Title: Racing Stripes

Genre: Romance/Action/Adventure

Chapter Raiting: T

Time Period: One year after the events of Fast and the Furious.

Summery (Extended): It all started when Mia met a new friend…The youngest of the Rossi family, Bianca Rossi. Still shaken by the events that followed the heists and the loss of Brian Mia is in desperate need of a friend. She willingly opens herself to Bianca and unwitting thrusts the entire baggage of the Rossi clan upon the Torettos.

Italian translations at bottom of page, if you find a mistake please tell (and hopefully correct) me. Thanks!

Chapter 1

A Meeting In The Park

Mia Toretto stared out over the campus of UCLA. In front of her sat a very large and very impressive looking medical book. It had taken a lot of courage for her to take the leap into Premed – it meant a lot of work and a lot of dedication. But being a doctor was something Mia had always been interested in. She wanted to work with children, perhaps even in the Neonatal Ward. Dom had already expressed his wishes for her to become a family doctor, he was afraid she'd get to emotionally involved in her cases. He was most likely right, but it was a hurtle she'd cross when she reached it.

The harsh frown that had altered her face as she attempted to memorize the human anatomy faded at the thought of her brother. Life had been hard on him since the heists had been broken up. After the bust Mia had to force Dom to go into hiding. He was never a man to hide from the beginning and the only thing her brother had wanted to do was go to Vince's and Jesse's side. She remembered how her brother had cried out of relief and in guilt when he heard that both would be fine, but Jesse would never walk again without a cane. It was only later when Brian called the house from a payphone to let them know that the police had nothing on them would she allow her brother to go their sides.

He barely left their side until they were released. He didn't even leave them when Letty had left. Mia never fully knew the contents of the conversation that took place between her brother and the female driver in the locked Men's Room on the fourteenth floor of LA General Hospital, and she doubted she ever would. It was enough for her to see what it had done to Dom.

Her brother had lost everything in one fatal sweep. It had changed him - but only in a way Mia could see. He was still the hard ass street king he always was. But he was a little bit harder on the inside. Mia feared the kindness that had made Dom take in so many strays had left him permanently with Brian.

Mia felt her throat threaten to close at the thought of Brain O'Conner. She snapped her book so loudly that the other members of her study group almost jumped. She wasn't going to think about Brain. It had been a year. Things were finally beginning to pick up. Dom was still making a killing at the races; the garage and store were doing good. Count that in with the profits left over from the heists and you could almost say they were finically well. Well enough for Dom to be able to afford to send her to UCLA.

Deciding that the day was far to nice to spend cooped up in a musty library Mia apologized to her study group and packed up her stuff. She felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she forced herself to dismiss all thoughts about Brian and the past. Today she was just going to enjoy the sunshine.

The day outside was brilliant, the best they had had in weeks. Though it was a LA summer a cooling breeze made it all the more bearable. Mia opened her car door and almost winced as a wall of heat hit her. Starting the AC Mia headed to her favorite park, singing high spirited tunes along with the radio. Today she wasn't going to think about it. Today she wasn't going to think about Brian. Today she wasn't going to think about it.

With Mia's driving she had little time negotiating traffic and making it to her favorite park. She picked up her medical text books – just in case she decided to stay – and headed through the park. Despite the heaviness of the text books Mia was really enjoying her walk. Nature seemed to sense today was a beautiful day and went out of it's way to accentuate it.

She was interrupted from her thoughts of the beauty as she turned the corner and was almost assaulted by a very grumpy looking twenty-something.

"Move out of my way." He growled, nearly pushing her out of the way as he stormed away. There was a shout and a sudden rustle of bushes and a girl stepped onto the path.

"Tommaso Rossi tornare qui!" The girl screamed.

"Seccare Bianca!" The grumpy man shouted over his shoulder.

"Tommaso!" But the grumpy man, now known to Mia as Tommaso, ignored the hysterical cry of the girl and disappeared beyond the curve. Mia didn't quite know what to do. She had obliviously just witnessed some sort of quarrel and if that wasn't awkward enough, in front of her stood a completely hysterical girl, staring after Tommaso as if he had just crushed her world. Perhaps a break up?

