We are so very sorry for the lateness of this chapter. Trying to find time to write and colaborate together was tough. We are grateful to those sticking around and who continue to read this. We hope you guys enjoy!

Quarter Mile at a Time
Chapter Five

Vince opened the door and found Gaby standing outside it. His jaw dropped at the sight of her. She stood poised and confident, her dress fluttering in the light breeze.

"You ready?" she asked after some time had passed by, secretly loving the look of shock on his face. Damn, he cleans up good, she thought as she took in his black slacks and blue button up shirt.

"Yeah," Vince said, snapping out of his daze.

The two walked to his Maxima and Gaby waited patiently as V opened the door for her. She smiled in return before slipping in. Vince jogged around the car and hopped in.

"Let's go," he said as he cranked up the car.

Gaby smiled at him and the car shot off.

"So how is it that the gang came to be?" Gaby asked. They had just finished placing their order and were now waiting for their food.

"We're not a gang. We're a team and that's a whole lot of history," Vince answered, taking a drink from his beer.

"Well, I've got time if you're willing to talk," she said leaning forward.

"Alright. Well, I grew up with Dom. Letty lived down the street and was always around."

"What about Jesse and Leon?"

"Jesse and Leon just sort of showed up one night and never ever left. Well, it's just the way Dom is you know? Dom's like, he's...he's like gravity. You know, everything just gets pulled to him. Probably even you," he said as he quirked an eyebrow, silently asking her.

"No way. The cars did it for me," she answered laughing and saw the frown on Vince's face.

"And what about me?" he asked pouting at her.

"You're just a bonus," she replied, leaning forward even more. His eyes were glued on her lips as his mouth curved into a smirk. His blue eyes flickered up to hers before looking back down. He pressed forward and just as his lips were brushing hers, a loud cough broke them apart.

"Here you guys go," the waiter said placing down their plates. Gaby blushed at being caught up in the moment and ducked her head. Vince scowled at the waiter and then looked over at Gaby. He could see the faint blush on her checks and it took everything in him not to laugh; she was just too cute.

"Hey cutie, he's gone now." Gaby looked up to see Vince smirking at her and she cursed herself for blushing. You're a professional, remember? Don't let some guy mess with you. Gaby took a deep breath and settled her nerves. Oh boy, isn't this going to be interesting.

Gaby smirked as she felt Vince curl an arm around her waist and pulling her towards him. They were walking towards his car in the parking lot.

"So, you gonna let me drive your baby?" she asked, trying to gauge his reaction. She paused in front of his car. Vince stared down at her, a gleam in his eye.

"Only if you let me do this first," he answered as he grabbed her and lowered his lips to hers. One of his hands threaded through her hair as her arms curled around his neck. She traced his bottom lip with her tongue and almost giggled at his groan. Trailing a hand down his chest, she quickly reached into his slacks, snatching out his keys and then pulled away, dashing towards the driver's side and getting in before he could do anything.

Vince stood there for a second, blinking, dumbfounded at what she had just done. Shaking his head, he got into the car. "You play dirty," he growled at her. Gaby gave him a devilish smile before starting his car up.

Gaby zoomed through traffic, relishing in being behind the wheel again. She laughed as Vince blanched when she pulled a 180 in the middle of the street. Taking pity on him, she slowed down a bit and then took a right. Driving down the road, she paused down at the beach, parking his car. Getting out, she pulled off her high heels and was rewarded with instant relief.

"You're going to pay, you know that?" Vince asked as he got out of the car.

"Gonna have to catch me first," she called back as she tore off down the beach. Vince gave a growl before pulling off his own shoes and running after her. Gaby had a good head start but Vince caught up to her and tackled her.

"You going to punish me now?" she asked laying passively beneath him. Vince nodded, moving his head down as if to kiss her. When she closed her eyes, he rose up and began to tickle her unmercifully. Her laughter filled the air and Vince smiled down at her.

"Alright, uncle! Uncle! I give!" Gaby gasped out. When she had regained her breath, Vince leaned back down, capturing her lips. She gasped this time out of the sensation and Vince took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Her arms wrapped around him, pulling him down on her.

The next thing she knew, they were both drenched as a wave crashed over them. They both sputtered, shock at the cold water. Vince soon broke out into laughs and Gaby stared at him.

