Hey all, ok I know I'm like supper late, but I do have an explanation though. On Christmas night I really wasn't feeling good, I happened that I had to have my appendices out. LOL I always seem to have the best Christmas. Anyways it worked out for the best, I was able to see my brother were as if I wasn't ordered to stay in town an extra week I would not have been able too. Also I was able to ask the Doctor a few things about blindness. LOL he couldn't tell me a whole lot because it wasn't his field of study, but then again every bit of info helps so I'm not complaining.

GoldAngle2~ Thanks for the kind review, you were right, I did do some homework on blindness. I absolutely love your new chapters. I can't wait to read more from you. Thanks again for all the help.

Hawk Sage~ Thanks so much, I really liked your stories, I hope you create more very soon. You're really very talented. Thank-you.

Jen23~ you are the greatest, It means so much to me that you enjoy my stories and think I am explaining things well. Thank-you.

RedLion2~ Thanks for the nice words. I love your new story; it's absolutely grand. I can't wait for your next chap.

Ok well now that we've got that done with, lets get on to the story. Sorry if it's a bit short. I'm on painkillers and not really up to typing a whole bunch. OK well here it goes.

Speed watched as the nurse tried to feed Trixie, who repeatedly refused the less than appetizing meal. By the frown lines on the old ladies face it was apparent that she was starting to loose her patients. Speed stood from the chair with a dark frown of his own gracing his handsome face.

"Miss, may I try to feed her? I might be able to convince her to eat" Speed's voice was tight, his hands balled into fists. He wasn't angry particularly with the nurse or Trixie, but he had had enough of watching this lady try to stuff his girlfriend like some kind of turkey.

The nurse looked at him for a moment. She wasn't quiet sure whether that was allowed, this man was a racecar driver, what could he ever know about the importance of caring for a patient. Finally she stood from the edge of the bed, handing Speed the food. "Alright, you can feed her, but I'm going to watch you the first couple of times."



Speed nodded curtly, sitting down next to Trixie, Speed was about to take the food when he felt the petite hand of his girlfriend hit his leg as it wandered looking for her boyfriend. On instinct he grabbed her hand and kissed it gently.

"Speed, I don't want you or anyone else to feed me, I want to feed myself." Trixie chocked out the words quietly pulling herself closer to her love. Speed looked down at her, his hand gently caressed her cheek. He was confused and scared, what was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to do? Trixie had always been a strong independent woman, who hated pity. Speed couldn't begin to imagine how much this blindness must be tearing her apart.

"You will be able to feed yourself, after many months of practice of course" Speed's head snapped back to the door as Ms. Kay announced her arrival. She signaled for the nurse to leave telling her that she would take care of the feedings. As the nurse left Charlotte made her way over to Trixie and Speed.

"You do have a lovely house Speed, and your mother is a great cook." Ms. Kay sat down in the chair next to the bed. "Now the first way to learn how to feed yourself is to learn the different feels of the silverware."

"Is this really necessary? I mean she just woke up, does she have to do this now?" Speed wasn't too sure as to whether to allow Ms. Kay to continue what she was doing or not. The protectiveness he felt for Trixie was taking control of his senses.



Ms. Kay gave Speed a hard look; she was about to speak her mind, when she noticed Trixie. Trixie was trying her hardest to look as if she new exactly like she knew what was going on, though it became apparent that she was scared and confused as she unconsciously moved closer to where her boyfriend was sitting holding her hand.

Charlotte smiled a sweet knowing smile that passed on her mature face to quickly for Speed to catch. "Listen, Speed Trixie, I'm going to tell you something and it is vital that both of you listen closely." Charlotte looked at both of them making sure she had their attention. "I can't say enough how important it is for all of us to start working through this. I mean it you two, if we wait to long, it is possible that Trixie will start to believe that being blind is a horrible thing that can never be helped." As Charlotte started her long speech she seemed to make Speed think, as he grew tense with the thought of Trixie believing life was hopeless.

As Ms. Kay continued Trixie began to think as well. "The sooner we start with your training, the sooner you will become more confident." Charlotte laid a hand on Trixie's shoulder, causing her to look in her direction. "Ok, now Trixie, as you know I have already been to the Racer's home. While I was there Mrs. Racer and I made the room you will be staying in safe for you're stay there. Tonight we will be finishing that up."

"What do you mean by making her room safe?" Speed interrupted the moment with his annoyed yet curious voice. Charlotte looked at him, and smiled reassuringly. The knowledge that came from knowing he was so worried over Trixie's safety made her job that much easier.

