish you good luck." His ice blue eyes raked over Trixie. "Even so obviously in the family way you are a vision, Trixie," he purred as he grasped her hand firmly to kiss it. She tried to pull it away but to no avail.
Speed was getting angry. He wrenched Trixie's hand from the blond's vice like grip and snapped, "Okay fine, you wished us good luck. The same to you so beat it."
Gunnar rose and sent a cold smile to Speed. "What an appropriate word to use for indeed I shall surely beat you, Speed." He whirled from the Mach 5 laughing.
Speed was simmering as he said hotly, "That guy's got some nerve, I'm gonna beat him so bad he won't know what hit him." He glanced at Trixie and his tone and expression softened as he asked her, "Are you sure you're okay, sweetheart?"
She nodded and gave him a thumbs up. "I'm fine, Speed. Now let's go get 'im!"
Speed flipped his visor down and grinned at her. "That's my girl. Let's do it!"
The announcer boomed over the P.A. "LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA WELCOMES YOU TO THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAIN ROAD RALLY. DRIVERS FROM ALL OVER ARE HERE TO COMPETE IN ONE OF THE MOST CHALLEGING COURSES IN THE WORLD, RIGHT THROUGH THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS. DRIVERS, GET READY FOR THE GREEN FLAG!"
The field of sleek racecars filled the chilled air with the roar of their engines revving and sent clouds of vapor into the thin mountain air. The light pole flashed down as the numbers counted down to the start and then the green flag was dropped, as the cars jumped forward and accelerated down the course. The Mach 5 was already in a battle for the lead with Gunnar Strippe as the two cars immediately broke away from the rest of the pack as they all headed into the mountain range.
Speed gripped the wheel, his game face a study in grim determination as the Mach 5 pulled into the lead, and began to pull away.
Trixie said encouragingly, "Good job, Speed. We're in the lead." She consulted the guide map and directed. "The Himalayan Mountain road is up ahead and as we climb, we'll have to be careful, the road is new but narrow."
Speed asked, "What is the general terrain?"
Trixie perused the footnotes and replied, "It varies. The Republic officials paved it just last year but with the rainy season last month the ground is soft under the asphalt and shifts. We'll have to be careful and not take any chances. The directions are very clear."
"Okay, you give me the directions and we'll get to the finish line."
The Mach 5 came to the mountain road and there was an immediate change in the terrain as noticed by Speed and Trixie as they felt the car's tires labor. Speed pushed Control B and the special treads covered the tires, allowing the Mach 5 to maintain its level of speed while it gripped at the shifting pavement.
"Coming up ahead is the first real challenge, the road has turns of nearly ninety degrees and a hairpin about five miles away," Trixie informed him.
"Okie doakie. You just tell me when to turn, Trix."
"Will do."
Speed made the turns as his wife directed and marveled at the way the road wound around the rugged mountain, with sharp palisades of rock flanking them on one side and steep drops on the other. He maneuvered the racing machine, staying close to the groove of the road as he covered the brake and downshifted, going into the turns with clean cornering. Speed used the centrifugal force of the twists of the road to his advantage to keep the corners crisp without losing any velocity.
Trixie was rattling out the directions as she watched her husband use his talents and skills almost effortlessly, impressed all over again as she was each time she accompanied Speed. He was phenomenal in his innate ability to drive the most difficult courses, and the way he handled the powerful machine was like it was an appendage of him, like a physical part of his body. She felt elated that even in her advanced pregnancy he continued to allow her to be a part of the magic that was Speed and the Mach 5.
They came to the hairpin curve, a treacherous stretch that had the road appear to vanish under the rapidly moving vehicle.
"Ohhh!" Speed and Trixie expostulated in unison.
"Hang on, Trixie!" Speed said as he turned the wheel hard, as the force threw Trixie against him
"Ahhh!" she shrieked as she pushed away. "Be careful, Speed. This is one of the most dangerous parts of the course," Trixie reminded him.
"I am. Just hang on!" he barked as he wrenched the steering wheel in the opposite direction as another sharp turn came up.
Neither had noticed that another car had caught up, the low slung silver vehicle of Gunnar Strippe who had come up to the Mach 5's right quarter panel and was pushing hard to make a run. The two vehicles were virtually neck and neck as they headed into the next dangerous curve. Then Gunnar pushed his car past just as the two cars hit the arc of the curve but the road narrowed and the Mach 5 was knocked over the edge.
