To Be Needed

Part 6

Vince leaned against his car. He wasn't really paying attention to the race that was about to start. Dom would win like always. It was routine.

He was thinking about Ashby and how soon before he could go home and pick her up and take her somewhere. He didn't know where. He was thinking about that Cuban restaurant, but he decided against it. It was a typical date restaurant and he wanted to do something different.

Vince glanced up when he heard Leon announce over the Nextel that the race could start. He watched until the race started, then went back to thinking about Ashby.

He didn't know where he could take her. He wanted it to be special. He wanted to take her somewhere that she would like.

He thought about the beach, but he didn't want to make it seem like he was trying to get some ass from her. He just wanted to be with her. Vince smiled at the thought of the beach. He could get blankets from the house. He knew Ashby would like going to the beach. She didn't like going places where there were a lot of people.

"Cops! Cops! Cops! Go!" Leon's voice shouted over the Nextel.

Vince snapped out of his thoughts and quickly got into his car. He headed home as fast as he could go. Halfway home he called Dom and Leon to make sure they weren't caught.

Both confirmed they were almost home as well.

Vince made it home first. He walked in to find Ashby asleep on the couch still in the same clothes. He smiled. He was glad she didn't go to bed, but he couldn't make her go out now. He picked her up and carried her to her room.

He left her in her own bed, deciding it would be better if he slept in his own bed tonight. He was feeling a lot of things for Ashby and he knew she wasn't ready to know how deep his feelings went. Plus the fact that his jeans were getting a bit too tight. Sleeping next to her would definitely be a bad idea.

He went into his room and changed into pajama bottoms and white tank top.

He lied in bed for a long time, not being able to sleep. He got up and walked down the hall into Ashby's room.

He stood and watched her sleep for a moment. She really was beautiful.

He slipped in quietly next to her. She had been sleeping on her stomach, but she felt him get in the bed. She rolled over and allowed him to wrap his body around her, resting his head on the familiarity of her stomach. He nuzzled closer and fell asleep almost instantly.

In her sleep-hazed mind, Ashby knew she really should be putting a stop to Vince sleeping with her, but she couldn't bring herself too. He didn't know, but she needed him to be there. To know he didn't want anything from her. He just wanted to hold her. It made her feel cared for. Something she hasn't felt in a long time. She knew if she wasn't careful things could get a lot more complicated than she could handle.

The next morning Ashby was surprised that Jesse wasn't standing in the room waiting for her to get up. She frowned. She started to get up to go check on him, but Vince's grip tightened around her.

Ashby sighed. "V, let me go. I have to go check on Jesse. I wanna make sure he's okay." She said.

Vince lifted his head to look around the room. "You mean he's not in here already?" He asked.

Ashby rolled her eyes. "Let go. I'll come back." She said.

Reluctantly Vince released his grip. Ashby flew from his grasps and practically ran for Jesse's room.

Vince watched her disappear thru the door. He knew she was worried about Jesse. Ashby had only been living with them for a month when Jesse started going into Ashby's room to wait for her to wake up. When he wasn't there Ashby often panicked because it usually meant he was sick or he was upset about something.

Vince got out of bed and made his way down to the basement to Jesse's bedroom.

Ashby entered Jesse's room cautiously. "Jess? You asleep?" She said softly. If he was sleeping she didn't want to wake him.

"No." she heard him say quietly.

Ashby walked in and saw Jesse lying in bed. He had a black eye with a gash above his eyebrow and a swollen bottom lip.

"Oh, Jess. Why did you do that? You should have gotten one of the others." She asked as she walked over and sat on the edge of his bed.

Jesse moved over to give her more room. Ashby moved up and sat with her back against his headboard. Jesse moved so he could lay his head in her lap.

"I had to Ash. They were too far away. They wouldn't have made it in time. I couldn't let him hurt you. We're a 'team'. A family. We all swore we'd be there for each other no matter what."

"You guys are a team. I'm not part of the team. I just live here to help take care of Maria. You shouldn't have done that. Especially not for me. I would have been all right."

Jesse lifted his head and looked at her sharply. "You are a part of the team. Tell her V." Jesse enlisted the help of his friend, who had been peeking in the doorway.

Ashby looked up to see Vince standing on the bottom steps.

Vince walked further into the room. "Yeah she is. Don't know why she thinks she isn't. Maybe it's up to us to make sure she knows from now on." Vince said to Jesse, referring to the conversation they had yesterday.

Jesse looked back at Ashby with a 'see I told you' look. "See Ash, I told you. Dom will tell you too. You are a part of the team. You always will be." Jesse stated firmly.

Vince walked over and sat on the bed next Ashby.

Ashby looked at Vince. They looked like two parents sitting on their child's bed. Jesse sure was acting like a kid. She would have laughed, but didn't think Jesse would appreciate it. She didn't want him to think she was making fun of him.

