Resurrection

Me: Hi again! Like I said, Chapter One's up. That's why you're not allowed to doubt me, oki? Now, I'm hoping to have the second and third chapters up before Christmas, but I won't put up chapter two unless I get at least 10 reviews, okay? And Chapter Three requires a total of twenty-five reviews. Oki? Now, enjoy!

Chapter One
Rocky Reunion

Later that evening, closing in on six o'clock, tension began filled Otto's Auto, a vehicle body shop, as the namesake for the company arrived with Randall Raines. Sara Wayland, who'd been sitting on a wheeled board just on the floor, her back leaning against the bumper of a beat-up, dull 1993 Honda Civic, had been casually conversing with one of her male co-workers when she laid eyes on Memphis. She considered him for a moment, her eyes subconsciously scanning him from head to foot, before she rolled herself back under the vehicle. All was uncomfortable silent until –

"Memphis!"

From the back of the room where he'd been sitting came a male in his early twenties. The bottoms of his garage suit glided mere millimeters above the concrete floor, the sleeves rolled up to mid-forearms, the overall suit splattered here and there with paint, oil, and grease. Just visible around the edge of his sleeves was a tattoo on his arm. His dark, slicked back hair would have visibly been wavy if the young man hadn't yanked it back into a small ponytail, away from his brown eyes. Kipling Raines pulled his brother into an affectionate hug, their height evidently identical, and didn't release him until Raines senior physically – but gently – pushed him away.

Memphis smiled, holding his sibling at an arm's length, examining him. "Kip, you look great! How've you been? Getting along fine?" There was a secret glimmer in his eyes that, if read correctly, would tell anybody he was content.

Kip returned the grin. "I'm good, man – great actually. Otto's been helping me out, a fair bit, so has Donny."

The elder shot a look of appreciation towards Otto and then Donny Astricky, the above-average-sized African American man Sara'd been chatting with before. Otto shrugged, as though it wasn't a big deal, but with Memphis it clearly was.

"Hey, Donny, how've you been?" inquired the recently returned adult.

The addressee simply replied, "Alright." The man was dressed all in black – black T-shirt, black casual pants – and his trademark, black, wide-brimmed hat was situated alongside him. Donny may have looked sinister to some, but those who knew him even a little knew of his abundant kindness and gentleness. He seemed to be a silhouette against the white sheet that protected the elderly couch where he was seated.

Memphis took a moment to observe the comfortable surroundings. The walls were hidden inch for inch behind pictures of the most expensive cars, trucks, and motorcycles, along with diagrams of different vehicles' organs – engines, carburetors, radiators, and the like. Cans of differing liquids were stacked on the metal shelves and a couple desks laden with papers and computers were located against the walls. About a dozen vehicles, a couple of which were up on jacks, were in for maintenance or restoration. Memphis sighed deeply. Home sweet home.

"Come 'ere!" Kip shouted suddenly.

A figure down by where the young Raines had previously been jumped, surprised. The person rose from his computer chair, from which he'd been searching the internet, astonishingly not on a car website. Noticing the signal from his friend to come greet Memphis, the short, delicate figure – only about 5'5" – rushed over, his Hawaiian T-shirt swaying slightly, his jeans creasing. An uncharacteristic baseball cap covered the chestnut brown hair on the eighteen-year-old's head, but Memphis recognized him immediately.

Toby.

"Hello Memphis," he said, repositioning his hat so the beak faced backwards. Toby offered him his hand and received a generous handshake.

The elder Raines smiled. "What are you doing on the computer?"

Sensing the hidden suspicion in his sibling's voice, Kip defended his little friend. "He gonna go to university, man! He's researching to see where he'll go." He clapped a callused hand on the teenager's shoulder, and Toby grinned.

"Oh," was Memphis's reply. "Sorry, I… uh… didn't know."

A snicker came form somewhere close by. Randall looked around blindly until he regarded Sara, who'd emerged from beneath the Civic, and was still on the board, her hand rummaging through a toolbox. "Well, I suppose that's what happens when you desert your past."

"Oh, and you didn't leave your past behind?" he snapped.