"I'd like to know what's so funny?" she asked indignantly. "Because I don't find this very funny."

"Sorry, just the look on your face. It was priceless," he answered as his laughter died down.

"Well look at you seaweed boy," she shot back. Vince frowned at her before bringing his hand up to his head and pulling off a string of seaweed. Gaby laughed at him as he flung it away.

"Well look who's laughing now."

"Me," she said before a shiver racked her body and her teeth started to chatter a bit.

"Come on, you got to be freezing." Vince got up, pulling her up with him. They walked back to his car and Vince popped the trunk. "I knew these would come in handy some day," he said as he wrapped a towel around her.

"Thanks," she chattered out.

"Let's go." Vince took out the other towel and closed the trunk. Picking up their discarded shoes, they got into the car and Vince drove back to the fort.

Vince opened her door and helped her out. Gaby's teeth had spot chattering but her body shivered every once in a while. Taking her hand in his, he led her inside and up to his room. Vince closed the door behind them and flicked on the light. The room was an exact personification of Vince: slightly messy but cozy.

Gaby stood awkwardly, not sure what to say and Vince seemed to be having the same problem. A shiver from her body seemed to bring him out of his daze and he glanced worriedly at her.

"Think you could deal with some of my clean clothes? I really don't want to wait Mia or Letty up," he asked.

"That'd be fine. I think I can deal with Vince clothes for one night," she said with a smirk. Vince grinned back at her before moving over to his dresser and opening a drawer. He rummaged around before pulling out a pair of shorts and a wife beater.

"This okay?" he asked passing her the clothes.

"Perfect," she answered. Without having to be told, Vince turned around and stared out his window, waiting for her to get dressed. She couldn't help but smile at how much a gentleman he was. She set the clothes on the bed and scrubbed her head with the towel before setting it down. She twisted her arm behind her, trying to catch the zipper. After many failed attempts, she let out a sigh of defeat; she was going to have to have Vince help her.

"Vince?" she called out.

"Hmm?" he said, never turning around.

"I need a little help here."

Vince turned around and came over to her. She presented her back to him and he smile softly. He began to undo the zipper, the sound seeming out of place in the silent room. Once it was down, his hands feathered over her back, his fingertips barely brushing her skin. A tremor ran through her body and he didn't think it had anything to do with her damp clothes. She turned around slowly, her gaze timid as she did so.

"Vince," she whispered his name like a caress. Vince cupped her cheek and kissed her gently. She returned the kiss with equal favor and soon they were kissing passionately. Her dress began to slide down her arms and she let it. Her fingers began to work at the buttons on his shirt and then pulled it off him. She took her hands off of him long enough to allow the dress to fall to the floor and then his hands were everywhere.

"Gaby," he murmured against her ear as he trailed kisses down her throat. She felt his hands go for the clutch on her bra before she stopped him. "What?" he asked.

"I just wanted to let you know that I've never done anything like this before," she said ducking her head. Vince put a finger under her chin and brought her face up.

"That's okay. We'll take it slow then," he replied before kissing her. The passion was still there but the urgency behind it was gone; instead there was patience and understanding, trust. Gaby took a deep breath before allowing herself to be swept under and letting herself go.

Gaby sighed as she climbed out of V's car. She was at yet another race and knew that this time, her race with Letty would go through. Her feelings about the race were mixed. Part of her wanted to go through with it so as to put Letty in her place and show her that should couldn't be alpha dog for long. However, with her and Vince getting closer each day, she wasn't sure how the team would to her winning.

The atmosphere was the same as usual but there was added excitement, as if everyone knew something was going to go down tonight. Gaby circled around the car and smiled as Vince snagged her and sat her down next to him. Up ahead Dom had gotten of his car and she watched as Letty verbally fought off two skanks.

"Ow...I smell... skanks. Why don't you girls just pack it up before I leave tread marks on your face?" she said, her lips curling in a sneer.

Gaby let out a laugh. "She always like that?"

Vince chuckled. "Yeah pretty much. She doesn't exactly have a lot of faith in Dom."

She shook her head in return. "Must suck to be in their relationship."

"I wouldn't know," he replied.