"All right, now that that's been confirmed and everyone's received the memo can we move on? You still shouldn't have jumped in like that. You could have been hurt. You should have ran and got V or Dom or even Leon." Ashby insisted.

Jesse rolled his eyes at her. "Forget it Ash. I wouldn't have left you alone no matter what, so just let it go already. I got knocked around a few times; it's nothing I ain't use to. It kept you from getting hurt so it was worth it."

Vince looked at Jesse. Jesse use to get smack around by his dad before his dad went into jail. He knew Jesse was no stranger to fights or violence. Sometimes Vince just forgets how it used to be for Jesse before his father went away.

Ashby looked at Jesse with tears in her eyes. "I love you Jesse, but you have to promise you won't ever do something like that again. I'm not worth that much. Please just don't do that again. I was so afraid you would get hurt." She pleaded with him.

Jesse stared at her. He didn't know what to say. He knew something happened to her before she came to live with the team. Obviously whatever it was hurt her deeper than she was willing to let anyone know. Jesse didn't even think Mia knew what happened to Ashby.

"Ok Ash, sorry." He said simply and hugged her.

Jesse looked at Vince over Ashby's shoulder and saw the look in Vince eyes. He knew what it meant. Vince was angry, but then so was Jesse. If they ever found out who made Ashby think so low of herself they would kill him. No hesitation. Ashby was perfect. Jesse didn't understand how someone could think otherwise.

Ashby looked up from her books. She was studying in the living room when she heard the front door open. "Hey Mi'. Is it three already?" Ashby asked lightly when she walked inside.

Mia hasn't been looking too good recently. She spoke even less and spent more and more time in her room. Ashby was really worried about her. Every time Ashby tried to talk to her, Mia would just deny anything was wrong. She just said she was having a hard time adjusting.

Ashby knew there was more to it than that, but didn't push for more than what Mia was willing to give.

"Yeah. Vince dropped me off. He's outside still waiting for you. He wanted to take you to school. Said he had something to talk to you about." Mia said as she walked in and sat on the couch, next to where Maria lay on her back sleeping.

"Oh, okay. I just fed her and burped her. She fell asleep like twenty minutes ago, so she probably will be out for a while. There's a load of laundry in the dryer. Could you take it out when it's done?" Ashby asked while she gathered her schoolwork and books.

"Yeah." Mia replied, dully.

Ashby frowned at her, but said nothing. Although she really wanted too. Before heading out the door Ashby hesitated. She looked at Mia one more time.

"Mi' you sure you all right? If you want to talk I can always skip class." She offered.

Mia shook her head, but didn't look up from staring at the wall. "It's okay. I'm fine."

Ashby was torn. She really didn't want to leave Mia. Something told her not to leave Mia alone. Ashby also knew Mia would be upset if she thought she caused her to miss yet another class. "Okay, if you're sure." She gave Mia another chance to speak up if she wanted.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Go, Ash." Mia responded.

Ashby sighed, and stepped thru the door. She walked up to Vince's car solemnly, and climbed in.

Vince looked at her oddly. "What's wrong?" He asked.

Ashby shrugged. "That's the problem. I don't know. She won't talk about it."

Vince was confused for a moment, but then realized she was talking about Mia. "She'll be all right. I just think she needs to find someone new." Vince said, confidently. He pulled out of the driveway and headed for the junior college where Ashby attended class.

Ashby didn't agree, but let it go. Obviously he would know Mia better than her. Ashby thought maybe she just didn't understand since she's never seen Mia upset before.

"Mi' said something about you wanting to talk to me. What did you want to talk about?" She asked, changing the topic.

Vince glanced at her then back at the road. "Yeah…I wanted to ask if you wanted to try again, since last night didn't exactly work right." He said, afraid she would try and say no like she always does.

He heard her sigh. She took a moment before answering.

"Okay, V. But can we not go to a race?" She asked.

Vince grinned and looked over at her. "Baby, we can go where ever you want." He said, happy she didn't say no.

Ashby laughed.

When they pulled up in front of her school Ashby turned and looked at Vince. "Are you coming back to pick me up later?" She asked, hesitantly.

"Hell yeah. I'll be right here at seven." He said.

Ashby smiled. "Okay, see you then." She said, and then leaned over to kiss his cheek.

Vince wanted to kiss her on the lips, but he knew she wasn't ready for that. He settled for the kiss on the cheek. He reached over and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a tight squeeze before letting go. "See you later, Baby." He said.

Ashby smiled at him and climbed out the car.

Vince watched her walk inside the building. He noticed she didn't put a deliberate sway in her hips just because she knew he was watching. Yep, she is definitely a real woman. He was going to persuade her to give them a chance, no matter what it took. He wouldn't give up on her. He knew she had to feel something; otherwise she wouldn't let him sleep next to her every night.