She sighed calmly, willing herself to remain under control. "No, actually." Her hand escaped the peacock toolbox with a stainless steel wrench and slid herself back the vehicle. She continued talking, despite her voice now being somewhat muffled. "If you'd paid any attention whatsoever to me you'd remember that I always called Kip's house two or three times a week, Otto's once a week, and the garage every week and a half. And I wasn't to busy to come back for a couple of days for Toby's graduation."

Kip nudged Otto in the side with his elbow and whispered, "She got hit on by nearly all the guys in Toby's graduating class, and a couple of girls, too."

All of the sudden, the door swung open and the scents of cheese, tomato paste, and charred pepperoni wafted in. Memphis whirled around on his heels to see a dark-haired dude Kip's age enter, three stacked pizza boxes raised above his head. Down the side of his off-white short-sleeved shirt was a clear substance that looked to have the texture of slime, and just below that, on his barely baggy jeans, were several spots of dirt. He rested the cardboard boxes on a nearby desk, then looks over at Otto, frustration evident.

"Otto, man, your dog jumped me!" was all he said before grabbing a napkin and attempting to wipe the slobber from his shirt but failing horribly while everybody laughed at him. Randall thought back, and couldn't remember seeing Otto's mastiff outside when he'd arrived. The new person proceeded to separate and open the pizza containers. "Okay people, who's hungry? We've got Pepperoni and Cheese, Meat Lovers, and, of course, a vegetarian."

Memphis smiled as he greeted him. "Hello Freb. So I guess all you can do is order pizzas?"

Laughter consumed the garage before the 'pizzaman', grinning, shrugged and replied, "Hey, people gotta eat, right?"

Donny announced that he was going to check on the Halliwells' dog, snatched a piece of pepperoni and cheese pizza, and passed Memphis as the latter strolled in the Honda Civic's direction, frowning. He looked down and all he could see protruding from under the vehicle were her legs, covered by navy fabric, slightly spread-eagle. He seated himself on his shins, taking her ankles and hauling her out from underneath the vehicle; he felt so comfortable, sitting there almost between Sara's legs, her lying on her back before him, chest rising and falling as breathed. "You hungry, Sway?" he inquired, referring to her by her nickname.

She jumped to her feet and shoved him backwards slightly. The girl placed her hands on the dark bonnet, back facing Randall, and when he placed his hand on her shoulder and gripped it lovingly, she raised one of her hands and her middle finger stood alone, erect.

A lot of oohs filled the air and Freb, who didn't quite get it, said, "Hey, where's the love?"

Sway swirled around on the heels of her leather boots, her arms folded, and leaned her back against the Civic. Spite and anger were clearly evident in her now harsh voice as she faced Freb and responded. "Apparently in some chick's panties, right Raines?"

A crude silence came over the group, everybody watching Memphis eagerly to see what he would do. After a minute, he stepped forward towards the female and nearly shouted, "Come on, that's entirely unfair! I never did anything with her!"

She accepted his challenge by stepping up as well. There was a severely evident height difference, as she was only Toby's height, nearly half a foot shorter than her ex-boyfriend. "Oh," she growled sarcastically, "I'm sorry, I never realized that taking shots from a girl's bellybutton was called 'doing nothing'." She turned to walk away, but was abruptly stopped.

Memphis took hold of her wrist and pleaded, "Sway, please, wait."

Upon reaction to being restrained, she took her free hand and slapped him hard across the face before wrenching her other from his grasp. She strode over to the couch where Toby and Kip were now situated and eating pizza, and sat next to the elder of the two. Kip wiped one of his hands on the navy overalls and placed his arm across her shoulders. Sara grinned playfully and laughed.

Randall was shocked, but took this opportunity to admire her radiant beauty. Her short, blonde hair was mostly held back, except for a few strands which framed her elegant face. The top half of her work suit was around her waist, as its sleeves were tied there, and she wore a formfitting, slightly revealing black spaghetti-strapped shirt. As she laughed, his eyes were drawn magnetically to her full, red lips.

Kipling whispered something into her ear, which was pierced by earrings shaped like little steering wheels. Sway glanced at Memphis and laughed again.

