Author's Note: Here's the building up to the climax. I know most of you hate cliffhangers but this is the best segue into the next chapter. I also wanted to create the sense of both the race and the baby's birth coinciding so the preparations for both events also coincide. And I had to refer to the crash scene in "The Car Hater"—it's one of my favorite parts in the entire series, it's there you see how much Trixie means to Speed. Once again thank you all my readers and especially my reviewers specifically the faithful ones, Hawk Sage, RedLion2, Freddo, and my Kindred Soul Friend Jen23. Enjoy!

SUSPICIOUS MIND

It was Friday evening, 8 PM at National Hospital maternity wing, and the last Lamaze class for Speed and Trixie had begun. They, like the other couples were sitting in a circle on the floor mats, with Trixie in a semi reclined position lying on a pillow as her husband crouched beside her, stopwatch in hand doing breathing exercises.

Sherri Jacks was strolling about giving directions. "Okay coaches, make sure mom is breathing in short consecutive breaths and don't forget to keep her focused. If she tenses up, she'll have a hard time getting through the contractions. And don't forget to give mom encouragement and support, she really needs it."

Speed leaned close to his wife and said encouragingly, "You're doing great, Trix. Just focus on this." He held up a photo taken early in their long relationship, the photo known as their "talisman" of Speed, Trixie and the Mach 5. The car was so much a part of their lives, it was like the three of them were a team.

Trixie was huffing, doing her breathing as she studied the photo. Speed was holding up the picture and watching the stopwatch as Sherri said, "Okay, contraction done. Take a break and coaches give your praises to mom."

Speed leaned in and kissed Trixie lightly on her forehead. "Good work, sweetheart. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," was her reply as she tried to sit up. Speed offered his hand and then pulled her gently to a sitting position as he then grasped her shoulders to hold her steady. She gazed at him, gratitude radiating in her spring meadow eyes. "Thank you."

Her husband smiled fondly and winked at Trixie as Sherri went on, "Okay everyone, I think you're all ready for the big day but there's one other thing that I want you to be ready to handle should it come up. And that is if the new member of your family decides to make their appearance in a place or at a time that makes getting to the hospital impossible."

One husband looked at the nurse in dismay. "Does that mean that I'll have to deliver the baby?" he asked, his eyes wide.

A titter ran through the class as Sherri smiled. "Well the best case scenario is to get to a hospital but if for whatever reason you can't, I want you to be prepared." She began instructing the group on the actuality of the baby being born in an elevator, a taxicab, and other places could be possible makeshift birth rooms. She also suggested a few things that would be helpful to have on hand.

"It's best to have an actual first-aid kit with you but since that may not be practical, keep a sterile needle, some thread, alcohol, and a pair of scissors in a bag with you at all times. Moms, you can keep these things in your handbags."

Speed was busy jotting the instructions as Trixie smiled at his look of intense concentration. He had taken the classes very seriously, writing down practically everything discussed in class. All week he had made sure that they attended every class while he practiced for the North/South Road Rally in between. It warmed her heart that he was approaching the birth of their child with the same conscientiousness that he approached the race.

She reached over and kissed him on his cheek. He glanced up from his inscribing and asked, "Not that I mind, but what was that for?"

Trixie grinned at him and replied, "That's for being such a good daddy-to-be."

Speed's eyes became a soft ocean blue and he whispered, "It's my pleasure, mommy-to-be."

The class was over and Sherri was handing out the diplomas to all the moms and coaches. When she came to Speed and Trixie she smiled and said, "You guys should get a special award. You both attended all the classes in the course in record time, congratulations."

"Thanks," Trixie answered.

"Yeah, talk about crash courses," Speed rejoined. "But we wanted to make sure we took the classes before I'd be gone for the race."

Sherri nodded, "Well, you both did fine. But I have a question, what if the baby comes while you're in the race, what about that?"

Trixie replied, "Speed's mom said she'd coach me if Speed couldn't. We've been sharing what we've learned with her and she's all set."

"Good, having a backup's always a wise thing. So good luck you two." Sherri offered her hand and Trixie shook it. She turned to Speed and added, "And best of luck in the race."

Later at home, Speed, Trixie and Twinkle were all seated at the kitchen table having dinner and sharing easy conversation with each other.