"Ohhh! AHHHH!" the couple screamed as the racecar careened down the embankment, bouncing down in abandon as Speed tried desperately to get control. The Mach 5 was headed for a jagged group of boulders so Speed pushed the Autojack and the car leaped over the rock formation and the momentum spent, came to rest on a grassy knoll.
Speed was breathing heavily as he composed himself and allowed the adrenaline to seep out of his system. He then turned to his wife and was horrified to see her beautiful face constricted in pain as she was doubled over.
"Trix? Trix, baby are you all right?" Speed gently took Trixie's shoulders in his hand and pushed her back into the seat.
"H-hurts," she whimpered. "T-the baby, Speed, help me!" She clutched at his arms, digging her nails in as another excruciating cramp hit her.
Speed's heart plummeted to his stomach at her words. "Just hang on, sweetheart. I'm gonna get us some help right away. He pulled out of her grasp and snatched the microphone of the radio to bellow, "Mayday! Mayday! This is Speed Racer in the Mach 5 about fifteen miles off the mountain road. We've had an accident and need the medical chopper on the double! It's my wife!"
The radio squawked to life. "This is the race rescue team. What are your coordinates?"
Speed rattled off the coordinates he remembered from the directions Trixie had given him and then added, "Please hurry, my wife is over eight months pregnant and she's having pains!"
"Hang on Mr. Racer. We'll be there in two minutes." The radio went dead.
Speed replaced the mike and then reached to caress Trixie tenderly who was writhing in agony, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. "Take it easy, baby," he murmured. "Help's on the way." He cast his eyes skyward to watch for the rescue helicopter, urging it to hurry.
An hour later, Speed was at the Lhasa General Hospital staring dully out the window of the emergency room waiting area mentally lambasting himself as Trixie was in the emergency room, fighting for her and the baby's lives.
Damn it! This is my fault! If I had insisted that she not be in the race, they'd both be safe now and everything would be fine. She's gotta be all right she just gotta!
Sparky, Pops, Mom, and Spritle all piled into the waiting area, rushing to Speed.
"How is she, son?" Mom Racer asked gently as she took hold of her second born's slumped shoulders.
Speed answered hollowly, "I-I don't know. I've been here for a half an hour and nobody's come out to tell me anything." He slumped into a chair dejectedly, holding his head in his hands as his cobalt eyes became moist. They all took up the vigil with him as his family took seats around the area.
Everyone else was at a loss for words as the minutes ticked by. It was an agonizing indeterminate time in which everyone was weighted down with the realization that tragedy was taking the place of the joy that they only had experienced a scant five days ago. Mom and Pops sat together holding hands, drawing comfort from one another and Sparky and Spritle were just standing around, their heads low and their hands shoved in their pockets. Speed was in a chair, his face covered in his hands, the gut wrenching picture of abject desolation as his mind teemed with the worst of worse case scenarios as he continued furiously berating himself. Filled with self loathing, recriminations echoed in his ears as the wait continued.
Another hour passed and then the door to the emergency room opened and a diminutive man with wire rimmed glasses came out and bowed before the anxiously waiting group.
"Mr. Speed Racer?" he asked in heavily accented English.
He leaped to his feet and rushed over. "That's me." The rest of the throng surrounded the man as he spoke.
"I am Dr. Chin, a staff obstetrician and I am here to tell you all that both Mrs. Racer and the baby are fine. We've given her a mild sedative and she's resting comfortably."
The relief on Speed's face was evident as his whole body rested, his frame having been locked in dread. As a matter of fact, relief spread through the family like a wave as they all heaved a collective sigh.
Speed then asked the doctor anxiously, "Can I go see her?"
The doctor nodded but he gestured that the coal haired young father-to-be sit down. "I must tell you something else, Mr. Racer. As this is your wife's final month before she delivers, she must not overly exert or excite herself. She apparently had a bit of fetal distress and should have forgone the race, she could have easily miscarried or given birth prematurely."
I knew it! I knew it was a bad decision, I should've put my foot down and not let her talk me into having her with me in the race no matter what she said "Don't worry, doctor. I'll make sure that she takes it easy till the baby comes," Speed said with a determined glint in his eyes.
Up in her room, Trixie shifted in the bed as she came to full consciousness, the sedative having worn off. She gasped in alarm as she remembered what had transpired and then became relieved as she felt the activity of the baby inside her still round belly.
"Thank God," Trixie said softly, as she lay back against the pillows and realized she was in a hospital room. She then thought of Speed and wondered where he was.
