To Be Needed
Part 13
It was a couple of weeks before Ashby decided it was time to inform the team of her decision. There was no more signs of Letty and the team had settled into a normal routine finally.
Dinner that night was somber. It was almost as if everyone knew what was coming. No one wanted to be the one to break the silence.
Ashby sighed and spoke first. "I have something I want to tell everyone," she said.
Ashby waited until all eyes were on her.
"I made a promise and I intend to keep it. I'll be moving back into my house at the end of the week. You guys don't need me here anymore." She said, afraid of how everyone was gonna react.
Jesse was the first. He stood up suddenly. "No!" He exclaimed and ran for his room.
Ashby pressed a hand to her mouth, to keep herself from crying.
"But why, Ash?" Mia asked, hurt.
Ashby looked at her sadly. "I have to Mi'. You don't need me anymore. I need to see if I can be on my own."
Leon looked at her, hurt as well, but with kind eyes. Something told him this was just as painful for Ashby as it was for them.
Ashby saw what Leon was trying to say with his eyes and was grateful he understood.
"It's okay, Ash. I'm gonna go check on Jesse." He said before leaving the room.
Ashby watched him go, but said nothing. She looked at Dom next.
He tried not to look upset, but Ashby knew otherwise. "If that's what you want…" was all he could manage to get out.
Vince turned his angry gaze from Ashby to Dominic as if to say 'that's all you're gonna say?'
He turned and looked back at Ashby.
Ashby winced, but didn't turn away.
Vine stood and walked out of the kitchen. Ashby ran after him.
"Vince? Wait, where are you going?"
"Why does it matter to you? You'll be gone in a few days anyway." He snapped as he climbed into his car.
Tears fell from Ashby's cheeks as she watched him drive away. Ashby's shoulders slumped in defeat. She wanted to drive him away, but it still hurt.
She flinched when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Ash. He'll get over it." Leon told her.
Ashby took a shaky breath. "Yeah, I guess." She mumbled.
"Come on. You better go talk to Jesse. He won't open his door." Leon suggested.
Ashby turned and let Leon hug her for a brief moment.
"Thank you for understanding, Leon." She said, softly.
Leon smiled as he let her go. "You taught me that everyone's gotta find their own way. Maybe what you find will lead you back here." He told her.
Ashby smiled, despite her tears. She wiped her eyes and went inside.
"Jesse? I'm sorry baby, but I told you I wouldn't be here forever. We talked about this last week." She said thru his door.
Jesse ignored her and continued with packing his duffle bag. She wasn't leaving without him. He was going with her. Jesse didn't care what the others said.
When Ashby leaves the Toretto household, she is taking the 'mad scientist' with her.
Ashby crawled into bed that night, completely exhausted. Both mentally and physically. For the first time, Ashby felt alone in the Toretto house.
I can't stay here. I don't belong here. I don't fit in their world. I don't know anything about cars or racing. I can't even change a freaking tire! What good am I to them?
None. It's better this way. Leon's strong he can manage. He'll help Mia. Dom's strong too. He knows how it is. Jesse will survive; he has the rest of the team. And Vince… He'll forget about me. He'll realize soon enough I'm not good enough for him. I'm not good enough for anyone.
Ashby thought sadly before falling asleep.
Vince pulled up in front of the house late. It was a little after three. He thought a lot about Ashby and what her leaving meant. He figured it out.
She doesn't love us. Not enough to stay. She won't come back. Not like how Letty tried too.
Vince walked into her room quietly. He intended to go to his own room. He really did, but when he approached his door he just kept going until he was standing in front of hers.
He stood frozen for a moment. What if it was locked? Then he knew it would have already begun. He didn't want to be shut away from her.
Vince knew he had a few days still. He wanted them to be with her. He had to convince her that she needed to stay… The team needed her.
I need her.
Vince pulled off his shoes and pants. He crawled in next to her.
Ashby woke up when she felt someone touch her. "V?"
"Shush, baby. Go back to sleep." He whispered gently.
"You still mad at me?" She asked, sleepily.
"No, baby. Go to sleep."
Ashby closed her eyes and fell back asleep with Vince curled around her.
He listened to her even breathing until he fell asleep.
A week later…
Ashby brought the last of her bags down from her room. Leon helped her stuff them in the trunk of her car.
Everyone stood out in front of the Toretto house. It looked more like a funeral from their facial expressions.
Ashby looked around. She really was going to miss the Toretto Team.
Vince stood off to the side. He was angry because he couldn't persuade Ashby to stay. She still wouldn't go out with him. Vince thought if he could get her to go out on more dates with him, then maybe she would stay.