The girl was small, with long dark brown hair that she had tied up in a high pony tail. Mia shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what she should do. The small movement caught the girls attention and seemingly for the first time she became aware of Mia. A quick blush spread up her checks.

"I'm sorry! I didn't see you standing there!" She sobbed, her small frame shaking with her sobs. In the background an engine motorcycle bike roared to life and the girl's brown eyes grew large with shock. As the sound distanced itself she started sobbing again. Finally deciding that something had to be done Mia stepped forward and put an arm around the girl's shoulder, leading her over to the nearest bench. "He-He left me!"

"Sh now." Mia said softly. She pulled a bottled water from her purse. She spun the top off and offered it to the girl. "Drink." Gratefully the girl did. With each sip she seemed to get calmer and calmer.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." She muttered grimly.

"That sounded like a bad fight. Tommaso is your boyfriend?" The girl snorted and took another sip of water, glaring at where he had walked off.

"Worse then that I'm afraid. My brother. I don't know why we fight so much. He's just such an idiot!" She said with heavy annoyance. "He's so stubborn. And he always has to be the center of attention. It's his way or the highway! So overprotective! Do one thing he doesn't like and he throws a fit and leaves you in a park!" Mia chuckled.

"I know your pain. My own brother is a bit of an ass at time. He likes being the Alpha male that's for sure." Mia said with an affectionate smile. She rarely fought with Dominic, but when they fought they really fought. The girl eyed Mia suspiciously for a moment before her face lit up with a grin. She stuck out her hand.

"Bianca Rossi at your service. Sorry you saw me at my worst."

"Not a problem. Mia Toretto." Mia eyed the rather large textbooks Bianca was holding. "You're an UCLA student?"

"Huh? Oh yeah! I'm going to be a veterinarian."

"But your-"

"So young. I know I know. I look like I'm a teenager." Bianca grumbled, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment. "I'm twenty two actually, or I will be in about a week." Mia stared at the small girl in shock. Twenty two! She was only a year younger then herself!

"Your tiny." Mia said, leaning back to stare at the short girl. Bianca laughed.

"Don't I know it. Jackasses like Tommy – that's what we call him most of the time – love reminding me off it. What about you? You in Med school?"

"Premed actually."

"Sweet. As a warning from a vet in training; stay away from the cafeteria's Mystery 505 barbeque – you know the one you automatically get on Wednesdays when you sign up for your meal card? I'm pretty sure it's cat."

Mia laughed and assured she hadn't been exposed to the cat barbeque as she usually ate lunch at home or at one of therestaurants in the student lobby. They talked as Bianca finished off her water and went on after. Mia liked the girl, they seemed to get along wonderfully and Mia was really looking forward to the idea of having a friend. She had lost contact one way or another with most of her old ones after the bust. Mia looked at her watch and did a double take.

"It's already five thirty! I've got to get home or my brother will be upset." Mia gathered her stuff in and looked over at the now miserable looking Bianca. She had her cell phone to her ear. After a few tries she gave up.

"I don't know where they all could possibly be, but no one's picking up. It's cool Mia, get home before super brother freaks, I know what that's like. I'll get home somehow."

Mia didn't like the idea at all. Who knew how long Bianca would be sitting out here. What if she was still here when it got dark? What if someone came along and tried something? Mia held up a finger and dialed up her phone.

"Dom? Yeah I'm on my way home and I'm bringing a friend…No it's not a six pack Dominic it's a person. Yes, so seat an extra seat. Jesus." Mia hung up the phone with a roll of her eyes. Bianca smiled hesitantly as she stood.

"Mia are you sure about this?"

"Yeah! Come on over, met the Toretto family and all it's extensions. You can try your family from the house. It's better then sitting around here. Besides, my brother cooks a mean barbeque. No cats I promise." Bianca laughed and nodded, hefting her textbooks under her arm.