Randall seated himself atop a stool and began questioning the female. "So, are you dating anybody?"

She smiled and answered, "Uh-huh."

With that answer, Randall wondered as to whom it could possibly be – whom would Sway even consider dating? As he involuntarily observed her, it came to him – Kip. It was so obvious, he should have seen it coming from a mile away – she'd always cared about Kip, even if it wasn't in that sense, and the two had been known, before she and Memphis packed up and left town, to sit up for hours into the night, just talking. And the reason Kip wanted his brother to come back was so that he could gloat that he got the one woman Memphis cared about so much, but lost. Glaring, he asked, "What's his name?"

"Why all the questions, Memphis?" inquired the younger brother suspiciously. "Oh, I see. You still love Sway and you're jealous." The room filled with laughter, though it originated only from the younger generation. Both Memphis and Sway glared at Kip, whereas Halliwell didn't will himself to blink.

Randall cleared his throat and continued. "Is he good to you? Is he here?"

As though on cue, there was a masculine holler of pain, several booming barks, and a thud against a wall that seemed to be just outside, not five feet from them. Sway jumped up quicker than a Mustang and bolted towards the entrance; Kip rose as well, and when he passed his brother in his walk to follow the female, said, "He's here now."

Toby leaned forward on the couch, looking ominous, like somebody about to speak of something forbidden. "The dude's an asshole, Memphis, but Sway's too stubborn. He objectifies her, I've seen it, but she's in love – or so she says – and won't listen to reason. And she refuses to listen to any of us, even Kip and Otto."

Memphis looked over at the elderly man, who just nodded affirmatively. Just as Memphis arose, Sway's scolding voice drafted in. "Down, boy! Down!" Donny walked in, laughing his head off and clutching his side, with Kip right behind him, doing the same thing. Both held up their hands innocently when they saw Memphis's look.

"Don't thank us, man, thank Otto's puppy," was all the African-American said, causing the elder to jump up, startled, and run outside to check on his 'baby'.

As Kip reclaimed his place on the couch, he turned to Freb, still laughing, and managed to utter, "Man, it seems you're not the only one he jumped."

Following them was a man in his mid-thirties, massaging his neck, and Sway, holding his hand and smooching him on the cheek. Memphis glared at the newcomer and became sick to his stomach.

Sway's boyfriend was around 5'8" and fairly scrawny, although still seemingly strong, with short brown hair and bright, emerald green eyes. He sat on a desk with Sway behind him, her legs wrapped around his waist, wiping the dirt off his jeans-covered legs. The boyfriend caught the glare from Memphis. "What's wrong, buddy?"

Randall crossed his arms. "Who are you?" It took every ounce of restraint within him not to add 'asshole'.

Sway jumped off the defensively. "Watch it. His name's Derek, and I love him." Derek slid off the desk and stood in front of his 'girlfriend'. "What are you doing, honey?"

"Stay outta the way, Sara," he ordered and Memphis's eyes flared angrily. "Who are you buddy?"

The elder Raines stepped forward, challengingly. "Raines," he informed him, "Memphis Raines. And dude –" he motioned towards the female "– don't boss her around, or I'll beat the living daylights out of you."

"Oh, so you want to fight then?" inquired Derek. He threw his blue sports jacket backwards and Wayland caught it. "Come on buddy!"

Randall looked over towards Sway, who had tossed the jacket onto the desk. She hung her head, her eyes overshadowed by strands of blonde. He watched her lips - across them rolled the words "Macho jerks", although she voiced nothing. Memphis stared at them, those luscious, full, deep red lips, and he could almost taste them.

"No," he said, and Sway's head jolted up, appreciation written across her features. "I won't sink to your level."

Sway's boyfriend simply laughed, saying, "What a pussy."

Memphis shook his head and, keeping the image of Sara's lips in his mind, corrected the unwelcome visitor through gritted teeth. "No, I just respect the wishes of Miss Wayland."

"Bullshit!" yelled Derek. "You don't respect her, you just want to screw her!" At that, he plowed his fist through Memphis's gut. Kip, Donny, and Freb stepped forward, but Memphis held up his hand to halt them, his other hand on his stomach.