He wasn't good at talking about his feelings. Especially his feelings for a woman. Every time he tried to tell her how he feels Ashby would change the subject.
Why can't she see I want her here? Why can't she understand I need her with me? Vince thought, but was too much of a man to say it out loud.
Vince frowned at Ashby. Fuck! I'm not sayin bye. He thought, and then stormed off in his car.
Dom tried to stop him, but Vince wasn't listening.
Ashby watched sadly, as Vince drove off. She turned and looked at Dom. "It's okay. He has a right to be mad." She said, softly. Ashby didn't want Dom to be mad at Vince.
Dom smiled down at her, gently. "I'll miss you Ash. If you need anything you call me. You got it? Anything, Ash. Anytime, you call me." He told her as he hugged her tight.
"Thank you, D. But I'm not going far. Just moving outside of town. Besides I'll still be over to baby-sit Maria. You guys will still see me." She said.
"I know I wanna make sure you know thou." He added.
Ashby nodded and pulled out of his embrace. She turned and looked at Mia next.
Poor Mia couldn't keep the tears from falling. She was holding Maria against one hip.
Ashby hugged both Mia and Maria. Maria cooed and smiled, not understanding what was going on.
"Mi' you need anything, you call me. No matter what time it is." Ashby said into her ear.
Mia pulled back and nodded at her.
"I mean it Mi' if you ever feel like you're gonna lose control again, you call me." Ashby said, speaking softly so the others wouldn't hear.
Mia nodded again.
"Promise, Mi." Ashby demanded.
Mia smiled, despite her tears. "I promise, Ash."
"Good."
Ashby turned to Leon next.
"I ain't sayin bye. You'll be back, Ash. We're a team and a family. You come back when you're ready. Promise me." Leon demanded.
Ashby smiled softly. "I promise, Leon." She said as she stepped into his arms.
"Good. And if you don't keep your word I'll send Dominic after you." He threatened.
Ashby stepped back. "I know. And don't think that just because I don't live here anymore that means you can go back to those two dollar hoes."
Leon's face turned red.
Ashby lowered her voice, making sure no one, but Leon could hear her. "Ask Mia out already. It's been long enough."
Leon's jaw dropped. He looked around quickly to make sure no one heard her. He turned back to Ashby, who was grinning at him.
"I'll work on it." Was all he said.
Ashby nodded and then looked around, but she couldn't find the blonde-haired boy she was looking for.
"Where's Jesse?" she asked confused.
Dominic frowned, disapprovingly. "Jesse! Get out here and say bye!" Dom yelled in the direction of the house.
A moment later Jesse came out of the house carrying a duffle bag.
Everyone stared at him in shock.
"What for? I'm going too." He stated. Jesse tossed his bag in the trunk of his white Jetta.
Leon was the first to speak. "Jesse, bro, what are you talking about? You can't leave the team." Leon asked incredulously.
"I'm not leaving. I'll be at the garage everyday just like always. I just won't live here. I'm going with Ashby. She can't live by herself." Jesse stated as if were natural for him to leave the Toretto house to sleep somewhere else.
At that moment Ashby knew Jesse would always be there for her, no matter what.
"Jesse, you can't-" Dom started to protest, but Ashby touched his shoulder.
Dom stopped and looked down at her.
Ashby turned and looked at Jesse. "Jesse, sweetie you can't come with me. What about your computer?" She asked, knowing he would never part with it.
Jesse crossed his arms across his chest defiantly. He looked very much like a stubborn child, trying to get his way.
"I packed it last night. It's already in the trunk." He informed them. He knew they wouldn't take him seriously at first. They never did.
"I'm going with you Ash. I won't let you leave me alone." He added.
Ashby knew if she didn't let him come he would follow her anyway.
"Okay Jess, come on. Let's go." She announced.
Jesse smiled, in triumph. "Don't worry Dom. I'll be at the garage Monday morning, just like usual." He said, and then climbed into his car.
Ashby gave Dom one more hug. "Don't worry. I'll get him to come back by tonight." Ashby said confidently.
Dom shook his head. "No, Ash. Let him stay with you. It's what he wants."
Ashby looked at Dominic confused. Then she understood. Dominic felt like he owed Jesse, something. Letting Jesse go with Ashby was Dom's way of giving Jesse something in return.
Ashby nodded and climbed into her own car. She drove away with a heavy heart.
Leaving the team didn't feel right… but staying didn't feel right either. Ashby didn't know if she could find something in between.