"Alright, you've won me over! Lead the way!"

They talked cheerfully on the drive home. Bianca praised Mia's car but admitted that she didn't know much about them. What a breath of fresh air. They arrived at Echo Park and before long they were trudging around back. Dominic was bent over the barbeque, turning the meat with a look of expertise as Leon rattled on about something. Jesse and V were hunched over a car plan that was spread over the table. Mia rolled her eyes. Some things never change.

"Are all these your brothers?" Bianca asked as she viewed the group with large eyes. "I thought I had it bad!" Mia laughed and shook her head.

"It's more like a extended family. Come on, I'll introduce you." She led her new friend over to Dom. "Hey Dom, this is my friend Bianca Rossi."

Dom's face flickered at the named Rossi. He tilted his head to the side, staring at the suddenly extremely nervous looking Bianca.

"Rossi? Where have I heard that name before?" Dom paused for a minute before shrugging his shoulder. "Well, welcome to dinner. This moron to my left is Leon and the two at the table are Jesse and Vince. Jesse's the small one."

"Nice to meet you." Dominic looked surprised as she thrust out her tiny hand. Mia watched in humor as Dom shook it, a smirk on his face. "And before you ask, I'm twenty two. I know I look younger."

"Good to know." Dom said cheerfully. Mia rolled her eyes and pulled Bianca over to the table. They sat down across from the boys. Jesse barely sent them a glance and a muttered hello before becoming enrapt with the plans again. Thank heavens, Mia thought darkly, that Vince had an inch of manners.

"What you say your name was?" Never mind.

"Bianca. I got UCLA with Mia. Well, not with Mia. But same campus." Vince nodded and not so discreetly gave Bianca the once over.

"You look like your nineteen."

"V!" Mia snapped. Vince looked from her to Bianca in confusion. To Mia's relief Bianca just laughed and said he reminded her of one of her friends somewhat. Mia and Bianca continued chatting with Vince throwing in comments every now and then and before they knew it dinner was ready.

Bianca got a once over verbally during dinner but Mia could tell she didn't really mind. She could tell that she was really going to like Bianca - if she chose to extend the friendship. Which was something that Mia was fairly positive she was. Dom and the boys seemed to like her, and that was enough of a test for her.

Dinner was almost over when the subject got around to nasty scars and Bianca showed them all a large one on her ankle from where she had broken it. As Mia knew he would Vince launched into an explanation about his scars. Mia sipped her ice tea as she wondered just how many times she was going to have to lie to her new friend about what happened. Lying wasn't her favorite thing to do. But Mia would do anything to protect her boys. Anything.

Vince was about halfway through his story when Bianca's cell rang. Not that it mattered, most of it was bullshit anyway, but V seemed annoyed none the less. Apologizing Bianca dug through her purse for her phone. Finally finding it she answered cheerfully. Like someone had turned on a switch and the sweetness morphed to anger.

"Where am I? Where are you Tommy? You expected me to just sit in that park all night?" Sliding from the picnic table with a look of apology Bianca walked a bit away. Mia watched in some humor as she shifted her stance onto her left foot and rested her hand on her hip. "If Mia hadn't taken me home…don't you say that! You don't even…oh no Tommaso! Don't even bring that up!...Vaffanculo! Don't you hang up! Don't you hang u-"

Bianca stopped talking for a moment and simply stared at the back of their house. Mia got the direct impression that she had in fact been hung up on. Bianca snapped her phone shut and returned to the table.

"My families such jerks." She grumbled as she sipped her beer.

"I don't get along with my family either." Jesse said sympathetically. Before Bianca could comment her cell phone went off again.

"If your calling to…oh. Hey…Yeah he did…Yeah I did…Sorry. Um, hold on. Mia where is this place?" Bianca repeated the address and then sighed as she hung up. "Sorry about that guys. That was really rude of me to fight while your having dinner. And this is the second time you've had to deal with Tommy and my shit Mia."