He clenched his teeth. "I don't. I don't want to 'screw' her, unlike you – I have the utmost respect for her. I would rather have her as a friend right now than nothing."

Sway stared at her ex-boyfriend, a mixture of hatred, respect, and… caring, surging through he. She brought her right arm in front of her eyes and pleaded with them. "Please... stop."

Derek struck Randall's jaw with an uppercut, sending him flying – Donny sprinted forward and caught him. The younger ones walked threateningly towards the attacker, but Sara reached him first. "Move it, you dumb ox!" she commanded, pulling on his arm.

"Alright. Let's go, Sara," he obeyed, and the two were just at the entrance when Memphis mustered up enough strength to express one word – Sway. Derek retorted, "What!?"

With Donny's assistance, he stood. "Her name is Sway."

As eight o'clock approached, the Raines siblings decided to go out, to celebrate Randall's to Long Beach. Since Kipling didn't exactly live the high life, they just went out to a bar, but the elder brother appreciated it all the same. They snagged themselves a table, and began to converse about their lives.

Kip took a long swig of his Smirnoff. "I've got a small house with Mirror Man and Tumbler. I work at Otto's part-time and Mirror Man and me help out at his uncle's restaurant a mile outside of town."

Memphis imitated his brother's action. "Awesome. So what about Tumbler?"

A voice interrupted their conversation. "You called?" The siblings looked up to see a male Kip's age looking down at them, although he was barely more than brothers' height. He looked almost gothic, wearing mostly black clothing and a long chain that came from the belt hoop on his dark, baggy jeans, extended downward about eighteen inches, and then curved back upward and entering the pocket. As well, he donned a loose, short-sleeved shirt that couldn't have concealed his brawny arms not matter how hard it tried, and his boxer-like build was evident.

"Hey, Tumbler," Kip greeted him. He quickly added, "Memphis was just wondering what you did for a living."

The muscular one swindled a chair from another table and situated himself alongside the younger Raines. "Oh," he said, "I see. Well, I'm doing pretty good in Long Beach's ABL." Seeing the expression of puzzlement upon Memphis's face, he explained. "Amateur Boxing League. I'm got a match pretty much every Wednesday. Also, I work here as a bouncer and help Otto, as does all our little group. Pretty cool, huh?"

Memphis shrugged, replying, "Sure." He paused for a moment, observing the neck of the beer bottle. His brother watched him, concerned, until the elder inquired, "How's Sway been doing these past couple weeks?"

Kip managed to force a small smile. "Well, Memphis, you know Sway – she doesn't really show her emotions. Been working her ass off at Otto's lately though, at least ten hours everyday." Kip sighed. "But think about it. A week after a huge relationship ends, she comes over with this boyfriend, this objectifying, perverted, jackass fucker with friends to match – doesn't seem very Sway, does it?"

Memphis, who was absentmindedly focused on the people seated at the bar, muttered, "Yeah… very unlike Sway." He began running his thumb and forefinger along the neck of the bottle, slowly, as a fairly tall black man sat. This man observed the occupants of the saloon, until his eyes rested on Kip, Tumbler, and Memphis, and he started over. "Oh shit," mumbled Memphis, "not again."

"Kipling and Randall Raines!" the adult announced in a falsely cheery voice. "I just can't believe it – you're back! And you're…"

The boxer plastered a smile onto his face, and answered, "Tumbler, sir," through a tensed jaw. He remembered the first time he'd came in contact with this man, about three years previous, and how he'd desired to 'bonk' him on the head with a lead pipe – Tumbler felt exactly the same now.

A chair was freed and the man, a policeman, dragged it over. "Right, Tumbler… you know boys, this reminds me of three years ago, that little reunion." He grinned, thinking of how much trouble this group might cause, now that they were back together. "Why have you returned, Randall? Family emergency? Business opportunity?" He'd put emphasis on the last question for a damn good reason.

"No, Officer, I'm just back to live with my brother," replied Memphis, his voice strained. "And I promise I'll be a good boy, Castlebeck."

Detective Roland Castlebeck gave the threesome an 'I really don't trust you' look before leaving them to their drinks. Memphis watched him for a moment and, when the detective had finally noticed, received an expression that planted tension inside him. Then something clicked, and Memphis questioned, "Kip, you're clean, right?"

