Notes: Dom, Vince, Mia, Leon, Jesse, Brian and Edwin do not belong to me. They are the property of Universal Pictures. Niema Cross and Pris Foster are the only ones who belong to me. This is written for non-profit entertainment purposes. It is also written AU (Alternate Universe) format.

The Trophy

Leon saw the platinum and blue Supra before the rest of the team did. It parked right next to Edwin's car, but no one got out. "Yo, Jesse. We got a new car," he called out, waving a hand at the younger man to get his attention. Jesse's eyes lit up and he looked around at all of the cars. When his eyes fell on the Supra, he grinned. "Sweet piece," he practically crowed, making his way through the crowd to get closer to the car. He was nearly to it when the driver's door opened and a young woman got out. The young man stopped dead in his tracks. The driver was quite possibly the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen.

Now standing next to the car and talking to Edwin, the driver was maybe 5' 8" with a well-defined, almost muscular body. A long burgundy-streaked, light brown braid hung down over one shoulder. A skintight and sleeveless aqua body shirt showed off curves that any man would love. Black leather pants clung to nicely rounded hips and long slender legs that ended in calf-length black boots. However, it was her face that had made Jesse stop. Vivid green eyes peered out of a tanned heart-shaped face with a beautiful smile gracing it.

Leon came to a stop next to Jesse. "Jesse, what's up?" he asked, following his friend's gaze. Jesse simply pointed. Leon's eyes widened and he stared right along with Jesse. "Damn," he muttered, his eyes roving over the girl's body. "Uh huh," was all that Jesse could manage. "I'm with ya, bro," he breathed, "Let's go find out who she is." Wordlessly, Jesse followed him over to the Supra.

Niema glanced around at the other cars. "You sure this is okay, Edwin? I've heard that Toretto's really funny about new people," she asked, praying it wouldn't be a problem. Edwin grinned broadly. "Don't worry about it, Ni. I'm vouching for you so he won't say anything. You gotta relax, girl," he told her, knowing that she was nervous and proud of the fact that it didn't show. She smiled back at him. "You know that Pris is going to kill me because I didn't bring her along, don't you? I'm going to send her your way when she goes nuclear," she teased, leaning against the side of her car. Edwin raised his hands as if to ward her away from him. "Don't you dare. One ass-chewing from her was enough. I don't need another one," he laughed as he caught sight of Jesse and Leon coming toward them.

He held out a hand as the two young men came to a stop in front of him. "Leon, Jesse, how you doin'?" he asked, clasping wrists with Leon and nodding to Jesse. Leon smiled. "Still here, man," he replied, slightly inclining his head toward Niema. "This is my girl, Niema. Ni, this is Leon and Jesse. They're part of Toretto's team," he introduced with a smile. She smiled at both of them. "Nice to meet you, Leon, Jesse." "Same here," Leon said in what he hoped was a charming voice. "Who did your detailing?" Jesse asked, unable to help himself. "I did. Did the engine work too," she told him, pulling out her keys and pressing a button. Jesse grinned as her hood popped up and began to raise on its own. "Pattern 4?" Niema smiled brightly. "Yeah, it took a little while to get it installed but it works like a charm," she answered, gesturing for him to look at her engine. They both turned away from Edwin and Leon and leaned over the engine.

Leon shook his head and tugged Edwin away from Niema's car. "So where'd you find her?" he asked when they were a few feet away. "I've known her for a while. She's been racing up north for the last couple of years. When she came back down a few months ago, I told her that I'd get her into our races," Edwin explained, leaning against the hood of his own car. Leon nodded. "You know Dom's gonna give her shit, right? I hope she can handle it," he commented, giving him a meaningful look. Edwin laughed. "Oh, I'm hoping he does. He's going to be in for a surprise, though." "That good?" "Oh hell yeah, she's that good." The conversation might have continued if Dom hadn't stalked over to Niema's car.

"You used a Honda modification? Does it help the fuel intake?" Jesse asked, lightly running his fingers along a fuel line. Niema nodded. "Boosts it about 90. Plus it gives the NOS more room to play," she replied, tapping the underside of the carburetor. Jesse nodded happily. "You're good. I wouldn't have thought to use a modification like this one, but if it works, more power to you." She laughed softly. "Oh, it works."