Mia waved it off with a smile. Everyone had their problems right? Besides, it was almost humorous they way Bianca had sounded when she fought. When she wasn't crying that was.

"It doesn't matter. That's what friends are for right?" At the word friends Bianca visibly brightened. "We that have horridly overprotective brothers gotta look out for each other right?"

"Right." Bianca agreed, laughing at the look on Dominic's face. "That was my cousin on the phone. She said she should be here any minute, was in the neighborhood or something like that." Mia couldn't help but not the suspicious note in Bianca's voice as she said the last part. Bianca stood again and Mia watched as she offered her hand again to Dom. He took it, once again that smirk on his face. "Thanks so much for dinner Dominic, it was great. And it was a pleasure meeting you all."

She repeated the hand shake with all the others, though Mia couldn't help but notice that she held hands with V for a little longer then necessary. Mia hoped something would happen there. Though Vince still hadn't given up on her completely, his feelings for her had definitely lessened. In some twisted way it was sad, Mia would miss the security of always knowing she would have at least one man looking at her that way. But she truly had no intention of getting romantically involved with a man she felt was like her own brother.

The roar of an engine lit out the neighborhood and grew louder as it pulled into the drive way. The bike came into view and Mia corked and eyebrow in surprise. She admitted when she had heard the sound she was expecting a Roadster or something. But this bike was not what she was expecting. Perhaps it was being around Dom that made her stare at it with such scrutiny.

The level of detail put into the paint job made it clear that the rider was more then just a pleasure rider. The entire bike was a bright blue, with orange, green and white stripes thrown in almost randomly but clearly with a design in mind. There was a detail on it, but Mia wasn't close enough to make it out completely. There were a few company names printed towards the bottom and around the edges of the seat. In large, bold white letters on the side was the name 'Ducati' and in a smaller size 'Superbike'.

It's engines shut off and the sudden silence seemed like a slap. The rider popped the kickstand down and stepped off the bike. A slender frame outlined by a tan and red leather ridding jacket reached up and tugged off the full face helmet.

The relation between the two Rossi was clear the moment it came off. The same tan skin, the same brown eyes and the same dark hair. But that's where the similarities ended. Her hair was short compared to Bianca's lengthy cut and pulled into tight French braid. She placed the helmet on the handle bars before giving a slight wave and stepping to the yard.

To Mia she seemed to have a harsh air around her, a certain intimidation and confidence in her step that Bianca lacked. Bianca seemed young and innocent. She gave off a sweet aura that had so easily won over the Toretto household. Mia wasn't so sure the same thing would happen with the new Rossi.

"You came to pick me up in that?" Bianca asked, abruptly tearing Mia from her observation of the woman. She was walking forward to meet her cousin.

"Tommy's bringing your bike. He should be here soon." The woman answered as she leaned in and exchanged a kiss on the cheek with Bianca. She turned her attention to Mia. Mia was surprised to find a friendly note in the cold brown eyes. "You must be Mia." She held out her hand, Mia took it with a smile. "Thank you for taking care of my baby cousin. She and her brother can really go at it."

"It's alright." Mia assured her.

"All the same, thanks. I hope you and Bianca can be friends. She doesn't have many." Ignoring the cry of 'hey!' from Bianca she carried on. "I'm Alessandra Rossi, but I would prefer it if you called me Aless." She stared pointedly at Dom.

"Oh! This is my brother Dominic Toretto. And this is Leon Henderson, Vince Andrews and Jesse Duley." Aless held her hand out to Dominic.

"Dominic Toretto." She said as she was shaking it, a curious half smile on her face. "As in Toretto, King of the Street Races?"

Uh oh.

"The one and only." Mia rolled her eyes as her brother became extremely smug with himself. Next to her Bianca gave a small sound of surprise before looking at her cousin worriedly. "I didn't think you were a fan of car racing by the looks of your ride over there." He gestured at the resting bike with his Corona. "What you packing?"

"Just enough." Aless answered with a smile that matched Dominic. "Sometime I'm gonna have to show you the other side of racing in this town Toretto."