"Well, it's quiet simple, we need to pretty much baby proof the room. We wouldn't want poor Trixie here to wake in the night and trip over a cord electrocuting herself now would we?"

Trixie became slightly frightened at the thought of that, "has that ever really happened?" came her desperate question. Ms. Kay laughed softly.


"I'm sorry to have scared you dear, that was a bit of an extended example of what could happen. Though we did take out the bedside lamp. Tonight we will be putting plastic that your friend Sparky, volunteered to get from the store on the corners of the shelves and dressers."

Speed was also frightened by the thought of Trixie being able to hurt herself so easily. As his mind wandered over the words spoken by Ms. Kay, he noticed from the corner of his eye, Charlotte taking Trixie's hand in her own, guiding it along the surface of a fork. "As you'll learn, there are many different ways to tell utensils apart. Say for example this fork. It is made of thinner metal than a knife and also you have the end tips." Ms Kay kept hold of Trixie's hand as she scooped a bit of food onto the fork. "Ok, now open your mouth, and show me were you think the food should go"

Trixie complied with her wishes nervously afraid she would spill the food. As her hand drew closer to her face she felt a slight pressure above her chin. With the realization that it was indeed her fork Trixie shut her mouth and frowned. "I can't do this." Trixie was waiting for Ms. Kay to take the fork away from her, after a moment that nothing happened she grew tense as her shoulders tightened.

"Oh now Trixie, don't get yourself frightened, and for heavens sake just take the time to think for a moment and tell me where your mouth would be from the forks current position" Ms. Kay's voice had sounded a bit harsh but she had a gentle smiling look upon her face.

Speed, who was certainly not going to allow her to speak to his girlfriend in such a manor, was about to intervene, though he was interrupted as Trixie's mouth once again opened, her hand slowly guiding the fork upwards towards her mouth. As Trixie kept the point of her fork against her skin, as to tell her exactly where it was she felt the fork enter her small rounded mouth. Speed watched on with aww as Trixie took her first taste of food she served herself since the accident.

Speed himself felt unbelievable pride as a huge genuinely happy smile crossed Trixie's face. Trixie her self could not believe the accomplishment she had just fulfilled. She felt unusually prideful, and spunky, more than she had since the last time she saw Speed collect the trophy at the Grand Pree Race.



Charlotte also smiled to herself, happy to see Trixie regain some of her confidence. Though she new she would have to talk with Trixie alone soon, if her job was to be completed to the utmost profession. The only problem was that she couldn't figure out how to have Speed leave. It was obvious that he did not fully trust her, nor did he plan on leaving Trixie, who he obviously cared for very much, alone any time soon.

As if an answer to her question, Racer X chose that time to step into the room. Everyone except Trixie noticed his arrival. Racer X looked around the quiet room filled with unspoken pride, until his eyes lay upon his younger brothers beloved girlfriend/spotter/navigator. Even he had become accustomed to having her near by any of the races Speed and he competed in. He slowly walked over to her laying a firm hand on her shoulder.

The unexpected touch surprised Trixie a great deal as her head quickly wiped around on instinct, trying to find whoever it was who had her. "I'm sorry Trixie for scaring you, and also for what happened, I'm sure everything will be alright in the end." It took a minute for Trixie to recognize the familiar voice, though once she did; she immediately tried to cover up the hospital gown she knew she was wearing.

Speed smiled, thinking it quite cute as to how Trixie seemed so fluttered. He walked up behind the masked Racer, about to ask a question, when Racer X beat him to it. "Speed, I would like to speak with you alone, if it's alright with these ladies of course." Speed seemed to think for a moment, not sure he wanted to leave Trixie alone with Ms. Kay. After a while Speed agreed and the two men headed out the door. Before leaving though, Speed went over to his love, and kissed her soundly on the lips. As they parted Trixie gently slapped what she thought was his face, though it turned out to be his shoulder.

"Own baby, what was that for? " Speed searched Trixie's body movements as she smiled slightly.

"You told me, if you ever kissed me again without letting me know it was you to slap you." By Trixie's voice you could tell she was just having fun. Speed smiled glad that her spirits had been lifted. Soon after the men left, leaving Ms. Kay and Trixie to finishing up the feeding.

"Trixie, what do you plan on doing, after you become used to your blindness" The question came suddenly, it's meaning driving Trixie to a halt, leaving the fork in mid air. Her head slowly came down. Ms. Kay took the wavering fork from her hand.



