Author's Note: Okay here's the infamous filler chapter that is a springboard to the next two chapters where the action will really take off. To all my readers and especially my reviewers you all are the reason that I'm inspired to write this. And RedLion2—your support means the world to me too—please update your wonderful Voltron story, I'm really hooked. And Ryan, thanks for the correction on my geographical goof!

DIFFERENT FEARS

The field of cars streamed onto the interstate as they were directed by the Minnesota state police to the right lane driving single file behind the pace car, the same '66 Corvette that Speed had admired at the Muscle Car Extravaganza the previous night. Above, police helicopters flew as they stood sentinel over the proceedings, their very presence ensuring that the race participants would be undisturbed by regular traffic. But to make sure that the racers would be recognized by the other drivers, each car bore a decal on their rear panels that had the North/South Road Rally logo and IRC insignia in plain view. The Mach 5 and Racer X's Shooting Star were the two cars that had climbed out to lead.

Although his identity had been revealed to his family, in most racing circles Rex Racer was still bore the moniker of the mysterious masked racer. Even those who had been at Speed's wedding kept the secret intact as the media had been sufficiently bribed to keep the shocking revelation out of the papers. Subsequently, his involvement in Formula 1 races had dwindled down to a few choice races and road rallies. His clandestine work for the International Police Force or IPF continued although his parents were taking every opportunity to convince him to quit his job and join the family business.

Speed was focused on the road before him but wanting to know what his status was asked his navigator, "Twinkle, what's goin' on?"

She turned and glanced behind them before she relayed, "We appear to be in the lead with Racer X about two seconds behind us."

Speed grinned widely as he said softly, "Groovy." Glad to have ya back there, big brother. It wouldn't be a race without you.

Twinkle noticed the grin on her partner's face and she asked, "What're you grinning about?"

Speed glanced at Twinkle and then shook his head. "Oh nothing really. I just get really pumped when I'm in a shootout with Racer X. He just brings out the best in me, I love racing him."

"Oh I see." She went back to checking the guidebook.

Speed turned back to driving and again mused about the difference between Twinkle and Trixie. It was obvious that Twinkle was just going through the motions, as it was required of her to do her job, whereas Trixie was like him, loving every minute of the competition, savoring the adventure as he did. If Trixie had been here, she would have been as excited as he was, and he in turn would feed off her enthusiasm. Sometimes they did that, by allowing their mutual love for racing and each other make each other better. He wondered how his wife was doing, already missing her terribly. . .

Back about ten miles behind the pack of racers, Sparky's stolen GTO Judge was streaking along, with Bruce driving as a madman, zipping back and forth from lane to lane as he passed other cars. Trixie was seated in the passenger side, her eyes wide as she watched the man, fascinated by the grim determination on his visage. Her heart fluttered in mild fear but mostly she could sense a feeling of desperation, of fear emanating from the former trapeze artist as he wove in and out of traffic. He had removed the bindings from her so she was able to move about but his behavior did not invite conversation so she sat there quietly as he tore along.

Bruce glanced at his passenger and asked brusquely, "How are you feeling?" He was at a loss for he had never dealt with a pregnant woman before and a part of him was nervous about what he had done. Kidnapping a pregnant woman had never been in his plan, it had been a spur of the moment decision when he had spotted Trixie Racer exiting the restroom at the pit area .

"I'm okay," Trixie answered as she cast an uneasy eye toward Bruce.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No," she replied. "But you've frightened me. What do you plan to do, Mr. Trapezini?"

He sighed deeply. "To be honest, Mrs. Racer, I've really no specific plan. I just want to make sure that Twinkle's okay, that nothing happens to her."

Trixie felt a rising sense of resentment as she scoffed, "Nothing will happen to her. My husband will make sure she's safe."

"Yeah, but will she be safe from him?" he insinuated with a snort.

Trixie's eyes narrowed as she felt her ire rise. "Mr. Trapezini, I can assure you that my husband is first and foremost a gentleman. He would never do anything improper toward any woman," she stated icily.

Bruce snorted again as he answered, "I'm glad you think so. But I plan to follow along to make sure he doesn't."

"So why bring me along with you?" Trixie demanded.