Gaby gave him a coy smile and gave him a chaste kiss, smiling into it. A throat clearing caught their attention and they looked up to see Dom staring at them, a smirk apparent in his eyes even if his face didn't show it.

"I decided you girls get to race tonight. I wanna see what you got."

"That's great Dom, but uh, I don't have a car remember?" Gaby stated.

"You can use mine," Vince piped in and Gaby saw Dom's eyes widen marginally.

"Do what?" Gaby stuttered out.

Vince shrugged his shoulders and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Why not?"

Gaby smiled at him before giving him another kiss. "Thank you," she whispered to him.

"It's nothing," he replied. "You just owe me." There was a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. Gaby smirked before turning to talk to Dom.

"I guess I'm in," Gaby replied, pulling a roll of money from her pants and handing it to Dom.

"Oh hell no. If she gets to race, then I get to race," Letty butted in, hands on her hips.

"I said the girls get to race tonight. That included you already," Dom growled, pissed that Letty was always trying to start something.

"Good," she said giving him her own roll of money and staring Gaby down. Oh boy, this is it, Gaby thought as Letty continued to stare daggers at her while Dom and Hector rounded up two more girls.

Gaby opened her mouth to speak to Vince once again, but was interrupted by Letty.

"Hey V? Can I talk to you for a second?"

Gaby gave V a curious look before shrugging her shoulders.

"Yeah, I guess," he replied, loosening his grip on Gaby and following after Letty.

The two walked away from the car to a quiet spot. Once they were alone, Letty spoke. "You're letting her drive your car?"

"Yeah, Let. What is she supposed to drive to race you? We're all out of bicycles."

Letty glared at him. "We're supposed to be pals. You're supposed to help me, not that skank."

Vince clenched his jaw. "She's not a skank."

A blank look fell onto Letty's face and silence filled the air. "You've slept with her."

Vince was sure that the statement was supposed to be an accusation, but it came out more as a hoarse whisper.

"Letty..."

She stuck her hand up in the air signaling for him to stop talking, but he ignored it.

"You will always be one of best friends and you know that. But the 'Ol Coyote can't stay single for long. I need some one to care for and who will love me back. We all know that Mia won't be that person, so what's so wrong with me loving Gaby?"

Letty sighed deeply. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."

Vince chuckled in return. "I won't, Let, I promise."

"All right, I'll be civil with her, but only because of you."

Vince smiled and ruffled her hair. "That'a girl."

She flipped him off before the two of them heading back to the race.

"Where were you two?" Dom asked, when the two neared him.

"Just talking," Vince replied. Letty walked up to Dom and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"It's nothing, babe."

Vince walked back up to Gaby, who was sitting on the hood of his car. He stood between her legs and peered down at her.

"What was that all about?" she asked with a small smile as she played with the hem of his shirt.

"Just settling our differences."

"Wish it was that easy for me," Gaby mumbled in return.

"Don't worry about it. Just give Letty some time. She needs to get use to you," he reassured her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Why do I have a feeling that that's not going to happen?" she grumbled back and Vince tilted up her face.

"Just have some patience."

"Don't tell me I just heard the word patience come out of V's mouth," Mia exclaimed in faux shock.

Gaby let out a small laugh and Vince replied, "Very funny... Anyways, we need to get going. Dom's found the two girls that you two are racing, but I have a feeling they'll be no competition."

Gaby got off the hood and walked toward the passenger side.

"You wanna drive?" Vince offered, holding the keys out to her.

Gaby smiled and took the keys from him. "Thanks, babe."

Mia rolled her eyes at couple. "You two make me sick," she said with a laugh, but inside an unfamiliar feeling was taking over. Twinges of jealously flowed through her blood as she watched Gaby and V get in the car and take off. With a heavy sigh, she turned around and headed toward Dom's car, where he was waiting for her.

"You okay?" he asked seeing the frown on her face.

"Huh? Oh, yeah," she replied flashing him a smile.

"Girl, are you riding with me or not?" Letty called out, as she stood with her door open.

"Yeah," Mia replied. Dom just looked at her with his 'this isn't over' face and watched as she walked away and got into Letty's car. There was something bugging her and he was going to find out sooner or later; and if he had his way, it would be sooner.

Alright, so we hope to have the next chapter out sooner than this one. Thank you to those who are reading and please review!