"I think that'd be a good idea. I'm sure it would be a learning experience."

Mia stared at the two. Now Bianca's nervousness was becoming her own. She didn't like the challenge she was seemingly radiating off of both of them. She shared a concern look with Bianca. Obliviously Bianca's cousin was a motorcycle racer, maybe even a good one by the way she was acting now. And Dom had such an inflated ego he might go and do something very stupid if left unsupervised in this woman's presence.

Before anything else could happen the rumble of a motorcycle once again filled the air. Mia almost laughed at what she was next. Besides her Bianca showed none of her restraint and laughed freely. Tommy, still looking as unhappy as ever, was dismounting from a very pink and purple motorcycle. On the side in big purple letters it said 'Biker chick'.

It was oblivious as the two bikes stood next to each other that they were very different designs and Mia hoped that it meant that Bianca wasn't a racer. She had dealt with that all she wanted to. It would be nice to have one relationship in which the other member did not frequently put their lives on the line racing.

"I am never riding that piece of shit again." Tommy complained as he approached. He tossed Bianca her pink helmet as he fiddled with his own. He was promptly slapped on the back of the head by Aless.

"A Ducati Monster is not a piece of shit Tommaso." She growled out. Mia was just happy that Aless and Dom had stopped having their 'who's balls are bigger' contest. Tommy rubbed the back of his head ruefully as he was introduced to the others. His eyes lingered on Mia and she wondered if he even slightly felt remorse for his treatment of her earlier. It was clear that he didn't.

Out lined now in leather pants and a wife beater, a leather jacket hanging around his waist and large riding boots it was clear to Mia that while he was not built like Dominic, Tommy was still a big boy, muscles rippled as he moved. But his frame was more like V's if anyone's. And he couldn't be that big off an ass because as he stared looked over at his sister he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the check.

"Mi dispiace." He said softly. Instantly a smile erupted over Bianca's face and she reached out and gave him a hug. Mia wondered if all their fights were so easily forgiven and if they all got as out of hand as they did.

"Well. We're off." Aless announced as she headed back towards her bike. "Hurry up with your goodbyes Bianca, we've still got to stop home and get Tommy's bike."

"She's going to make him ride on the back of my bike." Bianca said with a giggle as Aless seated herself on her bike and pulled her helmet on. Sliding onto the back of the seat on Bianca's bike Tommy yanked his helmet down, his annoyance clear on his face before the green plastic covered it. Beside her Dom chuckled slightly.

"What?" Mia asked, confused.

"To have someone ride on the back of your bike is a very intimate thing." Bianca explained.

"It means he's her bitch." Dominic said as he took another sip of his beer. Man, she was really not liking that look in his eye.

"That's right." Bianca said looking at Dom with some new found respect. "I see you car boys do know a few things after all. It was great meeting you all! Mia, give me your numbers okay?"

After a brief exchange of numbers Bianca trotted off to her bike, pulling the full helmet over head and thumping the top of it in what Mia guessed was an attempt to get it on all the way. The roar of the two engines were enough to make the boys grin in appreciation. Mia watched in little surprise as Aless shot off, her bike quickly disappearing, and in extreme surprise at the ease of which Bianca handled her own bike. She was such a small girl! How could she even walk such a big bike!

The excitement over, Mia returned to the table and her quickly cooling food. She looked up to find Dom with a smirk and a mischievous glint in his eyes. Oh yes, Mia was going to do her damnest to keep him from completing whatever stupid idea he was currently forming.

Italian translations:

Tommaso tornare qui! – Tommaso come back!

Seccare Bianca! – Piss off Bianca!

Vaffanculo! – Fuck you!

Mi dispiace. – I'm sorry.

A little long at ten pages but that's alright. Introductions need to be long right? What do you all think? As you see I like bikes. Check out my profile to see pictures of the bikes I will use in this story. Aless and Tommy both have a Ducati Superbike 999R. Bianca has a Ducati Monster S2R.