"I don't know there's not much that I can do anymore. I mean without seeing I can't really think of what can be done" Trixie paused, letting her own words engulf her thoughts. As if only moments ago realization hit her, her head snapped up as her hands came to her face covering her already covered eyes. "Oh no, I won't ever be able to be in a race again. I'm no use to the go team any longer." Her shoulders racked as she sobbed her trauma away.

"Trixie, please, listen that's not at all true. You may not be able to be Speed's spotter any longer, but there's no reason on Earth you couldn't be his navigator. Unless your not willing to learn Braille." Charlotte set Trixie back down to the bed. "Now you just rest, and let me tell you a little story."

Trixie nodded, she wasn't sure what to expect or exactly sure what Braille was. Charlotte smiled slightly as she sat back in her own chair, looking at the walls, letting her memories overtake her. "It must have been 25 years ago, boy I am getting old. Anyways, I was eight years old at the time. Always happy and cheerful like most eight year olds tend to be. I had many friends, and my parents were very kind. I lived in Rhode Island, a small place to live, though it truly does have wonderful views. "

"It was late one night, my parents and I had been at a party. I believe I had fallen asleep in the back seat, my parents had bored me with they're talk of the nights events. I really can't remember what happened, though I remember waking to my mothers scream, after that it was all, dark. Even when I awoke next, it remained dark. The Dr. came in, telling me this and that, using words I didn't understand. " Charlotte stopped and took a deep breath as if preparing herself.

"When they told me, my parents had passed away, and that they were gone, I only asked where had they gone I was scared, I had wanted my mother desperately. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't see or why my parents would leave me hear alone. You see, even though I was eight, and most eight year olds do know at least a bit about death or blindness I had lived a very sheltered life, and the times didn't help much. I was left with no money or understanding. They left me in a church, with a sister that took care of me. I grew up there, and often thought of taking up being a nun. " Charlotte laughed to herself gently, looking over at Trixie before continuing.

"Then, one day, I awoke, and as if by miracle I could see shadows of things around me. I told the Sisters their, and they told me the god's were healing me. With every couple of weeks that went by my sight became stronger, until finally one day, I had been down at the river gathering water when before my self for the first time, I saw the powerful river I had often sunk my feet into." Charlotte smiled of the memory, reliving her joy of that day.

"I was 19 the day the lord gave me back my sight as the sisters had said, and at that time I was fully ready to become a nun, in thanks to the Lord. Though Sister Mary, the eldest of the nuns, and the one who had raised me, had told me to venture out into the world, and if by the time I returned I still wished to become a nun, it would be done. So I took out to the cities, fascinated by the world around me. At the end of my year I was still ready to become a nun." Charlotte laughed once more, as if she had her own silent joke.

"On the day I was supposed to return to the church, I had gotten violently ill. I soon found myself in a hospital, as it happened it had only been food poisoning, though I am glad for that bad hamburger I had, for if I never had gotten ill, I never would have met Alex. Months ago he fell blind by an illness. Meeting him changed my life forever; it was the day I had decided to go into medicine, to help those who were blind."



"So you see Trixie, I suppose my story has two points to it. One there's no real telling if a blindness is permanent, second either way, you'll learn to see the world differently now, just you wait." Charlotte smiled and took Trixie's hand squeezing it gently.

Trixie smiled back, she was quiet for a while, pondering her own thoughts on Ms Kay's past. Sleep soon over took her. As she drifted into slumber Charlotte rose from her seat, leaving the room.

Outside the hospital, Racer X and Speed were talking. Racer X had a serious look on his face. "Speed, there's something I have to tell you."

"What is it Racer X" Speed had noticed the elder racers uneasiness, and had grown tense in the suspension.

"I've been doing some research, I found it very suspicious that Trixie's helicopter would go out like that all of a sudden. I took a look at the surveillance camera's and Speed, I think someone tampered with Trixie's helicopter."

Speed was shocked he couldn't think. "What do you mean?"

Racer X somehow knew that question was coming, " It means Speed, that someone wanted Trixie to crash"

DUN, boy I am evil when I'm on painkillers. LOL I really had no clue this was gonna happen I'm still really surprised. I think I've got a bit of thinking to do. Like who in the world is gonna be the bad guy, oh I think I just complicated my life. Oh well, just tell me what you think, and if you have any ideas, please tell me soon. I just know I'm gonna hate myself when I am awake enough to notice what I did.

Kieri Norou