A/N sorry about the delay….things are getting kind of hectic around here. But for future reference. The longest you will have to wait for an update will be a month…..unless something really weird happens. :)

Act 23

The group soon found themselves standing outside a tall apartment building.

"I thought you said you lived in a house," Alex said.

"House, penthouse, same difference," Aki shrugged. "Come on, let's get dried off," she continued as she headed towards the elevators. On her way there she past one of the doormen.

"Way to go Aki. It's about time you brought someone home," he said, giving her a wink.

"Oh, knock it off."

"That hurt. Oh well you'll be making at least one man happy tonight," he grinned as he made a hasty exit.

"And what exactly did he mean by that?" asked Keisuke.

Alex chuckled. "The staff here have a bet going to see when she'll bring a guy home that's not from our team. Last I heard the pool was nearing a thousand."

"Don't even think about laughing," Aki practically snarled at Ryosuke, who was barely hiding a smile. The rest of the ride up to her apartment was silent. Opening her door, Aki noticed another pair of shoes in the hall. //Dad's home?// Behind her Alex was silently passing on the information. The two guys shrugged.

"Hey dad where are you?" Aki called out.

"In the kitchen."

Aki's eyes widened. "You're not cooking are you?"

"Yeah, eggs and bacon. Want some?"

"Dad hold on. Don't. Touch. Anything," she said quickly taking off her shoes. "I'll be right there." Aki ran into the other room.

"Just follow me, Aki has to do damage control," Alex said leading Ryosuke and Keisuke into the dinning room. There they saw Aki leaning over the kitchen counter.

"Aki, I don't need you watching over me. I can handle eggs and bacon. You see everything is under control," they heard her father saying.

"Dad."

"Yes honey."

"The bacon is on fire."

"What-"

Keisuke watched as Aki's father began to hit the pan with a dishcloth. He stopped as Aki brought over baking soda and smothered the fire.

"I'll have to remember that for next time," he said. "And why are you dripping on my floor?"

"We had an accident," Aki replied.

"Water fight or fall in the lake?"

"It's nothing dad."

"Oh you have to give me the details. After all I didn't know you could pick up guys at the lake at this time of night. You know when I was your age-"

"Enough! Enough! We just need to get some stuff to wear while our things dry out. Think you could lend something to the Takahashis?" Aki asked.

Her father walked out of the kitchen and looked the boys up and down. Ryosuke and Keisuke both began to feel uncomfortable. Finally Mr. Keiichi broke the silence. "Well at least one of you was responsible." He smiled at Takumi. "Come on, I'll find you something to change into," he said to Ryosuke and Keisuke as he led them into another room.

There he began to pass them some clothes. "I hope these fit you, they're the biggest things I have. You to are way too tall for most of my things. Well, I'll leave you to get changed, just toss your clothes into the dryer in the next room," Mr. Keiichi said closing the bedroom door.

"Bro, he is a lot different than what I expected," stated Keisuke.

"I've never met him before Keisuke, only seen him race."

When they left the room after getting changed they found Aki's father sitting in the dinning room and Aki in the kitchen.

"She kicked me out, it's my kitchen and yet she kicked me out," he mumbled.

"Dad, aren't you supposed to be at a conference today?" Aki asked.

Her father walked to the kitchen door. "It was cancelled, something about scheduling problems. It got bumped until tomorrow. But I did pick up something while I was in town," he smiled waving a piece of paper.

Aki looked up from the soup she was cooking and grabbed the letter. She passed her father the wooden spoon. "Just stir it. Do not add anything. Do not turn up the heat. Got it?" He smiled and saluted her.

Aki went and sat down near the table with the others. "It's from mom," she said.

"Yeah, she's in town for a while," her dad called back.

"I know, she also says that you should be quiet."

"Does not."

"It's right here. 'and since your father is probably opening his mouth to spoil the good news, tell him to be quiet and let you finish reading'." Everyone laughed. "She also wants to see us at the next race."

"When's that?" asked Keisuke.

"Three weeks from now. Why? You want to come?" asked Aki. He nodded. "Then I'll get you some tickets." Aki thought for a moment. "Does anyone know what the weather is supposed to be like tonight?"

"Raining," answered Takumi.

"This is great," Aki grinned.

"Why are you so excited?" asked Alex.

"Cause the passes are harder in the rain. I'm thinking of practicing on Akagi, I haven't been there yet."

"Makes sense. The rain like the snow can be a great training partner," commented Ryosuke.

"Well normal people would think like that, but my daughter just likes to take risks," said a smiling Keiichi as he glanced at Ryosuke.

"You are supposed to be watching the food dad. Never mind, let me finish it." With that Aki left for the kitchen as her father came out with drinks.

"So Takumi, how's your dad? He never calls me anymore."

"He said that the international phone bills were becoming too much and he'd catch up when he hears you're in town next."

"That stingy bastard, I figured that was what he was doing."

"So how is Shannon? I remember how she kept giving me mechanic magazines to give to my dad," said Takumi.

"Well Aki's mom was hoping you'd look at them before you passed them off. You know, trying to get you interested in cars, that sort of thing. Anyway she's heading a pit crew for Subaru's new lines of rally cars and she seems pretty excited about it."

"So is that where you learned mechanics from?" Ryosuke quietly asked Aki while the others began to talk amongst themselves.

"Yeah, she started teaching me when I was eight and my dad began teaching me theory when I was twelve and driving when I turned sixteen."

"So when did you create the engine?"

"I finished designing it when I was fifteen but it wasn't until I was eighteen that the car companies decided to manufacture it and hire me."

"Hire you? So if your working for them, what are you doing training a team?"

"That's what they hired her for," Alex butted in. "I mean they would have been stupid not to. Her skills are wanted all over America. And before you ask why didn't she start her own school – everyone asks that – she's just too picky when it comes to students. I mean the last time - ouch."

"Sorry, my foot slipped," said Aki standing up. "Ok, your cloths should be dry now, so you might want to get changed. Dad, I cooked, you get to clean up the dishes." Her father screwed up his face but began to collect the dishes.

By the time he was done everyone else was changed and standing at the door. Aki said goodbye to everyone as they headed out the door. Ryosuke was the just about to leave when Aki touched his arm. He turned around.

"Look, I'm sorry about pulling you into the lake. I was mad at Alex for following me and I took it out on you. Sorry," Aki said with her eyes downcast.

"It's ok," Ryosuke smiled. "Just don't drag me into it again, alright?"

Aki grinned. "I'll try. No promises."

Ryosuke chuckled as he left the apartment.

A/N up next…Aki challenges Kyouichi.