Twinkle lowered her cinnamon head and said shyly, "I just want to thank you guys for allowing me to stay here this week. I really didn't want to run into Bruce considering how we parted when we saw each other last."

Trixie took a sip of her water. "Don't mention it. We're happy to help, right Speed?"

Speed nodded as he swallowed a mouthful. "Sure, you bet. We're here for ya, Twinkle."

After the meal was finished, the trio was in the living room discussing the road rally course. The race would start in Duluth, Minnesota and follow along the interstate highways along the Mississippi River until the finish line in New Orleans. The halfway point would be St. Louis with stops along the way outside Dubuque, Iowa, and Memphis, Tennessee. The state police forces had been informed by IRC that the extreme left lane would be used for the racers so regular travelers would still be able to use the routes, but state troopers would be present to make sure that other cars and trucks would not venture to use the left lane until the racers had passed. Each state planned to have a rest stop available to the race participants for brief meal breaks and personal needs. It promised to be a grueling week.

Speed was perusing the information packet and let loose a low whistle. "Boy, this is gonna be one tough rally. I'm glad that you're not going, Trixie, it's gonna be hard enough for me."

"Humph!" Trixie said then she saw the route and grudgingly agreed, "I guess you're right, it does look…difficult."

"That's putting it mildly," Speed remarked. He pointed to the route and asked Twinkle, "You think you can handle this, Twinkle? It's no walk in the park."

She nodded with a wink. "Sure. I'll have no problem. So what will I have to do as navigator?"

Trixie replied, "You'll have to direct Speed along the route from the IRC race guidebook. It has all the routes outlined and where the rest stops and checkpoints are."

"I see." Twinkle studied the guidebook. "What else?"

"Since the race is being run on interstate roads, you need to make sure that other drivers don't get in the way. You'll be Speed's peripheral vision and alert him to potential hazards," Trixie pointed out.

"Right." Twinkle agreed as she studied the maps and guides. The phone rang and Trixie began to get up but Speed laid a restraining hand on her shoulder.

"Relax, baby. I'll get it." He got up and went to the phone. "Hello?"

His eyes narrowed, as Bruce Trapezini's brusque voice skipped the pleasantries and asked, "Is Twinkle there?"

"Yeah. Hang on and I'll get her." Speed motioned to Twinkle and she came to the phone with a questioning look. "It's your boyfriend." He handed her the phone and then joined his wife on the sofa, looping his arm around her.

She took the receiver and spoke into it. "Hello?"

Bruce answered, "It's me, cara. I've been worried about you. When you didn't show up for a few days at your pad, I tracked you down there. Why are you staying at Speed Racer's?"

Twinkle sighed, "I needed some time, Bruce. I wanted to think about some things and Trixie and Speed very graciously let me stay here in their guestroom."

"How thoughtful of them." Bruce's voice dripped sarcasm. "I'm sure Racer had no problem convincing his wife to let you stay there so he could keep an 'eye on you'."

Twinkle said irately, "For your information, Trixie invited me to stay here and I accepted because she insisted. Speed just went along with it."

"I bet."

She was losing her temper now. "Look Bruce if you called here to harass me, I have nothing more to say to you." Twinkle began to hang up but Bruce changed his tact.

"Twinkle, don't hang up! I-I'm sorry bambina, I'm losing my head. Please, can we talk?"

Twinkle hesitated then said, "I can't Bruce. I have to go to bed, 'cause I have to be up at 5 AM, the team's heading to Duluth tomorrow, the race is Sunday."

A pause then a subdued, "I see. So I guess we won't talk before you leave."

Twinkle took a deep breath and said, "I'm afraid not. We'll have to talk after I get back."

"Twinkle, I need to talk to you now. Can't you see me for just a few minutes?" he pleaded.

"Bruce, what we need to talk about cannot be resolved in a few minutes. When I get back we will talk, I promise you. We need to talk but not tonight, I'm sorry."

Bruce sighed but he acquiesced, "Okay Twinkle you win. But when you come back, we talk."

Twinkle was relieved as she agreed, "Yes, I promise we will."

Okay, have a good trip, I'll miss you. I love you, Twink. Bye-bye."

"I love you too, bye."

The line went dead and Twinkle replaced the receiver on the cradle. She entered the living room where Speed and Trixie sat cuddled together on the sofa.