Bruce glanced at the petite woman beside him and grudgingly admired the way her lovely visage reflected her tenacious attitude, her delicate chin set firmly and her sea green eyes glinting as she stood her ground. Speed Racer's wife Trixie was quite a woman he said to himself she really believes in her husband, I wonder if Racer realizes how lucky he is. Women like her don't grow on trees. But he also believed her faith was misguided.

"Mrs. Racer, I brought you along because I figured you should see for yourself. You see, I know that Twinkle had feelings for your husband and probably still does. And I know she probably wouldn't if not encouraged by your husband to feel that way."

Trixie sighed as she realized that here was a man who like his fiancée said, was deeply insecure. She felt herself beginning to feel sorry for him in spite of the fact that he had abducted her and made her part of his wild plan to keep an eye on his beloved.

"Mr. Trapezini, Speed and I love each other deeply. He may have been attracted to Twinkle once but believe me, he's devoted to me and I have no reason to think otherwise," Trixie stated softly with firm conviction.

Bruce grunted as he digested her words but his own insecurities and suspicions had an unshakable stronghold on him so he just refrained from further debate with Trixie Racer as they sped along, tailing the racers. . . .

Up front, Speed and Twinkle were still in the lead, their time over the Shooting Star had increased to nearly three seconds as they began to put distance between themselves and the pack. Twinkle had noticed that Speed was focused and aggressive in his racing style but she also noticed that he was conscientious, as he took no chances, perfectly balancing safety and speed. She was impressed and had to tell him so.

"Speed, I have to tell you. You're an incredible driver, even better than you were before."

Speed grinned as he glanced at the former girl daredevil. "Thanks, Twinkle, coming from you that means a lot. I've always tried to do my very best."

"Well, it shows. Trixie should be very proud of you."

At the mention of his wife, Speed's eyes grew warm, like a sunlit lake. "She tells me she is. And it makes me want to even be better, for the two of us. We've always done that, brought out the best in each other. From the day I first met her, she changed my life."

Twinkle nodded as she admitted, "I know. All that time we were together when you tried to help me and my father, I knew that you were glad to have Trixie by your side. When she found us, your face just lit up like a Christmas tree, and then I saw the two of you hugging, I knew you both were inseparable."

Speed nodded as well as he remembered. Trixie had been jealous of the way he had been determined to help the pretty girl daredevil but she still did what she could to help him. When she had found them in the cave behind the falls, he was so happy to see her that when she wrapped her arms around him, he returned the hug energetically, relieved to see her and considering himself blessed to have a gutsy girl like Trixie as his girlfriend. She was even undaunted when she couldn't climb the rock at Mount Rushmore, using her helicopter to get into the cave to retrieve the Mach 5 from Cornepone Brotch's hideout and rescue him and Twinkle. As in past adventures she had been the lynchpin, the constant that made him successful in his defeating the diabolical Brotch. When he assisted Twinkle as she did her stunt to cross the Niagara Falls, he waved and winked at Trixie below, his eyes focused on the petite chestnut haired beauty that was waiting for him. Having her by his side through thick and thin for the past three years had been the best.

Twinkle saw the faraway look on Speed's face and she commented, "You're pretty obvious there."

Speed grinned again as he responded, "Yeah, as Sparky says I'm a goner. But I can't help it, she just fractures me. And now we're having a baby and I can't wait to be a dad."

Twinkle smiled as her heart warmed at Speed's apparent joy. . .

In the meantime, Bruce and Trixie kept up, following the pack as they flowed with the regular traffic in order not to bring any undue attention to themselves. The ride had been silent since the earlier exchange, with both parties musing upon their similar yet separate situations.

Trixie was sitting there, her mind both on the race and on her baby. She was feeling peculiar again, like the baby was shifting around and it was causing her some mild discomfort. She was remembering what Sherri had said in the childbirth classes. . . .

Flashback:

"Okay moms and dad-coaches. When the baby's ready to come, the little guy will shift into position in the birth canal, and get ready to make his or her appearance. Then it's nearing zero hour, folks and it's a matter of time. Moms, you can pretty much expect then that you'll be beginning to get contractions and that your water will break."

Trixie and Speed exchanged glances as Sherri continued, "And when that happens, it's crunch time. But don't let it faze you or get you nervous, you'll do just fine. Dad-coaches, your job then is to keep mom calm and to do that, you need to be calm."

