Hours passed and the team drove on. No one stopped, no matter how tired they might have been. They drove on so many freeways Laura could hardly keep track; the San Diego freeway, the John J Montgomery freeway. It took three hours for them to finally reach Tijuana. The whole team pulled into a motel car park just past the Mexican border at 5.30 am.
Laura pulled up beside Brian, everyone else already standing around, waiting for Dom to decide to let go of Letty and acknowledge them. She got out and stretched, glad for the air and space! A weight lifted from her chest. She had got across the border no problem and now no one could touch them.
"You Ok? Enjoy the drive?" Brian asked a little sarcastically.
"It was tiring… Do you think Dom will let us stop, I don't think I could drive anymore at this time in the morning."
"He should, I mean we are outside a motel."
Dom walked over to them after his very public display of affection with Letty.
"We'll stop here for the night… get rooms and we'll meet back out here tomorrow morning." Dom went to walk off, Letty hanging off his arm, when Laura stepped forward.
"Wait a second Dom…where the hell are we headed, exactly?"
Dom turned to look at her. She could feel the tension between them rise as soon as their eyes met. Could she ever forget what had happened in the warehouse? Was that what he wanted…for her to just forget?
"I have guys that'll set us up for a while in Monterrey. But it takes about 11 hours to get there so I guess we'll be driving all day tomorrow."
"Are you being serious Dom?"
"When am I not serious?"
Laura sighed impatiently, "Whatever."
She stalked into the reception followed by Brian and the rest of the team.
"Will we share?" Laura looked at Brian, a grin forming on his lips.
"Sure…"
She rented a room and went back outside, swinging the keys on her finger. Instead of heading over to the room though she headed for the bar across the street which still seemed to be open.
"Wow, hold on…we need to sleep baby. And I doubt driving for 11 hours tomorrow will be any easier with a hangover." Brian warned her.
"I need a drink Brian."
He held his hands up, wary of the warning tone in Laura's voice, "Fine."
Brian followed her across the street and into the bar, which was almost empty, probably due to the fact it was almost 6 am. Laura sat at the bar, Brian sitting beside her.
"What can I get this beautiful chica?" the barman asked, eyeing her strangely.
"Uh…I'll have a…hell I dunno…anythin' that will knock me out."
The barman nodded and turned to Brian,
"I'll just have a coke or somethin'."
Two minutes later the barman returned with Brian's coke and some form of Mexican Vodka for Laura. Whatever it was, it was strong and burnt the tastebuds from her tongue… just what she wanted.
Laura was to busy trying to get her drink down her throat she never noticed the concerned expression forming on Brians face or the fact Dom had just stalked over to them, anger flaring in his eyes.
"Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoin'!" Dom asked her trying to stay calm, "You can't fuckin' drive if you're drunk or have a damn hangover!"
Laura, having downed four of the weird Vodkas already, smiled stupidly at Dom and tried to stand to face him, only to stumble on the seat and fall into Brians lap.
"Look DOM," she spat, getting up from Brians lap, "I actually don't give a fuck right now…I want to drink…this is a very nice bar…with a very nice barman…and I want a drink. And I can drive with a hangover, I've done it plenty of times before!"
Laura straightened herself, trying not to look any of the rest of the team. She knew how stupid she was being but she needed some kind of release and this was a perfect opportunity.
Dom shook his head, "Grow up Laura."
He went to walk off, giving Brian an exasperated look but Laura stopped him,
"Don't ever tell me to grow up you BASTARD! Don't you think you have a lot of growing up to do?" she directed her glare at Letty before smiling maliciously at Dom.
"Don't start Laura…" Dom warned, "go to bed and sleep it off."
Laura was fuming, how dare he speak to her like this. It wasn't ever him that got told off or got into trouble for being 'stupid' yet he made as many mistakes as the rest of them!
"No Dom. I think now is as good a time as any to sort this out. What have you to be sorry for? Come on, spit it out…now's your time to apologise!"
Dom looked slightly uncomfortable and Laura noticed Letty suddenly become interested in the conversation.
"Brian…take her across the street NOW!" Dom was definitely trying to avoid the confrontation.
Brian looked from Laura, to Dom and then back to Laura, obviously not wanting to get involved. He flinched at the forceful NOW, obviously not liking the fact he was being ordered to do something.
"Don't you dare do this Dom. It's about time you faced up to some of your shit. You're not as perfect as you make out to be!" Laura could fell the fury ripple through her blood.
Brian stood up sighing and took Laura by the shoulders,
"Laura lets go sleep. Now isn't the time. If you want to sort something out then do it in Monterrey. It's not a good idea to make people angry before an 11 hour drive."
Laura looked at Brian, fatigue taking over and slumped into his arms. She hadn't the energy to carry on with this now anyway but it had felt good to see Dom cringe. He led her towards the door but before she would leave she needed to do something to get rid of the rage she felt towards Dom. He thought he was getting away with it again… She turned, walked straight over to him and punched him as hard as she could. He stumbled back a little and clutched his nose.
"Now I'll be driving with a hangover and you'll have a headache of your own!"
She stalked out of the bar and across the street, welcoming Brians arm around her waist. She probably would have collapsed without him. He led her into the room and she fell onto the bed.
"Laura, what was all that about? What happened between you and Dom?"
"I just hate how he acts like he's the boss over everyone and when we make mistakes he lectures us…but he's far from perfect! He's the worst! But no one lectures him! He gets away with everything and I'm sick of it! He needs to face some of the shit he's caused."
Brian nodded, "Well what has he done that you seem so keen on making him face up to?"
"He just needs to learn that he can't have everything he wants and that when he doesn't get shit he should act like an adult about it instead of sulking. And he needs to appreciate Letty…I mean God! She's been there for him through thick and thin for years and he still…" she trailed off.
"He still what?" Brian asked getting very suspicious, "Did he try anything with you?"
Laura turned her back to Brian, "I'm tired. And like you said, there's no point in making people angry when they've to face an 11 hour drive."
"Laura answer the damn question! Did he try somethin'?"
She slowly turned round to face him, aware of what he could do if she told him. Why was she so stupid…she should have kept her mouth shut. She never thought about how it would affect Letty or Brian, all she thought about was how shitty Dom would feel.
"Look Bri, don't go off on one. He got a little carried away when we were hiding in the city waiting on word from Hector. We were in an empty warehouse and he got caught up in the moment. Nothing happened but if I hadn't pushed him away and if Hector hadn't…well lets just say he might have…" she trailed off again. Would he really have tried again if Hector hadn't spoke through the walkie-talkie?
"Fuck! That bastard! I'll kill him!" Brian marched towards the door.
"Brian don't! Leave it. He'll get his comeuppance in Monterrey…I swear it. He needs to realise he isn't a bloody God! But leave it for now."
Brian stopped pacing and sat beside her. He looked at her for ages before finally looking at the floor,
"I hate the thought of his hands on you."
"I know," she smiled. She would never get used to the fact he actually liked her this much! "His hands didn't get far though. So don't worry too much!"
He laughed, "I'm always worryin' about you…"
She sighed and kissed him, "Well don't. I'm fine. If I ever need help though you'll be the first person I go to. Now sleep, we've got a long day ahead of us."
Brian nodded and jumped over her legs to the other side of the bed. He lay down, putting his arm around her, and she could tell he was sleeping only a few minutes later. She turned slowly to face him, this angel, as he snored quietly. He looked so content. She hoped he was dreaming about her...in fact she hoped he thought about her half as much as she did about him, that would be enough. She realised Brian was the only thing now that truly mattered to her. She would never let him down again…and she would never leave him. She just hoped he wanted the same…