"Well how'd it go?" Trixie asked as she leaned forward, away from Speed's broad shoulder.

Twinkle sat in an easy chair and sighed deeply. "He wanted to talk to me but I told him that I had to get up early and we had to leave for the race. I promised him we'd talk when we get back."

Speed snorted, "Somehow, I get the feeling that he won't wait till we get back." The room grew quiet as his words hung in the air, words that would turn out to be prophetic. . . .

It was Saturday afternoon when the chartered plane landed in Duluth bearing the Go Team and Trixie, who Speed insisted, come to the race. She clung to her husband's arm as they transported the Mach 5 and all the pit supplies to the starting point and felt ungainly in her advanced state of pregnancy. Her mood was not the best either as she fluctuated between sullen silence and snappishness. Trixie was not feeling well and had felt peculiar on the plane ride but because of Speed's usual pre-race jitters, she kept her feelings to herself.

The team got to the hotel they would be staying at the night before the race which happened to not only be a main lodging for the participants and crews of the North/South Road Rally but their ballroom also housed the Marvelous Muscle Car Extravaganza in celebration of the road rally. In addition, the muscle cars on display were to be run in a ten-lap shootout at the local short track and representing the Go Team Janine would race Sparky's red 1969 GTO Judge. The Go Team got settled and after dinner, Speed, Trixie, Sparky, Janine, and Twinkle all decided to go down to the muscle car show.

The main ballroom was festooned with streamers and spotlights trained on each of the shiny, powerful machines. Each car was on a rotating dais, so the crowd of spectators could view fully the pinnacle of American heavy metal. Sparky and Janine, walking hand in hand followed by Speed, Trixie, and Twinkle all strolled about, taking in the sights.

"Wow, these are some groovy sets of wheels, huh Speed?" Sparky gushed, in awe as only fine Detroit machinery could do to him.

"Yeah, they're outtasight all right," Speed countered as he examined the lines of a '66 Corvette, in black lacquered glory complete with wire wheel rims.

"Hey let's go see where they put my little baby." He led the group to the platform where his cherry GTO Judge sat with a group of admirers gathered about it.

Speed commented with a low whistle, "She sure is a honey, Spark. I'm sure you'll win the shootout tomorrow."

"Oh Trixie, look," Janine pulled Trixie's arm to get her attention. "A Mustang fastback!" She pointed to a sleek midnight blue convertible that was displayed to the right. "Wouldn't it be great if we could take a ride in there, you, me, and Twinkle just us girls?"

"Sounds like fun," Twinkle said with a giggle.

"And get into another crash? Nothing doing, you two are dangerous behind the wheel together," Sparky said in mock horror. "Speed'll have to rescue you again."

Janine jabbed the cocky mechanic hard in his ribs. "It wasn't our fault that the brakes failed, it was those goons my father hired when he didn't want me driving."

"Sparky's right. Besides, I don't want Trixie going anywhere in a fast car right now. She's gotta have the baby first," Speed said adamantly. In his mind, the scene of Trixie unconscious behind the wheel of that wreck gave him a chill as it always did. He had been frantic when he came upon the crash site and thinking her dead, his heart was on the verge of shattering until she came to and told him to attend to Janine who had been thrown from the car. Revisiting that memory caused his heart to constrict painfully and out of instinct he protectively put his arm around Trixie.

Janine was undaunted. "Well, I've become a racer since then and I can assure you that wouldn't happen. But you're right, Trixie can't race with me. At least not yet, not till the baby's born. Then, we'll take the Judge and we'll leave you guys in the dust, right Trix?"

"Yeah, terrific," Trixie tried to sound enthusiastic but her less than eager response immediately drew the attention of her devoted spouse.

"Hey, baby are you okay?" Speed grasped Trixie by her shoulders as he studied her face closely. "You look a little pale."

She managed a wan smile. "I'm fine, Speed," she assured him but he looked at her dubiously.

"I wish I could believe you. You don't have to stay down here on my account, honey. If you want to go back to the room, go ahead. I'll meet you up there later," Speed stated but Trixie shook her head.

"No, I'm okay Speed, really. I want to stay and look at the cars, honest."

"Well, okay. But if you get too tired, I want you to go upstairs and rest. Promise?" He gave her a quick kiss and she nodded.

