Summary: This is the story of the team and how they became just that; a team. With unbreakable, unshakeable bonds, this group of people overcomes every obstacle thrown at them… or do they? Before TFATF. Before the racing, the heists, and the hype. This is the story of the team, and how they became the team they ended up as. This is the story of the blossoming relationship between Letty and Dominic, the friendship between everyone, the introduction of Jesse, Leon, and Vince. Kind of AU because Dom and Vince haven't known each other since third grade.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters… I don't own the original storyline – although I own everything that does not go along with the movie.
Author's Note: Honestly, I hadn't even realized I'd written anything having Mia drive. I must not have been thinking clearly when I wrote that. It won't happen again. Sorry that it's been so long since I updated… I couldn't get on the site. And now, I have surgery on Tuesday so I'm not sure when the next update will be.
Chapter Nine. Wake Up.
"I love you," he whispered to her as he caressed her face. She couldn't feel any warmth radiating from Dominic's hand on her cheek. A tear rolled down Dom's cheek as he whispered to Letty. "I'm so sorry I had to leave you."
"Dom, what are you talking about?" Letty asked, puzzled and upset by the coldness in his touch and the sadness in his voice.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered.
Letty woke, startled, in a cold sweat with tears streaming down her face from her dream. She panicked, looking around at her surroundings and saw Mia sleeping in a chair next to her, cuddled up with Jesse on the side of her. "Mi…" Letty whispered hoarsely. Mia didn't stir. "Mia…" she tried again, louder this time.
Mia's eyes shot open at the sound of Letty's voice. "Hey girl," she said soothingly as she crept out from under Jesse's arm and leaned on the bed. She rubbed Letty's hand gingerly. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit in the stomach with a gun," Letty said dryly as she rubbed her stomach with her free hand. "Mi, I just had what I hope was a nightmare."
"Yeah?" Mia sighed. "You've been having them a lot lately. Your heart rate goes up so high when you're asleep. What happened?"
"I was sitting there," Letty started, her tears flowing harder now. "And Dominic was telling me he was sorry he had to leave me… and that he loved me." Mia's face went pale as she patted Letty's arm gently. Letty looked at her, growing more upset. "Mia… he's still alive, isn't he?"
Mia nodded, not looking directly into Letty's face. "I'm going to go check on him, okay?" Letty nodded in agreement as Mia got up and headed out the door. "Don't worry too much while I'm gone, Let. You know Dominic is a strong guy."
A silent sob came from Letty's lips as Mia disappeared out the door. As the moments passed and thoughts raced through her mind, Letty's sobs became more and more apparent. A passing nurse peeked in and sighed, knowing Letty was just upset over Dominic.
Jesse stirred at the sound of the sobs and moved closer to her bed side. He brushed her matted and unwashed her out of her face with his hand. "Sh, sweetie… it's okay," he cooed softly. Letty's sobs came in torrents of tears. Jesse wrapped his arms around her and cradled her body to his own. "Let it out, babe. Just cry it out," he said gently, in a soothing voice.
The two stayed that way for a while until Mia crept silently into the room, seeing Jesse consoling Letty. She walked over and wrapped her arms around the two gently, a grin spreading across her face. Jesse looked at her, confused. "Letty… can you get up, do you think?"
"Yeah, into a wheel chair," Letty remarked, confused. "Why?"
Mia sat her up as Jesse pulled a wheel chair over towards the bed. He slipped some slippers onto her feet and held his arms out. Letty, still puzzled, obliged the open arms and Jesse eased her into the wheel chair. "You'll see," Mia grinned as she sped out of the room, pushing Letty in the chair.
"Close your eyes," Mia giggled as Jesse held open the door and Mia guided the wheel chair in. "Ok, open."
They were in another hospital room, with the same pale walls and drab tiling as what she'd been surrounded by the past week. Letty's eye sight shifted to the bed in the center of the room, and the huge body on top of it. "Dom," Letty gasped as Mia pushed her to the edge of the bed.
"Let," a hoarse voice came from the bed as Dominic's head fell to the side Letty was seated on. His eyes were closed and there was a breathing tube in his nose. Letty could tell he was fighting to open his eyes to see her for himself and know that he wasn't dreaming. Tears gently glided down her cheeks as she grabbed his hand gently and rubbed her fingers across it.
"Baby," Letty whispered in between sobs as she caressed his hands and took in the sight of him. There were IV's in both his arms and tubes all over the place. His blanket was pulled down enough for her to see the dressing on his abdomen, marked with deep crimson.
Dom's mouth choked open as his eyes fluttered, but still did not open. "Baby its okay," Letty cried. "Don't talk. You don't even have to look at me… just, know that I'm here for you."
A growl came from Dom's chest as his breaths became less ragged. Letty knew from experience that Dom was falling asleep. She kissed his hand and held onto it tight. Looking at Mia, she mouthed a, "Thank you," and smiled. Mia nodded as her and Jesse left the room.
Days passed with Dom coming in and out of consciousness. Letty stayed by his bedside every night and everyday. She'd been released from the hospital, but she hadn't left yet. She wouldn't leave; not without Dominic walking out beside her.
"Miss," a doctor said as he came into the room. Letty looked up at the doctor, and saw the smile across his face. "His white blood cell count is normal, the infection is all gone. We're going to stop giving him the medications that keep him asleep – and he should wake soon enough."
Letty grinned as she bent her head down to Dominic's face and whispered; "Now all you'll need to do is wake the hell up. Come on Dom… do it for our baby."