"Damn right, I'm clean! Three years, Memphis!" replied Kip, frustrated. "Why would you –"

The oldest of the trio speedily interjected, "Castlebeck. He'll be by tomorrow. He suspects something; I saw that look in his eyes. Now, are you sure you and your friends are clean?"

Tumbler and Raines Junior glanced involuntarily at each other prior to sharply answering, "Yes."

Memphis ran a hand through his hair, as he always seemed to do when worried – like he was now – or frustrated. He started counting people off on his fingers. "Sway's clean, I'm positive, and Donny, definitely Otto, Sphinx… Atley!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist onto the table, rattling it. "Jesus fucking Christ… Where does Atley work?"

A shrug originated from the boxer's brawny shoulders. "Nobody knows, he keeps quiet about it. We see him every now and then; he usually comes by Otto's on Saturdays." This seemed to satisfy Raines senior, as he released a relieved sigh. Tumbler did the same, closely followed by Kipling. "Anyway, I've got to return to my post… and Memphis, they're here." He indicated a table about fifty feet from them before leaving.

"What? Who…" Memphis scanned the crowded table, mostly surrounded by males though there were a couple beautiful women. His eyes continued journeying until they ceased uneasily on Derek and Sway. Jealousy boiled within him, though he would never admit it.

Kip managed to see right through him, though. "They come here pretty often, Derek and his cronies. Buncha idiots. I told them off once for gawking at Sway butt, but they fought back, seven of them, and I got pretty bloodied up."

A slight rage surged inside Kipling's brother. Derek ordered – not asked, ordered – Sway to retrieve another pitcher of liquor. As she arose, Derek and one of his friend, a fairly large guy ('The bigger they are, the harder they fall,' thought Memphis), slapped her on the backside, and the other half dozen admired it as she walked away. When she arrived and sat at a barstool, Memphis joined her.

"Why do you take that bullshit?" he questioned her.

She looked up at him, surprisingly unsurprised that he was there. "Memphis…" she said slowly, softly, the word playing on her cherry lips, "what the fuck do you want with me?" He opened his mouth to speak but was unable to locate the words, so promptly shut it. "Stay away from Derek, and don't gimme your bullshit, alright?"

He stared at her, watching the female order a pitcher of booze, his mouth hanging slightly. Suddenly, he delicately took hold of Sway's forearm, whirling her around, causing the twosome to face one another. "Sway, I know you're upset and I promise to respect your feelings. I want you to understand that I'm sorry and I don't want you to hate me. I love you." That being said, he pulled her into himself and passionately kissed her. After a moment, she forcibly pushed him away as Derek and several others rushed to her side.

"Leave Memphis," she instructed, just as two large guys advanced on him. Kipling and Tumbler darted over, joined by a couple others – Mirror Man and Freb. "Get out before somebody gets hurt."

Mirror cracked his knuckles and Tumbler toughly flexed his biceps. Memphis bowed his head in defeat, ignoring the victorious expression on Derek's face, and walked out, friends close behind. But before they're all departed, Sara – omitting the yell from her boyfriend to "get your sexy scrawny ass back here" – ran up to the last in line, Kip.

"What?" he snapped. His impression of Sway was a little less than perfect at that moment.

She pulled him into a warm, tender, loving embrace and pecked him on the cheek. "I'm glad you got your Memphis back, hon. Too bad mine couldn't have come along for the ride."


Me: I know, I know, kinda bland and boring.

Shi: Well… it's only your first Gone in Sixty Seconds fanfic. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Primrose: I liked it! It was exciting and sad and –

Shi: Stop trying to suck up to her, Shorty. Anyway, you people had best review and tell Ginny what you think.

Me: Although I do expect anonymous reviews, I'd prefer that members sign in, if possible. Suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.

Shi: Yeah, sure… If you decide to flame her, try to be mild, alrighty? This is the first time she's written a Gi60S story.

Me: Anyways, buh-byes and be back! Hopefully I'll post soon (if I'm not buried in homework)!

All: Peace!