Janine came and looped her arm around Trixie and said, "I have an idea. Why don't you guys go ahead and browse and we girls will go to the café and have a drink." At the look of protest on the men's faces she added, "Trixie can rest there and you guys can join us later."

Speed and Sparky glanced at each other and shrugged. "Okay, you girls go ahead. C'mon, pal." Sparky took Speed's arm and pulled him as he looked over his shoulder worriedly at Trixie.

Janine shook her head as she commented, "Boy, he doesn't like to keep you on a short leash does he? Sparky would drive me batty if he hovered around me so much." She heaved a sigh.

Trixie said gratefully, "Thanks Janine, I love Speed dearly but he's beginning to drive me crazy. He's so worried about me and the baby."

Twinkle spoke up, "But it's because he's so crazy about you. I think he'd fall to pieces if anything happened to you." She sighed deeply as her thoughts drifted to a dashing trapeze artist with unruly curls and warm amber eyes.

Trixie noticed the faraway look in the girl daredevil's coffee eyes and she said, "You miss Bruce don't you?"

Twinkle nodded as Janine said crisply, "C'mon ladies, let's go have a drink and talk about things other then our men." The lovely trio wended their way through the crowd and headed for the lobby café.

Unknown to the young women, a dark clad figure with amber eyes followed them out of the auto show, keeping out of their sight, yet carefully observing the three, and especially the girl with the cinnamon curls. . . .

Later that night, a shadowy figure approached the area where the muscle cars were parked for the pre-rally shootout in the morning. The man crept stealthily to Sparky's red GTO Judge and jimmied the door open. Once inside, he used a piece of wire under the dash and then clicked the ignition. The GTO fired up and the man screeched away into the night. . . .

The next morning, bright and early after breakfast, Speed and Trixie came into the Go Team's designated pit area where pandemonium reigned, led by the agitated countenance of Sparky Sabu. Inspector Detector was there with a few of the Duluth police department.

"Hey what gives?" Speed asked as he and his wife came to the group.

"I'll tell ya what gives, my Judge was swiped last night!" Sparky snapped. "Janine and I came down this morning to do a final check on her and she was gone!"

"You gotta be puttin' me on!" Speed expostulated as Inspector Detector nodded.

"He's right Speed. Sparky just called me and we're doing a thorough investigation. But it appears as if the car is gone without a trace."

"Are there any other cars missing?" Trixie asked.

Pops grunted, "No it seems that the only car gone is Sparky's. Our entry in the shootout." He was in a real temper, his face screwed into a dark scowl.

Inspector Detector assured him. "Don't worry Pops, we'll find the car." He and the police officers left and Sparky was furious, his dark eyes snapping.

"Damn them to hell who ever took it. If I get my hands on him, I'll kill him!" he growled his hands balled into fists.

Janine put her hand on his shoulder. "Take it easy, Sparky. The cops will find the Judge."

He snorted in derision as she continued to offer her beau comfort. Twinkle came over as she too joined the group and she asked Speed and Trixie, "What's up?"

"Sparky's GTO was lifted," Speed informed her as Trixie nodded.

Twinkle gasped, "Oh no, poor Sparky!" She approached the bereft mechanic and offered her condolences. "I'm sorry Sparky, is there anything I can do?"

Janine spoke for him, "Thanks Twinkle but there's nothing anybody can do but wait for Inspector Detector. Till then, we have to pull out of the shootout, right Pops?"

The raven haired mountain of a man grunted and nodded, "I'm afraid so. Thank goodness the Mach 5 was with you Speed or she may have been taken as well." He sighed as he clamped a hand on Sparky's shoulder, "C'mon Sparky, I'll buy you and Janine a cup of coffee."

With a sigh Sparky rose to his feet and he and Janine followed the burly leader of the Go Team.

About midmorning Trixie was sitting in the pit area musing about the incident with Sparky's car. It seemed strange to her that out of all the cars, Sparky's was stolen. She had a bad feeling inside and in addition to that, she felt something weird inside with the baby, it was not moving about as much and appeared to drop which had her not alarmed but on guard. She spotted Speed and Twinkle coming out of the drivers' meeting and they came over to her.

Speed leaned down to kiss his wife and Twinkle said, "I'm going to head over to make sure that all the maps and directions are okay. See you at the Mach 5."