As if on cue, the door to her room swung open and her husband strode in and to her bedside in a rush. "Trix baby, are you all right?"
She gave him a wan smile as she held out her arms in welcome and he sat on the bed and crushed her to him, cradling her chestnut head against his shoulder tightly.
"I was terrified I was gonna lose you," he whispered brokenly, his tenor voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea."
Trixie gently rubbed his shoulders as she reassured him. "I'm fine, darling. We're fine and everything's going to be okay." Speed's response was to tighten his arms around her as if she were about to be stripped from him.
The two remained locked in each other's embrace until a general commotion sounded at the door as Sparky and the rest of the Racer clan burst in.
Mom Racer hurried to the bed as Speed reluctantly relinquished his hold on his wife and stood up. "Oh Trixie darling thank God you're all right! We were frantic." She embraced her daughter-in-law as Pops and Spritle came to the bed. Pops just stood at the foot of the bed and wiped his eyes wordlessly.
"We're glad you're okay, Trixie, " Spritle said as the boy plastered himself to his sister-in-law, his face wet with tears. Trixie had always been like a big sister to him and he, like the rest of his family, adored her.
Sparky even was not immune to the emotion flooding the room. "Yeah, we're all glad you're okay, Trix." Tears were shining in his hazel eyes as he too sniffled.
"You're all making me want to cry," Trixie said with a soft sob, her own verdant orbs welling.
Speed leaned in and tenderly brushed a stray hair from her eyes. "We all love you, sweetheart. And we're all glad that you and the baby are okay."
A nurse came in and admonished the boisterous crew. "I'm very sorry, but Mrs. Racer needs her rest now so you'll all have to leave."
Speed asked her, "Can I stay with my wife?"
The nurse nodded but then added, "Later. We need to change her bed and bathe her so you'll have to wait outside. Hospital policy." She then proceeded to shepherd the protesting group out.
In the hallway, Pops grasped Speed's arm and pulled him aside. "Speed, I don't think I have to say this but Trixie cannot navigate or spot for you any more till the baby gets here. It's for her own good and the good of the team." His craggy face was frowning at his son for emphasis.
Speed sighed deeply as he agreed, "Yeah, I know Pops. I plan on breaking the news to her later." He cast his gaze at the glass window on her closed door and felt like a condemned man looking at the gallows.
A few hours later with everybody else gone, Speed stepped into Trixie's room carrying the largest bouquet of white roses he could find, and her eyes widened and then sparkled in delight. "Oh Speed they're so lovely! How ever did you find white roses?" she asked as she held the ivory blooms to her nose and inhaled the sweet perfume.
He grinned boyishly at the girl who made all the other girls he had ever known pale in comparison as he sat on the bed beside his wife. "Haven't you ever heard where there's a will there's way? Besides, you know me, I can be quite persistent when I want something, you of all people know that." He leaned in and captured her lips in a slow tender kiss, crushing the bouquet between them.
Trixie responded in equal fervor, her arms snaking around his lean torso. As gradually they drew apart she said, "That's for sure. You never give up." She plucked at his blue shirt as she pinned him with her gaze and added, "But I get the feeling that you have something on your mind."
Speed gave her a painful smile. "I never could hide anything from you, honey. Even when I tried my hardest." He released her and rose from the bed to walk over to the window and stare out at nothing sighing deeply.
"Okay, Speed out with it. Come on and tell me what's wrong," Trixie demanded.
He turned and regarded her and the expression of dread on his handsome face alarmed her as she again asked softly, "Speed, are you going to tell me?"
Speed approached the bed gingerly and replied, "The obstetrician who treated you said that the baby was in distress after the crash."
Trixie's eyes never left his face as he continued, "He said that for the remainder of the time before the baby's born, you should avoid exertion and stress."
"And," she prompted.
Speed looked unhappy as he came to the bed and sat down before his wife, his hands resting on her shoulders. "Baby, the doctor advised and Pops and I agree that while you're still carrying the baby, you can't navigate or spot for me during the upcoming races," he said gently but firmly.
Trixie's eyes became luminous with unshed tears, disappointment evident on her pretty face. She shook her head and Speed wiped away the crystal drops forming at each forest pool eye. He felt like a heel as he knew that she probably felt betrayed by him, the one person in the world she should be able to count on. He lowered his head in guilt and then was surprised to hear the soft statement.
"If you feel that is the wisest decision then I'll go along with it," Trixie said in resignation.
NEXT-----OLD FRIEND, NEW TROUBLE