Speed whispered to Trixie, "Yeah, easier said than done. If I get uptight before a race, I can just imagine how I'll be during 'crunch time'." He looked concerned as he contemplated the time of his child's arrival into the world.

Trixie smiled gently as she reached over to squeeze his hand in reassurance. "Take it easy, Daddy. You'll do just fine, I have the utmost confidence in you, you'll get us to the finish line like you always do."

Speed grinned affectionately at her as he responded, "Thanks, baby."

Trixie sighed as she thought about the probability of the baby coming in her present circumstance. The due date was not for another two weeks but the doctor had informed her and Speed that the baby could come at anytime before the due date that it was just an estimation of when the baby would come. This was uppermost in her mind as she rode along, her hand on her abdomen.

As for Bruce, all he could think of was what was happening in the Mach 5. His mind's eye was filled with images of his fiancée in the close confines of the car's cockpit with the handsome, coal haired Speed Racer only inches away. His being filled with a cold dread and fury combined as he imagined tender exchanges between the two. Bruce gritted his teeth in determination as he gripped the wheel tightly, his knuckles whitening from the force.

Trixie cast a sideways glance at the sandy haired ex circus star and she inquired, "What exactly do you hope to accomplish from this? What do you think Twinkle will do when she finds out that you're following her?"

Bruce replied evenly, "She'll never suspect anything. We'll just follow along behind until they make their first rest stop and then confront them right there."

Trixie persisted, "And are you aware that the police are probably after you? You did steal this car, you know."

Bruce sighed as he answered, "I know. I really had no choice though, my car would never be able to keep up with them. At least I know that this car will."

"And don't you think that my family will wonder where I am? They know that I'm not with Speed so they'll be worried about me," Trixie pointed out.

Bruce felt a chill at her words but he remained undaunted. "I'm not going to hurt you, Mrs. Racer. I just want an exceptional woman such as yourself to see the truth."

Trixie became annoyed as she snapped, "Truth? Sir, with all due respect, I don't think you have a clue as to what the truth is! At least not in this case."

Bruce opened his mouth but Trixie cut him off. "Mr. Trapezini, sooner or later you're going to have to begin to trust the one you love. All you're doing now is pushing her away."

Bruce glared at Speed's wife and he asked, "What are you saying? Has she said anything to you?"

Trixie took a deep breath as she replied, "Twinkle and I had a talk about it, yes. And she's reaching her limit. There's just so much accusation and suspicion a person can take before they've had it."

"What did she say?" he wanted to know.

Trixie answered, "She told me she loved you but she also said that your behavior was beginning to get to her. She feels that you need to trust her or she'll have to call it quits."

Bruce was incredulous. "She actually said that?"

Trixie shrugged, "Not in so many words but she did say she was getting tired of not being trusted by the man she wants to marry."

Bruce contemplated what she said and then stated, "I do trust her, it's Racer I don't trust."

At that statement Trixie said with alacrity, "Mr. Trapezini, my husband is completely devoted to me. He and I have been through everything together, and we are joined together as tightly and totally as two people could be. Speed and I are truly one flesh."

Bruce glanced at the woman who spoke with no hesitation of her faith in her spouse and marveled at what he viewed as her naivete. Didn't she know that a wedding ring didn't stop a man from seeking after pleasure with women, that most men were driven to pursue women no matter what? He was about to say just those words when what Trixie Racer next said shocked him into silence.

"Mr. Trapezini, if you truly love Twinkle and you ever hope to make her your wife, you need to begin to trust. Without trust, a marriage can't survive," she said softly.

Bruce sighed, "Mrs. Racer--"

"Call me Trixie."

"Trixie, your belief in your husband is admirable and I'm sure you believe it. But I've seen married people ignore their vows all my life starting with my parents and all through my life in the circus. I know what I saw and the reality is that most people just don't have it within them to be faithful," Bruce stated emphatically, his hands tight balls on the steering wheel.

Trixie reached her hand over and laid it on his. "Bruce, I'm truly sorry that you had such bad experiences. But, you need to realize that for your own happiness, you need to begin to trust. Especially if you want to be married." She stated this definitely as she turned back to the road, her words and the weight of the meaning hanging in the air between them as they continued their pursuit of the Mach 5.

NEXT---CONFRONTATION!