"Okay." He turned to Trixie and asked solicitously, "You all right?"

"Yeah, I was just thinking about poor Sparky. He was so upset when his car was gone."

Speed nodded, "Yeah, ya can't blame him though. That car was his baby, the way he took care of her." He gazed at his wife and added, "But there seems to be something else so what's on your mind, sweetheart?"

She looked at him and was trapped by his steady cobalt orbs penetrating her to the bone. Trixie laughed shakily as she lied, "Nothing, Speedy, really."

He arched an inky eyebrow in disbelief but since it was drawing close to the start of the race he decided to let it pass. He was probably worrying over nothing. Speed got to his feet and pulled Trixie up with him as he said, "Well, I'd better get over to the Mach 5 to do a final check."

Trixie nodded as he continued, "Listen baby, I just want to let you know something. I'm really gonna miss having you navigate for me and having you with me. But I'm glad you're here to see me off and after our baby's born, I'll be looking forward to having you by my side again. I love you, Trixie."

Her eyes brimmed with tears as his words touched her heart. "Oh Speed, I'm gonna miss you too. Please be careful and I love you too."

Their mouths found each other as the two expressed their feelings in the most complete and profound way as they entwined with each other as if they were made to fit. Finally they broke apart and Speed took in a deep breath still holding his wife in his arms.

"Whoo, that kiss'll get me to New Orleans," he teased as he smiled a loving smile just for her.

Trixie smiled back at him as she said softly, "Just get there safely. Remember, we'll be waiting for you." She patted her belly meaningfully.

Speed put his hand over Trixie's his eyes holding her captive. "How could I forget?"

She giggled as she pushed him away. "You'd better get going before Pops finds you here. Take care, my love and have a good race."

"I will. Bye bye baby, the both of you." Speed kissed her again and headed off to where the Mach 5 awaited him.

The start of the race was ten minutes away and the cars were all making final preparations as the crews, drivers, and navigators all were synchronizing so they were ready for the green flag. At the Mach 5, Sparky was under the hood making a final adjustment as Speed and Twinkle made their own checks.

"Well, everything all set as far as our route?" Speed asked as he glanced over at the passenger side. He blinked his eyes unbelievingly for a moment as a red helmet with brown curls was bent over a guidebook and he stared as a different face turned toward him.

"Speed, are you all right?" Twinkle asked concerned by his stunned expression.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine," he said shaking his head. "I just was a bit surprised to see Trixie's helmet and with your head down and your hair I thought for a minute it was her."

Twinkle gazed at him in understanding. "You really miss her being with you, don't you?"

Speed nodded, "Yeah, I had no idea how much till I saw you wearing her helmet."

Twinkle patted his hand and said, "Don't worry, she'll be back soon."

He grinned slightly, "Yeah, so let's go win a race."

She returned the grin. "Lead the way."

The P.A. system boomed, "LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, THE START OF THE NORTH/SOUTH ROAD RALLY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN. AND NOW FOR THE MOST FAMOUS WORDS IN MOTORSPORTS, GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES!"

The field of cars roared to life as the air was filled with the revving of high performance power plants. Speed revved the 12 cylinder motor of the Mach 5 as gripping the wheel, he pasted on his game face and got ready to duke it out for the lead with the 24 other cars in the field. The pace car led the field to the interstate to begin.

Meantime in the pit area, Trixie watched with mixed emotions and she stared after the Mach 5 wistfully as she got the call of nature yet again. She excused herself from Mom Racer, Spritle and the other Go Team members to head to the ladies room.

Once she finished relieving herself and washing her hands, Trixie opened the door and headed back to the Go Team pit but was surprised then terrified when two strong arms grabbed her from behind and pulled her away behind the pile of tires at the back. Her frightened eyes widened as the tall, menacing figure of Bruce Trapezini loomed before her, his hand still covering her mouth.

"Don't scream, Mrs. Racer. I don't want to hurt you but I will be forced to if you make me. You need to come with me," he said softly but firmly.

He then bound her hands and lifted her like a rolled up rug then slung her over his shoulder as he strode to Sparky's missing GTO. Bruce opened the passenger side and slid her in, then went to the driver's side. He pushed the ignition wire and the car started and they took off after the departing racers.

NEXT----DIFFERENT FEARS