"Jesse," someone growled behind them. Niema watched as Jesse's face seemed to close up when he turned around to look at the man behind them. She straightened up and took a good look at Dominic Toretto. She had to admit that he did appear to be intimidating. "Hey, Dom. I was just looking at Niema's engine," he stammered softly. "Is there a problem with that, Mr. Toretto?" Niema asked, her voice coming out low and cold. Dom's dark eyes met her green ones. "Who the hell are you?" he snapped, frowning. One delicate eyebrow rose. "Niema Cross." "I brought her, Dom," Edwin said in a low voice as he stepped between them. Niema pushed him out of the way. "You should know by now, Edwin, that I can handle bullies on my own," she murmured, barely glancing at him.

"What makes you think you belong here, Niema Cross?" The crowd that had gathered around them watched as a cold smile curved her full lips. "Two years undefeated at Big Bear. Is that good enough for you?" she answered, crossing her arms over her chest. Dom laughed. "Those are pussy races, sweetheart," he said as he turned and walked away from her. He didn't get more than ten feet from her before she threw out the challenge. "Well, I've got five large that says this pussy can blow your car off the fuckin' street, Toretto," she called out. The other racers were silent as Dom turned around and stared at her. "Go home before you get embarrassed, little girl," he told her, grinning broadly. She laughed aloud, still smiling. "You're turning down a challenge? Oh, how the mighty have fallen."

Dom's smile disappeared in a heartbeat. "Show me the money." Niema pulled out a folded wad of bills. Anyone standing close enough could see that they were hundreds. He pulled out an equally large wad and handed it to the dark-haired girl next to him. "Mia holds the money. Let's see what you've got," he said, turning and going over to his car. Niema gave the money to Mia, closed her hood and slid into the driver's seat of her car.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea as Niema's car moved forward to line up with Dom's. She touched a button on her dashboard and Saliva's "Click Click Boom" blared from her speakers. Her eyes flicked quickly from the girl with her arm raised to the street in front of her. The girl's arm dropped and Niema smoothly popped her car into gear. The Supra shot forward like it had been fired from a cannon. Niema barely glanced over at Toretto's car as it started to pull ahead of her. She downshifted and her car popped ahead, pulling even with Dom. "Bye," she whispered as she hit the NOS button on her steering wheel. The Supra roared forward, leaving Dom behind.

Dom glanced over, not expecting to see the Supra. His eyes widened when he realized that she was dead even with him. "Shit!" he yelled as she mouthed the words 'bye'. He heard the NOS injection a second too late and punched his NOS switch. He downshifted and the car leapt forward. A few seconds later, he was almost to her and he heard the pop of her second NOS injection. He hit his second one and could only watch as her car slammed forward and crossed the finish line. Crossing it a few seconds after her, he slowed the car and turned it around. She was almost back to the start line.

When Niema brought the car to a stop, Edwin was waiting for her. "Damn, girl!" was all he said, but he was smiling broadly. She climbed out and let him hug her. Others around her were shouting congratulations but she noticed that only one person on Dom's team was smiling. It was Jesse. Oddly enough, she was happy that it was him.

Dom's car rolled to a stop and he shut off the engine. He sat there for a moment and wondered what the hell had happened. He'd just been beaten and by a newcomer. This had never happened to him before. Vince leaned down and looked in the window. "You all right, bro?" he asked, his brow furrowed. Dom looked over at him. "Yeah, I'm fine. But I just got my ass kicked by a woman," he replied, a smile slowly creeping across his face. Vince grinned. "Yeah, you did. Hey, at least she's good-looking," he said in consolation. Dom laughed. "There is that." Vince moved as Dom opened the door and got out of the car.

Niema steeled herself as Dom walked over to where she stood. "Damn good race, Niema Cross," he rumbled with a smile as he took the money from Mia. She relaxed slightly and held out her hand, palm up. Dom threw back his head and laughed. Dropping the money into her hand, he said, "Guess maybe the Big Bear races aren't for pussies, huh?" Niema smiled brightly. "Not hardly," she told him, pocketing the money.

Suddenly, the small pager clipped to her waist beeped loudly. "Cops," she simply said and ran toward her car. "Follow me," Dom yelled as he ran back to his car and got into the driver's seat. She blinked her headlights in reply and followed him as he sped away from the scene of the race.

Cars scattered to the four winds as police cruisers suddenly appeared among them, their lights flashing. A police helicopter joined the chaos a few moments later, its spotlight flashing down on different cars. But from the looks of things, the LAPD would be out of luck.